For The Rest Of Our Life – Chapter 48

Why does it never end, this endless entanglement?

Just as Lin Xian’s right hand brushed past Xiao Wanqing’s delicate hair near her cheek, her breath drew closer, faintly spraying on her face. Xiao Wanqing reacted and suddenly took a step back. Lin Xian’s lips lightly brushed against her cheek…

Her movements were too hurried and unexpected, and her step backward was too swift, causing her to even lose her balance.

Lin Xian appeared momentarily startled. In the next second, she quickly extended her hand to support Xiao Wanqing’s body, steadying her. With her gaze fixed on Xiao Wanqing’s face, still bearing a look of surprise and uncertainty, Lin Xian smiled faintly. It was as if she experienced a momentary confusion and helplessness. Then, she raised her right hand openly, showing it to Xiao Wanqing, and explained, “I just noticed that there seemed to be some foam in your hair and on your shoulder, Aunt Xiao. I wanted to help you brush it off.” She tilted her head innocently and added, “Didn’t you say it would be difficult to wash off if it dried?”

Xiao Wanqing stiffened her body and stared blankly into the girl’s clear and pure eyes. On her cheek, the warmth left by the girl’s lips, accidentally brushing against her, still seemed to burn…

A crimson flush gradually spread across Xiao Wanqing’s cheeks, and her exposed earlobe, revealed when Lin Xian flicked her hair, turned red as if it were about to bleed.

She, just now, where did her mind wander off to? How could she have such a terrifying thought? Xiao Wanqing bit her lip.

Fortunately, the girl didn’t notice her embarrassment at all. With wide open eyes, flickering with curiosity, she asked, “Aunt Xiao, what happened to you just now? You almost fell.”

Xiao Wanqing averted her gaze, unable to meet Lin Xian’s clear eyes directly, feeling a mix of complex emotions. Unconsciously, she lightly touched her cheek with her hand, and for a moment, her thoughts couldn’t flow smoothly, unable to imagine how to explain her actions reasonably. She stammered, “Just now…”

Upon seeing Xiao Wanqing’s dramatic retreat, Lin Xian initially felt a fleeting sense of disappointment. But in the next instant, the warm and tender sensation on her lips made her heart explode like fireworks.

Did she accidentally… kiss Aunt Xiao’s face just now?! Ah! A milestone event! Lin Xian almost couldn’t resist screaming.

Moreover, she thought to herself, Xiao Wanqing’s shocked and agitated retreat clearly indicated that she had thought of something she shouldn’t have.

Did she have some inkling?

Lin Xian felt a tinge of satisfaction. She dreaded the idea of Xiao Wanqing remaining clueless, still treating her like a harmless, unaffected child.

Lin Xian forcefully suppressed the corners of her mouth, which were about to curl up behind her ears, waiting for the embarrassed Xiao Wanqing to come up with some kind of explanation. However, she realized that after Xiao Wanqing uttered two words, there was no continuation.

She raised her gaze in puzzlement, looking at Xiao Wanqing, only to see her gaze pass over her and fix straight ahead. Xiao Wanqing, who had moments ago displayed a cute mix of panic and shyness in her watery eyes, now appeared enigmatic, with a calm and waveless expression. Her red lips, unusually tightly pressed into a straight line, and the gentle smile that once adorned her face had vanished without a trace.

Lin Xian paused for a moment and followed Xiao Wanqing’s gaze, turning her body to try and find where her eyes landed.

Although Christmas Eve was not a traditional Chinese holiday, in recent years, with the promotion of commercial activities, it had become more popular than traditional festivals. Perhaps due to it coinciding with the weekend, the square was particularly crowded. Young men and women were coming and going, and among them were families with elderly and children, celebrating together. Some hurriedly walked by, some stopped in their tracks, some whispered to each other, and some remained silent. At first glance, they were just ordinary scenes and people. Lin Xian looked around but couldn’t find anything that would cause such a drastic change in Xiao Wanqing’s expression.

While she was still searching for the target, in her line of sight, not far ahead, there was a couple. The woman, who had been leaning against her husband’s side, tilting her body and speaking to the little girl in front of her, suddenly lifted her head and turned her body. She raised her eyes and looked straight in their direction, as if sensing something.

Almost simultaneously, Lin Xian heard Xiao Wanqing’s voice, softer and more feeble than usual, sounding in her ear, “Is it almost time for our reservation? Let’s go eat.”

Lin Xian turned around in response to the voice and saw that Xiao Wanqing had already turned her back to them. Just a step away, her slender figure seemed to be isolated from the bustling and prosperous surroundings in an instant. She remained exposed to the air, her earlobes that were flushed with crimson moments ago now devoid of color.

