Chapter 33 - Aunt Xiao... The Moon Is Beautiful, Isn't It?

Though Lin Xian had been born and raised in Anjiang City, she had rarely ventured into the southern district before college. In her limited memory, she recalled coming here once for a spring outing during middle school—she and her classmates had grilled food on some beach. Back then, the coastal cycling path she was riding on now hadn’t even been built.

Fortunately, even though it was her first time riding along this stretch, she found the road quite straightforward, tracing the shoreline with barely any turns. There was no need to memorize the way—just keep pedaling steadily and calmly.

Under the night sky, the island road was nearly empty of cars, tinged with a quiet solitude. Along the way, the only sounds were the cold wind howling and the waves crashing rhythmically against the shore. Luckily, the moonlight was soft tonight, and tall streetlamps lined the non-motorized path, casting a hazy golden glow that added a touch of warmth to the chilly night.

After riding for a while, they passed by Music Square, where signs of life slowly began to emerge—more and more cyclists, some in pairs or trios, wobbling unsteadily as they tried to balance their bikes. Lin Xian kept her eyes on the road while watching them struggle and laugh with each near fall. The bursts of giggles and exclamations blended into a joyful chaos. Feeling the gentle arms wrapped around her waist, Lin Xian’s heart softened with longing.

Maybe someday, she thought, I can come ride like this with Aunt Xiao too. I wonder… can she even ride a bike?

Just as she was lost in thought, the hands around her waist loosened briefly. Then came Xiao Wanqing’s warm voice, brushing against her ear with a soft breath: “Xianxian, your script is really well-written. I think you’ll definitely make the cut. But… the formatting might need a little tweaking.”

She must have lifted the wind visor a bit, Lin Xian guessed.

Her wind-chilled ear began to warm and tingle from Xiao Wanqing’s breath. Lin Xian unconsciously gripped the handlebars tighter and slightly picked up the pace.

She read it… Did it upset her?
Did she see the note I wrote?
Did she understand what I was trying to tell her?

Lin Xian hesitated, unsure if she should bring it up. Before she could decide, Xiao Wanqing’s next move disrupted the rhythm of her thoughts—and her heartbeat.

Xiao Wanqing leaned in from behind, pressing closer. Lin Xian felt as if her whole self was gently wrapped in her embrace.

She rested her chin softly on Lin Xian’s shoulder, nudging it playfully twice. Her voice came again, light and sincere, laced with a hint of a smile: “Thank you, Lin Xian.”

It felt like a firework exploded in her chest.

This was the first time Xiao Wanqing had expressed such intimate warmth toward her.

Did this mean… she was getting closer? That she was letting down her guard, just a little? Letting me melt a corner of the ice in her heart?

Lin Xian was thrilled beyond words. Her heart surged like waves in a stormy sea. Yet she dared not let it show on her face. Gripping the handlebars tightly, she took a long moment to suppress her emotions. Then she tilted her head ever so slightly and tapped the helmet behind her with hers, joking: “What are you thanking me for? I should be the one thanking you, Aunt Xiao. And I’m going to keep needing your help with formatting tips!”

Her voice couldn’t quite hide the giddy joy.

Xiao Wanqing’s eyes curved gently as she played along, teasing: “Then are you going to pay me tuition?”

Lin Xian immediately stiffened her tone in mock indignation: “Wow, Aunt Xiao! After all we’ve been through, you’re actually putting a price tag on our relationship? Trying to charge me tuition? Unacceptable. You’ve angered me—I’m mad now. I’m going rogue!”

With that, she sped up again along the now pedestrian-free path, purposely wobbling the bike left and right.

