Chapter 17

Silver Moon Bay was one of Shengjing’s top ten luxury residential complexes, boasting excellent amenities and surroundings. An ecological park encircled it, subways and highways converged nearby, and it drew in a host of upscale businesses.

Colorful balloons floated at the entrance to the ecological park.

A swaying rabbit mascot handed out flyers to passing women and children.

Nearby, in a water feature installation, sat a gigantic smiling rabbit wearing a crown and a pink bubble skirt.

Its eyes were round windows, offering glimpses of the fairy-tale decorations inside.

Xia Zhuxi saw this gaudy structure every time she came home.

It was Shen Jingsong’s first time seeing it, and the sight pierced straight to her girlish heart. “Wow, it’s so cute!” Her eyes sparkled like stars, her lashes fluttering.

Xia Zhuxi’s own girlish heart melted at Shen Jingsong’s adorable reaction. “It’s a milk tea shop. They say it’s delicious. Want to give it a try?”

A few troublemakers had gotten their comeuppance, leaving Shen Jingsong in high spirits. “Sure~”

Shen Jingsong couldn’t easily appear in public.

Xia Zhuxi slipped on a pair of sunglasses and a baseball cap, then waggled her phone at Shen Jingsong. “We’ll video call in a sec. Just point at what you want, and I’ll grab it.”

Shen Jingsong nodded. “Okay.”

Xia Zhuxi stepped out of the car. Shen Jingsong cracked the window a touch, letting in a breath of fresh spring air.

Vibrant pink blossoms bloomed everywhere, their petals lush and dewy.

Shen Jingsong toyed with the squirrel ornament dangling from the rearview mirror—a gift from her fans.

Between those from the car team, the ones Chu Yun had sent, and the ones Xia Zhuxi had picked up, squirrel ornaments had taken over all five of Xia God’s private cars.

Xia Zhuxi loved those cute little squirrels too. How perfect~

A glowing balloon drifted over and bumped against the window. Shen Jingsong nudged it away with a finger.

The translucent orb, shimmering with rainbow gradients, bounced off. Standing just outside was the cute rabbit mascot from before—its hands now empty of flyers.

Shen Jingsong started to roll up the window when the rabbit suddenly dashed closer.

“Not Happy! It really is you!”

Not Happy? Was that supposed to be her?

The name tugged at Shen Jingsong’s memory, but she couldn’t quite place it.

The rabbit grew even more excited, mumbling incoherently as it struggled to yank off its headpiece.

Cascades of deep red curls tumbled free. The woman beneath had striking features—sharp and angular, with a fierce glint in her brows.

In modern internet slang, she was one word: A.

The woman hopped excitedly, her alluring eyes sparkling with mischief. “Not Happy! It’s me!”

Shen Jingsong stared at her face for a long moment. The woman let out a tsk, crossed her arms, and scowled, dropping her voice in an uncanny imitation. “Keep annoying me, and I’ll poke your nostril with a pen!”

Long-buried memories surged up like river sand churned by rapids. Shen Jingsong let out a gasp of delight. “You’re Bemben!”

“Bingo~ You got it!” The woman executed an elegant bow, clutching her headpiece. “Thank you, my beautiful desk mate, for remembering me~”

Shen Jingsong said, “Shang Mingrong, your personality really hasn’t changed a bit. What are you doing here?”

Shang Mingrong replied, “Part-time modeling gig! This milk tea shop pays pretty well, and there are tons of kids around!”

Shen Jingsong smiled.

Shang Mingrong added, “But I just landed a new job, so I’ll wrap up this side gig in a few days and quit.”

Shen Jingsong remarked, “I saw in the class group chat that you went abroad right after graduating from Z Drama Academy. When did you get back?”

Shang Mingrong’s eyes dimmed slightly. She opened her mouth to respond, but a little girl of five or six approached, looking glum. She reached up and tugged at the rabbit ears. “Mommy, I have homework to do. Are you done yet? Otherwise, can I go inside the shop to work on it?”

Mommy?!

Shen Jingsong stared at Shang Mingrong in shock. “Bemben, you got married so young.”

Shang Mingrong said little more, just ruffled the girl’s hair. “Lulu, say hello to Aunt Shen.” She smiled at Shen Jingsong. “This is my daughter, Shang Lusheng.”

The little girl said in a soft, sticky-sweet voice, “Hello, Aunt Shen. I’ve seen you on TV. You’re a fairy.”

Shen Jingsong rummaged in her bag and pulled out a pack of hawthorn slices for the girl. “Hello, little Lulu.”

Shang Lusheng glanced at her mother, who nodded. Only then did she reach out with both hands to accept it, her cheeks flushing bright red. “Thank you, fairy.”

Shang Mingrong pulled out her phone. “Not Happy, let’s swap numbers. I just got back to the country and don’t really know anyone here.”

Shen Jingsong considered it for a moment and agreed. Back in high school, they’d been desk mates. Shang Mingrong hadn’t been the best student, but she’d been a genuinely good person.

They had been the two most beautiful girls at Liulin High School, and as desk mates, they were constantly compared.

Shen Jingsong was quiet and didn’t have many friends, while Shang Mingrong was outgoing and full of fun, popular with everyone. She had a habit of helping others without thinking twice about it, often teaming up with Shen Jingsong and unwittingly sparing her the awkwardness of being left out during group activities.

Once they’d exchanged contacts, Shang Mingrong asked, “You here for fun?”

Shen Jingsong hesitated, then said, “Just visiting a friend.”

