A once in a lifetime thing
Lin Zhan greeted Xiao Wanqing to sit on the sofa in the living room. Zhou Qin brought them pre-cut fruit and then went into the kitchen to prepare noodles and lunch. Xiao Wanqing felt embarrassed letting Zhou Qin do all the work alone; she wanted to get up and help in the kitchen, but Lin Zhan stopped her: “Xiaowan, it’s specially prepared for you. How can I let you do it yourself?”
He then turned to Lin Xian who was sitting next to Xiao Wanqing, fearing that she might not dare to eat anything and politely forked two pieces of fruit to offer to Xiao Wanqing. With a change of tone, he instructed, “Xianxian, go help your mom.”
Lin Zhan didn’t really need Lin Xian to help Zhou Qin; he just hoped to have a few words alone with Xiao Wanqing. Also, he wanted to create some time for Lin Xian and Zhou Qin to be alone.
Over the years, the relationship between Lin Xian and Zhou Qin had been extremely tense, with very few times when the mother and daughter were alone. Lin Zhan was caught in the middle, torn between them. He knew his daughter had some issues, but seeing his wife so melancholic, he couldn’t help but feel heartbroken. In the past, he didn’t say much, but now, finally, things seemed to be taking a turn for the better. Anyway, they were still a family who cared for one another.
Although Lin Xian didn’t interact with Zhou Qin much on a daily basis, over the years, she had never neglected to provide various supplements and health products tailored for Zhou Qin’s body. The new clothes bought for Zhou Qin during festivals and the souvenirs brought back from business trips all showed her thoughtfulness. Some cracks may never fully heal once they occur, and Lin Zhan didn’t expect mother and daughter to return to their previous intimacy, but he still hoped Lin Xian and Zhou Qin could mend their relationship a little.
Lin Xian heard her father’s instructions and didn’t immediately move. Instead, she glanced at Xiao Wanqing, silently seeking her opinion.
She could easily grasp the meaning behind her father’s words. She knew that Xiao Panpan must have understood as well. It was just that Lin Zhan’s attitude over the years had made her trust that he wouldn’t hurt Xiao Wanqing again, so she could confidently leave them alone. But she still needed Xiao Panpan’s personal instructions to completely reassure herself.
Xiao Wanqing gave Lin Xian a slight smile and jokingly expressed her agreement, saying, “Can you pick a smaller bowl for me when you serve the noodles later?”
Lin Xian and Lin Zhan were puzzled at first, but then they both burst into laughter as they understood.
“Xianxian, give this to your Xiao…” Lin Zhan intended to say “give this to your Auntie Xiao,” but he hesitated when he noticed Lin Xian’s affectionate posture, with her arm around Xiao Wanqing’s neck and bending down with a smile, realizing it wasn’t appropriate. He quickly changed his wording, saying, “Give this to your Xiao…um, to your Xiao Panpan the biggest bowl, she made a bold claim and will definitely finish it.”
When Lin Zhan uttered the phrase “your Xiao Panpan,” Xiao Wanqing and Lin Xian were both momentarily stunned. In the next moment, Xiao Wanqing bit her lip, feeling embarrassed as she lowered her gaze, her blushing ears revealing her inner shyness and sweetness.
Lin Xian, on the other hand, didn’t show any signs of shyness towards her father. She grinned broadly, reaching out with her cool hand to sweetly pat her beloved’s ears, protecting her wife as she said, “Dad, I can’t agree to that. If Panpan overeats and feels uncomfortable, it’s me who will feel sorry for her.”
Lin Zhan was taken aback, then chuckled helplessly, saying, “As the saying goes, girls are uncontrollable. You don’t give face to your dad at all. Never mind, I can see right through you, feeling heartbroken.”
Ignoring Lin Zhan’s lament, Lin Xian playfully stuck out her tongue at him, then turned to Xiao Wanqing with a smile and gestured, “I’ll go help my mom now.”
Xiao Wanqing nodded in response.
In the kitchen, Zhou Qin watched the boiling water in the pot, listened to the laughter and chatter around her, lowered her eyelids, and concealed her sadness. Lost in her thoughts, Lin Xian knocked on the kitchen door, causing Zhou Qin to reflexively move her hand, accidentally nudging the lid of the pot and letting the steam scald her wrist, making her hiss in pain.
