Chapter 22: Morning Visit to the Hospital to See Qi Peijun, Guarding All Morning

Qi Peijun said to Shen Jingsong, “I’m feeling pretty good. You should head back to work first.” She quietly shot a glance toward Xia Zhuxi. “Don’t hold up Xiao Xia’s time either.”

Shen Jingsong wasn’t reassured. “Last time you said you felt fine too, and it got worse in less than a month. Not this time—I’m staying with you a few more days no matter what.”

But they really couldn’t waste Xia Zhuxi’s time.

Shen Jingsong turned to Xia Zhuxi. “Why don’t you head back first?”

Xia Zhuxi shook her head. “I don’t have anything urgent. I’ll wait for you.”

Shen Jingsong asked softly, “Really nothing going on?”

Xia Zhuxi nodded. “Mm.”

Qi Peijun overheard and smiled kindly. “Then you young people shouldn’t stay cooped up in the ward all day.”

“Jingjing, the weather’s been nice these past couple of days. Take Xiao Xia out and show her around more.”

“Xiao Xia, have you seen the Liulin Sea? It’s such a beautiful shade of blue. Jingsong loved it when she was little.”

Shen Jingsong and Xia Zhuxi exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them.

They had seen it—together.

Not just the Liulin Sea, but they had walked along Liulin Beach side by side, letting the sea breeze carry away their cries.

“Right.” Qi Peijun propped herself up against the headboard. “Jingjing, did you see that snow-patterned satin back at the shop? The one you said you wanted last time.”

Shen Jingsong ushered Xia Zhuxi toward the door as she replied to Qi Peijun, “I saw it. Thanks, Mom.”

Xia Zhuxi paused and turned back curiously to listen.

Qi Peijun suddenly added, “You know, I think that satin would look great on Xiao Xia.”

Shen Jingsong whispered, “Mom, more rest will help you recover.”

In the hospital corridor, the white ceiling lights shone brightly.

Xia Zhuxi ventured, “Sister Jingsong, Auntie said it was the snow-patterned satin you wanted?”

Shen Jingsong’s gaze darted around. “Mm.”

Xia Zhuxi lowered her eyes, the shadows of her lashes falling across her cheeks. “You measured me for clothes this morning… Was it something you’d prepared ahead of time? Not just a spur-of-the-moment idea?”

Shen Jingsong asked, “So, do you like snow patterns?” It had all been premeditated.

Xia Zhuxi answered earnestly, “I like it.”

Shen Jingsong’s eyes curved into a smile. “Good then.”

Why did Xia Zhuxi like snow?

Shen Jingsong didn’t know. Perhaps it was like how she herself loved sunlight, or the way some people adored fresh flowers.

Liking something was just that—love at first sight, utter devotion once you had it.

The doctor had said that after the three-day observation period, things would basically be safe. Shen Jingsong stayed at the hospital three more days. Only when she saw Qi Peijun’s spirits improving day by day did she finally feel at ease enough to return to Shengjing.

“I looked it up—there’s a temple in the western suburbs of Liulin.” Xia Zhuxi went to fetch the car.

Western suburbs? Shen Jingsong thought back. There did seem to be a temple out there.

Xia Zhuxi said sincerely, “Sister Jingsong, let’s go offer some peace incense for Aunt Qi.”

Shen Jingsong smiled faintly. “Alright.”

In last night’s drunken conversation, she had casually mentioned going to White Dragon Temple long ago to offer peace incense for Qi Peijun.

Back then, she had pestered Pei Ziying about it several times before Ziying finally agreed. Ziying had always hated the incense burning in temples.

But she had never brought it up with Xia Zhuxi.

Xia Zhuxi was remarkably good at remembering the little details tucked into her words, even offhand remarks.

Even after nine years apart, without so much as seeing each other once.

The western suburbs lay at the edge of the Liulin Mountains.

Ancient trees towered overhead, moss creeping up the stone steps.

The temple had several large incense cauldrons.

Shen Jingsong bought two everlasting lamps. She had one inscribed for Qi Peijun and the other for Xia Zhuxi.

Xia Zhuxi bought one too, inscribed for Shen Jingsong.

The green mountains stood serene as tendrils of incense smoke curled lazily into the air.

