Did the Tsundere Miss Get Slapped in the Face Again Today? - Chapter 58

Chapter 58: “If You Leave One Day, What Will I Do?”

 

Jiang Zhi’s life used to be exclusively about earning money, working to earn money, and then meticulously saving it up.

 

Over these years, she had accumulated a small savings—about three hundred thousand RMB. It wasn’t wealth, but at least she had some small funds to buffer against risks.

 

The purpose of her work was purely to earn and save money; she never considered future career development.

 

Of course, she genuinely lacked the ability to make long-term plans and didn’t know what she should or could do.

 

Now, Lin Anran had found a path for her: becoming a food video blogger.

 

This path didn’t require her to worry about whether she could support herself, earn money, or lose capital. She only needed to consider if she liked it or not.

 

Filming cooking videos and becoming a food video blogger, did she like doing this?

 

To be honest, “like” might be an overstatement, but she certainly had some interest.

 

Lin Anran had chosen the path for her, bought the necessary equipment, and almost entirely paved the way. Jiang Zhi just needed to start walking.

 

Jiang Zhi was both anxious and profoundly touched. She felt like she was increasingly unable to repay what Lin Anran gave her.

 

Jiang Zhi began tinkering with video production. Lin Anran accompanied her. When they encountered difficulties, they would huddle together to search for tutorials online. Every day was filled with laughter and happiness.

 

After a week, the first video was finally put together.

 

The video was filmed and edited as a documentary, covering everything from buying groceries to washing vegetables, cooking, and the final dish. The whole video looked quite professional.

 

Jiang Zhi chose to publish the video simultaneously on multiple platforms. As she was about to press the send button, her finger paused.

 

Jiang Zhi bit her lip, turned her head to look at Lin Anran, and asked: “What if the views are zero? Wouldn’t that mean we wasted a week for nothing? I suddenly feel like I’m not suited for this. Maybe I shouldn’t post it.”

 

Lin Anran rolled her eyes at her, pressed her finger onto the screen, and hit the send button for her.

 

Following a “whoosh” notification sound, the screen showed “Published Successfully.”

 

“Eh?” Jiang Zhi was surprised, not even having time to stop her.

 

Lin Anran clicked her tongue in disdain: “Look at how spineless you are. Don’t worry, people will definitely watch it. You’ll be the next million-subscriber food blogger soon.”

 

Jiang Zhi chuckled: “That’s an exaggeration. It’s not that easy to reach the million mark.”

 

Lin Anran put her arm around Jiang Zhi’s: “The quality of the result doesn’t matter. I just can’t stand your naturally restless disposition. You look depressed all day if you’re not doing a part-time job, acting as if someone will capture you if you don’t work.”

 

Jiang Zhi placed her hand over Lin Anran’s, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the back of her hand.

 

When she was fighting alone before, she would become particularly anxious whenever she was idle without work because she had no one behind her; the money she saved was her only sense of security.

 

This was the first time Jiang Zhi had experienced someone patiently accompanying her to find something she liked and telling her not to worry about failure or success.

 

Jiang Zhi felt touched but also complicated, sighing: “Why does it feel like I owe you more and more? I don’t know how to repay you anymore.”

 

Lin Anran: “You be the bottom!”

 

Jiang Zhi: “…”

 

This girl was very fixated on the top/bottom dynamic, but unfortunately, she lacked the actual prowess and only shouted slogans.

 

“Did you hear me? Tonight… no, right now.” As she spoke, she pounced directly, pinning Jiang Zhi onto the sofa.

 

Jiang Zhi looked at the person on top of her, gently supporting her waist: “So eager?”

 

Lin Anran: “You’re not allowed to talk, and you’re not allowed to move. This is my home court now.”

 

Home court? What an unusual description.

 

In the end, Lin Anran’s waist went weak, and she lay asleep, exhausted, on Jiang Zhi’s body.

 

She was in a deep sleep, utterly spent.

 

Lin Anran’s proclaimed “home court” seemed to have been unsuccessful.

 

Jiang Zhi looked at the light and heavy red marks on her body, stroking them with some tenderness.

 

She hadn’t used much force, but Lin Anran’s skin was sensitive and delicate. Even a slight grip would leave a mark, like a fragile porcelain doll that needed to be handled carefully in one’s palm.

 

Their days were very leisurely. Aside from cooking, filming, and publishing videos, Jiang Zhi spent the rest of her time teasing the kitten.

 

She would provoke her until she was defensive, then gently coax her back.

 

And, of course, in the dead of night, they would do loving things.

 

Life was leisurely yet free, fulfilling yet satisfying.

 

Jiang Zhi often worried: would Lin Anran get bored, being so clingy every day?

 

Jiang Zhi didn’t know if she would get bored, but Lin Anran was clingy every day, becoming even stickier with each passing day.

