PSMD – Chapter 36

Frankly speaking, besides Zhao Mingfen and Wu Xiaoqiong being so enthusiastic that Qiu Yang found it a bit overwhelming, another reason she agreed to go was simply wanting to see Shen Ningruo.

She was being generous, because she just missed Shen Ningruo. Shen Ningruo had taken care of her last night, and she hadn’t properly thanked her yet.

But even with such a candid admission, she still didn’t quite dare to look directly into Shen Ningruo’s eyes.

Shen Ningruo hadn’t asked that seriously, Qiu Yang could tell. So she knew clearly that agreeing with Shen Ningruo’s words would make the topic pause.

Indeed, Shen Ningruo cleared her throat and changed the subject, reminding her, “Buckle up.”

“Okay.” Qiu Yang looked straight ahead, the ear hidden by her hair still tinged with red from the previous conversation.

The car pulled away. Shen Ningruo drove attentively, but after a few minutes, she said, “There are gifts for the two aunties in the back seat.”

She paused, then added, “I bought a set for you too.”

“How much?” Qiu Yang turned her head upon hearing this, looking at Shen Ningruo’s profile.

“Not much.”

“You don’t need to get me one.”

Qiu Yang didn’t want any financial entanglement with Shen Ningruo, but based on her understanding of Shen Ningruo, continuing to ask might make the atmosphere awkward.

So Qiu Yang licked her lips and made a decision: “Then I’ll pay for the hotel next time.”

“I’ll book it.”

Shen Ningruo chuckled softly. “Alright.”

“So, when?”

Since Yuncheng had sun today, even a bit dazzlingly bright, and there were still beautiful sunset clouds in the sky at this hour, adding a touch of romance to the city.

Qiu Yang looked at the sky, thought for a moment, and then gave her conclusion: “I have something tomorrow, and after tomorrow, I might get my period.”

“Do you have period pain?” Shen Ningruo asked directly.

Qiu Yang: “Yes.”

Shen Ningruo tapped the steering wheel with her index finger. After two seconds, she replied, “Then let’s settle the debt in a week.”

Qiu Yang had no objection; she was thinking the same thing. She hummed in agreement, feeling slightly relieved.

After returning, she and Shen Ningruo hadn’t distanced themselves much, which made her a little uncomfortable.

She had thought it through at home today and decided that if she ever got drunk again, she shouldn’t lean on Shen Ningruo.

It would not only make her dependent on Shen Ningruo but also easily lead to Shen Ningruo becoming dependent on her again.

She couldn’t let Shen Ningruo become dependent on her again. Otherwise, going back and forth like this, would it ever end?

This kind of relationship, which Qiu Yang felt was abnormal, should come to an end sooner rather than later, instead of constantly owing each other.

Even though she still had to admit that the matter itself was physically and mentally pleasant.

Qiu Yang kept thinking the whole way, and time passed quickly. It felt like just a few blinks, and they had arrived at their destination.

Shen Ningruo had bought two bracelets for the aunties, and also a camera specifically for recording vlogs. Qiu Yang saw the brand logo on the bracelet packaging bag and her eyebrow twitched.

Was this what Shen Ningruo meant by “not much”?

“The camera is what you bought,” Shen Ningruo said, handing over the bag and tilting her chin.

Qiu Yang took it. “Thank you.”

“Thank me for what?”

“Just for buying it yourself.”

They walked side-by-side into the residential area. Before they even reached the building, they saw Zhao Mingfen’s friendly face.

“Xiao Shen! Xiao Qiu!” Zhao Mingfen waved at them.

A smile also appeared on Qiu Yang’s face. During her seven days in Xicheng, she had been well taken care of by Auntie Zhao Mingfen and Auntie Wu Xiaoqiong, and she was still very grateful.

Now, after about a week apart, Qiu Yang felt they were still the same as they were in Xicheng.

“Auntie Fen.”

“Auntie Mingfen.”

Zhao Mingfen beamed, standing between them. “Long time no see, you two are getting more and more beautiful.”

“Oh, please,” Shen Ningruo was best at saying polite words. “Auntie Fen, if you stand with us, anyone we meet will surely ask if we’re sisters.”

Qiu Yang lifted her eyelids and glanced at Shen Ningruo. She felt that the Shen Ningruo in front of her was both a little unfamiliar and a little familiar.

Someone who was usually serious and rarely smiled at work, but in private had so many tricks up her sleeve, able to make others happier with just a casual remark.

