Chen Ying—finally—agreed to bring Mi Xi home.

Before they left, Su Xiaopei prepared a bag of clothes and various daily necessities for Mi Xi, but because she didn’t know Mi Xi’s size beforehand, some of them probably won’t fit well. She said that she would buy new ones for Mi Xi later and asked her to just use these first.

Chen Ying was very satisfied he heard this. Very good. So it seemed that he really just needed to provide a place to live and take care of her three meals. He watched as Su Xiaopei guided Mi Xi on how to use a toothbrush.

“This is a toothbrush. It’s a bit different from what you’re used to but it’s used in the same way. I already taught you how just now, so you can just use it like that. This is a new one. Here it is. We call it a ‘toothbrush’, don’t forget. ‘Dental medicine’ is called ‘toothpaste’ in our place. If Uncle Chen Ying has it in his home, just use his. I’ve put cleansing and skin care products in your bag, as well as bath creams. I’ve written the usage instructions and pasted them on the bottles. If you can’t remember how to use it, just ask Uncle Chen Ying.”

The toothbrush and toothpaste were returned to the bag, and Chen Ying tried to struggle for the last time, “She doesn’t understand so many new things, why don’t we keep her here for now.”

After he said this, everyone quickly sent them out the door.

Yue Lao 2238 followed behind them. He said that he wanted to confirm first hand that Mi Xi has successfully moved into her new home. Chen Ying really wanted to roll his eyes at him. Was he the kind of person who would leave little young misses by the roadside and abandon them? But thinking that this only would damage his image, he held back.

There was nothing to say along the way, and there were few cars at night, so the three of them arrived at their destination not long after.

Chen Ying led Mi Xi and Yue Lao into the house. 

As if he’s the owner, Yue Lao took Mi Xi around, explaining things as they went along. This was the bathroom, and this was the guest room. It’s a big room, and there’s quite a lot of space. “Ah, Mr. Chen, this is Mi Xi’s room, right?” Facing south, it had a bed and a cabinet; it looked good.

“Correct.” Obviously he didn’t know things, but he still rushed to lead the way. Chen Ying finally couldn’t help but roll his eyes a little.

“Look, it’s your room. The bed is not small. The room is really big, isn’t it? It’s also close to the bathroom. Ah, the ‘bathroom’ means the ‘toilet’. Come on, I’ll teach you first.” Old Mother Yue led the beauty to the bathroom. “This is the toilet, just sit on it, and pull this, and then it will be flushed, look, like this—” complete with demonstration on how to flush. “Look, this is a faucet. Turn it this way, and water will come out. It’s very convenient, isn’t it? There’s no well here—this is how you get water. Twist this way to get hot water. By the way, where are the towel and toothbrush that Aunt Su gave you?”

Mi Xi took them out of the bag.

Old Mother Yue 2238 helped her hang her things on the hook next to the mirrored cabinet above the sink, then ran out and asked, “Mr. Chen, can you provide Mi Xi with a toothbrush cup?” 

Chen Ying found a drinking glass and handed it over to him. Yuelao placed Mi Xi’s toothbrush inside, then showed her how to put cup and toothbrush inside the mirrored cabinet. He then told her, voice filled with certainty, “Mi Xi, this is your home.” 

Was it your home if you have a towel and a toothbrush? At best, it’s good for taking up space. Chen Ying originally wanted to tease and ridicule, but seeing Mi Xi’s dazed expression, he found himself blocked, unable to speak.

 Yue Lao enthusiastically took Mi Xi to see other places. “This is the study. It’s your Uncle Chen Ying’s place. Don’t go in to disturb him unless it’s really necessary. I don’t know what kind of room this is… ah, this is a bedroom. It’s the master’s bedroom. It’s also your Uncle Chen Ying’s place. You must not come in, ten million times no!”

The word ‘ten million’¹ was said in an emphatic tone, and the corners of Chen Ying’s eyes twitch. What did he think would happen should she come in? Will he eat the young miss up? How dare he question and slander his character and morality?! It’s a pity that he couldn’t argue and defend himself, because he really did mind people entering his bedroom and study.

His territory was his. Originally, the whole house was his domain. F*ck it all. How the hell did this happen, suddenly, inexplicably, a little young lady was stuffed into his life. And he himself actually led the person in!

He must have been hypnotized.

“Mr. Chen,” Yuelao called again, interrupting Chen Ying’s grumbling thoughts.

