Chapter 31 – The Dust is About to Settle

“My grandfather is back”—this thought had not crossed Xu Shiqi’s mind all day. Her head was in a state of unprecedented chaos, leading her to mix up drinks and miscount money.

Wang Yuan observed her absent-mindedness and speculated that something must have happened with her daughter. Perhaps she had gotten a boyfriend but was uncertain about it, which was why she hadn’t mentioned it at home. As these thoughts circled in her mind, she began planning to discreetly ask her daughter’s closest classmates about it.

In the evening, Wen Jialuo appeared, despite having left Xu Shiqi at the café that morning.

At the entrance of the store, Wen Jialuo brought in a box of snacks. Wang Yuan was pleased to see her, as she hadn’t been around much lately. Feeling somewhat close to her daughter’s friend, Wang Yuan seized the opportunity to pull her aside.

“Jialuo, has my daughter started dating?”

Her voice was not loud, but it reached Xu Shiqi’s ears, who had been paying close attention to everything happening since Wen Jialuo entered. Xu Shiqi’s heart began to race, and she felt as if she might have a heart attack. Why ask that question of all people? It had to be Wen Jialuo. Her face began to heat up as she averted her gaze but remained attentive.

“I don’t know…”

The girl’s voice was not low but decidedly indifferent.

Xu Shiqi stood there, mentally scoffing. Even if they were together, who would think they were in a romantic relationship? If faced with such a question, the response would be inevitable.

After a moment, Wen Jialuo was released by Wang Yuan and walked to the counter, tapping the table with her side turned to them. “Let’s go.”

Xu Shiqi didn’t move; she just looked at her.

Wen Jialuo slowly turned around. “What did you want me to say just now?”

Xu Shiqi’s eyes immediately welled with tears. She spoke softly, “We have a class reunion today, and Baohua will come to pick me up later. You can go.”

Wen Jialuo paused. “Actually, my sister would have said the same thing. But since I brought you back that day, I thought I should say it myself.” She looked at the woman behind the counter, who only kept her head down. “My grandfather is back, so you don’t need to read to my grandmother tonight. In a few days, I’ll accompany them back home for the New Year, and… we won’t see each other for a long time.”

So, the next part of “my grandfather is back” was that she would be leaving the old home; this was a moment of separation. Xu Shiqi suddenly looked up, gritting her teeth but remaining silent.

Wen Jialuo seemed to smile faintly. “You’re stronger than I am…”

With that, she walked away.

It wasn’t long before Wen Baohua arrived as well. Since her grandfather returned today, she shouldn’t have been out. However, he had clung to her grandmother, scolding her for not taking care of herself while he was out, claiming she had lost a lot of weight. Her grandmother let him complain, then happily went to cook a few dishes. The feel of an old couple was evidently delightful, leaving no space for others, so she came to the gathering.

Every month, the gatherings rotated hosts. The dining location was variable, but the entertainment after the meal was set.

As Xu Shiqi got into the car, she wore a fatigued expression. Wen Baohua said a few words to her, but she only gave brief responses. Finally, Wen Baohua noticed her unusual demeanor, turned her head to look at her, and reached out to touch her forehead. “Seventeen, what’s wrong? Not feeling well?”

Xu Shiqi tilted her head slightly, avoiding Wen Baohua’s hand.

…If someone more important were sitting in the passenger seat, I’d drive more carefully…

“Drive well,” Xu Shiqi said quietly, resting her head on her hand.

Wen Baohua chuckled. “You really are infected by Jialuo, huh? She dislikes seeing people distracted while driving.”

That name pierced Xu Shiqi like a needle. She shook her head and turned to smile. “Where are we eating tonight? Are you going to join us for some fun later?”

“Of course not,” Wen Baohua shook her head. “I’ll just have dinner with you guys; I won’t join the activities tonight. Anyway, the private room is already booked, so it doesn’t matter if I don’t go.”

“Oh,” Xu Shiqi lowered her eyes to look at Wen Baohua’s belly. Although she was pregnant, it didn’t show much because of her small frame and the winter coat. “Baohua, how does it feel to be pregnant?”

“Hmm,” Wen Baohua frowned slightly, “to be honest, it’s quite unmanageable. My cravings change unexpectedly, and my body feels different. Thankfully, the changes happen gradually, and I don’t wake up wanting to roll over onto the bed anymore.” Suddenly, she beamed. “But thinking about the baby inside me and how soon it’ll come into this world makes everything feel beautiful. Overall, a woman doesn’t suddenly become a mother; carrying for ten months is a long process.” She glanced at Xu Shiqi, who was lost in thought. “What’s wrong?”

