Fell In Love With My Older Sister’s Friend - Chapter 28

The young girl’s eyes were big and round, her expression sincere, and she asked obediently.

Lin Qingyue slightly raised her charming, peach blossom eyes, appreciating her for a while before slowly and deliberately smiling, “Can you put them on yourself?”

Xu Luzhi shook her head, “No.”

She broke into a bright smile and said with a sense of entitlement, “Then could Sister help me put them on!”

“The little one is quite good at bossing people around,” Lin Qingyue chuckled lightly, lazily beckoning her over with a graceful, alluring posture.

Xu Luzhi immediately scurried over, trotting like a little puppy that had heard a command, practically on the verge of barking twice.

She softly called out, “Sister.”

Then, she obediently held out her hands, the set of tortoiseshell fingerpicks resting in her palm.

A ridiculous thought suddenly surfaced in Lin Qingyue’s mind: maybe “Woof woof” and “Sister” were just different pronunciations for the same thing?

Looking up again, Xu Luzhi was still standing there waiting for her. Today, she was dressed in a simple white T-shirt and jeans, paired with her bare, un-made-up face, which made her look unbelievably pure.

Lin Qingyue suddenly remembered something and her gaze fell upon the light red color of Xu Luzhi’s lips, “Why didn’t you put on the lipstick I gave you?”

Xu Luzhi unconsciously pursed her lips and smiled somewhat shyly, “I couldn’t bear to use it.”

This was a gift from Sister she had to treasure it and use it slowly. She only dared to open the cap for a look before carefully putting it back.

She even deliberately placed it near the air conditioner vent, afraid that the summer heat might melt it, and reminded Aunt Lin not to knock it off while cleaning, completely treating it like a precious treasure.

Besides… Xu Luzhi looked up at her, asking innocently, “Sister, don’t you think Zhizhi looks good without makeup?”

The girl’s bare face was clean and translucent, her fringe lightly brushing her brows, and her fair skin was practically reflective. She had big, round eyes with long, fan-like lashes, and her lips were a rosy red. When she smiled, a small dimple appeared beside it, making one want to lean in and take a bite.

Although she was still a few years short of being a peerless beauty, she was definitely a little knockout. In a couple of years, she would be a great beauty.

Even the most critical person would be too embarrassed to say she didn’t look good.

Lin Qingyue couldn’t help but laugh, and deliberately said slowly, “Hmm, not as pretty as when you wear makeup.”

Xu Luzhi stomped her foot, pouting and looking terribly wronged, her face full of disappointment, “Sister, you despise me now.”

She looked at Lin Qingyue judgmentally, sniffled, and said word for word, “You changed so quickly,  Sister.”

The girl emphasized the syllables, acting out a tragic scene that instantly made Lin Qingyue feel like a heartless user who discards people after getting what she wants.

She immediately changed the subject, instructing Xu Luzhi, “Spread your fingers.”

After saying that, she reached out to pick up the tortoiseshell picks from the girl’s palm.

Xu Luzhi had long since seen through Lin Qingyue’s tricks. Whenever Sister was losing the argument, she was best at changing the subject.

Like an ostrich sticking its head in the sand, pretending that if she didn’t talk about it, it wouldn’t exist.

So, just as Lin Qingyue’s fingertips touched her palm, Xu Luzhi swiftly closed her hand, trapping Lin Qingyue’s fingers firmly in her grasp, with the speed of lightning.

Lin Qingyue froze for a moment. When she finally reacted, she realized she had fallen into the girl’s soft palm, with no escape.

Xu Luzhi’s delicate white little hand easily wrapped around one of Lin Qingyue’s fingers, with room to spare. Not content with that, she moved further up until the base of Lin Qingyue’s finger was completely swallowed by her palm.

A slight itch traveled from her fingertip. The fingers were connected to the heart, and the warmth of Xu Luzhi’s palm wrapped around it, creating a wonderfully strange sensation.

Lin Qingyue glanced over. The little girl was holding her finger and wouldn’t let go, like a stray dog that had snatched a bone, and she wondered what trick she was up to next.

Xu Luzhi carefully controlled her strength. If it was too strong, she was afraid of hurting Sister; if it was too weak, she was afraid Sister might run away.

After staring for a long time, she finally managed to achieve a perfect, moderate grip, gently and securely encasing Lin Qingyue’s finger in her palm so it couldn’t possibly escape.

Xu Luzhi looked up to see Lin Qingyue still wearing that relaxed, indifferent expression, as if the person being caught wasn’t her at all.

Xu Luzhi gnashed her teeth, so angry she wanted to bite Lin Qingyue’s snow-white hand.

Sister always acted like she didn’t care about this or that, and even after being caught by her, she was still smiling carelessly.

She was simply lovable yet hateful.

“Sister,” Xu Luzhi called through clenched teeth, adding a bit of force.

Lin Qingyue gave her a lazy look, too bothered to even speak, but was amusedly wondering what new mischief the little one would get up to.