Lin Xian tilted her head, and that woman seemed to be staring at them, fixated on the thin and frail figure in front of her.

In Lin Xian’s heart, there was a sudden thud.

Her bright eyes gradually dimmed, and her complexion grew colder. She turned around, catching up with Xiao Wanqing’s steps in three quick strides. Then, she reached out her hand, attempting to grasp Xiao Wanqing’s soft sleeve that had already turned cold from the night breeze, just as she usually did.

However, just as Lin Xian’s hand made contact with Xiao Wanqing’s coldness and before she could grasp it, unexpectedly, Xiao Wanqing seemed startled and quickly pulled her hand away, as if she had been frightened.

Lin Xian instantly halted her steps, standing in place, stunned and at a loss.

Xiao Wanqing’s action of pulling her hand away was completely subconscious. As her thoughts gradually returned, she realized what she had just done. She slightly closed her fingers, feeling somewhat embarrassed as she made eye contact with Lin Xian, hoping that the girl hadn’t noticed her abnormality. However, in the instant their gazes met, she saw the girl’s bright and clear eyes filled with loss and hurt. Xiao Wanqing’s heart suddenly felt a pang, as if it had been pricked by something.

She forced a smile, curving her lips into a seemingly normal arc, and explained apologetically, “I was just lost in thought. Come on, let’s go.” With that, she reached out her hand and proactively clasped Lin Xian’s soft and warm hand.

Xiao Wanqing didn’t know how strained and heartbreaking her smile appeared to Lin Xian.

Lin Xian deeply looked into Xiao Wanqing’s eyes, narrowed her own gaze slightly, and firmly grasped her hand, a hint of melancholy flashing in her eyes.

Wen Tong had mentioned a couple of months ago that the woman was planning to have a second child. However, just now, the woman’s belly was already showing signs of pregnancy, far beyond what would be expected after only two or three months.

Since they had already chosen a new life and the betrayal was complete, why did these chance encounters and entanglements still happen? Lin Xian felt some resentment.

Soon, Lin Xian adjusted her mood, concealing the subtle traces of her annoyance between her brows. She lifted her head and raised her eyebrows, offering a bright smile to Xiao Wanqing. It was as if she had forgotten the unpleasant incident just now, playfully and cheerfully saying, “Aunt Xiao, your hands are so cold.”

Upon hearing that, Xiao Wanqing halted her wandering thoughts, perked up, and jokingly rubbed Lin Xian’s hand, saying, “That’s why I need you, my little warm stove, to warm them up for me.”

Lin Xian curved her eyebrows, going along with the conversation. She turned her body sideways, taking the opportunity to hold Xiao Wanqing’s hand. Cupping Xiao Wanqing’s hand with both of hers, she lifted it to her chest and gently rubbed it, blowing a warm breath onto it. She smiled sweetly and said, “Does it feel a bit warmer now?”

Xiao Wanqing gazed at Lin Xian’s clumsy yet adorable actions, a genuine smile appearing on her face. Her eyebrows relaxed, and she opened her fingers, grasping one of Lin Xian’s hands. Together, they put their hands into the pocket of Xiao Wanqing’s overcoat, her voice gentle as she replied to Lin Xian, “Hmm, it’s very warm now.” The gesture was natural and casual.

Feeling the warmth enveloping her hand, Lin Xian’s uneasiness gradually dissipated as she drew closer to Xiao Wanqing, standing side by side with her.

In her peripheral vision, she caught a glimpse of the woman still watching them from a distance.

The restaurant Lin Xian had planned to go to turned out to be in a secluded alley outside the square, much to Xiao Wanqing’s surprise. The entire alley was different from the bustling crowd in the square, with few pedestrians and hurried passersby. The exterior of the restaurant had weathered bricks and tiles, forming a sharp contrast with the pristine and glossy wall on the other side of the alley. Faintly, the sound of melodious singing could be heard from the crack of the door, while a warm and hazy light seeped through the French windows.

There was a certain sense of being hidden away from the world.

Xiao Wanqing pushed open the door and stepped inside, greeted by a warm, dimly lit ambiance that was almost radiant.

The restaurant had a Gothic-style decor, with warm-toned vintage yellow wallpaper adorning the walls. Old-fashioned wall sconces hung on the walls, flickering with a soft, non-glaring yellow light. The floor-to-ceiling windows were creatively framed with original bricks, forming triangular arches. Adjacent to the bar counter directly opposite was an antique and elegantly realistic fireplace, ablaze with gentle firelight. By the fireplace, a corner was dedicated to various musical instruments, as if there were regular band performances.

At this moment, a vintage gramophone, reminiscent of the one in Xiao Wanqing’s home, was tirelessly spinning, filling the air with a gentle and melodic song…

Lin Xian discreetly observed Xiao Wanqing’s expression and saw the evident appreciation and admiration on her beloved’s beautiful face. She felt a slight sense of relief in her heart.

