Chapter 12

Jing Yuqi had been pretty busy lately, but busy as she was, she could still find some fun for herself.

Compared to Shu Chi, Jing Yuqi’s social circle was incredibly wide. Nobody looking at her would ever guess her kid was already in elementary school.

Once this project was launched, Jing Yuqi stopped following up on it. Instead, Shu Chi went on a business trip to manage the warehouse for a few days and only returned half a week later.

Just in time for Jing Yuqi and Mu Ling to bring back some crabs from their hometown. The person with the best cooking skills among their group was Shu Chi, so without even giving a heads-up, Jing Yuqi brought her kid, the crabs, and Mu Ling straight to Shu Chi’s place.

Shu Chi had just gone downstairs to take out the trash and returned to find several extra people at her door.

Mu Ling was a rich second-generation to begin with. No one pressured her to find a job after her divorce either. Her modeling gigs were always just favors for friends. As soon as the elevator doors opened, she greeted Shu Chi.

It was just turning dark outside. Shu Chi had taken a nap after coming back in the afternoon; she was wearing fleece pajamas, looking entirely lazy.

“Auntie Shu!”

Jing Yuqi’s kid was nine this year, her face as round as a steamed bun, sporting a Chibi Maruko-chan haircut. She yelled as she pounced over.

Shu Chi scooped her up while opening the door.

Jing Yuqi was dressed like a rich lady, her mink coat looking way too hot.

Shu Chi’s residential complex was a bit remote, also quite far from their workplace.

She hadn’t been living here long either.

“You brought stuff?”

After entering, Shu Chi ignored the two women behind her. No matter how many times Jing Yuqi visited her home, it always felt empty and devoid of life.

Maybe because all the decor was done in cold tones, making people feel a chill even in cold weather.

Jing Yuqi called out, “Is the AC on?”

Shu Chi carried the child to the sofa, turned on the TV for her, and took the crabs Mu Ling handed over. “It’s on.”

“You went back to your hometown?”

Shu Chi asked Mu Ling. “Good thing I bought some groceries when I got back.”

She looked very accustomed to these two mooching meals. Every time Jing Yuqi came to Shu Chi’s, she had to bring her own snacks. There was no shortage of alcohol at Shu Chi’s place, though.

Every holiday season, some clients would send gifts.

“We’re very self-aware as freeloaders, just eating some crabs is fine,” Jing Yuqi had just finished speaking when Mu Ling said, “I suggested eating at her place, but she wouldn’t let me. Maybe she’s hiding some wild man at home and insisted I come to your place instead.”

Mu Ling’s voice didn’t match her outwardly bold face. There was no post-divorce depression either; she was glowing as she sprawled on the sofa, exposing Jing Yuqi’s lie.

Shu Chi: “Next time find someone who can cook.”

Mu Ling kicked Jing Yuqi. “Get the message?”

Jing Yuqi stroked her newly done manicure. “I’d like to! But these days I can’t even bring myself to look twice at men who can cook.”

This was actually true. Mu Ling had known these two for quite a few years. Since Wellpond moved to Bramble City, the business had been getting better and better. Female bosses in this industry weren’t unusual, but doing business always meant running into some loose-lipped people who’d latch onto Jing Yuqi’s kid to talk.

Unmarried with a child, trying to find someone new—it would make people hesitate.

Jing Yuqi wasn’t looking to settle down again anyway. She was just playing.

Shu Chi could tell. Those words were just a joke.

The kid went off to play games. Jing Yuqi and Mu Ling sprawled for a bit but still felt guilty, so they went to the kitchen to help Shu Chi.

Too bad one was a pampered rich girl and the other had been living off Shu Chi’s cooking for all these years. Shu Chi actually found them quite annoying.

“If you’re free, help me peel the garlic.”

Jing Yuqi: “You have the nerve? Making two stunning beauties like Mu Ling and me peel garlic for you?”

Shu Chi: “Then chop onions.”

Mu Ling: “No way.”

Shu Chi took the vegetables from the fridge and went to the kitchen to cook. Her little boombox was playing music—all those old-fashioned rustic songs Jing Yuqi had complained about a million times.

While peeling garlic, Mu Ling wondered aloud, “What exactly is her taste in music?”

Jing Yuqi: “I’m used to it. She used to play these songs when I was setting up a stall next to hers back in the day. But those were the hits back then.”

Mu Ling’s family background was clearly a cut above these two’s. Her parents were filthy rich, and she drove luxury cars to college.

