Xia Zhuxi’s eyes shimmered with emotion, her chest warm and soft against the other woman’s, the crook of her neck hot and damp as Shen Jingsong’s hair teased her earlobe.
The sky overhead was a brilliant blue, the clouds faint wisps, seagulls wheeling lazily on outstretched wings.
Shen Jingsong hugged her gently. “Thank you, Xiao Xi. But I’m far worse off than you could ever imagine.”
Xia Zhuxi felt the hand at the small of her back slowly release her. Her body reacted before her mind could catch up, pulling Shen Jingsong into an embrace, her palm pressing against the woman’s slender back.
Shen Jingsong was so fragile that Xia Zhuxi didn’t dare hold her too tightly, even in a hug.
“But a long time ago, someone told me, ‘You don’t have to be better than anyone else.'” Xia Zhuxi’s fingertips sank into Shen Jingsong’s silky hair, her nostrils filled with the snowy fragrance she’d dreamed of for nine years. “Now, I’m telling her the same thing.”
“You’re one of a kind in this world, Shen Jingsong.”
The moon in the water, the flower in the mirror, snow in summer.
Things you could only encounter in dreams.
Yet here they were, embracing in reality.
Xia Zhuxi wanted to stay in this moment forever.
A wave rolled in, its white foam receding to leave a scatter of seashells on the sand.
Shen Jingsong stirred in her arms. Her movement was feather-light, like a little squirrel on a branch.
As if she’d just discovered something astonishing, Shen Jingsong spoke, her warm breath puffing against Xia Zhuxi’s neck. “When you were teaching those kids at Star Lion, you said someone encouraged you during your toughest time. That person wouldn’t happen to be…”
Xia Zhuxi’s breath hitched. Uh-oh.
So Shen Jingsong hadn’t realized back at Star Lion?
It tickled, a fizzy itch. The hair draped over her ear was brushed aside, and when Xia Zhuxi glanced sideways, she caught Shen Jingsong sneaking a peek at her ear.
“Sister Jingsong!” How could she do that?
Shen Jingsong’s smile turned triumphant. “You won’t answer me, but your ear’s already given me the answer.”
Xia Zhuxi protested, “No, really, some people are just wired that way.”
Shen Jingsong looked crestfallen. “So that person wasn’t me, then?”
“It was you!” Xia Zhuxi was frantic, practically gasping for air.
After a moment, Shen Jingsong tucked the hair back over her ear, her gaze soft and gentle. “Xiao Xi, you need to have more confidence in yourself.” She stroked Xia Zhuxi’s ear hair lightly. “Thank you for caring so much. I want to handle some things on my own first.”
Xia Zhuxi nodded. She understood—painful secrets were heavy burdens, even when shared. She’d always be by her side.
The morning sun bathed them in its glow.
Shen Jingsong gazed at her, her features like a delicate painting.
Xia Zhuxi silently counted. At the third second, Shen Jingsong smiled and stepped back, turning to gaze out at the ocean.
Xia Zhuxi curved her lips behind her.
They said that staring into someone’s eyes for more than three seconds sparked feelings.
Gazing at the sea, Xia Zhuxi prayed that if there was a next time, it would last one second longer.
~~~
As Xia Zhuxi had hoped, Shen Jingsong had no desire to stay at Bixi Huating any longer. Betty was helping her scout for a new place.
Xia Zhuxi owned two properties in Shengjing. One was a townhouse that Jian Ge had nagged her into buying after graduation. The other was a standalone villa, a year-end bonus from Chu Yun. Given Chu Yun’s “notorious reputation,” Xia Zhuxi hardly ever went to the villa she’d been given, to avoid any gossip.
Aside from time spent back at her parents’ place, Xia Zhuxi usually lived in the townhouse. She occupied the upper unit, and she’d only glimpsed the owner of the lower unit once when taking possession of the property—a fashion industry type, from what she recalled. The place had sat empty ever since. Property management said it was listed for rent, but it hadn’t found a tenant.
Right after training wrapped up, Xia Zhuxi headed to property management to inquire about the rent. It seemed reasonable, so that evening, she planned to take Shen Jingsong out to dinner and mention it.
Wow, if Sister Jingsong actually became her neighbor, that would be pure bliss.
A dream come true.
Gripping the steering wheel, Xia Zhuxi hummed softly along with the music.
Her phone pinged with a message.
Who Wants Jingjing: This meeting’s been dragging on for two hours already.
Who Wants Jingjing: Little Squirrel dozing off.jpg
Xia Zhuxi hadn’t set a custom name for Shen Jingsong, but the squirrel emoji made it click—she’d changed her display name.
Who Wants Jingjing?
I want Jingjing.
Ahem. Xia Zhuxi composed herself.
summer: Even celebrities have meetings?
