Rat, Rabbit, And Rabbit Transformed Into Humans And Married Their Natural Enemies. Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Xie Yuzhan stared at the expectant Bai Zhi for a full minute, unable to discern anything meaningful.

He put down his knife and fork, his voice slightly deep, and said, “If you are joking, then this joke is not funny at all and has no meaning.

“If you genuinely believe that, Bai Zhi, I highly doubt the reason and purpose behind you thinking and asking that.”

Eat him?

The only somewhat reasonable interpretation of “eat” he could think of was the kind of “eating” involved in flirting.

Xie Yuzhan’s sinking tone instantly snapped Bai Zhi back to reality. Words spoken without thinking should never leave his mouth! He was too quick-mouthed, and now he’d caused trouble. If he chattered too much, there would always be a slip-up.

He shouldn’t have asked at all.

If he thought about it carefully, he could have guessed that the other party might treat him as “emergency rations.”

When there was no shortage of food, he would be kept under the claw to play with, and once the novelty wore off, he would be eaten in one bite, or disposed of in some other way. He might not even make it through the year safely.

Xie Yuzhan could change his mind at any time.

He couldn’t be too trusting. What if the big shot was in a bad mood one day and took a bite out of him… Where would a bunny go to reason? He couldn’t repeat the same mistakes!

Since the words were out, he needed to seriously consider how to improve his safety index and survive this year.

He forced a smile that was as natural as he could manage, trying to cover up his blunder. “I am indeed afraid of you, and I’m a vegetarian, you see. Seeing you all eat meat makes me nervous. I still worry, so I just—just wanted to confirm again.”

So that was it. Xie Yuzhan picked up a napkin and wiped his hands. It was good that he didn’t mean anything suggestive.

It made sense. Such a simple little rabbit, how could he understand such things? He was probably severely lacking in common sense for some reason and quite slow in certain aspects.

Given the current social climate, someone of Bai Zhi’s status shouldn’t be so naive. It was strange, but just as the other party’s purity was extremely rare, there were always exceptions.

As long as it didn’t affect his plans.

It didn’t matter.

A hint of amusement entered his eyes. “Little one, I keep my word. Don’t say things like that again, especially in front of others.”

Bai Zhi nodded. “Understood. I won’t say it again.”

He would just remain secretly vigilant.

He drank a couple of sips of the fragrant, soft multigrain porridge to calm his nerves, then quickly changed the subject. “There’s a large terrace outside my room. I’d like to plant some flowers and greenery there.”

“You may. Whatever you wish.”

“I also want to start a live stream to chat with netizens and introduce these plants. I won’t show my face and will remain anonymous. No one should recognize me. Will this affect you?”

Live stream?

Xie Yuzhan pondered briefly. “That’s also fine. Be careful not to leak any information. I imagine you wouldn’t want to be targeted because of your identity.”

“Mhm, I’ll keep a low profile.”

Bai Zhi didn’t want to invite trouble. He just wanted to stay home and still be able to chat with netizens while tending to his plants.

Xie Yuzhan was generally satisfied with Bai Zhi. He was sensible and knew his place. That was enough. The strange comments were harmless and rather amusing.

He picked up his napkin to wipe his hands. “We will attend the Lu family’s dinner party tonight together. Uncle Zheng will bring you the clothes.”

“Okay.”

Bai Zhi took a bite of a crystal shrimp dumpling. The warm, delicious flavor slowly helped him relax. He promised, “I’ll speak little at the banquet. I’ll do whatever you tell me to, fulfill my duty, and maintain my quiet composure throughout. You can rest assured.”

Xie Yuzhan slightly curved his lips. He was already standing up, ready to leave, but his gaze lingered on Bai Zhi for another ten seconds.

The way the other person ate seriously was very well-behaved—quiet, meticulous, and neat. Just watching him made one feel good. It had been a long time since he had seen anyone eat with such focus.

There was a sense of respect and appreciation for the food.

It felt a bit like… a little rabbit nibbling on various fruits and vegetables.

It wasn’t until Bai Zhi noticed his gaze and looked up that he casually withdrew his eyes, as if nothing had happened. He shouldn’t be making those associations.

Strange.

He instructed the other party to tell Lin Haiyan what he wanted to eat, then left. Vegetarian was fine; it was just a personal preference. As they had agreed, they wouldn’t interfere with each other.

Bai Zhi didn’t pay much attention to the brief eye contact. He finished his breakfast single-mindedly and felt satisfied, though he had eaten a little too much.

He didn’t want to waste food.

Even though he knew he wouldn’t go hungry anymore, some habits were etched into the bunny’s spiritual DNA and couldn’t be changed. Besides, he thought not wasting food was a good thing, no matter the circumstances.