She married early too, childhood sweethearts, knew each other inside out. Too bad the guy cheated, so she simply divorced him.

Mu Ling let out an “Oh.” “Don’t you think someone like Shu Chi listening to these things is totally mismatched? I was actually happy when you told me she played games before, but it turns out she doesn’t even play Honor of Kings.”

Jing Yuqi: “If QQ Farm weren’t gone, this loser would probably still be stealing veggies in the middle of the night.”

Mu Ling laughed. “Stuff I played in middle school.”

Jing Yuqi sighed. “Tears of the times. I’ve always suspected Shu Chi had some online romance.”

Mu Ling, wearing gloves and peeling garlic with a face full of distaste, still thought Shu Chi’s garlic vinegar was delicious.

“Shu Chi? Online romance?”

Mu Ling’s clothes were the same style as Jing Yuqi’s. “I really can’t picture her and a guy calling each other ‘hubby’ and ‘wifey’ online.”

Jing Yuqi was much more efficient at chores than Mu Ling. She laughed. “How do you know she wasn’t the ‘hubby’?”

Mu Ling thought of Shu Chi’s demeanor. Over the years of mixers and team-building events, this person was like impenetrable armor.

Mu Ling: “It’s still terrifying. I’ve already braced myself for her to be a lonely old spinster her whole life, was even planning for some geriatric care later.”

Just then, Shu Chi came out carrying a dish. Mu Ling asked, “You wanna go on a blind date with me sometime? A woman.”

Shu Chi didn’t even think. “No.”

Jing Yuqi burst out laughing. “Her on a blind date? You don’t even know—a few years ago her mom tried to set her up on a blind date, and the matchmaker filed a complaint directly.”

People in Shu Chi’s hometown married very early. Her two older sisters had kids at a young age. If Shu Chi hadn’t left to work and refused to go back by any means, she’d probably be on the same path.

Mu Ling glanced at Shu Chi. Shu Chi’s garishly colorful pajamas completely mismatched her usual style.

Must’ve been from a company year-end lucky draw.

Shu Chi: “They complained I earn too much and am never home.”

Her speech was always flat. This kind of humblebrag had an amplified sarcastic effect, making Mu Ling laugh out loud.

After saying that, Shu Chi went back to stir-frying.

Maybe because she used to run a stall at the night market, Shu Chi still had the habit of tossing the wok when cooking. Her whole demeanor looked like a chef, no matter how you looked at it. Mu Ling had seen it countless times and still thought Shu Chi getting into the clothing business with Jing Yuqi was like Journey to the West.

Mu Ling: “I still think she’s better off opening a restaurant.”

Next to Jing Yuqi’s hand was Shu Chi’s phone. Just then, a flurry of messages popped up. Jing Yuqi glanced over subconsciously as she spoke.

“She’s still thinking about it, actually looking into it recently. No luck of being born rich—just loves to worry about things.”

After saying this, Jing Yuqi let out a “Holy crap!” Mu Ling’s garlic clove was scared right out of her hand. “What’s up?”

Jing Yuqi: “Ding Ya… that’s the younger sister we had dinner with last time, right?”

The name was quite memorable. Mu Ling nodded.

Jing Yuqi: “I told you there was something between Shu Chi and her. Has something actually happened now?”

Mu Ling glanced at Shu Chi’s now-dark phone screen. “Isn’t it rude to read someone’s messages?”

Jing Yuqi: “I just glanced subconsciously, didn’t really see anything.”

Just the younger sister sending something like “I kind of miss you” or whatever.

Could these two have known each other for a long time already?

Online romance?

Mu Ling saw Jing Yuqi was about to laugh out loud. When Shu Chi came over, Mu Ling kicked Jing Yuqi’s leg under the table.

Shu Chi saw Jing Yuqi’s twisted face and asked with concern, “Your constipation still hasn’t cleared up?”

Jing Yuqi: “Screw you.”

Shu Chi casually grabbed her phone and went to the kitchen.

The beef soup she brought out made mouths water just from the smell alone. The kid stopped playing games and came right over.

Ding Ya had just gotten off work. Four days had passed since she’d made her request to Shu Chi.

The concept of dating was somewhat distant for Ding Ya. Her first relationship was one of those “dated, but also felt like she hadn’t” types.

Someone chased her in university. The longest relationship hadn’t lasted past seven days before they broke up.

