Rat, Rabbit, And Rabbit Transformed Into Humans And Married Their Natural Enemies. Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Bai Zhi had no intention of tolerating it from the start.

Xie Jiahang had gotten so close and even reached out to touch him. Why should he let just anyone touch him? The bunny was taken! Besides Xie Yuzhan, he wouldn’t accept anyone else touching him.

After realizing the difference between people and the difference in touches, he didn’t even seek out Lin Haiyan anymore.

So, when Xie Jiahang got handsy, he immediately shoved a wine bottle at him, hitting him squarely on the bridge of the nose, it seemed.

He took a breath, turned around, and looked at the disheveled Xie Jiahang, who had stumbled back several steps, clutching his nose and mouth, unable to straighten up. Bai Zhi slightly raised his chin, his expression cool and arrogant. “Do you know what you just did?

“Flirting with your sister-in-law, you shameless, disgusting piece of trash.

“Worried I’ll talk? Worry about yourself. Don’t thank me for that hit just now; I was helping your parents teach you what you can and cannot say.”

Xie Jiahang gasped, enduring the sharp pain in his nose for a while before finally straightening up. Clamping his hand over his profusely bleeding nose, he fiercely pointed a finger at Bai Zhi. “How dare you treat me like this? You just wait!”

Bai Zhi scoffed, giving Xie Jiahang only a brief glance before looking away. The color of the blood was jarring to him, and the metallic smell was sickening.

Fortunately, the wine cellar lighting was dim, or he might have fainted on the spot.

He went straight to grab a new bottle of wine and quickly left the cellar. “I’ll wait for you outside.”

It wasn’t until he stepped out the door and reached the staircase that he let out a long sigh of relief. He hoped everything was going smoothly for Xie Yuzhan and that this dinner party would end soon.

He was thoroughly fed up with this place.

In the dining room.

After a long silence, Xie Minghong sighed, half-sincerely, half-emotionally. “If Jiahang had half your capability, your aunt and I wouldn’t be so worried. Raising a child without teaching them is the father’s fault.”

Xie Yuzhan curved his lips into the most polite and impeccable smile, yet his eyes showed no ripple of emotion.

He offered comfort. “Jiahang is younger. Give him a few more years of experience, seeing more people and things, and he will naturally learn right from wrong. Uncle and Aunt, you don’t need to worry too much. My cousin is no ordinary person; he will have his time to shine.”

These words made Xie Minghong’s heart skip a beat. He felt something was off but couldn’t pinpoint the flaw.

He glanced toward the staircase, changing the subject. “Why haven’t those two come down yet?”

Zhang Xiuling cooperatively stood up. “I’ll go check. Maybe they can’t find the wine they want and are…”

Before she could finish, the two who had been gone for a while appeared in sight, though something seemed odd.

Bai Zhi was walking ahead with the wine, taking long strides. Trailing behind him, Xie Jiahang’s nose was bright red. It was unclear if he had bumped or hit it, but he looked quite comical.

Bai Zhi handed the wine to Zhang Xiuling, then sat down next to Xie Yuzhan without a word. When Xie Yuzhan cast him an inquiring look, he smiled secretly. He’d tell him later.

He definitely had to share this bit of fun with his comrade-in-arms.

Zhang Xiuling put down the wine, cupping Xie Jiahang’s face to examine him. “Son, what happened to you? Do you need to go to the hospital?”

Xie Jiahang shook off Zhang Xiuling’s hands, sat down, holding his breath, and glared at Bai Zhi. “It’s nothing. I just accidentally bumped the wine cabinet.”

Bai Zhi nodded in agreement. Yes, just a bump, but a very hard one.

The wine bottle had first struck Xie Jiahang’s face with a dull thud. His nose hadn’t broken only because Bai Zhi had held back a little. Then the bottle had smashed onto the floor with a loud crash.

It was like a resounding slap in the face.

Xie Jiahang was grinding his teeth in hatred, but he couldn’t talk about this incident. If he brought it up, he would be the one in the wrong. He could only swallow his bitterness. He blamed this little vase for being ignorant, lacking self-awareness, and having bad eyes!

Just wait.

Bai Zhi glanced at Xie Jiahang. Angry? Unconvinced? Too bad!

As they got into the car to leave, the entire bunny felt his mood lift. As soon as they left the villa area, he recounted the entire incident from the moment he went to fetch the wine to Xie Yuzhan.

Finally, he felt a little emotional. “Xie Jiahang doesn’t know his place. He’s miles behind you… No, he doesn’t even deserve to be compared to you, and he tried to flirt with me! Do you think I’d be so obedient as to let him flirt with me?”

If Xie Yuzhan did something, Bai Zhi might be annoyed or embarrassed, but he wouldn’t be angry.

No one else was allowed.

Speaking of which, he looked at Xie Yuzhan with a beaming smile. “I did a good job, didn’t I? He was speaking ill of you. Did I fulfill my duty as a qualified partner? It counts as getting revenge for you too.”

When Xie Jiahang approached, he could have chosen to dodge, which would have been the easiest way, but he didn’t.

Mainly because the other party’s words were truly disgusting.

