Uh… well, that's a question. Perhaps it's possible if it's two jealous women. “I'm Chen Xiao's friend,” Ye Xiaonuo replied skillfully.
The word "friend" can be used in a broad sense, encompassing a wide range of meanings. It can mean distancing oneself from the situation while cleverly leaving room for future developments. Friends... well, ordinary friends count as friends, and romantic partners also count as friends.
However, Phoenix was not a girl who could be easily fooled. She was extremely clever and immediately saw the wariness in the new girl's expression—a natural hostility between women.
Phoenix felt a surge of resentment towards Chen Xiao, but she didn't show it. Looking at Ye Xiaonuo at the door, she smiled gently, maintaining a calm and polite demeanor, and greeted her, "Oh, since you're Chen Xiao's friend, please come in."
She even went to the side and moved a chair over, smiling kindly: "Please sit down. Chen Xiao is injured, and we are so sorry to trouble you to come and visit him."
have a look!
That's women for you! Neither angry nor making a scene, she simply adopted the demeanor of a "housewife," especially with that phrase "our Chen Xiao," which was a stroke of genius. Although she didn't explicitly declare, "I'm Chen Xiao's official girlfriend," the meaning was crystal clear, even to a fool.
Ye Xiaonuo's eyes glazed over for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. She didn't believe it at all!
In Ye Xiaonuo's mind, her only and biggest imaginary enemy was Ya Ya. As for this phoenix that was so beautiful it was inhuman, she had never seen it before and didn't know it at all.
Seeing that he had successfully stirred up trouble, Champagne couldn't help but smile slyly. Chen Xiao noticed this and glared at Champagne fiercely, his expression carrying a hint of warning.
Even if you like to joke around, you can't just make jokes like this!
Ye Xiaonuo felt a lump in her throat from Phoenix's words, but the clever girl quickly found a way to retaliate. She deliberately looked at Champagne and asked, "Uh, what's your name, sir?"
Clever! Brilliant!
Looking at Ye Xiaonuo, Champagne felt a sense of kinship... This girl wasn't stupid, was she? Seeing that she couldn't defeat Phoenix alone, she pulled him out as well.
Ye Xiaonuo's meaning was clear: she deliberately put on a sincere and innocent expression, but pretended to ask who Champagne was, when in fact she was openly showing off to Phoenix.
The subtext is clear: You're putting on this housewife act, aren't you? But who's this girl next to you? Humph! Who knows if you're really a "housewife"!
Clearly, the overall situation is still far from settled!
The man and three women in the room were all intelligent, none of them were fools. They were all quite clever, and they were all aware of the subtle power struggle going on.
Chen Xiao felt increasingly helpless. This misunderstanding was huge, but he couldn't say anything. Even if he wanted to explain, he could explain it to Phoenix later. If he were to rush to clear his name in front of everyone, it would be rather unfair to Ye Xiaonuo and Champagne.
There's nothing wrong with liking someone; the only mistake is the way you do it. Besides… if you openly and hastily try to distance yourself, it would hurt an old friend like Ye Xiaonuo. Kind-hearted Chen Xiao couldn't bear to do such a thing.
As for the champagne… Hmph! That brat! I'll definitely teach her a lesson later! She's been stirring things up and making a scene!!!
Although Phoenix was somewhat displeased, she was a sensible girl and wouldn't openly break off relations like that. A smart woman knows not to put a man in a difficult position!
And so, Ye Xiaonuo sat down, and really acted as if nothing had happened. She generously ladled out a bowl of the thick soup she had personally cooked and watched Chen Xiao drink it down sip by sip.
Helpless, Chen Xiao forced down a small half-bowl of water before putting it down. Phoenix remained smiling and cheerful, showing no sign of annoyance. The three women exchanged glances and seemed to have been exchanging barbs for some time.
Lying on the hospital bed, Chen Xiao felt as if he were surrounded by flashing swords and shadows, as if invisible sword energies were shooting back and forth.