Xiao Wanqing, always the cautious and rule-abiding driver, panicked at once. She tightened her grip around Lin Xian and pleaded: “Lin Xian, stop fooling around. That’s dangerous—Xianxian, I was wrong…”

Lin Xian burst out laughing, slowing down a bit, still teasing: “Nope, too late. Rogue mode activated. No turning back now…”

Seeing her ease off, Xiao Wanqing sighed in relief. Knowing Lin Xian had a sense of control, she relaxed and decided to play along too. She loosened her arms and placed her hands gently on either side of Lin Xian’s waist. With a half-smile and a soft voice, she said: “Well then, should I try looking for your off-switch to deactivate this rogue mode?”

Before Lin Xian could react, Xiao Wanqing reached out with two fingers and gave her waist a little poke, as if seriously searching for the “button.”

Lin Xian instantly caught the meaning behind her words, and alarm bells rang in her head. She twisted away in panic, protesting: “No! There’s no button!”

Amused by her flustered reaction, Xiao Wanqing chuckled, her laughter light and melodic, rippling through the night like music.

Riding against the wind, Lin Xian couldn’t help but smile too, her brows softening in the moonlight.

On both sides of the road, towering royal palm trees cast long, slender shadows. They stood quietly, listening to the laughter of passing riders. The shimmering sea mirrored the full moon in the sky, sending waves rolling gently to the rhythm of their shared joy.

Another ten minutes passed before Lin Xian noticed the road was becoming crowded. Several times, she had to stop and wait for pedestrians to pass before continuing.

At one such stop, she glanced absentmindedly across the street—and noticed something different. The scene on the opposite side didn’t match what they had seen so far. That area was brightly lit, bustling with people, and the faint sounds of music drifted through the air.

Curious, Lin Xian asked, “Aunt Xiao, why does the other side look so lively?”

Xiao Wanqing followed her gaze. In the dark, her eyes landed on a hanging sign at the street entrance that looked vaguely familiar. Her elegant brows furrowed slightly, and she replied softly: “That’s a pretty famous street in the southern district called Xiangnan Road. It’s a bit of a tourist spot. Lots of snacks, coffee shops, boutiques, and bars. It’s especially lively at night—a must-visit for travelers.”

Lin Xian was intrigued. Perhaps Xiao Wanqing’s description had influenced her, but she suddenly thought she could almost smell the mouthwatering aroma of street food wafting from across the way. Her stomach grumbled, and her mouth watered. She suggested eagerly, “Should we go check it out?”

Xiao Wanqing’s hands at her sides clenched into subtle fists. After a pause, she answered in a warm voice, “Sure, let’s go have a look.”

Lin Xian parked and locked her bike near the square, then followed Xiao Wanqing back the way they’d come. They crossed a footbridge, and on the other side was the entrance to Xiangnan Road.

Excitement and curiosity filled Lin Xian’s heart, leaving her oblivious to the subtle change in Xiao Wanqing’s expression. Her usual gentle smile had faded, replaced by a faint calmness—so faint it was hard to notice.

Sure enough, Xiangnan Road was teeming with people. Just standing at the entrance, Lin Xian could see the narrow street bustling with life—crowds thronged shoulder to shoulder. In some spots, the lines of people waiting to buy food even stretched over a meter long. The shouts of street vendors and the laughter and chatter of tourists melted together into a boiling pot of noise that only heightened Lin Xian’s excitement.

Seizing the moment, Lin Xian reached out and took Xiao Wanqing’s hand, gripping it tightly. She tilted her head, mischief twinkling in her eyes as she explained, “There are so many people inside—Let's not get lost.”

Xiao Wanqing’s expression softened. She didn’t pull her hand away. Instead, she gently returned the squeeze and nodded, “Okay.”

Satisfied, Lin Xian tightened her hold on that soft hand, walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Xiao Wanqing into the heart of the street. As they strolled, she looked over the vendors lining both sides, casually asking, “Auntie Xiao, have you been here before?”

Xiao Wanqing’s steps faltered ever so slightly at the question. Her gaze drifted toward the deepest part of the street, where lights still glowed warmly, and the same old bustle thrived. Her eyes dimmed.

