Unexpected Turns and Future Plans

During their meal, Xia Chu casually recounted her current circumstances.

‘What did you say?’ Luo Xuan blinked in surprise. ‘You’re working at your family’s foundation now?’

Xia Chu dabbed the corner of her mouth with a tissue. ‘Mm, they said they saw potential in my talent and wanted me to give it a try.’

‘Given your achievements over the past few years, it would be strange if they didn’t see your potential; it’s perfectly normal for them to invite you,’ Luo Xuan said, biting on her bubble tea straw. ‘But you really didn’t need to go. You’re bound to be treated poorly there.’

Being a family enterprise, the company was undoubtedly filled with members of the Xia family, and those people would certainly not give her a warm reception.

Back then, when Xia Chu had run away from home, she had even declared, ‘I don’t like men,’ making her the subject of much ridicule among them.

Later, when Luo Xuan took Xia Chu in and let her live in her own home, it drew a crowd of people who pointed and gossiped about the two of them.

Eventually, even Luo Xuan’s parents heard the rumors and specifically inquired about it.

Luo Xuan had no choice but to patiently explain to them, saying that the bond between girls shared similarities with ordinary love. For instance, if two girls had played together for so long since childhood without developing any romantic feelings, it was even less likely to happen when they grew up.

Childhood sweethearts, those who innocently adored each other, developed feelings when they were young. If they were just ‘good buddies’ in childhood, they would simply remain close girlfriends as adults.

After much persuasion, she finally convinced her parents. They had initially been very worried, genuinely believing Luo Xuan had fallen for a girl, and only after hearing her lengthy explanation did they reluctantly put their minds at ease.

Consequently, Luo Xuan had a very poor impression of Xia Chu’s relatives. Now, that impression had only worsened.

‘Because now, she truly did like girls.’

‘How would she explain it to her parents in the future?’

Luo Xuan’s mind raced with countless thoughts, while Bai Jingjing, however, didn’t dwell on it as much, merely a little worried about Xia Chu.

‘So, how’s your work going now? Is it smooth?’

‘I’m not sure yet. I haven’t officially started any tasks, but the onboarding process itself went very smoothly.’ Xia Chu picked up her plum juice and took a sip, her beautiful brows furrowing slightly.

While the plum juice tasted decent enough, its texture was a little astringent.

‘What about after that?’ Bai Jingjing looked up at the ceiling, above which loomed the magnificent and imposing building. ‘Will you be working here every day, especially busy?’

Xia Chu paused for a moment, gently stirring her spoon in the soup bowl. ‘I don’t know, I might be very busy. Also, since I’ve just started, I’ll definitely have to work this weekend too. Our contract should be… over, right?’

‘Hey, but we agreed on a month, and there are still two weekend days left!’ Luo Xuan straightened up. ‘It wouldn’t be right to end it like this.’

Although she really wanted Bai Jingjing to stay by her side longer, if it meant sacrificing her best friend’s time, she couldn’t quite accept it.

As children, they had shared a box of chips and drunk from the same bottle—no, a whole case of coconut milk, like the best of friends.

Bai Jingjing pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, ‘How about this: if I’m free on weekends in the future, I’ll come and bring you meals.’

‘What?’ Xia Chu was taken aback. ‘In the future…’

‘The tea restaurant has limited dishes, and most use Western seasonings,’ Bai Jingjing said, picking up the menu and glancing at it. ‘For drinks, it’s either milk tea, plum juice, or coffee.’

She wasn’t wrong; it was indeed the standard fare for a tea restaurant. However, it clearly wasn’t as delicious as the food Bai Jingjing made.

Luo Xuan also noticed a particular word in Bai Jingjing’s recent statement. ‘Bai Jingjing, you said… ‘in the future’?’

‘That’s right. Even when I go to school, I’ll still have weekends off,’ Bai Jingjing said, as if stating the obvious. ‘It’s just delivering a meal, no trouble at all.’

‘Plus, she could come on time to see her “big sister” dressed in professional attire. That sounded quite nice.’

However, Bai Jingjing didn’t realize one thing: she hadn’t specified a time limit. Xia Chu opened her mouth, but ultimately didn’t voice the question.

