Chapter 48: Let Her Stick To Her Like That
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
"...For a person of your father's level, I think everyone hopes to leave a good impression on him." Ruan Yesheng did not forget to praise Xi Mo's father as she spoke.
Xi Mo's expression was unclear: "You are quite good at talking."
The two of them left the garage, walking along a carefully designed garden-like pathway towards the most prominent mansion within the estate.
Entering the living room on the first floor, the housekeeper, Auntie Zhou, who had been notified that they were coming early greeted them and said that Xi Mo's father had gone to the flower room. Xi Mo and Auntie Zhou are very familiar with each other, but this time, Xi Mo had to pretend to be a newcomer, putting on a slightly reserved and shy demeanor. She greeted Auntie Zhou, "Hello."
Auntie Zhou couldn't help but think that this girl was exceptionally beautiful, and somehow she looked a bit familiar. She just couldn't figure out who she might be. However, since Xi Mo's family had a big star like Xi Mo, this friend who came back with her might also be some celebrity. Auntie Zhou chatted cheerfully with Xi Mo, asking her name and where she worked. Xi Mo replied that she is currently filming in the same crew as “Xi Mo”. Auntie Zhou happily expressed that when the drama was released, she would definitely become a fan and follow it closely.
While talking, she very naturally came over to take the things Ruan Yesheng was carrying in her hands.
It was Ruan Yesheng's first time coming here, especially to the estate where Xi Mo's father lived. The significance of this visit was extraordinary for her. She couldn't help but feel a bit nervous, even though she pretended to be calm on the surface. She was like a tensed string inside.
Upon seeing Auntie Zhou coming over to take the things, Ruan Yesheng instinctively bent down a bit, expressing her gratitude, "Thank you."
Auntie Zhou probably felt that her behavior this time was somewhat different from her previous visits, displaying a kind of unfamiliar politeness. Aunt Zhou suddenly laughed, "After being away for so long, why are you suddenly so polite to Auntie?"
Ruan Yesheng: "..."
Auntie Zhou took the things and said with a smile: "You child, no need to say thank you to me. Isn't this all a matter of duty? It makes Auntie feel embarrassed."
She had been helping out in the Xi family for a long time, and she also witnessed Xi Mo's growth. After Xi Mo became famous, she was busy all year round and moved out. She rarely came back. When she did, Aunt Zhou liked it very much. Auntie Zhou was so fond of the "Xi Mo" in front of her, occasionally showing a bit of unusual behavior, that she couldn't discern it at all.
Ruan Yesheng knew that she had been distracted just now, and immediately regretted it. She glanced at Xi Mo who had a stern look on her snow-capped face. It was hard to tell what she was thinking, but based on Ruan Yesheng's understanding, she was probably enjoying the spectacle.
"Auntie Zhou, I brought you some things. Take a look and see if you like them." Fortunately, Ruan Yesheng reacted quickly, diverting Auntie Zhou's attention with the bags of items she had bought on the way.
"Like it? Of course, I like it." Auntie Zhou nodded repeatedly.
Ruan Yesheng finally got into the act this time. Although she had rarely entered the act so late, she smiled and said, "You haven't even opened it yet, and you're already saying you like it?"
Auntie Zhou laughed with a wide smile, "Why bother looking? Every time you bring me something when you come back, I'm satisfied. Are you tired? Go and rest; I'll prepare dinner for you."
Once Auntie Zhou left, Ruan Yesheng thought of greeting Xi Mo's father in the flower room first. She felt that it would be more courteous this way.
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Xi Mo glanced at her and said, “Okay."
The two of them headed towards the flower room, carrying only the portable refrigerated box containing various flower seeds.
Behind the estate was a large garden, intricately designed with different sections, and the flowers of the current season were in full bloom. Many flowers needed cultivation in the greenhouse, so a considerably large greenhouse flower room was constructed on the east side of the garden. The door to the flower room was open. As Ruan Yesheng walked in, she could see three men bending over to inspect the drip irrigation structure. They were all wearing knee-high work rain boots, dressed in matching gardener outfits, and had gloves on. From this distance, their faces were not clearly visible.
Perhaps the sound of the two entering caught the attention of the people inside. All three of them glanced toward the entrance of the flower room simultaneously. One tall man immediately turned his head and walked away.
