Chapter 11 – Whose Fault?

Novel Title: 一生之计在于春 (Spring is the Plan of Life)

Author：御小凡 (Yu Xiaofan)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: 姚锦夕 (Yao Jinxi -MC), 吴洋 (Wu Yang -ML)

*Please read at knoxt.space, the original site of translation. TQ*

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…home.

Yao Jinxi’s fingers unconsciously rubbed the surface of the purple clay teapot. This word was also distant from him.

Looking at Wu Yang again, Yao Jinxi’s mood was somewhat different, with a hint of sympathy for fellow wanderers. He didn’t want to dwell on Wu Yang’s past anymore, as it brought pain every time he brought it up. So he went back to the original question, “Well, it’s okay to experience a breakup. Maybe that woman’s lunchbox was made by her boyfriend? Are you going to pursue her boyfriend instead?”

Wu Yang: “…”

Yao Jinxi continued, “You’re so outstanding. You have multiple houses and you’re handsome. Without a doubt, many women at your company would be interested in you. Among them, there must be someone who catches your eye and can cook.”

Suddenly, Wu Yang asked, “Can you cook?”

Yao Jinxi: “Huh?”

After a long pause, Yao Jinxi regained his composure and said, “Yes, I can.”

This wasn’t a lie. Yao Jinxi had helped with household chores, including cooking, when he was young. Plus, living alone for so long, he couldn’t eat out every day.

Wu Yang nodded and didn’t say anything.

Seeing that Wu Yang had nothing more to say, Yao Jinxi smoothly changed the topic. Then, Wu Yang’s phone rang. He took it out to check but hung up immediately. However, not long after, the phone rang again. Wu Yang repeatedly declined the call.

Yao Jinxi became annoyed, “Aren’t you going to answer?”

“Even if I answer, I don’t know what to say,” Wu Yang said, feeling a headache. He turned off his phone and placed it on the table. Then, out of nowhere, he asked, “Do you have any rooms for rent here?”

“Why?” Yao Jinxi turned his head, not taking it seriously. But his tone involuntarily became more intimate. “You, with several houses, are asking me this?”

Wu Yang earnestly replied, “I’ve been staying in hotels. All my properties in City C are rented out while the others have signed leases for one or two years.”

“Isn’t staying in a hotel convenient? No need to clean or anything. Besides…” Yao Jinxi glanced at the ceiling and spoke honestly, “I really don’t have any rooms available here for another person.”

The conversation had reached a point where the hardware conditions couldn’t be solved. Wu Yang didn’t dwell on it further, as if the previous question had been just a passing thought.

The two of them continued to drink tea and chat as usual. When it was time, Wu Yang politely bid farewell. After he left, Yao Jinxi tidied up the tea table and suddenly realised that Wu Yang had forgotten his phone.

Yao Jinxi raised the phone and sighed, “What a hassle… I’ll have to make a trip tomorrow.”

The importance of a phone to modern people is self-evident. Yao Jinxi got up early in the morning but didn’t wait for Wu Yang to come looking for him. He rode his bicycle to the company of Xia Ruonan and Wu Yang, intending to return the phone to Wu Yang.

This place wasn’t unfamiliar to Yao Jinxi. He had been here several times because of Xia Ruonan. Every time he came, he would eat at the noodle shop right in front of the company’s entrance.

The parking lot was behind the company building. To get there, Yao Jinxi had to pass through a small alley next to the company building. He wobbled his way in and spotted Wu Yang.

Wu Yang and the circle of people around him.

Yao Jinxi parked his bicycle, placed one foot on the ground, and widened his eyes. He felt like he hadn’t fully awakened or something. What kind of situation was this?

Wu Yang leaned against the wall. Judging from the formation, he seemed to be cornered by four other people. But his expression didn’t show panic. He caught a glimpse of Yao Jinxi from the corner of his eye, slightly tilted his head in that direction to confirm, and then turned back to face the others.

He calmly said, “There’s a bit of a misunderstanding here.”

The man leading the group had a stern face. “What did I misunderstand? Bro, do you want to hit on my girlfriend? If you do, just say it. If you don’t, then don’t. Isn’t it a matter of being a man to speak your mind?”

Just with these two sentences, Yao Jinxi understood the situation.

Oh, damn it! This is the boyfriend of that someone! Why isn’t that guy Wu Yang saying anything?!

Yao Jinxi decisively tossed his bicycle aside and confidently walked into the encirclement. Before anyone could react, he loudly asked, “Are you the boyfriend of that someone?”

Who that someone was, Yao Jinxi didn’t know the name. But luckily, everyone present knew.

The man leading the group and the others exchanged glances, seemingly not knowing who this person suddenly appearing was. “Who are you?”

Yao Jinxi pointed his thumb backward. “His friend. I know about this situation. But I’m afraid you might not.”

The man’s anger surged. “I don’t know what? All I know is this guy called my girlfriend in the middle of the night! He also sent her things! Damn it, isn’t this kind of thing inappropriate?!”

Yao Jinxi couldn’t help but give Wu Yang a disapproving look. Another midnight phone call? Is this a regular routine or a special preference?

But he had to help him with this. Wu Yang might be hesitant due to his position or emotions, but Yao Jinxi had nothing to hide.

“Don’t get too worked up just yet. Whose fault it is isn’t clear. Ask the people at the company how many of them know that your girlfriend has a boyfriend? My friend didn’t know and he fell for your girlfriend. She didn’t refuse either,” Yao Jinxi taunted with raised eyebrows. “Come on. Let’s wait here and call your girlfriend out.”