 

At some point, they even started bathing together. Of course, it wasn’t just bathing.

 

As the New Year approached, Lin Anran returned to the Lin family home. On the day of their separation, Lin Anran drooped her head, tugged at Jiang Zhi’s sleeve, and was extremely reluctant to leave.

 

Jiang Zhi was also reluctant. Since their relationship was confirmed, they hadn’t been apart.

 

Being together so intimately for over a month, the sudden separation wasn’t just reluctant, it was also a little unsettling.

 

Especially when waking up in the morning, the little kitten who used to be nestled in her arms wasn’t there, making the bed feel exceptionally empty.

 

Jiang Zhi propped her head on her hands, looking at the pink crystal lamp above, feeling melancholic.

 

Buzz, buzz.

 

The phone on the bedside table vibrated.

 

Jiang Zhi picked it up. Seeing the sender, the melancholy in her eyes faded, replaced by warmth and tenderness.

 

It was voice messages from Lin Anran, one after another. Jiang Zhi hadn’t even had time to listen to the first one, and there were already four or five unplayed messages.

 

Lin Anran’s noisy voice came from the phone: “Are you up? I bet you’re up. Since you’re up, why didn’t you send me good morning?”

 

“Are you secretly happy all by yourself?”

 

“Are you thinking, ‘Ah, that sticky person is finally gone. Yay, I’m so happy. I finally have some time to myself. I can finally relax. I can finally rest.’ Pah!“

 

“Jiang Yi, I know all your little thoughts. Who cares about being with you every day? It’s nothing special. I’m going to…”

 

The voice abruptly stopped here.

 

She probably wanted to say “I’m going to break up our friendship,” but “breaking up friendship” clearly didn’t apply to their current relationship; “breaking up” was more suitable.

 

However, the word “break up” couldn’t be used lightly. Lin Anran obviously knew this, which is why the voice message cut short.

 

Jiang Zhi pressed the voice recording button, preparing to reply. She held the voice button for two seconds, then cancelled it.

 

She sat up and cleared her throat: “Good morning…”

 

Jiang Zhi swiped up on the phone, cancelling the message again.

 

Cough, cough.

 

She cleared her throat heavily twice, then recorded again: “Good morning, Lin Kitten~”

 

After sending it, she didn’t forget to listen to it. She nodded, not bad, the low, husky voice had a certain allure.

 

The top of the screen showed the other party was typing.

 

After a long time, Lin Anran sent two words: [Sicko.]

 

Jiang Zhi frowned, then saw the other party send another message: [Why are you talking in a strained voice? It’s too deliberate, like a lunatic. I don’t like it.]

 

She called her a lunatic, but Lin Anran’s hand, clicking the favorite button, was quick.

 

After clicking favorite, she replayed the voice message.

 

“Good morning, Lin Kitten~”

 

She listened again and again, a wide grin spreading across her lips.

 

On the third replay, the voice message failed to play, showing “The other party has revoked a message.”

 

Lin Anran scoffed, not panicking at all, since she had already favorited it.

 

Lin Anran even forwarded the favorited voice message back to Jiang Zhi, clearly mocking her.

 

Jiang Zhi replied with three ellipses.

 

If you ever make me unhappy, I’ll leak this voice message and embarrass you.

 

On New Year’s Eve, Jiang Zhi, as in previous years, was alone again.

 

The only difference was that before, she spent the New Year in a small rental room. Now, her residence had upgraded to a small villa.

 

However, spending the New Year alone in a villa was worse than staying in a small rental room…

 

It was too big, too empty. Sometimes, the emptiness felt scary, making her worry that criminals were hiding inside.

 

She didn’t feel this way when Lin Anran was around. With her gone, the house felt devoid of any human presence.

 

Cold and desolate, empty and spacious.

 

Checking the time, there were only a few minutes left until the New Year. Jiang Zhi put down her phone and walked to the window.

 

It was already lively outside. The crackling sound of firecrackers, and the occasional booming of fireworks.

 

The air was filled with the acrid, burnt smell of fireworks and firecrackers, slightly irritating.

 

It was a festive holiday, but Jiang Zhi felt isolated from it.

 

Lin Anran had called earlier, saying she needed to stay up late for the New Year tradition and might be busy, unable to wish her a Happy New Year immediately.

 

Jiang Zhi said it was okay, but deep down, she felt a small, secret sense of loss.

 

But she quickly adjusted. Lin Anran had her own family. On a holiday like this, she should be with her family, not Jiang Zhi.

 

The villa was detached. Standing on the third-floor balcony, she could see the neighboring yard. A family of three lived next door, currently setting off fireworks in their yard.

 

Full of laughter and joy.

 

Jiang Zhi looked at the family of three, lost in thought. She remembered her childhood, when her grandmother bought the cheapest fireworks and set them off with her on New Year’s Eve.

