Chapter 20: Wei Qingyu, Happy Mid-Autumn Festival
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
The warm afternoon sunlight fell gently on the girl, reflecting surprise in her turquoise eyes.
Wei Qingyu couldn't recall what happened after she retreated to the room.
She didn't know how Ji Qingyun disappeared, nor did she understand how she escaped, let alone how this small peach basket returned to her hands.
This small peach basket was a gift from her mother for her and Ji Xiao's births. Though the gift was light, it carried a deep love for both children.
The round and full peach basket was carved by her mother's hands over countless days and nights, and the red braided cord was personally sought from a temple.
However, later on, the small peach basket that Wei Qingyu always wore disappeared after her parents' incident.
She searched every corner of her home until she was evicted by the court, but she couldn't find it again.
Who would have thought that today it would unexpectedly find its way back into her hands?
Wei Qingyu looked at the family portrait of the three of them on the living room fireplace, with heavy gaze. She believed it must be fate that her mom and dad were blessing her from beyond, allowing her to escape unharmed today.
"Oh..."
At that moment, the door was pushed open from outside.
Wei Qingyu quickly restrained her emotions, cautiously opened a cabinet, and took out a Western-style dagger, pressing against the wall as she looked towards the door.
The newcomer wasn't Ji Qingyun but the driver who had taken her to the cemetery today.
He seemed a bit suspicious, wandering around the first floor as if searching for something, gradually approaching her.
Seizing the opportunity, Wei Qingyu took a determined step forward, the knife pressed against the driver's neck.
She coldly asked, "What do you want?"
"I... I just need to use the restroom, Miss Wei..." The driver stiffened, looking somewhat helpless.
He had been waiting outside for Wei Qingyu for three hours, and his bladder was about to explode. However, he didn't dare to use the public restroom nearby in case something went wrong with Miss Wei.
Helplessly, he had to push the door and enter this villa.
Little did he know he wouldn't find the restroom first and would be pressed against the wall by Miss Wei.
Wei Qingyu slightly furrowed her brows and asked cautiously, "Where is Ji Qingyun?"
"Miss..." The driver remembered Ji Xiao's instructions before leaving and said, "Miss... Shortly after arriving at the villa, he received an urgent call and had to leave. He asked me to pick you up and take you back."
Wei Qingyu eased her brows at his words.
So that's how it is...
Without asking further, Wei Qingyu raised her other hand, pointing towards the hidden door at the entrance. "The restroom is over there; you went the wrong way."
After speaking, Wei Qingyu lifted her wrist slightly, keeping the knife a bit farther from the driver's neck.
Seeing this, the driver quickly straightened his body and moved sideways out, then hurriedly ran towards the restroom.
Like the occasional ripple on a calm lake, with the sound of the driver pushing the door closed, the first floor returned to quietness.
Wei Qingyu walked to the fireplace blankly, clutching the little peach basket in her hand, and looked up at the photo in front of her.
In front of a rose-covered wall, a young her held hands with her mother Xu Manlin, and her father Wei Lindong.
A family of three, each with their own smile, their eyes sparkling with brightness and brilliance. At that time, Wei Qingyu believed that their family would never separate, and they would continue to be happy like this forever.
Later on...
It can be considered to be a lifetime.
Like every child, Wei Qingyu, dressed in a black dress, bid farewell to her parents on that pouring rainy day. But it happened at an age when she was not yet an adult.
Wei Qingyu tightened her grip on the small peach basket in her hand, thumb rubbing against the back of her index finger, forcing herself to suppress the sadness within.
Her Mom was gone, her Dad was gone.
Their home was soon to be auctioned.
She couldn't cry, and she couldn't be weak. She had to retrieve everything her parents left for her.
"Miss, I'm done. Shall we go back now?" The driver emerged from the restroom, asking respectfully.
"Mm." Wei Qingyu nodded, securing the recently regained small peach basket back onto her wrist. As autumn approached, the sun became lazier, and before six o'clock, a layer of dusk shrouded the earth.
One side of the sky held a bright white sun, while the other had already drawn a round, gleaming moon.
Wei Qingyu gazed at this rare sky, expressionless, and took out the keys to open the door.
The house remained unusually quiet. Aunt Wu was in the kitchen preparing for tonight's Mid-Autumn Festival reunion dinner, and another maid was assisting in the kitchen.
No one cared that she had returned, and no one was concerned about why she came back so late. The thrilling events with Ji Qingyun in that red-bricked house were utterly ignored.
Wei Qingyu silently sat on the living room sofa and poured herself a glass of water to quench her thirst.
The steam wafted over her eyes, the warmth moistening her cold body.
“Aiyo, I'm exhausted! Come over and give me a hand!"
With a violent sound of the door opening, Ji Xiao appeared in the doorway.
Everyone was startled.
