Rat, Rabbit, And Rabbit Transformed Into Humans And Married Their Natural Enemies. Chapter 63

Chapter 63

It was June. The night was bright but not overly thick or muggy. The night breeze blew, carrying waves of refreshing coolness.

Yet, the atmosphere in the study was intensely tense.

Xie Yuzhan released Bai Zhi, his gaze somewhat unfocused as he stated, almost as a declaration: “Ever since you came to the Xie family, your attention and concern for me, both overt and subtle, were only because you were afraid of me.

“You made me vegetarian meals not because you liked doing it, but out of fear, as a way to show goodwill and secure a relatively safe living environment for yourself.”

Bai Zhi nodded. Seeing the strange expression on Xie Yuzhan’s face, he instead took half a step closer. “What’s wrong?”

Xie Yuzhan waved his hand, indicating he was fine.

He forced a self-mocking smile, his eyes tinged with bitterness. “I didn’t expect that I was being presumptuous. Of course, this isn’t your fault. I thought too much and misunderstood. I should have realized the problem sooner…”

Bai Zhi was a blank slate when it came to romance; he hadn’t realized the true meaning behind some of his actions. And Xie Yuzhan had indeed overthought things at times, leading to excessive interpretation.

These factors combined created the misunderstanding.

Bai Zhi frowned. He didn’t understand the words, nor could he decipher Xie Yuzhan’s expression, but he felt that the usually elegant and composed CEO Xie seemed, seemed to be breaking apart.

It was as if he had suffered a tremendous blow.

He held Xie Yuzhan’s arm and asked, confused, “What do you mean, presumptuous? What did you misunderstand? We have feelings for each other; that part is correct.”

Xie Yuzhan stared intently at Bai Zhi for a full minute, practically branding the other man deep into his eyes.

Finally, he said in a low voice, “Yes, we have feelings for each other now. That much is true.”

Even if there was a slight error before, it didn’t matter. It was harmless, didn’t affect their current state, and wouldn’t affect the future.

He steadied himself, took Bai Zhi’s hand, and said, “Regardless, I’ve changed my mind. Going back on my word is wrong of me, and I apologize. I will compensate you however you wish.

“But I do not agree to divorce.

“Marriage is marriage. There is no such thing as a fake marriage, Zhizhi. Our marriage certificate is real.”

Bai Zhi couldn’t help but widen his eyes, filled with astonishment. “You are—you are openly being a scoundrel! How unreasonable! You’re not a child anymore, you’re a grown man! Can you please keep your word!”

Xie Yuzhan knew he was in the wrong. If Bai Zhi wanted to talk, he would listen. A few scolding words were deserved.

He replied slowly, “Except for this matter.”

Bai Zhi blinked, then sharply pulled his hand away, practically bristling with anger. He couldn’t figure out where things went wrong. Even if they had feelings now, he could let go, so why couldn’t Xie Yuzhan?

The other man was equally calm and rational.

The only difference was probably that… the Rat-Rabbit was lower on the food chain. Mr. Wolf had nothing to fear regarding his life safety, so he naturally had room to maneuver.

Thinking this, he finally said, “You might have just gone through a major life event and your emotions are unstable. But no matter what you think, I want a divorce.

“If you agree, we can sign the agreement and go to the Civil Affairs Bureau to complete the procedures at a scheduled time.

“If you don’t agree, I can pursue litigation. It will just take longer, but the result of divorce won’t change.”

Xie Yuzhan looked at Bai Zhi, who was determined to divorce, and knew that the other man was angry right now and wouldn’t change his mind after a few words.

He understood this aspect of Bai Zhi’s temper.

Being forceful wouldn’t work; it would only push him further away.

He quickly thought, then softened his voice. “Everything can be discussed. There’s no need to resort to litigation, Zhizhi. We aren’t enemies, are we? Even if we divorce.”

Bai Zhi crossed his arms and nodded, glancing sideways at Xie Yuzhan. “Of course we aren’t enemies. After the divorce, as long as you don’t say any more nonsense, we can still be friends.”

Xie Yuzhan frowned slightly. He absolutely did not want to be friends with Bai Zhi!

