SM Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Let’s Do It

“At least better than I treat you.”

The prized school district apartment was, in reality, quite old.

After struggling to climb up to the sixth floor on her own, Jia Jia was panting heavily. As soon as the door opened, she scurried inside, changing into small slippers while calling out, “Grandma, Grandma.”

Zhu Yingqing came out from the room. “Your grandma isn’t here. How about a grandpa?”

Jia Jia ran straight towards him.

Picking her up, Zhu Yingqing walked towards the four people. “Oh, you even brought gifts? Looks like you know you haven’t visited this lonely old man in a while.”

Wanting to take the things from Tan Zhi Xu’s hand, he was dodged. Zhu Shihao then gave up. “I remember I came back this week.”

“Put them wherever you want.” Zhu Yingqing didn’t stand on ceremony with the two men. Without even looking up, he said after hearing her, “Came back on your own, or were you summoned back?”

Zhu Shihao thought for a moment, “Summoned back, but I came on my own.”

Zhu Yingqing: “…”

Holding Jia Jia, he went to sit on the sofa, now that his precious granddaughter was more important. He had no time to bother with the adults.

It wasn’t until Jia Jia, unable to stay still, started struggling to get down and play by herself that he had the inclination to talk to them.

After chatting for a while, the three men got excited and started playing “Dou Dizhu” (a card game), mainly to keep Zhu Yingqing company.

Tan Zhi Xu himself had no interest. His skills, honed since childhood, were destined to be used to deliberately lose against Zhu Yingqing. It made playing cards boring. No matter what he thought in his heart, his actions of playing along were very honest.

The two sisters huddled on the sofa, whispering amongst themselves.

Tan Zhi Xu was close enough to hear that they were choosing clothes. It seemed like they were picking out new styles for the store, and after picking out her own, Zhu Suiyi remembered another matter.

“Jia Jia was chosen to be a little host for the New Year’s Day performance. Can you get her an outfit that is both beautiful and warm?”

Zhu Shihao had done this job two or three times since Jia Jia started baby class, and she gave an “OK” sign.

They didn’t play “Dou Dizhu” for long. Around four o’clock, Liu Ruoyin came back. She greeted everyone, changed her clothes, came out, and took a look at her granddaughter in the kitchen. Apart from the ingredients, there was nothing. It was the same as when she left for school.

Standing next to Zhu Yingqing, she looked down at him without a word, her eyes haughty.

The pair of twos in his hand couldn’t be thrown out. Zhu Yingqing had no choice but to get up. “…Alright, alright, I won’t play anymore.”

“You’re so old, and you still have no self-awareness. What time is it? If you don’t prepare, there won’t be enough noodles for everyone later.” Liu Ruoyin still nagged a few words.

Getting up and walking to the kitchen, Zhu Yingqing muttered quietly, “If there aren’t enough noodles, aren’t there still dumplings?”

“What did you say?”

Finding his wife actually following behind him, he quickly straightened his face. “Don’t worry, I’ll make what you like first, guaranteed there will be enough.”

Glancing at him, Liu Ruoyin didn’t follow him anymore.

Everyone found something to do according to their abilities, helping out with the preparations. After Zhu Suiyi peeled the garlic, she was rejected from the job of cutting vegetables. She could only pout and watch the child and chat with Liu Ruoyin.

When the preparations were over, everyone was kicked out of the kitchen.

Wiping the water off his hands with a paper towel, Tan Zhi Xu suddenly said, “Want to go for a walk in your room?”

The question came out of the blue.

Zhu Shihao looked puzzled. “What is there to see?”

“Reminisce about childhood.” He gently tugged on her ponytail, his expression indifferent. “Are you going to let me or not?”

What was there to not let him see? They had even slept together in that bed when they were young.

Zhu Shihao nodded, nonchalantly saying, “If you want to go, then go.”

The two of them turned and went to her room. The people in the living room didn’t care at all and didn’t even give them a second glance.

Entering the room, Tan Zhi Xu still habitually left a crack in the door.

Stopping, he stood in the middle of the room and looked around. He went straight to the bookcase, stopped, and scrutinized it from top to bottom before going to the bottom cabinet on the far side.

Realizing what was happening, Zhu Shihao unconsciously widened her eyes.

Sure enough, he opened the cabinet door and took out the cardboard box she had just seen a few days ago.

Zhu Shihao was both relieved that she had moved the love letter, and also felt incredible.

“Seriously, Tan Zhi Xu, you’re really holding a grudge.”

“Also, how did you know it was here?”

The man had no intention of answering her. He opened it, chuckled, walked aside, and put the box on the desk.

Zhu Shihao quickly rushed over and pressed his hand. “Are you still going to read them?”

Only then did he look at her directly, sneering. He lightly brushed her hand away. “I’m not interested in the content. I just want to see who’s all in there, not learning to be good, but hurting people.”