During high school, she had copied down scattered phrases and exquisite sentences from Zhang Ailing’s classic works as writing materials and literary inspiration. Among them, there was a line that went, “When you love someone, you become as humble as dust, and then you bloom like a flower.” Back then, as she transcribed those words, she found them beautifully written but abstract and difficult to fully comprehend or appreciate.

Tonight, as she sat face to face with Xiao Wanqing, her mind and soul were constantly drawn to her. Her emotions were like a roller coaster, rising and falling with Xiao Wanqing’s every mood. Only gradually did she begin to taste the true meaning behind that sentence.

The waiter brought the menu, and the two of them took turns ordering their dishes. Lin Xian noticed that Xiao Wanqing had been observing the diverse collection of instruments at the bar counter. Playfully, Lin Xian said, “Normally, there are no resident bands here, but there is a wide range of instruments. Aunt Xiao, can you guess why?”

Xiao Wanqing furrowed her delicate brows slightly, pondered for a moment, and then mused, “Are they meant for the diners to use?”

Lin Xian nodded approvingly and exclaimed, “Aunt Xiao, you’re so clever! You guessed it right away.” As she spoke, there was a sudden burst of cheers from a table not far away where several young men and women were seated.

One of the young men emerged from the commotion and walked to the bar counter, taking a seat in front of the microphone. He picked up a guitar, lightly strummed the strings, producing a crisp and melodious sound. The young man had a gentle demeanor as he looked towards a table and spoke into the microphone with a low, magnetic voice, “Su Xinyao, this song is for you.”

He plucked the guitar strings, and a delightful melody flowed from his fingertips.

From the audience, the loud cheering overwhelmed the music.

With a smile playing at the corners of her lips, Lin Xian watched the young man on the stage, involuntarily reaching into the pocket of her woolen coat and touching the neatly folded sheet music inside. She felt a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.

She wondered how Aunt Xiao would react upon seeing her on stage. Would Aunt Xiao remember the childish promise she made to her back then?

Unconsciously, she turned her gaze towards Xiao Wanqing with a tender heart, her emotions surging and her thoughts racing.

Would she be surprised? Lin Xian had never seen Xiao Wanqing completely surprised and delighted before. What kind of captivating and enchanting expression would she wear?

However, as she looked closely, she found that Xiao Wanqing was turned sideways, gazing at the stage with a cold expression, appearing lost in thought. Her brows were tightly furrowed, her eyes filled with intensity, and there was even a hint of a bitter, mocking smile at the corner of her lips that sent a shiver through Lin Xian’s heart.

Lin Xian’s heart trembled slightly, and she clenched her fists, cautiously asking Xiao Wanqing, “Aunt Xiao, do you… not like it?” She wasn’t sure if Xiao Wanqing disliked the environment here, the atmosphere, or perhaps the way the young man expressed his feelings.

After the young man finished singing and playing, amidst applause, he passionately declared to the audience, “Su Xinyao, be my girlfriend.”

Xiao Wanqing shifted her gaze away, gently moving the cup in front of her, unconsciously focusing on the expanding ripples in the water. Her long lashes fluttered, and after a moment of silence, she faintly replied, “Maybe… I don’t like it very much.”

She knew that she was displacing her anger onto something else.

Should she blame Yan Jia for leaving too many deep marks in her life? Or should she blame herself for having such a good memory and strong imagination? In her mind, she recalled the image she caught a glimpse of in the square, that familiar yet unfamiliar woman with a protruding belly. The bitter smile on her lips gradually disappeared.

Lin Xian touched the neatly folded sheet music, listened to Xiao Wanqing’s unfamiliar tone of voice in her response, and watched as her expression once again became downcast. The fiery anticipation and joy in her heart seemed to be instantly extinguished by a bucket of cold water, vanishing completely and leaving behind a chilling emptiness.

The confession from the table of young men went unanswered by any girl in the audience for a long time. After a prolonged silence, a commotion erupted again, but it was a young woman who left the money for her meal and walked out the door without looking back.

Lin Xian thought to herself that today, everything seemed to be in the right place, with perfect timing and conditions, yet it felt like she hadn’t gained anything at all.

She lowered her gaze and tightly clenched the thin, all too familiar sheet music in her pocket, crumpling it silently…

Just like how Xiao Wanqing quietly plucked the wind-blown bud from her heart, the one that had just blossomed from the dust… silently…

The author has something to say:

Lin Xian brought up old issues: “You said you don’t like it!”

Aunt Xiao kissed her: “Because I only like you.”

LP: Sweet angst for me to devour 🙂