WHIF- Chapter 24

Ch. 24 Wants to be a good brother

    A random stranger had shown up at home, Yang Chaosheng quickly packed up his unfinished work and took it with him. Just as he got into the car, he received a message from his sister-in-law.

    [Miaoguang]: Chaosheng-ge [mfn]‘Ge’ means brother in Chinese[/mfn], Yueming-jie [mfn]‘Jie’ means sister, does not necessarily mean biological sister or someone within your relatives, it can also be used to call a woman older than you. Can but not necessarily denote closeness of their relationship. The same can be said for the use of ‘Ge’[/mfn] just went to your place. Can I come pick her up a bit later?

    Yang Chaosheng breathed a sigh of relief, thankfully it was just his biological sister. If it had been some lunatic spouting nonsense, he’d have been worried Ji Xiang wouldn’t know how to handle it.

    [Y]: Okay.

    After replying, he immediately called Yang Yueming herself.

    She picked up slowly, Yang Chaosheng waited through an entire red light before hearing her lazy voice. “Hello?”

    “Jie, don’t scare people like that,” he said helplessly. “When did you decide to show up? Why didn’t you give me a heads-up?”

    “Surprise visits reveal true colours,” Yang Yueming replied shamelessly, but then lowered her voice and said, “But your newlywed husband is kind of cute. I told him I was your ex-wife, and he actually offered me fruit. Seems a bit slow in the head.”

    “Don’t talk about him like that,” Yang Chaosheng said, displeased.

    “Tsk tsk, such a sweetheart. Cao Zhimian wasn’t wrong after all,” she said, glancing at Ji Xiang, who had hidden himself in the kitchen ever since she’d revealed her fake identity. “First love sure is powerful.”

    Yang Chaosheng sighed in frustration. “Hurry up and explain everything to him properly.”

    “What’s the rush? When you get back, we’ll clear things up together. That way it will be crystal clear.”

    “…I think you’re the one who’s slow in the head.”

    “Hey now, is that how you talk to your sister? …Hello? Hello?!” Yang Yueming heard the call cut off. “Little brat.”

    In the kitchen, Ji Xiang was cooking half-heartedly. Well, ‘cooking’ might not be the correct word. He was just stirring clam soup with a big spoon, absentmindedly passing the time.

    He genuinely had no idea how to face the ‘ex-wife’ who suddenly appeared into his living room.

    Even though Yang Chaosheng had denied it and told him to kick her out, Ji Xiang didn’t feel comfortable doing so. She was already inside. He figured he just had to hold out until Yang Chaosheng came home.

    Yang Chaosheng rushed back, riding right on the speed limit. The moment he entered the house, he yelled “Jie!” without a second thought.

    The earth-shattering shout startled both Yang Yueming, who was petting a cat on the sofa, and Ji Xiang, who was still stirring the clam soup in the kitchen.

    Ji Xiang was still dazed but he looked at Yang Chaosheng as if he’d just seen his saviour. He hadn’t quite caught what Yang Chaosheng had shouted.

    “Jie?” Who? His ex-wife?

    Yang Yueming put down her cup and stood up dramatically. “Did you teleport back?”

    Yang Chaosheng shot her a look, clearly annoyed that she was enjoying the chaos. “If your wife hadn’t messaged me, I wouldn’t have made it back in time before mine ran off.”

    Yang Yueming laughed heartlessly. Seeing that Ji Xiang was still confused, she extended her hand for a shake. “Hi, Ji Xiang. I’m Yang Chaosheng’s older sister, Yang Yueming. I was just messing around earlier, hope I didn’t scare you.”

    Then she pulled out a thick red envelope from her Hermès bag and stuffed it into his hand. “A little welcome gift, congrats on the wedding!”

    The sudden change in tone caught Ji Xiang completely off guard. The envelope felt like a brick, it didn’t even need to be opened to feel how thick it was. “No, no, this is too much… thank you, really, but I can’t accept it!”

    “Why not? We’re family, no need to be so polite.” Yang Yueming pulled her hand back and patted him on the shoulder, nodding at him.

