Sleepless Spring Tide - 5
Freud
Yi Siling chose the seat with the best view, right in the middle. On her way over, she passed the table beside it and glanced through the gap in the screen. All she caught was the broad, straight back of a man in an exceptionally fine suit.
She didn't look long. Her eyes pulled away soon after.
The two tables sat back to back, divided by a folding screen.
Once they were seated, Yi Xinling ordered without even opening the menu, sparing her sister the agony of choice. "One order of beef buns, a bowl of zhajiang noodles, doufunao, a small bowl of lamb offal soup, red bean stuffed lvdagun, and the specialty pastry platter."
“That’s too much. We won’t finish it.”
Yi Xinling waved her off. “It’s fine. I’ll pack up whatever’s left and take it back for my roommates.”
“Then order another serving for them.” Yi Siling frowned at her sister’s lack of manners. How could she possibly give others leftover food?
Yi Xinling grinned, clearly finding her sister’s fussiness exhausting. “Oh, come on. We’re not that particular. I eat their leftover snacks all the time.”
The concept of a dorm and roommates was foreign to Siling. She'd done university in London, where she lived in a five-million-pound luxury penthouse in Kensington. There had been no roommates, only Auntie Li, the housekeeper, servants of various nationalities, and bodyguards assigned to keep her safe.
The food arrived quickly. The steaming buns were nothing like the delicate little things Yi Siling had imagined. Each one was the size of a fist, packed so full of meat the filling nearly burst through the skin, the juices already soaking through the dough.
The doufunao came scattered with chopped scallions and slicked with little beads of oil. Yi Siling frowned at the sight, but after her third sister wore down every last shred of her resistance, she reluctantly took a bite.
Savory tofu pudding? Her face twisted in horror.
The zhajiangmian proved no easier. Sauce clung to the corners of her lips, so she wound up twirling the noodles one strand at a time, eating them like spaghetti.
Yi Xinling could hardly bear to watch. Desperate for something to talk about, she asked, “What made you come all the way here to see me? Did the second and fourth sister finally get on your nerves?” So you came here to torture me instead.
Yi Siling dabbed the corner of her mouth with a napkin. “I didn’t come for you.”
Yi Xinling blinked, set down her chopsticks, and looked at her seriously. “If not for me, then who?”
Yi Siling gazed vaguely toward the gingko trees lining the street. “It’s…”
She stopped halfway. Yi Xinling nearly combusted with impatience. “It’s what?”
“Daddy is trying to sell me off to Beijing.” Yi Siling picked up a piece of pea cake and took a tiny, delicate bite.
“!”
Yi Xinling’s brain screamed. The sheer amount of information was overwhelming. She had only been home three months ago!
“Sell you to who in Beijing? Who'd be willing to buy you? Is this person insane? Too much money and nowhere to spend it?"
Yi Siling gave her a flat look.
Yi Xinling hunched her shoulders. “I'll shut up… please, continue…"
“Xie Xunzhi.” Even saying the name left a bad taste for Yi Siling. Her beautiful eyes narrowed, her voice turning icy. “A sanctimonious Old Fossil. Thirty years old, and ugly on top of it. The old man must have lost his mind to want me married to someone like that."
Behind the screen, Xie Xunzhi and Elder Qi fell silent. An unmistakable thread of awkwardness settled between them.
The name Xie Xunzhi had carried perfectly clearly through the screen.
Elder Qi could no longer pretend he had not heard it. He stole a complicated glance at Xie Xunzhi.
Xie Xunzhi remained composed, perfectly at ease, his expression as open and placid as the sea. He merely smiled and continued listening to the conversation that had delivered itself to his table.
"What's going on, why suddenly marry you off?” Yi Xinling’s expression changed completely. She had lost all appetite for the food in front of her.
Still, she found it hard to believe. Yi Siling could be dramatic when she felt like it. “An old fossil? That can't be real. Are you sure you didn't get it wrong? Dad’s taste can’t possibly be that bad. Weren't the ones he found for you before all handsome?"
