Fated
Summer of Mid-August
On a night in City C, the heat of the day had yet to dissipate, and the wind that blew past created waves of dry heat.
A taxi stopped outside the gates of a residence. Xu Jiahui got out of the car, took three gift boxes from inside, and placed them on the ground before walking to the front window to pay the driver. Soon after, Gu Siyi got out of the back seat and picked one of the boxes.
One of the boxes housed two bottles of aged Maotai, another a top-quality ginseng, young deer antler*, and the last a set of jade.
[*鹿茸 lù róng- young deer antler prior to ossification (used in TCM)]
As the cab sped away, Xu Jiahui turned around and led the way to the gates.
“Uncle Xia and your father were old classmates.” Xu Jiahui broke the silence. “Back then, they had a good relationship. However, they haven’t been in touch for many years now. As long as Uncle Xia is willing to help with the difficulties your father has encountered this time… By the way, their Young Master, Xia Zhijun, was born on the same day as you. It should not be difficult for you to communicate with those your age.”
The girl quietly followed as her mother filled her in. When they reached the entrance, a guard routinely stopped them and asked them their purpose of visit.
“I’m Xu Jiahui, and I’m looking for Secretary Xia… He is expecting us.”
The guard swiftly walked to the outpost and made a call. Soon after, another guard led the two towards the residence.
Along the way, Xu Jiahui kept thanking the guard while Gu Siyi followed in silence, clearly sensing her mother’s anxiety.
Soon they reached the Xia Courtyard. A maid seemed to be waiting for them already, she took them inside.
As the two entered, Xia Guangyu and his wife Peng Ling stood up to receive the guests.
As the middle-aged couple approached them, Gu Siyi greeted them, her voice clear and sweet, “Hello, Uncle Xia. Hello, Auntie.” Then, she gently placed the gift on the down on the table.
“If you’re coming, just come. There’s no need for gifts,” Xia Guangyu said, glancing at the boxes.
Xu Jiahui’s smile carried a hint of awkwardness as she spoke, “This is a token of our gratitude. We have not seen each other in so long—”
Xia Guangyu did not say anything more and simply invited, “Come in and take a seat.”
“Siyi has grown so big in the blink of an eye.” Peng Ling touched Gu Siyi’s head and said, “Last time I saw you, you didn’t even know how to walk. You were smiling at me from your mom’s arms—”
Gu Siyi smiled and replied, “It turns out I’ve liked smiling at beautiful ladies from a young age.”
Peng Ling’s smile deepened. “This child not only smiles beautifully but also has a sweet tongue.”
Seeing how the air had turned casual, the initial awkwardness all gone, Xu Jiahui prepared to get down to business. She knew the couple sitting opposite were too busy to while away their time on small talk.
She glanced at her daughter beside her and said, “Siyi, go play in the yard. Mom wants to talk to Uncle and Auntie.”
“OK.” Gu Siyi nodded obediently, stood up from the sofa, and walked out the door.
As Xia Guangyu watched the departing back of the little girl, he thought of something. Then, turning to Peng Ling he said, “Is Ah Jun home?”
“No, he’s out playing with his classmates.”
“Oh.” He wanted his son to take the little girl upstairs to play, but he could only give up on the idea.
Gu Siyi walked into the courtyard and kicked the pebble lying on the ground, feeling flustered.
Recently, her father encountered a difficult problem and had not returned home for a week now. Her mother was very worried but hadn’t said a thing to her. When she’d asked, her mother had brushed her aside, saying, “These are all matters of the adults. You won’t understand even if I were to tell you.”
Original translation only on WhimsicalReads.com, if reading elsewhere, know that it was plagiarised/taken without our consent. Please support us by reading on our site.
Deep down, Gu Siyi knew that this wasn’t a small matter. If not, her mom wouldn’t cry until her eyes were red behind her back. But what could she do? At the tender age of sixteen, she lived under the wings of her parents and could not resolve anything by herself.
She walked to the basketball court on the side of the courtyard. There happened to be a basketball under the basket. She stepped forward and hooked her toes. The ball sprang into the air before landing in her hands. She dribbled and lept to shoot. The sequence continued, dribble-leap-shoot, as the girl vehemently vented her frustration in the empty court. After a few minutes, she was bathed in sweat.
When Xia Zhijun ambled his way home, he heard a thud of the basketball hitting the ground, catching his attention. At this time, he reckoned, there should be no one playing in the courtyard.
