Chapter 67
Lin Qianqian didn’t understand Lu Yin’s apprehension, attributing it to the fact that they hadn’t celebrated New Year’s Eve together in years.
She had often imagined what it would be like, their reunion a chance to rekindle their childhood traditions, their shared memories.
If Lu Yin resisted, she would simply act out, her childish demands a way to make Lu Yin indulge her, to give in to her whims.
No older sister could unconditionally tolerate her younger sister’s antics, but Lin Qianqian always found a way to make Lu Yin do just that.
Except for the occasional loss of control in the bedroom, she believed she had a good grasp of Lu Yin’s emotions, her moods.
But as they shopped for groceries on New Year’s Eve, Lu Yin kept her distance, her hand not reaching for Lin Qianqian’s, her arm not wrapping around her waist.
When Lin Qianqian tried to take the shopping cart from her, Lu Yin subtly moved away, avoiding her touch.
Was she really that afraid of Lin Qianqian leaving her, finding someone else?
But Lin Qianqian’s childhood friends had drifted apart, her friends from abroad were out of reach, and she would never betray Lu Yin like that.
“Can you eat spicy food? Isn’t your period coming soon?” Lu Yin asked, picking up a package of seasoning.
“Not yet. Let’s get some,” Lin Qianqian said, placing the seasoning in the cart and adding a few more. “I want something sweet and spicy. Let’s add some sugar to the stir-fry.”
Lu Yin weighed some rock sugar for sweet soup.
Lin Qianqian watched her, noticing how she favored her left hand, her right hand barely moving.
That was strange. Her earlier suspicion of jealousy faded, replaced by a sudden concern.
She hadn’t even asked about Lu Yin’s hand injury.
And she had returned during the summer. Old injuries often flared up in cold weather.
“Sister, is your hand hurting?” she asked, joining Lu Yin in the checkout line.
Even on New Year’s Eve, the supermarket was crowded, people jostling for space, their carts overflowing with holiday groceries.
“It does ache in the cold,” Lu Yin said, Lin Qianqian taking the bag of sugar from her hand. “But it’s fine. As long as I don’t strain it.”
“And you were moving tables and chairs and easels at the institution?” Lin Qianqian asked, taking Lu Yin’s hand and blowing on it gently.
Seeing Lu Yin’s indifference, she said, “I’ll wait in line. You watch the cart.”
She placed the sugar in the cart. “Just relax and wait for your New Year’s Eve feast. I’ll take care of everything.”
They had done most of their shopping earlier, but there were still a few things they needed.
Lu Yin carried two heavy bags, her pace quick and efficient.
“Wait for me!” Lin Qianqian called out, struggling to keep up, her arms full of snacks. “You never learn!”
As they loaded the groceries into the trunk, Lin Qianqian noticed Lu Yin’s hand, slightly red and swollen.
“Should we buy some medicine?” she asked, her brow furrowed with concern. “What kind? Something for swelling?”
“It’ll be fine. It’s just the cold,” Lu Yin said, starting the car. “It’ll get better when the weather warms up.”
“We’ll stop at the pharmacy when we get back. I’ll ask the pharmacist what to get,” Lin Qianqian insisted.
She bought two cans of pain relief spray and a bottle of pain relief capsules, her expression more concerned than Lu Yin’s.
How could Lu Yin be so careless about her own health?
Lin Qianqian was the only one who seemed worried, Lu Yin’s indifference a frustrating contrast to her own anxiety.
“I don’t care how you managed before, but now that I’m here, I’m not going to let you suffer,” she said, carrying the groceries from the trunk, ordering Lu Yin to stand aside and not lift a finger.
Lu Yin followed her inside, watching her, her breathing slightly labored from the exertion, then Lin Qianqian poured her a glass of water, waiting for her to drink it before collapsing onto the sofa.
“Isn’t it too early to start cooking? Isn’t New Year’s Eve dinner supposed to be eaten closer to midnight?”
“Aren’t you hungry?” Lu Yin asked, going to the kitchen to wash the vegetables.
“I saw a bakery open on our way back. Do you want some dessert?”
Lu Yin knew she was just craving sweets. “Just say what you want. I’ll buy it for you.”
Lin Qianqian smiled, satisfied, then remembered the medicine, spraying it on Lu Yin’s hand.
“It’s so swollen! Shouldn’t we go to the hospital?” she asked, her concern growing.
“It’s fine,” Lu Yin said, her tone dismissive, then, seeing Lin Qianqian’s worried expression, added, “If it doesn’t get better in a few days, we’ll go.”
“Okay,” Lin Qianqian said, taking Lu Yin’s other hand and leading her out of the apartment, towards the bakery.
It was New Year’s Eve, and the bakery was almost empty, the selection limited.
Lin Qianqian asked if they could make a small cake, and they sat down to wait.
She fidgeted, her gaze fixed on her feet, then at Lu Yin, who seemed lost in thought. This wasn’t how she had envisioned their New Year’s Eve.