Ruan Yesheng: "..."
Xi Mo asked her to stay still and whispered very softly, "Wait here. The one who left is my dad."
"Why did he leave when he saw us?" Ruan Yesheng wasn't aware of the situation and thought they might have offended him in some way, feeling a bit uneasy.
Xi Mo automatically translated her father's actions, "He went to the dressing room on the flower room side to change his clothes. When he saw guests, he thought it would be embarrassing to meet them in that outfit."
Ruan Yesheng: "..."
Xi Mo emphasized in a low voice: "Just pretend you didn't see it."
Ruan Yesheng nodded: "..."
Near the area where the two were standing, there was a small glass-enclosed room. Both inside and outside, several layers of flower shelves were set up, neatly displaying potted plants with a pleasant fragrance wafting through the air. The room also had tables, chairs, and a bookshelf.
Xi Mo gestured, and Ruan Yesheng followed her into the glass room. They looked around, and Ruan Yesheng's gaze fell on the table. Several books were neatly arranged on the table, along with a pen, presumably used for note-taking and annotations while reading.
Although it appeared to be a simple pen, Ruan Yesheng took a closer look and understood that this limited edition pen had a staggering price. Naturally, she also realized who the person sitting here and reading books before was.
Because the books on the table were neatly arranged, Ruan Yesheng conveniently saw the titles on the spines. The books were "Floriculture," "Seedling Cultivation," "Control of Seedling and Flower Diseases and Pests," the bottom one is "How to Become a Compassionate Father," and another one titled "How to Communicate Normally with Children."
Ruan Yesheng: "..."
Of course, Xi Mo also noticed: "..."
Ruan Yesheng thought to herself: It's better to pretend that I didn't see it.
She was afraid of arousing suspicion, so she didn't dare to move around, so she just stood there, with Xi Mo always accompanying her. The two of them waited in the small glass room for a long time, but there was no movement. They turned their backs to the door and looked at each other in silence for a long time. Xi Mo finally turned around. Luckily, as soon as she turned, she noticed a person standing solemnly behind them, dressed neatly, and wearing a serious expression.
Xi Mo felt the usual stern and imposing aura of that person, her heart trembled, and she unconsciously blurted out, "...Dad."
Dad Xi: "..."
Ruan Yesheng: "..."
This call was completely a conditioned reflex, especially since Xi Mo had always respected her father, Xi Ji, from childhood to adulthood. As she openly admitted, she was so afraid of her dad that it might have caused some psychological shadows. Despite her thorough preparation beforehand, Xi Ji's sudden appearance behind her still startled her.
Ruan Yesheng was also stunned.
Originally confident in Xi Mo's acting skills, she believed Xi Mo could present herself well in front of Xi Mo's father and leave a good impression. However, it seems she ended up embarrassing herself.
After Xi Mo spoke, the next moment, she broke out in a cold sweat, feeling awkwardness climbing up her spine. She glanced at Ruan Yesheng, not knowing what happened. Suddenly, she wasn't afraid anymore, and only regret remained. She regretted not securing a high impression score for Ruan Yesheng in front of her father. Now, forget about a high or low score, it might have hit rock bottom, leaving only a fraction remaining.
However, Xi Mo reacted quickly and inexplicably wanted to save the game for Ruan Yesheng. Even though her heart was turbulent, her acting skills were at her fingertips. She immediately continued what she had just said in a low voice: "...Dad Xi..He... Hello."
Her previous "Dad" was originally spoken very softly, almost a whisper due to being startled. This time, she imitated that tone and called out, "Dad Xi," trying to mimic the reserved and shy behavior of a sudden guest. The timing of her transition was just right, making it difficult for people to distinguish whether the initial call was "Dad" or "Dad Xi." Considering her subsequent tone, it seemed as if she stuttered due to nervousness, calling out “Dad Xi" twice.
Fortunately, there is indeed such a way to address elders, but it is not particularly common. When greeting friends' parents, you can use "Dad" or "Mom” followed by the friend's surname. For instance, if the friend's surname is Li, you can call their father "Dad Li" and their mother "Mom Li" In some places, even familiar neighbors use this approach, making it sound more affable.
