Chapter 13

Realizing that she was still swooning at a time like this, Lin Xu really wanted to slap herself.

She retorted, “It’s rare to come here once. Can’t we do some big shopping?”

Then she noticed the phone box and pajamas. The fingers holding the bags looked somewhat pale and weak.

Lin Xu’s mind heated up. She stuffed all these into Shu Rong’s arms and took hold of Shu Qingyou’s hand. The difference in their body temperatures was obvious, and Lin Xu felt heartbroken. It was indeed very cold.

“Shu-jiejie, your hand is so cold. Let me warm it up for you.”

She gripped Shu Qingyou’s soft hand tightly and leaned in close to breathe warm air onto the back of it.

Shu Rong clutched the bag in confusion. Why was big sister kissing Mommy’s hand?!

Her little head was filled with massive shock.

“Lin Xu…”

Shu Qingyou called her name teasingly. The supermarket was bustling with people coming and going. They were at the door of the emergency aisle—two women with a child. Most people would probably assume they were family.

“Hm?”

It still wasn’t enough for Lin Xu. She wrapped both hands around Shu Qingyou’s and rubbed them together. Friction generates heat, right? That was her simple thought.

“Let’s go once we’ve bought everything.”

Shu Qingyou’s hand was briefly warmed, but the air pressure around her suddenly dropped. She pursed her lips as stars danced in Lin Xu’s eyes.

But she began to resent Lin Xu’s overly familiar intimacy. Reflexively, unpleasant memories surfaced.

“Oh, okay.”

Why had Shu Qingyou’s expression turned from sunny to stormy? Everything had been fine just moments ago. She was so hard to understand. Lin Xu grumbled to herself and pushed the cart toward the checkout. After a few steps, she turned back.

“I’m doing this because you bought me a phone. Consider it a little thank-you.”

Shu Qingyou slipped her hands into her pockets and followed at an unhurried pace, murmuring in a volume only she could hear.

“I’ve always known.”

They checked out and bagged everything. Lin Xu kept an eye on the total on the screen. With all these snacks, it was surprisingly cheap!

Still, she had to carry four large plastic bags by herself. She pulled a long face. The stuff wasn’t heavy, but it fully exposed her gluttony.

“Slow down. There are things here for you and Rongrong too.”

“She doesn’t eat chips or cookies. Neither do I.”

Shu Rong disagreed. She gently tugged at her mom’s clothes and let out a whine. Shu Qingyou ignored her daughter’s longing for snacks she’d never tried and tossed out a line.

“She’ll lead you astray.”

That’s not right, Mom. You said big sister is a good person before.

Shu Rong rested her chin on Shu Qingyou’s shoulder in her arms. Lin Xu smiled at her and mouthed: Cho-co-late.

Shu Qingyou settled Shu Rong properly and tossed a few bags of snacks into the trunk. Lin Xu hunched over, rummaging through the plastic bags.

“Found it yet?”

She glanced over. Lin Xu’s hair at the back of her head was full and round, with her chestnut curls unstyled. A few strands stuck up wildly. As someone with OCD tendencies, Shu Qingyou felt an urge to smooth them down.

At that moment, Lin Xu curved her lips into a smile and held up her spoils toward her.

“Found it! Chocolate, soft candy. Annoying—they should’ve rung these little things up last.”

Shu Qingyou instantly quelled her impulse to fix Lin Xu’s hair and lowered her gaze, responding as usual.

“Get in the car.”

“Okay! I’ll sit in the back.”

The cold air was shut outside. Shu Qingyou placed her hands on the steering wheel and checked the surrounding vehicles. Lin Xu was already showing off the little snacks to Shu Rong.

“You didn’t buy nuts, did you?”

“Huh? Nuts.” Lin Xu thought back briefly. “No, no. If Shu-jiejie wants some, I can go buy them now.”

Shu Qingyou didn’t ask further. The car started smoothly. She heard rustling from the back as packaging was opened, along with Lin Xu’s naturally bright voice in her relaxed state.

“You eat this one, I’ll eat this one. Now we’re good friends.”

She placed a small piece of white chocolate in Shu Rong’s hand. Shu Rong immediately stuck out her tongue to lick it. So sweet. She liked it. Big sister wasn’t a bad person.