She had imagined a quiet evening together, reminiscing about the past, making plans for the future.
She looked at Lu Yin, her profile elegant, her lips pressed together, her attire simple, a thin shirt beneath her coat, her appearance almost austere.
Lin Qianqian stared at her, thinking that in moments of quiet contemplation, she resembled a strict teacher.
But she had never seen Lu Yin teach. If she hadn’t alienated herself from the staff at the institution, she would have found a way to attend Lu Yin’s classes, a silent observer, her presence a constant reminder of her love, her devotion.
“Are you here to buy a cake too?”
Lu Yin’s attention was drawn to the voice, and she looked at Lin Qianqian, her gaze assessing, trying to decipher her intentions.
“Do you have any recommendations?” she asked.
Lu Yin looked at the cakes in the display case. “I don’t come here often.”
“Are you spending New Year’s Eve alone?” Lin Qianqian asked, her fingers toying with Lu Yin’s coat belt. “Want some company?”
“I’m waiting for someone,” Lu Yin said calmly, not stopping Lin Qianqian’s playful touch.
“Waiting for who? Me?” Lin Qianqian asked, taking Lu Yin’s hand. “Look at me, all alone on New Year’s Eve. So pathetic. Take me in.”
“Lin Qian,” Lu Yin said, her hand withdrawing from Lin Qianqian’s, her voice a warning.
“Huh?” Lin Qianqian pretended not to hear. “Don’t you recognize a flirtation when you see one? With my beauty, I’ve never been rejected.”
Remembering Lu Yin’s jealousy the previous night, she added quickly, “Except by you, of course. You were the first.”
The baker handed them the cake, and Lin Qianqian thanked her, pulling Lu Yin out of the bakery.
“My sister hasn’t come to pick me up yet. Miss, will you take me in for the night?” she asked, holding the cake, her eyes wide with feigned innocence. “Please?”
“If I take you in, I expect something in return,” Lu Yin said, playing along, her gaze meeting Lin Qianqian’s. “What can you offer me?”
“I’ll tell you when we get home. It wouldn’t be a surprise otherwise,” Lin Qianqian said, grinning.
She loved these silly games with Lu Yin, her playful banter a way to connect, to test the boundaries of their relationship.
“When are we going home, Sister?” she asked, still in character. “I’ve been wandering the streets for days, cold and alone, finally finding someone kind enough to take me in…”
Lu Yin grabbed her by the collar and led her towards their apartment, Lin Qianqian stumbling slightly, then pulling away.
“Okay, okay, I’ll behave!” she said, her earlier playfulness replaced by a more subdued affection.
She differentiated between “Sister” and “jie.” “Jie” was reserved for moments of intimacy, a familial endearment, while “Sister” was a more formal address.
They rode the elevator in silence, their footsteps barely audible in the quiet hallway, the motion sensors not even registering their presence.
Back at the apartment, Lin Qianqian placed the cake on the entryway table and kissed Lu Yin.
“Here’s your reward, Sister,” she whispered, her lips brushing against Lu Yin’s chin, then her lower lip.
Their eyes met, their lips meeting in a more demanding kiss.
Lin Qianqian, never one to back down from a challenge, kissed Lu Yin with a fierce possessiveness, her desire a force to be reckoned with, her goal to make Lu Yin’s legs weak, a playful ambition she had never achieved.
They stumbled towards the window, their bodies pressed together, Lin Qianqian’s head tilted back, her eyes catching the snowflakes falling in the darkness.
“Sister, it’s snowing again…”
Lu Yin deepened the kiss, then pulled away.
She didn’t believe intimacy was the best way to express love. Companionship was more important, the shared moments, the quiet intimacy of everyday life.
They had a New Year’s Eve dinner to prepare, a holiday to celebrate, their first together in years.
Lu Yin steadied her, her arms wrapping around Lin Qianqian’s waist, their gazes fixed on the falling snow, the flakes growing larger, heavier.
Lu Yin’s chin rested on Lin Qianqian’s shoulder, her hand covering Lin Qianqian’s, her gaze distant, unfocused.
As midnight approached, her anxiety intensified.
Fireworks began to explode in the night sky, their colorful bursts a stark contrast to the darkness within.
“We don’t have to eat the cake now. Aren’t you hungry?” Lu Yin asked.
“Let’s eat it with our New Year’s Eve dinner. Let’s start cooking!” Lin Qianqian said, her enthusiasm unwavering, her careful avoidance of Lu Yin’s injured hand a silent expression of her concern.
She had prepared a simplified menu, but she ended up needing Lu Yin’s help with every dish, her culinary skills still lacking.
The dishes, however, looked and smelled delicious.
“Sister, I’ll make a cucumber salad,” she said, shooing Lu Yin out of the kitchen. “I’m good at this. You don’t have to teach me.”
Lu Yin went to the living room, unwrapped the cake, and placed it on the table.
