Fell In Love With My Older Sister’s Friend - Chapter 38

Xu Luwei sat at her desk reviewing reports. The room was bright and clean, with a thriving Clivia plant on the desk bearing a few small flowers.

She looked down at the tablet in her hand, occasionally making marks, appearing very focused.

Xu Luzhi sat on a nearby sofa, concentrating entirely on the box of white peach yogurt in her hand, sipping it little by little.

She wasn’t drinking the yogurt properly; as if determined to be difficult, she insisted on scooping up a full spoonful and then using her tongue like a cat to lick it up. Before she knew it, not only did yogurt spill on her clothes, but she also choked and started coughing.

After she finished coughing, Xu Luzhi’s little face was already flushed red, with yogurt foam on the corner of her mouth. She didn’t bother wiping it off immediately; her first concern was checking if she had dirtied the sofa.

After all, Xu Luwei was a very strict germaphobe if she dirtied the sofa, she would surely scold her again!

Xu Luzhi nervously scanned every corner of the sofa. Only when she confirmed the sofa was safe did she breathe a sigh of relief and pat her chest, using a wet wipe to clean her clothes.

Pretending nothing had happened, she secretly prayed that Xu Luwei wouldn’t notice.

But just as she was stealthily wiping her clothes, Xu Luwei turned her head sharply and asked, “Zhizhi, what’s wrong?”

“N-nothing,” Xu Luzhi felt an indescribable sense of fear whenever she saw her older sister, and her reply became very proper. “I just choked accidentally.”

“Oh?” Xu Luwei’s beautiful eyes curved into a gentle smile. “You choked while drinking yogurt, Zhizhi?”

Xu Luzhi stuck out her tongue guiltily: “It’s because I wanted to experiment with a new way to drink yogurt, so I accidentally…”

Xu Luwei stopped looking at her report and gazed at her with interest, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly. “Tell me about it.”

Xu Luzhi hadn’t expected her usually boring sister to be so interested in this topic, so she stammered, “I just saw someone do it… It doesn’t matter, it’s just trying not to use your lips, only your tongue, and suck the yogurt in all at once.”

She raised a large cup of yogurt and said with a smile, “Zhizhi is working hard to practice!”

Xu Luwei shook her head, smiling. Looking at her against the light, the girl on the sofa was lively, spirited, and incredibly cute it was impossible to bring herself to blame her.

She couldn’t help but point out, “Is this the reason you stained your clothes?”

Xu Luzhi was stunned for a moment, then feigned innocence, “I’ll change tonight.”

After saying that, she continued to scoop a spoonful of yogurt, increasing the speed of her next practice session as if afraid of being figured out.

Xu Luwei returned to her reports, her peripheral vision intentionally or unintentionally tracking the little girl’s movements.

After some time, having processed two files, Xu Luwei turned to look again.

More than half the box of yogurt had gone into Xu Luzhi’s stomach, and some more had spilled on her clothes, but thankfully, the sofa was spared.

The air was filled with the sweet scent of white peach. Xu Luzhi had a look of dejection on her face. She studied her phone for a while, then tenaciously tore open another bottle.

Xu Luwei watched coldly. She saw that Xu Luzhi’s movements were much more practiced than before, even achieving about half success, but when she tried to push further, she still failed.

It seemed there was always a hurdle, impossible to overcome, leaving her utterly baffled.

Just like the threshold between seventeen and eighteen years old, an impassable chasm.

“Maybe you should stop trying,” Xu Luwei offered objectively, her tone flat. “Objective conditions differ between people. For example, some people can roll their tongue, and some cannot.”

Xu Luzhi put down the yogurt and said glumly, “I know.”

She was a science student and knew biology well she had long been familiar with these facts.

She took a deep breath and glanced at the innocent yogurt beside her, feeling as if it were challenging her.

Recalling Lin Qingyue’s cat-like tongue, delicately licking up the yogurt to savor it elegantly, Xu Luzhi felt it was unfair.

It was just drinking yogurt, yet it was so complicated.

She couldn’t help but hand the newly opened spoon over. “Sister, you try.”

Xu Luwei wasn’t interested in playing such a childish game with Xu Luzhi, but under her sister’s expectant gaze, she finally resigned herself to taking it, saying, “Just once.”

“Just once is fine,” Xu Luzhi eagerly handed her the yogurt as well, waiting anxiously to see the result.

Xu Luwei closed her eyes. Whether she succeeded or not was irrelevant to her. Very casually, she scooped out a spoonful of yogurt, tried the method Xu Luzhi described extending her tongue to lick, then quickly sucking it in.

The next second, the spoon was completely clean, and the corner of Xu Luwei’s mouth was also spotless, not a bit of yogurt foam sticking to it.

Xu Luzhi’s eyes widened in surprise. “You succeeded! Sister, you’re amazing!”

