Rat, Rabbit, And Rabbit Transformed Into Humans And Married Their Natural Enemies. Chapter 43

Chapter 43

The three of them stood facing each other on the stairs, and the vast space fell into a silence that made the rabbit anxious.

Bai Zhi held his phone in one hand and his pajamas in the other, his mind blank.

If he were facing random people, he could just spout some nonsense and muddle through, no big deal. But these were relatives who had a very good relationship with Xie Yuzhan!

Luo Shuyue and her husband, Deng Bo, exchanged glances, both seeing surprise in the other’s eyes.

The young man not far away had clearly just woken up, still wearing those… cute and playful pajamas. It seemed he had instinctively tried to slip back into the bedroom after seeing them, but failed.

A little startled?

Luo Shuyue smiled gently and softened her voice, “You must be Bai Zhi, right? We are Yuzhan’s maternal grandparents. We apologize for coming without notifying you in advance.”

Bai Zhi blinked, trying hard to process the meaning of Luo Shuyue’s words with his little brain.

The other party didn’t seem suspicious?

He quickly assessed the situation and said, “Yes, Yuzhan has mentioned you two elders. You are too kind.”

He paused, looked down at the Pikachu pajamas he was wearing, and steeled his heart, deciding to take a gamble. He continued, looking a bit embarrassed, “I just woke up and was going downstairs to find something to eat. I didn’t expect to run into you two elders. I was originally thinking if I reacted fast enough, I could go back and change, but I didn’t expect…”

To be caught red-handed.

Yes, that’s right, he was just a lazy rabbit who slept in late and was planning to forage in the kitchen!

Luo Shuyue looked at the slightly flustered Bai Zhi and felt quite relieved. She knew how picky her grandson was and how much he cared about his image, always dressing impeccably even at home. It was rare for him to accept his partner being so casual and comfortable.

It looked like Bai Zhi hadn’t done this for the first time.

Only true affection would allow one to tolerate things they wouldn’t normally accept, leading to such indulgence.

Her smile became more genuine. “It’s good to be comfortable in your own home. Young people, sleeping in occasionally is perfectly normal. It was us who came too hastily.”

Bai Zhi quickly waved his hands. “No, no, please don’t say that…”

“It is a bit unconventional.”

Hearing the familiar voice, Bai Zhi immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Looking down, he saw Xie Yuzhan had rushed back.

Thank goodness, he didn’t know what to say if the conversation continued! In this moment, Mr. Wolf was his savior! He came back at the perfect time.

Deng Bo glanced at his grandson passing by and reminded him, feigning seriousness, “Mind your manners. Is that how you talk to your elders?”

Luo Shuyue tugged at her husband’s sleeve. “Who was it who kept wanting to see his grandson-in-law? And who was it who rushed me out the door early this morning? Now you won’t even let the child say a word?”

Deng Bo looked at Luo Shuyue, averted his gaze, and said nothing.

Xie Yuzhan walked up to Bai Zhi, gently and affectionately pinched the other’s cheek, and asked warmly, “Have you eaten breakfast?”

Bai Zhi tilted his face up obediently for Xie Yuzhan to pinch, almost moved to tears. He replied, “Not yet, I just woke up and ran into Grandpa and Grandma. I’m still wearing pajamas, I feel a bit awkward.”

Xie Yuzhan understood Bai Zhi’s embarrassment and his relief after the tension broke.

He hadn’t expected the two elders to arrive at this specific time today. As for the reason, he understood.

He chuckled softly, put an arm around Bai Zhi’s shoulder, pulling him close, and looked at his two closest relatives. “Grandpa and Grandma are very open-minded. It’s fine to wear pajamas in your own home. This counts as loungewear.”

Luo Shuyue agreed, “Yuzhan is right. Don’t worry about it.”

At this point, Xie Yuzhan looked down at Bai Zhi, lowering his voice to coax him. “I’ll take Grandpa and Grandma to the study first. You go eat breakfast, then change your clothes and come over, alright? No need to rush.”

At such a close distance, and with Xie Yuzhan’s particularly gentle tone, Bai Zhi felt his earlobes starting to burn.