Who were these people who could actually send love letters to Zhu Shihao?

Zhu Shihao could only watch helplessly as he picked them up one by one, and put them down one by one.

“Who is this?” he asked.

Zhu Shihao glanced at the name, not very sure. “I don’t know, maybe from another class.”

Giving her a fleeting look, Tan Zhi Xu said faintly, “Do you think I don’t know if it’s from another class? What about this one?”

He waved the thing in his hand.

She grabbed his hand to stop him from moving, leaned closer and looked at it, then shook her head. “I don’t remember either. Should be from another class too.”

All nonsense, but seeing that she didn’t remember, he was relieved. He didn’t ask her anymore, just flipped through them, then nodded, looking satisfied. “Not bad, none from our class.”

Zhu Shihao: “…”

“What if there were? What can a ten-year-old love letter say?”

He slowly and deliberately put the things back, put the cardboard box lid on, and pushed the box to the edge a bit. Very smoothly, he hooked her waist and lifted her up, putting her on the desk to sit side by side with the love letters.

She almost cried out in surprise, but thankfully she reacted quickly and covered her mouth, swallowing the sound back.

Tan Zhi Xu supported himself with his arms on either side of her body, encircling her in his arms in a pose similar to a hug. He leaned down and kissed her once, then lowered his waist and back to look at her at eye level.

Facing her obvious panic, he just smirked, unconcerned, his expression light but with a hint of warning.

“I’ll say it again, Zhu Shihao, be sharp about picking men. They have to be good people, and they have to be even better to you than I am.”

Good character was indispensable. This could guarantee that he wouldn’t let her down. Besides that, he must love Zhu Shihao very much, to be even more stingy than love, to be the most, most fond of her.

Panicked, she instinctively looked towards the door, where a crack about half a hand’s width was still open. She covered her mouth with one hand, pushed his face away with the other, he was almost only a few centimeters away from her. She lowered her voice.

“How is that supposed to be measured?”

“At least better than I treat you.”

Otherwise, why would he be convinced? Why would he be able to restrain himself from hurting her or bothering her?

Of course, he was just saying it now. From the moment Zhu Shihao kissed him, she had no chance. They must be tightly entangled together, forever.

Zhu Shihao, completely ignorant about this, thought for a moment, and felt that he was increasing the difficulty for her.

Perhaps Tan Zhi Xu really didn’t like her, but he was really good to her. No one could deny that at any time.

She changed her wording, and said euphemistically, “Isn’t that a bit demanding for someone who’s not a relative or anything?”

Tan Zhi Xu took half a step back, straightened up, put his hands in his pockets, and said coolly, “You’re already dating and you’re calling it not a relative or anything? Is that too demanding? Zhu Shihao, if you dare to downgrade without authorization, I’ll break your legs.”

“What kind of spending is this?”

He was nonchalant, reaching out and hooking a strand of her long hair resting on her chest, twirling it in his fingers.

“Aren’t you using me right now? I think you’re using me pretty well.”

The black hair was twisted in his distinctly jointed fingers, tightening some sections and disappearing into others. This wasn’t a particularly private action, but his hand was suspended in the air, seemingly rubbing against her chest, and every time she breathed, she could feel a slight pressure.

A bit of ambiguity suddenly arose.

Zhu Shihao looked down at his hand. “You’re really bold.”

Tan Zhi Xu chuckled, not saying anything, and didn’t take his hand away.

What was there to be afraid of?

What if they were seen?

Patting his arm, Zhu Shihao ordered, “Let me down.”

He obediently put his arms around her waist, put her back on the ground, then picked up the cardboard box and put it back in its original place. “Don’t throw it away, I’ll come and take a look whenever I’m in a good mood.”

Looking puzzled, Zhu Shihao looked at his actions. “Did you mispeak a word?”

“What mistake?” He closed the cabinet door, leaned against the bookcase, and turned to look at her. “I’m just afraid that I’ll get carried away one day.”

Zhu Shihao tilted her head. “??”

Not explaining anymore, he laughed, a very normal laugh, and waved at her. “Okay, let’s go out.”

The two went out one after the other. As soon as they appeared in the living room, Liu Ruoyin saw her and asked, “Your sister said your new store opens next Saturday?”

Zhu Shihao nodded. “There’s more traffic on the weekends. It’ll be more lively.”

Liu Ruoyin frowned. “I have a class in both the morning and afternoon. I can’t go.”

She felt strange and asked, “What would you do even if you came? Aren’t the finals coming up?”

Liu Ruoyin’s brows loosened, her face normal. She lightly and skillfully spoke nightmarish words. “What finals are you dividing up in the third year of high school? Every day has to be the last day of the sprint.”

Such scary words. Zhu Suiyi shuddered exaggeratedly. “High school seniors will tremble three times in their dreams after hearing that.”

“That’s you. Good students won’t feel it’s a nightmare,” she said dismissively, then turned to ask Tan Zhi Xu, “Zhi Xu, are there any?”

