Chi Shuo had always felt she wasn’t particularly lucky, at least not in love. She hadn’t expected that all this time, fate was just saving up its energy to hit her with a massive plot twist.
He Lindi’s words were deeply moving. Chi Shuo’s eyes had already reddened. She never knew He Lindi had thought about her for so long. And she, petty as she was, had held onto the fact that He Lindi was once her imagined rival, always putting on a cold face towards her, saying childish and ridiculous things, yet unknowingly hurting He Lindi little by little, making He Lindi hesitate, unsure whether to move forward.
If she had been a little more proactive at sixteen or seventeen, perhaps she would have become friends with He Lindi long ago. Even if not lovers, the title of “friend” held immense meaning for her back then.
Unfortunately, there were no ‘ifs.’ But now, seven or eight years later, it wasn’t too late.
They were officially together now. The uncertainty was gone, replaced by confirmation. They leaned against each other, gradually falling asleep. Even in sleep, their hands remained clasped, as if they would never let go again.
The scene Chi Shuo had imagined countless times—He Lindi saying “I like you”—had finally happened last night. The only thing that matched was the phrase “I like you”; everything else was completely different. In the darkness, they couldn’t even see each other’s faces, a far cry from the scenes she had fantasized about.
Not that it wasn’t romantic, but recalling it the next morning, Chi Shuo felt she had missed out. She should have properly seen He Lindi’s expression when she confessed. What a pity, all she could hear was her voice.
He Lindi hadn’t woken up yet. When Chi Shuo opened her eyes, they were already occupying separate sides of the bed, a large gap between them. If not for the vivid memory of last night, Chi Shuo would have almost suspected something had gone wrong.
They were too far apart! A whole meter! Did they both have terrible sleeping habits?
Chi Shuo wanted to quietly scoot closer to He Lindi but ultimately stopped herself. She got out of bed first and went to the bathroom to wash up.
She desperately suppressed her excitement and joy, but when looking in the mirror in the bathroom, she couldn’t help but grin, the curve of her lips growing wider and wider. It was just that with toothpaste foam around her mouth, her smile looked somewhat comical.
Chi Shuo even felt an urge to sing, but considering He Lindi was still asleep in her bedroom, she did everything quietly.
After washing up, Chi Shuo went into the kitchen and started making breakfast.
She checked the time; it was already 11 AM. In another hour, it would be noon. She would make something first to warm He Lindi’s stomach, then figure out other things later, or maybe just order takeout.
Yuncheng’s winter sun rarely showed itself. Today was still overcast. Chi Shuo pulled the living room curtains aside slightly, then stood by the window, looking at the sky, trying to organize her somewhat chaotic thoughts.
Now, it was undeniably certain that she and He Lindi were together, right?
Yes.
Chi Shuo’s face broke into a smile. The weather in Yuncheng was gloomy, but her heart was full of sunshine. There was no conflict.
After standing there for a while, Chi Shuo walked back to the bedroom door. She exhaled, psyching herself up, then gently turned the knob and entered.
She had thought there would be no movement inside, that He Lindi must still be asleep since she hadn’t come out. Chi Shuo hadn’t prepared herself mentally. But upon opening the door, she saw He Lindi leaning against the headboard, hugging a pillow, looking like she was still trying to wake up.
Chi Shuo swallowed, nervously and with difficulty forcing out three words: “You’re awake?”
He Lindi turned to look at her, her eyes still hazy. Chi Shuo’s eyelid twitched. She wasn’t used to being with He Lindi yet, nor had she quickly adapted to her new status as He Lindi’s girlfriend.
It felt too unfamiliar. Was there a crash course? She really wanted to sign up.
He Lindi nodded slightly: “Mm.”
Chi Shuo pointed towards the kitchen: “I made porridge. Go wash up first, you can eat some later.”
He Lindi didn’t reply. Chi Shuo walked to the bedside. Seeing her silence, she felt a bit uneasy: “What’s wrong?”
He Lindi’s eyes finally cleared considerably. She met Chi Shuo’s gaze: “Chi Shuo.”
“I’m here.”
“You’re my girlfriend now.”
“…” Chi Shuo’s face visibly reddened. She seemed to stutter a little, “Y-Yes, I guess.”
“Guess?”
“No ‘guess’.”
He Lindi placed the pillow aside, then leaned forward, lying down beside Chi Shuo, remarking with emotion, “I still find it a bit hard to believe.”
“Why don’t you bite yourself? See if it hurts?”
“Why don’t you let me bite you?”
Chi Shuo smiled slightly: “I’m your only…” She paused, “…girlfriend.”
He Lindi smiled too. Her hair was still a bit messy, but her eyes curved, presenting another kind of beautiful scenery.
Xinyue’s “New Life” event was held on Saturday. Lin Xinyue, considering the staff had been working hard lately, even gave them Monday off. So today and tomorrow, the two didn’t need to go to the company.
Chi Shuo was very satisfied with this decision. After all, yesterday’s work had been too tiring. Even after recovering until the afternoon, she and He Lindi still felt sore all over.
