The Green Tea Supporting Girl Is Still Playing Her Role Today (GL) - Chapter 79

Chapter 79

“Come in and have a seat,” Xie Hongxu said with a smile, ushering them into the house. Among the group, only Zhang Changsheng was an unfamiliar face, so he asked, “Zhifei, who’s this friend of yours?”

“Hello, Uncle. I’m Zhang Changsheng,” she introduced herself.

“Changsheng, huh? Nice name. You can tell your parents cherish you,” Xie Hongxu said cheerfully.

Zhang Changsheng gave a gentle smile. “Yes.”

“Uncle Xie, don’t just stand there. Sit down, make yourself at home,” Zhao Xiaojing said, plopping down first. She grabbed an apple from the table and started munching, acting like the host as she waved everyone to take a seat.

“What’s that supposed to mean? This is my home,” Xie Hongxu said with a laugh.

“Oh, right!” Zhao Xiaojing burst into laughter. “I’m so comfortable here, I totally treat it like my own place.”

Xie Hongxu chuckled and casually asked, “How are your parents? Been busy lately?”

Zhao Xiaojing’s face fell. “Super busy, Uncle Xie. Let’s not talk about them for a couple of days, okay? It’s annoying.”

“What’s going on?” Xie Hongxu asked in a low voice, settling into a single armchair.

Xie Zhifei, standing behind him, leaned down and whispered, “She had a fight with her family. She’s not happy.”

Xie Hongxu nodded, already used to Zhao Xiaojing’s frequent runaway episodes. He turned to Wang Wan, whom he knew better, and smiled. “Wan, coming here during the New Year? Aren’t you afraid your aunt will come looking for you?”

Wang Wan froze mid-motion, set down her cup, and lowered her head in silence. The atmosphere around her visibly darkened, her mood clearly sinking.

“What’s up with her?” Xie Hongxu muttered softly.

Xie Zhifei whispered in his ear, “She snuck out, but her aunt hasn’t even called once. Not sure if she hasn’t noticed or just doesn’t care.”

“How could Qingmin be so careless? That’s her own kid, after all,” Xie Hongxu said, scolding Gu’s mother lightly. His gaze shifted to Fang Ningshu, sitting quietly in a corner of the sofa. This time, he avoided family matters and asked, “Ningshu, how’s it going working with Zhifei lately? Getting the hang of it?”

“I’m managing,” Fang Ningshu replied respectfully.

“Good to hear. Got a boyfriend yet?”

The sudden shift in topic caught everyone off guard, and they stifled giggles. No matter where you went, you couldn’t escape the older generation’s concern about your love life!

“No,” Fang Ningshu said with an awkward smile.

“You’re not that young anymore. How come you haven’t found someone? Standards too high? Oh, I get it. You used to work with Gu Zhizhang, seeing him every day. That must’ve raised your expectations, right? Do you like guys like him?”

Fang Ningshu’s smile grew more strained until it vanished completely, unable to keep up the pretense in front of such a big figure.

“Is she upset?” Xie Hongxu asked quietly.

“Yeah, she and Gu Zhizhang didn’t part on good terms. Don’t twist the knife,” Xie Zhifei whispered.

Xie Hongxu coughed awkwardly, scratching his head. His eyes landed on Wen Pinghan, who was closest to him. “Pinghan, I hear from Zhifei you’re doing great at work.”

“It’s all thanks to Mr. Xie’s leadership,” Wen Pinghan said nervously.

“Pfft!” Wang Wan and Zhao Xiaojing burst into laughter. “Mr. Xie, haha!”

Xie Zhifei shot them a glare, and they buried their heads, stifling their giggles.

Wen Pinghan’s face flushed slightly.

Xie Hongxu continued, “Not going home for New Year’s Eve? Your family’s not worried? Have you checked in with them?”

“I’m on my own now. They’ve all passed away,” Wen Pinghan replied.

