For The Rest Of Our Life – Chapter 58

Her lips are so hot…

In the bathroom, steam filled the air, and the silhouette of a graceful woman with a slender waist and long legs appeared faintly in the mist. Xiao Wanqing stood naked under the shower, allowing the warm water to spray down from above her head. After a while, she reached out and turned off the water, pushing back her damp hair from her forehead to reveal a rosy and delicate face. She picked up a facial cleanser from the nearby counter, pressed it into her palm, and gently rubbed it to create foam. Then, she applied the foam to her face, dot by dot.

Her slender fingers slowly traced along the contours of her face, rubbing from the corner of her lips to her ears, following a path that was too familiar. Xiao Wanqing seemed to recall something suddenly, and her body stiffened. Her index finger came to a prolonged stop on her small earlobe, and there was no further movement.

The second time…

Lin Xian lightly brushed her cheek for the second time.

Compared to the accidental touch in their first encounter when she had recoiled, this time felt more like an inadvertent mistake caused by Lin Xian’s overly eager and urgent steps.

However, she wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination. For a brief moment, she felt as if the girl, while rushing towards her, had eyes that were scorching hot, even brighter than a suddenly lit incandescent lamp. When the girl was within arm’s reach, her gaze seemed to stick for a second below her nose bridge, as if finding the right spot, and then her thin lips landed precisely.

Everything seemed slower, gentler, and… more heart-stirring than the first time.

Unconsciously, Xiao Wanqing retracted her fingers that were resting near her ear.

It was… an accident, right?

Certainly, it must be.

When she looked up, the expression of the girl speaking to her was so open and sincere. The next moment, when Zhou Qin appeared, she was equally composed and calm.

That’s how it should be. Her mother could appear at any moment. How could she, how could she possibly, and even more so, dare to entertain any other thoughts?

Xiao Wanqing felt like she must have gone crazy.

Clearly, Lin Xian’s actions were merely accidental and unintentional. Clearly, Lin Xian was so pure and enthusiastic. Why was she baselessly speculating about her with such terrifying and strange thoughts?

Clearly, nothing had happened at all.

Clearly, everything was normal.

Why did she pay so much attention to it?

Compared to the girl’s pure and oblivious thoughts, she herself seemed even stranger and more inexplicable, right?

Deep in her heart, Xiao Wanqing questioned herself: why did she feel palpitations and anxiety the moment Lin Xian let go of her? And why did she feel guilty and flustered the moment Zhou Qin appeared? Why did her whole body stiffen when the girl’s thin lips touched the corner of her lips? Why did her body go weak and her mind briefly foggy when the girl’s breath brushed against her ear?

She lightly bit her red lips, her watery eyes filled with confusion. Her mind was in chaos, not because she had no clue or answer, but because there was a terrifying thought lurking in the depths. However, she subconsciously dared not delve deeper, dared not investigate, and her thoughts didn’t dare to take another step in that direction.

She self-deceptively closed her eyes in a fluster and turned the faucet to the right, abruptly opening the cold water, attempting to interrupt the fiery thoughts that tormented her heart with the icy flow. A moment later, the chill cascaded down from above, making her shiver all over.

But her thoughts, contrary to her wishes, did not cool down.

Her lips were so hot…

Xiao Wanqing thought despairingly as she trembled.

On New Year’s Eve at noon, Lin Xian’s home in the northern district of Anjiang City was unusually lively.

On the television, festive music was playing. Lin Zhan was squatting at the doorway, preparing to put up Spring Festival couplets. Lin Xian’s grandfather and maternal grandfather were leisurely playing chess in the living room. In the kitchen, Zhou Qin was deep-frying fish, shrimp, and oyster cakes on the gas stove. Lin Xian was assigned to her grandmother and maternal grandmother, accompanying them at a nearby table, wrapping dumplings.

The two elderly women skillfully moved their hands, full of enthusiasm. Amidst casual conversation, dumplings were continuously being cooked. On the side, Lin Xian, however, stared at the dumplings, silent and absent-minded. Her hands remained motionless, and it was unclear what she was thinking.

Zhou Qin casually turned her head and noticed Lin Xian spacing out. She couldn’t help but speak up: “Xianxian…”

Hearing the voice, Lin Xian, fearing a lecture from Zhou Qin, instinctively scooped a spoonful of filling onto the dumpling wrapper.

Zhou Qin chuckled helplessly and said somewhat grumpily, “You already have so much filling in your hand, and you still put more. How do you expect the dumpling wrapper to close?”

Seeing her granddaughter’s bewildered and absent-minded appearance, the maternal grandmother’s heart softened instantly. She had long noticed Lin Xian’s distraction and thought that Lin Xian wasn’t interested in making dumplings and was forced to stay here by Zhou Qin, making her unhappy. So she kindly said to Zhou Qin, “Why are you so harsh? Let Xianxian go out and watch the old men play chess. Your grandmother and I can handle the dumplings ourselves. It’ll be done quickly.”

