After Becoming a Spare Tire, I Got Together with My White Moonlight - Chapter 39

She said “especially” three times.

From that alone, it seemed like she had somehow lost a round.

Yan Guiqiu couldn’t help but let her mind wander.

Or perhaps it was just a form of escapism as if by letting her thoughts run wild, she could ignore the burning heat spreading across her face.

But Jiang Xuehe seemed to have suddenly shed her labels of “reserved” and “considerate.” With one step, she crossed that invisible boundary and appeared right in front of her.

“When Gu Yuyin threw herself into your arms last night, I thought to myself, she must have done it on purpose,” Jiang Xuehe said.

“She…” Yan Guiqiu didn’t know how to respond.

Saying “yes” would be nothing short of a provocation, but saying “no” felt like lying to Jiang Xuehe even if it were a well-intentioned lie.

Fortunately, Jiang Xuehe didn’t seem to need an answer and continued on her own.

“But even if she didn’t do it on purpose, I still felt unhappy,” Jiang Xuehe said. “Why should my girlfriend be hugging someone else?”

Yan Guiqiu covered her face with her hands.

Jiang Xuehe paused for a long moment before speaking again, slowly. “But I think I’m a reasonable person. I can’t act childish and throw a jealous tantrum over something so trivial.”

Yan Guiqiu murmured softly, “It’s not like that.”

Jiang Xuehe looked at her.

Yan Guiqiu quickly corrected herself, “I’ll make sure to keep my distance from other people from now on!”

“No need,” Jiang Xuehe smiled, her expression and demeanor softening. “I’m actually glad when others treat you well.”

That was a good thing.

Feeling conflicted and feeling reassured weren’t mutually exclusive.

Life wasn’t just about romance, after all. Family, friends, lovers no one person could fulfill all those roles.

Having others who loved her, cared for her, and looked out for her that was a good thing.

Jiang Xuehe didn’t say anything more after that.

Yan Guiqiu seemed to understand. She leaned in closer and whispered, “So, are you still angry now?”

“Just a little,” Jiang Xuehe tried to put on a stern face, then gestured with her fingers to show a tiny distance.

“Then, what would it take for you to forgive me, Xuehe-jie?” Yan Guiqiu asked.

“There should be at least a little compensation,” Jiang Xuehe replied.

But she didn’t specify what kind of compensation, only gazed quietly at the person across from her.

Yan Guiqiu thought for just a moment before leaning in again, kissing her lips lightly, then pulling back slightly to whisper, “Is this enough?”

It was just a brief, gentle kiss.

But the noise from beyond the trees was growing louder, and even someone as bold as Yan Guiqiu felt too shy to seek more excitement in public.

Jiang Xuehe quickly returned the kiss, pressing close to her ear and murmuring, “Consider that the interest.”

Yan Guiqiu touched her burning earlobe.

When they walked out, the crowd had indeed grown much larger. The stall they had visited earlier was now packed with people. Yan Guiqiu fumbled around for a while before remembering the small slip of paper still clutched in her palm, partly softened by sweat.

The stall owner took money with one hand, handed out slips with the other, and casually tossed the river lanterns into the water without paying much attention to who was who. People stood in front of the stall for less than a minute before being urged to step aside and make room.

Those who had paid didn’t wander too far. Most stood behind the railing, leaning forward slightly to search for their own lanterns.

Yan Guiqiu and Jiang Xuehe also stood by the shore for a while, watching.

However, the river’s surface now shimmered with so many scattered lights that it became impossible to distinguish them, so they gave up and simply strolled hand in hand along the riverbank.

There were many young couples like them, and the two of them didn’t stand out much among the crowd. Further ahead, some were even embracing and kissing under the streetlights beside vendor stalls.

In the past, Yan Guiqiu would have pretended not to see such scenes, glancing over them indifferently before walking past without a second look.

But this time, for some reason, she felt inexplicably flustered. She subconsciously touched the corner of her lips and averted her gaze, only to accidentally meet Jiang Xuehe’s eyes.

Yan Guiqiu silently turned her gaze back.

Pathetic.

She cursed herself inwardly.

It was she who had fallen in love at first sight and impulsively rushed to confess her feelings. Yet now that they were actually together, she was acting like a teenage girl, her heart racing uncontrollably at a single glance, her mind going blank, leaving her either blushing or grinning foolishly.

But this was her first time liking someone, and she had no experience or frame of reference to draw from. Instinct overshadowed her ability to think rationally.

As she calmed down, a loud bang echoed from the opposite bank of the river.

Looking up, she saw a burst of bright light exploding against the night sky fireworks were being set off across the river.

The tourists along the riverbank gasped in awe, their exclamations drowned out by the booming fireworks. Many pulled out their phones, their screens lighting up like a sea of flashes.

Jiang Xuehe’s attention was also drawn to the spectacle.

Yan Guiqiu seemed to say something beside her, but her words were swallowed by the noise of the fireworks. Jiang Xuehe turned to look at her.

“What?” Jiang Xuehe’s voice was barely audible.

