Chapter 321

Chapter 321: Teacher Yu is Really Cute

Xia Yuan had booked a villa in a hot spring resort in the Linjiang District. Guo Yun often brought her family there, so she recommended it to Xia Yuan.

Since they had directly booked the villa, it came with four bedrooms. The third floor was a large suite, the second floor had a small suite, and the first floor had two double rooms. There was also a small hot spring pool outside.

After everyone toured the villa, Xia Yuan started assigning rooms. She let Mei Lijun and his wife, who were bringing their daughter, stay in the large suite. Her parents stayed in the small suite on the second floor, she and You Xi stayed in one of the double rooms downstairs, and Mei Fang got his own room.

Although Mei Fang’s family home was somewhat similar in structure, this villa was much larger. Mei Ya was thrilled to be in such a spacious place with an elevator, running up and down excitedly.

The two double rooms on the first floor were at the end of the hallway next to the living room and shared a bathroom. While Mei Fang was arranging the beds, Xia Yuan and You Xi came in to check out the room.

“This ground floor feels a bit old. Will the windows leak air?” Xia Yuan waved her hand near the window in Mei Fang’s room and then looked back at him, “Do you want to sleep over at our place tonight? I’ll warm your bed for you.”

“Are you that daring?”

Just as Mei Fang was complaining, You Xi walked over and wrapped her arm around his waist, giving him a doting smile, “Regardless, I’m currently Fang’s public girlfriend. It would be better if I warmed your bed.”

“You Xi, you’re not warming at all. Don’t overestimate yourself.”

“Even though I’m a bit cold, I have plenty of ways to warm you up.”

“I, I can do that too! Don’t underestimate me—”

Before Xia Yuan could speak, Teacher Yu’s voice came from outside the door, “Yuanyuan, are you guys here?”

She just peeked out when she saw You Xi hugging Xia Yuan while looking out the window, and Mei Fang standing by like a subordinate.

“What are you looking at outside?”

“Just… we were wondering which room has a better view.”

Xia Yuan grinned, “Mei and I wanted to find a more comfortable room to sleep in. Our room feels a bit cold.”

“Don’t bully Fang, okay?”

“Yes, yes!”

Xia Yuan ran to her mother and asked, “Have you guys finished packing?”

“We’re done. We were waiting for you…”

Teacher Yu smiled, “Yuanyuan, do you have any other plans for the afternoon? We should probably go soak in the hot springs after dinner.”

“That’s right, after dinner. The villa has game consoles, billiards, and even a projector for movies. What do you want to play?”

Teacher Yu shook her head, “It all seems like things young people enjoy. I’d rather go outside and explore. Maybe we can pick strawberries at this time.”

“There aren’t any strawberry farms around here…”

Xia Yuan was amused. Mei Fang suggested to Teacher Yu, “Teacher Yu, there’s a mahjong table on the third floor. How about we play mahjong together?”

“Mahjong? Sure, but I’m not very good at it… I think I’ll watch Yuanyuan’s dad play.”

Baimei County was known for its mahjong culture. Civil servants would often gather for mahjong during their free time or weekends. Mei Lijun and Xiaoxia occasionally played for social events or holidays.

Xia Yuan’s family didn’t have a habit of playing mahjong, but her grandmother loved it, so Xia Yuan learned a bit.

Teacher Yu, with her intellectual aura, preferred flowers, beautiful scenery, and fashion. When Mei Youyuan followed Teacher Yu upstairs, You Xi couldn’t help but compliment her:

“Teacher Yu, the coat you’re wearing today looks really nice, especially with those white high-heeled winter boots. You look like a college student from behind.”

“Oh… really?”

Teacher Yu, flattered, adjusted her hair, “I was thinking before I left if this outfit might make me look too young.”

“No, no… You look exactly how I remember, with no signs of aging.”

You Xi smiled, “I should learn from you about taking care of myself.”

“Oh, it’s not that great…”

“Why say that? Ask Fang.”

You Xi nudged Mei Fang, who nodded and smiled, “You truly are like Yuanyuan’s sister!”

Xia Yuan pouted, “Don’t praise my mom like that, it makes me feel old. Though my mom’s fashion sense and skincare are great…”

“The secret is to keep a good mood and not get angry easily. Speaking of, your dad used to be easily affected by emotions, but now he’s more laid-back, and he looks healthier.”

“Though you’ve made a lot of money, don’t get arrogant. No one can always succeed, not even Fang.”

Mei Fang nodded, “I understand, Teacher Yu.”

“Good, good boy.”

Teacher Yu instinctively touched Mei Fang’s head, a gesture she often used to comfort younger students. Mei Fang suddenly felt a childhood warmth and blushed.

“Mom, what are you doing? That’s embarrassing!”

“Oh? Why?”

Facing Xia Yuan’s anger, Teacher Yu was puzzled, “What’s embarrassing? You used to love it when I touched your head. Remember when you competed for little red flags in class?”

“I can’t remember that… Just don’t touch Fang in front of You Xi, it’s rude.”

Then You Xi softly said to Teacher Yu, “Teacher Yu, don’t misunderstand, Yuanyuan is jealous.”

“Jealous of me? Oh, I see, you think I favor Fang, right?”

Teacher Yu also patted Xia Yuan’s head.

She smiled, “You want that too, right?”

“I don’t!”

“You’re just stubborn.”

You Xi, after being patted on the head, held her chest, confused.

“Thanks for cooking such a big meal for the whole family, you must be tired.”

Unlike Mei Fang, who often ate at Xia Yuan’s house, You Xi rarely did.

As a child, You Xi was shy and didn’t greet Xia Yuan’s parents, but Teacher Yu thought she was polite and offered her candy and drinks.

