Chapter 8, Buying a Car_1

They finished their night shift at six in the morning, picked up some breakfast on their way, and returned to their rental apartment.

Meng Xiao wasn't hungry but sleepy. She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Yang Yi still had some work to deal with, and by the time he finished, it was already ten o'clock. When he came back to the bedroom, Meng Xiao was sleeping soundly, her eyes tightly shut.

She was bothered by something, something related to their shopping trip yesterday. Yang Yi knew.

But he was not ready to shed his current disguise. He thought to himself, 'Let her "be poor" a bit longer. After all, she has been poor since birth.'

...

Meng Xiao was awakened by Yang Yi at one in the afternoon. Yang Yi was hungry.

Yang Yi didn't like eating out. As long as she was in the apartment, Meng Xiao always cooked their meals. But today, Meng Xiao decided to order takeout.

"I'm very tired. I have to go again tonight. Let's have take-out," she said.

Unhappy, Yang Yi asked, "You're going again?! Didn't we agree you wouldn't go today?"

"We never agreed. I never agreed," Meng Xiao retorted.

"Then let's discuss this now. It is dangerous there at night. I'm worried about you being alone."

"It's fine. I'll do as I used to, waiting till daybreak when there are people around before going back," Meng Xiao responded nonchalantly, insisting on doing things as she had before she met Yang Yi.

The area had now developed, surrounded by shops on all sides, so safety was less of a concern.

"No, I am still worried," Yang Yi refused. He had a job, and yet was still allowing his girlfriend to work part-time. Where did that leave his dignity?

Suddenly, Yang Yi recalled the lipstick Meng Xiao had looked at yesterday. He asked, "Do you want those cosmetics? We can go buy them this afternoon, but you're not allowed to go to work."

Meng Xiao was slightly taken aback, not expecting him to know. Her heart grew even more bitter. She refused.

"No, I don't want them, and I won't go tonight." She couldn't be bothered to discuss these things anymore. The more they discussed, the more Yang Yi would understand. But he pretended not to know anything in front of her.

Seeing her compliance, Yang Yi was satisfied.

He knew that once she agreed, she would never go to work again. He combed his fingers through her jet-black hair and coaxed, "Xiaoxiao, I know you've suffered a lot being with me these past two years. How about this: in a couple of months, you'll be a senior with no classes. Move out and live with me. I'll take care of you and gradually make up for the hardships, OK?"

Meng Xiao secretly harbored resentment. Move in together? Wasn't he afraid that she would restrict him from seeing that girl?

"On Friday next week, I'll pick you up. On Saturday, we'll go see a car. Whenever I'm free, we'll go on photography excursions together. God knows why I didn't consider using these plans sooner. You've been so temperamental today, and it got me all in a tizzy, I figured I'd tell you everything now, just to keep you calm."

Buying a car? Meng Xiao was astonished, but soon began to feel she was flattered unduly. He could be doing all this for the other girl as well. What was so exhilarating about this anyway? These were decisions he'd made, after all, they had nothing to do with her.

Maybe, the decision to buy the car was made in consultation with the other woman.

After eating lunch, Meng Xiao called the convenience store owner to apologize. The owner didn't say much and agreed. She then returned to the bedroom to continue sleeping.

It was already seven in the evening when she woke up next, without any signs of someone having slept next to her.

They often slept in the same bed, the intimate relationship never going beyond hugging and kissing.

There were a few instances, after Yang Yi graduated and after having too many drinks at office parties, when he would come to her for relief, but they never really got intimate.

Meng Xiao never took the initiative, and Yang Yi wasn't keen either.

The contact was limited to their hands touching.

Meng Xiao got up and left the bedroom. It was pitch dark outside, with only the study room lamp still on.

After gathering her belongings in the bedroom, she knocked on the door to tell Yang Yi that she was leaving.

There was no response from inside. Meng Xiao pushed the door open. The study was empty.

In the small room, an entire wall was filled with bookshelves, laden with his books, mostly from his college major. Beside the old desk holding Yang Yi's laptop, the computer screen was still lit, indicating he was recently using it.

On the computer screen was information about a car, a very traditional, sturdy style, and it was in a deep black color.

Meng Xiao didn't understand anything about cars. All she could make out were two 'M's overlapping on the logo, and the price advertised was over eight million.

The string of zeros didn't mean much to Meng Xiao. She knew nothing about cars, and she did not have eight million.

Her attention was drawn to a photo frame beside the laptop. It wasn't a photo of her and Yang Yi. Instead, it was another woman.

