thoughtful protection
The next second, Chi Zhuo closed the gap by one point again.
What's the misunderstanding?
Lin Tingyue said softly, "It's a misunderstanding... You did it on purpose."
Without saying a word, Chi Zhuo lowered his head and kissed him.
A light kiss followed by the question: "And now? Will there still be misunderstandings?"
Lin Tingyue remained silent for a long time, just staring at him quietly, at a loss for what to do.
Chi Zhuo let go of her hand, but the next second he naturally took her wrist: "Okay, watch out for the slippery road."
This seemingly unintentional action made her heart beat faster involuntarily.
"Would you like something hot to drink?" Chi Zhuo pointed to the convenience store not far away.
When they came out of the convenience store, they had two cups of hot milk tea in their hands.
Chi Zhuo's cup was barely touched, but Lin Tingyue sipped it slowly, her eyes half-closed in satisfaction.
"It's delicious." She said, handing the cup to Chi Zhuo. "Would you like to try some?"
Chi Zhuo looked at her and took a sip from her hand.
"Not sweet enough," he commented, though a smile played on his lips.
Lin Tingyue took a sip, puzzled. "Really? I just asked her to make it with all sugar."
Beside her, Chi Zhuo quietly leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Not as sweet as you."
Lin Tingyue blushed instantly and said coquettishly, "Chi Zhuo! You've become naughty!"
Chi Zhuo raised an eyebrow, revealing a relaxed and smug smile.
This winter shouldn't be cold anymore.
-
After the heavy snow, it was almost mid-December.
During this period, Chi Zhuo was busy arranging things for the group and hadn't returned to his apartment for several days in a row.
Although both of them lived in apartments, Lin Tingyue never really liked sleeping alone in her room, so she secretly went to Xia Xiaoran's house to stay for two days.
Xia Xiaoran still lives in her old neighborhood, which is close to her workplace and surrounded by government offices with excellent security facilities.
When Lin Tingyue visited the first day, she saw the graduation photo that she had given her in her living room.
A self-portrait of Xia Xiaoran.
"You still have this painting hanging there?"
Xia Xiaoran, her hair wrapped up, came out of the bathroom, leaned against the door, and looked at her. "Yeah, isn't this a commemoration? A way to reminisce about our youth."
This made Lin Tingyue laugh. "Ranran, you're in the prime of your youth."
Xia Xiaoran, however, looked sorrowful. "No, I am no longer young, my appearance has changed, and I am no longer as vibrant as before."
Hearing her exaggerated statement, Lin Tingyue rested her chin on her hand thoughtfully, "You... something's up?"
"Nothing's wrong." Xia Xiaoran turned and went back to the bathroom.
Lin Tingyue became even more curious upon seeing this.
"Oh dear, what's going on? Tell me quickly, don't keep me in suspense."
After a while, Xia Xiaoran came out after drying her hair. "It's all because of my parents. They organized that community event, and as a result, I met even more aunties who introduced me to more potential partners. My social circle has expanded from just people in my neighborhood to just people in my entire area."
"puff--"
Lin Tingyue couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter.
Lin Tingyue laughed so hard she slumped onto the sofa, and Xia Xiaoran angrily threw a cushion into her arms.
"You heartless bastard! I'm going crazy from all these blind dates and you're still laughing!"
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," Lin Tingyue wiped away the tears of laughter, "So what's going on this time?"
Xia Xiaoran sighed heavily, "It's no big deal to tell you, but you're not allowed to laugh!"
Lin Tingyue raised her hand to indicate that she would absolutely not laugh.
"There was an aunt who brought her son to the event that day. I was almost developing PTSD from these kinds of matchmaking events, so I assumed the boy was too, and then..."
Xia Xiaoran stopped midway through her sentence.
Lin Tingyue's eyes widened. "You went on a blind date with that boy? How old is he? Is he handsome?"
Xia Xiaoran broke down again, "Is that the point, sis? Don't you think that's really stupid? Does it make me seem narcissistic? I don't even know how I... I... how I ended it..."
"And then?" Lin Tingyue asked curiously, her ears perked up. "Tell me quickly, and then what?"
Xia Xiaoran, looking utterly dejected, repeated what the other person had said.
"Then he said he had just started college and wasn't ready to marry an older woman like me, but if I was really in a hurry, he could help me figure something out. Can you believe how embarrassed I was?!"
Xia Xiaoran buried her face in the pillow and let out a muffled wail.
Lin Tingyue tried hard to purse her lips and suppress her laughter, but her shoulders trembled slightly uncontrollably.
"You're still laughing!" Xia Xiaoran peeked out from the edge of the pillow with a mournful look in her eyes.
"I wasn't laughing," Lin Tingyue said, her facial muscles tensing as she solemnly raised her hand to swear. "I just... have a bit of a sore throat." She cleared her throat and leaned closer. "But seriously, what did that guy... look like?"
"Lin Tingyue!" Xia Xiaoran grabbed another cushion and was about to throw it at him, but stopped in mid-air and sighed, "He's alright, a pretty clean-cut boy, wearing black-rimmed glasses, looks quite well-behaved."
"Oh—" Lin Tingyue drawled, a sly glint in her eyes, "So you remember it quite clearly."
"That's because it was so embarrassing! It's unforgettable!" Xia Xiaoran explained, her ears secretly turning red.
"Oh dear, they didn't say anything, did they?"
Xia Xiaoran, however, spoke up in a serious tone, "Isn't this implying that I'm old? What do you mean by 'just started college'? I'm just a little kid, really."
