Chapter 23 - Warmth spread from her throat all the way to her chest (Patreon)

The next evening, just before class ended, Lin Xian received a message from Zhou Qin, telling her she was already waiting outside the school gate. She reminded Lin Xian not to dawdle after class and to come out quickly.

Taking advantage of the teacher’s inattention, Lin Xian sneakily replied with a helpless:
"Got it, Empress Dowager..."

As soon as class ended, Lin Xian said goodbye to Chen Zhi and Tang Mo, slung her bag over her shoulder, and hurried out, dutifully responding to the call of her royal mother. Just then, Shi Man also grabbed her bag and tugged at Lin Xian's backpack strap as a signal. “Let’s go together,” she said.

So Lin Xian slowed down a little and walked alongside her. She glanced at the road ahead, then at Shi Man beside her, clearly looking like she had something to say but couldn’t quite get it out.

The atmosphere suddenly turned strangely heavy.

Shi Man glanced sideways at her, let out a light snort, and with a teasing smile, said bluntly, “If you’ve got something to say, just say it. Don’t look like you’re constipated. It’s making me uncomfortable.”

Lin Xian burst into laughter at that jab, and the air between them lightened instantly. She asked tentatively, “You’re still mad at Senior? You’re not waiting for her anymore?”

Shi Man let out a cool “hmph,” her tone indifferent. “No. What’s the point of being mad at her? Even if I died of anger, she wouldn’t have a clue I was upset.”

Lin Xian blinked, thinking to herself: Honestly, I don’t know why you’re mad either. But as a good deskmate and friend, she still offered some advice: “If she doesn’t know, why not talk to her about it? Maybe it’s just a misunderstanding. I don’t think Senior is someone unreasonable.”

Shi Man only shook her head slightly and didn’t respond. She changed the subject instead. “Why are you in such a hurry today? Is Sister Xiao waiting outside for you?”

Lin Xian chuckled and replied wistfully, “I wish. Sadly, it’s not Sister Xiao—it’s her elder sister.”

Just as Shi Man was about to tease her with a mischievous smile and ask, “Exactly how many sisters do you have?”, someone suddenly grabbed her wrist and gave it a gentle tug.

She reflexively turned her head and stopped in her tracks.

Lin Xian had gone a few steps ahead, not realizing Shi Man had fallen behind. She turned back and saw that just a few steps behind her, Xia Zhijin was holding Shi Man’s wrist. Her elegant brows were furrowed, and that always cool, aloof face now carried a faint trace of gloom.

“Why didn’t you wait for me?” Lin Xian heard Xia Zhijin’s clear, soft voice ask.

“Why should I?” Shi Man raised a brow impatiently and retorted coldly.

Lin Xian massaged her temples, thinking sensibly: Right... time for me to disappear.
She quickly trotted over, gave the bickering duo a bright smile, and said tactfully, “Senior, Manman, my mom’s waiting outside. I’ll get going. Take care on your way home!”

Then she took off like the wind.

As she ran, Lin Xian couldn’t help but smile to herself: Maybe I don’t get how sisters are supposed to act, since I’m an only child. Everything just feels... a little weird.

Outside the school gate, she spotted Zhou Qin’s familiar white Benz immediately. She ran up and opened the car door like a seasoned pro, hopping in smoothly.

Zhou Qin was on her phone. Hearing the door open, she turned to see Lin Xian and immediately began to fuss. “I was about to call you again. You’re always so slow. The roads are definitely jammed right now. Who knows what time we’ll get home.”

Lin Xian shut the door and buckled her seatbelt, pouting in protest. “It’s not like I can fly out of class. I came as fast as I could! Besides, we agreed not to go back for the holiday—why did you change your mind?”

Zhou Qin started the car and replied, exasperated, “You think I wanted to? You told me you weren’t going home, so I planned to let it be. Your Aunt Xiao usually spends the holidays alone, and I thought this year you could keep her company. But then your grandparents suddenly decided to come too, saying they missed you. What was I supposed to do—tell them not to come?”

She glanced sideways at Lin Xian, her tone sharp again. “And you have the nerve to blame me? When was the last time you called your grandparents? Last month, you were too busy with extracurriculars. Then it got hot, and you didn’t go back with us to visit. Fine, I let that slide. But how many times have I told you to call and check in on them? You ignored every reminder. You’re their granddaughter—do you really need them to come find you just because they miss you? Have you no shame?”

Lin Xian knew she was in the wrong and didn’t dare argue back. She immediately bowed her head and admitted defeat, “I know, Mom, I know. I meant to, really. I just kept forgetting...”

Zhou Qin shot her a look. “That’s because you don’t care. If you really cared, how would you forget? Honestly, your dad and I can’t count on you. When we’re old, you’ll probably forget about us too.”

Guilt-ridden, Lin Xian lowered her head even more, pleading and acting cute, until she finally managed to get her mom to drop the topic.

