I Don't Want To Fall In Love With The Heroine [Quick Wear] - Chapter 17

Shao Liangrong called to ask about the wedding invitations.

“Sis, I just wrote your name and Bai Qian’s on the same invite. Saves paper, right? You cool with that?”

Bai Qian, who happened to have the phone in her hand, refused immediately. “Put me on Zhao Tong’s friend list. When it’s time to be seated, I’ll sit with her friends.”

“What’s wrong? Did you guys fight again? Bai Qian, a fight is a fight, but don’t be petty about the wedding. If you’re mad, take it out on my sister—slap her, make her kneel on a keyboard, make her step on a durian, whatever. I’m just an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire.”

Shao Zizhi chimed in teasingly, “Sounds like you and Zhao Tong play pretty rough.”

Shao Liangrong was her usual self; around people she knew, she had no filter. Hearing Bai Qian mention her partner, she couldn’t help but brag a little. “You bet. We actually have a new trick lately. You’ve had Pop Rocks, right? You put them on—”

“Shao Liangrong, are you an idiot? Even if that were your mother on the phone, you don’t need to give her a play-by-play!”

Zhao Tong’s voice drowned out Shao Liangrong’s from the other end. A second later, Bai Qian heard a distinct slap, followed by Zhao Tong’s embarrassed, furious roar: “If I hear you talking about this filth to Bai Qian again, we’re going to the Civil Affairs Bureau to get a divorce tomorrow!”

Bai Qian didn’t hear the rest—the call was abruptly cut off.

She patted her own cheeks, which were uncharacteristically flushed. Trust Shao Liangrong to play so ‘wild’ that she actually managed to make me blush.

Just as she was about to head into the kitchen to help Shao Zizhi, the phone rang again.

Zhao Tong’s angry voice had shifted back to its usual cold tone. “I didn’t hear the beginning. What was that moron talking to you about?”

“Just the invitations. Since you’re the one handling them, I’ll tell you directly: keep mine and Shao Zizhi’s separate. Put me at the table with your friends. That’s all.”

Zhao Tong’s reaction was identical to her partner’s. “Did you guys fight again?”

Bai Qian gritted her teeth. “No. Just do as I say, okay?”

“Fine. Next time you two lovebirds want to play some games, keep it between yourselves. No need to drag us outsiders into it.”

Bai Qian replied calmly, “Go back to your Pop Rocks.”

“Crazy woman!” Zhao Tong snapped and slammed the phone down.

****

Growing up, Shao Zizhi had always had nannies to handle the housework. Since moving out, the pampered girl had learned a few simple dishes. Usually, when they cooked, Bai Qian handled the complicated stuff while Shao Zizhi did the simple tasks. Whoever cooked, the other washed the dishes—it was a balanced arrangement.

“Your sister called.”

“What for?”

Bai Qian reached out to steady a tilting pan. “Asked about the invitations. I told her I’m sitting with Zhao Tong’s friends.”

Shao Zizhi pouted. “Why? You’re not sitting with me?”

“You’re the cousin; you’ll be at the family table. I’m not her relative, so why would I crowd in there?”

“You’ll be family sooner or later! I don’t care. Either you sit with me, or you agree to be my girlfriend. Choose, Bai Qian!”

Bai Qian tapped her forehead bluntly with an index finger. “You think I don’t know what you’re up to? If I sit at that table and your relatives start asking questions, what am I supposed to say? Trying to use your family to force my hand? I see you’re looking for another night on the sofa.”

Shao Zizhi’s expression shifted instantly. Like a balloon with a hole in it, she deflated into a limp, dejected heap. She silently carried the stir-fried lettuce to the dining table. “Dinner’s ready. Let’s eat.”

“Shao Zizhi, you’re acting weird.”

“Am I? I’m just hungry. Let’s eat!”

Bai Qian said coldly, “Either explain yourself, or I’m moving out.”

Shao Zizhi panicked, glaring at her with a piteous look. “You only ever use that to threaten me!”

“Are you going to tell me? If not, I won’t bother with dinner. I’ll just pack now.”

Shao Zizhi spoke in a voice so tiny it was barely a whisper. “What?” Bai Qian asked.

“My parents found out.”

Bai Qian: ?

Shao Zizhi stole a glance at her and immediately looked away. “On Christmas, my mom asked if I was coming back. The cook made roast chicken and she didn’t want me spending the holiday alone. I… I told her I had a date with you. So she figured it out.”

“Shao Zizhi!”

“You’re going to be with me eventually anyway! It doesn’t matter if they know now or later. Besides, there are benefits to them knowing early!”

Bai Qian’s lips curled into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Oh? Benefits, you say?”

Shao Zizhi nodded. “This Chinese New Year, they’ll give you two huge red envelopes! Bai Qian, nobody can refuse a stack of ‘Grandpa Mao’ bills, right?”

Heh.

Bai Qian was so incensed by the girl’s “act first, ask later” attitude that she didn’t even want to eat. She reached the door, but before she could leave, it was pulled open again.

The girl’s piteous face peeked from behind the gap, her eyes searching. “Bai Qian… after you’re done being mad, will you still like me?”

“No.”

Shao Zizhi burst into tears instantly. “You can’t not like me! You have to! Waaa… Bai Qian, I won’t do it again. Don’t hate me, waaa!”

