A Willing Mistake, My Lady – Chapter 118
by Little PandaModern AU Extra 12
Final Chapter
Time passed quickly after the new year, and in their respective busyness, the Gaokao arrived. Jiang Chenyu’s goal was to test back into City A—it was time to close the net, after all.
Shen Hetang’s goal was to follow Jiang Chenyu and get into a sports university in City A. She felt somewhat adrift about her future plans. In the past, being outstanding meant winning medals, and winning medals occasionally brought prize money, so she rarely thought about what came next.
Now she needed to think ahead, only to find she had no particular calling for any matching major.
Coaching was something she could already do now, but she could not call it a passion. Security work, martial arts stunt performing, personal training—none of those felt reliable. She had two elderly grandparents to look after, so stability mattered.
But becoming a teacher, a civil servant, or a coaching instructor felt too stable for someone her age—as if she could see the entire road ahead at a glance.
Jiang Chenyu watched her scribble and doodle on paper, laughing at her for | yōngrén zìrǎo | Classical idiom: literally ‘ordinary people troubling themselves,’ meaning to worry over nothing; creating problems where none exist.”]worrying over nothing1. Everything could wait until after university. Who knew what opportunities might arise down the line—nobody could say for certain!
Shen Hetang agreed this made excellent sense. She would take things one step at a time. As long as the two of them were together, every day would be full of anticipation.
When their Gaokao scores came out, both of them finally breathed easy. They had been terrified that one bad performance might land them in different cities.
“Ah Tang, what are your plans for the break?” Jiang Chenyu had some | xiǎo jiǔ jiǔ | Colloquial term for hidden calculations or secret schemes; literally refers to the multiplication table but is used figuratively for personal ulterior plans.”]little calculations2 of her own, but she knew Ah Tang would usually go work part-time, so she probed in advance.
“Mm, after July 18th, I have lined up a martial arts gym to work as a substitute instructor for 40 days, four hours a day, 500 yuan a day. Other than that, I need to spend a week back at Grandma’s place. We are traveling far this time, so a lot of things need to be arranged in advance to set my mind at ease. Beyond that, no other plans.”
“Mm… so that means you have half a month that is mine.” Jiang Chenyu counted on her fingers.
“Right!” Shen Hetang took one look at her like that and completely surrendered.
“Then take me traveling. I want to go out and explore with you.” She inched closer as she spoke, pressing against her side.
“Where do you want to go?”
“I want to visit the Jiang Family Ancestral Residence. I have not been back to see it in years. Only Auntie Yao’s family has stayed there looking after the place. I remember when I was little, I was very close with their younger daughter, but after we moved away, I never saw her again.”
“Very close? How close?” Shen Hetang leaned in, wrapping her arms tight around the slender waist, being unreasonable on purpose.
“Mm, definitely not the same way as with you, so do not go | chī fēi cù | Colloquial extension of ‘eating vinegar’ (being jealous); ‘eating flying vinegar’ means getting jealous over baseless or frivolous reasons.”]eating flying vinegar3.” Jiang Chenyu swatted away her wandering fingers—it tickled.
Shen Hetang thought about the substitute teaching gig she had lined up. It came through her | shījiě | Senior martial sister; a female senior fellow student under the same martial arts master.”]shijie4, who was pregnant and could only work until July 20th, so she passed the odd job opportunity along. It should be | bǎn shàng dīng dīng | Idiom meaning ‘a sure thing’ or ‘nailed down’; literally nails hammered into a board, fixed and immovable.”]nailed down5 for certain, which meant taking Jiang Chenyu out for a trip was feasible.
She had 200,000 yuan in savings in her card that she did not want to touch, in case the elderly had any sudden health issues so she would not be caught unprepared.
Her smaller card, after adding and subtracting everything, still had 15,000 yuan left. Perfect—that would be enough.
She knew the gap between them was considerable, but what could she do? What was wrong with having a girlfriend who was a little rich heiress? She did not feel that two people in a relationship should require Jiang Chenyu to lower her standard of living to accommodate her—that would defeat the whole point.