 

Sighing, she drew the curtains and returned to her solitary room.

 

Right on time, Jiang Zhi sent Lin Anran a Happy New Year message. She guessed Lin Anran was busy and didn’t reply.

 

It was already past midnight, and Jiang Zhi hadn’t eaten dinner. She didn’t have much appetite, but feelings were one thing, and her stomach was another.

 

Now her stomach was growling.

 

Jiang Zhi wandered into the kitchen and checked the fridge. There were plenty of ingredients. She had been filming cooking videos recently, even though the response after publishing them had been lukewarm.

 

There were many dishes, but Jiang Zhi was too lazy to cook. She grabbed a random piece of bread, unwrapped it, and took a bite.

 

It was too dry and made her choke.

 

Jiang Zhi pounded her chest, trying to swallow the bread, but choked even more violently. She quickly looked for water.

 

In her haste, she knocked a glass onto the floor. Jiang Zhi ignored the broken glass, grabbed a new cup, poured water, and quickly took a sip.

 

Just then, the “beep-beep” sound of the code lock at the front door sounded.

 

Jiang Zhi peered out and saw a familiar figure.

 

Long, curled hair draped over her shoulders, wearing a pink woolen coat, with exquisite makeup, charming and lovely, like a princess from an anime stepping into reality.

 

Across from the princess, Jiang Zhi held bread in one hand, a water cup in the other, with a broken glass at her feet, looking somewhat disheveled.

 

Lin Anran’s gaze landed on the bread: “You’re eating this on New Year’s Eve?”

 

Jiang Zhi gave an awkward smile: “No, I ate something else. I was just having a snack.”

 

Lin Anran scrutinized her, clearly not believing her.

 

“Aren’t you supposed to be staying up late at home for the New Year? Why are you back?” Jiang Zhi put down the bread, changing the subject.

 

Lin Anran didn’t speak. Jiang Zhi pretended to be busy, squatting down to clean up the broken glass pieces on the floor.

 

Lin Anran squatted down with her.

 

Jiang Zhi quickly raised a hand to stop her: “Don’t touch it. I’ll clean it up. You’ll cut yourself.”

 

Lin Anran: “You sent me a picture before, showing a table full of food, but you lied. You’re here gnawing on bread. Are you trying to gain sympathy?”

 

Jiang Zhi paused her movement of picking up the pieces.

 

“Hmph, I won’t feel sorry for you. Stop these little tricks. I don’t like it.”

 

All that Lin Anran said essentially boiled down to a simple sentence: Why aren’t you eating properly? Seeing you like this breaks my heart.

 

Jiang Zhi’s eyes felt warm, and her voice was low: “Lin Anran, you always do this. You’ve spoiled me and made me soft. If you leave one day, what will I do?”

 

The Lin Residence.

 

Lin Yishu was restless, frequently glancing at Lin Han, who was in the study dealing with work and hadn’t come out.

 

Little sister really! It was one thing for her to be out with her girlfriend normally, but she should have at least stayed for the New Year celebrations.

 

I hope nothing goes wrong later. Hopefully not…

 

Just then, the study door opened. Lin Yishu immediately looked up when she heard the sound.

 

Lin Han wore a white suit, her long hair pinned up meticulously, just like her—stiff and without warmth.

 

Lin Yishu met her cold, expressionless eyes, and a feeling of guilt instantly flooded her.

 

Lin Han seemed unaware of her guilt. She walked past and headed upstairs.

 

Lin Yishu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She didn’t notice. That’s good.

 

The person walking upstairs suddenly stopped and looked back.

 

Lin Yishu’s released breath instantly caught in her throat again, like a sharp blade hanging over her head.

 

“Where is she?” Lin Han asked.

 

Lin Yishu thought: We’re doomed.

 

Her lips parted. She wanted to cover for her little sister, but facing Lin Han’s imposing gaze, any lie instantly died in her throat.

 

Lin Han didn’t need Lin Yishu to say anything. Just by her reaction, Lin Han could guess the situation: “She’s growing up to be increasingly clueless.”

 

Lin Yishu stood up, intending to explain: “Little sister will be back soon. Young people in love are like this—clingy. It’s not a big deal.”

 

Lin Han’s eyes were indifferent, her mood hard to discern: “What do you think of the Qin family’s youngest son? He’s quite suitable for Anran’s age.”

 

Lin Yishu’s gentle face furrowed.

 

“Little sister has a girlfriend; you know that. And you haven’t objected,” Lin Yishu said.

 

“Does having a girlfriend matter? I wouldn’t object if Anran wanted ten or eight girlfriends, as long as she’s happy,”

 

Lin Han’s gaze was sharp, carrying the absolute authority of a superior, allowing no room for argument: “But she can only marry someone I approve of and select as qualified.”