wARNING: MTL
I want to be with you
Xiao Wanqing majored in Chinese literature, and during her sophomore year, when studying foreign literature, she developed a keen interest in Japanese literature. Natsume Soseki could be considered one of the Japanese literary giants she was relatively familiar with. The anecdote and classic confession words of Soseki were something she first heard and didn’t quite understand the meaning. Due to the classical confession, she even felt a bit forced to associate with it. It wasn’t until a long time later, on a certain night when she and Yan Jia were temporarily separated by distance, that she stood by the window, making a phone call with Yan Jia. As she listened to her lover’s melodious voice, she looked up and saw the bright and beautiful full moon in the night sky, like a jade plate, softening her heart. When she couldn’t help but share with her lover, “The moonlight tonight is so beautiful,” she finally understood that this was indeed a wonderfully subtle confession – “I want to share with you the mood of everything beautiful, all the beautiful scenery.”
At this moment, however, these words, which were supposed to be charming and thought-provoking, fell into Xiao Wanqing’s ears like thunder, shocking her to the point of disbelief. Her heart was in chaos, and she was so astonished that she couldn’t conceal her usual calm demeanor, revealing a look of extreme surprise, shock, and disbelief.
However, soon she reacted, containing her surprise. She involuntarily tightened the ice cream in her hands, biting her upper lip tightly, and her gaze silently turned to Lin Xian, waiting for the girl’s possibly unfinished words.
Perhaps Lin Xian didn’t understand the implied meaning behind these words. After all, throughout this journey, she had also marveled silently at the beauty of the moonlit night. Yes, Lin Xian was still quite young, unfamiliar with the ways of the world, with a pure heart—how could she possibly know…
Moreover… moreover…
Ah… it’s impossible.
Indeed, the girl did not disappoint Xiao Wanqing’s expectations.
After Lin Xian finished speaking, she fell silent for two seconds, naturally retracting the hand that had been reaching for the spoon from Xiao Wanqing’s grip. She lowered her eyes slightly, focusing on the ice cream in front of her. After a few seconds, she lifted the spoon again, scooping another spoonful of ice cream, this time, she directly put it into her own mouth. Moments later, she raised her head, gazing at the moon in the distance, and suddenly realized. With ice cream in her mouth, she mumbled, “Today is the 16th day of the lunar month, indeed, the moon on the 15th day is full…” Her words were somewhat unclear due to the ice cream, but Xiao Wanqing heard them quite clearly.
Smoke wafted gently as she closed her lips, and Lin Xian, using that thin mist, blinked quickly twice, concealing the moisture that was about to well up in her eyes.
Xiao Wanqing, she seemed so frightened…
She awkwardly turned her body, pointing to a stall not far away selling special oyster pancakes, intentionally raising her tone and feigning an expression of great surprise and interest as she said to Xiao Wanqing, “Auntie Xiao, let’s eat that.”
After saying this, as if unable to wait to eat, without waiting for Xiao Wanqing’s response, she swiftly ran towards the crowded stall.
Xiao Wanqing had already felt a slight relief when she heard Lin Xian casually expressing wonder in her innocent tone about “the moon being full on the 16th day.” After carefully observing and confirming that Lin Xian was genuinely unaware, she finally completely relaxed her furrowed brows.
What is she thinking?
Still a child, after all, I really…
Haha…
She watched Lin Xian’s joyous figure running and disappearing into the crowd, quickening her pace to catch up. Meanwhile, she couldn’t help but lightly curve her lips. In her demeanor, there was a distinct sense of ease, trust, and indulgence.
Lin Xian ran too fast, so much so that Xiao Wanqing didn’t catch it. A few seconds after she dashed away, Xiao Wanqing raised her hand and vigorously rubbed her eyes a few times.
The two of them strolled leisurely through Xiangnan Road for a long time. Prompted by Lin Xian’s curiosity, they bought various snacks to satisfy their hunger. Approaching eleven o’clock, Xiao Wanqing, considering Lin Xian’s classes the next day and fearing she might oversleep, gently urged her. Lin Xian reluctantly embarked on the journey back.
