Chapter 58: Older Sister
You Ruxu looked at Zhou Tianzui.
Zhou Tianzui gripped the steering wheel, her expression unreadable. You Ruxu didn’t press the issue, but asked, “Why did you suddenly ask about that?”
You Ruxu explained, “Just curious, you’ve never mentioned it before.”
She had asked Zhou Tianzui before, but Zhou Tianzui had never explained how she got the scar. Zhou Tianzui chuckled, took You Ruxu’s hand, and placed it in her down jacket pocket. Through the fabric, she guided You Ruxu’s hand to the spot on her waist, “That curious, huh?”
You Ruxu responded with a simple, “Yes.”
“Then offer something in return, and I’ll tell you.” Her tone was serious, reminding You Ruxu of yesterday afternoon, their playful intimacy on the sofa, Zhou Tianzui constantly asking for “favors.” You Ruxu withdrew her hand. Zhou Tianzui clicked her tongue: “Teacher You, your curiosity is lacking.”
This person—
You Ruxu pinched the back of her hand and pulled away. Zhou Tianzui chuckled softly. The sound made You Ruxu blush, and she turned her head away, still hearing Zhou Tianzui call out, “Teacher You?”
Calmly.
Zhou Tianzui: “Teacher You~”
You Ruxu took a deep breath.
Zhou Tianzui: “Teacher You…”
You Ruxu finally snapped, “What?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “What? Finding me annoying now?”
You Ruxu said, “No.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Then why aren’t you responding?”
You Ruxu: “You’re being childish.”
They stopped at a red light. Zhou Tianzui turned, looking at You Ruxu, “Not as mature as Teacher You, I suppose.”
You Ruxu, following her gaze, looked down at herself, then pushed Zhou Tianzui’s face away, “Drive.”
Zhou Tianzui chuckled. You Ruxu, hearing her laughter, couldn’t help but laugh as well.
They had been together for three years, shared countless intimate moments, yet now, they were like teenagers newly in love, clingy and childish.
And she loved it.
She loved this version of Zhou Tianzui.
You Ruxu looked at Zhou Tianzui, at the smile on her face, her cheerful expression. The light turned green, and the car started moving, mirroring the gradual acceleration of You Ruxu’s heartbeat.
But thinking of the young girl she had just seen, You Ruxu sighed softly, turning to look out the window. It was winter, fallen leaves scattered everywhere, the wind swirling them around before they settled back down.
You Ruxu bought some fruit before they reached the apartment, even though Zhou Tianzui said it wasn’t necessary. Yu Qiao, sitting on the sofa, heard a noise behind her. She turned and, seeing You Ruxu, tried to stand up, “Xiao Xu, you’re here.”
You Ruxu walked over to her, carrying the fruit, “Auntie.”
“Come, come, come.” Yu Qiao said, “Why did you buy more things? You’re always spending money, I’m too embarrassed to invite you over anymore.”
You Ruxu said, “It’s just some fruit.”
Zhou Tianzui chimed in, “Mom, is your leg fully recovered yet? Why are you standing up?”
“Almost recovered.” Yu Qiao was pushed back onto the sofa by Zhou Tianzui. “Don’t move, I’ll go make dinner.”
You Ruxu sat on the sofa. Yu Qiao said, “Have some fruit, some apples? Tangerines? There’s also a pomelo, I’ll ask Xiao Tian to cut it.”
“I’ll do it.” You Ruxu took the pomelo and went to the kitchen. Zhou Tianzui asked, “Want some?”
You Ruxu smiled at her.
Zhou Tianzui said, “I’ll peel it for you.”
You Ruxu said, “I’ll do it myself.”
She stood beside Zhou Tianzui, rubbing the pomelo peel to soften it, then started peeling. The rind was thick. She peeled half of it and took out some segments. It was quite sweet. Zhou Tianzui asked, “Is it good?”
“Very sweet.” You Ruxu offered some to Zhou Tianzui.
