Chapter 22: The Frightened Deer
Seeing Zhou Ting, the woman smiled and stood.
“Brother-in-law, you’re back?”
Lin Xiaoxiao froze at her words. Brother-in-law? Was she the sister of Zhou Ting’s late wife?
She couldn’t shake the feeling that the woman’s smile was fake, and both Zhou Yang and Zhou Ting’s attitudes seemed off.
“So why are you here?” Zhou Ting asked again, his tone flat.
Xin Wan, seeing his coldness, dropped her smile and sat back down.
“What? My sister’s gone, and I can’t even visit my nephew?”
Zhou Ting raised an eyebrow, gesturing to Zhou Yang.
“Do what you want.”
Xin Wan smirked triumphantly.
“Brother-in-law, seems you’re living well after my sister’s death. Even keeping a college girl?”
Her gaze shifted to Lin Xiaoxiao, dripping with disdain, as if looking at something filthy.
Lin Xiaoxiao felt like a snake’s prey under her stare, her heart racing at the woman’s words.
But Zhou Yang spoke up.
“Auntie, Xiaoxiao isn’t what you think.”
Xin Wan raised an eyebrow.
“Oh? Your girlfriend, then?”
Zhou Yang faltered, his mind flashing to recent moments with the “boy,” stirring an odd feeling.
He quickly shook it off—what was he thinking? She was a guy!
“No way! Auntie, Lin Xiaoxiao’s a guy, just looks like a girl…”
“She’s just staying here temporarily. Don’t make wild guesses.”
Xin Wan looked surprised, squinting at Lin Xiaoxiao.
“Really? Tsk, fine, my mistake.”
Lin Xiaoxiao exhaled in relief, glancing at Zhou Ting.
“I’ll make dinner.”
She headed to the kitchen.
Xin Wan watched her go, only looking away after a while.
Lin Xiaoxiao didn’t hear their conversation, but when she finished cooking, Xin Wan was preparing to leave.
Before going, she said to Zhou Ting, “Brother-in-law, my sister’s birthday is in two days. You didn’t forget, right?”
Zhou Ting frowned, a flicker of reminiscence in his eyes.
“I know. No need to remind me.”
Xin Wan scoffed, changing her shoes.
“Good. Wouldn’t want you forgetting, busy man. I know you don’t like me, and I’m not fond of you either. I’ll get out of your hair.”
She stepped out, slamming the door.
Lin Xiaoxiao flinched, looking at the dishes in her hands, then at Zhou Ting.
“Uh, not staying for dinner?”
He shook his head, rubbing his temples.
“No need. You two eat. I’m not hungry tonight.”
He walked to his room, leaving Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Yang staring at each other in the living room.
She hesitated, looking at the food.
“Eat?”
Zhou Yang plopped into a chair.
“Eat! Why not?”
But during the meal, Lin Xiaoxiao couldn’t help asking, “Zhou Yang, your aunt…”
He sighed, knowing what she meant.
“You saw how she and my dad are. It’s what you think.”
“It’s because of my mom’s death. My aunt and mom were super close. After Mom died, she’s always blamed Dad.”
“She keeps doing annoying things. Dad doesn’t care much, but it gets old.”
Lin Xiaoxiao nodded, understanding, then hesitated.
“So, why did your mom pass? Was it really because of your dad…?”
Zhou Yang shook his head.
“Don’t know. I was too young, didn’t see much. Dad won’t talk about it.”
“Oh…” Lin Xiaoxiao mumbled, dropping it and stuffing rice into her mouth, cheeks puffed like a hamster.
Zhou Yang paused, then looked away awkwardly.
After dinner, before Lin Xiaoxiao could wash dishes, Zhou Yang got a call from friends to go out.
He muttered something and rushed out.
Lin Xiaoxiao sighed. This father and son were like roommates—barely caring for each other.
One was hands-off, the other indifferent.
She found herself at Zhou Ting’s door, hesitating before knocking.
The door opened. The unlit room contrasted with the hallway’s light, and Zhou Ting stood at the threshold of light and shadow.
His chiseled face was striking, dark brows sharp, lashes casting faint shadows on his refined skin.
Seeing her, he raised an eyebrow. “What’s up?”
Snapping out of it, she asked hesitantly, “You okay?”
Since Xin Wan left, she’d sensed something off. He must miss his wife.
He paused, shaking his head. “I’m fine. Where’s that brat Zhou Yang?”
“Oh, uh, he went out…”
His face darkened. “Probably off messing around. Whatever.”
She opened her mouth to speak, but he suddenly pulled her into his arms.
Her face flushed, knowing what might come next.
“W-what are you doing?” she stammered, pushing against his chest.
Zhou Ting looked at her panicked, deer-like expression.
And rightly so—she was about to be very startled.
“I’m hungry.”
She blinked, hurrying to say, “T-there’s leftovers. I’ll heat them up.”
But he pulled her close, sealing her lips with his.
She struggled at first, his scent overwhelming, but her body soon softened instinctively…
When he finally pulled back, both breathless, he chuckled.
“No need for food. You’re enough.”