Yan Guiqiu’s words remained unclear, but Jiang Xuehe saw her pause for a moment before breaking into a smile. Seizing the moment when the next firework burst and everyone’s attention was fixed on the sky, Yan Guiqiu leaned in and, amidst the crowd of upturned faces, gently pressed her lips against Jiang Xuehe’s once more.

Jiang Xuehe only caught the word “like.”

Whether it was an illusion caused by the fireworks or not, she couldn’t tell, but she would likely forever remember the brilliance in Yan Guiqiu’s eyes beneath the fireworks.

Filled with joy and an unconscious tenderness, they melted like cotton candy sticky and sweet, clinging to every corner of her heart.

More beautiful than the fireworks in the sky.

How many kisses was that today? Jiang Xuehe wondered distractedly, but it seemed she still hadn’t had enough.

As the clamor of the world gradually returned to her ears, Jiang Xuehe could only tighten her grip on Yan Guiqiu’s hand.

The fireworks display lasted about ten minutes.

Before it ended, many tourists had already lost interest and left early.

By the time Jiang Xuehe led Yan Guiqiu away, the last firework had faded from the sky.

With the sudden silence after the fireworks, the surrounding chatter seemed to quiet down as well.

Many people instinctively fell silent, taking a moment to adjust before resuming their conversations.

Jiang Xuehe asked Yan Guiqiu, “What did you say earlier?”

Yan Guiqiu seemed not to understand the question at first, taking a moment to recall before finally reacting. But she only blinked and smiled at her, saying, “A secret~”

She deliberately drew out the word, her eyes and brows lifting slightly, exuding a hint of playful pride.

Jiang Xuehe looked at her thoughtfully for a moment before smiling as well. “Mm, you’re adorable, so whatever you say must be right.”

Yan Guiqiu couldn’t hold back her laughter and joined in, but she truly had no intention of revealing what she had said.

Then it wasn’t anything particularly important.

Jiang Xuehe didn’t press further.

Yan Guiqiu glanced back at the dark, silent riverbank across the way and placed a hand over her chest, her thoughts lingering on the realization that had struck her moments earlier.

So this is what it feels like to be in love.

Not the fleeting attraction of “love at first sight” or some vague, intangible “feeling,” but simply having this person by her side enough to make her abandon all reason, with irrepressible joy and excitement simmering beneath layers of shyness.

In that moment when she looked at you, it felt as if the whole world was right before your eyes.

By the time the two of them headed back, it was already very late.

They took a taxi and asked the driver to drop them off at the intersection outside the residential area, so as not to disturb anyone at home who might already be asleep.

After getting out of the car, Yan Guiqiu checked the time, it was past ten o’clock.

Around eight, Yan Guizhou had sent her a message asking when they’d be back, but Yan Guiqiu hadn’t noticed it until now. She decided to pretend she hadn’t seen it and put her phone away.

“We should come back earlier next time,” Jiang Xuehe said. “So your family won’t worry.”

“In the future, it’ll be ‘our’ family,” Yan Guiqiu corrected her before adding, “It’s fine. I told her this morning that I’d be back late tonight. She’s probably just bored at home. But once her break is over, she’ll be complaining again about how busy she is.”

“Is she on vacation right now?” Jiang Xuehe sounded surprised.

“Not from school her class schedule this semester is pretty light. Half the week, she only has classes in the morning. Right now, she’s mainly busy with company work,” Yan Guiqiu explained. “According to my mom, she’s been keeping her schedule light lately because of a big upcoming project, but the work got finished ahead of schedule, so she’s had some free time these past couple of days.”

She didn’t even need to go into the office during this period, but Yan Guizhou was diligent and still made sure to clock in regularly.

After clocking in, though, she found herself with little to do.

For someone accustomed to being busy, free time could be hard to adjust to.

Even though her sister rarely came home, Yan Guizhou understood the simple principle that interrupting someone’s romance was a sure way to get kicked by a donkey.

The two of them chatted idly as they strolled slowly back, each holding a small lantern. But under the bright streetlights, the lanterns didn’t stand out much.

When they reached the entrance of the residential area, Yan Guiqiu paused.

Jiang Xuehe asked, “What’s wrong?”

Yan Guiqiu looked as if she wanted to duck back, but the streets on both sides were empty except for the slender lampposts. Still, she deliberately lowered her voice and gestured toward the entrance. “I see my mom.”

A black sedan was parked at the gate. The license plate didn’t belong to the Yan family, but just as Yan Guiqiu finished speaking, Madam Meng stepped out of the back seat.

There were temporary parking spots along the roadside, and the driver got out as well, warmly chatting with Madam Meng and insisting on walking her to her door.

They seemed to be acquaintances. After a brief polite refusal, Madam Meng let him accompany her.

The car had come from the other direction, so neither of them noticed Yan Guiqiu and Jiang Xuehe on the opposite side.

After the two had gone inside for a while, Yan Guiqiu took Jiang Xuehe’s hand and slowly followed.

“Do you know that person?” Jiang Xuehe had been watching Yan Guiqiu’s expression closely.

“Sort of.” Yan Guiqiu replied, still remembering to keep her voice low. “He’s a family friend from my mother’s side.”

