Chapter 84: Original Version
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
T/N: Chapter 83 Version 2 is also added, check back if you're interested, Version 2 is the one currently posted on jjwxc
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The sky was cloudy just now, with the sun shining brightly. In the blink of an eye, thick clouds covered it, but the sun still hung high in the sky. People's emotions were filled with anticipation and waiting.
Liang Ying stood by the bridge, witnessing this scene, and sighed, "I have to send my Xiao Jing away, what should I do? I feel so heartbroken."
The voice was loud and Gu Xizhi and Qu Xizhi both looked toward the source of the sound.
Liang Huan was embarrassed about her daughter interrupting such a warm moment. It was too late to cover Liang Ying's mouth, so she smiled and walked a few steps toward the two.
"This is one of the few times I've deceived someone, Xiao Jing, you have to forgive me."
Gu Xizhi tilted her head, intending to say something but ended up sighing, "Sister Huan, the celebration banquet is canceled. Let's have a meal together."
Liang Huan looked more respectful than obedient, "If this is the result, of course it's good."
As the car drove on, Lili was driving, while Youyou sat in the passenger seat. Gu Xizhi and Qu Xizhi were in the back, with Liang Ying beside them.
Seeing Gu Xizhi holding Qu Xizhi's hand tightly for the umpteenth time, Liang Ying rolled her eyes in the air and said, "Sure enough, a woman shouldn't be kept at home*. Gu Xiao Jing, you're really hopeless, holding Xiao A'Qu's hand since we got off the bridge. Are you afraid she'll run away?"
*means that when a daughter reaches adulthood, she must be married off in time.
Lili, Youyou "..." pretending not to hear.
Qu Xizhi looked at Gu Xizhi's hand, slightly pulled back, as if trying to adjust her posture, and perhaps avoiding unnecessary teasing from a child.
The tightly held warmth in their hands showed signs of withdrawal. Gu Xizhi instantly tightened the grip of her fingers, turning her head to look at Qu Xizhi, "Don't, or I might think this is an illusion."
Qu Xizhi was momentarily stunned, looking at her without moving.
Lili accidentally saw the two of them flirting in the rearview mirror and involuntarily cleared her throat, "Ahem, ahem, ahem..."
Liang Ying, on the other hand, was even more exaggerated, "Tsk tsk, I thought I wouldn't be able to face Dad when we go there, but turns out, it's even harder to keep my eyes open here."
"Okay." Gu Xizhi took Liang Ying's hand, "So much nonsense, I promise to give you snacks for the holiday."
"I want you to cook for me yourself."
"Okay." Gu Xizhi responded to every request, but her right hand still held Qu Xizhi's hand and refused to let go.
This state lasted until Gu Xizhi really started cooking. Because she invited everyone to have a meal at her home, Gu Xizhi naturally became busy, but something that everyone couldn't bear to look at, once again happened after Gu Xizhi entered the kitchen.
Although she was cooking in the kitchen, Gu Xizhi specifically asked Qu Xizhi to stay with her in the kitchen. The disadvantage of the semi-open kitchen is that it is not very concealed. Liang Youyou, who was invited to Gu Xizhi's home for a small celebration banquet as a happy diner, was also forced to see Gu Xizhi checking whether Qu Xizhi was there from time to time while cooking, and she couldn't hold back her mouth at all.
"Let me say, Gu Xizhi, why didn't I realize your virtue before? Even when I was in the midst of passionate love, I wasn't like you. Jade, go and despise her."
Liang Youyou circled around the kitchen, pulling Qu Xizhi out in the process. Her girlfriend Jade, looked apologetically at Gu Xizhi, shrugging her shoulders, seemingly helpless in the situation.
"Okay, I've discussed it with Mr. Anda. Qu Xizhi, Xia Lili, and I will come over to play Bridge*. Liang Ying, you go wash the vegetables. Others can do as they please." Looking at Gu Xizhi in the kitchen, Liang Youyou joyfully curved her lips, "Hey, cook well, and don't put ginger slices in my stewed bamboo chicken."
*桥牌 (qiáo pái), a card game
Gu Xizhi gave her a contemptuous look and continued to work hard. Unable to stand it anymore, Youyou* walked to the kitchen and said, "Sister Xiao Jing, let me help you."