Shen Jingsong’s features softened. “Peace for Xiao Xi.”

Xia Zhuxi’s smile bloomed. “Peace for us.”

~~~

After discussing it with Shen Jingsong, Xia Zhuxi decided to drive them back to Shengjing.

Shen Jingsong had her license, but she didn’t know how to handle Xia Zhuxi’s model.

On stretches of road with lighter traffic, Xia Zhuxi would let her take the wheel for a bit.

Xia Zhuxi adjusted the driver’s seat angle and tucked a small lumbar pillow behind Shen Jingsong’s waist. “Will it be tiring?”

Shen Jingsong leaned back into the plush support. Her brows and eyes curved happily. “You drove four or five hours straight without complaint, and now you’re worrying after just ten minutes?”

Mm, because I care about you.

Xia Zhuxi peeled an orange and set it on the dashboard in front of the windshield. The fresh, tangy-sweet citrus scent wafted through the air, a little pick-me-up to ease driving fatigue.

The drive back felt much quicker than the trip out—gazing at the scenery, listening to music, and before they knew it, they were there.

They had set out from Liulin at dawn and arrived in Shengjing under the cover of night.

Tonight’s clouds hung thick, hiding the stars in the black sky.

The city lights painted the night with splashes of color.

Shen Jingsong’s moving luggage was stored in the underground garage at Xia Zhuxi’s Silver Moon Bay place.

Shen Jingsong had already handed over her apartment in Bixi Huating. The luggage had originally been stashed at a hotel. Xia Zhuxi had thought they could rent the lower unit, so she’d offered to bring it all to Silver Moon Bay in the meantime. But that plan had fallen through.

Now…

Xia Zhuxi parked the car and opened the storage room door. Inside, the space was stacked high with packed boxes.

She pulled over a small cart and loaded the boxes onto it. “Sister Jingsong, you’ve been traveling all day. If you don’t mind, why don’t you crash at my place tonight?”

The underground garage was deathly quiet, save for the faint whoosh of air from the vents.

Xia Zhuxi held her breath, making it as light as possible.

A wondrous sensation—this moment felt tantalizingly close to her dream.

And that fragile dream, cracked open by the Lower Unit fiasco, had mended itself. In fact, it had swelled even larger.

She wanted Shen Jingsong to move into her home. She wanted her life filled with Shen Jingsong’s presence everywhere.

She wanted to live in Shen Jingsong’s heart.

That night at the clothing store, amid the intoxicating haze of wine.

Shen Jingsong had dressed her old wounds in a veneer of quiet strength. Xia Zhuxi had hugged her fiercely, desperate to fold her into her own body, aching to shoulder even half her sorrow.

The beer she’d chugged roiled like a tsunami in Xia Zhuxi’s stomach. She wished she’d been born years earlier, so she could have been there for Shen Jingsong in her darkest days.

But twenty-three-year-old Xia Zhuxi had forever missed the Shen Jingsong of twenty-nine and younger.

So when she finally embraced the moonlight and snow she had longed for most, scalding tears spilled down her cheeks.

She told the one person who had warmed her in a childhood ignored by her entire family: I’ve grown up.

She told the one person who had cheered her growth when everyone else turned away: I’ll protect you.

Xia Zhuxi could sense Shen Jingsong opening up to her, little by little. If only she tried harder—harder still…

In that instant, faint footsteps approached from her side.

Shen Jingsong pitched in with the boxes, her lips curving into a smile. “Looks like tonight I get to claim…”

Xia Zhuxi’s face lit up instantly. She was wise to the game now and wouldn’t fall for it. “Yes, you’ve claimed my bedroom.”

A beat of silence hung in the air.

Wait—something was off about that.

“You’ve claimed my bedroom”… didn’t that sound an awful lot like sharing a bed?

Shen Jingsong lowered her sparkling eyes, pausing as if on the verge of speaking. “Oh…”

Xia Zhuxi floundered. “Sister Jingsong, I meant there’s plenty of rooms in the house. Take your pick.” The box in her arms slipped; she clutched it tighter and steadied herself.

