Chapter 69

On New Year’s Eve night, faint sounds of firecrackers occasionally drifted up from downstairs, so soft they could only be heard from the balcony of Wen Zhixu’s bedroom.

The Spring Festival Gala was playing skits on TV. Wen Zhixu sat in the living room, listening to the TV while replying to Jian Shichu’s messages.

The house had a New Year’s flavor because they were used to just the two of them. When Wen Ru came out of the kitchen, she was carrying a plate of cut fruit.

Wen Zhixu had withdrawn ten thousand yuan in cash ahead of time and packed a red envelope for Wen Ru. When she handed it over, Wen Ru said the same old line: “Keep it for yourself. I don’t need any money.”

“Mom, just take it. Buy some food or whatever.” Wen Zhixu stuffed the red envelope into Wen Ru’s pocket.

Wen Ru didn’t push back anymore and sat down next to Wen Zhixu. The skit had switched to a singing performance, and the TV volume was turned down a bit.

Wen Ru asked, “When are you leaving again?”

“The sixth.” Wen Zhixu replied.

She had nothing else going on. Staying home an extra day was a day, and these couple of days she could rush some manuscripts or take Wen Ru out for a stroll—whatever.

“You have to be careful out there in other places,” Wen Ru said. “Now that you’re grown up, I can’t manage you anymore. Come back and visit whenever you want.”

Hearing Wen Ru say this during the big holiday made Wen Zhixu feel really uncomfortable, her heart sour and aching.

Wen Zhixu speared a piece of apple and popped it in her mouth as she responded, “Mom, I know what I’m doing.”

Wen Ru hadn’t brought up Wu Yang again, and Wen Zhixu hadn’t mentioned the wedding dress incident either. Some things were like that—you only realized after going through them which path was right for you.

Wen Zhixu spent this New Year fairly peacefully. On the fifth, relatives came over—not many of them—chatting about her situation.

“When does Xiao Xu plan to get married?” This question from the relative pulled Wen Zhixu back to attention, and her movements as she set down the tea tray slowed unconsciously.

Wen Zhixu just smiled without responding.

The relative pressed on: “Girls get harder to marry off when they’re older. Better do it soon. Xiao Xu’s got great conditions—don’t be too picky.”

Wen Ru wore a polite smile.

“My husband’s unit has a nice young guy. Hey, Xiao Xu, want to meet him? I’ll ask around for you later.”

Wen Zhixu tugged at the corner of her mouth: “No need, Third Aunt.”

“Marriage isn’t necessarily all that great.” Wen Ru chimed in, taking a sip from her teacup.

Hearing this from Wen Ru surprised Wen Zhixu. Maybe Wen Ru was just saying it to help her fend off Third Aunt.

Third Aunt said, “Marriage depends on the person. If it’s the right one, it’s good; if not, of course you’d say that.”

The implication was that Wen Ru hadn’t found the right person, hence her view.

Wen Zhixu glanced at Wen Ru’s expression, then backed her up: “Third Aunt, it’s smarter to back out early. Forcing a life together is the real mistake. That’s not how you put it.”

Third Aunt’s face stiffened for a few seconds before she smiled lightly: “Xiao Xu’s personality has changed—sounds just like a Chongqing girl, huh.”

“Xiao Xu’s always been like this. We only see each other once a year—how would you know?” Wen Ru brushed it off casually.

The relatives didn’t stay long. Once they left, the house felt empty again.

Only then did Wen Zhixu sense Wen Ru’s loneliness. On the tea table by Wen Ru’s usual spot, there was always a book.

That book had been pored over repeatedly, yet its corners remained perfectly crisp.

Wen Zhixu received a message from Gao Xin, inviting her out for tea. Gao Xin had come to Suzhou to visit relatives and brought the notebook Wen Zhixu had left at her place.

Wen Zhixu tidied up simply and headed out.

Jian Shichu’s family New Year was the complete opposite of Wen Zhixu’s—from the second, piles of relatives showed up, and the house hadn’t had a moment’s peace.

It wasn’t until the fifth that she was woken early by the noise. The living room was packed, a bunch of kids running around everywhere.

It wasn’t that she disliked kids; they were just noisy. Around noon, she went to the restaurant, which wasn’t open lately. They’d start business again after finishing the expansion on the adjacent empty lot.

In April, Wang Yun had a new drama and would have to go to Hengdian to direct. Since Wang Yun was always away on business trips, Jian Shichu was used to it.

When she arrived at the restaurant, an unknown number sent her a “Happy New Year.”

Jian Shichu glanced at it and swiped to delete. She had no idea who it was from, so no chance of a reply.

At that moment, she was leaning against the bar on a high stool, checking the materials she’d recently purchased. For the expansion area, they’d temporarily need to put up a shed since it would get hot in summer.

“Doudou-jie, look at my new clothes.” Xiao Yang grinned and planted himself in front of her, wearing a cotton-padded jacket.

Jian Shichu rested her elbow back on the bar and glanced over casually: “Mm, looks good.”

“Right? I picked it out myself. Back then…” Xiao Yang chattered on enthusiastically, but Jian Shichu’s attention stayed on her phone.

She’d messaged Wen Zhixu, who was out drinking tea with someone.

[Jian Shichu: Done yet? Tell me when you get home.]

Five minutes had passed when her palm vibrated. On the screen was a photo from Wen Zhixu.

[Wen Zhixu: Just came out.]

[Jian Shichu: With who?]

[Wen Zhixu: Gao Xin, the one who was with me that time you called.]

Jian Shichu focused and thought for a moment, her eyes flickering slightly. She looked up at Xiao Yang.