The three women were secretly vying for power... and this kind of rivalry was a covert battle.
If it were a fight, Phoenix could easily take care of ten or eight Champagne or Ye Xiaonuo with a flick of her finger. But this kind of thing can't be solved with force.
The three women were secretly competing to see who could last the longest.
Yes! We've come to visit the patient, we've seen them all, we've done our part... so shouldn't we take our leave now?
However, there's a lot to consider when it comes to who takes their leave first!
The "guests" left first, leaving behind the "hosts"!
The underlying meaning is quite clear!
Ye Xiaonuo, being somewhat clever, deliberately struck up a casual conversation with Chen Xiao about their past at the fast-food restaurant. Although Chen Xiao seemed a little distracted, Ye Xiaonuo recounted each story meticulously, focusing on details of how they had helped each other in the past. For example, when Ye Xiaonuo was late, Chen Xiao would cover for her; when Chen Xiao was bothered by some of the girls at the fast-food restaurant, Ye Xiaonuo would act as a shield for him…
We helped each other in the past, so we can't just turn our backs on each other now, can we?
Champagne was even more cunning; she deliberately remained silent and didn't interrupt, but instead rolled up her sleeves and began clearing the table. She even diligently picked up the dishes and ran to the bathroom sink to wash them, behaving like a typical housewife. Busy back and forth, she would then proactively pour tea and bring water…
Although the phoenix was very clever, unfortunately, she was born differently.
Champagne is used to being an innkeeper's wife, capable in both the living room and the kitchen. Phoenix is different. Her background meant she was born into a life of luxury. Although she was full of talent, knowledgeable in astronomy and geography, and skilled in many other areas, she probably never did any housework herself, let alone boiled water once in her entire life.
Watching Champagne bustling around, she could only watch helplessly.
Chen Xiao gradually sensed Phoenix's helplessness and felt a little guilty and ashamed—after all, she was his real girlfriend.
He quickly coughed, feigned a yawn, and glanced at Ye Xiaonuo. The message was clear: Aren't you leaving? What are you doing here causing trouble?
Ye Xiaonuo simply chose to ignore it.
Helpless, Chen Xiao could only deliberately look out the window again and say with a forced smile, "The weather is nice, Phoenix, why don't you push me out for some fresh air?"
These were the first time Chen Xiao had clearly stated his position since the three girls gathered in the room. Although he didn't openly declare who was his official girlfriend, these words undoubtedly made his stance clear.
Phoenix's initially resentful gaze suddenly brightened, and she gave Chen Xiao a half-smile.
But Phoenix gently shook her head and said softly, "Forget it, it's too hot outside, and... we have guests here. How can I leave them behind and run out by myself?"
As she spoke, she gave Chen Xiao a reproachful look.
This move was far more sophisticated than actually going out with Chen Xiao! Firstly, it fully demonstrated her gentleness and understanding, and secondly, it cleverly confirmed the identities of the other two girls as "guests".
Moreover, Phoenix knew very well that if she really pushed Chen Xiao outside for some fresh air, although it would be a show of force and achieve her goal, it would be too ostentatious and sharp. A girl who is too arrogant will inevitably make men afraid.
Chen Xiao seemed afraid that Phoenix would really get angry. He moved his lips, but before he could speak, Phoenix had already sat down next to him, leaned down, and whispered in his ear with a soft laugh, "I've only just realized how restless and unruly you are. But I won't misunderstand. I know your nature. You're just soft-hearted, don't know how to refuse others, and are afraid of hurting them. But..." As she spoke, she quietly reached out and, through the blanket, gave Chen Xiao's arm a firm twist.
This was truly merciless; fortunately, Chen Xiao managed to hold back and didn't cry out. Phoenix's eyes held amusement: "I was worried about your injuries and flew all the way back from Japan. Now it seems you're not short of people taking care of you."