That wine bottle was for himself, but it also contained the intention of getting back at Xie Yuzhan; it was partly for him.

Listening to the little bunny’s rising tone, Xie Yuzhan’s lips slightly tightened. While waiting at a traffic light, he looked at the person beside him. That look of seeking praise and pride still shone brightly in the dim light.

Lively, and moving.

The soft yellow light cast a glow, making Bai Zhi’s coffee-colored eyes look like a pool of warm honey, crystal clear and more brilliant than amber, yet giving off a feeling of warmth and sweetness.

In this silent gaze, the seconds stretched infinitely.

His gaze swept over the freely drifting wind on the grassland, the fresh scent of plants on the green fields, the fluffy softness and sweetness of cotton candy clouds, and the golden light spots dancing between the dappled tree shadows, finally settling in the eyes of the person before him.

Crystal clear, vibrant, and utterly pure.

Everything had found its place.

This silent, overwhelming surge of emotion happened in a mere two seconds. He never knew the distance between one second and the next could be so vast, hold such rich imagery, and contain such a wonderfully subtle emotion.

Click.

The second hand continued to turn clockwise. He lowered his eyes, then quickly raised them again. The dark, heavy coldness in his eyes sank to the bottom of the lake, replaced by a rare gentleness—

Even a hint of joy.

Enlightenment came in an instant.

He had never imagined he would fall for someone, nor could he picture it, which was why the person’s appearance was so sudden. But fortunately, they hadn’t missed each other.

Although the beginning wasn’t ideal, they had a long future ahead.

He gently rubbed Bai Zhi’s soft, resilient hair, his tone unusually light. “You did very well. The most important thing is to always watch out for your own safety.”

Bai Zhi nodded, rubbing his head against Xie Yuzhan’s palm. “Don’t worry. I don’t have great strength, but I’m pretty agile. If I can win, I’ll fight. If I can’t, I’ll run.”

A pika, whose place in the food chain was only slightly above grass, couldn’t afford to provoke anyone and had been forced to become an expert escape artist. He had kept up his training after transmigrating, so self-defense wasn’t an issue.

Xie Yuzhan chuckled, sweeping away the heavy emotions. “That’s right. Safety first. If you really run into trouble, I’ll take responsibility.”

Bai Zhi couldn’t help but smile. Getting married meant they were on the same side; they should look out for each other.

After Xie Yuzhan withdrew his hand and started the car, Bai Zhi smoothed his hair and asked curiously, “What were you thinking just now? I felt like you zoned out.”

Zoned out?

Xie Yuzhan didn’t deny it, but he didn’t fully admit it either.

He glanced at Bai Zhi, then turned his attention back to the road. “I suddenly understood something, a fact I should have realized long ago.”

His concern for Bai Zhi and his differential treatment weren’t just because the other person was interesting, and certainly not just because he needed to take care of his so-called contractual partner.

He was doing things he normally wouldn’t, using the guise of marriage as an excuse.

Finding those high-sounding reasons was merely a case of being blinded by the immediate situation.

Bai Zhi thought for a moment. In that instant, he hadn’t quite understood Xie Yuzhan’s eyes. They seemed to hold many emotions he couldn’t grasp—light yet profound, reserved yet burning hot.

His intuition told him it was better not to press the matter.

He smiled instead. “See? I told you that people can grow up or have an epiphany in an instant! You didn’t quite believe me when I said it before!”

The other person hadn’t said it explicitly, but Bai Zhi could sense it.

Xie Yuzhan couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s true. I believe you now.”

“Mhm!”

Bai Zhi couldn’t contain his joy. This meant he was safe; Xie Yuzhan wouldn’t suspect where he came from anymore. Moreover, they shared an unspoken understanding. They could definitely stand together against outsiders and achieve a win-win.

Xie Yuzhan caught Bai Zhi’s relaxed smile in his peripheral vision and felt infected by it.

Most people weren’t even the moon reflecting the sun’s light; they were dim and lifeless. But the person beside him was a vibrant little sun, living not off the light and heat of others, but generating his own.

Watching his live streams a few times revealed that Bai Zhi possessed a relaxed yet incredibly resilient vitality. Such a quality was rare, making it all the more precious. Being moved, healed, and encouraged by him happened naturally.

This bunny-brand little sun would ultimately be his.

And only his.

They were legally married; there was no such thing as a fake marriage in the eyes of the law.

Thinking of this, he asked in a seemingly calm manner, “When you clashed with Xie Jiahang, did he touch you?”

Bai Zhi didn’t have to think hard. He answered decisively, “No. I’m such an agile little… er—I mean, I’m such an agile person. How could he touch me? I hate him, so I wouldn’t let him touch me, not even once. Gross.”

This answer and realization allowed Xie Yuzhan’s slightly furrowed brow to relax again. “That’s good. Since you dislike him, minimize contact in the future. I will also try my best to ensure you see each other less.”

Bai Zhi nodded repeatedly. “Great! Thank you in advance!”

“Don’t mention it. It’s what I should do.”