    “Take it,” Yang Chaosheng gave him a reassuring look. “You deserve it after how she tried to scare you.”

    “Wow, Chaosheng, you really don’t respect your sister anymore,” Yang Yueming scoffed. “I’m here on Mom and Dad’s orders, you know.”

    Although she didn’t say the second part, that the main reason was to check out their new son-in-law, Ji Xiang.

    Cao Zhimian had long since stopped keeping secrets, so Yang Yueming had known for years that her dear little brother once had an unrequited first love, his ‘white moonlight’ [mfn]First love that a person didn’t manage to get together with[/mfn]. And at that time, he’d nearly abandoned his plans to study abroad over it.

    Luckily, he hadn’t let his one-sided love cloud his judgment. Now that he was reunited with his white moonlight, it wasn’t a bad outcome.

    Her first impression of Ji Xiang was good. He was handsome, a little dull maybe, but easy to get along with. His only flaw was being a bit too soft-hearted.

    To put it nicely, he was ‘calm and composed’, kind of like Yang Chaosheng.

    Yang Chaosheng walked over and wrapped an arm protectively around Ji Xiang, “Did Miaoguang say when she’s coming to pick you up?”

    “You’re kicking me out already?” Yang Yueming sighed. “So heartless, won’t even let your sister stay for dinner.”

    “Um… I did make dinner, though I’m not sure if it tastes good,” Ji Xiang said, glancing up at Yang Chaosheng, then turning to Yang Yueming. “If you don’t mind…”

    “Not at all, not at all. Sorry for dropping in unannounced.”

    She gave Ji Xiang a friendly smile. Then turned back to Yang Chaosheng with a smug smile saying,

    See? Even your spouse wants me to stay.

    In the end, Yang Chaosheng gave in. He was only trying to spare Ji Xiang from dealing with his family too soon. But since Ji Xiang had spoken up, he didn’t push it.

    Ji Xiang then turned to go back to the kitchen, with Yang Chaosheng following behind him like a giant tail. “Let me help.”

    Ji Xiang nodded and quietly closed the sliding glass door once he was inside.

    Yang Chaosheng didn’t notice it. He saw that the shredded potatoes were about to burn and turned the heat down. “What seasonings did you add?”

    “None yet,” Ji Xiang said nervously, leaning on the prep counter. “Your sister came so suddenly. I didn’t recognize her… and I think I got fooled. Do you think she has a bad impression of me now?”

    Yang Chaosheng added some salt and MSG, gave it a quick stir, and then plated it. “Don’t worry. She’s always like this, loves talking nonsense to mess with people. Don’t take it to heart.”

    “You said I should’ve kicked her out. Good thing I didn’t. I would’ve been screwed.”

    “Still, she was the one in the wrong,” Yang Chaosheng said, gently patting his head to comfort him. “Can you help me tie my apron?”

    With one hand holding a spatula and the other carrying blanched chicken wings, Yang Chaosheng was ready to cook. Ji Xiang turned to grab the apron hanging on the wall.

    “Lower your head a bit.”

    Ji Xiang wasn’t short for a beta, but alphas had a natural size advantage. On top of that, he often felt that Yang Chaosheng was like a towering tree.

    Yang Chaosheng obediently lowered his head so Ji Xiang could loop the strap around his neck.

    As he reached up and slid the strap down along Yang Chaosheng’s neck, their eyes met, Chaosheng’s gaze was soft, a small smile in his eyes, with Ji Xiang’s reflection clearly visible in them.

    “Ahem…” Ji Xiang cleared his throat awkwardly, stepping behind him to fumble with the apron strings. “Almost done.”

    “No rush,” Yang Chaosheng said calmly, watching him tie the knot. When it was finished, he added, “Thanks.”

    “You’re welcome…” But Ji Xiang’s voice was drowned out by the sizzle of chicken wings hitting hot oil.

