The Eldest Lady always wants to have a double O Relationship with her old enemy - Chapter 29

On the top floor of the Central Building, the ancient wall clock ticked steadily, time flowing away beyond anyone’s control. After changing their clothes, without telling a soul, Shen Jianxi and Tang Yanzhao began a wild and romantic private escape.

As the countdown reached zero, colorful balloons floated into the midnight sky at twelve o’clock. A new year opened with the turning of the calendar’s first page. Shen Jianxi clasped Tang Yanzhao’s hand tightly, their fingers interlaced.

“In this new year, thank you for still being by my side.” Her eyes sparkled like starlight, and her clear voice was impossible not to be moved by.

Tang Yanzhao’s throat tightened. True to her nature, she only gave a small nod and replied, “Mm. Happy New Year.”

“Tang Yanzhao, happy birthday.” Shen Jianxi suddenly leaned close to her ear, her soft lips brushing ever so lightly against it.

A new year, and on New Year’s Day—Tang Yanzhao’s birthday.

In the midst of the noisy crowd, Shen Jianxi wished her happy birthday.

Tang Yanzhao’s deep eyes trembled for an instant.

Shen Jianxi leaned back to where she was, swinging their joined hands playfully. Her small face tilted up, mischievous and sweet. “This time, I didn’t prepare a birthday gift. Will you be mad?”

Tang Yanzhao shook her head without hesitation. “No.”

She had thought that, apart from her mother, no one would ever remember her birthday. After all, her birth had not been a joyous occasion. No one had welcomed her arrival except her mother.

And Shen Jianxi—she was the first.
Perhaps she would also be the last, in all the years to come.

Smiling brightly, Shen Jianxi said, “I know it hasn’t been long since I gave you the peace talisman. If I gave you something else so soon, you probably wouldn’t accept it. I don’t want us to have even the slightest unhappiness at the start of a new year. So instead, let’s go climb a mountain to watch the sunrise, then go to a temple to pray for blessings. How about that?”

Naturally, Tang Yanzhao agreed with joy.

But Shen Jianxi had underestimated the height of the mountain. Halfway up, the cold wind whistled into her chest, her breathing turned unsteady, and her throat filled with the metallic taste of rust, like blades scraping inside.

Seeing how heavy each of her steps looked, Tang Yanzhao tugged her hand. “Want to rest a bit?”

Shen Jianxi shook her head. “No, I’m afraid we’ll miss it.”

“Then let me carry you.”

Shen Jianxi turned, standing one step higher than her, and cupped Tang Yanzhao’s smooth face in both heated hands, squeezing her cheeks gently as she panted, “If it were any other time, I’d agree in a heartbeat. But this time, I have to do it myself.”

Sincerity makes wishes come true. Since her rebirth, Shen Jianxi had grown superstitious—she dared not risk anything that might harm Tang Yanzhao, and anything that might benefit her, she was willing to fight through hardship to achieve.

Winter mornings brightened slowly. After countless pauses and rests, Shen Jianxi finally, with Tang Yanzhao’s support, made it to the top.

She sat down on a cold stone, gazing at the magnificent clouds rolling like waves. The icy wind stung her skin, but it couldn’t chill the warmth in her chest.

On the horizon, golden sunlight began to spill upward. Shen Jianxi leapt up, joy flooding her eyes.

“Zhaozhao, the sun is rising!”

Tang Yanzhao looked at her profile—the golden light poured across her face, her lashes long and distinct like black feathers, fluttering like a butterfly’s wings. Fine pale hairs on her skin shimmered with a warm glow. When Shen Jianxi suddenly turned to meet her gaze, their eyes collided, and Tang Yanzhao’s heart jolted hard, surging uncontrollably.

Shen Jianxi stared back in a daze, her words caught by the depth of Tang Yanzhao’s eyes. Only when stabbing pain ripped through her chest did reason return—she bent over, covering her mouth with a cough.

