Rat, Rabbit, And Rabbit Transformed Into Humans And Married Their Natural Enemies. Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Bai Zhi was having a lively chat with the two vegetarian enthusiasts he had unexpectedly met when his rabbit senses detected something amiss.

He froze, belatedly realizing that Xie Yuzhan’s gaze was fixed on him. It wasn’t particularly scorching or dangerous, but it was a feeling that was very, very, very unfamiliar to him. If he had to describe it, it was… sour.

Souring than a whole pot of aged vinegar being boiled.

Huh?

Sour about what?

Using his limited knowledge of human social norms, he vaguely and confusedly guessed: sour… is he jealous? But what reason does CEO Xie have to be jealous?

This was beyond the rabbit’s comprehension!

He gulped down a large mouthful of milkshake to calm his nerves. Just as he was about to speak, a piece of chestnut cake was offered to his lips.

Meeting Xie Yuzhan’s benevolent gaze, he gave up thinking and weighing his options, and promptly took a bite of the cake. Then, he watched as the other man used the same cake fork to eat a piece of the same small cake, and his breathing hitched.

That…

Aside from the Three Delicacies dumpling he had emotionally fed Xie Yuzhan on his own initiative, they had never shared utensils. At most, they had exchanged some dishes at Xie Yuzhan’s uncle’s house last time. What was CEO Xie doing now? Had his brain short-circuited from being soaked in old vinegar?

He truly couldn’t figure out what the other man was jealous about.

Xie Yuzhan’s tone was gentle as he asked, “Do you want more?”

Bai Zhi was stunned for a moment, then nodded. His body reacted faster than his mind; instinctively, he offered the milkshake he was drinking. “You should try this too, it tastes quite good.”

The moment the words left his mouth, his rationality sounded an alarm.

How dare he push his luck!

His outstretched hand hovered in mid-air, a swarm of rabbits running wild in his mind, trying to find an appropriate way to navigate this extremely, extremely, extremely awkward moment.

However.

As their eyes met, he noticed a hint of a smile in Xie Yuzhan’s eyes?

Eh?

What was so funny?

Before he could react, the other man grasped his wrist and actually took a sip of the milkshake he had half-finished. Then, Xie Yuzhan raised a hand to wipe the corner of his mouth and complimented the taste.

He blinked blankly. The rabbits in his mind seemed to have collectively hit the pause button, completely frozen, unable to process anything. Honestly, he didn’t understand!

He really didn’t understand.

Xie Yuzhan handed the cake fork to Bai Zhi’s other hand. “Chat while you eat, and don’t forget the cake.”

Bai Zhi nodded somewhat mechanically, looking down at the milkshake and the small cake. He secretly let out a breath. Well… let’s just gloss over this for now; there are outsiders present.

The atmosphere of the four-person conversation was generally harmonious. Xie Yuzhan didn’t say much; Bai Zhi was the main talker. When Xie Yuzhan did speak, he was always thoughtful. Yes—CEO Xie was a man of decorum, a social expert.

If he wanted to, he could handle all of this with ease.

They exchanged contact information at the end, allowing for future communication.

He was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when the young couple, before leaving, smiled and complimented him and his boyfriend on their good relationship. Xie Yuzhan then very naturally added that they were already married. After receiving looks full of envy, Bai Zhi felt a bit numb.

Xie Yuzhan was definitely acting strange today!

Why emphasize that!!

Once the young couple left, he quickly finished the remaining milkshake, then looked at Xie Yuzhan, who was leaning back in his chair in a very relaxed posture. He finally asked the question that had been bothering him. “So, what were you doing just now? Being jealous? But what are you jealous about?”

Xie Yuzhan didn’t deny the jealousy. Instead, he countered, “You don’t like it? Are you even repulsed?”

Bai Zhi frowned and admitted, “Not exactly, but it’s very surprising. I didn’t expect you to be willing… to actively share utensils with me.”

“Is it that you feel embarrassed doing that in front of others?”

“N-not really, I just don’t understand…”

Wait!

As he spoke, Bai Zhi suddenly had a moment of clarity. He seemed to understand. His brow smoothed out, and he asked, “In front of others… so, your jealousy just now was fake?”

Ninety-nine percent likely, right?

CEO Xie’s acting was impeccable, amazing! He hadn’t detected a single trace of performance!

Anyone who didn’t know would certainly think they were genuine lovers, just like the young couple said in the end. How could jealousy not be a sign of a good relationship?