What a noisy Yue Lao ah.

“What’s wrong?”

“Mr. Chen, you use the bathroom in the master bedroom, right? The bathroom outside is for Mi Xi’s exclusive use. Don’t mess with her things.” Yuelao took Mi Xi and arranged the bottles and jars of shower gel and shampoo and taught her how to use the shower faucet. He urged Chen Ying to provide new sheets and covers, and the two of them made the bed together. Mi Xi watched from the side, her eyes a little dazed.

“Okay, okay.” Yuelao checked inside and out again. “Mi Xi, this is your room, this is the closet, you pack your clothes yourself. Ah, these two sets of clothes are certainly not enough, don’t worry, your Uncle Chen Ying will take care of it. There is no mirror on this table, you just make do with it and use the one in the bathroom first.” Remembering that he hasn’t yet taught Mi Xi how to turn the lights on and off, he quickly explained how.

Mi Xi nodded, her expression still a bit stunned, or— at a loss? Chen Ying turned his head aside, pretending not to see it. Now he’s starting to feel stressed: it won’t be easy to raise this little miss, right? She came from ancient times!

Was it too late to regret now?

Yue Lao walked around the room again and asked, “Mr. Chen, is there anything else I missed?”

Chen Ying pursed his lips. Apart from actually taking her away, he didn’t seem to have missed anything.

“Mi Xi, don’t be afraid, I will come to see you. Your Uncle Cheng and Aunt Su will also come to see you.”

Mi Xi didn’t speak, only nodded.

“Then,” Yue Lao seemed reluctant. He took a deep breath. “I have to go.”

Mi Xi seemed to have recovered and gave Yue Lao a deep salute. “Thank you, Mr. Yue Lao.”

He waved his hand, hesitated to speak, and finally squeezed out a sentence, “Mi Xi, you work hard. Ah, ‘work hard’² are words of encouragement.”

Mi Xi nodded and saluted him again, “Thank you, Mr. Yue Lao.”

Yue Lao waved his hand again but didn’t speak this time. Chen Ying thought to himself that if they continue to say ‘thank you’, and ‘thank you’ again, then he would really have to throw this old man out.

Ah, no, both of them need to be thrown out together!

“Mr. Chen, please send me off.” Yue Lao unexpectedly made such a request.

Chen Ying didn’t refuse. Most guests would protest and say there’s no need to send them out when it’s time to leave, but this Yue Lao 2238 did it the other way, and actually asked to be sent off. Yue Lao really asked him to send him downstairs.

“Mr. Chen, I want to tell you my reason.”

“What reason?”

“The reason why I chose you to take care of Mi Xi.” Yuelao clears his throat, “There are eighteen people who have a fated encounter with her found in the system. The meaning of ‘fated relationship’ does not necessarily mean being able to get along well, nor does it necessarily mean the fate of marriage. I filtered out some inappropriate ones, and you are one of the remaining ones with good fate. 

“Mr. Chen, you and Mixi are destined to meet, even if I did not arrange for her to be taken care of by you, you will meet her one day and you would be willing to help her. What I did was to shorten the process and let you go straight to this step. Because time is very short. It’s very tight, I already explained this. You are the oldest and have the most successful career among several suitable people. You have experience, kindness, and responsibility. And to be realistic: you can afford it. 

“You are the most capable and accomplished person I can find; the one who is most likely to take good care of Mi Xi. This is why I chose you. Of course, you know Cheng Jiangyi and the others, and are considered to be friends, which makes me more confident in choosing you.” 

Chen Ying did not speak.

Yuelao continued, “I’m telling you this to let you know: please believe that I didn’t just throw Mi Xi over to you. Everything is the result of careful comparison and thinking. The Red Thread System really exists, and it gives guidance and directions. What should happen will always happen, but the results depend on the individual. You will definitely understand all this in the future, so please be more patient and tolerant towards Mi Xi.” 

After Yue Lao 2238 finished speaking, he bowed, then turned away and left.

Chen Ying was a little surprised how this man got so serious all of a sudden. He felt that he still had questions to ask, but Yue Lao ran so fast that he wasn’t even given a chance. 

Chen Ying wanted to ask him: now that Mi Xi has settled her board and lodging, was there any arrangement for her marriage? He took Mi Xi in, so what’s next? What was the plan?

It’s really unreliable to only leave people behind and run away without making arrangements for the key points.

