I Will Fall Madly In Love With - Chapter 10

Mimi and I curled up comfortably on the sofa, each holding a book to read attentively. Before long, Mimi seemed to lose interest in the book in her hands. She set it down, stretched lazily, and turned on the computer beside her.

As the screen lit up, Mimi clicked skillfully through her browser, accessing the interface of her online store. She stared intently at the screen, carefully inspecting every product image and description, occasionally clicking on links to check customer comments and reviews.

I immersed myself back into the world of my book, though I would occasionally look up at Mimi, admiring the focused way she worked. Throughout the entire afternoon, the room was filled only with the gentle rustle of turning pages and the clicking of keys, creating a tranquil and cozy atmosphere.

Time slipped quietly away. As the sunset outside gradually dipped westward, dyeing the edge of the sky with a warm glow, we realized that the quiet afternoon was drawing to a close.

A crisp sound echoed as the front door opened Mom was back from work. She carried a bulging large bag in her left hand and several delicate smaller bags in her right, all stuffed to the brim with various items, looking thoroughly heavy.

She walked in with a slightly weary gait and placed her belongings on the dining table.

Catching sight of Mimi and me lounging on the sofa, Mom’s face bloomed into a bright, radiant smile. “Darlings, you must’ve been waiting a while! Look what goodies I brought back for you!” With that, Mom deliberately shook the shopping bags, as if parading a hidden treasure chest.

Despite being nearly thirty years old, in Mom’s eyes, we apparently remained little kids who would never grow up.

Mimi and I exchanged a glance, our hearts brimming with curiosity. We watched as Mimi swiftly abandoned her computer, scurrying over to Mom like a little bunny. Taking the bags proactively, she pulled them open with eager anticipation.

Upon spotting the chicken cutlets inside, Mimi’s eyes lit up instantly. Her face radiated excitement as she cheered, “Wow, Auntie! Is this Sister Li’s fried chicken cutlet that we used to love so much when we were kids? I haven’t tasted this flavor in forever!”

Mom smiled and nodded. “Mhm, you two loved this most when you were little. I had to wait in line for ages to get it.”

“Mom, how was work today? Did it go smoothly?” Seeing the lingering fatigue on Mom’s face, I couldn’t help asking with concern. Mom was a high school English teacher, and today was her first day back at work after the summer vacation, so she undoubtedly had a mountain of tasks to handle.

Hearing my question, Mom smiled gently and replied, “Smoothly, smoothly, don’t worry about Mom, just focus on recovering. Mom was actually thinking of taking care of you a bit longer, but you insisted on rushing me back to work.”

I knew Mom was worried about me, but I didn’t want my illness to disrupt her job.

Consequently, I stood up with a breezy air, spun around in a circle, and told Mom, “See, Mom, I’m completely fine. Oh, by the way, I’m planning to go back to work next week.”

Mom looked at me with a mixture of relief and reassurance. “Alright, going back to work is fine too, just don’t push yourself too hard.”

Mimi chimed in from the side, “Big Sis, your body just recovered shouldn’t you take a bit more time off to rest?”

I shook my head gently, a resolute expression dawning on my face. “It’s fine, I’ve rested enough. Besides, the doctor said that re-engaging with the outside world is actually beneficial for my recovery.” With that, I offered a soft smile, hoping to put Mom’s and Mimi’s minds at ease.

Mom nodded in agreement.

Sitting by the dining table and munching on the chicken cutlet she had just unpacked, Mimi told Mom, “Auntie, don’t worry once Big Sis goes back to work, I’ll keep taking care of her.” Then she turned to me. “Big Sis, come try this, it’s the exact taste from our childhood.”

I walked over to the dining table and gave her nose a playful flick. “You little foodie.” Then I picked up a piece of the cutlet to taste. Though I couldn’t quite recall the exact sensation of eating it in my youth, my taste buds honestly confirmed that the flavor was intimately familiar.

“Mhm… it really is the taste of our childhood,” I remarked with a hint of nostalgia.

Hearing this, Mom smiled warmly. “As long as you both like it. I also bought some fruit and snacks and left them here for you to munch on during the day.”

“Thank you, Mom (Auntie)!” Mimi and I chorused in unison.

After finishing the chicken cutlets, I helped Mom prep dinner. Meanwhile, Mimi kept us entertained by recounting a bizarre customer encounter she had dealt with at her online store today, triggering bursts of laughter from us as mirth rippled through the air.

Following dinner, Mimi and I decided to go out for a stroll. Hand in hand, we wandered through the residential garden, basking in the tranquility and beauty of the night.

“Big Sis, did you really mean it when you said you’re going back to work next week?” Mimi blinked her large, watery eyes up at me, a hint of anxiety shadowing her gaze.

“Mhm, my workplace checked in on my recovery status, and I feel like I’ve recuperated enough, so I’m planning to return next week,” I nodded gently, answering with utmost sincerity.

“But Big Sis, your workload is so intense won’t you get too exhausted?”

“Big Sis, since you’re going back to work, can I commute with you and drop you off and pick you up every single day?”

“Big Sis, you haven’t worked in so long will you even be able to adjust?”

“Oh no, wait, what if your boss sends you out of town on a business trip?!”

…

Without waiting for my answer, Mimi fired off a flurry of self-posed questions.

Suddenly, she took a giant stride forward, spun around swiftly to block my path, and stared straight into my eyes with a burning gaze, her expression turning dead serious. “Big Sis, I’m coming to work with you.”

Hearing that, I widened my eyes in disbelief and retorted, “You’re coming to work with me? How is that even possible? I’m thirty years old, do I really need someone to chaperone me to work?”

Yet Mimi refused to back down an inch, answering with unyielding determination, “Why not? My online store only needs a computer to operate anyway aside from advertising shoots, everything else can be handled online.” She pressed on, “Besides, Big Sis, you just turned twenty-nine! Don’t you dare call yourself thirty!”

Looking at the dead-serious Mimi before me, I smiled helplessly. “Alright, alright, fine, twenty-nine. Even at twenty-nine, I don’t need a babysitter at work.” With that, I reached out to pinch her chubby little cheek.

Disregarding my objections, Mimi clutched my hand and pressed forward. “So, I’ll go talk to your boss and ask them to set up a reception room for me. That way, whenever you need help with anything, I’ll be on call and right by your side.” Mimi nodded repeatedly, looking thoroughly confident in her master plan.

“Big Sis~” Seeing that I hadn’t agreed, she dropped her head and whimpered pathetically, looking for all the world like a little kitten begging her owner for treats.

“We’ll look into it slowly later.” Unable to bear turning her down flat, I resorted to a delaying tactic to pacify her for the moment.

“Mhm~” Hearing those words, she snapped out of her gloom instantly, beaming brightly as she spun around and bolted back toward home like a joyful little rabbit.

Easter Egg

(Office at Liaocheng No. 1 Senior High School)

“Sister Yang, how is Xiao Yan’s recovery coming along at home?” Chen Si, a fellow Chinese teacher in the office, asked Yan Moyi’s mother.

“Her physical wounds are healing decently, but she suffered amnesia after waking up, she doesn’t remember anything from the past,” Yan Moyi’s mother replied with a hint of melancholy.

“Ah? Does that mean she doesn’t remember Lao Yan either…?” the Chinese teacher asked in shock.

“Mhm.” Yan Moyi’s mother nodded.

“Sigh, maybe it’s for the best that she forgot those things. Try not to worry too much,” Chen Si said, standing up to pull Yan Moyi’s mother into a comforting embrace.