He had indeed been engrossed in conversation with his new friends and hadn’t paid much attention to Xie Yuzhan.

Faced with the little rabbit’s misunderstanding, Xie Yuzhan silently took off his glasses and rubbed his temples in exasperation. He rarely felt this level of helplessness, even when dealing with difficult negotiation partners or his so-called relatives.

How to explain it? There was no way to explain it.

This level of misunderstanding was probably the most Bai Zhi could accept right now.

After a long moment, he leaned closer and gently rubbed the hair on Bai Zhi’s head, which was warm from the sun. “Regardless, no matter what, you cannot share utensils with anyone else, you cannot feed others, and you cannot eat what others feed you.”

He withdrew his hand and added, “No head-patting either.”

Bai Zhi thought for a moment, scratching his hair. “Okay, I remember. I don’t want to do that with others either. And about the head-patting, I already said before that no one else’s patting is as comfortable as yours. I don’t like it.

“Maybe I’m just a little used to your hand.”

Xie Yuzhan watched Bai Zhi, who finished scratching his hair and started eating the rest of the small cake. His mood instantly cleared up.

Isn’t this just liking him? It was just short of saying the word “like” directly. This was already a very, very big display of courage for the little rabbit.

His tone subtly lifted. “If you want it, you can come find me anytime.”

Bai Zhi nodded. Of course, it should be fine when the other person was in a good mood. Patting was something he liked and found comfortable.

After finishing the dessert, the two briefly walked around before heading back. Once home, Xie Yuzhan went to the study to handle work, and Bai Zhi took his spoils of war back to the bedroom to arrange them.

The next day.

He carried two pots of small flowering plants and a small vegetable basket filled with various plush vegetables—the basket itself was also plush—to Lu Qinghe’s studio for afternoon tea. They also chatted about yesterday’s cultural festival.

Lu Qinghe rubbed the plump, purple eggplant. It felt very nice, looking silly and adorable.

He smiled and asked, “Was yesterday’s date good?”

Bai Zhi took a sip of the rich milk tea. Hearing Lu Qinghe’s words, he affirmed half and refuted half. “It was indeed good, quite enjoyable. But it wasn’t a date, just routine business. You know, CEO Xie and I are in a commercial marriage. Our relationship is just okay.”

As for the divorce in a year, he didn’t plan to mention it yet.

It wouldn’t be too late to confess after the divorce.

Lu Qinghe rested his chin on his hand and continued, hinting at something, “From what you’re saying, CEO Xie seems quite possessive of you.”

Bai Zhi waved his hand, still denying it. “No such thing. He doesn’t have that many thoughts. At most, he’s just fulfilling his responsibilities in the marriage.”

Lu Qinghe looked at Bai Zhi, who was oblivious to certain things, and smiled, seemingly accepting the denial. “Anyway, as far as I know, CEO Xie is not the type of person to do those things. No one and nothing is worth him going against his own wishes.”

Xie Yuzhan was refined and elegant, but that never meant he was good-tempered.

Bai Zhi thought about it. “After all, I’m married to him. Maybe I get a little special treatment.”

Alright, Lu Qinghe decided to stop there.

From the current situation, Xie Yuzhan most likely didn’t view Bai Zhi merely as a mutually beneficial marriage partner. And his friend, well, he still couldn’t see clearly.

They would see how things went, but he only hoped his friend wouldn’t get hurt.

He really liked the vibrant vitality in Bai Zhi and that rare purity. It was infectious and made people want to protect it, preventing this precious quality from being tainted by shadows.

Hopefully, Xie Yuzhan felt the same way.

Bai Zhi didn’t take Lu Qinghe’s words seriously. The other person simply didn’t understand the actual situation between him and Xie Yuzhan, so it was understandable that he misunderstood.

The topic ended there.

As autumn deepened, his flowering plants were selling quite well. He had just restocked a batch. If Xie Yuzhan hadn’t brought up the Mid-Autumn Festival, he wouldn’t have realized that this important human holiday was fast approaching.

Should they go to the Bai family together?

He didn’t want to go.

Xie Yuzhan patted the little rabbit’s head, comforting him. “It was your father who sent the invitation, saying that since Mid-Autumn is a festival of reunion, we should find time to go back for a meal beforehand.

“If we don’t go back in the first year of marriage, they might gossip.

