Chapter 23

(Will add another update later, please click, collect, and recommend. New author, new work, hope for the support of the readers.)

After the misunderstanding was cleared up and a laugh broke the awkward atmosphere, Zheng Xiujing started chattering away to Xiahou Zhongying again. However, Zheng Xiuyan still maintained a cold and indifferent attitude towards Xiahou Zhongying, showing little interest in engaging with him.

Zheng Xiuyan didn't interact much with Jin Taeyeon at the company, only acknowledging her with a nod or a greeting. Now, they had a few more conversations, but seeing the gentle and compliant nature of Jin Taeyeon always made Zheng Xiuyan feel a bit uncomfortable.

Zheng Xiuyan believed Xiahou Zhongying's explanation, knowing that although his character wasn't great, he never lied and didn't bother to lie. However, she couldn't help but feel suspicious. That idiot didn't know it was a couple's outfit, but Jin Taeyeon surely did. Why didn't she say anything?

Thinking about this, Zheng Xiuyan suddenly felt a jolt in her heart. Could it be that this junior, Jin Taeyeon, had a crush on her so-called brother, and that's why she didn't remind her? The more she thought about it, the stronger this feeling became, making her instinctively believe it was true. For some reason, the more she thought about it, the more she found Jin Taeyeon annoying, and her attitude towards her became even colder.

Jin Taeyeon, unaware of Zheng Xiuyan's changed perception of her, didn't think much about Zheng Xiuyan's coldness. She just thought, as many people at the company said, that Zheng Xiuyan was cold to everyone except a few close colleagues, and it seemed the rumors were true.

Although Jin Taeyeon had only joined the company this year, she was familiar with the more senior members. Zheng Xiuyan was one of the most senior, though cold, she had good relationships and was well-liked by the company's teachers, making her even more intimidating to offend. Otherwise, her future at the company would be difficult.

"Big Brother Zhongying, I just saw a set of clothes and a pair of shoes that I really like and want to buy, but my pocket money isn't enough. I can only buy the shoes. Can you lend me the money? I'll pay you back when I have more money," Zheng Xiujing said with bright eyes, adding a set of clothes to her original goal without batting an eyelid, as if that was her plan all along.

Xiahou Zhongying was instantly overwhelmed with tears. He had been tricked by Zheng Xiujing many times with similar excuses, always saying she didn't have enough money and would pay him back later. But from the time they met until now, he had lent her a lot of money, and not a single cent had been returned. So every time he saw Zheng Xiujing, he felt a sense of dread, knowing that the money he lent would be like throwing meat buns to a dog—gone forever.

Xiahou Zhongying looked at Zheng Xiujing speechlessly.

"Please, Big Brother Zhongying," Zheng Xiujing tugged at Xiahou Zhongying's arm, cooing in a sweet voice.

Hearing her sister's annoying voice, Zheng Xiuyan groaned weakly. Here we go again. She couldn't be bothered to think about Jin Taeyeon's intentions and turned her head, pretending to admire the street scenery, wishing she could cover her face with her hands. Having such a sister was truly embarrassing.

"Let's eat first, and then we can go shopping. I'm really hungry. Have you eaten? If not, let's eat together," Xiahou Zhongying couldn't take it anymore and decided to treat it as a gift for his sister.

"Great, great, we haven't eaten either. Let's eat, let's eat," Zheng Xiujing, always looking for a free meal, accepted without hesitation.

Encountering the company's senior sisters in a couple's outfit with a boy, and that boy being someone Zheng Xiuyan and her sister knew well, made Jin Taeyeon feel very uncomfortable and uneasy.

Although the misunderstanding was explained, she still felt that Zheng Xiuyan was looking at her strangely, making her even more uncomfortable. She didn't want to join them for dinner, but her gentle nature made her hesitant to speak up. Besides, before Zheng Xiuyan and her sister arrived, she and Xiahou Zhongying were already planning to eat together. If she left now, it would seem too abrupt and might offend the senior sisters.

In the end, Jin Taeyeon found the meal tasteless, not even knowing what the food tasted like. Fortunately, Xiahou Zhongying occasionally spoke to her, and Zheng Xiujing also asked her some questions, making her feel better and less like an outsider.

After the meal, Zheng Xiujing chattered around Xiahou Zhongying, while Zheng Xiuyan and Jin Taeyeon chatted intermittently. Jin Taeyeon was very cautious, thinking thrice before speaking, which made her seem overly timid. However, her cautious nature helped Zheng Xiuyan calm down, and her tone became more friendly.

