Any Closer and I'll Lose Control - Chapter 17

Meng Tang couldn’t explain her interactions with Wei Chuan to others, but fortunately, Xie Lingyin didn’t press for details.

Half an hour later, the taxi stopped at the entrance of a narrow alley.

Xie Lingyin glanced outside, white walls, blue-tiled roofs, upturned eaves adorned with mythical beasts, and two heavy wooden doors that looked like the gates of a mansion from a period drama.

“Are you sure this isn’t a tourist attraction?” Xie Lingyin asked Meng Tang. “Is this your home?”

Meng Tang grabbed their bags from the car and said, “It’s just an imitation of an ancient estate, built in the ’90s. My family used to be wealthy, but my dad squandered everything except this old house.”

Xie Lingyin let out an “Oh” and remarked, “It looks huge.”

Meng Tang led her up the steps. “Three courtyards, five sections. My grandfather and I live in the central courtyard, he’s in the main house, I’m in the east wing. The front courtyard is for receiving guests, the back courtyard has been converted entirely into workshops, and the remaining empty rooms are all filled with wood.”

As she finished speaking, Meng Tang knocked on the brass door knocker.

The gate swung open immediately, revealing a plainly dressed middle-aged woman with a warm smile. “Perfect timing, I just ran over when I heard you knock.”

“Aunt Fang,” Meng Tang greeted her, then turned to introduce Xie Lingyin. “This is my classmate, Xie Lingyin.”

“The master mentioned you. Come on in.”

Xie Lingyin gave a slight nod. “Sorry for the intrusion.”

As they walked through the empty courtyards, Xie Lingyin couldn’t help but ask, “This place is so big and spotless, how many housekeepers do you have?”

Before Meng Tang could answer, Aunt Fang cut in, “Just me.”

“What?” Xie Lingyin was stunned. “Just you?”

“Aunt Fang, stop teasing her,” Meng Tang chuckled, then explained to Xie Lingyin, “There are plenty of people who want to send their kids to apprentice under my grandfather. He never turns them away, no tuition, just chores in exchange. But over the years, not a single one has stayed.”

Xie Lingyin asked, “Why?”

Meng Tang replied, “In this craft, you need both talent and hard work. My grandfather isn’t just strict as a teacher, he’s ruthless.”

“What are you saying about me behind my back now?”

Past the ornamental gate, a slightly hunched old man with a broad forehead and a prominent nose blocked their path.

“Are you Master Meng?” Xie Lingyin stepped forward excitedly.

“None of that ‘Master’ nonsense. Just call me what Xiao Tang does.” Meng Yuchun had no airs about him. To look at him, you’d never guess he was a renowned master, just an ordinary old man.

Xie Lingyin grinned. “Then I’ll shamelessly call you Grandpa Meng.”

Meng Yuchun nodded, then teased his granddaughter, “Didn’t bring back the little boy who likes you?”

Xie Lingyin’s mouth fell open. Even the old man knew?

“Grandpa,” Meng Tang shot a glance at Xie Lingyin, who was clearly enjoying the show. “Can you be serious for once? I told you, we’re just classmates.”

“Fine, fine. Bring your classmate over to play tomorrow. You two go eat first, then rest. Your room’s all ready.”

Meng Tang huffed. “Got it.”

The old man followed a strict health regimen and never ate past six in the evening.

In the dining room, only Meng Tang and Xie Lingyin remained. Unable to resist, Xie Lingyin leaned in and teased, “The boy who likes you? Hmm? Meng Tang? Are you-”

“Just eat,” Meng Tang cut her off, her cheeks flushing. She gestured to the spicy dishes Aunt Fang had prepared. “Try these and see if you like them.”

Xie Lingyin scoffed. “You’re so stingy. What’s the big deal about talking?”

Meng Tang sighed. “What if nothing comes of it? It’d be awkward. Better not to say anything.”

Xie Lingyin rolled her eyes. “Fine, fine. Keep your secrets.”

Relieved to have dodged the topic, Meng Tang exhaled quietly.

After taking a shower and lying in bed, Meng Tang picked up her phone and scrolled through it.

“What are you looking at?” Xie Lingyin asked. “You’re usually asleep by this time. Aren’t you turning off the lights?”