What she needed was to adjust her own mindset, to offer the greatest sincerity within her limited means. Even for a heaven-sent match, keeping the relationship fresh and enduring required long-term effort and commitment from both sides to maintain. So she would leave the rest to time!
After Shen Hetang agreed to go traveling with Jiang Chenyu, the very next day Jiang Chenyu presented her with a motorhome.
She had prepared it well in advance. Their two universities were some distance apart, and they could not very well hunt for a hotel every time they went on a date.
She had also considered buying an apartment, but since both of them were still in school, buying near campus was not practical. And since she had places she wanted to visit anyway, a motorhome was an excellent choice.
There was another reason: Shen Hetang had to work part-time, so living on campus would be inconvenient. Renting an apartment would mean sharing with several roommates, and she could not bear that.
“Do you like it? From now on you will be my driver. I could not bring myself to be the | Zhōu Bāpí | A notorious exploitative landlord from the Chinese children’s story ‘The Rooster Crows at Midnight,’ infamous for squeezing every last drop of labor from his workers.”]Zhou Bapi6 who exploits the toiling masses, so I have to give you some sweetener, right?” Jiang Chenyu held her hand, secretly watching her expression.
“Thank you, darling. I love it. And… do not have any misgivings. I am not the type to | ruǎn fàn yìng chī | Slang: literally ‘eating soft rice hard,’ meaning to live off someone else’s money while acting tough and unapologetic about it.”]shamelessly live off a woman’s money7.” Seeing her uncertain little look, Shen Hetang made clear that she was an ordinary person who would not treat wealth as dirt.
“I am not losing out either. I get a driver, chef, and bodyguard all for free. We are even—in fact, by that math, I might be the one coming out ahead!”
“Take me up and let me have a look!”
“Okay!”
To keep a low profile, she had only bought a plain white one, but whether the exterior or the interior, it closely resembled a proper home.
Starting from the entryway at the rear, with a wooden door in the middle and windows on both sides, stepping inside put the kitchen on the left and the dining booth on the right—a blend of solid wood and white, simple and airy and comfortable, very much like Nordic pastoral style.
Beyond the dining booth was a two-person sofa, across from a stylishly designed glass window. When bored, you could curl up on the sofa with a cup of coffee and take in the scenery outside, or lower the projector screen and watch a movie together.
Further ahead were the basic facilities—the bathroom, washing machine, and bathtub, all sensibly arranged in the corners.
Climbing up the ladder led to a spacious double bed. The clearance from the bed to the ceiling was generous, so it did not feel cramped. This space also served as storage for clothes and miscellaneous items.
The interior maximized every inch of space, while the exterior looked fairly modest—not some hulking behemoth—perfectly suited for two young women traveling together.
“When do we set off? I will go buy some food and supplies.”
“Let us say the day after tomorrow.” Shen Hetang counted the days. She had already spent many days at Grandma’s while waiting for the acceptance notice, and everything that needed preparing was more or less ready.
“Wow, wonderful! Then I will go prepare outfits tomorrow. We set off the day after tomorrow—in this gorgeous weather, I am going to buy lots of little floral dresses!”
“Okay, go buy floral dresses.” She stroked Jiang Chenyu’s sleek long hair, which now fell past her waist yet remained as thick and dark as a waterfall, impossible to let go of.
The two set off in high spirits toward Jiang Chenyu’s ancestral hometown. She wore a cropped floral camisole paired with white hot pants, her long hair braided into two plaits, those dazzling bare legs on full display.
Every so often she would scamper up to the driver’s seat to flirt with the person behind the wheel, then skip away mischievously.
“How about we take a nap?” Sunlight fell on her pale, lovely legs, giving them a faint golden sheen.
Shen Hetang pulled the motorhome over beside a small river, locked the doors, and reached out to haul her back in. They had both graduated now—who would still worry about that sort of thing?
