An Adoptive Older Sister Cannot Become a Wife - Chapter 33

It was a beautiful autumn day in Rongcheng. The October wind rustled through the maple trees, making the leaves chatter.

Along the path, emerald bamboo groves stood lush and green, while the fallen leaves atop the log walkway felt soft and silent underfoot.

Nianshu skipped a few steps ahead happily, her skirt brushing against a stray leaf. She spun around to face Qi Shu, who was trailing behind. “Sister, it’s so beautiful here!”

Qi Shu, with one hand pulling a suitcase and the other tucked into her coat pocket, watched the unusually excited Nianshu. “Watch where you’re going,” she cautioned.

Nianshu beamed back. “I know, I know!”

As soon as they dropped their luggage at the hotel’s storage point and entered their room, Nianshu flopped onto the bed and rolled around twice.

“It’s so far! My bum is numb after three hours in that car.”

Qi Shu walked in, casually hanging her coat on the rack. Her gaze swept over the hot-spring suite. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the bamboo and maples were visible exquisite, airy, and instantly refreshing to the soul.

She looked at Nianshu, who was still lounging face-down on the bed. “Get up and freshen up. Let’s go get something to eat first.”

“Right!” Nianshu scrambled up immediately, grabbing Qi Shu’s wrist to lead her out. “The manual says they have an unlimited buffet every day. There are loads of local specialities made to order, and we can even call for specific dishes!”

Her steps were light, and she didn’t let go of Qi Shu’s hand, her eyes shining with anticipation.

Qi Shu let herself be pulled along, her expression a mix of helplessness and indulgence. She slowed her pace to match Nianshu’s rhythm. “Slow down. The buffet isn’t going anywhere; no one’s going to fight you for it.”

Nianshu gave a cheeky grin. “But I’m starving! I didn’t eat a thing on the way here.”

Given her tendency toward motion sickness, she had spent the entire journey huddled against Qi Shu’s lap just to keep the nausea at bay.

They reached the restaurant entrance, where green vines climbed over a rustic timber door. As they pushed it open, a delicious aroma wafted toward them. Since it wasn’t peak dining hours, the restaurant wasn’t crowded, and it was much larger than Nianshu had imagined.

The wooden tables were paired with soft cotton-linen cushions, and the buffet stations were elegantly organized. The whole place felt open and sophisticated. The counters were laden with a dizzying array of dishes, from cold appetizers to steaming entrees.

Drunken crab in Shaoxing wine, prawns infused with lemongrass, crab roe tofu, matsutake chicken soup…

At the live station, a chef was thinly slicing fresh salmon, while the dessert table nearby was piled high with mousse fruit tarts and various porridges.

Nianshu’s eyes went wide. Holding her tray, she began to pick her food with careful, eager movements.

Qi Shu followed behind her, placing a bowl of matsutake chicken soup on Nianshu’s tray. “Have some soup first to settle your stomach. You’ve only just recovered from the car ride; don’t start with raw or cold food.”

Nianshu nodded repeatedly. “Mhm, mhm!”

They found a seat by the window. Outside, the shadows of the trees swayed gently—a charming view.

Nianshu finished her soup in small sips. Looking across at Qi Shu, who was just spooning up a shrimp wonton, she asked, “Sister, is that wonton good?”

Qi Shu lowered her eyes, then reached across the table, offering the spoon to Nianshu’s lips. Her expression was perfectly natural. “Want a taste?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Nianshu leaned in and took the bite. The sweet freshness of the shrimp mixed with the crisp snap of water chestnut burst across her tongue. Her eyes curved into crescents. “It’s delicious!”

Qi Shu withdrew the spoon, her face calm. “Want more?”

Nianshu shook her head, smiling broadly. “No thanks, you eat it, Sister. I’ve got plenty here.”

Nianshu then watched as Qi Shu used the very same spoon she had just fed her with to scoop up another wonton and put it in her own mouth.

She doesn’t mind at all, Nianshu thought.

