Chapter 46 Part 2

Wen Xin quickly recounted yesterday’s events one by one, only skipping the parts involving Shi Qianyu. She deliberately wove in her own feelings and opinions to make the story more engaging.

After listening, Shi Yu expressed her longing once more: 【That sounds awesome. I can practically picture it.】

She seemed genuinely envious: 【I’m so jealous. I haven’t been to the beach in ages.】

Wen Xin: 【Too busy with work?】

Shi Yu: 【Yeah, the last time was when I was little, with a childhood friend.】

She tried to recount their old memories through Shi Yu’s voice for Wen Xin to hear—the shells they’d picked up, the little mishaps along the way, and what Wen Xin had done to protect their hard-earned haul.

She even mimicked her style, adding vivid descriptors in hopes of jogging Wen Xin’s scattered recollections. But it had little effect; Wen Xin remembered nothing.

She even started asking about the shells: 【What happened to those shells in the end?】

Shi Qianyu felt a bit helpless, though she’d grown used to Wen Xin’s forgetfulness: 【We managed to save most of them. They’re safely tucked away in a jar now.】

Wen Xin: 【Do you like shells a lot?】

Shi Yu: 【Of course.】

—Only because they were from Wen Xin. Shi Qianyu cherished anything connected to her.

But the person on the other side of the screen clearly misunderstood. Since she had nothing better to do, she figured she might as well pick some shells to send to Shi Yu. It would suit her tastes and thank her for all the positive vibes she’d shared.

Wen Xin felt happy at the idea: 【If it’s okay, could you send me your address?】

Shi Yu: 【?】

Wen Xin grinned as she typed: 【I want to pick some shells to send you.】

“…”

In the end, Shi Qianyu shut down her computer and headed to the beach.

Wen Xin usually came across as earnest and indecisive, but that wasn’t the case at all. Once she set her mind to something, she rarely backed down.

Shi Qianyu didn’t want to let her good intentions go to waste. After a polite refusal, and seeing Wen Xin insist, she finally agreed and sent the address of her friend’s place.

Soon, Wen Xin’s figure vanished from view.

To make it seem less coincidental, Shi Qianyu waited a few more moments before getting up. The beach was crowded with tourists, lively and bustling. Finding one person amid the throng wasn’t easy.

But Shi Qianyu knew Wen Xin well. She was sure to veer away from the crowds toward a quieter spot. Following her own hunch, Shi Qianyu walked and searched, and sure enough, spotted her about ten minutes later.

Wen Xin looked like a dutiful little worker bee, head down as she meticulously inspected every inch of sand. Whenever she found a suitable treasure, she’d pick it up and stuff it into the pocket of her sun-protective shirt.

The beach was packed, making it hard to find intact, pretty shells, but Wen Xin had patience. Before she knew it, her pockets were weighed down with a decent haul.

What a serious expression she had.

Seeing this, Shi Qianyu felt both touched and annoyed. She loved how diligently Wen Xin was preparing a gift for her, but it irked her that the recipient wasn’t her—it was Shi Yu.

Sure, Shi Qianyu and Shi Yu were the same person, but Wen Xin didn’t know that. There was still a difference.

A twinge of jealousy welled up in Shi Qianyu out of nowhere. She sighed softly.

She approached slowly, feigning a chance encounter, and greeted her gently: “What are you doing here? Not going for a swim?”

“A-Yu?” Wen Xin didn’t question her presence at all. She was simply glad to run into her. “What are you doing here?”

“Just taking a stroll nearby.” There was a hint of probing in her tone. “What about Sister? What are you up to?”

Lately, she’d grown bolder and clingier, calling her “Sister” at every turn.

Wen Xin had gotten used to it by now. She instinctively glanced around, worried about running into acquaintances, but relaxed after a moment and answered: “Wanted to pick some pretty shells. Ended up wandering over here.”

“What for?” Shi Qianyu asked.

Wen Xin didn’t hide it: “To send to a good friend.”

A good friend.

The words rubbed Shi Qianyu the wrong way again. She dragged out the end of her sentence, enunciating each word: “Who? Someone I know?”

They’re all just gaming friends. How could you know them?

Busy picking shells, Wen Xin missed the edge in her voice and replied casually: “Someone A-Yu doesn’t know.”

As she spoke, she remembered Shi Qianyu’s good taste and pulled out the shells from her pocket to show her, seeking her opinion: “Can you take a look? Are these pretty enough?”

“I’ve been picking so long, I can’t tell which ones are the best anymore,” Wen Xin murmured softly. It was rare for her to give gifts like this, so she took it seriously. “That’s why I’ve just collected them all for now.”

Just like when they were kids—she’d gathered a whole handful, not minding the weight at all.

Wen Xin’s eye for beauty was spot-on, actually. Shi Qianyu looked down and saw each little shell had its own charm. There were even some colorful, cute seashells mixed in.

