Mo Yan in the Book 96 - 100

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96 Chu Jinxu:

‘Little girl, don’t you remember me?’ The man said with a kind hearty laughter. His warm eyes were like black agate (Zuben: The author has learned a new thing), his indulgent smile was like a starry sky, revealing heart-breaking tenderness. He had long curved eyelashes like wings, and delicate features. His aura was gentle like a spring breeze, his lips were lightly pink; kissable. (Zuben: I really couldn’t decide if the author was describing Mo Yan or the dude) He smiled happily.

Seeing her bewildered expression, he could not help but sigh exaggeratedly, ‘This mean girl, I’m Chu Jinxu – your brother Xu. We grew up together, but my family immigrated to France. How could you forget me, little girl?’

‘Xu-ge?’ she asked blinking as she searched her mind. Before Long Aotian, she liked to chase after a little brother. Being the only child, it had been nice to have Xu-ge around to play with. When he had to move abroad, she had cried like a tearful baby, and he had promised to come back when he grew up.

However, there had been no mention of him in the book. If he loved Mo Yan that much, he should have come back when she had been hurt or died. Why didn’t he show up? What happened to him? It hadn’t been in the book.

No, she could not continue to use the book as a guideline for the future. This was a real world not a novel, she had already deviated so much, but she was afraid her ending might be worse.

‘Remember now? Are you so happy that you can’t speak, or have you really forgotten me? How pitiful, I missed you every night.’ Chu Jinxu turned his back to her and his shoulders moved as though he was choked. Mo Yan stared at him dumbly.

‘No, I remember Xu-ge. Don’t cry. It’s just so sudden, after all these years.’ Mo Yan said stepping up to him and pulling at his clothes, trying to comfort him.

‘Your attitude is very cold…are you sure you remember?’ Chu Jinxu glanced at her over his shoulder.

‘I remember; when I was little I used to clamour everyday to see you and ran behind your butt. And everytime I got in trouble you took the fall.’

‘You finally confessed. It used to annoy me so much when you broke an expensive decoration, and then you come to cry so much in front of me so I would coax you, take the blame, get punished. What did you say to the old man then? "Xu-ge didn’t listen and insisted on playing, even though I told him." You little white eyed wolf, I wished I could catch you and beat you hard.’ Jinxu said through gnashed teeth as he ruffled her hair, and it turned into a bird’s next in an instant.

‘Ah, don’t rub. I know I was wrong. I'm sorry.’ She said. Jinxu’s care for her was not hidden, and their shared memories came to mind. She became cheeky, as before no matter what mistake she made, she would escape from punishment with her cuteness.

Meng Xin chuckled as she watched the both of them, ‘I’m glad to see you’re getting along well as before.’ His baby was now acting like she used to. He had been worried she would not recover from the trauma.

97 Xu-gege

‘Jinxu, how long will you be in the country for?’ Meng Xin pulled Mo Yan aside and they sat down.

‘I’ll be here for a while. Things in France are going well, so I’m here for the time being unless there is something important.’

‘Xu-ge will be running a branch over here?’ Mo Yan asked as she took a sip of tea.

‘Yes. So, if you want anything, you can ask me, and I will buy it for you.’ Jinxu said with a doting smile

‘I don’t need that much, I have enough now.’ Mo Yan said with a shy smile.

Her soft tones almost melted Jinxu’s heart into water, ‘Yes, yes, my little girl is so frugal. She will help brother Xu save mone.’

Mo Yan snorted. He smiled.

Meng Xin pulled at Mo Yan’s cheek, before asking, ‘Where are you staying now?’

‘We have a mansion in the city. It’s been readied for us to come home at any time. You don’t have to worry, Aunty Xin.’ He replied with a grin.

Meng Xin patted his hand and gave him a caring smile, ‘I can feel at ease. Will you be staying for dinner? Let’s have a little reunion with Yan-yan. We haven’t seen each other for so many years, there is so much to catch up on.’

‘Then, pardon my intrusion.’

‘How could you be intruding. I’ll go and get things ready. Mo Yan take Jinxu for a walk around the garden.’ Meng Xin said patting Mo Yan’s knee as she rose. She wanted to give her daughter more time with Jinxu. (Zuben: I’m sorry your daughter is already accompanying others to fall short of the glory of the Lord)

‘Let’s go, Xu-ge.’ Mo Yan said rubbing her tingling knee where her mother had “patted”. She led Jinxu out to their garden. Why does mother seem to forget her baby when she sees Jinxu? Humph! But she never would admit her jealousy.

