310 Your Landlady
A white car stopped near her after a while and she opened the passenger seat to sit inside.
“Spill, “Shen Yue said, driving away.
“What?” An Xiulan asked in confusion.
“You and Zixin are behaving strangely. Tell me what happened or you will have to face my wrath, ” Shen Yue threatened.
“Yue’r, you are thinking too much, “An Xiulan mumbled and looked out of the window.
“You are saying that it’s not strange that he pulled you away from everyone and then left you alone in the rain, “Shen Yue said with a scoff. “Nonsense! The Han Zixin I know worship the land you walk on. You are his best friend. You guys were close even when you were in different countries.”
“We were until a few months ago, ” An Xiulan murmured under her breath. Thankfully, Shen Yue didn’t hear what she just said. “Also, we are normal. We are meeting after seven years and this behaviour is natural.”
“Fine, tell me about your boyfriend, “Shen Yue asked and An Xiulan choked on air. “Or you are planning to marry your best friend.”
“Yue’r, I don’t promote puppy love!”
“Come on, you are twenty five!” Shen Yue commented. “If you don’t have a boyfriend now, when will you have one? I think you should get one now.”
“Why are you all hellbent on the same thing, ” An Xiulan muttered and closed her eyes. She felt her phone vibrating and when she opened her eyes to look at the caller, she silenced the phone. However, the caller was stubborn just like her. In the end, she took the call.
“Xiulan, you have to talk to Shangyan, ” She heard Yoona say. “How could he come into a relationship after just breaking up with me? Before you take your brother’s side, check out his WeChat. He is in a relationship with your friend. Don’t you have a rule where your friends can’t date your brother?”
An Xiulan sighed, “First of all, I have no idea you guys broke up.” Looking at Shen Yue who was driving the car, she added, “And if he really is in a relationship, I’m sorry I can’t interfere in it. You know why? Because I will be pissed if my brothers interfere in my romantic life. Lastly, stop making me an intermediary between you guys all the time. I have a life of my own.”
“You are being selfish, ” Yoona replied. “Please help me.”
“I’m selfish. Why should I help you?” An Xiulan questioned, “Remember I helped in three divorced cases and I got my clients a good settlement. Call me when you are married and want a divorce.” Before hanging up, she added, “If you want a friend, I’m always here but if you want his sister to convince him to take your side each single time, then goodbye. See you soon.”
“Who pissed you?” Shen Yue asked.
“Just someone who needs to attend a couple of therapy sessions, ” An Xiulan muttered. She searched for a good online couple therapist and sent the information to both Yoona and Gu Shangyan asking them to solve their problems themselves.
“You and your obsession with therapy, ” Shen Yue helplessly said.
“Hey, therapy works. My dysfunctional family is working fine because of therapy, ” An Xiulan argued. She then fell silent and mumbled, “However, there are some problems that even therapy can’t solve.”
“Again, what’s your deal with Han Zixin?” Shen Yue asked.
“Nothing!” An Xiulan muttered and looked out of the window.
______
The next day, Han Zixin was in his house, roaming shirtless. He had just cooked breakfast for himself and in a few minutes, he had to leave for the office. However, he was waiting for his landlord to come and sign the contract who promised him to meet at his house.
The bell rang and he opened the door only to find someone standing on his doorstep hiding face with the contract papers. The person slowly kept the papers down and smiled brightly at him.
Han Zixin heaved out a sigh. “You are my landlord?”
An Xiulan smiled widely at him. “Hi, Mr Tenant. You shouldn’t open the door half naked. What if a mad woman pounced on you?” Her eyes widened as she realised what she just said. She placed her palms on her mouth and shook her head fervently.
Han Zixin narrowed his eyes on her face and gave her a side to enter. She was just… Littleblock head. As she entered the house, a delicious aroma of food entered her nostrils. She saw a plate of food placed on the dining table and she ran towards it and took a bite of delicious bacon and eggs with toasted bread. Simple breakfast but it was delicious.