*the assistant
"Thank you, Youyou." Gu Xizhi chopped the ginger vigorously without raising her head.
Usually, Qu Xizhi isn't someone who would spoil the mood of friends around. After accompanying Liang Youyou to play bridge for half an hour in a room filled with the aroma of food, Qu Xizhi excused herself to the bathroom, handed the cards to Jade, washed her hands, and then returned to the kitchen.
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Patting Youyou who was cutting vegetables, Qu Xizhi signaled her to rest and took over her work after she left. While cutting vegetables, she said, "Didn't Tian Youlan scold you for what you said during the award ceremony?"
Gu Xizhi, who was busy cooking soup, just noticed there was a different person behind her. Seeing Qu Xizhi cutting vegetables, she immediately put down the ladle and took the knife, saying, "I don't really like you doing these things. Go play cards with them."
Qu Xizhi paused, looking at her thoughtfully, "Are you sure it's not an illusion now?"
Gu Xizhi touched her, looked at her for a while, and touched her again. After a while, she said, "I don't know. It feels like good things are happening too suddenly, giving me a lot of unreal feelings, as if you could disappear at any moment." Pausing, as if remembering something, she added, "By the way, your engagement with Shen Ya..."
"He agreed to dissolve it, but his parents are still unaware. I plan to visit them another day to explain and apologize in person."
Gu Xizhi nodded, thought for a while, and then said, "Can I go with you?"
Qu Xizhi raised her brows.
Gu Xizhi immediately explained, "Mm...it would be better if I accompanied you to explain."
"Mm?"
"And to prevent you from being soft-hearted..." Gu Xizhi added awkwardly.
"Okay," Qu Xizhi nodded lightly.
"Get out quickly, or Liang Youyou will laugh at me again later." She patted her cheek and pushed Qu Xizhi out.
Qu Xizhi obediently followed her suggestion, moving away from the kitchen. After a few steps, she suddenly turned back at the kitchen door, "Actually..."
Gu Xizhi turned to look at her.
Qu Xizhi smiled, "There are only three people who can make me particularly soft-hearted."
….
The entire lunch concluded amid Liang Youyou's complaints about ginger slices in the stewed bamboo chicken. Perhaps driven by her own relationship troubles and a desire for some form of retaliation against society, after lunch, Liang Youyou couldn't resist suggesting a game. As for the level of support for this game...
"You see, Xiao Qu waited for Xiao Jing for several years before she came back. But Xiao Jing didn't even wait for a month. Comrade Gu Xizhi's female compatriots who think this is too cheap, please stand by my side."
After eating, Liang Youyou stood on the balcony with both hands crossed over her chest. It's unclear if showing affection will surely make someone resentful, but anyway after Liang Ying was the first to stand by Liang Youyou, everyone continued to line up and stand in order. Even Liang Huan appeared on Liang Youyou's side because she didn't have the company of female companions and followed the crowd.
Liang Youyou was so happy that she almost wanted to applaud, and patted Liang Ying on the shoulder, "Our family is indeed different."
Liang Ying hummed with her nose tilted to the side.
Liang Youyou raised the handkerchief in her hand, glanced over Qu Xizhi, and fixed her gaze on Gu Xizhi. "Alright, later cover your eyes and put on earplugs. We'll let you touch hands one by one. If you can touch the real Xiao Qu, we'll return her to you. If not..." she smiled maliciously, "we'll take her away, and you won't get her back tonight."
Gu Xizhi immediately turned her head to look at Qu Xizhi's hand, then quickly glanced at Lili, Youyou, Jade, and Liang Huan…
Before finishing, her vision was covered by silk. Layers of silk blocked the light in front of her, and Gu Xizhi entered a dark world, feeling somewhat passive in her movements.
"Okay." After tying the handkerchief for Gu Xizhi, Liang Youyou gestured to Anda, saying, "Mr. Anda, be a good referee!"
Anda, helpless in this game, still didn't dampen everyone's enthusiasm. After nodding, Liang Youyou looked maliciously at Qu Xizhi and pulled her hand, guiding her back to the group of women to rearrange the formation. Then, she passed a meaningful look to Anda.
