It has your scent
After Lin Xian finished taking a bath, she sat cross-legged on the bed with her fair and slender legs. With one hand holding the white towel draped over her shoulders, she wiped her wet hair, while the other hand held her phone. She opened the WeChat voice message sent by Yan Yuhuan.
During the winter break, she met up with Yan Yuhuan and some other high school classmates once, and she also met Yan Yuhuan privately twice, discussing everyone’s college life. Lin Xian didn’t hesitate to share her secret crush on Xiao Wanqing with her friends, but she also felt that it wasn’t appropriate to announce it openly before establishing a relationship with Xiao Wanqing, to avoid causing trouble. So, although she didn’t dare to reveal it, she still asked Yan Yuhuan tentatively, if she liked girls, what would she do? Yan Yuhuan shamelessly replied, “What’s the big deal? Let me tell you, in college, an equal number of guys and girls pursue me.” Lin Xian was almost dumbfounded.
Perhaps it was because their classmates and friends around them were more open-minded, Lin Xian faintly felt that liking girls might not be as shocking or outrageous as she thought. In her heart, she gained a bit more confidence in her future with Xiao Wanqing.
Yan Yuhuan’s university started later than hers, so they planned to meet after the Lantern Festival. Yesterday, when Lin Xian heard that her parents were going to a classmate gathering and there would be no one to take care of her, Yan Yuhuan instantly felt maternal and warmly invited Lin Xian to her house for a three-day and two-night cohabitation. Unfortunately, Lin Xian prioritized friendship over romantic relationships and politely declined.
In the evening, Lin Xian was sitting in her mother’s car when she received a voice message from Yan Yuhuan. Since Yan Yuhuan was never one to hold back, and Zhou Qin was sitting next to her, it wasn’t convenient for Lin Xian to listen to the message. Now, as she casually dried her hair, she absentmindedly played the message out loud and heard Yan Yuhuan’s clear and lively voice exclaim, “Lin Xiaoxian, tell me honestly, do you have something going on? Do you really like girls?! Who is it?!”
Lin Xian listened to her friend’s voice and couldn’t help but laugh. Her knee-jerk reaction was a bit too much.
She opened the next message and heard Yan Yuhuan guessing, “Let me think about which girls’ names you’ve mentioned to me. Based on frequency, the most mentioned is Shi Man, followed by Chen Zhi, Tang Mo, Xia Zhijin, and who else… I think that’s it. Quickly tell me which little enchantress stole your heart?!”
Lin Xian furrowed her brows, feeling a bit displeased. Nonsense! The girl’s name she mentioned the most was her Aunt Xiao! She pressed the voice button and reluctantly accepted Yan Yuhuan’s guess, preparing to mock her by saying, “Yuhuan, your memory is terrible. Buy some walnuts to nourish your brain. You’ve forgotten the name of my beloved!” Just as she was about to say “beloved,” the door, which was wide open, suddenly rang with a rhythmic knocking sound—Xiao Wanqing stood there holding a plush teddy bear.
Lin Xian was startled and immediately released the button she was holding, feeling awkward. “Aunt Xiao, you… When did you come? Did you hear anything?”
Xiao Wanqing had just arrived as well. When she passed by, she casually overheard a bit of Lin Xian’s response, which was filled with laughter. She smiled and understandingly explained, “I just arrived. I didn’t hear anything.”
She approached and placed the teddy bear on Lin Xian’s bed, speaking gently, “Your mom told me that you used to sleep while hugging it back home. Why did you bring it here and leave it behind?”
Lin Xian saw the teddy bear’s familiar and affectionate appearance and reached out to embrace it, rubbing its head against her chin without hesitation. She said, “Because I wanted it to accompany you in the days when I’m not around, Aunt Xiao.” She leaned down and sniffed the teddy bear, looking enchanted like an infatuated fool. “Aunt Xiao, it has your scent on it. It smells so good…”
Lin Xian’s casual remark caused Xiao Wanqing’s heart to skip a beat. Xiao Wanqing watched Lin Xian, who held her beloved toy like a child, with a pure expression on her face. Unbeknownst to Lin Xian, she had treated the teddy bear as… as her, secretly unable to resist cuddling it a few times and sleeping with it every night. And now, she was embracing it without any reservations.