Who Wants Jingjing: Little Squirrel nodding and frowning.jpg
Who Wants Jingjing: Does Boss Chu hold meetings for you guys?
Xia Zhuxi was at a loss for words. Chu Yun only ever took people out clubbing and blowing cash.
summer: The team captain calls our meetings. Unless it’s major tactics talk, they don’t run this long.
Who Wants Jingjing: I can hear someone sneaking melon seeds. Now I kinda want some little pine nuts.
Paired with Shen Jingsong’s Little Squirrel avatar, it was unbearably cute.
summer: You’ll get some.
Xia Zhuxi craned her neck, scanning the roadside for a nut shop. She’d grab some.
Conveniently, there was one on the little street behind Qifeng Building.
The nut shop owner sweet-talked her into the priciest gift box—1988. Why did Xia Zhuxi feel like she’d just been fleeced?
Xia Zhuxi’s eyebrows shot up.
Ding! Wealth Treasure incoming: 1988!
Xia Zhuxi hefted the gift box into the back seat of her car. Nearby, a few people came rushing over in a frenzy. “Hurry! There’s drama!”
Qifeng Media was surrounded by paparazzi and obsessive fans. Xia Zhuxi instinctively went on high alert.
Even more people bolted toward Qifeng Building. “Massive scandal!”
“Who? Who’s involved?”
“Not super famous. You know, that supporting actress who always pops up in period dramas.”
“Isn’t her surname Shen?”
Xia Zhuxi slammed the car door shut.
She drove to Qifeng Plaza. A crowd had already gathered there—a dense sea of bodies. Qifeng security guards were struggling to keep order.
A wiry, dark-skinned old man with streaked gray hair was cursing out the security guard yanking at him. “You’re ripping my bag! I’ll write right here on your damn ground! I don’t believe that ungrateful wretch won’t come out!”
The entrance to Qifeng Building was festooned with banners crudely sewn from feed sacks. Red paint spelled out crooked, blocky characters across them:
Shen Jingsong Abandons Her Birth Father and Siblings! Refuses to Support Her Elders! Ungrateful Traitor! Defies Heaven’s Justice!
Security had torn down most of the sacks, but a few still dangled from the wires—probably hung up only moments ago.
“Baopeng! Pandi! Get over here!” Li Tiezhu hollered, hopping mad. Xia Zhuxi frowned and peered behind the plaza’s sculpture. Sure enough, there were those repulsive faces she’d glimpsed once before at Bixi Huating.
Pandi shrank back hesitantly. “Dad, maybe we should call it off. What if we piss off Big Sis and she cuts off the money?”
Li Baopeng spat at her. “What do you know, you idiot? This is exactly how we teach her a lesson so she’ll cough up the cash!” He dug his fingers viciously into her arm. “Don’t you want to marry that college boy anymore?”
Pandi stammered, “I do—”
Li Baopeng clutched a bucket of paint. Li Tiezhu was illiterate, but Li Baopeng and Pandi could write. They dipped brushes into the red paint and scrawled across the ground:
Unfilial Daughter Shen Jingsong, Ungrateful Wretch
Abandons Father and Siblings, Defies Heaven’s Justice
Li Tiezhu collapsed onto his backside, wailing. “My life is so miserable! I slaved away farming honestly my whole life, busted my ass raising three kids. Finally, my daughter makes something of herself—and she turns right around and disowns her old man!”
“You all know, don’t you? Shen Jingsong ran off with some rich city slicker when she was just a teenager! Started calling other men her sugar daddy, turned her nose up at us poor folks from the mountains! Hasn’t sent a single cent for support!”
“Now this heartless bitch works inside that building. She knows I’m out here and she’s hiding from me! Folks, please, judge for me—stand up for an old man!”
The crowd erupted. Phones and cameras thrust high as everyone filmed.
Xia Zhuxi whipped the car around and gunned it straight at them.
Li Tiezhu and his crew froze as the vehicle roared toward them. Li Baopeng yanked him out of the way. Pandi shrieked from the sidelines. “Are you trying to run us over?!”
Xia Zhuxi braked to a precise halt right in front of them, knocking the paint bucket flying.
Red liquid oozed across the gray stone tiles.
She threw the car into reverse and headed up to the rooftop parking garage of Qifeng Building. Then she dialed the police. “Hello, officer. There’s people at Qifeng Plaza vandalizing public property and disrupting the workplace.”
Her heart pounded wildly.
Her hands and feet felt like ice.
Xia Zhuxi pulled up her chat with Shen Jingsong. No reply. She called right away. No answer.
The cold dial tone echoed through the car.
“Damn it.” Xia Zhuxi smacked the steering wheel.
~~~
Exhaustion weighed her down.
Shen Jingsong’s head throbbed.
