Not only had Xiao Yu discovered Yu Lingshan’s Moments background and bio, but she had also found something else.
“You call her ‘Fairy Wife’,” Xiao Yu said.
Xu Shi smiled, a little embarrassed, but still answered, “Yes.”
Xiao Yu cupped her face with both hands and asked Xu Shi, “What’s her contact name for you?”
There was no escaping this time. Xu Shi had no choice but to take a pen and write “Xu Xiao Zhi” on a piece of paper.
Xu Shi didn’t know what was so special about this name. She had gotten so used to Yu Lingshan calling her that, she thought it was quite ordinary. But when Xiao Yu read it out loud, she looked like she was about to cry.
Learning that today was Xu Shi’s last day at the company, their supervisor organized a farewell dinner for her with the rest of the office that evening.
Xu Shi had thought she had just quietly spent the last half-year in this office environment without making much of an impression. She never expected that at this dinner, everyone would have so many memories of her to share.
They said that when she first joined the company, she was very timid, introducing herself in just two sentences. But with just those two sentences, everyone remembered her.
They talked about the first time she made a mistake and stood in the corner, not daring to speak, acting as if the sky had fallen. It had left everyone at a bit of a loss.
They said Xu Shi was exceptionally good at writing ad copy, but she never seemed to believe their praise, asking if they thought it was all just business flattery.
They said that everyone actually liked her a lot. She was well-behaved, never caused trouble, and did whatever was asked of her. They all wanted to look out for her, but she never seemed to need it, always preferring to be by herself.
Then they said that she had visibly brightened up recently, and now she was leaving. It was truly a shame.
One colleague after another chimed in, and because they had been drinking, they said many things they normally wouldn’t, which actually moved Xu Shi a little.
By the time they finished eating and drinking and came out, the sky was already very dark.
The moment she stepped out of the hotel, Xu Shi immediately spotted a familiar car among the others, and Yu Lingshan standing beside it.
A light drizzle had started falling at some point. Yu Lingshan, holding a transparent umbrella, walked to the hotel entrance. Under everyone’s gaze, she lifted the umbrella slightly and extended a hand toward Xu Shi.
Someone behind Xu Shi asked, “Who’s that, Xu Shi?”
Xu Shi said, “My sister.”
After she said it, Xu Shi heard Xiao Yu let out a laugh.
But immediately after, someone else said, “Isn’t that Yu Lingshan? She and Xu Shi are sisters?”
These words gradually faded in Xu Shi’s ears as she took a few quick, light steps to duck under Yu Lingshan’s umbrella, turning to wave goodbye to everyone.
Yu Lingshan also said goodbye to them along with Xu Shi. Having likely heard the recent exchange, she added, “Thank you all for taking care of my little sister during this time.”
Everyone:
“You’re too kind.”
“It was nothing.”
“Of course.”
…
Back in the car, as expected, the first thing Yu Lingshan asked was, “Did they believe that I’m your sister?”
Xu Shi: “That’s not my problem.”
Yu Lingshan: “Can’t I be your wife?”
Upon hearing this, Xu Shi immediately unbuckled the seatbelt she had just fastened. “I’ll go right now,” she said without a moment’s hesitation. “I’ll go back and tell them again.”
Yu Lingshan made no move to stop her, watching Xu Shi with great interest, her expression saying, “Go on, then.”
Of course, Xu Shi wasn’t going. Of course, she buckled her seatbelt again.
Xu Shi: “Haha.”
Yu Lingshan smiled and gave Xu Shi’s cheek a firm squeeze.
“You didn’t drink, did you?” Yu Lingshan asked.
“No,” she said. “I didn’t dare.”
Yu Lingshan: “Why not?”
Xu Shi: “You’d scold me.”
Yu Lingshan seemed to want to say something but couldn’t hold it back. “Would I have to scold you if you behaved yourself?”
Xu Shi: “But I just don’t know anything when I do.”
Yu Lingshan: “We should try it sometime. We haven’t had a drink together since we got together.”
Without a second thought, Xu Shi said, “Okay.”
Yu Lingshan turned to look at her. “So eager?”
Xu Shi: “As long as you’re here, I’m not afraid.”
Without a job, Xu Shi now had more time to prepare for the Qingjie Cup finals.
She also slowly began the handover process for the job at the design institute.
During the long stretch of time leading up to the finals, Xu Shi was at Yu Lingshan’s place almost every day. On one hand, Yu Lingshan’s home was close to the design institute. On the other hand…
It was just the other hand.
