So What If They're 15 Years Older Than Me! - Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I don’t want to go live at some stranger’s house!

Standing in front of the supermarket shelves, the young girl aimlessly shuffled through bags of snacks, using the gesture to broadcast her dissatisfaction.

She’s not a stranger. She’s your mother’s friend, the man replied in a negotiating tone. He sported the standard-issue buzzcut of a middle-aged man and wore a worn-out, old-fashioned striped shirt with suit pants that had faded from too many washes.

My mom’s been gone for ages. How could she still have friends?” The girl turned around, her gaze resentful. “Ye Deyou, be honest—do you just not want me anymore?

Dad only has one precious daughter. How could I not want you?

But this opportunity to go abroad is once-in-a-lifetime. To give you a better life in the future, Dad has to give it a shot.

Forget it.” The girl waved him off impatiently and dragged her shopping basket forward, her ponytail sweeping through the air as she turned. “At worst, I’ll just stay in the school dorms when the semester starts. I’m twelve this year; I’m practically a middle schooler. You don’t need to worry about me.

Ye Deyou watched his overly precocious daughter and sighed silently. He wondered who she inherited that stubborn streak from—likely no one but her mother, who had passed away six years ago.

The airport in the early morning was lonely. The standard broadcast voice of a female announcer echoed through the terminal, reporting the latest international flight arrivals.

Lu Zhiyun removed her soft U-shaped travel pillow, put on her headphones, and slowly walked off the jet bridge. The wheels of her suitcase made a dull thudding sound against the floor tiles, accompanied by the voice of her friend, Tang Qianxia, in her ear.

I’ve found a place according to your requirements. Two bedrooms, one living room. It’s at most a ten-minute walk to Jingchuan No. 1 Middle School, and about a ten-minute drive to Jingchuan University.

Thanks. I’ll treat you to dinner once I’m settled.

Lu Zhiyun was dressed in a backless floral top paired with jeans—effortless and languid. Along the way, she drew frequent glances from travelers in the airport.

Why is everyone looking at me strangely?

Tang Qianxia’s laughter bubbled through the headphones. “They probably think you’re too beautiful. They likely assume you’re some movie star arriving in Jingchuan in the middle of the night.”

Lu Zhiyun: “…”

Anyway, let’s talk seriously. Are you really planning on staying this time? Tang Qianxia asked.

“It depends. I should be here for a while this time.” Lu Zhiyun lowered her eyelashes, then raised them again, her gaze unreadable.

“Sigh, it’s just a pity. A Business Master’s graduate from an Ivy League school coming back to be a plain old English teacher at a university… but then again, everything is fate, right?”

Lu Zhiyun arched an eyebrow. “Weren’t you the one who believed in fate the least?”

I used to not believe in it. But ever since that happened to you, I started believing. Actually, I just went to a temple last week to pray for blessings.

Is it the one on Longhua Mountain? Lu Zhiyun asked.

Yeah, I didn’t expect you to remember…

Listening to the voice in her ear, Lu Zhiyun dragged her suitcase out of the airport building. The sweltering outdoor air instantly swamped her senses; her exposed skin felt as if it had been placed on a grill. Within moments, a thin layer of sweat formed where her palm met the suitcase handle.

She frowned slightly. “I didn’t expect home to be even hotter than California.”

“I told you, why didn’t you let me pick you up? we could’ve grabbed a late-night snack and caught up. It’s hard to get a car in the middle of the night.”

Lu Zhiyun handed her luggage to a taxi driver. “Maintaining my figure—I don’t eat at midnight. Besides, I need to get over the jet lag.”

“Fine. By the way, when are you meeting that young girl?”

After getting into the car, Lu Zhiyun relaxed into the back seat. The air conditioning in the car made her feel slightly better.

“This Friday.” She stated the date accurately, without having to think.

“Miss, are we going to Shuijun Bay? Over in the Huai’an District?” the driver asked, turning around.

“Yes.” Lu Zhiyun paused, remembering that was the address Tang Qianxia had given her.

As the taxi left the airport and got onto the elevated highway, the city lights in the distance blurred into mottled streaks of light through the window.

The driver chatted idly: “Miss, did you just get back from abroad?”

“…Yes.”

“I can tell by the way you dress. Back to visit relatives?”

“No,” Lu Zhiyun’s voice was faint, carrying a slight nasal tone from a lingering cold. “Back to… work.”

“Working is good! Getting an education abroad and coming back to give back to the hometown…”

Following the driver’s words, Lu Zhiyun’s thoughts drifted.

Ten days ago, she was still an executive manager at an international trade company in California when she received a text from home.