While they were stopped at a red light, Zhou Qin asked, “Did your Aunt Xiao say what she’s doing tonight?”

Lin Xian thought of Xiao Wanqing and her mood instantly sank. She muttered, “She didn’t say. She bought a bunch of groceries earlier... was planning to celebrate properly...”

Zhou Qin sighed. “Let’s go pick her up now and bring her with us.”

“No need,” Lin Xian replied, shaking her head. “She won’t come with us. Even if we go, it’ll just be for nothing.”

Zhou Qin knew that too. But she still reminded Lin Xian gently, “It’s a matter of courtesy. Whether she goes is her choice. Whether we invite her is ours.”

Lin Xian pouted. “I know. But Aunt Xiao’s not the kind of person who cares about that.” She just didn’t want her mom to poke at Xiao Wanqing’s sore spot again. She was already hurting enough—why force her to go through empty social niceties?

Zhou Qin chuckled, amused by how certain Lin Xian sounded. “You sound like you really understand her.”

Lin Xian gave a smug little hum. “I think it was fate—meeting Aunt Xiao was like discovering someone I should’ve known long ago.”

Zhou Qin was about to tease her when she suddenly remembered something and smiled wistfully. “Not really that long ago. You met her early on. And didn’t you say you were going to marry her too?” Back then, Lin Xian was just eight years old. How time had flown.

Lin Xian had been teased about that for years and had long developed a thick skin. But this time, hearing her mom bring it up again and picturing Xiao Wanqing’s graceful, gentle face, her cheeks burned bright red in an instant. She stomped her foot in embarrassment and shouted, “Mom! I told you not to mention that again!”

Zhou Qin rarely saw her daughter blush like that and couldn’t stop laughing. She soothed her,“Okay, okay! You’ll crush the car if you stomp any harder. I won’t bring it up again.”

The traffic was heavy, and in the end, Zhou Qin decided not to detour to Xiao Wanqing’s place. Instead, she called her and extended the invitation over the phone. As expected, Xiao Wanqing politely declined, saying not to worry and that she was going out for dinner with a few colleagues from out of town.

By the time they returned to their home in the northern district, the night had fallen deep and the streets were glowing with lights.

As soon as Grandma and Grandpa saw Lin Xian, their eyes lit up with joy. They pulled her close, examining her from head to toe with a delighted smile. “Xianxian’s grown taller again.”

Lin Xian threw her arms around Grandpa, then Grandma, warm and affectionate. “I missed you so much! But I’ve been so busy with school lately, I haven’t had time to visit. You won’t blame me, will you?” she said, pulling a large bag of heat patches from her backpack like she was showing off a treasure. “I’m going to school in the southern district now, and I don’t know when I’ll be able to come see you again. I was afraid I’d forget, so I brought these for you while I still remembered. These are heat patches — you stick them on during winter, and they’ll keep you warm. I’ll show you how they work.”

Grandpa and Grandma looked at their sweet and thoughtful granddaughter with smiles they couldn’t hide. How could they possibly scold her?

Zhou Qin watched as Lin Xian, with just a few words, had the elderly couple completely wrapped around her little finger. Then she noticed the heat patches in Lin Xian’s hand — clearly the ones Zhou Qin had prepared for her to bring to Xiao Wanqing’s house — and couldn’t help but laugh, amused and a little exasperated. This clever little fox… such a silver tongue. Who did she get it from?

Only two dishes remained to complete dinner. Zhou Qin went to the kitchen to help her mother-in-law, while Lin Zhan and his father started a casual game of Chinese chess in the living room. Lin Xian sat beside them, watching with interest.

Lin Zhan asked casually, “Are you settling in okay at Auntie Xiao’s place?”

With a bright smile, Lin Xian replied, “I am. Auntie Xiao is really gentle and kind.”

As Grandpa ruthlessly took Lin Zhan’s cannon piece, he sighed and said, “Little Wan… she’s a good girl. Just… had a hard life. I still don’t get why Aunt Xiao, even when she was dying…”

Before he could finish, Lin Zhan quickly cut him off. “Dad, let’s not bring up the past. It only brings sorrow — especially for Little Wan.”

Grandpa let out a long sigh and checkmated his son. “You’re right, you’re right. No point dwelling on it. The living must carry on.”

Lin Xian kept her eyes on the chessboard, but her ears stretched attentively toward their conversation. Even though a thousand questions swirled in her head, since her father and grandfather had no intention of elaborating, she didn’t dare ask.

Aunt Xiao? Who’s that? Grandpa called her ‘Aunt’… Could it be Auntie Xiao’s grandmother?

The family gathered warmly for dinner, the house brimming with laughter and joy. It was a festive, lively Mid-Autumn night. Unfortunately, the skies didn’t cooperate. Instead of moonlight and blossoms, a fine drizzle began to fall. Heavy clouds cloaked the sky — no stars, no moon — only darkness.

