“This…”
Gu Yu stammered several times, his thoughts unable to clear. He wasn’t overly concerned with hygiene; what unsettled him was the embarrassment of an indirect kiss. A teenage boy’s sensitive mind was always prone to such things.
Looking back at those blurred memories, he didn’t remember many specific events. What he was certain of, however, was that he had been very close to Sister Qianxin back then. She had been very good to him, treating him as if he were her own younger brother.
He was sure that his younger self hadn’t harbored any redundant thoughts about Yun Qianxin. He only knew that this older sister was beautiful, gentle, and knowledgeable, and that her cooking was delicious. He liked her simply and purely, without any other motives.
However, he was already nearly 18 now. Having shed most of his youth and nearing adulthood, he now understood the distinction between men and women, as well as the need to maintain a respectful distance.
“I only had a few bites.”
Yun Qianxin watched the boy’s dazed expression as he left his chopsticks untouched. She realized that he had grown up and learned to keep his distance from the opposite sex. He wasn’t as… obedient as he was when he was a child.
“Or does Xiao Yu find Sister disgusting?”
She hid her menace, still smiling gently, her playful words pressing him further. ‘If he won’t be obedient, then I’ll just have to teach him properly again.’
“No, no, I didn’t mean that.”
Gu Yu picked up the bowl and began to swallow the food. There was clearly no difference between the rice in this bowl and the one from before, but a psychological effect kept interfering with him, repeating over and over — ‘That was the rice Sister Qianxin just ate.’
In the end, he finished every last grain in the bowl. Looking at the leftover dishes on the table and the empty bowls in front of himself and Yun Qianxin, he said, “I’m full. Let me do the dishes.”
“No rush,” Yun Qianxin said with a smile, still staring straight at Gu Yu. “Chat with Sister first. We haven’t seen each other in so many years… Xiao Yu has grown up.”
“Yeah, Sister Qianxin as well. You’ve become even more beautiful.”
This was the truth. In his memory, the Yun Qianxin of the past was about the same age he was now, looking very much like Luo Ming — gentle, beautiful, and youthful. She had possessed the grace of a young girl, but lacked the dignified, elegant charm of the mature woman she was today.
“Then, did Xiao Yu miss Sister?”
“Of course I did. Sister Qianxin left without saying goodbye back then. I was sad for quite a while.”
“I see. I’m sorry.” She tilted her slender neck, her long, smooth hair hanging down and draping over her shoulder. “At that time… my father passed away. My family notified me to go back and handle the funeral arrangements.”
Gu Yu felt a prick in his heart, as if he had been stuck by a needle. He apologized in a low voice, “I’m sorry.”
“There’s no need to apologize. It wasn’t Xiao Yu’s fault.” Yun Qianxin stroked Gu Yu’s head again. She loved the boy’s well-behaved appearance. Or rather… this was how he was supposed to be.
“Is the situation with Sister Qianxin’s family alright now?”
“Things are better now, and no one can control me anymore. What about Xiao Yu? Why haven’t I seen your father?”
“My father… he passed away a few years ago.”
Gu Yu lowered his head and downcast his eyes, his voice becoming very soft.
He had actually long since moved past the grief, having grown accustomed to a life without the protection of his elders. It was just that seeing Yun Qianxin again made everything from the past reappear in vivid detail, including his father’s aging face.
“I’m sorry. Sister brought up a sad topic.”
“It’s okay. I’m fine now. Didn’t Sister Qianxin just tell me I didn’t need to apologize?”
“That’s true.” Sister Qianxin once again wore the faint smile of a doting elder. “Is Xiao Yu in Senior Three now?”
“Yes, I’ll graduate next year.”
“Then… is there a girl you like at school? Xiao Yu has become so handsome, there must be quite a few pretty girls revolving around you, right?”
“No, no. I only have two or three friends I can talk to.”
“Not even a girl you like?” Yun Qianxin tilted her head, her thick eyelashes fluttering downward. Her eyes were full of mirth, yet a blade was hidden within her playful words.
Gu Yu’s first thought was actually Luo Ming. He didn’t know why that stunning face suddenly surfaced in his mind. Perhaps he really had fallen for Luo Ming; he had simply been denying it, afraid to admit it or take the initiative to get closer.
“No… I don’t think so.”
“Really? Why so uncertain? Did Xiao Yu think of a certain girl?”
“No, I didn’t…” Gu Yu continued to deny it. Realizing his lie was full of holes, he pinched the corner of his shirt, his palms drenched in sweat.
“Alright, alright. Sister believes Xiao Yu. The Gaokao is next year, so you should focus all your mind on your studies.”
Yun Qianxin picked up the bowls and stood up. Seeing Gu Yu trying to help, she waved her hand for him to stay seated.
“Sister can do it herself. Xiao Yu has to go to school and work, so you must be tired. Go back and rest early.”
Gu Yu didn’t decline further. Feeling a bit embarrassed, he picked up his plastic bag. “Then I’ll head out first. If Sister Qianxin needs any help, you can come next door and call for me.”
“Mhm, I will.”
She placed the bowls in the sink. Hearing the sound of the door opening and closing behind her, the smile on her face shattered in an instant, replaced by a bone-chilling coldness.
—
At 9:53 PM, Gu Yu sat on the edge of his bed. The cold night wind scraped against the window, and scattered lights flickered in his eyes. The room, with its broken air conditioner, was exceptionally cold.
The reunion with Yun Qianxin was entirely unexpected. The timing felt as if it were arranged by fate — just as he was becoming an adult, about to graduate, and preparing to leave, she suddenly appeared, just as suddenly as she had left.
Gu Yu had once felt regret over Yun Qianxin’s departure without a word. He hadn’t even had the chance to say thank you for the kindness she had shown him. Fortunately, she was back now, and that regret could finally be mended.
Knock, knock, knock
A gentle knocking sound reached his ears. Gu Yu walked out of his room and opened the door. Yun Qianxin was standing outside clutching some clothes. She smiled at him, as warm as a spring breeze.
“Sister’s house has no water, and the bedding isn’t fit to sleep on. Can I borrow your place to shower and stay the night, Xiao Yu?”
“No problem. Sister Qianxin can sleep in my room.” Gu Yu stepped aside, making room for Yun Qianxin to enter.
“Thank you, Xiao Yu. Then… sorry for the intrusion.”
“It’s fine, no intrusion at all. The bathroom is over there.” Gu Yu pointed to the glass door against the wall. Noticing that Yun Qianxin wasn’t holding anything other than clothes, he added, “The shampoo and body wash are on the windowsill. I’ll go get you a new towel.”
“Mhm, thanks.”
Yun Qianxin walked into the bathroom and looked around the cramped space. The light was dim, and everything seemed crowded together. The cold wind was still circulating inside.
She turned back and asked Gu Yu, who was standing outside the door with a new blue towel, “Then where will you sleep, Xiao Yu?”
“I’ll sleep in my dad’s room. It’s a bit messy and will take a while to tidy up. Once you’re done washing up, go ahead and sleep first, Sister Qianxin. There’s something wrong with the washing machine, so just leave your clothes for now. It’s late; you can wash them tomorrow.”
Gu Yu handed the towel over and pulled the opaque glass door shut. “Call me if you need anything. I’ve left the slippers outside.”
“Okay, sorry for the trouble, Xiao Yu.”
“It’s no trouble. Goodnight, Sister Qianxin.”
“Mhm, goodnight.”