Chapter 31: 31

Huo Xiang and Bai Zhen Zhen turned their heads in astonishment. Standing in front of them, Su Meng had the same astonished expression on her face.

“Su… Su Meng?!”

Huo Xiang and Bai Zhen Zhen were dumbfounded.

Su Meng chuckled awkwardly, explaining: “Don’t blame me, I suddenly really needed to go to the toilet…”

Bai Zhen Zhen spread her hands: “Since you’ve already found out, then there’s no point hiding it.”

Huo Xiang shrugged: “Then the two of you can discuss about it in detail in the toilet. I’m going to go pee.”

Bai Zhen Zhen really followed Su Meng into the toilet. However, she didn’t need to go, thus she stood outside waiting for Su Meng. Meanwhile, she checked the other stalls, making sure that it wasn’t locked and that there were no one else around.

“I feel that it’s a little strange for us to communicate like this.” Bai Zhen Zhen said abashedly.

In the stall, Su Meng replied in an easy-going manner: “It’s ok, just speak freely! There’s no one else here. If we speak after going back, that little idol would be there.”

Bai Zhen Zhen kept the story short, explaining certain matters between Huo Xiang and her to Su Meng.

“Actually, Huo Xiang and I are in a contract marriage. His grandfather wanted him to find a partner sooner. As for me, I didn’t want to be pursued by that CEO Ling today, so the two of us came up with this idea, but we won’t interfere with each other’s lives.”

As she spoke, Su Meng finished up and exited the stall, walking over to the sink to wash her hands. She glanced at Bai Zhen Zhen in surprise: “But why do I feel that your relationship is pretty good?”

“Of course our relationship is good!” Bai Zhen Zhen admitted without hesitation, adding on after a pause, “But it’s not a romantic relationship…”

Su Meng’s mouth curled up into an ambiguous smile: “Are you sure?”

Bai Zhen Zhen nodded.

“Since you said that, then if I pursue him… You won’t have any opinions on that?” Su Meng pretended to be excited.

“What kind of opinions could I have!” Bai Zhen Zhen answered without thought.

Su Meng raised her eyebrows. She didn’t speak, but “I understand” was written all over her face. Turning around, she walked out of the toilet.

Bai Zhen Zhen hurriedly caught up to her, reminding her in a quiet voice: “Sister Meng, please help us keep the matter of our fake marriage a secret!”

“Don’t worry!” Su Meng patted Bai Zhen Zhen on the shoulder, “Those people are just strangers to me. As your sister, of course I will help you keep it a secret!”

Bai Zhen Zhen smiled in response, finally feeling relieved.

****

When Bai Zhen Zhen and Su Meng returned to the small table, Huo Xiang had already returned and was chatting with Xi Xixi. As Bai Zhen Zhen sat down, she exchanged looks with Huo Xiang. After the three of them were seated, they continued drinking and chatting as if nothing had happened.

Su Meng casually glanced over at the beach volleyball court, and realised that the people who were playing volleyball just now had left, thus she proposed a game of beach volleyball.

Bai Zhen Zhen agreed to Su Meng’s suggestion. She wanted to try everything that she had not experienced before.

Xi Xixi was naturally also elated: “Okay! When I was in school, I was on the school’s volleyball team! If I wasn’t scouted and joined an entertainment company, I think I would probably go on to study sports science.”

Huo Xiang remarked: “Not only can you sing, dance and rap, you also play volleyball. You really have limitless potential!”

“Thank you, Brother Huo Xiang!” Xi Xixi couldn’t understand the connection between these terms, but still thanked him politely.

On the other hand, Bai Zhen Zhen was wondering to herself: “Did the entertainment news in this novel automatically synchronize with the real world? Huo Xiang actually knew about this incident?!*

The four of them walked over to the beach volleyball court together.

While warming up, Huo Xiang asked Bai Zhen Zhen: “What did you and Su Meng talk about just now?”

“I explained our motives for entering our contract marriage to her truthfully, and asked her to keep it a secret for us.” Bai Zhen Zhen replied.

“She agreed?”

“Yes.” Bai Zhen Zhen added on, “I sold you out.”

Huo Xiang: “…How much? Three thousand dollars?”

Bai Zhen Zhen: “…Can we look past this old grudge?!”

Huo Xiang: “Relax, I’ll remember it forever!”

Bai Zhen Zhen: “…”

“Sister Meng!” Bai Zhen Zhen suddenly called out to Su Meng, “Why don’t you team up with Xiang Xiang? I haven’t played this before, so I need someone who can play volleyball well to carry me.”