Xu Shiqi shook her head. “Nothing, I just think you look very beautiful now.”

“Of course,” Wen Baohua’s smile grew brighter. “I’m fulfilling my duty as a woman.”

“Do you really have to take this path?” Xu Shiqi turned to look out the window.

Wen Baohua paused. “Seventeen, as long as you know and stick to what kind of life you want, that’s enough. I’m not a role model; you have your own life.”

“I know,” Xu Shiqi replied softly.

“By the way, my grandfather is back,” Wen Baohua suddenly remembered, but before she could finish, Xu Shiqi interjected.

“I’ll pack my things when I get home tonight.”

“What for?” Wen Baohua gently glared at her. “Am I rushing you to leave?”

“No, I just miss home,” Xu Shiqi answered more flatly.

Wen Baohua smiled. “Thank you for everything lately.”

They arrived at a Korean restaurant for dinner. Xu Shiqi, who had not had much of an appetite recently, found the small plates of food increasingly bland.

Glancing around, she saw the boy who had confessed to her had also arrived. As he greeted her, everyone else watched out of the corner of their eyes. But it didn’t matter; something not weighing on Xu Shiqi’s mind could hardly be considered a matter at all.

No one got overly drunk at the dinner table; everyone was mindful of how much they drank for the night. However, Wen Baohua was picked up by Xia Bang, and before leaving, she inevitably downed a few shots. Thankfully, the Korean liquor was quite mild, and Xia Bang drank without changing color or heartbeat as he led his wife away.

The rest of them followed suit.

Entering the familiar bar, Xu Shiqi distanced herself from everyone and ordered a drink at the counter. She had been here many times before, but today felt different. The bar was bustling with people, feeling a bit stifling. She raised her hand to look through her glass, noticing the large chandelier above was adorned with long, slender vines, clusters of bright red, resembling inverted mandala flowers. Staring at it made her heart feel desolate; she downed her drink and headed upstairs.

The private room was already lively, with everyone smiling at her, trying to pull her closer. The atmosphere was warm and familiar.

Indeed, the relationships between classmates were the purest and most beautiful. Not needing to think about anything, Xu Shiqi comfortably sat among them, drinks flowing freely.

While Xu Shiqi was quite approachable, she had never played so freely in front of everyone before. Her movements were smooth as she threw the dice, and when she lost, she drank without hesitation.

However, even though everyone saw her joviality as simply being in good spirits, there was still one person who sensed the opposite beneath the surface.

Xu Shiqi lost again, and before the drink could reach her lips, someone snatched it away. “I’ll drink for her.”

With the sounds of teasing around, the boy who had confessed downed the drink in one go, then rolled up his sleeves and sat next to her. “I’m here.”

“Who said you could come?” Xu Shiqi muttered, wanting to reclaim her place, but the man held her hand firmly, his gaze unwavering. “You’ll get drunk if you keep drinking.”

Xu Shiqi suddenly sobered up. She pulled her hand back, trying to climb out of the sofa, but the crowd trapped her in. After struggling a few times, she gasped, unable to move anymore. She felt exhausted; her entire being felt weary.

No one was singing anymore; perhaps it was because New Year was approaching, everyone’s mood was particularly relaxed. Amid the chaotic sounds, Xu Shiqi suddenly heard a girl’s voice.

“What are we playing that’s so exciting?”

She turned her head and saw Wen Jialuo standing in the doorway. Her expression was as calm as ever, as if that question hadn’t come from her. Yet Xu Shiqi knew she hadn’t misheard. But how did she come here? Behind her, a server was holding a tray with a few bottles of red wine and some snacks.

The girl seemed not to see Xu Shiqi, walking straight towards the group. “My sister said she can’t come because she’s pregnant, so I’m here to greet everyone.” She signaled for someone to open the wine. “Have fun!”

Everyone extended their empty cups, calling it the perfect timing for the wine to arrive.

The girl poured wine for each person, and just as she was about to reach Xu Shiqi, Xu Shiqi suddenly realized she didn’t have a cup in her hand, so she hurriedly looked down at the messy table to find one. However, when she finally lifted a cup, the girl had already poured the wine into the spot next to her.