He wanted hugs, kisses, cuddles, and to do all the things that friends couldn’t do with each other!

He hid these emotions and continued to negotiate. “In everyone’s eyes, our relationship is quite good. If we suddenly divorce, it will easily attract scrutiny and gossip. I don’t want to affect you too much.

“How about this?

“You’ve lived here for a year and are accustomed to everything. You can temporarily continue living here. We will slowly release signals to the outside world, and when the time is right, we will divorce. Everything will be more logical then.”

Bai Zhi thought for a moment, then shook his head. “A quick cut is best. Don’t let things get messy and complicated. We will finalize the divorce within a week, and I will move out within a week. You can say whatever you want externally; I don’t really care. You decide what minimizes the impact on Xie Corporation. I’m fine.”

Very well. The slight smile on Xie Yuzhan’s lips stiffened a bit. The little rabbit was truly resolute.

He couldn’t be persuaded; he simply wouldn’t listen.

He changed tack. “There’s no need to rush. You have so many plants. Finding another place to live also takes time, doesn’t it? You need to properly settle them.”

Bai Zhi looked at Xie Yuzhan, starting to catch on.

He raised his eyebrows slightly and said, “You still don’t want to go through with the divorce properly. Was everything you just said a temporary measure, too? Just like how you initially chose to cooperate with Xie Minghong and marry me?”

Xie Yuzhan paused, then smiled helplessly. “Zhizhi…”

Bai Zhi cut him off, insisting, “I’ve already found a house. Also, I don’t plan to take all the plants at home. Like that sunroom, I can’t take it with me.

“I’ll only take a portion of the plants. I can finish packing in two days, Yuzhan—

“The rest, if you want to keep them, leave them. If not, just dispose of them.”

Xie Yuzhan looked at the decisive and resolute Bai Zhi and sighed slightly. Only when the other man’s coolness was directed at him did he realize how agonizing it was.

He didn’t have Bai Zhi’s straightforwardness.

He asked again, “Can you really bear to part with them? You meticulously cared for them as they grew. Do you have no attachment at all? Are you truly this heartless and unfeeling?”

Bai Zhi bit his lip, his eyes trembling slightly.

How could he bear to part with them completely? How could he have no attachment at all?

He gently sniffed, forcing a helpless and bitter laugh. His voice was muffled. “I just know what is most important. Besides, plants are very resilient. If this batch is gone, new ones will grow in a few months.”

Wildfires couldn’t burn them all away.

Xie Yuzhan understood. There was no point in insisting further. Bai Zhi’s meaning was clear; anything more would just be entanglement.

He raised his hand and gently ruffled Bai Zhi’s hair, his voice soft as he compromised. “In some ways, you are very much like the plants you raise.”

Bai Zhi tilted his head, his emotions gradually calming. He leaned into Xie Yuzhan’s palm, rubbing against it, indulging in this last bit of comfort.

He didn’t deny it, only vaguely said, “Maybe.”

After ruffling his hair, Xie Yuzhan smoothed it down, seemingly also organizing his own feelings. Withdrawing his hand, he said, “Let’s postpone the divorce for now. Since you are determined to leave, it’s just a piece of paper; it doesn’t matter if we do it sooner or later.

“I agree to you moving out, but there’s one thing: let me help you find the house, okay?

“I hope that even after leaving the Xie family, you can still live well.”

Bai Zhi quickly replied, “Of course I can live well. I’m not a child anymore. You don’t need to consider everything so thoroughly for me. I can handle it.”

Xie Yuzhan chuckled lightly, with a sense of pride that he couldn’t openly express. “I know you are fully capable of standing on your own, Zhizhi. I never doubt the excellence of those I recognize. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting to care for you.”

Bai Zhi looked at Xie Yuzhan for a long time, finally agreeing to the matter.

He had to admit, the other man’s gaze was too sincere. In that darkness, there was no bottomless pit, no abyss or mire, only a quiet, vast starry sky.

It made him unable to refuse.

Moreover, he felt that Xie Yuzhan’s emotional fluctuations tonight were greater than his own. Mr. Wolf seemed to be, to be breaking apart, which made him feel uneasy. There was no need to keep refusing.