Huo Xiang was dumbfounded: “What do you mean by that? You’re really selling me out?!”

Bai Zhen Zhen laughed out loud, but didn’t respond to him.

“No, didn’t you previously mention that you don’t want to have further interactions with this idol? Why are you teaming up with him now?” Huo Xiang lowered his voice, confused.

Bai Zhen Zhen said: “I just don’t want him to be grateful to me, so I gave you the opportunity to touch his heart instead! And, we’re married. He won’t have any wayward thoughts about me!”

Bai Zhen Zhen walked around the volleyball net over to Xi Xixi’s side.

“Let’s team up. If you carry me to victory during this game, I will acknowledge you as my younger brother. In the future, I will support you. What do you think?” Bai Zhen Zhen said.

Xi Xixi paused for a moment, before splitting into a wide grin: “Okay!”

— System: “You’re amazing, host! You’ve successfully changed the third male lead’s affection for you.”

— Bai Zhen Zhen: “What does that mean? Do you foresee that he won’t have any more romantic feelings for me?!”

— System: “Based on my calculations, the third male lead has not developed any romantic feelings for you thus far. The initial starting point of his romance towards you has also disappeared.”

— Bai Zhen Zhen: “Nice! And it doesn’t break the rules, right?”

— System: “…it doesn’t.”

— Bai Zhen Zhen: “Wait. When I met Ling Hao Chen and Jiang Mu Yang, you didn’t say such things. Don’t tell me they…”

— System: “…it’s as you think.”

— Bai Zhen Zhen: “Sigh!”

****

The beach volleyball game officially began.

It was a game of best of three. Bai Zhen Zhen thought that they would win easily. Unexpectedly, though Xi Xixi was strong, Huo Xiang was not far behind either. In addition, Su Meng was more proficient than her, thus they lost the first round.

In the second round, Xi Xixi became more focused. Bai Zhen Zhen had also picked up some skills, and the two of them narrowly defeated the other team.

In the final round, both teams were extremely serious.

“Brother Huo Xiang, if you lose, you’ll gain a younger brother. Are you sure you don’t want to concede just a little?” Xi Xixi joked.

Huo Xiang cracked his knuckles, replying: “I can gain a younger brother by losing, but if I win, you’ll still call me ‘Brother’, and Zhen Zhen will still be your sister-in-law. So, to me, winning or losing doesn’t matter. It’s just that my strength is telling me that I can win!”

“Alright, then let’s wait and see who wins!” Both sides spit out competitive words.

The game was about to start.

As expected of veterans who had gone through two bloody battles, both teams had came out more experienced, and also had a glimpse of each other’s tricks and habits.

The gap between their scores remained narrow. At the critical moment, Xi Xixi burst out with strength, and finally grabbed the match point with a spike.

They just needed to win one more point, before they could bring home the victory.

“Come on, we can do it!” Bai Zhen Zhen cheered on, “It’s time to slap your brother-in-law in the face!”

Huo Xiang heard her words, and stood on the opposite side with his hands on his hips, shouting: “Bai Zhen Zhen, what do you mean by that? Domestic violence?!”

As fast as lightning, Xi Xixi had already served the ball.

This time, the ball flew over lightly, falling just past the net. At this moment, Huo Xiang was standing forward, while Su Meng was standing behind. The two of them exchanged a quick glance and tacitly agreed that Huo Xiang would receive this ball.

Huo Xiang rushed forward and stretched out this arms to receive it. However, he had rushed out too quickly and couldn’t catch his balance in time. Tilting forward, he slammed harshly on the ground.

The volleyball also hit the ground at that moment.

“Ah Xiang!” Seeing this, Bai Zhen Zhen shouted anxiously, about to rush over.

However, Su Meng was faster. She ran forward and knelt down beside Huo Xiang.

“Huo Xiang, are you alright!” Su Meng asked worriedly.

Bai Zhen Zhen’s step paused for a moment, before she subconsciously slowed her pace as she approached them by the side.

“I’m fine. Look at all of you making such a big fuss!” Huo Xiang stood up with Su Meng’s help, shaking his head.

He brushed the sand off his body, pretending to be relaxed. However, Su Meng saw the blood seeping from his arm.

“You’re bleeding!” Su Meng shouted. She raised her head and said to Huo Xiang, “Let’s go! I’ll accompany you to clean the wound!”

“No need, it’s just a small scratch.” Huo Xiang replied.

“Brother Huo Xiang, you should still get it cleaned out. It’s easy for it to become infected in this hot weather.” Xi Xixi also persuaded.

