Chapter 16 – Spring Blossoms

Wen Yu followed Wen Jialuo into the private room.

Earlier today, he had returned to the old family house for dinner and noticed Jialuo listlessly watching TV. He felt a pang of sympathy for his younger sister. She was so young, yet she had no place to go for leisure other than staying at home. Thus, he began persuading her to go out. After her initial refusal, the family’s authority figure intervened.

“Go out and have some fun. Don’t be like us old folks, losing all your zest for life.”

With their grandmother’s orders, Wen Jialuo finally got up.

Wen Yu usually had a group of rowdy friends to hang out with, but he decided not to take his sister to such chaotic places. Instead, he chose the family-owned bar, thinking it was lively yet safe.

Upon arriving at the bar, he found that Bao Hua was already there with her classmates. Since this was their regular hangout spot, Wen Yu had shared drinks with her friends many times. With his sister tagging along, he thought he might as well join them for a drink while handing Jialuo over to Bao Hua, completing his brotherly duty.

With this plan in mind, he approached them, and Jialuo, indifferent to the location, followed along. This bar, established under the directive of their open-minded grandmother and managed by their second uncle, was meant to be a safe and reliable place for the kids. Jialuo was familiar with it but often found it too clean and sometimes dull. Only her cousin liked the quiet and safe environment there.

The private room’s door was closed, and the soundproofing was so good that it was impossible to tell what was happening inside. Wen Yu called Bao Hua, and just as they met, Jialuo, as if drawn by a magnet, pushed the door open and went in—not exactly, as she didn’t show any particular expression, just a hint of disappointment.

“Who was singing that song?” Wen Yu asked curiously, feeling a bit regretful, “We only heard a bit.”

“You’ve met her before; she’s been to the old house for dinner,” Bao Hua said with a smile as she closed the door.

Those in the private room quickly noticed the newcomers. Wen Yu was dragged away to drink, leaving Jialuo to herself.

Xu Shiqi, having put down the microphone, went to find some water. She didn’t drink iced water, not even in summer. Kuang Xiao’an, already bouncing up to her, insisted that Xu Shiqi must sing at her wedding and that she had to catch the bridal bouquet, among other things.

Xu Shiqi reluctantly agreed, then noticed the newcomers.

In the dimly lit room, the girl’s sharp chin was now hidden in a pile of fur, her cold expression giving off an air of isolation. Xu Shiqi noticed her reaching for a glass and filling it with ice. Though it was none of her business, she couldn’t help but go over.

“Don’t drink that,” Xu Shiqi said, taking the glass from Wen Jialuo and sitting beside her. “What brings you here?”

Jialuo realized it was hot inside; the air conditioning was turned up high. Everyone else had taken off their coats, but she was still bundled up. Knowing she was too thin, she nonetheless liked the feeling of her cheeks against the fuzzy fur—solid and warm. Despite the heat, she didn’t want to take off her coat, so she reached for a cold drink, which was promptly snatched away.

She coldly looked at Xu Shiqi. “Are you really going to control me?”

“If you want to be in agony with stomach cramps in the middle of the night, go ahead,” Xu Shiqi said, slightly frowning.

Jialuo paused and reluctantly took off her coat.

Xu Shiqi saw that the girl was wearing a brown sweater underneath, with a deep V-neck exposing her prominent collarbones. The sleeves of the sweater were slightly flared, with an elegant curve reminiscent of water sleeves. As she reached for another glass, her wrist peeked out, looking as delicate as fragile jade. Her fingers appeared slender and long, seeming like they would snap easily when gripping the blue glass.

The girl noticed Xu Shiqi’s gaze and turned her head slightly, looking puzzled. Xu Shiqi regained her composure, took a sip from her glass, and then, feeling the coldness, put it down and moved away to talk to someone else.

She could endure loneliness, had decided to live alone forever. Perhaps the dim lighting or the warmth from the earlier song had softened her heart, making everything seem more appealing. Otherwise, how could she find the girl’s thin frame to have a kind of morbid elegance?

But that had nothing to do with her.

