Chapter 193: Compensation
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Xi Mo was soaked all over. Ruan Yesheng couldn't bear to ask more, so she quickly took out slippers for her from the shoe cabinet.
Xi Mo closed the door and looked down at her soaked sneakers. Walking in wet sneakers felt really uncomfortable. She frowned and said, “Do you have summer ones? Don't get your clean slippers wet.”
“That will be so cold.” Ruan Yesheng took out the softest pair of slippers for her, handed her two dry towels and let her sit on the soft stool at the entrance. “Dry yourself off, then wear them.”
Seeing Xi Mo holding flowers and finding it inconvenient, she reached out naturally. “Come, give me the flowers.”
Xi Mo, however, looked a bit embarrassed, and didn't immediately hand over the bouquet in her arms.
“Weren’t they for me?” Ruan Yesheng smiled and teased her. “Or did I misunderstand?”
Xi Mo said in a low voice, “They are… for you.”
Why isn't this like she imagined? Giving flowers was very romantic in Xi Mo’s eyes. But now, looking messy and wet, and having to change shoes at the entrance made it anything but romantic.
“Then why aren't you giving it to me?” Ruan Yesheng smiled, but she sounded a little anxious. Worried that Xi Mo would catch a cold. “Can’t bear to part with them?”
Xi Mo had no choice but to hand the bouquet to Ruan Yesheng. After she took it, Xi Mo added with a stumble, “...Happy birthday.”
She always felt that when giving flowers, she must give birthday wishes. She had practiced this scene in her heart many times. She didn't expect it to be like this. Even if she felt disappointed, the birthday wish shouldn't be omitted.
“Thank you.” Ruan Yesheng pressed her lips and smiled. She wanted to say something more, but she held it back for now.
Xi Mo didn't sit down, but instead reminded Ruan Yesheng, “Turn around.”
Ruan Yesheng had expected it. She turned while holding the flowers. “Okay, okay.”
Xi Mo quickly dried her feet, put on the fluffy slippers, and used another towel to dry her hair, finally feeling the long-lost sense of comfort.
Ruan Yesheng secretly glanced at the stool that wasn't wet. “Are you done?”
“...Done.” Xi Mo let out a breath.
“Then come with me.” Ruan Yesheng turned to look at her.
Xi Mo followed her obediently inside. The heating in Ruan Yesheng’s home was on full blast. She looked around as she dried her hair. When they first swapped bodies, Xi Mo had come here once, then moved out quickly to rent a place. At that time she didn't look carefully, nor had she been interested.
Now her mood was different. She looked closely at the furniture, the green plants, even the small decorations on the table, and the brands of the appliances.
She wanted to see more of the place where Ruan Yesheng lived. She wanted to know her preferences.
Ruan Yesheng watched Xi Mo’s expression carefully. She brought a hair dryer. Xi Mo dried her hair but kept looking around. Ruan Yesheng hesitated for a moment and wanted to speak, but Xi Mo urged her, “Put the flowers in first.”
Ruan Yesheng: “...”
...Is this the time to arrange flowers?
She had no choice but to find a clear glass vase, fill it with water, and put the bouquet inside. The petals were delicate, and the vase was sparkling, exuding a serene and harmonious beauty.
“Is this your best-looking vase?” Xi Mo suddenly asked.
“Knowing you are picky and have high taste in life.” Ruan Yesheng used honorific words on purpose. “I specially chose the best vase in my humble house to match your noble flowers. There is nothing better.”
Xi Mo: “...”
She snorted. “Sarcastic.”
Ruan Yesheng didn't answer, but cautiously asked, “...Do you want to take a shower?”
Xi Mo hesitated.
She really wanted to shower. Being soaked felt uncomfortable. But she couldn't say she wanted to shower at Ruan Yesheng’s home. And Ruan Yesheng seemed to have thought about it for a long time before asking.
“You can wear... my clothes.” Ruan Yesheng took a deep breath.
Xi Mo looked at her but stayed silent.
“I know... you don't like showering at other people’s homes.” Ruan Yesheng lowered her voice as if recalling something deep in her memory. “But you can't stay like this. You might catch a cold.”
Xi Mo still didn't speak, but her eyes narrowed slightly.
“There are new clothes. They are clean.” Ruan Yesheng was worried about her cleanliness obsession. After saying that, she lowered her eyes and said softly, “I... hope you shower here. I want to try. Maybe now you’d be willing to shower at my home. But... I’m not sure if you are willing.”
Xi Mo’s lips moved. “You...”
She felt that sentence had another meaning.
Ruan Yesheng raised her eyes again and waited.
...I think you would be willing.
I hope this isn’t my illusion. But I’m not sure if you are willing.
...Are you willing?
“I am willing.” Xi Mo said softly.
Ruan Yesheng’s eyes widened slightly and quickly breathed a sigh of relief. Her face lit up with a bright smile, and her voice trembled with a hint of joy. “Then go to the bathroom. I... I will get the clothes for you. I’ll be quick.”
Xi Mo nodded and watched her run into the bedroom. Her back looked cute and happy. Xi Mo sighed, a long-overdue regret welling up inside her. She walked to the bathroom quietly.