Yi Siling's smile carried a curl of irritation. "He won't even show me a photo. If he weren't ugly, why hide it? And it’s not just that. He's pretentious, too. So fake.”
“Sanctimonious,” she added.
Behind her, the sanctimonious, fake, ugly man raised one eyebrow.
The teacup burned against his fingertips, but he did not let go. If anything, his grip tightened. As his fingers closed around the porcelain, several ridged veins rose beneath the cool pallor of his skin, sharp yet elegantly defined.
His cup held the finest pre-Qingming Longjing, the first harvest of the new spring. The leaves were young and tender, green as new grass, their fragrance crisp and penetrating.
Xie Xunzhi sipped his tea without a flicker of expression.
He remembered Aunt Yan, who had arranged the match on behalf of his family, telling him that Miss Yi was a fascinating girl. Once they were married, she had promised, every day would be lively. That he'd never know a dull day.
So this was what Miss Yi meant by fascinating.
He believed her about the lively married life.
Elder Qi was thoroughly amused. This girl was a delight. It seemed like his student was going to have his hands full.
With a teasing glint in his eye, he said under his breath. “What trouble did you get up to, offending the young lady like this? You deserve a beating."
Under Elder Qi’s amused gaze, Xie Xunzhi merely smiled, perfectly unruffled. “I’ll apologize to her later.”
And, perhaps, ask what exactly he had done to offend her so badly that she had taken to spreading rumors about him.
The huqin rose and fell, one melody following another. Outside the window, the wind stirred the gingko trees, sending a flurry of golden leaves through the air.
“Wait. I think I’ve heard that name before.” Yi Xinling’s mind finally caught up after several long seconds. “Is he… the Xie from Lanyao Group?”
“Yes. Him.” Yi Siling leaned forward, her elbow braced against the edge of the table. “You know him?”
Yi Xinling shook her head. “I don’t exactly run in those circles. Hard to know people at that level. But I know his sister. I’m pretty sure one of my roommates is his biological sister.”
“His actual sister?”
“Yeah. Xie Wenning. She doesn't talk about her family much, but you know how it is. Nobody can hide where they come from. When we started school, our counselor had everyone fill out a family background form. It got around somehow, and before long everyone knew she was the Xie family’s little Princess.”
Hua University was a den of dragons and tigers. The classmates around you were either rich or powerful, sons and daughters of families with connections that reach into every corner of the city, or second and third generation heirs to enormous fortunes. Beside them, even the Third Young Lady of the Yi family didn't stand out quite so much, though she was hardly inconspicuous.
At first, Yi Xinling had worried that Xie Wenning might be the spoiled, demanding sort of Princess. She'd already decided that if things went badly, she'd buy a place off campus. One spoiled princess was enough to serve, and that was her sister. She had no room to indulge anyone else.
Fortunately, Xie Wenning turned out to be sweet-natured, soft-spoken, and though her health was fragile, Yi Xinling was happy to take a little extra care of her. Of everyone in the dorm, the two of them got along best.
Yi Siling hadn't expected a door to open so easily.
“She never mentioned her brother? Any scandal, anything?"
“…” Yi Xinling’s expression turned strange. “Why would she tell me about her brother? Besides, her upbringing is incredibly strict. She hasn’t even kissed a man. If she’s like that, no way her brother has a scandalous love life.”
“Send her a message and ask.” Yi Siling raised an eyebrow.
“No. It would be weird if I suddenly messaged Ningning asking about her older brother.” Yi Xinling had to worry about the basic rules of social etiquette that her sister never bothered considering.
“If you want me to marry off to Beijing and never see me again, then don’t send it. Mm?” Yi Siling's eyes lowered, her voice drifting light as air.
“…”
When Xie Wenning received Yi Xinling’s WeChat message, she was helping Yang Shuhua take inventory of the collection vault at Xie Estate.
Yang Shuhua had spent the past few days putting together the betrothal gifts for the Yi family. She had summoned the butler to unlock the vault’s one-ton steel security door. A century of the Xie family's accumulated treasures, antiques, and collections were stored inside, along with a substantial reserve of cash and gold bars.
