Chapter 379: Chapter 379 He’s Not Right for You
Lan Yan shot back at him directly: “Are you out of your mind? Got too much free time on your hands?”
Xiao Si hadn’t expected her to reply.
But yes, he really did have too much free time.
Just as he was about to put his phone away, a message popped up in his friend request list.
When he saw the message, he smirked.
Perhaps even he didn’t realize how punchable his smirk looked.
He replied to Lan Yan without hesitation: “You’re right, I must have water in my brain. Any chance you’ve got a way to drain it out for me?”
When Lan Yan read the message, she instantly frowned.
She was now absolutely certain that Xiao Si’s brain was indeed broken—and not just a little broken.
Why hadn’t she noticed before how incredibly maddening this guy was?
Yu Mu noticed her frown and instinctively asked, “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
Lan Yan shook her head and said, “Nothing, just came across someone whose brain doesn’t work properly.”
As soon as she finished saying that, another friend request from Xiao Si popped up.
“Lan, let me add you on WeChat, will you?”
“We used to be colleagues, and friends too.”
“And now we’re about to become family.”
Ding, ding, ding—three messages popped up in quick succession.
Lan Yan wanted badly to block him.
She thought it—and she did it.
With a single, swift action, she blocked him and put down her phone.
Meanwhile, on the other end, Xiao Si was still typing away, but his messages no longer delivered.
“Goddammit!”
He cursed under his breath, “She really blocked me!”
Gu Beiyan glanced at him in confusion. “What are you mumbling about?”
Xiao Si: “It’s nothing.”
The rest of the meal, Xiao Si ate like he was chewing wax, brooding the entire time.
And why was he so out of sorts? He didn’t even know himself.
After they finished eating, everyone started chatting casually.
Suddenly, Gu Beiyan remembered something. He raised his hand, draped it over Xiao Si’s shoulder, and asked, “Oh yeah, Xiao, I heard your mom adopted a god-sister for you. Who is it?”
Gu Beiyan had heard this from his dad, Old Gu.
And Old Gu had heard it from Xiao Si’s father. The two old men were close friends and often met up to chat.
Apart from Xiao Si, only Su He and Jiang Yan, the married couple, knew who Xiao Si’s mother had taken as her goddaughter.
Xiao Si gave him a sidelong glance. “If you’re so curious, you can go ask Ms. Liang yourself.”
He actually wasn’t in favor of the whole thing, mainly because he thought it was unreasonable.
Who knew what Ms. Liang was thinking?
Gu Beiyan said, “What’s the big deal in just telling me? You won’t lose a piece of flesh or anything. Spill it—I’m really curious. Why would Aunt Yun suddenly want to adopt a goddaughter out of nowhere?”
Xiao Si: “Not saying. I don’t even know who it is.”
Gu Beiyan obviously didn’t buy it: “Oh, come on. You expect me to believe you don’t know? Or is it that you don’t want Aunt Yun to have a goddaughter and you’re worried we’ll all make fun of you when we find out?”
“…”
At that moment, Jiang Yan chimed in, “You all know her.”
“Who?” Gu Beiyan immediately turned to Jiang Yan to ask.
Jiang Yan replied, “Lan Yan.”
Gu Beiyan reacted quickly: “You mean that cool, aloof little beauty who’s always hanging around your wife?”
Jiang You lightly smacked him. “What do you mean ‘your wife’? You’re supposed to call me sister-in-law.”
Gu Beiyan: “Same thing. No need to make it complicated.”
Besides, he couldn’t help it—it was a habit by now, and changing it would take time.
Not to mention, he was older than Jiang Yan to begin with.
“Aunt Yun really knows how to pick people. She found a girl with a matching profession to be her goddaughter,” Gu Beiyan said with a smile.
The Xiao family had three generations of doctors, with Grandpa Xiao and Xiao Si’s father both now retired.
“But I’m really curious—how did Aunt Yun even meet Lan Yan?” Gu Beiyan asked.
As far as he could recall, given Lan Yan’s social circle, it was unlikely she’d ever cross paths with Xiao Si’s mother.
“Is there a story behind this?” He turned to Xiao Si. “Bro, care to elaborate?”
Xiao Si: “Don’t ask. The answer is, I don’t know.”
Jiang Yan chimed in again. “No matter how they met, the fact is that Xiao here now has a new younger sister. And it seems Aunt Yun is even trying to set Lan Yan up with the second young master of the Yu family.”
“Yu Mu, huh? Not bad. Aunt Yun’s got a good eye,” Gu Beiyan praised.
At this point, Su He, who had stayed quiet, couldn’t help but ask, “Do you know him? What’s he like as a person?”
She asked these questions to screen for Lan Yan’s sake.
Lan Yan wasn’t getting any younger—it really was time for her to consider relationships seriously.
Gu Beiyan said, “That kid’s actually pretty good. At the very least, he’s upright and decent—quite the gentleman. He’s one of those golden boys that people love to gush about, praised since childhood.”
He finished speaking and glanced over at Xiao Si. “Ask Xiao. He knows Yu Mu even better than I do. If I remember correctly, back when they were kids, Yu Mu used to follow this guy around like a shadow.”
