Accidentally Becoming a Green Tea Goddess Everyone Loves - Chapter 10
After touring various sights, on the fifth day of the trip, the two headed to the beach near the resort.
The island hugged the coastline, where waves crashed against the reefs and the wind carried a salty tang. Under the brilliant sun, the sea’s surface sparkled like crushed diamonds.
Shen Shirou ordered a specialty fruit juice. She inserted two straws and held it out to Jiang Peixing, asking a question she already knew the answer to: “Sister, would you like a taste? I had to wait in a long line to get this.”
Jiang Peixing reclined under a parasol, her voice as cool as a spring. “No.”
Shen Shirou contentedly enjoyed it herself. She had purposely put in two straws; it would have been truly bizarre if Jiang Peixing actually drank from it.
From the moment the trip began, Jiang Peixing had been utterly unenthusiastic. Even at the beach, her demeanor hadn’t shifted a bit. Unlike her, Shen Shirou enjoyed herself to the fullest, staying on the sand from noon until the sun dipped below the horizon.
The final item on today’s itinerary was a seaside stroll to enjoy the night view—a fireworks show was scheduled to begin promptly at eight o’clock. There were only a few minutes left.
This was likely the only part of today’s schedule that Jiang Peixing had actually participated in. Beside the vast, golden beach, the rhythmic “whoosh” of the waves rose and fell.
The temperature dropped significantly at night. As a chilly breeze brushed past, Shen Shirou hugged her arms and sneezed. If she had known it would be this cold, she would have put on another layer before coming out. Regretting her choice, she suddenly remembered Jiang Peixing was right beside her.
Shen Shirou moved closer to her. “Sister, I’m cold.”
Jiang Peixing didn’t react.
“I want to go back and grab a jacket. Can you wait for me here?” Shen Shirou added, “I want to watch the fireworks with you. I heard that people who watch fireworks together on this shore end up together forever.”
Her voice was full of longing. Of course, she kept the rest of her thoughts to herself—since she and Jiang Peixing weren’t exactly “lovers,” watching them probably wouldn’t do much good anyway.
Without a word, Jiang Peixing took off her coat and tossed it into Shen Shirou’s arms. “Consider this a replacement for last time. You don’t need to return this coat to me.”
Last time?
Shen Shirou searched her memory for a long moment before it clicked. The “last time” Jiang Peixing referred to was when she had draped a jacket over her in the study. She had almost forgotten about it entirely, yet Jiang Peixing remembered it clearly.
As for not needing to return it, Shen Shirou guessed Jiang Peixing simply didn’t want to wear something she had used. She draped the coat over her shoulders, and the chill vanished instantly.
BOOM! A loud roar echoed.
A firework shot into the sky, exploding into countless brilliant halos. More followed in quick succession, lighting up the night sky in a breathtaking display.
“It’s so beautiful,” Shen Shirou said, her eyes curving into a smile. “But no matter how pretty the fireworks are, they still can’t compare to you, Sister.”
While not entirely her true feelings, the statement wasn’t a lie in one sense. Though Jiang Peixing was difficult to deal with, that cold, elegant face was far more captivating than any firework.
Shen Shirou pulled out her phone and asked, “Sister, can we take a photo together?”
“Traveling with you has been the happiest thing in my life. If I don’t take a photo as a memento, I’m afraid I’ll regret it when we go back.” Shen Shirou’s smile was bright and vivid.
Jiang Peixing gave her a flat look. “Suit yourself.”
Shen Shirou adjusted the angle and snapped a photo, keeping a half-meter gap between them. She held the phone like a treasure, looking thrilled. “I’ll cherish this photo forever.”
Jiang Peixing couldn’t understand it. It was just a photo; what was there for Shen Shirou to be so happy about?
The next day, Shen Shirou received unexpected news—Jiang Peixing was sick.
Recalling the chilly wind from the night before and the fact that Jiang Peixing had lent her the coat, Shen Shirou couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt. However, what truly amazed her was that Jiang Peixing had no intention of canceling the itinerary even though she was running a fever.
Yes, Jiang Peixing intended to go out today.
Shen Shirou weighed her options. As a qualified “Green Tea,” she naturally had to step up and demonstrate her kindness and sensibility. She blocked Jiang Peixing at the door. “You have a fever, Sister. You should stay and rest.”
“If you hadn’t given me your coat, this wouldn’t have happened. I’m responsible for you getting sick; it’s my fault for not taking care of you properly.” Shen Shirou said, “I’ll stay by your side until you’re better.”
“There’s no need for that,” Jiang Peixing said, unappreciative. “Move.”