Zhou Tianzui was washing vegetables, her hands occupied, so she turned her head and opened her mouth. You Ruxu, her hand hovering, felt Zhou Tianzui’s tongue brush against her fingertip. She blinked and heard Zhou Tianzui say, “Sweet.”
You Ruxu said, “Then I’ll take some out for Auntie.”
Zhou Tianzui nodded.
You Ruxu took the peeled pomelo to the living room, sat beside Yu Qiao, and peeled some segments for her. Yu Qiao quickly said, “Let me do it, thank you, Xiao Xu.”
You Ruxu pursed her lips, her fingers on the pomelo rind, “You’re welcome.”
Yu Qiao said, “They’re very sweet this season.”
You Ruxu nodded.
Yu Qiao asked, “Are you on leave recently?”
You Ruxu said, “Yes, I’m going back to work tomorrow.”
“Must be tiring, isn’t it?” Yu Qiao said, “I heard from Xiao Tian that you often work late, you should take care of your health.”
You Ruxu said, “It’s alright.”
“Being a reporter can be very tiring.” Yu Qiao said, “Xiao Tian’s father—” She paused, then took a bite of the pomelo. You Ruxu lowered her head, “What about your husband, Auntie?”
Yu Qiao chuckled awkwardly, “Nothing.”
She asked You Ruxu, “Did Xiao Tian ever tell you about her father?”
You Ruxu’s breath hitched, she lowered her gaze, and said casually, “She mentioned him a few times.”
Yu Qiao was surprised.
Zhou Tianzui never talked about her father, it was like a hidden wound she kept to herself, unwilling to discuss it even with her. She hadn’t expected her to talk about it with You Ruxu. Then again, they were the same age, and You Ruxu was a reporter, so she was probably easier to talk to. Xiao Tian had kept her father bottled up for so many years, it was good that she had someone to talk to.
Yu Qiao said, “Xiao Xu, thank you for listening to Xiao Tian.”
You Ruxu tensed slightly: “You’re welcome, Auntie.”
Just then, Zhou Tianzui came out of the kitchen, heard them talking, and asked, “What are you talking about?”
Yu Qiao smiled, “Nothing much, just that Xiao Xu has such a good personality, so polite, you should learn from her.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Learn from her? Am I not good enough? She’s so good, why don’t you just make her your daughter?”
Yu Qiao looked at Zhou Tianzui, stood up as if to hit her, “What are you saying! Always talking nonsense! Xiao Xu, she just likes to joke around…”
Zhou Tianzui chuckled, “I’m not joking, don’t you like her? She also likes you, what’s wrong with adopting a daughter?”
Yu Qiao glared at Zhou Tianzui.
She didn’t have the audacity to ask You Ruxu to call her “godmother.” Considering You Ruxu’s family background and her own status, Yu Qiao said, “You—”
“Godmother.” You Ruxu looked at Yu Qiao, “Is that alright?”
Yu Qiao froze.
She looked at You Ruxu, then at Zhou Tianzui, her tongue tied, momentarily speechless. Zhou Tianzui chuckled and said, “Mom, what’s wrong? Are you ignoring me now?”
Yu Qiao finally reacted: “No, Xiao Xu, I mean, Xiao Tian…”
She was flustered.
Zhou Tianzui helped Yu Qiao sit down. Yu Qiao looked at You Ruxu, still slightly dazed. Zhou Tianzui said, “Mom, it’s just adopting a daughter, no need to be so shocked, right?”
Yu Qiao said, “I’m not shocked.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Then what’s wrong?”
Yu Qiao said, “You’re talking nonsense.”
Zhou Tianzui said, “How am I talking nonsense?”
Yu Qiao said, “Is Xiao Xu even willing to agree to this?”
Zhou Tianzui looked at You Ruxu: “Teacher You, are you willing?”
You Ruxu, after a moment of hesitation, nodded, looking at Yu Qiao.
