“Is that so? Thank you…”
Su Xiaoxiao didn’t know how to refuse, so she hesitated but still agreed.
But since there was so much, and each piece should have been carefully wrapped, the Elder Sister could only ask someone to pack everything together.
They both had their right hands full of things when they finally left the store.
“How much is all this in total?”
Once outside, Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but ask.
This store, this style, and she’d never seen such skirt designs before.
They were very pretty, but definitely expensive.
“Not much, just over a thousand. How expensive can clothes get?”
Yu Yao said carelessly.
For the girl she liked to wear them comfortably, this was necessary.
“Over a thousand…”
Su Xiaoxiao touched her pocket.
“I don’t have that much with me right now, I’ll pay you back later.”
“No need. Like I said, just keep me company and hang out with me more in the future.”
Yu Yao said, and suddenly a good idea popped into her head.
“I’ve depended on my Younger Sister since I was little. Now she’s moved out, and I’m left all alone here.”
“I’ve lived alone for years now. It’s boring every day. Will you keep me company in the future?”
Yu Yao’s gaze fell on her, full of anticipation and longing.
“Years…”
Su Xiaoxiao replied with sympathy.
“I see.”
She, too, had been lonely for years, so she understood well.
Spending nights with only her pillow and the moon, facing each morning and evening alone—such feelings were not pleasant.
In her previous life, she could only chat with Group Friends on her phone every day, which was similar, except maybe that Author Bro was a little better.
But now, she was no longer alone, since she still had to cook for someone.
“Thank you.”
Yu Yao secretly rejoiced inside.
“Then you must come be with me next week too.”
“Mm… I’ll finish my exams on Wednesday, so if I have time then, sure.”
How could she refuse to hang out with Elder Sister, especially one who was lonely inside and needed comfort?
“Come on, let’s go watch a movie next.”
Yu Yao saw that the first step of her plan was complete, so she took out two movie tickets she had prepared in advance.
The only small regret was that they’d bought clothes first and now had to carry them everywhere.
But she couldn’t help it—seeing such a good-looking girl in just a School Uniform was unbearable.
She had to buy some for her.
“Eh, what?”
“You’ll know when you see it.”
Yu Yao grabbed the girl’s hand, keeping full control the entire way.
After that, they entered the dimly lit theater and watched a movie for over two hours, with the time slipping from past nine to exactly midnight.
The movie featured two female protagonists, each working hard to become amazing people.
Their relationship was good, but in the end, their shared goal led to conflict.
Yu Yao had chosen this movie because both main characters were female, and the time fit with when she wanted to hang out with Xiaoxiao.
No other reason.
“Unbelievable…”
Su Xiaoxiao stared at the frozen frame, deep in thought.
The sense of immersion was much better than watching at home.
No wonder movie tickets were so expensive.
The plot too…
“Beep,”
A message suddenly came in on her phone.
[Yu Xueqin]: Come cook lunch for me at noon.
Su Xiaoxiao unlocked her screen and saw the order from her Boss (Husband).
So that’s what it was for.
Alright.
Health comes first, though she was still on a date… or rather, out shopping.
“What’s wrong?”
Yu Yao noticed her playing on her phone and leaned over curiously.
She couldn’t see clearly, only that it was a text.
“Mm… Sister Yao, I might need to go home first.”
Su Xiaoxiao apologized.
“My parents called me back for something.”
That excuse sounded more reliable than saying she was going to cook for someone else.
“I see, okay.”
Yu Yao was disappointed.
They’d just finished the movie, and now she had to leave—her third step hadn’t even started.
She wanted to take her shopping for snacks and to the amusement park, too.
She’d even thought about where to leave their bags during the movie.
They’d only met for a bit over three hours, and now they’d have to part.
Next time would be next week.
“Let’s go, then.”
Yu Yao said reluctantly.
They’d have to chat on the phone later.
“Okay.”
At the theater entrance, they said goodbye.
Su Xiaoxiao picked up the two large bags and started walking in a certain direction.
To save time, she called Yu Xueqin to come down and open the door for her, since she’d forgotten her keys.
“Why are you carrying so much stuff? And you didn’t bring your keys, either?”
When they met, Yu Xueqin looked suspicious.
“Were you out playing with someone just now?”
“Yeah, I was out shopping with a friend.”
They returned home, and Yu Xueqin immediately sat on the sofa.
“Male or female?”
“Female.”
Su Xiaoxiao answered honestly, placing the bags by the door.
“How’s your relationship?”
“Pretty good, I guess. She’s very gentle.”
“So I’m not gentle… fine.”
Yu Xueqin restrained herself.
If someone wants to go shopping, she has no right to stop them, right?
“I’ve already cut up the eggplant. The rest is up to you.”
Yu Xueqin said no more and went back to her bedroom.
“Mm…”
She even helped cut it up.
Thanks.
Su Xiaoxiao went into the kitchen and found the eggplant already sliced, neatly and far better than she could do herself.
“Impressive knife skills.”
She pulled over a small stool and got to work.
Eggplant again for lunch, and only one dish, so she’d add some greens later.
Since greens are easier to cook than meat, making two dishes would take less than half an hour.
Su Xiaoxiao finished cooking and was setting the table, while Yu Xueqin lounged in her bedroom on her E-sports Chair, scrolling through her phone.
“Hmm?”
She looked at a photo sent by her Elder Sister and recognized a familiar outfit.
[Little Kitty Cute]: (image.jpg) Went out with my girlfriend today. The milk tea was sweet, and so was she.
“…So cheesy.”
Yu Xueqin wasn’t bothered by the message, just focused on the picture.
The photo showed only the girls from the shoulders down.
The rounder one was her Elder Sister, while the thinner girl was probably the girlfriend she mentioned.
Yu Xueqin looked at it for a while longer.
“The photo’s a bit blurry. Can’t really see.”
It wasn’t very clear—maybe Yu Yao had been too excited when she took it, and there was some double image.
“Dinner’s ready!”
A sweet, loli-like voice called from outside the room, making the girl put down her phone and exit WeChat.
“Coming.”
They went to the living room and began eating, turning on the TV as they did.
But with the entertainment shows being dull and the local dramas… well, Su Xiaoxiao switched the channel to the Children’s Channel.
“Are you a child?”
Yu Xueqin paused her eating to examine the girl beside her slowly scooping rice.
“Well, I guess you are.”
“?”
Su Xiaoxiao looked up, having been too focused to hear properly.
The animation was actually pretty fun, just that the art style and character models were clearly for kids.
“Nothing. Keep eating.”
The two girls ate their meal surrounded by the sounds from the TV, enjoying a peaceful afternoon.
***
“Why is she running around like that?”
Outside the apartment in the hot midday sun, a girl in shorts stood near the garden, staring at the building entrance in a daze.
“Is something going on?”
Yu Yao had just sent a photo with her phone and was deep in thought.
Her Younger Sister was inside too. Should she call her down to open the door, then go find Xiaoxiao herself?
Hmm… This was starting to feel stalker-ish.
Forget it.
There would be more time later, and Xiaoxiao said she was busy.
Next time, then.
No reply on her phone, she turned and slowly walked back to the Company.