When Spring Burns - Chapter 13

Sheng Tingmian felt a warmth in her heart when she saw her willingly eat. “I’ll push you to the dining table.”

She walked around to the back of He Jianxue’s wheelchair, grasped the handles, and pushed her to the table. Then, she moved all the dishes in front of her, sat down beside her, propped her chin on her hand, and watched her eat.

He Jianxue couldn’t ignore her gaze and said to her assistant, “Prepare a set of bowls and chopsticks for her.”

The assistant, who had experienced many ups and downs and was no stranger to dramatic situations, replied calmly, “Alright.”

When the bowls and chopsticks were set before her, Sheng Tingmian picked up her chopsticks. “Perfect timing, I haven’t had dinner yet. Thank you, Sister He, for the hospitality.”

“Sister He, try this piece of foie gras,” Sheng Tingmian said, placing some into her bowl.

As she served the food, He Jianxue noticed she supported her right wrist with her other hand, a gesture that He Xiu used to make as well.

For a moment, He Jianxue was lost in thought.

Seeing her distracted and not eating, Sheng Tingmian gently reminded her, “Sister He, try this foie gras and see how it tastes.”

“A-Jie, you have to try this.”

He Jianxue looked at the person before her, and for a moment, her eyes stung. Her sister, her He Xiu.

That little shadow who used to follow her around, proudly holding her swimming trophies.

The sister who had come to her home at six years old, timidly tugging at her clothes and calling her “A-Jie.”

All those memories… had turned into a cold, lifeless body beneath a white cloth.

“Sister He?”

He Jianxue snapped back to reality, suppressing the ache in her eyes and the tightness in her throat as she swallowed hard, slowly calming her emotions.

“Alright,” she said quietly, scooping up a bite and slowly tasting it.

Unfortunately, no homemade foie gras could ever compare to the one from Yuxian Harbor.

Sheng Tingmian watched her eat slowly, her eyes curving into a smile as she served her more dishes.

The two ate in silence, with Sheng Tingmian occasionally checking to make sure she was eating properly.

After dinner, He Jianxue went to freshen up, while Sheng Tingmian sat on the sofa in the reception area and called her aunt.

“No, Sister He didn’t kick me out. I’ve eaten, I had dinner with Sister He.”

Sheng Xiaoyun, far away at the cultural center, found it hard to believe. Her niece hadn’t been turned away, had actually gotten in, had eaten a meal there, and even shared it with He Jianxue.

She couldn’t understand it, but she was relieved her niece hadn’t been treated coldly. “That’s good. Make sure to head back soon, it’s not safe to be out too late.”

Sheng Tingmian glanced at the time; it was 8 p.m. “I know, Auntie. I’ll take the bus back later.”

After hanging up, Sheng Tingmian saw that Sister He had finished freshening up. Dressed in high-quality pajamas, her face had regained a bit of color, but it was still shadowed by an unshakable sorrow.

Sheng Tingmian stood up. “Sister He, you must be tired. I should head back now.”

He Jianxue looked at her, dressed in skinny jeans and a fitted white polo shirt, her figure slender and graceful, with a canvas tote bag slung over her right shoulder. She looked fresh, clean, and simple.

“It’s a bit late. Stay here for the night,” He Jianxue said without waiting for a response, turning to her assistant. “Prepare a set of pajamas for her.”

Sheng Tingmian paused, her gaze fixed on He Jianxue. Though the other woman avoided her eyes, she seemed to understand, in that moment, why she was being asked to stay.

Perhaps, right now, Sister He also needed someone by her side.

“Then I’ll be imposing on you for the night, Sister He.”

She set down her bag, removed her hair tie, and re-tied her hair into a messy bun like her aunt’s, revealing her pale, slender swan-like neck.

About half an hour later, she finally emerged from the bathroom and saw Sister He sitting quietly in the living room, motionless, seemingly lost in sorrow over her sister again.

Sheng Tingmian, recalling how little she had slept these past few days, walked over and said, “Sister He, how about we turn in early tonight?”

“I can’t sleep,” He Jianxue closed her eyes, only to be filled with He Xiu’s voice and smile. She would never hear her call her “big sister” again.

She had lost her sister forever.

“Then let me sleep with you, okay?”

Heartbroken to see her in such a state, Sheng Tingmian crouched before her, looking up into her eyes. “Sister He, if Sister He Xiu were still here, she wouldn’t want you to ruin your health like this.”

Seeing that she had closed her eyes and offered no objection, Sheng Tingmian took the initiative to push her wheelchair toward the bedroom. The assistant stood by, unsure of what to do.

Sheng Tingmian pulled back the corner of the quilt and turned to the assistant. “Assistant, could you help me carry Sister He onto the bed?”

The assistant glanced first at Miss He, then at Sheng Tingmian. Miss He’s noble body, how could she dare to carry her without orders?

Sheng Tingmian walked over, took the assistant’s hand, and guided her to the wheelchair. “Please, Assistant. I’m afraid I might drop Sister He. I’ll take full responsibility for any consequences.”

