Rat, Rabbit, And Rabbit Transformed Into Humans And Married Their Natural Enemies. Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Xie Yuzhan understood Bai Zhi’s look; this was the little rabbit’s counter-gambit.

He truly had a temperament that wouldn’t suffer a loss, seizing the opportunity to strike back immediately. That was good—good in every sense. If he were a genuinely docile and meek little white rabbit, inside and out, Xie Yuzhan would find it boring.

The current Bai Zhi was excellent.

His smile was gentle and warm. He naturally took Bai Zhi’s outstretched hand, pulling him up. Just as Bai Zhi stood steady and tried to withdraw his hand, Xie Yuzhan didn’t loosen his grip. Instead, he gave him a look—

The performance was just beginning; don’t rush.

Bai Zhi paused. Sure enough, the little rabbit’s schemes were no match for Mr. Wolf.

He adopted a ‘what the hell’ attitude and let Xie Yuzhan hold his hand. So be it; the rabbit was already numb. He glanced at Xie Minghong and the other two, whose expressions varied, and slightly lowered his eyes.

Keep a low profile.

He just needed to be discreet; he could leave everything else to Xie Yuzhan.

He was just here for dinner.

Xie Minghong watched the pair’s actions and felt satisfied. He spoke to Xie Yuzhan cordially, “You two have a good relationship. As your uncle, I can feel somewhat relieved. Getting this major life event settled is also a way to honor your parents.”

Xie Yuzhan tightened his grip on Bai Zhi’s hand and smiled slightly. “You have been dedicated to me for many years. If my parents knew, they would also thank Uncle for his care.”

Xie Minghong smiled and waved his hand dismissively. “Let’s go. It’s been a long time since we, uncle and nephew, gathered like this. Let’s eat and talk.”

“Alright.”

The group slowly walked inside. Bai Zhi intended to maintain the excellent quality of silence being golden—the less he spoke, the fewer mistakes he would make.

When he sensed a focused gaze on him, he instinctively looked up. It was Xie Minghong and his wife’s precious only son, Xie Jiahang.

Xie Yuzhan had introduced him beforehand. Combined with the rumors, he was just an arrogant, high-and-mighty rich second generation who relied on his parents’ power.

Gilded on the outside, rotten on the inside.

He frowned slightly, quickly withdrew his gaze, and leaned closer to Xie Yuzhan. Subconsciously, he disliked the way Xie Jiahang looked at him.

It was as if he were looking at some beautiful object.

Xie Yuzhan had been talking to Xie Minghong. When he noticed Bai Zhi’s small movement, he followed his line of sight and immediately understood.

He led Bai Zhi by the hand, naturally switching hands, bringing him to his other side. Using the excuse of having the little rabbit greet his uncle, he blocked Xie Jiahang’s view.

Bai Zhi sighed in relief, obediently calling out “Uncle” in a low voice, and then shut his mouth.

He didn’t like people like Xie Minghong. He just needed to get through this one meal.

Xie Yuzhan squeezed Bai Zhi’s hand. Meeting Xie Minghong’s assessing gaze, he offered a defense, “Zhi Zhi usually doesn’t talk much. He is very well-behaved, just a little shy around strangers. Please forgive him, Uncle and Aunt.”

Xie Minghong didn’t mind and smiled. “Yuzhan, you’re being too formal. There’s nothing to forgive. We’re family.

“Bai Zhi, this is your first time here. In the future, come back with Yuzhan to eat more often. We’ll get familiar slowly.”

Bai Zhi mumbled a vague acknowledgment. Come back more often?

He didn’t want to come. Xie Yuzhan, the actual nephew, probably wanted to come even less than he did.

Once seated, he silently sighed. The food was a mix of meat and vegetables—not bad, he could probably get full.

He was here for dinner and would try to stay out of the battle.

However, before he had eaten more than a few bites, the challenge arrived conspicuously. Aunt Zhang Xiuling was sitting diagonally across from him, not very close, but she still stood up, stretched her arm, and placed an abalone on his plate.

Looking at the item on his dish, he couldn’t bring himself to pick up his chopsticks.

He could occasionally eat a couple of bites of meat now, but not heavily seasoned seafood like this. The one in front of him looked very repulsive to the rabbit. But it was served by an elder; not eating it would definitely offend her.

He considered it for a moment, then finally turned his gaze to Xie Yuzhan beside him.

Mr. Wolf, we can’t back down at a critical moment. You have to step up when needed. He genuinely couldn’t eat this thing.

Before receiving Bai Zhi’s plea for help, Xie Yuzhan had already been contemplating what to do when he saw Zhang Xiuling’s action.

Fortunately, she used the serving chopsticks.