Feelings of shame began to well up inside Xiao Wanqing, causing her heart to cool down slowly, despite the flutter it experienced from Lin Xian’s tender and gentle words earlier. She remained silent for two seconds, remembering the serious matter she came to discuss this time.
Xiao Wanqing cleared her throat imperceptibly and tried to regain her usual tone of conversation as she informed Lin Xian, “Xianxian, I started working today.”
Lin Xian looked up at her and nodded, saying, “I know.” Aunt Xiao’s tone seemed to have suddenly become a bit serious?
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Xiao Wanqing continued, “As soon as I started work today, we had a meeting. The magazine company has set new strategic goals starting this year, so my job has become a little more demanding.” She paused, observing Lin Xian with wide eyes, blinking expectantly, and continued, gritting her teeth, “So, I might not be able to leave work on time like last semester. There might be frequent overtime and social engagements. Even if I don’t work overtime, there may be special tasks to do at home, like video conferences or rushing to meet deadlines. When I’m writing articles, I tend to get agitated and can’t stand any noise. Video conferences would also affect your studying. So, we might not be able to share the study anymore…”
As Lin Xian listened to Xiao Wanqing’s words, she stared at her in a daze. Her hand, which was wiping her hair, gradually lowered, and the towel slipped down from her head.
The time they spent together in the study at night was the longest period they could spend with each other in a day, and it was also the most cherished time for Lin Xian. In the study, when she was tired from studying, she would look at Xiao Wanqing’s serious profile, and it would instantly sweep away her fatigue. Occasionally, when Xiao Wanqing was in high spirits, she would practice calligraphy and self-cultivation, and Lin Xian would stand beside her, grinding ink and adding fragrance to the atmosphere. In the countless rotations of the ink stick, she gradually smoothed away her once yearned-for youthful recklessness, dreaming only that every year and every moment from now on would be as peaceful and beautiful as this.
And Aunt Xiao’s implication was that there might not be such moments in the future?
Lin Xian couldn’t help but pout, displaying a hint of sadness and helplessness. Xiao Wanqing felt a pang in her heart as she watched.
Lin Xian was someone who openly expressed her emotions. She had told Xiao Wanqing on more than one occasion how much she enjoyed spending time with her in the study. So ever since she came, aside from playing on the computer, she rarely buried herself in her own desk. Xiao Wanqing knew how much Lin Xian loved studying with her in the study.
But after a brief moment of heavy atmosphere, Lin Xian obediently forced out a smile and agreed with Xiao Wanqing, saying, “Okay, Aunt Xiao, it’s alright. I can study in my own room as well. Your work is important, so if you have to work overtime and can’t make it back in time, you don’t need to rush back specifically. Just send me a message and let me know. I’ll eat at the school cafeteria. You don’t need to worry about me.”
Xiao Wanqing saw that despite the evident sadness in Lin Xian’s eyes, she still put on a brave face and smiled at her. It pained her even more. She even wanted to comfort her and say, “It’s just temporary. Once this busy period is over, it’ll be fine.” It’ll be fine when she no longer held any illusions. However, she couldn’t afford to have even the slightest softness in her heart, nor could she let her guard down. In the end, she held back. She was afraid that any slight relaxation at this moment would turn into a dreadful chain that would bite into her, mercilessly dragging her deeper into the muddy swamp, making it even harder to escape.
She bit her lip and calmly said to Lin Xian, “Don’t worry, I’ll try my best to come back and cook dinner. And as for you…” She looked at Lin Xian’s dripping hair and reminded her, “Make sure to dry your hair and get some rest early tonight. I need to go and focus on work.” In her past life, she rarely lied, fearing that it wouldn’t be convincing enough. She turned around, muttering as she walked away, “It’s really making me busy to the point of being overwhelmed.”
Lin Xian stared blankly, holding her teddy bear, as she watched Xiao Wanqing’s tired figure leaving. She felt a bit lost and confused. There was a sour feeling in her heart, and she felt extremely sad.
If, if it were before, Aunt Xiao would probably help her dry her hair.
After a while, she shook her still wet little head, shaking off her self-pity, and cheered herself up, admonishing herself, “Lin Xian, you’re an adult now. How can you be so childish? Aunt Xiao is busy with work, and as her potential partner, you should understand and take care of her. You should find ways to share her burdens.”
