Reaping what one sows and ‘no mischief, no demise’ were phrases that perfectly encapsulated Bai Xia’s current predicament.
What she had initially dismissed as a mere jest became startlingly real when the fabled ‘Ten-Ingredient Deer Antler Revitalizing Soup’ was served, and Qin Zheng, with an unnerving earnestness, ladled a small bowl for her.
Under his watchful gaze, Bai Xia faltered, words catching in her throat, before she finally took a few sips with a pained expression. The taste, she begrudgingly admitted, was surprisingly decent; after all, it was a chef’s creation, unlikely to be truly unpalatable. Yet, the instant her mind conjured the ingredients from which it had been brewed, her appetite vanished without a trace.
Her dismay deepened when Qin Zheng elaborated, revealing that this ‘Ten-Ingredient Deer Antler Revitalizing Soup’ was not, in fact, a traditional concoction of ten potent tonics, but rather… a brew crafted from ten distinct types of deer antlers.
Even though she suspected he was merely pulling her leg, Bai Xia couldn’t suppress a violent splutter, sending the mouthful of soup flying. Had she not instinctively averted her head in the nick of time, Qin Zheng would undoubtedly have been showered in her spittle.
As Bai Xia coughed raggedly, dabbing her mouth with a nearby napkin, the man merely offered an utterly innocent smile.
“Just kidding,” he said.
“…”
Confronted with Qin Zheng’s minor ‘retribution,’ Bai Xia found herself with no recourse but to endure it in silence; ultimately, she had brought this predicament upon herself. Deep within, she quietly resolved never to utter such jests again.
Naturally, her petty nature compelled her to enthusiastically share the soup’s ‘delightful’ taste with her boss. Inwardly, she silently wished him improved health after consuming it, all while maliciously conjuring vivid images of him ‘burning with an inner fire’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term referring to a state of intense sexual arousal or desire) and fumbling awkwardly for a solution.
All in all, the meal had been rather pleasant. After finishing, Bai Xia patted her comfortably full belly, feeling quite content, though she certainly made an exception for that dubious revitalizing soup.
Whether it truly revitalized or not remained a mystery to her, but she simply could not bring herself to consume anything associated with those ‘antlers,’ not even in the form of soup.
The afternoon meal had stretched on for nearly two hours. Afterward, she observed that the rain outside had significantly abated, yet the sky had grown considerably darker. Despite the clock barely striking three or four in the afternoon, an unsettling gloom had settled, giving the distinct impression that dusk was rapidly approaching.
Observing the oppressive weather, Bai Xia had entertained the thought more than once of postponing their plans for the day, opting instead to search for a house on a clearer, sunnier day. However, reflecting that Qin Zheng might not be available at another time, and unwilling to impose on him solely for her own matters, she ultimately decided to accompany him and proceed with the viewing.
To be frank, however.
Bai Xia could hardly claim familiarity with Suhua; indeed, describing her relationship with the city as one of utter unfamiliarity would not be an overstatement. Though she had resided in this bustling metropolis for nearly a month, the only territory she truly knew was the small plot of land occupied by her modest dwelling.
Venturing beyond her residential complex without a map or automatic navigation, she would be utterly lost, unable to distinguish one area from another. Consequently, she remained entirely unaware of the precise location of the house Qin Zheng had spoken of, knowing only that it lay within Suhua’s new district.
Under such peculiar circumstances, Bai Xia found herself deeply perplexed. Why was she, knowing absolutely nothing, being led around by an ‘online acquaintance’ she had just met, yet feeling not the slightest trace of psychological unease?
She was hardly the sort of naive simpleton who, once sold, would innocently assist in counting the proceeds. So why, then, was she acting this way?
After much contemplation, she could only attribute it to the mysterious workings of fate.
Perhaps life truly unfolded in such a manner? Some individuals might strive for years, yet never truly manage to warm to another; even with frequent exchanges, their connection would remain as insipid as water, forever failing to penetrate the depths of each other’s hearts.
