Chapter 13: So Cute

“This competition carries a lot of weight. I expect to learn plenty from it. Last year, I was just there to make up the numbers, but this year I feel like I’ve made real progress. It’s time to put myself to the test.”

“Good luck,” Li Yunli said. She pulled the car to a steady stop, took hold of Ji Zhenshi’s hand, and placed a small pouch in her palm—one that resembled a tiny lucky bag.

It was a modest red pouch, plump and full, with the character for “pillow” embroidered on one side and “fortune” on the other. Up close, it carried a faint herbal scent.

“What’s this? Road money for my journey? Don’t tell me it’s stuffed with gold and jewels?” Ji Zhenshi shook the lightweight pouch. It clearly wasn’t packed with anything valuable, and it fit perfectly in one hand for tossing around playfully.

She eyed Li Yunli and joked, “Does that mean I’m rich now? Overnight riches!”

“………”

A very pragmatic line of thinking, indeed.

Li Yunli pinched Ji Zhenshi’s nose, her gaze chiding yet affectionate as she slowly signed an explanation. “You sure know how to dream big—overnight riches? Get real. It’s just some herbs inside. The scent helps calm the mind. Keep it with you at all times. Didn’t you once say you get nervous the night before big competitions? This will soothe you and help you sleep. And don’t forget your glass of milk every night.”

What idle fantasies, with her nose already stuck up in the air.

Ji Zhenshi had a sudden realization. She ran her fingertip over her own name embroidered on the pouch and examined it closely from every angle.

The embroidery wasn’t professional by any means, but it was clear the maker had put real effort into it. The craftsmanship was meticulous. This tiny lucky pouch carried all of Li Yunli’s blessings—wishes she couldn’t voice aloud.

It even came with a thoughtful red cord, perfect for hanging on a bag or clothing. It took up no space and doubled as a charming accessory.

After inspecting it, Ji Zhenshi looped it onto the strap of her backpack, right at chest level. She patted the pouch and asked with sudden seriousness, “Will it really calm my nerves and help me sleep? Does this little thing actually work?”

Li Yunli arched a brow at Ji Zhenshi’s earnest expression. She paused thoughtfully, then signed back with a smile in her eyes. “It has a psychological effect.”

Delivered like the iciest of dad jokes.

“Tch, whether it works or not, I love it. Thanks, Sister A-Yun. I’ll keep it on me at all times—never letting it out of my sight. Tonight, it’ll sleep right by my pillow. We’ll max out that calming effect.” Ji Zhenshi raised her voice toward Li Yunli’s retreating back as the other woman stepped out of the car.

Li Yunli glanced over her shoulder, her lips curving up. Then she popped open the trunk and pulled out a backpack she’d prepared in advance.

Sign language still posed some hurdles in their communication, but that didn’t stop Li Yunli from wanting to gesture her instructions to Ji Zhenshi.

“These are some everyday meds and snacks. You’ve probably packed your own clothes, but I worried you might not like the food there—might upset your stomach or something. So I made a few of your favorites, vacuum-sealed them. Just heat them up in a microwave. Focus on the competition. You’ve got this, Ji Genius.”

After signing, Li Yunli unzipped the backpack and pointed out each item inside, neatly organized, just in case Ji Zhenshi had missed any gestures.

Li Yunli had put so much heart into preparing this. Ji Zhenshi froze for a second when she first saw it, her nose tingling. It felt like being truly cherished, looked after with care. “This is… so much.”

From childhood on, no matter what she did, Yang Ying had never fussed over her like this.

It was only with Li Yunli that Ji Zhenshi felt her own worth.

The kind of worth that prompted Li Yunli to hunt down herbs and hand-stitch a lucky pouch despite her speechlessness. The kind that led her to think of every little detail for Ji Zhenshi’s trip and competition. Every bit of it required not just deep care, but time poured in bit by bit.

Li Yunli, you’re only making it harder for me to leave you.

Li Yunli zipped the backpack shut, her eyes shimmering like spring water. “It’s not much. Won’t you have your friend with you? Share with her. You’re both away from home—just the two of you. If something happens, she’ll be the one there. Take care of each other.”

She’d even thought of that.

“Got it! I’ll snag first place and use it to redeem myself with Sister A-Yun!” Ji Zhenshi didn’t say more. She grabbed the backpack, tossed out the bold declaration, and strode forward.