Shen Jingsong nodded. “Oh~~~” She steadied the cardboard box for her, their hands brushing lightly.

They opened the door.

Shen Jingsong asked, “What if I pick yours?”

Thud. The box tumbled from Xia Zhuxi’s arms.

“G-Good! Sure, of course you can.” Xia Zhuxi scrambled to retrieve it.

A mischievous glint danced in Shen Jingsong’s eyes. “Just teasing. How could I steal the host’s room? The one next to your bedroom is perfect.”

Xia Zhuxi’s ears burned. “Great. That’s great.”

Hmm…

Was Sister Jingsong doing this on purpose?

After unpacking the luggage, they enjoyed a delicious dinner and took a short rest. Then they tidied up the guest room next to the master bedroom.

Xia Zhuxi wrestled the duvet cover into place while Shen Jingsong smoothed out the bedsheet.

“So cute! There’s even a Little Squirrel on the pillow.” Shen Jingsong poked the fluffy pillow. “You have so much of my merch?”

Squirrel body pillows, squirrel figurines, squirrel stickers—and even the Snow Kiss Chocolate that Shen Jingsong endorsed.

Xia Zhuxi beamed with pride. “I’m your biggest fan, you know.”

Shen Jingsong pouted playfully. “I bet chocolate sales owe you big time.” She leaned in close. “Then I want to stan you too.”

Her sweet breath ghosted across Xia Zhuxi’s neck. Xia Zhuxi’s thoughts scattered; she gripped the edge of the duvet, trembling slightly as she hung on Shen Jingsong’s every sound and movement.

Xia Zhuxi bragged, “They call this ultimate stan success.”

Shen Jingsong indulged her. “Wow, then I owe you a wish, right?”

Xia Zhuxi ducked her head, stifling a grin. Another wish? She was still owed that “promise with her body” from last month.

“Xiao Xi.” Shen Jingsong sat on the edge of the bed, calling her name softly.

“Hm?” Xia Zhuxi fiddled with the bedside lamp. As she turned, her back met a soft, yielding warmth. The air swirled with Shen Jingsong’s signature crisp snow scent.

Shen Jingsong wrapped her arms around her from behind, her voice soft and lilting. “Thank you.”

No problem.

Xia Zhuxi lowered her gaze tenderly.

She studied Shen Jingsong’s delicate features, peering deep into her eyes.

Shen Jingsong, could you ever like me?

They held each other’s gaze for a long moment.

It went on too long—the staring, the clinging embrace, the heated breaths. Afraid of losing herself completely, Xia Zhuxi reluctantly slipped free from Shen Jingsong’s tender hold.

“Get some rest, then?” she murmured.

Shen Jingsong smiled warmly. “Good night.”

Xia Zhuxi drew the curtains with care, walked to the door, grasped the handle, and eased it shut.

“Xiao Xi, do you still mind?” Shen Jingsong sat sideways against the headboard, her black hair framing skin like snow, eyes like water, lips like rouge.

Mind what?

Shen Jingsong gazed at her, hesitation clear in her eyes. After a moment, she finally spoke. “Those things my mom said to you in the ward…”

Xia Zhuxi lowered her eyes. She meant how Qi Peijun had deceived her into believing that Shen Jingsong had stayed single for ten years because of Pei Ziying—and even wanted to marry her…

She had been incredibly upset about it back then, utterly heartbroken.

But after that night at the clothing store, all Xia Zhuxi felt was tenderness and pity for Shen Jingsong, along with burning anger toward the scumbags who had hurt her.

“Sister Jingsong.”

Xia Zhuxi turned back to the bedside and slowly leaned forward.

Shen Jingsong leaned back slightly, staring intently at her. She clutched the squirrel plush toy tightly to her chest, and the hem of her skirt rode up, baring her snowy white ankle.

Smiling softly, Xia Zhuxi dipped her head and gently nuzzled her forehead against the Little Squirrel cradled in Shen Jingsong’s arms. “The only thing I care about is whether my idol is doing well—whether she’s happy every single day.” She drew back slowly, her orange locks lingering as they tangled affectionately with Shen Jingsong’s dark tresses. “Is Jingjing Fairy happy right now?”

Shen Jingsong’s features softened, a gentle smile curving her lips. She reached out and lightly stroked the top of Xia Zhuxi’s head.

“I’m so happy.”

Xia Zhuxi took her hand. “I’m so happy too.”

I don’t mind at all.

I like you so much.