He nodded repeatedly. “Mhm, mhm, mhm, I’ll be there in a bit.”

“Such a good boy.”

Bai Zhi pursed his lips, not daring to look at Xie Yuzhan or the two elders. Mr. Wolf hadn’t said anything too outrageous, but in front of his grandparents, he felt inexplicably shy.

It must be because he was too nervous.

He quickly ate breakfast, returned to his room to change, and brought the gifts he had prepared to the third floor. He paused at the study door to compose himself, then knocked.

It’s fine, it’s fine, it’s fine. He felt the two elders weren’t difficult to get along with.

After entering, he presented the gifts with both hands, then sat down obediently next to Xie Yuzhan. He glanced at the other man—well, he would keep quiet, and Mr. Wolf had to hold the fort.

Luo Shuyue also gave Bai Zhi a welcome gift. Recalling Xie Yuzhan’s earlier words, her mood was complex.

She smiled kindly. “My old friends and I have watched your live streams. Your introductions are excellent, and your style is unique. It’s a worthwhile endeavor. It’s rare for a young person to dedicate themselves to introducing herbaceous plants. We can tell you’ve done a lot of research and put your heart into it.”

Bai Zhi smiled, pursing his lips. Being praised was always pleasant, especially when the praise came from a botanist—it was a huge affirmation.

He leaned forward slightly, highly enthusiastic. “I love herbaceous plants; I find them very endearing. Yuzhan is also very supportive. The sunroom in the backyard was prepared by him.”

Deng Bo and Luo Shuyue exchanged a look. Deng Bo said gravely, “Yuzhan, I truly didn’t expect you to be willing to do these things.”

Xie Yuzhan held Bai Zhi’s hands, which were resting neatly on his lap. He replied, “That’s naturally because I hadn’t met Zhizhi before. Now that I have, many things just happen naturally.

“He deserves all of it.”

Hey—Bai Zhi shot a sideways glance, though only secretly. Wasn’t using this kind of talk to feign affection going too far?

Xie Yuzhan gave Bai Zhi a look that was practically innocent, with a hint of a smile. “I’m just telling the truth. And when facing someone you love, no matter how much you do, it never feels like enough, Grandpa, don’t you agree?”

This small interaction between the two under the elders’ noses made the older couple couldn’t help but smile. Indeed—

Every dog has his day.

Luo Shuyue took out two tickets from her bag and handed them to Bai Zhi. “The International Herbaceous Plant Association is holding an exhibition, starting next week and lasting until after the New Year. These are the tickets. You can go take a look when you have time.”

As she spoke, she glanced at her grandson. To nurture a relationship, they needed to go on more dates.

Bai Zhi’s eyes instantly lit up. He looked at Xie Yuzhan, and only after the other man gave a slight nod did he accept the tickets with both hands. “Thank you, Grandpa and Grandma!”

Luo Shuyue smiled warmly, instructing, “You must go.”

“Mhm!”

The four chatted for a while longer. After lunch, they saw the two elders off. Watching the car drive away, Bai Zhi nudged the person next to him with his elbow. “Let me guess. They called you away and then came over at a different time because they wanted to meet me alone, right? The elders really care about you and your feelings.”

The surprise visit, which he hadn’t prepared for, was better for them to see things clearly. He finally understood the situation now.

This was understandable and beyond reproach.

Xie Yuzhan ruffled Bai Zhi’s hair and put an arm around him, leading him back inside. “They care about the kind of person I would choose. You reacted quickly and performed very well. They have a good impression of you.”

Bai Zhi folded his arms. “It was your dear uncle’s choice, wasn’t it?”

Xie Yuzhan didn’t deny it, changing the subject instead. “The plant exhibition is long. I’ll go with you. Before that, we still have to attend the Xie Group’s annual meeting together.”

“Okay~ No problem.”

Bai Zhi wasn’t too worried about attending these public events now. With Xie Yuzhan there, he had the strongest backup!

The two went upstairs together. He brought up a question he had. “Why don’t you explain things clearly to Uncle Lu, Grandpa, and Grandma? We have a contract marriage, and we’re going to divorce.