"Hey, if it's really fate, age difference isn't a problem. Besides, it's about the person, not about age. If age could determine a relationship, those longevity villages would be full of matchmakers."
Lin Tingyue was analyzing with great interest, unaware that Xia Xiaoran was staring at her.
"Hey, are you talking about me or yourself? This looks like you're showing off your relationship. Drag him out and beat him up."
Upon hearing Xia Xiaoran's words, Lin Tingyue quickly changed the subject.
"Oh, let's just stick to the facts."
Xia Xiaoran turned her head. "I don't believe it."
"Oh right," Lin Tingyue said with some worry, "I came in such a hurry that I didn't bring any pajamas or anything, so I'll probably have to wear yours later."
"I was prepared."
Xia Xiaoran, looking as if she had been prepared, led her to the bedroom.
Lin Tingyue was a little surprised, "Really? You still have my old clothes?"
"How could that be?"
Xia Xiaoran took out a brand new set of silk pajamas from the closet. "Here, I prepared it a long time ago."
Lin Tingyue took the pajamas, her fingertips touching the soft fabric, and asked in surprise, "When did you buy these? This brand isn't cheap."
"I saw it while shopping last week, and I bought it because I thought it suited me. I figured you'd definitely come stay with me for Chinese New Year this year." Xia Xiaoran said casually, but her eyes unconsciously drifted elsewhere.
Lin Tingyue didn't notice her friend's odd behavior and happily hugged her: "Wow, Ranran, you're so thoughtful! You're amazing!"
"Not only that."
Xia Xiaoran lifted the blanket, and the four-piece bedding set on the bed was also newly bought.
"Look, the pattern you like is the same as it was back in school."
Lin Tingyue was shocked when she saw the cartoon cheese pattern.
"Wow, Ranran, you even bought this? Are you planning to give me a big surprise?"
Xia Xiaoran laughed smugly, "Oh, you're already moved? If I told you I also bought matching dresses, suits, shoes, and bags for you, wouldn't you be moved to tears?"
Lin Tingyue was so moved she could hardly contain herself. She rushed over and hugged Xia Xiaoran tightly, her voice choked with emotion: "Ranran! How can you be so good to me! I love you so much!"
Xia Xiaoran was swayed by the hug, her face beaming with undisguised smugness. She gently patted Lin Tingyue's back and said, "Oh my, you can't even handle this? I haven't even officially unveiled the matching dresses, suits, shoes, and bags yet. I'm afraid you'll be too excited to sleep tonight."
"No, no," Lin Tingyue buried her head in her shoulder and rubbed against her. "You need to let me catch my breath. These surprises keep coming one after another, my heart can hardly take it."
The two laughed and joked, and Xia Xiaoran still pulled Lin Tingyue to the dressing room. Sure enough, there was a row of brand-new clothes and accessories in a special area, with a style that was clearly Lin Tingyue's preference. From everyday dresses to exquisite suits, even the matching shoes and bags were all available.
Lin Tingyue's eyes lit up as she ran her fingertips along the collar of an oatmeal-colored double-faced cashmere coat, murmuring, "How much thought must have gone into this..."
Xia Xiaoran leaned against the door frame, arms crossed, "As long as you like it, it's worth it."
Lin Tingyue asked incredulously, "Ranran, is it because your house is being demolished for redevelopment?"
Xia Xiaoran coughed twice. "Hey, are your sisters really that greedy? They won't even buy you anything?"
Lin Tingyue gave an awkward laugh and quickly tried to make amends, "No, no, what I mean is, these things take time, effort, and money. I'll feel bad if you spend too much, after all, nobody's money grows on trees."
Xia Xiaoran frowned and retorted, "That's different. Spending money on you is the same as spending money on me."
That evening, Lin Tingyue changed into the cool, silky silk pajamas and lay on the soft, skin-friendly cheese-patterned sheets, her heart filled with a warm and solid sense of happiness.
She turned to the side, looked at Xia Xiaoran who had already closed her eyes, and whispered, "Ranran, thank you."
Xia Xiaoran's eyelids twitched, but she didn't open them. She just mumbled a reply: "Silly... Go to sleep."
For the next two days, Lin Tingyue occasionally used her phone to handle some work during the day, but spent most of her time nestled in Xia Xiaoran's safe and secure little home.
The two seemed to have returned to their college days, watching comedy shows together, commenting on new movies, sharing dessert shops they had saved on their phones, and even trying to make some food on a whim by following food videos, only to make a mess of the kitchen and burst into laughter.
During this time, Chi Zhuo sent messages intermittently, mostly reminding her to eat well and rest, his words revealing his concern for her amidst his busy schedule.
Lin Tingyue would take pictures of the snacks she was eating or the bright sunshine outside the window and send them to Xia Xiaoran. Occasionally, she would also send a funny photo of herself and Xia Xiaoran.
Chi Zhuo replies slowly, but she always replies seriously and shares her work status with her.
Lin Tingyue sat cross-legged on the carpet by the French windows, holding a cup of hot cocoa in her hand. Watching Xia Xiaoran busy cutting fruit in the open kitchen, she suddenly remembered something.
"By the way, Ranran," she took a sip of her sweet drink, "did you have any further stories with that boy from that day?"
Xia Xiaoran paused in cutting the orange, then continued as if nothing had happened, but her tone was a little unnatural: "What story could there be? Isn't one embarrassing moment enough? Do you want to keep humiliating yourself?"
"oh--"
Lin Tingyue changed the subject, "That's such a pity."
Xia Xiaoran put the sliced oranges into a glass bowl, sighed, turned around, and said with a hint of helplessness and a subtle expression that she couldn't hide: "...Actually, we ran into each other again."
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