Chapter 25 Part 2

Emma noticed that after her comment, Miao Zhu had zoned out. She snapped her fingers in front of Miao Zhu’s eyes, pulling her back. “I thought you were exhausted from dealing with Sheng Xingran, but turns out there’s another situation. Someone new you’ve met recently?”

“We’ve known each other for years, just weren’t close before.” Miao Zhu slowly rotated the ice cream in her hand. “…Xingran’s sister. Not sure if you remember—Xingran has an older sister.”

Emma sat up straight instantly.

“I remember! Of course! Back in school, she came to the apartment to see you. I even took a photo.”

Miao Zhu had forgotten to remind Emma to keep her voice down; she was captivated by what Emma said. “See me? A photo?”

“That winter, during your worst period. Whatever she came for… doesn’t matter. You met her downstairs at the apartment.”

“It snowed later that day. Not yet when you met—sky was overcast and low, freezing cold, streets empty. She was standing by the car talking to you, in a black cashmere coat. God, I don’t know how to describe it! The whole street was quiet and desolate, and there she was. Her face, her vibe—pure magnetism, unforgettable!”

Emma went on and on. In her description, Miao Zhu faintly recalled it. Amid the haze of illness, it seemed Sheng Xingran had asked Mu Shanyi to buy something for her. Mu Shanyi was passing through on a business trip, couldn’t reach Sheng Xingran, and dropped it off on the way.

It had happened without any emotional weight, leaving no special mark on Miao Zhu back then. But now, imagining Mu Shanyi in Emma’s vivid scene, she felt a few seconds of dizzy fascination.

“Maybe I can still find that photo. I’ll look when I get back.”

“…Emma, did you get full marks in elementary school essays?” Miao Zhu remembered Emma had lived in China before junior high.

“Is that the point?” Emma shook her head with a sigh. “If it’s Sheng Xingran’s sister, I get it. She has that pull. It wouldn’t be weird if she lured you in.”

Lured.

Did Mu Shanyi do that?

In Miao Zhu’s mind appeared Mu Shanyi’s gray-green eyes, and at her nose, the woody scent mixed with body heat that so easily ignited her desire.

Whether Mu Shanyi lured intentionally or not, if before talking to Emma, Miao Zhu had only felt her mood was “a bit strange,” now the sudden, urgent impulse to rush back to Mu Shanyi’s side was downright “irrational.”

But—did Mu Shanyi, who knew the secret, miss her too?

At sunset, after endless chatting, they finally got hungry and found a nearby seaside restaurant. Miao Zhu ordered food for Lu Zheng too. Emma kept marveling: “Her—I mean Sheng Xingran’s sister—a perfect lover.”

Miao Zhu gave a wry smile. “Is she?”

Emma patted the back of her hand. “Mia, just enjoy it, okay? She’s gotta be totally obsessed with you.”

Bellies full, they hit a convenience store for milk and snacks, strolling back to their place.

Miao Zhu hadn’t taken Emma to Flora’s house; she’d booked a guesthouse nearby with an amazing view.

On the way to the guesthouse, Miao Zhu got a call from Sheng Xingran, asking how things were going with Emma.

“A bit tired. We’re heading back to our place now. How about you?”

“Alright, met the professor.” Sheng Xingran steered back to Emma. “How many days is Emma staying?”

“Three or four.” Miao Zhu answered casually, while Emma, hearing the timeframe, smiled silently.

“Xingran, want to chat with Emma for a bit?” Miao Zhu said, looking at Emma, who leaned right in to greet without caring about Sheng Xingran’s reaction on the other end.

Sheng Xingran and Emma chatted briefly, then the phone returned to Miao Zhu. Sheng Xingran asked, “Will you come keep me company after Emma leaves?”

Miao Zhu: “Do you want me to?”

Sheng Xingran didn’t answer right away, and when she spoke again, there was a petulant edge.

“Whatever, up to you.” Then she hung up.

Miao Zhu and Emma exchanged a glance.

Emma: “Gotta coax her again?”

Miao Zhu didn’t.

After checking Emma into the guesthouse, Miao Zhu went back to Flora’s to pack. On the way, she opened her phone to browse connecting cities and flight times for different airlines.

After a bit, she switched to her chat with Mu Shanyi.

【Mia: Had some really good ice cream today】

【Mia: I miss you.】

Hauling her luggage and cello back to the guesthouse, she found Emma leaning on the terrace railing, drinking beer. Miao Zhu joined her with a glass of milk.

The evening sea was no longer as bright and boisterous as daytime; the waves lapped lonely at the shore.

No one spoke; it was too quiet. Emma set down her beer and met Miao Zhu’s eyes again.

“Go?”

“Go.”

Their rapport was so strong they understood without words.

Emma followed her phone’s map to the liveliest band bar in town. The place was pumping, the whole room dancing. Emma fit right in, dragging Miao Zhu to the front row.

One song ended just as they arrived. The lead singer pushed away the mic stand, and the other band members hopped off stage, grinning as they escorted a blonde girl onstage.

The singer dropped to one knee; the girl sensed it, covering her mouth in excitement.

Emma was even more thrilled, grabbing Miao Zhu’s shoulders and screaming, “Proposal! She’s proposing!!”

Sure enough, the singer pulled out a ring, gazing up at the girl with deep affection.

Cheers erupted around them. The girl teared up with joy, extending her hand. The successful proposer trembled as she slipped the ring onto her new fiancée’s finger.

They embraced and kissed; happiness was contagious, and everyone there with a partner kissed too.

Emma was buzzing, yelling in Miao Zhu’s ear over the noise: “Book a flight! Don’t waste another second—go! Right now! To the person you’re missing!”

At the same time, Miao Zhu’s phone screen lit up like fireworks in the night, flashing briefly in the dim bar.

【Mu Shanyi: Got gear ready for walking Grace】

【Mu Shanyi: I’m missing you too.】