“Don’t worry. If you don’t want to talk to them, that’s fine. Just treat it as going for a meal, and leave the rest to me.”

Bai Zhi lowered his eyes, pursed his lips, and reluctantly agreed. If they completely fell out, and the Bai family started spreading rumors outside, it would definitely reflect poorly on Xie Yuzhan.

It wasn’t necessary.

It was just one meal.

He trusted CEO Xie’s social skills. Dealing with the Bai family would be easy for him. As long as they maintained appearances, it was fine.

On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, they brought the gifts prepared by Zheng Feng and went to the Bai family home. Returning here after several months, he felt nothing special, only thinking of the original owner and feeling that they hadn’t deserved their fate. The only thing left to pass the time was wondering what dishes would be served for lunch.

However, surprisingly, just as lunch began, his second sister, who had left the Bai family years ago, returned.

He looked at the bright, elegant, and quite spirited Bai Enyan, feeling a little curious. She gave a good impression, unlike the hypocrisy of the Bai family members.

It made sense; if she were the same, why would their relationship be strained?

Bai Jishan and his second daughter were practically enemies, but he couldn’t flare up in front of Xie Yuzhan. He could only say, “Why did you come back without saying anything?”

Bai Enyan subtly glanced at Bai Zhi, put down the gifts she brought, and spoke in a cool but faultless tone. “I haven’t been back for so long, so I thought I’d come back for Mid-Autumn to take a look. And my little brother is married now. It’s a family gathering.”

Bai Jishan was quite surprised by this explanation. His second daughter was known for her sharp tongue and harshness. He hadn’t expected this.

Since her attitude was acceptable, he couldn’t very well kick her out and could only add a set of tableware.

Bai Enyan didn’t even look at her mother or older brother. Before sitting down, she handed a delicate small handbag to Bai Zhi, showing her first smile since entering the house. “Consider it a belated wedding gift.”

Bai Zhi was momentarily stunned, said thank you, and accepted it.

He looked at Xie Yuzhan, somewhat confused about the meaning behind this second sister, whom he was meeting for the first time. Was she showing goodwill towards him? Their relationship should be very, very ordinary.

Xie Yuzhan looked thoughtful and gently squeezed Bai Zhi’s hand, which was resting on his lap, signaling him to relax.

Bai Enyan claimed to be coming home, but she seemed to be targeting Bai Zhi.

Bai Enfan had been rebuffed by Bai Zhi before and had no goodwill towards his so-called younger sister. He said, “Little brother, don’t get confused and follow just anyone. You are a Bai family member even after marriage, so come back more often.”

Bai Zhi coldly retorted, “I am very clear-headed. I know what I want and what I am doing.”

Xie Yuzhan added, “Mr. Bai, watch your words. Zhi Zhi is right. He is an adult and can take responsibility for himself. He doesn’t need guidance from others.”

Bai Enfan had originally intended to lecture Bai Zhi, but since Xie Yuzhan had interjected, he found it difficult to speak further.

Bai Jishan smiled and smoothed things over. “We are all family, let’s not speak like strangers. Let’s eat first, eat.”

For the rest of the meal, whenever a Bai family member tried to say something to Bai Zhi, Xie Yuzhan would always interject with a cool, detached remark or two. Bai Enyan, for reasons unknown, also helped Bai Zhi speak, leaving the Bai family members with words stuck in their throats, unable to express their frustration.

The meal was quite stifling.

Only Bai Zhi and Bai Ziqi ate seriously.

After lunch, Bai Enyan said goodbye to Bai Zhi, added him as a friend, and left first. She had come simply to see the younger brother who was rumored to have changed significantly. After seeing him, the gifts she had prepared for the Bai family didn’t feel wasted.

He was very much to her liking.

Bai Zhi was called aside by Bai Jishan for a private talk. Since Xie Yuzhan was still in sight, he agreed.

With his back to the living room, Bai Jishan immediately started scolding. “Don’t be so ignorant. Do you know how to talk? Is that how your mother and I taught you since childhood? How can you not side with your own family and stand with that ungrateful wretch, Bai Enyan?”

Bai Zhi retorted impatiently, “How much attention did you pay to me when I was little? You still have the nerve to lecture me. Besides, I think this second sister is quite nice. Why can’t I stand with her?”

“Don’t be ungrateful!”

