Chapter 36 - She lifted out a strappy triangle garment and a sheer, nearly transparent slip

In the living room, Lin Xian and the others were starting to feel a bit sleepy after playing games for so long. Their stomachs had begun to growl like empty fortresses, so they finally took a break. As they leaned against the sofa legs, chatting idly and tossing around random comments, Xia Zhijin’s clear, melodious voice finally floated out: "Wash your hands, everyone. Time to eat."

The group of newly grown-up teens instantly leapt to their feet, bouncing like preschoolers, obediently lining up behind "Teacher Lin Xian" to wash their hands one by one in the bathroom. Then they chattered all the way to the dining room.

They were genuinely starving. The food hadn’t even made it into view yet, but just from the smell alone, someone couldn’t help but exclaim sincerely, "Smells so good..."

Inside the dining room, the snow-white table was absolutely packed. Each pristine white plate was loaded with beautifully plated, vibrantly colored dishes. On the silvery-gray placemats lay elegant redwood chopsticks, spoons, two smooth porcelain bowls, and one crystal-clear glass cup—everything so exquisitely arranged it looked like a high-end restaurant promo shoot.

Shi Man, Chen Zhi, and Tang Mo took their seats one by one, their stomachs rumbling, but none of them dared to touch their chopsticks. They just sat clutching their bowls like nervous children.

Xiao Wanqing was the last to sit. Seeing everyone frozen like statues, she looked puzzled. "Why aren’t you eating? Does the food not look appetizing?"

As she spoke, she stood back up, grabbed the cup closest to her—Chen Zhi’s—and filled it with coconut milk. Teasingly, she added, "Or is it because this old auntie is here, making you all nervous?"

Chen Zhi quickly reached out with both hands to receive the cup, awkwardly protesting, "No, no! Thank you, Auntie Xiao—I could’ve done it myself."

Lin Xian opened another can of coconut milk and helped pour a glass for Tang Mo beside her, teasing her friends, "Weren’t you all starving a second ago? Now that the food’s right in front of you, what’s with the sudden loss of appetite?"

Tang Mo didn’t hold back—she accepted the cup, took a sip, and said honestly, both flattering and sincere, "It’s because Auntie Xiao made everything look too good—like literal art. We just can’t bear to mess it up."

Shi Man’s peach blossom eyes sparkled. She looked sweetly at Xiao Wanqing and smiled, "Not me though. I just wanted to wait for Auntie Xiao to sit down so we could all eat together."

Lin Xian, Chen Zhi, and Tang Mo all shot her an identical glare—ugh, what a bootlicker! Always the sweet-talker!

Xiao Wanqing’s eyes curved with amusement, and in a warm tone, she said, "Then I’ll reward you by letting you eat first, how about that?"

Without hesitation, she picked up the public chopsticks and flipped over the gorgeously plated lobster dish right in front of her. She grabbed a hefty piece of lobster meat and dropped it into Shi Man’s bowl.

"Thank you, Auntie Xiao!" Shi Man said gleefully, proudly picking up the lobster meat and inspecting it with exaggerated care to catch everyone’s attention.

"Look at this—doesn’t it just look so juicy and delicious…” Then, under a storm of envious glares, she popped it into her mouth with a dramatic flourish.

Xiao Wanqing used the public chopsticks again to serve a piece to Xia Zhijin and explained, "This dish, by the way, was cooked by our very own Head Chef Zhijin. Little Chef, have a taste of your own handiwork.”

Xia Zhijin’s usually cool features softened slightly into a gentle smile. "Still have to thank Auntie Xiao for your little secret tricks."

Lin Xian lifted her chopsticks and served a piece of lobster to Chen Zhi and Tang Mo each, then finally put a piece in her own bowl and grumbled in mock bitterness, "Sigh, those of us who can’t cook or sweet-talk anyone just have to reward ourselves, huh? Come on—pick up your chopsticks, let’s dig in. Hmph! No letting them have all the fun!"

Her exaggeratedly resentful tone made everyone burst into laughter, and the table instantly lit up with cheer.

After eating a little, Chen Zhi suddenly looked down and noticed the bulging handbag resting on her lap. She remembered something important. Setting her chopsticks down, she opened her little leather bag and pulled out a small, square gift box.