Wei Qingyu set down her glass, looking towards the entrance, while Mrs. Wu and the other maid dropped what they were doing and hurried over.
As they all got a clear look at Ji Xiao's attire, their eyes widened involuntarily.
Ji Xiao was still wearing the white T-shirt and denim shorts from the morning, but her feet were in a pair of muddy sneakers. In her delicate hands, she carried two large bags of fruits and a whole Jinhua ham, flushed from the effort.
"Oh my goodness, Miss, what are you doing?!" Aunt Wu couldn't help but exclaim.
Ji Xiao winced at Aunt Wu's sharp exclamation, saying, "What's the big deal? Didn't I tell you I was going to see Qi Qi?"
"This is a holiday gift from a brother. We'll make use of it later." Ji Xiao kicked off her shoes while pointing at the whole Jinhua ham.
It had to be said that Xie Yong, this big brother, was really thoughtful.
After Ji Xiao paid him double the appearance fee, he took her to his own store. Then gifted her a bunch of fruits and cured meats.
If she hadn't hailed a taxi right away, Ji Xiao feared her petite frame wouldn't have been able to handle the load.
"Don't eat too much of this. How about I make some pickled fresh bamboo shoots? There are still some in the refrigerator," Mrs. Wu suggested.
"Sure, sure," Ji Xiao casually waved her hand, feeling exhausted. In her slippers, she headed towards the sofa in the living room.
But when she saw Wei Qingyu sitting upright on the sofa, her body suddenly straightened.
Soft white light poured down from the ceiling, illuminating the small part of the girl's face covered by her black hair.
Her pale skin exuded a jade-like glow, and beneath the thick lashes, a pair of calm and lively eyes gleamed. The fragility that had been curled up in her arms was nowhere to be seen.
The light blue dress was impeccably buttoned up to the top, and a delicate silver brooch was neatly pinned to her chest.
Ji Xiao steadied herself on the sofa and sat across from Wei Qingyu, asking, "You're back?"
Wei Qingyu glanced at the dirty Ji Xiao on the sofa, softly responding with a "Mm."
She picked up a cup and took a sip of water, her moist lips pursing and then pursing again. Unable to resist, she asked, "Did you get into a fight?"
Ji Xiao paused, thinking that she couldn't let Wei Qingyu discover the incident where she pretended to be a trusted member of the Wei family to warn Ji Qingyun. So, following her lead, Ji Xiao nodded, “Mm, isn't that allowed?"
Wei Qingyu, sensing a hint of dissatisfaction in Ji Xiao's tone, furrowed her brows slightly.
Feeling her concern for Ji Xiao was somewhat ridiculous, she decided not to delve into it further. She casually said, "Okay," bringing their conversation to a hasty end.
The atmosphere became a bit awkward, and Ji Xiao sensed a trace of displeasure in Wei Qingyu's tone.
She stole a glance at Wei Qingyu, who was still drinking water just like before, but her turquoise eyes now had a touch of coldness.
Did she reverse the score just now?
Ji Xiao felt a moment of regret but was about to lower her gaze when something caught her attention.
On Wei Qingyu's left wrist, a red string was tied, and a delicate small peach basket dangled from her slender wrist.
And why does this small peach basket look so familiar?
A memory flashed through Ji Xiao's mind. She recalled that she had rushed out immediately after receiving the message from Wei Qingyu. It was around that time when she discovered the little peach basket and absentmindedly stuffed it into her pocket.
Could there be such a coincidence…
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Ji Xiao's heart raced as she quickly searched her clothes' pockets.
She found plenty of candy wrappers, but the little peach basket she absentmindedly put in her pocket during the chaos was nowhere to be found!
Ji Xiao stared fixedly at Wei Qingyu's wrist, where the small peach basket was hanging. She couldn't understand why Wei Qingyu had the small peach basket left at the Wei family on her wrist.
Could she have been mistaken?
Was it still in the room?
The lingering sunset cast its glow through the floor-to-ceiling window behind Wei Qingyu, piercing Ji Xiao's eyes.
Just as she raised her head, retracting her gaze, she locked eyes with Wei Qingyu, who was looking in her direction.
Wei Qingyu's turquoise eyes held a layer of cautious vigilance, causing a thump in Ji Xiao's heart.
Wei Qingyu glanced at the little peach basket on her wrist, which Ji Xiao had scrutinized for quite some time, and asked calmly, "What's wrong?"
Ji Xiao bit her lip and said, "Nothing... It just felt a bit familiar..."
Upon hearing this, Wei Qingyu looked at the somewhat puzzled girl sitting across from her and let out a faint laughter in her heart.
She gently rubbed the little peach basket on her wrist and said, "My mom also gave you one when you were born; you probably forgot by now."
Her voice was particularly flat, devoid of any emotion.
But when Ji Xiao heard it, she felt that her heart was filled with a layer of coldness and a hint of happiness.
