What reward would you like? (Auntie’s birthday has been rescheduled)
After that phone call in April, Wen Tong seemed to disappear without a trace, an unprecedented situation. It was only over half a month later that Xiao Wanqing realized, belatedly. As she scrolled through Wen Tong’s social media, she noticed something off about the timing of her posts—they were often made in the wee hours. She speculated, based on the photos and snippets of texts, that Wen Tong must be swamped with work to the point of not having time to keep in touch.
Indeed, when she took the initiative to call Wen Tong, that was exactly the explanation she was given.
Over the years, Xiao Wanqing had always seen Wen Tong as an open book, someone between them they could trust implicitly. So, without a shred of doubt, she took Wen Tong’s explanation at face value.
She knew Wen Tong to be career-driven, and regardless of how much she urged her to prioritize her health, Wen Tong would probably just let it go in one ear and out the other. Thus, after much thought, Xiao Wanqing went out of her way to visit stores and pharmacies to assemble a care package. She included health supplements, cooling herbal teas to reduce internal heat, and Wen Tong’s favorite snacks unique to Anjiang City. It was her way of subtly reminding Wen Tong to take care of herself.
Two days after the delivery was marked as received, Wen Tong called her, hesitating to speak. After a moment of silence and with a raspy voice, she asked Xiao Wanqing, “Xiao Wanqing, what do you think about me coming back to Anjiang City?” It had been a long time since Wen Tong had addressed her so formally by her full name, leaving Xiao Wanqing momentarily taken aback.
She could discern the heaviness and caution in Wen Tong’s voice — like someone who, after much internal struggle, had made a difficult decision but still wavered. What could cause such a strong person like Wen Tong to feel so troubled? She speculated that her friend must have faced setbacks and grievances in Changze City, prompting a fine, aching concern to stir within her. Naturally, she yearned for Wen Tong’s return, yet she didn’t make the decision for her. Instead, she replied with gentle assurance, “Wen Tong, follow the voice of your heart. Just have no regrets.”
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then Wen Tong responded earnestly, “Once I’ve sorted things out here, I’ll return. Wait for me.”
She had tried to distance herself, but as long as there was hope, she could never truly leave. A simple smile from Xiao Wanqing, a light show of concern, was all it took to melt the icy walls she’d labored to build.
She had resigned herself to fate.
In early June, Lin Xian adeptly passed all her exams and smoothly obtained her driver’s license.
The day she got her license, Lin Xian couldn’t wait to send a photo to Xiao Wanqing, eager to share her joy and excitement. Xiao Wanqing seemed even happier than Lin Xian, her tone unmistakably cheerful as she replied, “Xianxian is awesome! I’ll pick you up in the evening, and we’ll celebrate outside.”
Lin Xian looked at the message, her face blooming with happiness, and agreed, “Okay.”
They had dinner on the second floor of a mall just outside Jingnan University, followed by a movie upstairs. It was nearing ten o’clock when the movie ended.
They rode the elevator down to the parking garage to get their car, and unusually, Xiao Wanqing handed the car keys to Lin Xian, tilting her head with a gentle smile, gesturing for Lin Xian to drive.
Lin Xian blinked, a sudden sense of thrill and excitement soaring within her, but above all, she was touched. She had heard enough complaints from fellow learners about how hard it was to borrow a car, and she knew the kind of trust and generosity it took to hand over one’s cherished vehicle to a newbie driver who had just gotten their license.
Glancing at the luxurious car emblem that spoke of the vehicle’s value, Lin Xian asked in a low voice, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll scratch or bump the car?”
Xiao Wanqing placed the keys in Lin Xian’s hands, her voice warm and pleasant, encouraging with a smile, “If it gets scratched, it gets scratched. It’s inevitable when you’re just starting. Don’t feel burdened.”
“Paint jobs are expensive.”
At that, Xiao Wanqing let out a low chuckle, affectionately flicking Lin Xian’s nose and teasingly scolding, “Is it more precious than you? Silly.”
She took the initiative to hold Lin Xian’s hand, unlocking the car with Lin Xian’s fingertips before helping her to open the driver’s door. Her eyes were gentle as water, resembling a demure woman full of anticipation as she requested, “Lin Xiaoxian, would you take me for a drive?”
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This smart and considerate woman always knew how to persuade Lin Xian in the gentlest way possible, without injuring her pride. Lin Xian’s heart softened even more. Her eyebrows relaxed, and she couldn’t help but peck Xiao Wanqing on the lips swiftly. Then, bending forward in a bow with a smile, she joked, “Alright, as you command, my princess.”
Driving can really reveal a person’s underlying character.
Xiao Wanqing sat in the passenger seat, her demeanor cool and composed, though she was intently focused on Lin Xian’s handling of the vehicle and the road conditions. To her surprise, Lin Xian, usually impulsive and decisive in action, drove with a stability that contrasted her usual self, exhibiting calmness and composure, without hurry or contention.