Very well. Xu Luzhi’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she accused, “Sister, you said I was ugly.”

Her finger was trapped and couldn’t move, only able to dangle loosely. Lin Qingyue couldn’t help but defend herself, “Where did I say you were ugly?”

Xu Luzhi emphasized, “You said I don’t look as good as when I wear makeup.”

“Alright then.” Lin Qingyue easily revised her words slightly, “You look better without makeup than with makeup.”

Her smile grew as she looked over, her peach-blossom eyes full of ambiguous warmth, “Is that better?”

“Sister, you!” Xu Luzhi took a deep breath. Didn’t that just mean she was uglier with makeup!

Little girls care about beauty, and being told by her Sister that she wasn’t pretty was a cruel punishment, like being struck by lightning.

Even though she knew Lin Qingyue was joking, Xu Luzhi was still full of grievance. A surge of frustration rose up, and she angrily let go of the hand and sat down, turning her back to Lin Qingyue.

Willfully and childishly, “I’m ignoring you!”

“What’s this? Is the little one mad?” Lin Qingyue smiled and walked around to the other side to look. The little girl was sitting with her arms crossed and her lips pouted, her expression one of solemn righteousness, and her voice sounded absolutely resolute.

Seeing her come over to peep, she spun around to the other side with great backbone.

Lin Qingyue raised an eyebrow, finding this somewhat novel. She was really ignoring her.

She shook her head and sighed softly. How is it that the more I indulge her, the bigger her temper gets?

Xu Luzhi sat with her back to Lin Qingyue for a long time or so it seemed. In her estimation of time, not seeing Lin Qingyue felt like a very, very long time.

So long that she felt anxious. Even though her body chose to face away from her, every fiber of her being was screaming for Sister to come and coax her quickly.

If you don’t coax me soon, your little Zhizhi will wilt!

The tortoiseshell picks were a bit sharp, and clenching them in her palm caused a slight pain.

Xu Luzhi secretly glanced at her hand. Her fair palm already had red marks, looking quite miserable and pitiful.

She pouted, wondering if the person who should be feeling pity would actually feel it.

Darn it, two minutes have passed, why hasn’t Sister come to coax her yet?

Wuwuwu, Yingyingying, Meowmeowmeow.

Not only did Sister not come to coax her, but she also heard a rustling sound, like someone was rummaging for something.

Xu Luzhi unconsciously bit her lip, Could it be that Lin Qingyue thought she was too annoying and was giving her the silent treatment?

She was such a good, good Zhizhi!

She couldn’t help wanting to turn around and see what Lin Qingyue was doing, but she was afraid of being caught. Yet, she really wanted to look.

After struggling with this internal conflict, just as Xu Luzhi made up her mind, took a deep breath, and was about to turn around, Lin Qingyue gracefully sat down in front of her, accompanied by a fragrant breeze.

Xu Luzhi momentarily forgot to move, staring blankly at her with wide eyes, and unconsciously let out a sound, “Sister…”

After speaking, she immediately realized she had initiated the conversation, and covered her mouth in annoyance, retreating back a little with vigilance.

It was only a tiny bit. Although her body strained to lean backward, her entire face was clearly written with the words, “Hurry up and coax me.”

She was cute and pitiful, and inspired compassion.

Lin Qingyue couldn’t help but curve her lips. She gently caught the hand covering the girl’s mouth and said with a warm smile, “The other one.”

Xu Luzhi blinked, and under the woman’s seductive voice, she obediently extended her other hand.

The white palm held a few tortoiseshell picks, and because she had clenched her fist so tightly, there were red marks on her palm.

Lin Qingyue took the picks and her fingertips lightly and unintentionally brushed against the girl’s palm, her expression gentle and focused.

Although she didn’t speak, Xu Luzhi felt as if she heard Sister asking if it hurt.

She proactively said, “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

With that, she broke into a big smile, behaving incredibly well.

Lin Qingyue pursed her lips. She was just throwing a fit a moment ago, and now she was clinging and affectionate again. The little one was quite easy to coax.

She symbolically blew a puff of air onto the girl’s palm and smiled softly, “Mhm, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Xu Luzhi smiled radiantly, spreading her five fingers and letting Lin Qingyue hold her wrist for inspection.

The girl’s five fingers were slender and delicate, like fresh scallions. Her nails were neatly trimmed and rounded, and her finger pads were full soft yet firm when held in the hand they were very beautiful.

Lin Qingyue felt a momentary reluctance to apply the tortoiseshell picks, thinking that her natural nails looked better.

But seeing the longing in the little girl’s eyes, Lin Qingyue still nodded and lowered her eyes to unroll some adhesive tape.

Xu Luzhi watched Lin Qingyue intently. Sister’s fingers were long and beautiful, painted with pure black nail polish. Placed next to her own small hands, they complemented each other perfectly.

If they were held together, they would look quite well-matched, wouldn’t they?

Xu Luzhi couldn’t help but swallow, feeling an inexplicable flutter in her heart.

