Fell In Love With My Older Sister’s Friend - Chapter 86.1

After entering university, Xu Luzhi experienced a higher and broader world. Things she previously thought were sufficient now seem inadequate. Consequently, she feels anxious and constantly feels the need to study hard and grow up quickly.

But Lin Qingyue cannot wait for her indefinitely, and she won’t allow herself to keep leading Lin Qingyue on like this.

In fact, the relationship between them is so ambiguous that it only requires a thin layer of window paper to be pierced.

Xu Luzhi is even certain that Lin Qingyue likes her.

However, remembering the cautionary tale of Xu Luwei and Yi Liang, she suddenly becomes possessive and fearful, worried that she will only gain fleeting happiness.

Wanting too much leads to dissatisfaction, leading to constant apprehension, treading on thin ice.

How could she not want to hold Lin Qingyue in her arms as soon as possible? How could she suppress the thoughts that arose every night?

But she wants too much, too much. She wants to plan everything, wait until everything is mature, wait until…

Xu Luzhi suddenly understood why Xu Luwei was unwilling to admit Yi Liang’s identity, and why Yi Liang was so resolute.

Circumstances force one’s hand; there is no right or wrong, only being caught between two difficult choices.

Whether to advance a step or retreat a step, she fears losing you in either case.

Amidst the chirping of birds, Xu Luzhi pressed her palms together, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly.

The cold wind howled, the silver bells chimed, and she closed her eyes, earnestly praying to the gods and Buddhas.

For the long journey ahead, she prayed for a result not necessarily a lifetime of perfection, but simply… a result.

At the very least, she wished for Lin Qingyue to be happy for a lifetime. Even if she couldn’t accompany her to the end, she would have no regrets.

On the way back, Xu Luzhi seemed less cheerful than when they arrived and even deliberately kept a slight distance from Lin Qingyue.

Lin Qingyue noticed something but didn’t point it out, only maintaining a faint, almost imperceptible smile on her lips.

Halfway through the journey, Xu Luzhi suddenly asked in a low voice, “Sister, what wish did you make?”

Lin Qingyue shook her head, “I didn’t wish for anything.”

Faced with Xu Luzhi’s disbelieving look, she affirmed, “Really.”

If she had to have one, it would be to find one person and avoid another.

It’s just that the former had been missing for years, whereabouts unknown, possibly dead or alive. As for the latter… Lin Qingyue showed a cold smile; four words were enough to describe it: a persistent nuisance.

But she did not make a wish related to them. She didn’t know why, but as she stood before the tall pagoda, her thoughts were entirely focused on Xu Luzhi on the other side.

Without even thinking, she knew Xu Luzhi’s wish would be related to her.

A revelation so obvious that it couldn’t be hidden, it was already in the open, only needing a gentle touch to break through.

It wasn’t that she was unwilling or didn’t want to; it was just that she was overwhelmed with fear.

Xu Luzhi herself was completely unaware, treating her like a deity, not realizing that in the eyes of most people, Xu Luzhi was the one who resembled a goddess.

She was so outstanding; even at a young age, she already shone brightly. In a few more years, she would meet more and better women, or perhaps men.

She would realize that Lin Qingyue was just one of the most ordinary women.

Lin Qingyue curved her lips in self-mockery, her gaze distant. Through the flying birds and a thousand mountains, she seemed to see the endless turning of time.

Her wish was simple: hoping Xu Luzhi would grow up, and hoping Xu Luzhi wouldn’t grow up.

She feared that once she grew up, she wouldn’t want her anymore.

Lin Qingyue curved her lips and casually asked, “What about you, Little Zhizhi, what did you wish for?”

Xu Luzhi shook her head, mimicking her light tone, “Nothing much.”

Lin Qingyue smiled faintly and didn’t expose the pretense.

The two still held hands as intimately as when they arrived, yet they felt miles apart, each harboring different thoughts.

Later, Xu Luzhi asked Xu Luwei how not to be heartbroken after a breakup.

Xu Luwei only said indifferently, “It’s like it always rains in Lincheng. After it rains too much, you get used to it.”

If sadness becomes background music, even you will ignore it.

Only occasionally would one sigh, “The weather is really cold today.”

It felt as if a piece was missing somewhere, carried away by someone else.

In the blink of an eye, the silk tree flowers bloomed all over the branches, and Xu Luzhi’s birthday drew nearer, yet the relationship between her and Lin Qingyue became increasingly strained.

It seemed that both sensed Xu Luzhi would soon come of age. Their way of interacting became more cautious, involuntarily adhering to the unspoken rules for same-sex couples in reality; even holding hands felt overly intimate.

