Chapter 206: Chapter 206: Seven Years of Preparation
Gu Yan spoke and even winked at her, that expression coupled with her swollen face added a touch of cuteness and humor.
Xue Xianglan rarely saw this side of Gu Yan, her eyes were filled with unconcealable amusement, and her heart softened.
"I never realized you were so slick-tongued before, you really know how to read a person’s mood."
"I’m not usually like this, it’s just because you’re the one, that’s why I’m being unlike my usual self. Anyway, no one else sees it."
Xue Xianglan couldn’t help but laugh.
"Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing you, I’m afraid if I can’t help but punch your face, you’ll be disfigured."
"Why would you want to punch my face?"
Xue Xianglan, "..." she fell silent, because seeing you like this is like seeing a woman immersed in love, making her, a single woman, feel hurt.
Can’t be like this, need to care for the lonely hearts!
That darn Xiang Linghao, can you not be so timid!
If Xiang Linghao knew that for all these years, Xue Xianglan’s ruthlessness was actually her waiting for him, how would he feel?
Proud and carefree as Xue Xianglan seems, she too has her weaknesses, she also feels weak and scared, afraid that Xiang Linghao’s feelings for her have faded over the years, and that she is dispensable to him, so for all these years of avoidance, rather than hating him for giving up, she was avoiding the issue.
The more you care about someone, the more afraid you are of seeing in their eyes no trace of past feelings, only unfamiliarity.
On the day they unexpectedly met at the plaza, she appeared indifferent, but inside she was already in turmoil, she didn’t dare to look into his eyes, afraid of seeing something she didn’t want to see.
However, Lu Yiyun’s words gave her a sense of relief, they all knew that over the years, Xiang Linghao had always had her in his thoughts, only afraid she wouldn’t want to accept it, afraid that seeing him again would make her unhappy, so he played along with her estrangement.
She had to admit, she was relieved, at least during those seven years, she wasn’t the only one waiting alone.
But in these days, what’s he doing, why isn’t he taking the initiative!
Xue Xianglan complained in her heart, could it be that after all these years, he still expects her to make the first move?
Then dammit, Xiang Linghao, go to hell!
Xue Xianglan’s silence made Gu Yan sensitively perceive something, but she didn’t expose it, pretending not to see it.
She knew Xue Xianglan very well, if she really wanted a clean break, she would have abandoned the past without hesitation, not spent so many years in indecision.
Now she was even more certain that Xiang Linghao was in her heart, the feelings hadn’t changed in seven years, only they as people had, time and experience had made them grow.
At noon, they ate the meals You Shuyang brought over from a big restaurant in the morning. Although nesting here, even if it was just the two of them, it wasn’t entirely unenjoyable, but Xue Xianglan still kept her company.
Two people being so bored, if it was one person, it would be unbearable. With her there, Gu Yan at least had someone to talk to.
While eating, unexpectedly, Tang Yuxiu called.
Tang Yuxiu called the home landline; her cellphone had been tossed by those kidnappers when she was abducted the day before yesterday, so she’s been recovering at home these two days and didn’t have time to go out and buy one.
At first, Gu Yan was puzzled; she had lived here for so long and never heard the landline ring, when it suddenly rang, she wondered what the sound was.
She answered the phone and was surprised to learn it was Tang Yuxiu calling.
As far as she could remember, this seemed to be the first time she received a call directly from Tang Yuxiu himself.
"Boss, I’m surprised you would call me." Gu Yan spoke directly.
Young Master Tang was silent for a moment, "Is it that I can’t call?"
"You can, just unexpected, I didn’t say you couldn’t." Gu Yan muttered, really, just a disagreement leads to a rebuttal.
Young Master Tang gave a light snort, "Have you eaten yet?"
"Just did, you?"
"You Shuyang went out to buy lunch."
Gu Yan frowned slightly, "Do you eat takeout every day?"
"Yeah." Young Master Tang nodded. He’s always been alone, didn’t have the time to cook, and he also thought a grown man in the kitchen would diminish his image, moreover, he couldn’t cook, so all these years, he’s eaten out.
Gu Yan held the receiver, paused, and said, "I’ll allow you to eat takeout for another two days. When I recover, we’ll go grocery shopping together. From now on, I’ll prepare lunch in advance, and you’ll eat what I make."
Gu Yan was never one to be reserved, since she had already agreed to be with Tang Yuxiu, she wouldn’t hide her concern and assertiveness towards him.
Listening to her words, Tang Yuxiu was momentarily stunned on the other end of the line, really didn’t expect her to say this, what to do, he felt a bit happy, actually liked her speaking like this.
"Okay." He couldn’t help but soften his voice, a faint smile tugging at his lips, too bad Gu Yan couldn’t see it.
Gu Yan smiled with satisfaction, "Mm, you’re so obedient, I’m very gratified."
