Sleepless Spring Tide - 9
Freud
"..."
Who was unhappy?
Yi Siling stared blankly at Xie Xunzhi, a sudden flush rising hot and relentless in her cheeks. In all her twenty-four years, she'd never felt so mortified. Her mind had completely stalled.
No, wait. Where had she ever gotten a boyfriend who was passionately in love with her? And an unhappy one at that?
A blur of memory flashed through her mind.
A waiter, head hanging low, timidly telling her that a Mr. Xie would like to invite her to his private room for a chat. She'd been in a terrible mood then, itching for someone to vent on, and so this ill-fated Mr. Xie had become the unlucky soul she seized on a whim.
"Go tell that Mr. Xie I have a boyfriend. We're passionately in love, and I'm in no mood to chat with anyone irrelevant. Tell him to get lost."
Yi Siling's mind went entirely blank. Her eyes locked onto the man standing before her, staring fixedly for several long seconds until the shattered pieces finally pieced themselves into a complete story.
"...You... were that Mr. Xie?"
Xie Xunzhi said nothing, letting his silence answer.
Yi Siling took a deep breath. At last, she had caught him. The shame and embarrassment vanished in an instant.
Her spine straightened, her courage surged, and her voice rang out with full force. "Well, well! Mr. Xie. And you said you hadn’t gone to Hong Kong Island to sound me out! You clearly did. You liar! Inviting me to your room to chat right in front of so many people... Do you have any idea how embarrassing that was for me?"
Xie Xunzhi found even her arguments so... spoiled, so sweet. Unable to withstand it, he offered a gentle, "I'm sorry."
The circumstances that day had been unusual; there really had been no better way he could think of than to invite her to his room to talk. As for how exactly that had embarrassed her, he didn't quite understand. But understanding was beside the point. He could soothe her all the same.
The way she was now, it seemed she might pounce and bite him at any moment.
Yi Siling turned her head away, continuing her tantrum. "An apology's useless."
Xie Xunzhi felt helpless. Somehow, a matter that was entirely about her had been willfully twisted around by her until he was the one on trial, and now he had to placate her. "Then what would be useful?"
"I am willing to break our engagement, Miss Yi. Would that be useful?" He spoke with unhurried calm, his ink-dark eyes hiding all trace of emotion.
Yi Siling froze. She stared at him in utter disbelief, taking a moment to process what she had just heard. "...What did you say?"
“I’m willing to let Miss Yi be with your boyfriend. Is that not good?" He glanced at her without the slightest change in expression.
Yi Siling understood now. He wanted to break off the engagement with her.
This man wanted to call off their marriage. A man actually existed who didn't want to marry her!
"No, it's not!"
She refused outright.
For the first time in her life, Yi Siling was truly furious. The embarrassment and humiliation from earlier had never truly angered her. She had merely been throwing a small tantrum.
But now, Xie Xunzhi had infuriated her so much that her fingers trembled, her glamorous eyes glaring at him fiercely.
"I don't even have a boyfriend! Who exactly are you letting me be with? Or do you want to propose calling off the engagement to my family? Don't even dream of it!" Her breathing was rapid. "Besides, what I said that day was obviously just an excuse! Otherwise, if anyone could send a waiter to invite me over, what would that make me?"
She might not want to marry so far from home, but there was no way she could be the one getting dumped.
She could not afford that humiliation, and neither could the Yi family.
Looking at her mixture of anger, grievance, and a full-blown tantrum waiting to happen, Xie Xunzhi for once didn't know what to say to appease her. He could only focus on one words: I don't even have a boyfriend.
For some reason, the words stirred something deep inside him, a tightly wound corner of his heart easing without his permission.
"You don't believe me?" Seeing him silent, Yi Siling clenched her fist.
"I believe you," Xie Xunzhi smiled. "But as far as I can tell, Miss Yi isn't satisfied with this marriage."
Yi Siling gave a soft huff, her grievance overflowing. "I'm not satisfied, but you still can't break off the engagement with me."
Xie Xunzhi: "..."
"I respect your choice. If Miss Yi wishes to end the engagement, I’ll cooperate. We will tell the public that you raised the objection and called it off out of dissatisfaction. You need not worry about appearances; I will take care of it."
His words were patient and considerate. Anyone listening would have called him a consummate gentleman who never forced anyone's hand.
Yet Yi Siling heard none of that, saying only with aggrieved logic, "But you brought this up first. I've already lost face with you."
"?"
"How could you be the first to mention calling off the engagement? It should've been me who mentioned it first, and you who refused to accept it. Then I'd threaten you a bit, and you'd have no choice but to agree... That's how it should go! How did it turn into you being unwilling now?!"
By the end, she was practically talking to herself, her bright eyes drooping dejectedly as if he had bullied her.
"..."
Xie Xunzhi finally understood her willful logic. She was allowed to be unwilling to marry him, but he had to be willing. He had to coax her, indulge her, and then reluctantly accept being rejected by her, all while feeling heartbroken over it.
Her delicate pride permitted no man to cross or test her.
She thrived on being the center of attention, to having every eye on her.
