Chapter 18: The Reluctant Escort and the Lingering Gaze

They stayed for nearly two hours.

Under Qian Surou’s expectant gaze, Qian Xidong performed a dance.

Although Qian Xidong herself felt that dancing in jeans was somewhat incongruous, both spectators offered high praise.

The compliments flowed: “A Casablanca swaying gracefully and resiliently in the wind,” “a powerful, artistic brushstroke outlining a perfect form when rising, then a light feather drifting down when landing,” “the family’s brilliant pearl”—

The incessant praise poured forth from those lovely pink lips.

Qian Xidong felt utterly mortified.

Sometimes, she suspected her sister’s eloquent turns of phrase were simply plucked from thin air.

In truth, her sister’s lyrical poems still circulated within Lin Hua Girls’ Academy, having once sparked a retro trend in maiden literature.

Her sister’s sheer nerve, especially after uttering such words, to then casually head out with her, made Qian Xidong want to pry open her head and inspect the internal communication channels.

The small green electric scooter pulled up beside them.

Pink long hair cascaded freely from beneath a yellow helmet, shimmering under the sunlight, much like peach blossoms glistening with dew on a spring morning.

The wind, catching in her nose, seemed to turn sweet under the influence of her mood, causing Qian Xidong to instinctively narrow her eyes.

Yet, the thought of their destination being Ji Yushu’s house immediately soured her mood, much like finding a hard nut hidden inside a peach-chocolate lava mooncake.

“Oh, right, Xidong, it’s been a while since you last visited Xiao Ji’s place, hasn’t it?

I recall the last time was… hmm, a year and two months ago.”

Qian Xidong offered no reply.

Had it not been for her sister’s insistence, she likely would never have sought out Ji Yushu on her own accord.

Moreover, she suspected that the “two months” could be pinpointed to the exact day; for someone she liked, the superhuman named Qian Surou was absolutely capable of such precision.

“I’m sure she’ll be delighted to see you.”

Qian Surou’s reasoning was that both of them danced and were athletic types.

Furthermore, with one being sunny and the other cool (on the surface), wasn’t there a saying that people with opposite personalities often became good friends or lovers?

Perhaps her own personality was simply too unremarkable, which was why she had been eliminated in the first round of the romantic arena.

“Tsk… Sis, aren’t you just bringing me along because you’re afraid of the awkwardness of being alone with her after being rejected?”

“Er, Xiao Yuqin will be there too.

So it won’t be just the two of us, will it?”

“Is that so?

Or is it perhaps because her mobility issues mean she won’t interfere with your private little world?”

Qian Xidong briefly released the handlebar, letting the wind push her forward.

“No, not at all.

I’ve already told you, I’ve given up on liking her; this time, I’m just visiting as a friend.

As a good elder sister, of course, I can’t leave my younger sister home alone.”

Qian Surou said, adopting a slightly indignant tone.

She was quite unwilling to admit that she lacked the courage to face Ji Yushu alone.

She needed familial affection as an anchor to quickly extricate herself from the fog of her emotions.

“A ‘good sister’ who only remembers her younger sister in times like these—”

Qian Xidong drawled, her voice dripping with sarcasm, “Don’t expect me to cover for you!”

Before Qian Surou could react, she accelerated.

In terms of speed, the electric scooter, whose battery life was uncertain, was no match for a road bicycle.

This area consisted of well-paved, straight roads, allowing her to quickly leave her sister behind.

She didn’t stop until they reached Linzhongxi (the villa area) in Tianshui District.

Small clusters of villas were scattered like oases amidst the steel and concrete, with one particular residence bathed in a warm, sunflower-yellow hue.

Objectively speaking, it was a case of “though the sparrow is small, it has all the vital organs.”

On one of the two second-story balconies, a folding rattan mat lay, and a figure was performing stretching exercises there.

Qian Xidong knew from her sister about Ji Yushu’s aspirations, and it was clear Ji Yushu was using the less scorching sun to stretch and refine her physique.

Even with her biased, disapproving view, Qian Xidong had to concede that Ji Yushu’s physique was no less impressive than her own.

Moreover, this person was incredibly adept at putting on an act, making a career in acting perfectly suited for her.

Qian Surou, arriving shortly after, also witnessed the scene.

Her gaze lingered longer, though without the fervent intensity of the past, her expression tinged with a hint of nostalgia.

She then quickly assumed a cheerful demeanor and nudged Qian Xidong’s shoulder forward.

“Are you feeling shy?”

‘Ha! Who exactly is shy here?’ Qian Xidong retorted inwardly with strong conviction.

Nevertheless, she did not swat away Qian Surou’s hand, and despite her annoyed expression, she allowed herself to be led forward like a small pet.

A part of her mind registered her sister’s use of her as a shield, prompting her to walk faster than usual, her steps more forceful than when dancing.

In a flash, she reached a spot with a direct view of the second floor, then skirted the low fence and, a step ahead, pressed the doorbell.

“Oh, my, for someone so disdainful, you’re more eager than even I, her best friend!

Xidong, why don’t you just stay the night today?”

“Sure.

Isn’t there only one guest room?

Sister Yushu certainly wouldn’t bear to let you stay in the storage room.

That way, you two can naturally and lovingly share a bed.

Just don’t forget to eat breakfast in the morning; I’ll even prepare an extra egg for you.”

‘What on earth am I saying?’

‘I don’t want that at all.’

“H-how can you joke like that? That’s terrible!”

Qian Surou feigned an expression of utter shock, yet the telltale blush on her ears betrayed her true feelings at that moment.

Just then, the owner of the house leaned over the balcony railing, as if gazing at a sea view.

The evening summer breeze swept by, permeating her wide white T-shirt from the back collar down to her spine.

Her long, crossed arms appeared languid, and her slightly perspiring body caused a certain sensitive area to become visible, her strawberry-print mini bra seemingly beckoning.

“Susu—”

Stepping back three paces, she looked up to see Xiao Ji’s smooth forehead.

In the blink of an eye, only the swaying ponytail of a retreating figure remained.

Pitter-patter footsteps echoed from above, and her ears easily caught the change in tempo—Xiao Ji was dashing down the narrow stairs in one breath, her bare feet treading on the Bohemian-style rug on the first floor as she rushed towards the entrance.

The plaster-white door was abruptly pushed open.

The hostess, Xiao Ji, leaned forward due to momentum, her hand still clutching the doorknob, rotating with the door for more than seventy-five degrees.

Her brows, dotted with sweat, curved into an inviting arch.

She then extended an arm, gesturing for them to enter.

“You certainly kept me waiting!

I’ve been wishing upon stars and moons for your arrival.”

Ji Yushu uttered charmingly, simultaneously taking the dessert bag from Qian Surou’s hand, her grip as steady as that of a professionally trained server.

“Just trying out a summer job.”

Qian Surou gave a correct yet misleading answer, gracing them with a sweet smile.

Qian Xidong, having been forewarned, naturally remained silent.

Ji Yushu also assumed that, just like every previous holiday, Qian Surou had been helping out at her family’s conglomerate and had come to see her as soon as work concluded.

‘Mm, just like before,’ Ji Yushu thought, feeling a slight ease in her heart.