Chapter 34: When People Feel Awkward, They Tend to Boss Others Around
Chi Wang was exhilarated as he played with the camera. He searched for tutorials and quickly got the hang of it, taking several photos of Xiaomi.
Xiaomi was super smart and even knew how to pose. Chi Wang snapped away, and every photo was so clear that you could see the direction and shine of each strand of fur.
“What a great camera!” Chi Wang then turned to take photos of Xie Sichen.
Xie didn’t like being photographed and instinctively turned his head to avoid the lens.
Chi Wang exclaimed, “Don’t dodge the camera! Senior, you’re so handsome. No matter what angle I shoot from, it’ll look good. Help boost my confidence in photography!”
Xie: “…”
With a blank expression, Xie faced the camera, his gaze lingering on Chi Wang’s upturned lips. That gleaming canine tooth gave him a touch of feline agility and sharpness.
He was always spirited, his eyes shining brightly.
Holding the camera, Chi Wang half-knelt on the ground to photograph Xie. After shooting, he reviewed the images and, adopting the demeanor of a photography master, nodded calmly. “Hmm, the results are excellent. As expected of me—mastering photography in five minutes. The composition, the lighting—perfect score!”
While praising himself, he also complimented Xie, “Of course, it helps that the model is naturally good-looking; you can’t take a bad photo.”
Xie couldn’t help but sit up straighter, holding a book in his hand. His voice was cool. “Take a few more shots.”
“Sure thing.” Chi Wang grinned as he continued to find angles to photograph Xie.
Xie consciously changed poses.
Although he didn’t like being photographed, Xie knew how to make good photos and struck elegant poses.
Getting into it, he even went back to his bedroom to change outfits for Chi Wang to shoot.
Chi Wang cooperated, and they spent the evening taking many photos. Chi Wang showed them to Xie, who glanced at them and agreed they were quite good. He praised Chi Wang, “You have talent.”
Chi Wang beamed with pride. “I think so too.”
He was so pleased that he took the camera to bed, placing it on the bedside table so he could see it whenever he turned his head.
Xie: “…”
He didn’t quite understand.
Putting aside his enthusiasm for photography for the moment, Chi Wang needed to fulfill the promises he had made.
After receiving the yarn he ordered online, Chi Wang began setting aside time to knit items for Xiaomi and Xie.
Knitting with thick yarn is quicker; you can finish a scarf in about an hour. But because the yarn is thick, there are gaps, it’s cold when the wind blows through, and the texture isn’t as good as fine yarn.
Since he had made promises, he couldn’t just do a sloppy job.
When you’re out in the world, sincerity matters; otherwise, how could Chi Wang have so many friends?
Chi Wang used the best cashmere yarn, casting on 128 stitches—a significant project. Contrary to what he told Xie about finishing in an hour, it required much more time.
Because it was a big project, after casting on, he set it aside and first made four paw shoes for Xiaomi, custom-made after measuring Xiaomi’s paws.
Chi Wang was an experienced craftsman; it wasn’t difficult. It took about two hours to finish. The insoles were made of soft cowhide wrapped with suede, double-layered for warmth.
He got the shoes ready for Xiaomi first.
When Xie returned, he immediately noticed and looked at Chi Wang with a cool expression, but Chi Wang felt as if he had something to say.
He didn’t speak, and Xie also said nothing, quietly taking Xiaomi out for a walk.
Chi Wang leaned out of the upstairs window, watching as Xie put on a white helmet, slipped his hands into the white windproof gloves attached to the scooter’s cover, and rode the electric scooter out of the front yard, with Xiaomi running behind.
Chi Wang chuckled and took a photo with his phone, sending it to the group chat.
Luo Lianyun and Shu Tingyu were immediately drawn out.
“Is that Xie Sichen?”
“He’s walking the dog on an electric scooter? So down-to-earth?”
Chi Wang said, “It was my idea. What do you think? Not bad, right?”
Luo: “…Pretty good.”
It’s just that Xie’s style didn’t match with the electric scooter at all. Some people give off an immediate vibe that they don’t fit with things like street stalls, food stalls, or electric scooters.
Even more incongruous was that the scooter had a windproof cover. If there weren’t regulations against installing windshields on scooters, would he have added one too?
It was really jarring.
Looking at it this way, Xie could really adapt, even showing a hint of being henpecked.
Luo wanted to ask about the progress of Chi Wang and Xie’s relationship but felt there was no need. Chi Wang had his own ideas, and as friends, they couldn’t offer much advice.
Shu asked about the baby’s check-up results. Chi Wang replied, “All good, very healthy.”
Speaking of this, his mood dipped again.
Chi Wang frowned, realizing he was starting to avoid the issue.
Does avoidance solve problems? No.
Then he shouldn’t avoid it.
He needed to change this small habit of getting tangled up.
It’s not a big deal; it’s not good to stay in a bad mood.
Though he thought this way, Chi Wang couldn’t adjust immediately. After chatting in the group about some academic topics, he prepared to get to work.
He was engrossed in his computer when his phone rang. Chi Wang looked at it—it was an unfamiliar number.
He had a premonition and answered the call. Sure enough, it was Qiao Yuzhen.
