Fell In Love With My Older Sister’s Friend - Chapter 65

Having eaten her fill, Xu Luzhi washed her hands with seawater and leaned languidly next to Lin Qingyue, her eyes vacant as she watched Lin Qingyue suck on the red lips of her coconut wine.

Making conversation, Xu Luzhi asked, “Sister, aren’t you scared?”

Lin Qingyue was confused. “Scared of what?”

“Scared of that… raw one,” Xu Luzhi stammered, not even wanting to say the word ‘oyster.’ The thought of it sent a shiver down her spine; she was terrified.

Lin Qingyue smiled brilliantly. “Scared of what?”

Her peach blossom eyes curved, her long lashes fanned out. She lazily swung her legs and casually plucked some memories from her mind to tell the curious little friend: “…Later, a typhoon hit right on time, and the tide rose ten meters high. We sat by the floor to ceiling window of the guesthouse, drinking wine, watching the waves crash, and guessing whether the glass would break.”

“Another time in Yunnan, my wallet was stolen. Luckily, there were lots of bars there, so a few of us temporarily formed a small band and managed to earn our travel money.”

“Once, someone had a crazy idea and suddenly wanted to climb Mount Huangshan to pick up trash. All of us went along with her. When we were exhausted to death, we saw the most beautiful sunrise of our lives.”

These anecdotes, which were already among the less perilous ones, still made Xu Luzhi’s eyes widen in shock.

After a long moment, she whispered in awe, “Sister, you are amazing.”

To have traveled so widely in her twenties, experienced so much, have so many life-and-death close friends it was all so dramatic, like something out of a TV series.

Xu Luzhi said glumly, “I’ve also traveled to many places, but always with my parents or friends.”

Even when traveling, it was always with tour groups, private guides, or hosted by local family friends. Even if she wandered off, she would never be allowed to be in such a dangerous situation.

She had heard about various forms of budget travel, but she had never truly grasped the reality of it. Now, seeing the Lin Qingyue before her the Lin Qingyue who had been through so much, the Lin Qingyue who was so composed she seemed as brilliant as a goddess to the inexperienced Xu Luzhi.

Lin Qingyue shook her head and casually encouraged her, “In a few more years, you will be too.”

Xu Luzhi thought for a moment, then shook her head. “My sister definitely hasn’t experienced these things.”

Xu Luwei was a famous good student, always proper from childhood, never out of line. Having had a relationship with Yi Liang was already surprising enough. She would never do anything this rebellious. So, this had little to do with age.

Lin Qingyue propped her chin up lazily. “If you want to do it, then do it. Why worry about what your sister does?”

Xu Luzhi’s heart stirred. She realized she had never considered that possibility. Every step she had taken since childhood had been within a framework. Even minor rebellions stayed within the boundaries of a good girl. The things Lin Qingyue mentioned she hadn’t even thought about them, much less done them; they were instinctively excluded from her life plan.

But hearing Lin Qingyue’s stories, she suddenly realized that deep down, she also harbored a secret yearning the longing to cast everything aside and roam free.

Xu Luzhi stared at Lin Qingyue and then said softly and slowly, “Sister, I know.”

Lin Qingyue turned her head, her smile blooming, “Know what?”

Xu Luzhi shook her head gently. “Nothing.”

She suddenly felt she understood why, even before seeing Lin Qingyue, just hearing her hum a tune had made her fall for her. This spirit, this untamed nature Lin Qingyue was fundamentally different from her, attracting her instinctively from her very bones.

Xu Luzhi couldn’t help but wonder if the ill-tempered Yi Liang attracted Xu Luwei for the same reason? Always yearning for someone in a different world, rushing forward in a burst of passion, forgetting how a seabird and a fish are supposed to coexist.

She composed herself, unwilling to dwell on such complex questions, even though she vaguely felt something was still missing, she restrained herself from thinking about it. At least, for now, at seventeen, she deserved a chance to dream. A passionate, vibrant dream, not too fantastical or idealistic, but one that made her whole body flush with heat.

“Silly girl,” Lin Qingyue seemed to read her thoughts at a glance. “Not everyone is like me.”

Xu Luzhi blurted out, “That’s why Sister is so precious.”

Unique, one of a kind Lin Qingyue, someone captivating at a single glance.

She expected Lin Qingyue to be happy, but instead, she saw the woman gently shake her head, a hint of unspeakable loneliness mingling with her usual chic/free spiritedness, like a peacock that had folded its tail feathers, head held high with the same proud expression.

Lin Qingyue whispered, “Actually, sometimes I envy you more, Little Zhizhi.”

She reached out and took her hand, feeling the warmth of the small palm, and squeezed it unconsciously, thinking softly to herself, You don’t know how lucky you are, little one.

Her privileged family background, not inferior even among the elite families in Lincheng her excellent and strict upbringing; her loving and doting parents and sister and so many friends and mentors. A mere child’s birthday party could be grander than most people’s weddings. Plus, the confidence to easily aim for Tsinghua or Peking University though it was due to her own good grades, it was inseparable from her upbringing and support from the start.

Seventeen-year-old Xu Luzhi was completely unaware that her life was one of blossoming prosperity, where everything she wanted could be obtained, yet she envied Lin Qingyue’s casual freedom.