"Here," she said, handing it to Lin Xian. "Your birthday present. I went through so many shops to find it. Try not to cry from gratitude."

Lin Xian’s lips curved into a playful smile as she accepted the gift with both hands and immediately began unwrapping it.

Inside was the limited edition third-anniversary clay figurine from the game they all played—one she had talked about wanting for ages but never managed to snag.

The usual sassy "Hey, Chen, you old dog!" attitude disappeared. In its place came an overly dramatic, borderline theatrical tone of devotion, "Thank you, beautiful Miss Chen. You’re so good to me!"

She made as if to throw her arms around her in a grateful hug.

Chen Zhi immediately dodged with a shudder and a disgusted look, "Ugh, cut it out…"

Everyone paused their chopsticks, laughing as they watched.

Tang Mo poked at the grilled eel in her bowl and casually said to Lin Xian, "I didn’t bring a physical gift. You’ll have to check in-game for yours—it’s just a little cosmetic item."

She said it like it was nothing, but Lin Xian lit up instantly and leaned in excitedly, "You got me the Flowing Sword Aura accessory?! Oh my god—is it? Is it?!"

She’d been after that item forever, but her luck was always terrible. She’d mentioned it to Tang Mo before, who’d scoffed at her misfortune and told her to give up hope.

Had Tang Mo actually farmed it for her? That meant countless hours of grinding and resets…

Just as Lin Xian was about to leap up in excitement, Tang Mo gave her a cold look and warned, "You can be touched—but keep your hugs to yourself. My body’s delicate."

Lin Xian’s thrilled expression instantly turned into mock heartbreak. She turned back around with a dramatic whimper and appealed to Xiao Wanqing, "Auntie Xiao, did you hear that? She just called me fat! She totally thinks I’m fat, right?!"

Xiao Wanqing calmly peeled a shrimp for her and said in a soothing voice, "Think about the pretty accessory she gave you. And take a good look at the dark circles under her eyes from staying up late grinding that item..."

Arrow, straight to the heart!

"You—Auntie Xiao!" Tang Mo cried out in horror and immediately pulled a tiny mirror from her bag. "Dark circles? What dark circles? Do I really have dark circles?!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Lin Xian, now smug, raised an eyebrow and declared, "See? You can’t bully me just because I’m cute—I’ve got backup, okay?!"

Shi Man leaned close to Xia Zhijin and whispered mischievously, "Isn’t she getting waytoo cocky?"

Xia Zhijin turned to glance at Shi Man, a soft, indulgent smile flashing in her eyes. From the large bag Shi Man had brought earlier, she pulled out a neatly wrapped gift box about the size of a book. She handed it to Lin Xian with a gentle smile. "Mine’s more practical. Hope you like it."

Lin Xian took the gift with both hands, weighing it carefully, glancing from side to side, trying to guess what it was. Judging by the weight and size… was it a book? As she tugged at the decorative ribbon on the wrapping, she looked over with curious anticipation and asked, “What is it, sister Zhijin?”

Xia Zhijin didn’t keep her in suspense and replied casually, “They’re full solution books. One for Calculus, and one for Macroeconomics. Next time you and Manman copy homework answers together, you won’t have to fight about who’s ahead and who should wait when the deadline’s approaching. One book each. Makes copying a lot easier.”

Xiao Wanqing’s brows furrowed slightly as she turned to look at Lin Xian, her voice lowering, “Copying answers?”

Lin Xian immediately panicked, hastily denying, “I didn’t! Manman, when did I ever copy homework with you?” Seeing Shi Man just smiling silently, she gave up on that traitor and turned quickly to Chen Zhi and Tang Mo for backup: “Chen Zhi, Momo, you’ve seen me—don’t I always finish my homework early? When have I ever copied anyone’s answers?”

Chen Zhi and Tang Mo exchanged a knowing smile with Shi Man, immediately picking up on the game. Tang Mo cleared her throat, lowered her eyes, and said solemnly, “Xianxian, you know I’ve never been good at lying…”

Out of the corner of her eye, Lin Xian noticed Xiao Wanqing’s brows knit even tighter.

