Chapter 20: The New Neighbor
Spring hadn’t arrived yet, but some people had already found happiness. Thinking that he was still alone, Lin Xia couldn’t help but feel a little melancholy.
Although he had Bai Tuanzi, he had never been in love and still harbored fantasies about romance. But past bad experiences had made him hesitant to pursue love. Could someone like him ever have a beautiful love?
As he thought, Tang Yinlang’s image appeared in Lin Xia’s mind. A steady and reliable man, whose appearance also appealed to him. Although his personality was aloof, he had a gentle heart. Importantly, Bai Tuanzi liked him very much.
Although they had only spent a short time together, Tang Yinlang’s subtle and quiet thoughtfulness was very appealing to him. The man didn’t talk much, but he was attentive and considerate. The distance between them was just right, not too close, not too far, making him feel comfortable. Although Tang Yinlang often flirted with him, intentionally or unintentionally, Lin Xia didn’t feel any aversion.
Lin Xia wasn’t a slow person. During this period, Tang Yinlang frequently stayed at the pet shop, like a tail following him around, under the guise of “learning.” But anyone could see that Tang Yinlang’s real intentions were elsewhere. However, he hadn’t made any excessive moves, so Lin Xia hadn’t reacted either, maintaining his usual demeanor.
But now, his feelings towards Tang Yinlang seemed to have changed somewhat; he couldn’t explain exactly what. What was clear was that he would occasionally shift his gaze towards Tang Yinlang.
Tang Yinlang was naturally a radiant presence. His low-key nature couldn’t mask his excellence; he was simply a naturally eye-catching person. But that wasn’t the reason Lin Xia paid attention to him. What attracted Lin Xia to Tang Yinlang was his inner qualities: his steadiness, his low-key manner, his delicate thoughtfulness. To Lin Xia, Tang Yinlang felt like a safe harbor, a place where he felt secure.
Lin Xia was a person who lacked a sense of security, and he longed for someone who could give him that security. And Tang Yinlang happened to meet his needs.
So…had he fallen for Tang Yinlang? Or was he just seeking his warmth?
Lin Xia didn’t know, but his heart was pounding wildly because of these chaotic thoughts. After winter comes spring, perhaps he also wanted to find someone to accompany him…
The day before New Year’s Eve, Lin Xia, Bai Tuanzi, and the little hamster were sitting on the sofa watching TV—a rare occasion. The pet shop had closed two days ago, and Lin Xia had taken them to buy New Year’s goods and new clothes. They had been busy for two days and only had time today.
“Ding dong!” A clear doorbell rang, and the little hamster volunteered to answer the door.
“Tang…” The little hamster saw a familiar figure through the peephole.
“Tang Yinlang?” The only person the little hamster knew with the surname Tang was Tang Yinlang, so Lin Xia quickly guessed who it was and got up to open the door himself.
“Yinlang.” Lin Xia’s address for Tang Yinlang had already changed from “Mr. Tang” to “Yinlang,” a change that had secretly pleased Tang Yinlang for a long time.
“Lin Xia.” Tang Yinlang’s tone sounded slightly surprised. “So you live here.”
Lin Xia invited Tang Yinlang in. They chatted for a while and Lin Xia learned that Tang Yinlang had bought the house next door. In other words, they would be neighbors from now on. Tang Yinlang had come to invite his new neighbor over for dinner.
He hadn’t prepared dinner yet, and also wanting to welcome his new neighbor, Lin Xia accepted the invitation.
“Is this the beginning of the neighborly romance trope from those dramas?” Lin Xia watched Tang Yinlang’s back as he went back to prepare, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turning upwards.
Although he knew Tang Yinlang had ulterior motives, he couldn’t help but feel sweet inside.
Just as Lin Xia had guessed, Tang Yinlang had bought the house next door as soon as possible to be closer to him. However, Tang Yinlang needed to renovate the house, so he moved in a few days later.
After a while, Lin Xia took the little hamster and Bai Tuanzi to Tang Yinlang’s house. As soon as they entered, Bai Tuanzi and the little hamster’s eyes lit up.
“Awoo!”
“Wow!”
Not only were Bai Tuanzi and the little hamster shocked, even Lin Xia couldn’t help but exclaim.
Tang Yinlang hadn’t renovated the interior; he had renovated the exterior. He had built a small but complete set of recreational facilities according to the structure of the yard. It was designed according to the little tiger cub’s habits, a playground that the little tiger cub would love, which would also help to train the little tiger cub’s abilities.
Even adult tigers might not be able to resist its charm, let alone a little tiger cub.
“Awoo!” Bai Tuanzi cried excitedly, wanting to rush over and play. But politeness told him that this was Uncle Tang’s house, and he needed his permission.
Facing Bai Tuanzi and the little hamster’s shining eyes, Lin Xia had to look at Tang Yinlang.
“Play if you want to, it’s just like being at home.” Tang Yinlang responded to Bai Tuanzi and the little hamster’s expectant gazes.
This was built for Bai Tuanzi; who else would he let play on it?
“Awoo!” “Aw!” Bai Tuanzi and the little hamster, eyes shining, rushed towards the slide. The little hamster was so excited that it made a similar cry of excitement to Bai Tuanzi.
The scale of these recreational facilities considered the little tiger cub’s adult form, so adults could play on them too. Bai Tuanzi and the little hamster had never played on these before, and their hearts were filled with longing.
Bai Tuanzi wanted to go down the slide, but he needed to climb the stairs to get to the top. This would test Bai Tuanzi’s climbing skills.
“Huff huff puff puff!” True to its name as a training slide for little tiger cubs, Bai Tuanzi, who usually needed Lin Xia to carry him even for walks, had trouble climbing the high stairs.
“Baby, come on!” Lin Xia smiled and cheered Bai Tuanzi on from the side. His soft brows and slight smile were like a beautiful jade, making it impossible to look away.
“Come on…” The little hamster, without any obstacles, had easily climbed up from the other side and was waiting for Bai Tuanzi at the top of the slide.
“Awoo!” Encouraged, Bai Tuanzi regained his fighting spirit, continuing his struggle with the stairs. After much effort, he finally climbed to the top of the slide and played happily with the little hamster.
The human and the tiger cub played on the slide several times before running to play on the carousel and bumper cars… They had a wonderful time.
Watching Bai Tuanzi and the little hamster playing happily, Lin Xia was happy but also a little heartbroken. Bai Tuanzi had expressed his desire to go to an amusement park more than once. He envied the people on TV who could go to amusement parks. But his situation was special, and Lin Xia couldn’t take him. Although Bai Tuanzi was sensible and knew he couldn’t go, Lin Xia still felt guilty.
Now Lin Xia was grateful to Tang Yinlang. It was obvious that the reason Tang Yinlang had built all this was for Bai Tuanzi. The man’s actions completely touched his heart.
“Thank you.” Lin Xia thanked him, unsurprisingly meeting Tang Yinlang’s ardent gaze. This time Lin Xia didn’t avoid it, but responded frankly.
“You’re welcome.” The usual aloof reply now had a hint of tenderness.
The two looked at Bai Tuanzi and the little hamster playing without speaking, until it got dark and they had to stop and eat.
“Awoo…” After playing all day, Bai Tuanzi felt exhausted, his legs too tired to obey, needing a hug from his dad.
Author’s Note: A classic trope…
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