My Arrogant Young Lady

While showering at home, I felt a little touched. Although Zhang Xuan's tone was still the same, I could feel her kindness towards me. These past few days, my aunt had been pretending to be very nice to me, almost fooling me. But Zhang Xuan's kindness towards me, though coaxed by my aunt, was genuine.

Mom and Dad, they won't come looking for me. But thankfully, Zhang Xuan is good to me. I thought my world had turned dark and colorless. But Zhang Xuan, she added a splash of color to my world.

Behind my aunt's back, Zhang Xuan and I secretly went out. Although it was still light outside and the sky seemed quite gloomy, the air was fresh and free. I felt relaxed, and my mood improved considerably. Stealing a glance at the pretty Zhang Xuan, I felt an indescribable joy. This was the first time the two of us had gone shopping together.

"Sis, why are you suddenly being so nice to me?" I asked her in the car after thinking for a moment.

"Pity you, okay?" Zhang Xuan gave me a fierce look.

"If I remain this pitiful, will you always be this good to me?" I asked after thinking for a moment.

"It depends on my mood," Zhang Xuan said.

"How can you be nicer to me?" I asked.

Zhang Xuan grew a little impatient as I kept talking to her. She thought for a moment and said, "Like this."

"Like this now?" I asked in surprise.

“Yes, since you’re a loser, you should act like one. Listen to me, and don’t try to take the blame for me. Don’t make me angry, and don’t do anything to upset me. Don’t be so useless, yet have a temper bigger than a young master,” Zhang Xuan said.

"Huh?" I blinked at her.

"What she means is, if you don't have any skills, don't pretend to be something you're not, just say nice things to flatter her!" the driver couldn't help but say, then he muttered under his breath, "If you have such a good-looking girlfriend, just be more considerate of her. What's the big deal if you suffer a little loss for now..."

"..." After hearing what the driver said, Zhang Xuan and I both fell silent.

The driver's words were crude, but they made a lot of sense. I couldn't help but steal a glance at Zhang Xuan; she was truly beautiful. A snow-white, oval face, delicate, slender eyebrows, a refined nose, and tender lips. Especially her clear eyes, which made one's heart ache. Having such a beautiful older sister, I really should be more accommodating to her. I realize I've rarely been accommodating to Zhang Xuan. Every time she treats me badly, I always resent her in my heart. She doesn't owe me anything; she has every reason to treat me badly. It's my mindset that's wrong. From now on, no matter how badly she treats me, I can't hate her anymore.

The driver mistook us for a couple, and Zhang Xuan was so scared she wouldn't speak to me. After getting out of the car, Zhang Xuan took me to Starbucks for breakfast, and then we went shopping at the mall.

Shopping with Zhang Xuan was really frustrating. I'd barely seen a pair of shoes that looked nice when Zhang Xuan immediately looked at me with disdain and said, "Put them down right now. They're a style that was popular several years ago. How tacky! Don't embarrass me."

"Can't I even take a look?" I said.

"Hehe, you look at it and you want to buy it. I wouldn't even bother looking at such cheap stuff," Zhang Xuan said.

Then I went into other stores to look around, but Zhang Xuan mocked me again, "Don't go in. This store hasn't had any new styles in years. Aren't you tired of it?"

"I'm just looking at it for fun," I said.

"Heh...country bumpkin..." Zhang Xuan scoffed.

Zhang Xuan spent the whole morning taking me around, but she couldn't buy me any shoes. She, on the other hand, seemed very satisfied with the two outfits she bought. Then she received a phone call, and after hanging up, she said to me, "Tang Ning is coming soon, let's wait for her and shop together. Tang Ning will buy shoes, let her take a look for you."

"Tang Ning is coming?" I asked in surprise.

"Yeah, don't say anything that will embarrass me. Everyone knows you're my brother now, so watch your image," Zhang Xuan said.

"Sis, can you stop using that word so often when you talk?" I said.

“I’m a rich person, so what’s wrong with being a little arrogant? Also, have you forgotten what I told you?” Zhang Xuan asked me.

"Remember, I'm not allowed to talk back to you, and I'm not allowed to make you angry," I said.

"Hehe, you're smart. Don't spoil my mood, or I won't take you shopping," Zhang Xuan said.

"Sis, you look so beautiful today, you have such a great presence." I thought for a moment and complimented her.

"Get out!" Zhang Xuan glared at me fiercely.

After sitting in the mall for half an hour, Zhang Xuan's phone rang. It was Tang Ning. Zhang Xuan answered the phone and looked around. I was also a little excited because Tang Ning was also a beauty. She was petite and cute, a different type of beauty from Zhang Xuan, and quite pleasing to the eye.

"They're here!" Zhang Xuan suddenly pointed to a spot not far away, covered her mouth, and looked very excited.

Then a pretty young woman walked over from a short distance away, gently hugged Zhang Xuan, and started playfully teasing her. At the same time, a boy also walked over, looking at Zhang Xuan with a smile.

"Brother Wendi, you're here too!" Zhang Xuan said happily upon seeing Tang Wendi.