The photo was aged and yellowing, the woman inside donned a cheongsam dress, the collar embroidered with exquisite flowers. With her delicate, elegant eyebrows, she looked like a well-bred lady from the time of the Republic of China.

She had no extra adornments, lacking anything but a gold bracelet that featured a phoenix design. Meng Xiao found the bracelet familiar.

Meng Xiao didn't think much of it, put down the picture frame, and got up to leave.

It wasn't appropriate for her to be meddling in Yang Yi's study, especially while he was away. Meng Xiao packed her bag, left a note for Yang Yi, and then departed.

The dim yellow light in the old building flickered as Meng Xiao waited quietly for the elevator. From the quiet hallway, she could faintly hear Yang Yi's voice coming from the back staircase. Unable to resist, Meng Xiao inched closer, his voice becoming more distinct.

"Youyou, I've looked at a car for you, you can pick it up next week. I'll find you a driver too, and once you start college, we'll update the car for you," he said.

"My little princess, won't you stop being mad at me… these past few days, I couldn't sleep properly," he cooed on the phone in a gentle tone that was completely unfamiliar to Meng Xiao.

The little princess was still in high school?

What patience he had. Meng Xiao entered the elevator expressionlessly, her face numb, and left.

Was she being petty? Perhaps the girl in question was his sister, but even so, Meng Xiao felt she couldn't compare.

But If it was his sister, why would he need to be so secretive? Too bad this sister was not necessarily a blood relative.

An eight-million-dollar car, that was certainly out of Meng Xiao's reach.

…

After comforting Yang You, Yang Yi exhaled in relief.

Ever since Yang You found out he was being harsh with his girlfriend, she was constantly mad at him. She read some sad love story that reinforced her negative view, calling him a scum.

Young girls and their intricate minds were troublesome. Meng Xiao, however, was different - she had her own thoughts and aspirations and never gave him such problems.

Upon returning to his apartment, he saw a note left by Meng Xiao saying she had a class tomorrow and needed to return to school today.

Yang Yi nodded, threw the note into the trash bin, appreciating how understanding and obedient his girlfriend was. He was free to focus more on his work as she didn't require him to fuss over her or arrange special transportation for her.

He got up and returned to his study to pack his things.

He took his phone and tried to call Meng Xiao, but she didn't pick up. He then left her a voice message on WeChat, asking her why she didn't wait for him and reminding her to stay safe on her way back.

After changing into another outfit, he emerged from the room no longer a miserable workaholic but the well-known General Manager of Yiyang Group in Hai City.

The only heir to Yiyang, the Crown Prince.

…

After Meng Xiao reached her school, she sent a message to Yang Yi letting him know she arrived safely.

On the other side, Yang Yi had reached the club. He had said goodnight to Meng Xiao in the parking lot and then turned off his old phone. He picked up the latest model sitting in his car, and entered the club.

"Hey, look who finally shows up! Why didn't you bring your girlfriend today?" Zhao Pingxuan, one of his old pals who had invited him for drinks, poured him a glass and teased.

Yang Yi ignored him, sat down, and drained his glass.

"Eh, Brother Yi, isn't it time you introduce this goddess of yours - or are you planning to keep her hidden forever?" Zhao Pingxuan turned to another friend, Li Yan, "Li Yan, have you met her? What does our sister-in-law look like?"

Li Yan shook his head and glanced at the silent Yang Yi.

"I haven't seen her."

He knew Yang Yi had been secretly dating, and while he never paraded Meng Xiao around, no one was ignorant of their relationship any longer.

"I heard your mother is back from abroad," Li Yan inquired.

Yang Yi nodded, and drained another glass of cold wine, clearly irritated.

"When do you plan to tell Meng Xiao? It won't stay hidden for long, and your mother is already inquiring about potential girls for you," he added. Yang Yi was at that age where dating is commonplace, but people didn't know about his relationship with Meng Xiao.

His mother was anxious for him to date so that he could marry within two years, spend another two years in matrimony, and then it would be time for children.

The thought was nerve-racking. He swallowed another shot - he had been aware for a while now that his mom is arranging blind dates for him. If he didn't disclose the situation with Meng Xiao soon, he would have to go on those blind dates.

Remembering that the picture frame wasn't in its original place when he went to pack up his laptop earlier, Yang Yi had a realization.

Meng Xiao must have seen that picture. If she indeed was understanding, she'll return what wasn't hers and apologize sincerely to him.

From then on, he will treat her even better than his own sister, and give her everything.

But for now, if he doesn't offer, she couldn't demand anything, including title and position.

Li Yan didn't inquire further and just kept Yang Yi company, drinking in silence.

The young master Yang had his own plans that no one could influence.