Bai Zhi remained silent. Talking to people he disliked, he was already tired after just a few sentences. He looked towards Xie Yuzhan, who was conversing with Bai Enfan and the others in the living room—

When are we going home?

The person over there quickly caught his gaze, stood up, and walked over.

His mood instantly lightened.

But Bai Jishan felt extremely unpleasant. No one in this house had ever dared to ignore him like this. His next words were laced with condescending sarcasm and anger. “Don’t think that just because you, a little vixen, used some low-class methods to make CEO Xie protect you so much. Remember, you are my son, no matter where you go!”

“He is a member of the Xie family now.”

The calm yet chilling voice that sounded behind him instantly extinguished Bai Jishan’s anger.

Xie Yuzhan’s expression was cold. He walked up to Bai Zhi and put an arm around him, his gaze sweeping over Bai Enfan and the others who had followed, finally settling on Bai Jishan. He said, “To slander your own son with such vulgar language, Chairman Bai, what excellent upbringing.”

Bai Jishan only knew Xie Yuzhan to be gentle-tempered, but he was unaware that the other man possessed such a cold and imposing aura. He was so pressured that he stammered, “CEO Xie, I was just… just speaking carelessly out of anger! I didn’t really mean it!”

Xie Yuzhan didn’t care.

Bai Jishan’s thoughts were unimportant.

He continued, “As family, it is already a dereliction of duty that you cannot be his support. To speak such contemptuous words is utterly shameless. You don’t care about him, but I do.

“He is my husband, my family. Please give him the respect he deserves, or today will be the first and last time we visit.”

Without waiting for the Bai family to react, he took the hand of the person beside him and walked straight out.

If the Bai family only knew how to bark and dared to spread rumors outside, he could make them pay a sufficient price. Who valued their years of carefully cultivated reputation more?

After the car drove away from the Bai family home, his expression and tone softened. “In the future, if you don’t want to come, you don’t have to.”

Bai Zhi wasn’t actually angry or sad, just annoyed. Hearing this, he looked over in confusion. “Won’t that affect you?”

Xie Yuzhan reassured him, “It’s fine. They can’t cause any trouble. I’d rather not have you listen to their nonsense than deal with that small ripple.”

Bai Zhi was silent for ten seconds. “If you do that, I’ll owe you a favor. After all, cooperating with your needs was part of our agreement. The ‘ripple’ is small, but it still needs to be handled.”

Xie Yuzhan curved his lips. Owe him a favor?

It was better to have give and take.

He suggested, “Then why don’t you think about how to repay this favor in other ways? In a way that makes you more comfortable.”

Bai Zhi considered it, then nodded. “That works.”

Choosing the lesser of two evils. Repaying Xie Yuzhan in his own way was better than listening to the Bai family’s nasty words, which, even if he didn’t care, were definitely unpleasant.

Mr. Wolf was indeed quite gentle to him. Perhaps, he was truly gentle?

He stated frankly, “You are better than them.”

Xie Yuzhan chuckled softly. If Bai Zhi said so, he believed the other person genuinely thought it. The little rabbit was very good at being direct, skilled at expressing his feelings and emotions.

Admittedly, those words were genuinely touching.

His tone lowered slightly. “But you are still very afraid of me.”

“Those feelings aren’t contradictory.”

Xie Yuzhan didn’t commit to an answer. It was already much better than the simple fear at the beginning.

He didn’t dwell on the topic and changed the subject. He asked, “What gift did Bai Enyan give you? She seems interested in befriending you. I remember she is a jewelry designer and has her own studio.”

Bai Zhi picked up the small gift bag. “She left the Bai family many years ago, and we weren’t close before. But meeting her today, I feel she’s alright, different from the Bai family.”

As he spoke, he opened the box. Inside were a pair of brooches: one ruby, one sapphire. The designs were beautiful—one was a leaf, and the other was a small bird. He just didn’t know the significance of the pairing.

While waiting at a red light, Xie Yuzhan glanced at them and understood. “Blue gum and the Acacia Warbler.”

Bai Zhi looked confused. “What?”

Xie Yuzhan’s expression was somewhat complex. “No other plants grow around the blue gum tree, and no animals live there, except for the Acacia Warbler, which chooses to perch on the blue gum tree.”

For a newly married couple, this design was very timely.

Bai Zhi stared at the pair of brooches, feeling a little lost.

He hadn’t read much literature, but he knew what romanticism meant. He just couldn’t quite grasp it, perhaps it symbolized a steadfast feeling where each was the other’s only one.

