Meanwhile, just like Zhou Yuexi and Dylan, the Zhang twins were also having a discussion of their own. Only, theirs was like a father castigating his daughter.
"So this is how you find a boyfriend now? You just pick a random stranger and then that's it, he's your boyfriend?", Zhang Yixing questioned accusingly.
Zhang Xiaoling pouted at her twin's accusation. "Hey! I already told you! That freaking Hong Shuang and that wench Gu Xinyi were there! And they were obviously trying to make me feel inferior to which I refuse to that's why I did what I did.", she reasoned out. "And it's not like he's a total stranger! He's also from Med School and he was my classmate on some subjects so I basically know him. I may have been impulsive but I wasn't stupid enough to pull someone I don't even know."
Zhang Yixing sighed. He didn't know what irritated him, the fact that Zhang Xiaoling has another boyfriend, the way how she got her boyfriend or how her ex was trying to make her feel bad. It may be all of these combined but no matter what the reason was, he was bothered nonetheless and he wasn't about to take things lying down especially regarding his sister's ex boyfriend and ex friend.
A cold glint flashed through Zhang Yixing's eyes just by thinking of how he will deal with the two scumbags who tried to mess with his sister. They could fool around if they wanted to and he wouldn't give a damn but it's a different story once they drag someone he cares for into their self made disaster, especially his twin.
He really had to give it to them though, they had the audacity to pick on Zhang Xiaoling. No one in Imperial ever dares to go against the Zhangs, given their status as one of the top families in China. Opposing a member of that family was like placing one foot on the grave, a social suicide, the kind of death wealthy families hate the most. Zhang Yixing was actually wondering whether they have lost their minds for a bit that time or if they ate the guts of a bear for a meal[1].
Zhang Xiaoling noticed the icy change in her brother's eyes and thought that she was the reason behind it. "Twinnie... Don't be mad at me please! Isn't it good that I picked someone you know? He's a good person isn't he? So don't be mad at me anymore... huh twinnie? Please...", she asked pitifully, grabbing Zhang Yixing's hands and swaying them as if that would convince her brother otherwise.
Her act distracted Zhang Yixing from his thoughts and his eyes shifted back to it's former warmth. He shook both his hands freeing himself from his sister's grip. "I'm not mad at you, you dummy. I'm pissed with your douchebag ex boyfriend and friend. And of course I'm relieved that it was Dylan you pulled out of the crowd. I just didn't like what you did, it's too impulsive. What if it wasn't Dylan and it was someone with a girlfriend or a family? What could have happened to you? That would have further embarrassed you and I don't want that to happen.", Zhang Yixing explained.
Hearing how her twin wasn't mad at her but instead was worried for her, Zhang Xiaoling was touched. Since they were kids, they did nothing but quarrel, quarrel and quarrel. When they reached puberty, Zhang Yixing became quiet and timid, always burried in his books while she, on the other hand, found new friends so they barely got chances to talk. More so when she flew to America to study in Harvard.
Though they talk sometimes, it was only short. With those short conversations, it was mostly her who did the talking and Zhang Yixing would just disagree with everything she says in the fewest words possible, sometimes he won't even say anything, he would just click his tongue. He always got into her nerves that they always end up arguing. She long concluded that he was a man of few words. So hearing him say what he felt in a warm way was really new to her and it touched her heart.
But even though she was moved with Zhang Yixing's words, she didn't show it. It was way awkward and cringing for her to express it as they were more likely to strangle each other than to hug or do mushy things that other siblings does.
So instead of doing such, she lightly punched Zhang Yixing's arms. "You do know how to talk with making fun of me!", she said with a glare.
"You dare glare at your older brother? Really now?", he asked with a smirk.
Zhang Xiaoling rolled her eyes at him and answered back. "Older my ass! Like by what? 15 minutes? Who knows if I was supposed to be the first one to be born but you just pushed me back so you could go first?", she accused.
"Doesn't matter, I'm still older.", Zhang Yixing said nonchalantly. "Let's go. My darling and Dylan must be waiting."
"Fine.", she agreed.
