My Sister Is Acting Strange - Chapter 18 - Aroma

Tang Yaoyao and Tang Huaijin followed Bai Yuerou and Xia Xinya into the restaurant. A waiter led the way, but after just a few steps, a portly middle-aged man hurried over, looking like a manager of sorts.

He waved off the waiter and personally took over, leading them with a respectful demeanor. “Miss, your room is ready,” he said.

Xia Xinya nodded slightly, a hint of pride in her eyes as she glanced at Tang Huaijin.

The middle-aged man quickly assessed the siblings trailing behind, feeling a bit puzzled. Xia Xinya had mentioned only two guests, but he didn’t question it further, simply instructing his staff to prepare two more chairs.

The first floor was bustling with noise, but once they reached the private room on the second floor, the middle-aged man closed the door, and the outside clamor vanished instantly.

Bai Yuerou took the menu from the man’s hands but handed it to Tang Yaoyao first, saying, “Tang-Jie, you order first.”

“I usually let Jin order when we eat out,” Tang Yaoyao said with a smile, passing the menu to Tang Huaijin.

Tang Huaijin took the pen, scanned the menu, and asked, “Do you eat spicy food?”

“No,” Xia Xinya replied, unable to handle spicy dishes.

“I do,” Bai Yuerou said.

Tang Huaijin decided on a yin-yang hot pot¹, even though he wasn’t much for spicy food himself.

There weren’t many options for hot pot, and Tang Huaijin wasn’t picky. He ordered shrimp paste and beef tripe for his sister, along with a few plates of lamb, then handed the menu back to Bai Yuerou. “See if there’s anything else you want.”

Bai Yuerou added a few more dishes without consulting Xia Xinya, indicating they were familiar with each other’s tastes.

The middle-aged man took the menu and left. Soon, the ingredients began arriving one by one.

Tang Huaijin and Bai Yuerou both stood up to prepare dipping sauces for their companions. Seeing their synchronized actions, they exchanged a knowing smile.

As they went downstairs to get the sauces, Tang Huaijin asked curiously, “Does this restaurant have any connection to Xia Xinya’s family?”

Bai Yuerou glanced at him, smiling. “This place is owned by Xiaoya’s family.”

Even though Tang Huaijin had mentally prepared himself, he couldn’t help but be taken aback. In the heart of the city, commercial space cost at least fifty thousand per square meter, and this restaurant’s size must be worth millions.

“That’s impressive!” Tang Huaijin marveled, feeling a twinge of envy.

After all, he wasn’t a saint; he had desires and appreciated material comforts.

Most importantly, with that kind of money, his sister could buy her own car and wouldn’t have to ride a scooter to work in the winter.

Meanwhile, in the private room, the two women were sizing each other up.

Tang Yaoyao took a sip of the tea the waiter had just poured and said with a smile, “You’re Xia Xinya, right? You’re quite a pretty young lady.”

Xia Xinya felt shy, not daring to look directly at Tang Yaoyao. Among the women she’d met, only her mother could rival Tang Yaoyao’s beauty. Hearing the compliment, she felt a genuine fondness for her and sincerely praised, “You’re the beautiful one, sister. Besides my mom, I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as you…” Afraid of being misunderstood, she quickly added, “My mom’s really pretty… I look a lot like her…”

Realizing her words might sound boastful, she blushed, unsure how to explain.

Tang Yaoyao squinted, pondering Xia Xinya’s words. Was she hinting that while Tang Yaoyao was beautiful, she wasn’t far behind?

After a moment’s thought, Tang Yaoyao smiled again and said, “My Jin just started at your school. He must have been a handful for you.”

“Handful? He doesn’t need any looking after…” Xia Xinya replied, a bit indignant.

“What? Did he bully you?” Tang Yaoyao asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

“Not exactly bullying…” Xia Xinya glanced at Tang Yaoyao’s kind expression and hesitated. “He’s just a bit of a tease…”

Was she about to spill the beans? Tang Yaoyao’s eyes narrowed, and she set her teacup down with a righteous air. “Tell me, and I’ll make sure he behaves.”

Xia Xinya hesitated, thinking Tang Yaoyao might put Tang Huaijin in his place. She stammered, “He… he spanked me.”

“And?” Tang Yaoyao’s voice turned cold.

Seeing Tang Yaoyao genuinely ready to stand up for her, Xia Xinya gathered her courage, ignoring her embarrassment. “He also made me carry books and… and got really close, threatening me if I didn’t…”

She suddenly realized she couldn’t mention Tang Huaijin’s threat to reveal her interest in girls’ love to Bai Yuerou. Unsure how to continue, she faltered.

Tang Yaoyao, seeing her shy expression, felt a dreadful suspicion rise within her. Her pupils contracted as she raised her voice, “Did he… did he kiss you?!”