Lin Xian was taken aback and quickly rushed over, taking Zhou Qin’s hand and leading her to the sink, where she turned on cold water to run over her arm. Frowning, Lin Xian gently rolled up Zhou Qin’s sleeve and scolded her in a slightly anxious tone, “Boiling the water, what were you thinking, not being careful at all.”
Glancing at Lin Xian, Zhou Qin saw the clear concern on her daughter’s face, which touched her heart. Quickly averting her gaze, she didn’t answer Lin Xian’s question, turned off the water, withdrew her hand, and awkwardly asked, “There’s freshly stewed lamb soup and duck soup at home. Do you know which type of instant noodles Xiaowan prefers?”
Without hesitation, Lin Xian replied, “Duck soup, she doesn’t like strong flavors too much. Besides, we’ll have lunch later, so just a light snack is enough. You don’t need to make too much.” Then, with a hint of worry, she added, “Don’t cook, I’ll go get some burn cream for you. I’ll handle the noodles.”
As she watched Lin Xian’s slender figure leave, Zhou Qin felt a sense of loss in her heart. Lin Xian had grown up to be stable and capable, able to take charge on her own. But from a naive and proud young girl to the person she was now, the sacrifices and hardships she endured were known only to herself. Over the years, she had been frustrated, heartbroken, and later, filled with regret and guilt. But having been proud for so long, being a mother, an elder, a flawless adult for so long, she couldn’t bring herself to bow down and express the regret and guilt she felt towards her daughter.
Every time Lin Xian went out to search for Xiao Wanqing, she would be anxious and sleepless. Turning from side to side, Lin Zhan would sigh and scold her for being stubborn and wanting to save face even at the cost of suffering. She knew she was that kind of person, so everything she was experiencing now was just what she deserved.
In the living room, after carefully inquiring about Xiao Wanqing’s life for the past few years, Lin Zhan started talking about Zhou Qin. When he mentioned Zhou Qin’s stubborn personality, he sincerely apologized, saying to Xiao Wanqing, “Xiaowan, on behalf of myself and your sister for our actions back then, let me say sorry to you. Forcing you to leave Anjiang City was never our intention, but we were the ones who caused this outcome. After calming down and reflecting on ourselves, we realized how excessive our actions were, what terrible decisions we made, and we felt ashamed. Saying sorry is too light a word, but besides sorry, there are no other words to truly express our guilt and regret towards you. Your sister may have seemed a bit cold just now, but please don’t overthink it. She is just feeling awkward, not knowing how to face you. To be honest, she did blame you, but later she blamed herself for her mistakes. She hasn’t had a good day all these years. She’s been too stubborn, not willing to bow down or show any weakness, suffering just to save face.”
Xiao Wanqing graciously shook her head in understanding, saying, “Brother, you don’t need to apologize. I also had my faults in those past events, and I understand the feelings of you both as parents. It’s in the past, so let it go. I have never blamed you. I know my sister’s temper and personality after so many years of interacting with her, so don’t worry, I understand it all.”
Pausing for a moment, she suddenly thought about the confusion that had been buried in the chaos of the past, “I suddenly remembered and wanted to ask, how did my sister end up at my house so early on the first day of the New Year?” And with a spare key? She added silently to herself.
Lin Zhan’s eyes dimmed for a moment, sighing before replying, “After midnight that night, she received an anonymous email with intimate photos of you and Xianxian, implying an unusual relationship between you. She was suspicious and couldn’t believe it, so she drove over to seek confirmation.” Seeing Xiao Wanqing’s confusion, he added, “I later found out when she was in the hospital, the email was sent by a male classmate of Xianxian’s school. You should know him, the one who previously reported Xianxian. It turns out, because of his earlier report, he was put on the counselor’s blacklist, and unintentionally lost many honors and opportunities to Xianxian in competition. Fueled by resentment, he did this to retaliate against Xianxian. He probably knew the teachers wouldn’t believe him, but parents would not sit idly by, so he deliberately made sure Xianxian didn’t have it easy.”
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Xiao Wanqing’s face turned serious and cold, her eyebrows furrowed slightly, as she coldly asked, “What happened to that boy later?” She rarely showed such true anger, her hand on her knee involuntarily clenched into a fist, filled with anger, wishing that the cunning and despicable boy could also experience the sense of defeat, betrayal, and alienation.
If, if it weren’t for his interference, she and Xianxian had planned and prepared carefully, maybe they wouldn’t have endured so many years of separation, Xianxian wouldn’t have suffered so much pain and wounds.