“Oh, sorry,” Xie Hongxu said, ending the topic without needing an explanation from Xie Zhifei. His gaze fell on Zhang Changsheng, the only one he hadn’t asked about yet. Not wanting to leave her out, he avoided questions about family or romance and said, “Zhang, right? Where are you from? You look pale. Didn’t sleep well last night?”

“Uncle, it’s not lack of sleep. I have a congenital heart condition,” Zhang Changsheng explained.

“You guys chat. I’ll check on the food in the kitchen,” Xie Hongxu said, unable to sit still any longer. He hurried off, half-wishing he could find a block of tofu to knock himself out with.

The group exchanged glances and burst out laughing.

When Xie Hongxu returned from the kitchen, he made an excuse and retreated to his study. Xie Zhifei glanced at Wen Pinghan, who nodded, picked up a gift bag, and headed upstairs.

“Dad, what’re you up to?” Xie Zhifei poked her head through the study door, saw him on his phone, and waved Wen Pinghan inside. The two entered one after the other.

“Don’t start. Why didn’t you warn me about their situations? I kept stepping on landmines, embarrassing myself!” Xie Hongxu grumbled.

“Who knew you’d hit every sore spot so accurately?” Xie Zhifei said, barely containing her amusement. She stepped aside, and Wen Pinghan moved to the desk.

“Chairman Xie, this is a New Year’s gift for you. Wishing you good health and happiness every day,” Wen Pinghan said.

“Oh? A gift?” Xie Hongxu grinned, taking it curiously. When he pulled out a scarf, he fell silent for a moment before saying earnestly, “This is wonderful. A scarf. It reminds me of Zhifei’s mom. Back when we were young… Never mind, old stories. Pinghan, thank you. It means a lot.”

“No kidding! She stayed up all night knitting it by hand!” Xie Zhifei chimed in.

“What? Handmade?” Xie Hongxu’s eyes glistened, his fingers trembling slightly. “Back then, Zhifei’s mom knitted me a scarf by hand too… You two head out. I’ve got some things to take care of.”

Wen Pinghan glanced at Xie Zhifei, who nodded. Xie Zhifei took her hand, and they left, closing the door. Then Xie Zhifei pulled Wen Pinghan back, pointed at the door, and pressed her ear against it.

“Isn’t this a bit wrong?” Wen Pinghan whispered, pressing her ear to the door too.

Within a minute, Xie Hongxu’s muffled sobs came from inside.

“Classic move,” Xie Zhifei said with a smile, pulling her downstairs. “Every time he gets a scarf, he cries.”

“You’re so lucky,” Wen Pinghan said suddenly.

“Why do you say that?” Xie Zhifei asked, puzzled.

“Your dad loves your mom so much. You must’ve grown up in such a happy family,” Wen Pinghan said, her tone tinged with envy.

Xie Zhifei looked at her quietly for a moment, then squeezed her hand. “You’re welcome to join our loving family.”

Wen Pinghan’s lips curved into a small smile. “I’d be honored.”

Lunch was a lavish spread, and everyone quickly warmed up to Xie Hongxu. He didn’t put on any airs, and after the morning’s awkward conversations, he felt for these young women. He wanted to pile food on their plates but, being too far away, settled for urging them to eat more.

Wen Pinghan was closest to him, and he felt especially sorry for her, knowing she’d lost her parents and had still given him a handmade scarf. She seemed so kind and honest. He placed a piece of pork rib on her plate. “Here, Pinghan, eat up.”

“Thank you, Chairman Xie,” Wen Pinghan said, touched.

“No need to be so formal. There’s no hierarchy at home. Just call me Uncle Xie like the others. Come back and visit often,” Xie Hongxu said with a smile.

“Okay, Uncle Xie,” Wen Pinghan said, smiling warmly.

After lunch, they played Texas Hold’em with Xie Hongxu. Wen Pinghan didn’t know how, so she watched eagerly from the side. Seeing her curiosity, Xie Hongxu taught her while playing.

Just as the game was getting lively, an unexpected guest arrived.

“I could hear the commotion from far away. Brother Xie, got guests?” Gu’s mother said, walking in with a smile. Then she spotted Xie Hongxu playing cards with a group of young people, including Wang Wan and Zhang Changsheng, who were supposed to be at her place for the New Year.