    He helped where he could, washing vegetables, handing things over, taste testing. And before long, the kitchen was filled with a delicious aroma. Yang Chaosheng offered him a taste, but Ji Xiang refused firmly.

    “Yueming-jie is still outside. It wouldn’t be right to eat first.”

    “It’s okay.” Yang Chaosheng picked up a rib and held it to Ji Xiang’s lips. When he shyly took a bite, Yang Chaosheng quickly filled the empty spot on the plate with another. “See? No one can tell.”

    Ji Xiang chuckled. Yang Chaosheng’s cooking was truly amazing. But just then, he noticed Yang Yueming walking by with her head down, focused on her phone, and quickly turned back to hide besides Yang Chaosheng.

    People instinctively move closer to those that they’re most familiar with. After spending time with Yang Chaosheng and learning that Yang Yueming was now the powerful head of the Yang family, Ji Xiang really didn’t want to go out there alone.

    What he feared even more was someone discovering that their marriage was fake.

    “You don’t have to be that scared. Yang Yueming looks unserious, but she definitely understands your kindness.” Yang Chaosheng said, handing him a paper towel. “Her wife’s even younger than us. Guess how she [mfn]her wife[/mfn] won her [mfn]Yang Yueming[/mfn] over?”

    Seeing that some gossip was coming his way, Ji Xiang perked up. “How?”

    “Sweet talked her and left her speechless.” Yang Chaosheng smirked. “So, if Yang Yueming asks you something, don’t just answer everything. Treat her like a normal friend. Keep your cool and ask her questions instead, until she gets tired of answering. She likes to tease those who look at her as if they are at a loss.”

    Ji Xiang’s eyes lit up with understanding. Confidence restored, he carried the dishes out to call Yang Yueming to dinner.

    She was standing with her back to him, so he couldn’t see what she was doing.

    “Yueming-jie, come eat!” he called cheerfully.

    Halfway into using his sweet-talk skills, she turned around… her phone screen clearly showing a video call.

    Ji Xiang froze mid-motion as a voice asked from the phone: “Is… that Ji Xiang?”

    Yang Yueming had just wanted to show her worried overseas parents that their son’s flash marriage was legit. She hadn’t meant for them to meet Ji Xiang just yet, especially not through a video call. What if he got scared twice in a row?

    But there was no stopping it now. With an awkward nod, she said, “Dad, Mom, this is Ji Xiang. And yes, we’ve met. Chaosheng’s here too, don’t worry, the newlyweds are doing great.”

    Mom and Dad?!

    Ji Xiang felt like he’d been struck by lightning. He reacted fast, barely seeing their faces before blurting out, “Hello, Uncle, Auntie!”

    Yang Chaosheng heard the commotion, assumed Yang Yueming was up to something again, and stepped out, frowning. “Yang Yueming.”

    She waved him off, signaling him to stay calm and slung an arm around Ji Xiang’s shoulder, speaking on their behalf.

    “Yup, also gave him the red envelope. It’s fine, you’ll officially meet him when you’re back. He’s just a bit shy. We’re about to eat, so Chaosheng will update you later. I still have to leave with Miaoguang. Okay, take care. Bye!”

    Ji Xiang’s smile was practically frozen by the end. As soon as the call ended, he let out a huge sigh of relief.

    Yang Yueming gave him a big thumbs-up. Chaosheng came over, gently squeezing Ji Xiang’s hand, and murmured, “Sorry… I’ll talk to them later.”

    “It’s fine. I am just worried I messed it up.” Ji Xiang patted his back to reassure him. Then, with a grin, said in a brotherly tone, “You helped me deal with my parents, I owe you this. Don’t worry.”

    Yang Chaosheng sighed quietly.

    What to do? He has already become addicted to treating Ji Xiang as his wife, but Ji Xiang only wants to be his good brother.

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T/N:- I forgot to mention this on the previous post, if you are buying me a ☕, please mention the name of the novel or the abbreviation (i.e. WHIF), so I can know that I have to post the respective number of extra chapters (since we have, no. of Kofi☕ = no. of extra chapters) for this novel.

Thank you.

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