Tan Zhi Xu glanced at Zhu Shihao and nodded unhurriedly. “This year, there are still some. New Year is coming soon.”

Remembering something, Zhu Suiyi next to her laughed, teasing the two, “Oh oh, that’s right, you still have to prepare a New Year’s gift for Shihao every year, the wallet shrinks.”

Mentioning this, Zhu Shihao wrinkled her nose slightly guiltily.

He himself continued the habit, a voluntary act, how could she be blamed?

The people sat and chatted, and dishes with fragrant dishes were served one by one at the table. Jia Jia had already run to squat at the kitchen door.

“Serve the dishes, let’s eat.”

Transfer to the dinner table.

“Zhi Xu, when are your parents coming back?”

Tan Zhi Xu took Zhu Shihao’s chopsticks and handed them to her. “I just went to Donghu City two days ago. I guess I’ll be back in a few days. My mom said she’ll definitely go on Shihao’s opening day.”

“Ah, is that so, why didn’t Aunt Ting tell me?” She took the chopsticks and asked casually.

“Well, she shouldn’t be completely sure whether or not she’ll be able to come back.” So she didn’t tell Zhu Shihao.

He answered very smoothly, completely ignoring the fact that the first person to speak had been preempted and that Xu Ting had also been revealed to be uncertain.

Liu Ruoyin made a “tsk tsk” sound. “I know your mother’s intention. It’s just an opening. Don’t delay their business.”

Tan Zhi Xu said “mm”. “It’s okay, it won’t delay them.”

“Good, when your dad comes back, I have to have a drink with him.” Zhu Yingqing naturally believed him when he said that, and nodded with a smile.

Liu Ruoyin looked at this table. Both of her daughters were doing well. She looked at her eldest daughter’s family, lively and bustling, then looked at her youngest daughter. Tan Zhi Xu was sitting next to her, helping her pour a drink.

“Shihao, when your sister was as old as you are now, Jia Jia was already in her belly. You can pay more attention to love and marriage.”

Zhu Shihao strongly restrained herself from stealing a peek at Tan Zhi Xu’s expression, her face calm.

“What’s the rush, I’m not in a hurry anyway.”

Seeing her indifferent look, Liu Ruoyin, who was originally just expressing her feelings, suddenly became a little angry and wanted to say something, but was interrupted.

Zhu Suiyi first glanced at her younger sister with a teasing look, but still helped speak up. “Oh dear, Mom, don’t worry, is my sister afraid that no one will like her?”

Moreover, love was never a necessity. Her sister didn’t lack anything, and she could live a very good life on her own.

Tan Zhi Xu placed the drink in front of her, not saying a word, but in her sight, the glass made a slight sound.

After a pause of two seconds, Zhu Shihao picked it up and said “thank you.”

She heard his inaudible “hm” in her ear.

Zhu Shihao: “…”

Torn, she wanted to say something, but didn’t know what to say.

“Zhi Xu, what about the wine you mentioned? Let’s three of us old men have a drink.”

Tan Zhi Xu got up. “I’ll go get it.”

Zhu Yingqing nodded. “Okay, I’ll get the wine glasses. Everyone drink.”

Tan Zhi Xu carried the wine, walking towards them. “Okay.”

That wasn’t what you said on the road.

Looking at him strangely, Zhu Shihao asked, “Didn’t you say you weren’t drinking today because you’re driving?”

The hand preparing to pour the wine paused. Zhu Yingqing thought he had something to do. “If you have something to do, then don’t drink. We’re family, there’s nothing that we have to drink for.”

Family.

Tan Zhi Xu sneered inwardly.

Then they had to drink even more. The son-in-law was sitting here, drinking with the father-in-law. Who knows when the other “son-in-law” might arrive on the scene, and who knew if he would still be able to sit here by then? Who knew if he would really have to sit here with them as that half-son drinking with them.

Tan Zhi Xu smiled faintly. “It’s really nothing, Shihao can just drive my car back to take me home at night.”

The previous thoughts flashed by, a completely stimulated mental journey. Coming back to his senses, he glanced at the woman next to him. His whole mind was clear.

Dream on, don’t even think about letting anyone else sit at this table for the rest of your life.

This was a small matter. Zhu Yingqing, after hearing this, directly agreed on behalf of his daughter without asking. “Okay, Shihao will send you back later.”

During the intervals of drinking, Tan Zhi Xu took aim at the woman who was huddled together with Zhu Suiyi, looking at the phone. He could finely trace every subtle change in her facial features, even with his eyes closed. Zhu Shihao in front of other people, Zhu Shihao in front of him.

He used his wine glass to cover the mocking arc of his lips.

Blind date?

The images of the three father-son-in-law and “half a son” had been shattered to smithereens.

Since Zhu Shihao dared to come up to him, don’t even think about shaking him off.