However, with this one sentence, she immediately destroyed the little bit of romance that was so hard to build up, Young Master Tang expressed he was quite helpless.
"Did Xue Xianglan come to keep you company?"
"Yes, she’s eating now."
"When is she leaving?"
"She should be gone before you get off work." When Tang Yuxiu gets home from work, it’s roughly seven o’clock, and by then, it’s almost dark. Xue Xianglan, being a girl, isn’t reassured about heading back too late.
"Alright. You go eat, You Shuyang is back."
"Okay."
After hanging up the phone, Tang Yuxiu felt quite pleased. He never knew that sneaking a little call at noon to the woman he likes just to hear her voice could be so satisfying.
Then, he dialed Xiang Linghao’s number.
Xiang Linghao had been agonizing over whether to see Xue Xianglan or not, and he spent the whole morning without starting any consultations or surgeries, just sitting in his office, in a state of melancholy. When Young Master Tang’s call came in, he answered feeling somewhat listless.
Young Master Tang raised an eyebrow, "What, from the sound of it you’re terminally ill?"
Xiang Linghao wasn’t in the mood to joke with him, so he replied along with his words, "Pretty much."
"It seems like you’re not in a good mood right now, but I still have to tell you, Xue Xianglan will stay at my place until six in the afternoon. You’d better seize the opportunity. This is a one-time offer, and if you hesitate again, it’ll be too late."
"Why are you also telling me this?" Xiang Linghao frowned.
"Who else has told you?" Surprised that someone else was as direct and straightforward as him.
Xiang Linghao grunted unhappily. "That woman at your place told me the same thing yesterday. Today, when Xiang Lan went to your house, she already texted me. I’ve been agonizing all morning, and now you’re saying this. Are you even a brother?"
Turns out it was Gu Yan. Young Master Tang raised an eyebrow, completely ignoring Xiang Linghao’s latter words and mood, "This just proves that we’re in sync, otherwise how could she be my woman."
Xiang Linghao snickered, "From the sound of it, you two made up?"
Young Master Tang snorted proudly, "Does that even need to be said? It’s just a woman, easily settled."
Xiang Linghao inwardly despised him infinitely, thinking, sure, you just keep bragging!
Bragging will get you struck by lightning!
"In any case, I’ve informed you. How you decide is up to you. As a brother, I’ve done my utmost duty."
Normally, he wouldn’t bother with such trivial matters, nor with others’ affairs.
"Then I should indeed feel honored."
"Of course."
Xiang Linghao rolled his eyes hard on the other end of the phone. Despite knowing Tang Yuxiu’s personality for so many years, he still couldn’t help but feel contempt and speechlessness at his narcissism and shamelessness.
How can there be such a thick-skinned person in the world, so self-satisfied and unaware!
God, and he’s a man! Still, he’s my brother, what a way to lower the tone.
"I really don’t want to say much more to you. I’ll think about it properly!"
"Take your time to think." Tang Yuxiu said, initially planning to hang up directly, but after a pause, he added, "If, after seven years, you’re still not ready, then I should question my judgment. How does such an indecisive person become my brother?"
Simultaneously, he questioned Xue Xianglan’s taste. How could such a straightforward person take a liking to someone so timid?
To put it bluntly, it’s just cowardice!
To prove that his judgment wasn’t wrong, he still hoped Xiang Linghao could throw caution to the wind and confess everything to Xue Xianglan, not to hide anymore.
Alright, he would never admit this was his subtle way of showing concern as a brother.
Young Master Tang was quite proud and couldn’t show it openly.
After saying that, Tang Yuxiu hung up the phone, and Xiang Linghao stared blankly at the phone for a long time.
Yeah, seven years, and it all comes down to today. It’s hard to come by such an opportunity right in front of him, what reason does he have to hesitate so long, what else does he need to think about?
Xiang Linghao knocked his head, wondering what he’d been doing all morning.
Honestly, utterly exasperated.
Young Master Tang’s words woke him up, stopping his hesitation.
If, after all these years, he still can’t forget about Xue Xianglan and still likes her, then he should strive for it. Now no one thinks he’s unworthy of her anymore. The barriers between them were always just in their minds and unresolved issues.
Once he figured it all out, Xiang Linghao started to pack the medical kit for the afternoon trip to Lixin Villa, making sure he had a legitimate reason.
Xiang Linghao felt immensely grateful to Gu Yan, while he chose to selectively ignore Young Master Tang.
It’s astonishing that these people, as brothers, had grown up safely till now without falling out and splitting because of disagreements.
This is truly an extraordinary thing.
People talk about love-hate couples, but they are a classic love-hate brother pair.
After packing the medical kit, Doctor Xiang paced back and forth in the office, hoping time would slow down earlier so he could think deeper, but now he wishes time would speed up so he could immediately carry the medical kit to see Xue Xianglan.
However, on second thought, going to see the woman he likes with a medical kit strangely seemed odd?