It was as if Xu Shi and Yu Lingshan had swapped roles. Just as Xu Shi used to watch Yu Lingshan, now, most of the time, it was Xu Shi sitting quietly, looking at design drafts on her computer, while Yu Lingshan sat beside her, watching her.
The day before the finals, Xu Shi and Yu Lingshan had already arrived in C-City.
The two of them got a full night’s sleep. The next day, Yu Lingshan sent Xu Shi into the examination hall, then picked her up from inside just before noon.
This year’s Qingjie Cup had also attracted a lot of attention. A few reporters were waiting outside. When Yu Lingshan met Xu Shi, she raised a hand and put a hat on her head, quickly pulling her away.
Once in the car, Yu Lingshan’s first words were, “I’m so hungry.”
Xu Shi laughed for some reason. “Let’s go eat.”
Yu Lingshan: “I’ve already made a reservation.” She playfully tapped Xu Shi’s shoulder. “You’ve worked hard, Teacher Xu.”
Teacher Xu shrugged. “It was hard on Teacher Yu too, waiting for me outside.”
Teacher Yu let out a sigh. “It was fine, just a little wind and sun,” she lamented. “Looking around, I was the only parent there. Not pitiful at all.”
Xu Shi laughed and playfully snuggled closer. “Teacher Yu is the best.”
But how could Xu Shi not know? After dropping her off in the morning, Yu Lingshan had gone straight back to the hotel, ordered coffee, booked an in-room massage, and enjoyed her morning.
Just like last time, Yu Lingshan didn’t ask a single word about Xu Shi’s performance in the competition today.
When it came to Xu Shi’s abilities, Yu Lingshan was even more confident in Xu Shi than Xu Shi was in herself.
Halfway through their meal, Yu Lingshan glanced at a message on her phone and suddenly said, “Oh no.”
Xu Shi looked up. “What’s wrong?”
Yu Lingshan smiled at Xu Shi.
Xu Shi: “Huh? What is it?”
Yu Lingshan tapped her chin twice with her phone. “I’ve received some inside information. Your competition results.”
Xu Shi instantly grew tense. Her gaze flickered toward Yu Lingshan’s phone. “What does it say?”
Yu Lingshan’s smile deepened as she showed the phone to Xu Shi.
On the first row of the spreadsheet, Xu Shi’s name was written in bold.
“The Gold Award, little one,” Yu Lingshan squeezed Xu Shi’s cheek. “Congratulations, you did great.”
Xu Shi’s eyes immediately curved into crescents. “Hehe.”
Yu Lingshan: “Quick, eat two more bowls of rice.”
Xu Shi laughed. “It’s not that serious.”
The news traveled fast. They had barely finished their meal when Teacher Wu called Xu Shi. He sounded even happier than Xu Shi was, congratulating her several times in a row.
Following that, several teachers from the design institute also tagged Xu Shi in the group chat, congratulating her on winning the Gold Award.
Xu Shi thanked them one by one.
Suddenly, Xu Shi seemed to be busy with all the messages. Receiving everyone’s well wishes, she held her phone, not even having time for an afternoon nap, chatting all the way until the award ceremony in the evening.
At Yu Lingshan’s request, Xu Shi changed into a dress before they left. She said she wanted her to be the most beautiful designer in the entire venue.
Whether she was beautiful or not, Xu Shi didn’t know. All she knew was that she had never experienced such a grand occasion. When she went on stage to receive her award, she had no idea what she was doing. She couldn’t find where Yu Lingshan was sitting in the audience, no matter how hard she looked.
She could only follow the line, her ears serving the sole purpose of catching her own name.
Later, she received her trophy, and at that moment, she finally found Yu Lingshan in the audience.
That older sister was clapping, her hands traveling all the way from her chest to above her head, successfully making Xu Shi laugh.
After receiving the award, Xu Shi didn’t leave right away. She stayed behind to exchange pleasantries with a group of contestants and some teachers, and also answered a few questions from the media.
It took a lot of time. By the time she got back to Yu Lingshan’s side, Xu Shi was tired.
She really wanted to hug Yu Lingshan, but they were in a public place.
So she had to save it for when they got back to the hotel.
The first congratulations of the day had come from Yu Lingshan, and the last one came from her as well.
That night, they tossed their phones on the bed, grabbed some food and drinks, and sat on the sofa by the floor-to-ceiling window, admiring the night view.
