Chapter 134: Eavesdropping

Since I was unable to move my limbs, I had to trouble Xu Shu to hold my mobile phone to my ear. The call connected after two rings. Before I could even speak, my younger sister Tang Ying’s voice burst through: "Brother! Is that you? What on earth are you doing? You didn't come home for the New Year, and you haven't been answering your phone. Do you want to worry us to death? I even went to the police station to report you missing! Honestly! You couldn't even let the family have a peaceful New Year!"

I had already considered that my injuries were unlikely to heal in the short term, and there was no way to keep this from my family. Besides, I couldn't keep letting Xu Shu take care of me; it would be more convenient to have my own kin here. So, I said, "I'm sorry, Ying, for making you all worry. I had an accident and I’m in the hospital now. But don't worry too much, I’m not in any serious danger."

"What? A hospital? What happened to you? It’s the New Year—don't scare me like this!"

I laughed. "Why would I scare you? I’m talking to you just fine, aren't I? I’m just a little banged up, nothing major!"

The voice on the other end immediately changed to my mother's. "Xiao Qian, are you hurt? Is it serious? You’ve worried your mother to death! Why didn't you call home sooner? Do you have any idea how anxious I’ve been?"

Hearing my mother’s voice, thick with tears, a lump formed in my throat, and I nearly wept. *Tang Qian, you are truly unfilial. You’re all grown up and still making your parents worry!*

I forced a laugh and said, "Mom, I’m sorry. It was wrong of me to make you worry. I’ll make sure it doesn't happen again next time!"

"Wait... there's going to be a next time?"

My father’s voice cut in immediately. "Xiao Qian! Which hospital are you in? We’re coming over right now!"

I looked at my body, covered in bandages, and really didn't want my family to see me in this state. But there was no hiding it now, so I asked Xu Shu, "Which hospital is this?"

I happened to look at Xu Shu, who was holding the phone; she was staring at me blankly, seemingly deaf to my words. I had to say, "Hey! I’m asking you a question!"

Xu Shu snapped back to reality, her face flushing a deep red. "Ah? What?"

I chuckled. "I asked, what hospital is this?"

"Oh, it's the Bo'ai Hospital," she replied, lowering her head and speaking softly.

I felt like something was off with Xu Shu, but I didn't have the time to look into it. I spoke into the phone: "Dad, I’m at the Bo'ai Hospital. Um, I don't think Mom needs to come over. I look a little... frightening right now."

"Is that so? Sigh! All right, we’re coming anyway!"

After the call ended, Xu Shu took back the phone and said with a smile, "Your family is so close."

I smiled but didn't reply, my head already aching as I thought about how I would explain this sorry state to my family when they arrived.

Outside, the sounds of firecrackers and fireworks grew louder and more frequent. I suppose the New Year was about to arrive. Just then, my phone rang again. Xu Shu picked it up, glanced at the screen, and smiled. "Hey, it's my sister calling! Do you want to take it?"

I gave a sheepish laugh and nodded. Xu Shu answered and held the phone to my ear, then, without asking, leaned over and pressed her own ear against the phone—clearly, she intended to eavesdrop.

I broke into a cold sweat. Before I could react, Xu Xin’s cheerful voice came through: "Brother Tang Qian! Happy New Year! Haha!"

I had to reply, "Happy New Year!" In my heart, I was praying: *Xin, please! Don't say anything about that 'five years from now' business! Your sister is listening right here! Buddha protect me!*

"Brother Tang Qian, what are you doing? I’m so bored at home! The Spring Festival Gala is just the same old thing; it’s not even as fun as surfing the internet!"

"I’m not doing much of anything! That's just how the New Year goes!"

"Sigh, boring! Brother Tang Qian... I miss you. Wouldn't it be great if you were by my side right now?"

I sweated. I stole a glance at Xu Shu to see her reaction. Her beautiful face, pressed close to mine, held a cryptic smile. Her large eyes blinked, revealing nothing. I smelled a faint, delicate fragrance coming from her; if my heart weren't already spoken for, I would have been completely spellbound. The phone was in her hand, so there was no getting rid of her. Though it was her sister calling, it was understandable she would care, but eavesdropping so blatantly on someone else's conversation was simply immoral!

I was frustrated, but the call was already in progress. I couldn't exactly tell the phone, "Xu Shu, stop listening," so I bit the bullet and said, "Haha! Kids love to talk nonsense. How could I possibly be by your side right now?"

Xu Xin didn't catch the nuance. She said, "I’m just wishing! But my dad already agreed to let me go to my sister’s place on the third day of the New Year. I can stay until the eighth! That’s five whole days! You have to come keep me company every day then. We’ll have a great time. Oh... and, Brother Tang Qian, when no one’s around, I’ll let you kiss me!"