Lin Zhan obviously harbored deep hatred towards the person who hurt his daughter, speaking in a low voice, “Because we were afraid Xianxian would be retaliated against again, we didn’t make a fuss about it. We received evidence of the boy’s misconduct from Xianxian’s friends back then. With the help of Wen Tong, some students involved in media work, and me and Qinqin, we anonymously brought this matter to light on the internet. He was expelled from the party membership at school and stripped of all positions on campus. In academic circles, no professor would want to accept such a tainted student. There were too many people gossiping in school, he probably couldn’t bear the atmosphere, and eventually dropped out.”
He paid the price for his own mistakes for a lifetime. Hearing this outcome, Xiao Wanqing’s anger slowly subsided, but she didn’t feel relieved either. She didn’t sympathize with him like a saint, after all, she and Lin Xian had nearly had their lives changed. She just felt a bit regretful. For the first time, she and Lin Xian had given him a chance…
Taking a deep breath, she promised to Lin Zhan, “From now on, I won’t let anyone have the opportunity to hurt Xianxian like that again.”
Lin Zhan smiled and shook his head, reassuring her, “It’s okay, Xiaowan, in the future, no one will be able to use us to hurt you. You don’t care, Xianxian doesn’t care either, and her mother and I have also let it go. Our life is our own, you and Xianxian are both strong enough, as long as our family is happy and harmonious, it doesn’t matter what those irrelevant people say or do.”
Receiving understanding and support from her closest and most beloved family members was Xiao Wanqing’s long-cherished yet distant dream for the first half of her life. She gazed at Lin Zhan’s gentle and loving face, her eyes involuntarily turning red, with a glint of moisture starting to appear in her clear eyes.
Xiao Wanqing may seem fragile but actually strong, and Lin Zhan seldom saw this vulnerable and sensitive side of her since she grew up. For a moment, he felt a little at a loss, unsure of how to comfort her.
Lin Xian finished cooking noodles and came out to call Xiao Wanqing to the dining room, only to see her Xiao Panpan looking like she was on the verge of tears. She immediately felt her heart tighten, hurried over to Xiao Wanqing, put her arm around her shoulder in a protective gesture, and with a raised voice and furrowed brows, angrily scolded Lin Zhan, “Dad, what did you say?!”
Before Lin Zhan could respond, she lowered her head and in a softer tone, gently coaxed Xiao Wanqing, “Panpan, let’s not eat, let’s go home.” She pretended to lead Xiao Wanqing away.
Xiao Wanqing was taken aback for a moment, quelling the tumult in her heart, then immediately grabbed Lin Xian’s sleeve in embarrassment and awkwardly explained, “No, no, Xianxian, you misunderstood. It was your father’s support and understanding that made me feel emotional for a moment, that’s why… I reacted like that.”
Lin Zhan watched his daughter’s completely different attitude towards him and Xiao Wanqing, feeling both angry and amused. He stood up, let out a cold “hmph” from his nose, and dissatisfiedly said, “Is this how you see me in your heart? I’ve really been doting on you for nothing.” With that, he unhappily brushed his sleeves and walked away.
Lin Xian hesitated for a moment, a hint of guilt showing on her face.
Xiao Wanqing smiled gently, patted her hand, and asked her, “Is the noodles ready?”
Lin Xian nodded.
“I’ll go eat the noodles, you go quickly cheer up your father, don’t let him be upset.”
Lin Xian was concerned and hesitated, “My mother is also in the dining room…”
Xiao Wanqing dismissed her worries with a smile and cheerfully said, “So what if she’s there? Your mother is not a tiger, and I’m not a rabbit. Don’t worry, go ahead, I also have something to talk to your mother about.”
While Lin Xian was still hesitating, Xiao Wanqing stood up directly, took her hand, and childishly urged her to go, saying, “Hurry up…”
Lin Xian chuckled lightly and finally obeyed her.
Xiao Wanqing paused to watch Lin Xian enter the study before shifting her gaze. She stood in place, suppressing her smile slightly. After a few seconds, she let out a radiant smile and then turned to enter the adjacent dining room.
In the dining room, Zhou Qin, wearing an apron, sat in the middle of the long table. Upon hearing footsteps, she looked straight towards Xiao Wanqing.
