Restless and eager to act
Before Xiao Wanqing finished answering, Lin Xian was full of confidence. But as soon as she learned that Xiao Wanqing had only three questions wrong, her composure started to waver. And when she compared her own answers and found out she had one more mistake than Xiao Wanqing, Lin Xian’s spirit completely deflated.
Seeing the change in her expression, Xiao Wanqing already guessed the outcome, but still teased her on purpose: “How did it go? Did I lose, huh?”
Lin Xian knew Xiao Wanqing was doing it on purpose. She pouted and asked Xiao Wanqing, “Auntie Xiao, what score did you get on CET-6 back in the day?” With such proficiency after all these years, Auntie Xiao must have been overly modest earlier!
Xiao Wanqing pulled Lin Xian’s answer sheet toward her and began pointing out mistakes, answering nonchalantly, “I don’t remember. The scoring system was different back then. But I do recall that, in listening…,” she paused, a rare mischievous smile on her face, then declared to Lin Xian, “I got full marks.”
Lin Xian’s eyes widened in surprise. Wow, what a trickster! Auntie Xiao must have been a top-notch student. She couldn’t help feeling a sense of pride, yet she put on a pitiful face, slumping over the table, and whimpered to Xiao Wanqing, “Wuu wuu wuu, little Lin Xian is so heartbroken, it hurts, I’m so sad, in pain, ouch…”
Xiao Wanqing watched with a bemused smile as Lin Xian fussed and acted cute. It seemed like after they got together, Lin Xian became increasingly prone to laughter, mischief, and coquettish behavior. Compared to her past repression and grievance, Xiao Wanqing preferred to see Lin Xian so relaxed and happy in her presence.
Xiao Wanqing had sorted out the mistakes in the homework and pushed it in front of Lin Xian, indulging her playfulness as she doted, “Then what should we do about that?”
Lin Xian’s eyes curved into crescent moons, pouting as she said, “Auntie Xiao needs to give a kiss for it to be all better.”
Looking into the girl’s bright, expectant eyes, a smile also surfaced in Xiao Wanqing’s gaze. After a moment of eye contact, she laid down her pen, propped her arm on the desk, and leaned forward, intending to plant a soft kiss on Lin Xian’s cheek.
However, with a sly glint flashing in her eyes and a slight tilt of her lips, Lin Xian deftly turned her head at the last moment and tilted her face up, leading Xiao Wanqing’s lips to land not on her cheek, but directly onto her own warm, delicate lips.
She saw it, as their lips touched, Auntie Xiao’s eyes widened in astonishment, and she stared straight into her own eyes. Lin Xian mischievously blinked at her, teasingly licked her soft, red lips.
In the next moment, Xiao Wanqing reacted as if she had been shocked, quickly pulling away. She bit her lip, looking at Lin Xian, and a blush gradually spread across her cheeks.
“Xianxian, don’t tease…” Her voice was slightly husky and soft.
“But it was Auntie Xiao who kissed me…” Lin Xian’s lips curled into a smile, looking innocent. Only she knew how fast her heart was beating.
Kissing and being kissed, the feeling was completely different.
The thought that Auntie Xiao had taken the initiative to kiss her made her feel as if her heart was so full that something might spill out.
She was utterly in love with the way Auntie Xiao, mature yet shy, reacted after being stolen a kiss—her heart felt a tickling softness, an itch to continue teasing her, to witness even more of her enchantingly bashful looks.
Feeling a warmth surging through her heart, she was about to pull Xiao Wanqing’s arm, to seize the moment before she settled down, to press on with her mischief, when the untimely vibration of the phone on the table interrupted her plan.
The caller ID told Lin Xian that it was her mother calling…
Instinctively, she looked up at Xiao Wanqing, only to see the blush recede from her graceful face, as if the laughter had frozen in an instant, and her eyes dimmed.
Lin Xian frowned slightly, her heart stung by the paleness that swept over Xiao Wanqing’s face.
She sat up straight, picked up the phone, and answered the call.
Zhou Qin was calling to ask about her plans for the May Day holiday.
It was only when Lin Xian heard Zhou Qin’s question that she remembered that next week was the May Day holiday. Ever since being with Xiao Wanqing, time seemed to pass in a dream, the days almost indistinguishable.
Before Lin Xian could respond, Zhou Qin had already made plans for her: “Your grandfather’s retired colleague from his hometown invited him over, and a couple of days ago your grandmother and I talked on the phone. Though she didn’t spell it out, the message seemed to suggest that she hopes you could join them. Perhaps it’s because you didn’t come back for Qingming Festival, the elders miss you but are too shy to say it directly. It’s understandable; think about how long it’s been since you’ve seen them. Xianxian, if you don’t have anything major going on, join them. Consider it a chance to experience life and see the countryside scenery.”
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Lin Xian was at a loss for words. She also felt a bit guilty; since starting university, the time she spent with her elderly family had steadily decreased. In the past, had her mother made such a suggestion, she would have agreed without hesitation. But now…
She glanced at Xiao Wanqing, who was looking back at her with a gentle and serene gaze, and hesitated.