“You came alone? Zhizhang didn’t come with you?” Xie Hongxu asked, turning to her.

“Don’t get me started. Working overtime at the company on New Year’s,” Gu’s mother said with a grin.

“She’s lying. Li Feng called me this morning and said Zhizhang got drunk at his place last night and still hasn’t gotten up,” Zhao Xiaojing whispered.

Everyone exchanged varied looks at the pretentious Gu’s mother.

“Come sit. Wanna join the game?” Xie Hongxu gestured to his cards.

“No thanks, I’ll just sit for a bit,” Gu’s mother said, walking over. She glanced at the crowded card table, then at Wang Wan.

Wang Wan stood, offering her seat. “Aunt, sit here.”

Gu’s mother nodded, sat down, and looked up. “Why are you bothering Brother Xie?”

Zhang Changsheng, unusually quick to respond, said, “She’s here to keep me company, worried I’d be unsafe alone.”

“Fair enough. I’d worry about you being out on your own. If something happened, how would I explain it to your family?” Gu’s mother said, patting her hand with a smile. “How’s it going? Used to the food here? Why don’t you come back to my place tonight to save them the trouble?”

“No trouble at all,” Xie Hongxu interjected. “They don’t eat much, and they’re great company. Zhifei rarely brings so many friends home. Let them have fun together.”

Zhang Changsheng nodded. “Thank you for your kindness, Aunt, but I’m having a great time here. I’ll head back to my grandparents’ tomorrow morning. Don’t worry.”

Seeing her persuasion fail, Gu’s mother turned to Wang Wan. “You’ll have to go back eventually, right?”

“I…” Wang Wan hesitated, knowing her aunt was alone for the New Year but still upset that she only seemed to care at times like this.

“Aunt, I don’t want to marry Liu Chuan,” Wang Wan said suddenly, bringing up another matter.

“You really don’t like him at all?”

“No. I’d rather die than marry him.”

Gu’s mother sighed and softened her tone. “What kind do you like, then? The eldest Chen boy? Or maybe the Li family’s…”

“Aunt, I don’t want an arranged marriage either.”

“Silly girl, you’re as stubborn as your brother. Marriage is about matching status. I get it—you’re young, chasing excitement and novelty. But in the end, you’ll thank me for my arrangements,” Gu’s mother said, giving Wen Pinghan a pointed look.

Xie Zhifei stepped beside Wen Pinghan, took her hand, and glanced at her. Wen Pinghan shook her head, unbothered.

Wang Wan felt helpless. “Aunt, just let me hit my own wall.”

Gu’s mother, not wanting to argue in front of everyone, kept her smile but her tone grew heavy. “Are you coming back tonight or not?”

“She’s not,” Zhao Xiaojing said suddenly. “She’s staying to discuss work with me. No time to go back.”

Wang Wan shot her a grateful look.

“Oh? What work?” Gu’s mother asked.

“She’s joining my studio after the New Year,” Zhao Xiaojing said, lifting her chin proudly.

“Oh, that little hobby studio of yours? Don’t your parents disapprove?” Gu’s mother redirected her frustration at Zhao Xiaojing, ignoring her changing expression. “Is she going to be an employee or a shareholder? How much are you paying her? Do you even know how much allowance I give her each month?”

“I don’t care how much you give her. If she wants to work at my place, she can. Taking your allowance and working—where’s the conflict?” Zhao Xiaojing said with a laugh.

“You’re seriously going to work for her low-return venture?” Gu’s mother turned to Wang Wan. “I didn’t raise you to slave away for someone else.”

Wang Wan took a deep breath and asked, “Aunt, if I were a boy, would you have adopted me back then?”

Gu’s mother froze. “What kind of question is that?”

“You wouldn’t have. If I were a boy, I might’ve competed with my cousin for the family fortune, and I couldn’t have been used as a pawn for an arranged marriage. But as a girl, you could raise me into the little princess you wanted, then marry me off to whoever offered the best deal.”