She lowered her head to scoop some crab roe tofu, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

The meal was quiet and warm. Content, Nianshu popped a final piece of osmanthus cake into her mouth and turned to Qi Shu. “Sister, let’s go for a walk to help digest.”

The summer heat hadn’t quite left Rongcheng yet, but surrounded by mountains and forests, the temperature here was cool and pleasant. The afternoon sun filtered through the foliage, scattering dappled spots of light.

They walked along the log path toward the waterfall mentioned in the brochure. Occasionally, they saw small bamboo-woven ornaments left by local craftsmen at the junctions.

Nianshu stopped, curious, and reached out to touch the texture of the bamboo weaving. She didn’t notice the moss beneath her feet, and her foot slipped.

Qi Shu, who had been following closely and keeping a watchful eye, reached out and caught her by the waist. “Careful. Don’t run off.”

Nianshu leaned into her embrace, a smile spreading across her face. She looked up, beaming. “Because I know you’re here, Sister.”

Qi Shu reached down and rubbed her head but said nothing.

For the rest of the walk, Nianshu didn’t let go of Qi Shu’s hand, claiming that “dangerous paths are safer when two people walk together.” Qi Shu allowed her to hold on, and not once did she pull away.

After about ten minutes, the sound of gurgling water grew clearer. Rounding the final bend, a curtain of a waterfall suddenly appeared. The water poured down the cliff face, crashing against the blue rocks and sending up a fine mist. The sunlight hit the spray, creating a faint, shimmering rainbow.

Nianshu’s eyes lit up. She pulled Qi Shu closer, standing by the stone railing of the viewing platform. She reached out to catch the cool mist on her face; it felt wonderfully refreshing.

She looked at Qi Shu expectantly. “Sister, let’s make a wish! I heard wishes made here really come true.”

Qi Shu had never been one for superstitions. Worldly prayers usually seemed fleeting to her; she had always preferred to work for what she wanted. But facing Nianshu’s clear, bright eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to say no. She gave a soft nod. “Alright.”

Nianshu smiled, pulling two coins from her pocket. She gave one to Qi Shu and gripped the other tightly in her hand. Great God of the Waterfall, she whispered in her heart, if you can hear my prayer, please let me have what I desire.

Qi Shu’s eyelids were half-lowered as she watched the girl beside her. The mist from the falls settled on Nianshu’s trembling eyelashes, and as the sunlight caught them, she looked both devout and adorable.

As Qi Shu’s gaze lingered on Nianshu’s hand clutching the coin, a thought quietly flickered in her own heart.

If there truly is something beyond our knowing in this world, please let the person before me be safe and happy through the years, and let her find all she seeks.

Nianshu finished her wish, took a deep breath, and opened her eyes, meeting Qi Shu’s gaze. “Sister, are you finished?”

Qi Shu nodded. “Mhm.”

Nianshu’s smile deepened. “What did you wish for?”

Looking at the joy in her eyes, Qi Shu’s tone was flat. “It’s a secret.”

“Fine then,” Nianshu didn’t press her. “Wishes don’t come true if you say them out loud.”

She pulled Qi Shu to the railing, and together they tossed their coins toward the pool at the base of the waterfall. Watching the coins trace a shallow arc before plunging into the water, Nianshu laughed. “There! The Waterfall God has received our offering. He’ll protect us and grant our wishes.”

Where did this ‘Waterfall God’ even come from? Qi Shu wondered privately.

They stood side by side on the platform, listening to the rushing water as the sun began to sink behind the forest. Nianshu suddenly shivered.

Qi Shu snapped out of her thoughts, took off her coat, and draped it over Nianshu’s shoulders, tucking in the collar. “Let’s go. It’ll only get colder as it gets later.”

“Okay,” Nianshu answered obediently. She reached back and took Qi Shu’s hand, their fingers interlacing tightly. She refused to let go.

In the mountains, away from the mundane world, no one questioned whether sisters should hold hands like this. No one looked at the scenery anymore. They simply walked back the way they came, steady and slow.

Nianshu suddenly let out a little laugh.

Qi Shu turned to her, puzzled. “What is it?”