As he wondered about the sound, he walked toward the basketball court only to find an unfamiliar girl immersed in a solitary game. Dressed in a white T‐shirt and denim shorts, she seemed to be waltzing on the court. Sweat trickled down her flushed face like droplets of water on a rainy day. When she raised her arms and leapt, he caught a glimpse of her fair waist. The night wind breezed through the errant strands that escaped her ponytail as the lights cast a long shadow about her. And when she deftly landed on the ground, her slender, white legs came into full view.
Xia Zhijun idly stood to the side, seemingly tired and listless. His hands were resting in his pockets, eyes lingering on the prancing long legs for a moment ago.
This was a standard and beautiful 3-pointer, whether it was the posture or angle,
the moment she shot the ball, he knew that it would go in.
With a clang, the basketball fell from the net. Gu Siyi caught it when it bounced back, dribbled, and sprinted. When she shot again, she wasn’t focused and didn’t use much strength— the ball went straight for the backboard.
With a rebound, the basketball flew out of the backboard. Her gaze followed it, and she caught sight of someone standing next to the court. Seeing that the basketball was about to hit the boy’s face, she was alarmed.
Xia Zhijun deftly tilted his head and raised his hand to catch the oncoming object. Then, dribbling, he walked to court, passed her by, and did a three-step layup.
Cool!
Without another word, Gu Siyi started to snatch the ball. The two fought one on one. In no time, she was completely exhausted. The basketball stopped rolling, and she sat on it, wiping her sweat with her hand.
How refreshing!
Xia Zhijun was certain that he had never seen this in the courtyard before. This place was heavily guarded, no one could casually enter. Perhaps she was a relative or a visitor’s child, he concluded.
He stood to the side, rather relaxed, unlike her who was panting heavily. “That was a good game,” he remarked. Then, without waiting for a reply, he left.
Original translation only on WhimsicalReads.com, if reading elsewhere, know that it was plagiarised/taken without our consent. Please support us by reading on our site.
Gu Siyi looked at his departing back and suddenly stood up. He was walking toward the Xia Residence.
A boy similar in age walking towards the Xia Residence at this hour? He must be Xia Zhijun!
Gu Siyi immediately picked pace and chased after him. “Whoa, wait for me —”
The boy turned around to look at her. “What’s wrong?”
She caught her breath and asked, “You’re Xia Zhijun, right?”
He nodded and looked at her, puzzled.
“I came to see Uncle Xia with my mother” Gu Siyi continued, “My mother is inside talking to him about something important. I’m waiting here, outside.”
So, please don’t interrupt their conversation for the time being. This matter is very important. It concerns my father’s safety.
It was a pity that Xia Zhijun could not hear her thoughts. He nodded and continued on. Just as he was about to walk up the steps, Gu Siyi stopped him and asked, “Shall we play?”
Xia Zhijun curled his lips and was about to say something when the door of the small building opened. Gu Siyi turned around and saw her mother walk out of the door. She stopped bothering the boy and quickly ran up to her.
The Xia couple too was at the door, seeing off their guest.
“Secretary Xia, thank you for your kindness and righteousness.” Xu Jiahui said the nth time. “Old Gu will certainly visit to personally thank you for helping us overcome this difficulty—”
Peng Ling picked up the gifts and said, “Please take these back, we understand your gratitude.”
“Old Gu is the victim here in the first place,” Xia Guangyu said. “This gift makes it hard for me. Please take it back.”
Xu Jiahui understood what this meant and stopped insisting. She then said to her daughter, “Siyi, let’s go. Say goodbye to Uncle and Auntie.”
Gu Siyi looked at the middle-aged couple and smiled. “Uncle, Auntie, goodbye.”
“Next time, come over to play, I’ll have Ah Jun accompany you.” Peng Ling had taken quite a liking to this obedient and sweet girl beyond words.
Original translation only on WhimsicalReads.com, if reading elsewhere, know that it was plagiarised/taken without our consent. Please support us by reading on our site.
“Dad, Mom, is there a guest at home?” The young man’s voice carried a piercingly cold tone that would cause the snows of winter to go down a few degrees.
“You’re back.” Peng Ling began to introduce, “This is Aunt Xu. And this is Gu Siyi Meimei.” She thought of something and continued, “You and Siyi were born on the same day of the same month of the same year. You were born around midnight, she around noon*. A master said that your fates are tied from the past, and your destinies will affect one another. Because of this we even arranged an engagement when you guys were little.” Her eyes lit up with mischief as she teased, “Look at Siyi Meimei**, beautiful with a sweet voice. Are you satisfied with such a wife?”