Xie Xunzhi had never encountered a woman quite like her. He was helpless, but he still had to soothe her; otherwise, she would obsess over the matter, filling the room with her endless muttering until neither of them could have a moment’s peace.
"Very well. I'm unwilling to break off the engagement, Miss Yi," Xie Xunzhi said in a warm, deep voice, laced with a trace of amusement and indulgence. "I thought you had a boyfriend, so I had no choice but to resort to this approach. I am very willing to marry you."
He sounded as though he were coaxing a child.
Yi Siling swallowed, her lips pouting slightly. She hated being treated like a child. He wasn't her elder, so why was he putting on that endlessly tolerant expression?
Rolling her eyes, she snapped, "Call it off or not, see if I care. Anyway, I don't have a boyfriend. For all I know, you’re the one with a girlfriend and just trying to make me take the blame because you want out?"
The two families had agreed to this arranged marriage. Calling it off was no small matter.
Xie Xunzhi: "..."
"I don't have a girlfriend."
"Who'd believe you? You also said you didn’t come to Hong Kong Island to sound me out.”
Xie Xunzhi chose not to argue with her. He had long known she was unreasonable, and if they kept going back and forth, they'd be at it until dawn.
With neither of them speaking, a sudden silence fell over the bedroom. Xie Xunzhi pushed back the covers and got out of bed. Since he'd only been pretending to sleep, he was still wearing his attire from the cocktail party: shirt and trousers, not even his vest removed. His cuffs and collar were undone, and several creases had formed along his trousers, blending his usual neatness with a touch of lazy ease.
Slipping on his shoes, Xie Xunzhi turned on the main light.
Yi Siling was still sulking. Unaccustomed to the sudden brightness, she squinted her eyes. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched him lower the rolled-up sleeves of his shirt, covering his lean, long forearms. He bent down to pick up a pair of diamond cufflinks from the nightstand, slowly fastening the loose French cuffs. His movements were unhurried, almost mesmerizing to watch. Then, he buttoned the open collar of his shirt, closing the last undone button against his prominent Adam's apple.
In the space of a few moments, he had fully returned to his immaculate self.
Yi Siling twitched her lips, thinking how rigidly formal he was. Even in private, he dressed so neatly. Who was he trying to impress with that dignified act?
No wonder Daddy liked Xie Xunzhi so much. Daddy always wanted her to follow the rules just like this.
"Miss Yi, your thing." Having neatened his appearance, Xie Xunzhi leaned down to pick up the osmanthus branch that had fallen onto the bed and handed it over. This was the very thing that had been brushing against his face a moment ago.
Its fragrance had lingered on his long, elegant fingers.
Yi Siling didn't want it anymore. "I picked it from your place anyway."
Without another word, Xie Xunzhi casually placed it into a flower vase. The celadon Ru kiln vase complemented the osmanthus with quiet elegance.
Much like the man himself.
Yi Siling took a couple of extra glances, wondering if Freud roses would look good in that vase.
Perhaps not.
They would clash completely.
Xie Xunzhi cleared his throat softly, interrupting her thoughts. "Miss Yi, regarding this matter, I believe we still need to discuss it properly. Shall we move to the tearoom?"
They hadn't yet established any formal relationship between them. For an unmarried man and woman to remain alone in a bedroom was contrary to propriety.
Yi Siling froze, watching Xie Xunzhi walk toward the door. Sensing no movement from her, he stopped and looked back.
"Miss Yi?" His gaze was calm and gentle.
Yi Siling's expression grew complex, a tangle of emotions stirring within her.
A strange annoyance filled her heart. The more gentlemanly he was, the more irritated she became. She couldn't quite put a finger on what was bothering her, but perhaps it was because, for the first time in her life, taking the initiative had resulted in a fall. How embarrassing.
He refused to spend a single extra minute alone with her in the bedroom. He had rather pretend to sleep just to avoid her. He had even considered calling off the engagement, as if he had no intention whatsoever of marrying her, all under the high-sounding pretense of stepping aside for her sake.
The pride she had been raised on, the beauty that had earned her the adoration of countless men, had met its match here.
And lost.
Now, she was truly beginning to believe that Xie Xunzhi was different from other men.
Other men had good taste, but Xie Xunzhi had none. That was the biggest difference of all.
"Miss Yi," Xie Xunzhi called her again, his voice deep.
Yi Siling suddenly gave him a massive side-eye, crossed her arms, and marched past him without a word, her high heels clicking aggressively on the floor, her impeccably made-up face set in a cold, furious mask.
Xie Xunzhi frowned, unable to comprehend why this girl had thrown another little tantrum out of nowhere.
.
Yi Xinling could not put her mind at ease. After waiting for more than an hour without hearing from Yi Siling, she decided to go to Yunxi Hotel herself. She was a poor driver and only trusted herself behind the wheel of an SUV with easy handling. Yi Siling’s Ferrari was completely beyond her, and with the rain coming down, she simply took a taxi.
Upon arriving at the hotel, she sat in the lobby for half an hour before Yi Siling finally made an appearance.
Walking beside Yi Siling was a man. He was dressed in a suit, his leather shoes immaculate, every inch the gentleman.
