Chapter 53: A Prank, A Promise, and a Radiant Return

Even though Xia Zhiquiu found herself quite beautiful at that moment, a blush of embarrassment still crept over her.

After all, praising oneself in front of others felt rather audacious.

Thinking this, Xia Zhiquiu shot the Unnamed Young Man an irritated glare, her heart brimming with resentment.

Gu Chen and his sister, though clearly not entirely satisfied with Xia Zhiquiu’s answer, refrained from pressing further, deeming it impolite to pry.

“Brother Hao, I hope you’ll bring your wife to meet us sometime in the future. Today, I’ll use this tea as wine to toast to your blissful marriage.”

Ever adept at navigating social situations, Gu Chen promptly raised his teacup to Bai Hao.

Upon hearing this, Bai Hao, however, released a weary sigh.

“If only it were as you say. You wouldn’t believe it, my wife is currently trying to divorce me. A man as handsome and capable as I am, and she fails to appreciate me.”

Xia Zhiquiu rolled her eyes at the Unnamed Young Man’s brazen words. While a sliver of truth might have underpinned his statement, such blatant self-praise felt utterly excessive, didn’t it?

Nodding in profound agreement, Gu Chen clapped Bai Hao’s shoulder, a sigh escaping his lips.

“Indeed, women are truly unreasonable.”

Gu Xin, catching her brother’s remark, offered a faint, knowing smile before pinching the soft flesh at his waist and twisting it a full one hundred and eighty degrees.

“So, Brother thinks I’m being unreasonable too, doesn’t he?”

Gu Chen, suppressing a wince of pain, forced a sheepish smile.

“H-how could that be? Xin’er, you are, by far, the most reasonable woman I know.”

Gu Xin let out a soft hmph, finally releasing the Unnamed Young Man’s waist in satisfaction.

Even though Xia Zhiquiu tried her utmost to ignore her estranged family at the adjacent table, the meal passed by in a haze of distraction.

During this, a small interlude occurred: Xia Tianhai, Xia Zhiquiu’s former elder brother, had been casting glances her way ever since they entered the restaurant.

It was, in a sense, a natural human reaction; any man would find himself stealing glances at a ravishing beauty like Xia Zhiquiu. Yet, he could never have conceived that this stunning woman was once his younger brother…

More egregiously, Xia Tianhai not only cast a few furtive glances but seemed intent on devouring Xia Zhiquiu with his eyes, even as his wife, Liu Fang, sat directly beside him.

A frown creased Xia Zhiquiu’s brow, a wave of profound disgust washing over her heart—a revulsion utterly alien to anything she had ever felt from Bai Hao.

Bai Hao, too, seethed with profound irritation. Only the presence of Gu Chen and his sister restrained him; otherwise, he would have long since pulled Aunt Xia into his arms and staked his claim with a kiss upon her luscious red lips.

Furthermore, this family had actually reduced Aunt Xia to tears, a transgression that, in Bai Hao’s eyes, rendered them utterly irredeemable!

Thus, upon observing Xia Tianhai’s departure to the restroom, the Unnamed Young Man’s childish mischievousness swiftly stirred to life.

When Xia Tianhai reappeared, Bai Hao seized the opportune moment, picked up a cup of tea, and feigned passing by. In the very next instant, the tea, quite predictably, sloshed all over Xia Tianhai.

“Oh dear, Uncle, I’m so sorry, I’ve dirtied your clothes.”

Bai Hao feigned a loud voice, and immediately, people at other tables in the restaurant turned to look.

Xia Tianhai’s initial impulse was to unleash a torrent of curses, but observing the surrounding gazes fixed upon them, he was compelled to feign magnanimity for the sake of his reputation.

“It’s fine, it’s fine, just a little water.”

As he made to depart, Bai Hao subtly flicked his finger. Instantly, Xia Tianhai felt his body lose all equilibrium, sending him sprawling face-first to the ground!

Faint, almost imperceptible chuckles rippled through the air.

Xia Tianhai’s face was a study in profound humiliation; his appetite utterly vanished, he desired only to flee the premises at once!

Witnessing this, Bai Hao returned to his seat with a contented smirk, his spirits significantly lifted.

Xia Zhiquiu, however, nudged his leg at that moment, her voice dropping to a whisper.

“Why were you so wicked?”