Xu Luwei chuckled, returning the yogurt and spoon to her, saying lightly, “It’s nothing.”

There are things some people can do easily from birth, no matter how hard you try, you can’t achieve them.

That was what she wanted to convey to Xu Luzhi.

Xu Luzhi rolled around on the sofa, but halfway through, she remembered her stained clothes and abruptly stopped, sitting bolt upright. She stared at the yogurt in her hand, momentarily at a loss.

To see something you’ve worked so hard at being achieved effortlessly by someone else inevitably led to a sense of frustration.

Even though she had always been a top student at school, Xu Luzhi knew that in most aspects, her sister was stronger than her.

Even after seven years, she could still hear stories of her sister’s excellence at school, being held up as a model, passed down by teachers and classmates.

Most of the time, she was proud proud to have such an excellent sister, proud to be mentioned alongside her but at this moment, the meaning felt different.

Xu Luwei preferred to lecture indirectly. Even though she hadn’t said much, Xu Luzhi reasonably suspected that she wanted her to give up on Lin Qingyue.

Simply because of her age.

Xu Luzhi took a deep breath, finally shaking her head, and said softly, “Sister, I will work hard.”

Against the light, the girl’s eyes sparkled like stars. A gentle breeze stirred her hair. She was soft yet resolute: “I know I might fail, but I still want to try my best.”

A thousand attempts didn’t matter, or if that didn’t work, she could research a mathematical model and strictly follow the formula. As long as there was a chance, she would keep digging deeper.

As she said this, Xu Luzhi felt a pang in her heart, recalling Lin Qingyue’s always captivating demeanor, easily attracting rivals everywhere, yet never avoiding them.

She couldn’t help but curl up the corners of her lips again. Surrounded by admirers that was what it was like. Lin Qingyue was so beautiful and wonderful; she also needed to be in a high position to be worthy of her.

Xu Luwei calmly poured cold water: “What if you still fail in the end?”

She stepped forward and gently held the girl in her arms, feeling her still slender and tender body, and said softly, “Zhizhi, you are still young. Can you bear the consequences of this result?”

Your world is still too small right now; you easily mistake one person for your whole world. If one day you see a bigger world with your own eyes, will you still insist on your choice?

Will you regret your decision?

Xu Luzhi pressed against Xu Luwei’s chest, feeling the faint smell of bitter tea and her sister’s warmth, gently rubbing her cheek against her sister’s soft neck.

After quietly hugging for a while, she nodded solemnly, resting her chin lightly on her sister’s collarbone: “I want to try.”

Regardless of the outcome, she didn’t want to miss the person she fell for at first sight just because of her age or other reasons. Even if there might be pain and loneliness in the future, even if it might be heartbreaking, she wanted to have a beginning first.

Xu Luwei stroked Xu Luzhi’s back, caressing it up and down, momentarily forgetting her germophobia, only wanting to hold her sister with heartache.

Their views were completely opposite. She had experienced more and knew the value of responsibility and commitment, so she chose to refuse again and again. But Zhizhi was still young; she was passionate and bright, knowing only how to move forward without considering the consequences.

As an older sister, she couldn’t help but want to clear the obstacles on her path, but ultimately, the road had to be walked by herself.

Xu Luwei was silent for a long time, letting out a soft sigh. Her hand moved down, gently holding Xu Luzhi’s small hand, and she said gently, “Then Zhizhi, you must work hard.”

“Also, tell your sister if anything is wrong,” Xu Luwei earnestly reminded her.

Xu Luzhi was stunned, as if in disbelief. After a few seconds, she understood what Xu Luwei meant: “Sister, you… you agree?”

She couldn’t help but jump up and hug Xu Luwei’s neck. She felt an urge to kiss her sister but suddenly thought of something and couldn’t help but ask, “Sister, don’t you like… her?”

Xu Luwei smiled faintly and shook her head: “Just a friend.”

Not even a very close friend.

“I thought before…” Xu Luzhi muttered, her eyes glinting slyly, then she cheered happily, “Sister is the best!”

“Silly child,” Xu Luwei stroked her sister’s hair. Looking at it, her hair had grown quite a bit in half a month, dangling near her neck, making her feel hot just thinking about it in the summer.

Xu Luwei said, “I’ll take you to get a haircut another day.”

“Thank you, Sister!” Xu Luzhi looked up and smiled, her eyes curving into crescents, looking exceptionally well-behaved and sensible, making one feel protective of her.

She couldn’t help but rub her hands together, feeling an indescribable joy and delight in her heart.

She no longer had to worry about Lin Qingyue becoming her sister-in-law, nor did she have to worry about her sister objecting because of her age. With the major concern gone, Xu Luzhi got carried away and rolled around on the sofa again.

Xu Luwei didn’t mind the sofa this time and reminded her, “Aren’t you going to practice drinking yogurt anymore?”