After a long pause, Lin Xian finally heard her reply, calm and distant: “I've only been here two or three times”

Only then did Lin Xian realize something was off. She stopped and turned to look at Xiao Wanqing. The older woman stood there, lost in the dazzling brightness ahead, her eyes full of something Lin Xian couldn’t quite understand—melancholy, sorrow.

What Lin Xian didn’t know was that this street had once witnessed the dazzling beginning—and the lonely end—of Xiao Wanqing’s first love.

She hadn’t lied. She had only come here two or three times. The first time was in her first year of grad school, with Wen Tong and... Yan Jia.

Back then, the three of them were graduate students in Chinese Literature. Wen Tong shared the same advisor as her; Yan Jia didn’t. But Yan Jia had graduated from a top university and had studied abroad on exchange. She was highly valued in the student council from day one. Xiao Wanqing and Wen Tong, through various activities, gradually came to know her. At some point, Yan Jia had started to openly pursue her.

At first, Xiao Wanqing couldn’t believe it. Then, as time passed, she didn’t know how to react. Maybe it was Yan Jia’s fearless warmth that broke down her defenses. Maybe it was her brilliance that made her heart flutter. She didn’t know when it happened, but somehow, she had fallen for her.

But she had grown up with rules—strict, unbending rules. She was scared. She couldn't accept the idea of falling for another girl. So she suppressed it. Again and again, she cruelly rejected Yan Jia, never daring to take even half a step across the line.

That Christmas, Yan Jia had begged her—just one last time, one final happy memory. She wanted to spend the holiday with her. Xiao Wanqing couldn’t bring herself to say no, but she was afraid she might lose control, so she asked Wen Tong to come along. The three of them went out together.

Yan Jia had stood on the small stage at the back of an open-air bar, deep inside this very alley. With the mic in hand, eyes fixed solely on her, she began to sing “Similar to Love.” But she never made it to the final verse—tears overtook her voice. Choking back sobs, she looked at Xiao Wanqing and whispered, “You’re scared. I won’t push you anymore. I hope you find happiness…” Then she turned and ran.

It felt like something had crushed Xiao Wanqing’s heart in an instant—pain flooded every nerve. She forgot about Wen Tong, forgot about all the stunned stares, and chased after her. Under the streetlight, she threw her arms around the girl crying with her back to her, so slender and soft—just like her—and without a word, embraced her, accepted her.

Back then, she had truly believed that to find someone who loved her just as deeply was a rare kind of luck. That if there was love, everything else could be overcome. That she should be brave—for love, for herself, for Yan Jia.

But reality eventually taught her otherwise.

Naivety wasn’t a luxury grown-ups could afford.

The last time she’d come here was with Wen Tong again. She sat in that bar from five in the evening until two in the morning, staring at the stage where Yan Jia once stood, drinking cup after cup. Her head spun. Her throat and stomach burned. But none of it compared to the pain in her chest. Wen Tong finally lost it and shouted, “Are you done yet? Even if you die right here, who’s going to care?” Then she dragged her out.

And it was true. What was the point?

That day had been Yan Jia’s wedding day.

On the way back to the hotel, everything slowly cleared in her mind. The bitterness spread to her chest, thick and real. She clenched her jaw, bit her lip, and forced herself not to cry. Inside, she told herself—it’s over. Let it be.

She never came back to this street again.

Xiao Wanqing didn’t know why she had the courage to walk it today. Maybe… ever since Lin Xian had come into her life, she had slowly started to regain something.

She chuckled to herself—maybe it was the bright, youthful energy of the girl that had infected her.

She pulled herself together and turned to glance at the girl beside her, just in time to see Lin Xian looking up at her as well. Then, with a playful grin, Lin Xian asked, “Auntie Xiao, can I have one of those grilled meat skewers?”

