Sharing Dreams with My Bestie’s Cousin Chapter 3 - 3 Matchmaking

“Next door is Miss Meng Fan’s private hot spring pool. Miss Meng brought a female friend with her today,” the attendant replied.

Shang Hexing halted while unfastening his cufflinks.

His gaze dropped to the ghost face patterned Buddha Beads around his wrist.

Roughly ten days earlier, Shang Hexing had gone back to the old house.

Once he finished dealing with matters, he prepared to depart but ran into Shang Jing clutching a striking box, his face full of conflict.

Shang Hexing walked up, his sight fixing on the box Shang Jing held, and asked lightly, “Is that for me?”

Panic flashed in Shang Jing’s eyes, and he swiftly tucked the box behind himself, “No…”

Before he could complete his words, Shang Hexing extended his hand, “Let me see.”

Shang Jing wavered on whether to hand it over.

He understood his big brother’s aloof personality well; it was uncommon for him to show interest in anything. These were merely Buddha Beads, and his brother might not like them.

Thus, after a brief pause, Shang Jing passed the box to Shang Hexing anyway.

Shang Hexing accepted it, lifted the lid, gave a quick look inside, then shut it again.

Shang Jing figured he was correct—his big brother wasn’t into the Buddha Beads. The lavish presents others offered to curry favor were far superior to simple beads.

But…

What Shang Jing never anticipated was…

Shang Hexing lightly tapped the box with his finger and tossed out casually, “I’ll accept this gift.”

Shang Jing froze in shock.

His big brother truly… liked these Buddha Beads?

Shang Hexing had already entered the car by then. Shang Jing recovered and hurried after him.

He meant to explain the Buddha Beads weren’t meant for Shang Hexing, but heard his brother say evenly, “You’re coming to the dinner tonight.”

Surprise showed plainly on Shang Jing’s face.

He hadn’t foreseen the first perk from trading this ‘gift’ would be joining a dinner.

This vast web of relations…

Ultimately, Shang Jing held back the explanation on his lips and kept the beads’ real source secret.

From that day, Shang Hexing hadn’t worn the Buddha Beads. Only yesterday did he decide to put them on.

Yet that very night, a strange dream visited him…

The phone on the table buzzed.

Shang Hexing refocused, the Buddha Beads now in his grasp. He waved the attendant away and picked up the call.

“Big brother!”

Shang Jing’s voice rang from the phone.

Shang Hexing fiddled with the bead pattern using his fingertip, replying steadily, “What is it.”

Shang Jing sounded hesitant over the line, “There’s a family banquet at noon today, Mom… she asked me to tell you.”

His hesitation stemmed from Shang Hexing’s rare visits to the old house, just once or twice monthly. With a visit ten days back, uncertainty lingered.

Shang Hexing pocketed the Buddha Beads he’d been toying with, “Jiuqu Villa, ten o’clock.”

Shang Jing’s eyes lit up, and he answered swiftly, “Got it, I’ll come pick you up right away.”

After ending the call, a grin spread on Shang Jing’s face—clearly, his brother was showing him favor.

“Second Young Master, the lady is looking for you.”

Butler Zhao Qin’s voice sounded from beyond the door.

“Got it.” Shang Jing switched outfits before heading there.

The table held various intricate pastries. As Shang Jing sat, he eyed them and cut straight in, “Just say what you have to say.”

Chong Wanyin raised her chin a bit, “Try them. A new flavor from the small kitchen.”

Shang Jing: “If you don’t speak, I can’t even eat.”

“You little rascal,” Chong Wanyin laughed while scolding. She leaned closer and inquired, “The gift, did you give it to your elder brother?”

Shang Jing’s expression shifted slightly, but he stayed silent.

Some weeks prior, Wen Zhi had settled into the Shang residence and presented Chong Wanyin a valuable gift.

It was a ghost face patterned string of Buddha Beads.

A scarce collector’s treasure.

Chong Wanyin took it while Wen Zhi watched, then promptly tasked Shang Jing with passing the Buddha Beads to Shang Hexing as his own offering.

At first, Shang Jing wrestled with it inwardly.

He despised passing off others’ gifts as his.

But destiny intervened—his big brother took to the Buddha Beads and brought him to a dinner; Shang Jing relented.

Noting her son’s look, Chong Wanyin knew full well, “I get that you scorn these tactics to win your brother over, but with such gains possible, who wouldn’t seize them? You’ll see one day.”

Shang Jing, face darkened: “Mom, please don’t bring that up again.”

“Alright, we won’t talk about it anymore.” Chong Wanyin shifted topics, “Wen Zhi gave me the Buddha Beads when she moved in. She hasn’t stepped out since. She’s lonely. When free, take her around.”

Shang Jing: “That ugly girl?”

Shang Jing hadn’t met Wen Zhi personally, but servants gossiped about the newcomer’s ugliness.

“Wen Zhi is not ugly. She just doesn’t bother dressing up,” Chong Wanyin’s features softened as she said it, “Wen Zhi looks like her father. Dressed properly, she’s stunning.”

Shang Jing sneered, “Her father? Just a disloyal son-in-law who married in.”

Chong Wanyin’s face turned stormy.

Shang Jing leaned back, arms folded in a smirk, “I heard Mu Yanzhou had Pan An’s beauty and keeps his allure even now, full of endless charm. Was my mother one of his fans too?”

Chong Wanyin’s visage soured further, “Seems I’ve spoiled you rotten, letting you forget respect and mock your own mother.”

Shang Jing sat up straight at once: “Let’s drop it, then.”

Chong Wanyin’s look eased a touch, and she urged, “Spend more time with Wen Zhi. She’s new, friendless. Take her out when you can; it won’t cost much time.”

Shang Jing’s gaze turned icy, “From all this, are you seriously trying to set me up with that ugly girl? Have you gone mad?”

Chong Wanyin frowned, “Watch your language.”

Shang Jing lost all hunger, rising abruptly, “If nice words won’t work, keep dreaming. I’m not playing along.”

“Where are you going?” Chong Wanyin called after the departing Shang Jing: “Come back here.”

Shang Jing kept walking without pause.

He had pressing business: picking up Shang Hexing at Jiuqu Villa.

After Shang Jing departed,

Chong Wanyin turned to the person nearby, “Zhao Qin, fetch Wen Zhi from her room. Tell her there’s a family banquet at the Shang’s today. Now that she’s living here, she ought to join.”

Zhao Qin advanced, “Ma’am, Miss Wen left early this morning.”

Chong Wanyin arched a brow, “Where to?”

Zhao Qin: “Miss Wen said on leaving she had a friend date.”

Chong Wanyin probed, “Did she say the meeting spot?”

Zhao Qin: “Jiuqu Villa. I reminded her of the family banquet; she should return soon.”

“Wen Zhi is thoughtful, she’ll come back early, but…”

Chong Wanyin thought briefly, then held out her hand, “Pass me the phone. I’ll tell Shang Jing to pick Wen Zhi up from Jiuqu Villa.”