Otherwise, things would have gotten unpleasant right from the start.

His good temper was a persona, but he wouldn’t maintain emotional stability indefinitely. Instability was what made people feel reassured.

He picked up a piece of yam stick drizzled with blueberry sauce for Bai Zhi, then picked up the abalone and explained to his uncle and aunt, “Zhi Zhi’s stomach isn’t very good. The doctor suggested he stick mainly to vegetarian food recently.”

Zhang Xiuling watched Xie Yuzhan eat the dish she had served, then slowly and smilingly said, “You’re all young people; why be so delicate? Yuzhan, you shouldn’t indulge him without limits just because you like him.”

Bai Zhi glanced at Zhang Xiuling. She was practically saying that many bad habits were spoiled into existence.

The hostess’s expression and tone were kind, but her words were utterly unpleasant, mean, and sharp—more annoying than the original host’s weak and indecisive mother.

Xie Yuzhan signaled Bai Zhi to eat, then looked at Zhang Xiuling and said, “It’s just a slight dietary preference. It’s nothing serious.”

This lukewarm response left Zhang Xiuling feeling rebuffed, and she closed her mouth.

Xie Jiahang looked at Bai Zhi sitting across from him. The way he ate was quiet and well-behaved. Every curve of his face was exquisitely flawless. Looking closely, he truly had good looks.

What a bargain for his useless cousin.

He didn’t hold back his words, speaking directly to Bai Zhi, “My brother has a cold personality. Everyone says he’s heartless. I won’t mention how he acts outside, but he must have made you suffer quite a bit at home, right? If anything happens, tell Uncle and Aunt. We can stand up for you.”

Hey!

Bai Zhi looked up. Was he trying to take an inch when given a mile?!

It was fine if the uncle and aunt said a few words, but why was the younger cousin being so passive-aggressive? And doing it to his face? On what grounds? Did he have the right?

He stated directly, “Yuzhan is very good. He isn’t heartless; he understands what it means to distinguish between close and distant relationships. I approve of his way of handling things, and—

“He treats me very well and hasn’t made me suffer. I am not wronged at all. It is my good fortune to be able to marry him. If you don’t know the actual situation, don’t say things that slander him. How can a younger cousin be so disrespectful to his older cousin?”

After saying this, he realized, was that too harsh?

After all, he was in their house.

He secretly looked at Xie Yuzhan, who gave him a look that said, ‘Well done,’ and told him to calm down and eat.

Fine, eat.

Xie Yuzhan was very pleased with Bai Zhi’s retort. Defending him and defending this relationship—the little rabbit wasn’t entirely insincere, was he? He could tell Bai Zhi was genuinely a little angry.

Xie Jiahang was suddenly scolded. Was he being framed? Did he need to be polite to Xie Yuzhan? If Xie Yuzhan weren’t occupying the Vice President position at the main company, would he still be stuck managing a small subsidiary?

He was about to speak when his father stopped him with a look.

Xie Minghong spoke first, “Jiahang’s words were indeed inappropriate. Apologize, and we’ll put this matter behind us. Yuzhan, what do you say?”

Called by name, Xie Yuzhan finally glanced at Xie Jiahang and said, “Although Zhi Zhi and I are in a marriage of convenience, our relationship is genuinely good now. I also don’t appreciate people spreading nonsense.”

“Of course. Jiahang was just worried and spoke carelessly. He means well.”

Xie Jiahang was cornered by his father and could only reluctantly apologize. Just wait, the Xie family would be theirs sooner or later. What good was his cousin having the identity of the former head’s orphan?

After the apology, the dining table was briefly quiet.

Bai Zhi mostly focused on eating, but he kept his ears open to the conversation. He realized that Xie Minghong and his wife, the so-called close uncle and aunt, were one more hypocritical than the next. They spoke nicely on the surface, claiming everything was for Xie Yuzhan’s benefit, but in reality, they just didn’t want to leave any room for criticism.

Greedy and overly concerned with appearances.

As for Xie Yuzhan, he wasn’t being bullied at all. For every annoying remark thrown his way, he could not only deflect it with ease but also return it with added force.

Hmm, worthy of being his cohabitant.

His mind worked quickly, and his composed and elegant demeanor made the rabbit feel very secure.

The dinner was winding down. Bai Zhi had managed to eat a fair amount, but Xie Yuzhan hadn’t eaten much—mostly what Bai Zhi had served him, probably to save face in front of outsiders.

Perhaps the food wasn’t to his liking, or maybe his mood was still poor, so Bai Zhi didn’t serve him anymore.

Just when he thought the dinner was over, Zhang Xiuling asked Xie Jiahang to fetch a bottle of wine from the cellar. Xie Minghong told him to go along. Bai Zhi instantly became alert. This was clearly a move to separate them!