Tang Yanzhao steadied her by the arm, concern in her voice. “You’re not feeling well again?”

Straightening up, Shen Jianxi’s eyes brimmed with tears from coughing, but her lips still curved in an unstoppable smile.

With her hoarse voice, she urged, “Quick, make a wish.”

Tang Yanzhao blinked, looked toward the half-risen sun, and was just about to speak when Shen Jianxi cut in: “From now on, your wish should always be ‘Tang Yanzhao safe and sound, long life to a hundred years.’”

“I…” Saying such words about herself felt embarrassing.

But Shen Jianxi urged her, shameless and insistent: “Hurry, hurry.”

Her wheedling tone left no room for refusal. Tang Yanzhao pressed her palms together, lowered her head, and solemnly wished in her heart: May Tang Yanzhao be safe and sound, and live a long life to a hundred years.

When she finished, she glanced at Shen Jianxi and softly added, “And may Shen Jianxi be safe and sound, and live a long life to a hundred years.”

Shen Jianxi grinned wildly, cupped her hands around her mouth, and shouted toward the horizon: “I wish Tang Yanzhao’s wish will come true!”

Her voice echoed again and again through the valley, carrying her promise to the sun.

This time, it had to come true.

The brilliant sun soared fully above the horizon—the first day of the year dawned bright with hope.

After the sunrise, they descended to a quarter down the mountain, where a temple stood.

Every New Year, Shen Jianxi would come here with Shen Xiaoyin. But this year, her cousin had gone abroad to open new markets and still hadn’t returned. In her past life, it had been the same—Shen Jianxi had come alone to this very temple, staying three days.

That time, she slipped and fell on the snow-covered steps, nearly losing her life. Only an ancient tree broke her fall. Knocked unconscious, she was later saved by a rescue team. It had been a narrow escape.

The accident had terrified Shen Xiaoyin, who then took a month off work to stay home and care for her, fearing that the slightest negligence would leave lasting damage.

But this life was different—Tang Yanzhao was here. Shen Jianxi no longer feared a repeat.

She bounded over, holding a red string. “Give me your hand.”

Though puzzled, Tang Yanzhao obeyed.

Superstitious as ever, Shen Jianxi carefully tied the red string around her left wrist. The purple-blue veins beneath her pale skin pulsed with life, now wrapped under its protection. Shen Jianxi clasped her hand. “I asked the abbot for this—it will keep you safe your whole life. So you must never take it off, understand?”

Noticing Shen Jianxi’s bare wrist, Tang Yanzhao asked, “And yours?”

Caught off guard, Shen Jianxi faltered. “Hm? I didn’t ask for one.”

“Then let’s go get another.”

This time, it was Tang Yanzhao who pulled her forward, Tang Yanzhao who prayed for her.

Shen Jianxi could feel the change—her usually reserved companion was softening. Maybe she couldn’t yet say the word aloud, maybe she hadn’t fully realized what her feelings were, but Shen Jianxi knew: Tang Yanzhao liked her.

They received a second string, and Shen Jianxi tied it around her own right wrist. Then, linking hands, the two red threads pressed together—just like their hearts, drawing closer across time.

“Tell me,” Shen Jianxi teased, “don’t these count as… a couple’s bracelets?” She watched Tang Yanzhao’s expression intently.

For once, Tang Yanzhao didn’t deny it out of reflex. Instead, under Shen Jianxi’s gaze, her face turned red. The flush was faint, only a soft tint, but Shen Jianxi noticed.

“Zhaozhao, are you blushing?” Shen Jianxi asked, laughing.

Her smile was too dazzling. Forced to look away, Tang Yanzhao shifted her gaze to the nearby wishing plaques and said, “Let’s go look over there.”

She didn’t deny it!

Shen Jianxi squeezed their interlocked hands, watching her from the side. The blush had spread from Tang Yanzhao’s cheeks all the way to her ears.

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