The grandmother also concurred amiably, “Let Xianxian go and play. It’s smoky in here. When your mother finishes frying the shrimp and fish, Grandma will call you in to eat.”

Zhou Qin helplessly replied, “Mom, don’t spoil her.”

The elderly couple, whether due to the generation gap or other reasons, seemed to have transformed. When she and Lin Zhan were young, the elderly were strict as parents. But now, as grandparents, they had changed completely. The four elderly people doted on Lin Xian so much that it seemed boundless. Fortunately, she and Lin Zhan had noticed it early on and didn’t dare to fully entrust Lin Xian to the elderly. When they went abroad for academic visits earlier, they would rather have Lin Xian take a year off from school and accompany them, rather than leaving her with the elderly at home. Otherwise, Lin Xian might have become unruly by now.

Lin Xian snapped out of her thoughts and felt somewhat embarrassed. She smiled obediently at her grandmother and maternal grandmother, explaining, “I don’t want to go. I want to stay here and make dumplings with you. I’ve been busy with school, and I haven’t had much time to accompany you throughout the year.” She glanced at Zhou Qin, her eyes flickering, paused for a moment, and then changed to a more subdued tone, expressing her concern, “I just suddenly thought of Aunt Xiao. I wonder if she’s alone at home for the New Year, making dumplings and preparing a lavish dinner seriously.”

She lowered her gaze, speaking in an even softer tone with a tinge of guilt, “Aunt Xiao has been taking care of me for the past half year. No matter how busy she is with work, whenever I come home from school, she always has dinner ready for me. But every time during the holidays, I just run off on my own, leaving her all alone. The thought of her being alone and hastily handling things by herself makes me feel a little sad.” Although her words had a purpose in setting the stage, they were also heartfelt and genuine, so her subdued and remorseful tone touched the hearts of those listening.

Xiao Wanqing was considered like family to both elderly people. When Xiao Wanqing’s parents were alive, their families often visited each other, and they shared a deep bond. After Xiao Wanqing’s parents passed away, she stopped returning to the north district, and they hadn’t seen her for many years. Thinking back to the time when Xiao and Zhou families lived close by, celebrating festivals together with joy and liveliness, it wasn’t uncommon. Xiao Wanqing, back then, was as obedient and sensible as Lin Xian, surrounding them with her presence. But now, considering the years she had spent alone after her parents’ passing, how lonely and desolate she must have felt. For a moment, the elderly couple sighed with deep sympathy.

Seeing that the two elderly people were emotionally affected, Lin Xian immediately seized the opportunity and tentatively asked, “Grandma, maternal grandmother, I want to send some dumplings to Aunt Xiao and accompany her for dinner. I’ll come back in the evening, is that okay?” She knew that Zhou Qin had a good relationship with Xiao Wanqing, so she was worried that Zhou Qin might hesitate due to the presence of the elderly, fearing that they might not be pleased with the idea.

Fortunately, after the two elderly people sighed and heard her proposal, they were very understanding. Her grandmother even patted her head and praised her, saying, “Our Xianxian is a grateful person. You have a kind heart.”

Her grandmother turned to Zhou Qin and asked on her behalf, “Qinqin, let Xianxian go. Xiao Wanqing has had a hard time these past years, and Xianxian is indebted to her care.”

Zhou Qin glanced at Lin Xian and smiled helplessly. This little clever one. She gently agreed, “Mom, alright. Let me fry some more fish, shrimp, and oyster cakes for Xianxian to take along.”

Lin Xian joyfully kissed both elderly people on the face and excitedly ran out of the kitchen, saying, “Then I’ll go change my clothes.”

Zhou Qin raised her voice to ask her, “Do you want your father to accompany you?”

Lin Xian didn’t even turn back and replied, “No need. You and Dad are busy. I’ll just take the bus by myself.”

Lin Xian changed her clothes, slung a bag on her back without caring about the greasy items, and stuffed everything into her backpack. Then, she waved at them eagerly, ready to leave.

Zhou Qin rushed out, wanting to secretly remind Lin Xian of something, but she discovered that Lin Xian had been intercepted by Lin Zhan, who had a Spring Festival couplet pasted on the front door.

Lin Zhan looked at the thing Lin Xian was holding in her hands, his gentle face filled with confusion. “Where are you going while holding that?”

Lin Xian giggled and coquettishly said in a soft voice, “I’m going to give Aunt Xiao some dumplings. I thought of it and decided to bring them along. It was difficult to bring them before because I always had other luggage, but today my hands are relatively free, so I’ll bring them over.”

Zhou Qin was somewhat amused and skeptical as she asked Lin Xian, “Are you just going to carry it like that on the bus? If you want, I can drive you there next time when school starts, and you can bring it then.”

Lin Xian insisted, “No need, Mom. I can bring it myself today. When school starts, we’ll have our hands full with bags and it’ll be difficult to bring it along. It’s fine, Mom. I’m leaving now.”

Zhou Qin couldn’t do anything about it and tapped her forehead with her finger, scolding her, “You, really…” She leaned in closer to Lin Xian and lowered her voice to give her a reminder, “Come back earlier. They’re waiting for you to have dinner together. Don’t make your grandpas and grandmas wait for you alone. It’s impolite, you know?”