Chen Ying went back upstairs, opened the door, and found the house to be quiet—no different from when he lived alone.

Chen Ying sighed inwardly, closed the door, and walked inside. When he passed the bathroom, he saw Mixi standing in front of the sink in a daze. She’s looking at the mirror, and she looked tired and sad in the reflection. 

Chen Ying turned his head away, pretending not to see, and asked her, “Are you hungry?”

He saw that Mi Xi seemed to have just realized that he was back. She straightened up quickly, and turned her head to face him, shaking it to say ‘no’.

“Well, then, do you know how to use this?” He pointed to the towel and then to the shower faucet.

Mixi nodded.

Chen Ying coughed twice, thinking that this little miss really didn’t know how to curry favor with others ah³. “Then, I’m just in the house, call me if you need anything.”

Mi Xi nodded again.

Chen Ying turned his head and walked towards his bedroom, taking two steps, only to turn back. “You can understand what I say, right?”

More nodding.

“If you don’t understand, just say it ah.”

Even more nodding.

Okay, the conversation was boring. He went back to his room to take a shower and sleep.

After Chen Ying finished washing up, he lay down on the bed and thought about it seriously. It’s really not suitable for him to take in a 17-year-old girl. He was very busy, with a lot of bad habits and a mountain of work. Besides, there’s no reason for him to be persuaded like this, right? He could take her in temporarily for now, and then he would just arrange her matters later—such as letting his brother who betrayed his family take this responsibility. Or someone else. 

In fact, if there was really no one, his mother was quite suitable to raise Mi Xi. She has been complaining that she has not given birth to a caring daughter in her life. It’s just that the origin of this little miss was unknown, and Chen Ying didn’t know what kind of person she was, so it was better to observe first.

Chen Ying thought about things for a while and eventually realized that he seemed to have made a decision. 

He listened, but there were no sounds at all outside, and he got a little worried, so he went out to have a look.

Mi Xi should have washed up because there were water stains in the bathroom. The door to her room was open but no one was inside.

“Mi Xi?” Chen Ying called out and went to the living room to look for her. The living room lights were not turned on, but he found her sitting cross-legged in front of the large french windows in the living room, looking at the sky outside. She turned when she heard him calling. 

“Go to bed early.” Chen Ying thought for a long time and, feeling helpless, could only say this. He really didn’t have any experience in dealing with reserved young misses, and neither did he have the proper temperament to lower himself just to coax her. Obviously, right now, he was the one who needed to be coaxed ah.

“Thank you, uncle.” 

He finally heard her speak. 

“Don’t call me ‘uncle’—just call me by my name.” It’s too uncomfortable to be called ‘uncle’ by a seventeen-year-old girl. He still considers himself quite young.

“Chen Ying,” Mi Xi amends.

“Okay, good night.” Chen Ying left after their talk, but came back after taking a few steps. “‘Good night’ means to let you go to bed early and sleep better. It is to say ‘hello’ at night.” 

“Good night,” Mi Xi repeated.

“Okay.” Chen Ying really had nothing to say this time and went back to his room to sleep.

____

He didn’t sleep well that night, even though the house was silent, no different from usual really.  This missy, Mi Xi, was really quiet, but he still didn’t sleep well. He woke up suddenly and looked at the electronic clock on the bedside table. It’s May 8, 5:52 in the morning. 

Chen Ying got up and went to the toilet, thinking about going out to see how the little miss was doing. It turned out her door was still open but again no one was inside. Chen Ying frowned. He walked with light steps to the end of the corridor and peeked inside the living room: Mi Xi was still sitting there.

Chen Ying’s brows furrowed even tighter. Did she sit like that all night?

The early morning light shone on Mi Xi’s face through the floor-to-ceiling windows. From this angle, Chen Ying could see half of her face: it was streaked with tears.

Chen Ying’s heart suddenly softened into a mess.

___________________

FOOTNOTES:

¹ The phrase used by Yue Lao to say ‘don’t come in’ has the characters for 100 million squeezed inside it. ↩

² Literally, it reads as ‘add oil.’ But as Yue Lao 2388 said, ‘jai yo’ are words of encouragement. ↩

³ This refers to how a girl would act cute or coquettish and ask for help so as to appeal to a guy’s *cough* finer instincts—allow him to be protective and manly and all that jazz. But Mi Xi is having none of that, and so Chen Ying thinks she’s not good at currying favor at all. The guy wanted to feel useful by operating the shower lmao. ↩

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