Sweet Trap
Lin Xian held Xiao Wanqing’s hand and walked out of the auditorium, following Xiao Wanqing’s steps towards the parking lot. Occasionally, she would steal a glance at the elegant and charming woman beside her. Each time she looked, she felt as if her heart had turned into a little drum, beating urgently to a melody called “I Really Like You.”
Xiao Wanqing, on the other hand, remained composed and unaware. She gazed ahead, involuntarily recalling Lin Xian’s reactions and the girl’s response to the surprise she had given—far beyond her expectations. She felt that she had already passed the age of having a girlish heart and romantic feelings. As a social person, over the years, gifts for her were generally more about socializing, practicality, and appropriateness than anything else.
Originally, in the very beginning, when someone received a gift, was the true joy like this?
Originally, the feelings she had forgotten over the years, now revived, were like this—watching the joy revealed by the other person due to the surprise, she would also feel a softening and overwhelming joy in her own heart.
Xiao Wanqing slowed her pace slightly, involuntarily turning her head to look at the girl who stirred her emotions. Lin Xian noticed her gaze and sweetly smiled at her. Xiao Wanqing’s heart softened a bit more. Her gaze moved to the gift Lin Xian held against her chest, and a curve appeared at the corner of her lips. She teased, “Really not going to open and see?”
This gift actually took some effort, and she had to rely on several people to get it. If Lin Xian didn’t care, she would probably feel a bit melodramatically sad and disappointed.
Lin Xian lowered her head to glance at the gift in her arms, touched it like a precious item, grinned, her teeth white, and joyfully said, “This is my biggest anticipation and joy to come. It’s going to be the highlight. I’ll put it aside to watch before bedtime tonight. That way, even my dreams will be filled with laughter.”
Xiao Wanqing was immediately pleased by her words, pinched her tiger’s mouth, and scolded her, “Nonsense.”
Approaching the parking lot, Xiao Wanqing took out the car keys, suddenly remembering something she overlooked. She stopped and asked Lin Xian, “Do your friends know the way? Did you agree on how they would come to the house?”
Only now did Lin Xian remember that she had forgotten about Shi Man and Chen Zhi, who were left behind in the distance. Her face stiffened, and her heart skipped a beat, her expression suddenly complicated. Earlier, she and Shi Man had planned to take Xia Zhi Jin’s car together to the supermarket and then go directly to Lin Xian’s home. However, with Xiao Wanqing’s surprise, when the event ended, Lin Xian’s mind and eyes were filled with Xiao Wanqing, and she completely forgot about this matter. She didn’t even say goodbye to her friends and just followed Xiao Wanqing. She didn’t know where they were now, whether they had already gone home, and whether they were cursing her a hundred times in their hearts…
She hurriedly took out her phone from her pocket, explaining to Xiao Wanqing, “Auntie Xiao, I forgot to tell them. Just wait for me a moment,” as she dialed Shi Man’s number.
Fortunately, the call was answered within just a couple of seconds, and Shi Man’s playful teasing voice rang in Lin Xian’s ear, “Look at you, Lin Xian, saying you’re inviting us to celebrate at your place, and you don’t even bother to let us know, just following the beauty and leaving us behind? Prioritizing love over friendship!”
Upon hearing the phrase “Prioritizing love over friendship,” Lin Xian felt an inexplicable unease. She discreetly glanced at Xiao Wanqing to make sure she hadn’t heard, then weakly retorted, “You’re talking nonsense. I… I just forgot for a moment.” After speaking, she lowered her tone and apologized, “I’m sorry, Man Man. My bad. Where are you now? Are Chen Zhi and Tang Mo with you?”
Shi Man, seeing that Lin Xian acknowledged her mistake, laughed lightly and let her off, “Just come directly to the parking lot with Auntie Xiao. I’ve already caught up with them. We’re all in Zhi Jin’s car now, waiting for you and Auntie Xiao to guide us.”
Lin Xian instantly felt relieved and joyfully exclaimed, “Wow! Man Man, you’re amazing! Man Man, you’re truly a kind-hearted little angel.”
Xiao Wanqing stood aside, watching Lin Xian with a face of flattery and coquetry, and couldn’t help but curl her lips. Lin Xian’s mouth was skilled in sweet talk and honeyed words, capable of charming anyone without resistance…
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Who knows, in the future, who will be lucky enough to fall into this sweet trap?
Shi Man was not buying into Lin Xian’s act, disdainfully scoffed at her, and bluntly said, “Enough of that. Hurry up.” With that, she hung up the phone without any mercy.
