Green Tea Tactics

"Xiao Zhe?" Xiao Xi pouted and turned toward Bo Zhe, but the angle was just right for her to glance at Bo Hanmo beside Fang Yao.

Seeing Bo Hanmo keep his eyes on Fang Yao, Xiao Xi bit her lower lip in hurt. She nudged Lu You. "Lu You, did I misunderstand our little sister? We've been talking all this time, and I still don't know her name."

Fang Yao had been quietly eating her millet porridge. That affected, syrupy voice made her skin crawl.

Rubbing her arms, Fang Yao said, "My name is Fang Yao. Ma'am, please just call me by my name. I'm an only child. I don't have an older sister."

Xiao Xi was struck speechless. She stared at Fang Yao in shock, then her eyes reddened, as though being told not to call Fang Yao her little sister was terribly hurtful.

"Sister-in-law, Xiao Xi didn't mean it like that."

"Xiao Xi, don't be upset. Sister-in-law..."

As if by reflex, one of them moved to comfort Xiao Xi while the other turned toward Fang Yao...

Fang Yao froze, forgetting to swallow the millet porridge in her mouth as she looked up at the scene.

Wait. Had I said anything nasty?

Fang Yao's temper flared. She rolled up her sleeves and stood.

Oh, I can't hold back anymore. I've put up with that woman's sly little digs for far too long.

"Honey, all I said was that I'm the only child in my family, wasn't it? Why does this lady look like I bullied her?"

"Or do I have to adopt an older sister before this lady will be satisfied?"

"How about I give her my husband too?"

Fang Yao's lips curved. Not a word she said was an accusation, yet each one stung more than an accusation would have.

She looked genuinely confused and troubled.

(＃￣~￣＃)

The best way to deal with a green tea was to be sincere. It was a finishing move.

Fang Yao's words silenced everyone. An awkward atmosphere hung in the air, and Bo Hanmo made his move.

Right. Sister-in-law is an orphan. She has no family. She can't be expected to adopt an older sister just because someone calls her "little sister"! As for her elder brother, Bo Miao could only laugh awkwardly.

Xiao Xi nearly choked. She fidgeted with her sleeve, sensing that things were about to go wrong, and opened her mouth to argue.

Bo Hanmo spoke first. "Miss, have you misunderstood something? My wife only said she's an only child. She meant nothing else by it."

"And honey, you can't just give your husband away. Besides, I wouldn't marry just anyone."

After speaking, Bo Hanmo glanced at Fang Yao. He liked the sound of her calling him "husband." If only she hadn't added that last part.

They really were made for each other. Their teamwork left Xiao Xi flushed with shame and unable to say a word.

What could she say? That between Bo Zhe and Lu You, Bo Hanmo was the one she'd rather marry?

Xiao Xi knew she couldn't say that. No man wanted to learn he was a backup choice, so she could only put on an innocent face and look helplessly at Bo Zhe and Lu You.

Lu You was stunned.

Had I lost my mind? Why else would I have blamed Sister-in-law?

Bo Zhe hunched his shoulders as far as they would go. Big Brother, I was wrong! o(╥﹏╥)o

Bo Hanmo's head ached as he looked at Fang Yao's innocent face. Getting his wife to see the truth would take time.

"Isn't that just calling her a green tea to her face?" Bo Miao, who had arrived at some point, couldn't help saying.

"I... I'm not!" Xiao Xi panicked. Tears came on cue, and she turned a pitiful look on Bo Zhe and Lu You. Before she could say more, Fang Yao beat her to it.

Xiao Xi's tears stopped in their tracks.

Fang Yao patted Bo Miao's shoulder and said with heartfelt distress, "Miao, how could you say that about this lady?"

Xiao Xi's face turned a sickly shade of green.

Bo Miao saw the light and apologized to Xiao Xi.

Hahaha! Bo Miao calling her a green tea was music to my ears. Her game is so weak. She left her sentences unfinished and got herself shut down. Serves her right. Bo Zhe and Lu You dote on her without thinking, so she must believe everyone else will fall for it too. She thinks she can get whatever she wants and have everyone fuss over her. Sorry, but I'm exposing your green tea tricks right here!

Bo Hanmo watched Fang Yao with a smile. She could make all the trouble she liked; he would clean up afterward.

Their back-and-forth left Xiao Xi unable to keep crying.

"Are you two...? Xiao Xi didn't mean it like that." Seeing Xiao Xi's tears, Bo Zhe still couldn't hold back.

"So you're saying Sister-in-law was wrong!" Bo Miao folded her arms and looked down her nose at her second brother.

His own sister left Bo Zhe speechless. "I didn't say that. Don't drive a wedge between us."

Fang Yao's mouth fell open as she looked between Bo Hanmo and his two siblings.

Are they really brothers? Could one of them have been switched at the hospital?

Hearing Fang Yao's thoughts, Bo Hanmo felt a flash of anger—not at her. Bo Zhe was indeed his biological brother. He pressed a hand to his forehead.

Bo Zhe looked resentfully at his elder brother, who was standing by and watching him get cornered. "Big Brother, can't you rein our little sister in? I'm standing right here, and she's trying to turn Sister-in-law against me."

"Was she wrong?"

Bo Zhe was in his twenties, but his heart still quailed whenever his elder brother reprimanded him. He lowered his head and listened obediently, without a trace of resentment.

At least he admits fault without complaining. Sure, the Bo Family has a weakness for falling in love too easily. Add a green tea's tears and pitiful act—even if the performance isn't perfect—and I can understand why he can't see the person pulling the strings behind her.

"Sister-in-law..." Bo Zhe wanted to ask who was advising Xiao Xi behind the scenes.

Oh no. Has the plot gone off track?! Why is Bo Hanmo standing here perfectly fine? Did I get the date wrong? No, I didn't! Then why isn't Bo Hanmo in the hospital, waiting to die after a car crash? Wait, if he's still alive, can he come with me to the civil affairs office first? We can get divorced before he dies!

The words died in Bo Zhe's throat. He stared at his elder brother in shock.

Sister-in-law still wants to divorce my brother—and she's waiting for him to die!

Bo Miao's mouth fell open too. The news left Lu You reeling, his brain completely overwhelmed. Elder Brother Bo had died yesterday. Was the person standing in front of them a ghost?

No, he was supposed to die yesterday, not that he already did! Lu You, don't go deciding my brother is dead! Bo Miao grabbed Lu You by the shoulders and shook him hard.

[○･｀Д´･ ○]

Wait. Is Sister-in-law a prophet or a fortune-teller? Can she see the future? Is she really that amazing?

(✧◡✧)

Yay! Xiao Wu, let's go get divorced! Round and round we go!

Fang Yao: ヾ(✿ﾟ▽ﾟ)ノ

Bo Hanmo: ...I haven't agreed to that. ￣□￣｜｜