“Hehe, not lying to you, right?”

Lin Xu poked Shu Rong’s cheek. Nice texture. Thinking of her own skin, she bit into a piece of chocolate. It had nutty bits—pretty good.

It itched a bit. Lin Xu scratched her face twice and leaned closer to Shu Rong.

“Rongrong, why haven’t you started talking yet? That’s so weird.”

Don’t wanna say. Shu Rong kept licking her chocolate. Big sister was a bit annoying.

“I think I heard someone say kids your age are prone to autism. Rongrong, are you sick?!”

Lin Xu feigned surprise, but even a child doesn’t like being slandered. She puffed up her cheeks and turned away—only to get startled. Her mouth fell open, she let go, and the chocolate dropped to the floor.

“You’re so careless! I have more here. Come on, I’ll break some off for you.”

She reached to grab a tissue to pick up the one on the ground and throw it away.

“Shu-jiejie, are there tissues in the armrest box?”

Hearing Shu Rong make strange whimpering sounds, her face itched even more. Lin Xu’s tone grew a bit sharper without realizing.

“What’s the rush? Here, all for you.”

Shu Rong quickly shrank back her little head. Shu Qingyou glanced casually in the rearview mirror and suddenly furrowed her brows tightly.

“Don’t give her any of that! And you stop too!”

She slammed down on the accelerator.

Her voice echoed off the car walls. Lin Xu’s back stiffened abruptly. She had never seen Shu Qingyou so panicked.

“W-what did I do?”

What did I do wrong? Lin Xu scratched her face hard. So itchy!

“Stop! You’re allergic. Check the rearview mirror.”

It was all her fault. She’d forgotten that Lin Xu was basically an idiot right now and hadn’t warned her about the nut allergy—same as Shu Rong’s allergen.

Oh god, was that her face in the mirror? It was covered in hives like nettlerash, big patches of alarming red spots.

She hugged her arms, trembling. It felt like a stone was pressing on her head, her mind buzzing and throbbing. As the car bumped over a speed bump, she burst into a wail.

“Shu-jiejie, I’m dying! Drive faster, faster!”

Shu Rong couldn’t process this much info. Dying? Definitely not a good word.

She’d never noticed before how much Lin Xu cherished her life. She indulged in smoking and drinking without restraint.

Trouble brewed in Shu Qingyou’s heart. She had to watch the road while comforting Lin Xu.

“You won’t die.”

“Really?”

Lin Xu sobbed out a hiccup. She wanted more reassurance. Shu-jiejie seemed reliable; she wouldn’t fool her.

Perhaps infected, Shu Rong hiccuped too.

Not daring to face Shu Rong, Lin Xu scooted to the corner of the seat.

Shu Qingyou couldn’t explain fully while driving. “Do you have trouble breathing or feel like you’re choking when swallowing?”

Lin Xu carefully tested by breathing a few times and swallowing saliva. All clear.

“No.”

“Then you can tough it out.”

Lin Xu settled down. Thinking it over, Shu Qingyou really did worry about her. She wasn’t scared—in fact, she felt a little happy.

If the allergy lasted, would Shu Qingyou keep caring for her like this?

She zoned out for a bit, and the itch on her face eased.

Suddenly, a gust of cold wind poured down her collar. Her tear-stung eyes from crying ached.

Physiological tears welled up involuntarily.

She rubbed her eyes. Shu Qingyou opened the car door for her and extended a hand.

“Got the strength? Let me help you.”

“Yeah.”

But then Lin Xu’s tone shifted. She gripped Shu Qingyou tightly and murmured softly.

“No, no, I’m exhausted. Shu-jiejie, I’m scared. My legs are so weak.”

It was too obvious an act—her facial rash had faded a bit—but better safe than sorry with a hospital visit.

The faint scent of shower gel hit her nose. Shu Qingyou’s shoulder bore an extra weight that wasn’t hers.

Stray hairs brushed her cheek, and a damp physiological reaction stirred in her lower abdomen.

She frowned and pushed Lin Xu away slightly.

“Stand properly. No playing the victim.”