“Hey, it’s mine, ” Han Zixin said as he saw a thief stealing his food b
“You can cook more but pitiful me can’t!” An Xiulan gave him best puppy eyes.
“Fine, “He sighed and took a seat next to her. He used a pair of chopsticks and ate.
“Hey, cook for yourself. I already ate from this plate already, “An Xiulan said in horror.
“It’s not like it’s the first time we ate from the same plate, ” Han Zixin argued. “Did you forget we used to drink tea from the same cup? We ate with the same chopsticks.”
An Xiulan scratched her head. “We are no longer young. It’s a bit awkward now.”
Han Zixin didn’t say anything and let her eat the
food and went to cook for himself.
When it came to signing the agreement, he asked her for rent. “How much do I have to pay you each month for this place?”
An Xiulan blinked her eyes. “Why would you pay me?”
“I’m renting this place from you. Aren’t you the landlord?” Han Zixin asked.
“I’m only interested in becoming your landlady, ” An Xiulan honestly replied. “I have no interest in rent.”
“That’s not how it works, “Han Zixin told her. “If you aren’t taking any rent, I can’t live here.”
“What do you mean you aren’t living here?” An Xiulan questioned. “If you were my landlord, would you take rent from me?”
“Of course, ” He said instantly. It was a different thing that the rent wouldn’t be in monetary terms but she didn’t need to know about this.
“Han Zixin! I have raised you for nothing!” She said loudly.
“Drama queen, ” He muttered. “Act like a cutthroat lawyer that you claim to be.”
“If I have to behave like that with you too, then what’s the benefit of us being best friends? An Xiulan questioned him.
Han Zixin stared at her angrily but then sighed. He couldn’t do anything with her. She was just… never mind.
“Why are you here?” Han Zixin finally questioned her.
“I’m the landlady. Of course, it will be me who will come to see you, not another woman, ” An Xiulan said as a matter of fact.
“It’s not like you are charging me rent, “Han Zixin muttered.
“You agreed not to pay me rent, ” An Xiulan said with shining eyes.
“Yes, you are selling me the house, ” Han Zixin smirked.
An Xiulan’s smile fell. “I said no such thing.”
Han Zixin leaned his face near hers and she swallowed hard.
“What are you doing?” She asked in hesitation. She put a hand on her lips and exclaimed, “You can’t kiss me again!”
Han Zixin made a sour face as he heard her words but gently wiped the oil from her nose. While eating breakfast, she ended up smearing some food oil on her lips.
“Dirty mind, “Han Zixin muttered.
“What did you just say?” An Xiulan roared. “How dare you call me dirty minded? You! You! You made me lose my first kiss.”
Han Zixin smirked and went back to eating his breakfast.
“I hate you, “An Xiulan announced.
“Oh you don’t, “He nonchalantly added.
An Xiulan cursed under her breath but when he gave her a look, she zipped her mouth and sat there quitely.
“I want to buy this house, “Han Zixin said.
“I don’t wanna sell to you, “An Xiulan said stubbornly.
“I can afford it, “He said.
“Of course, I know Mr secret superstar, “An Xiulan gave him a fake smile.
“God, “He ran hand through his head and mumbled. “Why are you so stubborn?”
An Xiulan flipped her hair and said proudly, “You have to be me to find it out.”
“Then, I will move out now, “Han Zixin said.
“Oh my god, are you for real?” An Xiulan screamed. “I vowed to raise you when we were young, didn’t I? Now why are you backing out? Little Zixin, listen to Jiejie and stop being stubborn.”
“Jiejie? Whose Jiejie are you? Xiaobao’s?” Han Zixin grimaced.
“Yours too, “She chuckled and stood up from there to leave her alone. Oh, it was too easy to tick him off. Tsk. Tsk. He was no fun.
“I know what you are doing, “Han Zixin said. “I’m not playing brother-sister fantasy with you. Find someone else.”