Anda helplessly smiled but still came to Gu Xizhi's side, guiding her towards the first position.
Gu Xizhi followed his lead and reached the front. She then extended her hand, carefully feeling the palm and fingers of the woman in front of her but quickly moved on.
Jade, who was being touched and moved quickly, looked surprised at the swift results, covering her lips in amazement as Gu Xizhi walked away.
The next one was even faster.
Just as Gu Xizhi grasped Liang Ying's small hand, she disdainfully pushed it aside without hesitation, skipping to the next person.
The third one was almost within ten seconds. The fourth one took some time but was quickly eliminated. The fifth one was Youyou. Gu Xizhi touched her hand for a while and let go. Even though she turned back to feel again. Then, she ultimately touched the last one, Liang Youyou.
Finally touched, Liang Youyou took out her left hand, then grabbed Qu Xizhi's right wrist, placing it in front of Gu Xizhi. She had a proud expression. Gu Xizhi felt the left side, then the right side and this time finally stopped to seriously contemplate.
Everyone watched this scene with endless joy. Gu Xizhi stood there for a while and finally put down her hands.
The last one, facing Qu Xizhi, Liang Youyou still managed to sneak in with one of her own hands, as if she was not causing trouble or feeling uncomfortable.
Gu Xizhi touched the two hands back and forth, distinguishing them for a long time, and then suddenly moved the hands away in opposite directions.
The hand that was bent backward made Liang Youyou scream in pain. Gu Xizhi quickly discerned the reaction of the two hands and soon took Qu Xizhi's left hand.
"No, you're a shameless person." Liang Youyou said immediately, "You..."
Continuing to argue, Gu Xizhi had already pulled down the blindfold covering her eyes, looking somewhat pleased. "You were the one who cheated first."
"...Fine." A somewhat irrational Liang Youyou looked at how she held Qu Xizhi and then chuckled meaningfully. "But your understanding of Xiao Qu's hands is quite…something."
“Ahem.”
"Ahem ahem..."
There were several coughs in the room, and Lili also cleared her throat, but then said, "Since she recognized her, let's give Xiao Qu back to Xiao Jing. Today is Valentine's Day, let's not delay their time or ours."
Everyone probably thought this was reasonable, and after hearing this, they packed their things and prepared to say goodbye and leave.
Liang Youyou patted Gu Xizhi's shoulder directly."Bon Voyage."
After hearing this, Qu Xizhi looked at Gu Xizhi, who looked at the time on her watch and then hugged her to see her off.
Just a moment ago, the lively apartment had now quieted down. After seeing off the guests, Gu Xizhi checked the time again and returned to Qu Xizhi with the handkerchief. "Let's play a game too. Cover your eyes, and I'll take you somewhere. You can't uncover them until we arrive, okay?"
Qu Xizhi hesitated a bit, "Will it take a long time?"
"With me as your eyes, you can completely rely on me, are you afraid?"
Qu Xizhi looked at her with an interested smile. "It's rare to see you in such a mood."
Without saying a word, Gu Xizhi covered her eyes with the handkerchief.
In the morning, the weather was partly cloudy, but by the afternoon, it gradually became completely overcast. Gu Xizhi assisted Qu Xizhi all the way down the stairs, and onto the car, patiently reminding her each time they encountered stairs. At the airport, she decisively used music to block Qu Xizhi's ears, completely shielding her sense of hearing.
Qu Xizhi wasn't impatient, simply following her step by step. When Gu Xizhi suggested resting, she rested, and when Gu Xizhi came to assist her, she kept pace with her.
Although she was being controlled all the way, Qu Xizhi was obviously aware of it the moment the plane took off.
Taking off the earphones, Qu Xizhi tugged on Gu Xizhi's clothes, and then she held her wrist tightly before asking, "Where are we going?"
"I'm taking you to find a transparent and simple state of mind."
"Mm?" Qu Xizhi didn't seem to understand.
Gu Xizhi held her hand and softly said, "Back to when you were ten."
As the plane gradually took off, freely soaring in the vast sky, the dense clouds cast a somber hue over distant tall buildings. However, lovely white snowflakes danced, eagerly falling to earth like playful spirits. The entire world was snowing.
(End)
