Chapter 82: Holding Hands While Shopping
Xiao Luohan had been immersed in Non-Dream recently, playing through each route, gradually piecing together a picture of the women in that society.
There was still no news from Elder Sister Red Fox, but the plum blossoms here had fully bloomed. When they were in the study, Xiao Linghan would even attach herself to the action figure and wave to them.
She had even learned to type on the phone—Jiang Xue had made a glove for the action figure that could interact with the screen, so Xiao Linghan could type messages in the notes app.
No one knew how she had learned pinyin. Perhaps she had glimpsed her younger sister’s memories, or perhaps her soul had been watching while her sister was studying… anyway, it was a good thing that she had learned.
The first sentence Xiao Linghan typed was: 【Everything is well, don’t worry.】
But when Xiao Luohan asked if she had any difficulties, she only shook her head, painstakingly drawing a smiling face in the notes app.
“Being able to contact her means things aren’t at their worst,” Jiang Xue could only comfort Xiao Luohan this way. “And… some things, we’re not old enough, we don’t have enough experience or ability, even if we know the details, we can’t think of a solution, and we’ll only make things worse or worry them.”
Her older sister was nine years older than her, and Elder Sister Red Fox was also nine years older than Xiao Luo, and a seasoned general. Whether it was out of protection or other considerations, Jiang Xue could now understand their decision to keep things hidden.
“We just need to focus on our studies now, learn as much as we can, and broaden our knowledge as much as possible,” she said. “Knowing more things will allow us to help one day. When that time comes, they will definitely be happy to see us act.”
Xiao Luohan was initially a little frustrated. She had already learned so much here and couldn’t wait to share it with her elder sister through the “mindscape.”
But she also agreed with Jiang Xue’s words. She had just arrived, and she had a long way to go. What she had seen and heard so far was probably just a glimpse of the bigger picture. She couldn’t be impatient.
So she gradually calmed down, but she also silently increased the time she spent reading textbooks, doing exercises, and playing the guqin.
Besides that, she also insisted on exercising in the morning.
While Jiang Xue was still dreaming, she would wake her up—this was actually something Jiang Xue had requested, but when they actually did it, it was Jiang Xue herself who lagged behind.
Sometimes, when she was difficult to wake up, Jiang Xue, instead of waking up, would cling to Xiao Luohan like an octopus, trying to pull her, who was already dressed, back into bed.
Xiao Luohan had repeatedly considered kissing her awake, but fortunately, she always restrained herself.
Later, after discussing it with Jiang Mei, if she couldn’t wake Jiang Xue up, she would simply use her cold hands to shock her awake, which always worked.
Jiang Xue, groaning as she struggled out of bed, was also very cute. Xiao Luohan wanted to kiss her, but she couldn’t yet.
The Jiang family also had an indoor gym. Since both Jiang Xue and Xiao Luohan couldn’t engage in strenuous exercise, they would set the treadmill to a slow pace, ensuring half an hour of “jogging” every morning.
After jogging, Jiang Xue would sit and rest, preparing for breakfast, while Xiao Luohan would lift small dumbbells to train her arm strength, or punch and kick Jiang Mei’s inflatable punching bag.
The days after the holiday were fulfilling and busy, and soon, it was time for the annual “New Year’s Goods Festival.”
Shopping for New Year’s goods had always been the housekeepers’ job, but this time, Jiang Xue wanted to take Xiao Luohan to experience the festive atmosphere on the streets, so she asked Sister Cheng to take them along.
“Has Shizhu already started her winter break? When is she coming back?” Jiang Xue asked Sister Cheng on the way.
This form of address made Xiao Luohan pause for a moment, then she remembered that this was the name Sister Cheng had given to her beloved only daughter.
“She said in a few days. She’s currently working part-time at a milk tea shop near her school, planning to earn some extra money before the students all leave,” Sister Cheng replied. “I’ll bring her over when she arrives.”
“Then she’ll still be staying with us? The guest room is empty,” Jiang Xue said. “I remember Shizhu likes being around people.”
Sister Cheng’s daughter, Cheng Shizhu, had always been a boarding student. Sister Cheng had wanted to rent an apartment for her outside the school, but Cheng Shizhu preferred the atmosphere of the school dormitory, and since she had always had good roommates, Sister Cheng let her decide.
【I wonder how the Shizhu in the ancient world is doing,】 Xiao Luohan, still concerned about this, sent a WeChat message to Jiang Xue. 【I’ve seen Shizhu several times outside the window in the mindscape. Elder Sister should know about her recent situation, right?】
【I’ll ask when I get back,】 Jiang Xue replied. 【It’s not convenient to talk about the social changes, but surely she can tell us about our loved ones?】
Arriving at the New Year’s Goods Festival, Sister Cheng went from stall to stall, following the pre-made shopping list.
Jiang Xue and Xiao Luohan followed behind her, browsing.
Xiao Luohan had been holding Jiang Xue’s hand since getting out of the car. Even if Jiang Xue or Sister Cheng asked, she could calmly and confidently say that she was afraid of getting lost.
Now, hand in hand, they saw several same-sex couples along the way—actually, there was nothing wrong with two women holding hands, but those couples were very obvious, some even stealing kisses while eating candied hawthorns.
