Marketplace Whispers and Lingering Questions

Sitting alone at home, Xia Chu’s pretty face flushed crimson as she scrolled through the messages on her phone.

How could she possibly confess that she had become so emotionally invested in a Bilibili video just moments ago that she was too flustered and dared not question Bai Jingjing directly?

For a fleeting moment, she had even convinced herself that Bai Jingjing had truly departed.

Thus, she had to conjure an excuse to placate her best friend.

[Chuxia: Just don’t worry about it, and stop asking so many questions.]

Deciding it was too much effort, she felt too weary to invent a plausible excuse.

[Eylla: …]

****

Meanwhile, at the bustling wet market, Bai Jingjing found herself engaged in conversation.

Being quite close to the residential complex, the market primarily served the residents of Linghua Community and its immediate vicinity.

Bai Jingjing had barely stepped foot inside when a voice called out, halting her in her tracks.

“You’re the girl staying at Little Xia’s place, aren’t you?” the auntie, clutching her vegetable basket, asked with a warm smile. “I saw you yesterday.”

Bai Jingjing blinked in mild confusion. “You are…?”

“I live in Building 2; just call me Auntie Zhang,” the woman declared with an air of importance. “Yesterday, a few of us were sitting downstairs when we spotted you entering Little Xia’s home, and everyone was utterly astonished.”

“Hello, Auntie Zhang,” Bai Jingjing responded politely, then inquired, “Why were you surprised?”

Auntie Zhang leaned back, a knowing look on her face. “Oh, why indeed? Little Xia has resided in this complex for years, yet she has barely exchanged a word with anyone, and not a soul has ever set foot inside her home. Even for parcel and food deliveries, I’ve heard they’re simply left at her doorstep, and she only ventures out to retrieve them once the delivery person has departed.”

‘Goodness, such a thing actually happens.’

Bai Jingjing had imagined Xia Chu would at least offer a few words of thanks, never envisioning such an extreme degree of social phobia.

No wonder her voice sounded a little hoarse when she first spoke yesterday—it was entirely possible she hadn’t truly ‘opened her vocal cords’ (TL Note: A colloquial expression meaning to speak or engage in conversation, implying it might be her first time speaking in years.) in years.

Auntie Zhang continued, “So, when you entered her home yesterday, even bringing groceries back and staying the night, everyone in our complex was utterly astonished, finding it quite unbelievable. Oh, by the way, dear, what’s your name?”

“Bai Jingjing.”

“Oh, Jingjing,” Auntie Zhang mused. “We spotted you the moment you arrived yesterday. It’s rare to see such a beautiful girl, save for Little Xia herself… Speaking of which, what exactly is your relationship with Little Xia?”

‘Ah, this question proves rather difficult to answer.’

Bai Jingjing paused, a brief silence hanging in the air, before she finally responded, “At any rate, we’re not sisters.”

“Well, naturally! You’re a Bai, and she’s a Xia, so you certainly can’t be sisters,” Auntie Zhang declared. “That’s precisely why everyone is so curious.”

“Hmm, about that,” Bai Jingjing began, a troubled expression clouding her features. “Is it true that… Xia Chu is really so extreme, never interacting with anyone?”

‘There’s no other way; I’ll have to answer a question with a question.’

“Indeed! She only ever communicated occasionally back when she first moved in, needing to arrange for renovations and furniture,” Auntie Zhang reminisced. “I even helped her find a furniture craftsman then. When I first saw her, I thought, ‘Hey, a stunning beauty has moved into our complex, and she appears to be single!’ So, I naturally considered introducing her to a few eligible young men from around here. But guess what happened?”

Bai Jingjing tilted her head, intrigued. “What happened?”

“Well, she told me, quite frankly, that she doesn’t like men.”

Auntie Zhang burst into laughter. “Listen to her, saying she doesn’t like men! What does that even mean? Does she prefer women instead?”

“Right, right,” Bai Jingjing chimed in, offering a couple of polite chuckles. “Haha.”

Haha, haha.

Haha.

A sudden, uncomfortable silence descended upon the two women.

Auntie Zhang glanced from the dewy, vibrant vegetables in her basket to the charmingly adorable Bai Jingjing, and then the unanswered question from moments ago resurfaced in her mind.