The two who were once so familiar became polite and reserved, maintaining a respectful distance even when walking, as if deliberately avoiding each other.

It was precisely because they cared too much that they became unsure how to act, afraid of being too forward.

However, the summer vacation was inevitable. In ten days, it would be Xu Luzhi’s birthday.

Xu Luzhi decided to give herself a short summer break. She invited Lin Qingyue out for their usual barbecue.

She was uncharacteristically different; she didn’t watch to stop Lin Qingyue from drinking too much alcohol. Instead, she raised her own glass and poured for herself.

Under the night sky, the glasses were hazy. The liquid in the cup looked crystal clear under the light. Xu Luzhi lightly rubbed the rim of her glass, staring at the unusually pretty liquid, wondering if drinking it could boost her courage.

Her dress style was no longer so plain. Although still conservative compared to the trendy “spicy girl” look, she showed her arms and legs without hesitation. For the cool summer night, she even wore a little camisole with a small jacket that covered very little, exposing her beautiful collarbone, her long hair cascading down, her delicate face looking even more exquisite and lovely.

She was growing up too fast, while Lin Qingyue remained lazy, finishing the wine in her glass in one gulp, her peach blossom eyes stained with a beautiful flush. Her face showed no trace of time, stunningly beautiful.

Xu Luzhi was captivated by the sight. With a burst of boldness, she raised her cup and downed the wine, her face quickly turning red. Her eyes became misty, and she got drunk faster than she expected.

Lin Qingyue pulled the glass from her hand and replaced it with a bottle of juice, saying nothing. She simply placed the wine bottle and the juice side-by-side, letting Xu Luzhi choose for herself.

Xu Luzhi hesitated, then obediently drank the juice. With stars in her dazed eyes, she asked Lin Qingyue, “Sister, is being an adult any different?”

Could just one night turn a person into someone else, allowing them to do everything they couldn’t before?

Was it really that magical? Or did that single night possess some wonderful magic that could mature one’s mind in an instant?

Lin Qingyue slowly took a sip of beer and shook her head, saying softly, “There’s no difference.”

For her, the biggest difference might be being able to leave that house openly. Beyond that, her eighteenth year wasn’t celebrated with blessings like Xu Luzhi’s she just drank a bottle of wine alone and faced the struggles of life by herself.

The similarity in their experiences was why she was willing to take Yi Liang as an apprentice.

Xu Luzhi, however, was the complete opposite innocent and beautiful, shielded from all the cruel things, a girl raised in a fairy tale, making others envious.

But she herself never felt superior, she just felt it was natural.

Lin Qingyue admired the beautiful girl across from her, smiling charmingly. She took the wine bottle away, “When you’re eighteen, you can drink alcohol. So… can you wait patiently for a few more days, little one?”

Her words seemed to hint at something. Xu Luzhi’s heart stirred, and she said softly, “Okay.”

She then emphasized her tone, saying seriously, “Don’t call me ‘little one’ anymore.”

“I’m grown up now, Sister.”

Very soon, she would be an adult and could do what she wanted.

Lin Qingyue curved her lips, “Oh, really? But right now, you’re still a little one.”

She took the opportunity to gently touch Xu Luzhi’s soft head, chuckling lightly, full of mature charm.

Xu Luzhi suddenly thought of something, “Sister, when is your birthday?”

It had been a year, and it seemed she had never seen Lin Qingyue celebrate a birthday.

Lin Qingyue shook her head, gravely stating, “I don’t celebrate birthdays.”

She truly didn’t celebrate. In the past, her mother would cook her a poached egg and make her a bowl of longevity noodles, watching her quietly finish eating.

After her mother passed away, she no longer needed to celebrate.

The person who gave birth to her was nowhere to be found; what face did she have to celebrate that birthday?

Xu Luzhi looked at her quietly. Under the light, the woman’s figure seemed slender, her expression a mix of allure and worldliness from the wine.

Lin Qingyue was already twenty-five. Others might already have a car, a house, and be full of vigor.

But the woman before her seemed to have experienced all the vicissitudes of life, approaching everything with a casual, indifferent attitude, rarely needing anything essential.

It was this very trait that made Xu Luzhi’s heart ache the most, and also what fascinated her the most.

Xu Luzhi said softly, “Then, Sister, can you come celebrate my birthday with me? Just treat it as celebrating one for you too.”

“Sister still owes me a birthday gift.”

A unique birthday gift, belonging only to little Xu Luzhi.