“No!” Shen Shirou said sternly. “You can be mean to me or ignore me, but I won’t move. How can sightseeing be more important than your health?”
With Shen Shirou stubbornly blocking the doorway, Jiang Peixing was at a loss. After a long stalemate, the confrontation ended with Jiang Peixing slamming the door shut.
By noon, Shen Shirou carried a bowl of hot porridge she had just bought and knocked on the door. After getting no response, she tried the handle. It wasn’t locked.
With a click, the door opened. She stepped inside quietly and found Jiang Peixing lying in bed, seemingly asleep. Due to the fever, her sleep was restless; her brow was furrowed and her breathing was heavier than usual.
Shen Shirou touched her forehead. It was burning hot. Yet this woman had still wanted to go out; she truly treated tourism like a business meeting.
Shen Shirou fetched a towel to apply a cool compress. Just as her hand touched her, Jiang Peixing slowly opened her eyes.
“You’re awake, Sister.” Shen Shirou pointed to the porridge on the nightstand. “I brought you some porridge and bought some fever medicine. Remember to take it later.”
Jiang Peixing muttered coldly, “You’re so noisy.”
The moment she spoke, what little pity Shen Shirou had left vanished. She had only gone to the trouble of buying food and medicine because she felt partially responsible for the cold.
OK, it’s time to show Jiang Peixing what a top-tier Green Tea looks like.
Shen Shirou sat on the edge of the bed, her expression filled with gloom. “I know you hate me and have many issues with me. You probably don’t even want to see me. Actually, I hate myself too—having to watch you be sick while being unable to help at all.”
“I don’t expect you to change your mind about me. My only wish is for you to get better as soon as possible.” Shen Shirou’s eyes reddened, her voice turning raspy. Tears fell from her eyes like a broken string of pearls, splashing onto the bedsheets.
Looking at the tears on Shen Shirou’s cheeks, a flicker of emotion crossed Jiang Peixing’s eyes, and a wave of irritation rose in her heart. “Fine, I get it.”
“I’ll take the medicine,” Jiang Peixing said. “Now, stop crying or get out.”
The sobbing stopped instantly. Shen Shirou wiped her tears and asked softly, “Can I feed it to you, Sister?”
“No.”
Just as the rejection landed, Shen Shirou whispered, “I need to see you take it with my own eyes to be at peace.”
Jiang Peixing said expressionlessly, “Give it here.”
Shen Shirou poured a glass of water and handed both the water and the medicine to her. After taking it, Jiang Peixing asked impatiently, “Can you go now?”
Shen Shirou didn’t forget to nag. “Sleep a bit more, Sister. I’ll check on you later.”
Thud.
As soon as the door closed, every trace of sorrow and sadness vanished from Shen Shirou’s eyes.
The seven-day trip was ultimately shortened by one day because of the fever. Before heading back, Shen Shirou sent a WeChat message to Lu Yanwei telling her she was coming home.
The chat window showed “Typing” several times before stopping. Finally, she received a reply: 【“Mhm, it’s good that you’re coming back. Do you want me to pick you up at the airport?”】
Shen Shirou replied: 【“No need. I’ll come find you tomorrow.”】
On the flight home, Shen Shirou pulled out a velvet box containing a diamond ring and placed it before Jiang Peixing. “Sister, this is our engagement ring. It was finished a while ago; I should have given it to you sooner.”
“But you were never home, Sister, so I never found the chance to give it to you.” A shadow of dejection flickered in Shen Shirou’s eyes. As if trying to hide her low spirits, she forced a small smile. “Now, it can finally return to its rightful owner.”
She added softly, “It’s alright if you don’t want to wear it. I won’t force you.”
Jiang Peixing’s gaze was dark and unreadable. “Give it to me.”
Shen Shirou froze for a moment before placing the velvet box into Jiang Peixing’s hand. “Actually, just knowing you’ve accepted it makes me very happy.”
“You’re noisy,” Jiang Peixing muttered, tucking the box into her luggage. She leaned back against her seat and closed her eyes. “I’m going to rest.”
Seeing this, Shen Shirou fell silent.
Several hours later, the plane touched down.
Dragging her suitcase behind her, Shen Shirou returned to the villa she hadn’t seen in a week.
Jiang Peixing had originally intended to return with her, but the moment they landed, a last-minute emergency at the office forced her to change her route and head straight to the company. It seemed unlikely she would return tonight; she would probably spend another night in her office.
A chime rang out, and a calendar notification popped up on Shen Shirou’s phone. She tapped the alert. Following the date were three significant words: Valentine’s Day Tomorrow.