When Spring Burns - Chapter 14

The assistant had been waiting outside the door until noon when she finally saw someone emerge from inside.

“Assistant Sister, Sister is calling for you.”

Hearing this, the assistant thought to herself that Miss He must have slept well last night, it was rare for her to sleep in until noon. She responded with an acknowledgment, but then suddenly remembered something.

Why did it feel like Sheng Tingmian’s way of addressing Miss He had changed?

Sheng Tingmian stayed for lunch before heading back. Once she returned to the community, she started packing her things because her sister had asked her to stay at her place for a while.

Of course, Sheng Tingmian felt duty-bound to comply. As soon as she got back, she began packing her clothes. Halfway through, her aunt returned.

“Mian’er, Auntie is back.” Sheng Xiaoyun came in, looking travel-worn, carrying a costume box.

As soon as she entered the room, she saw Sheng Tingmian packing her clothes and asked in surprise, “What are you packing for?”

Sheng Tingmian stopped and spoke seriously to her aunt, “Auntie, I’m going to stay at Sister’s place for a while.”

“Sister?” Sheng Xiaoyun had a feeling something had happened the night before. Just a while ago, it was “Sister He,” but now it was just “Sister”?

“Miss He?”

Sheng Tingmian nodded, “Mm-hmm.”

Sheng Xiaoyun instinctively connected it to Miss He’s deceased younger sister. “She isn’t treating you as a substitute for her sister, is she?”

A strange feeling flickered through Sheng Tingmian’s heart, and she paused while folding her clothes. “How could that be? Miss He is probably just too heartbroken over losing her sister and can’t accept it yet. That’s why she asked me to call her ‘Sister’ to ease the pain a little.”

“She’ll probably ask me to switch back after a while.”

Sheng Xiaoyun thought about it and found it plausible. “Are you going today? How will you get to the theater to perform in the future?”

Sheng Tingmian continued packing, “Sister said she’ll have someone drive me there every day.”

“That works too. It’s better than taking the bus with Auntie every day. A luxury car is much more comfortable than a bus.”

Sheng Xiaoyun walked over to help her pack, sighing emotionally, “Mian’er, this is the first time you’re leaving Auntie.”

Sheng Tingmian replied, “Auntie, it’s not like I’m never coming back. Besides, I’ll still be performing with you every day.”

It was just that she’d be sleeping somewhere else at night.

Sheng Xiaoyun shot her a mock-annoyed look. “Alright, alright. Is everything packed?”

Sheng Tingmian went to pack a few more dresses. “Yes, yes, all done.”

In the afternoon, Sheng Xiaoyun watched as her niece got into the He family car and disappeared around the corner.

…

From then on, Sheng Tingmian began her cohabitation life at the He residence.

In the mornings, she rode in her sister’s car to the Changyuan Theater to perform, and in the evenings, she returned to the He residence, sharing a bed with her sister.

Watching her sister gradually regain her spirit, Sheng Tingmian felt genuinely happy for her.

Not long after, their Liqing Opera Troupe received official recognition from the city of Yanshi, praising their outstanding performance at the recent Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival. Many netizens applauded them, and even the foreign guests at the festival spoke highly of their performance.

The entire troupe crowded onto the stage to receive the award. Standing next to her aunt in the center, Sheng Tingmian smiled brightly.

Their opera was finally being seen.

After the group photo was taken, her aunt couldn’t stop smiling. Back at the theater, she solemnly placed the trophy and certificate of honor on the wall of achievements.

“Everyone performed exceptionally well this time, truly outstanding! To celebrate this success, the troupe leader is treating everyone to hot pot!”

“Troupe Leader, you’re the best!”

“Please don’t tell me it’s a plain broth pot?”

As soon as those words were spoken, groans erupted from the crowd.

Sheng Xiaoyun knew exactly what these rascals were thinking: “Those who can handle spicy food, sit at one table. Those who can’t, behave yourselves and have the clear soup pot.”

“Boss, can I sit at the spicy table if I bring my own Golden Throat lozenges?”

“No.” Sheng Xiaoyun shot him a sharp glare. “Your throat can’t handle spice; no amount of Golden Throat will help. Be good and stick to the clear soup pot.”

Sheng Tingmian watched as Zheng Yu, Mu Ziyin, and a few others who couldn’t handle spicy food wailed and groaned. She glanced back at her aunt, and they exchanged a knowing smile.

In the evening, they took a public bus to a famous hotpot restaurant. A large crowd of them filed in, occupying five or six tables and nearly filling up the entire second floor.

The lively atmosphere, accompanied by the numbing, spicy, and savory aroma of the hotpot, spread throughout the second floor.

