She Adopted Me After My Biological Mother Passed Away - Chapter 51

Pond Night Rain: I had no idea I was an avoidant type.

Shi Shuxue thought Pond Night Rain would praise her or acknowledge her progress. She never expected to receive such a critique instead.

Her fingers curled inward, and the color slowly drained from her lips. “I just wanted to coordinate with you. In a band, isn’t the bassist supposed to follow the beat of the drums?”

“Coordination is expected, but what Lin Canglian wanted you to find was your own feeling, not a way to better attach yourself to me. You don’t even dare to show your own stuff, you place yourself in a position subordinate to mine. Is that all you want to be in front of me, a foil?”

The emotions suppressed deep in her heart suddenly erupted. Pond Night Rain stared unblinkingly at Shi Shuxue’s reddening eyes, showing no sign of softening. Instead, she threw out the questions she had been holding back for a long time:

“Shi Shuxue, have you thought about the future? What do you actually want to do? Do you want to be a bassist who only knows how to cooperate with others for the rest of your life, or do you want to try being a music producer and create something of your own? Are you planning to just find a regular job after graduation, or are you just going to follow the arrangements and join my company?”

The string of questions hit Shi Shuxue’s heart like a series of heavy hammers. Looking at Pond Night Rain’s expression and hearing those sharp words, a surge of grievance welled up inside her.

Pond Night Rain had never spoken to her like this. Pond Night Rain used to tell her that being relaxed was the most important thing, that she shouldn’t be constrained, and that how she played or which path she took was her own business.

She didn’t understand why her effort to cooperate perfectly had become a reason for criticism. Nor did she understand what right Pond Night Rain had to judge her like this. She wasn’t a bassist who only knew how to follow others, she only became like this in front of Pond Night Rain.

“I don’t want to be a foil! I want to do well too!” Shi Shuxue choked back her stubborn tears. “I thought I did really well this time. I thought you would like it… It turns out you don’t like my playing at all, and you don’t like me being like this, do you?”

The more she spoke, the more upset she became. Her phone fell to the ground with a clack, the screen still lit up on the recording interface. The frame only showed her bass, there wasn’t a single trace of Pond Night Rain.

She was always trying her best to get closer to Pond Night Rain, yet she couldn’t even grab the hem of her clothes.

Seeing that she was on the verge of tears, Pond Night Rain felt a sharp pang in her heart. She was about to explain, but Shi Shuxue crouched down, snatched up her phone, and sprinted out of the rehearsal room.

“Shi Shuxue!” Pond Night Rain called out, her voice panicked.

But Shi Shuxue didn’t look back. She moved quickly and soon vanished beyond the door.

What a mess. Pond Night Rain went after her in a fit of frustration.

That evening, they returned together, looking like “bitter enemies.”

Pond Night Rain took charge of the “bitter” part, while Shi Shuxue handled the “enemy” part.

They had tempura for dinner, sitting side by side. Shi Shuxue still handed Pond Night Rain the pickled red ginger. Thinking she wasn’t angry anymore, Pond Night Rain relaxed a bit and tried to strike up a conversation. “Xiaoxue, let’s change cities tomorrow, okay?”

Shi Shuxue stuffed a fried shrimp into her mouth and said flatly, “Mmhmm.”

“What do you mean ‘mmhmm’?” Pond Night Rain asked.

Shi Shuxue said sullenly, “If I say I’ll listen to whatever you say, will you blame me for not having my own opinions again?”

Hearing this, Pond Night Rain knew she was still dwelling on what happened that afternoon. She rubbed her forehead, set down her chopsticks, leaned over to take her hand, and said gently, “How could I blame you? I like you no matter how you are, Xiaoxue. This afternoon was my fault. I shouldn’t have judged you like that. You’re an adult, even without my words, you can find your way out of a temporary fog.”

Shi Shuxue let out a cold snort, thinking to herself: So fake.

She shook off Pond Night Rain’s hand, added a massive amount of wasabi soy sauce to her fried food, and took a huge bite along with the rice.

“Did you upload the video? Post it online for everyone to see. Let them guess who the drummer behind the camera is,” Pond Night Rain continued to coax her like a child. “This is our first ensemble together, and the coordination was fantastic. Even if you don’t post it, send a copy to me so I can treasure it.”