Beyond property, cars, and cash, the betrothal needed items of real prestige.
Yang Shuhua would not have the Yi family thinking the Xies were stingy. This was about face, but it was also about attitude, showing that the Xie family valued this marriage and sincerely wished to welcome Yi Siling as their eldest daughter-in-law.
“Ningning, what do you think of this jade set?” Yang Shuhua pointed to a suite of imperial-green jade jewelry. “The quality and translucence are excellent, but the design is a little old-fashioned. I wonder if Siling will like it.”
The jade had been carved into a large Buddha head, nearly the size of a grown man’s fist. The necklace was made with exquisite gold filigree, gold and jade together symbolizing a perfect marriage. The matching earrings and ring had all been cut from the same piece of old-mine imperial jade, now priceless on the market.
The design, though…it did have a certain wealthy-matron quality to it.
Xie Wenning smiled reassuringly. “Mom, with jade of this quality, the design hardly matters anymore. And the Buddha head isn’t old-fashioned. It’s meant to bring peace and safety. I’m sure my sister-in-law will love it.”
“This phoenix crown was something your grandfather bought back from the English years ago. Our ancestors' treasures, those white devils had no idea how to appreciate them.”
It was a Ming Dynasty Wanli-era kingfisher feather and pearl phoenix crown. A few years ago, Xie Renhua had bought a collection of artifacts at auction in Britain. Most had been donated to the state, but he had kept one or two pieces for himself, including this extraordinarily magnificent crown once intended for a Ming empress, saving it for the future eldest daughter-in-law of the family.
“This crown is gorgeous.”
“What about this pair of vases? We should give these to the young couple too. They can keep them by the bed and put flowers in them.”
Xie Wenning laughed. “You really do have a flair for extravagance, Mom.”
Using a pair of eight-figure Qianlong-era famille-rose vases with interlocking lotus patterns to hold flowers.
Yang Shuhua gave her daughter an affectionate glare.
"This pair of twisted-wire jade bangles, those gemstone hairpins and the set of gold jewelry boxes I had made by a craftsman this year. Add this set of kiln tea sets too, and that lacquered cabinet with gold-inlaid mother-of-pearl.” Yang Shuhua pointed to more items, instructing Uncle Mei to record each one.
“We’ve picked nothing but antiques. I don’t even know if she likes this sort of thing. I’m just worried that a young girl might prefer bags and luxury brands.”
Xie Wenning thought for a moment. “Why don’t I ask my roommate?”
“Sweetheart, why would you ask your roommate?”
Xie Wenning handed her mother the phone. On the screen, Yi Xinling was making a very roundabout attempt to ask about her eldest brother.
“I forgot to tell you. Sister-in-law’s younger sister is my roommate. Xinling never mentioned this to me, and I didn’t think it was appropriate to bring it up myself. But now that she’s asking about brother, I think it won’t be too awkward if I ask her about her sister in return.”
Yang Shuhua was delighted. What a coincidence. She urged her daughter to find out what Yi Siling liked.
Yi Xinling: [Babe, I remember you’re the fourth child in your family, right?]
Xie Wenning: [Yeah. I’m the youngest.]
Yi Xinling: [So you have two older brothers?]
Xie Wenning: [Mm. Eldest brother, second sister, and little brother.]
Yi Xinling: [I see. So, I have a friend who wants to ask, is your eldest brother single?]
Xie Wenning stared at the message in confusion, unable to understand why anyone would ask such a strange question.
Yi Xinling was dying of embarrassment. Because the message had actually been dictated by Yi Siling across from her.
Xie Wenning: [Of course he's single… he's never had a girlfriend. He keeps himself very clean.]
Under Yi Siling’s merciless pressure, Yi Xinling forced herself to keep typing: [Don’t get the wrong idea. I don’t mean anything by it. My friend is studying business management and has been reading some case studies on corporate mergers and acquisitions. She really admires your brother and wanted to know if there might be a chance to meet him in person.]
