Chapter 46: Being an Older Brother Comes at a Price!

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Wang Zheng had always found it odd how secretive Su Xue had been lately, especially this afternoon when she left the company. The sly smile she wore then made Wang Zheng question if he was seeing things. Now, it was all too clear—everything was true. It turned out she’d had designs on this apartment from the start.

“Damn you, Jason!” Wang Zheng cursed inwardly, blaming Jason, that foreigner, for everything. Faced with Su Xue’s coquettishness, her feigned cuteness and pitiful airs, Wang Zheng was powerless. So he could only vent his anger on Jason in his heart.

“Damn bastard! I told you to buy a one-bedroom, one-living-room place, and you bought a four-bedroom, two-living-room one instead. Now look, all four rooms already have owners. I... won’t find any peace!” Wang Zheng thought bitterly.

Bai Bing moving in had already disrupted his plans for a peaceful life, but Su Xue and Chu Jun’s arrival had utterly shattered his hope of “finding a lady for the master of the house.” Now that every room had its owner, what was he supposed to look for?

If someday, somewhere, he met a woman who made his heart race at first sight, what would she think if she found out he lived with three other women? And as the saying goes, you are shaped by your company—would living with so many women rub off their quirks on him?

For example… those days each month…!

In a world so vast, anything is possible. Just the other day, the news covered an American man giving birth. If even men can bear children now, who’s to say they won’t get “that time of the month” too?

Sitting on the floor, Wang Zheng gazed blankly out the window at an office lady across the way, who was changing after work with the curtains wide open. She had a great figure, and the black stockings made her legs look long and alluring. But Wang Zheng had no mood to peep, merely catching a glimpse from the corner of his eye.

“Give me some herbs,” Wang Zheng said flatly.

Tonight would be Su Xue and Chu Jun’s first night in the apartment. Both—especially Su Xue—were eager to impress, planning a lavish feast in celebration. The kitchen was now their domain; even Bai Bing had no right to enter, not that she wanted to with Su Xue around.

“Herbs? What herbs?” asked Bai Bing, who was sitting on the couch reading.

“Tobacco.”

“Tobacco? You smoke?”

“I don’t want to, but you’ve all driven me to it,” Wang Zheng said in regret. “I need it to numb my heart.” He truly regretted not switching the four-bedroom place for a one-bedroom when he had the chance—he never imagined the consequences would come so soon!

“No cigarettes!” Bai Bing said, looking at Wang Zheng. “And don’t blame me!”

“Your greatest talent is lying with your eyes wide open.”

Bai Bing didn’t mind, and instead made a silly face at Wang Zheng. For all her shamelessness, this was the first time she’d pulled such an adorably childish face. Wang Zheng was momentarily stunned, then shook his head with a wry smile.

This girl really is a bit silly.

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Bai Bing was unaware of her own uncharacteristically cute behavior. She glanced toward the kitchen, then stood up from the couch and sat beside the dazed Wang Zheng on the floor.

“Hey!” Bai Bing nudged his shoulder with hers, smiling. “They say don’t compare yourself to others, but now do you see how great I am? Has your impression of me soared?”

“What do you mean?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Bai Bing said smugly. “Can’t you see that me moving in keeps this home neat and orderly, while their arrival will only turn it upside down?”

The clanging and banging from the kitchen did sound like chaos. Wang Zheng disliked Bai Bing, but in all fairness, she was much better at housework, including cooking, than Su Xue, and the place had indeed been immaculate under her care.

Still, Wang Zheng would never praise her out loud—it would only make her more conceited. He just shot her a glare and said gruffly, “Don’t forget, you forced your way in here like a thief.”

“I…” Bai Bing’s confidence faltered at his words, but she drew a deep breath and protested, “At least… at least I didn’t sell your furniture!”

“So I should thank you for your mercy?”

“No need for thanks—after all, I’m your partner, aren’t I?”

Wang Zheng was reluctant, but Su Xue was family. How could he bring himself to kick out the pitiful Su Xue and Chu Jun? Even knowing their “helpless” expressions were put on, he still caved under the misty, tearful eyes.

After taking in Bai Bing, Wang Zheng was now forced to shelter two more “homeless” women. But at least now, with all four rooms occupied, he wouldn’t have to worry about any more “lady bandits.”

Since Su Xue was in charge of dinner, Wang Zheng was prepared… to go hungry! He could endure an empty stomach, but the food itself… he could not.

Wang Zheng and Bai Bing raised their glasses in celebration, toasting Su Xue and Chu Jun’s move-in. At the same time, Wang Zheng shot Bai Bing a look.

“All the emergency rations hidden?”

“In my room, don’t worry,” Bai Bing replied with a reassuring glance. She noticed they were growing more in tune—just one look was enough to understand each other.

“Proceed as planned.”

“Okay.”

Satisfied with her answer, Wang Zheng drained his wine and smiled at Su Xue and Chu Jun across the table. “I already ate at the office. You two go ahead!”

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“Huh? If you’ve already eaten, why did you buy so much food?” Su Xue asked.

“It’s all her fault,” Wang Zheng said, pointing helplessly at Bai Bing. “The moment she enters the market, she turns into a bargain-hunting aunt, buying everything on sale. What can I do? It’s her money—I can’t stop her.”

“Really?” Su Xue eyed Wang Zheng suspiciously, while Chu Jun seemed to catch on and stifled a laugh.

“Of course! Would your brother lie to you?” Wang Zheng said earnestly, then softened his tone. “Eat up—I love watching you eat.”

“But Chu Jun and I have already eaten too!”

What? Wang Zheng was stunned. Already eaten? Then why cook so many dishes? Was this an assassination attempt? He glanced at Su Xue with suspicion—did she know her own cooking was bad? After all, she hadn’t eaten her own food last time either.

“Have you ever tasted your own cooking?” Wang Zheng probed.

Su Xue’s dark eyes darted around, then she nodded lightly and whispered, “I have.”

“How did it taste?” Wang Zheng’s voice was soft and gentle, not wanting to wound her pride.

Meeting his expectant gaze, Su Xue turned to look at the table full of dishes and replied in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s, “I suppose… it’s edible?”

Neither confident nor possessing a news anchor’s poise, her words were hard to believe.

“I suppose… it’s edible?” It was a question, but the meaning was clear enough—at least she had some self-awareness. She’d hit the heart of the issue: not whether it tasted good, but whether it was even edible.

Strangely enough, even with the same ingredients and seasonings, why did the results vary so much?

Seeing Su Xue so crestfallen, Wang Zheng couldn’t bear to discourage her. He reached out and patted her head, comforting her, “I appreciate the thought. Don’t force yourself. Leave the cooking to Xiao Bai from now on—she has nothing better to do anyway.”

“Xiao Bai?”

“That’s her,” Wang Zheng said, pointing to Bai Bing beside him, while thinking to himself, I really am such a kind brother… Ah! Damned Xiao Bai, biting my finger…!