It was getting late. The elders, worried about Lin Xian, suggested she stay the night and head to school directly from there the next morning.

But amid all the warmth and bustle, Lin Xian couldn’t help but think of Xiao Wanqing — of the star-filled light she once saw in her eyes, and how it later dimmed into shadow.

She wanted… still wanted to be by her side.

So she shook her head, insisting she needed to go back to the southern district. “Morning classes start early, and it takes over an hour to get there. If you send me tomorrow, you’ll have to get up at dawn — that’s too much. Plus, I didn’t bring the books I need.”

The adults thought about it and agreed she had a point. Seeing how resolute she was, they didn’t press further and let her go.

Zhou Qin, now slightly older, struggled with night driving. Lin Zhan didn’t feel comfortable letting her take the wheel, so he drove Lin Xian himself.

Compared to Zhou Qin’s gentle discipline, Lin Zhan was clearly the doting parent — indulgent and soft-hearted. As it was late, and he felt it inappropriate for a man to go upstairs, he stopped at the building’s entrance.

Before she went in, he patted her head gently and pulled a few red banknotes from his wallet. Smiling, he handed them over. “Don’t tell your mom. Listen to Auntie Xiao, take care of her and let her take care of you too. If you ever run short on pocket money, just let Dad know — secretly.”

Lin Xian hugged him tightly and nuzzled against him. “Thank you, Daddy.”

After saying goodbye to her father and stepping into the elevator, Lin Xian's heart couldn’t help but grow restless.

Did Aunt Xiao really go out to dinner with her colleagues? Was she home yet? Did she have a good evening?

The moment she stepped out of the elevator, she broke into a half-run, fishing out her keys as she went. She fumbled for the handle, eager and a little breathless.

Click—the door swung open. Lin Xian gently pushed it.

No lights were on inside. Everything was cloaked in a soft haze, dimly lit by the glow of streetlamps streaming in through the windows.

Just a second ago, she wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or disappointed—Aunt Xiao hadn’t come back yet?

But the very next second, a tender, husky voice—low and magnetic—began to float through the empty living room:

"Those were such happy times and not long ago, how I wondered where they'd gone…”

A song from years past, tinted with nostalgia and a quiet sadness…

"Yesterday Once More."

Lin Xian didn’t turn on the lights. Guided only by the sound, she made her way through the dark. And then she saw it clearly: in the corner of the living room, the vintage phonograph she’d always thought was just for show was spinning, over and over, without pause.

Xiao… Aunt Xiao?

She swept her gaze around, scanning the room—and finally, out on the balcony, she spotted a familiar tuft of silky, smooth hair and the slim, delicate figure reclining softly.

Lin Xian dropped her backpack and the food Zhou Qin had asked her to bring back, letting them fall gently to the floor. Step by quiet step, she moved toward that figure.

Outside, the rain had grown heavier, its rhythm whispering against the windows, threading itself into the melancholy melody still playing. On the coffee table, the dark green teacup was empty. The kettle beside it was boiling with a soft bubbling, sending pale white steam curling into the air…

The lights were dim, the mist drifting softly. And bathed in this gentle glow, the woman looking back at her with a faint smile appeared even more beautiful—like someone who had stepped out of a painting.

Her smile was serene, her gaze warm, and her voice was uncharacteristically languid as she asked, “You're back. Did you get caught in the rain?”

Lin Xian lowered her eyes slightly. Somehow, even in this downpour, she could hear her own heart—beating loud and clear, fierce and alive.

She lifted her gaze, meeting the eyes of that graceful woman with her delicate features and gentle presence, and sat quietly by her side. In her mind, something had been stirring faintly for a while now—like a whisper just out of reach. But as she calmed her thoughts, the feeling drifted away again.

She turned her head toward Xiao Wanqing, her eyes curving playfully as she teased, “A little guest dropping in this late at night—could I trouble you, fair lady, for a cup of hot tea?”

The woman looked into Lin Xian’s eyes, clear and still as a deep spring, and her own softened like ripples on water. She lifted her hand, graceful as ever, and poured another cup. The soft scent of tea slowly began to drift through the room.

The jade-green teacup was gently nudged toward Lin Xian. She raised it to her lips, taking a small sip.

Xiao Wanqing watched her, her voice like velvet as she gently corrected, “You didn’t drop in uninvited.”

Lin Xian looked up at her.

Xiao Wanqing’s lashes fluttered as she smiled, her voice warm as silk: “I’ve simply been waiting for you to come home.”

So soft, so lingering. Her words wrapped around the music still playing, and Lin Xian’s heart trembled.

A sip of hot tea, and warmth spread from her throat all the way to her chest.

Outside, the rain kept falling—steady and ceaseless.

Lin Xian thought, Autumn hasn’t left, and spring hasn’t come…

Then why does it feel like something in her heart—like a seed—is about to break through the soil and grow?