My Girlfriend is a Cold and Aloof Sickly Beauty 92

Chapter 92: When Should I Confess to Xiao Luo?

Looking at the shiny, light pink lip gloss on the back of her hand, Jiang Xue felt that if she indulged Xiao Luo any further, she might really be “wrapped around her finger.”

But she really liked Xiao Luo, so much that even discovering Xiao Luo’s unprompted flirting only made her happy, not annoyed at her boldness.

But liking her was one thing, and this mark couldn’t stay. After reapplying the lip gloss, she handed Xiao Luohan a tissue and said, half-joking, half-serious, “You made this mess, clean it up!”

She was completely unaware that her tone sounded like she was flirting with a lover.

Xiao Luohan readily agreed, carefully wiping the lip gloss from the back of Jiang Xue’s hand.

Her serious expression sent another shiver down Jiang Xue’s spine, triggering some inappropriate thoughts, making her heart pound. She quickly looked away, focusing on putting away the makeup.

There was still a full hour until the New Year countdown. Jiang Xue turned on the computer and watched the latter half of the Spring Festival Gala live broadcast with Xiao Luohan.

A cheerful and hopeful song just ended, the suspended stage was still descending, and the special effects and stage lights were dimming.

“It seems the next act is acrobatics,” Jiang Xue said. “Based on past experience, the programs at this time are usually meant to stir up emotions one last time. Like singing and dancing, acrobatics, and this year’s medley of popular songs.”

Xiao Luohan had only seen street performers invited to the palace to perform acrobatics from afar, and the last time was at her elder sister’s place.

“Elder Sister especially liked acrobatics and magic,” she said.

“Then should we ask her to join us?” Jiang Xue asked.

Although she knew that Jiang Mei was indifferent to all programs, now that there was another soul in her consciousness, maybe things would be different this year?

When a knock came at the bedroom door, Jiang Mei was indeed watching the Spring Festival Gala.

Xiao Linghan was also watching, and constantly commenting in her mind. However, because her comments were sharp and insightful, even offering suggestions for improving the costumes, makeup, stage design, and the logic and humor of the skits, Jiang Mei found them valuable and never interrupted.

But when she turned and saw her two younger sisters, dressed up carefully, Jiang Mei’s mind momentarily short-circuited.

“…Something’s not right,” she said to Xiao Linghan. “Although my younger sister, like Ms. Wei, likes ‘ceremonial occasions,’ her makeup and accessories tonight seem a bit excessive.”

Xiao Linghan carefully observed Jiang Xue for a few seconds, then chuckled. “Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?”

Jiang Mei: ?

“A lie.”

“The lie is ‘I don’t see anything wrong’,” Xiao Linghan said slowly. “Actually… not to mention the ears covered by the two large ribbons, take a closer look at your younger sister’s lower lip.”

As soon as she mentioned the specific location, Jiang Mei understood, then frowned.

No wonder they had both applied makeup, to hide the marks.

“A-Xue is very careful and won’t make it obvious before the college entrance exam. This must be the work of your younger sister, General Xiao,” she said to Xiao Linghan, a little annoyed.

Xiao Linghan smiled but didn’t say anything, tacitly admitting it.

Trusting her younger sister, despite her slight worry, Jiang Mei didn’t point it out, only casually glancing at the two large red ribbons, then asking why they had come.

Both Jiang Xue and Xiao Luohan had come with the simple intention of “watching the acrobatics with their older sister.” Even if Jiang Mei stared at her, Jiang Xue would only think it was because of the large ribbons.

After getting Jiang Mei’s permission, they went to the study, brought back two bar stools, and sat beside Jiang Mei.

Knowing that Jiang Mei liked to quietly analyze the programs, neither of them spoke, just watched attentively.

Jiang Mei, however, would occasionally relay Xiao Linghan’s thoughts.

“‘The aesthetics of this performance are amazing, showcasing the curves of the female body, full of tension, but not at all suggestive, only praiseworthy.'”

“‘That older sister’s sense of balance is so strong! She can spin the oil-paper umbrella with just her feet! And the person supporting her is also very steady!'”

She even perfectly imitated the tone of surprise and delight, as if Xiao Linghan herself was sitting here, watching the program with her two younger sisters.

Both Jiang Xue and Xiao Luohan were shocked, but looking at Jiang Mei, they could tell from her calm eyes that “it wasn’t Elder Sister Red Fox.”

“You seem to be enjoying impersonating me,” Xiao Linghan said to Jiang Mei with a chuckle after the program ended. “Aren’t you afraid your younger sisters will think I’ve possessed you?”

“You can’t see my expression, but they can,” Jiang Mei said calmly. “With their sharp perception, they can definitely tell the difference between us.”

She continued to dutifully relay Xiao Linghan’s comments for the next few programs.

She didn’t know if Xiao Linghan genuinely liked these programs and the energetic female performers, or if she was just playing along, wanting to hear Jiang Mei impersonate her, but Jiang Mei felt that she was becoming more talkative.

This Princess Zhemei… was truly like a “red fox,” as her younger sister had described.

Unburdened, she was truly full of energy.

