Welcome
At your place, am I also welcome?
Jin Shuilan replied to her: 【Okay.】
Lu Zhenqiu pursed her lips, her fingers fiddling with the screen. She glanced again at the message from Bai Mao on her computer, which told her the tickets had arrived. Two of them, the tickets she had booked before.
Regarding the matter of Zhang Xin holding a concert, it was thanks to her relationship with Jin Shuilan that she knew in advance. If it weren’t for Jin Shuilan, the tickets would have likely been sold out by the time she found out. Another thing was that these tickets were given to her by Bai Mao, also as a favor to Jin Shuilan.
The other ticket, by all reason and sentiment, should be given to Jin Shuilan. Without her, there would be no opportunity to go to this concert.
But how should she give it to Jin Shuilan?
Lu Zhenqiu pressed her slightly aching head, not making a move for a long time. The bullet comments were all asking if she had lagged, why she kept staring at her phone. Lu Zhenqiu came back to her senses and, seeing the screen full of comments, explained, “Sorry, I don’t know what to eat tonight. Does anyone have any recommendations?”
【Dinner, ah, Qiuqiu eat malatang1!】
【Hot pot2 disagrees, hot pot is the most divine!】
【Steamed rice comes to battle!】
The bullet comments flooded out, covering up the previous topic and starting a discussion about food. Lu Zhenqiu took the opportunity to carry her cup out of the room. As soon as she opened the door, Maomao darted out. She shook her head and followed behind Maomao to the kitchen to pour water.
The water filter was on, and hot water slowly fell into the cup. Lu Zhenqiu looked down at the rim of the cup. Hearing a sound from the study, she subconsciously looked over. Jin Shuilan hadn’t come out.
The study door was half-open. Lu Zhenqiu carried her cup to the doorway and, through the crack, saw Jin Shuilan typing. She occasionally tapped the keyboard, but more often, she stared at the screen in contemplation. The edge of her glasses reflected a cold, sharp light. The contour of her side profile was distinct, clearly showing its angles, a very different temperament from when she smiled.
The smiling Jin Shuilan was very warm.
Lu Zhenqiu lowered her head. As she was taking Maomao back to her room, she heard footsteps from the study. A moment later, the study door opened. Jin Shuilan stood at the doorway and called out when she saw her, “Qiuqiu.”
It was still the same tone of voice as before, her expression unchanged, as if their previous awkwardness was just an illusion. Lu Zhenqiu held her cup, raised her eyes, and saw Jin Shuilan’s calm gaze.
Jin Shuilan said, “I’m going out for a walk for a bit. Give Maomao to me.”
Hearing the two words “go out,” Maomao excitedly circled Jin Shuilan, its tail wagging so fast its butt was wiggling. Lu Zhenqiu definitely wouldn’t be able to hold it back, so she had to nod, “Then I’ll have to trouble Teacher Jin.”
Jin Shuilan nodded, “It’s no trouble.”
Her gaze calm, she took the dog leash from the side, now very skillfully looping it into her palm. Maomao was already eager to go. Jin Shuilan smiled at Lu Zhenqiu, took the keys from the coffee table, and left.
Lu Zhenqiu watched her slender back disappear at the doorway, stunned for a moment. She quickly put down her cup, walked out the door, and called out, “Teacher Jin.”
Jin Shuilan was waiting for the elevator. She turned her head, “What is it?”
Lu Zhenqiu said, “Your coat…”
Jin Shuilan looked down at the sweater she was wearing and nodded, “I forgot. Can you get it for me?”
Lu Zhenqiu didn’t see a coat on the rack outside. She turned her head to look. The study door was open, and a coat was hanging on the chair; it was the one Jin Shuilan had just worn this afternoon. She hurried into the study. The computer screen was black, reflecting her image. Lu Zhenqiu grabbed the coat and was about to walk out when, with a glance, she saw the calendar on Jin Shuilan’s desk.
The calendar was turned to a new month, November. The first was circled with a black ballpoint pen, circled several times. Beside it were four characters.
Happy Birthday.
