She Nearly Choked

Xia Zhi's heart lurched.

Surely the old madam's sharp eyes hadn't spotted anything?

The smile on her face stiffened slightly. "H-have I?"

The old madam drew her down to sit beside her, her wise old eyes still roaming over her face.

"You've grown prettier and prettier, and much more composed, too."

Xia Zhi had been loud and excitable before, but seeing her today, she had something of a well-bred young lady's air.

Although the old madam found it a little strange, she didn't dwell on it, simply putting it down to the girl growing up. "You must all be hungry?"

"Let's have some tea in the side hall while we wait for Kuo and the others."

This Chinese-style house combined Huizhou and Yangzhou architecture, with a large courtyard containing rockeries, ponds, pavilions, and towers.

It had four successive courtyards, with separate gates and compounds.

In the old days, it would have been the residence of a wealthy family.

The setting sun hung at the edge of the sky, not quite ready to sink.

The lingering purple sunset shone on Xia Zhi, suffusing her luminous white skin as though with a thin layer of rouge and powder, making her look all the more serenely elegant.

Lu Heng glanced at Xia Zhi's soft, lovely profile and thought, However demure she acts on the outside, she's still a foot-picking slob underneath.

There was more than tea in the side hall. There were also some particularly delicious pastries.

Unable to resist, Xia Zhi ate several extra pieces. Only when Lu Heng's gaze drifted toward her again did she sheepishly put down her half-eaten pastry.

Brushing the crumbs from her palms, Xia Zhi gave Lu Heng an ingratiating smile.

So sorry. I've gone and embarrassed him without meaning to.

Lu Heng lowered his eyes and spoke only to the old madam, ignoring Xia Zhi.

The old madam, however, took in their exchange, thinking that after five years of back-and-forth, this young couple was finally making some progress.

"Xia, have some more if you like them."

Xia Zhi blushed. "I'm done."

The old madam asked with a smile, "Won't Heng let you eat?"

Xia Zhi hurriedly waved her hands. "No, I'm worried I won't have room for dinner."

The old madam smiled. "You really are an unpretentious child."

After sitting for half an hour, Xia Zhi felt the urge to pee and rather regretted drinking so much tea.

Just then, Lu Heng's phone rang. He excused himself to the old madam and went outside to answer it. Xia Zhi seized the chance to tell the old madam she was going to the bathroom.

The original Xia Zhi had rarely visited the old residence, and each time, she had left in a hurry after eating. Wandering this way and that, Xia Zhi accidentally got lost.

Well...

Xia Zhi stood helplessly at the entrance to the Orchid Garden.

Worse still, she felt as though her bladder was about to burst.

Xia Zhi drew a deep breath. No, she couldn't just sit around waiting for disaster. She had to find someone and ask for directions to the bathroom.

Thump-

Lost in thought, Xia Zhi accidentally bumped into someone.

"Sorry, sorry."

Xia Zhi hurriedly bowed in apology. Fortunately, the other person was good-tempered.

"It's all right, sister-in-law."

Sister-in-law?

Xia Zhi abruptly looked up. The man before her had handsome features and a refined smile. He wore gold-rimmed glasses and had quite the air of a cultured scoundrel, but his smile was so upright that it was hard not to like him.

Xia Zhi had the original owner's memories, but since that woman had only had eyes for the damn pervert, her impressions of everyone else were faint.

It took Xia Zhi several looks to confirm that he was Lu Kuo. She asked eagerly,

"Hello, Brother. Could you tell me where the bathroom is?"

Seeing her face flushed from holding it in, Lu Kuo said, "I'll take you."

"Thank you, thank you."

The male lead really is a savior, the reincarnation of Guanyin herself.

What a good man. Such a good man.

No wonder he gets to be the male lead, while that snide, unpredictable damn pervert can only be the villain.

They were born to the same parents. How could two people be so different?

A few steps away from Lu Kuo, Lu Heng happened to hear Xia Zhi's inward muttering. With a cold smile, he strode forward.

"Brother, weren't you going back to your room to change?"

"I'll take Xia Zhi to the bathroom."

Lu Kuo glanced at him. "All right. I'll leave your wife to you."

Lu Heng gave a dispassionate hum of assent. "Let's go."

Without looking at Xia Zhi, he headed straight ahead.

With no other choice, Xia Zhi followed Lu Heng, thinking, Why has this damn pervert suddenly become so kind?

There must be a catch.

Lu Heng gave a faint, cold smile. As you wish.

Xia Zhi followed Lu Heng for a long way. Unable to hold it any longer, she hurried forward and grabbed his arm.

"Why aren't we there yet?"

Lu Heng looked perfectly unhurried. "Almost."

Xia Zhi said, "How soon is almost?"

Lu Heng pointed it out to her. "Turn here, go down the corridor, around the rockery, and another five hundred meters. Then you're there."

Xia Zhi's vision darkened, and she nearly fainted. "That far?"

Why had Lu Kuo's tone earlier made it sound as though it wasn't far at all?

Lu Heng shrugged. "My dear wife, if you really can't hold it, you can find any corner and relieve yourself. I'll keep watch."

Xia Zhi was speechless.

Find any corner?

Relieve myself?

Was she a dog?

Xia Zhi gritted her teeth. "If you're not afraid I'll embarrass you, I don't mind doing it."

Lu Heng looked at Xia Zhi, his gaze cool. "I'm not."

Catching the amusement in Lu Heng's eyes, Xia Zhi realized the bastard was playing her. She was so angry she nearly sprayed his face with pee.

"You win!"

Xia Zhi took off running. Following the general direction Lu Heng had given her, she finally burst into an unlocked room, quickly found the bathroom, and then all was right with the world.

Relief.

Such relief.

When Xia Zhi came out of the bathroom, she saw Lu Heng standing in the doorway, and her good mood vanished instantly.

That damn pervert wasn't human. He'd nearly made her wet her pants.

Fuming, Xia Zhi walked out without acknowledging Lu Heng.

Lu Heng followed her without haste or impatience. Only when Xia Zhi started looking around and turning in circles again did he step forward.

"Let's go."

He was calm and composed, as though he had fully expected her to get lost.

Xia Zhi felt both aggrieved and helpless, but had no choice but to follow Lu Heng.

By then, the sun had long since set.

Darkness shrouded the earth.

Countless lanterns lit up the residence. Walking down the quiet corridor, Xia Zhi felt as though she had traveled back in time to the ancient world.

So this was the sort of thing the old madam liked.

Lu Heng led Xia Zhi to the main sitting room. His parents had already returned. Lu Heng greeted them expressionlessly, and Xia Zhi hurriedly followed suit.

Lu Heng's father was a smiling tiger, while his mother looked rather mean.

Xia Zhi thought Lu Kuo's temperament resembled his father's somewhat, while Lu Heng took after his mean mother.

Hearing her thoughts, Lu Heng turned to glance at Xia Zhi, his gaze a little cold.

The old madam's word was law in the family. At the dining table, no one dared pick up their chopsticks before she did.

As a junior, Xia Zhi naturally followed Lu Heng's lead.

Only when the old madam said, "Let's eat," did everyone pick up their chopsticks.

A sumptuous spread of delicious delicacies covered the table.

Serving chopsticks and spoons had been placed beside every dish. Everyone ate in extraordinary silence. No one spoke, and not a single sound of chewing came from their mouths.

Xia Zhi nearly choked getting through that meal.