It was as if, in that instant, she had perhaps, possibly, understood something profound.

“Well then, Jingjing,” she said, gesturing towards a nearby stall, “That vendor’s vegetables are quite good and fresh.”

“Oh, alright. Thank you, Auntie.”

Having purchased their greens, they walked back to the complex together. As they prepared to part ways, Auntie Zhang slapped her forehead. “Oh, Jingjing, my memory is failing me! There’s something I nearly forgot to tell you.”

Bai Jingjing paused. “Please, I’m listening.”

“There’s a meeting at the property management office later this afternoon,” Auntie Zhang explained, “They’re asking all homeowners who are available to attend. Little Xia never used to show up for these things. So, I was thinking, if you happen to be free…”

“I’ll check my schedule. If I’m free, I’ll come.”

“Alright then.”

As she walked home to prepare lunch, Bai Jingjing remained oblivious to the furtive glance Xia Chu cast her way, nor could she possibly comprehend the intricate tapestry of emotions interwoven within Xia Chu’s gaze.

In any case, cooking was her immediate priority.

With ample time and a growing familiarity, the lunch spread today proved even more elaborate than yesterday’s. Yet, Xia Chu appeared preoccupied, eating with a noticeable air of distraction.

“Sister Xia,” Bai Jingjing called out to her.

“Hmm, hmm?” Xia Chu started slightly. “What is it?”

“There’s a meeting at the property management office this afternoon; perhaps I should go?” Bai Jingjing offered, “Just to see what it’s all about.”

“Oh… oh,” Xia Chu responded, still somewhat distracted. “Yes, you should go.”

Homeowner meetings held no interest for her; she typically kept to her own abode, rarely venturing out. All her fees were always paid punctually, and she simply ignored everything else.

After lunch, and a brief period of rest, Xia Chu returned to her seat, beginning to peruse the latest stock market trends.

While weekends were typically her designated time for leisure, at this moment, she found herself with no particular desire to do anything specific.

Meanwhile, Bai Jingjing tidied herself up and headed downstairs to the property management office.

It was time for the homeowner’s meeting!

Ding-ding-ding, ding-ding-ding.

Though Xia Chu had silenced her notifications, she watched the QQ icon flash, and the familiar sound still echoed instinctively in her mind.

Upon clicking it open, she saw it was a message from her best friend.

[Eylla: So, what’s the verdict? Have you made up your mind?]

Eylla was inquiring about her intentions regarding Bai Jingjing. After all, she hadn’t specified the duration of the ‘rental,’ only suggesting they try it out for a weekend first.

At the time, Xia Chu had even remarked that a single weekend trial would likely suffice. However, observing her best friend’s current state of indecision, it was clear Eylla harbored other notions.

[Chuxia: I think, hmm, yes, I could use a bit more time to experience it.]

[Eylla: But you don’t even need ‘that kind of intimacy’ (TL Note: ‘涩涩’ (sèsè) is a euphemism for sexual or intimate acts, often used playfully or coyly in online contexts.), just someone to cook and do laundry for you. Do you genuinely need a girlfriend for that?]

The moment Xia Chu saw that message, a flicker of indignation sparked within her.

[Chuxia: It’s only been two days! It’s simply not needed *now*; that doesn’t mean it won’t ever be needed in the future. What if I *do* end up needing it?]

‘Things are in constant motion, constantly evolving; one must view the shifts in circumstances with a developmental perspective.’

[Eylla: Alright, alright. So, are you planning to extend for just two more days, covering next weekend?]

‘Just one weekend?’

Xia Chu pouted, a clear sign of her displeasure. She stared at her computer screen, typed out numerous words, then painstakingly deleted them one by one, before finally sending a single, concise sentence.

[Chuxia: Extending for just one or two weeks is too much hassle. Let’s renew for a month first and see how it goes.]

‘A month only encompasses four weekends; that still feels far too short.’

‘However, if I ask for too much, it might appear as if I’m desperately… *needing* her, a stark contrast to the cool, detached persona I projected on QQ just a few days ago.’

[Eylla: Oh, right. Where’s Bai Jingjing now? What are you two up to?]

[Chuxia: She’s gone downstairs to the property management office for a meeting.]

[Eylla: …Huh?]