She was completely flustered, even forgetting to continue unwrapping the present, and rushed to explain to Xiao Wanqing, “Aunt Xiao, I really didn’t. I always do my homework in the study with you at night. There’s no way I’d wait till the last minute and copy anything.” She was terrified that Xiao Wanqing would really take her for some lazy, dishonest, unmotivated kid.

Chen Zhi noticed how genuinely anxious Lin Xian looked and couldn’t help but be secretly surprised. Aunt Xiao always seemed so gentle and easygoing—why was Lin Xian acting like she was scared of her?

Shi Man, watching from the side, noticed that though Xiao Wanqing’s brow was furrowed, there was a smile hiding in her eyes. She shook her head silently. With Lin Xian’s level of obliviousness, trying to win Aunt Xiao over… was going to be a long, long road.

Looking at the flustered, sincerely panicked girl before her, someone who was usually so quick-witted now reduced to such silly innocence… Xiao Wanqing couldn’t keep a straight face. She burst into laughter and rubbed Lin Xian’s cheek to comfort her, “I was teasing. How could I not believe you?” Her expression softened as she said warmly, “They’re just messing with you. You’re so silly. Go on, open it and see what Zhijin actually gave you.”

Lin Xian blinked, turned, and saw Shi Man barely holding back a laugh, and Xia Zhijin for once wearing a smug, mischievous look. Realization hit her all at once. Annoyed, she tore off the wrapping in a few swift moves. There were no answer keys—only an original autobiography by Danish poet J.S.

She actually really liked that poet. But after being played like that, she didn’t feel thankful at all! She wanted nothing more than to pinch that deceptive straight face of Xia Zhijin’s. Her eyes shot daggers—Liar!

“I heard from Manman that you liked this poet. But… you don’t seem that happy about it?” Xia Zhijin asked with feigned innocence.

Shi Man quickly jumped in, “Don’t worry, I’ve got the ultimate gift bag right here. I promise it’ll make Lin Xian so happy she forgets all her anger!”

Xiao Wanqing was intrigued by her confidence and watched curiously as Shi Man lifted a large bag from beside her chair. “What is it?” she asked.

Lin Xian looked at her suspiciously. The moment she locked eyes with Shi Man’s mischievous, glinting gaze, her heart skipped a beat. She lunged forward and snatched the bag away in a panic, hugging it tightly to her chest. “I’ll just open this later. Alone.”

Chen Zhi and Tang Mo were immediately dissatisfied. “No way! What is it? Come on, let us see too!”

Lin Xian clutched the bag tightly, shaking her head repeatedly.

Chen Zhi rolled her eyes, pouted, and dramatically sighed, “It must be something super fancy. Us commoners could never afford it, and Lin Xian’s just afraid we’ll feel bad comparing our gifts to hers. Momo, we poor folks need to be self-aware. She’s being considerate of our feelings—how could we be so rude as to force her?”

Lin Xian frowned. “What nonsense are you saying? That’s not what I meant at all.”

Shi Man added fuel to the fire, “Lin Xian, that’s not cool. I gave you a gift, and now Chen Zhi and Tang Mo are going to resent me for it?”

Xiao Wanqing watched the kids putting on a whole act to tease Lin Xian, amused. These kids… they’re all little masterminds.

Lin Xian knew they were provoking her on purpose but still didn’t want to give them anything to really tease her about later. She took a deep breath and said boldly, “Fine, fine! I’ll open it. You can see it.”

Just as she finished speaking, Chen Zhi pounced and snatched the bag from her arms.

“I’ll help you unwrap it.”

All eyes turned to the bag in Chen Zhi’s hands. She pulled out a giant box.

“Is it clothes?” Tang Mo asked, tilting her head.

Shi Man smirked playfully. “You could say that…”

Bit by bit, the packaging came off, revealing a bright pink box. On the box was an illustration of a bunny girl—wearing a skimpy outfit and red stilettos, striking a pose.

Lin Xian spotted it first. Alarm bells blared in her head. She lunged forward with a shout, “Don’t open it!”