To corner Xie Yuzhan alone?!

He instinctively looked at the person beside him. Were they trying to divide and conquer?

Xie Yuzhan turned his head and met Bai Zhi’s gaze. His eyes were gentle and calm, and his tone was soothing. “Go ahead. It’s fine. We’ll be back soon.”

They could go home immediately afterward.

Bai Zhi blinked, understanding that Xie Yuzhan was reassuring him.

He quickly glanced at Xie Jiahang and silently sighed. Great, he was struggling enough himself, yet he was worrying if Xie Yuzhan would be harassed by his uncle and aunt. He was being too nosy!

He acknowledged the request and followed Xie Jiahang toward the wine cellar.

As soon as they turned the corner, Xie Jiahang started running his mouth. Bai Zhi recoiled in disgust, trying to keep as much distance as possible.

Provoked by Bai Zhi’s move to distance himself, Xie Jiahang sneered, “You think you’ve latched onto some golden thigh? If you don’t believe me, just watch. Xie Yuzhan won’t have many good days left.”

Bai Zhi frowned, his expression cold, but he asked seriously, “Is there something wrong with your thought process? Why are you telling me this? To sow discord, or just to sow discord?”

Low-level, childish, and boring.

Xie Jiahang didn’t hide his smugness and contempt. “This isn’t sowing discord; it’s kindly helping you analyze the situation. I just don’t want a little beauty like you to latch onto the wrong thigh and end up with nothing. It would be a shame.”

Bai Zhi didn’t even look at Xie Jiahang, his attitude resistant, completely dismissing him. He said directly, “I don’t need your concern.”

Xie Jiahang slightly narrowed his eyes. Honestly, with his father’s current status, he was the de facto head of the Xie Corporation, only refraining from announcing it for the sake of appearances.

Once Xie Yuzhan messed up, his father taking over the Xie Corporation completely would be a certainty, and he would become the proper heir.

Bai Zhi was truly foolish, lacking even this basic foresight.

He sneered. The wine cellar was well soundproofed. Since the little beauty lacked vision, he didn’t need to be too cautious.

In the dining room, Xie Minghong spoke first, “Yuzhan, I’m not criticizing you, but we are happy that you and Bai Zhi have a good relationship. However, you need to manage him where necessary. It’s fine to speak carelessly in front of family, but acting this way toward others is inappropriate. He needs to be more dignified and composed.”

Facing his uncle’s earnest advice, Xie Yuzhan’s expression was calm, and his tone and posture were still respectful. He said, “Bai Zhi is my partner. I like him exactly the way he is now. There’s no need to change, and no need for him to change.”

Zhang Xiuling’s words were more direct. “If you don’t manage him now, be careful he doesn’t cause you trouble later. Don’t say your uncle and aunt didn’t warn you then.”

Xie Minghong took a sip of wine before speaking. “You are still young and lack experience in some matters. Don’t think your aunt’s words are unpleasant. We are doing this for your own good.”

Xie Yuzhan slowly wiped his hands, then leaned back in his chair, looking at his uncle with a calm, steady gaze. “Zhi Zhi is very well-behaved and won’t cause me trouble. Even if he does cause some trouble, I am willing to resolve it for him.

“I. Am. Willing.

“However, taking advantage of Uncle and Aunt’s reminder, I’ll also add a word of advice: you two should properly manage Jiahang. I heard the subsidiary he manages ran into significant trouble recently. It was quite tricky to resolve, though fortunately, it was salvaged in the end.

“But who will compensate next time?

“None of us want to see the Xie Corporation’s interests harmed, wouldn’t you agree, Uncle?”

Being countered with a recent, specific example by Xie Yuzhan, even Xie Minghong, who considered himself emotionally stable, felt a little embarrassed.

Xie Jiahang was his only son, yet he constantly refused to listen or take advice.

While the dining room fell silent, the wine cellar was quite lively—no, it was chaotic.

The two were walking out with the wine. Bai Zhi just wanted to finish quickly. Xie Minghong’s family looked harmonious, but the atmosphere was very uncomfortable and oppressive.

However.

Just as they reached the door, a hand reached over his back and pressed against the door—which opened inward. Now the door couldn’t be opened.

He gripped the wine bottle, frowned, and asked coldly, “What are you doing?”

Xie Jiahang leaned closer, near Bai Zhi’s ear, and said frivolously, “Why are you so nervous, little beauty? I’m not going to eat you. Just behave and keep quiet, and don’t speak carelessly when we go out. I promise to make you very comfortable…”

“Shit—Bai Zhi, what are you doing?!”