Bai Zhen Zhen pursed her lips by the side, sweeping her eyes over Su Meng’s hand, which was gripping Huo Xiang’s wrist, sighing to herself: Sister Meng is very proactive!

Huo Xiang hesitated for a while, but finally nodded.

He turned back to Xi Xixi: “I didn’t manage to receive this ball, so I guess you won. In the future, you will be our younger brother!”

“Haha, then should I call you ‘brother-in-law’ from now on?” Xi Xixi laughed.

“Don’t procrastinate any more, go deal with the wound!” Su Meng interrupted them, dragging Huo Xiang into the hotel.

As she passed by Bai Zhen Zhen, she didn’t even look at her, directly ignoring her.

Huo Xiang winked at Bai Zhen Zhen, meaning for her to follow them. Unexpectedly, Bai Zhen Zhen was in a daze, and didn’t move a muscle. He was thus dragged away by “strong woman” Su Meng.

Xi Xixi stayed by Bai Zhen Zhen’s side, awkwardly asking: “Sister Zhen Zhen, should we go over and have a look?”

Bai Zhen Zhen recovered her senses, and smiled at Xi Xixi: “No need. Sister Meng often travels overseas on business. She clearly has experience with such incidents. We can rest assured with her helping to deal with the wound!”

“I- I’m not talking about that…” Xi Xixi scratched his head, not knowing how to express what he meant.

Bai Zhen Zhen actually understood what he was trying to say, but she pretended otherwise.

“Okay, it’s getting late. I’ll head back to shower and change.” Bai Zhen Zhen excused herself.

“Then… Let’s have dinner together later?” Xi Xixi asked.

“Ok.”

Bai Zhen Zhen agreed, before leaving.

As she walked back, she questioned herself: “Why was I so anxious just now? It’s just a minor scrape, and not anything major…”

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****

On the other hand, Su Meng dragged Huo Xiang to the hotel receptionist. After explaining the situation to the front desk, the staff led him to the first-aid room.

In the first-aid room, Su Meng sat on a chair beside him, watching the staff bandage Huo Xiang’s wound. She half-jokingly asked him: ” ‘Unhappiness’ is written all over your face. Do you want to complain about my actions? It was out of goodwill that I helped you get here!”

“You think too much. I’m just a little uncomfortable because of the wound.” Huo Xiang replied.

“Oh, I didn’t know that guys would also say things that they don’t mean.” Su Meng crossed her hands in front of her chest, speaking with interest, “You’re already a grown adult. If you’re unhappy, just say so! Why would you still hesitate? Be honest, you actually wanted Zhen Zhen to send you here, right?”

Right at that moment, the staff smeared some antiseptic cream on Huo Xiang’s wound, causing Huo Xiang to cry out with an “Ouch”.

Su Meng couldn’t help but laugh: “Look, who asked you to be dishonest! Now you’re reaping the consequences!”

The hotel staff rushed to apologise to Huo Xiang: “I’m sorry, sir…”

“It’s ok, just quickly bandage me up!” Huo Xiang urged.

He glared at Su Meng again.

A few minutes later, Huo Xiang’s wound was bandaged. He walked out of the first-aid room with Su Meng.

The two of them walked along the hotel corridor. Su Meng still hung on to the earlier topic, refusing to let him brush it off.

“Huo Xiang, you must have been very disappointed when you didn’t see Zhen Zhen rush over, right? After all, your own wife doesn’t care about you as much as a passerby like me. Thinking about it is infuriating, isn’t it?”

Huo Xiang frowned, retorting: “Don’t you already know our secret? Why do you still say such things?”

“Of course I know your secret.” Su Meng raised her eyebrows, “Your secret is — The two of you clearly like each other, yet neither of you will admit it.”

Huo Xiang immediately denied: “I don’t like her. You know that we are only in a contract marriage!”

Su Meng laughed heartily: “Look, you really refused to admit it.”

Huo Xiang: “…”

“But I’m curious. Since you’ve already gotten the marriage certificate, and your feelings are reciprocated, why don’t you just make the relationship real?” Su Meng continued, “Are the two of you too embarrassed to take the first step? Huo Xiang, this is on you! You’re a man; you need to be more proactive!”

“Am I not proactive enough?!” Huo Xiang blurted out. After that, he realised that he had exposed his true thoughts, and immediately fell silent.

Su Meng didn’t continue to tease him.

She squeezed out a shallow smile, but a sad look fell over her face for the first time.

“Huo Xiang, some people… Once you’ve missed the opportunity, they will never appear in front of you again. So, you must learn to treasure those beside you…”

Huo Xiang was affected by Su Meng’s current mood and couldn’t help but ask quietly: “Are you alright, Su Meng? You don’t look too good…”

“I’m fine.” Su Meng shook her head, pressing her sadness back down, before continuing, “Let’s talk about you and Zhen Zhen. From the looks of it, you truly like her, right?”

