Chapter Fifteen: First Kiss
As the morning sun ascended, its crisp orange light cleaved through the heavy darkness of night.
Dewdrops still clung to the branches.
A speeding silver-white train rumbled into the station, finally coming to a halt.
A little past seven, Bai Sha yawned at the station entrance, waiting for the father and daughter to return home, just as she had seen them off the day before.
Lifting her gaze, she saw the little girl in pink, her hair tied in a bun, sprinting from the station towards her.
“Mama!”
Behind her, the tall and slender Zhou Haochen strolled leisurely, pushing a suitcase and wearing sunglasses.
Bai Sha knelt down to embrace the little one, then teased the unhurried man.
“Not bad, you’ve got that celebrity vibe! All you’re missing is a face mask.”
Zhou Haochen removed his sunglasses and placed them on Bai Sha.
“You’re the real star.”
Bai Sha let out a soft ‘hmph’ and turned, leading the little one towards her beloved car.
“As if I needed you to tell me,” she quipped, “I was a star player back in the day.”
Zhou Haochen followed, taking her free hand in his.
He spoke softly, “I’ve missed you so much.”
Bai Sha’s cheeks flushed faintly.
“If you missed me, you missed me,” she retorted, “It’s not like I can stop you from thinking about me, can I?”
Reaching the car, the little one quickly scrambled into the backseat.
Bai Sha handed the car keys to Zhou Haochen, then gave his shoulder a sharp tug, causing him to stumble slightly.
She pecked his cheek, light as a dragonfly touching water, and whispered in his ear, “I’ve missed you too.”
The morning breeze, often warm and dry, stirred the young man’s heart.
His stiff body betrayed his bewilderment, yet inside the car, the young woman, her face flushed, was equally swept by a surge of emotion.
Zhou Haochen was rooted to the spot, rendering pursuit difficult.
This was no open river channel; he could only watch as Bai Sha slipped into the car.
The atmosphere remained rather quiet throughout the drive.
Bai Sha covered her crimson face, ‘What had she done?!’
‘Kissing him was one thing, but why was she acting so innocent?’
‘She’d seen plenty of action before.’
(TL Note: She was referring to witnessing her team’s support player kissing his girlfriend at the base, and seeing her team’s mid-laner change girlfriends ten times in a single week.)
‘Don’t panic, Bai Sha. He’s the younger one.’
‘You’re older, more experienced, and more mature than him.’
‘You need to calm down and keep him in line.’
They arrived at the underground parking garage of their residential complex.
“Xiaoyu, you and Mama will get out on opposite sides in a moment,” Zhou Haochen instructed.
“Don’t forget to close your car door.”
The little one, seemingly eager to get home, enthusiastically hopped out of the car.
With a loud bang, she slammed the door shut.
Bai Sha immediately felt a sense of foreboding, only to find her own car door wouldn’t open.
From the driver’s seat, Zhou Haochen unbuckled his seatbelt.
Leaning over, he pulled Bai Sha towards him, heading straight for the spot she had just ‘assaulted’ him.
After a token struggle, Bai Sha began to feel the warmth on her lips.
He was incredibly gentle, releasing her hand after only a soft kiss.
Bai Sha’s eyes were a little hazy as she playfully chided, “That was my first kiss, you know~”
Zhou Haochen rested his forehead against hers, smiling.
“Mine too,” he confessed.
Outside the car, Zhou Yuying wondered, ‘Huh? Where are they? Why aren’t they coming out yet?’
“Mama, why is your face so red?” Zhou Yuying asked, growing even more confused once her parents finally exited the car.
Bai Sha’s small hand found its target once more, giving Zhou Haochen a fierce pinch.
She forced a smile and explained to the little one, “It was a bit hot in the car.”
The little one scratched her head. ‘But I just got out of the car, and it wasn’t hot!’
“If you don’t believe me, ask your Papa,” Bai Sha insisted, “It really was hot in the car.”
Zhou Haochen, enduring the pain, affirmed, “It’s a good thing Xiaoyu got out quickly. It truly was very hot in there just now.”
Though Zhou Yuying didn’t quite believe them, since both Mama and Papa said so, she supposed she’d accept it for now.
Back home, Zhou Haochen opened his suitcase, while Bai Sha watched from behind him.
“What did your parents bring?” she inquired.
“Nothing much,” he replied. “Just some snacks I bought for Xiaoyu on the way, a few sets of clothes, and oh, this.”
Zhou Haochen retrieved a rosewood box from a compartment.
“My mom said she originally intended to give this to you later,” he explained, “but Xiaoyu is already so grown up…”
He opened it to reveal a jade bracelet.