‘If she didn’t ask, perhaps there was no limit?’

‘Who knew? Anyway, if “sis didn’t say, it was zero calories” (TL Note: A humorous internet slang phrase, ‘mèi shuō jiù shì líng kǎ,’ meaning if something isn’t explicitly stated, it’s assumed to be negligible or favorable, like ‘zero calories’ for food. Here, it implies ‘no explicit limit means no limit at all’).’

After finishing their meal, they lingered for a while. The trio then left the tea restaurant together, stopping at the entrance of the building.

‘I apologize, but I’m still not familiar with this place, so I can’t take you up for a tour,’ Xia Chu said apologetically. ‘Next time… or whenever you come again in the future, I’ll take you around.’

‘It’s alright,’ Bai Jingjing said, smiling gently. ‘I’ll be coming often anyway, so there’ll be plenty of opportunities.’

Xia Chu cautiously hummed in affirmation.

Watching the two of them converse so intimately, Luo Xuan, with the clear perspective of an outsider, felt a pang of envy.

‘No wonder the tea restaurant downstairs was called “Four Seasons”—it must have been waiting for her to bring warmth.’

****

After parting ways at the building’s entrance, Xia Chu turned to head back into the company, while Luo Xuan and Bai Jingjing went to the parking lot to find their car, preparing to go home.

Once in the car, Bai Jingjing couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.

Luo Xuan was a little curious. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘Nothing much. I was just thinking that Big Sister Xia Chu has embarked on her professional path, and I’m also striving towards my desired career.’ Bai Jingjing looked out at the sky through the car window. The afternoon sun was bright. ‘We both have bright futures ahead.’

“…”

Luo Xuan, who had been idle at home since graduating from university, felt her mouth twitch.

Upon returning home, whether or not she was inspired by Xia Chu’s diligence, Bai Jingjing also began to study diligently.

This time, Luo Xuan truly had nothing to do. She could only lie beside Bai Jingjing, playing on her phone, occasionally glancing up at her.

‘Either she looked at the “Tuantuan” (TL Note: Likely a pet or a plush toy, possibly a cat or dog, or a specific item with this name) resting on the desk, or she looked at the fair thighs on the chair.’

‘Don’t ask; if you ask, it’s just rent (TL Note: A humorous internet slang phrase, ‘bié wèn, wèn jiù shì fáng zū,’ implying that something is done for practical, often self-serving, reasons, and no further explanation is needed or will be given. Here, it playfully suggests Luo Xuan’s observation is a ‘payment’ for Bai Jingjing’s stay).’

Her phone buzzed a few times. Luo Xuan picked it up and saw it was a message from Lemon.

[Lemon: That girlfriend you found for Xia Chu, the one called Xiaobai in the group, do you have photos?]

[Eylla: Yes, why?]

[Lemon: Send me one.]

Luo Xuan chuckled softly.

[Eylla: No, I can’t give them to you. That’s private.]

[Lemon: ???]

[Lemon: Alright, then tell me her hair color. That should be fine, right?]

Though she didn’t know why Lemon wanted to know, Luo Xuan agreed to her small request.

[Eylla: Sakura white, it’s very light, with a slightly pinkish tint. It’s especially beautiful.]

[Lemon: What about her height? And her bust measurement? What’s her overall appearance like?]

[Eylla: How could I tell you those things? I can only tell you that she looks very petite, but her Tuantuan (TL Note: Here, ‘Tuantuan’ is a playful euphemism for breasts, implying they are large and round) is huge. She has the face of a child with a giant figure.]

As she spoke of this, Luo Xuan suddenly became energized.

[Eylla: And her face, I’m telling you, it’s so pretty, especially youthful, just like a middle schooler’s.]

[Eylla: Alright, that’s about all I can say. Do you need something?]

[Lemon: No, just casually asking. Thanks.]

In the junior high section of Huiguang Middle School, a white-haired loli with a single ponytail hummed softly as she opened another private chat window.

[Lemon: Mrs. Xiaobai, are you there? I’ve figured out what to draw. I’ll send you the plot and character designs tonight.]

Bai Jingjing, who was currently memorizing classical Chinese texts, suddenly felt her phone buzz.