Serenade

Chapter 65

Rooftop terrace, the evening breeze blowing the thin summer clothes hanging on the clothesline.

Jin Xi was standing on her tiptoes, using small clips to hang her light colored skirt on the clothesline.

Beside her, the man took the clothes she handed over, shook off the water deftly, and hung them up.

Jin Xi looked back at him. Perhaps it was because he had just finished training, his face still had a natural flush, and his body was also giving off heat that hadn't yet dissipated.

She suddenly realized that she hadn't seen Bo Yan for a long time. When was the last time she saw him? Yesterday morning? No, it should have been the afternoon before yesterday...

After sophomore year, Jin Xi's class schedule was packed full, even when she didn't have class, because the teachers assigned reading tasks, she still needed to stay in the library to study and read.

As for Bo Yan, a junior, his training had entered the practical stage, and he often left campus to go to various military training camps to train together with active duty soldiers, so the time the two of them had together was always extremely short.

As Bo Yan hung up clothes for Jin Xi, Jin Xi took the chance to relax, sitting on the steps by the railing at the edge of the rooftop terrace, stretching leisurely, and smiling as she watched him.

His actions doing housework were still quite standard, at least much more skilled than Jin Xi's. When hanging clothes, he would patiently flip the clothes right side out and smooth them flat, to avoid wrinkles.

Bo Yan hung up her clothes in a row, then sat down beside her, and together they waited for the sunset.

"Shen Ping Chuan came looking for me this morning," he confessed to her first: "Puny arms and legs, can't win a fight against me, yet still wants to come provoke me."

Jin Xi patted his sturdy arm: "Don't bully my brother."

"With so many people around, he didn't give me an ounce of face."

"Hmm...he is quite impulsive."

"But I didn't touch him."

Bo Yan's aggrieved tone carried a hint of grievance, but it sounded more like he was...sulking.

Jin Xi smiled and moved closer to Bo Yan, resting her chin on his shoulder, gazing at his profile.

Bo Yan's brow ridge was especially prominent, giving his features a profound three-dimensional feel.

A year ago she still felt like he was a half-grown boy, but for some reason, after entering his junior year, the boy had suddenly turned into a man. It wasn't just the rugged texture of his features, there was a stretching power in his body, propping up his frame, completing the molting from boy to man.

"My hot-tempered brother is good in every way, he just can't control his temper. Don't take it to heart," Jin Xi consoled him. "I'll talk to him."

"No need for that, I was just grumbling, I'm not really angry at him." Bo Yan fiddled with Jin Xi's shoelaces, casually untying them and tying them again. "He means well but goes overboard."

Jin Xi breathed a sigh of relief. She knew Bo Yan had a broad mind and seldom held grudges against others.

She turned her face and kissed his forehead as a reward.

"It doesn't matter if others misunderstand, as long as you believe me, that's enough."

"I believe you," Jin Xi quickly reminded him, "Don't get into conflicts with Yang Xiaoyuan, grandfather is getting on in years, it's best if you just go along with him, don't make him angry."

Bo Yan felt a churning of intense emotions. He took her soft hand and reached under the hem of her shirt, guiding it to rest on his own chest. "I'll listen to you."

"... "

Jin Xi twitched her hand but he didn't let go, still holding her hand pressed to his hard, hot pecs.

Jin Xi could feel the lively rhythmic beating of his heart in his chest cavity.

"What are you doing?"

"Proving my sincerity to you."

Jin Xi grinned. "Oh."

She didn't feel any sincerity, just felt like this old fox was up to no good.

She gave his chest a pinch in passing, rock solid and swollen, filled with fibrous muscle texture inside.

Jin Xi sighed.

Bo Yan asked her, "You seem a little disappointed?"

"No, just thinking my boyfriend's chest is bigger than mine."

"A woman with a bigger chest than her boyfriend is rare indeed."

Jin Xi pushed him lightly. "If you don't like it, you...you can go find someone bigger."

Bo Yan laughed easily. "Alright."

Jin Xi turned away indignantly. "Yang Xiaoyuan looks bigger than me, you...you go to her."

Watching her back, Bo Yan smiled faintly. "And you say you're not jealous."

Jin Xi grumbled sullenly, "Who's jealous."

Bo Yan laughed heartily, hugging her even tighter, elbows encircling her neck from behind, enveloping her entirely in his embrace. He lowered his head and kissed her nape. "Pretending to be open-minded and reasonable, I just adore seeing you get jealous like this."