Lin Xian was in a hurry to leave, giving a perfunctory response as if she understood, “Yes, yes, Mom. I got it. I’m leaving now.”

Zhou Qin sighed. This child, she didn’t realize how important it was for whom she was doing all this.

“Go ahead, stay safe on the way.”

Thinking that it was New Year’s Eve and everyone had returned home, Zhou Qin expected the public bus to be empty and quiet. However, to Lin Xian’s surprise, the bus was even more crowded than usual, with many people carrying their luggage, big and small. Lin Xian boarded the bus and struggled to find a relatively stable spot, finally managing to settle down. From that point on, no matter how crowded the people around her were, she stood firm like a mountain and didn’t move until she reached the stop near Xiao Wanqing’s house.

On the bus, every time someone boarded and stood next to Lin Xian, they would unconsciously glance at her. There was even a child who sat in the seat next to her and couldn’t help but poke Lin Xian, saying, “Can I touch it?”

The child’s parent immediately stopped them, but because Lin Xian was in a good mood, she responded with a bright smile and said, “It’s okay.” She even willingly reached out and held the child’s hand.

Finally, when she arrived at her stop and got off the bus, Lin Xian felt sore and exhausted from being squeezed. But when she stepped into the residential area and looked up at the window on the floor where Xiao Wanqing lived, all her fatigue disappeared. She felt like her whole heart was about to fly.

These past few days, she had been exchanging text messages with Aunt Xiao, and Aunt Xiao’s replies were always brief.

Aunt Xiao didn’t know how eagerly she awaited each of her messages, and those few words could be read over and over again.

Aunt Xiao had no idea that just a few days without seeing her, Lin Xian missed her so much that her heart felt like it was breaking.

As Lin Xian thought about this, she suddenly couldn’t help but want to cover her face and involuntarily scolded herself.

Ah, Lin Xiaoxian, why are you so affected!

However, she couldn’t help it, and a sweet and silly smile appeared on her face.

With this mixture of embarrassment and joy, she entered the building, stepped into the elevator, and went straight up.

Upon entering the floor where Xiao Wanqing’s apartment was located, Lin Xian looked around and noticed that the couplets at the doors of the other two households had been refreshed. One household had already pasted half of it, and the couple was standing at the doorway gesturing the height. Only at Xiao Wanqing’s door, the couplet remained the same as when she left—dim and gloomy.

Lin Xian bit her lip, feeling a pang of sadness.

However, she quickly gathered herself and reassured herself that it was just as well. She could help Aunt Xiao change it together.

Based on her observation of Xiao Wanqing’s weekend routine, Lin Xian guessed that Xiao Wanqing should still be taking a nap at this time.

As expected, when she carefully opened the security door, closed it gently, changed her shoes, and entered the living room, she saw that it was empty and quiet.

As Lin Xian pondered for a moment, a mischievous smile flickered in her eyes. She took off the newly changed slippers and, like a thief, moved swiftly and quietly towards her own bedroom.

On the way, she caught a glimpse of the study door being open, empty inside; Aunt Xiao’s bedroom door was partially closed, with no sound coming from it.

Sure enough, she was still fast asleep.

Xiao Wanqing had been examining documents all morning, and unconsciously, it was already lunchtime. She casually opened a packet of pickled vegetables and hastily ate lunch with the leftover porridge from the morning.

After lunch, she tidied up her work in the study as usual and, after an hour, feeling a bit tired, she returned to her bedroom for a nap.

Perhaps it was because her restless emotions had been tormenting her and causing frequent insomnia these past few days, she had reached the limits of her physical exhaustion.

During this particular nap, after Xiao Wanqing fell asleep, she surprisingly sank into a deep slumber that had been rare in recent days.

She didn’t know how much time had passed, but in a half-awake state, she seemed to faintly hear the sound of opening and closing doors from outside. However, they were all fleeting moments. She drowsily tried to listen carefully, but everything fell silent again. In a state of blurred consciousness, she mumbled to herself that it was probably just a dream.

As she closed her eyes, about to slip back into unconsciousness, she heard the sound of the door being pushed once again. This time, it was clear and audible…

With great difficulty, Xiao Wanqing weakly opened her watery eyes, only to see a tall figure, accompanied by a slender beam of light seeping through the crack in the door, appearing in front of her doorway like a dream.

It was a face that she had yearned for day and night, a face she dared not think about but couldn’t help but think about, tormenting her and preventing her from sleeping—a familiar face.

The girl gazed at her, her face adorned with a smile more vibrant and radiant than blossoming peach blossoms.

Her dark and clear eyes sparkled, shining brighter than the stars in the sky.

Xiao Wanqing was in a daze, lost in her thoughts.

Was this person finally, arrogantly, invading even her dreams?

This rascal…

The author has something to say:

Aunt Xiao denies it again in a threefold manner: “I’m not, I didn’t, how could it be?”

Doubting life…