Of course, her other hand didn’t forget to clasp Li Yunli’s.

She still had to walk her to the gate. A little more time together.

Li Yunli’s stride faltered as Ji Zhenshi tugged her along, her heeled shoes forcing a hurried pace to match. She glanced at the small lucky pouch now dangling from the backpack strap at Ji Zhenshi’s chest. Ji Zhenshi proudly swung her body side to side, making it sway merrily.

So cute—both the little pouch and the chest-puffed little scamp.

Ji Zhenshi blinked happily. “It’s all right here in my heart.”

She exuded that air of repaying a great debt in silence. Li Yunli couldn’t help but smile, a soft expression lingering on her face.

Not two seconds later, Ji Zhenshi halted abruptly. She turned to Li Yunli with big, aggrieved eyes. “You’re too good to me. I want to stuff Sister A-Yun in my pocket and take you with me. Will you miss me, Sister A-Yun? Waaah, I’m really gonna miss you. Three days—feels like forever.”

“It’s only three days.” Li Yunli stifled a laugh and pushed away Ji Zhenshi’s over-the-top head tilt. She pried loose the hand glued to her waist.

Ji Zhenshi’s acting was too exaggerated—not hard for Li Yunli to see through. They often went days without seeing each other, and this wasn’t their first time parting.

Ji Zhenshi lived at school most days. She couldn’t drop by the coffee shop every day to play mascot. Sure, lately—with Ji Tingjun’s situation—she’d shown up more often. But normally, they met maybe twice a week at most, each busy with their own lives. Li Yunli hustled at the coffee shop; Ji Zhenshi juggled schoolwork, competitions under the university banner or solo to boost her profile, laying groundwork for future job prospects.

“So cold! A day apart feels like three years. So this means three years, huh? Miss me, Sister A-Yun—you have to.” Ji Zhenshi solemnly patted Li Yunli’s shoulder, sighing like they were parting for life.

Li Yunli narrowed her eyes. “Such a chatterbox. Get through security. Don’t miss your flight.”

“Hey, Ji Zhenshi, hurry up! My competition’s half a day before yours. If we miss the flight and I blow my event, you’re paying for it. Compensate my losses!” Xia Siyuan spotted the hand-holding pair from afar and waved, urging Ji Zhenshi on.

Xia Siyuan wasn’t competing in the same event, but it was the same region, so they’d booked the same flight for company.

“Ji Zhenshi, quit dawdling. I’m heading in!” Xia Siyuan frowned.

She couldn’t believe it. Ji Zhenshi could’ve just cabbed over from school with her—plenty of time, super convenient. But no, she insisted on going back for Li Yunli, making her drive her here. Mama’s girls stuck to their moms, but who’d ever heard of one stuck to their sister-in-law? Ji Zhenshi was one of a kind.

Xia Siyuan had teased her about clinging to Li Yunli like a baby several times already. And Ji Zhenshi? She owned it, proud as punch.

Weirdo.

From a distance, Ji Zhenshi shot Xia Siyuan a dissatisfied look. Then she spread her arms and hugged Li Yunli. “I’m off, Sister A-Yun. See you!”

“Mm. Be good. Safe travels. Text me when you land.” Li Yunli waved, watching as Ji Zhenshi entered security.

Ji Zhenshi turned back every few steps, waving.

“Aren’t you done yet, Ji Zhenshi? Quit hopping around like a frog.”

“Ji Zhenshi! I’m talking to you!”

“I sometimes seriously wonder if your brain’s got more twists than a maze. Just picking on Yunli Sis, huh? And making her drive you all the way.”

Xia Siyuan eyed Ji Zhenshi’s reluctant gaze with disdain. It was like Li Yunli was the only person in her world—no one else’s voice got through. Total spotlight hog.

Just three days. Was this girl a drama queen?

Xia Siyuan facepalmed, her expression screaming “I don’t know this person.” She muttered through gritted teeth, “Ji Zhenshi! Enough already. Three days, not three years. You filming a soap opera? I really admire you. We could’ve just cabbed together from school, but no—you had to bother Yunli Sis. Bullying her soft heart.”