Only then did the assistant step forward and lift her onto the bed. Sheng Tingmian removed the blanket, carefully adjusted the corners, and made sure Sister He was lying comfortably before finally covering her with the quilt.

Not daring to look at Miss He, the assistant turned and left, closing the door behind her.

Sheng Tingmian let down her hair and lay down on the other side of He Jianxue, leaning over to turn off the lamp.

With a soft click, the bedroom plunged into darkness.

Propping herself up on one elbow, Sheng Tingmian gazed in the direction of the woman beside her, listening to her steady breathing, unsure if she was asleep or not.

She gently tucked the quilt around Sister He before lying back down, resting her head on her arm.

“Goodnight, Sister He.”

There was still no response. Worried that she might spend the entire night trapped in grief over losing her sister, staying awake until dawn, Sheng Tingmian gritted her teeth and shifted closer until her body was pressed against the other’s.

A faint scent of camellia blossoms drifted into her senses, and she breathed it in softly.

Reaching out, she opened Sister He’s left hand, slipped inside, and nestled into the woman’s embrace.

Her warm, soft voice now carried a soothing calm.

“If you don’t mind, tonight you can think of me as your sister.”

A few seconds after she spoke, Sister He finally reacted, holding her tightly and burying her chin in the crook of her neck.

“Xiu… Big sister is sorry…”

Hearing the emotions she had suppressed all day finally spill out, Sheng Tingmian couldn’t help but hold her trembling body closer, listening to the rhythm of her beating heart.

In that moment of embrace, Sheng Tingmian seemed to feel warm droplets fall onto her neck, tracing down her spine and seeping into her back.

Her long eyelashes fluttered slightly as she lowered her gaze and whispered:

“Big sister, I’m here…”

In this moment, she must have desperately wished it was her sister she was holding.

…

The night passed without dreams. When Sheng Tingmian groggily opened her eyes, she saw the faint morning light filtering through the curtains on the windowsill.

But soon, she felt warmth against her back and an arm wrapped around her waist.

Carefully turning over, she saw the woman’s peaceful sleeping face, and a sense of pride welled up inside her.

Sister He had finally managed to get a good night’s sleep.

She never expected Sister He to have such a vulnerable side.

He Xiu’s death must have been an indescribable pain for her.

Sheng Tingmian recalled the teardrop that had traced her spine last night and unconsciously swallowed, summoning the courage to lift her eyelids and trace the woman’s features inch by inch.

This was probably the closest she had ever been to Sister He in her life.

Even with her eyes closed, Sister He’s gaze seemed to carry an imposing authority, making Sheng Tingmian hesitant to linger on them for too long.

Her nose bridge was high and straight. Sheng Tingmian continued her observation. Sister He’s lips were somewhat thin, likely pale from the exhaustion of recent days.

When she used to wear lipstick, they were both cold and striking.

Having silently scrutinized every detail, even the direction of her hairline, Sheng Tingmian closed her eyes contentedly, tugged the blanket over her shoulders, and burrowed deeper under the covers.

She would continue keeping Sister He company as she slept.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she closed her eyes, she sensed movement beside her, Sister He seemed to be stirring awake.

Through the slits of her eyes, Sheng Tingmian saw her shift and held her breath, afraid of disturbing her.

Then, Sheng Tingmian noticed the light flickering before her eyes. Had Sister He lifted the corner of the blanket to look at her?

“Sister He, are you awake?” she asked, opening her eyes fully.

“Mm.”

Sheng Tingmian breathed in her scent and pressed further, “How did you sleep last night?”

He Jianxue rubbed her head with her left hand, closed her eyes to soothe her emotions, and replied, “Quite well.”

Sheng Tingmian propped herself up, looking down at the woman beneath her. “Then, Sister He, do you still want me to keep you company tonight?”

At this, He Jianxue paused and looked over. The young girl’s soft hair cascaded down as she leaned in. Perhaps because of the faint light filtering through the curtains behind her, He Jianxue couldn’t quite make out her features for a few seconds.

A memory flashed through her mind, last night’s words, “If you don’t mind, you can think of me as your sister tonight.” Her gaze darkened, emotions simmering beneath the surface.

“Do you want to come?”

Sheng Tingmian didn’t understand why she asked this. After a moment’s thought, she said, “If Sister He needs me, I’ll come.”

“Do you want to or not?”

Sheng Tingmian was slightly taken aback. She carefully considered the question. Sister He was asking about her desire, not her obligation. Was she seeking her opinion?

Her eyes fell on Sister He’s noble face. Though she couldn’t decipher the emotions in her eyes, she found herself nodding almost involuntarily. “I want to.”

“Then, from now on, call me ‘sister.'”

Sheng Tingmian called out sweetly, “Sister He.”

“Not that.”

Sheng Tingmian was stunned again. In that dazed moment, something surged through her heart, reaching its very tip.

“Sister?”

“Mm.”