Although Zheng Xiuyan still felt a bit uncomfortable and found Jin Taeyeon annoying, she couldn't keep a cold face all the time, as it would make her seem like she was bullying a junior.

"Big Brother Zhongying, Mom said she hasn't seen you in a long time. Why didn't you come to our house?" The two in front chatted happily, with Zheng Xiujing holding onto Xiahou Zhongying's arm and swaying as they walked.

"I spent the night there on Tuesday. It hasn't been that long, so why does she say it's been a long time?" Xiahou Zhongying replied casually.

"Hehe, that's what Mom said, not me," Zheng Xiujing laughed. "But I missed you too. I was thinking of visiting you tomorrow, but I didn't expect to run into you today."

Xiahou Zhongying chuckled. He also liked Zheng Xiujing a lot. Being an only child, and often accompanying his father to various events, his social circle was mostly people of his father's age. Apart from classmates, he rarely had peers to play with.

Due to the different social circles he was exposed to, the information he received was different, making it hard for him to find common topics with his classmates. He even found them too immature to communicate with, so he grew up feeling lonely.

In Korea, having two sisters made him feel very happy. Although Zheng Xiujing was mischievous and had tricked him many times, sometimes making him feel frustrated, and Zheng Xiuyan had a cold expression, her concern and recognition during the fight were enough. No matter what, he truly considered them his sisters.

Hearing Zheng Xiujing say she wanted to visit him tomorrow, he ruffled her hair affectionately and said, "Sure, where do you want to go tomorrow? I'll take you."

"Where should we go?" Zheng Xiujing thought for a while, feeling troubled. She had been to the amusement park several times and was no longer interested. She didn't know where else was fun, so she was quite conflicted.

Seeing Zheng Xiujing's troubled expression, Xiahou Zhongying couldn't help but laugh and said, "How about we go camping? We can cook our own food, it should be fun."

"That's a great idea!" Zheng Xiujing's eyes lit up, and she nodded vigorously.

"Xiuyan, are you coming?" Xiahou Zhongying turned to Zheng Xiuyan and asked.

"Hmph." Zheng Xiuyan snorted and pouted.

"Okay, you're in." Knowing Zheng Xiuyan's character, seeing her not refuse was a sign of her indirect agreement. He nodded and then said to Jin Taeyeon, "Taeyeon, you should come too."

"Me?" Jin Taeyeon admired the relationship between Xiahou Zhongying and the Zheng sisters, feeling like a family. Comparing herself, she was alone in Seoul, with no friends and family nearby, which made her feel a bit sad and low. She didn't expect Xiahou Zhongying to invite her, so she was a bit at a loss and didn't know how to react.

"Yes, more people make it more fun," Xiahou Zhongying nodded.

Jin Taeyeon glanced at Zheng Xiuyan, who said indifferently, "Sure, let's go together." After hesitating for a moment, she nodded happily.

"Great, great, should we invite Unnie YoonA and Unnie Miyoung too? That way, there will be more people," Zheng Xiujing thought, not wanting to leave her sisters behind. She was very loyal and wanted to include the sisters she was close to at the company.

"Sure." Xiahou Zhongying nodded, but after a while, he realized something was off. With this many people, he would be the only male, which wasn't good. After thinking for a moment, he asked the three, "Is it okay to add a few more people? I'll invite the fat guy and the skinny guy from our class."

"Why invite them?" Zheng Xiuyan frowned, not having a good impression of the people Xiahou Zhongying mentioned, who were often involved in class pranks.

"To get some help. With only me as a guy, we need more help for the heavy work. Can you handle it?" Xiahou Zhongying chuckled slyly.

"Alright." Zheng Xiuyan accepted Xiahou Zhongying's reasoning, a slight smile appearing on her lips. This guy was quite thoughtful.

After the decision was made, Xiahou Zhongying took charge of finding a camping spot and preparing the materials. This wasn't difficult for him. He called his father's driver, Uncle Jin, and used company resources to help buy materials, recommend locations, and arrange transportation, then he became a hands-off manager.

After buying clothes and shoes for Zheng Xiujing and getting a set for Zheng Xiuyan as well, they agreed on the meeting place and time for the next day and went their separate ways.

Xiahou Zhongying's initiative pleased Zheng Xiuyan. Although her words were still sharp, she smiled at him several times, a rare sight for the so-called ice queen.

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