Chapter 40 – Facing Friends’ Dilemmas

However, there are times when one cannot escape, like when Kuang Xiao’an returned. She came back to get engaged.

She showed up on the third day of the Lunar New Year. She finally found the time to break away from her fiancé and meet with her girlfriends. Sitting in the shop owned by Xu Shiqi’s family, the first thing she asked was, “Bao Hua is already married, and I am engaged. When will it be your turn?”

A smile barely formed on her face before Xu Shiqi had to put it away. She sat down and said calmly, “I will not get married.”

Kuang Xiao’an was stunned and turned to look at Wen Baohua.

In fact, Wen Baohua was even more perplexed because she felt that Xu Shiqi had been avoiding her for some reason. Originally confused, today, hearing such a shocking statement, she began to understand. Could it be that all of them finding partners had upset Xu Shiqi, making her fed up?

“What happened?” Kuang Xiao’an examined her, “You never had a boyfriend, but you never said such things before. Who bullied you?”

Although Kuang Xiao’an had never heard this before, Wen Baohua had. Once, when having a meal with her cousin in this very spot, Xu Shiqi had mentioned the term “singlism.” But Wen Baohua didn’t take it seriously at the time, thinking Xu Shiqi was only saying it to spite her cousin. Could she really mean it?

Xu Shiqi could feel Wen Baohua’s quiet gaze on her, not piercing but attempting to see through her.

“You are pregnant, eat more,” Xu Shiqi pushed the dish towards her, speaking lightly.

“Shiqi,” Wen Baohua sighed, “Do you even consider us as friends?”

Kuang Xiao’an’s eyes widened, her gaze darting between them, “What happened that I don’t know about?”

“Nothing,” Xu Shiqi quietly denied, then looked up at Wen Baohua, “Don’t overthink it. It’s just that my relatives have been pressuring me a lot recently.”

“Haha,” Kuang Xiao’an raised her eyebrows and laughed, patting her shoulder sympathetically, “I thought so. Even a rabbit bites when it’s cornered.”

Kuang Xiao’an was always straightforward, but Wen Baohua was much more meticulous. She listened to Xu Shiqi’s words, thinking they were mostly an excuse. However, Wen Baohua had her own stubbornness and knew asking directly would not yield results.

“By the way, my grandma is coming back,” Wen Baohua suddenly said, “She said she brought a gift for you and invited you to the old house. I’ve already reserved your time, so I’ll come to pick you up.”

Xu Shiqi’s heart skipped a beat. She counted the days, knowing that the girl would return, but still couldn’t help feeling a feverish desire.

Wen Jiaro said she lived in an old courtyard, with multiple entrances, and during the New Year, red lanterns were hung high, creating a festive atmosphere.

There was no air conditioning in the courtyard, so she bundled up tightly, sometimes sleeping under three quilts. She had wanted to stay at a hotel, but her grandmother wouldn’t allow it.

The excitement made her grandmother fall ill.

Xu Shiqi knew about the illness but was afraid to ask Wen Baohua. She cautiously changed the subject to avoid saying the wrong thing.

Wen Jiaro also mentioned meeting her grandmother’s relatives, listening to the endless chatter of grandparents and uncles, but the abundance of red envelopes was a small comfort.

Her grandfather had moved around a lot after marrying her grandmother, only settling down in old age, so he rarely returned home. Despite his dignified demeanor, he was remarkably humble around his in-laws, much to Wen Jiaro’s amusement.

Her grandfather said if her grandmother liked it, they could buy a house and stay there. The children had their own lives, and the grandchildren were grown. However, despite her nostalgic attachment, her grandmother insisted on returning, saying her home was where her children and grandchildren were.

Falling leaves return to their roots. Her heart was content being there, though her health had deteriorated, making it difficult to adapt to her hometown’s climate without constant medication, which worried everyone.

“You are too sentimental,” her grandfather complained, while Wen Jiaro silently served tea and water.

Wen Jiaro shared all this with Xu Shiqi during their daily calls. Xu Shiqi worried along with her, hearing the tension in her voice but could only pray silently for her grandmother.

In fact, Wen Jiaro had more to say. She had planned to reveal her secret to her grandmother but found her grandmother also wanted to have a heartfelt conversation with her granddaughter.

It wasn’t entirely her grandmother’s idea. She believed everything should follow the natural course. Forced things never tasted sweet. After living through seventy years, she had seen enough beginnings and ends to understand this.

For instance, despite her granddaughter’s struggles, things were gradually improving. Hence, she refrained from actions that might backfire, unlike her granddaughter’s mother.

Rowan said, “Mom, since Jiaro is spending the New Year with you, please find out if she’s really moved on, if she has a boyfriend, what she thinks about marriage, and if she’s willing to travel abroad with her friends.”

Rowan’s mother had little to do, so she worried more. It was time to ask these questions, and her grandmother agreed.

But Wen Jiaro’s attitude hadn’t changed. She still said she had no boyfriend and didn’t want to marry. She reacted strongly only when asked about going abroad, saying she wouldn’t leave.

“I can’t leave you, Grandma,” Wen Jiaro said, clinging to her grandmother.

Seeing her granddaughter’s tied-up hair, despite the messy little tail, filled her grandmother with endless affection. Her granddaughter, to her, would always be a little girl.

“If you don’t want to go, then don’t. I don’t think those foreign-educated friends of yours are necessarily successful,” said her grandmother, feeling tired. Wen Jiaro helped her to bed, then breathed a long sigh of relief.