The great beauty had a cold expression, while the man appeared calm and composed.
Yi Xinling hurried to her feet and waved. "Princess! Over here!"
Yi Siling quickened her pace, leaving Xie Xunzhi far behind, missing the quiet laugh that escaped him.
Princess.
Xie Xunzhi repeated the word silently to himself, his deep eyes darkening slightly.
"Aren't you cold?" Yi Xinling rubbed Yi Siling's bare arms. Honestly, this woman would sacrifice anything for beauty.
It was freezing today, especially after nightfall. Outside, wind and rain swept through the streets, the chill sharp enough to bite a person to the bone. Even Yi Xinling thought she had dressed too lightly and was shivering.
"I'm not cold." Yi Siling stubbornly held her head high, though her teeth chattered slightly.
She had been sitting in the warm tea room the entire time. The moment they stepped into the elevator, however, she had nearly frozen.
Xie Xunzhi walked over just in time to hear the words "not cold." He surreptitiously glanced at her exposed skin, which was covered in a fine layer of goosebumps.
"I have a car prepared. I'll send you back first."
"No need. My sister has a car. She came specifically to pick me up." Yi Siling turned toward her distracted younger sister. "Where's the car?"
Yi Xinling had been quietly sizing up Xie Xunzhi. Caught off guard by the question, she sheepishly withdrew her gaze and whispered, "I took a taxi here. I can't drive your Ferrari."
Yi Siling glared at her. Useless! She couldn't even drive a car!
Yi Xinling pretended not to notice, her eyes lingering on the man with an meaningful smile. "And this is…?"
"Xie Xunzhi," Yi Siling said dryly.
Xie Xunzhi greeted her politely. "Hello, I’m Xie Xunzhi, your sister’s…” He seamlessly concealed his brief pause, "...friend."
Yi Xinling's eyes widened dramatically.
Relying on Yi Siling's one-sided story, she had truly believed Xie Xunzhi was some ugly, old, greasy man. Yet the man himself was not only anything but greasy, he was refined, gentlemanly, and possessed an ethereal air. Alas, she had worried for nothing the whole way here!
Daddy and Mommy actually had quite good taste; he looked far more reliable than that scumbag ex.
Yi Xinling let out a strange giggle. "Wow—" She raised a hand and waved. "So you're my brother-in-law! Hi, I'm the third daughter of the Yi family. Just call me Faye."
Yi Siling hadn't expected this girl to defect so quickly, so she promptly pinched her. "What nonsense are you blabbering!"
Yi Xinling yelped, clutching her rear, wisely deciding not to say another word.
Xie Xunzhi remained entirely unruffled, neither confirming nor denying, and greeted her with a smile. "A pleasure to meet you, Third Miss."
"She's just a kid. Don't listen to her nonsense." Yi Siling was mortified. She didn't even dare look up at him.
"It's fine." Xie Xunzhi noticed the faint pink spreading across her cheeks again. She really did blush easily. Perhaps she was both pampered and thin-skinned. He wondered which of them was actually the child.
"Since you don't have a car, let me drive you back." Xie Xunzhi smoothly shifted the topic. He glanced outside at the pitter-patter of the continuous rain. "It's raining, and it's the weekend. Taxis won't be easy to catch."
Yi Siling still wanted to act proud and reserved, but Yi Xinling wrapped an arm around her and began coaxing her. "Alright, alright. Why turn down a private car? Or do you really want to wait for a ride-share in the pouring rain? Your haute couture, your lambskin soles, your birdcage bag, they'll all be completely ruined."
Yi Siling allowed herself to be pushed along, mumbling, "If they're ruined, I can just buy new ones..."
"And what if the rain ruins your makeup? Aren't you afraid someone will take ugly photos of you?"
"..."
"You traitor..."
“I think he’s much better-looking than that Zheng guy.”
"Hush... He's right behind us... He can hear you!"
Xie Xunzhi followed several paces behind the two girls, keeping a respectful distance. Every now and then, their whispered chatter drifted back to him, and his deep-set eyes narrowed slightly.
A black Maybach Pullman was already waiting right outside the main hotel entrance, its polished paint gleaming with tiny flecks of silver under the slanted drizzle.
As they walked through the revolving door, Xie Xunzhi called out to Yi Siling. He took off his suit jacket and walked over to her side.
Under the soft wash of the lobby lights, Yi Siling looked at him in confusion.
“It’s colder here than on Hong Kong at night. You’re dressed too lightly." His voice and tone were light as he approached her and gently draped his suit jacket over her shoulders. "If you catch a cold, it would mean poor hospitality on my part."
The finely tailored suit, lined with soft, lustrous silk, carried the man's warmth and scent. As it enveloped her, it felt like a gentle embrace wrapping safely around her body.
Yi Siling's calves tensed, her breath catching slightly.
Yi Xinling took in the entire scene, a delighted smile spreading across her face.
There was definitely something going on between these two.
Who knew what they had been up to tonight? Their relationship had progressed at lightning speed.
If any other man had dared to put his jacket on her, Yi Siling would have had it thrown straight back in his face.
---
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