She didn’t know Xiao Wanqing’s plans for the May Day holiday, but whether it was staying at home or going out, she… wanted to be with Auntie Xiao.
Zhou Qin, seeing Lin Xian’s silence, sensed her reluctance. Her tone became slightly stern as she asked, “Do you have other plans?”
Although she doted on Lin Xian, Zhou Qin did not indulge her excessively. Normally, the duties of honoring the elderly were undertaken by her and Lin Xian’s father, Lin Zhan. She wasn’t demanding towards Lin Xian, only expecting occasional gestures of filial piety when the old folks needed it. She didn’t believe Lin Xian would have an unbreakable commitment during the holiday, and so she felt a touch of anger and disappointment at Lin Xian’s insensitivity and lack of consideration.
Hearing Zhou Qin’s tone, Lin Xian knew Zhou Qin was serious. She felt very conflicted and hesitated for a moment before finding what seemed like the easiest excuse to get by: “I have my driving test, the second stage, a couple of days after the holiday, so I was thinking whether I should spend those three days practicing more at the driving school.”
Zhou Qin was half convinced and questioned, “Do the driving instructors not take holidays?”
Lin Xian, anxious, stammered, “They should, should be working.”
Seeing that Lin Xian appeared to have important matters, Zhou Qin relented slightly, “Then you give it some thought on your own. See how confident you are about your exam, and give me a reply in a couple of days.”
Lin Xian breathed a sigh of relief and responded, “Okay, I’ll let you know in a couple of days.”
She hung up the phone and turned to Xiao Wanqing with a troubled look, asking, “Auntie Xiao, do you have any plans for the May Day holiday?”
Xiao Wanqing had been listening but couldn’t make out exactly what Zhou Qin said. From Lin Xian’s responses, she roughly guessed that Zhou Qin had proposed some holiday plans, and that Lin Xian was somewhat indecisive due to her own presence.
She lowered her gaze slightly, suppressing an involuntary surge of disappointment in her heart, and considerately said to Lin Xian, “I almost forgot to tell you, my company has organized a trip for May Day. It’s a team-building exercise and I can’t miss it, so I won’t be able to spend the holiday with you.”
She was lying to Lin Xian.
She had actually wanted to ask Lin Xian about her May Day plans later. She thought, if Lin Xian could stay to spend the holiday together, and if she was willing, they could use those three days off to go to Qi City to enjoy the spring and admire the flowers. It was said that there, the rapeseed flowers were in full bloom1. A brilliant expanse of golden yellow swaying in the wind…
She had even planned the route and booked a hotel, all that was left was for Lin Xian to agree.
But she was also mentally prepared for the possibility that Lin Xian might not be able to accompany her. Should Lin Xian have other family arrangements or not wish to stay, she was willing to step aside voluntarily. She didn’t want to compete with Zhou Qin and the others for Lin Xian’s company; after all, they had more right to claim Lin Xian’s time.
So, in a way, this was expected.
Yet, she thought she could accept it calmly. She did not anticipate that deep down, there would still be a slight and uncontrollable twinge of disappointment.
She was a little disappointed in herself.
Xiao Wanqing chastised herself, “Xiao Wanqing, you’re being greedy, too much so.”
She listened as Lin Xian forlornly said, “Ah, then, if I stay here, Auntie Xiao, you won’t be around either.”
Lin Xian sighed, coming clean to Xiao Wanqing, “My grandparents want me to join them in the countryside to enjoy the spring; of course, I’m willing to go with them, but, but I want to be with you even more…”
As Xiao Wanqing heard that it was the wish of Lin Xian’s grandparents, something struck her heart, causing a slight pain. After that, she completely let go of that little disappointment.
She reached out and gently patted Lin Xian’s head, consoling her sincerely, “Xianxian, go back, go back and keep them company.” There was a fleeting look of pain in her eyes, and her voice deepened as she advised Lin Xian, “Xianxian, we young people have a long, long time ahead of us. But the days we have to spend with our elders, they’re ticking by, one less day with each that passes.”
She once did not know how to cherish, until, until her final moments when she refused to see her even once, only then did she realize that to be needed was such a blissful thing. Like the trees that want stillness while the winds won’t cease, like children wanting to provide while parents won’t wait; this pain, this regret, she did not wish for her beloved little girl to one day feel the same.
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Lin Xian was not truly ignorant of the way of things. She sighed, sadly nodding in agreement, “I understand, then I’ll go back.” She reached out and held Xiao Wanqing, resting in her embrace, murmuring, “If only there was Doraemon’s gadget to shrink you down, Auntie Xiao, and take you with me.”
Hearing her words, the sorrow at the bottom of Xiao Wanqing’s heart faded a bit, and her lips couldn’t help but lift into a smile.
She gently scolded her, “Silly girl.” But her hands couldn’t help but affectionately wrap around Lin Xian.