Yu Qiao said, “Don’t ask her like that…”
She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Who would refuse when asked like that? This child, honestly. Yu Qiao said, “Xiao Xu, don’t mind Xiao Tian, she just likes to—”
Zhou Tianzui took Yu Qiao’s hand and said, “What about me? When I went to her house last time, her mother also said she wanted to adopt me as her goddaughter.”
Yu Qiao paused and looked at Zhou Tianzui, “Really?”
Zhou Tianzui: “Really, it’s just adopting a goddaughter, why are you so nervous? Besides, I don’t have many friends, and I’m always busy, I’d be relieved if she could keep you company.”
Yu Qiao said, “I don’t want to take up your time.”
“Mom, what do you mean ‘take up our time’?” Zhou Tianzui said, “Did you think you were taking up my time when you raised me?”
Yu Qiao said, “Of course not.”
“Then we’re not either, isn’t it our duty to keep you company?” Zhou Tianzui said, “And Ruxu also likes you very much.”
Yu Qiao blushed slightly, “She likes me?”
Zhou Tianzui said, “Yes, she said you have a good temper and you’re a kind person.”
Yu Qiao looked at You Ruxu, surprised that this was how she saw her. She knew You Ruxu wouldn’t look down on them, but she hadn’t expected her to like her. She remembered the “godmother” You Ruxu just called her, a clear and sweet voice, quite pleasant.
She nodded, “Then—”
“Then what? Wait a minute.” Zhou Tianzui went back to her room, took out a red envelope, handed it to Yu Qiao, and whispered in her ear, “A little something for changing your title, already prepared, now you can brag about having a daughter who works at the TV station.”
Yu Qiao tried to maintain a serious expression, but couldn’t suppress her smile. She handed the red envelope to You Ruxu, “Xiao Xu, I hope it’s not too little.”
You Ruxu looked at Zhou Tianzui.
Zhou Tianzui took the red envelope from Yu Qiao and handed it to You Ruxu.
You Ruxu felt its weight in her hand.
She looked at Yu Qiao, who was smiling at her. You Ruxu’s heart softened, and she smiled back.
Zhou Tianzui said to You Ruxu, “You’re a few months younger than me, so you should call me ‘older sister,’ right, little sister?”
What older sister, little sister?
You Ruxu pursed her lips, and under Yu Qiao’s gaze, she lowered her eyes and softly said, “Mm-hmm.”
“Come on, little sister, help your older sister serve the soup.” Zhou Tianzui, helping Yu Qiao to the dining table, entered the kitchen with You Ruxu following behind her. Zhou Tianzui said, “Little sister, get me a soup bowl.”
You Ruxu: …
She glared at Zhou Tianzui, who took the opportunity to move closer, “What’s wrong?”
You Ruxu asked, “Where are the soup bowls?”
“In the sterilizing cabinet below.” Zhou Tianzui said, “Second drawer.”
You Ruxu crouched down, took out a soup bowl, and handed it to Zhou Tianzui, watching her serve the soup. Before Zhou Tianzui could say anything, You Ruxu took the bowl to the dining room. Yu Qiao, waiting for them, sat at the table, looking very pleased. Just as You Ruxu was about to sit down, she heard Zhou Tianzui call, “Little sister, come serve the rice.”
You Ruxu bit her lip and went into the kitchen. Taking advantage of Yu Qiao not being able to see, she pinched Zhou Tianzui’s waist. Zhou Tianzui, having changed into a thin, form-fitting sweater after coming home, didn’t react, just looked at You Ruxu.
You Ruxu didn’t pinch hard and released her hand, taking the rice spoon to serve the rice. Zhou Tianzui stood beside her, leaned closer, and whispered, “Little sister, want to sleep with your older sister tonight?”
You Ruxu gripped the rice spoon tightly.
Wanting to shove it into Zhou Tianzui’s mouth.
Zhou Tianzui: Little sister, help your older sister undress.
You Ruxu: …
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