"Yes, I heard you were shopping, so I came. Come on, let me treat you to dinner." Smiling, Tang Wendi placed her hand on Zhang Xuan's waist...

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Tang Wendi's Home

When Tang Ning and Tang Wendi arrived, Tang Wendi's eyes were fixed on Zhang Xuan. He didn't even glance at me, as if I didn't exist.

When his hand reached for Zhang Xuan, I couldn't help but feel angry. Even though he had helped me before, I still felt uncomfortable seeing him take advantage of Zhang Xuan. So I took a step forward and blocked Tang Wendi's hand with my body. My eyes were fixed on Tang Wendi, my face full of vigilance.

"You're here too?" Tang Wendi noticed me then, looking somewhat surprised. He seemed very serious, as if touching Zhang Xuan's waist was a perfectly normal thing to do.

"Brother Wendi." Seeing that Tang Wendi wasn't angry because I ruined his plans, I smiled and greeted him.

"You are Zhang Xuan's younger brother?" Tang Wendi asked me in a strange tone.

"Yes, what's wrong?" I asked.

"Hehe, it's nothing..." Tang Wendi smiled.

"Zhang Xuan, you haven't bought shoes for Wang Xi yet? What's wrong? Has your fashion sense declined?" Tang Ning suddenly spoke, interrupting my conversation with Tang Wendi.

"Yeah, I hate buying shoes for guys, it's so annoying." Zhang Xuan pouted.

"You always buy shoes for other men?" "You always buy shoes for other people?" Tang Wendi and I asked in unison.

The words had barely left my mouth when Tang Wendi and I exchanged a glance. An awkward silence filled the air, and I noticed Tang Wendi's gaze towards me became strange once more.

Because of our tacitly coincidental question, Zhang Xuan became a little embarrassed. Tang Ning spoke first, unaware that there was anything amiss between Tang Wenning and me. She laughed and said, "Zhang Xuan is so proud, how could she possibly buy shoes for other guys? When she was dating Chen Xun, she only gave him cash."

“Haha, Zhang Xuan is so interesting.” Tang Wendi said, glancing at me again.

“Yes, Zhang Xuan is very lazy,” Tang Ning said with a smile.

“Don’t mention Chen Xun to me, it’s upsetting,” Zhang Xuan said.

"Alright, let's not talk about that anymore. Let's go eat. After we eat, you'll see how I managed to get a pair of shoes for Wang Xi in just half an hour," Tang Ning said.

"Hehe." Tang Wendi laughed after hearing Tang Ning's words.

There were restaurants inside the mall, and many more on the sixth floor. Tang Wendi treated us to this meal; he took us to a small hot pot restaurant. Tang Wendi looked quite old, about seven or eight years older than us. He also seemed very sociable, taking good care of Zhang Xuan after we entered the restaurant.

During the meal, Tang Wendi suddenly looked at me after thinking for a moment. Ever since I ruined his plans, the way Tang Wendi looked at me had been strange. "Your name is Wang Qi, right?"

"My name is Wang Xi," I said.

"Well, Wang Qi, did the Thirteen Eagles cause you any trouble yesterday?" Tang Wendi asked.

“Brother, his name is Wang Xi,” Tang Ning said.

"I didn't look for him." I sensed that Tang Wendi was being a bit confrontational, so I didn't emphasize my name to him.

“If the Thirteen Eagles cause you trouble again, just tell Zhang Xuan. Zhang Xuan has my phone number,” Tang Wendi said.

"Yes, thank you, Brother Wendi." I nodded gently.

"Haha, don't be so polite. You're Zhang Xuan's brother. Xuanxuan can always reach me whenever she needs something," Tang Wendi said.

"Yes." I nodded gently.

“I like Zhang Xuan!” Tang Wendi suddenly stared at me and said.

Hearing Tang Wendi's words, my heart skipped a beat. Then, I saw a hint of threat in Tang Wendi's eyes. He seemed to have seen through my feelings for Zhang Xuan. Zhang Xuan's pretty face instantly turned red, and she hurriedly said in a flustered manner, "Brother Wendi, you're teasing me again. How could I possibly be worthy of you? You're so famous, and I'm just a student. Don't be ridiculous, how could you possibly like me?"

“I’m not kidding, I’m serious,” Tang Wendi said, looking at Zhang Xuan earnestly.

"Xuanxuan, my brother confessed his feelings to you!" Tang Ning seemed a little surprised, but also a little happy. She looked at Tang Wendi and then at Zhang Xuan; she seemed to really hope that the two of them would get together.

"Haha, stop fooling around, I'm embarrassed." Zhang Xuan glanced at me furtively and quickly refused.

"Xuanxuan, why don't you get together with my brother? You've already broken up with that scumbag Chen Xun, it's much better to be with my brother. If you get together with my brother, we'll be family. Haha, I really hope you'll be my sister-in-law," Tang Ning persuaded Zhang Xuan.

I never dreamed that Tang Wendi's trip was actually to confess his feelings to Zhang Xuan. And Tang Ning even spoke up for Tang Wendi, encouraging Zhang Xuan to be with him.