At 11:50 PM, Jiang Mei’s phone on the table suddenly lit up. It was Ms. Wei urging them to go to the rooftop for the New Year countdown.

“We’ll set off firecrackers for the countdown. Before they were banned, it was Jiang Mommy who would light them. Now we use electronic firecrackers with built-in speakers, which just need to be charged beforehand,” Jiang Xue explained to Xiao Luohan as they walked.

“We also set off firecrackers every year in the ancient world,” Xiao Luohan nodded. “The old eunuch guarding the gate was always in charge of lighting them. Later, when he got old, it was the older servant women. Because of the risk of being injured, Mother would always give them extra money. But everyone was happy—the firecrackers would dispel all bad luck, old and new.”

In an era without advanced technology, this custom became a symbol of people’s good wishes, and it continued to this day, both for good luck and as a way of remembrance.

On the rooftop, a long string of electronic firecrackers was hung up by Ms. Jiang. Accompanied by the crackling sounds, the darkness spread slowly upwards, and finally, the sound stopped, and the glowing red imitation firecrackers dimmed completely.

At the same time, the pre-recorded sound of bells chiming came from the attic, calm and solemn, ushering in the new year.

“Happy New Year, my babies!” Ms. Wei opened the red folding fan in her hand, and when the three girls looked at her, she smiled, closed the fan, and pulled them into a hug.

Ms. Jiang, used to this, stood aside and gave each of the three children a large red envelope with New Year’s money.

After the firecrackers and the countdown, they had a late-night snack, removed their makeup, and then it was time for bed.

Sister Cheng had already made large vegetarian wontons while watching the Spring Festival Gala. The filling was shredded white radish mixed with diced tofu, crispy fried bits of pork fat, and chopped garlic chives.

Xiao Luohan had loved them since the first time she tried them. Due to her poor health, she didn’t like greasy food, and dumplings were something she could “eat,” but not too much. Only these vegetarian wontons, no matter how Sister Cheng prepared them, whether braised or served in bone broth with cilantro, she could finish a whole bowl.

Even tonight, having secretly confirmed her relationship with Jiang Xue, she didn’t waste any food.

At 2:00 AM, Xiao Luohan, satisfied, was fast asleep. Jiang Xue, however, still wide awake due to the lingering effects of the milk tea, couldn’t sleep.

Gazing at Xiao Luo’s sleeping face in the darkness, she couldn’t help but recall the questions and requests Xiao Luo had made that night.

Actually, it wasn’t completely uncontrollable.

After Grandma Xie or Teacher Sui introduced her to a guqin teacher after the New Year, she could ask her older sister to make some inquiries and find out where the teacher usually held her lessons, and which universities her students usually applied to.

Besides that, considering that Xiao Luo had just come from ancient times and wasn’t yet accustomed to the rules of this world, they probably wouldn’t feel at ease with her living alone in an unfamiliar city so soon, so her first choice for university would probably be within the province, or even within the city.

This way, Xiao Luo’s range of activities for the next four years was basically determined, and as long as she applied to universities within that range, she could theoretically be closest to Xiao Luo.

Universities within the province… the universities she liked, regardless of major, all had admission scores ranked among the top ten in the country.

It seemed she would have to work harder after school reopened.

After making a small plan, Jiang Xue moved closer to Xiao Luohan.

But unlike Xiao Luohan’s boldness, she only gently picked up a strand of Xiao Luohan’s hair, twirling it between her fingers and wrapping it around them.

She was wide awake tonight and could slowly think about their future.

After the college entrance exam, when would be the best time to confess to Xiao Luo?

During the confession, should she also explain what that feeling of “emptiness being filled” meant?

Jiang Xue’s initial thought was to tell Xiao Luo, who would come to pick her up, on their way home after the exam, in Sister Cheng’s car.

But she quickly felt that it should be more formal, like inviting Xiao Luo to a restaurant or café popular with online couples, or a special place, just the two of them, with some preparation beforehand.

As for the details… like when the Ferris wheel reached the top? Or walking across a glass bridge together, looking down, and then confessing while their hearts were still pounding.

One idea after another popped up, but soon, Jiang Xue dismissed them all.

No, it couldn’t be a unilateral decision.

She had to ask for Xiao Luo’s opinion…

She tossed and turned all night, finally feeling sleepy around 4:00 AM, but before she could sleep for half an hour, she was embraced by a pair of arms.

Xiao Luohan had crawled over from her side of the bed again, this time not in a half-asleep, unconscious state, but with her eyes open, crossing the “barrier” of the quilt, even placing one leg over Jiang Xue’s ankles.

“Did you not sleep well?” Xiao Luohan asked in surprise, noticing Jiang Xue’s tired expression. “Or… couldn’t you sleep?”

“I couldn’t sleep,” Jiang Xue covered her mouth with her hand and yawned, lying without changing her expression. “Don’t worry, it’s always like this during the New Year. I’m too excited, it’s nothing.”

Xiao Luohan was silent for a few seconds, then asked hesitantly, “Then… can I still hold you?”

“Hug me if you want,” Jiang Xue said nonchalantly, but her body obediently snuggled into Xiao Luohan’s embrace.