Read Novel Full Getting used to each other
Getting used to each other
There are a thousand ways to annoy someone. As Shao Cixin thought of them, she used each one, never showing mercy to Wen Yu.
And as the saying goes, “When you are a couple, you should be in sync with each other.”
Since Wen Zhihan is at odds with Wen Yu, how could she stand by and not follow her wife’s lead?
“Taking care of” the mental and physical health of scum women is everyone’s responsibility![2]
Having said that, Shao Cixin was ready to leave.
Wen Yu, holding a red envelope, called out to her subconsciously.
She stopped, turned around, and kindly asked, “Is there anything else, little aunt[2]?”
Wen Yu: “…”
She really disliked that address and truly didn’t understand why Shao Cixin was now confronting her.
In this life, they had not even married yet, no mistakes had been made, and everything could be reversed.
Even the issue with Tian Jiahe, she had let go of. Why wouldn’t Shao Cixin believe her?
“Cixin…”
With a sigh, full of frustration and the pain of being misunderstood.
In the past, whenever she sighed, Shao Cixin would ask gently what was wrong.
Now when she sighed, Shao Cixin’s expression immediately changed.
“What ‘Cixin’? You should call me ‘sister-in-law’, you know?! “
Shao Cixin pretended to search through her phone.
“I still have screenshots of you calling me ‘sister-in-law’ before. There’s evidence, you better not deny it!”
“…”
Wen Yu was left speechless. After a while, she said, “Cixin, you weren’t like this before.”
“Before?” Shao Cixin laughed coldly, “Wasn’t I like this before? Shouldn’t you reflect on whether you ever truly understood me?
“Besides, who wants to live in the past? What’s the point? Am I a masochist?”
Wen Yu was taken aback.
Just as Shao Cixin said, she indeed didn’t understand her before.
At that time, her whole heart belonged to Tian Jiahe, chasing an illusory love.
Trying to grasp that love, she neglected what she thought was a stable presence by her side, and this is the result.
She knew she was wrong, deeply wrong.
She genuinely wanted to start over.
As long as Shao Cixin was willing to restart with her, even if Wen Zhihan cut off her finances, she’d have no fear!
“Cixin, I’m sorry, it’s my fault. I will change, I want to get to know you again…”
She lowered her gaze, appearing extremely humble.
Yet, all this meant nothing in Shao Cixin’s eyes.
She couldn’t forget the wound Wen Yu left on her heart in the previous life, couldn’t forget the disdainful look of Wen Yu and Tian Jiahe together, acting like their love was above everything and everyone.
If she truly had a hint of affection, how could she treat her like that?
In short, she was just a tool for Wen Yu to showcase her great love with Tian Jiahe!
It’s best to cut ties when they should be cut.
If the past life was a trap, why would she jump back into it in this life?
Thinking this, all her sympathy melted into coldness in her eyes, never to be shown to the person before her.
“Not every ‘I’m sorry’ can be answered with ‘It’s okay’. You, as an adult, should understand that, right?
“So keep apologizing, and if I forgive you, I’m a dog!”[3]
Yet another rejection pierced Wen Yu’s heart.
Seeing the firm rejection on Shao Cixin’s face, she felt immense pain.
But she still wasn’t willing to give up.
A person who loved her so deeply, how could they just stop loving?
Moreover, she didn’t see any affection from Shao Cixin towards Wen Zhihan, meaning there might still be a chance.
Maybe deep down, Shao Cixin still had feelings for her, waiting for her to rekindle, to rebuild their past relationship?
She couldn’t give up easily; otherwise, what was the point of her rebirth?
She believed that every twist of fate had its unique reason.
“I know I was terribly wrong, and I don’t expect you to forgive me now.”
Wen Yu gripped the object in her hand, as if trying to hold onto their bond, her gaze tender.
“But please watch, I’ll prove to you that I’ve changed, and I sincerely want to make up with you!”
Shao Cixin glanced at her and frowned, making a comment, “You have no morals!”
She’s even trying to steal her own sister’s woman, truly morally corrupt. Shao Cixin expressed disdain, finding it contemptible.
Wen Yu wanted to say something more.
But Wen Zhihan’s voice suddenly interrupted their still-unpleasant conversation, “Cixin.”
Shao Cixin turned and realized that Wen Zhihan hadn’t gone far.
She had been behind the balcony door, listening to their conversation, just like before.
Seeing her there, Shao Cixin immediately approached, playing the sweet and cute role, “Wifey, hug!”
Wen Zhihan willingly opened her arms, pulling her into a hug, caressing her long hair, and whispered in her ear, “Cixin, I have a New Year’s gift for you.”
Shao Cixin’s attention shifted instantly, “Really? What is it?”
Wen Zhihan softly replied, “It’s something beautiful, you can see it when you go back to the room.”
This brief description hit right at Shao Cixin’s heart.
“Then I’ll go back to the room first, you come back soon!” She gleefully ran off.
Wen Yu, left behind, was again shown up.
She was irritated by Wen Zhihan’s appearance, glaring at her, ready to leave.
At that moment, Wen Zhihan stretched out a hand to block the door, calmly barring her way.