“Ah… hahaha… let go of me… you are pinching my waist, it hurts.” She was tossed onto the bed.
“ | zǎo zhī jīnrì, hébì dāngchū | Classical idiom: ‘if you had known today would come, why did you do it back then’; expressing that one should have anticipated the consequences of their actions.”]If you had known this day would come, why did you start it8? Now you want to run? I am afraid it is too late.” She had endured her teasing for a long time, ever since the first time they shared a bed and Jiang Chenyu unconsciously snuggled close.
“Hey, the window is not closed!” Jiang Chenyu crossed her arms over her chest, swaying and dodging this way and that.
“It is fine, there is nobody around.” Sunlight reflected in through the headboard, falling across her body, so beautiful it was impossible to look away.
She leaned in and began kissing from her forehead. Jiang Chenyu closed her eyes, her long lashes more beautiful than butterfly wings. By the time Jiang Chenyu was lost in the moment, her floral clothes had long since vanished.
Fervent kisses trailed slowly downward, leaving one ambiguous mark after another on skin so pale it was translucent, each one deepening the intoxication.
“Ah… ah…!” The forceful suction turned the already enchanting beauty to something like a puddle of water, a flush spreading across her whole body. The sunlight fell directly on her face, so she raised one hand to rest limply over her eyes.
Her other hand rested on Ah Tang’s hair, occasionally giving a halfhearted push that felt more like a coy invitation to continue. Her pink lips parted slightly, unstifled murmurs spilling out. Fine beads of sweat formed on her forehead, dampening a few strands of hair that clung to her cheeks, making her look all the more devastatingly beautiful.
When she felt the shorts being unbuttoned, she opened her eyes uneasily, a pair of misty, watery eyes looking at her with a hint of accusation.
Shen Hetang ignored her, instead taking her hand and guiding it beneath her own shirt.
And she explored with abandon, like a patient and determined hunter, breaking through her prey’s defenses one by one.
At first Jiang Chenyu was still fooled by the sweets Ah Tang offered, but eventually she could hold out no longer and wrapped her arms around her neck again, calling against her ear, “Ah Tang… Ah Tang… ah… ah!”
She would also meet Ah Tang’s exceptionally bright gaze, showing off her own blossoming beauty.
She could feel every detail clearly—the rough pads of the fingers, the slightly hard knuckles, the strength of the entire wrist—she could feel it all.
In the end, like a fish dying of thirst, she waited for the other to give her water, then fell asleep in her arms until nightfall.
When Jiang Chenyu woke, the sky had already darkened. The curtains were drawn, and she was wrapped in a blanket, hair in disarray, nestled in the bed.
She changed into a loose camisole dress and, not seeing Ah Tang inside the motorhome, stepped outside.
Fairy lights were strung up outside. Ah Tang sat alone, grilling chicken wings, greens, and bread. On the small table beside her sat a glass of freshly squeezed juice.
“Awake? Hungry? I grilled you mushrooms, corn, broccoli, and potato slices.” She waved her over.
Jiang Chenyu, still drowsy and weak, drifted over to Shen Hetang, her skirt caught by the wind like a great fan.
Shen Hetang quickly pulled her onto her lap, lest a spark fly onto the hem of her dress.
Seeing her casually draped waist-length hair, she slipped the hair tie off her own wrist and gathered up the long locks for her.
Jiang Chenyu lazily rested her head against her chest, still in a hazy, half-awake daze.
“Have some juice first. It was chilling in the fridge for a bit, so the taste is just right now.”
“Mm…!” Jiang Chenyu merely nodded, not shifting from her comfortable lean.
Shen Hetang reached for the juice, slipped the straw between her lips, and Jiang Chenyu drank in big gulps with her eyes closed, her cheeks puffing in and out adorably.
Shen Hetang watched with amusement. “And here I thought you were not thirsty!”
Jiang Chenyu said nothing. After finishing the juice, she buried her face back in the crook of her neck and continued being lazy.
“Want some bread?”