They chatted about gossip, sang songs, and even put on imitation performances, acting out popular online memes and catchphrases, which had everyone roaring with laughter.

Sheng Tingmian loved seeing everyone so radiant and full of life. By the time they had eaten and drunk their fill, it was already 11 p.m.

As her companions gradually boarded the bus, her aunt did a headcount. Sheng Tingmian was the last to board when suddenly, Butler Liu appeared before her.

“Miss Sheng, Miss He is waiting for you at home.”

Sheng Xiaoyun stepped off the bus. Butler Liu looked somewhat familiar, but she left the choice to her niece. “Mian’er, where do you want to go?”

Sheng Tingmian glanced at the car parked not far away, then back at her aunt. “Auntie, I think I’ll go back to the He residence. You should head back and rest early.”

Sheng Xiaoyun respected her decision. “Alright.”

Sheng Tingmian followed Butler Liu back to the He residence. As soon as she entered, she realized her sister had been waiting for her in the living room for a long time.

She hurried to take a shower and freshen up. By the time she came out, it was already midnight. The woman in the living room seemed to have returned to her room. Sheng Tingmian pushed the door open and, as expected, saw someone on the bed.

She walked around to the other side and slipped under the covers. Feeling a bit guilty for making her sister wait so long, she said, “Sister, I’m sorry, I came back a bit late today…”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Sheng Tingmian felt a tight grip around her waist, a force pulling her backward until her back pressed against a warm body.

Breath brushed against the nape of her neck, sending a tingling sensation through her.

Sheng Tingmian froze, not daring to move. “…Sister?”

“I know you went for hotpot,” the woman’s voice was somewhat cold.

Sheng Tingmian explained softly, “It’s because our Liqing Theater Troupe won an award. Auntie treated everyone to hotpot.”

“Did you have fun?”

“…Yes.”

Sheng Tingmian immediately regretted her answer. Talking about happiness in front of someone who had lost her sister might hurt her feelings.

“Sister, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that in front of you.”

“No need to apologize. You can express any emotion in front of me. Don’t hold back on my account.”

Hearing this, Sheng Tingmian felt a pang of heartache and wanted to turn around and hug her. Unexpectedly, the woman behind her sensed her intention and tightened her embrace. “Let me hold you like this.”

“Uh, okay.” Sheng Tingmian closed her eyes, trying hard to ignore the breath on her neck.

“Do you not have to go to the theater tomorrow?”

“No, Sister. The troupe has a day off tomorrow.”

“Will you accompany me out for a stroll?”

“Of course.” Sheng Tingmian agreed without hesitation. After all, her sister still needed to emerge from the emotional turmoil of her younger sister’s passing, and going out for a walk was undoubtedly the best way.

Early the next morning, Sheng Tingmian followed He Jianxue out and arrived at the VIP section. Seeing the array of expensive clothing, she assumed her sister intended to shop for herself.

While admiring which outfits might suit her sister, she suddenly heard He Jianxue say, “Pick whichever ones you like and try them on. It’s on me.”

Sheng Tingmian was taken aback and glanced at the woman in the wheelchair. “Are you buying clothes for me, sister?”

He Jianxue nodded softly in confirmation.

Sheng Tingmian quickly declined, “This is too extravagant, sister.”

She was already immensely grateful, He Jianxue had invested in her aunt’s theater troupe, reviving a group on the verge of collapse. Not only had the troupe regained its vitality, but it had also won an award at the municipal intangible cultural heritage festival. That award would bring more attention to their troupe and greatly assist her aunt in future professional evaluations and securing a permanent position.

None of this would have been possible without her sister’s help. Moreover, she was allowed to live at the He residence, with meals provided and servants attending to her needs, all in exchange for simply keeping her sister company each evening.

Now, her sister wanted to buy her such expensive items, Sheng Tingmian felt she was giving too little and receiving far too much.

“Mianmian, I want to buy these for you,” He Jianxue insisted.

She looked toward the shop assistants, who brought over a selection of dresses, and pointed to a luxurious little black dress with an hourglass waist. “What about this one? Do you like it?”

Sheng Tingmian followed her gaze to the fitted black dress, its cut was impeccable and clearly costly. Just two days ago, she had seen it on Ziyin’s phone; it was the season’s debut piece from the runway.

“Sister, I…” she began, but He Jianxue coughed lightly into her hand. Concerned, Sheng Tingmian asked, “Are you feeling unwell?”

He Jianxue shook her head and looked at the worried young girl before her. “I’m fine. So, you really don’t like this dress?”

“It’s not that I don’t like it, it’s just too expensive,” Sheng Tingmian murmured.

“You’re my sister. You deserve it,” He Jianxue replied, her red lips parting gently. “Will you try it on for me?”