Ding Ya was the one chased, and Ding Ya was the one dumped, left with a sentence: “You don’t respect me at all.”

And that was that.

Ding Ya didn’t quite understand what a real relationship was supposed to be like.

Why would someone who said “I’ll love you forever” while pursuing her break up without a shred of hesitation?

This was different from her first time, years ago, separated by an internet cable, typing out the word “like” in front of a bulky computer screen. Back then, the other person’s “I’ll love you forever” was at least only in writing.

Ding Ya had thought saying it face-to-face would be more sincere.

But that one-week boyfriend didn’t make her feel loved for a single second. There wasn’t even a desire to cultivate the feeling.

In the end, even the fun that had made her agree in the first place completely disappeared.

It hadn’t compared to the lingering charm of the feelings given by that online dating partner from years ago.

Ding Ya still thought Shu Chi was good.

At least she wanted to get closer. Even if the journey made a thousand miles back then had turned into the pain of discovering the other person committed gender fraud, years later, Ding Ya still felt a strong curiosity towards this person.

She even wanted to hear her say that sentence in person.

But the prerequisite was that Shu Chi had to like her.

Not the virtual persona, not the diligent repeat-examinee from a vocational high school attending class during the day and working at night, fabricated by Ding Ya.

Not the poor, pitiable working girl with a struggling family, barely scraping by for living expenses.

She was just an ordinary student who had been held back.

And Shu Chi wasn’t some university graduate either.

Casting aside all old identities, she wanted to understand her deeply.

Even if Shu Chi had pushed her away that day, saying “Don’t.”

If you truly don’t want it, then why did you come to my place?

Our new identities had only known each other for three days; it was our third meeting ever.

Ding Ya decided to pursue Shu Chi a little. That bit of disguise was threadbare, and she relied on having discovered the lies one step ahead of the other. On the subway after work, she typed out a message—

“I miss you so much.”

Like back in the day, when I finished evening self-study and rushed home, unable to wait to turn on my phone to talk to you.

Shu Chi said Jing Yuqi was mooching, but in reality, she made a lot of dishes.

Jing Yuqi’s kid cupped her own face, looking at Shu Chi with pure adoration. “Auntie Shu, can I live at your place?”

Jing Yuqi: “You little brat!”

Mu Ling: “Sister Qi, learn something from this. Even your kid thinks your cooking sucks.”

Jing Yuqi didn’t blush at all. “Whatever. I used to always eat at Shu Chi’s anyway, back when Xiaohu was still in my belly.”

Mu Ling: “Wasn’t Shu Chi running a noodle stall back then?”

Shu Chi set out the bowls and chopsticks, put the garlic the two had peeled into the kitchen, and nodded.

The kid: “Can I really not live with Auntie Shu? It feels so blessed.”

Xiaohu was in fourth grade this year and looked a lot like Jing Yuqi.

To this day, Shu Chi had never seen the father of Jing Yuqi’s kid. She’d asked before, and Jing Yuqi had said he was dead.

Shu Chi had originally thought it was true, but in recent years, she’d started to wonder.

Jing Yuqi fiercely pinched her daughter’s cheek. “Is being with Mom not blessed?”

Xiaohu giggled. “Mom’s cooking isn’t as good as Auntie Shu’s! Anyways, Auntie Shu is all alone, one more person won’t make a difference.” The kid’s mouth was a perfect copy of her mom’s runaway train. “Can I?”

Jing Yuqi: “Dream on. Your Auntie is busy enough, she’s gotta date now.”

Xiaohu let out an “Ah?” “Does Auntie Shu have a boyfriend now?”

Shu Chi, who was peeling a crab for her, shook her head at the same time. “Your mom’s talking nonsense.”

Jing Yuqi let out two humphs. “It’s a little temptress.”

Shu Chi’s hand paused. Just then, the phone beside her buzzed with another message. Jing Yuqi took an impolite glance.

[Ding Ya]: Then can I call you?

Shu Chi fumbled to snatch her phone. Mu Ling was like an old monk deep in meditation, single-mindedly focused on taking photos.

She even gave a polite reminder: “Shu Chi, remember to set your notifications to hide content.”

Jing Yuqi cried out, “Aiya! Why’d you tell her!”

Before Shu Chi could react, Ding Ya’s call was already coming through.

She pretended to be calm as she answered, oblivious that her own footsteps were unsteady.

Xiaohu scratched her head. “But Auntie Shu told me she already has someone she really likes.”