On the day she went back home for the holiday, Lin Xian guessed that Xiao Wanqing might not be ready to confront Zhou Qin face-to-face after their relationship had developed. She was also afraid that Auntie Xiao might suddenly become indecisive and retreat after seeing her, so she didn’t ask Zhou Qin to come pick her up. Pretending to be considerate of Zhou Qin’s trouble of traveling back and forth, she decided to take the bus home by herself.
That evening as Lin Xian was ready to leave, she put on her shoes and was all set with her suitcase in tow.
Xiao Wanqing, ever considerate, went over to the door to help her friend out, ready to open it to facilitate her departure.
Unexpectedly, just as she grasped the doorknob and cracked open the security door, a force pushed it shut with a resounding “snap.”
Confused and about to ask Lin Xian what was wrong, Xiao Wanqing barely turned around before she found herself pressed against the door, wrapped in a fragrant and soft embrace.
Her back against the door, Lin Xian circled her waist, burrowed her head in the crook of her neck, and rubbed against it with a slightly whiny tone of discontent, “Auntie Xiao, you don’t seem to be relunctant of me leaving, hmph!”
The weather had gradually begun to warm up, and she was only dressed in a loose T-shirt, with the skin of her neck to collarbone teasingly visible. In the midst of their tugging, the neckline of the T-shirt slipped down, and the girl’s warm breath showered upon it.
Ticklish and warmly enticing, Xiao Wanqing felt her body involuntarily softening. Her voice was a bit velvety and hoarse with a hint of resistance, “Xianxian, stop it, that tickles…”
Lin Xian chuckled lightly, aware that Xiao Wanqing was always ticklish, and intended to heed her wishes to stop teasing her. But as she lifted her head, her gaze inadvertently fell into Xiao Wanqing’s gentle and watery eyes, which carried a hint of alluring tenderness and charm.
Lin Xian’s throat bobbed slightly, and her heartbeat thundered like drums.
That day, an action interrupted by Zhou Qin—and not pursued—once again stirred restlessly in her heart.
She couldn’t restrain herself any longer. She encircled Xiao Wanqing, batting her long eyelashes and leaning closer to her. Then, her lips landed on the woman’s incredibly soft chin. She felt the woman in her arms tremble ever so slightly.
But she didn’t stop her actions without restraint. She wasn’t satisfied.
She slightly lifted her head, continuing upward as her delicate lips glided onto Xiao Wanqing’s plump bottom lip, gently touching it with her own. And then, she continued upward.
Xiao Wanqing’s breath became erratic. She let out a barely audible whimper and raised her hand to push Lin Xian gently, but Lin Xian didn’t retreat. In the entanglement of their breaths, Xiao Wanqing’s resistance gradually weakened.
Lin Xian was nervously suffocating, yet she couldn’t bear to leave. She sensed Xiao Wanqing’s softening, and her heart blossomed with joy. Unable to control her emotions, she desired more than just the exchange of lips; she wanted to go further.
However, in the next moment, her teeth collided with Xiao Wanqing’s teeth, and immediately after, she accidentally bit her own lip. A sharp pain struck her without warning, causing tears of pain to well up in her eyes…
Xiao Wanqing’s fair face flushed with a rosy hue as she breathed softly. In her surrender, she gently closed her eyes. Upon hearing Lin Xian’s reflexive soft cry, she immediately opened her eyes with concern and looked at the girl. Seeing the girl covering her lips, in pain, annoyance, and embarrassment, she couldn’t help but playfully scold her, and a smile gradually appeared in her eyes.
Then, a delightful laughter broke the tension between them.
Lin Xian immediately looked aggrieved and whimpered, “Auntie Xiao… wuwuwu… you didn’t even teach me, and you’re laughing at me…”
Xiao Wanqing couldn’t help but laugh and gently touched her lips, her breath still somewhat unsteady. Her voice was soft, gentle, and pleasant, “Perhaps this is the punishment for a naughty child who doesn’t listen, huh?”
Lin Xian let out a huff of embarrassment and annoyance.
As she was considering whether there was a chance to pick up where they left off, the alarm that she had set—worried that taking too long to pack might cause her to miss the planned train—started ringing.
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Xiao Wanqing lovingly rubbed her cheek against Lin Xian’s little head, speaking softly, “Let’s go, or you might miss it.”
No matter what, the mood couldn’t be restored. Lin Xian gave up completely. With reluctance, she asked Xiao Wanqing in a muffled voice, “Can I ask you for something?”
“Hmm?”
“Remember to miss me,” she whispered tenderly into Xiao Wanqing’s ear.
Xiao Wanqing lowered her head to look at Lin Xian, her eyes brimming with starlight and tenderness. She let out an almost inaudible sigh from the bottom of her heart and replied to Lin Xian, “Okay…”
On the bus, Lin Xian touched her lips and couldn’t help but smile like an idiot; at the same time, she was filled with annoyance as she opened the browser and searched for bold words—
Kissing Techniques.
Who was it that had lied to her, saying that it would all come naturally when the time came?! Angry, she felt like hitting someone! She should have listened to Shi Man’s advice, regret!!
The author has something to say:
Lin Xian: I want to cry; no one should try to stop me.