In the study, Xiao Wanqing sat upright, thinking about the moment when the girl confidently replied to her friend’s message, her eyes sparkling with joy. In her heart, there was a faint sense of melancholy.
That’s the carefree joy Lin Xian has when she’s with her friends.
Lin Xian has never used that tone or shown that expression with her. In front of her, she is obedient and understanding, occasionally playful and lively, but always striking the right balance.
Thinking back now, it’s as if she had never let go of herself?
In the end, Lin Xian still sees her as an elder.
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This is something she has long realized, the insurmountable gap between them, which is an undeniable fact.
Clearly, she shouldn’t have any delusions, shouldn’t allow herself to have any delusions, but why does she still feel sad?
Xiao Wanqing tightly bit her lower lip, rubbed her forehead, and told herself: Don’t think, don’t think.
She turned on her computer, disconnecting herself from her thoughts, allowing herself to slowly immerse completely in her work.
At night, Lin Xian held the teddy bear that carried Xiao Wanqing’s fragrance. In her dreams, she felt surrounded by the sweet scent of Xiao Wanqing, sleeping especially soundly.
She set an alarm clock on purpose, so even though she slept deeply in sweet dreams, she still woke up on time, just like on previous weekends. Not too early, not too late, just right, so Xiao Wanqing could sleep in a little longer and not have to wait too long for her to have breakfast.
She freshened up and deliberately adorned her hair with a beautiful new hairpin she had bought together with Yan Yuhuan during winter break. She was all excited and ready to go and wish Xiao Wanqing a good morning.
However, to her surprise, she was met with emptiness…
The kitchen was empty, devoid of Xiao Wanqing’s presence. She walked through the living room, the balcony, returned to the study, Xiao Wanqing’s bedroom, even the bathroom, but she couldn’t find Xiao Wanqing anywhere. It wasn’t until she turned around to leave and reached her own bedroom door that she noticed a pale yellow sticky note on the door. On it, written in Xiao Wanqing’s graceful handwriting, were densely packed instructions:
Xian Xian, I’ve gone to work. Breakfast is being kept warm in the rice cooker. Just open it and take it out. I won’t be able to come back for lunch, so I’ve already prepared the rice and soup at the scheduled time. When it’s time for lunch, and it’s still warm, you can go ahead and eat. I’ve cooked the dishes in the morning and kept them in the fridge. Just manage with them for now, and you can heat them up in the microwave for lunch.
The elated mood in Lin Xian’s heart suddenly sank as she saw the small, lonely note on the vast door. Her thin lips tightened firmly.
After a moment, she comforted herself. Aunt Xiao is so busy, yet she still remembers you and plans everything for you so thoughtfully. What more could you ask for?
She tore off the sticky note and stared at it for a long time. Then, she brought it to her lips and gave it a gentle kiss. She took out her phone from her pocket and sent a text message to Xiao Wanqing: “Aunt Xiao, I’m awake. I saw your message. Don’t worry, I will take care of myself. Even if you’re busy, remember to have lunch.”
Xiao Wanqing replied almost instantly, with her usual concise style, containing only the word “Okay.”
Two seconds later, another text message came, this time with a few more words: “Be careful not to burn yourself.”
Lin Xian looked at the single word “Okay” quickly followed by the gentle reminder “Be careful not to burn yourself” from her beloved. As she looked at it, her thin lips inexplicably curved upwards, gradually forming a smile.
Sweetness filled her heart.
Was Aunt Xiao waiting for her to wake up with that text message? She indulged in her own imagination.
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Regardless, it was just like that.
Lin Xian pushed open the bedroom door and immediately jumped onto the bed, embracing the teddy bear as if she were hugging the tender and soft Xiao Wanqing. On the comical mouth of the teddy bear, she planted a passionate good morning kiss.
The author has something to say:
Lin Xian, feeling delighted: “One dog, two uses.”
Teddy: “Woof woof, enough, please stop. I’m just a little teddy bear.”
LP: Poor teddy bear!
I’m finally back! Thank you all for your patience. As always, I’m striving for daily updates, maybe not updating on sunday sometimes. Update time is 5AM (UTC+8).
WB, thanks for the TL!
WB, thanks for the TL!