Ji Zhenshi finally turned, catching the disgust in Xia Siyuan’s eyes. She defended herself. “You’re just sour grapes because you can’t have it. You went off to college a million miles from home—you wouldn’t get how it feels to leave your hometown turf.”

“Didn’t I go to college without leaving home? Put some thought into what you say. You’re just overplaying your own drama. Look—Yunli Sis is still standing out there.”

“We already planned it with Sister A-Yun. Should I ditch her? What do you know? She loves when I bother her.”

If they tiptoed around her muteness and never let her help, it’d just make Li Yunli feel abnormal—like a pitiful disabled burden, the kind of “liability” Ji Tingjun might call her.

Xia Siyuan chuckled and tugged at the small lucky pouch swinging from Ji Zhenshi’s backpack strap. “Tsk tsk, Ji Genius must have some pull, huh? Look what Yunli Sis packed: cold meds, stomach pills—even snacks. So thoughtful. What are you, some kid who can’t take care of herself?”

She peered into the bag as security checked it. Everything was there—small but complete, like a treasure chest.

Ji Zhenshi couldn’t help but sigh again at Li Yunli’s thoughtfulness. Some people’s appeal lay in that subtle, pervasive gentleness—like dew nourishing the earth—impossible to pull away from.

Teased for needing coddling, Ji Zhenshi snapped the backpack shut. She glanced back at the slender figure standing quietly beyond security—a faint black silhouette. The black base layer made her look especially delicate.

Her posture was graceful. She gazed ahead, gave Ji Zhenshi one last wave, then turned to leave.

Ji Zhenshi shot Xia Siyuan a sideways glare. “Can’t Sister A-Yun worry about me? Say one more word, and these snacks are off-limits for you. I’m happy to be selfish—not sharing a bite.”

She clutched the backpack protectively, shielding the pouch at her chest too, eyeing Xia Siyuan warily.

That set Xia Siyuan off. She gritted her teeth and shot back a “you win” glare. “No way! We share. Don’t think I don’t know Yunli Sis—she probably made some for me too! No hogging. I’ll watch you. And that much? You trying to give yourself indigestion?”

Xia Siyuan had long known Li Yunli’s cooking skills. Back when they first met Ji Zhenshi, she’d head to the coffee shop on weekends for dinner—and always leave with extras.

Once, in the cafeteria, they’d caught her heating some up and devoured it in seconds, leaving her with chopsticks and nothing to eat.

So good—and Ji Zhenshi hogging it solo!

No wonder, at average height around 5’3″, this girl was pushing 5’7″. And with the violin? Holding it one-handed made her look so cool.

“I don’t care. It’s all mine. Even if there’s yours, I’m keeping it!” Ji Zhenshi bolted, leaving those words behind. Security to gate was a hike—she vanished in seconds.

“………”

Young and full of energy!

Xia Siyuan jogged a bit but gave up; she couldn’t catch up. No point—they were on the same flight, same gate later.

Ji Zhenshi was such a dork—double dork, super possessive.

But she had the luck of the draw, landing a sister-in-law like that. Perfectly embodied “the elder sister-in-law is like a mother.”

Who wouldn’t get attached?

“Ji Zhenshi, you run ugly. Good thing Yunli Sis can’t see—or another person’d be laughing at you.” Xia Siyuan slapped Ji Zhenshi’s back as they lined up to board, landing a killer line.

Ji Zhenshi turned, flashing a fake smile. “She’s not like you—two-faced snake, spitting nothing but ivory from a dog’s mouth.”

“Say that again?” Xia Siyuan hooked the pouch at her chest and whipped out her phone to snap a pic. “Do it, and I’ll record the evidence. If Ji Genius goes famous or conquers the violin world, I’ll show your fans. See? Ji Genius, assaulting someone in public.”

Ji Zhenshi couldn’t take it anymore. Xia Siyuan was always messing with her pouch.

She yanked it off and clipped it to her backpack zipper, glaring. “Then you’d better stay obscure too—I’ve got your dirt. Emojis from your drunk vids? Which one should everyone see?”

“You! Live and let live—peace brings prosperity.” Xia Siyuan caved. She couldn’t match Ji Zhenshi’s quick tongue.

Ji Zhenshi huffed lightly. “Good that you know.”

The two entered the cabin. They’d booked together, seats side by side.