So Chi Shuo suggested: “How about we go get a massage?”
“Now that you mention it, I think I could buy a massage chair and put it at your place.”
“…Please refrain from your rich-woman remarks.”
Getting a massage is a very enjoyable experience. When tired and weary, a massage can alleviate anxiety and even dispel dampness from the body.
Chi Shuo was quick. Half an hour later, she, He Lindi, and Xia Zhou had gathered outside a shop.
People came and went sporadically on the street. Chi Shuo tightened her scarf and smiled at Xia Zhou: “Why did you come as soon as I asked? Zeng Guai couldn’t even be bothered to leave her house.”
Xia Zhou raised an eyebrow: “Can’t I come?”
He Lindi slowly spoke: “You’re disturbing our private time.”
Chi Shuo: “…”
Xia Zhou: “…”
Xia Zhou: “???”
She wanted to ask for specifics, but Chi Shuo and He Lindi had already entered the shop, giving her no chance.
Xia Zhou’s lips couldn’t help but curve upwards: “Oh my god, are you guys together? Good thing I noticed early on that something was definitely up between you two.”
Chi Shuo’s face felt slightly hot: “Can you lower your voice? After all this time, why is your gossip radar still so strong?!”
He Lindi went to the front desk to handle the check-in. Hearing them chat happily, she turned her head and asked, “Xia Zhou, where’s my cousin?”
“He has finals in a couple of days, still fighting a desperate battle. Didn’t he say if he failed this time, you wouldn’t give him a red envelope?” Xia Zhou immediately answered her question. “You, his cousin, are really…”
Chi Shuo looked over: “Really what?”
“Really good,” Xia Zhou said, beaming.
The three were led to a room, each assigned a massage therapist. Due to others being present, He Lindi and Chi Shuo didn’t interact much. Besides, they were still in the adaptation phase; even exchanging glances felt shier than before.
Chi Shuo felt somewhat speechless at her current self, but given the environment, she kept many words bottled up. Later, perhaps because the therapist’s technique was good, coupled with being tired last night and not sleeping well, she actually fell asleep at the massage parlor.
Unsure how much time passed, Chi Shuo heard someone calling her. She responded groggily, trying hard to identify the voice: “What’s wrong?”
“We should head back,” He Lindi whispered, crouching beside the small bed Chi Shuo lay on.
Chi Shuo had slept rather deeply this time. Seeing her asleep, He Lindi had directly extended the time for the room.
Chi Shuo’s eyelashes fluttered, her thin lips parted again, the voice leaking out: “Where’s He Lindi?” She seemed unconscious, correcting herself the next second, “No… where’s my girlfriend?”
He Lindi lifted her hand, wanting to pat Chi Shuo’s shoulder, but ultimately stopped mid-air, smiling as she said, “Why don’t you open your eyes and see?”
Chi Shuo seemed like a controllable puppet, truly opening her eyes slowly the next second.
Then, Chi Shuo lifted both arms, wrapped them around He Lindi’s neck, pulling her slightly closer: “I see you.”
He Lindi buried her face in her shoulder, nuzzling her chin against it.
By the time Chi Shuo fully woke up, her face instantly flushed. She didn’t dare let go of He Lindi, somewhat greedy for this feeling.
After a moment, she said, “Your perfume smells nice.”
He Lindi’s voice sounded right by her ear: “I asked a friend who specializes in perfume what scent was on your scarf.” She said, “Then I bought it.”
“Hai.” Anyway, He Lindi couldn’t see her face. Chi Shuo chuckled secretly. “He Lindi, why are you so…”
She couldn’t find the words. He Lindi finished for her: “Amazing?”
“No.” Chi Shuo released her, staring into her eyes. “It should be, why am I so…”
“I like you.”
Chi Shuo herself couldn’t quite handle saying it. Last night, she had told He Lindi she liked her, but hadn’t specified for how long, nor mentioned the specific details, because she had been truly too sleepy.
And now it was daytime. Everything about her would be seen by He Lindi. Chi Shuo’s earlobes, hidden beneath her hair, grew hot again.
She let go of He Lindi’s neck and changed the subject: “What time is it now? What are we eating tonight?”
He Lindi didn’t answer, just looked at her, her face full of smiles.
Chi Shuo couldn’t help covering her face: “Stop looking at me.” She said, “I haven’t gotten used to my current identity yet.”
He Lindi obediently looked away: “What identity were you before, and what identity are you now?”
Chi Shuo snorted lightly: “He Lindi, you’re asking knowingly again, aren’t you!”
He Lindi nodded: “Yes, I am asking knowingly. What about it?” She looked at Chi Shuo. “While you were sleeping, I thought of a slogan for you.”
“What slogan?”
“Chi Shuo, Chi Shuo, kiss me.”
“…” Just changing the content of “Qingya Qingya,” it didn’t even rhyme.
If you’d like to read ahead and support me, you can request extra chapters or get the full novel as an EPUB.