Jiang Chenyu nodded feebly. Shen Hetang understood—prompt service was the order of the day.
“There are a lot of mosquitoes out here. Let us go back inside in a bit. I will watch a movie with you.”
At this, Jiang Chenyu’s eyes lit up. She smiled and nodded. “Okay!”
After three or four days of driving, they finally arrived at Jiang Chenyu’s ancestral hometown—a picturesque ancient city nestled against mountains and water, with the old residence situated right in the heart of town.
“I have already been in touch with Auntie Yao, who looks after the place. She knew I was coming and should have cleaned up in advance. I have not been back in so long that I have no memory of it anymore.”
“That is fine. Once you visit this time, you will remember.” From Jiang Chenyu’s description, Shen Hetang was also full of curiosity about the place.
They drove to the entrance of the alley—no further in was possible by car—so they found an open spot to park and got out on foot.
Before long, they spotted a woman in her mid-forties, neatly and practically dressed, standing outside the gate, craning her neck expectantly.
“You must be Miss Chenyu, right? I am your Auntie Yao! Here… here…!”
The woman waved warmly in their direction. Seeing her demeanor, Shen Hetang relaxed a little.
Before coming, she had not been entirely sure. After all, it was a house that had been unvisited for over a decade—given enough time, who knew whether anyone might have gotten ideas of | jiū zhàn què cháo | Classical idiom: ‘the dove occupies the magpie’s nest,’ meaning to usurp someone else’s place or position.”]the dove taking the magpie’s nest9. Seeing this woman’s kind face, things seemed much better than imagined!
The gate still bore a plaque reading “Jiang Manor,” antique and elegant, somewhat at odds with the modern era.
By rights, an old estate like this should feel gloomy and oppressive, but Shen Hetang had an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
“Auntie Yao, how did you recognize me?”
“Aiy, even if I did not recognize you, how could I not recognize your parents? Besides, you look exactly the same as when you were little—have not changed a bit!”
“Hehe, is that so. Auntie Yao, is Xiaochun not here?” Thinking of her childhood playmate, she asked casually.
“That girl—after the Gaokao, she insisted on going off to work like other people’s kids, and she still has not come home!”
“Oh, that is fine. It is good for young people to be independent. It is just a pity I will not get to see her this trip. Who knows if I will ever have the chance again.”
“Of course you will! She also tested into a university in City A with a friend. She told me she would definitely go visit you, Miss, when she had the chance.”
“Hahaha, Auntie Yao, just call me Chenyu.”
“Sure, sure. You two go rest first. I have tidied up the room your mother stayed in when she was a young lady. You can stay there. Auntie Yao will go cook right away.”
The woman led them through covered corridors to a spacious room. The decor inside felt like stepping back into ancient times, especially the Huanghuali canopy bed against the far wall—who knew how many years it had endured, yet it remained intact and lustrous.
Naturally, the room also had modern amenities, but Shen Hetang could not help feeling they were out of place here. Perhaps antique elegance was the best way to preserve it.
“I did not expect that after so long, this place would still be clean, tidy, and livable. It is all thanks to your care, Auntie Yao. Otherwise, who knows what it might have become.” Jiang Chenyu looked around with emotion.
That night, the two of them really did sleep on that Huanghuali canopy bed. Road fatigue sent them both quickly into dreamland.
In her dream, Jiang Chenyu saw a teahouse teeming with people, the crowd buzzing about something she could not make out. On the second floor stood a veiled, lovely young woman, conferring with the little maid beside her.
Slowly, she found a familiar face in the crowd—it was Ah Tang. Why would Ah Tang be here?
She watched helplessly as that young lady led Ah Tang into a private room. She reached out to stop it but could not. She stamped her foot in frustration.
But then, she saw what was happening inside the private room. That woman was clutching Ah Tang’s sleeve, entangling with her. Just as her anxiety peaked, she caught a clear look at the woman’s face—a lotus face, | táohuā yǎn | A Chinese aesthetic ideal for eyes with slightly upturned outer corners and a dreamy, romantic quality, shaped like peach blossoms.”]peach-blossom eyes10, a fine straight nose, and lips like cherry blossoms. She looked almost exactly like herself.