“I’ll give you some.” The boy who had confessed leaned in with his cup. Xu Shiqi was momentarily caught off guard as the cup was already half-filled with a thin layer of red. She turned her head and saw the girl holding the wine bottle, her eyes focused on the two glasses touching at the rim, causing a strange panic in Xu Shiqi. She quickly moved the cup aside. “Thank you.”

After pouring the wine, Wen Jialuo naturally sat down, and Xu Shiqi finally realized how cramped it had become with her so close, their shoulders leaning against each other.

“Let’s play the game you guys played last time.” Wen Jialuo swept the dice on the table aside, tipping the empty wine bottle.

“Sure,” a male classmate responded, seemingly interested. “But today, you’re the guest, so you’ll have to accept the challenge.”

Wen Jialuo pursed her lips. “What challenge?”

Someone else said knowingly, “When Wen Yu played with us for the first time, it was the same. The bottle spins, and whoever it points to can ask you three questions that you must answer. We have to verify it with Baohua.”

“I’ve heard about that,” Wen Jialuo casually replied. “That’s fine if you’re interested in asking about me.”

There was certainly interest, especially considering her slender figure, which was said to have a reason behind it. People always loved gossip; even Xu Shiqi had been curious before.

For a moment, everyone’s attention was drawn to the girl. Xu Shiqi tilted her head, watching her sit calmly among people she couldn’t call familiar, her eyebrows relaxed yet generous.

Despite her thin frame, she would never be lost among the crowd.

The wine bottle began to spin, and Xu Shiqi leaned back, hoping to pull her feet in and disappear. However, a hand stopped behind her. She turned to see the girl had changed her posture. Her long legs were crossed, and her body naturally leaned back, one arm reaching far away as if she were afraid of falling but looking incredibly relaxed.

Xu Shiqi straightened up suddenly, her eyes fixed on the bottle, silently praying for it not to point at her.

Fortunately, the odds were low, and the bottle eventually pointed to a girl sitting two seats away.

A faint sound of disappointment floated by, as if someone were lamenting. Xu Shiqi didn’t know what they were lamenting about and didn’t dare guess; she only knew she suddenly sighed in relief.

“Oh, I’m so lucky!” The girl said, tapping on the coffee table. “So, Wen Jialuo, I can ask now.” She paused before asking, “Say your favorite quote.”

Everyone collapsed with laughter, getting up to accuse her of being soft and trying to play tricks.

In the midst of the accusations, Wen Jialuo smiled slightly, took a moment to respond. “I hid myself in this world, and then I found you.”

Everyone was taken aback. The girl seemed quite pleased with this answer. Each person had a different personality, and what she favored as a quote reflected her character and beliefs, which was probably why things like class reunions would always include such questions. The girl gave a thumbs up. “Hmm, philosophical, but is it your own creation?”

Wen Jialuo touched her ear. “Does it matter?” She smiled slightly. “This basically isn’t a question; why not ask something about feelings?”

“You think you can steer this?” The girl waved dismissively, pointed again at the table, and asked, “Is there someone you like?”

Everyone burst into laughter.

“Yes,” Wen Jialuo answered with increasing eagerness. “I have someone I want to be with for a lifetime. However, if she needs it, I’d be willing to spend my life protecting her wishes.”

The girl stroked her chin, somewhat perplexed. She hadn’t asked that closely; how did this Miss Wen seem less like she was answering questions and more like she was swearing an oath? Feeling intrigued, she pressed on: “Sounds like that person doesn’t know yet. If she were in front of you right now, what would you say to her?”

This time, Wen Jialuo fell silent. Everyone’s breaths rose and fell with the glimmer in her eyes. She finally straightened her posture, hands folded over her knees, her knees brushing against the leg of the woman next to her, the space between them almost negligible. Her voice was as firm as that night: “I’m right beside you, in the place you’re willing to touch.”

So… heartfelt. The girl was the first to feel goosebumps all over her body; she gasped and clapped vigorously, almost to the point of tears. “You’re being too wronged; you should just say it directly. If you want it that badly, you should clarify!”

Everyone looked at the girl with surprise. No wonder she was so thin; those deeply held beliefs often led to more suffering.

“Not wronged,” Wen Jialuo said. “In the past, I thought saying it would be a grievance. But love truly nourishes us; since fate has taken root, even if it grows into a crooked tree, it still has its balance.”

That night, Wen Jialuo, with a melancholy poet’s aura, completely captivated Xu Shiqi’s classmates, while Xu Shiqi herself only heard a “boom” in her heart, as dust swirled around.