Siling read the message and frowned. "Who admires him? Wants to see him? He should be the one hoping to see me."
Yi Xinling wanted to kneel before her eldest sister. "…It's just phrasing… I can't exactly say my sister is investigating your brother, can I?"
Yi Siling finally fell silent and took a aggrieved little bite of hawthorn cake.
Yi Xinling: [No need to mention it to your brother specifically. It’s such a small thing, it’s not worth bothering him over. My friend doesn’t mean anything by it either, so don’t worry. She just really admires successful people. She won’t disturb him, just wants to see him from a distance.]
Xie Wenning was clever. Everyone in the Xie family was clever people. If the other girl was being so careful, she naturally could not charge ahead without thinking.
And this “friend” was almost certainly her future sister-in-law.
From the look of things, the bride-to-be wanted to find out a little more about her eldest brother before the wedding.
After a moment’s thought, Xie Wenning typed: [There’s a cocktail party the day after tomorrow. My eldest brother will be there. How about I get your friend an invitation?]
Yi Xinling looked up. “Would a cocktail party work?”
Yi Siling’s dark eyes lit up.
Yi Xinling knew that meant yes. She gave an OK sign, then exchanged a few more messages with Xie Wenning before wrapping things up.
One was performing. The other was pretending.
Xie Wenning: [I’ll bring the invitation to the dorm tomorrow morning. See you then~]
Then she immediately opened her chat with Xie Xunzhi and sent word: [Ge, Sister-in-law is investigating you. I gave her an invitation to the Chi family’s cocktail party the day after tomorrow. You better make a good impression! Wear something handsome!]
[Oh, and Sister-in-law says she really admires you and wants to see you in person! Go for it, Ge! Show off a little! Sweep Sister-in-law off her feet!]
Xie Xunzhi didn't need Wenning's report. He was sitting right there, listening to the entire exchange firsthand.
He replied with a single word: [Good.]
Then he turned off his screen and put his phone away.
One long leg crossed over the other, he poured more tea for Elder Qi with unhurried precision, every movement polished and dignified, yet beneath it all there was an ease to him, almost languid.
He was like a mountain built to be looked up to, formidable without arrogance. Even the faintest emotion at the corner of his eyes disappeared into the vast ravines of his expression.
His face was handsome.
Too handsome, really.
If not for the authority and nobility in his bearing, a man with his face and physique could easily have been mistaken for a model who made his living on looks alone.
The conversation that followed no longer concerned his marriage. Elder Qi enjoyed a good show, but he had to give the younger man some face. No need to tease too hard.
After a while, a woman’s voice came from the neighboring table, calling for the waiter to pack up the leftovers. A moment later, two girls emerged with their arms linked, walking close together.
A short skirt hugged a slender waist, pale and delicate, flashing briefly through the edge of Xie Xunzhi’s vision.
His eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.
As he poured tea to his cup, he turned his head without seeming to, observing her in a way she could never possibly noticed.
His gaze was gentlemanly. The fact that he was secretly appraising her was not.
The woman was being coy with her sister, complaining that she was stuffed and asking why she had fed her so much. She rubbed her stomach as she spoke.
“You’re full now, so you can go find trouble with him. Poor guy. He really did pick the wrong person to offend.”
The woman laughed. The pair of diamond bracelets around her wrist chimed against each other, bright and luxurious. “If he listens and obediently agrees to my demand to call off the engagement, I’ll let him off. Otherwise…”
“What if he turns out to be really handsome? His sister is gorgeous. What if you meet him in person the day after tomorrow and lose your nerve? And he’s never dated anyone. That's a rare specimen.”
“Impossible. Men like that don't exist."
The woman laughed again.
Then, with absolute conviction, she declared, “If he’s handsome and doesn’t fool around, I’ll marry him on the spot.”
"…Wait, marrying him on the spot is too good for him."
The woman nodded repeatedly. “Right. Then I’ll allow him to be my fiancé candidate. If he behaves himself, I suppose I could reluctantly agree to marry him."
Xie Xunzhi: “…”
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