Looking further down were ordinary schedule items: the radio drama release time, the promotion time, the time for signing with the magazine publisher. The sixteenth was blank.
Lu Zhenqiu pursed her lips and tightened her grip on the coat. Jin Shuilan’s voice came from outside the door, “Qiuqiu?”
She came back to her senses, “Coming.”
Lu Zhenqiu walked to the door, handed the coat over, and said, “I don’t know if this is the one.”
Jin Shuilan replied to her, “Either is fine.”
As she spoke, she put on the coat. She had a tall figure, her pair of long legs slender and straight. As she put on the coat, her arms stretched upwards, and the sweater rode up, revealing a flat abdomen and the line of her hip bone. Lu Zhenqiu averted her gaze. Jin Shuilan adjusted her clothes and said, “The elevator is here. I’ll go down first.”
Lu Zhenqiu nodded.
She watched Jin Shuilan lead Maomao into the elevator, and only after the floor indicator slowly descended did she turn and go back to her room. The bullet comments were all asking where she went. Lu Zhenqiu smiled and explained, “I just went out to pour some water.”
A bullet comment asked about her roommate. Lu Zhenqiu’s smiling face froze for half a second, then her voice returned to normal, “She just went out. Asking her to be on the stream, that won’t work.”
Jin Shuilan was just not the type of person who would agree to be on a live stream.
The more she said this, the more curious the fans became. Lu Zhenqiu didn’t want to reveal too much and quickly found a topic to change the subject. Jin Shuilan came out of the elevator, put on her headphones, and while walking Maomao nearby, she inquired about Lu Zhenqiu’s singing.
Although it wasn’t sleeting in the evening, it was still quite cold. Jin Shuilan took Maomao for two laps in the indoor area. When she came out, she happened to run into that girl from the same floor. The girl’s eyes lit up when she saw Jin Shuilan, “Miss Jin!”
Jin Shuilan turned her head. She thought for a long time but couldn’t remember her surname. Fortunately, the girl was naturally friendly and greeted her enthusiastically, “I live downstairs from you.”
“I know.” Jin Shuilan nodded slightly, her side profile calm, her aura of keeping people at a thousand li’s distance no less than the current cold air. But it couldn’t hold up against the girl’s enthusiasm. The girl asked her, “Is Miss Jin also heading back?”
Maomao let out an “awoo,” and Jin Shuilan nodded, “En, you too?”
“I just came for a swim, and now I’m preparing to go back.” The girl gathered her clothes, “It’s so cold outside.”
Jin Shuilan said, “It is quite cold.”
Maomao recognized the way home and walked ahead, full of vigor and spirit, not at all affected by the weather. Its long fur was blown by the wind, looking majestic and rather imposing. The girl couldn’t help but pat the dog’s head and say, “So handsome.”
Jin Shuilan looked down and didn’t speak. They walked all the way back.
When Lu Zhenqiu got out of the elevator to get her takeout, she saw two people walking over from that direction. The other person looked a bit familiar. It was only when they got closer that she remembered seeing her at the swimming pool. At that time, it looked like she wanted to pursue Jin Shuilan.
From a distance, Jin Shuilan saw Lu Zhenqiu and the takeout she was carrying in her hand. She walked over and very naturally extended her hand, saying, “Let me carry it.”
The girl also recognized Lu Zhenqiu and let out an “ah” to greet her, “Hello.”
Lu Zhenqiu glanced at the girl, then looked at Jin Shuilan. The lines on Jin Shuilan’s outstretched palm were clear, her fingers slender. She suddenly remembered helping her fend off a potential suitor at the swimming pool. Lu Zhenqiu hesitated for two seconds, then handed the takeout bag to Jin Shuilan and took Maomao from her hand. The girl beside them watched their interaction and took half a step back.
The elevator slowly ascended. The girl looked at Lu Zhenqiu and asked curiously, “Miss3, can I ask you a question?”
Her voice wasn’t loud. Lu Zhenqiu said, “Go ahead and ask.”
So she asked, “Are you two living together now?”
These words were direct and bold, catching Lu Zhenqiu by surprise. She gave a muffled cough, her face feeling a little hot. Lu Zhenqiu glanced at Jin Shuilan and opened her mouth, but Jin Shuilan said, “En, we live together.”