So, Wei Qingyu should also have a little peach basket, and she mistakenly thought Ji Xiao's was hers?
Is this the reward for saving the female lead...
"I'm tired; I'll go back to my room."
Wei Qingyu stood up and left directly, interrupting Ji Xiao's sense of accomplishment.
Watching Ji Xiao's sudden realization on her face, she felt a bit unworthy for her mother's sake and even more regretful for having her father associate with a scumbag like Ji Qingyun.
Outside the window, the evening scenery was hazy, with shadows of trees swaying in front of it.
A bright full moon ascended into the sky, making Wei Qingyu feel particularly lonely.
Ji Xiao 季潇 silently watched her disappear into the staircase, her emotions complex.
Tonight was the Mid-Autumn Festival, a day for family reunions.
Yet, both of them were people in this world without a home...
"Miss, Sir just called, saying he has something urgent and won't be able to make it to tonight's reunion dinner," Aunt Wu approached Ji Xiao and conveyed the message.
Ji Xiao calmly withdrew her gaze, responding indifferently, "Oh."
This scumbag is probably checking the surveillance for evidence now, intending to find the so-called Wei family confidant who scared him to wet his pants.
But as long as the surveillance didn't capture them, even if he searched City A high and low, it would be in vain.
Moreover, even if he did find out, they could have a big argument at most.
After all, she was a spoiled brat, and he was a daughter-slave. He wouldn't do anything to harm her.
As long as she could escape, she could ensure that Xie Yong and the others also escaped unharmed.
Aunt Wu: "So, for tonight..."
"We must have a complete meal, and make sure all the mooncakes and pastries are neatly arranged," Ji Xiao commanded, observing the well-lit neighboring house where a family gathered. "We can't lack the festive atmosphere that others have in their homes."
Aunt Wu, not understanding Ji Xiao's hidden intentions, nodded obediently, "Alright, Miss."
As night fell, the bright full moon hung in the sky, casting a radiant glow upon the world.
Wei Qingyu had already finished her evening routine, sitting on her bed, preparing to rest.
The joys of the world had nothing to do with her.
"Dang dang dang."
At this moment, a light knock echoed at the door.
Wei Qingyu sat up from her bed, asking, "Who is it?"
"It's me, Miss Wei. Miss asked you to come down for the reunion dinner," Aunt Wu, reminded and warned by Ji Xiao, treated Wei Qingyu with extra respect.
Upon hearing the words "reunion dinner," Wei Qingyu couldn't help but furrow her brows.
She responded coldly, "Thank you, but I'm tired. I won't come down."
Aunt Wu hastily said, "Miss Wei, our Miss said if you don't come down, I'll be dismissed. Please give me face and come down."
Listening inside the room, Wei Qingyu remained indifferent.
These people had never cared about her life or death, and now she was supposed to care about them?
Seeing Wei Qingyu's silence, Aunt Wu nervously continued, "Our Miss also said that... that 'bastard' hasn't come..."
Wei Qingyu, upon hearing this, showed a slight change in expression.
She didn't know why, but she was certain that the “bastard" mentioned by Ji Xiao was Ji Qingyun, and she felt a slight satisfaction hearing this.
Aunt Wu waited anxiously outside the door, with sweaty palms.
Unable to resort to violence and having said everything she could, Aunt Wu knew Miss was resolute in her decisions.
She had never imagined that one day her fate would be held in Wei Qingyu's hands.
Suddenly, a bright light emerged from the room.
Wei Qingyu, wearing a simple white dress, appeared at the door, "Let's go."
Aunt Wu nodded eagerly, ecstatic, leading the way for her like a sycophant.
However, after descending the stairs, Wei Qingyu didn't head straight to the dining room as usual. Instead, she walked towards a glass door leading to the backyard.
The glass door emitted a heavy sliding sound, and Aunt Wu made a respectful gesture to Wei Qingyu.
Wei Qingyu hesitated, not sure what Ji Xiao was up to. She cautiously stepped toward the backyard.
In the backyard, under the night sky, Wei Qingyu saw stars. The white decorative lights hanging on the trees sparkled like stars, creating a dazzling and beautiful scene.
Ancient people often said that stars were sparse when the moon was bright. Yet, standing beneath the night sky in the backyard, Wei Qingyu could see the twinkling stars.
Those small white lanterns that were hung on the trees were twinkling, as bright as stars, radiant and beautiful.
The full moon of the Mid-Autumn Festival generously cast its pure moonlight upon the girl standing in the center of the courtyard.
Ji Xiao stood in front of the splendid banquet, opening her arms to Wei Qingyu. In her golden-orange eyes, there was a lively and radiant smile.
"Wei Qingyu, Happy Mid-Autumn Festival."
Author's Note:
Letting you guess the pigeon's imagination, wouldn't the pigeon lose face, pinching the waist d('x')b”