Xiao Wanqing quietly breathed a sigh of relief, feeling more at ease about Lin Xian’s future driving.
She rolled down the window, turning her head to watch the rolling waves beneath the bridge, truly relaxing into the pleasure of the drive. She let the cool night breeze blow through her hair, her lips curved in a genuine smile of comfort.
Catching a glimpse of Xiao Wanqing’s rare relaxed and serene expression, Lin Xian’s heart began to soar with the cool breeze that blew in through the window.
After coming off the bridge, Lin Xian pondered for a moment before seizing the chance to seek a reward from Xiao Wanqing, “Xiao Xiaowan, I was so great, passing all the tests on the first try. Don’t you think you should reward me?”
Hearing her unabashed self-praise without a hint of shyness, Xiao Wanqing couldn’t help but chuckle. She glanced at Lin Xian and teased her, “Didn’t I already treat you to dinner and a movie tonight?”
“That was a celebration, not a reward,” Lin Xian argued with a mixture of earnestness and confidence. “I don’t care, you should just reward me. I’ve been super serious and it’s been super hard learning to drive.” Lin Xian began to whimper and whine playfully and coquettishly.
Xiao Wanqing had always been gullible from her charm; as soon as Lin Xian started acting cutesy, Xiao Wanqing’s resolve softened with no resistance whatsoever. Just a moment ago, she had been gently chiding her with a serious tone, “Focus on driving and watch the road. Don’t fidget.” But then, giving in to her indulgently, she asked, “What reward would you like, then?”
Lin Xian immediately suggested, “How about we go on a camping trip the weekend of June 15th? Um, and take Manman, Zhi Jin, Chen Zhi, Tang Mo with us. Of course, if you’re not comfortable with them, it can just be the two of us. If Manman comes along, she can help bring more equipment, she can also provide bodyguards to keep watch at night.”
“June 15th?” Xiao Wanqing murmured the date back, almost questioning. Lin Xian was talking about a date, not… “your birthday.” Was this intentionally planned, or did she genuinely not know and it was just a coincidence?
Pretending not to notice Xiao Wanqing’s puzzled expression, Lin Xian confidently nodded, “Yeah, we briefly discussed it and it seemed like the best day for everyone.”
Xiao Wanqing suppressed the doubt and faint disappointment in her heart, worrying aloud, “If you all go together, wouldn’t it be awkward to bring along this old auntie?”
Lin Xian pouted, giving Xiao Wanqing a dissatisfied look, and corrected her earnestly, “What old auntie? What’s there to be uncomfortable about? You’re my girlfriend, they’re my friends. Isn’t it normal for a friend’s girlfriend to hang out with us?” She paused, careful to gauge Xiao Wanqing’s expression, and then asked, “Chen Zhi and Tang Mo don’t know about our relationship… do you mind if they find out?”
She saw Xiao Wanqing hesitate noticeably.
Lin Xian turned away her gaze, looking straight ahead, as a thick wave of disappointment washed over her heart.
Perhaps she was being naive.
She was not normally one to care about the opinions of others, but in this case, the awareness of others about the romantic nature of her relationship with Xiao Wanqing mattered to her disproportionately. It wasn’t necessarily about seeking approval or blessings; it was about wanting others to know that they belonged to each other. Xiao Wanqing’s reluctance to let others know about their relationship inexplicably made Lin Xian feel insecure.
Subconsciously, she was afraid. Afraid that others, unaware, might covet Xiao Wanqing just like Wen Tong. She feared that Xiao Wanqing’s unwillingness to go public was a way of leaving an exit open for them both. But she, she never wanted a way out.
Aside from Xiao Wanqing, she needed no other path.
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Xiao Wanqing urged Lin Xian not to reveal their relationship too easily. On one hand, it was naturally to shield the naive Lin Xian from the world, and on the other hand, it also served to provide Lin Xian with an escape route.
In this world, once more than two people know something, it can hardly be called a secret anymore.
There are indeed those whose tight lips can be trusted, but the more people that know, the greater the possibility that more will find out. She feared that Lin Xian would be labeled in various ways because of their relationship, and even if one day Lin Xian were to leave her, those labels would be hard to shake off.
Yet, when she saw the unmistakable disappointment flash in Lin Xian’s eyes, her heart ached, and emotion trumped reason. She let down her guard and confessed to her, “I don’t mind. Xianxian, what I’m afraid of is that you might mind.” People like Chen Zhi and Tang Mo didn’t matter to her; she naturally didn’t care about that. What she feared was that the future Lin Xian might care.
Now, amidst the deep affection, Lin Xian naturally didn’t mind either. She answered Xiao Wanqing with certainty, “Of course, I don’t mind. I’m too happy to mind. Why should I?”