Xiao Si: “…”
Why was it coming back to him again?
Su He’s gaze turned his way, clearly waiting for him to speak.
“Say something. What’s with you today? You’ve been so quiet,” Gu Beiyan nudged him with his foot. “This isn’t like you. Usually, your mouth runs like a sparrow, chattering endlessly. What’s the deal? If I didn’t know better, I’d think you experienced a breakup today, all sulky and glum.”
Wan Muqi chuckled lightly. “Maybe he did experience a breakup—just a one-sided one.”
“Oh? You’ve got someone you’re into now?” Gu Beiyan asked.
Xiao Si pressed his lips together and shot Wan Muqi a look. “Don’t listen to his nonsense. This guy rarely says anything truthful.”
“Then what’s with you today?”
Gu Beiyan was determined to get to the bottom of it.
Even Xiao Si himself couldn’t quite articulate what was unsettling him, so he diverted the question by finally answering Su He’s query.
He said, “My mom’s always had a pretty good eye for people. Since she picked Yu Mu for Lan, it must mean he’s reliable. He really is reliable—upright personality, steady demeanor, courteous, a returning graduate, talented. Appearance-wise… well, just average. Definitely not as handsome as me, nor as funny.”
Everyone: “…”
“We asked you to praise Yu Mu, not yourself,” Gu Beiyan remarked.
Xiao Si: “What? Did I say anything wrong? It’s called a comparison—clear as day, isn’t it?”
Wan Muqi asked, “And how exactly is it clear?”
Leaning back in his chair like he owned the place, Xiao Si raised an eyebrow. “Sure, Yu Mu’s a good guy, but he’s just not right for someone like Lan, who has such a cool and aloof personality. Imagine two overly steady, quiet people together—they’d bore each other to death.”
Wan Muqi observed him, his lips curling into a smile. “So, what you’re really saying is, you’re the right match?”
There was a teasing tone, with a hint of playful mockery in his voice.
Everyone turned their gaze to Xiao Si upon hearing this.
Xiao Si froze for a moment before realizing that Wan Muqi was baiting him.
“Get lost. When did I ever say that?”
This petty little man—was he holding a grudge because he’d been teased earlier? Now he wouldn’t stop poking fun, laying traps all evening.
Wan Muqi snickered. “Why are you denying it so frantically? I was just making a hypothetical. Your reaction almost makes you seem guilty.”
Even with his usual glib tongue, Xiao Si found himself at a rare loss for words.
Wan Muqi—that conniving guy—just kept digging traps, hoping he’d fall into one.
So, Xiao Si opted for silence.
After all, the more you say, the higher the risk of slipping up!
By nine o’clock, the gathering dispersed, with everyone heading their separate ways.
Peng Yiming glanced at the rearview mirror at the man sitting in the car. “Young Master, are you heading to the Xiao family home or one of your other places tonight?”
Xiao Si didn’t answer but instead asked, “What’s my mom been up to at home lately?”
Peng replied, “The Madam? Same as always—tending to her flowers or meeting up with her friends for tea and shopping. But…”
“But what?” Xiao Si urged when Peng trailed off.
Peng said, “I heard from Uncle Cheng that she’s been spending time with Mrs. Yu recently. In fact, the Madam invited her over tomorrow.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Si was silent for a moment before replying, “Take me to the Xiao family home.”
As he spoke, he leaned back, wearing a look of indifferent ease.
“Understood,” Peng replied.
The city at night was bustling and radiant.
The starry night sky was breathtakingly beautiful.
Under the moonlight, the Bentley’s wheels were bathed in a silvery sheen as the car glided along the street, illuminated by overhead lights.
Yet the man sitting inside seemed shrouded in a faint chill, intangible yet palpable.
Xiao Si had meant to close his eyes and rest for a while. However, once he did, an inexplicable wave of annoyance surged within him, like a river swelling endlessly.
Giving up, he shifted his position and pulled out his phone instead.
He opened WeChat directly.
As soon as he did, he noticed that Yu Mu had posted something to his Moments.
This guy—someone who hardly posted anything all year—had chosen tonight of all nights to post.
Curious, Xiao Si tapped into it.
Yu Mu’s caption read: “Had such a great conversation tonight.”
Attached was a photo of the city’s night view, though to the right of it was a partial silhouette of a woman’s back.
The photo had been taken very discreetly.
For some reason, at just one look, Xiao Si knew it was Lan Yan’s figure.
Perhaps it was because it was such a familiar sight.
So, it turned out he’d interrupted their date tonight.
Oh, no wonder she’d been so mad she straight-up blocked him.
——
The next day.
Xiao Si had the day off and stayed home.
But he didn’t get up until ten o’clock.
As soon as he stepped out of his room, laughter floated up from the living room below.
When he reached the staircase and glanced into the living room, he spotted his mom, Ms. Liang, along with Mrs. Yu. Not just them—Yu Mu and Lan Yan were also there.
Lan Yan was the first to notice him.
She seemed surprised that he was actually at home.
With a small smile, Xiao Si made his way downstairs and addressed Mrs. Yu, “Aunt Lan.”
