Fell In Love With My Older Sister’s Friend - Chapter 16

No matter what, being praised as “cute” by her “Jiejie” (older sister figure) still made Xu Luzhi a little happy. She gleefully extended her hand: “Hair tie.”

Lin Qingyue stared at the girl’s pristine palm for a moment before realizing what she wanted: “Forgot it.”

Xu Luzhi: “…” Who with long hair goes out without a hair tie? How can one survive like this!

However, thinking about it, they traveled all this way to stay in a hotel, so the situation must be urgent, and it’s easy to forget things.

Speaking of which, Xu Luzhi still didn’t know why Lin Qingyue had followed Xu Luwei to Lincheng. Lin Qingyue’s aura didn’t suggest she was someone who could be easily bullied.

Thinking that Lin Qingyue might have encountered some major obstacle, Xu Luzhi felt a pang in her heart, wishing she could grow up quickly to help share the burden.

But for now, she could only pretend to know nothing and slowly try to coax information out of her.

At least, she wanted to make her Jiejie happy now.

Xu Luzhi pursed her lips, about to say something, when she heard Lin Qingyue speak lazily: “Use yours.”

It took her a moment to realize that Lin Qingyue wanted to use her honey-colored hair tie.

Immediately after, Lin Qingyue gave a light, teasing laugh: “You don’t need it anyway.”

Xu Luzhi was momentarily choked. She indeed couldn’t use her beloved hair tie right now, but the way it was said sounded so much like mockery!

She took a deep breath. Looking at Lin Qingyue’s nonchalant expression, her heart softened, and she couldn’t bring herself to be angry.

Jiejie is beautiful; everything Jiejie says is right.

She obediently rummaged through her pocket for a long time and carefully pulled out two honey-colored hair ties. Although she couldn’t use them for the moment, she loved them and always kept them on her.

Now, her beloved hair ties were placed in Xu Luzhi’s palm like an offering, presented to a supreme goddess.

Lin Qingyue shook her head: “One is enough.”

Xu Luzhi submissively put the other one back. Under Lin Qingyue’s direction, she carefully gathered all the long hair into a bundle and tied it high, creating a beautiful and neat high ponytail.

She bit her lip, cautiously winding the hair tie, afraid of pulling her Jiejie’s scalp. Lin Qingyue, however, didn’t seem to care: “Tie it tighter.”

Xu Luzhi clenched her teeth and firmly wrapped it three times. She tugged it, let go, and the high ponytail was formed. Paired with the sexy slip dress, it added a touch of boldness to the sexiness, making her look even more enchantingly beautiful, a sight one couldn’t bear to look away from.

The black hair with the honey-colored hair tie added a touch of sweetness and charm. The blending of these different temperaments captivated Xu Luzhi.

She leaned in, half-bent, and whispered into Lin Qingyue’s ear: “Jiejie, you’re really beautiful…”

No matter how she dressed up, she was so beautiful, completely hitting her aesthetic spot.

What should she do? She wanted more and more to capture Jiejie and keep her at home to look at every day?

Lin Qingyue had long been accustomed to such compliments, but hearing it from the bright and charming young girl still made her curl her lips. Her voice was seductive: “Then look more often.”

Xu Luzhi was indeed obedient and stared at Lin Qingyue without blinking, her gaze open and frank, as if purely appreciating beauty.

Lin Qingyue lifted her chin and pointed to the row of necklaces on the table, chuckling softly: “Stop staring, help me choose one quickly.”

Xu Luzhi, close to her scent, glanced at the row of long-forgotten necklaces on the table. She looked at each one and chose one without hesitation: “This one.”

The necklace was a delicate chain, and the pendant was a half-dried rose. Although not very expensive, it was extraordinarily unique.

Against Lin Qingyue’s fair neck and collarbone, it would undoubtedly look especially beautiful and graceful.

Lin Qingyue picked up the necklace, examined it under the light, and nodded, quite satisfied with Xu Luzhi’s suggestion.

She tossed the necklace to Xu Luzhi, lifted the loose hair at the back of her head, and waited as if it were a matter of course, the implication clear.

Xu Luzhi was more than happy to oblige. She spent some time straightening the chain, then put it on Lin Qingyue from behind, slowly finding the right length and gently clasping it.

While putting on the necklace, she finally clearly saw the tattoo on the back of Lin Qingyue’s neck: a small, pure black moon pattern, hidden in the loose hair, barely visible without a close look.

It was like a totem often seen in the cartoons Xu Luzhi used to watch as a child mysterious and alluring.

Contrasting with Lin Qingyue’s pale skin, it appeared exceptionally forbidden, as if harboring some unspeakable secret.

Xu Luzhi’s mind uncontrollably flashed with many guesses, only to be rejected one by one by herself.

She couldn’t help but ask: “Jiejie, is this… a tattoo?”

Her tone was cautious, carrying an inherent innocence and bewilderment.

She seemed to be completely ignorant of something as boundary-pushing as a tattoo.

Lin Qingyue “hmm’ed” in response, then remembered that some things weren’t suitable for a “child” to see. She casually changed her story: “Just a sticker.”

Xu Luzhi: “…” Is Jiejie treating her like an idiot?

Where could she find a tattoo sticker of such good quality that remained vibrant after washing for so long!

But to maintain her image of purity, Xu Luzhi had to cooperate and nod: “But it looks so cool.”

She deliberated, praising Lin Qingyue for a long time before smoothly adding: “It makes me want a tattoo too.”