He specifically found Lin Haiyan and asked her to prepare food in moderate amounts.

Lin Haiyan smiled upon hearing this. “Alright, we’ll spend these few days getting used to each other, and I’ll figure out your appetite. Then I’ll prepare meals accordingly. Speaking of which—

“You and Yuzhan are quite similar in this regard. He also can’t stand leftover food. He’s been like that since childhood.”

Faced with the child’s obsessive-compulsive tendency, Xie Yuzhan’s parents solved the problem by serving individual, appropriate portions. This habit had been maintained until now.

Bai Zhi was a little surprised, and his good impression of Xie Yuzhan increased by one point. Separate matters aside, a wolf who cherished food was a good wolf~ He deserved praise!

The banquet was in the evening, giving him an entire day to plan and arrange the terrace.

After drawing up the blueprints, he explained everything carefully to Zheng Feng. Zheng Feng said they had wood and tools, and could help him prepare anything else he needed. Bai Zhi didn’t refuse; having help made things twice as efficient.

He sourced the flowers and greenery himself.

He had previously contacted a few fellow enthusiasts who ran small plant businesses online. He had pre-ordered everything he wanted and was just waiting to give them the address for shipping. With packaging and air freight, he would receive them in the next couple of days. He couldn’t wait to cuddle with the plants~

The scent of grass was fresh, clear, and vividly green—the scent of a vast and free prairie.

Just thinking about it made him feel happy and close to nature.

It was very healing.

After a busy day, Zheng Feng helped him a lot. The house already had some exquisite wooden shelves, which were utilized and arranged on his terrace.

They also custom-made several new ones. Zheng Feng was excellent at carpentry. As they worked and tidied up, Zheng Feng taught him many small tips for caring for plants. The Xie family’s garden was managed by the landscaping workers whom Zheng Feng brought in regularly.

By five in the afternoon, they had mostly finished setting up the shelves and other structures.

Perhaps because he was doing something he loved, he didn’t feel tired at all. He took a bath, washing himself clean and fragrant. When he emerged from the bathroom, he felt refreshed. If he weren’t going out soon, he could have kept working until midnight.

Lin Haiyan had already delivered dinner to his room, reminding him to eat lightly to tide him over, as a dinner party wasn’t primarily for eating.

How thoughtful.

He felt like he was starting to like this couple.

Xie Yuzhan was very fortunate to have such elders looking after him. Unlike himself, who had only been one bunny since he could remember. He had no problem taking care of himself and didn’t seek reliance on anyone, but!

Having such care was also very nice.

He wasn’t greedy for it, but he cherished it greatly.

After dinner, he changed into the full outfit Zheng Feng had delivered, putting on all the accessories. Looking at himself in the mirror, he felt somewhat uncomfortable.

This was the first time he had worn formal attire. It was far less comfortable than casual clothes, and there were so many accessories. Not only the bow tie, but also a tie clip and cufflinks, and they even gave him a watch!

Did it have to be so complete?

Who decreed that you couldn’t wear a T-shirt to a banquet?

He supposed this was him adapting to local customs. He just needed to get through it.

The thought of many strangers and having to be with Xie Yuzhan made him anxious now. Based on his experience from going out to register their marriage last time, he prepared a palm-sized Pikachu plushie and tucked it into his pocket.

Pika-pika-zizi-zizi—

The slight tingling sensation was very reassuring.

He didn’t know how to drive, and the homebody bunny didn’t plan to learn anytime soon. Zheng Feng drove him to the Xie Corporation, where he would meet Xie Yuzhan before heading to the Lu family’s residence together.

When he saw the other man, CEO Xie was no longer wearing the suit from the morning, but a double-breasted tuxedo that looked extremely refined. It was more complex than his own outfit. Besides his glasses, he wore a pocket square, a lapel chain, and rings—nothing was missing. Even his hair was perfectly styled, which Bai Zhi had to admire.

CEO Xie was a meticulous person; he couldn’t lack either obsessive-compulsive tendencies or aesthetic sense.

But he was indeed refined and elegant. No matter what others said about CEO Xie being gentle and good-tempered, Bai Zhi felt he possessed an aura of quiet authority.

However!

He pursed his lips. No matter how handsome he was, it couldn’t change the wolf-like nature inside! He wouldn’t be seduced by good looks!

He gripped the small plushie with both hands, sat in the back seat, and turned to look out the window, remaining silent.

After Xie Yuzhan sat down, he signaled the driver to start the car, then leisurely glanced at Bai Zhi beside him. He truly lived up to his reputation as a beautiful face. The light-colored suit complemented his temperament, presenting an increasingly refined cleanliness and a cool softness.