"I hate you."

Jin Xi struggled weakly and he only hugged her tighter.

She opened her mouth and lightly bit down on his arm, leaving a row of faint teeth marks, then stuck out her tongue to lick it, like a cat.

His skin was salty.

Bo Yan felt his heart melting. He smiled and said, "I haven't showered after training yet."

"Ptooey."

He guffawed loudly, hugging her even more snugly, raising his elbow to her lips. "Taste some more, this is your man's smell."

"Go away, stop hugging me."

Bo Yan wouldn't let go as he held her. He clung to her affectionately, wanting to watch the sunset together. Sometimes he would sniff her hair by her temple, other times he would nuzzle her earlobe.

The sunset had long since set, the jet black night swiftly spreading like ink.

Jin Xi tilted her head slightly and asked doubtfully, "Bo Yan, what do you like about me?"

"I like seeing you happy." He hugged her a little tighter. "It reminds me of when we were young."

Generally speaking, when a girl asks a boy what he likes about her, most boys can't answer. But Bo Yan responded almost without hesitation, accurately describing his innermost feelings.

"The day I was sick, when you came to see me, you cried."

His voice was slightly hoarse. "Later you and Shen Ping Chuan came to my house together to spend Christmas with me. That was the happiest day for me."

Jin Xi listened silently to his account. Bo Yan rarely revealed his most fragile side to her, so she listened extra carefully.

"In fact, a lot of times, I also feel afraid, scared that you guys will think I'm no good, my family, and my personality..."

His eyes were pitch black, like the deep waters of a mountain gorge.

"Thank you for choosing me."

He was like a lone traveler walking in eternal night, until he took Jin Xi's hand. She had warmth, an older brother, and love. Her entire being radiated endless warmth, everything he yearned for.

Jin Xi's gaze lowered, falling upon the restless hand he had wrapped around her chest.

This guy...couldn't he stop copping a feel when she was feeling moved?

**

On Friday night, Bo Yan planned to call Yang Xiaoyuan to have her return his campus card, and also clear up the misunderstanding with her.

Although Jin Xi said she didn't mind, Bo Yan would not allow these groundless rumors to spread at school. He highly valued his reputation and did not want to take the fall for something he didn't do.

Of course, the bigger reason was that his uncle was unhappy.

Just for this, Bo Yan had to resolve the problem neatly.

But before he could find Yang Xiaoyuan, he received a call from grandfather asking him home for dinner.

Grandfather's house wasn't too far from school, so Bo Yan went to borrow Shen Ping Chuan's bike.

Although Shen Ping Chuan grumbled and didn't look too happy, he still lent the bike to him.

"Hurry up and draw a clear line with that freshman. When you're in a relationship you should act like it. My sister is naive, that doesn't mean you can mess around outside," he poked his own eye, "I've got my eye on you!"

Bo Yan knew his uncle was just stubborn on the outside but soft on the inside. Teasing him a bit would smooth things over.

"Don't worry, brother."

Shen Ping Chuan reacted. "What did you call me?"

"Brother." Bo Yan got on the bike and looked back at him. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing..." He patted Bo Yan's shoulder. "Be careful on the road, don't run red lights."

"I know." Bo Yan sped off on the bike like the wind.

Shen Ping Chuan watched Bo Yan's retreating figure and was filled with complex emotions.

He suddenly had another troublesome little brother.

One that would surely cause him grief in the future... How would he get through those days!

In the house, Yang Xiaoyuan rolled up her sleeves and diligently helped her grandmother wash and peel vegetables and carrots, even though her grandmother told her to go inside and rest. But she just couldn't sit still, so she took a rag and went into the back room to wipe the tables.

"Xiaoyuan, you are a guest in our home. How can you do these chores? Stop and take a rest. We have a housekeeper who can do these things. You don't need to do them," her grandmother said.

"It's okay, Grandma. I do these things at home too, and I have to take care of my little brother. I'm used to it already. It feels weird if I don't do anything," Xiaoyuan replied.

"What a considerate child."

"Oh yes, Grandma. I remember Bo Yan really likes braised beef. Let me go wash some potatoes," Xiaoyuan said.

"Okay, then Grandma won't stand on ceremony with you."

After Xiaoyuan went inside, her grandmother walked over to Old Master Bo and said, "This child is really so thoughtful."

