Chapter 27 – The Gift

The examination results showed that Wen Jialuo had a stomach problem, but it wasn’t particularly serious, which put Luo Linyi somewhat at ease. She arranged for the doctor to prescribe medication and specifically hired a nutritionist to plan her daughter’s meals. Previously, her daughter had been reluctant to eat, but since she now wanted to, it was important to arrange proper meals. However, a few days later, Luo Linyi joined a travel group of officials’ wives and went abroad. Before leaving, she entrusted Wen Jialuo’s stomach care to Xu Shiqi, believing that this girl could supervise her daughter’s meals properly.

Xu Shiqi agreed stiffly, then turned away with a bitter expression.

On the night of Wen Jialuo’s endoscopy, Xu Shiqi anxiously waited at the shop for Wen Jialuo’s car, but it never arrived. Instead, a stranger’s car showed up. The driver was a tall man with a crew cut and a square face, who walked with military precision. When he opened the door and entered, Xu Shiqi had a foreboding feeling. Sure enough, the man politely greeted her, introducing himself as the Wen family’s driver sent to pick her up.

Xu Shiqi froze, unable to move. In her ears, she heard the girl’s soft sigh, which gradually faded away.

Sitting in the car, Xu Shiqi felt uncomfortable all over. The seat was not comfortable, the seatbelt felt tight, and even the high-rise buildings outside seemed unfamiliar.

The driver, evidently professional, was even more focused on driving than the girl. Passing through the lobby, a cleaning lady noticed her and asked if she was feeling unwell, mentioning her pale face. Shaking her head and thanking the lady, Xu Shiqi casually inquired about Wen Jialuo and learned that she had not left the house. After going upstairs, Xu Shiqi didn’t have the courage to knock on Wen Jialuo’s door. Any questions she might have had faded with time.

Since then, she and Wen Jialuo hadn’t had a proper conversation.

That chilling dialogue still haunted her, making her feel as if the girl had been confessing her love. She couldn’t be sure of her feelings, but the confined space and urgent time had left her panicked and choosing the worst possible response. It was the worst for her inner desires but the most decisively correct in reality.

Firmly believing she had made the right choice, Xu Shiqi continued to smile and live as usual. Yet, a part of her heart felt hollow. The walls of her emotional fortress were still strong for now, but she couldn’t tell when they might collapse entirely.

Wen Jialuo never came to pick her up again. Every day, Xu Shiqi saw the same respectful driver at the door, which sent chills down her spine. The girl no longer sought her out frequently, treating her with the detached courtesy of a classmate’s sister.

Even regarding the meals Wen Jialuo’s mother had asked her to supervise, Xu Shiqi had no role since a nutritionist managed Wen Jialuo’s diet. The precisely calculated meals didn’t appeal to Xu Shiqi, but Wen Jialuo seemed indifferent, following the plan without complaint.

Xu Shiqi found this version of Wen Jialuo less genuine but felt she no longer had the right to speak.

The elderly lady at home also noticed the tension.

Although the two still attended to her daily, their interaction had diminished significantly. The once-coordinated tasks were now accompanied by stiff conversations, as if they were forcibly tied together. Privately, the elderly lady asked her granddaughter if Xu Shiqi no longer wished to stay with them. The girl’s indifferent response of “I don’t know” confirmed her suspicion that the younger generation was having issues.

This granddaughter, her favorite yet most troublesome, was stubborn and relentless. A few years back, seeing her granddaughter so thin had caused her countless heartaches. Despite her hard exterior, the girl had a sensitive heart and an unwillingness to express her true feelings, unlike the more straightforward Baohua.

Seeing the girl living with them in a daze, the elderly lady eventually asked if she missed her parents.

“I see them every day, what is there to miss?” the girl replied considerately.

“I’ve been sleeping well lately; you don’t have to tire yourself coming and going every day,” the elderly lady patted her hand. “But if I miss you, you must come and see me.”

Xu Shiqi was taken aback, then asked, “Is it time for me to leave?”