“If you explained it, we wouldn’t have all this scrambling.”

Xie Yuzhan curled his lips silently. It was precisely because he hadn’t explained it clearly that his relatives were so interested in Bai Zhi.

If it were just a simple contract marriage, no one would ask too many questions.

He explained, “I don’t want to talk much about the matters concerning Xie Minghong. There’s no need to make them worry or overthink things. It won’t be too late to confess after the plan is complete next year.”

Bai Zhi thought about it and still felt that honesty was better, but he wasn’t Xie Yuzhan and couldn’t make decisions for him.

Everyone had their own way of thinking.

He didn’t dwell on it further. He went to the study to retrieve the gifts from the elders. Opening them, he found a set of six unique preserved flower and herb bonsai crafted by a master. They were adorned with gemstones, complementing each other beautifully—all marvelous creations of nature, lovely and very distinctive.

He placed the small bonsai on his studio desk and sent a photo to Luo Shuyue. He really liked them.

He also hoped the gifts he prepared were acceptable.

Luo Shuyue looked at the photo Bai Zhi sent, chatted briefly, and said she loved the gifts he gave her. Both the designer emerald necklace for her and the aged Pu-erh tea for Deng Bo were very thoughtful.

Putting down her phone, she looked at her husband beside her, her eyes mixed with worry, sadness, and relief. “Yuzhan said Bai Zhi wasn’t like the rumors, and now that we’ve met him, it’s true. The child is very spirited and lively, which is good.”

Deng Bo sighed helplessly. Their grandson had been strong-willed since childhood; they couldn’t persuade or stop him.

He continued, “He’s been under a lot of pressure these years, overly obsessed with one thing. But what happens after that thing is over? Now he’s willing to accept someone. In the future… no matter what, he will have someone to care about.”

He wouldn’t be left alone after completing his goal, swallowed by a huge sense of emptiness.

Having no attachments is not a good thing.

Revenge must be sought, but more important is how to spend the long years that follow.

Bai Zhi was unaware of the elders’ considerations. The happiest little rabbit’s main focus right now was the Xie Group’s annual meeting.

Xie Yuzhan said he would prepare his formal wear along with his own, so Bai Zhi was happy not to worry about it. On his end, he received the finished gemstone jewelry from Bai Enyan: two pairs of cufflinks, a gemstone bow tie, and a gemstone tie clip.

It was obvious they were couple items.

At five in the afternoon on the day of the annual meeting, he ate a light meal, changed into his formal wear, and Zheng Feng drove him to the Xie Group building.

He got out of the car, carrying the small gift box containing the accessories. As usual, Yu Fei came down to meet him. The moment she saw him, she gave him an eager look that he didn’t quite understand.

But he didn’t pay much attention. If it was goodwill, it was fine.

After seeing Xie Yuzhan, he vaguely understood what Yu Fei’s look meant. The formal suit CEO Xie prepared for him was a perfect couple’s outfit with the one Xie Yuzhan was wearing!

Heh, men.

A whole basketful of little schemes.

He was about to tease him but remembered what he was carrying… Well, they were both just trying to show everyone a harmonious, friendly, and loving marriage.

He skillfully walked around to the inner side of the office desk, and under Xie Yuzhan’s gaze, he braced his hand on the edge of the desk and lightly sat down on top of it.

He shook his hand, showing the cufflinks to the other man. “Here, the raw stones Uncle and Auntie Lu gave us before. They were designed and I just got them today, just in time.”

Saying this, he placed the small gift bag on the desk, took out the box inside, opened it, and handed it over. “This is for you. A pair of cufflinks and a tie clip.”

Xie Yuzhan understood immediately. The gemstones on Bai Zhi’s cufflinks and bow tie were indeed couple items with the two accessories in the box.

Bai Enyan had put thought into this, and the design was excellent. Perhaps he could secretly introduce some clients to him?

He raised a hand to straighten Bai Zhi’s bow tie. “The orange-toned sapphires suit you very well. They match your eyes and hair color, and they go perfectly with this white suit. You look great.”

Like a small cream cake bathed in sunlight.

Fluffy, delicate, and sweet.