As they walked, Jiang Xue started to regret it.
She had brought Xiao Luo here to experience the festive atmosphere, not to be “force-fed dog food” by couples!
Just as she was regretting it, a young woman with a Samoyed walked past them and stopped at a stall.
The snow-white Samoyed, probably recently groomed, had fluffy and beautiful fur, but was wearing a gaudy, Northeastern-style vest, making Xiao Luohan look at it repeatedly.
The dog wasn’t shy either. Noticing someone looking at it, it wagged its tail and approached them.
Xiao Luohan tentatively reached out, and the dog immediately lowered its ears, nuzzled her palm, closed its eyes and shook its head slightly, occasionally sticking out its tongue, its paws excitedly tapping the ground.
The owner, seemingly used to her dog’s popularity, smiled and spoke to Xiao Luohan while the vendor was packing her purchases. “My baby is actually very picky and only likes beautiful people. You have such a great temperament, Miss!”
The Samoyed barked twice in agreement, then rubbed against Jiang Xue as well.
Jiang Xue wasn’t very good with enthusiastic dogs, but she still politely took off her glove and patted its head. Its slightly wet, pink tongue brushed against her palm, making her shiver.
“Cough… I want to wash my hands,” Jiang Xue said to Xiao Luohan awkwardly after the Samoyed and its owner walked away. “I’m a bit of a germaphobe when it comes to… uh, animal saliva.”
“The restroom is to the east!” Sister Cheng immediately pointed the way. “Go straight ahead, and you’ll see a sign, then turn.”
Stalls with red canopies lined the street. Xiao Luohan observed and found that they were all run by women. Sister Cheng said that for easier management, the male vendors were on another street.
The aroma of various foods wafted into her nose, from nearby and afar. She even heard a “bang”—Jiang Xue said that was the sound of an old-fashioned popcorn machine. She could take her there after she washed her hands.
A non-slip red carpet covered the ground, and red lanterns hung overhead, stretching all the way down the street.
“They’ll light the lanterns at night. If you want to see them, we can come back one evening… Oh right, there will also be a lantern exhibition a week before the Lantern Festival,” Jiang Xue looked up and explained. “It’s even more beautiful on snowy nights, but unfortunately, it hasn’t snowed much here in recent years. Last time, when I brought you the icicles, the snow didn’t last long either.”
She paused. “When I was little, I even thought about applying to a university in the north, so I could see heavy snow every winter… Later, I learned about the dangers of snowstorms and gave up on the idea.”
Chatting as they walked, they soon reached the restroom. Jiang Xue hurried inside to wash her hands, even using hand sanitizer.
Xiao Luohan waited at the entrance with their two bags when she suddenly heard a familiar voice behind her. “Xiao Luo? A-Xue?”
Teacher Sui walked in with a smile, her arm linked with a woman who wouldn’t turn around.
Just by looking at her back, they knew it was Dr. Qi, but both Xiao Luohan and Jiang Xue tactfully didn’t say anything, only greeting Teacher Sui politely.
“Where does Dr. Qi usually spend New Year’s Eve?” Xiao Luohan suddenly asked after they left the restroom.
“It’s hard to say,” Jiang Xue dried her hands and put on her gloves. “Sometimes she spends it at our house, sometimes at her own, and once, she went to a bar with a friend for New Year’s Eve… I think it depends on her mood.”
Xiao Luohan thought about how her two mothers in the Jiang family had fallen in love and asked curiously, “Could this friend who went to the bar with her be Teacher Sui?”
“I’m not sure, but after we’re both adults, we might have a chance to find out,” Jiang Xue said. “I’d also like to experience a bar… but I’m only interested in quiet bars, where I can chat with the bartender or listen to live music. Those noisy bars with dance floors are too much for me.”
“Will we be considered adults on the sixth day of the first lunar month?” Xiao Luohan asked again.
Jiang Xue paused. “That’s true! I still have to get my ID card…”
Meeting Xiao Luohan’s expectant gaze, she immediately asked, “Then after I get my new ID card, do you want to go to a bar?”
Xiao Luo’s ID card was newly issued by Dr. Qi and wouldn’t need to be renewed for ten years, saving them the trouble.
“Do quiet bars allow underage high school students to enter?” Although she was thinking about it, Xiao Luohan still wanted to be sure, lest they go there excitedly only to be turned away.
“There’s no rule against it. KTVs and internet cafes also allow high school students, but you need an ID card, or an adult guardian,” Jiang Xue said. “But I might have to go back to school after getting my ID card…”
She was about to say that they could go to a bar on a Friday or Saturday night before the selection exam in April when she heard Xiao Luohan say, “Then let’s wait until after the college entrance exam. Focus on your studies.”
Jiang Xue: …
She shouldn’t have mentioned going back to school to the studious Xiao Luo.
So they added another item to their post-college entrance exam to-do list.
“By the way, I asked the Xie family elder for a safety amulet for you,” Xiao Luohan said, pulling Jiang Xue out of her disappointment. “When the college entrance exam is near, I’ll give it to Sister Cheng to sew inside your school uniform, so you can bring it to the exam.”
“You even got me a safety amulet for the college entrance exam!” Jiang Xue felt a warmth spread through her heart. “I’ll also get you some amulets to wear… I’ve been wanting to!”