The elderly lady hesitated, not wanting to interfere in the young ones’ affairs, but couldn’t help asking, “Is there something wrong between you and Jialuo?”

What could be wrong between us? Xu Shiqi felt a pang in her heart but maintained her composure, “No, Grandma. Are you tired of hearing my voice?”

The elderly lady frowned, “Of course not, I like you very much.”

Xu Shiqi froze for a moment, then silently smiled, “Then don’t chase me away, Grandma.”

Girls indeed knew how to act spoiled. The elderly lady, feeling close to her, never brought it up again.

Leaving the elderly lady’s room, Xu Shiqi leaned against the wooden railing in the hallway, faintly hearing sounds from downstairs. She watched Wen Jialuo enter the hall. From above, the girl seemed so small yet went straight to her heart. Noticing something, the girl looked up, and Xu Shiqi, trying to dodge, was already too late.

“Back?” She had to wave.

Wen Jialuo only tugged at the corners of her mouth, then went upstairs.

Xu Shiqi had time to retreat to her room but felt as if her feet were nailed in place. She hadn’t seen the girl for two days, spending the nights with the elderly lady. She didn’t know what the girl was busy with, but she wasn’t hanging around her anymore.

Bracing herself, she watched the girl appear around the corner and quickly enter the elderly lady’s room, then retreat a while later.

Passing by Xu Shiqi, the girl simply said goodnight and walked to her room without looking sideways.

“Wait,” Xu Shiqi called out.

The girl stopped and turned, “Is there something?”

Xu Shiqi frowned, hating the indifferent look in Wen Jialuo’s eyes. Wen Jialuo’s previous ambiguous words had stirred her emotions and fantasies. Knowing she shouldn’t fall for her, those words still made her imagine. In the days of their harmonious relationship, when the girl wasn’t around, those memories replayed in her mind, filling her with a sweet sensation. But just as she was savoring it, the girl retreated a step, leaving her stuck at that distance.

The desire to seek confirmation without daring to overstep, the wish to let go but unable to sever ties—these were Xu Shiqi’s recent feelings.

A bland “Is there something” shattered Xu Shiqi’s thoughts. Standing there in confusion, she didn’t know why she had called out, nor what to do next.

“If there’s nothing, I’ll go rest. I’m a bit tired today,” Wen Jialuo nodded and resumed walking.

This time, Xu Shiqi stood motionless, letting her leave without another word.

Standing just a few steps from her room, it felt much further, making each step a struggle. She slowly opened the door, leaned against it after closing it, feeling the coldness of the door against her heart.

Deservedly so, deservedly so!

If the pain of having her heart pulled is also a form of cultivation, is she undergoing her greatest test? She has faced temptations before, but she always passed through them easily and without burden. It was likely because she hadn’t been deeply involved. Indeed, one should not be arrogant; no grand proclamations can withstand a few light words from someone else.

Tossing and turning all night, when she opens her eyes to the golden warmth of the winter sun, it seems as if nothing is insurmountable.

However, all of this night’s psychological fortification crumbles the moment she sees the girl. Standing at her door and seeing Wen Jialuo emerge from the bathroom and walk directly towards her, Xu Shiqi feels a slight darkness encroach upon her vision. Her hands and feet feel awkward; she is utterly at a loss.

“Morning.” Wen Jialuo nods politely and brushes past her.

Xu Shiqi has a “morning” on her lips too, but she can’t say it, silently heading in the opposite direction.

The person picking her up is still that driver, but today Xu Shiqi simply shakes her head, saying she doesn’t need a ride.

The driver, of course, doesn’t ask why. After the car leaves, she slowly tightens her coat and strolls along the roadside.

From here to the store is naturally very far. However, she just doesn’t want to sit in that car again and prefers to walk slowly.

Winter’s landscape is desolate; a light breeze might have stirred last night, leaving the roadside covered in fallen leaves, beautiful like a late autumn scene. Roaming in the open world, she feels somewhat more open-hearted, not as stifled. Xu Shiqi picks up a fallen leaf from the roadside. She doesn’t know what tree it is from, as the leaf is red but not as fiery as a maple leaf.