She didn’t tell Xu Shiqi this because it wasn’t important. The crucial thing was to say she missed her.

Similarly, Xu Shiqi didn’t share her struggles with Wen Jiaro.

When the New Year’s bells rang, they weren’t together. Saying there was no regret was impossible. They both had planned to be alone forever, but fate had different plans, bringing them together unexpectedly. At midnight, they sat on their beds, talking on the phone. The call bridged the distance, and Wen Jiaro found some comfort in Xu Shiqi’s voice.

In previous years, one would watch the Spring Festival Gala with family, laughing and discussing the familiar faces; the other would return to the old house, with relatives busy with their own lives, and spending time with the elders was the priority.

When she returned to her room, she felt the emptiness, but she quickly reassured herself, “It’s okay, sleep through it, and another year will have passed.”

This year was naturally different. Those watching the Spring Festival Gala and accompanying the elders seemed restless, their minds elsewhere. As midnight approached, the desire to hear a particular voice grew stronger, especially on this special day.

“What did you eat tonight?”

“What else could it be? The usual New Year’s feast, lots of meat and fish.”

“My meal here was a bit too sweet. I’m not used to it. I miss your cooking.”

“…Aren’t you coming back on the fifth? I’ll cook for you then.”

“Deal. No backing out. But why is today only New Year’s Eve?”

“No, it should be today is already New Year’s Eve, and your return is getting closer.”

Upon hearing this, Wen Jiaro felt the sweetness in the New Year’s Eve dinner was artificial compared to the natural sweetness of the voice on the other end of the phone. The fireworks exploded outside, and the lover’s whispers in her ear dispelled any loneliness despite being physically alone.

Sitting with Wen Baohua and Kuang Xiao’an, Xu Shiqi no longer felt the same way she used to. While she had never minded being somewhat isolated due to her single status, now she felt more composed and spoke more confidently. However, her feelings towards Wen Baohua were complex.

She thought that neither she nor Wen Jiaro would abandon everything to be together, otherwise, they wouldn’t have been so cautious about not hurting their families. They avoided it because once their emotions were engaged, there would be no turning back.

Who would be the first to know about their relationship? Xu Shiqi wondered. It might be Baohua. If she needed supporters and helpers, she might start with Baohua. Conversely, Xu Shiqi was deeply conflicted about letting her know. Just like the plot of a movie she once saw, a small pivot could lead to significant reactions, and no one could predict what initial minor incident would impact the future.

Another term is the butterfly effect; she wondered if it applied to them.

If Baohua knew that introducing her cousin to her would lead to today’s situation, would she regret it? But even if she weren’t in the middle, it wouldn’t change the fact that Xu Shiqi and Wen Jiaro were meant to be together. They might remain in a distant relationship as “classmate’s cousin” and “cousin’s classmate,” each adhering to their own beliefs.

Who knows if there would be other fateful pulls? Maybe at that time, they would love someone else. No one can predict such things; love at first sight exists, but so does love that grows over time.

Baohua was inevitably caught in the middle. When their relationship was finally revealed, Xu Shiqi didn’t know if she should apologize. “Sorry for taking your cousin,” or “Sorry for using your friendship as a stepping stone for love…”

Thus, Wen Baohua’s intuition was correct. Xu Shiqi still talked to her as before, but with less intimacy and more formality. Wen Baohua, not understanding, thought it was because she and Kuang Xiao’an were pushing her too hard. If she truly knew Xu Shiqi, she wouldn’t have said those things. As the saying goes, “A fish in water doesn’t understand the pleasure of a fish.” This is a commonly understood principle.

Wen Baohua gave Kuang Xiao’an a look, and they dropped the topic, shifting to Xu Shiqi’s work instead.

“Are you looking for a job?” Kuang Xiao’an scrutinized her. “I thought you were waiting to take over the restaurant.”

“My parents are still young and don’t need me yet.”

Wen Baohua smiled, “Your uncle and aunt seem quite capable. Your restaurant business is booming, and…” She recalled seeing several familiar faces on her way in, “I saw some familiar faces today. Do they come often?”

Xu Shiqi lifted her head, recalling the people who came in with Baohua—officials from a city bureau. She had heard Baohua address one as Director. “Yes, it’s strange. Recently, several organizations have chosen our restaurant for their meals, including company gatherings. My dad is even considering expanding the restaurant.”

“Your food is always delicious,” Kuang Xiao’an said, taking a bite of the mapo tofu.

“I never said it wasn’t good, just that it’s odd,” Wen Baohua pondered for a moment but couldn’t figure it out, so she focused on eating. “As long as they pay, it’s fine. Maybe this year is your family’s lucky year.”

Wen Baohua spoke softly, caressing her belly, her expression serene. Xu Shiqi felt a pang of sadness. She knew how close the Wen siblings were, but their lives would inevitably be disrupted. People can’t escape society; others will also be affected by their actions, perhaps negatively impacting their appetite or sleep. Especially with Baohua pregnant, Xu Shiqi couldn’t let her be troubled. Whatever happens between her and Wen Jiaro, Baohua would inevitably be involved, so she decided not to let Baohua know until she had the baby.

Not letting Baohua know also meant not letting the elderly know. The elder’s health wasn’t great, and even after the New Year, Xu Shiqi didn’t want to trouble her. Having made her decision, she awaited Wen Jiaro’s return to discuss everything in detail.