Shi Shuxue’s eyes widened as she glared at her. “I deleted it.”

“You deleted it? I don’t believe you,” Pond Night Rain said.

“Believe it or not.” Shi Shuxue ignored her.

“Really? No way?” Pond Night Rain nagged, pestering her arm and trying to grab her phone, only to be slapped away by Shi Shuxue.

Pond Night Rain hadn’t expected her to be so “cruel.” After spending the entire afternoon and evening trying to coax her with no success, she was starting to get frustrated herself. With several “injuries” on her body from the scuffle, her eldest-miss temper flared up, and she was no longer willing to keep soothing her.

With cold faces, they settled the bill together, left the shop, and returned to the hotel. One sank into the sofa and refused to move, while the other ran into the bathroom to escape reality.

Shi Shuxue truly couldn’t stand the atmosphere of being in the same room as Pond Night Rain. She locked the bathroom door, stood as far as possible from the toilet, kept a certain distance from the wall, and took out her phone to start typing.

She had opened an account on Redbook and posted a plea for help.

[Question: How do I get my girlfriend to like me?]

As a new account, her traffic was quite good. Within two minutes, someone replied to the post.

[Comment 1:] You’d better be joking.

[Comment 2:] If she doesn’t like you, how did you two become a couple?

Shi Shuxue replied to the second comment: Because her “like” for me isn’t that kind of feeling.

[Reply to Shi Shuxue:] Ohhh, I get it. Maybe she just has a good impression of you and said yes because you were good to her.

[Reply to Shi Shuxue:] Then that is indeed a bit difficult.

[Reply to Shi Shuxue:] Friend, give us more details! How long have you known each other? How did you get together? How do you usually interact? There’s too little info to diagnose!

Shi Shuxue replied to the user who called her “friend”: We’ve known each other for a long time. She usually takes care of me more. Her feeling toward me is like a feeling for a junior. Getting together… was my request, and she didn’t refuse.

[Reply to Shi Shuxue:] Junior? Is there a big age gap? Are you the younger one?

Shi Shuxue didn’t dare reveal too much personal information and replied vaguely: The difference is around ten years.

[Reply to Shi Shuxue:] Hiss… that is indeed tricky. But since you’re already a couple, it means there’s hope!

Shi Shuxue thanked the helpful netizens for their encouragement, but she still couldn’t find a solution in the thread.

Just then, an account with a real person profile picture replied with a long paragraph.

[Comment 3:] Speaking of this, I used to feel like I couldn’t catch my boyfriend’s heart either. Later, I read an article about demand differences in intimate relationships on the public account “Heartbeat Frequency,” and I suddenly understood! It’s not that they don’t love you, it’s that the broadcasting and receiving channels for love aren’t aligned! Highly recommend the OP check it out, the analysis is incredibly accurate!

Before Shi Shuxue could finish reading, several people replied instantly.

Thanks, sis! I checked it out, super useful! Ahhh, I’m going to follow it right now! It really works!

Shi Shuxue frowned but decisively switched to WeChat to search for that “Heartbeat Frequency” account. Her eyes skimmed over the articles, and she clicked “follow.”

Immediately after, a user named “momo” replied to that comment: This is a soft ad. OP, don’t be fooled.

Shi Shuxue was stunned. Were ads done like this nowadays?

momo continued to exert effort: OP, don’t listen to that advertisement. I have a way. You can try acting spoiled (sa jiao) with your girlfriend more to capture her soft side.

Acting spoiled? Shi Shuxue had just been criticized by Pond Night Rain that afternoon. Seeing those words, her eyebrows knit tightly together.

[Shi Shuxue:] I never act spoiled.

[momo:] Why?

[Shi Shuxue:] Because I am a mature person.

[momo:] See, that’s where the problem lies.

[Shi Shuxue:] What problem?

[momo:] Aiya, you’re the younger one. I understand your desire to stay composed because you’re worried about being seen as childish, but sometimes it’s important to target the other person’s weakness! If my partner acted spoiled with me, I would have absolutely no resistance!! How do you know your girlfriend won’t fall for it if you don’t try?