Examining the roadside trees and the leaves on the ground, Xu Shiqi almost forgets herself, lost in leisure. However, a few horn blasts disrupt her thoughts, making her frown slightly.

Wen Jialuo’s car slowly pulls over to the roadside; she doesn’t get out, only rolling down the window: “Get in, I’ll give you a ride.”

Xu Shiqi stands there without moving. Staring at that closed car door, she can’t find a reason to get in. So she turns around and continues walking.

Wen Jialuo’s car follows her, moving slowly like a large tortoise.

Gradually, Xu Shiqi begins to sweat. The sun is quite good today, which is one reason she prefers to walk. She takes off her coat, revealing a pale yellow turtleneck underneath, which cinches at the waist, accentuating her perfect curves. She still hasn’t learned her lesson, even though she has been living in the Wen family’s old house for a while now, she still hasn’t given up her high heels. The cobblestone path was initially difficult to walk on, but if you get used to it and find the rhythm, it can be quite fun.

Her legs are wrapped in long boots, with a short skirt above them. Xu Shiqi always thought she had a good figure and liked to show it off. With her coat draped over her arm, she felt even more relaxed. She smoothed her long hair, tilted her head to the sun, and looked down, seeing even her nose seemed gilded with gold, making her feel instantly warmer.

Wen Jialuo’s car eventually didn’t follow her the entire way. When she reached a bus stop, Xu Shiqi boarded the bus, swaying among many different faces.

Xu Shiqi felt very calm, as if she had mastered a legendary cultivation technique called “Washing Marrow Classic.” However, every day when she returned to the Wen family’s old house and asked herself why she was still staying there, she could never find a reason to leave.

Of course, she couldn’t really walk back and forth every day. That driver still dutifully appeared in front of her every morning and evening. Occasionally, they would chat a bit to make the journey less silent.

A few days later, she received a gift.

The gift was from the grandmother, a pair of red high-top canvas shoes with wide white laces tied in a beautiful bow, simple and bright.

As soon as the grandmother saw her, she pushed the shoes into her hands, urging her to try them on immediately.

Xu Shiqi was a bit surprised: “Grandma, you’re giving these to me?”

The grandmother smiled: “People often bring new products to the house. I saw these were pretty and thought of you.” She then leaned in and whispered, “Don’t tell my two granddaughters. There’s only one pair, none for them.”

“Grandma, you’re so kind.” Xu Shiqi laughed, quickly taking off her wool slippers and putting on the shoes. She stood up straight and walked two circles in front of the grandmother, “How do they look?”

“Very nice.” The grandmother nodded, looking somewhat proud as if admiring a perfect piece of work.

“Thank you, Grandma.” Xu Shiqi went up to hug the grandmother, rubbing her cheek affectionately against hers. There is a term called “cross-generational friendship,” which she felt suited them well. Even though she appeared by the grandmother’s bedside every night, she didn’t think she had done anything particularly remarkable, so she was already thinking about what to give the grandmother in return.

As they were talking, Wen Jialuo came in.

“Grandma, it’s time for bed.”

“Silly girl,” the grandmother glared at her, “You think I’m a child?”

Wen Jialuo pulled up her blanket, smiling slightly: “You are my precious baby.”

Xu Shiqi stood to the side, smiling along. She looked down at the clean shoe surface, thinking the girl had a sweet mouth.

“What shall we read tonight?” The grandmother squinted and asked.

“I just bought a magazine today with some good articles. Would you like to hear them?”

“Yes.” The grandmother blinked at her granddaughter, then slowly closed her eyes, her face gradually relaxing.

After reading the magazine, they didn’t disturb the grandmother to see if she was truly asleep. They turned off the light and left the room. Xu Shiqi carried her wool slippers and the box of new shoes, which didn’t arouse Wen Jialuo’s slightest curiosity. Watching Wen Jialuo enter her room, Xu Shiqi still stood outside her door, feeling inexplicably annoyed, even resentful.