She glanced at the clock. 10:30 PM. The fireworks continued, their colorful bursts illuminating the night sky.
“Sister, are we out of oyster sauce?” Lin Qianqian called out from the kitchen, holding a plate of sliced cucumbers.
“I think so,” Lu Yin said, checking the cupboard. The bottle was almost empty, the remaining sauce too thick to squeeze out.
“I’ll go buy some. I’ve already prepared the cucumbers,” Lin Qianqian said.
“Do you want me to come with you?” Lu Yin asked, retrieving Lin Qianqian’s coat.
“No, it’s fine!” Lin Qianqian said, putting on her coat and heading towards the door. “I’ll just go to the convenience store downstairs. Hopefully, it’s still open.”
The streets were crowded on New Year’s Eve, and Lin Qianqian waited several minutes for the elevator, then hurried to the convenience store, which was also bustling with activity, the owner busy selling fireworks. She grabbed a bottle of oyster sauce and waited in line to pay.
Her phone rang. It was an unfamiliar local number.
Even telemarketers are working on New Year’s Eve?
She declined the call, then, as it rang again, and the store owner was still busy, she stepped aside and answered.
“Hello, is this Lin Qianqian?”
“Yes, this is she. May I ask who’s calling…?” Lin Qianqian’s heart sank.
“This is the City People’s Hospital. Your mother, Lin Yun, has been in a car accident. We need a family member to come to the hospital.”
Lin Qianqian’s mouth fell open. “Is it…serious…?”
“Not life-threatening, but we need a family member present. Could you come to the hospital?”
The line went dead. The clock on her phone showed 11:00 PM.
She looked at the bottle of oyster sauce, unsure what to do.
She scrolled through the messages from Lin Yun, all generic expressions of concern and holiday greetings, none of which she had answered.
She put the oyster sauce back on the shelf and sat down outside the store, her head in her hands, her heart pounding with a mixture of anxiety and resentment.
Why was this happening now? She had tried to distance herself from her past, from her mother, and now, Lin Yun had reappeared, her presence a disruptive force, a reminder of the life she had left behind.
If she went to the hospital, Lu Yin would be upset, but she knew Lu Yin wouldn’t say anything, her displeasure hidden beneath a mask of indifference.
But if she didn’t go, her mother had been in a car accident. It wasn’t something she could ignore.
She always struggled with these choices, her loyalties divided, her heart torn between her past and her present.
She called Lin Yun, but her phone was off.
Less than an hour until midnight. She hesitated.
She would see Lin Yun one last time, at the hospital, say what needed to be said, and then cut ties, finally and completely.
But she had promised Lu Yin she would be there, to celebrate the New Year together.
If she wasn’t there at midnight, how could Lu Yin ever trust her again?
Lu Yin’s defenses were high, her heart a fortress, and Lin Qianqian, having finally scaled the walls, having finally found a way in, couldn’t risk being shut out again.
She would go to the hospital, see Lin Yun, and then return before midnight. She had to be there with Lu Yin.
The subway was running late on New Year’s Eve, and the hospital was only a few stops away. She ran, her heart pounding, her mind racing.
As she exited the subway station, she slipped on the ice, falling hard, her leg numb with pain, but she didn’t stop, her determination fueled by her promise to Lu Yin, her need to be with her.
Back at the apartment, Lu Yin checked the time, uncovering the dishes.
Fifteen minutes passed. No sign of Lin Qianqian. She frowned, walking over to the window, watching the crowds below.
Lin Qianqian’s location, according to the tracking app, was still within the building.
She put her phone away.
Perhaps the convenience store was crowded. It was New Year’s Eve, after all.
Twenty minutes passed. Lu Yin put on her coat and went downstairs. The convenience store wasn’t crowded. She couldn’t find Lin Qianqian. She bought a bottle of oyster sauce and paid.
She watched the people waiting for the elevator, but Lin Qianqian wasn’t there.
Back in the apartment, she received a message from Lin Qianqian.
[Sister, they’re out of oyster sauce at the convenience store downstairs. I’ll check another one.]
Lu Yin looked at the bottle of oyster sauce on the table and didn’t reply.
Lin Qianqian’s location on the map app had changed. She was no longer in the building.
Lu Yin turned off her phone and placed it on the table.
She stared at the clock on the wall, her expression unreadable, the silence in the apartment broken only by the distant sounds of fireworks.
The seconds ticked by, the minutes slowly passing.
She didn’t want to think about where Lin Qianqian was, what she was doing, who she was with.
If Lin Qianqian returned before midnight, she would pretend nothing had happened.
She smiled faintly, her confidence based on Lin Qianqian’s promise.
But as the minute hand approached eleven, her smile faded.
Five minutes left. She looked at the table laden with food, her appetite gone.
When the hands of the clock finally met at midnight, her shoulders slumped, her earlier hope replaced by a familiar emptiness.
It seemed she was destined to spend New Year’s Eve alone, after all.
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