Xu Shi’s arms were wrapped around Yu Lingshan’s waist, and half of Yu Lingshan’s weight rested on Xu Shi’s shoulder as they nestled together.
Yu Lingshan held a glass of red wine and playfully clinked it against Xu Shi’s drink.
“Today, I was watching you on stage.” Yu Lingshan paused here and suddenly chuckled.
Xu Shi: “What is it?”
Yu Lingshan tilted her head so she could get a better look at Xu Shi.
She pinched Xu Shi’s chin. “I feel like I’m watching you grow up.”
Xu Shi smiled and made a thoughtful sound. “I guess so.” Then she added, “It’s more like you’re raising me.”
Yu Lingshan took Xu Shi’s hand. “You were there for me back then. Now it’s my turn to be here for you.”
Xu Shi was touched by these words, and she subconsciously hugged Yu Lingshan a little tighter.
Yu Lingshan shifted her head, her hair rustling softly against Xu Shi’s clothes.
At this moment, all the quiet in the world belonged to them. If morning never came, Xu Shi would want to sit like this forever. She liked Yu Lingshan so much; she could do anything with her and enjoy it all.
The lights were beautiful, the moon was beautiful, the stars were beautiful, and Yu Lingshan was the most beautiful of all.
After a light, lingering kiss, something suddenly occurred to Xu Shi.
“Yu Lingshan,” Xu Shi sat up a little straighter. “Let me do a magic trick for you.”
Yu Lingshan raised an eyebrow, her interest visibly piqued. “Okay,” she asked, “what kind of trick?”
Xu Shi lifted her chin. “Of course I can’t tell you beforehand.”
Yu Lingshan smiled and nodded. “OK.”
Xu Shi stood up. “Wait a second, I need to prepare.”
With that, Xu Shi went back into the room and fiddled around for a while before coming out. Then she sat down properly at the table, not next to Yu Lingshan.
Yu Lingshan rested her hands on the glass table and watched Xu Shi.
From the moment she came over, Yu Lingshan had noticed that Xu Shi had changed into a long-sleeved shirt.
It was too obvious.
But Yu Lingshan didn’t say anything.
Xu Shi unwrapped a deck of playing cards and, with very clumsy hands, fanned them out bit by bit. “Pick a card.”
Yu Lingshan couldn’t help but smile, randomly pulling a card from the uneven row.
“Okay,” Xu Shi said this one word to herself. “Give it to me.”
Yu Lingshan handed the card to Xu Shi.
Xu Shi set the rest of the deck aside and cleared her throat. “Watch closely now.”
Yu Lingshan nodded and made a “please proceed” gesture.
Xu Shi’s right hand suddenly appeared, holding a lighter.
Yu Lingshan was a little surprised and began to look forward to it.
With a click, Xu Shi lit the playing card. Then, she made a series of flashy, ritual-like gestures over the table. Finally, she covered it with her hand and suddenly thrust the flame toward Yu Lingshan.
Yu Lingshan instinctively recoiled, but in the next second, she started to laugh.
The playing card in Xu Shi’s hand was gone, replaced by a rose.
“Wow,” Yu Lingshan applauded. “That’s amazing.”
Xu Shi laughed too. “Is it a bit cheesy?”
“Ah, uh,” Yu Lingshan took the rose, looking at it with great fondness. “I totally didn’t see that you pulled the rose out of your sleeve.”
Xu Shi burst out laughing. “What are you doing?”
Yu Lingshan then asked, “So what was the point of picking a card?”
Xu Shi looked inexplicably smug. “To confuse and mislead you. At first, you must have thought I was going to do a card trick, right? Well, I wasn’t.”
Yu Lingshan was amused and started laughing, nodding. “I was indeed mistaken at first.”
Taking the rose, Yu Lingshan realized it was a real flower, with a faint fragrance when she brought it close.
“Is this for me?” Yu Lingshan asked.
Xu Shi nodded, her expression a little proud. “Yeah, I bought it in secret, you didn’t know.” Xu Shi added, “When you’re doing a magic trick for a pretty older sister, of course you have to use a real flower.”
Yu Lingshan pinched Xu Shi’s cheek. “Such a sweet-talker.”
The thorns on the rose had all been removed, and the flower was very fresh. It was truly hard to imagine when she had secretly prepared it.
Yu Lingshan kissed a petal, then used the petal to kiss Xu Shi’s cheek.
Cheesy or not, exposed or not, magic trick or something else.
For Xu Shi, Yu Lingshan would always be fond.