She turned on the heater and took off her wet clothes. Soon there was a knock and Ruan Yesheng's voice rang out, “Xi Mo, clothes.”
Xi Mo opened the door a little.
Ruan Yesheng saw her bare shoulder through the gap. Her face turned red. She closed her eyes and turned her head while handing the clothes. “...Come take them.”
Feeling the clothes being taken from her, Ruan Yesheng opened her eyes only to find that Xi Mo hadn't closed the door, leaving it ajar.
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Xi Mo’s face was behind the gap, her eyes holding an indescribable expression.
“What’s wrong?” Ruan Yesheng asked softly.
“...Sorry.” Xi Mo said.
Ruan Yesheng froze again.
“In college, you once asked me to shower at your home. I gave you a bad face then.” Xi Mo lowered her brows. “Sorry. Something happened that day. I was in a bad mood. I should not have taken it out on you.”
“You still remember?” A strange pang of sadness welled up in Ruan Yesheng’s heart.
It wasn't that she recalled Xi Mo’s displeased tone back then, but rather she was surprised Xi Mo hadn't forgotten.
“You haven't forgotten either.” Xi Mo said. “Did it leave a shadow in your heart? Since I came in, you wanted me to take a shower, but you didn't dare to ask. Were you afraid I would be unwilling like before?”
“It is not a shadow.” Ruan Yesheng smiled. “I just don't want you to be unhappy. Of course... I am also a little insecure.”
Her last words were very soft.
“What are you insecure about?” Xi Mo asked softly, her gaze lingering, seemingly glued to Ruan Yesheng.
The shower wasn't on but the warmth of the air from the bathroom made Ruan Yesheng drowsy.
“Can I not say it now?” Ruan Yesheng suppressed the restlessness in her heart and asked.
“...Sure.”
“Go take a shower.” She smiled. “Call me if you need anything.”
Xi Mo nodded.
The door closed and water sounds came from inside. Ruan Yesheng watched the mist rise on the door for a while, then went back to the living room.
Her heart was messy. She didn't know what she felt. After standing there for a long time, her eyes fell on the flowers.
Some of the branches and leaves were slightly damaged from the road. She took scissors and trimmed them carefully.
Green leaves and soft petals fell onto the table. In this careful trimming, she found short peace, as if the tangled vines in her heart were being tidied.
Time passed quietly. Xi Mo finished showering and wore the clothes Ruan Yesheng prepared. She was a bit taller, but their builds were similar, so the clothes fit well. Ruan Yesheng also gave her a home sweater. It was soft like a cloud.
Xi Mo wore the sweater on top, convinced that it was handknitted. She lifted the hem and smelled it. It smelled like sunshine and fresh fragrance. She felt satisfied.
Recently the weather has been bad, it's been either snowing or raining. The sunshine smell was probably just her imagination.
After smelling for a while, she suddenly jolted awake and hurriedly put the hem down.
What is she doing?
...Is she sick?
Xi Mo coughed lightly and fixed the sweater. Then walked out stiffly.
Ruan Yesheng was busy in the kitchen. The door was closed, but the soup smell spread out. Xi Mo smelled dinner and all her tiredness from riding a bicycle in heavy rain disappeared. She also saw that the flowers had been trimmed.
Ruan Yesheng was good at local dishes and made them carefully. She had just started cooking one dish when someone knocked.
“Can I come in?” Xi Mo asked.
“Come in.” Ruan Yesheng wiped her hands and turned.
Xi Mo walked in and asked naturally, “What are we eating tonight?”
“Look.” Ruan Yesheng smiled and showed her.
Xi Mo looked. They were all her favorite dishes. She liked light taste to keep her figure.
“Do the clothes fit?” Ruan Yesheng asked while washing vegetables.
“...Very comfortable.” Xi Mo looked away. “Especially the sweater. It's really nice. Handmade things are better, mm.”
She was thinking about how to take one away.
Ruan Yesheng glanced at her and saw how much she cared about the sweater. She held back a laugh and said, “It’s not handmade. It is a small brand.”
Xi Mo’s face fell. “You didn't knit it? I didn't see a label.”
“Some brands sew labels in hidden places. You just didn't find it.”
Xi Mo frowned.
What a broken sweater! She had to see where the label was. How dare it pretend to be handmade and trick her. What kind of lousy things these brands are doing these days.
She looked around the sweater like a big beautiful cat. She flipped the hem and searched. Hearing Ruan Yesheng chuckle, she came back to senses.
“You lied to me?” Xi Mo stared at her.
“I was wrong.” Ruan Yesheng smiled and coaxed the cat “I knitted it. As compensation for lying to you, I will give this sweater to you.”
“...That is more like it.” Xi Mo kept a straight face, but her lips couldn't hide a smile.
Author's Notes:
Xi Mo: I feel very uncomfortable. What illness do I have?
Director Jun: If you feel bad, see a doctor. I am not an imperial physician.
Xi Mo: I will give you one more chance.
Director Jun: ...You are love-brained. No cure. My advice is, don't treat it. Even if you do, you will still drool. You are already beyond saving.
