Chapter 13: Right Here

The weather grew hotter day by day. In early July, Cloud City experienced a rainstorm that softened into a gentle drizzle, and Miao Zhu’s cold finally reached its tail end.

That day, Miao Ling returned from Su City, and the Sheng Family hosted a banquet. Miao Zhu’s orchestra was on rotation that week, but she had a six-hour opera collaboration in ten days, so rehearsals at the concert hall kept everyone busy until late. She arrived at the Sheng Residence quite late.

Miao Ling sat with Ni Xiaoying, flipping through an old photo album. When Sheng Xingran spotted Miao Zhu, she pulled her over to join in the fun. “I just saw a funny one!”

Ni Xiaoying knew exactly which photo Sheng Xingran meant and flipped to it, handing the album to them. “Here you go~”

It was a candid shot. In the photo, Miao Zhu and Sheng Xingran were still little girls, around eight or nine years old. Sheng Xingran stood with her palms open, stubbornly enduring a scolding from Ni Xiaoying, while Miao Zhu stood teary-eyed behind her, her little face flushed red from crying.

“You were a tiny bit taller than me back then,” Sheng Xingran said, placing her palm on top of Miao Zhu’s head and then moving it to her own nose level. “Now, you only come up to here.”

Ni Xiaoying and Miao Ling exchanged a glance and burst out laughing in unison. Miao Ling said, “Longlong has always doted on Xingran. Look, it was Xingran getting scolded, but she’s the one crying.”

Sheng Xingran lightly bumped Miao Zhu’s shoulder, her expression full of pride.

Miao Zhu tugged at her lips, thinking that her mother was as reliably performative as ever.

Since they’d opened the album, Sheng Xingran continued flipping through it with Miao Zhu. The second half was mostly blurry photos—solo shots they had taken of each other. Too young to understand composition, they’d snapped away randomly, but Ni Xiaoying had kept them all.

On the final page, a third person appeared in the photos.

The horse ranch was lush with vegetation, and the setting sun bathed everything in golden light.

“Don’t talk to her. I’ll get upset.”

The memory pierced through time. Just seconds before the shutter clicked, Sheng Xingran had been whispering in Miao Zhu’s ear.

In this group photo from sixteen years ago, the two little girls held hands and shared secrets, while Mu Shanyi stood in front of them in her equestrian outfit—black boots, gloves removed, helmet in hand—gazing calmly at the camera.

Sheng Hong called everyone from outside the restaurant for dinner. Ni Xiaoying and Miao Ling both rose to their feet. Sheng Xingran closed the album, and the teenage Mu Shanyi vanished from Miao Zhu’s view.

Miao Zhu’s father had been busy with projects lately but finally showed up today. Sheng Hong declared they wouldn’t stop drinking until they were thoroughly drunk.

The ladies switched to red wine, sipping lightly for the mood.

After three rounds of drinks, Sheng Xingran picked up the decanter and poured herself another glass.

Like Miao Zhu, she wasn’t much of a drinker, and by now her face was flushed. Miao Zhu reminded her, “Don’t drink too much.”

Sheng Xingran smiled and raised her glass as she stood. “Dad, Mom, Aunt Miao, Uncle Wang.”

She addressed them one by one. Miao Zhu had a premonition and grabbed her wrist. “Xingran?”

Interrupted, Sheng Xingran looked down and smiled at her, her eyes crinkling.

“Xingran, what do you want to say to everyone?” Miao Ling chimed in. “No matter what it is, Aunt thanks you first. Your Uncle Wang and I were away on business, and Longlong’s illness this time was all thanks to your care.”

“I was happy to do it.” Sheng Xingran took Miao Zhu’s hand in return and raised her glass higher. “I’d gladly take care of Longlong.”

She grew a bit emotional, the red wine sloshing in her glass. “Dad, Mom, I’ve told you before—I really like Longlong.”

Sheng Hong and Ni Xiaoying nodded approvingly, so Sheng Xingran took the plunge. “Aunt Miao, Uncle Wang… what I want to say is! Please allow me to be with Miao Zhu. I’m serious!”

She tossed back the red wine in one gulp.

Miao Ling glanced at Miao Zhu, then turned back to Sheng Xingran with a teasing smile. “Xingran, your mom and I have been waiting to drink your wedding wine with Longlong. And here you are still asking to ‘be together.’ Auntie’s a bit disappointed in you.”

Sheng Xingran had drunk too fast. The wine hit her hard, sending the room spinning. She wobbled as she set down her glass. Miao Zhu steadied her, and she simply rested her chin on Miao Zhu’s shoulder, leaning her full weight against her. “…All these years, I haven’t been good to her.”