Jinxu watched Mo Yan in amusement, she hadn’t changed. She liked to flirt with her close family, attract their attention, and then pretend to be pitiful. And when she had done something wrong, she would widen her eyes and apologise pitifully, making the wronged party unable to bear accusing her.

When she knew she was loved and cared for by the person with her, she would rub her nose and order east and west like a princess, but was never over indulgent. When she knew others were in difficulty, she would not be inconsiderate. He had been fond of her, and wanted to protect her in the circle of his arms, afraid that she would get hurt and melt away. 

The only change was when she fell for Long Aotian, Yan-yan had been so stupid. When she was with him, why didn’t she see his falseness? When he spoke to Meng Xin on the phone and she recounted Long Aotian’s attitude to Yan-yan, he had wanted to fly back to slap him hard. How dare he ignore their baby; did he want to live? But unfortunately, their company had been under some situation at the time, and he was unable to rush back in time to wake help wake Mo Yan up from her delusion.

Fortunately, their company’s issues had been resolved and he had been able to fly back to the capital from France. But before that, Aung Xin had informed him that Yan-yan had called off he engagement, which had come as a surprise to him. Yan-yan finally woke up and no longer indulged in delusions; their baby grew up.

98 Secretive

As they strolled around the familiar gardens, Jinxu looked around with nostalgia, ‘It hasn’t changed.’

‘Yes, I used to pester you to take me with you everywhere.’ The memories were constantly emerging; the simple good times of her childhood made her miss it.

‘Yes. Fortunately, little girl has grown up to be sensible, otherwise…’ Jinxu shook his head as he tutted at her, ‘what would we do with you?’

Mo Yan gnashed her teeth as his condescension and glared at him, ‘I’m doing well by myself; I don’t need your worry.’

Seeing her huff at him, Jinxu could not help the smile on his face, he ruffled her hair happily, ‘Then your feelings for Long Aotian? Have you come to your senses?’ He was unable to hide his concern for her.

His worry made her pause as she tried to reorder her hair, ‘Of course, after so long, I felt like I suddenly woke up and understood he did not belong to me.’

Jinxu watched her expressions, he grinned and said teasingly, ‘Our girl has grown up. Xu-ge is very happy.’

‘Hm! Of course, I’ve grown up.’

‘Yes! Yes!’ he said, then he asked, ‘Your mom said you work in the Xiao’s company on weekdays, and are free on weekends, how you only came home this afternoon? Is it because this lazy pig was sleeping so much?’

‘No, I’m busy at the company.’ She said quietly.

Jinxu became cautious, though his smile was still gentle; he could sense something was wrong. Mo Yan was nervous, her reply came too quickly and she had clenched fist just before answering. How many times had he caught her out before? He was sure his question made her nervous. But why? It was just a common question of concern, what was making her so nervous?

There was only one possibility, she was lying to him. She was hiding something.

Jinxu had a dawn of understanding, but he asked casually, ‘Oh? Is it that Xiao is bullying his little employees? How could you be working overtime on holidays? I should meet with him, and see how serious he is. How can employees have no rest time? Our girl needs a break.’ (Zuben: From all the shagging going on, yep)

‘Ah! No! I brought the work back home with me; there was too much to do. Xu-ge shouldn’t worry, I’ll get used to it.’ She tried to placate him with a nervous laugh. She hoped convincing him that it was because she was inexperienced would manage his concern for her.

‘Is that right? Okay, but if you’re wronged, you should tell me.’ Jinxu said restoring his gentle and doting mood.

‘Yes. Xu-ge is really a meddler; don’t worry about me. You should worry about nagging so much, how would you find a wife later.’ She teased, relieved that he did not probe any further.

‘You don’t have to worry about that; little kids don’t have to worry about their elders.’ He replied in mock disdain.

Jinxu did not probe any more as he used to when she was a child. She was a grown woman now, and will have her own secrets, but he still took the matter to heart. How could he tolerate others bullying their baby, who grew up in the palm of his hand? (Zuben: she grew up in the palm of too many people’s hand)

99 Trying to find out.

The bright moon was high surrounded by countless stars guarding the peaceful evening over the empty garden.

‘Jinxu, eat more!’ Meng Xin put more food into his bowl.

‘Thank you, Aunt.’ He said with a polite smile. He could feel there was a strong gaze staring at him, he turned to her, and her expression was sad.