Huo Xiang’s eyes looked about furtively.

He probed the surroundings and made sure that there was no one around, before reluctantly replying: “I guess so.”

Su Meng raised her eyebrows in approval: “Not bad, you’ve become more honest. Since you like her, why don’t you tell her? I can tell that she likes you too.”

“Really?! How do you see that?!” Huo Xiang couldn’t hide his surprise.

“The moment you fell just now, I saw her entire face changed. She wanted to rush over, but I was quicker.”

“That only means she cares about me…” Huo Xiang frowned, “It doesn’t mean that she likes me that way…”

“That’s where you don’t understand,” Su Meng smiled, “A woman’s intuition is the most accurate, and a person’s eyes are the windows to their soul. I saw the way she looked at you at that moment, and I just knew!”

It was the second time today that Huo Xiang heard that sentence.

The first time was at the hospital. The nurse had teased him, saying that he had a certain look in his eyes when he guarded over Bai Zhen Zhen the whole night, and that the way he looked at her couldn’t deceive anyone.

This time, it was from Su Meng, mentioning about the way Bai Zhen Zhen looked at him.

“It seems to be true…” Huo Xiang was a little excited, “So she also likes me?”

“Otherwise?” Su Meng rolled his eyes at him, “I really don’t understand the two of you. The both of you have feelings for each other, and you’re also recognised as a couple in the eyes of the law, but the two of you just refuse to admit it. Zhen Zhen, that silly goose, even thought that I really liked you and wanted to matchmake us…”

“She really said so?” Huo Xiang became disappointed again.

“Relax, she was just spouting empty words. She probably hadn’t come to her senses at that time yet!” Su Meng’s lips raised involuntarily as she thought of what happened.

Huo Xiang remained silent.

After walking a short distance, Su Meng noticed that Huo Xiang had no response, and asked: “Why aren’t you talking? Are you not going to prepare to confess?”

Huo Xiang’s lips curled up, but it didn’t look like he was smiling. He replied: “Forget about it.”

“Why?” Su Meng was puzzled.

Huo Xiang turned his head to look at Su Meng. His throat moved, but no sound came out.

After a few seconds of silence, he finally responded: “She and I… have an insurmountable gap between us. It is impossible for us to truly be together.”

Su Meng was stunned for a few seconds, before asking weakly: “What do you mean? Are your parents mortal enemies, or does one of you have a terminal illness?!”

Huo Xiang stared at Su Meng in disdain.

Su Meng laughed awkwardly: “Isn’t that how it’s written in novels… Otherwise… What kind of gap could there be?!”

Huo Xiang didn’t know where to start explaining it to Su Meng, so he simply replied according to her ideas: “Actually you guessed right, I do have a terminal illness. I was in the hospital last month, and the doctor told me that if I was lucky, I still had a year and a half left to live. But there is also a possibility that I only have a month or two left…”

This was the amount of time that Huo Xiang had calculated out for himself.

Now that the female lead happiness index had already accumulated more than 30 points, once he was completed with the fourth side mission, he would be able to accumulate 50 points. According to this speed, he would be able to complete his main mission within a month. Even if some happiness points were lost in the middle, taking that into account, he should also be able to complete his main mission within a year.

“What illness is so serious? You’re not just playing a joke on me, are you?” Su Meng became anxious, her brows furrowed together, “Huo Xiang, you can’t joke about things like this.”

“It’s true.” Huo Xiang nodded solemnly, “One day in the future, I will leave this world. There will be no warning, happening in just a moment.”

Su Meng examined Huo Xiang’s expression. It didn’t seem like he was joking around. Her mood instantly plumetted.

She pursed her lips, asking hoarsely: “What about Zhen Zhen? Does she know?”

Huo Xiang shook his head: “She doesn’t know. I didn’t tell her. I don’t want her to be upset. Even if she doesn’t like me romantically, we are still close friends. It’s impossible to not have some kind of affection. If she knew, she would be heartbroken.”

“Then you’re going to hide it from her forever? And never reveal your love for her?”

“Yes. When she finally finds her own happiness and has her own life, I will gradually part from her and fade from her memory over time.”

“As if! Don’t make yourself sound so noble, you’re just a coward! What afraid of her being heartbroken! Obviously you’re the one afraid of losing her!” Su Meng’s words stabbed straight into Huo Xiang’s heart.

