Chapter 35 - Xiao Wanqing’s heart sank, just a little

Hand in hand, Lin Xian followed Xiao Wanqing out of the auditorium, matching her steps with a careful reverence. Every now and then, she’d sneak a glance at the elegant woman beside her, and each look made her heart beat like a small drum, playing a frenzied sonata called I Really, Really Like You.

Xiao Wanqing, however, walked with composed ease, seemingly unaware. Her gaze remained ahead, but her mind wandered, replaying Lin Xian’s reaction from earlier — the girl’s surprise had far exceeded anything she’d expected. Xiao Wanqing had long outgrown those romantic whims and girlish sentiments; in her adult world, gifts had always been more about practicality, appropriateness, or social necessity than anything else.

So this… was how it really felt to receive a gift that brought genuine joy?

And this… this unfamiliar yet familiar feeling, the one she had long forgotten and was now rediscovering — it felt like this: watching someone else light up from surprise, and in turn, feeling her own heart melt with joy, unable to help the soft ache of happiness blooming inside her.

Xiao Wanqing subconsciously slowed her steps and turned slightly to glance at the girl who was now tugging gently at her heartstrings. Lin Xian, sensing her gaze, looked up and beamed a sweet smile, softening Wanqing’s heart even further. Wanqing’s eyes dropped to the gift Lin Xian was clutching tightly to her chest, and a gentle smile crept to her lips. She teased, “You’re really not going to open it?”

She had, after all, put quite some thought into this gift, asking around and pulling a few strings to get it. If Lin Xian didn’t seem to care… well, she’d be lying if she said she wouldn’t feel a little deflated.

Lin Xian glanced down at the present in her arms, stroking it gently like a treasure, and grinned, teeth white and gleaming. “This is my biggest joy and anticipation right now. It’s the grand finale. I’m saving it for right before bed so I can go to sleep smiling, and even dream sweetly about it.”

Xiao Wanqing was completely charmed, squeezing Lin Xian’s hand playfully and scolding, “What a silly little theory.”

As they neared the parking lot, Xiao Wanqing pulled out her car keys, only to suddenly remember something she’d forgotten. She stopped and asked, “Do your friends know how to get to the house? Did you tell them where to go?”

Only then did Lin Xian remember the very existence of Shi Man and Chen Zhi. Her smile froze. Crap. Her mind had been completely occupied with Xiao Wanqing’s surprise gift earlier — she hadn’t even thought about her friends. She was supposed to meet them and go shopping together before heading to the house, but instead… she’d wandered off with Xiao Wanqing without a word.

She had no idea where they were now, or if they’d just given up and gone home. Were they cursing her out in the group chat right now?

Frantically pulling out her phone, she explained, “Auntie Xiao, I forgot to tell them! Just give me a second.” She dialed Shi Man’s number as she spoke.

Luckily, within just two or three rings, the call was answered. Before Lin Xian could even say anything, Shi Man’s sassy voice rang out, “Well, well, Lin Xian. Said you’d treat us at your place, but then you ran off with the gorgeous lady without a single word? Abandoning friends for love, huh?”

Lin Xian flinched instinctively at the words abandoning friends for love. She peeked sideways at Xiao Wanqing to make sure she hadn’t heard, then quickly lowered her voice to protest, “Don’t talk nonsense. I… I just forgot.” Then, softening her tone, she murmured, “I’m sorry, Manman. Where are you guys now? Are Chen Zhi and Tang Mo with you?”

Satisfied with her apology, Shi Man chuckled, letting her off the hook. “You and Auntie Xiao just come to the parking lot. We’re all in Zhi Jin’s car now. Just waiting for you two to lead the way.”

Lin Xian’s heart finally relaxed, and she grinned, buttering Shi Man up without shame, “Ahh! Manman, you’re the best! The kindest little angel ever!”

Standing beside her, Xiao Wanqing watched Lin Xian flatter her friend with wide, sparkling eyes, and couldn’t help but smile. This girl — her sweet words rolled off her tongue like honey. Who could resist her when she was being like this?

She wondered idly… who would be the lucky one to fall into this sugary trap someday?

Shi Man, however, wasn’t buying it. She snorted. “Yeah, yeah, just get over here already.” And promptly hung up on her.

Lin Xian wasn’t the least bit bothered by the cold goodbye. Instead, she bounced forward and once again took Xiao Wanqing’s hand, walking briskly and informing her, “Manman said they’re already at the parking lot. They’re in Zhi Jin’s car, and they’ll follow us back.”

