chapter 12

I have never been the type to bottle up my anger.

Xu Sixian had been messaging me for several days, but I only replied half-heartedly and refused to see him.

Until today.

– “Come over.”

Just two concise words, both cold and emotionless.

Actually, I know very well that Xu Sixian doesn’t like Su Wantang at all.

On the contrary, ever since they grew up and became aware of gender differences, he had deliberately started to distance himself from Su Wantang.

The place they met today was bustling with people and traffic, not a private rendezvous at all.

He stood far away from her. Su Wantang hugged him, and he was clearly caught off guard. Once he realized what was happening, he immediately pushed her away.

To be honest, this is nothing compared to Cheng Song secretly sponsoring Su Wantang. They’re not even on the same level.

I never had any extra feelings toward Su Wantang before.

Whether it was Cheng Song secretly sponsoring her, or her liking Xu Sixian, I didn’t care.

Uncle Chen once said he would “handle” Su Wantang, which basically meant sending her far away to completely cut ties with Cheng Song.

I thought it was unnecessary.

Cheng Song is that kind of person-send one away, and there will be two or three more.

Besides, Su Wantang is too young. No matter how bad my temper is, I wouldn’t stoop to bickering with a high schooler.

I’ve never asked Xu Sixian about his relationship with Su Wantang. In my mind, she and I are from different worlds, so there’s no so-called competition.

I’m the one planting the tree, and my tree is the best. It’s only natural for it to be admired and loved.

As long as it’s still my tree, nothing else matters.

But today, I was just angry.

I was angry that Cheng Song manipulated me into seeing that scene, angry that he could so precisely grasp my emotions, and most of all, angry at Xu Sixian.

I don’t even know why I’m angry, but my family taught me never to look for reasons for my anger.

If he made me angry, then it’s his fault.

So when Xu Sixian knocked and came in, I didn’t bother to hide my frustration-it was written all over my face.

He froze. “What’s wrong?”

He glanced at the air conditioner temperature, adjusted it, then took a thin blanket from the side and draped it over my knees. “Are you feeling unwell?”

I kicked him directly.

I wasn’t wearing shoes, so my foot was probably cold.

Xu Sixian frowned slightly, grabbed my ankle, and half-knelt to put my shoes on for me.

I kicked off my shoes again and kicked him once more.

He sighed. “Miss He, if you’re upset, you can tell me. Don’t hurt yourself.”

“You met with Su Wantang today. I saw it,” I said. “She hugged you.”

He looked a bit stunned.

Then he came to his senses. “I’m sorry.”

But for some reason, seeing him like this made me even angrier. “What did you do wrong? Why are you apologizing to me?”

Honestly, I wanted to know that too.

What did he do wrong? What am I angry about?

“I should have told you that Su Wantang came to me today,” Xu Sixian was still half-kneeling by my side. “She said she found something off about her sponsor, so I went. I’m sorry, Miss He.”

“What does her sponsor being off have to do with you?” I questioned. “Don’t act so innocent. Shouldn’t you have told me in advance if you were meeting her?”

Xu Sixian closed his eyes, as if holding something back.

But he said nothing.

“Also, I invited you to my Birthday Banquet as my date, and you acted so reluctant.” I let out a cold laugh. “Haven’t I treated you well enough? What gives you the right…”

“Miss He,” Xu Sixian interrupted me, “I’m human too.”

I frowned. “What did you say?”

“I said I’m human too, so I can’t control my emotions. I’ve tried, but I just can’t.”

He looked at me, a storm raging in his dark eyes. “If I go to your Birthday Banquet as your date, what am I? Your Fiancé will be there-what does that make me?”

I opened my mouth to say something, but he didn’t give me the chance.
“I didn’t say anything because I thought you knew, that someone would tell you.” Xu Sixian suddenly smiled, a smile that was hard to describe in terms of emotion. “Don’t you know everything about me? You’ve known about Su Wantang’s existence for a long time, but you never cared before, you never asked.

“You ask me what Su Wantang’s sponsor has to do with me. Yes, he’s your Fiancé, what does he have to do with me? I want to know that too.

“All I know is that her sponsor is your Fiancé. I tried every way to find out about your Fiancé, but what does that mean to me?

“Even if I found out he had flaws in his character, could I persuade you to break off the engagement with him?

“Who am I? Even if you broke off the engagement, I would still just be someone you support… someone insignificant.

“Without him, you’re the young lady of the He Family, you have so many people to choose from. I’ve already been despicable enough, staying by your side knowing you were engaged. Am I supposed to be despicable for the rest of my life?”

I was completely stunned.

His emotions came so fiercely, I was caught off guard.

After hesitating for a moment, I asked, “You know Cheng Song?”

When I was supporting him while having a Fiancé, I always felt justified.

And I had never mentioned Cheng Song to him.

I have to admit, what he said made sense.

He knew so little about me, while I knew everything about him.

“I know. I also know you chose me because he sponsored Su Wantang.” Xu Sixian’s voice was stiff.

I defended myself, “I’m supporting you, not keeping you. Even if I have a Fiancé…”

He looked up at me, his voice finally tinged with anger: “He Lingyue, are we really just in a simple ‘sponsorship’ relationship? Besides-”

Besides what?

I was a little dazed, and saw Xu Sixian’s hand on his knee clench into a fist.

“…Sorry, I lost my composure.” He didn’t continue, and his tense body gradually relaxed. “Everything I have is given by you, I shouldn’t have any other emotions.”

“Miss, I’ll report to you in advance from now on.”

He spoke softly, promising word by word.

But his eyes dimmed.

My Xiaoshu seemed about to wither.

I was silent for a few seconds, then reached out and pulled him by the collar.

“Don’t ruin my reputation,” I said. “All I wanted was to plant a tree.”

Our noses touched, breaths audible.

“About Cheng Song, I’ll break off the engagement with him, it has nothing to do with you. I’ve already decided… The reason I haven’t done it yet is because my family is still abroad.” My tone was awkward. “And I never had anyone watch you all the time. I did look at your file at first, but when you met Su Wantang, I didn’t know in advance.”

So annoying.

It’s always others explaining to me-when have I ever explained myself to anyone?

Not even to Cheng Song.

But Xu Sixian is my Xiaoshu.

I’m willing to give him a hundred times more patience than anyone else.

“The most important thing is, my choice of you has nothing to do with anyone else.” My hand tightened. “…It’s just that I think you’re good-looking.”

Even though other people’s affairs have nothing to do with me, targeting a student with no background like that-if Cheng Song could do it, I would find it shameful. Even if I didn’t support him, I would have someone protect him.

Xu Sixian looked at me, as if he couldn’t quite believe it.

But his eyes lit up.

The withered Xiaoshu came back to life.

“Except.” I snorted softly, my hand moving down. “No exceptions allowed.”

He grabbed my hand, the tips of his ears turning red. “Miss.”

“What?” I said. “Didn’t you say I was keeping you?”

I wanted to make it official.

Maybe that’s what outsiders think, but only I know-I haven’t even kissed him, at most just held hands.

“Even if that’s the case,” Xu Sixian said in a low voice, “it’s still my choice.”

He cupped my face and kissed me gently.”