Gu’s mother scanned the room, feeling humiliated, her expression darkening. “Wang Wan! Is that how you speak to me?!”

“I’ll always remember what you’ve done for me, and I’ll repay you in the future. But first, I need to be myself,” Wang Wan said, then turned and ran upstairs.

“Stop right there!” Gu’s mother stood, furious, ready to chase her, but Xie Hongxu stopped her.

“Calm down. These kids are grown. They’re from a different generation, with their own ideas. She’s right about one thing—you only learn by hitting your own wall. What’s the point of lecturing her? Let her go, let her try. If she fails, she’ll come back and listen to you. But what if she succeeds? Wouldn’t that be even better?” Xie Hongxu advised.

“Why are they all so disobedient?” Gu’s mother said, nearly in tears from frustration.

“Crocodile tears,” Zhao Xiaojing muttered, and the others stifled laughs.

Finally, Gu’s mother turned her attention to Wen Pinghan beside Xie Hongxu. In a fit of anger, she pointed at her. “You’ve made Zhizhang a mess and now you’re leading Wan astray. Are you happy now?”

Wen Pinghan, baffled by the accusation, said, “Aren’t you supposed to be good at digging up information? Why don’t you look into what actually happened? He confessed, got rejected, and drowned his sorrows in alcohol. What’s that got to do with me? Should I have said yes to make you happy?”

Gu’s mother was speechless, glaring at her in anger.

“And,” Wen Pinghan said, tossing her cards down and meeting her gaze, “please take care of yourself and your son. I’m in a relationship now, so leave my life alone!”

Gu’s mother stared, stunned. “What?”

Xie Zhifei grinned, placing a hand on Wen Pinghan’s shoulder, looking smugly at Gu’s mother.

“What?! You’re in a relationship? Since when?” Wang Wan, who had just stormed off, poked her head out from the second floor.

“Not long ago,” Wen Pinghan replied.

“Wow, I had no idea! You kept that under wraps!” Wang Wan said.

“Is it true?” Gu’s mother asked skeptically.

Zhao Xiaojing kicked off her shoes, stood on the sofa, and declared passionately, “Absolutely true! Wen Pinghan is dating her—ow, her charming and adorable partner. They’re so lovey-dovey, always kissing!”

Wen Pinghan: “…” No need to go that far.

Still in shock, Gu’s mother looked at Xie Zhifei. “Is she serious?”

Xie Zhifei nodded enthusiastically. “Yup, I’ve seen it with my own eyes!”

Zhang Changsheng added, “Yeah, I’ve seen it too. They’re very much in love.”

Wen Pinghan & Xie Zhifei: Huh??

They exchanged a glance, both wondering when Zhang Changsheng had seen anything.

Furious, Gu’s mother stormed out of the Xie household.

The card game fizzled out, and the group started chatting about what had just happened. Xie Zhifei and Wen Pinghan went to the second-floor balcony. Xie Zhifei said, “When did Zhang Changsheng see us kiss?”

Wen Pinghan shook her head, guessing, “Maybe she saw us by accident and we didn’t notice?”

“Could be. Guess we just need to watch out for Dad for now!” Xie Zhifei said, delighted.

Downstairs, Wang Wan pulled Zhang Changsheng aside. “Changsheng, spill it! Who’s Wen Pinghan dating?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then why’d you say you saw them?”

“I made it up to convince Aunt. Whether it’s true or not, saying it can’t hurt,” Zhang Changsheng said.

“Impressive! You lied without batting an eye,” Wang Wan said, admiringly. “Your word is what made Aunt believe it.”

Zhang Changsheng smiled. “I’m going upstairs to take some heart-pounding meds.”

“Go ahead.”

Zhang Changsheng returned to her room, took out her pills, and heard voices outside. Turning, she saw the balcony from her window. Xie Zhifei and Wen Pinghan were chatting there. She couldn’t hear what they said, but suddenly, they kissed.

“…”

Zhang Changsheng’s eyes widened slowly, very slowly.

Now she really had seen it with her own eyes.