Tang Wendi isn't exactly handsome, but he has a very charismatic presence. He's also a formidable fighter and holds a high position outside of our school. I'm not as good as Tang Wendi; there's a world of difference between us. And Tang Ning, Zhang Xuan's best friend, actually sided with Tang Wendi.

I stared blankly at them, my heart filled with fear. I was terrified that Zhang Xuan would actually agree to be with Tang Wendi. And I had only just begun to get closer to Zhang Xuan, only just begun to enjoy her care and attention. And now, she would be taken away by Tang Wendi.

I really love Zhang Xuan.

"Tang Ning, stop messing around. Who wants to be your sister-in-law? Be careful, or I might actually become your sister-in-law and abuse you! I'm not suitable for you, and I'm not a good match for your brother. I do have feelings for your brother, but I only see him as a brother. Your brother is just teasing me, and you're teasing me too. If you keep talking about this, I'm going home." With that, Zhang Xuan stood up to leave.

"Haha, just kidding, look how scared you are. Stop fooling around, let's eat." Tang Wendi's expression changed, then he smiled and reached out to pull Zhang Xuan.

"I knew you were just kidding me." Zhang Xuan laughed, sat down, and made a face.

The meal quickly began, with Zhang Xuan, Tang Wendi, and Tang Ning chatting casually. Tang Wendi didn't confess his feelings to Zhang Xuan again, as if it had really just been a joke. I breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that Zhang Xuan hadn't been snatched away by someone else. However, I also realized how terrifying Tang Wendi was; he was incredibly cunning, seemingly even better at putting on an act than Young Master Bao. These people were all so frightening; their schemes were all so sophisticated. Zhang Xuan, on the other hand, seemed very intelligent, but in reality, she was as innocent as a blank sheet of paper.

Tang Wendi was also a heavy drinker, downing three bottles at the hot pot restaurant. His face flushed, Tang Wendi, half-awake and half-drunk, said to me, "Wang Qi, even though your sister isn't with me, just let me know if anything happens at school, and I'll definitely take good care of you. Even if you want to be the leader of the Thirteen Eagles, I, Tang Wendi, can put you on the cusp with a single word!"

"No need, Brother Wendi, I'm fine as I am," I said.

“How can this be? People strive for higher positions, and water flows downhill. Your parents are both dead, so I have to take care of you in their place. No, no, I have to treat you like an older brother,” Tang Wendi said.

"..." My expression changed instantly upon hearing Tang Wendi's words. Tang Ning and Zhang Xuan's expressions also changed; they both sensed the provocation in Tang Wendi's words. Zhang Xuan, in particular, knew me best; she knew I hated it most when people talked about my parents. I truly hated it too, wishing I could immediately grab a beer bottle and smash it over his head.

“Brother, how can you talk nonsense? Wang Xi’s parents are fine, they’re just out of town and haven’t come back to see him.” Tang Ning frowned slightly. After saying this, Tang Ning quickly looked at me and said, “Wang Xi, actually I’ve known about your relationship with Zhang Xuan for a long time.”

"When did you find out?" My anger subsided a little after the topic was changed.

“I only found out about it last time when Zhang Xuan had her birthday. Zhang Xuan cried and told me she felt really guilty. She was a little confused at the time, so she made up that you were a thief. She regretted it afterward, especially after seeing Chen Xun and the others beat you up. She even told me she wanted to make it up to you. I also know a secret, do you want to hear it?” Tang Ning glanced at Tang Wendi, her face slightly pale.

"What secret?" I asked.

"Have you been sickly since childhood?" Tang Ning asked me.

"Yes," I said.

"So do you know what Zhang Xuan was most angry about that day?" Tang Ning asked me.

"I don't know." I shook my head gently.

"Come here, I'll tell you..." Tang Ning grinned mischievously, then reached out her little hand and beckoned to me.

"What secret?" I asked curiously, sticking my ear out.

"Tang Ning, are you being sarcastic?" Zhang Xuan got angry when she saw Tang Ning about to whisper something to her.

Ignoring Zhang Xuan, Tang Ning whispered in my ear, "Zhang Xuan said you're not in good health and are always sick. She was furious when she saw you stealing her stockings and was afraid you... would get sick and be hospitalized..."

"What!?" My expression changed immediately upon hearing Tang Ning's words.

"Haha, actually your sister is really good to you. It's just that she's like that, so proud, she never says anything about how good she is to people. Xuanxuan, she's the best person." Tang Ning smiled and then put her arm around Zhang Xuan's arm.

I stared at Tang Ning in surprise, then couldn't help glancing at Zhang Xuan. At that moment, I finally understood what was going on. It turned out Zhang Xuan was genuinely good to me; she just never wanted me to know. And her fierce demeanor towards me was all an act, because my aunt wouldn't allow her to be nice to me. If she were too nice to me, my aunt might give her less pocket money, making her life at home more difficult. Only when her life was easier could my life be easier too. Her deliberate mockery was just to motivate me and make me strive for better.

“Zhang Xuan, you…” If Tang Ning and Tang Wendi hadn’t been there, I would have wanted to hug Zhang Xuan and cry my heart out right now.

"Are you still going to buy shoes or not?" Tang Wendi asked coldly from beside him.