A backwoods farmer like Li Tiezhu would never have figured out her job or home on his own. It had to be Li Baopeng egging him on, strong-arming Pandi into it. The three of them had schemed together to con her out of money. When that failed, they’d come to her workplace to throw their tantrum.
Across the conference table, the Qifeng President’s face was thunder-dark. “Shen Jingsong! You’re all nerve and no talent—hiding your real family history like that!”
“Do you have any idea how toxic the backlash is for ditching your family? The PR team’s pulling an all-nighter because of you! If we can’t squash this, forget Eight Voices of Ganzhou—even Qifeng won’t keep you around!”
“You deal with your dad and your brother. Do not let this scandal blow up any further.”
Shen Jingsong stepped out of the conference room. Night had fallen.
Her three phones buzzed with missed calls. She marked them all as read and dialed Xia Zhuxi.
Betty eyed her warily. “Who are you calling?”
Shen Jingsong replied calmly, “I have a dinner date tonight.”
Betty fumed. “Dinner? Now? You—”
Shen Jingsong gave a faint smile, her eyes brimming with regret. The call connected. “Sorry, Xiao Xi. Have you eaten yet? You must be home by now, right?”
Xia Zhuxi’s voice came soft and gentle. “I’m on the rooftop.”
Shen Jingsong blinked in surprise. “I’m coming up right now.”
She reached the rooftop and spotted her immediately.
Xia Zhuxi arrived to pick her up, and Shen Jingsong gave her a smile—though it really didn’t look happy at all.
Before climbing into the car, Shen Jingsong paused in surprise. “Why are there red marks on the hood?” They were scattered in spots, almost like blood…
Xia Zhuxi fastened her seatbelt, her voice thick with emotion. “I knocked over those three scumbags’ paint cans.”
Shen Jingsong leaned back against the seat, blinking her lashes wearily.
Besides Li Tiezhu stirring up trouble at Qifeng Plaza that afternoon, what else had happened?
Dinner was at a high-altitude observation restaurant that stayed open around the clock. Xia Zhuxi had called ahead, and they’d reserved the private room.
Shen Jingsong sank into the sofa and slipped off her high heels. Xia Zhuxi handed her a pair of disposable cotton slippers.
“Thanks.”
“Sister Jingsong, did you grab a bite at the office to hold you over? Is your stomach okay?”
A warmth stirred in Shen Jingsong’s chest. She looked at her—Xia Zhuxi’s thick brows were knitted tight, her face ashen, and she actually seemed in worse shape than Shen Jingsong herself.
“No.” Unable to help herself, Shen Jingsong reached out and patted the top of her head. “What about you?”
Xia Zhuxi said she’d scarfed down some bread in the car and offered her a gift box. “This is for you.”
Shen Jingsong opened it to find two tins of premium Siberian Pine Nuts. She suddenly remembered mentioning to Xia Zhuxi that afternoon how she was craving pine nuts. Her eyes prickled. “That’s so sweet.”
She shelled a few and shared them with Xia Zhuxi.
The server asked if they were ready for the food, and Xia Zhuxi said yes.
They sat beside the floor-to-ceiling windows, an hourglass on the table slowly trickling sand.
Outside, the city lights blazed through the night, their reflections shimmering on the glass.
Shen Jingsong slipped a scallop petal between her lips and sipped delicately, while Xia Zhuxi quietly ladled soup into her bowl.
Shen Jingsong wasn’t hungry, but she made an effort to eat everything Xia Zhuxi served her.
As the meal wound down, the dessert—creamy ice puffs—arrived.
“Sister Jingsong,” Xia Zhuxi said.
Shen Jingsong figured Xia Zhuxi must have heard about her background by now. She met her eyes frankly. “Go ahead.”
Xia Zhuxi took a moment to gather her words, then spoke earnestly. “I’ve reached out to a few lawyer friends. They’re all top-notch professionals.”
She hesitated, her gaze laced with worry as she subtly gauged Shen Jingsong’s mood, treading as lightly as she could. “Sister Jingsong, will you let me do something for you? Just give me a chance?”
To Shen Jingsong, Xia Zhuxi seemed like a clam cradling its precious pearl—as if she herself were the culmination of all Xia Zhuxi’s devotion.
Her heart swelled with warmth, yet weighed heavy all the same.
Her voice came out hoarse, faintly trembling. “But Xia Zhuxi, what could I possibly give you in return?”
In that moment, Xia Zhuxi was her one true solace.
Xia Zhuxi’s expression grew solemn. “You can owe me for now.”
At the same instant, Shen Jingsong blurted, “Marry you?”
Xia Zhuxi froze. A flush crept over her ears and cheeks as she turned her face away—to a spot Shen Jingsong couldn’t see.