Lin Xu reluctantly left the warm, soft embrace. She wanted to stay leaning against Shu-jiejie forever.

So cold. Do I need a worse allergy to earn even a bit of sympathy?

She pouted.

“Fine… So stingy. Leaning for a second won’t cost you any flesh.”

Shu Qingyou fitted a children’s mask on Shu Rong and registered Lin Xu under her sister’s name at the window.

“Wait until this name is called. Got it?”

She led her to the dermatology floor.

“I’m not dumb. I can read. Shu Wan Ning, right?”

Lin Xu was speechless. Worried about boredom, she pulled out the new phone and turned it on—but no SIM card. She fidgeted anxiously on the metal bench.

“Shu-jiejie, share your hotspot?”

They were in a hospital, but she still wanted to play. Unable to refuse, Shu Qingyou quickly tapped into settings and set it up.

Lin Xu cheered softly. “Yay, connected. Time to surf!”

Without commenting on Lin Xu, Shu Rong disliked the hospital’s disinfectant smell—even with the mask. She burrowed discontentedly into Shu Qingyou’s chest.

Lin Xu happened to turn her head and felt envious. Shu-jiejie’s development was amazing. Compared to her own little buns, it made her a bit jealous.

Being a kid is great…

At the nurses’ station, a Beta doctor in a white coat finished instructing a nurse and turned toward the elevator. Spotting a familiar face, she changed direction.

“This is awesome. Look at this cat doing a backflip! Rongrong, check it out.”

Lin Xu tugged Shu Rong’s clothes to get her to look up. Shu Rong opened her eyes. On screen, a tabby cat was walking down the street when it suddenly did a backflip.

The two heads huddled together, happily scrolling pet videos. Shu Qingyou admitted it—their tastes matched surprisingly well.

“Shu Qingyou?”

A stranger’s voice came from beside her. Shu Qingyou looked up. The doctor had been unsure at first, but seeing her face confirmed it. Her mood brightened.

“It’s me, Xu Wenjing. We took a class together. I audited ceramics. A few years ago, I even visited your studio.”

Shu Qingyou focused and offered a patient smile. Honestly, she had no impression of the name.

“Mm, long time no see.”

“You really remember me? I’m so touched.”

This was A University’s campus beauty back then. Xu Wenjing studied her seriously. Compared to her youthful gentleness in college, she was now like a fruit brimming with juice. It was impossible not to feel moved.

“Shu-jiejie~ When’s my turn? I wanna go home.”

Lin Xu had lost interest in her phone. She pouted and clung to Shu Qingyou’s arm, acting spoiled.

She shot a provocative glance at Xu Wenjing, growing bolder.

“Make me something yummy when we get home, Shu-jiejie.” Lin Xu shook Shu Rong’s finger.

“Rongrong wants some too, right?”

Shu Rong mechanically agreed.

Lin Xu was displeased. I’ve shown how close we are. You should know your place, Doctor Xu.

Get lost!

Shu Qingyou: “See the doctor first.”

The A on her face still bore bruises. Xu Wenjing sensed the hostility and asked.

“Her face—is it okay?”

“Allergic. It’s fine.”

Xu Wenjing nodded. She was just here to cut in line for a friend. Unable to ignore the child in Shu Qingyou’s arms, combined with the female A’s possessiveness.

“Is this your child, Qingyou?”

What?! Calling her Qingyou already? Lin Xu’s brows furrowed like little mountains. If she were a volcano, she’d erupt now.

She hasn’t even called her that!

Shu Qingyou didn’t like casual acquaintances calling her that either, but out of courtesy, she nodded.

“Mm.”

“So she’s your wife?”

“No.”

The words were accurate, but Lin Xu was irritated anyway. Not wife—so what? Single means fair game for you?

Just then, the intercom called Shu Wan Ning’s name. Seeing Lin Xu unmoving, Shu Qingyou reminded her.

“Go on.”

“Nooo, come with me, Shu-jiejie~”

Her voice was all sticky-sweet. Something odd stirred in Shu Qingyou’s heart. Unsure of Lin Xu’s intent, she agreed anyway.

As they stood, Xu Wenjing called out.

“Qingyou, add me on WeChat?”