On the way home, as the night grew late and the sea breeze became more chilly, Xiao Wanqing, regardless of what Lin Xian said, refused to let her wear the safety helmet. She held the helmet in her hands, softened her tone, and negotiated with Lin Xian, “You wear the helmet, I’ll hide behind you. You help me block the wind, and I won’t feel cold at all. Isn’t that a win-win?”
Lin Xian’s round eyes looked at Xiao Wanqing, stubbornly refusing to nod.
Xiao Wanqing gazed at the serious expression on the girl’s face, paused for a moment, and changed her approach to persuade her, “Xian Xian, think about it. If you get sick, won’t it be hard for me too? Remember the last time? You said you have to take good care of yourself, right?”
Recalling the sleepless night and the hardships in the wind and rain, Lin Xian finally furrowed her brow, sighed a bit, but still reminded Xiao Wanqing with concern, “Then you must really hide behind me.” Suddenly, she remembered something, lifted her hand, and pulled the furry hat on her head backward as if discovering a new continent, “Auntie Xiao, help me take off my hat, and you wear this! Hide behind me.”
Xiao Wanqing was momentarily stunned, hanging the safety helmet on the mirror of Lin Xian’s bike as instructed. Then, as directed, she removed the hat from Lin Xian’s back. Lin Xian took the hat and raised her hand, smoothly placing the furry, long-haired hat on Xiao Wanqing’s head. Ignoring Xiao Wanqing’s reaction, she quickly tied the strings on both sides of the hat.
Xiao Wanqing’s petite and beautiful face, hidden beneath the fluffy long hair, unexpectedly looked exceptionally delicate. She seemed a bit shy, lifting her hands to adjust the long hair of the hat, and softly murmuring to Lin Xian, “Doesn’t this look a bit strange?”
Rare moments of innocence, a shy and adorable expression. Lin Xian’s eyes were dim and unclear, a mixture of joy and bitterness blossoming in her heart. She restrained her gaze, concealing those complex emotions, adopting a mature demeanor, and sternly instructing Xiao Wanqing, “Not strange. Behave.”
Xiao Wanqing glanced at Lin Xian’s serious and earnest little face, smiled lightly, and spared her the fluffiness of the hat on her head. She picked up the safety helmet from the bike’s handlebar, put it on Lin Xian’s head, adjusted it, poked her small face, and reluctantly agreed, “Alright, I’ll do as you say.”
After mounting the bike, Lin Xian once again domineeringly pulled Xiao Wanqing’s arms, encircling them around her waist. Holding Xiao Wanqing’s hands, she inserted them into the pockets on either side of her own clothes. Urging Xiao Wanqing, she said, “Auntie Xiao, get closer to me, lower your face, and hide it behind my neck.”
Xiao Wanqing fell silent. For the sake of the girl’s heart, she indulged her and obediently followed her instructions.
The night wind had indeed become stronger and colder than when they first set out, but Lin Xian’s pockets were warm. Xiao Wanqing closed her eyes, bowed her head, and hid behind Lin Xian. The tip of her nose seemed to catch a faint fragrance from the girl, unexpectedly the exact scent that Xiao Wanqing liked the most—lightly cool and refreshingly pleasant. Surrounded by this aroma, Xiao Wanqing felt Lin Xian not only closing the pocket’s opening more securely but also sitting up a bit straighter in front of her. A warmth continuously emanated from Lin Xian’s warm body, reaching straight into Xiao Wanqing’s heart.
As they neared home, Xiao Wanqing remembered to ask Lin Xian, “Xian Xian, your birthday is on Friday. How do you plan to celebrate? Do you want to go out with classmates and friends to celebrate? Do you need any help preparing?”
“I want to celebrate with you.” The girl hesitated for a moment and answered somewhat shyly.
Xiao Wanqing blinked slightly, and then a pleasing tenderness spread across her features, hidden behind Lin Xian’s neck.
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Lin Xian looked at the pitch-black road and assured Xiao Wanqing, “Can I bring my friends home, and we celebrate together? I can buy ready-made food outside, and I’ll take care of the hygiene after the celebration.” Her tone carried an evident plea, as if afraid of causing Xiao Wanqing too much trouble.