‘Eat more, little girl. Gege, will give you some food.’

‘I don’t need it.’ She said disdainfully, receiving her mother’s disapproval.

‘Yan-yan, how can you be so rude.’ (Zuben: He’s stealing mummy time)

‘Hm.’ Mo Yan pouted, Jinxu sniggered.

Mengxin could tell her daughter was feeling jealous of the attention she was showing Jinxu, as she was about to speak, she saw Jinxu ruffle her hair fondly before filling Mo Yan’s bowl with food.

Meng Xin and Yuhao exchanged a glace. He could see the wheels spinning in her head. He knew Chu Jinxu was a good man. Still, one could see that Jinxu cared for Mo Yan like a sibling, and the same was true for Mo Yan. But he hoped that his daughter would meet someone who would treat her sincerely.

‘We haven’t seen your family for many years, how are your parents doing?’ Yuhao asked as he wiped his lips with a serviette.

‘My parents are doing well. They have said to ask you to come and visit freely.’ Jinxu said with a chuckle.

‘When things are a bit relaxed in the company, Meng Xin and I will visit them again.’ Yuhao said before taking a sip of his wine.

‘Will Yan-yan go too? My mom tells me everyday she misses you so much.’ Jinxu’s gentle obsidian eyes settled on Mo Yan.

Mo Yan nearly choked on her wine, ‘Maybe later. After all, I just started working.’

‘Be careful, girl. By the way, how come Mo Yan is working for the Xiao?’ Jinxu tapped her back as he asked Yuhao.

‘We went to a party thrown by Mr Xiao and talked about working together on some projects. Yan-yan mentioned she would like to start working, so President Xiao gave her an opportunity. Mo Yan hopes to learn and develop with her own ability.’ Meng Xin replied for Mo Yan, seeing she was so shy.

Jinxu nodded. He remembered that there had been a large party a few days ago held by the business tycoon, but why would he suddenly let Yan-yan work in his company? Did he have a crush on little girl? This was not good. The man’s background was shady, and there would be a large group of women following him. He didn’t want his girl to be sad every day. What should he do? (Zuben: Mind your own business till there is a call for assistance?)

100 I’ll take you back

After dinner, ‘Yan-yan, are you going back to your place tonight?’ Jinxu asked as he picked up the serviette to wipe his mouth.

‘Yes. I’m going to rest a bit then go back. I need to prepare for tomorrow.’ Mo Yan replied, she felt like her heart was in her mouth with anxiety.

‘Then I’ll take you back. I pass the Di Mao building on my way back home.’

‘No! Er, I mean it might be too troublesome for you to take me. It’s so late you must be tired. I’ll just take a taxi back.’

‘It’s too dangerous for a lone girl in a taxi. It won’t be a bother. Your parents’ driver has gone home already as well.’

‘Yan-yan, listen to Jinxu. We’re already worried about you living outside. Do you want us to worry more?!’ Meng Xin said. (Zuben: Her abusive boyfriends may disagree)

‘Alright, I’ll be bothering Xu-ge.’ She did not want to worry her parents neither could she refuse Jinxu’s kindness.

 🜟

‘Jinxu, come to visit often. Of course, you can go and visit Yan-yan on weekends. Call when you get in, Yan-yan.’

‘Yes, Mom!’ Mo Yan replied.

‘Yes, thank you Aunty.’ Jinxu nodded and waved to Mo Yuhao and Mengxin before pulling the handbrake and driving off.

‘What’s wrong?’ Jinxu asked her on the drive back.

‘Ah, nothing. I feel sleepy when I’m full.’

‘What a lazy little pig.’ He laughed tapping her nose.

The familiar building came into view, and Mo Yan said to Jinxu, ‘Xu-ge, drop me off here.’

‘Are you sure? It’s a long way from here; what are you worried about? Your boyfriend? What secrets are you hiding?’ Jinxu narrowed his eyes at her.

‘How could it be? I’ll tell you when if I have a boyfriend. I’m just don’t want you to have to take the long way back home.’

‘Silly girl, I will send you back to your door even if I have to go all the way across the city back to my house.’ He replied ruffling her hair.

But Ye Hanyu had said he would be coming back today and the other men…

‘Alright,’

Jinxu pulled up at the entrance to Di Mao, he saw the brightly lit court and security room, and the patrolling guards, he was satisfied.

‘Girl!’ He called as she opened the door.

‘Huh?’

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