Chapter 158: Fateful Entanglement

Page 1/3

Xu Shuxiao chuckled softly on the phone before speaking seriously, “Alright, seeing you so pitiful, I’ll help you this one last time. But whether it works out depends entirely on your own ability.” I rejoiced, “Really? That’s great! Xu Shuxiao, you’re the only one in this world who’s been so kind to me. Thank you!”

“Hmph! You know I’m good to you? Don’t rush to thank me. This still depends on you.”

“So what should I do?”

“Here’s the plan: drive over later with Xiao Xin. We’ll agree on a meeting place, then you explain everything to your little sister. If you can convince her not to go, that’s best. If not, just tell her the truth. It’s better than having her find out you’re a liar at Jingjing’s house and causing a scene—that would be embarrassing for everyone.”

I paused, feeling gloomy. “Actually, I didn’t mean to deceive Xiao Xin. Sometimes, I’m just helpless. I don’t want to hurt her.”

“I know. Otherwise, how could I let you off so easily? My sister’s smile is...” Xu Shuxiao snorted. I sighed, “Looks like there’s no other way. But after I see Xiao Xin, how should I explain?”

“You ask me? Who else? Don’t tell me you want me to come up with your lines too? I don’t care. You figure it out yourself!”

I thought for a long time, then sighed. “Alright, I’ll wait for you above Jingjing’s house at the road entrance. I’ll give it a try.”

“Good! We’ll be there exactly one hour later!”

I quickly fixed my hair and drove to the roadside above the Hua family residence. After a while, Xu Shuxiao pulled up behind me. I stepped out, opened her door, and saw the little witch puffing her cheeks in displeasure, glaring at me. Xu Shuxiao unbuckled her seatbelt and smiled, “You talk; I’ll leave.”

Xuxin was startled. “Sister, what are you doing? Who wants to talk to her?”

Xu Shuxiao smiled, closed the door, and climbed into my car. Xu Xin turned and glared at me, fuming, “Tang Qian, what do you mean? Are you in cahoots with my sister?”

I looked at the little witch, noticeably more mature after half a year, and said seriously, “Xiao Xin, there are some things I want to talk to you about.”

Xiao Xin seemed to sense trouble and avoided my gaze nervously. “I don’t want to talk. Why did you come looking for me? My sister will find out.”

“I told you, your sister already knows. It was her idea for me to wait here for you.”

Xiao Xin blushed furiously. “Who told her? Didn’t I tell you? My sister might like you herself. If you say things like that, it’ll be so awkward for us sisters.”

I suddenly recalled the call in the hospital room Xu Shuxiao didn’t want me to hear—so that was what Xiao Xin had said then. I smiled bitterly and turned to the driver’s seat. “Xiao Xin, your sister saw it long ago. You can see things clearly from the sidelines—but how smart is your sister? Can you really hide things from her?”

Xiao Xin turned pale. “You’re not going to tell me you’re involved with my sister, are you?”

I shook my head. “No way. The gap between us is too big. I don’t even dare to think about it.”

Xiao Xin sighed, then smiled. “Good! That’s what I’m most afraid of. How many men in the world could resist my sister’s charm? I’ve always worried about that.”

I was at a loss for words and could only say, “I didn’t come to talk about that. Actually…”

Halfway through, the little witch suddenly covered my mouth. “I don’t want to hear! Are you going to talk about Jingjing? I know you don’t love her. Stop explaining! I’m not interested. A real man keeps his word. You promised to marry me in five years. No cheating!”

I was sweating. I could only move my head aside and say, “Xiao Xin, it’s not that I want to cheat, but so much has happened over these days…” (Such a familiar line, ^_^)

Before I could finish, Xiao Xin covered her ears, shaking her head, “Not listening! Don’t tell me!”

I was helpless and looked at her sadly. I understood she must have guessed something already.

“Tang Qian gege!” Xiao Xin put down her hands and crawled into my arms, nestling close. She whispered softly, “I’m young, but I understand. No matter what happened with Jingjing, I know you don’t love her.”

I felt a chill on my scalp and hurriedly pushed her away. “Xiao Xin, your sister is watching. Don’t do this!”

Xiao Xin ignored me, wrapping her arms around my neck and sitting on my lap. Her eyes glazed over as she looked at me. “Xiao Xin knows too. Actually, the one you truly love is my sister, isn’t it?”

I was stunned. This little witch was really something. She buried her face in my chest and sighed softly. “I know everything. I won’t blame you. She’s my sister, after all. Besides, didn’t I tell you? During these five years, you can date whoever you want, just don’t let me find out. I made that very clear, didn’t I? I don’t care how many women you have. I only know that without you, Xiao Xin can’t live. Tang Qian gege, promise me you won’t abandon me, okay?”