Nianshu gave their joined hands a little swing. “Look, Sister. Our shadows are so long.”

Qi Shu looked down. In the glow of the setting sun, their two silhouettes overlapped, stretching out far ahead of them.

Qi Shu gave a quiet “Mhm.”

Nianshu stepped on Qi Shu’s shadow as she walked, her pace jaunty and the smile never leaving her face.

When they finally returned to their room, twilight had already washed over the bamboo groves. Warm yellow fairy lights were wrapped around the branches in the courtyard, casting a soft, gentle glow.

After the car ride and the long walk, Nianshu couldn’t stand a moment longer. She collapsed onto the large bed, sinking into the soft duvet with a comfortable sigh, unwilling to move even an inch.

“So tired”

Nianshu lay face-down, her voice muffled by the pillow and tinged with a lazy drawl.

Qi Shu hung up her coat and poured a glass of warm water. She walked to the bedside, leaning over to touch Nianshu’s shoulder. “Don’t sleep yet. Have some water.”

Hearing this, Nianshu slowly looked up with her eyes half-lidded, like a kitten. “Don’t want to move. I’ll only have the energy if Sister pulls me up.”

Her tone was clearly coquettish, soft and enticing.

Qi Shu smiled helplessly and reached out to take Nianshu’s wrist to pull her up. But Nianshu, who had been planning this, grabbed Qi Shu’s wrist in return and yanked her toward the bed.

Caught off guard, Qi Shu lost her balance. She fell forward onto the bed, and before she could react, someone was pinning her down.

Nianshu’s eyes were bright with the mischief of a successful prank. She braced her arms on either side of Qi Shu, her wavy long hair sliding off her shoulders to frame her face. “Sister, lie down with me for a bit. Just a little while.”

Pinned beneath her, with her dark hair splayed across the pillow, Qi Shu looked at the face so close to her own, and her heart skipped a beat. “You did that on purpose.”

Nianshu didn’t answer. She simply let go of her braced arms and tucked herself into Qi Shu’s embrace. Resting her head in the crook of Qi Shu’s neck and wrapping her arms around her waist, she radiated pure dependence.

She closed her eyes and nuzzled against the side of Qi Shu’s neck, her voice thick with sleepiness. “I’m just so sleepy.”

As that warm breath brushed against her, Qi Shu’s body stiffened slightly. Her hand, which had been about to push Nianshu away, hovered in mid-air before finally coming down gently onto the top of her head, stroking the soft strands of hair.

“Ten minutes,” Qi Shu sighed softly, her voice full of indulgence.

Buried in her arms, Nianshu’s lips curled into a secret smile. She gripped the fabric at Qi Shu’s waist and murmured softly, “Sister, you smell so good.”

Qi Shu didn’t reply. She just lay there quietly, feeling the breathing of the person in her arms become steady and even. She looked down at the profile resting against her shoulder; the eyelashes were long, fluttering occasionally. Soft and sweet, Nianshu was shamelessly monopolizing her.

Unconsciously, Qi Shu’s fingers began to twirl the ends of Nianshu’s hair. After a long while, she too closed her eyes.

The lights outside flickered, casting a glow over them both.

Nianshu peeked her eyes open. Before her was Qi Shu’s quiet, peaceful sleeping face. The long lashes were cast down, hiding the usual coldness of her eyes. Her jawline was no longer tense but soft and smooth. Her shallow breath brushed against Nianshu’s hair.

Nianshu’s heart hammered against her ribs. Her fingers curled. She tentatively lifted her head and whispered, “Sister?”

No response.

Holding her breath, Nianshu tilted her head and quickly dropped a kiss, light as a dragonfly skimming water, onto Qi Shu’s cheek. She pulled away instantly.

The moment the kiss landed, Nianshu’s heart nearly leaped out of her chest. She hurriedly buried her face back into Qi Shu’s shoulder and squeezed her eyes shut.

The little kitten who had just stolen a taste was filled with panic and joy, convinced she had gotten away with it completely undetected.

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