Such a pure aura lightened his own low mood considerably.

He naturally noticed the plushie in Bai Zhi’s hand and praised him in a low voice, “Zhi Zhi is very well-behaved. Remember to put the plushie in your pocket when we get out of the car.”

Bai Zhi was startled by the affectionate, repeated nickname. Good heavens, this was the first time anyone had called him that, and in such a gentle, even tender, tone!

He felt as if he had been zapped by the electricity from the little Pikachu plushie—a wave of weakness and tingling numbness.

He subconsciously looked at Xie Yuzhan, confused for three seconds, then quickly realized that with the driver present, they were naturally putting on an act?

CEO Xie was truly dedicated.

He squeezed the plushie hard, curved his lips fifteen degrees, and started playing his role. He replied, “I know, don’t worry. I won’t let anyone see Pika.”

Xie Yuzhan chuckled softly, leaned closer, and whispered in Bai Zhi’s ear, “We need others to believe our relationship is harmonious. A public dinner party is the most suitable occasion. Cooperate when necessary and fulfill your duty to this marriage.”

Bai Zhi shrank his neck, using all the self-control he had in his bunny life not to pull away. He gritted his teeth and nodded.

Understood, noted, rest assured.

Xie Yuzhan retreated to his original position, satisfied. He exchanged a glance with the driver, who was secretly observing them through the rearview mirror. After the driver wisely looked away, Xie Yuzhan clasped his hands on his lap, his posture relaxed.

There were many ways to show harmony, and it didn’t necessarily require intimate gestures, but Bai Zhi made him not reject them.

Teasing the little rabbit was quite interesting.

The driver in the front seat drove diligently, appearing calm on the surface, but his heart was churning with turbulent waves. Good heavens, anyone who didn’t know better would think their CEO Xie was possessed by a ghost! Or perhaps he had been drugged!

A person like a high-mountain flower, being so affectionate and close to another person?!

He suspected he was dreaming.

If it wasn’t a dream, then CEO Xie had mastered the art of double standards and differential treatment. Only the person he liked could enjoy completely different treatment.

Their CEO Xie, who seemed effortlessly composed and cold-hearted, might actually be the pure and innocent type…

Right?

Before meeting the right person, he maintained his integrity and kept everyone at bay. Then, by some twist of fate, he fell in love at first sight with his marriage partner, and suddenly the iron tree bloomed?

The driver thought about it the entire way and concluded that this must be the truth.

Watching the couple walk towards the banquet hall after getting out of the car, ah, they were a match made in heaven!

Bai Zhi couldn’t afford to care what the driver was thinking. All his focus was on preventing himself from stiffening up. People, so many people!

The crowd was bustling, and the more lively it was, the more panicked he felt. He could only secretly reach into his pocket and squeeze Pikachu.

The fluffy plushie was a great hero, saving the bunny’s life.

Xie Yuzhan observed Bai Zhi’s emotional fluctuations. Once the other person slowly relaxed, he spoke. “Two of my friends will also be here tonight. It’s a good chance to introduce you.”

Bai Zhi responded with a muffled sound, worried. He felt his situation was dire, like every step was a trap, and he could be devoured completely if he wasn’t careful.

Could a wolf’s friends be easy to deal with?

Fortunately, his plants would arrive soon. After this was over, he needed to inhale the scent of grass to recover! Tonight’s consumption was far too great.

When he saw the two people in the distance, his emotions were already tense. He could feel their formidable auras.

After stopping, Xie Yuzhan introduced them to Bai Zhi. “This is Lu Yunyi, we grew up together. And this is Tang Chen, my university classmate.”

As he spoke, he raised his hand and draped it over Bai Zhi’s shoulder, pulling him closer. He continued, “This is my new spouse, Bai Zhi. Zhi Zhi, be good and say hello.”

Be good? Bai Zhi stared at Xie Yuzhan’s two friends, practically bristling!

The seemingly easygoing Lu Yunyi was actually a smiling tiger, wasn’t he? And the outwardly casual and hearty Tang Chen was definitely a big lion!

Neither of them was easy to mess with. They were certainly worthy of being friends with Xie Yuzhan.

And also!!

Why the sudden arm around his shoulder during the introduction? What was he doing?! Even if it was to show others that their marriage was harmonious, couldn’t he have given a heads-up? Did he really think Bai Zhi had no temper at all?

Considering that Xie Yuzhan promised to divorce in a year, help him deal with the Bai family, and give him a sum of money, wasn’t he supposed to cooperate? Cooperate! He would absolutely cooperate well and brilliantly complete this on-the-spot acting mission!

He was going to cooperate in a big way!

He would scare them off!!