*My... my god! Please, have mercy on me!*

I was soaked in cold sweat and didn't even dare to look at Xu Shu. I hurriedly said to Xu Xin, "Um... let’s talk about that when you get here! I, I, I actually have something to take care of right now. Let’s talk later, talk later!" As I said this, I turned my head away, signaling for Xu Shu to hang up. To my dismay, Xu Shu silently pressed the phone back to my ear, ignoring my signal.

*Please, no...*

"Hey! Hey!" Xu Xin called out from the phone, then added, "Brother Tang Qian, what are you doing? Don't hang up! I haven't even talked to you for a minute yet! Are you listening?"

I could only sigh and say, "I'm listening." Meanwhile, I cursed Xu Shu internally for being so underhanded and despicable, using this method to pry into the privacy between her sister and me. If I had known, I wouldn't have agreed to take the call. What a tactical blunder!

Xu Xin said, "That's better! Brother Tang Qian... are you starting to hate me?"

"Hate you? No, why would I?" I thought, *Xu Shu, if you want to listen, you might as well listen to your heart's content. I have nothing to hide regarding your sister.*

But then I reconsidered: was the five-year promise with a young girl something I shouldn't hide? *Sigh! My head hurts! Forget it! Poor me, suffering from severe injuries, separated from my lover, and now having to face this awkward situation. It’s karma! All this is retribution for my past indiscretions!*

"You don't? Then why haven't you called me even once since I got back? I’ve always been the one calling you!"

"Um... well, I’ve been really busy lately. You know, I just started a new job, and I’ve been handling almost all the preparations for the company by myself. Besides, I think you should focus on your studies. I don't want to disturb you or affect your schoolwork, so..."

"Here we go again! You've told me that eight hundred times; my ears are calloused from hearing it. Can't you come up with something new?"

"Even if you don't want to hear it, I have to say it. Aren't you a student? Is your workload not heavy? If you don't study, how will you get ahead in the future?"

"Fine, fine, fine! You win, okay? I really can't stand you. I haven't even married you yet and you're already this nagging; if I ever become your wife, won't I be managed to death? Sigh, whatever, I like you, so I suppose I brought this on myself! Tee-hee!"

"..." *Sweat!*

"Brother Tang Qian! Sometimes I think... what if my family objects to us being together in the future? After all, there’s such a big age gap between us; they won't find it easy to accept."

"Oh? You’ve thought of that? You seem a lot more mature than you were a few days ago!"

"Don't praise me; I’ve thought about it seriously. Brother Tang Qian, don't worry. No matter what happens, I’m going to marry you. The only one in my family who might support me is my brother. The others can't be relied upon."

"Your brother? Why would he support you?"

"Brother Tang Qian, don't look at me like I’m ignorant. I know my brother is a man of integrity, a true hero who values loyalty above all else. In his eyes, worldly prejudices are worth nothing. As long as we are truly in love, he will definitely support me. I am absolutely certain of that!"

Seeing such depth in young Xu Xin, I couldn't help but look at her with fresh eyes. Xu Jian was exactly that kind of person in my mind, and I deeply respected him. I just hadn't expected that Xu Xin, who seemed so mischievous and disrespectful toward her older brother, had such a profound understanding of him deep down.

I suddenly thought of Xu Shu and really wanted to hear what Xu Xin truly thought of her sister—and let Xu Shu, who was eavesdropping, hear it too. So I asked, "What about your sister? As far as I know, she’s a woman of genuine character and goodness. She dotes on you so much, why do you think she can't be relied upon?"

"My sister? Sigh... she’s been nothing but good to me! I’ve been closest to her since I was little; she’s probably the best sister in the world. If there’s something delicious, she always lets me have it first; if there’s something fun, she always lets me have it first. Whatever good things come along, she always makes sure I get them. Even though I’m a rebel, I’ve never fought with her. I’m willing to share all my thoughts with her... except, of course, things about you! Tee-hee!"

I turned my head and saw Xu Shu’s eyes brimming with tears, clearly touched by her sister’s words.

I turned back and said, "If that's the case, then why don't you think she’ll approve?"

"I... I don't know if I should tell you, but I know that if it’s about us, she’ll definitely be the first one to jump out and oppose it."

I asked in surprise, "Why?"

"Um... because I see things clearly as a bystander, I know..." Before I could hear the end of the sentence, Xu Shu jumped away as if she had been electrocuted. At the same time, she put the phone to her own ear and quickly walked to the other side of the room. I saw her face turn from red to pale, her snowy teeth biting her lower lip tightly.

I was baffled! What on earth was Xu Shu doing? I hadn't finished listening yet!