Chapter 6

“Hey, you’re always targeting me. Be honest—is it because your family can’t pay back the money, so you don’t like the look of me?”

Lin Xu figured she wouldn’t get a straight answer out of Shu Qingyou, who was as terse as they came.

But Shu Wan Ning was like a rapid-fire cannon, every sentence different from the last.

Asking her would definitely clear up the whole story.

Lin Xu brimmed with anticipation. Learning more about Shu Qingyou right now was something that piqued her interest.

What shady scheme was this woman cooking up?

Shu Wan Ning didn’t trust Lin Xu one bit. Even with amnesia, a leopard couldn’t change its spots.

She pondered for a moment, rubbing her chin.

Seeing this, Lin Xu’s expression grew anxious. Her upturned peach-blossom eyes shimmered like a clear lake, brimming with thirst for knowledge.

“Stop acting all mysterious. You’re just keeping me in suspense.”

“I’m afraid you won’t be able to handle it once I tell you.”

Lin Xu prided herself on having the guts of a bear and the ferocity of a leopard. She took another bite of the richly sauced noodles and slowly stood up.

She went to the beverage vending machine by the counter and grabbed a bottle of orange juice. Shu Wan Ning watched her the whole time.

Lin Xu took a sip to steady her nerves, wondering what bomb Shu Wan Ning was brewing.

“Actually, you used to be my sister’s dog, and she felt guilty about it, so…”

Pfft—

The bright yellow orange juice sprayed all over Shu Wan Ning’s face.

Shu Wan Ning’s expression remained blank as she silently pulled a napkin from the table’s left side and wiped it off. She even felt like laughing a little.

“My sister did say she owed you, after all, since you were her…”

“Aaah, stop, stop, don’t say it!”

Lin Xu’s embarrassment sank into her bones, making her squirm from head to toe.

The moment she heard about being Shu Qingyou’s dog, every hair on her head stood on end. Her jaw dropped in shock.

On top of that, the shop owner was placing her packed fried noodles right between them.

Their conversation had been muffled by the range hood and the diners’ chatter, but the shop owner was close enough.

He’d heard everything…

Lin Xu hurriedly made Shu Wan Ning pay.

She grabbed the takeout box, and a gentle breeze came by, cooling the heat from her face.

“Explain yourself. How was I her… dog?”

She held that last word in her mouth, rolling it around several times before spitting it out. It burned her tongue.

Three playful puppies ran by on the street, barking at each other, collars around their necks.

Lin Xu’s mind conjured up all sorts of inappropriate scenes. She couldn’t stand anymore and squatted down, covering her face with her free hand.

“How should I know? I wasn’t part of your little games.”

Shu Wan Ning watched every move. Lin Xu’s face changed faster than the weather in March, her embarrassment plain as day. It filled Shu Wan Ning with delight.

She grew even more flustered, her heart pounding to an unbearable degree.

“But I’ll remind you—it was you begging to be my sister’s dog. You’d better not make her bring it up again.”

Shu Wan Ning added fuel to the fire.

“Last time you two fought, you know how it is during playtime. With your sharp teeth and claws, you even hurt her hand.”

Oh god, had she played too rough? Too brutal? Social death. She could never face Shu Qingyou again.

Lin Xu buried her face in her palms, her voice muffled.

“I’m sorry.”

“Why apologize to me?”

Seeing Lin Xu frozen like a stubborn donkey, her head nearly touching the ground, Shu Wan Ning sneered and urged her on.

“Hurry up and go home.”

Lin Xu dawdled, unable to lift her head, her face still burning. It was like the ground had turned to glue; she walked with agonizing slowness.

“Lin Xu, how long do you plan to make my sister wait? And she was worried about you, too.”

Thinking of how her sister claimed not to care but clearly couldn’t let go—such a fool.

Shu Wan Ning slapped Lin Xu’s shoulder hard. Years of manual labor had made her strong.

“Ow!”

Her shoulder sank, and Lin Xu snapped.

“You want to fight again?!”

Shu Wan Ning kicked a pebble by her foot and spread her hands innocently.

“No, I just wanted to hurry you along. Don’t move at a turtle’s pace, okay?”

The two arrived home one after the other. Shu Wan Ning immediately bellowed.

“Sis, I’m back!”

Lin Xu couldn’t quite meet Shu Qingyou’s eyes. She lifted her eyelids and glanced around stealthily, but Shu Qingyou wasn’t there.

She simply stood frozen at the entryway.

Shu Rong sat in front of the coffee table. Seeing her little aunt return, she flashed a sweet smile. Then her eyes landed on Lin Xu.

She quickly ducked her head and clumsily grabbed her spoon to eat the pudding her mom had made.

This kid was definitely off!

Lin Xu had to test it. She approached the silent Shu Rong with her fried noodles.

Seeing Lin Xu draw near, terror deepened in Shu Rong’s eyes. Didn’t little aunt say she’d beat up this big bad guy?!

Her fear overwhelmed her, and she let out whimpering “ying ying ying” sounds, like a helpless creature facing danger.

This was getting ridiculous. Lin Xu was questioning her life choices.

Even the kids outside didn’t react to her this extremely.

Seeing Shu Wan Ning about to head to the backyard through the back door, she called out, “Your niece isn’t right.”

Better not to mention it. Shu Wan Ning already had no goodwill toward Lin Xu; now it was like adding frost to snow.

