Chapter 488 - Precious Ones

"Do you know in Norwegian, you don't refer to your romantic partner as 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend'. You say 'kjæreste', which is gender-neutral and it literally translates to 'the dearest'," Shui Xian was telling Raelle when they entered through the door of the Xiang Manor. He had one of his arms wrapped around her neck and the other hand held her hand as he played with her slender fingers, particularly enjoying himself. "Isn't it heartwarming?"

"Is it?" was Raelle's response. "I heard in Swedish you refer to your boyfriend or girlfriend by saying 'älskling' which translates into 'my beloved one'."

"Oh?" Shui Xian quirked his brow at his wife. "Baby, why do you know about this?"

"I heard it when I was there the last time," answered Raelle. 

"That sounds sweet," said Shui Xian. His face was leaning close to hers as he whispered, "So, should I start calling you, my dearest or my beloved one?"

"Drop it," said Raelle. "We have company."

Shui Xian's brows furrowed up and he looked up. Only then did he see Hyson and his group mates. "Wow! The face value of this living room is too high tonight."

"Hi to you too Xian Ge," said Hyson with a smile.

Lin Zhen and the others immediately stood up once they heard Shui Xian's voice. "Master Xian." They greeted him.

"Take it easy guys," said Shui Xian. 

"He isn't here as your boss," came Raelle's voice as her eyes were on her cellphone. She didn't even look up as she continued, "He is just as much of a guest tonight as you are."

"Guest?" Shui Xian looked at his wife. "I thought I was a member of the family."

"Family?" repeated Raelle. "Even I'm not counted as a family member, how do you?"

"Who said you aren't a family member?" questioned Hyson. "Ellie, don't talk nonsense. Yanyan might start a war here if she heard it."

"But it's the truth," replied Raelle. "After getting married, don't I become a member of the Shui family?"

Hyson came over to knock on her head, "That doesn't mean you are no longer a part of the Xiang family."

"True!" agreed Shui Xian. 

Raelle ignored these two and looked at the others in the room. "Why are you all still standing? Make yourself comfortable. Your Master Xian isn't here to play the role of the boss. If you want to be polite, try it at the company. Currently, you're here as Hyson's guests. Besides, Hyson calls you older brothers. I don't see a need for you to be so formal."

Lin Zhen and the rest didn't know how to react to her words at all. Apart from Lin Zhen, the rest were still processing the fact that Raelle was Shui Xian's wife. Although not all of them were familiar with Raelle's status, that didn't mean they didn't have eyes to see. They could tell she wasn't a simple character.

"That's very nice of you, President Raelle," said Lin Zhen. "But I believe we should still keep our manners. It's not right for us to forget that Master Xian is our boss."

"What is Hyson to you?" questioned Raelle.

Lin Zhen was taken aback by that question but he still answered, "He is like a younger brother to me."

"So is he to me," added Shui Xian and smiled at them. "And since he is like a younger brother to all of us, I don't see why we have to continue this discussion."

Raelle went to sit beside Hyson and asked, "Bà came here?"

Hyson nodded his head, "He is with Opa."

Raelle nodded, "I believe I don't have to ask about the other two ladies. They must be in the kitchen even now."

"Obviously!" Hyson suddenly perked up and hugged Raelle saying, "I forgot to introduce you all. Guys, this is my best friend, Raelle Xiang. Although she doesn't have that many redeeming qualities, she is still all I have got."

"As if you have a lot of redeeming qualities," Raelle retorted.

"Ha!" Hyson made a sound. "Ellie, don't forget. My biggest redeeming quality is the fact that you're my best friend. Tell me, is there anyone else more capable than me? No! Even if you search through the whole world, you won't find anyone more capable than me."

"Oh, I disagree," said Shui Xian.

"Why?" questioned Hyson.

"I'm the most capable one here. She is my wife," reminded Shui Xian proudly.

"That isn't because you're capable," argued Hyson. "Xian Ge, I love you but let's face it. You just got lucky."

"I dotted on you for nothing," sighed Shui Xian.

"Are you both done?" asked Raelle. "Why are you even arguing? Is there a point? You are my husband and you are my best friend, not because you both are awesome. It's because I allowed you both to enter my life. In the end, it's me. It has nothing to do with you two."

Shui Xian and Hyson were left gaping at her in disbelief while the ones who were watching her had to purse their lips to hide their smiles. They couldn't help it. It was already funny enough how Shui Xian and Hyson were acting so pettily and childishly. But then Raelle's answer got them both to shut up which was funnier.

Shui Xian leaned his head on Raelle's shoulder and pouted, "Wife, how can you break your husband's heart like this?"

"Is your heart so fragile?" asked Raelle. "Get rid of such a fragile heart then."

"Pfft!" Hyson laughed out loud. "I agree! I agree! Xian Ge, get rid of such a fragile heart."

Shui Xian glared at Hyson and stretched his arm over Raelle to reach out to Hyson and pinch his cheek, "Aren't you the most fragile person around here? I only have a fragile heart! I don't see how that's bad."

"Hey, I'm precious. That's why I'm fragile," retorted Hyson.

"Oh, then my heart is also very precious that's why it's fragile."

Raelle was stuck between these children.