Bai Qian asked, “Do you think something like this needs a second time? Are your parents goldfish with seven-second memories?”

“Waaa… then how can I make you forgive me? You can’t move out, you can’t give me the cold shoulder, and you can’t stop liking me!”

“You’re quite greedy. This isn’t allowed, that isn’t allowed… then how am I supposed to punish you?”

Shao Zizhi blushed through her tears. “Maybe you could kiss me? Make it so I can’t breathe? Or… like what Dugu Han did to Empress Jiang that night… that would work too.”

Bai Qian laughed out of pure frustration. “Shut the door. Go inside and finish your dinner. I’m going downstairs to calm my head.”

“When you come back… will you still like me?”

“Close the door. I’m leaving.”

“Bai Qian! Waaa! Do you like me or not? Bai Qian! Tell me! Do you? Waaa!”

Pestered to the point of irritation, Bai Qian snapped, “Why do you keep asking things you already know the answer to?”

Shao Zizhi’s eyes were watery. “So you really don’t like me anymore? Waaa… why?”

Pinned down by the girl’s lethal piteousness, Bai Qian walked back and gave her a perfunctory kiss on the forehead. “Shut up. Close the door. Okay?”

“I want a kiss on the lips!”

Bai Qian slammed her hand against the girl’s forehead and pushed her back inside with a dark face. “If I come back and see you haven’t eaten, you won’t even get the sofa tonight.”

From behind the door, Shao Zizhi asked, “Aren’t you going to eat?”

“No thanks. I’m full of anger.”

*****

Bai Qian took a lap around the neighborhood park. On her way back, she stopped by the supermarket and picked up a box of strawberries and some jackfruit. Passing the snack aisle, she saw the loose-leaf Pop Rocks on the shelf.

She walked over with an expressionless face, reached down, and picked up a packet.

A little girl with pigtails beside her spoke in a soft voice, “Big sister, the strawberry flavor is better. I had the blueberry one last time and it wasn’t good.”

Bai Qian’s expression softened slightly. “I don’t actually like these, but thank you for telling me.”

The child looked on in confusion as the strange adult carried the unwanted Pop Rocks to the checkout.

*****

Shao Zizhi hadn’t been a good girl; she hadn’t eaten. She was lying on the sofa watching short videos, giggling to herself. Hearing the door, she dropped her phone and ran to the entrance.

“Bai Qian! Are you hungry? I waited for you. Oh, you bought strawberries! Wait, Pop Rocks? Why did you buy these suddenly?”

Bai Qian’s eyes narrowed slightly, hiding a flicker of dangerous intent. “My anger is gone. Let’s eat.”

Shao Zizhi reached for the candy. “I haven’t had these in forever! But you only bought one bag. If we share it, it’ll be gone in no time.”

Bai Qian ruffled her hair with a smile that could be described as tender. “It’s all for you. Eat dinner first. There’s no rush for the candy.”

Unaware that this was a “needle hidden in silk,” the simple girl was captivated by the rare, gentle smile. She excitedly pulled Bai Qian toward the kitchen. “The food is cold; I’ll pop it in the microwave. If you’re hungry, have some fruit first.”

“Mmh.”

******

After a warm dinner and a reconciliation, the girl sat on the sofa with Bai Qian to watch a few episodes of the web drama Zhao Tong was starring in. Not because it was good, but purely to see how badly she could ruin a show. This was the third drama of hers they had watched; their mental fortitude had improved significantly.

When the leisure time ended, a blissful Shao Zizhi took a shower, unaware of what was coming. She sat on the edge of the bed, opened a jar of body lotion, and prepared to apply it to her legs.

Bai Qian snatched it away and snapped the lid back on. “Don’t use this tonight. I don’t like it.”

They hadn’t done a “Character Re-enactment” in a long time. It wasn’t that Shao Zizhi didn’t want to, but she had run out of roles. Bai Qian, who had become immune to the usual tricks, hadn’t given her the chance.

Hearing this, Shao Zizhi’s face—already flushed from the steam of the shower—turned a deeper shade of pink. She obediently put the lotion back and asked softly, “Then who do you want me to be tonight?”

Bai Qian leaned in, capturing half her lip in a light taste before pulling back. “Just be yourself. I don’t want to turn the lights off tonight. Is that okay?”

Shao Zizhi, who usually only let herself go under the cover of darkness, hesitated before her ears turned red. “Okay.”

“I’m going to shower. Be a good girl and wait for me.”

Bai Qian had never been this gentle before such an occasion. Previously, she had always been lured into a haze. To Shao Zizhi, wanting to experience her while fully conscious felt like a deep step forward in their relationship.

Tucked under the duvet, the girl thought: I should ask Shao Liangrong where they ordered their rings. I quite like them.

Footsteps approached. The fragrance of the woman, mingling with the scent of body wash, was intoxicating. Bai Qian drew close and gave the girl’s red nose a tender kiss.

“Someone really loves these,” Bai Qian whispered, showing the candy. “You might not accept them easily at first. I think I should warn you: no matter how much you cry later, I won’t stop. But don’t misunderstand—I do like you. Tonight is just a little punishment. So… are you ready, little girl?”

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