Wen Yu glared back fiercely.
But the person before her had deep and mysterious eyes. The soft voice carried an undeniable authority, “You’re grown up now, you should understand things. Don’t cause trouble for your sister-in-law, and don’t use our parents against her, making her uncomfortable in front of them.
“She is my wife, a living person, not your possession. Understand?”
“You!”
Watching Wen Zhihan’s retreating figure, Wen Yu was filled with rage.
This New Year’s was really filling her up with anger!
Shao Cixin was trying on a necklace in her room.
It was a chic silver necklace, the New Year gift from Wen Zhihan.
It was beautiful, and she loved it and was very pleased.
As soon as Wen Zhihan returned to the room, she saw Shao Cixin putting on the necklace, humming an off-tune melody, looking in a good mood.
“Do you like it, Cixin?”
“Love it!”
“That’s good.”
Shao Cixin sat in front of the mirror, admiring herself[4]. Then she turned to Wen Zhihan, “How did you think of getting me a gift all of a sudden?”
Wen Zhihan moved the laptop from the bed to a small round table by the window and smiled faintly, “It’s the New Year, it’s normal to prepare gifts for family members. Everyone has one.”
Shao Cixin asked curiously, “For my parents too?”
Wen Zhihan: “Yes.”
Shao Cixin: “And for your sister?”
Wen Zhihan nodded.
This made Shao Cixin feel even more that Wen Zhihan was a good-tempered person.
If she and her sister had such a strained relationship, she wouldn’t expect gifts. Not quarreling daily would already be a huge kindness.
“So, what did you get her?” she asked casually.
“A stable job,” Wen Zhihan replied.
Shao Cixin: “…”
Mind-blown[5].
So typical of you, always having a trick up your sleeve.
At mealtime, there was a knock on Wen Zhihan’s door, followed by a dispassionate voice, “Wen Zhihan, time to eat.”
Clearly, it was her younger sister being urged by their parents to call her.
“Let’s go, it’s time to eat,” Wen Zhihan got up.
Upon hearing this, Shao Cixin obediently got up from the bed.
Then, the two of them held hands as if glued together, tightly, until they sat down at the dining table.
Wen Yu once again sat opposite them.
Shao Cixin didn’t even bother to give her an extra glance, calmly eating her food.
Family meals, no talk of work.
Lu Lan and Jiang Na discussed clothing and jewelry, and the flowers kept in the backyard.
Wen Xingyun and Shao Heng talked about tea, and also chatted with their mothers about the plants they kept.
Wen Xingyun bluntly said that Shao Heng’s gardening skills were subpar. Even though he teased mercilessly, it never felt uncomfortable.
He and Shao Heng now seemed like brothers who had grown up together, teasing each other but genuinely caring deep down.
Shao Cixin had seen this dynamic in her previous life.
Back then, Wen Xingyun even said he wished he had met her father earlier.
At that time, she truly believed both families would continue to get along harmoniously, without losing anyone.
She wondered how the relationship between the two families had changed after her death…
With her gaze lowered, she absent-mindedly picked at the food in her bowl.
Just then, she heard the person beside her softly ask, “Cixin, do you want shrimp?”
She replied absentmindedly.
After a moment, a hand reached out in front of her, placing a peeled shrimp in her bowl.
Her thoughts snapped back, and she looked over to Wen Zhihan.
The silver-grey sleeves of her shirt were rolled up, revealing a fair arm. Her delicate fingers were peeling another shrimp.
She seemed to pamper her like a doting husband would his wife.
“What are you thinking about?” Wen Zhihan softly asked.
Only then did Shao Cixin realize what she had done.
She quickly held Wen Zhihan’s hand, took a napkin to wipe her hands clean, leaned in, and whispered, “I was just spacing out, I didn’t really want shrimp. You didn’t have to peel it for me…”
Wen Zhihan’s gaze swept over their parents engaged in conversation, then settled back on Shao Cixin.
She smiled calmly, “I’m just playing along with our affectionate act.”
This reminded Shao Cixin of her image of being so deeply in love with Wen Zhihan that she couldn’t breathe[6].
— Wen Zhihan is already doing her part in acting lovey-dovey. What are you daydreaming about? Don’t be the one dragging the team down!
Shao Cixin immediately rolled up her sleeves, “Do you want some? I’ll peel it for you.”
Wen Zhihan didn’t stand on ceremony, “Yes, I’ll eat.”
So Shao Cixin began to wholeheartedly peel shrimp for her “wife”. Once peeled, she placed it on Wen Zhihan’s plate, one by one, seemingly enjoying the process.
Wen Yu across the table looked as if she wanted to ask Wen Zhihan: Do you not have hands?
The couple’s actions soon drew the attention of their parents.
Both sets of parents saw Shao Cixin peeling the shrimp so earnestly for Wen Zhihan and exchanged knowing smiles.
— The kids are married, they’ve learned to care for one another.
“Hanhan,” Joanna suddenly spoke, “Aren’t you going on a show with XinXin?”
Upon hearing this, all eyes turned to Wen Zhihan.