Lin Xian paid no attention to Shi Man’s cold treatment, happily approached and once again took Xiao Wanqing’s hand, leading her forward. She informed Xiao Wanqing, “Man Man says they’re already at the parking lot. They’re in Zhi Jin’s car, and they’ll go back with us.”
Xiao Wanqing was somewhat surprised to hear that Xia Zhi Jin could drive for the first time. “Zhi Jin?” She felt a bit uneasy in her heart. She still regarded these classmates who were about the same age as Lin Xian as children. She tactfully suggested, “It might be late when we go back in the evening. If Zhi Jin is not familiar with the road, wouldn’t it be safer to take a car now? We can send them home after the event ends tonight; it would be more convenient that way.”
Lin Xian slightly pondered and picked up on the undertones in Xiao Wanqing’s words. Xiao Wanqing was always so tactful and gentle, never adopting a senior or adult posture to dictate how they should act. Her suggestions were always considerate and gentle, taking their feelings into account. How could Lin Xian not like someone like her?
She shook their joined hands and comforted Xiao Wanqing, saying, “Auntie Xiao, don’t worry. According to Man Man, Zhi Jin has had her driver’s license for over a year, and almost every day during this time, she’s been driving. Besides, she has tutoring four times a week, coming home late at night, and has become very familiar with driving in the dark. There’s no problem at all.”
Xiao Wanqing felt a bit more reassured at her words. She recalled Xia Zhi Jin’s calm and composed demeanor, thinking that she wasn’t the type to recklessly take risks without assurance. She nodded in agreement as they walked down the parking garage, casually asking, “Zhi Jin is doing tutoring?” Working part-time while in college was common, but driving for work was less typical.
Lin Xian suddenly hesitated, unsure of how to answer Xiao Wanqing. Naturally, she didn’t want to deceive or casually reveal someone else’s privacy. Fortunately, just as they entered the parking lot, a white BMW flashed its lights towards them, interrupting their conversation.
Shi Man’s charming face leaned out from the car window, teasing them, “Are you lost?” She then glanced meaningfully at Lin Xian and Xiao Wanqing, who were still holding hands.
Lin Xian keenly caught her gaze, immediately feeling guilty, she released Xiao Wanqing’s hand, pretending to make a courteous gesture. She slightly bent forward, playfully apologizing, “It’s the little one’s fault, making the grown-up wait for so long.”
Xia Zhi Jin and the occupants in the back seat, Chen Zhi and Tang Mo, also lowered their car windows and leaned out, looking at Xiao Wanqing standing a few steps behind Lin Xian, with a smile on her lips. Suddenly, they all greeted her in unison with clear and sweet voices, “Hello, Auntie Xiao…”
Xiao Wanqing was momentarily surprised by their unexpected enthusiasm. She unconsciously took a small step toward Lin Xian before reacting, tilted her head, arched her eyebrows, and softly replied, “Hello, you don’t need to be so formal.”
Lin Xian extended her index finger and gently gestured left and right in front of their eyes, displeased, “You scared Auntie Xiao.” She pulled Xiao Wanqing in front of Xia Zhi Jin, reassuring her, “Auntie Xiao, don’t mind them. We’ll communicate with Sister Zhi Jin in a proper manner.”
Xiao Wanqing didn’t take offense; she winked at Chen Zhi and Tang Mo in a friendly manner before bending down to chat with Xia Zhi Jin. She briefly went over the route and mentioned the road conditions to Xia Zhi Jin, reminding them to be safe on the road. Then, she led Lin Xian to guide the way while driving.
Shi Man rested her chin in her hands, watching the figures of Lin Xian and Xiao Wanqing walking side by side. For some reason, she burst into laughter, unable to contain her joy. Xia Zhi Jin approached to help Shi Man fasten her seatbelt, puzzled by her sudden laughter. Sensing Xia Zhi Jin’s confusion, Shi Man leaned close, whispered in Xia Zhi Jin’s ear, “Look, do we not resemble the underlings of Lin Xian, the big boss? The boss brings her wife to inspect the scene, and the underlings all greet the boss’s wife with ‘Hello, Sister-in-law’…”
Xia Zhi Jin furrowed her brow, paused for a moment, and then lightly scolded Shi Man, “What are you thinking?” She leaned back, started the car, and followed Xiao Wanqing’s car out of the garage without looking away.
Shi Man narrowed her eyes, gazing at Xia Zhi Jin, a subtle smile playing on her lips.
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Don’t you get it?
Back at home, Xiao Wanqing told Shi Man and the others to make themselves at home, emphasizing to Lin Xian to take care of her classmates and not to help. Xiao Wanqing went into the kitchen alone, busy with her tasks.