(A woman with the qualities of both a mistress and a kept woman—the dream of any man, sigh...)

I was so shocked I couldn’t speak. I’d always thought her feelings were childish infatuation, but she truly loved me so deeply. Xiao Xin continued, “Tang Qian gege, am I stupid? Just wishing to be with you all alone? I know you only made the five-year deal to not hurt me. Last night while waiting for your call, I thought about so many things. But you never called. I realized I don’t matter to you at all. I’m angry, but I don’t blame you, really! Tang Qian gege, I love you down to my bones. You’ve been playing me all along, and I pretended not to know because I was young and powerless. But when I grow up, I’m confident I’ll make you fall in love with me!”

She looked up determinedly. “Tang Qian gege! I don’t care who you’re with now—whether it’s my sister or Jingjing—it won’t affect my love for you! I’ll study hard, get into a top university, and when I graduate, I’ll come after you! Even if you’re married, I’ll still chase you, and I’m sure I’ll catch you! Tang Qian gege, do you believe me?”

---

Page 2/3

I was speechless and sighed deeply. Calling softly, “Xiao Xin!” She smiled. “You came to stop me from making a scene at Jingjing’s, didn’t you? Don’t worry, I won’t. I’m not qualified yet; others would laugh at me. But in five years, I’ll come back and make a fuss. By then, I won’t be afraid of anyone calling me childish. I’ll make a big scene, hehe!”

I couldn’t persuade her and was nearly speechless. I said, “Xiao Xin, I didn’t realize you’re really not a child anymore. I shouldn’t have kept lying to you. Since you understand everything, I won’t hide it. What I promised before was just to appease you. I did it for your own good! Tang Qian gege is much older and really not suitable for you. You’ll understand when you grow up. Jingjing and I have been through a lot—she’s the one I’ll marry. Five years from now, you won’t be able to break us apart. If you’re really mature, you should bless us instead of causing trouble.”

Xiao Xin pouted. “Who knows what will happen in five years? I won’t promise you. I’m not like you, who breaks promises. I believe I have the strength. I don’t believe you’ll still treat me like a child then!”

I sighed. “If you won’t listen, there’s nothing I can do. Just promise you won’t cause trouble tonight. You’ll come to your senses in five years. Now, get down. Your sister is really watching!”

Xiao Xin didn’t move but smiled. “She already knows, so what am I afraid of? I’m not as useless as her—liking you but pushing you into someone else’s arms, without the courage to fight for you. I can’t stand her temper!”

Through the car window, I saw Xu Shuxiao glancing back anxiously. I said, “Alright, let’s go to Jingjing’s house. Remember, no trouble this time!”

Xiao Xin grinned, “Promise no trouble. But if I get mad, you have to kiss me!”

I frowned. “How am I supposed to make that up?”

Xiao Xin leaned in with a smile. “Just kiss me once, and I’ll forgive you for lying.”

I leaned back to avoid it, but the seat was behind me. I called out, “Xiao Xin!” and found my mouth suddenly captured by hers.

Cold sweat broke out. My God! This was in front of her sister! She’d tear me apart! I pushed her away and shouted, “Xiao Xin, don’t mess around!”

Xiao Xin smiled wickedly, finally revealing her witchy nature. “Here’s your choice: kiss me, and I won’t bother you for five years. Date as many women as you want. If you don’t kiss me, I’ll tell Jingjing that you and my sister are actually in love! Let’s see how you explain that. Two choices—pick one!”

I was shocked. I couldn’t let Jingjing find out! This little witch was so cunning. But I’ve always responded better to softness than toughness. If you push me, I’ll just resist.

I opened the car door and turned to leave, saying, “Go ahead and tell her. I’ll never talk to you again.” Then I strode back to my own car.

Xu Shuxiao saw me return and asked, “What did you say to my sister? You two look so intimate. Am I invisible now?”

I snapped, “Ask her yourself. The little witch really is a little witch. I underestimated her before.”

Xu Shuxiao was puzzled. She closed her door and returned to her car. I ignored them. Suddenly, I heard Xu Shuxiao shout from above, “Tang Qian, come quickly!”

I looked up and realized her car was still parked there; she hadn’t gotten out. Hearing her urgent voice, my heart jolted. “Could something have happened?” Without hesitation, I turned my car around and sped to the scene.

I stopped, opened the door, and hurried to Xu Shuxiao’s car. “What happened?” I called out. I saw Xu Xin clutching her head, leaning on the seat, crying.