Their eyes met, and Xiao Wanqing sincerely pressed her lips together and softly smiled, finally calling out a title she had hesitated to use before, “Sister.”
Zhou Qin, looking at Xiao Wanqing whom she had been estranged from due to her own actions, choked up, feeling a sudden soreness in her throat and nose. After hesitating with trembling lips for a while, she finally responded in a hoarse voice, “Xiaowan, come in and eat noodles.”
“Okay,” Xiao Wanqing obediently replied. As she pulled out a chair and sat down, she chuckled and said, “Let me taste and see if my sister’s cooking skills have deteriorated.” Her tone was familiar and warm, just like Zhou Qin remembered.
Zhou Qin watched her, like when she was a child, still preferring to drink a mouthful of soup with both hands holding the bowl when eating noodles, her nose feeling a bit stuffy. With a nasal tone, she chuckled and replied, “I’m afraid I can’t compare to Xianxian now, she has surpassed her teacher.”
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Xiao Wanqing took a sip of the soup, her sweet smile saying, “Still so delicious. Sister, your noodles are a treasure, they carry the flavor of my memories, unmatched.” As she spoke, she picked up a small piece of noodles with her chopsticks, brushed away some stray strands of hair, and elegantly slurped.
Zhou Qin watched her actions, seeing her graceful profile and the glimpse of her fair little ear, feeling a sudden prick in her heart.
“Is your ear okay?” she suddenly asked.
Xiao Wanqing’s chopsticks paused, taking a few seconds to realize what Zhou Qin was asking. She casually rubbed her ear and said, “It’s fine, Wen Tong was just too nervous. It was a minor issue at the time, and after taking medication, it gradually healed on its own.”
She remembered when Lin Xian nervously asked her the same question when they reunited.
At that time, she reassured Lin Xian that everything was fine, but Lin Xian was unsure. The girl covered the ear that had not been injured, insistently whispered by her other ear, and then had her repeat to confirm. Later, confirming that her ear was indeed fine, Lin Xian happily teased her for a while before changing course, tricking her into reciting many sweet words to her. It was only after a long time that she realized she had fallen into the trap of this little clever trickster.
Thinking back to that scene, the curve of Xiao Wanqing’s lips deepened.
Zhou Qin didn’t know what Xiao Wanqing was thinking. She looked at Xiao Wanqing’s sincerely tolerant smile, her hands involuntarily wringing on her apron. Ultimately, guilt overwhelmed pride, and she struggled to speak, “Xiaowan, about what happened before, I…”
Before she could finish her sentence, Xiao Wanqing, as if sensing her difficulty, considerately interrupted her, saying, “Sister, the past is in the past, let’s forget about it, okay? Let’s not mention it again and just look forward, alright?”
Xiao Wanqing’s magnanimity and thoughtfulness actually made Zhou Qin’s heart ache even more. She cleared her throat, shook her head, and earnestly said, “It’s in the past, but I still owe you an apology.”
“I was too hasty back then, my blame towards you was unjust, and the words I said to you were cruel and malicious, despite you calling me sister.” She seemed embarrassed and awkward, her voice growing hoarse and strained as she continued. Yet, she kept her gaze on Xiao Wanqing, speaking each word clearly and solemnly.
“Xiaowan, I apologize to you, I’m sorry. I’m not asking for your forgiveness, I just hope that you and Lin Xian will have a happy life together in the future, a life full of happiness.”
Xiao Wanqing had thought she had truly let go, truly didn’t care anymore, to the point where she could calmly face Lin Xian and Lin Zhan’s apologies, comforting them with understanding. However, when the words “I’m sorry” were earnestly spoken by Zhou Qin, a childish wave of grievance suddenly surged in her heart. Tears welled up in her eyes and streamed down uncontrollably, making Xiao Wanqing choke on her words.
It turned out she still vividly remembered the pain and grievance buried in her heart when Zhou Qin coldly questioned her, the suffocating anguish, and the indescribable despair. She once considered Zhou Qin as one of the closest people in this world, someone she respected and loved almost like an older sister since childhood. The way Zhou Qin treated her with contempt, hatred, expulsion, and relentless attacks, mercilessly piercing her heart over and over again…
Hurt from those close to you hurts even more when you value them.
