Fell In Love With My Older Sister’s Friend - Chapter 51

Lin Qingyue’s expression was calm. After her gaze lingered on the screen for a moment, she suddenly laughed: “Is that so?”

“Believe it or not.” Meng Fan said. She keenly sensed a storm was brewing, so she tried her best to keep her voice gentle and pitiable. “Qingyue, I only hope you aren’t misjudging people.”

“Your intentions don’t matter, but I don’t want you to be bullied.” Meng Fan forced a smile, her expression sad, with a hint of sincerity in her words.

She turned and left, leaving only the curtain swaying softly, the room empty, displaying a touch of desolation.

Lin Qingyue leaned back lazily in her chair, her phone resting on the desk, the screen lit up. She only glanced at it once and never wanted to look again, nor did she need to.

The background of the photo was the street outside the Minyue Music Shop. She recognized both people instantly: one was Xu Luzhi, and the other was Zhao Ru.

The picture wasn’t very clear, but the two were standing extremely close, almost touching. Zhao Ru was reaching out to stroke the young girl’s long hair, and Xu Luzhi did not pull away.

That was all; there were no further intimate actions.

It certainly couldn’t be called “intimate,” but lingering near the entrance of the Minyue Music Shop was still somewhat inappropriate.

Lin Qingyue closed her beautiful peach-blossom eyes and took a light breath.

Meng Fan truly understood her well, understanding her likely reaction upon seeing the photo.

She wasn’t a child anymore; how could she start a big fuss over such a degree of contact, or perhaps… feel jealous?

Thinking this, Lin Qingyue still frowned. Lunchtime was nearly ten minutes past. Was the delay on the road due to Zhao Ru?

Even though she tried hard to control it, a rare emotion slowly sprouted from the bottom of her heart, quickly growing like water weeds to fill her entire being. A sour, swelling, ineffable feeling.

She had waited for a long time always waiting for the sight of the young girl but the girl had met someone else first. And someone else had even touched her head.

Lin Qingyue’s expression turned cold, with a hint of confusion and helplessness appearing in her eyes. She knew clearly that she shouldn’t be led around by the nose, yet her emotions were unavoidably stirred, her thoughts in disarray.

One more minute, just one more minute. If she still hadn’t arrived, then she wouldn’t pay her any mind.

Xu Luzhi was completely unaware that she had just been photographed. Finally seeing off Zhao Ru, she bounced into the main entrance like a cheerful bird. After two steps, she remembered she should be reserved and slowly walked in, gently holding the hem of her skirt.

As she walked, her heart raced, and by the time she neared the main hall, she could no longer restrain herself, rushing in with quick steps.

The hall inside was empty, with only a few scattered chairs, none occupied. Let alone the figure of Lin Qingyue.

Xu Luzhi froze, standing silently with downcast eyes for a moment before realizing it was lunchtime. Naturally, no one would be in the main hall. But she had told Lin Qingyue to wait for her was Lin Qingyue not here either?

Xu Luzhi looked carefully again at every corner of the hall, even checking behind every screen, moving lightly, somewhat anxious, yet trying to hold her breath. Sister likes to play games; maybe she’s deliberately hiding to startle her. Yes, it must be that.

Xu Luzhi slowly circled, pacing the hall repeatedly, but she never saw the woman with long hair and a gentle smile. She composed herself, thinking perhaps Lin Qingyue was waiting in another spot. It was her fault for being late; her Sister must be hungry too.

Xu Luzhi opened her WeChat, typed a few words, and sent them, watching the phone screen, waiting quietly for a reply. After a long pause, a brief message came through “Upstairs.”

The text gave no hint of emotion, but Xu Luzhi keenly sensed that something was off. She quickly turned and headed toward the stairs, her heart feeling lightly squeezed. Maybe she was late, and Sister was angry. It didn’t matter; a little coaxing would fix it.

Lin Qingyue sat brooding in the private room, looking languid, a hint of a smile playing on her lips that held no hint of joy. She checked the clock for the 897th time; a full three minutes had passed.

Xu Luzhi had not arrived yet.

It was lunchtime, and Meng Fan had sent a message: “Want to have lunch together?” The second message: “Don’t go hungry.”

Lin Qingyue ignored them, swiped the messages away, and sat staring into space for a while. The next message notification popped up, vibrating twice lightly it was her special notification sound.

Lin Qingyue sneered inwardly. After all this time, did she finally remember to ask where she was?

Though she didn’t want to reply, her heart softened eventually, and she tapped out two simple characters and sent them.

Then came the endless, repeating wait. She hated waiting the most standing foolishly in one spot, watching the bustling traffic and passing pedestrians, everyone with a definite destination except for her, waiting for the unknown. The unknown brought fear she dreaded these days of counting time without direction. Even more, she feared an uncertain future. The future meant something that never arrived, perpetually waiting in fear for what would fall on her head a piece of chocolate or a brick no one knew.

Growing impatient, perhaps to mask her inner turmoil, Lin Qingyue’s gaze shifted back to the Guzheng. The broken string had been repaired. Too lazy to put on her picks, she casually strummed the strings. The music was mournful and plaintive, filled with lingering emotion, which even startled Lin Qingyue herself. After a while, she found it amusing. How useless, playing such a song. But emotion followed impulse; with added feelings of wistfulness and sorrow, even playing the Guzheng couldn’t calm her mind. Her feelings were tangled, and with nowhere to vent her frustration, Lin Qingyue sat down resentfully by the table to drink tea. The bitter tea in her throat caused a sharp clench in her heart, finally settling her mind a little.