Hearing this, Lin Qingyue rare raised her head to look at her. The young girl in front of her looked tender. Although already very pretty, she still clearly retained traces of immaturity, like an unripe green plum, sour with a single bite.

“A tattoo?” Lin Qingyue laughed from her throat, then gently tapped the table as a warning: “Will your older sister permit it?”

Xu Luzhi didn’t like hearing her older sister’s name from Lin Qingyue’s mouth. The thought that Lin Qingyue was actually her sister’s friend invariably caused a strange displeasure to rise from the bottom of her heart.

It felt like a favorite toy that was merely borrowed.

She grabbed Lin Qingyue’s arm and whined: “Then if you don’t tell her, won’t it be fine?”

Xu Luzhi called Lin Qingyue “Jiejie” but referred to her biological sister, Xu Luwei, simply as “her.” This short sentence contained a small, private intention, and she wondered if Lin Qingyue could pick up on it.

“Silly girl, a tattoo is so obvious, would I even need to tell on you?” Lin Qingyue found it slightly amusing. She glanced at the young girl beside her, only to see her round eyes full of curiosity and envy.

Then, noticing her clean, fair arm beneath the short sleeve, Lin Qingyue involuntarily imagined how Xu Luzhi would look with a tiny tattoo on her body. Sweet and lovely with a touch of coolness, not at all like a bad kid, still a pure white little Gardenia.

Perhaps it wasn’t so unacceptable for a “child” to get a tattoo.

“I’ll get it somewhere others can’t see,” Xu Luzhi said matter-of-factly. “Right where Jiejie’s is would be perfect.”

Her fingertip deliberately or unintentionally brushed the back of Lin Qingyue’s neck. The warm fingertip grazed the small black moon, causing a ticklish sensation that made Lin Qingyue involuntarily shiver.

Xu Luzhi’s plan was clear: getting a tattoo in the same spot, wouldn’t that be a form of declaration?

As long as the two of them lifted their hair and revealed the tattoos together, everyone would know their relationship. Without saying a word, they could openly strut around.

She didn’t know what “coming out” meant yet. She just never liked to hide things. Even if she couldn’t express it out loud for the time being, she wanted to openly show her feelings.

Thinking of this scene, Xu Luzhi couldn’t help but curve her lips, her happy expression impossible to conceal.

“Then what do you want to get tattooed?” Lin Qingyue asked with a smile.

“I won’t tell you.” Xu Luzhi stuck out her tongue, thinking that she would also get a small moon tattooed.

To prevent Lin Qingyue from becoming suspicious, she added: “If I tell you, what if you report me?”

Lin Qingyue “tsk’ed” softly: “The little one is quite clever.”

She had actually considered mentioning it to Xu Luwei, not as a complaint, but just as an amusing anecdote.

However, it seemed like the Xu family had strict rules, so she decided not to mention it. Otherwise, if the “child” got sad, she would just cling to her and cry again.

No one could bear to watch a pure white little Gardenia cry torrents of tears.

Lin Qingyue thought of this and suddenly recalled Xu Luwei’s casual comment when she dropped her off last night: “Zhizhi has always been very smart. She was especially naughty when she was little; if she wanted a toy, she’d find every way to get it. Now that she’s grown up, she’s actually obedient and well-behaved.”

It was just small talk, but in the dark of the night, Xu Luwei’s eyes were shadowed, and her tone was consistently gentle and refined, yet it made Lin Qingyue feel like she was hinting at something.

Lin Qingyue looked at the sweet and soft Xu Luzhi before her. In just two days, the girl had been completely wrapped around her. The answer seemed self-evident.

She was only seventeen, still a “child.” Lin Qingyue had always been calm about relationships and was ruthless when rejecting people, but no matter what, she couldn’t bear to watch her chase after an impossible person like a moth to a flame.

Lin Qingyue’s throat tightened, yet her expression remained composed. Her peach blossom eyes couldn’t help but darken slightly, her gaze deep, as if it could see through all emotions in the world.

Xu Luzhi keenly noticed the shift in atmosphere. She sighed imperceptibly: “Fine, I’ll grudgingly tell you, I’ll tattoo a little Gardenia flower!”

The girl’s smile was radiant, her expression frank and open. Facing Lin Qingyue’s deep gaze, she showed no sign of awkwardness.

Only she knew that at that moment, her heart pounded like a drum, and the back of her ears felt intensely hot, as if she had done something guilty.

The brief confrontation, without the scent of gunpowder, felt as if a thousand years had passed.

Ultimately, a hurried knocking sound from outside the room door ended this silent judgment. A middle-aged woman’s coarse voice shouted: “Room 1708, check out or extend your stay?”

Lin Qingyue was startled. She exchanged a look with Xu Luzhi, checked the time, and realized it was already 11:20.

She had paid for three nights when she arrived. A standard king room in a five-star hotel in Lincheng’s city center was incredibly expensive, even for just one night.

Xu Luwei had offered to pay, but Lin Qingyue had refused, insisting on paying herself.

She was reluctant to accept favors and disliked accepting others’ kindness, wanting to live a life free of attachments.

However, reality was always harsher than ideals. Things like the room fee had to be paid, and life required money everywhere.

Lin Qingyue’s eyes narrowed. She got up, opened the door, and said calmly: “Extend for one more night.”

The woman readily agreed: “Alright, you can scan the code!”

Lin Qingyue took out her phone, paid, closed the door, walked back, half-closed her eyes, and let out a long breath.