At that moment, the door swung open, and Tang Huaijin entered with two bowls of sauce, looking puzzled. “Kiss? Xia Xinya, who kissed you?”

Bai Yuerou followed, equally curious about the conversation.

Tang Yaoyao glared at Tang Huaijin, but before she could speak, Xia Xinya shouted angrily, “Don’t twist my words! No one kissed me! You’re the one who got kissed, you scoundrel!”

Tang Huaijin, accustomed to Xia Xinya’s outbursts, shook his head helplessly and sat beside his sister.

Tang Yaoyao assumed they were flirting, feeling a pang of jealousy but holding back her anger. Experience had taught her that getting upset would only embarrass her. She forced a smile and said, “Now that you’re back, and the hot pot’s ready, shall we eat?”

With Tang Huaijin as the only man at the table, it fell to him to add the ingredients to the pot. It was getting late, and his sister was probably starving. He placed most of the lamb in the spicy side, knowing she loved spicy food.

Xia Xinya protested, “Put some in the clear broth too.”

Tang Huaijin shot her a look. “What’s the rush? You wouldn’t want Yuerou to go hungry, would you?”

“Oh…” Xia Xinya realized he had a point and nodded meekly.

Bai Yuerou stifled a laugh, sneaking a glance at Tang Huaijin.

Tang Yaoyao saw it differently. To her, Tang Huaijin treating Xia Xinya like family and Xia Xinya’s obedient demeanor felt like a couple in harmony.

Outwardly calm and smiling, Tang Yaoyao’s hand clenched tightly under the table.

The three continued eating and chatting, unaware of Tang Yaoyao’s inner turmoil.

Tang Huaijin noticed his sister’s lack of appetite and, understanding the situation, placed a piece of beef tripe in her bowl. “Sister, have some tripe.”

Tang Yaoyao’s mood lifted slightly, feeling comforted by her brother’s thoughtfulness. Despite his wandering ways, he still cared for his family.

After a moment’s hesitation, Tang Huaijin used the serving chopsticks to offer Bai Yuerou a piece of tripe as well.

Bai Yuerou looked surprised, feeling a bit shy. “Thank you…”

Seeing Tang Huaijin serve the others but not her, Xia Xinya felt a bit left out. She huffed and shot him a look.

Sensing something amiss, Tang Huaijin, fearing another outburst, reluctantly gave her a piece of tripe without using the serving chopsticks.

Xia Xinya didn’t mind, happily accepting it into her bowl. As long as she got what others did, she was content.

Bai Yuerou noticed the serving chopsticks on the table but said nothing, pressing her lips together.

Tang Yaoyao had long finished her tripe, watching the interactions with a cold gaze. She noticed the detail with the chopsticks, her teeth nearly grinding in frustration. Fortunately, Tang Huaijin quickly served her another piece, pacifying her.

Throughout the meal, Tang Huaijin continued to serve Tang Yaoyao, keeping her mood in check.

Seeing that everyone had stopped eating, Tang Yaoyao discreetly passed a card under the table to Tang Huaijin, signaling him to settle the bill.

Being older, she felt it inappropriate for the younger girls to pay. It wasn’t about saving face but ensuring Huaijin wasn’t looked down upon.

She understood the reasoning, but why was she so upset? It felt like being cuckolded and then having to pay for the meal.

A meme flashed in her mind:

(Handing over) Here, your green hat.

(Taking it) Thanks, I love it!

If not for the company, Tang Yaoyao might have cried.

She tapped her brother’s leg a few times, puzzled when he remained seated. Huaijin was usually so considerate.

Tang Huaijin sighed, looking at his sister. “Is everyone full?”

Bai Yuerou nodded, glancing at Xia Xinya, who was already on her phone. “Shall we go, Xiaoya?”

Tang Yaoyao spoke up, “Thanks to you, we didn’t have to wait. Let Huaijin cover this meal.”

Xia Xinya smiled proudly, her voice sweet. “No need, sister. This restaurant is my family’s. We don’t have to pay.”

“Really? That’s so kind of you…”

Tang Yaoyao’s expression showed genuine surprise.

“It’s no problem. Just mention my name next time, and it’s free,” Xia Xinya said, growing fond of the sister who stood up for her.

“Haha… You’re too kind,” Tang Yaoyao forced a smile.

After leaving the restaurant, Bai Yuerou and Xia Xinya wanted to continue shopping, but Tang Yaoyao seemed tired, so Tang Huaijin bid them farewell.

Hailing a taxi, the siblings headed home.

Footnote:

1. Yin-Yang Hot Pot(鸳鸯锅):A traditional Chinese hot pot style that features a divided pot with two different broths-typically one side is spicy and the other is mild or non-spicy. The division symbolizes the yin-yang balance in Chinese philosophy, appealing to diners with different flavor preferences.