Then there were those who, upon their very first encounter, felt an immediate kinship, as if they had known each other for ages. Despite the novelty of their meeting, a subtle and profound compatibility blossomed in every aspect, and strangely, even without prior familiarity, no sense of awkward unfamiliarity arose.
This, perhaps, was the very essence of fate.
Bai Xia, for her part, believed a significant connection existed between herself and Qin Zheng. While she regarded him as a brother, he, it seemed, harbored intentions of wooing her. Nevertheless, she had to concede that she was genuinely pleased to have made his acquaintance.
After all, a rare… *chicken* in life–I mean, a soulmate (TL Note: A playful mistranslation of ‘知己’ (zhījǐ), meaning ‘confidant’ or ‘soulmate’, here used to evoke a humorous double entendre with ‘鸡’ (jī), which can also mean ‘chicken’ or ‘prostitute’ in slang.). While they didn’t quite seem to be soulmates, it was close enough, wasn’t it? Perhaps.
In essence, to meet was to possess fate, to interweave was to possess destiny, and to meet and then interweave was to embody true destiny. Having encountered the right person, she could naturally shed many of her burdens.
****
****
It was nearing five in the afternoon. As the wind and rain outside threatened to intensify once more, Bai Xia finally reached their destination: an upscale residential enclave nestled beside Qiongyue Lake, one of Suhua’s renowned scenic spots.
In simpler terms, a villa district.
“Boss, you’re not actually planning to sell me off, are you?”
Shielding herself with an umbrella, Bai Xia gazed at the imposing three-story villa that dominated her view, its footprint undeniably vast. A hint of helplessness colored her voice as she addressed the man beside her.
It was a detached, three-story white villa, gracefully situated near a picturesque natural lake. Its grounds were adorned with an abundance of vibrant flowers and lush greenery, and it boasted both a private swimming pool and a rooftop garden.
Without a doubt, even if Bai Xia herself were sold, her value would not amount to even a fraction of this single property’s worth.
Consequently, her gaze towards the man beside her grew exceptionally peculiar. While a suspicion that they had arrived at the wrong location flickered through her mind, the presence of external security guards and an automated AI detection system made it unequivocally clear that unrelated individuals would not be granted entry.
Yet, they had just passed through without so much as a moment’s hesitation or a single challenge, rendering the possibility of a mistaken arrival virtually nonexistent.
Could it be that the intended house wasn’t the one before them, but another? Yet, this appeared to be the sole residential zone in the immediate vicinity.
She found herself utterly bewildered by Qin Zheng’s intentions. Bai Xia, after all, harbored no illusions of being able to afford a villa, and even if she possessed the means, she would never consider such an extravagance. Was he jesting? To a young woman like her, a house was simply a place to reside; surely, there were far better uses for such a substantial sum of money.
Qin Zheng, however, remained silent. After deftly parking the car in the spacious garage, he simply unfurled his umbrella and began to stride purposefully towards the villa’s entrance.
Simultaneously, once the system completed its verification, the AI named ‘Zero’ automatically assumed control of the entire villa, thereby extinguishing Bai Xia’s final lingering shred of doubt.
The grand entrance automatically swung open under the AI’s precise command. Whether it was due to a recent cleaning or simply the efficient ventilation system, the air within, despite the villa having been unoccupied for a considerable time, felt remarkably fresh, carrying the delicate whisper of a floral fragrance.
As they stepped inside, all the lights in the spacious hall illuminated instantly, then automatically softened to an ideal brightness. Concurrently, the temperature regulation system hummed to life.
While Qin Zheng effortlessly shed his coat, hanging it on a nearby rack, Bai Xia’s gaze began to sweep, taking in the opulent surroundings.
To ask her to articulate the architectural style of the edifice, however, would have been an unfair challenge. Such details had never particularly interested her in her previous life, and in this new world, her knowledge remained, naturally, even more limited.
