NOVPUBAfter the rain, the sky displayed a magnificent blue. On the way back, their mood was as buoyant and carefree as the sky above them.
The car radio played relaxing instrumental music while Zhang Chunxue gripped the steering wheel with both hands, occasionally tapping her index finger in time to the beat.
Clearly, the scene of Xu Qingfan carrying Zhang Yiyi on the way out had warmed her mother’s heart, instantly improving her sour mood.
Zhang Chunxue didn’t regard the two’s close actions as a sign of a romantic relationship, perhaps because she had witnessed their growth since childhood, including Lin Wanning. She subconsciously treated their friendship as a sibling bond.
Moreover, the main reason was that Xu Qingfan was exceptionally precocious, always acting the role of an elder brother just when he was most needed.
A brother carrying his sister—it was perfectly normal.
It was already time for a noon nap; in the back seat, Zhang Yiyi rested her head on Xu Qingfan’s shoulder and dozed off, creating a very heartwarming scene. Unfortunately, Chunxue needed to drive and couldn’t capture the moment with her phone.
Zhang Chunxue felt slightly regretful as she returned her gaze to the road and continued driving attentively.
As for whether the two of them would date or even get married in the future, she hadn’t really thought that far.
She herself was a failed example, so Zhang Chunxue didn’t place much importance on her daughter’s marriage. If one day Zhang Yiyi told her she didn’t want to marry, Chunxue would support her fully.
[I just hope that their friendship can continue forever, unlike mine...]
Zhang Yiyi hadn’t actually fallen asleep. Her mind was like a slideshow, looping the recent events.
The corners of the young girl’s mouth curled into a beautiful arc where no one could see, a hint of dimples appearing discreetly.
She thought back to her naive childhood, when Lin Wanning had held her hand and they had made promises, and the three of them had vowed under the sun never to part.
When adolescence hit, she began to understand a kind of budding affection called a crush.
Until then, she had thought her fondness for Xu Qingfan was just because she relied on him, and her mild affection was akin to that felt for a brother.
But just a moment ago, being carried on his back, Zhang Yiyi felt her heart fluttering and that initial thrill of a budding affection.
It felt very secure lying on his back, but her heart also felt a tingling and prickling sensation, her face flushed like blossoms against a human backdrop.
[This must be what liking someone feels like.]
Zhang Yiyi knew for sure, she liked Xu Qingfan!
Perhaps, from the time years ago when he was punished in class for standing up for her and held her hand as they went from one class to another to receive apologies, her heart had no room for anyone else but him.
[I have to talk to Wanning when I get back!] After sorting out the tangled feelings in her heart, the young girl sweetly drifted off into dreams.
...
"Don’t sleep now, we’re home," Zhang Chunxue woke the sleeping duo after who knows how long.
"Where are we?" Xu Qingfan, still drowsy, opened his eyes and saw the familiar scenery of Bijui Garden outside.
"We’ve gone up to the moon, where do you think," Zhang Chunxue turned off the car, laughing.
"Alright, alright, with courage and wisdom as my oars~ I sail in the Moon Boat towards the horizon!" Xu Qingfan got his bearings and began singing a segment of "Moon Boat" in the car.
The laughter of the two beauties, one young and one old, was as lovely as flowers. Zhang Yiyi poked him with her finger and said, "Wanning, let’s play!"
"Then, Auntie, we’re going to find Wanning to play, we won’t come up with you."
"Mm, Yiyi, do you have the keys?"
"Got them!" As soon as Zhang Yiyi finished speaking, she eagerly opened the door, pulling Xu Qingfan out of the car.
Before they even got close, Little White, tied at the door, smelt the familiar scents and started barking.
The next second, Lin Wanning’s voice scolded the dog from the street, "Little White, no barking!"
"Wanning!"
"Yiyi! Ah~ and Brother Qing Fan too!"
Upon hearing the voices, Lin Wanning ran out from the yard, hugged Zhang Yiyi, and then hung around his neck like a koala.
"Stop it." Xu Qingfan said to stop it, but his hands caught the girl’s thighs to help her hang comfortably on him.
"I was about to take a nap, I thought you weren’t coming anymore!" Lin Wanning chatted face to face with Zhang Yiyi while Xu Qingfan held her.
"It rained heavily in Hong Kong, so we were delayed a bit."
"Heehee~ just kidding, I’ve been at home doing winter break homework, almost finished!"
Xu Qingfan put the girl down and the three of them returned to the house.
The dining table in the living room was indeed full of textbooks and books, just as Lin Wanning said. She swept the stuff to one side and took out some pudding and cake from the refrigerator to treat them both.
Xu Qingfan picked up Lin Wanning’s ’Happy Winter Vacation’ and saw it was almost finished, then he remembered his own book hadn’t been touched at all.
[Day N without Wu Lingyu helping me with my homework, I miss her!]
"Their family is so bad, thankfully Brother Qing Fan is here to protect Yiyi!" Xu Qingfan told Lin Wanning about their lunch, infuriated by what happened under the eaves.
"Yeah!" Zhang Yiyi nodded earnestly and then shared a smile with Lin Wanning.
"What are you laughing at?" Xu Qingfan looked left at Lin Wanning and right at Zhang Yiyi.
"Secret!" Both girls said in unison.
Lin Wanning’s parents were not at home and Lin Qiaoshan’s garment factory had survived the downturn and expanded several times as expected and set up an online store on Xu Qingfan’s suggestion, right in the midst of a rapid expansion period, and would likely be busy for a long time.
After eating the cake, it wasn’t long before the trio headed to Zhang Yiyi’s house. Upon arriving, the two girls immediately hid from Xu Qingfan, holding hands as they snuck into Zhang Yiyi’s room.
In the living room, Zhang Chunxue was working on a laptop, and Xu Qingfan noticed the small action of her punching her shoulder. He approached and placed his hands on Aunt Zhang’s shoulders.
"Auntie, let me massage you, my skills are remarkable!"
"Hehe~ thank you, Xiao Fan." Zhang Chunxue giggled at his confident expression. 𝓃𝓸𝓿𝓹𝓾𝓫.𝓬ℴ𝓶
Xu Qingfan didn’t reply, focusing on massaging her shoulders, kneading and pressing just right, and it wasn’t long before Zhang Chunxue hummed comfortably.
"Mmm~"
Since it was Xu Qingfan, she didn’t feel too embarrassed or shy, and after feeling much relief, she spoke, "Okay, Xu Qingfan, I feel much better now."
"Not so fast, my massages are always full body, Auntie, take off your shoes and lie down on the couch!"
Zhang Chunxue glared with feigned severity, but Xu Qingfan stood his ground, so she had to laugh resignedly, "Alright, alright, you win, Auntie."
Once Zhang Chunxue was lying down, Xu Qingfan supported one of her feet with one hand, strongly pressing a specific point.
"Ah~ Xiao Fan, be gentle!"
"Auntie, you’ve worn high heels too much, your little toe is a bit deformed here." Xu Qingfan slipped his hands between her toes lightly pulling them apart.
"Ah~ you!" Zhang Chunxue wanted to mention that she hadn’t washed her feet since coming home, but the next wave of pain made her shut her mouth.
Fifteen minutes later, Zhang Chunxue ended the session with a flushed face.