This was the result of Wen Xin’s long efforts, and Shi Qianyu couldn’t bring herself to criticize. Even though she still felt a bit put out, she said: “They’re all lovely.”

She added softly: “You picked the best ones. Whoever gets these pretty shells is going to be thrilled.”

Really?

Wen Xin smiled at that. As long as the recipient liked the gift, that was enough. She planned to gather more until Shi Qianyu stopped her: “That’s plenty.”

“Let’s take a break.” The sun beat down fiercely overhead, making her thirsty and overheated. Worried about heatstroke, Shi Qianyu invited her to head back together.

But Wen Xin shook her head: “I still need to grab some other things—souvenirs, local specialties, snacks. Just shells feel too cheap.”

She was stubborn about this but didn’t want Shi Qianyu suffering with her: “A-Yu, you go rest first.”

She looked up, meeting her gaze. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and she was clearly exhausted, but her eyes held steady determination.

Suddenly, Shi Qianyu regretted bringing up the past. She knew how sincere Wen Xin was with people and how seriously she took things. Unless she truly forgot, she wouldn’t deny it outright.

Yet Shi Qianyu kept hoping, clinging to the chance that Wen Xin might remember something—enough to probe through others’ words. Now Wen Xin was innocently wearing herself out, leaving Shi Qianyu with a guilty conscience.

Both Shi Yu and Shi Qianyu were guilty as sin.

Shi Qianyu sighed, knowing persuasion wouldn’t work. She switched to her usual, effective tactic and complained to the girl before her: “Sister really won’t go back? Fine then, neither will I.”

“It’s just a bit more sun. You’re right—gifts can’t be half-hearted, especially for such a close friend.”

She emphasized “close” heavily.

This time, Wen Xin caught on that something was off with Shi Qianyu: “A-Yu, what’s wrong?”

She sounded anxious: “Are you unhappy?”

Shi Qianyu shook her head lightly: “No.”

Wen Xin pressed on, still worried: “Then what’s the matter…”

Being lovers had made the naturally oblivious girl even more so.

The nearby rocks blocked some of the sunlight, carving out a little private haven just for the two of them. Shi Qianyu took Wen Xin’s wrist and led her into the shade before giving her answer.

“I’m jealous.” Shi Qianyu cupped her cheeks, resting her forehead against Wen Xin’s. She was like a big, coquettish cat.

Her voice was soft. Seeing no reaction, she patiently repeated: “I. Am. Jealous.”

Thank goodness the sun had already flushed her cheeks, masking Wen Xin’s embarrassment.

Shi Qianyu kept going, her tone light, her gaze clear and earnest—ill-fitting her usual image today, but Wen Xin found her adorable. Just hearing that voice softened her heart.

“She’s so close to you, so what am I?” Her voice dropped lower as she tallied it up with Wen Xin, bit by bit. “Why does she get such a thoughtful gift, and I don’t?”

“Don’t I deserve a gift too?”

Somehow, Wen Xin detected a hint of pitifulness in her tone.

How could that be?

Wen Xin shook her head, unsure how to explain. Instead, she let her actions speak, reaching into her other pocket and pulling out a few even prettier shells.

Those were shells she had specially gathered to give to Shi Qianyu—prettier and more exquisite than the ones she had given to Shi Yu. She had picked out ten of them, a perfect number symbolizing completeness, and she had even taken care to select ones of similar size.

“I prepared these just for A-Yu,” she said, presenting them to the “big cat” like prized treasures in hopes of soothing any lingering resentment. “I noticed the gift shop has people who specialize in weaving; they could turn the shells into a bracelet. I was planning to have one make it up nicely before giving it to A-Yu.”

“But it’s good to show you first, just in case there’s anything you don’t like…”

“I like them.” Shi Qianyu saw right through her intentions, picking up on Wen Xin’s subtle favoritism toward her over Shi Yu. The realization warmed her, drawing an unconscious smile to her lips. “They’re beautiful. Thank you for all your hard work, Sister.”

Wen Xin let out a quiet breath of relief, only then realizing that “jealous” wasn’t quite the right word.

~~~

It wasn’t a term meant for casual flings—lovers fit better.

Yet for some inexplicable reason, she didn’t correct it. In fact, she felt a spark of delight at Shi Qianyu’s reaction, proof that the other woman cared for her even more deeply than she had imagined.

Meeting Shi Qianyu’s gaze once more, she paused for a moment before asking, “…Is A-Yu feeling a bit happier now?”

“Much better,” Shi Qianyu replied softly, “but still not quite all the way there.”

There was a playful lilt to her words, a coquettish edge that no one else ever saw—a side of her reserved solely for Wen Xin.

Unable to hold back any longer, Wen Xin glanced around and leaned in closer. Hidden behind the rock, she pressed her lips to Shi Qianyu’s in a kiss. The secretive thrill of their skin meeting sent her heart racing like a drum, but the sensation was far from unpleasant.

She murmured coaxingly to her jealous lover, “And now?”

“…A little better yet?”