She had not expected that her own face, framed by ancient attire, could be considered a true stunner. But her focus seemed somewhat misplaced—why was she dreaming about herself and Ah Tang? Or perhaps this was their past life.
She had always said that when she first met Ah Tang, she had felt a familiar pull to be close to her. It turned out that was not a delusion, but destiny.
Just as she was still pondering this, the scene shifted to an antique canopy bed—was this not the very Huanghuali bed they were sleeping in tonight?
Pale pink bed curtains overlay the silhouettes of two women, entwined in intimate embrace. Soul-stirring low moans, ambiguous kisses, and perhaps other sounds besides—she was too embarrassed to keep listening. She wanted to leave but could not, until the curtain was lifted just a corner, and she saw that face so identical to her own, every trace of passion blooming at the corners of her eyes and brows.
She could not quite name her feelings at this point. She was terrified that she had | lǜ màozi | A Chinese cultural metaphor for cuckoldry; wearing a green hat signifies that one’s partner has been unfaithful.”]cuckolded11 Ah Tang, so she had to see the face beneath the curtains to set her mind at ease.
Fortunately, heaven gave her the chance. Through the gap, she saw the two kissing—and the other person was indeed Ah Tang. Only then did she close her eyes in relief. She had been so drowsy she could barely keep her eyes open, yet she had stubbornly stood there waiting to confirm that other face before she could leave in peace.
Sometime in the middle of the night, it seemed to rain outside. Jiang Chenyu woke with a start and wrapped her arms around Shen Hetang’s slim waist, murmuring against her ear, “Ah Tang, I think I loved you even before this life.”
“Mm.” The sleeping woman did not know what she was responding to, only instinctively pulled her closer.
After three days at the ancestral residence, Jiang Chenyu planned to head back. She told Auntie Yao that she had no intention of selling the old estate. If Xiaochun’s mother wished to stay on, she would continue paying her a salary for the upkeep.
With that, the two drove the motorhome to where Shen Hetang would be substitute teaching. By happy coincidence, they ran into Xiaochun, who was working out of town, along with a friend of hers surnamed Jiang. The several of them shared a meal together.
University life passed just as quickly. Jiang Chenyu was busy dismantling Wu Daoyuan’s psychological defenses—and was nearly done.
Shen Hetang, when not busy, would compete in tournaments and occasionally achieve outstanding results. Even before graduation, she had been pre-selected by a police bureau—she would report for duty after graduating. In fact, even before she finished school, she was sometimes borrowed on a temporary basis.
When the day came for her to report, Jiang Chenyu felt something was off. Shen Hetang took her to the hospital first, where she was examined all morning, but nothing turned up.
Then in the afternoon, news broke that the police station where she was to report had an explosive incident—a man had tried to blow up the station, and an innocent university student had been caught in the crossfire. That student might even have been a fellow recruit. The news left a complicated taste in her mouth.
But she was not about to let something like that make her reconsider. Work was work.
A month later, she passed her probation and became a true People’s Police officer. Jiang Chenyu did not love her line of work, but that did not stop her eyes from lighting up at the sight of that uniform.
At first, worried that she might be bullied by | lǎo yóutiáo | Slang: literally ‘old fried dough stick,’ meaning a seasoned, streetwise operator who has seen it all and cannot be easily rattled.”]old hands12 on the job, Jiang Chenyu would always pick her up in a luxury car. Whenever this happened, colleagues would tease and clamor: “Who is this beauty? Can you introduce her to us brothers?”
To her joking colleagues, she would only say, “This is my wife. We have a marriage certificate.”
Then, under the gaze of everyone present, she would wrap her arm around the radiant, dazzling beauty, get in the car, and speed away.
The author has something to say:
Darlings, see you in the next book, bye-bye!!!
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