The residence Xie Yuzhan found would surely consider his preferences, like convenience for raising plants. He didn’t need to worry.

As for the divorce certificate, as long as things were communicated clearly, it was a minor issue. It wouldn’t be too late to handle the procedures after both of them had time to recover.

Xie Yuzhan didn’t delay in helping him find a place. Three days later, he took Bai Zhi to view a few options.

Bai Zhi chose the top floor of a large, flat apartment building. The high-rise view was excellent, and it wasn’t far from the villa area where the Xie family lived. It belonged to one of Xie Yuzhan’s partners who had moved abroad and was selling off domestic properties, so the price offered was very favorable—a friendship price.

The most crucial point was that it came with an entire rooftop garden!

He could plant many, many plants.

This made him extremely satisfied, even more appealing than the small villa he had originally looked at himself. Xie Yuzhan understood his preferences well.

Over the next few days, he organized and moved his belongings. Lin Haiyan and Zheng Feng helped him a lot. Although the two elders were reluctant, they respected their decision, only urging him to visit often. Lin Haiyan also promised to help care for the plants he left behind—

Xie Yuzhan had said he wouldn’t discard them.

He had said he would handle things within a week, and the last day of that week was the day he left. He only had one suitcase; everything else had already been moved to the new home.

After eating breakfast, he said goodbye to Aunt Lin and Uncle Zheng. Xie Yuzhan drove him over.

Sitting in the passenger seat, he hugged the Pikachu plush Xie Yuzhan had given him, watching the house and the figures in the rearview mirror grow smaller until they turned a corner. Only then did he lower his head and bury his face in the plush toy.

Xie Yuzhan felt Bai Zhi was enveloped in a dampness, almost ready to condense into drizzling raindrops.

He gently rubbed the other man’s hair, offering silent comfort.

Today’s departure was only temporary. In the near future, he would bring his lover back more formally.

Bai Zhi took a long time to recover before lifting his head. His gaze drifted aimlessly out the window as he quietly mumbled, “I took the nest you gave me. It’s still in the bedroom.”

“I know. I feel safer knowing you have it. At least you have a place to hide during the next thunderstorm.”

“Hey—”

Xie Yuzhan chuckled softly, then quickly sobered. “You can contact me anytime if anything happens, anything at all. The Xie family also welcomes you back anytime. We are still friends, as you said. Don’t be a stranger.”

“Of course, don’t worry!”

With Xie Yuzhan’s distraction, Bai Zhi’s low and sad mood improved significantly. The other man was right. If he missed Lin Haiyan and Zheng Feng, he could go back.

And the person beside him.

He tried hard to blink away the slight stinging in his eyes, comforting himself that everything was already very good. Don’t be too greedy, lest he lose what he currently had.

People should be content.

When they arrived, Xie Yuzhan insisted on escorting him upstairs, all the way to the door.

Bai Zhi opened the door, took the suitcase, and carried it inside. He turned back to look at Xie Yuzhan, pursing his lips. “Are you working today? If you’re not busy, you can come in and sit for a while.”

Xie Yuzhan looked at Bai Zhi standing inside the doorway. Bai Zhi wouldn’t know how much willpower it took for him to restrain himself from simply scooping the man up and taking him back home.

He curved his lips into a perfect arc. “Not today. I’ll come over another time, but—”

Bai Zhi asked with a hint of expectation, “But what?”

Xie Yuzhan gazed at Bai Zhi, slowing his speech. “Zhizhi, I understand that as friends, it’s inappropriate to hug and kiss every day anymore. But today, right now, even though it’s not evening, can I still have one hug?”

Bai Zhi’s heart suddenly trembled, a slightly bitter ache spreading through him.

He looked at Xie Yuzhan, who stood in the hallway. The bright and bold summer morning light outside the window fell upon him, yet it seemed to strip away all warmth, revealing a cold, restrained sense of loneliness.

It was more mesmerizing than the sunlight he loved so much.

The man before him was still refined, elegant, and polite, but at this moment, what Bai Zhi wanted was not a hug at all, but to fiercely bite the other man’s lips—

As their farewell gift.