The man who escorted Ms. Meng back was surnamed Wen, of the same generation and age as her. It was said their families had once considered arranging a marriage between them. Unfortunately, Ms. Meng returned from abroad already married, and within half a year, the other party found another marriage prospect, having children earlier than Ms. Meng.

Yan Guiqiu had to call that family’s son “brother” when she was a child.

But that was back when Grandpa Meng was still alive. Mr. Wen had always behaved with restraint, never crossing any lines, and the contact ceased when the Meng family fell into turmoil.

It wasn’t until after Ms. Meng was discharged from the hospital and Xinglan stabilized that the Wen family reportedly visited with gifts, gradually reestablishing some connection.

By that time, however, Yan Guiqiu had already left the Yan family and rarely crossed paths with them.

“You don’t like him?” Jiang Xuehe noticed her tone and expression were quite disdainful.

“It’s just a relationship of convenience.” Yan Guiqiu’s tone was mild, without any deep-seated resentment or desire to complain further.

In the past, the Wen family had been slightly inferior to the Meng family, visiting with more enthusiasm than anyone else, never forgetting to check in on the daughter who had married out.

But after Grandpa Meng passed away and the Meng family fell apart, losing its former prestige and status, they were no longer regarded as important.

Their renewed interest now was purely because there were benefits to be gained.

“My mother still holds shares in some other companies under the Meng family,” Yan Guiqiu explained. “Besides, Xinglan will eventually belong to the Yan family, so it’s not exactly a decline more like leaning against a large tree.”

At this point, Jiang Xuehe understood.

A starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Even though the Meng family had completely declined, the scattered companies were still seen as a sweet prize in others’ eyes.

The messy gossip and speculation were brushed aside before they could even surface.

As the two walked closer, they could hear the voices of the people ahead. Yan Guiqiu didn’t continue, and Jiang Xuehe naturally fell silent, slowing her steps.

Mr. Wen happened to mention Yan Guiqiu’s name: “I heard Guiqiu is back?”

Ms. Meng responded indifferently with an “Mm,” glossing over it: “She just brought a friend back to visit for a couple of days. She’ll return to school the day after tomorrow.”

Mr. Wen continued, “Guiqiu is graduating this year, isn’t she? Isn’t she planning to come back?”

Ms. Meng smiled and said, “She still has a few more years of studies ahead.”

Mr. Wen remarked, “But she’s already in her twenties. Shouldn’t she start considering major life decisions? She’s not like Guizhou, who will be busy with her career. Settling down early and having a family and children would make the home livelier.”

“My family with five people now, it’s lively enough. As for marriage and when to marry, that’s up to the children themselves.” Ms. Meng said, “Children and grandchildren will have their own fortunes.”

After this round of indirect probing, even Jiang Xuehe, standing behind them, grasped Mr. Wen’s implication.

She turned to look at Yan Guiqiu.

Yan Guiqiu leaned close to her ear and whispered, “This is the first time I’ve heard about this too.”

There might have been some hint of this when they were younger, but even back then, Yan Guiqiu had no interest in that snot-nosed little brat.

By the time she reached middle school, she hadn’t seen him again.

As she spoke, Yan Guiqiu glanced sideways at Jiang Xuehe’s expression and asked softly, “Are you upset about this too?”

She said this, but there was a hint of delight in her tone.

Jiang Xuehe glanced sideways at her and asked, “What do you think your mom would say if I dragged you outside right now?”

Dragging her outside would definitely mean more than just a casual conversation.

Yan Guiqiu simply smiled, showing no concern, and replied, “She definitely wouldn’t mind.”

Jiang Xuehe was just teasing.

Though she had a bit of an urge, she didn’t want to put Mrs. Meng in an awkward position.

Instead, she pulled Yan Guiqiu further into the shadows to avoid being spotted and causing an even more uncomfortable situation.

Sure enough, not long after, Mr. Wen suggested having his son meet Yan Guiqiu, claiming it was just a casual get-together between old friends. But both sides knew exactly what he was hinting at.

They were already near the Yan family’s gate when Mrs. Meng stopped and, instead of exchanging pleasantries, directly refused.

“That wouldn’t be appropriate,” Mrs. Meng said. “Guiqiu brought her partner home today. I wouldn’t want her to misunderstand.”

Mr. Wen was clearly taken aback, but since his intentions had been laid bare, he didn’t bother hiding them further. “I hadn’t heard Guiqiu was seeing anyone before. It probably hasn’t been long, right? Young people these days are often just chasing novelty, three minutes of enthusiasm. Outsiders can’t compare to someone we know well from home. Besides, we’re not forcing anything. Let them spend some time together first. Who knows? They might hit it off. Wouldn’t that be good for everyone?”

“They’re not a good match,” Mrs. Meng firmly declined.

“How do you know they’re not a good match if they haven’t even met yet.”

Mrs. Meng cut him off. “Their genders don’t match.”

Mr. Wen: “…”

Mrs. Meng paused, a hint of amusement in her tone. “If you don’t mind your son getting a sex-change surgery, we can arrange a meeting after he’s done.”

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