Chapter Seven: Grievance (3)

Shen Xiquan couldn't help but laugh: "If you're not thirsty, what is that in your hand?"

Tong Xi turned around and continued to slice the shredded meat that she had not finished. In any case, she would leave as soon as dinner was done, without staying a moment longer. What she found annoying was that the open kitchen faced the living room, allowing her to clearly see the two men on the sofa

With such resolute determination, he remained unscathed. Rolling up his sleeves, he gently asked, "What would you like to eat? I will make it for you"

After Tong Xi finished speaking, her throat felt as if it had been scraped by sandpaper, permeated by a sweet and fishy odor. She poured herself a glass of water and gulped down half of it in one go. As the water went down, a mist formed in her eyes. She turned her back, tilted her head back, and took a deep breath.

"I have no appetite." Before Shen Xiquan and Nie Xiou could react, she hurriedly opened the door and walked out, moving quickly as if afraid that Nie Xiou would chase after her

Tong Xi also did not stand on ceremony and immediately got up to make way to the side

The shredded meat has been cut, and Tong Xi searched through the cabinet for a long time but couldn't find the century egg, so she asked Shen Xiquan

Tong Xi felt a surge of agitation in her heart and asked irritably, "Is there anything else?"

"You do it, whatever." She stormed out of the kitchen and said to Shen Xiquan, "Since someone is cooking for you, I will leave."

His reaction, which was neither surprising nor disappointing, further confirmed Tong Xi's suspicions; she understood this person too well. Once he made a decision, he would not easily change it. Therefore, she could only resort to more ruthless means to dispel his thoughts

These are two individuals whose backgrounds, experiences, and temperaments are completely at odds with each other, and just a few months ago, they even had a fight. Yet now, they seem like long-lost friends, calmly drinking tea and chatting. Tong Xi finds it hard to believe; shouldn't Nie Xiu, in regard to his friend's ex-brother-in-law who had an affair, be inclined to confront him and settle things with a fight? She cannot comprehend how the two became friends, and Shen Xiquan's words are clearly not trustworthy.

He was busy in the kitchen, while she stood at the door watching him, talking to him, asking questions about everything, chatting about various topics, her eyes unwilling to leave him for even a second. He was good-looking, and even while washing and chopping vegetables, he appeared pleasing to the eye, full of aesthetic appeal

Tong Xi did not want to gossip, but could not help her curiosity and asked in a low voice, "When did you two become so close?"

After a pause, she finally calmed down, gritting her teeth and enunciating each word distinctly as she said three words: "Impossible."

Tong Xi placed the cup on the table and glared at him, saying, "Is it not acceptable for me to drink plain water?"

Nie Xiu is only cold towards strangers; in front of those he is familiar with, his aloofness is masked by his courteous demeanor. Externally, one would never discern that he is a person of strict self-discipline and possesses a strong sense of self-esteem

Shen Xiquan walked over in his slippers, tapped her arm, and said: "Excuse me, let me take the tea set."

Shen Xiquan could no longer maintain his smile, glancing sideways at Nie Xiu, his gaze filled with sympathy

In the eyes of many, Nie Xiu is a prodigy, naturally assumed to be a gentleman who stays away from the kitchen and does not touch the spring water with his ten fingers. However, this is not the case; he has honed his culinary skills abroad.

Shen Xiquan said with a smile: "Xu Linlang is also a proponent of singlehood, yet in the end, she still married your cousin"

However, his intellect is already exceptional enough that he does not need to rely on his appearance. At the age of sixteen, he was admitted to University B, followed by a recommendation for graduate studies and then pursuing a doctorate abroad. Everything has gone smoothly for him, and what seems to be extremely difficult for others appears to be effortlessly achievable for him

Tong Xi kept her gaze fixed on Shen Xiquan while speaking, not allowing even a fraction of her peripheral vision to drift towards Nie Xiu.

Shen Xiquan said earnestly: "After we had a fight, we felt a strong connection, and then we became romantically involved"

Tong Xi: "... ..." This fate is indeed astonishing enough to move heaven and weep for the spirits.

Tong Xi furrowed her brows and said, "Who do you think you are? You can break up whenever you want and get back together whenever you want. Does the entire human race revolve around you? Are you the center of the universe or the ruler of the world? Can you turn back time or bring the dead back to life?"

Tong Xi suppressed the turmoil in her heart, avoiding Nie Xiu's gaze, and said to Shen Xiquan: "Brother Quan, have you forgotten? I have no intention of getting married or falling in love." This statement was directed at Nie Xiu, but when she looked at him, she lost her composure.

When I needed help and support the most, my boyfriend flew back from thousands of miles away to break up with me. If such a painful lesson does not teach me to be wiser, then I would be too foolish

Shen Xiquan hurriedly said, "Let's eat first before leaving"

Nie Xiu peeled the century egg, washed it clean, and placed it on a plate. Tong Xi thought he was going out, but he stood silently beside her, watching her cut the century egg. This scene was reminiscent of the past, only the roles of the two had reversed. In the past, he was the one doing it while she watched.

Tong Xi made an effort to calm her tone, "She married because of the child. I don't even plan to have children, so there is even less reason for me to get married"

Shen Xiquan awkwardly rubbed his temples, unable to continue the conversation, as he was at a loss for words due to the phrase "leading by example".

Nie Xiu's voice was slightly deep, "Let us have a conversation"

After going downstairs, the cold wind rushed into her collar, and Tong Xi calmed down, her mind becoming much clearer. Mo Fei is a close friend of Nie Xiu, helping him create opportunities that are reasonable and justifiable. What is perplexing is why Shen Xiquan wants to bring her and Nie Xiu back together.