Xiao Wanqing paused, surprised. “Zhi Jin drives?” She was slightly concerned — the girls were around Lin Xian’s age, and in her eyes, still kids. Gently, she suggested, “It’ll be pretty late when we head back. If Zhi Jin’s unfamiliar with the area, it might not be safe. We can just call another car now, head home together, and I’ll drop them off later.”

Lin Xian instantly caught the gentle undertone in her words. Xiao Wanqing was always like this — never imposing, always warm and considerate, never using her age or authority to boss them around. Every suggestion came wrapped in kindness, every concern tinged with care. How could she not fall for someone like that?

She gave their intertwined hands a little swing and reassured her, “Don’t worry, Auntie Xiao. Manman told me Zhi Jin’s had her license for over a year now, and she drives nearly every day. She has tutoring four nights a week, and she’s used to driving at night. She’ll be fine.”

That explanation put Xiao Wanqing more at ease. She recalled Zhi Jin’s calm, steady demeanor and figured she wasn’t the type to do anything reckless. She nodded in acceptance and continued walking toward the underground parking garage. “She does tutoring?” she asked casually. It was common enough for university students to take on side jobs — but driving to tutoring gigs? That was rare.

Lin Xian faltered. She didn’t quite know how to respond. She didn’t want to lie, but she also didn’t want to reveal anything private about Zhi Jin. Fortunately, just then, they entered the parking lot and a white BMW flashed its headlights at them, interrupting the conversation.

Shi Man’s pretty face leaned out from the car window as she teased them with a playful smirk, “Lost your way?”

Her eyes swept meaningfully over Lin Xian and Xiao Wanqing’s still-interlocked hands.

Lin Xian, sharp as ever, caught that look immediately. Her guilty conscience kicked in and she quickly let go of Xiao Wanqing’s hand, clasping her hands in front of her and bending at the waist in mock deference, joking as if nothing had happened. “It’s this lowly one’s fault. Apologies for making the esteemed one wait.”

From the back seat, Xia Zhijin, along with Chen Zhi and Tang Mo, all rolled down their windows, poking their heads out as they spotted Xiao Wanqing standing a few steps behind Lin Xian, a soft smile playing at her lips.

In unison, sweet and bright voices rang out: “Hello, Auntie Xiao…”

Xiao Wanqing was a little taken aback by their sudden greeting. Subconsciously, she took a small step closer to Lin Xian before reacting, tilting her head and smiling gently. “Hello to you all. No need to be so formal.”

Lin Xian wagged her index finger left and right in front of their eyes. “You scared my Auntie Xiao.” Then she pulled Xiao Wanqing along and walked up to Xia Zhijin, muttering like a grumpy kid, “Ignore them, Auntie Xiao. We’ll just talk to Sister Zhijin. She’s the only one here with a serious bone in her body.”

Xiao Wanqing didn’t seem to mind. She winked at Chen Zhi and Tang Mo, then bent slightly to have a quiet exchange with Xia Zhijin. She outlined the general route and warned them about the road conditions before reminding them all to stay safe on the way. Only then did she take Lin Xian with her to lead the way in the car ahead.

Watching their figures walk off side by side, Shi Man propped her chin in her hand and, as if struck by a thought, suddenly let out a bubbly laugh. Her joy was infectious and almost ridiculous.

Xia Zhijin leaned in to help her fasten the seatbelt and was momentarily puzzled by Shi Man’s glee.

Noticing her confusion, Shi Man leaned closer to whisper in Xia Zhijin’s ear, mischief practically dripping from her voice, “Don’t you think we’re like the little underlings of Boss Lin? The big boss brings her girl to inspect the scene, and the underlings all line up to greet her—‘Hello, sister-in-law’…”

Xia Zhijin furrowed her brows, momentarily dazed, before calmly chiding, “Stop with the nonsense.”

She sat back, started the car, and kept her eyes fixed straight ahead as she followed behind Xiao Wanqing’s vehicle out of the garage.

Shi Man withdrew her gaze, smiling faintly as she watched Xia Zhijin.

You really don’t get it… do you?

Back home, Xiao Wanqing told them to treat her house like their own and relax. She gave Lin Xian a quick reminder to be a good host and take care of her classmates, then quietly slipped into the kitchen.