Gao Yunlan responded warmly, “Ah, Xiao Si, you’re home! I was just talking about you with your mom.”
Ms. Liang looked at him, also slightly startled. “When did you get back?”
He had come back last night, but since both his parents were already sleeping, they hadn’t noticed his return. Plus, the housekeeper hadn’t mentioned it this morning.
Xiao Si picked an empty seat and plopped himself down in the single chair near Lan Yan.
Leaning back in his usual languid manner, he said casually, “Came back last night.”
Yu Mu glanced over at him and greeted, “Xiao.”
Lan followed with her own greeting, but she called him “Doctor Xiao.”
Xiao Si responded to both of them one by one.
Lan’s visit to the Xiao family home today wasn’t exactly voluntary.
Previously, Ms. Liang had gifted her some rather extravagant jewelry. Truth be told, she hadn’t dared accept it, so she’d arranged to return them today.
After contacting Ms. Liang, she had been invited to the house.
What she hadn’t known was that Ms. Liang had also invited Yu Mu and his mother over.
Now, having sat in the living room for almost an hour, she was feeling a little restless.
Seeing Lan sitting so upright, Xiao Si teased her, “Lan, why are you sitting so prim and proper? There’s no one else here. Aren’t you tired?”
She turned to look at him and met his deep, playful gaze.
Before she could respond, Ms. Liang scolded him, “You little rascal, what kind of nonsense are you spewing now!”
Xiao Si chuckled and said, “I’m just telling it like it is. Didn’t you notice her sitting so upright she’s practically about to turn into stone?”
All three others turned their eyes to Lan.
Lan: “…”
Was he doing this on purpose?
Some kind of petty revenge for her ignoring him and blocking him yesterday?
Lan smiled awkwardly and said, “Aunt Yun, I’m fine. Don’t pay attention to him.”
Ms. Liang shot her son a glare before letting it go.
Xiao Si didn’t stay in the living room long.
Feeling a tad hungry, he wandered into the dining area.
Halfway through his meal, Lan Yan came in.
She had just returned from the restroom, which happened to be in the same direction as the dining area. Noticing he was there, she hesitated but decided to walk in.
Xiao Si looked surprised to see her enter.
Raising a brow, he smiled and said, “What’s this? Lan, you came here just to see me?”
Lan stood across from him, meeting his gaze briefly.
“Doctor Xiao, let me be clear—I’ve never wanted to be Aunt Yun’s goddaughter,” she said.
Xiao Si’s grip on his glass faltered slightly hearing this.
Lan had only come inside to clarify things.
This man had been so passive-aggressively weird toward her lately, and she was convinced this stemmed from Ms. Liang’s attempt to make her his god-sister.
After all, as the only child of the Xiao family, anyone would feel uncomfortable with a stranger suddenly becoming their family out of nowhere.
And she, too, understood that her identity wasn’t ‘worthy’ of such familial ties.
She’d never expected to gain anything from the Xiao family.
All she wanted was to enjoy her current life to the fullest.
Her life right now was fulfilling enough, and she was content.
Looking straight at him, she added, “I’ve also never thought of involving myself in your family’s affairs. It’s been a pleasure to know you. Even if we can’t be close friends, we can at least stay as ordinary colleagues or acquaintances.”
She simply wanted to clear the air and didn’t want to strain things further between them.
Xiao Si lowered his head slightly. Who knew which one of her words rubbed him the wrong way, but he was left feeling uneasy.
He hadn’t anticipated her saying all this.
So she’d always thought he disliked her?
The room’s atmosphere seemed to pause in mid-air.
Lan saw he wasn’t responding and thought he might be angry.
Just as she was about to excuse herself, he suddenly spoke up. “How come I never noticed before that you have such an overactive imagination? Whatever Ms. Liang decides, I don’t interfere. Besides, I think having an extra little sister sounds pretty great. That way, she’ll stop paying so much attention to me. Honestly, my life will be so much easier—I won’t have to listen to her nagging me about marriage every day.”
Lan was stunned: “…”
Then, in a tone of mischief, he added, “I should be thanking you for taking on all this hassle for me.”
“Although…” Xiao Si shifted the topic seamlessly, “while it’s true my mom has excellent taste, picking you a top-notch boyfriend and all, she doesn’t really know you. Yu Mu may be great, but he’s not the right person for you.”
Lan didn’t expect his words to jump to this subject.
Frowning slightly, she didn’t respond right away.
She’d never considered pursuing anything further with Yu Mu.
Whether they were suited for each other or not didn’t matter—such thoughts had never crossed her mind.
“Doctor Xiao, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I’ve never thought about becoming romantically involved with Mr. Yu—not now, not ever,” she said firmly.
When Xiao Si heard this, a subtle sense of relief swept over him.
It felt as if that thin veil of mist clouding his heart had suddenly lifted, leaving his thoughts clear and his mood surprisingly brightened.
“Oh,” Xiao Si replied casually, not saying much else.
But his gaze inevitably drifted to the dining area’s threshold, where someone had just turned to leave.
Yu Mu had been standing quietly outside for some time.