Qiu Yang lowered her gaze. Compared to Shen Ningruo, she was much quieter. Zhao Mingfen immediately noticed and pulled Qiu Yang’s hand, patting it. “Xiao Qiu, it’s okay, it’s okay.”

Zhao Mingfen had always felt more sympathy for Qiu Yang. How popular are good-looking girls these days? How could some rotten old man not cherish her?

If that rotten old man’s behavior got out, no old lady would dance with him in the square.

Listening to Zhao Mingfen’s comfort, Qiu Yang’s lips curved into a faint smile. She didn’t know how to explain, so she simply didn’t. It was a misunderstanding. She hadn’t expected to stay in touch with Zhao Mingfen and the others back then, but it was actually fine for the misunderstanding to continue unnoticed.

Qiu Yang was still inevitably worried about how the elders would react if they knew she liked women, because her uncle and aunt were a cautionary tale; the words they used to scold her were unbearable.

Shen Ningruo chatted with Zhao Mingfen all the way. When they arrived at Zhao Mingfen’s home, Wu Xiaoqiong joined them.

Several hot dishes were already prepared on the dining table, all signature dishes they had just cooked, looking very appetizing.

The gifts were truly valuable to them, and they didn’t want to accept them. But Qiu Yang spoke up from the side to persuade them: “If the two aunties think they’re too valuable, then we won’t come anymore.”

As soon as she said this, Wu Xiaoqiong immediately decided, “Come! Of course, come!”

“Young people these days just don’t like cooking. If you have time, come here to eat, it’ll be good for your stomachs.”

“We’ll accept these gifts, but you must come often.”

Shen Ningruo: “Okay.”

The meal was very harmonious, and Qiu Yang felt much more relaxed. The two aunties in front of her were truly warm-hearted, constantly using serving chopsticks to put food on their plates.

They kept saying that both of them looked too thin and needed to eat more, showing their care directly.

They didn’t leave until 8:30 PM. Before they left, Zhao Mingfen gave them some of her homemade pickled vegetables.

They were too enthusiastic.

After being seen downstairs, Shen Ningruo patted her chest. “So hard to handle. The two aunties are even more enthusiastic than they were in Xicheng.”

Qiu Yang glanced at her sideways. “In Xicheng, you were afraid they’d ask you to help film videos, so you ran off early.”

Shen Ningruo: “…”

Shen Ningruo was countered again. “Didn’t I have you?”

They chatted as they walked towards the entrance of the residential area. Qiu Yang snorted lightly at her words.

The streetlights in the complex were spaced two meters apart, hanging high. Some residents were out with their kids for fresh air, others were walking their dogs.

They didn’t walk long before they were out of the complex and by the roadside.

Qiu Yang had no intention of opening Shen Ningruo’s car door and said goodbye in advance: “You go back yourself.”

“I’ll take a taxi back.”

“What if I insist on driving you back?” Shen Ningruo narrowed her eyes slightly, looking at Qiu Yang’s bright, clear eyes.

Qiu Yang pursed her lips and met Shen Ningruo’s gaze. “Then drive me back.”

Shen Ningruo couldn’t help but laugh. She had been prepared for Qiu Yang to refuse her again, in which case she would have just acted shamelessly.

But she hadn’t expected Qiu Yang to be so direct this time.

She was momentarily stunned, then opened the passenger door. “Then please.”

“Thank you.”

Qiu Yang’s tone was normal, without much fluctuation. She got in the car and obediently buckled her seatbelt.

In the hazy night, Shen Ningruo turned her head and saw Qiu Yang’s profile. She hesitated for a moment, then called out, “Xiao Yang.”

Qiu Yang turned her head, quite calmly. “What is it?”

“You…”

“The name you called out yesterday.”

“Was that your ex?”

Qiu Yang was startled by this question. She hadn’t expected Shen Ningruo to cross that line and didn’t quite know how to answer.

It was indeed crossing a line.

“It’s okay.” Shen Ningruo wasn’t in a hurry to start the car. She slowly raised her hand and smoothed Qiu Yang’s hair again. Her voice softened unconsciously. “I believe you’ll forget her soon.”

Qiu Yang didn’t answer, but her body trembled slightly when Shen Ningruo accidentally touched her earlobe.

Shen Ningruo withdrew her hand and became serious. “Personally, I think whether she liked you or not is no longer important.”

“What’s important is that someone will definitely like you very much in the future and give you all their love.”

“Don’t you think so?”

When she said this, she lowered her eyelashes slightly. “After all, our Xiao Yang is so well-behaved.”

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