Xu Luzhi closed her eyes and waved her hand: “No way.”

With her goal achieved, she could practice another day. If it really didn’t work out, if Lin Qingyue knew how, it would be the same as if she knew.

She could just go and take it from her.

Xu Luzhi thought, satisfied, and comfortably hugged a pillow while playing on her phone.

Xu Luwei laughed, watching her sister’s carefree appearance, and began to wonder if she had overthought things.

Even if she did break up with someone, she would probably forget quickly, right?

The confinement period ended, and Xu Luzhi could go out freely again.

She glanced at the calendar; today was Monday, a workday.

Without hesitation, she called Ying Yingying: “Let’s go to Minyue Hall together?”

Ying Yingying was greatly surprised: “Zhizhi, when did you become interested in such a scholarly, artistic thing? Are you going for tea or watching an opera?”

Xu Luzhi calmly replied, “To tutor you on your summer homework.”

“Sure thing, then it’s settled. I’m leaving right away,” Ying Yingying agreed readily. Just as she was about to hang up, she remembered something. “Zhizhi, you’re not going to see that pretty older sister, are you?”

She had camped out for three days waiting for that pretty older sister to show up. Although she hadn’t seen her face clearly, her aura alone was exceptional she couldn’t look away after one glance.

If it were Xu Luzhi, it was quite possible she went there specifically to see her.

Ying Yingying couldn’t help but gossip: “Hey, what’s your relationship with that pretty older sister?”

Xu Luzhi just said, “Oh,” and hung up the phone.

Ying Yingying: “?”

So enthusiastic about the pretty older sister, but treating her sister, who grew up with her, as disposable once she’s done with her is there any fairness in the world!

Despite her complaints, Ying Yingying was honest in action. She immediately stuffed her empty summer homework into her schoolbag, hardened her heart, and threw in the Five Years of College Entrance Exams, Three Years of Mock Tests as well.

Since Xu Luzhi was a problem-solving monster, doing problems of this difficulty was like chewing beans for her effortless.

She was free anyway. Showing off her problem solving skills in front of the pretty older sister would surely attract more attention.

Ying Yingying thought this way, adhering to the first principle of setting up her sister, and happily set off.

Meanwhile, Xu Luzhi changed into a set of clothes with reserved grace at home. She didn’t know what style Lin Qingyue would wear today, guessing it would be close to ancient Chinese style, so she picked a simple, light colored dress.

Though, if she didn’t choose, most of her dresses were basically simple and light colored anyway.

Along the way, the taxi drove smoothly. Xu Luzhi’s heart thumped. It had only been a few days since she last saw Lin Qingyue, but it felt like a long, long time, making her feel flustered even though she was close enough to touch.

The deep longing made her panic the moment she got out of the taxi, unsure of how to face Lin Qingyue.

Fortunately, before they reached the entrance, Ying Yingying dragged her into a torrent of chatter until Xu Luzhi expressionlessly told her to be quiet.

The entrance of Minyue Hall was wide and exquisitely decorated. Classical music was playing from a speaker at the door, but there were no people in sight.

Ying Yingying was a bit disappointed: “Maybe she’s not working today?”

Xu Luzhi shook her head and walked inside. Upon entering, she was met by a delicately carved large screen that completely blocked the view of the interior.

Faint music drifted out. Xu Luzhi keenly recognized that this time it was being played live.

Maybe it was Lin Qingyue playing.

A thought struck her, and she quickened her pace, moving to go around the screen, intending to rush in, when a woman appeared before her like a divine soldier descending from heaven, blocking the way.

Xing Fei smiled faintly, dressed in a long gown, and slowly extended her hand: “Tickets, please.”

Xu Luzhi: “…”

She tentatively asked, “Are you the owner here?”

Xing Fei retorted, “Do I look like a ticket seller?”

The woman in front of her looked to be in her thirties or forties, with gentle eyebrows but not a very patient temper.

Xu Luzhi didn’t ask for the price: “Two, please.”

After paying, she couldn’t help but ask, “Is the older sister who is playing… inside?”

After receiving the money, Xing Fei’s attitude took a 180 degree turn, and she said with a sweet smile, “Yes, they all are. Keep buying tickets, and you can even choose one to play in your private room.”

Xu Luzhi: “…”

Some novel plots uncontrollably popped into her mind, like a wealthy patron keeping a canary.

Now it seemed she could also “keep” Lin Qingyue?

Ying Yingying managed to interrupt in time, stating firmly, “Let’s get a small private room first. We’ll have some tea.”

“Okay, okay, okay, I’ll take you there!” Xing Fei immediately walked ahead enthusiastically.

Xu Luzhi cautiously quieted her footsteps while secretly glancing at the classical decorations around her, and couldn’t help but ask, “Why aren’t they playing at the door anymore?”