At some point, without any agreement, everyone in the private room gathered around the large table again. This time, Xu Shiqi had no chance to escape. Her friends, Bao Hua and Kuang Xiao’an, flanked her.

Wen Yu had already left. Wen Jialuo, uninterested in the games, was still pulled over by enthusiastic people to stand nearby.

“Xiao’an brought her boyfriend back, which is a big deal. So today, she gets to decide the game,” someone said, spinning a bottle wildly. Xu Shiqi looked expectantly at Kuang Xiao’an, her gaze warning.

Knowing Xiao’an well, she anticipated the worst. Indeed, Xiao’an laughed and said, “Whoever the bottle points to will do something they’ve always wanted to do with our single friend, Shiqi.”

The boys and girls in the room exchanged knowing, mischievous smiles.

“Last time, we let her off easy,” a guy volunteered, thinking, “Brother, I’ve been practicing for this moment. Be brave, or we’ll all be disappointed.”

The bottle spun perfectly and stopped in front of the guy who had failed to confess his feelings earlier.

Wen Jialuo felt as if everyone held their breath for a moment, then collectively sighed in relief.

So that’s how it is. She watched the boy slowly lift his head, meeting Xu Shiqi’s gaze with eyes deep as the sea. Interesting, she thought, crossing her arms and joining the crowd in anticipation.

Xu Shiqi wanted to sigh but stood still under the group’s pressure. Bao Hua, aware of the boy’s previous attempts, sent an apologetic look, but no one else knew.

The boy walked toward her.

His face was no longer flushed with alcohol, and the earlier struggles were gone. Standing in front of her, he softly asked, “Can I hug you?”

Before Xu Shiqi could react, cheers and encouragement filled the room.

Everyone must be drunk again, not considering the consequences. What if she refused? Kuang Xiao’an squeezed her hand, reminding her that he was waiting for an answer.

A hug in front of everyone was the simplest thing. Xu Shiqi smiled slightly, opening her arms.

One hand on her waist, the other on her shoulder, the boy clumsily embraced Xu Shiqi. Leaning quietly against his chest, she turned her head and met Wen Jialuo’s eyes. Those eyes slowly curved, reflecting the warm atmosphere with a layer of laughter, shining brightly.

Xu Shiqi closed her eyes briefly, feeling a slight chill in her heart. No matter how broad the chest, it wasn’t her safe haven. Such closeness only highlighted the unbridgeable distance.

Opening her eyes again, Wen Jialuo was still smiling, though now with a strange look. Xu Shiqi wasn’t sure if her face showed something inappropriate, so she smiled back awkwardly. The girl’s expression turned a bit sympathetic as she looked away, leaving Xu Shiqi to naturally pull away from the embrace.

A confession in jest never fails, leaving room for both advancement and retreat. Everyone knew this. Opportunities were created, but what followed was none of their concern. They didn’t know that for the boy, this hug was a farewell to his secret love, not a new beginning.

The game continued, the bottle spun, and the group finally witnessed the much-anticipated kiss between Kuang Xiao’an and her boyfriend. Even Kuang Xiao’an, usually thick-skinned, was embarrassed, vowing to get revenge someday.

A few more classmates got caught up in the game, but the familiar boundaries kept the jokes mild, just enough to heat up the atmosphere.

Wen Jialuo eventually lost interest. She checked the time—just past nine. Looking for her cousin but unable to find her, she approached the only familiar face left, Xu Shiqi.

“I’m leaving now. Tell my cousin when she gets back.”

“Just going back?” Xu Shiqi’s voice was a bit low, her slightly tipsy face warming up in waves. She paused, grabbed her coat, and said, “I’ll walk you out.”

Wen Jia Luo raised her hand. “No need, you all have fun.”

Xu Shiqi frowned at her newly refilled glass, then turned to her friends and said, “I’ll be out for a bit.” She put an arm around Wen Jia Luo’s shoulder and led her out, casting a pleading look when the girl tried to shake her off.

Wen Jia Luo was startled and didn’t resist further.