The sound of light footsteps drifted from nearby. The curtain moved slightly, and the young girl slipped in, softly calling out, “Sister!” Her voice was full of joy and excitement, suppressed and restrained, yet clearly audible.

Lin Qingyue did not answer, only sipping her tea, her gaze fixed on the teacup, not sparing Xu Luzhi a glance. Silence filled the room, and the atmosphere gradually turned awkward. Xu Luzhi paused, startled that she didn’t receive the expected response, feeling a little discouraged and defeated. But it didn’t matter; Sister was angry, and she could coax her.

Xu Luzhi boldly stepped forward, leaning close to Lin Qingyue, and softly called out, “Sister.”

Lin Qingyue coldly avoided looking at her, sulking, unsure what she was truly mad about. “Sister, I was delayed a bit, it wasn’t intentional for me to be late, please don’t be angry anymore, okay?” Xu Luzhi’s voice was soft, sweet, and mellow, like a cup of coconut drink in the summer, melting like water.

She reached out to hug Lin Qingyue’s arm, intending to sway it gently while acting cute, but Lin Qingyue dodged her, causing her to miss and swing empty air. Xu Luzhi paused, realizing her Sister seemed genuinely a little angry. She wouldn’t even allow physical contact anymore.

“Sister, please don’t be angry anymore, okay?” Xu Luzhi’s voice grew softer, almost pleadingly coaxing. If she had a tail, she would surely not hesitate to wag it. “Sister, look, I got a new haircut! It’s long hair!”

Lin Qingyue couldn’t help but glance over upon hearing the words “long hair,” then quickly looked away as if trying to hide it. But even that single glance was enough for her to see clearly.

The young girl was dressed beautifully today. Perhaps because she was dressed more maturely, her features were even more refined than before, shedding the childish air and looking more like an adult. Her newly cut long hair fell to her neck, her bangs covered her eyebrows, and the ends curved inward near her cheeks the most fashionable “princess cut” making Xu Luzhi’s already small face look even tinier and more tender, small enough to be covered by one hand.

She wore a long, fitted dress that clearly showed her curves from top to bottom a flat stomach and a slight lift to her bust, standing proudly where it could no longer be ignored. Not to mention the boldly exposed collarbone, a beautiful ivory white that could almost hold a pool of clear spring water, with a necklace dangling on it, the pendant being a round pearl. Her fair ankles were visible, paired with small black leather boots, a small leather bag slung across her body, and she even carried a faint, subtle fragrance.

Lin Qingyue confirmed that Xu Luzhi’s cherry-red lips were not wearing lipstick, and she couldn’t help but smile faintly. In just three days apart, the little girl had grown up, no longer someone who could be treated as a child.

Xu Luzhi was naturally beautiful, and with this styling, she was breathtakingly lovely, exuding a radiance that was impossible to ignore. Lin Qingyue found herself staring, unable to look away. Although Lin Qingyue was still slightly bothered, after the first look, she couldn’t help but turn to look a second time. What was wrong with looking? It didn’t mean anything.

Thus, Lin Qingyue couldn’t resist, staring at Xu Luzhi from head to toe until the younger girl became shy, a blush coloring her small face as she bashfully lowered her head. Finally, she boldly lifted her face, with a pointed chin and round, bright eyes, and asked Lin Qingyue softly, “Sister… Am I beautiful?”

Yes, you are beautiful, no matter what. Lin Qingyue couldn’t deny it, but out of stubbornness, she refused to say so. She wanted to lie and say she wasn’t pretty, but the words just wouldn’t come out. After a long moment, she finally spoke sullenly, “Oh.”

Xu Luzhi pressed on: “What does ‘Oh’ mean?”

Lin Qingyue found this novel; she hadn’t even gotten truly angry yet, but the other person was already pouting, looking utterly wronged. “It means nothing.” Lin Qingyue intended to ignore her, but Xu Luzhi persisted, leaning over and pushing her head under Lin Qingyue’s hand with a wronged expression.

Lin Qingyue looked at the small head resting in her palm, not understanding the meaning. Xu Luzhi looked up, gazing at her pitifully: “Sister, don’t be angry anymore, can you stroke my head, okay?” The young girl’s cherry lips were slightly parted, her dark eyes wide, and her hands clasped together, looking incredibly obedient, making it impossible for anyone to stay angry. Not to mention she was offering her head up to be touched, which reminded Lin Qingyue of a Golden Retriever she once saw—when it made you angry, it would quietly approach, insisting you rub its tail. It felt much the same now.

Looking at Xu Luzhi’s expectant gaze, Lin Qingyue hardened her heart and said something sharp and aloof: “I don’t want things that others have touched.”

Xu Luzhi gasped, looking utterly wronged: “Who touched me?” “I washed it this morning, and came straight over, I didn’t let anyone touch it at all!” she emphasized urgently, grabbing Lin Qingyue’s hand, her eyes sincere, “Sister…”

Xu Luzhi pressed her cheek against Lin Qingyue’s palm, smiling softly: “Sister, only you get to touch, I don’t let anyone else touch…”