Hearing this, Yu Fei felt redundant. She quickly put down her documents and left the office. If she listened any longer, she’d get cavities!

She had never seen anyone dare to be so “presumptuous” in front of Xie Yuzhan, sitting directly on his office desk? Wasn’t that too much? The key was that CEO Xie seemed quite pleased!

Double standards, absolutely double standards!

Bai Zhi turned his head to look at the door, lightly shrugged, and then shook the small box in his hand. “Want to put them on?”

Xie Yuzhan took the box and smiled slightly. “Of course. You do it.”

Bai Zhi nodded, removed Xie Yuzhan’s original cufflinks, and after replacing them, he examined them. The deep, tranquil sapphires complemented his temperament well.

Then he leaned in slightly, pulled out the other man’s tie, and proceeded to replace the tie clip.

Xie Yuzhan watched Bai Zhi, whose eyelashes were slightly lowered. The other man looked serious and so obedient that it made one willingly want to offer everything up for him to choose from.

His gaze softened, devoid of any coldness or gloom.

How could there be a person whose every curve, from the corner of his eyes and brows to every strand of hair, perfectly matched his aesthetic? And one thing was certain—

The soul of the person before him gave this body a unique charm.

The saying “appearance reflects the heart” was true. Otherwise, beauty, though beautiful, would just be an empty shell, too bland and boring.

After Bai Zhi tucked the tie back into place, he looked up and met Xie Yuzhan’s eyes.

They were even more gentle and tranquil than the sapphire he had just put on him.

Inviting one to sink into them.

This feeling was too strange. He quickly jumped off the desk, rubbed his cheeks, and hastily changed the subject. “When does the party start?”

Xie Yuzhan calmly smoothed his tie, his finger brushing the tie clip that still held the other person’s warmth. “In half an hour. But the performance hall is already lively. Do you want to go take a look first? I have some work to wrap up, and I’ll come find you once I’m done.”

Bai Zhi thought for a moment and nodded. “The Lu family is also invited. Qinghe just messaged me saying he’s arrived. I’ll go chat with him first.”

“Good.”

The annual meeting was held in the performance hall on the middle floor, which was routinely used for various events. As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, the festive atmosphere rushed toward him, thick with the spirit of the Lunar New Year.

Everything seemed new to him. Although he had learned about human New Year celebrations beforehand, being immersed in it was a completely different experience.

After finding Lu Qinghe in the VIP area, he sat down next to his friend. “Where’s CEO Lu?”

Lu Qinghe had come with his older brother.

Lu Qinghe took a sip of wine, pointed a finger not far away, and said listlessly, “They come to these events just to socialize. If you weren’t here, I wouldn’t have come with him.”

Bai Zhi smiled, accepting a shelled pistachio Lu Qinghe offered. “I’ve never attended one, so I’m here for the novelty.”

Lu Qinghe nodded. Annual meetings were all the same, but he did notice that Bai Zhi was unfamiliar with things people took for granted. He wondered how much he had suffered growing up in the Bai family.

He put down his wine glass and continued shelling nuts.

Instead of focusing on unnecessary things, it was better to feed his friend. Watching him eat seriously was very therapeutic, just as effective as watching his grass live streams.

As the two were chatting, Bai Zhi suddenly heard someone behind them mention Xie Yuzhan’s name. It must be someone from a collaborating partner they invited. He subconsciously perked up his ears. After listening, good heavens, the rabbit’s fur was practically exploding with anger!

It was fine if they called him a pretty face, fine if they said he clung to the Xie family, and fine if they said he would eventually be discarded. But!

Saying CEO Xie was timid, incompetent, and living under someone else’s roof?

And calling CEO Xie a fool who acknowledged a thief as his father?

All utter nonsense!

What kind of skill was it to gossip behind someone’s back? And they dared to say this on the Xie family’s home turf? Who knows how much filth they spoke behind closed doors! This could not be tolerated.

He didn’t like to argue, but this argument had to be made!

Meanwhile, Lu Qinghe looked at the genuinely angry Bai Zhi, his eyebrows slightly raised. Huh? Huh~~ Didn’t they say their relationship was just average? Something was off!