She strode around the wooden table, positioning herself between her little niece and Lin Xu, waving her off in disgust.

“My sister’s in the backyard. Go report to her that you’re safe. Bullying kids—you’re such a beast.”

“Huh? Me? A beast?”

Lin Xu laughed in exasperation. What was this, eagle catching chicks?

Unwilling to back down, she sidestepped. Shu Rong peeked out a little head. Lin Xu stuck out her tongue and made a funny face. Shu Rong shrank back, tugging at Shu Wan Ning’s clothes.

Lin Xu was satisfied. Though she felt guilty—bullying a child wasn’t the act of a good woman.

She stepped into the backyard. The wind carried the noodle aroma, mingled with cigarette smoke. Lin Xu paused, as if by telepathy.

She spotted Shu Qingyou instantly. Her arm rested across her ribs, her eyes serene. Her delicate, porcelain nose was still faintly red.

Between her right fingers, she held a cigarette, the ember glowing red, more than half left—it was freshly lit.

Shu Qingyou’s soft, obedient hair draped over the shoulder strap of her sky-blue long skirt.

Their gazes met, her eyes like bottomless pools, chillingly cold.

Lin Xu zoned out for a moment. More ash built up on the cigarette tip. Shu Qingyou nodded slightly to her first and flicked the ash.

Lin Xu felt awkward. Compared to Shu Qingyou’s nonchalant glance, she was unnaturally stiff, mechanically raising her hand.

“Hi, hi.”

What the hell was that? Show off your silver tongue!

Hearing the greeting, Shu Qingyou raised a brow slightly. Lin Xu’s lip scab had formed, her face wasn’t swollen—looked like she was doing well.

“Why didn’t you come inside?”

Shu Qingyou approached. The cigarette’s glow brightened, revealing it clearly: a ladies’ cigarette, faintly scented. Lin Xu sniffed—not bad.

“Your sister hit me. I was scared.”

“She won’t hit you again.”

Lin Xu let out a sheepish “oh,” scuffing her shoe on the ground several times. She still couldn’t bring herself to ask about that glorious deed that made her head hang low.

Better change the subject. Otherwise, with Shu Qingyou’s reticent nature, they’d just stare at each other all day.

“Are you feeling okay?”

“I’m fine, thank you for your concern.”

So distant. Lin Xu sighed inwardly. She noticed the little shed behind Shu Qingyou had no lights on.

It was afternoon, but she could make out wooden shelves inside.

Shelves holding containers of various shapes.

The room wasn’t small either. Though the white paint had peeled, exposing the concrete walls, it was still livable.

“What’s in there?”

Lin Xu’s curiosity flared again, eager to explore.

“Eh…”

Shu Qingyou extended her smoking arm in a deliberate block.

Though taller, Lin Xu obediently stood still like a meek wife.

Blocked again. Lin Xu hung her head in silence. What big secret was this? From the start, to Shu Qingyou, she was just an intrusive stranger.

“You hate me, don’t you, Sister Shu?”

Lin Xu’s mind raced faster than a motor.

She must have been awful to Shu Qingyou before. She wasn’t stupid. Even if she’d been her dog, Shu Qingyou must be kind to tolerate her, not kick her out.

Hearing this, Shu Qingyou’s thoughts drifted like smoke.

Lin Xu wasn’t great at small talk, hated explanations—at least, she never explained her hangovers to Shu Qingyou.

Of course, Lin Xu had her vulnerable side too. Shu Qingyou had caught her spacing out on the sofa, eyes red-rimmed.

But Lin Xu quickly masked it with cold indifference, bossing her around.

Once, a single caring word from Shu Qingyou would enrage her, so she’d learned to keep quiet.

Shu Qingyou curved her lips in a half-smile.

“What if I said I did?”

“Huh? No way! You can’t hate me.”

Lin Xu’s brain short-circuited. She reached out and grabbed Shu Qingyou’s skirt.

Shu Qingyou suddenly felt a brush against her chest and looked down.

Lin Xu’s hand was less than a centimeter from her chest.

“Don’t…”

Shu Qingyou’s ears heated up. She backed away several steps, her fingers trembling. The nearly spent cigarette fell to the ground.

Realizing she’d brushed her ample chest, Lin Xu knew how sensitive it was—and Shu Qingyou had misunderstood. She wanted to cry.

“Listen to my explanation—ah, no, it was a coincidence! It’s this hand’s fault!”

Shu Qingyou’s lips twitched. That hand was still part of your body.

Disaster. How to salvage this? Lin Xu watched helplessly as Shu Qingyou walked away.

She’d suffered a total defeat. If Shu Qingyou mentioned it to that fierce sister, she’d definitely get kicked out.

She waited ages with no sign of Shu Wan Ning attacking. She tiptoed inside.

Shu Qingyou had already poured her noodles into a bowl and put it in the microwave to heat.

“Ningning said you have a big appetite.”

How could she spout such nonsense? Lin Xu refused to admit it. “She only said that because she can’t stand me.”

Lin Xu eyed Shu Qingyou closely.

The silk V-neck white blouse draped beautifully, paired with a retro gray A-line skirt with a slit hem.

So fragile—probably too skinny. Lin Xu’s earlier avoidance melted away.

“Your sister wronged me. This was bought for you. I was worried you hadn’t eaten lunch and would go hungry.”

Shu Qingyou held a knife, thoughtful. She wondered when this fool version of Lin Xu would recover her memories.