Old Master Bo nonchalantly watered the flowers in the corner of the yard with a ladle and said, "She's not had it easy. She still has a little brother at home. As the eldest sister, she's like a mother to him. She's much more thoughtful than most girls her age, and she's done well for herself with good grades too. There's really nothing to complain about."

"You really do like this child, don't you?"

Old Master Bo put down the flower pot in his hand and said, "Who doesn't like a hardworking and studious child?"

Her grandmother sighed softly, "It's a pity. Our Yan is already in a relationship. Otherwise, he and Xiaoyuan would be a perfect match. Xiaoyuan is so caring. Yan lost his parents at a young age. He needs someone to dote on him."

Old Master Bo snorted, "I didn't nurture Xiaoyuan just to make her our grandson's daughter-in-law. As I see it, that rascal might not even deserve her!"

Although he spoke like this, only his wife knew how much Old Master Bo treasured his only grandson Bo Yan. He absolutely could not be careless about who would become his grandson's wife, even though he appreciated Yang Xiaoyuan's diligence and perseverance. After all, she came from a humble background.

His grandmother chattered on, "I don't know what kind of girl Yan's girlfriend is. I heard she grew up spoiled. She might have a bit of a temper."

"A temper, huh," Old Master Bo snorted. "With that rascal's personality, won't they be fighting every other day?"

His wife laughed, "What do you know? I see he is quite smitten with that girl. Even if she has a temper, he won't lose his temper with her. It would put my heart at ease if he could bring the girl home for a meal someday."

"I think sooner is better," Old Master Bo said as he turned and walked into the back room. But after taking just two steps, he turned back again and said with a little cough, "Oh yes... For the birthday, we'll invite some guests over for a meal, his classmates and so on, lively and fun."

His wife smiled. "You just want to meet your grandson's girlfriend."

"Nonsense! Nothing of the sort!"

A few minutes later, the old master walked out again, pretending to tap his pipe. He instructed his wife, "When Yan comes back, remember to tell him not to go to a restaurant for his birthday this year. We'll celebrate at home instead."

Soon after, Bo Yan wheeled his bike in through the door and parked it by the entrance.

"Grandpa, Grandma, I'm home!"

His grandmother came out to greet him and took his school bag off his shoulder, "Yan, come inside quickly. There's fresh fruit in the house."

But Bo Yan took the garden hose they usually used for cleaning the yard, smiled, and said, "No rush, Grandma. Let me wash my bike first."

"Let Grandma find a rag for you."

Seeing her grandson come home naturally made the grandmother very happy. She happily watched as he scrubbed his bike until it shone brightly.

Yang Xiaoyuan helped the housekeeper set the table. When she saw Bo Yan, she reacted with a mix of enthusiasm and shy embarrassment, barely able to meet his eyes directly.

His features were strikingly handsome with a hint of aggression. Most girls would blush and feel shy being looked at directly by him.

Even Jin Xi had been close with him for a long time before she could nonchalantly touch him and wrestle with him. When they first started dating, she would become embarrassed after exchanging just a couple of sentences. If he touched her even casually, she would react like a startled rabbit, jumping far away.

Intimate relationships between people are not built in a day. They require a long period of testing the boundaries and nurturing the bond to go deeper.

Therefore, dating is also a skill.

During the meal, Grandma mentioned having a birthday party at home with Yan's classmates. Bo Yan casually replied, "They're just a bunch of brats. Things will get rowdy and might disturb Grandpa and Grandma."

"It's fine. Your grandpa and I like lively occasions too."

"Okay. I'll discuss it with Xi Xi."

His grandmother laughed. "Look at the little demon in our family, now discussing things and compromising with his girlfriend before deciding."

"Birthday arrangements have always been handled by Xi Xi. Our original plan was to host a small party at my apartment. She's already ordered many decorations online, so I need to ask her opinion."

Yang Xiaoyuan suddenly spoke up, "Grandpa wants you to celebrate at home, so even if Senior Sister Jin doesn't want to, shouldn't you consider Grandpa's wishes first? After all, he's the elder in your family."

Hearing this, Bo Yan felt a little annoyed. "I'm just discussing it with her."

"Grandpa, don't get angry. I'm sure Bo Yan understands priorities."

Old Master Bo put a piece of food on Yang Xiaoyuan's plate with his chopsticks and casually said, "Since you've already made plans, it's fine. We can always do it another time."