Xie Yuzhan appeared calm on the surface, but in reality, the day’s events weren’t over. If someone dared to reach out, they had to be prepared to be hit.

Upon arriving home and returning to the familiar environment, Bai Zhi finally, completely relaxed. He planned to go back to his room and rummage through his stash of food. Although he had been eating non-stop all evening, there weren’t many proper dishes he could eat, so he wasn’t full.

Furthermore, Xie Yuzhan hadn’t eaten much either. Given that he had defended him today, Bai Zhi figured he could share some of his stash with him. Eating something would help him sleep better. The feeling of going to bed hungry was agonizing.

The bunny had gone hungry many times in his life; now that he didn’t have to, he wouldn’t.

But Xie Yuzhan placed a hand on his shoulder from behind, manually adjusting his direction. Huh? The dining room?

Xie Yuzhan led Bai Zhi toward the dining room. “I didn’t eat much tonight. Would you like to join me for a late-night snack? Aunt Lin also prepared some things you like.”

Oh?

This development surprised Bai Zhi a little.

Xie Yuzhan had previously said he didn’t have the habit of eating late-night snacks or extra meals. Bai Zhi was now fully aware of his obsessive tendencies.

As they spoke, they arrived in the dining room. Lin Haiyan was just setting down the last small dish.

Bai Zhi looked closely. His portion of the snack included two sweet dishes: candied apples and taro paste and yam towers. The portions were small, just a little bit of each, but perfect for a late-night meal. There were other dishes too.

This couldn’t have been prepared in a short time.

Lin Haiyan caught Bai Zhi’s questioning look and smiled. “Yuzhan instructed me to prepare this midway through the evening. He’s making an exception for you this time. I won’t disturb you two. Eat slowly and have a good chat.”

Watching Lin Haiyan efficiently leave, Bai Zhi stood still, looking at Xie Yuzhan. His eyebrows slightly raised as he asked, “What’s going on, CEO Xie—”

Listening to Bai Zhi’s drawn-out tone, Xie Yuzhan calmly took his seat. “Seeing someone you dislike get humiliated naturally puts you in a good mood.”

Bai Zhi instantly understood. Good mood, good appetite!

He sat down and first ate a piece of candied apple. It was sweet and crisp, with a soft, sticky texture inside—crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and very fragrant. Then he had a mouthful of mushroom and vegetable congee. Finally, he felt comfortable.

Home-cooked food was the best.

He strongly agreed with Xie Yuzhan. “Those three are birds of a feather. They’re all so passive-aggressive. I don’t have your composure; I just confront them directly.”

He couldn’t learn that effortless grace.

But he had to admit, seeing Xie Minghong and the others’ frustrated expressions, unable to say anything more… Tsk, tsk, it really smoothed out the irritation in his heart.

Xie Yuzhan replied, “Speaking bluntly has its direct advantages. Those who are two-faced naturally fear being exposed face-to-face. While other words maintain surface harmony, those people probably won’t sleep soundly at night.”

Which was better: cutting the knot quickly or slowly slicing the heart?

Both were good. They were best when used together.

Bai Zhi thought about it, nodded, and smiled. “You’re right. Each has its merits. That’s why we complement each other well.”

Xie Yuzhan acknowledged Bai Zhi’s assessment of “complementary.”

He still had many things to do. Since the other person liked him, and he had also developed feelings, it was better to cultivate their relationship first and get to know each other better. That would be safer.

The bunny was so timid; if he spoke certain words rashly, he might scare him away.

At the very least, he couldn’t let the other person fear him anymore.

So, where was the best place to start cultivating their relationship?

After the late-night snack, Bai Zhi’s stomach was settled, and his mood was good. From every angle, canned food was convenient, but nothing compared to fresh food.

The two walked upstairs together. When they reached the second floor, he turned to look at Xie Yuzhan, who had stopped, and greeted him. Just as he was about to head to his room, he was called back.

He looked over, confused. “What is it?”

Xie Yuzhan took a step closer, reducing the distance between them to an arm’s length.

He gazed into Bai Zhi’s clear, bright eyes, his tone gentle and coaxing. “Living under the same roof, even if it’s just a contractual marriage, we still need to fulfill our responsibilities.”

Bai Zhi nodded. “Yes, we agreed on that before.”

He found it strange. This was a perfectly normal statement, so why did he feel a subtle nuance in the other person’s tone, as if it carried a hint of…

Seduction?

Xie Yuzhan chuckled softly and asked, “Since we have a consensus, shouldn’t we appropriately increase the sense of ritual in our married life?”

Ritual? Bai Zhi looked somewhat bewildered. “Such as?”

Xie Yuzhan took off his glasses, leaned in slightly, and lowered his voice. “A goodnight kiss.”

Appropriate intimacy was naturally the first choice for cultivating a relationship.

It was bedtime, which was fitting.

After hearing this “such as,” Bai Zhi’s pupils dilated. A good… goodnight kiss?!

A kiss?!!

Kissing his natural predator? Would the other person really not take advantage of the proximity to turn his head and bite his neck? And! Where would he kiss him? Forehead, cheek, or lips?

The bunny’s mental storm was close to spiraling out of control!