Tong Xi stepped aside, watching Shen Xiquan take out the tea set from the sterilizer and then retrieve the finest Mingqian Longjing from the refrigerator, truly a gesture of hospitality for esteemed guests

Nie Xiu is acutely aware of the strength of her own pride. Such humiliating words, she is one hundred percent certain, will undoubtedly pierce Nie Xiu's pride, which is so arrogant that it is beyond measure. He will surely leave in anger, and from that moment on, he will harbor a deep-seated hatred for every single character in her name.

Nie Xiu is very clear about his character. Since he has made up his mind to come back and reconcile, he must be well-prepared and will not give up easily. Leaving will not solve the problem; it will only make him feel that there is still hope and will encourage him to strive even harder. Problems should be faced head-on to achieve a lasting solution. This is what Shen Xiquan told her. Shen Xiquan did the same for her back in the day.

Unexpectedly, he neither got angry nor became indignant; instead, he looked at her calmly, his gaze gentle and sincere, saying, "It doesn't matter if we don't get back together, I will pursue you again."

Shen Xiquan's handsomeness originally carried a hint of aggression, but as he grew older, coupled with the enhancement of his career, his demeanor and temperament were polished to a golden sheen, becoming exceptionally graceful

A breakup is a breakup; she will not linger or maintain any ties. Although in recent years, Nie Xiu has stubbornly existed in her dreams, appearing from time to time, like wildfires that cannot be extinguished, spring winds that bring new life, and cannot be eradicated from her heart, she has never considered reconciliation

Shen Xiquan held the tea set and lifted his chin towards the living room, saying, "Come out and have tea together."

Shen Xiquan turned around and said, "It's in the second cabinet below."

Tong Xi did not expect that Nie Xiu would suddenly appear this time with such intentions. Shocked, incredulous, and overwhelmed by a multitude of complex emotions, it surged up like a wild tide, even more forceful than the day she unexpectedly encountered Nie Xiu.

Nie Xiu displayed no signs of frustration, his expression calm and composed

When I returned to the country, I personally cooked for her. I wouldn't let her lift a finger, yet I also wouldn't let her leave; I placed a stool at the kitchen door and asked her to sit there and watch. Since the beginning of our relationship, we have always been in a long-distance situation, and we cherished every date, wishing we could be together every single moment.

At that time, when Tong Chunxiao encountered trouble, she was besieged on all sides and in a state of utter chaos. However, at this moment, Nie Xiu chose to break up with her. Upon learning this, Shen Xiquan remarked: "If he wants to break up, then let him; a man like that is not worthy of you"

Mo Fei once joked that Nie Xiu's overall image could easily qualify him as a star, and even if he were to be disassembled, he could still serve as a leg model, hand model, or lingerie model. After saying this, a book in Nie Xiu's hand flew over and accurately hit him on the head.

The long-standing grievances that had been bottled up in my heart suddenly erupted in a vivid outpouring, bringing an indescribable sense of relief, yet also an unutterable sadness

Tong Xi held the half cup of lukewarm water that was left, and impatiently said, "I am not thirsty"

Shen Xiquan originally intended to mediate and play the role of a peacemaker, but unexpectedly, the situation became so awkward that he quickly pulled Nie Xiu and said: "Come, come, come, sit over here, let's keep our distance from flammable and explosive materials"

Nie Xiu showed little reaction, his expression remained calm.

I am not interested in explanations; I only look at the facts. For example, Brother Quan, you were so good to Mo Dan back then, yet you still changed your heart and talked about divorce without hesitation. With such a vivid example right in front of me, you still advise me to get married and date? Don't you think that is very unconvincing?" Tong Xi smiled slightly: "Or perhaps, Brother Quan hopes that I will be dumped once again?"

Her first reaction was to get up and leave the library, but reason made her stop.

Tong Xi felt as if her fists were striking against cotton, filled with exhaustion

Tong Xi readily declined: "There is no need to discuss this, I cannot reconcile with you."

Tong Xi bent down and, at the very back of the cabinet, pulled out a box of century eggs. Just as she was about to stand up, the light beside her dimmed as Nie Xiu walked to her side and said, "Let me peel them for you," taking the century eggs from her hand.

Nie Xiu's grandmother was from Xizhen, but he grew up in City T. After his grandmother passed away, he rarely returned, and he was almost unfamiliar with Shen Xiquan. Later, Shen Xiquan married Mo Dan, and Nie Xiu was abroad, not returning to attend the wedding. How did they suddenly become so familiar with each other

Nie Xiu understood that these words were directed at him, not aimed at Shen Xiquan. He remained silent in the face of these veiled insults, feeling as if he were being roasted over a fire, yet he had no words to respond. After all, it was the truth; he had wronged her first and deserved this cold mockery.

Shen Xiquan said: "That was a misunderstanding from back then. Did you not see Nie Xiu's explanation?"

Shen Xiquan said: "Then you cook, I am hungry"

Concerned that Shen Xiquan was still sitting in the living room not far away, her voice was not loud, yet her tone was very heavy

Because she was too outstanding and radiant, she quickly developed feelings and agreed to be his girlfriend without much pursuit. Perhaps it was because it was so easy to win her over back then, she thought that reconciling should also be effortless; all it would take was for Shen Xiquan to build a bridge and apologize, and they could turn the page on the past and restore their relationship to its former state. However, time had passed, and she was no longer the naive girl she once was; her heart was already filled with countless wounds, and she had lost interest in matters of love. What occupied her thoughts the most was how to educate Tong Hua well and provide him with the best life.

Tong Xi: `` ... ... ''