[*子时 zǐ shí 11 p.m.-1 a.m., 午时 wǔ shí 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (in the system of two-hour subdivisions used in former times)
**Meimei is little sister, not necessarily blood-related.]
Gu Siyi: “——”
Xia Zhijun: “——”
The eyes of the said fated parties met. Gu Siyi revealed an awkward yet courteous smile and looked away, but Xia Zhijun noticed a faint blush gracing her fair cheeks.
♥♥♥
Small Dimples
We just discovered, there is an alternate Chapter 1 that the author wrote much later. Dig in…
♥
On a scorching August summer day, the sun blazed fiercely.
As far as the eye could see, there were rows of towering skyscrapers, their grand glass facades reflecting the glaring sunlight.
This was Gu Siyi’s first time visiting City C. It wasn’t too far from her hometown, but previous plans her parents made to bring her here for a visit always fell through due to unexpected circumstances.
At a red light, Gu Zhiyuan stepped on the brakes, waiting for pedestrians to pass by.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Xu Jiahui chatted with her daughter, “Your dad and Uncle Xia were old classmates. They were close back in the day, but they haven’t kept in touch much in recent years… You and their son, Young Master Xia, are born on the same day of the same month, making you the same age. It’s easy for people of the same age to get along.”
Gu Zhiyuan emphasized, “Siyi, you should learn from Xia gege. He’s the same age as you, topped the city in the high school entrance exam, won several national competitions, and even participated in international competitions.”
[*哥哥 gēge: older brother, not necessarily blood-related.]
“After hearing you two talk about him every day, my ears have calloused over,” Gu Siyi turned her face away, sounding dissatisfied.
“He’s so outstanding, why don’t you want to study hard like him?” Xu Jiahui said.
Gu Zhiyuan added, “You’re going to study in City C all by yourself, in an unfamiliar environment. With the Xias looking out for you, we feel reassured.”
The dinner between the Gus and Xias was arranged at a Chinese restaurant on the sixth floor of a shopping mall. By the time the Gus arrived, the Xias were already waiting there.
Seeing the middle-aged couple approaching, Gu Siyi smiled warmly and greeted, “Hello Uncle Xia, hello Auntie.”
Having grown up participating in various activities with her parents, she was outgoing and confident, not shy or reserved.
Xia Guangyu noticed the gift box in her hand and said, “We’re just having dinner to catch up, no need for gifts.”
Gu Zhiyuan chuckled. “It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other, just a small token of appreciation.”
“Come, come and sit.” Xia Guangyu gestured.
“Pfft, Siyi has grown so much in the blink of an eye,” Peng Ling said, ruffling Gu Siyi’s hair. “The last time I saw you, you couldn’t even walk, you were just smiling at me in your mom’s arms…”
“Siyi has grown so much in the blink of an eye,” Peng Ling said, ruffling Gu Siyi’s hair. “The last time I saw you, you couldn’t even walk, you were just smiling at me in your mom’s arms….”
Gu Siyi smiled, revealing two small dimples. “So it turns out I’ve always loved smiling at beauties since I was a kid.”
Peng Ling’s smile deepened. “This child not only smiles beautifully but also has a sweet tongue.” She then turned around and looked at the young boy on the sofa. “Ah Jun, come over here.”
The young boy, who was looking at his phone, lifted his head, stood up, casually put his phone in his pocket, and walked towards them.
Glancing at him, Gu Siyi was momentarily stunned.
The young man was tall and straight, wearing a white shirt and black trousers with two buttons open, revealing fair skin and a pair of collarbones at the neckline. He had an extremely handsome face, rosy lips, and white teeth. Those ink-dots like black eyes were as if painted out with black ink, exuding a carefree and unrestrained charm amidst the clear and refined features.
Gu Siyi had never seen such a good-looking boy in all her life— a living, breathing person.
To be honest, how could the top student have such a handsome face? It just didn’t make sense!
According to Gu Siyi’s imagination, this genius should be wearing a pair of thick glasses. Behind the glasses, should be a pair of dull, squinty eyes tortured by studying, a flattened nose bridge from the pressure of the glasses, and dry lips, the typical appearance of a bookworm… like the class topper they had back in middle school.
“This is Aunt Xu. And this is Gu Siyi Meimei,” Peng Ling introduced to her son, Xia Zhijun.
Xia Zhijun greeted Xu Jiahui with courtesy and grace, displaying a refined and well-mannered demeanor that exuded the nobility and upbringing of a young man in every aspect.
“You and Siyi were born on the same day of the same month and the same year. You were born in the Zi hour, and she was born in the Wu hour*. A great master said that your destiny is a perfect match, mutually beneficial and supportive. When you were kids, he even joked about arranging a childhood engagement for you two,” Peng Ling teased.