“I spotted it at first glance. The sales clerk…” Xiao Yang’s words cut off midway, his throat bobbing as he met Jian Shichu’s eyes.

The air stilled under Jian Shichu’s gaze. Her calm expression always carried a hint of storm clouds, like thunder and lightning could strike any second.

Jian Shichu gave him a look and said flatly, “That jacket’s ugly as hell.” With that, she slipped out of the restaurant.

Xiao Yang stood there stunned. Xiao Qi, who was moving chairs nearby, had overheard too. The two exchanged glances.

After sending the message, Wen Zhixu didn’t get a reply from Jian Shichu. She locked her phone and set it aside.

The tea house’s private room tables were all made of green bamboo. Gao Xin wore a red coat, her outfit still vibrant and elegant. She used tongs to place rice cakes by the small stove to simmer.

“Xiao Xu, looks like you two made up?” Gao Xin tilted her head to look at her, smiling.

Wen Zhixu said, “We made up.”

“That’s good. Which couple doesn’t argue?” Gao Xin said. “Take a good look at the contract Old Ye gave you. No rush to sign. He’s handling things in Chengdu these days. After the holiday, we can meet up and sign it then.”

“No problem. Same thing whenever.” Wen Zhixu agreed. Then her phone dinged beside her.

She glanced at Gao Xin first, then picked it up. The next second, Jian Shichu’s call took over the entire screen.

“Sorry, I need to take this call.”

Wen Zhixu pushed her chair back and stepped outside before sliding to answer, holding the phone to her ear.

The tea house corridor echoed with mahjong sounds. Before Wen Zhixu could speak, Jian Shichu said immediately, “Don’t you dare hang up.”

“What’s with you? You got a tracker on me or something?” Wen Zhixu lowered her voice.

There was a pause on the other end, then after a few seconds, the voice came.

Jian Shichu: “No. Anyway, don’t hang up.”

“Fine, fine.” Wen Zhixu pulled out her earbuds from her pocket, connected her phone, locked the screen, and put it away. She looped the hair tie around her wrist.

As she came back in, she smoothed her hair. Gao Xin was pouring tea for her and smiled when she entered: “Try this tea. A friend gave it to me last time.”

Gao Xin had brought her own tea bags today. As Wen Zhixu leaned in to pull out her chair, Gao Xin’s gaze caught the white earbud on her ear.

Just like last time in the taxi.

Gao Xin smiled and said, “Your girlfriend’s awfully clingy, huh.”

Wen Zhixu’s fingers had just touched the teacup. She smiled awkwardly: “Yeah.”

Jian Shichu, sitting on a stool outside, back away from the chair, elbows on her knees, changed expression: “Yeah what? Hm?”

Wen Zhixu heard the voice in her earbud, cleared her throat with a couple coughs, and didn’t respond to that.

Gao Xin asked, “Xiao Xu, so you like them clingy?”

“Hm?” Wen Zhixu was sipping tea and looked up at Gao Xin. “Me?”

How was she supposed to answer that? She liked Jian Shichu being clingy, but she could get used to her not being.

“Tell her whatever you say I am, that’s what you like.” Jian Shichu’s gaze was fixed on her phone screen. She hadn’t brought earbuds; speakerphone was on so she could hear clearly.

A shadow fell over the table. Xiao Yang carefully set down some washed green grapes on the side, his eyes flicking to Jian Shichu’s expression now and then.

It was like a TV drama on the other end of the call. Wen Zhixu repeated what Jian Shichu said. Seeing Wen Zhixu’s troubled look, Gao Xin immediately followed up: “Oh? Can’t tell. Don’t you find it childish?”

Before Wen Zhixu could speak, Jian Shichu said, “Ask her where it’s childish.”

Xiao Yang jumped at her sudden outburst, glancing back three steps at a time as he entered the restaurant. Xiao Qi was at the door too, and they nearly collided head-on.

Xiao Qi frowned at Jian Shichu and asked Xiao Yang, “What’s Doudou-jie doing?”

“I don’t know, it seems like she’s monitoring Sister Xu.”

Xiao Qi watched for a few more seconds, clucking her tongue a few times while shaking her head as she entered the restaurant, muttering under her breath, “The vinegar jar’s flipped.”

Wen Zhixu hadn’t had a moment of peace while sitting and drinking tea—there were noises from both sides, making her head buzz. Taking advantage of Gao Xin going to the toilet, she let out a long sigh of relief.

In a serious and rapid tone: “Jian Shichu, if you keep chattering like this, I’m really going to get angry.”

Jian Shichu fell instantly silent, breathing heavily as she turned off the speakerphone and leaned back in her seat: “I was wrong.”

Apologize quickly without arguing—how could Wen Zhixu still be angry?

“Alright, I forgive you. I’ll be back tomorrow. Why are you clinging to me so tightly?”

Jian Shichu said flatly: “That won’t do. I’ve got to follow.”

With that, she pivoted the topic to Wen Zhixu: “What do you want to eat tomorrow?”

Wen Zhixu said: “Egg fried rice.”

“Why is it egg fried rice again?”

“Because you’re making it.”

Jian Shichu agreed helplessly, her tone laced with a hint of indulgence, “Alright, alright, I’ll make it. Finish your tea and head home early. I’m hanging up.”

“Okay,”

Wen Zhixu replied.

Wen Zhixu was in a good mood. As soon as the call ended, Gao Xin returned, her high heels clicking rhythmically.

Gao Xin smiled and said, “You two have such a great relationship, huh? My guess was spot on—it’s Peanut, right?”

Actually, ever since Wen Zhixu left Hangzhou that time, Gao Xin had more or less guessed these things, and this story ended up giving her some new ideas.