Xiao Wanqing looked into the girl’s clear and resolute eyes, feeling a mixture of compassion and love. Ultimately, she didn’t have the heart to explain any further, fearing it might hurt the girl. Instead, while waiting for a red light, she gently took the girl’s delicate hand and tenderly kissed the back of it.
After returning to the complex, Lin Xian got out of the car to collect a package she had been notified to pick up from the delivery room that morning, while Xiao Wanqing moved to the driver’s seat to park the car in the garage.
When Xiao Wanqing got upstairs after parking, the door of the house was ajar, indicating that Lin Xian had returned home before her. After closing the door, she entered the living room and saw Lin Xian squatting excitedly in front of the coffee table, opening the courier package.
Looking at the included card within the package, Lin Xian explained naturally to Xiao Wanqing, “Auntie Xiao, this package is from Xu Chengjun, the brother of a neighbor I mentioned before who studies in the United States. He said it’s a Children’s Day gift for me.”
Before harboring any inappropriate thoughts towards Lin Xian, Xiao Wanqing had heard Lin Xian casually mention this Xu Chengjun a few times. At that time, she didn’t take it to heart. However, now that she heard the name again, she felt an inexplicable discomfort at the pit of her stomach.
She sat down next to Lin Xian, scrutinizing the contents of the package—snacks and cosmetics all labeled in English—silently taking note that they might all be things Lin Xian likes. It wasn’t until Lin Xian took out a pair of matching couple’s mugs from the package that the subtle unease in Xiao Wanqing blossomed into a whirlwind of discomfort.
Her gentle face maintained a polite smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, and she awkwardly shifted her gaze to a throw pillow on the sofa. She lowered her eyelids, her long lashes concealing the emotion in her gaze—it seemed nonchalant as she casually remarked, “That’s a pretty unique mug.”
Lin Xian, absorbed in the novelty of her gifts, didn’t notice the change in Xiao Wanqing’s demeanor and tone. Hearing Xiao Wanqing’s comment, she examined the mug more carefully and agreed, “Hmm, it is quite unique, it seems to have an artistic touch.”
Xiao Wanqing pursed her lips slightly, her fluttering lashes casting shadows, and her eyes grew dimmer.
As Lin Xian looked at the mugs, she suddenly remembered something that had been nagging at her for a long time. A sly smile flickered in her eyes as she meaningfully suggested to Xiao Wanqing, “Let’s put these away for now. We just bought a few mugs a couple of months ago that we haven’t even used yet.”
Those couple’s toothbrushes and tooth mugs, after being bought, were subjected to Lin Xian’s numerous reconnaissance missions to Auntie Xiao’s bedroom bathroom, where she always found them tidily stored in the cabinet, never actually used. What’s the point of using a couple’s set alone? She felt a pang of sorrow as she packed away the couple’s set she had originally been so excited to display on the washbasin.
Upon hearing the girl’s offhand remark, Xiao Wanqing flicked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, her eyes flickering as they fixed upon the mug, yet she remained silent.
After wishing Xiao Wanqing goodnight, Lin Xian went alone to her own bathroom to wash up.
Standing in front of the mirror, brushing her teeth, she paused, looking down at the cup she had been using since she came to Xiao Wanqing’s place. With the toothbrush still in her mouth, she stopped mid-brush, opened the nearby cabinet, and took out their jointly purchased couple’s toothbrush and tooth mug. Holding it tenderly in her hands, she gazed at it with affection.
She had persuaded Xiao Wanqing to buy a couple’s set, and now, was she to coerce her into using it? If only Auntie Xiao could be more proactive.
While lost in thought, she heard a gentle tap on the bathroom door, which was ajar, followed by the light footsteps of a woman approaching.
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Instinctively, Lin Xian reached to put the cup back into the cabinet, but Xiao Wanqing’s steps were quicker; the woman’s gentle and beautiful visage appeared in the mirror before her in the next second.
Blinking, Lin Xian boldly placed the cup on the washbasin. She removed the toothbrush from her mouth, gazing into the mirror, and asked with curiosity, “Auntie Xiao, why did you come here?”
She saw the beautiful woman in the mirror holding a tooth mug identical to the one she had just put down, gently swaying it towards her.
Xiao Wanqing effortlessly stood by her side, placing her cup next to Lin Xian’s.
The two cups, one white and one red, came together to form a flawless heart.
Turning her face slightly, the woman’s eyes, gentle as water, smiled in response to Lin Xian, saying, “I’ve come to accompany my little girl while she brushes her teeth.”
The next second, a deeper curve appeared at Xiao Wanqing’s lips, her heart softly touched as she thought: Tomorrow, I’ll bring the towel over as well.
Because the girl had her face smeared with toothpaste foam.