Shang Mingrong let out an “Oh.” “I’m moving here in a couple of days.” She pointed toward the ecological park. “Silver Moon Bay.”

Shen Jingsong narrowed her eyes. “You’re set for life.”

Shang Mingrong took her daughter’s hand. “Aiya, no way! It’s someone else’s place. Think of it as work-sharing.”

Shang Mingrong had to get back to the milk tea shop for her daily wages. She said goodbye to Shen Jingsong. “I’ll treat you to KTV sometime!”

Under the sunset, a person in a big rabbit costume held a little girl’s hand as they chased a balloon, laughing and running into the milk tea shop.

Xia Zhuxi walked over carrying two bags of milk tea. She caught sight of the joyful big-and-small pair and couldn’t help glancing back.

Xia Zhuxi slid into the driver’s seat. “Your spring limited edition: avocado jasmine milkshake.”

She handed over the milky green drink, tiny droplets of condensation beading on the cup.

Shen Jingsong hugged it close and peeked at hers. “What’s yours?”

Xia Zhuxi’s cup already had a straw in it. She held it out to Shen Jingsong. “Practice makes perfect.”

Shen Jingsong gazed at the straw with curved eyes and parted her lips slightly. Xia Zhuxi hurriedly lowered her hand. “Sister Jingsong, use a new straw. This one I just—”

Shen Jingsong took it into her mouth, then released it. A ring of red lipstick marked the white tip.

“Sorry.” Shen Jingsong pulled out the straw and inserted it into her own spring limited edition, then put a fresh straw back into the original spot on Xia Zhuxi’s.

Shen Jingsong savored it carefully. “Full orange? So sweet.” Like you.

Xia Zhuxi moved her lips, hesitating a little before saying, “It’s all yours.”

Shen Jingsong said, “I can’t finish two cups.”

Xia Zhuxi replied, “Then… I’ll drink what’s left?”

The blush on Shen Jingsong’s cheeks deepened. “Drink yours.”

The corners of Xia Zhuxi’s mouth curved up as she started the engine.

Shen Jingsong liked sour-sweet flavors, and she’d picked the avocado herself, so both drinks were bought to her taste.

All for her.

The one thing Xia Zhuxi hadn’t accounted for was Shen Jingsong’s lips wrapping around the straw she’d just used.

Her lipstick had kissed Xia Zhuxi’s own mark.

She couldn’t say anything. This was their little secret for today.

The Lamborghini started smoothly.

Xia Zhuxi asked, “Sister Jingsong, do you like the surroundings?”

Shen Jingsong said, “I do.” Then added, “I ran into an old classmate just now. She’s married, has a daughter, and lives in Silver Moon Bay too.”

Xia Zhuxi beamed. “That’s great. If you move here, you’ll have another friend.”

Shen Jingsong gave a soft hum and leaned her head against the seatback. “But I think she’s acting kind of strange.”

Xia Zhuxi glanced at her from the corner of her eye. “How so?”

Shen Jingsong thought for a moment before saying slowly, “Hard to put my finger on it. It’s like a sense of dissonance across time and space.”

Xia Zhuxi said, “Maybe it’s just been too long since you last saw her. I get that feeling sometimes too.”

They went to Xia Zhuxi’s home first, then called the property management to show them the Lower Unit.

Xia Zhuxi fetched slippers for Shen Jingsong—perfect fit. The fruit in the fresh-keeping cabinet was all her favorites.

Shen Jingsong sat on the sofa. The cushion was printed with a cute Little Squirrel.

“Sister Jingsong, plum family bucket, mulberry hawthorn, and sour jujube cake.” Xia Zhuxi opened the snack drawer and set her phone on the coffee table. “I’ll call the property management first. Give me a sec.”

Shen Jingsong picked one up. “All my favorites. Looks like I didn’t drag you around the supermarket for nothing when you were little.”

Xia Zhuxi grinned. “You even coaxed me into eating immortal pills.” She meant that bottle of expired Preserved Tangerine Peel Candy by her bed.

Shen Jingsong’s face lit up with memories. “Was there that too?”

Xia Zhuxi was about to say more when the property management finally picked up. “Hello, esteemed owner.”

Xia Zhuxi asked, “Didn’t we schedule a viewing for 5:30? Why haven’t you shown up?”

Property management: “We’re very sorry, owner. The owner of 1501 just called to cancel the rental.”

Xia Zhuxi was caught off guard. “Cancel? She’s been renting it out for two years—why cancel all of a sudden?!”

Property management: “We don’t know the details. If you’re interested, you can talk to the owner of 1501 directly. She said she’ll be moving in herself in the next couple of days.”

How was she supposed to talk about it? It was someone else’s house. The owner wanted it back to live in herself—could she really ask her to leave and keep renting it out?

Xia Zhuxi frustratedly grabbed a fistful of her hair.

Illusion. Dream. Shattered.

Shen Jingsong set down the plum and said softly, “Xiao Xi, does that mean we can’t rent it?”

Xia Zhuxi pouted. “Sorry, Sister Jingsong. I’ll find you another place.”

Something soft brushed her lips. Xia Zhuxi lowered her gaze as Shen Jingsong traced a smile onto her mouth with her fingertip.

The sky darkened gradually. A gentle evening breeze wafted through the living room, stirring Shen Jingsong’s hair.

Gurgle~

Xia Zhuxi’s face turned red as she clutched her stomach.

Shen Jingsong whispered, “I wonder if tonight I’ll get the chance to claim your kitchen.”

Xia Zhuxi’s heart skipped a beat.

Shen Jingsong’s eyes turned soft and inviting, a playful smile tugging at her lips.