Only Lin Qingyue knew that her own seventeenth year was a sky perpetually gray and drizzly, the village steeped in silence. The beautiful young girl fled the mountain village, and surprisingly, did not fall into ruin or get deceived. Relying on her somewhat clumsy mastery of the Guzheng, she made many friends. Afterward, she drifted through life, her maturity rapidly hastened by alcohol. Friends came and went; when they came, they drank and sang together; when they left, they departed with a song, unrestrained and wild, never holding back.

Her footprints covered North and South China. In the Weicheng base, she had already made quite a name for herself. Everyone knew Lin Qingyue was beautiful, hospitable, free-spirited, and generous, discussing everything except romance, and having an especially high tolerance for alcohol.

Until the beautiful dream ended and the nightmare descended, she hastily left Weicheng and gradually established roots in Lincheng. Her past was like bubbles in a dream; many times, Lin Qingyue herself wondered if it had truly happened, only to be kept constantly alert in the middle of the night. She did not want to see that man again, did not want to be humiliated again, especially not in front of Xu Luzhi.

It was better to just let her keep thinking that she was so unrestrained and free.

Xu Luzhi obediently allowed Lin Qingyue to hold her hand, gently holding her slender knuckles back, leaning quietly against Lin Qingyue. She sensed something keen, but was unwilling to dwell on it, only smiling sweetly, “Then I’ll share everything I have with Sister.”

The princess bed, the food Aunt Lin cooked, even her parents she could share them all with Lin Qingyue. She could even give everything to Lin Qingyue then she could rely on Sister to protect her.

“Silly girl,” Lin Qingyue chuckled, gently resting her chin on Xu Luzhi’s head. Although the words were childish, they felt soothing to hear.

Xu Luzhi didn’t move. “I’m serious, Sister.” She truly was willing; she was willing to do anything for the person she liked.

“I know,” Lin Qingyue murmured low, squeezing Xu Luzhi’s palm. “Let’s go for a walk.”

Skipping over the topic, the two walked hand in hand on the beach for a while. The sea breeze was vast and open, blowing away the summer heat. As night began to fall, Xu Luzhi asked, “Sister, aren’t you going to join the Boss and the others?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized something was off.

As expected, Lin Qingyue laughed good-naturedly, “The Boss and the Madam are glued together all day; how could they want to hang out with wallflowers like us?”

“That’s true too,” Xu Luzhi considered, then asked, “What are you doing tonight?”

Lin Qingyue said casually, “Eating barbecue, drinking some wine, maybe swimming.” She had a rare, long holiday, so naturally, she should relax well. Even if it was just by herself, it was better than nothing.

Xu Luzhi subconsciously asked, “With whom?”

Seeing the girl’s tense expression, Lin Qingyue intentionally teased her, “Naturally, with…”

Changing her tone mid-sentence, she left the rest hanging, unwilling to elaborate further.

Xu Luzhi immediately grew anxious and said angrily, “Sister is not allowed to be with others.”

“Why?” Lin Qingyue asked calmly.

“Because… because” Xu Luzhi suddenly couldn’t find a reason, finally huffing lightly, “Because Sister will lead others astray!” Drinking every day, only knowing how to drink!

“Is that so?” Lin Qingyue chuckled with delight and leaned close to Xu Luzhi’s ear, “Then should I lead Little Zhizhi astray?”

The woman’s faint, warm breath brushed past her ear, tickling her. Xu Luzhi’s face instantly turned red.

She forced herself to reply, “It’s not about leading astray, it’s about you turning over a new leaf and going straight.”

Lin Qingyue seemed to realize something, smiling coyly, “Then Teacher Zhi will have to keep an eye on me while I change.”

“Otherwise, I won’t be able to change.”

The address “Teacher Zhi” made Xu Luzhi feel delighted. She gripped Lin Qingyue’s hand tightly, wishing she could stare at her from now until the middle of the night.

She was about to blurt out “Okay!” when she abruptly noticed the setting sun slowly sinking on the horizon. Where the sky met the sea, the waves were dyed golden orange, and seagulls circled overhead, crying out a beautiful, magnificent spectacle beyond compare.

“It’s so beautiful,” Xu Luzhi murmured. What more could one ask for than to stand beside the person one likes and appreciate such a view?

Lin Qingyue stood shoulder to shoulder with her, leaning slightly against Xu Luzhi, her peach blossom eyes curved, smiling without speaking. She had seen sights more spectacular than this, but back then, it was only for novelty, with little lingering; it lacked the calm serenity of this moment, which offered a warm presence to lean against.

After watching the sunset for a while, Xu Luzhi said reluctantly, “Sister, I have to go back.” Her head drooped, but her eyes were sparkling, because she knew she could see Lin Qingyue again tomorrow.

“Go ahead,” Lin Qingyue waved her off, without much reluctance in her expression, just a relaxed, gentle smile.

“Then Sister, you are not allowed to drink,” Xu Luzhi cautioned.

“I’ll drink in my room,” Lin Qingyue replied. “Is that acceptable?”

Xu Luzhi grudgingly agreed, took a few steps, then scurried back, whispering, “Sister, can I come find you tonight?” She had to have dinner and an evening stroll with her family, but once it was time for bed, she could sneak out.

“Why are you looking for me?” Lin Qingyue asked.

Xu Luzhi stared at her. “To watch you change.”

“Sure,” Lin Qingyue nodded lazily, her smile suggestive. The gentle words carried on the sea breeze made the area around Xu Luzhi’s ears burn.

“I’ll wait for you in bed, little one.”