"Grandpa, you misunderstood. I'm just going to let Xi Xi know..."

"Alright, that's enough," Old Master Bo waved his hand. "These are trivial matters. Let's not talk about it anymore. Let's eat."

Bo Yan felt like Yang Xiaoyuan always had a knack for steering lighthearted conversations toward tension. Her words made it seem like Jin Xi was opposing his grandfather.

During the meal, Bo Yan remained silent.

Yang Xiaoyuan reported her studies and plans for the year to her grandparents - she would take the CET-4 exam first, then prepare for the teacher qualification exam. She also casually mentioned classmates preparing for the IELTS exam, hinting at her own admiration.

Old Master Bo directly asked, "Do you want to study abroad?"

Yang Xiaoyuan blushed. "I... probably don't have the means."

"As long as you strive and want to improve yourself, Grandpa can sponsor you."

"No, Grandpa. You've already helped me so much. I don't even know how to repay you."

"Your future success will be the best repayment."

Old Master Bo was a warm-hearted man. His family was well-off enough to fund the children's education. He had been supporting Yang Xiaoyuan for over ten years already. Sponsoring her to study abroad for a few years would be no issue.

Yang Xiaoyuan looked again at Bo Yan and asked, "Senior, does Sister Jin have plans to study abroad? If so, I can exchange ideas with her."

Bo Yan stiffly replied, "She has no such plans."

Yang Xiaoyuan nodded. "I see. With Sister Jin Xi's family background, she has no need to go abroad and suffer such hardship."

Bo Yan's grip on his chopsticks tightened, but he held back his temper since they were at his grandparents' dinner table.

His curious grandmother asked Bo Yan, "Xi Xi's family is well-off? What business are they in?"

"Business."

Yang Xiaoyuan continued, "Grandma, Sister Jin Xi's stepfather is the boss of the Shen Group, the big real estate company. You know, the ones on TV selling houses."

"Oh, the Shen Group is impressive."

"What's so impressive," Old Master Bo interjected. "Children have their own fortunes. No matter how capable the parents, if the children don't work hard themselves, they'll just be freeloaders at home."

Bo Yan couldn't help but say, "Grandpa, Xi Xi is not the kind of child you're describing."

"I'm speaking in general, not singling her out."

His grandmother quickly changed the subject, "You can interact more in the future. Xiaoyuan, if there's anything you don't understand, you can ask Xi Xi. She's like an older sister to you."

Yang Xiaoyuan hesitantly said, "She... Senior Sister probably doesn't like me very much."

Old Master Bo's expression changed. "What's going on?"

Yang Xiaoyuan lowered her head. "I don't really know. It's just... whenever I talk to her, she pretty much ignores me. Maybe there's something wrong with me that makes people dislike me."

The elderly couple fell silent, roughly guessing what was going on.

A spoiled, temperamental rich man's daughter - this was their first impression of their potential granddaughter-in-law based on Yang Xiaoyuan's words.

"Yang Xiaoyuan, I don't know what misunderstanding you have with Jin Xi," Bo Yan put down his chopsticks and said in a deep voice: "If she doesn't like you, naturally she has her reasons."

"Bo Yan, I don't mean it like that, but you can't wrongly accuse me like this either. I didn't do anything," Yang Xiaoyuan's face turned red, looking very wronged.

Bo Yan didn't intend to talk about these things in front of his grandparents, but today at the dinner table Yang Xiaoyuan spoke so poorly of Jin Xi that she gave his grandparents the wrong impression. Bo Yan couldn't stand it.

"First, don't call me Bo Yan anymore; second, the whole school is spreading rumors that you're my girlfriend, do you have anything to explain about this?"

Yang Xiaoyuan immediately became agitated, "It's just baseless gossip spread by those bored people, how can I control their mouths?"

At this time, grandfather timely interrupted the quarrel between the two: "Alright, Yan Yan, don't badger her either, Xiaoyuan is our guest."

Bo Yan listened very much to his grandfather and immediately stopped talking.

Yang Xiaoyuan awkwardly picked up her chopsticks again. Her grandfather's words made her suddenly realize that she had thought old Mr. Bo treated her like his own granddaughter, but she didn't expect that with one sentence of "Xiaoyuan is our guest", he had excluded her.

She didn't have the right to be the Bo family's granddaughter. Although old Mr. Bo was nice to her, he was just being politely courteous as if to an outsider.

Everything was just her wishful thinking.