“Oh…” The girl looked a little disappointed, yet also somewhat relieved. She looked at Lu Zhenqiu and asked again, “Were you the one who pursued Miss Jin?”
In her eyes, with a personality like Jin Shuilan’s, it was impossible that she would pursue someone.
Jin Shuilan spoke again, shattering her dream, “I was the one who pursued her.”
Lu Zhenqiu stood to the side, pursing her lips. Maomao squatted obediently by her side. The girl, having been hit twice in a row, lamented, “I never thought Miss Jin would pursue someone.”
She spoke to Lu Zhenqiu as if sharing a secret, “You really can’t tell at all. In the past, when our building held meetings to choose a representative, everyone chose Miss Jin.”
That was the first building meeting Jin Shuilan attended. The reason for choosing her was that if she were the representative, everyone could justifiably add her on WeChat and could also chat with her a bit. At that time, all the single dogs on the same floor were interested in her, thinking day and night about getting her contact information. But then Jin Shuilan politely declined, completely cutting off everyone’s hopes.
She was also a little interested in Jin Shuilan. Originally, she didn’t dare to bother her. Once, she bumped into someone from the same floor confessing to her and heard Jin Shuilan say she liked the same sex, which made her eager to make a move. But she suffered from having no opportunity to meet her. The rare time they did meet was when she ran into Jin Shuilan with Lu Zhenqiu.
Lu Zhenqiu glanced at Jin Shuilan, not expecting there was such a story. But it was understandable. Just from authors she’d never met online confessing to her, she could receive a whole pile. In real life, there would certainly be no fewer.
Soon, the girl’s floor arrived. She got off the elevator and waved at the two of them, smiling as she said goodbye. Lu Zhenqiu waved back. After the girl left, the space in the elevator suddenly felt much smaller. Lu Zhenqiu lowered her head, holding Maomao’s leash. She saw Jin Shuilan take a step back, the packaging bag making a rustling sound. Maomao also followed, walking over to Jin Shuilan’s side, sitting down, and looking up to pant at Jin Shuilan, as if waiting to have its head rubbed.
Lu Zhenqiu suddenly had an illusion, as if she and Jin Shuilan were having a tiff, and Maomao was trying to please both sides.
The elevator arrived with a ding. Lu Zhenqiu came back to her senses, suppressed this strange illusion, and got off the elevator with Jin Shuilan. After getting home, Jin Shuilan put the dinner on the coffee table and took off her coat. Maomao sat beside the sofa. Lu Zhenqiu had originally intended to take her portion back to her room to eat, but Jin Shuilan asked her, “Where’s your cup?”
She had a habit of drinking water while eating. Jin Shuilan already knew about this bad habit of hers. Lu Zhenqiu said, “It’s in my room.”
After she finished speaking, she walked in quickly, got her cup, and returned to the living room. Jin Shuilan poured her a glass of warm water and finally placed it on the dining table. Lu Zhenqiu had no choice but to sit opposite her.
Maomao held its head high, looking at the two of them, a whining sound coming from its throat. It lay down by Lu Zhenqiu’s feet. Lu Zhenqiu lowered her head, sipped her water, broke apart her chopsticks, and said, “That girl just now was quite cute.”
She looked like she had just graduated from university, with a fiery and impetuous personality. Jin Shuilan nodded and said, “Her words just now, don’t mind them.”
Lu Zhenqiu said, “It’s okay. But I can tell, Teacher Jin is very popular.”
Hearing this sentence, Jin Shuilan was silent for two seconds, then nodded and continued the conversation, “And you?”
Lu Zhenqiu looked up in astonishment, her gaze meeting Jin Shuilan’s. It was gentle and clear. Jin Shuilan’s voice was slow and unhurried, without any sense of pressure. Lu Zhenqiu was puzzled, “Me what?”
Jin Shuilan lowered her head and asked nonchalantly, “At your place, am I also welcome?”
The author has something to say:
Thirty red envelopes, memeda.
Teacher Jin, you are very welcome!
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