Chapter 36: The Dream and the Wine Cellar

Xia Zhiquiu, noticing everyone in the living room turn their gaze towards her, felt a flicker of unnaturalness cross her exquisitely charming face.

Especially since that scoundrel was still staring directly at her! With Xia Wei right there, couldn’t he show a little restraint?

“Mom, come sit down quickly.”

Upon hearing her daughter’s words, Xia Zhiquiu settled beside her, only to find, quite unfortunately, that a certain scoundrel occupied her other side.

In response, she could only shoot Bai Hao a warning glance before forcing a casual smile, pretending as if nothing were amiss.

“What are you all chatting about?”

Hearing this, Xia Wei also spoke up.

“We’re discussing a new movie that just came out, it’s about a fox spirit and a Daoist priest…”

Bai Hao, naturally, wasn’t one to cower just because of Auntie Xia’s warning; with them seated side-by-side and the coffee table obstructing their view, his mind immediately sprang to mischievous life.

Gazing at Auntie Xia’s beautiful, stocking-clad legs, he couldn’t resist reaching out a playful paw…

Xia Zhiquiu’s delicate body stiffened imperceptibly at his touch, yet she continued to feign composure, listening intently as the young women shared their everyday lives.

Under the table, however, her fair hand had already seized the young man’s ‘paw’ and twisted it sharply.

Bai Hao released his grip with a wince of pain, a hint of resentment clouding his expression.

Seeing this, Xia Zhiquiu flashed a triumphant smile, not forgetting to wink her beautiful eyes.

For a moment, the two communicated solely through their gazes, creating a surprisingly warm and intimate scene.

***

A short while later, Lin Xue and Zhou Ting prepared to depart; Bai Hao, for his part, wouldn’t have minded staying for a “meet the daughter” session or something similar.

However, if he were to truly act on that impulse, Auntie Xia, that little ‘doggy’ of his, would surely bristle, and it would take another considerable effort to appease her; thus, he also rose, preparing to take his leave.

At the doorway, Bai Hao glanced at Auntie Xia, who was clearly not keen on seeing him, and waved his hand, saying.

“Goodbye, Auntie Xia, thank you for your hospitality today.”

Xia Zhiquiu’s body stiffened at his words, understanding perfectly well that the young man’s ‘hospitality’ carried a deeper meaning, especially concerning the kitchen…

As this thought crossed her mind, a faint blush crept onto her face, and she shot him a glare, saying.

“No, it’s nothing; you and Xia Wei are friends, after all.”

Seeing her mother finally acknowledge her friendship with Bai Hao, Xia Wei felt a surge of happiness.

After Bai Hao and the others had left, Xia Wei looked at her mother’s peerless beauty and couldn’t help but ask curiously.

“Mom, why is your face so red?”

Xia Zhiquiu froze at the question, her expression becoming a little unnatural as she replied.

“Is, is it? Perhaps it’s just too warm.”

Xia Wei’s expression clouded with confusion upon hearing this; was the weather truly hot now? It felt so cool and pleasant…

***

Two more days passed. Within the villa, Xia Zhiquiu found herself pressed against the bed, being kissed by the young man.

Bai Hao gazed at Auntie Xia’s hazy, beautiful eyes, a triumphant glint flashing in his own.

Over this period, he had sensed Auntie Xia’s resistance to his intimacy steadily weakening, to the point where she would even indulge in it.

This was undoubtedly good news for Bai Hao, for just as a frog is boiled in warm water, there would eventually come a moment when he could ‘devour’ Auntie Xia…

After a considerable while, Xia Zhiquiu adjusted the clothing the young man had pulled open, covering her exposed skin.

“Um, Bai Hao, have you ever had a dream?”

Xia Zhiquiu asked hesitantly, her cheeks still faintly flushed.

These past few days, she had felt that strange dream recurring with increasing frequency.

If it were just an ordinary dream, it would be fine, but each time, the dream depicted her being pressed onto the bed and ‘tormented’ by the young man; even in a dream, it was becoming unbearable for Xia Zhiquiu.

