Raising Begonia

Ji Zhen Tang first saw Zhong Yu Bai at her boyfriend’s birthday banquet.

Amidst the clinking of glasses, the man sat calmly in the midst of swirling smoke, unruffled, quietly listening to the conversations around the table.

Her boyfriend leaned in to whisper to her, giving her a heads-up: “That’s my third uncle, don’t provoke him, I can’t handle it.”

On the same day of the birthday banquet, her boyfriend got drunk and embarrassed her in front of everyone.

Leaving the Zhong family mansion, she walked in the rain. Before long, an umbrella was held over her head, and Ji Zhen Tang looked back.

The person following her turned out to be the same uncle from earlier. The man smiled gently, with a comforting tone, “Let me walk with you a bit.”

–

Meeting her ex-boyfriend again at a friend’s gathering, they were now former lovers.

Ji Zhen Tang overheard her ex-boyfriend’s tone full of envy as he talked about his uncle, mentioning how Zhong Yu Bai bought a tea plantation in the prime land of the mountains and rivers for his little girlfriend.

People started gossiping, “Which woman is so lucky?”

Before anyone could finish their words, someone stepped in from outside. The man exuded an imposing aura, silencing the whole room.

Without paying attention to anyone else, Zhong Yu Bai walked straight to Ji Zhen Tang and gently embraced her.

“The feng shui of the mountains and rivers is suitable for begonias. Since she likes it, everything is negotiable.”

–

Ji Zhen Tang had heard about Zhong Yu Bai from others, portraying him as a high-status, gentle and wealthy man. Mr. Zhong was perfect in every aspect, except for being too ruthless and not understanding the meaning of compassion.

But she had clearly seen it. When she was sick, he patiently brewed medicine for her by the stove, gently massaging her numb and painful hand until late into the night.

He spoke words of comfort in the softest and gentlest manner, afraid of troubling her.

“Does it still hurt?”

Zhong Yu Bai listened with a smile, his eyes full of affection as he gazed at his sparrow—

“She is a bird, and I am not her cage.”

“I am her sanctuary.”