Though You Xi found the greatest warmth from Xiaoxia, she admired Xia Yuan’s mother too, envying Yuanyuan’s beautiful and kind teacher.

Suddenly being patted on the head by Yuanyuan’s mom, You Xi felt shy and unconsciously leaned towards Mei Fang, then realized it wasn’t appropriate and stood back, tugging at her hair.

“Thank you.”

Mei Fang and Xia Yuan hadn’t seen You Xi’s shy side in years. Curious, they stared at her.

They went upstairs, and Teacher Yu ran to call her husband for mahjong. Mei Fang and Xia Yuan gathered around You Xi.

“You Xi, your face turned red earlier.”

You Xi seemed sincere, “Your mom is really cute… just like Yuanyuan.”

“Because life is carefree.”

Xia Yuan thought for a moment, “But don’t let her appearance fool you. She grew up in a single-parent family, like You Xi.”

“Single-parent family?”

Mei Fang was surprised, “No wonder I never met your grandpa.”

“My grandpa passed away when my mom was in middle school, leaving her and grandma a lot of inheritance. Many uncles wanted a share, but grandma kept them in line. Even though they weren’t short of money, being an orphan and widow isn’t easy. My mom spoke of it casually, like she was born happy and optimistic.”

“No wonder Teacher Yu is so approachable. She’s like an angel, and Yuanyuan is a cute little angel too.”

You Xi pinched Xia Yuan’s cheek, “My little angel is so cute!”

“Oh You Xi, stop that!”

Mei Fang coughed loudly, “Hey, both of you, mind your image…”

“Afang is jealous too?”

You Xi hugged Xia Yuan, “Are you jealous of me or Yuanyuan?”

“Can’t I be jealous of both?”

Mei Fang shrugged helplessly.

“Generally, no… But Afang can.”

Teacher Yu dragged Xia Yuan upstairs to find Mei Lijun and Xiaoxia, where they heard the sound of shuffling tiles.

“Hey, Old Xia, Teacher Yu, we were just about to invite you to play mahjong. Come on, join us!”

“I rarely play with family.”

Xia Yuan rubbed his face, “I can’t… I don’t know how.”

Teacher Yu quickly stood behind Xia Yuan, “Let the kids play. I enjoy watching my husband play.”

“Anybody here who knows how to play mahjong? Let’s play, Mei Fang?”

“Sure, I’ll give it a try.”

Mei Fang was about to join when Mei Lijun suddenly stood up, looking serious as if to draw his belt. Mei Fang knew he was tricking him but kept a calm face and explained, “It’s not hard. I watched you play when I was a kid. It’s just 3+3+3+3+2. I know how to count.”

“Haha, you really can’t take a joke.”

Mei Lijun quickly scratched his head, “Such a simple trick fooled you. How do you run a business?”

“…Comrade Mei, how old are you?”

Mei Fang sighed, “Why are you so childish…”

“It’s fun, loosens up the atmosphere and avoids awkwardness.”

Mei Lijun, a seasoned official, often played mahjong for social events. He was confident in his skills.

“For fairness, since you guys play less often, let’s not count money in the first round.”

Mei Fang frowned, “You’re counting money? Isn’t this just for fun?”

“Only when we count money is it fun.” Mei Lijun smiled, “Each person starts with 100 yuan, and each round is worth 1 yuan. You won’t lose much in an afternoon.”

“Fine, as long as it’s not too serious.”

Meiya watched the adults sit down for mahjong and felt uneasy, “Wait, Brother, why don’t Yuanyuan and You Xi come down with me to play the new OBOX ONE gaming console?”

“Sure, sure, let’s go!”

Xia Yuan was indifferent about the cards but felt disappointed that her mom wasn’t joining. She wanted to watch Mei Fang play, but now, as her ex-girlfriend, she couldn’t be too close to him. She pulled Meiya along.

When she looked at You Xi, You Xi waved, “Go ahead with Meiya. I want to stay and watch.”

“…”

Seeing You Xi obediently sitting behind Mei Fang, Xia Yuan felt competitive. Meiya kept swinging her arms, making Xia Yuan hesitate.

Well…

I still prefer playing games!

So Xia Yuan decided to abandon everyone and go downstairs to play games with Meiya.

In Baimei County, despite its small population, mahjong culture thrived with strict rules.

There were 120 tiles without wind directions. You could only pair tiles, not eat them. The fa tile added a point and allowed drawing an extra card. Other special hands included pure suits, pairs, seven pairs, and抢杠胡.

With many ways to win with a fa tile, calculating became complex.

Mei Fang, familiar with the rules from past festivals, was confident in his skills.

“Win!”

“Self-drawn 258 tiles! Got it!”

“Hey, Fang, don’t draw! Single wait!”

“Again, Fang! This time you lost big. I have a pure suit pair!”

Mei Lijun wasn’t exaggerating. He dominated the game, even beating his son Mei Fang, who was left reeling. Xia Yuan kept shaking his head at Mei Fang’s frequent losses.

Could you at least show some skill, Dad! Who’s trying to please you?

Just as Mei Fang was unsure how to continue, You Xi nudged him.

“Can I try a few rounds? I want to play.”

Mei Fang was surprised, “You already know how? Give it a try…”

Mei Fang decided to let You Xi start. You Xi leaned in to whisper.

“I’ll avenge you.”

You Xi’s sweet interaction increased Xia Yuan’s annoyance by 30 points.

—

A friend is going to Thailand for work tomorrow. I’ll go to Guangzhou to see him off for a few days, but I’ll still post 4000 words daily.

—

End of Chapter