Jian Shiying (Brother-in-law): Miss Lu, I am sorry to disturb you. I wouldn’t have reached out unless it was absolutely necessary. A brother I used to sail with found a once-in-a-lifetime chance for us to go abroad and strike gold. Whether or not I can give Xiao Li a better life depends on this one shot. But she is too young, and her mother left us early; I really don’t feel safe leaving her in the country alone. Another reason is that I feel she is entering puberty, and she needs a female elder to guide her, rather than a clumsy father like me. Of course, I know this request is a bit ridiculous. It’s okay if you refuse, Miss Lu; I will find another way. My apologies once again.

The message was long. Lu Zhiyun had read it back and forth at least three times. She knew, of course, that this text couldn’t have been written by her late “Sister” Jian Shiying, but by her husband.

That night, after finishing her work, Lu Zhiyun carefully composed a reply.

Lu Zhiyun: Hello, Ye Li’s Father. I’ve read your message. I will finish my handovers in California as quickly as possible and return to China. Your request is not excessive. I will not refuse—in fact, I have no reason to refuse. See you back home.

On Friday afternoon, it took quite a bit of persuasion from Ye Deyou to get Ye Li out of the house.

They didn’t live in Jingchuan City itself, but in Changqing County under its jurisdiction—a drive that took an hour and a half. Ye Deyou drove an old, rickety 90s Santana that felt like it was falling apart as it wobbled along the newly built provincial highway.

The air conditioning had broken down again. Sitting in the passenger seat, Ye Li slapped the air vent, but it was useless. As the heat rose inside the car, they were forced to roll down the windows for a bit of relief.

Unfortunately, the wind was also hot, but it was better than nothing. The young girl leaned her flushed, heat-reddened face out the window. The rushing wind ruffled her bangs. Aside from the smell of dry dust, the heavy scent of car exhaust filled her nose, making her uncomfortable.

Xiao Li, don’t stick your head out the window, Ye Deyou warned, stealing a quick glance.

Why do I have to go to school in Jingchuan? Isn’t Changqing fine? Ye Li sat back properly, the window frame leaving a faint red mark on her fair cheek.

Jingchuan has the best high schools in the city. If you can get into the affiliated middle school, it’ll be easier to get into No. 1 Middle School later. Then, for university…

Ye Li didn’t want to hear this lecture for the hundredth time. She blocked her ears with her fingers and only let go when he stopped talking.

“Can’t I just go to boarding school? I really don’t want to live at a stranger’s house.”

This time, the man clearly left no room for negotiation. “When we get there, remember to greet her politely, okay?”

Ye Li didn’t say a word. She crossed her arms over her chest and closed her eyes irritably.

Inside a KFC in the center of Jingchuan City, the air conditioning was blasting. To soothe his daughter’s mood, Ye Deyou had ordered a lot of food.

Ye Li sat on the inner side by the window, resting her chin on one hand while the other picked up a fry, dipped it in red ketchup, and popped it into her mouth. Beside her, Ye Deyou checked his watch, his brow furrowed in nervous anticipation as he craned his neck to look around.

Just then, a beautiful woman entered Ye Li’s field of vision. She was standing on the sidewalk outside the window, talking to someone on the phone.

The woman had long, chestnut-colored wavy hair. From the side, her nose was very sharp and defined. She wore exquisite makeup and an airy, long blue dress. On her feet were delicate, high-heeled kitten heels.

Bored, Ye Li continued to eat, unconsciously staring at the woman for a long time. People naturally gravitate toward beautiful things.

After hanging up, the woman walked toward the entrance. The white plaid crossbody bag on her shoulder bore a clear YSL logo; from head to toe, she exuded an air of “bougie” sophistication.

Ye Li retracted her gaze and wiped the oil from her fingers with a napkin. When she looked up again, she realized the woman from outside had actually walked into the shop.

From the front, her features were stunning—her face had soft, flowing lines. With her slightly upturned eyeliner, red lips, and wavy hair, she looked like a movie star from an old Hong Kong film. An aura of “high-class” elegance practically radiated off her.

Her arrival caused many customers in the shop to turn their heads.

Ye Li tried to remain indifferent. She picked up her iced Coke and took a sip through the straw. The coldness of the ice cubes traveled through the glass to her palm, quickly dispersing the sweltering heat of midsummer.

“Xiao Li, she’s here. Say ‘Auntie’.”

The man beside her quickly straightened his posture and nudged her with his elbow as a reminder.

Ye Li looked up at the sound. She watched blankly as the beautiful woman with the YSL bag took a seat on the chair right in front of them.