Xi Ji's expression softened a bit as he looked at Xi Mo. Ruan Yesheng continued to salvage the situation, taking the opportunity to introduce, "Dad, she is the friend I mentioned today, Ruan Yesheng. We both happen to be on vacation, so I brought her over to hang out."
Xi Ji listened as Ruan Yesheng spoke, then turned his face towards her and gave a faint acknowledgment.
Ruan Yesheng raised her eyes; during her university days, she had often heard her classmates discussing Xi Mo's family background and her elusive father. Now, she finally had the chance to take a closer look.
Xi Mo is a goddess in the hearts of countless fans, and her beauty is self-evident. Judging from Xi Mo's appearance and the laws of genetics, it's easy to guess that her parents' looks must be outstanding as well. Although Ruan Yesheng had some psychological expectations, seeing Xi Mo's father for the first time today still brought a sense of enlightenment.
Some people's appearance withstands the ravages of time, and Xi Ji is one of them. Handsome in his youth, he still retains a hint of that charm despite the visible signs of aging. The wrinkles on his face tell the story of many years, yet they add a touch of distinguished charm. Especially with his stringent self-discipline, good habits, proper care, and exercise, along with his leisurely pursuit of gardening, he appears quite spirited.
Just standing there, he looked extraordinary and made people respect him.
Xi Ji's tone seemed to have softened, and he turned to Xi Mo, saying, "Hello, Miss Ruan, welcome."
"Thank you, Mr. Xi." Xi Mo may have rarely seen him speak to her in such a kind tone. Although she knew that he was not really talking to her, but to Ruan Yesheng, she was still not used to it.
Xi Ji said: "Didn't you just call me Dad Xi?"
Xi Mo really didn't want to keep calling him "Dad Xi," as it felt quite awkward. The previous address was unavoidable, but she couldn't continue like that. Now, she thought about resolving this issue and put on an appearance of lingering unease and hesitation: "Usually, in our neighborhood, people address each other like this. It became a subconscious habit for me. But just now, I reconsidered and felt that it might not be very suitable... Mr. Xi, I'm really sorry, it was impulsive of me. I hope it didn't cause any inconvenience."
Xi Ji said: “Xiao Ruan, you seem a bit restrained. As for addressing, it's really up to you."
Xi Mo, hearing Xi Ji smoothly transition from addressing "Miss Ruan" to "Xiao Ruan," continued down this path, deliberately appearing as if she was encouraged. She balanced her acting, reduced some of the previous "restraint" and smiled, saying, "Uncle Xi, you're absolutely right."
Xi Ji nodded towards her.
Ruan Yesheng watched as these two smoothly changed their titles without a fuss, gaining a deeper understanding of the saying "like father, like daughter." When Xi Ji looked at what she was holding in her hands, he asked, "What do you have there?"
Ruan Yesheng opened the gift and replied, "Flower seeds."
Xi Ji stared at the flower seeds, observed them for a while, then went to a nearby shelf, grabbed a pair of gloves, and carefully examined a few seeds. Ruan Yesheng noticed that Xi Ji had a profound and reserved demeanor, the kind that kept his thoughts hidden beneath the surface. She couldn't quite decipher his expression so she winked at Xi Mo.
Xi Mo gestured towards her with a glance, and Ruan Yesheng quickly took out her phone, showing Xi Ji the blooming photos she had prepared earlier. She said, "Dad, this is what it looks like when it blooms. Take a look."
Xi Ji took the phone and looked at it for a while, then asked Ruan Yesheng, "Where did you get these?"
Xi Mo knew the timing was right, following Ruan Yesheng's previous words in the garage. She seized the opportunity to enhance Ruan Yesheng's impression in front of her father, saying, "Uncle Xi, I heard from Xi Mo that you really like gardening. So, I asked an uncle I know for some flower seeds and brought them to you."
As Xi Ji sorted the flower seeds, his tone became even more pleasant. He looked at Xi Mo and said, “These flowers are not common. Xiao Ruan has put thought into it. Thank you for the gift; I really like it.”
"As long as Uncle Xi likes it."
Xi Ji continued the conversation with both of them and finally said, "Xi Mo, take Xiao Ruan to rest first. I have some urgent matters to attend to in the flower room. I'll come over later."
After saying that, he added: "Take good care of Xiao Ruan."