[*子时 zǐ shí 11 p.m.-1 a.m., 午时 wǔ shí 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (in the system of two-hour subdivisions used in former times)]
Gu Siyi: “——”
Xia Zhijun’s gaze fell on Gu Siyi. As he looked at her long eyelashes and the small dimples on her cheeks, a rosy blush spread upward, giving her fair face a pink tint.
Xia Zhijun found it somewhat amusing and casually said, “I don’t believe in that stuff.”
After the pleasantries, both families sat down at the dining table together. Gu Siyi ate her meal leisurely, even when her favorite dishes were in front of her, she used her chopsticks sparingly.
As her gaze inadvertently swept over Xia Zhijun, she couldn’t help but sigh in her heart: How can someone be so good-looking, even the way he eats is like a painting.
The meal passed in the elders’ chatter and the younger generation’s silence. Afterward, Gu Zhiyuan and Xia Guangyu enthusiastically played chess, while Peng Ling said to Xia Zhijun, “Take Siyi meimei out for a stroll.”
Once the two left, Peng Ling chuckled. “With us around, they might feel a bit restrained. They’ll get more comfortable playing on their own.”
♥
In the shopping mall, Xia Zhijun walked with his hands in his pockets, and Gu Siyi followed his pace, initiating a conversation, “So, you’re also sixteen like me. You seem really tall, around 1.8 meters?”
Xia Zhijun nodded faintly.
Gu Siyi glanced around and spotted a bubble tea shop, asking, “There’s a bubble tea shop over there. Would you like some? If you do, I can buy it for you.”
Xia Zhijun replied, “No, thanks.”
Gu Siyi noticed that the young man had a clean and composed face without any unnecessary expressions. Handsome faces truly had a way of earning goodwill without even trying.
Xia Zhijun’s phone rang from his pocket. After a brief conversation, he glanced in Gu Siyi’s direction and said, “I’m busy.”
Seeing him hang up, Gu Siyi tactfully said, “If you have plans, feel free to go. I can explore the mall by myself.”
Xia Zhijun asked, “Internet café, do you want to go?”
Gu Siyi’s eyes lit up, nodding. “Sure.” She didn’t enjoy wandering aimlessly in the mall, so going to an internet café sounded perfect.
The two found a nearby internet café and sat in adjacent seats.
Glancing at Xia Zhijun’s screen, Gu Siyi remarked, “Gaming? You play too?”
Xia Zhijun looked at her surprised expression and asked, “Shouldn’t I?”
Gu Siyi laughed dryly. “I thought high-achievers don’t play games. Let’s play together.”
Xia Zhijun’s friends were already online, and after adding Gu Siyi as a friend, they started the game together. Gu Siyi took the ADC position*.
[*The Attack-Damage Carry (ADC), now commonly known as the Marksman, is the main form of a physically based damage-hitting champion on a team. Typically, the ADC does a sizeable amount of damage to all on the enemy team.]
Xia Zhijun’s friends exclaimed, “Who’s this? Grabbing the main position right away, is that okay?”
Xia Zhijun replied, “It’s fine.”
As the game started, Gu Siyi’s swift and skillful moves dominated the opponents, controlling the minions and showcasing elegant positioning.
“——”
Xia Zhijun turned his head to look at the girl next to him.
The girl’s fingers were agile, her hand speed lightning-fast, her eyes sparkling, her expression a mix of nervousness and excitement, and a tiny bead of sweat glistened on her petite and straight nose.
When things got intense, she chattered, “Ah, it hurts, it hurts, I’m running away, can’t fight this… I definitely won’t die in this situation… This noob is challenging me directly, Daddy will hang you in the sky and beat you!….”
Gu Siyi rarely played in internet cafés, usually opting for gaming at home with friends and often using voice chat, developing a chatty style. Now fully immersed in the game, she was unaware that everyone around was watching her. With her beautiful face, sweet voice, and slender figure, she was undeniably eye-catching.
After a round, Gu Siyi played as the damage dealer and successfully secured the MVP for the entire match.
Xia Zhijun tapped on her table. Gu Siyi turned to look at him, revealing a smile with two small dimples, and a hint of pride in her eyes. At least she managed to impress this honor student. Even though her grades weren’t great, she had a well-rounded development!
“Excuse me, don’t make a noise please,” Xia Zhijun said lightly.
♥
The author has something to say:
Here comes the romantic genius Xia Gongzi*, who appears cold on the outside but is warm on the inside, and is exceptionally good at flirting. This is the story of him and his wife growing up together while sprinkling sweetness on each other~~~
[*Young Master]
♥♥♥