Lin Xian shifted the coffee table in the living room to the side, laid out a cozy blanket, and called everyone over to sit. She then pulled out a game console from under the TV stand. Even though Shi Man, Chen Zhi, and Tang Mo weren’t exactly regular gamers, they were all immediately intrigued. The girls sat on their knees in front of the TV, bubbling with excitement as they connected the console and prepped for battle.

Xia Zhijin sat quietly on the sofa, her gaze resting on the lively scene before her. There was a faintly helpless fondness in her eyes. After a moment, she crouched down beside Shi Man and whispered, “I’m going to help Auntie Xiao in the kitchen.”

Shi Man blinked and turned from the screen. “I’ll go with you.”

A soft smile flickered across Xia Zhijin’s cool eyes. She gave Shi Man’s shoulder a pat and gently pushed her back down like she was coaxing a child. “The best way to help is not getting in the way. Be good and play with the others.”

Shi Man watched her leave, frowning slightly, deep in thought, when Tang Mo suddenly shoved a controller into her hands. “Manman, your turn. Knock Lin Xian down a peg, she’s getting way too smug…”

Immediately, Lin Xian’s indignant voice shot back, “It’s my birthday! Can’t I have a little spotlight today?”

Shi Man tore her eyes from the hallway and gripped the controller.

Fine then.

She smirked and shuffled closer, plopping down next to Lin Xian. “Just watch how I wipe the floor with her.”

In the kitchen, the extractor fan hummed in the background. Xiao Wanqing, wearing an apron, was slicing meat with care and focus at the counter. Steam curled up from a nearby pot, hissing quietly as the water boiled.

Without a sound, Xia Zhijin walked up to the sink, turned on the tap, and began washing vegetables. “Auntie Xiao, let me help.”

Xiao Wanqing was so absorbed in her task that she didn’t even notice the extra presence until she heard Xia Zhijin’s voice. She looked over and saw her hands already submerged in the vegetable basin. Feeling a little embarrassed, she said quickly, “That’s not necessary. Go play with the others—I’ve got it under control. You’re a guest; I can’t have you helping.”

But Xia Zhijin didn’t budge. She calmly turned off the tap and kept rinsing the vegetables with practiced ease. Then she added casually, “The soup’s boiling. Should we turn the heat down a bit?”

Realizing she wasn’t going to be waved off with politeness, Xiao Wanqing sighed and stopped objecting. “Can you pour the noodles sitting next to the pot into the boiling water for me?”

Without hesitation, Xia Zhijin dried her hands and walked over, quickly and neatly tipping the noodles in. She even stirred the pot a little with the ladle, making sure nothing clumped together. After a moment, she covered the pot and returned to the counter.

She noticed the pre-fried sweet potatoes and pork ribs set aside and asked knowingly, “You’re making vinegar-braised ribs?”

Xiao Wanqing nodded and chatted casually as she worked. “Do you often cook at home, Zhijin?” She could tell just from watching—the girl was no stranger to the kitchen.

A soft, tender smile appeared at the corners of Xia Zhijin’s lips. “Mm. Manman’s really picky. She only eats the food I make. So I took over her meals to make sure she gets all the nutrients she needs.”

So thoughtful and devoted. Xiao Wanqing was a little surprised. She transferred the sliced meat onto a plate and praised sincerely, “You’re a really good older sister then. Cooking might seem easy, but it’s really not. When I was your age, I had zero interest in any of this. I didn’t even want to get near the kitchen. It must be a lot of work for you.”

She hadn’t expected it—Xia Zhijin’s hands never stopped washing the vegetables, but her movements suddenly fell into a silence.

Just when Xiao Wanqing thought the conversation would end there, Xia Zhijin softly replied, her tone so light and emotionless it almost felt detached: “It’s not hard. Her mother helped my family a lot. It’s only right that I repay them...”

An indifferent voice, like someone completely removed from the situation.

Her expression was composed and cool, her long lashes casting shadows over her eyes, hiding whatever emotion might lie behind them. Xiao Wanqing couldn’t see what was truly there. The light traced the sharp line of her sculpted features—her high, elegant nose, the delicate curve of her profile. For a fleeting second, Xiao Wanqing felt like she’d caught a glimpse of something deeper.

Xia Zhijin… was she actually just like her?

But then she remembered that day at the supermarket—the way Shi Man had clung tightly to Xia Zhijin’s arm, lifting her eyes to gaze up at her with a look so full of affection, it seemed like it was about to spill over.

And Xiao Wanqing’s heart sank, just a little.

Though she couldn’t quite tell… whether it was for Xia Zhijin—or for Shi Man.