Xiao Wanqing’s fingers, placed in Lin Xian’s side pocket, gently poked her waist and scolded her, “What nonsense are you talking? If you’re willing to bring them home and liven things up with me, I’ll be happy about it.” After a moment of thought, she came up with a plan and said, “Tomorrow, ask your friends if they have any dietary restrictions. When you come back in the evening, we can discuss the menu, okay?”
Lin Xian just wanted to spend this coming-of-age birthday with Xiao Wanqing. She was afraid Xiao Wanqing would refuse if she suggested going to an entertainment venue outside, so she proposed celebrating at home. However, she also didn’t want to burden Xiao Wanqing, so she attempted to dispel the idea, “You don’t have to go to so much trouble. We can just order a family bucket or something.”
Xiao Wanqing teasingly mocked her discontentedly, “If someone comes to your home to celebrate your birthday specifically, would you have the nerve to entertain them so casually?”
Lin Xian laughed indifferently, completely abandoning the gentle and considerate treatment she usually gave Xiao Wanqing. Unapologetically, she said, “As long as the food and drinks are delicious, that’s enough. Dare to complain?”
“You, little overlord…” Xiao Wanqing sighed in helplessness.
No matter how Lin Xian tried to persuade her, Xiao Wanqing had made up her mind. She couldn’t let Lin Xian’s once-in-a-lifetime coming-of-age birthday go unnoticed, and she couldn’t disappoint Lin Xian’s friends.
On Friday, Lin Xian’s lunar birthday, before leaving the house after breakfast, Xiao Wanqing adjusted the collar of her clothes and mysteriously hinted, “There will be a surprise today.”
Lin Xian couldn’t wait to find out what the surprise was, but Xiao Wanqing remained tight-lipped, refusing to reveal anything. She managed to keep Lin Xian in suspense to the point where Lin Xian almost ran late, preoccupied with thoughts about what Xiao Wanqing’s gift might be. The anticipation lingered throughout the day, distracting Lin Xian during her classes as she wondered about the gift Xiao Wanqing had in store for her.
On Friday afternoon, there were only the first two classes, and Lin Xian had already arranged with Shi Man. After finishing class, she would ride with Xia Zhijin in her car, accompanied by Chen Zhi and Tang Mo. They planned to go to the supermarket together to buy snacks and drinks for the celebration in the evening. Xia Zhijin even volunteered to help prepare some of the dinner dishes before Xiao Wanqing finished work, if it was acceptable.
However, on Thursday morning, the college suddenly announced that on Friday afternoon at 3:40 pm, all freshmen without classes must attend a lecture on planning university life and learning. Absence without a valid reason was not permitted, and even in special circumstances, students needed to obtain a counselor’s leave slip.
Reluctantly, Lin Xian had to abandon her original plan. Filled with resentment, she unwillingly joined the rest of the students to attend the lecture held in the auditorium on the first floor after her classes.
Lin Xian, not paying much attention to the college’s announcement, only caught a general idea. She learned that an alumni, who had graduated many years ago, had donated ten thousand books to the college library on the occasion of the centennial celebration. This alumni had attended the donation ceremony and was invited to participate in the afternoon lecture.
Although it hadn’t been long since the start of the semester, Lin Xian and her fellow freshmen had already been forced to participate in numerous lectures. Among them were some that left a profound impact, but more often than not, they found the lectures uninteresting and considered them a waste of time.
At this moment, disrupted by the unexpected change in plans, Lin Xian harbored resentment. Consequently, she categorically placed this particular lecture in the latter group. She had no interest in listening to the lecture at all.
When she entered the auditorium, the main speaker had not yet arrived, and the whole hall was in a state of chaos. The long-awaited weekend seemed to have been intercepted halfway, and everyone appeared a bit restless. Occasional complaints could be heard in the hall. Lin Xian and Shi Man sat side by side in the middle of the auditorium. Both of them tacitly lowered their heads, indifferent to the surroundings, and started playing games on their phones.