...
When the Zhang twins came back to the VIP room, the cousin pair were discussing the arrangements for Dylan's stay there in Azure Hotel.
At first, Dylan wanted to stay at the penthouse because he wanted to extort Zhang Yixing in the most ways possible and the penthouse would perfect for his plan since it is the most expensive suite.
However, his dreams were crushed when Zhou Yuexi told him that she owned the penthouse and that she was willing to lend him the place for his stay. Of course, he disagreed with her and half-heartedly settled with the second most expensive suite.
Zhang Yixing then butted in their conversation. "Your room is already prepared. It's at the 58th floor. Here's the key card.", he said as he handed the card to Dylan.
Dylan looked at the luxurious looking gold key card and nodded in approval. "How about the room service? I want a comfortable stay in your hotel.", he demanded.
Zhang Xiaoling scoffed when she heard his demand but was reprimanded by her brother's warning eyes.
"I already assigned a staff to always be at your beck and call. If you ever need assistance just dial number 1 and they'll be at your service. And if you ever find anything dissatisfying or have any complaints, call me directly and I'll try to resolve things as much as my power permits.", Zhang Yixing relented. "If there's nothing else, you can go ahead and rest. It has been a long day for all of us."
"Okay, but I just want to remind you that we're still not even.", Dylan said as he looked meaningfully at Zhang Yixing, to which the latter answered with a nod.
Zhang Yixing understood what Dylan wanted to say and he agrees with him. Though they are currently in the same predicament and have something against each other as Zhou Yuexi was Zhang Yixing's wife and Zhang Xiaoling was in a relationship with Dylan, they were on different levels.
What made them different was, Dylan and Zhang Xiaoling are just in a relationship and it was even Zhang Xiaoling who initiated it. Another is Dylan's eight year old feelings for Zhang Xiaoling, something he keeps a secret from everyone except from his cousin, or so he thought.
As a man himself, he noticed the way Dylan looked at his twin sister. It was different from the way a man would normally look at someone, it was the kind of gaze he would give to someone he loves.
Even though he knew of it, Zhang Yixing didn't break it to Dylan nor did he tell Zhang Xiaoling. From the story he heard from his sister, she barely knew Dylan and was clearly oblivious of his feelings, meaning he still haven't made a move and he respects that. He knew when to mind his own business and when to butt in.
After seeing Zhang Yixing agree with him, Dylan smiled in victory and then turned to Zhou Yuexi. "Rest early. Goodnight!", he bade then walked to the door.
Just as he was about to go out, he stopped in his tracks and greeted one last person goodnight. "Hey girlfriend! Come back here tomorrow, let's have a talk. Goodnight!", he said to Zhang Xiaoling and then left.
His remark left Zhang Xiaoling's mouth hanging. He just wouldn't let go of the issue.
Zhang Xiaoling was still mulling over what Dylan has said when her brother called her attention.
"You, Young Miss Zhang, should go home as well. I'm sure Mom misses you already. I'll have someone drive you home.", Zhang Yixing said to his sister.
"Okay! Have dinner at home tomorrow so Xiao Qing and I could bond with our sister-in-law here.", Zhang Xiaoling requested.
"Sure thing! Now, hurry along. It's getting late.", Zhang Yixing urged.
Zhang Xiaoling smirked at him. "Don't make it seem like you're worried about me. You just can't wait to have Yuexi all for yourself, you selfish ice block!", she accused.
Zhang Yixing just answered with his usual unconcerned look. He didn't deny his sister's accusation, silently yet brazenly admitting that he really does want to be alone with his wife.
Seeing that her brother really wanted her out of there, Zhang Xiaoling finally decided to leave the two of them alone. "I'll get going then since you no longer want me here. Have a good night Xiao Yuexi!", she bade Zhou Yuexi goodbye, ignoring her brother as if he wasn't there.
"Goodnight Ling Jie! Have a safe ride!", Zhou Yuexi greeted back.
Now, the only people left in the room are Zhou Yuexi and Zhang Yixing, as per Zhang Yixing's request.