This boyfriend was also a guy from the North, prone to impulsiveness. Hearing Yao Jinxi’s words, his face became even more unpleasant. Having someone make a move on your girlfriend and actively cheat on you were two completely different concepts.

Wu Yang sighed very lightly and placed his hand on Yao Jinxi’s shoulder. Before he could say anything, he saw Yao Jinxi explode, “Don’t tell me to forget it! Forget my foot! Here’s your phone!” Yao Jinxi pulled the phone out of his pocket and handed it to Wu Yang, then asked the man, “What’s your girlfriend’s name? Come on, it’s almost time for work. We should clear things up. Wouldn’t it be uncomfortable if we all worked in the same company with this unresolved tension?”

His expression was so straightforward that it made the man become increasingly suspicious. He began to wonder what was really going on. He wasn’t the type to drag things out. The man made a phone call, “Hey, Xiaoxiao, come down for a moment. I’m in the alley next to your company, the place where you park your bike.” After saying that, he hung up without giving the other party a chance to refuse.

Wu Yang leaned against the wall, lost in thought. Meanwhile, Yao Jinxi and the group of people stared at each other in bewilderment. After about fifteen minutes, a girl slowly descended the stairs. When she turned the corner and saw this group of people, her face turned pale.

Although they had anticipated such a situation, no matter how much mental preparation and hypothetical scenarios they had gone through, facing the real situation was a different experience.

Yao Jinxi narrowed his eyes as he examined the girl named Xiaoxiao. She had medium-length straight hair, a slender figure, fair skin, and a plain appearance. She looked innocent enough to put one’s mind at ease. Yao Jinxi had never expected her to be the protagonist of such a dramatic story.

The closer she got, the more hesitant her steps became. Yao Jinxi felt like she might turn and run away any moment. However, she had perhaps resigned herself to the fact that she couldn’t avoid it forever. Jin Xiaoxiao eventually arrived, lowered her head in front of everyone, and spoke in an almost inaudible voice, “Zhao Wei, what do you want with me? I’m at work…”

Zhao Wei grabbed her wrist and pulled her in front of Wu Yang and Yao Jinxi. He demanded, “Tell me, has this guy been bothering you persistently?!”

Yao Jinxi raised an eyebrow mockingly and said, “Bro, let’s not use such harsh words. Who knows, this might have been a mutual thing?”

Zhao Wei glared at him. But Yao Jinxi wasn’t intimidated by his fierce appearance. He asked Jin Xiaoxiao, “Hehe. Miss, let me ask you. When my friend pursued you, did you ever tell him that you had a boyfriend?”

Jin Xiaoxiao remained silent and looked up at Wu Yang with a helpless expression. Before she could convey any message, Yao Jinxi stepped in with a mischievous smile and blocked her view. “No? And you didn’t explicitly reject my friend either. You see, this whole situation might just be a misunderstanding. Let’s clear it up now. Then, everyone can go their separate ways.”

He clapped his hands, smiled kindly at Zhao Wei, and said, “So, we’ve cleared things up. We’ll take a step back for now. You all can continue your chat.”

Saying this, he grabbed Wu Yang’s arm and walked away. The people around them instinctively made way for them. There was no further obstruction.

“Wu Yang…” Jin Xiaoxiao unconsciously took a step in their direction but was firmly pulled back by Zhao Wei. “What else do you want to do?!”

Yao Jinxi didn’t bother listening to what they said next. He led Wu Yang out to the street and suddenly remembered that his bicycle was still far away.

He glanced at Wu Yang, “Are you going to work now? Or do you want to wait here for me?”

Wu Yang answered without hesitation, “I’ll wait for you.”

Yao Jinxi then turned and walked towards the alley again. As he got closer, he could hear the girl crying and the man angrily scolding. He casually picked up his bicycle and left as if nothing had happened.

Wu Yang stood at the intersection, lost in thought. It was already time for work and the street was sparsely populated. His tall figure gave off an unexpected sense of solitude. It was as if he was a lone figure with no one to rely on.

Yao Jinxi sighed, wondering why this guy always seemed to get into such situations.

Yeah, life can be tough for anyone.

He walked up to Wu Yang. “Hey, aren’t you running late? Have you clocked in?”

Wu Yang glanced at his watch, which showed 9:15. “I’m already late. I was coming down to grab breakfast.”

“Never mind that. Go upstairs and clock in first. Then, you come down and get something to eat,” Yao Jinxi suggested. In their company, being half an hour late would be counted as an absence.

But to his surprise, Wu Yang wasn’t in a hurry. Instead, he asked, “Have you had breakfast?”

Yao Jinxi, of course, hadn’t had breakfast. He didn’t really have the concept of breakfast because he usually woke up close to noon. Wu Yang took out his phone and turned it on. He then dialled a number. “Manager, I have an unexpected situation here. I need to take a leave today.”

“You’re not going to work?” Yao Jinxi asked as he saw Wu Yang end the call. He could understand, though. After hearing Wu Yang’s confession yesterday, he knew the importance of this girl to him. It would be strange if he could calmly go to work in the midst of such a troublesome situation.

Wu Yang didn’t reply, instead, he took Yao Jinxi’s bicycle. “Let’s go. I’ll treat you to breakfast.”

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*Author’s Note: Today’s update is a bit special. So I’m posting it earlier =w= -YXF

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*Translator’s Note: It’s not the girl that is important to him. YJX. It’s you. -K

Next update: 2023.10.03

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