But it was too late. Just as she cried out, Chen Zhi opened the box, swiftly pulling it out of Lin Xian’s reach while feigning confusion: “What’s this?” At the same time, she lifted out a strappy triangle garment and a sheer, nearly transparent slip.

The box also contained odd items like bunny ears, cat ears, a sailor uniform, feathers…

Lin Xian stared at the thong and negligee Chen Zhi was dangling in front of her—and her face instantly turned scarlet. Don’t ask how she even knew it was a thong. She snatched the indecent pieces and clutched them to her chest, wide-eyed and fuming, teeth clenched: “Shi Man! I’m going to kill you!”

Shi Man collapsed laughing against Xia Zhijin, completely unapologetic. “It’s a coming-of-age gift. Aren’t you supposed to get something adult?” She looked perfectly righteous as she turned to Xiao Wanqing for backup. “Aunt Xiao, don’t you think I’m right?”

It was a bit over-the-top. She’d originally planned to give the gift to Lin Xian privately, just for laughs. But after the lecture earlier, she changed her mind.

She’d met Xiao Wanqing during the school sports meet before, and combined with what Lin Xian had told her in daily conversations—Xiao Wanqing’s temperament, the way they got along—she was confident that Xiao Wanqing wasn’t the type to be uptight or overly serious, the kind who clung to her elder status. Even if the gift was a little outrageous, at the end of the day, it was just a joke among kids. Besides, today was Lin Xian’s birthday. They were her friends. Xiao Wanqing wouldn’t actually get offended and embarrass Lin Xian, so Shi Man had no fear at all.

As expected, just as she’d guessed, Xiao Wanqing didn’t scold her or take offense.

Her eyes drifted over the props in the box and then… to the one cradled in Lin Xian’s arms… For some reason, her own face flushed slightly as well. It did feel a bit awkward. She cleared her throat twice and said tactfully, “Still… Xianxian is… still quite young…”

Shi Man sat up straighter, scanning Lin Xian from head to toe. Her gaze finally landed on Lin Xian’s chest, and suddenly, with great conviction, she said, “Yes, Xianxian is still young—not just young, very young…” She drew out the last word meaningfully.

Everyone’s eyes followed Shi Man’s line of sight and landed on Lin Xian’s almost flat chest. In an instant, the room was filled with sudden understanding…

“Hahahahahahahahahahahaha—”

The dining room echoed with a chorus of laughter, interspersed with Lin Xian’s shy and flustered protests, going on and on. Even Xiao Wanqing, always elegant and composed, was laughing so hard she bent forward slightly, her eyes glistening.

This warmth, this liveliness, this joyous laughter filling the room—wasn’t it all a surprise gift from Lin Xian? Or perhaps… Lin Xian herself was the unexpected delight life had given her—something brief, something she could have, just for a while?

Lin Xian and Shi Man began chasing each other around the dining room like little kids. Shi Man wasn’t afraid in the slightest; in fact, she seemed to get more playful the longer it went on. As she darted past where Lin Xian had just been standing, she grabbed the sheer nightgown Lin Xian had left on the chair to chase her, twirling it open as she ran. When she looped back around to Xiao Wanqing, she deliberately shook the gown out in front of her, casually remarking, “Aunt Xiao, Lin Xian’s an adult now…”

She was panting like she’d worn herself out from running, but she picked up again with a mischievous glint as if catching her breath mid-stride, “Lin Xian’s an adult now… Though honestly, the chances are pretty slim. Aunt Xiao, you should comfort her—life still has other kinds of hope.”

The dining room wasn’t very big, and neither of them was really trying to catch the other. Lin Xian wasn’t actually planning to tackle Shi Man. When she realized Shi Man wasn’t even giving her a chance to land a few symbolic slaps, she simply gave up the chase. As she circled back around to Xiao Wanqing’s side, she let herself collapse into her arms in an exaggerated, dramatic flop.

Xiao Wanqing gently embraced the girl who’d thrown herself into her arms all pouty and teary-eyed, soothing her by nuzzling her chin against the top of her soft hair. Out of the corner of her eye, she accidentally caught a glimpse of the sheer nightgown still clutched in Shi Man’s hand—and for some reason, Shi Man’s words echoed faintly in her mind:

“Lin Xian… is an adult now…”