Sister’s hands are so lovely, and with these picks, she must look even better playing the guzheng.

She hadn’t known before that Sister played the guzheng.

That makes sense. No wonder Sister’s singing was so beautiful that one short segment had left her with a lasting impression.

Xu Luzhi’s heart was pounding. She decided she absolutely had to ask Lin Qingyue to play for her later.

Besides, didn’t Sister still owe her a birthday present? It was only right for her to play and sing a segment for her!

Thinking this, Xu Luzhi gave a sweet smile, allowing Lin Qingyue to hold her wrist and wrap the tape around her fingertip.

The tape was wrapped tightly for two rounds. Contrary to her imagination, the fake nails were not applied to the existing nail, but to the finger pad, essentially under the natural nail.

Lin Qingyue taped them onto two of her fingers, gathered the rest, and smiled, “It’s no use for you to have too many; two fingers are enough.”

“Okay,” Xu Luzhi reluctantly accepted the fact. She had been hoping Lin Qingyue would hold her wrist for a little longer, but it only lasted a few minutes.

Still, this was the first time she had owned fake nails. Xu Luzhi curiously bent her fingers and held them up to the light again and again. The tortoiseshell material was rich and warm, reflecting a strange brilliance in the sunlight, looking incredibly charming.

She ran to the guzheng and, under Lin Qingyue’s approving gaze, couldn’t help but lightly pluck the strings twice.

The guzheng cooperated by letting out two soft, humming zheng zheng sounds.

Xu Luzhi became interested, messing around with her two fingers that had the fake nails, plucking the strings haphazardly. It couldn’t be called playing; at most, it was just making noise.

Or possibly noise pollution.

Nevertheless, Xu Luzhi felt like she had found a new, fascinating toy and was having a blast.

Lin Qingyue leaned back lazily against the chair, watching the little one fool around without the slightest urge to stop her. She simply let her play.

It was amazing. She had always hated people touching her guzheng, especially annoying children, but Xu Luzhi was able to use her things openly, and she wasn’t angry at all.

The little one is so well-behaved and so sensible, who could bear to stop her?

Lin Qingyue half closed her eyes, as languid as a large cat, waiting for Xu Luzhi to lose interest and obediently return to her side.

Xu Luzhi had touched musical instruments before, but unfortunately, she lacked much artistic inclination and eventually chose to specialize in advanced mathematics, a path she never deviated from.

Now, encountering the guzheng, her eagerness was mostly because Sister had played it.

The thought that every string held Lin Qingyue’s touch made her want to pluck them more.

Two fingers weren’t enough, so Xu Luzhi secretly used her fingers without the picks to press down on the strings.

She knew nothing about music theory, only tentatively used her fingers to pluck, trying to make a sound.

She started with light, small plucks, and finally, went for a full, rapid strum from top to bottom in one go.

That created big trouble. The guzheng strings were hard, and the girl’s hands, which had never done rough work, were extremely delicate. Without the protection of the fake nails, this disorderly strumming immediately made Xu Luzhi feel pain.

She quickly pulled her hand back, looking down in frustration. A clear red mark had appeared on her initially fair and rosy fingertip. The string had been stretched tight across it, and it hurt quite a bit.

Xu Luzhi carefully blew on it and cried out with a long face, “Sister…”

Before she could finish the call, Lin Qingyue, who had been lounging in the chair, appeared before her in an instant, as if she could teleport.

Her beautiful peach-blossom eyes lifted slightly, scanning the girl’s hand anxiously, finally spotting the culprit on her fingertip.

Lin Qingyue didn’t ask much, she just took Xu Luzhi’s hand, brought it to her lips, and gently breathed on it. The warm breath enveloped her fingertip, immediately making the pain disappear.

Lin Qingyue patiently continued to blow on it, observing the expression on Xu Luzhi’s face. Only when she saw the pain was gone did she gently put down her hand and sigh helplessly, “Disobedient.”

Xu Luzhi nodded gloomily. She was indeed disobedient and deserved to be scolded T_T.

Lin Qingyue softened her voice and asked her, “Does it still hurt?”

Xu Luzhi pointed at the guzheng and smiled childishly, “If Sister hits it, then it won’t hurt anymore.”

“Silly girl,” Lin Qingyue laughed and shook her head, opening her palm for the girl to see, “When I practiced the guzheng before, I often bled.”

Especially when a string broke; the force was shocking. Her skin was delicate and would often turn red all over.

Now that she was skilled, accidents rarely happened, but those past pains were still vivid memories.

“Really?” Xu Luzhi immediately forgot about the pain in her own finger and turned to look at Lin Qingyue’s hands.

The woman’s hands were snow-white and slender, soft and boneless, without any flaws. Could hands like those, straight out of a comic book, have ever been covered in blood?

Xu Luzhi felt incredibly sorry for her, and she imitated Lin Qingyue, lightly breathing a puff of air onto her palm, “Then, Sister, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

She looked up, smiling at Lin Qingyue, “Zhizhi will help you blow on it from now on.”