Meng Tang replied, “Wait a sec, I need to send Wei Chuan a message. They’re coming over tomorrow, so I’ll send him the address.”

“Oh.” Xie Lingyin couldn’t help but grin like a doting aunt, quickly gossiping with Xu Heqing in her messages.

Wei Chuan wasn’t asleep yet, he had just finished dinner with Xu Heqing.

When he received Meng Tang’s WeChat message, he immediately replied with an “OK.”

Meng Tang: [Don’t bring anything when you come over. We have everything we need at home.]

Wei Chuan: [How did you know Xu Heqing and I went shopping?]

Meng Tang: [Lingyin and I have already showered and are about to sleep, while you two just finished dinner. I guessed.]

No normal guest would show up empty-handed.

Wei Chuan: [Well, I already bought stuff. Am I supposed to haul it back on the high-speed train?]

Meng Tang: [Fine. What time are you coming tomorrow morning?]

Wei Chuan: [Around ten, not too early, not too late.]

Meng Tang bid him goodnight and ended up chatting with Xie Lingyin for half the night before finally falling asleep.

At eight the next morning, Aunt Fang knocked on the door.

Meng Tang got up and changed into a fresh outfit from her wardrobe.

Xie Lingyin, still sitting on the bed trying to wake up, caught a glimpse of the closet and gasped. “Wow, your clothes are so pretty! Why don’t you wear them at school?”

Meng Tang glanced back. “They’re made by a tailor two streets over. I’ve been wearing their clothes since I was a kid, they’re loose and comfortable.”

The tailor wasn’t some master artisan, just someone who made everyday wear, keeping up with the times and stocking all kinds of fabrics.

Meng Tang was wearing a high-count ramie dress in a soft green gradient, her long hair half-tied up, looking effortlessly elegant.

Noticing Xie Lingyin staring, she tilted her head. “I have new ones in my closet. Want me to pick one for you?”

Xie Lingyin shook her head. “No, no. That style wouldn’t suit me.”

Meng Tang’s looks had a distinctly Eastern beauty far more suited to such clothes than hers.

After washing up, the two leisurely ate breakfast.

Grandpa Meng emerged from the backyard and settled into a lounge chair, asking, “When are your classmates arriving?”

Meng Tang glanced toward the courtyard gate. “Should be soon.”

Meng Yuchun: “Aunt Fang bought a ton of groceries. Help sort them out.”

“Okay,” Meng Tang agreed.

She couldn’t cook, but she could at least prep vegetables.

“Never mind,” Aunt Fang teased. “When she preps veggies, the edible parts end up in the trash, and the scraps go in the bowl. Better let her go greet the guests.”

Grandpa chuckled. “You hear that, Xiao Tang? Aunt Fang’s complaining about you.”

After finishing a bowl of silver ear soup, Meng Tang grabbed Xie Lingyin’s hand. “Aunt Fang, I’ll take Lingyin to the front courtyard then.”

Meng Yuchun shook his head in amusement. “You never flinch at the hardships of wood carving, yet you’ll dodge prepping veggies like it’s the plague.”

Meng Tang stuck out her tongue and slipped out of the central courtyard.

The front courtyard had a small exhibition room filled with Meng Tang’s carvings from childhood, some presentable, some not.

Xie Lingyin marveled at them.

After losing track of time for an hour, the two headed to the alley entrance to meet their guests.

Wei Chuan had sent his location, they were just around the corner.

As a green taxi turned the bend, Meng Tang tilted her head slightly and waved.

Through the taxi’s slightly blurred window, Wei Chuan’s eyes landed on a glimpse of green.

When he recognized her, he froze.

Dressed in the soft hues of misty landscapes, Meng Tang looked gentle and refined.

Perhaps returning home had lifted her spirits, as the natural coolness in her features softened, replaced by a lively sparkle in her eyes and brows.

“Knock, knock…”

Wei Chuan snapped out of his daze and rolled down the car window to look at Xu Heqing. “What’s wrong?”

Xu Heqing couldn’t help but laugh. “Why roll down the window? Get out, we’re here.”

Silently, Wei Chuan rolled the window back up and awkwardly pushed open the car door.