Shi Shuxue was suddenly a bit moved by the argument. It seemed… to make some sense.

This “momo” with the pink profile picture was actually quite a nice person. Shi Shuxue noticed they even shared the same IP address.

[momo:] Wait a sec, I’ll DM you.

momo typed for a minute or two and sent a very detailed guide.

[momo’s DM:] OP, acting spoiled doesn’t mean you have to use a high-pitched, whiny voice. It has many forms. For example:

Method One: Appropriate Vulnerability. You’re usually too capable. Try letting her do small things for you. Like: “I can’t get this right, can you help me look at it?” (Even if you actually know how).

Shi Shuxue thought about saying such things to Pond Night Rain and suddenly realized, isn’t that exactly how Pond Night Rain usually acts? Always nagging her about random things, having her help with buttons, peeling lotus seeds, or handing her things like a little maidservant.

momo continued:

Method Two: Increase Non-Essential Contact. While walking, suddenly lean in and stick close to her, or rest your head on her shoulder for a bit. Build up physical dependency.

Shi Shuxue remembered that Pond Night Rain had done this from the very beginning. She was clingy in such a bizarre way, but she had to admit it was effective. She fell for it completely.

Method Three: Be Willful Once in a While in Her Way. For instance, suddenly say “I don’t want to eat this today, let’s go to that place you mentioned,” or “That plushie is so cute, I really want it.” Make her feel that you need her, not just for life support, but for emotional closeness and reliance. Give it a try?

Shi Shuxue pondered for a minute and replied to momo: I think I’ll go check out that public account instead.

momo sent three “angry” emojis.

After a while, Shi Shuxue finished reading the article on the public account and reached a conclusion. Pond Night Rain is an avoidant personality.

She was used to expressing affection through actions rather than words, felt uneasy with intense emotional displays, tended to maintain a certain level of independence, and even used the role of “caregiver” to maintain a safe distance and avoid exposing her own vulnerability or deep dependency.

The sense of value for such people is tightly bound to “being needed” and “having the ability to protect and care for the other person.”

In other words, Pond Night Rain being a reliable support for Shi Shuxue and solving her problems was her primary way of confirming her own worth. However, this might have unintentionally created an unequal dynamic, weakening the reciprocal emotional interaction required in a romantic relationship.

Therefore, she should let Pond Night Rain depend on her properly.

Right?

Shi Shuxue looked into the mirror. The person in the reflection had a tight brow, and the confusion in her eyes hadn’t yet faded.

Acting spoiled, showing vulnerability. These words were diametrically opposed to the principles she had lived by for over a decade. Yet every word of that analysis regarding avoidant personalities felt like it was written about Pond Night Rain.

Taking a deep breath, she unlocked and opened the door.

The lights in the hotel room were off; only a bit of hazy light filtered in from outside the window.

Pond Night Rain wasn’t lying in bed. Instead, she was huddled in the sofa by the window, her phone screen glowing and illuminating her expressionless profile.

Hearing the door, she turned off the screen as a reflex and slowly looked up. “Finished washing? I thought you were going to stay in there until dawn.”

Shi Shuxue didn’t respond. She walked over and stood in front of the sofa.

The carpet was thick, making her steps silent. Looking down, she saw Pond Night Rain’s fingers resting on her knees. Her jacket was draped over the armrest, its hem hanging down and covering most of a throw pillow.

“What are you doing?” Shi Shuxue asked.

Pond Night Rain said, “Chatting with someone.”

Pond Night Rain had many friends. Shi Shuxue only knew the common ones and didn’t care much about the others. She sat down beside Pond Night Rain and said, “I just uploaded the video online.”

Pond Night Rain’s expression brightened instantly. She pulled out her phone and immediately scrolled to the video of their ensemble on Shi Shuxue’s account.

The background of the video was a rehearsal room that didn’t reveal its location. Only Shi Shuxue’s side profile from the waist up was in the shot, her elbow resting on the body of the bass, her fingertips pressing and releasing the strings. The bass was low and soothing, while the drums were sometimes crisp and sometimes deep, the coordination was flawless.

Shi Shuxue’s account already had a considerable following. Only a few minutes after the video was posted, the comment section had already exploded.