Huo Xiang was not angry, simply asking calmly: “What’s the difference? Ultimately, this relationship will not end well. Isn’t it better to nip it in the bud? It’s better to just get it over with, rather than prolong the agony.”

“I don’t agree with you,” Su Meng said, “If I love someone, then I will find ways to be together with him, especially if I know that he loves me too. You only live once. No one knows what tomorrow brings. Life is fleeting, so we must live it passionately. Only then can we say that we have not lived in vain.”

Huo Xiang was touched by Su Meng’s words, remaining silent for a long time.

Su Meng patted Huo Xiang’s back heavily, and said with a light smile: “Do your best, bro! No matter what, you should follow your heart! There’s no cure for regrets.”

****

Bai Zhen Zhen returned to her room, took a shower and changed into a new dress. After that, she tiptoed to the balcony and put her ear on Huo Xiang’s window. Sure enough, she heard some movement.

Thus, she knocked on the glass, asking: “Ah Xiang, you’re back? Can I come in?”

Unexpectedly, Su Meng’s voice came from the room: “Of course!”

The glass door was pulled open, and Su Meng’s figure appeared in front of Bai Zhen Zhen.

She was grinning towards Bai Zhen Zhen.

“Come in!” Su Meng made an inviting gesture, looking like she was inviting a guest in.

Bai Zhen Zhen winked at her: “You’re good, Sister Meng, to have already occupied his room!”

“He’s taking a shower now, it may take awhile for him to come out.” Su Meng said.

Bai Zhen Zhen subconsciously asked: “Taking a shower? Has the wound been treated? It shouldn’t get wet, right?”

Su Meng replied: “Relax, I’ve already instructed him to avoid the wounded area.”

After speaking, she gave Bai Zhen Zhen a meaningful look — this little girl really was worried deep in her heart.

“That’s good.” Bai Zhen Zhen smiled, picking up an apple on the table and taking a bite.

Su Meng sidled up to Bai Zhen Zhen, whispering in her ear: “Zhen Zhen, just now when I sent Huo Xiang to the first-aid room, I found out that the way he looks at me has changed. Do you think he was touched by my actions and has started to like me too?”

Bai Zhen Zhen nodded: “Should be. He’s quite an emotional person who values relationships.”

“In that case, isn’t my chances of winning quite high?” Su Meng asked again.

“Of course!” Bai Zhen Zhen replied while chewing, her voice muffled, “He doesn’t have any other women around him either. This is called first-mover advantage!”

At the last moment, she didn’t forget to sigh with emotion: “This apple is delicious, sweet and crunchy!”

Su Meng smiled silently and didn’t say anything else.

Bai Zhen Zhen sat for awhile, before saying: “Sister Meng, I should go back first and not disturb the two of you…”

Right at this moment, Huo Xiang finished his shower and walked out of the bathroom.

Bai Zhen Zhen looked over, and her whole face flushed a deep red.

The apple in her hand almost fell to the ground.

Huo Xiang actually came out just wrapped in a bath towel. There were still drops of water trailing down his firm chest. The image was just…

— Too! Perfect!

———————–

[Small scene]

Huo Xiang: Which looks better? The apple or me?

Bai Zhen Zhen: Both looks good.

Many days later…

Huo Xiang: Which tastes better? The apple or me?

Bai Zhen Zhen (covering her face): You taste better!!

———————–

*What Huo Xiang said: “唱、跳、RAP，还会打排球 (Sing, dance, rap and play volleyball)”

This ties in with the 2019 news where NBA chose idol Cai Xukun as their CNY spokesperson. The decision was slammed by many Chinese NBA fans. According to GlobalTimes, “This hostility has been especially obvious on Hupu, a Chinese sports platform that is home to the biggest Chinese NBA community. Hupu is often regarded as a “straight man” platform and so is home to many users who are seemingly unfriendly toward male idols that they see as being too “feminine.” (Source: https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1136768.shtml)

The Chinese netizens dug up Cai Xukun’s idol trainee video from 2017, where he introduced himself as someone who likes to “唱、跳、rap、篮球 (sing, dance, rap and play basketball)”. In the video, he demonstrated all four of his introduced talents.

The video went viral when they used the video to criticise the basketball skills that he showed. Afterwards, the line “唱、跳、rap、篮球” became regarded as a sarcastic/ironic statement.

In this case, we must keep in mind that The Random Passerby I Married Is The Richest Man was written in the year 2019, so if Bai Zhen Zhen transmigrated in 2019, we can safely assume that the novel she transmigrated in was written before 2019. So she’s wonderous that a 2019 piece of news could appear in a novel world that was written before that.

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