Lin Xian moved the coffee table in the living room to the side, laid out a blanket, and invited everyone to sit on it. Then, she took out the game console from under the TV cabinet. Although Shi Man, Chen Zhi, and Tang Mo were not familiar with such toys as girls, they all expressed interest. The group knelt in front of the TV, eagerly connecting the console, ready and excited to play.
Xia Zhi Jin sat on the sofa, her gaze calmly watching the lively group in front of her, a hint of indulgent helplessness in her eyes. She crouched down, approached Shi Man, and whispered, “I’ll go to the kitchen to help Auntie Xiao.”
Upon hearing this, Shi Man shifted her gaze away from the TV screen, volunteered, and said, “Then I’ll go with you.”
A fleeting smile crossed Xia Zhi Jin’s cool eyes. She patted Shi Man’s shoulder, stopped her from standing up, and said in a manner as if coaxing a child, “You won’t be a hindrance; just play with them nicely.”
Shi Man stared at Xia Zhi Jin’s retreating figure, frowned, lost in thought. Suddenly, Tang Mo handed her a game controller. Tang Mo instructed her, “Man Man, it’s your turn. Quickly steal Lin Xian’s limelight; she’s feeling so proud right now…”
Lin Xian’s displeased retort immediately sounded, “Today is my birthday, what’s wrong with letting me shine a bit!”
Shi Man withdrew her gaze, tightened her grip on the controller, and thought, well…
She raised her lips, shifted her position, and sat beside Lin Xian, responding to her friends’ encouragement, “You all just wait and see how I’ll beat her down!”
In the kitchen, the range hood rumbled as Xiao Wanqing, wearing an apron, carefully chopped meat on a cutting board. Nearby, in a pot, boiling water continuously emitted white steam.
Xia Zhi Jin silently walked to the kitchen counter, effortlessly turned on the tap, and started washing vegetables to help Xiao Wanqing. She calmly said, “Auntie Xiao, let me help you.”
Xiao Wanqing was so focused on chopping that she only realized someone had joined her when Xia Zhi Jin spoke. She turned her head, saw Xia Zhi Jin with her hands immersed in the vegetable basin, and immediately felt embarrassed, saying, “No need, you go out and play with them. I can handle it alone, and it will be done soon. There’s no reason to let a guest help.”
However, Xia Zhi Jin paid no heed, closed the tap, and skillfully continued washing the vegetables. She casually reminded Xiao Wanqing, “I noticed the soup in the pot was boiling. Should I turn down the heat a bit?”
Seeing that Xia Zhi Jin genuinely wanted to help and wasn’t just being polite, Xiao Wanqing sighed and stopped refusing. She asked for a favor, “Can you pour the noodles next to the pot into it for me?”
Xia Zhi Jin, without any suspicion, withdrew her hand from the vegetable basin, turned and walked toward the pot. Then, her hands moved swiftly, adding the noodles and carefully stirring the contents in the pot. After a while, she covered the pot and returned to the kitchen counter. Seeing the prepared fried yams and spare ribs, she asked Xiao Wanqing, “Auntie Xiao, are you planning to make vinegar-braised spare ribs?”
Xiao Wanqing nodded and casually chatted, “Does Zhi Jin often cook at home?” She observed Xia Zhi Jin’s skilled movements, indicating she was quite adept in the kitchen.
A faint and gentle smile appeared on Xia Zhi Jin’s lips as she softly responded, “Yes, Man Man is quite picky. She only eats what I make. To ensure she has a balanced diet, I took over her meals.”
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Impressed by the dedication and care, Xiao Wanqing expressed her admiration, “You’re truly a great sister. Cooking may seem easy, but it can be quite a hassle. At your age, I had zero interest in kitchen affairs and didn’t want to deal with anything meat-related. You’ve worked hard…”
Unexpectedly, Xia Zhi Jin’s hands, still washing vegetables, suddenly stopped. Just when Xiao Wanqing thought the topic might end there, Xia Zhi Jin, in a calm and emotionless tone, responded, “Not hard. Her mom has helped my family a lot. Repaying them is only fair…”
Her tone was indifferent, as if detached from the situation.
Her face maintained a cool composure, with long eyelashes hanging low, concealing the glimmer in her eyes. Xiao Wanqing couldn’t see the true emotions hidden behind. The play of light and shadow highlighted her high and stern nose, accentuating the delicately sculpted profile of her face. Xiao Wanqing felt as if she had caught a glimpse of something elusive.
Xia Zhi Jin and her, are they really so alike…
But she recalled that day at the supermarket when she first saw them. When Shi Man tightly hugged Xia Zhi Jin’s arm and looked up at her, the overwhelming tenderness in her eyes made her heart sink slightly.
Yet, she didn’t know if it was for Xia Zhi Jin or for Shi Man.