Xu Shuxiao hugged her sister, glaring at me angrily. “Tang Qian, what did you say to her? My sister doesn’t want to live anymore. She’s been banging her head against the car door!”

Xu Xin lifted her tear-streaked face, sobbing, “Tang Qian gege, please don’t ignore me or Xiao Xin won’t survive!”

My heart softened. Holding her, I asked sadly, “Where did you hit? Does it hurt? Why would you do something so foolish?”

Xiao Xin cried into my chest, tears flowing harder. “Tang Qian gege, I won’t cause trouble anymore. I don’t want you to kiss me either. I just want you not to leave me. Okay? Xiao Xin is so sad, really sad!”

I felt unbearable pain and held her tighter. “No, I won’t. Tang Qian gege cares for you so much. How could I ignore you?”

---

Page 3/3

As soon as I softened, Xiao Xin burst into louder sobs. Xu Shuxiao shook her head beside us, murmuring, “Such misery! Truly misery!” (Have all the men in the world died? Sigh.)

I looked at Xu Shuxiao for help, but she ignored me, pretending not to see. I gently stroked Xiao Xin’s hair. “Where did you hit just now? Why would you do such a foolish thing?”

Xiao Xin pointed to her forehead and said in grievance, “Here!”

I parted her hair and saw a large bump. I was both heartbroken and angry. “Don’t do that again. You scared me and your sister to death.”

Xiao Xin nestled in my arms, softly sobbing, “As long as Tang Qian gege doesn’t leave me, Xiao Xin won’t do foolish things.”

I was speechless. The witch’s words had another meaning: if I left her, she’d still do foolish things. I was at a loss and said to Xu Shuxiao, “Xu Shuxiao, please try to talk some sense into your sister.”

Xu Shuxiao snorted, turned her head, and said angrily, “Just don’t leave her! What’s there to persuade?”

One sister was crying, the other angry. Caught in the middle, I found it hard to act. I said to Xiao Xin, “Alright, let’s go to the hospital and check your head. We don’t want any complications.”

Xiao Xin wiped her tears. “I won’t go. If you promise me, we’ll still go to Jingjing’s. It’s late; Jingjing must be anxious.”

Xu Shuxiao glanced at her sister’s bump, sighed, and said, “Tang Qian, you go first. I’ll take her to the hospital.”

I said, “That won’t do. I’m not at ease. I’ll call Jingjing and tell her we’ll be late.” I took out my phone, but Xiao Xin blocked my hand. “Tang Qian gege, it’s not necessary. It’s just a small bump. It doesn’t hurt now. Jingjing’s family must have some ointment. We can just apply that.”

I insisted, “No, the head is important. What if it’s a concussion? We must get a hospital checkup!”

(I’m shameless: if you don’t love her, just distance yourself. Losing one person’s care won’t kill her; time heals all love...)

I insisted on going, but Xiao Xin refused. After a long argument, Xu Shuxiao finally lost patience. “Alright, alright. I’ve never seen a couple so lovey-dovey. Jingjing has a private doctor. Just call him over to check.”

Xiao Xin was no longer upset; she was happy that I cared so much. She broke free from my arms and hugged her sister. “Don’t be jealous, sis. Tang Qian gege actually cares more about you.”

Xu Shuxiao blushed deeply, lightly hitting her sister’s arms. Pretending to scold, she said, “Who’s jealous? Don’t be so disrespectful!”

Xiao Xin giggled, “Sis, you can’t hide it from me. You like Tang Qian gege. Don’t I see it?”

Xu Shuxiao’s face reddened even more. “Say another word and I’ll rip your mouth open!” She glared at me.

I knew when to keep quiet. “Let’s go downstairs,” I said, quickly getting back into my car.

From behind, I faintly heard the little witch’s scream, then a burst of laughter...

Sitting back down, I sighed deeply. These Xu sisters had deep feelings for me. And either one was a rare gem among women. What virtue or fate did I, Tang Qian, possess to be so lucky? (Because someone used a modifier to lock intimacy, ^_^)

I glanced at the luxurious Hua family mansion by the river, inexplicably feeling a pang of sadness. I sighed softly, murmuring, “Xiao Shu, Xiao Xin, I, Tang Qian, am destined to disappoint you in this life. If fate allows, maybe next life...”

Suddenly, my phone rang. It was Jingjing calling. “Tang Qian, it’s almost dark. What are you doing? Why aren’t you here yet?”

Hearing Jingjing’s voice, I smiled, pushing the worries about Xu Shuxiao and Xiao Xin aside. “Are you anxious? I’m almost there!”

I started the engine and turned off the highway, driving toward Jingjing’s house...