However, hearing Zhou Qin’s sincere apology, receiving Zhou Qin’s heartfelt blessing, Xiao Wanqing’s grievances seemed to finally receive solace, and her emotions gradually calmed down, feeling content and satisfied, with no other desires. She wiped away the tears from her cheeks, tears glistening like pear blossoms in the rain, faintly choked up, saying softly, “It’s okay, sis. I admit I was really aggrieved, but I also truly understand you. In my heart, you have always been my closest sister, and that has never changed.”
Tears also welled up in Zhou Qin’s eyes, and she found it hard to speak for a moment. Feeling embarrassed after showing vulnerability, she lowered her gaze to wipe her tears, stiffly changing the subject to remind them, “Let’s eat the noodles, they’re getting cold.”
Xiao Wanqing softly agreed, wiping away her tears with a tissue and earnestly focusing on eating the noodles.
After a while, Zhou Qin adjusted her emotions, showing a smile for the first time since their reunion, and said, “Perhaps I can’t always be your closest sister.”
Xiao Wanqing paused with her chopsticks and looked at Zhou Qin in confusion.
She watched as Zhou Qin pulled out a small piece of red cloth from her coat and placed it on the table. Unwrapping the red cloth revealed a translucent emerald green jade bracelet inside.
Zhou Qin reached over and gently took Xiao Wanqing’s left hand from the edge of the bowl, deftly sliding the bracelet onto her fair wrist, saying softly, “It’s not something valuable, but it’s a family heirloom. When I married in, Xianxian’s grandmother passed it to me, saying it was given to her by her mother-in-law when she got married, who knows how many generations it has been passed down. I had planned to give it to Xianxian as part of her dowry in the future.” She chuckled in resignation and amusement, then continued, “I never expected to have a daughter and still end up being a mother-in-law.”
Xiao Wanqing’s face turned completely red, the jade bracelet against her skin, which should have felt cool, but instead made her feel flushed all over.
She touched the bracelet, murmuring, “Sis…” She inexplicably stuttered, finding the address of “sister” suddenly feeling odd and out of place, “Ah, I…”
Zhou Qin understood Xiao Wanqing’s shyness but still earnestly expressed her concern, “Perhaps my thinking is still old-fashioned, but I feel that since you both have already acknowledged each other and are at the age to start a family, even though you can’t officially register or have a grand wedding, there should still be some sense of ceremony. Even if it’s just setting up a few tables and inviting close and trusted friends and family. With everyone’s witness and blessings, solemnly make promises, establish a family, understand the responsibilities to each other and to this family, and strive together from now on, supporting each other. It might feel a bit different.”
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event, and I don’t want you to have any regrets. I have prepared what needs to be prepared for you and Xianxian. For anything that requires our help as elders, feel free to ask.”
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The motherly love in her words was evident, and Xiao Wanqing was touched. She set down her chopsticks, revealing a gentle smile, and said sincerely, “Sis, rest assured, I won’t let Xianxian feel aggrieved and blindly follow me. Yes, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event, and I also don’t want Xianxian to have any regrets. I want to give her an unforgettable memory.”
When it came to Lin Xian, she was never unwilling to give, never unwilling to receive, but she always wanted to give her the best within her capabilities.
She shared her plans with Zhou Qin, “I’m planning to go on a trip to Northern Europe with Xianxian during spring break. When we come back, I’ll rely on you for help to prepare a wedding banquet on a small scale.”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Qin immediately felt relieved, her eyes forming smiling crescents, responding with three enthusiastic “Good, good, good.” “It’s good to have your own ideas.”
At that moment, Lin Xian had coaxed Lin Zhan, feeling uneasy leaving Zhou Qin and Xiao Wanqing alone for too long. She approached them, asking, “Mom, Panpan, what are you talking about?”
Xiao Wanqing and Zhou Qin exchanged a glance, remaining silent. By the time they turned back, Lin Xian was already there.
Xiao Wanqing propped her chin and tilted her head towards Lin Xian, with a hint of coquettishness in her upturned eyes, teasingly whispering, “It’s a secret.”
In front of Zhou Qin, Lin Xian restrained herself, not wanting to make Xiao Wanqing feel embarrassed, lightly chuckling and playfully flicking her nose, indulgently saying, “Xiao Panpan, you can’t be like this, already having your little secrets.”
Xiao Wanqing still wasn’t very accustomed to being affectionate with Lin Xian in front of Zhou Qin, feeling a bit embarrassed as she touched her nose, but she smiled without saying a word.
Zhou Qin quietly watched their interaction, a hint of amusement shining in her eyes.