"Uncle Xi, you're busy, so we'll take our leave." Xi Mo almost portrayed politeness and courtesy to perfection during this visit. She made a slight bow to Xi Ji before leaving.
Xi Ji nodded again.
Finally leaving the flower room, Xi Mo's face immediately turned cold, and her back was drenched in cold sweat.
Recalling the scene in the flower room, Ruan Yesheng still had lingering fear, but more importantly, she was overjoyed. Subconsciously, she grabbed Xi Mo's arm, "When you called him 'Dad,' I thought my image was ruined. Luckily, you saved me. Thank you. Otherwise, when I transform back, your dad would always think I'm the type who would scream 'Dad' out of fear."
Xi Mo: "..."
...Are you thanking me or mocking me?
Xi Mo thought about pushing away the hand Ruan Yesheng had wrapped around her, hesitated for a moment, and decided to let her stick to her like that. After all, being stuck to by Ruan Yesheng like this wasn't the first time.
Never mind.
"Xi Mo, when your dad was looking at the flower seeds, he clearly didn't say anything. How were you so sure he liked the gift and then spoke for me?” Ruan Yesheng asked.
Xi Mo then translated her father's behavior for her and said: "My father usually doesn't express himself directly. If he doesn't like it, he can just take a look at it. For him, whether something is good or bad is just a matter of a moment. But you see, he looked at it for a while, then went to get gloves, and after that, he stared at the photo of the flower. This indicates that he hasn't seen this type of flower much before, and now he's interested in it. He insists on growing it."
Ruan Yesheng smiled like a flower: "Dad speaks at level ten."
Xi Mo: "..."
Ruan Yesheng sighed and said, "This time, thanks to Uncle Yu and Xiao Sheng, I really need to thank them. If Uncle Yu cultivates more rare flower varieties in the future, I'll bring some over and give them to your Dad."
Xi Mo: "..."
... You're never-ending.
“Since my body hasn't returned to normal, try not to come here again. Acting in front of my dad is honestly a bit challenging," sighed Xi Mo, feeling a bit exhausted. She had never acted under such immense pressure in her life.
Of course, Ruan Yesheng also understands this feeling very well. In fact, she is under immense pressure, feeling as if weapons are hanging over her head, with a deep abyss below. When facing Xi Ji, both of them are very nervous. A little slip, and they could be exposed.
"That can be done after changing back, right?" Ruan Yesheng asked softly.
Xi Mo replied: "We can talk about it after changing back."
Then she glanced at Ruan Yesheng and said mysteriously: "Don't you want to have a high impression in front of my dad? Save your impression points first."
Ruan Yesheng: "..."
Ruan Yesheng took Xi Mo's arm and walked forward. After walking a few steps, she couldn't help but ask: “So, what do you think about the impression I left in front of your Dad today? You're the expert in 'Dad Language Level Ten,' so you must have a clear understanding."
"Eighty or ninety percent," Xi Mo said.
Ruan Yesheng was pleasantly surprised, recognizing that Xi Mo had put in extra effort today while acting in her name, a dedication she hadn't seen before. Clearly, she was going all out to help her in front of Xi Ji. Delighted, Ruan Yesheng said, "The score is so high."
“Perfect score is a thousand points."
Ruan Yesheng: "..."
...You're just annoying me.
Xi Mo suddenly asked what kind of snacks and dishes she usually likes. Ruan Yesheng casually mentioned a few, and Xi Mo stopped talking after hearing them.
Upon returning to the main building, Auntie Zhou cut some fruits for the two of them. She then smiled at Xi Mo and asked, “Miss Ruan, what dishes do you like? You're an honored guest, and Auntie will make a few for you today.”
"Xi Mo politely smiled, thanked her, and remarked that Auntie Zhou was too kind. She mentioned she was not picky and would eat anything. Xi Mo added, “I've heard from Xi Mo that your cooking is particularly delicious. I'm lucky to enjoy it today.”
Auntie Zhou felt Xi Mo's words were as sweet as honey, the more she looked at her, the more she liked her: “Miss Ruan, don't be shy. Just let me know a few dishes you'd like, and I'll cook them for you.”
After the polite exchange, Xi Mo took the opportunity to mention the dishes that Ruan Yesheng likes, the ones she just asked about on the way back.
Author's Note:
Happy holidays everyone, muah muah~