Miao Ling smiled at Miao Zhu. “Longlong, is that true? That doesn’t match what you told me.”

Miao Zhu’s emotions had already detached from the table. She watched Miao Ling’s performance and responded with a perfectly timed, appropriate smile.

Everyone assumed Miao Zhu was just shy about admitting it publicly, thinking of how they’d grown from childhood playmates to this fruition. They all laughed heartily.

About twenty feet away, rain dripped from the tip of a black umbrella onto the handmade carpet.

High heels changed direction, heading toward the restaurant filled with laughter and cheers.

Seated at the head of the table, Sheng Hong was the first to notice Mu Shanyi. He quickly set down his glass and stood. “A-Heng!”

“A-Heng’s back!” Ni Xiaoying immediately urged the nearby servant to notify the head chef to prepare a meal. “Auntie thought you’d arrive tomorrow. Have you eaten dinner yet?”

Miao Ling and her husband also stood to greet her.

—Except for the drunken Sheng Xingran and Miao Zhu, who was firmly trapped in her octopus-like embrace and couldn’t break free.

“No rush, Aunt Ni.” Mu Shanyi handed her wet umbrella to the servant with a warm, polite demeanor. “I heard the lively atmosphere here and came to pay respects to the elders.”

“It’s lively, alright. Xingran’s had too much to drink.” Ni Xiaoying lowered her voice, informing Mu Shanyi of the good news in a joking tone. “She’s over the moon because good things are coming with Longlong. But we can’t spill it yet—they’re shy.”

Across the crowd, Miao Zhu and Mu Shanyi shared a brief glance.

Miao Ling invited her warmly. “A-Heng, come sit. Let’s chat.”

Mu Shanyi smiled faintly. “No, thank you. Everyone, eat slowly. I’ll head to my room to rest first.”

No one pressed Mu Shanyi, and Miao Ling naturally agreed. “You must be tired after such a long flight.”

“We knew you’d be here these couple of days, so the bed’s all made up.” Ni Xiaoying left her seat and escorted Mu Shanyi upstairs before returning to the table.

The dinner continued. Sheng Xingran sat back in her chair, propping her head and staring blankly at her plate.

The two mothers began chatting about jewelry, wedding dresses, new homes, and finding a nearby sea island for a weekend getaway. The more they talked, the more excited they got.

Miao Zhu poured half a glass of wine for herself and downed it in one go.

Her heart pounded wildly. She whispered in Sheng Xingran’s ear, “Xingran, if you’re not feeling well, go to bed. Come on, I’ll help you.”

Sheng Xingran understood but her limbs wouldn’t cooperate. Ni Xiaoying moved to assist, but Miao Ling smilingly held her back, and she caught on immediately.

Sheng Xingran’s room was on the third floor, where the entire level was divided into two sections—Mu Shanyi on the east side, Sheng Xingran on the west, not interfering with each other.

Miao Zhu half-carried the stumbling Sheng Xingran to her room and helped her lie down. She gave her some sobering medicine and asked if she wanted to throw up.

Sheng Xingran shook her head.

Miao Zhu fetched a hot towel and wiped Sheng Xingran’s face and hands.

Sheng Xingran cooperated obediently, mumbling over and over, “Longlong, my feelings… my love is open and honest. I want everyone to know… I like you… I want to chase you… be with you!”

The alcohol fermented in her body, making Sheng Xingran’s voice seem near and far to Miao Zhu.

Your love has the blessing of both families now, but have you ever thought about the pressure I’ll have to bear because of it?

Maybe you have, but you chose to put your own feelings first.

Sheng Xingran drifted off to sleep mid-sentence. Miao Zhu left her room, passed the central elevator without pausing, and headed straight to the east side.

Mu Shanyi’s door was ajar, dim light spilling out.

Miao Zhu stood outside, steadied herself, and pushed the door open.

She entered a small sitting room. A retro table lamp glowed with low color temperature—the only light source.

The window was half-open, damp air mingling with rain drifting in.

The patter of rain amplified the surrounding silence.

Mu Shanyi stood in the dim light and shadow, her right hand on the windowsill, a cigarette between her fingers. The smoke dispersed in the breeze.

Hearing the door, Mu Shanyi glanced faintly at Miao Zhu and lifted the cigarette to her lips. “Looking for Xingran? Her room’s on the other side.”

Miao Zhu closed the door.

“Got any more?” She stopped only when she was very close to Mu Shanyi. “Cigarettes.”

“Yeah, the last one.” White-gray smoke escaped her red lips as Mu Shanyi turned her wrist. “Right here. Want it?”