Yet, the overall sensation was one of profound comfort. A soothing palette of white and light blue dominated the space, while the floor was adorned with a carpet so plush and inviting, one instinctively yearned to roll upon it. Overhead, magnificent glass chandeliers glittered, casting their light upon numerous antique vases and oil paintings, whose true provenance Bai Xia couldn’t quite discern.
Bai Xia surveyed the scene, feeling rather like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden (TL Note: A classic reference from the Chinese novel *Dream of the Red Chamber*, describing a rustic old woman’s awe and bewilderment upon entering a grand, opulent estate).
“How does it feel?” As she absorbed her surroundings, Qin Zheng, who had seemingly materialized with a glass of red wine, took a leisurely sip before speaking softly.
“The master bedroom is situated on the second floor. Everything within is complete and newly purchased, so you can simply move in with your luggage. The first floor primarily houses the kitchen, bathrooms, and similar amenities, while the third floor boasts a study and a piano room.”
Bai Xia offered no immediate reply, her mind lost in a sudden reverie.
For, upon closer reflection, the ‘house’ Qin Zheng had just described perfectly aligned with all her stated requirements. Firstly, it was undeniably spacious. Secondly, it featured a kitchen, and the coveted large bathtub she desired was also present—the very bathroom itself dwarfed her original room several times over.
Furthermore, should she wish to cultivate flowers or plants, there would be no need for a balcony, as both the rooftop and the area outside the entrance featured ready-made gardens, complete with a complimentary swimming pool.
Only…
“A villa, of all things, feels a bit excessive, doesn’t it?”
Bai Xia gently rubbed her forehead. Naturally, no one would dislike a superior living environment, but the residence he was presenting was a three-story villa.
She wasn’t a true wealthy madam! Where would she get so much money? From odd jobs?
Damn it, even if she *were* to resort to such jobs, it would take an eternity to earn enough for a place like this!
“What’s wrong? Is there something you’re dissatisfied with?” Seeing her expression, Qin Zheng raised an eyebrow. “The style? The living environment? If you don’t like it, I have a few other properties. There’s no need to rush your decision.”
Bai Xia suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to curse, truly.
‘Goddamn ‘a few other properties, no need to rush,’ what a privileged thing to say! Did he think she was choosing radishes and cabbages?
And was she worried about the house? It was the money, you jerk!
For the first time, Bai Xia began to lament the existence of the detestable rich. By now, she had mostly understood that Qin Zheng’s earlier talk of a ‘friend’ was entirely fabricated. This was undoubtedly *his* property, the dead rich bastard!
Taking a deep breath, Bai Xia slowly addressed Qin Zheng, who awaited her reply. “Boss, the place I wanted was just a small nest to live in.”
“Isn’t this quite small?”
“…Get lost!”
Stunned by his words, Bai Xia’s usually impassive face flushed crimson. Small? If this was small, what did that make her original dwelling? A dog kennel?
Taking another deep breath to compose herself, she spoke earnestly, “Tell me truthfully, Boss, do you really think I can afford to live in a house like this?”
“The landlord said they wouldn’t charge you rent.”
“Huh? Do you take me for that kind of person, Bai Xia!?” Bai Xia instantly bristled with indignation, placing her hands on her hips as she glared fiercely at the man opposite her. “If they don’t charge rent, how is that different from being kept by someone else? No rent? No rent… really no rent?”
Qin Zheng: “…”
Watching the girl’s defiance visibly weaken, a few black lines appeared on the man’s forehead. ‘Could your principles not last a few more seconds?’
As if sensing his unspoken disdain, Bai Xia let out a soft huff and turned her head away.
“Principles can’t feed you, after all. Besides, I’m not stupid. If it’s free, why wouldn’t I live here? Even though I can tell you’re up to no good, Boss, you’ll definitely regret this later. I just hope that when love is gone, you won’t kick me out, considering our friendship.”
“…What in the world are you talking about?”
Qin Zheng’s expression was utterly helpless. “So, a definitive answer: are you moving in or not?”
“I’m moving in!”
Bai Xia tossed her bag aside, adopting an arrogant posture that declared the place her territory from that moment on.