Normally, Zhou Qin kept a strict eye on what Lin Xian ate, strictly banning all street food and junk. She’d even reminded Xiao Wanqing to help enforce it. But today, staring into those clear, expectant eyes, something in Xiao Wanqing softened. She gave in. “Once in a while is okay. Just don’t let your mom find out.”

Lin Xian’s eyes lit up, breaking into a wide smile. “I knew you were the best, Auntie Xiao!” she beamed, skipping off to order a set of three skewers.

Beside them, a couple was feeding each other ice cream. One bite in, they exhaled foggy white puffs from both their nose and mouth. Lin Xian watched, eyes wide with wonder, and asked politely, “Hi, excuse me—where did you get that ice cream?”

The person smiled and kindly pointed to a stall deeper inside. “Right over there.”

Lin Xian turned to look at Xiao Wanqing, eyes sparkling, about to speak—but before she could, Xiao Wanqing read her mind. “Go ahead,” she said gently. “I’ll wait for you here.”

Lin Xian flashed her pearly whites in delight. “Okay! I’ll be right back. What flavor do you want?”

Xiao Wanqing almost declined, but seeing the girl’s eager face, she changed her mind. “Original or matcha, either’s fine.”

“Got it! Be right back!” And just like that, the girl dashed off.

Xiao Wanqing watched her bounce away, that lively figure quickly swallowed by the crowd. A silent warmth eased over her features.

The grilled skewers were ready faster than expected. Holding them in hand, Xiao Wanqing glanced around and, realizing Lin Xian hadn’t returned yet, decided to go look for her.

At that moment, Lin Xian had just received the two cups of ice cream from the vendor. Turning around, the first thing she saw was Xiao Wanqing—standing there with grilled meat skewers in hand, looking completely out of place with her graceful presence, but smiling softly just the same.

Lin Xian’s eyes curved into a natural smile. She handed one of the cups to Xiao Wanqing, then scooped a small spoonful—not for herself, but naturally, gently lifted it toward Xiao Wanqing’s lips.

“Auntie Xiao, try it,” she said softly.

There was an innocent brightness in the girl's face. Xiao Wanqing paused for a moment, her gaze gradually softening until it seemed as though it could drip with warmth. She lowered her head, long, thick lashes fluttering ever so gently, and replied softly to Lin Xian, “Okay.”

Her red lips parted slightly. She leaned in and gently took the spoon that Lin Xian offered into her mouth.

In the distance, the prelude of a song in the bar came to an end, and a deep, magnetic male voice began to sing, low and soulful:

"She's a woman, thirty years old, still unmarried to this day. Though she smiles, faint wrinkles have appeared beside her eyes..."

Lin Xian’s outstretched hand slowly stiffened, her eyes darkening as she stared intently at Xiao Wanqing. She watched her lower her gaze, long lashes casting shadows; watched the flush of her tongue flicker out slightly; watched the soft strands of her hair slide down, one by one, before her eyes. She watched her red lips part and exhale a gentle breath. In that moment, the breath turned to mist, blurring her delicate features in a soft haze.

Everything around them seemed to still. In Lin Xian’s eyes, only Xiao Wanqing remained—smiling faintly through the mist, like a figure in a painting.

Suddenly, Lin Xian’s heart trembled. Her throat moved with a swallow, and her gaze burned as if she wanted to leave an imprint on Xiao Wanqing’s heart.

Maybe it was the beauty of the night, or maybe it was the surge of youthful affection she could no longer suppress—but at last, she closed her eyes slightly, leaned in closer to Xiao Wanqing, and in a soft, gentle voice, she murmured her feelings: “Aunt Xiao... The Moon Is Beautiful, Isn't It?”

"I love the gentle grace that only a thirty-year-old woman can have…" The song's husky lyrics floated on, perfectly echoing her whisper.

Lin Xian saw it—saw the brief flicker of surprise in Xiao Wanqing’s beautiful eyes. And then, she saw her eyes widen in astonishment…

Ah…