As soon as she started speaking, she said, “You’ve got quite a temper now. I can’t control you anymore. Since you want to know, I’ll tell you, but you have to give me 3,600 yuan. I checked; a paternity test costs 3,600 yuan. You might as well give me the money.”
“…” Chi Wang leaned back in his chair. “3,600 yuan? You’re robbing me. Paternity tests aren’t that expensive.”
Qiao retorted confidently, “That’s how much it costs at the top-tier hospital here, but they have to send it to another lab, so of course it’s expensive! Will you give it or not?”
Chi Wang calmly said, “No. Do you remember what I said before? I owe you money, but I can choose not to pay it back. The vast ocean is open to fish; the sky is high for birds to fly. Blood ties can’t bind me.”
Qiao held back her anger and said, “Fine, I’ll tell you! But you have to keep giving me money. Chi Cheng is your brother; you can’t ignore him.”
Chi Wang said, “Tell me first.”
Since the last time she was infuriated by Chi Wang, Qiao had seriously thought for a few days. Indeed, they had agreed that after paying back the money, Chi Wang wouldn’t care about them anymore. They had witnesses, wrote IOUs, and signed with fingerprints—she couldn’t deny it. But she also found out that the law doesn’t support children paying back money to their parents!
If Chi Wang really refused to give money, she couldn’t do anything!
If only Chi Kangnian were around; at least as a man, he could intimidate Chi Wang a bit. Now, it was just her and Chi Cheng. Like Chi Wang said, how could she possibly travel all the way to his school to find him?
So she could only compromise. Qiao pouted and told the truth, “You’re indeed not my biological son. Satisfied now?”
Chi Wang felt a slight stir in his heart and asked, “Then where did you get me? Did you buy me?”
Qiao quickly distanced herself; she knew buying children was illegal. “How could I have bought you! I didn’t have money to buy you.”
She paused and said, “I found you—you were abandoned, okay? And it was winter. If I hadn’t picked you up, you would’ve frozen to death.”
Chi Wang: “…”
Qiao said, “I’ve told you everything. Now send me the money. Chi Cheng has an older brother who’s like not having one. Raising you was a waste.”
Chi Wang: “…You’ve made me unhappy. I won’t send you money now.”
Qiao: “??”
She was furious. “You never intended to give me money, did you?”
Chi Wang sighed, “I was honestly sending you money, but you always make me unhappy. When I’m unhappy, I want to lose my temper.”
After saying that, he hung up and added the new number to the blacklist.
He felt a bit of a headache; perhaps being pregnant made him more emotional.
Maybe he was too idle; he decided to knit a scarf to clear his mind.
Chi Wang stood up, about to return to his bedroom, when he saw Xie standing behind him. “Whoa!” Chi Wang rarely swore but was genuinely startled. “Why do you walk without making a sound?”
Xie silently looked at him. Wasn’t it a bit late to ask that question now?
Chi Wang criticized, “Just like the housekeeper, walking around like a ghost.”
Xie didn’t say anything.
Chi Wang scratched his head, feeling a bit awkward, not knowing how much Xie had heard. His lousy phone had poor sound quality; seeing no one around, he had put it on speaker.
Family matters shouldn’t be aired publicly; Chi Wang knew this well, so he hadn’t told even his closest friends about his family situation.
Chi Wang took the initiative, “I feel like eating roasted sweet potatoes.”
When people feel awkward, they tend to pretend to be busy, change the subject, or boss others around.
Xie said, “Alright, I’ll go buy some now.”
He picked up his phone and went out.
Chi Wang picked up his phone and angrily bought a new 3,000-yuan smartphone.
This lousy phone should’ve been scrapped long ago!
Xie went out, walking to the school gate to buy roasted sweet potatoes.
He picked a large one and paid for it. The weather was cold, and the heat dissipated quickly.
After thinking for a moment, Xie put the roasted sweet potato inside his coat and walked home.
At the same time, he took out his phone and called Zuo Qianxing, asking him to help investigate Chi Wang’s background.
Zuo was puzzled but didn’t ask and agreed directly.
But not long after, Xie called again and said it wasn’t necessary.
Zuo: “…”
He was starting to not understand Xie.
Xie didn’t explain to him.
His concern made him irrational; he couldn’t use such a method to pry into Chi Wang’s privacy.
When he returned home, Chi Wang was still waiting in the living room. Xie took the roasted sweet potato out from inside his coat and handed it to him. It had been placed close to his body and was still steaming when he took it out.
Chi Wang was a bit surprised; he hadn’t expected Xie to keep the sweet potato warm in his coat for him.
Although it was a small gesture, it was something he had done for others, but no one had done for him.
He hadn’t thought that Xie, with his stern appearance, could be so considerate.
Chi Wang smiled, an inexplicable joy uplifting him. He became happy again. When he reached out to take the sweet potato, Xie pulled back his hand. “I’ll peel it for you.”
Saying this, Xie sat down and began peeling the sweet potato bit by bit. His movements were a bit clumsy but careful. In a short while, he had peeled it clean, leaving a layer of skin at the bottom for Chi Wang to hold.
Chi Wang took the sweet potato, took a bite, and gave a thumbs-up. “So sweet!”
Thoughtful hubby