Given that the ‘dog emperor’ in her dreams was Bai Hao, a sudden thought struck her: could the young man also be having this dream?

Bai Hao, however, was momentarily stunned by her question, then let out a slightly amused chuckle.

“Auntie Xia, what a thing to say! Who hasn’t had a dream?”

Hearing this, Xia Zhiquiu continued to inquire, feigning casualness.

“So, what did you dream about? Could you tell me?”

Bai Hao shook his head, replying.

“I rarely dream, and whenever I wake up, I can never remember them clearly.”

To be precise, he hadn’t dreamed at all since becoming a ‘gui’ (TL Note: A type of ghost or spirit in Chinese folklore); he was only referring to his life before.

Xia Zhiquiu felt a pang of disappointment upon hearing the young man’s words; it seemed he wasn’t having the same dream as her.

Yet, Xia Zhiquiu couldn’t fathom why she kept having this recurring dream. What was it trying to tell her? Was it about past lives and the present? What significance could that hold?

Observing the mature beauty lost in thought, Bai Hao seemed to recall something, and taking her hand, he said.

“Auntie Xia, come with me.”

Xia Zhiquiu paused, bewildered, as the young man led her by the hand out of the room, her understanding unclear.

Over the past few days, the villa had undergone a significant transformation; Bai Hao had purchased numerous decorations, making the entire place appear less monotonous and empty, instilling a stronger sense of home.

Previously, as a ‘gui’, anything had been fine, but with Auntie Xia now present, he naturally couldn’t be as carefree as before.

Of course, Xia Zhiquiu couldn’t possibly comprehend the young man’s intentions, for she had never truly acknowledged their marriage, nor had she ever considered this place a home.

Soon, Bai Hao led Xia Zhiquiu into the elevator, descending to the basement level where the wine cellar was located.

Originally, it had been nothing more than a few empty wooden shelves, devoid of any decoration, but now it was filled to the brim with all sorts of wines!

There were wines of every kind, from grape to fortified, along with various beverages; the walls, too, seemed to have been redecorated, featuring a small bar counter and a wine table where one could mix drinks freely, all bathed in warm, inviting lighting, making the space feel incredibly cozy.

“Auntie Xia, don’t you enjoy mixing drinks? Now you can prepare cocktails right here at home; anything you wish to drink.”

Bai Hao said gently, his face practically begging for praise.

Xia Zhiquiu was momentarily stunned by the sight, a strange ripple stirring within her heart…

“Who told you to do all this? Such a waste of money.”

Bai Hao had expected Xia Zhiquiu to be pleased, so her cold-faced remark left him somewhat dejected, though he quickly reverted to his usual playful grin.

“Don’t say that, Auntie Xia! These wines have already been bought; wouldn’t it be a shame not to taste them?”

With that, he gently guided Xia Zhiquiu towards the bar counter.

“Auntie Xia, could you mix a drink for me?”

Gazing at the young man’s expectant face, Xia Zhiquiu let out a soft huff, and after a moment, picked up the cocktail shaker, clearly agreeing to his request.

During this time, however, Xia Zhiquiu noticed a particularly large wooden wine vat not far away; was it filled with wine?

Perhaps noticing her gaze, Bai Hao offered an explanation.

“Auntie Xia, that one’s empty right now, but I’m also interested in mixing drinks, so I plan to use it someday to concoct a truly peerless wine.”

Xia Zhiquiu was amused by the young man’s words, rolling her eyes as she retorted, exasperated.

“Are you silly? Who uses a wine vat to mix cocktails?”

Bai Hao, hearing this, replied meaningfully.

“Others might not be able to, but I can.”

Xia Zhiquiu didn’t dwell on it, merely thinking it was one of the young man’s whimsical ideas; soon, she had prepared a Mojito and pushed it across to him.

Bai Hao picked up the drink, savoring it with delight, for this was a cocktail Auntie Xia had personally mixed for him.

Soon after, he suddenly remembered something and said.

“Auntie Xia, the monthly exams are coming up soon; you haven’t forgotten our agreement, have you?”