After a while, the surroundings seemed to suddenly quiet down. Lin Xian vaguely sensed it but didn’t pay much attention, still immersed in the world of the game. Moments later, Shi Man suddenly and inexplicably excitedly nudged her hand and called out in a subdued, jubilant tone, “Lin Xian, look quickly!”
Caught off guard by Shi Man’s nudge, Lin Xian’s hand trembled, causing the running character in the game to inadvertently fall into a trap and plunge into the scorching lava, resulting in a game over. Lin Xian angrily pressed the keyboard haphazardly, muttering discontentedly, “What the heck?” while casually lifting her head to look towards the stage.
In the next instant, she found herself unable to look away.
In the center of the stage, where the main speaker was supposed to stand, there was a tall and slender woman who was busy connecting a USB flash drive, her head lowered. The woman had an excellent figure and a perfect posture. She wore a color-block pleated high-waisted skirt, paired with a neat black blazer. Her shoulder-length flaxen waves appeared meticulously styled. Along with her fair and delicate makeup, the entire ensemble exuded a mature, elegant, and sophisticated charm, making her stand out with an aura of grace and refinement.
——This, surprisingly, was Xiao Wanqing, who had been teasing her mysteriously in the morning…
The surrounding classmates were quietly exclaiming, “The speaker today is unexpectedly so beautiful?”
“Oh my, she’s too beautiful and young. Wasn’t it said to be some senior?”
“The speaker said she graduated from our department. Is she our senior or the former campus beauty of our department?”
Shi Man leaned close to the still stunned Lin Xian and whispered in her ear, “What’s going on? Didn’t Auntie Xiao tell you about this before?”
Lin Xian stared fixedly at the woman on the stage who seemed to be shining and had already begun to speak eloquently, shaking her head gently.
No, Xiao Wanqing hadn’t told her anything.
Wait, this… was this the surprise she mentioned in the morning?!
Lin Xian’s gaze was piercing as she refused to miss any of the woman’s expressions and movements on the stage.
Xiao Wanqing explained that the president of their magazine club was from the 1998 class of Jingnan Finance and Economics, and over the years, he had cherished the days of studying at Jingnan, appreciating the diligent teachings of the college teachers and the rich resources and excellent platforms provided by the college. Therefore, he wanted to give back to his alma mater with his modest efforts. She mentioned that the president originally wanted to come in person, but unfortunately, due to recent business trips, he couldn’t make it back in time, so he had delegated Xiao Wanqing as the representative. At this point, Xiao Wanqing smiled and joked, “I heard that the president was also a heartthrob when he was studying, with unparalleled popularity. It could have been a feast for your eyes, but unfortunately, well, I’m sorry. Now, you’ll have to bear with the sight of my plain and uninteresting face.”
This statement was a mixture of truth and exaggeration. Xiao Wanqing did come to the school as a representative for the donation ceremony, as entrusted by the president. When contacted earlier, the college leaders learned that she was also a graduate of Jingnan and warmly invited her to give a themed lecture at the school. Xiao Wanqing was initially hesitant to agree, fearing that being from a different department, her lecture on finance might be off-topic. However, later, when the timing for the donation ceremony was set and coincidentally fell on Lin Xian’s birthday, Xiao Wanqing, after much consideration, agreed with some personal motives.
Upon hearing Xiao Wanqing’s humorous self-deprecation, the audience immediately erupted in laughter. Some daring male students even straightforwardly expressed, “We’re not being wronged; you look even better!”
Another round of laughter echoed through the hall.
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Lin Xian couldn’t locate the student who stood out, listening to Xiao Wanqing’s melodious voice on stage. Hearing classmates around her whispering praises for Xiao Wanqing, she felt both proud and bitter. She wanted to tell everyone that Xiao Wanqing came for her and that no one else was allowed to have any ideas!
On the stage, Xiao Wanqing displayed a calm and humorous demeanor, choosing her words carefully while maintaining liveliness. She skillfully adjusted the atmosphere, and the students in the audience, unlike their usual indifference, actively cooperated. Lin Xian kept her gaze fixed on the stage, hoping to attract Xiao Wanqing’s attention and make her aware of her presence.