Wen Xingyun asked, “A show? What show?”
Lu Lan spoke gently, “It seems to be some… couple’s show.”
Shao Heng: “I see…”
Wen Xingyun looked puzzled at Wen Zhihan, “Why did you suddenly want to go on TV?”
Wen Yu’s gaze seemed to pierce through both of them.
Joining a couples’ variety show?
With just the two of them?
Do they even have feelings for each other? Aren’t they afraid of being exposed on that kind of show?
Who will be to blame when Shao Cixin gets cursed out by netizens?
Shao Cixin could feel Wen Yu’s piercing gaze.
If they can’t perform well on this variety show, their display of affection won’t pass by Wen Yu.
Soon after, she heard Wen Zhihan softly laughing. “I want to make more memories with Cixin. By joining the program, we can look back on them anytime. Isn’t that a good idea?”
A watertight response.
Shao Cixin almost wanted to turn around and give her a thumbs up.
Just as Wen Yu was about to mockingly speak, she remembered the parents were present and swallowed her words, coldly snorting in silence.
Memories?
She didn’t believe it.
Where did these two get any feelings from? Maybe they’re just doing it for the appearance fee.
But since Wen Zhihan is so good at making ceremonial remarks, she would certainly watch their variety show when it airs.
After dinner, Wen Zhihan and Shao Cixin chatted with their parents in the courtyard before heading back to their room.
It was cold. Shao Cixin didn’t want to stay outside. Once inside, she immediately took off her shoes and dove under the covers.
Wen Zhihan walked to the window, sat down on a chair, and opened her laptop.
Shao Cixin propped up her head, surprised. “You’re working even on New Year’s Day?”
Wen Zhihan replied, “It’s not work.”
Shao Cixin let out an “Oh.”
Wen Zhihan thought for a moment, then corrected, “It’s kind of work.”
Shao Cixin: “?”
After a while, Shao Cixin heard the familiar introduction of a variety show coming from Wen Zhihan’s laptop.
Curious, she climbed out of bed to take a closer look.
Let her, Shao Cixin, see what kind of work involves watching a variety show.
She then discovered Wen Zhihan was watching a couples’ variety show.
It was the episode where they were invited, all the way up to episode five.
“?”
Shao Cixin, puzzled, asked, “How is this work?”
Wen Zhihan laughed, explaining, “Cixin, I’m not a professional actress. Since I’m going to accompany you on the show, I should do some research in advance, see how other couples interact.”
“Moreover,” she continued, “Wen Yu will definitely watch, hoping to catch us slipping up. We should give it our best performance.”
Shao Cixin: “…”
This must be what a top-student wife is like…
“That makes sense. Keep it up! If you need anything, just call me. I believe in you.”
Shao Cixin returned to her comfy cocoon.
In terms of acting, she was a pro. It came naturally to her, unlike Wen Zhihan, who had to study so much.
The two of them, one sitting and one lying down, were peacefully coexisting.
The room was filled only with the sounds of the variety show, combined with the falling snow outside. In Shao Cixin’s view, it was incredibly tranquil, and utterly relaxing.
Suddenly, she heard the sound of a keyboard being tapped.
Wen Zhihan paused the video and turned to look at her, smiling gently, “Cixin, I think we need to get used to something before the filming starts.”
“What?”
Shao Cixin sat up.
With a soft look, Wen Zhihan explained, “Every couple on the show is very sweet and affectionate. From them, I’ve realized that sweetness is simple; it’s about getting used to each other.”
“Getting used to each other’s presence, being together, and most importantly — getting used to being intimate.”
“They’re not shy about kissing in front of the camera, expressing their love.”
“But outside of our agreed upon times, we never kiss.”
Shao Cixin blinked.
Wen Zhihan smiled at her, her smile warm like the winter sun, incredibly gentle.
“Cixin, do you understand what I’m trying to say?”
Author’s Note:
Xinxin: O.O
If you peel away the layers of my heart, you’ll find — damn, it’s all just schemes!
- [1] “关爱”渣女身心健康, 人人有责！” – This can be translated as “Taking care of” the mental and physical health of “scum women” is everyone’s responsibility. “渣女” (zhā nǚ) directly translates to “scum woman” and is a slang term sometimes used to describe women who may not adhere to societal norms or are seen as morally questionable.
- [2] “小、姨、子” – This directly translates to “little aunt”. It’s a term of address that is sometimes used sarcastically or mockingly, especially when the speaker is not much younger than the person they’re addressing.
- [3] 我是狗 – “I’m a dog” is a colloquial expression in Chinese, similar to the English phrase “I’ll eat my hat”. It’s an emphatic way of saying something will absolutely not happen.
- [4] “臭美” (chòu měi) is a colloquial term that means to be vain or to admire oneself. In this context, Shao Cixin is indulging in her own beauty.
- [5] “绝了” (jué le) is a slang term that translates to “mind-blown” or “I can’t even”, expressing amazement or disbelief.
- [6] The “小甜甜人设” (xiǎo tián tián rén shè) can be translated as “sweet little character setting”. It refers to a constructed image or persona, in this context, that of being deeply in love.
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