It turned out that from the moment the Unnamed Young Man had risen, Xia Zhiquiu had kept a watchful eye on him, thus missing none of his mischievous antics.

Bai Hao, hearing her, responded with an air of righteous indignation.

“Who told that fellow to keep ogling you, Aunt Xia? My little punishment was already exceptionally lenient, wasn’t it?”

Xia Zhiquiu paused, a sudden realization dawning on her. ‘So the Unnamed Young Man had done all that simply for her? How utterly, hopelessly childish…’

Though she meant to scold him, her heart felt no actual aversion; in fact, a faint ripple of pleasure seemed to stir within her?

As this thought surfaced, Xia Zhiquiu quickly shook her head. ‘What nonsense! I wasn’t happy at all, absolutely not!’

***

With lunch concluded, Xia Zhiquiu and Bai Hao finally prepared to part ways. She first drove the Unnamed Young Man back to his villa, stating.

“We’re here, get out.”

Bai Hao dawdled, and only after a noticeable pause did he inquire.

“Aunt Xia, are you truly not coming in for a moment? Even just for a glass of water, perhaps?”

Xia Zhiquiu merely cast him an exasperated look.

“Absolutely not! I must return to Xia Wei. Now, hurry and get out!”

Having been separated from her daughter for so many days, Xia Zhiquiu’s heart naturally yearned for her. Moreover, if she were truly to enter with the Unnamed Young Man, would she even emerge unscathed?

Seeing this, Bai Hao sighed.

“Very well then. But, Aunt Xia, shouldn’t we seal our parting with a farewell kiss or something?”

Xia Zhiquiu let out a soft scoff, crossing her arms as she regarded him with an impassive gaze, her eyes conveying a single, unequivocal message: ‘You’re dreaming!’

Bai Hao, however, showed no surprise. His eyes then twinkled mischievously as he said.

“Ah, well, if Aunt Xia is disinclined, then let’s forget it. I was merely thinking that one kiss could count as one of our agreements, after all.”

Xia Zhiquiu froze, a sudden jolt reminding her of the scandalous hundred-kiss agreement she had made with the Unnamed Young Man, a fleeting blush coloring her beautiful eyes.

The more she pondered it now, the deeper her regret became. Why had she ever bound herself to such an agreement with this scoundrel? Even if she fulfilled her part, would this rogue truly agree to a divorce without further fuss?

Yet, Xia Zhiquiu now found herself irrevocably committed; she had no choice but to see it through. Her sole hope was to hasten the conclusion of this hundred-kiss pact.

“Are you truly serious? If that’s the case, then, well, it wouldn’t be entirely out of the question for a kiss…”

Xia Zhiquiu’s voice dwindled to a near whisper with each word, a delicate blush blooming across her lovely face.

Gazing at Aunt Xia’s alluring and captivating appearance, Bai Hao’s heart instantly thrummed with desire. He gently pressed her delicate shoulders and leaned in, capturing her seductive red lips in a kiss…

After a considerable moment, Bai Hao finally exited the car, casting contented glances back three times before disappearing into the villa.

Only when the Unnamed Young Man’s figure had completely vanished did Xia Zhiquiu slump back against the seat, utterly depleted, a profound haziness still lingering in her eyes.

Moreover, she sensed that after that kiss from the Unnamed Young Man, she would once again need to change her underwear. What an absolute scoundrel…

***

Half an hour later, Xia Zhiquiu returned home, carrying her luggage.

Xia Wei had already flung the door open. Upon spotting Xia Zhiquiu, she immediately rushed forward and enveloped her in a warm embrace.

“Mama, you’re finally back! I missed you so much.”

Xia Zhiquiu felt her daughter’s attachment, her eyes filled with maternal tenderness.

“Mama missed you too. By the way, Xia Wei, did you eat properly while you were home alone?”

Xia Wei nodded, then pulled Xia Zhiquiu to sit on the sofa, curiously asking about the interesting things that had happened during this period.

However, during this time, Xia Zhiquiu kept feeling that her daughter was looking at her strangely, so she couldn’t help but ask curiously.

“Xia Wei, why are you staring at Mama like that?”

Xia Wei rubbed her chin, saying seriously.

“Mama, I feel like you’ve changed. You’re like a peach, ripe and vibrant, glowing with even more radiance. Have you been secretly using some sort of beauty elixir?”