She stared at that figure without blinking. For a fleeting moment, she felt as if Xiao Wanqing’s warm and clear eyes had converged with hers. However, her joy was short-lived. Xiao Wanqing, seemingly oblivious, turned her gaze away and continued interacting with the students in the front row.
Didn’t she see me? Perhaps, she didn’t come for me? Was I just being presumptuous?
Lin Xian suddenly felt like something in her heart had been overturned, and a sense of sour disappointment overwhelmed her. She lowered her head, her thin lips tightly pressed into a straight line, feeling unhappy.
But then, Shi Man nudged her again and whispered in her ear, “Lin Xian, Auntie Xiao, isn’t she looking at you?”
Upon hearing this, Lin Xian raised her head abruptly, gazing straight toward the stage. This time, she collided with Xiao Wanqing’s deep and gentle eyes at a glance. Then, she saw Xiao Wanqing’s eyes, which seemed to speak, gently blink, and she smiled at her.
Lin Xian quickly shook off her previous listlessness, straightened her posture, relaxed her brows and eyes, and, regardless of whether Xiao Wanqing was still looking at her, she confidently directed a sweet and satisfied smile toward the stage.
Shi Man, witnessing her transformation from being dispirited to radiant, looked astonished and asked, “Are you a Monkey?” Faces can change so suddenly…
Lin Xian, unwilling to be distracted, and slightly annoyed at Shi Man for disrupting her attentive listening, casually replied, “Listen to the lecture properly.”
Shi Man: “……”
The one-hour lecture, thanks to Xiao Wanqing’s witty humor, quickly passed. The students in the audience were still not ready to leave, but the lecture was quietly approaching its conclusion. Xiao Wanqing’s PowerPoint reached the last slide, displaying a “Thank you all” message. After removing the USB drive connected to the computer, she gracefully concluded, “My speech ends here. Thank you all for listening.”
Spontaneous thunderous applause erupted from the audience. The teacher sent by the college for coordination also politely expressed the school’s gratitude on behalf of the administration to Xiao Wanqing and the president of the magazine. The students, once again, responded with enthusiastic applause.
Xiao Wanqing patiently waited for a while, allowing the applause to subside. When the room quieted down, she approached the microphone once again, revealing a radiant smile that differed greatly from her previous official demeanor. With a hint of embarrassment, she said, “Finally, before we disperse, I would like to take this opportunity to extend a personal blessing…” Her eyes were fixed on Lin Xian in the center of the audience, exuding a gentle expression.
Lin Xian bit her lip and locked eyes with her. In the midst of the surrounding commotion, she distinctly heard her own thunderous heartbeat.
“Lin Xian, happy birthday.”
“For your birthday gift, please come to me after the dispersal.” Her tone was gentle and uplifting.
In Xiao Wanqing’s eyes, there was a shimmering light. Lin Xian gazed at her from a distance, cheeks burning, head feeling dizzy. It seemed like she was about to drown in the moment.
Even though the event could have ended, no one in the audience stood up or left. Everyone was looking around, trying to identify Lin Xian. The classmates who were familiar with Lin Xian had already exclaimed, and Shi Man was loudly cheering, helping everyone identify the protagonist and offering her blessings: “Lin Xian, I also want to use this lecture to send my wishes—happy birthday!”
Now, the entire venue finally found a focal point. Suddenly, it seemed like everyone’s attention was concentrated.
Lin Xian, who was usually not shy and had a face as thick as a city wall, according to Zhou Qin’s teasing, suddenly had a faint blush on her fair face. Her petite ears turned red as if they were about to drip blood. She couldn’t hide her embarrassment, lowering her head and softly, coquettishly hushing Shi Man, “Man Man, don’t tease…” A shy and hesitant, yet charming, expression appeared on her face.
Shi Man rarely saw her so bashful and didn’t want to let her off easily. She squinted her peach blossom eyes, grinned mischievously, and started teasing, “Yo yo yo…” once again.