Once outside the private room, Xu Shiqi leaned against the door and let out a long breath. It was quiet outside, and her mind started to clear.

“Afraid they’ll get you drunk?” Wen Jia Luo said coolly from the side.

Xu Shiqi smiled. “Afraid of ruining their fun.”

“Not going back in would be ruining their fun.”

“The end result is the same. Better to avoid it for now.” Xu Shiqi buttoned up her coat and motioned with her chin. “Let’s go.”

They finally found Wen Bao Hua at the bar. When Xu Shiqi said she was leaving, Wen Bao Hua glanced at her face, patted her shoulder, and didn’t say much. She just told Jia Luo to take her classmate home.

Once in the car, Xu Shiqi fell completely silent, staring at the flowing night scenery outside the tightly closed window, motionless.

“Something’s off with you today.”

Xu Shiqi turned her head, glancing at Wen Jia Luo who had suddenly spoken, and calmly denied it. “No.”

“Doesn’t seem like the Xu Shiqi I know.”

Xu Shiqi smirked. “How well do you know me?”

Faced with this sarcasm, Wen Jia Luo stayed silent for a moment, showing the best patience she had. “Fine, I won’t argue with you if you’re feeling bad.”

“I’m not feeling bad,” Xu Shiqi smiled at her.

Wen Jia Luo couldn’t hold back. “Not feeling bad? Then who was that almost-crying face just now?”

Xu Shiqi finally understood where the girl’s strange look had come from earlier.

“Or—” Wen Jia Luo tapped the steering wheel with her finger, probing, “You actually like that guy but can’t be with him for some reason?”

“He’s not married yet, and I’m not secretly in love with him,” Xu Shiqi found herself unable to control her mouth. The girl wasn’t gloating, but she kept stabbing at her wounds. Regretting her words immediately, she looked at Wen Jia Luo and found only a puzzled look.

“Sorry,” Xu Shiqi apologized. “I’ve had too much to drink.”

Wen Jia Luo was quiet for a moment, then hummed softly as if she remembered something.

Xu Shiqi sighed internally, knowing she’d lost her composure tonight. She’d been outside for so long, with few friends aside from colleagues, and even those weren’t close. No one asked why she wasn’t dating or when she’d get married. These pragmatic relationships protected her well. But at home, these issues were magnified, shaking her resolve day by day. She didn’t want to get married, but she felt increasingly lonely.

Maybe going home wasn’t a good decision after all. Xu Shiqi felt a slight ache in her heart, struggling.

So, when she noticed the scenery outside wasn’t right, it was already a bit late.

“Hey?” Xu Shiqi called out, almost jumping up. No way?

The car was on the highway again.

“Today is Sunday, you forgot?” Wen Jia Luo smiled, showing her tiger teeth, looking a bit sly.

Xu Shiqi instantly sobered up. “What does Sunday have to do with me? Why do I have to go back to work with you again?”

“Your friends will look for you soon. If my sister can’t hold them off, just say it’s too far to get back in time.” Wen Jia Luo said leisurely. “I think you don’t really want to go back. Changing the scenery might change your mood, right?”

Xu Shiqi looked at her for a moment. “Are you comforting me?”

“Do you need comfort?” Wen Jia Luo countered.

Xu Shiqi thought for a bit. “Yes.” Seeing Wen Jia Luo’s eyes widen like a feline, she added, “So tonight, I definitely won’t sleep on the couch.”

Wen Jia Luo squinted, seemingly seriously considering it.

Relaxing back into her seat, Xu Shiqi actually felt a bit relieved. Well, since they were already on the road, no turning back now. She took out her phone to call home, and Wen Jia Luo laughed seeing her phone.

“Where did you get that phone?”

Looking at the proper, straight-lined phone, Xu Shiqi asked with a smile, “Why? You don’t know it’s trendy to use these self-defense types now?”

“Self-defense?” Wen Jia Luo was genuinely puzzled.

Xu Shiqi tossed the phone in the air and caught it. “If a robber shows up on the road, throwing this might not split his head open, but it’ll surely make him bleed.”