“Apparently, my grandmother gave it to my mom,” he continued. “It’s a kind of family heirloom, I suppose?”
Bai Sha turned and walked away.
“I don’t want it now,” she stated. “You keep it for now. There’s no need for this just because I’m Xiaoyu’s mother.”
“If not now, then when?” he pressed.
“That’s up to you,” she replied. “Whenever you manage to make my heart flutter, maybe I’ll accept it then.”
Zhou Haochen put the box away, stating earnestly, “I’ll work hard to make that day come sooner.”
Bai Sha leaned against the bedroom door, feeling somewhat surprised.
She had expected him to rush over and kiss her again, given the ‘heart-fluttering’ sentiment.
However, a serious man was indeed handsome.
She now somewhat understood why female protagonists in novels always believed the male lead after he made a vow.
Although her and his existence in the dream, coupled with Zhou Yuying’s tangible presence, would pave the way for their relationship, she was a stubborn person.
She hoped their feelings would remain as pure as possible.
“Hey! What would you be doing if you hadn’t met me and Xiaoyu?”
Due to some pressure, Zhou Haochen had already boarded the ‘pirate ship’ of his senior’s company early on.
If he hadn’t met the mother and daughter duo…
“I’m not entirely sure,” he admitted.
“Perhaps I’d find a company to work for, and then help out at my mom’s candy store.”
“I think I dreamt about another version of you and me,” Bai Sha said.
“Another me? What was she like?”
Bai Sha suddenly embraced Zhou Haochen, whispering, “The other me was so pitiful, tattered and broken.
And you, you looked like a refined scoundrel, and probably tricked me into going home with you…”
Each dream was an empathetic experience.
Bai Sha could feel her brokenness, and she could also feel his warmth.
Bai Sha rubbed her face against Zhou Haochen’s sweater.
She truly felt a sense of contentment, as if a void in her heart had been filled, bringing a profound sense of security.
“He might trick you, but I won’t,” Zhou Haochen vowed.
“I’ll make you fall for me fair and square.”
Bai Sha nodded, her voice muffled. “Mhm, I believe you.”
‘Fool, I already fell for you long ago.’
On the sofa, Zhou Yuying secretly peeked.
‘Eek! Papa and Mama are being shy-shy, hugging at home already! Am I going to have a little brother or sister!?’
After a moment of contented embrace, Bai Sha released him, immediately meeting the little one’s curious gaze.
Her face flushed crimson, she hastily exclaimed, “Zhou Yuying, go watch your TV!”
The little one slid down from the sofa. ‘Mama caught me! Why does Mama seem shy now? It’s not like I haven’t seen it before.’
“You’re still laughing?” Bai Sha slapped Zhou Haochen’s arm, speaking fiercely.
“She’s already this big,” Zhou Haochen reasoned. “And with the internet these days, you don’t think she understands nothing, do you?”
Children nowadays mature early; otherwise, the little one wouldn’t be so obedient.
While she was adorable, it was impossible that she didn’t understand what happened in TV dramas.
“Can’t we avoid it when the child is around?” Bai Sha sighed.
‘If I’m always intimate with Zhou Haochen in front of the little one, what will become of my motherly dignity?’
“Alright, alright, we’ll avoid it in the future,” he conceded.
Their respective positions in the household were clear at a glance.
****
Dream
Inside a neat and clean hair salon, a man led a girl whose hair was messy and dirty.
Before the mirror, the girl looked much cleaner, but due to malnutrition, she appeared slightly sickly.
The man leaned against the chair’s backrest.
“That’s right,” he said, “you look much more spirited this way.”
Leaving the barbershop, the man took the girl to a secluded, shady spot in a park.
“Can you stand up without your crutches?”
The girl shook her head, sitting on the grass just like the man.
Suddenly, the man snatched the crutches and ran to one side.
“Try it,” he urged. “Your legs healed a long time ago. Believe in yourself.”
The girl looked bewildered, making no move, simply remaining motionless.
“No one can help you with the emotional trauma,” he continued. “You need to try and stand up on your own. You can’t rely on that stick for the rest of your life.”
The girl still made no move, so the man pressed on, “If you don’t stand up, I’m really leaving!”
The girl trembled all over, yet remained unmoving.
The man truly left, taking her crutches with him.
Afternoon, light.
Evening, sunset.
Night, darkness.
The girl grew afraid, trembling all over, her teeth clenched tight.
“It’s so dark…”
“I don’t want to stay here…”
“Home…”
The girl exerted a sudden burst of effort, unexpectedly standing up.
She even took a few wobbly steps before her footing gave way.
The man caught the girl, seeing her dissolve into a flood of tears.
“I’m sorry.”
“Congratulations.”