Lin Xian, feeling embarrassed, stood up abruptly and said with a shy voice, “I’m ignoring you; I’m going to find Auntie Xiao.” With that, amid the crowd that was eagerly watching, she hurriedly ran to Xiao Wanqing, who had already stepped down from the stage and was chatting with the school teacher. Without any reservation, Lin Xian, a mix of shyness and joy, dove into Xiao Wanqing’s embrace.
While affectionately patting the girl’s head, Xiao Wanqing bid farewell to the school teacher, “Teacher Wang, I have something to attend to, so I’ll leave first.” The female teacher glanced at the little head in Xiao Wanqing’s arms, nodded knowingly, exchanged a few polite words, and left.
Lin Xian finally emerged from Xiao Wanqing’s embrace, raised her head, and gazed at Xiao Wanqing. Her eyes sparkled as she asked, “Auntie Xiao, how come you’re here?”
Xiao Wanqing playfully blinked and countered, “I’m also an outstanding alumna. Why can’t I be here?”
Lin Xian pouted in embarrassment, “You know that’s not what I meant.”
Xiao Wanqing playfully lifted the strands of hair scattered around her ears and gently flicked Lin Xian’s nose with her index finger. She chuckled, saying, “I’ve brought you a gift.” With that, she opened her bag, took out a beautifully wrapped square-shaped present, and handed it to Lin Xian. “Open it and see if you like it.”
As the onlookers, including Lin Xian herself, were still engrossed in the spectacle, everyone was more curious than the protagonist. All eyes were fixed on the gift in Lin Xian’s hands, filled with anticipation. However, Lin Xian’s reaction surprised them. She simply accepted the gift, tightly hugged it to her chest, and then gazed at Xiao Wanqing with intense eyes. With a slight smile, she softly replied, “I like it, very much.” Lowering her head, her eyes revealed a teenage tenderness and charm that no one could clearly discern.
Xiao Wanqing chuckled, “You haven’t even seen what it is.”
Lin Xian gently caressed the gift’s wrapping with her hands and whispered, “Whatever you give, I’ll like it…”
Her voice was too soft, and those standing a bit far away, including Shi Man, couldn’t hear what Lin Xian had said.
They only saw, not far ahead, a charming girl with a bright and enchanting smile. She raised her hand towards an elegant and graceful woman a few steps away, sweetly and softly saying, “Auntie Xiao, let’s go home.”
The woman looked at the girl with a smiling expression, reached out, and touched the girl’s delicate fingers like jade. She replied gently, “Alright.”
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The hands that clasped together were as smooth as jade. As they walked away, the woman’s black hair danced, and the corners of her dress fluttered…
The scene was beautiful, like a close-up shot from a movie.
Shi Man, for a moment, couldn’t take her eyes off her friend’s sweet, joyful, and somewhat shy expression. Her gaze gradually shifted down to the hands that were holding each other, lost in thought…
Gradually, in her cunning and fox-like eyes, a trace of playful smile emerged.
Yo…
The author has something to say: A few days ago, Xia Zha Zha’s cute little confession mentioned being teased by Lin Xian, “Auntie Xiao, dare you (sit) to be my little lamb,” hahaha, the author laughed for a long time.
Lin Xian: The first move in raising a little lamb, take a step back and boil the frog in warm water.
Shi Man: Come on, who knows who will surrender first.
The first confession happened spontaneously without any preparation. Lin Xian didn’t expect much from it, and from Xiao Wanqing’s reaction, she realized that breaking the paper window would only make Xiao Wanqing push her away completely. So, she reluctantly and sensibly retreated.
Auntie Xiao doesn’t cherish the current little puppy; in the future, um… everyone can look forward to the second confession. o(n_n)o
LP: Please, I implore readers to a little adjustment: Xiao Yuqing > Xiao Wanqing
It’s been months since the previous translator updated this novel, so following NU’s unwritten rules, I continued it!
I’ve been waiting for this novel to be continued and now it came true, Thank you!! 😸❤
Thanks for picking this up! I don’t normally read much mtl but i really wanted to see this series finished
I’ve been waiting for this novel to be continued and now it came true, Thank you!! 😸❤
Thanks for picking this up! I don’t normally read much mtl but i really wanted to see this series finished