He pursed his lips. For some reason, he felt uncomfortable and quickly closed the box, feeling like it was burning his hands. He hurriedly said, “Speaking of which, I think she seems like a good person. We can probably get along.”

Xie Yuzhan didn’t press the topic of the two brooches. “If you are willing, you can interact with her more. She has a good reputation in the industry.”

“Mhm.”

Xie Yuzhan watched Bai Zhi out of the corner of his eye and continued the conversation. “It’s good to make more friends you can talk to. Next week, find a time that works for you to meet my two friends? They’ve asked about you several times.”

Bai Zhi instantly became alert. A smiling tiger and a lion—the mouse-rabbit couldn’t get along with them!

He instinctively refused. “I’m not familiar with them.”

“It’s just a simple meal. You can leave whenever you want during the process.” Saying this, Xie Yuzhan paused, then asked, “Zhi Zhi doesn’t want to learn more about me, your marriage partner?”

Bai Zhi thought for a while. What Xie Yuzhan said seemed reasonable?

Those were the only two friends the other man had. They must know many things that others didn’t. If he chatted with them properly, he should be able to gain some useful information.

Know yourself and your enemy, just in case.

They still had to spend a long time together, so more understanding couldn’t hurt.

He looked at Xie Yuzhan. The other man’s profile was still flawlessly exquisite. The thin chain on his glasses shimmered under the autumn sunlight, somehow making it hard to look away.

It wasn’t until the other man noticed his gaze and looked at him that he pulled his eyes back as if burned.

He clutched the brooch box, unsure why he felt guilty. He said, “Then we agree, I can leave whenever I want.”

A flicker of contemplation crossed Xie Yuzhan’s eyes. He replied, “Good, no problem.”

Bai Zhi nodded and looked out the car window. He squinted slightly. The summer sun was too passionate, and the winter sun too sparse. Spring and autumn were the most comfortable.

As for those fleeting, indescribable feelings, he didn’t delve into them, preferring to let nature take its course. Important things wouldn’t be missed, just delayed.

When it was time to understand, he naturally would.

If he couldn’t figure it out now, the time hadn’t come yet.

Near the house, he received a message from the Bai family’s eldest daughter-in-law, apologizing for today’s events and for not being able to speak up for him earlier.

He briefly replied that it had nothing to do with her.

Putting down his phone, he mentioned it to Xie Yuzhan. “She doesn’t like Bai Enfan, so why doesn’t she divorce him? If she left with her child, she wouldn’t have to endure her husband’s domestic violence anymore.”

Xie Yuzhan explained, “When endurance becomes a habit, it’s difficult to take the step toward change. And she clearly has many concerns, such as the difficulty of divorce, and whether her child’s life and education can be guaranteed afterward.”

Bai Zhi understood then.

The Bai father and son were so concerned with appearances that a divorce would be a slap in the face, and the reasons for divorce would not stand up to scrutiny. Moreover, Liu Ye hadn’t worked for years, and it was virtually impossible for her to maintain her current standard of living after leaving the Bai family.

Even if she could endure hardship herself, what mother would want to let her child suffer?

He felt a bit emotional. “The child is her weakness. She is indeed pitiful, and indeed weak.”

Xie Yuzhan glanced at Bai Zhi and chuckled softly. “Breaking down barriers clearly requires more courage than maintaining the status quo. But courage, as one of the most precious qualities, is not something everyone possesses.”

Bai Zhi nodded, not continuing the topic.

He had no intention of interfering in the karma of others. Not holding a grudge was his limit; he wouldn’t and couldn’t manage anything else.

His most immediate concern was the meeting with Xie Yuzhan’s two friends, scheduled for Wednesday evening.

He did some preparation beforehand, including how to interact with large felines and how to naturally extract information… However, the moment they met, all his preparations proved useless.

As he followed Xie Yuzhan into the private room, the two friends were already there.

They stood up to greet him. Tang Chen, who looked more outgoing, was the first to greet him, starting with—

“Hello, Sister-in-Law.”

Huh?

Ah ah ah ah ah—!!!

A million little rabbits immediately started jumping up and down in his heart. He turned to glare at Xie Yuzhan. CEO Xie! Did you not tell your friends the truth? This marriage is one of mutual benefit! Why call me Sister-in-Law? Is this something you can just call anyone?!

He wanted to leave right now.