Side Story 7: Lin Wei CP (Part 2)
Lin Xiaozhi knew she couldn’t hide the smell of cigarettes, especially after a deep kiss.
Facing Wei Zhuoning’s worried gaze, she couldn’t think of anything witty to say, and her throat tickled, wanting to cough.
“Just, couldn’t sleep… cough, cough, cough…”
Lin Xiaozhi put her mask back on and turned away, coughing uncontrollably.
Wei Zhuoning followed and gently rubbed her back, offering no words of reprimand. After the coughing subsided, she handed Lin Xiaozhi her thermos.
Wei Zhuoning’s thermos was also a gift from Lin Xiaozhi.
A white body with a pink clasp, snowflakes adorning the lid. Lin Xiaozhi had loved it at first sight, thinking it perfectly suited Wei Zhuoning.
Anything soft, fluffy, and pink seemed tailor-made for Wei Zhuoning, the perfect colors for a little rabbit.
Wei Zhuoning had received countless gifts from Lin Xiaozhi, from scarves and gloves to clothes and shoes, all carefully chosen by Lin Xiaozhi.
Even in their school uniforms, with Lin Xiaozhi’s skillful accessorizing, Wei Zhuoning had gradually transformed from a girl with a “slum aura” to a stylish young woman.
Lin Xiaozhi loved seeing her look beautiful; she was meant to shine.
Wei Zhuoning, aware of Lin Xiaozhi’s efforts, knew that only by becoming better, prettier, more accomplished, could she be worthy of her.
So she accepted all the gifts, using them every day.
And she worked tirelessly, writing stories, saving half the money for her mother, the other half spent on Lin Xiaozhi.
Lin Xiaozhi’s masks, hair dye, watch, shoes, and backpack were all bought by Wei Zhuoning.
Marking the person you loved with your presence, there was no greater expression of affection.
Wei Zhuoning adored everything about Lin Xiaozhi, her appearance, her personality, every detail memorized, every nuance cherished.
When writing, her female characters often unconsciously took on Lin Xiaozhi’s characteristics.
Were there perfect people in the world?
Perhaps not.
But in Wei Zhuoning’s world, there was.
And that person was Lin Xiaozhi.
Even her smoking habit, which Wei Zhuoning found repulsive, she tolerated for Lin Xiaozhi’s sake.
She never wanted to change Lin Xiaozhi, but the smoking… it was unhealthy.
Lin Xiaozhi, her hand hidden in her sleeve, pulled her mask down to take a sip of water, then offered the thermos back to Wei Zhuoning.
“Drink more,” Wei Zhuoning protested, seeing that she had barely taken a sip.
Lin Xiaozhi, looking at Wei Zhuoning, who was practically hovering over her, smiled and took two large gulps:
“Happy now?”
“Why not finish it?”
“Your thermos will taste like cigarettes.”
“I don’t mind.” Wei Zhuoning pushed the thermos towards her again.
Lin Xiaozhi disliked hot drinks, even lukewarm food upset her stomach, and yet, she preferred cold drinks and food.
She frowned after taking two sips of hot water.
Class was about to start, and Wei Zhuoning pulled her towards their classroom.
Lin Xiaozhi coughed softly as they walked. She was clearly suppressing it, not wanting Wei Zhuoning to worry.
Was it really for her sake? Wei Zhuoning’s heart ached.
After yesterday’s scolding, Wei Zhuoning was much more focused in class, resisting the urge to write.
The only sounds in the quiet classroom were the teacher’s voice and Lin Xiaozhi’s occasional coughs.
As soon as class ended, Wei Zhuoning disappeared. Lin Xiaozhi messaged her:
“Where are you? Weren’t we supposed to study? Why did you run off again?”
Two minutes later, Wei Zhuoning replied: “I’ll be right back, wait for me, let’s have lunch together.”
Lin Xiaozhi looked down from the hallway and saw Wei Zhuoning rushing back from the school gate, holding a small bag.
She could guess what it was.
Wei Zhuoning’s nose and cheeks were red from the cold, her hair slightly disheveled.
“It’s sleeting outside, did you bring an umbrella?” Lin Xiaozhi was waiting for her in the empty hallway.
“No.” Lin Xiaozhi never checked the weather, a little rain or snow never bothered her.
“I did,” Wei Zhuoning said, smiling sweetly, holding up the bag. “I’ll walk you home after school.”
“What’s in the bag?”
“I asked the pharmacist, they said you might have chronic pharyngitis, it’s not easy to treat, but these lozenges might help, want to try some?”
Wei Zhuoning’s sincerity made Lin Xiaozhi laugh:
“You can’t just ‘try’ medicine, it’s not food.”
“But I don’t…”
Lin Xiaozhi pulled her into a hug, stuffed the lozenges into her pocket, and cupped her cold cheeks, her warm hands chasing away the chill.
A few passing students smiled knowingly, and Wei Zhuoning blushed.
Not wanting to end the embrace, yet embarrassed by the public display of affection, she held Lin Xiaozhi’s hand, her head down, and whispered:
“Should we go to the rooftop?”
“The rooftop? It’s freezing, why?” Lin Xiaozhi seemed confused.
“…Never mind.”
Wei Zhuoning pulled away and quickly walked away.
Lin Xiaozhi, seeing her shyness, her heart warming, couldn’t help but smile.
They had been dating for almost a year, and she was still so easily flustered.
Wei Zhuoning always made her feel like they were still in the early stages of their relationship.
“Wait, we haven’t had lunch yet…” Lin Xiaozhi was about to follow when she broke into another coughing fit.
Wei Zhuoning stopped and turned around, seeing her hunched over, clutching her chest, coughing uncontrollably.
“Why are you chasing me?” Wei Zhuoning returned to her side.
“Why are you running?” Lin Xiaozhi retorted between coughs.
“Stop talking, you’re hurting yourself.” Wei Zhuoning took her sleeve, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I brought you lunch.”
“Really?” Lin Xiaozhi’s eyes lit up.
“Yes, come on!”
They returned to the classroom, which was almost empty, only Sha Xinyu napping at her desk.
“You made this last night?” They sat in their usual corner, Lin Xiaozhi looking eagerly into her bag.
“This morning,” Wei Zhuoning said, surprised by her enthusiasm.
“You had time to cook this morning?”
“I was making breakfast and lunch for my mom and myself anyway.”
Wei Zhuoning’s head was down as she spoke.
Lin Xiaozhi’s anticipation made her nervous: “It’s just, simple dishes, braised chicken leg, some vegetables, and multigrain rice, I hope you don’t mind…”
“Braised chicken leg? Don’t torture me, give it to me!”
Lin Xiaozhi, seeing her hesitation, snatched the lunchbox.
“Hey! Be careful!”
Lin Xiaozhi opened the thermos; the food was still warm.
A bed of stir-fried greens, half the container filled with multigrain rice, and a fragrant braised chicken leg placed neatly on top, garnished with two carrot slices carved into the shape of cherry blossoms.
The carving was a bit clumsy, but clearly done with care.
Wei Zhuoning watched Lin Xiaozhi nervously, her heart sinking when she didn’t react.
Was it too plain…?
“You should eat something, your stomach will hurt later.” Wei Zhuoning promised, “I’ll make you beef stew tomorrow, you like beef, right?”
Lin Xiaozhi put the lunchbox down and kissed her.
Wei Zhuoning, startled, almost fell out of her chair.
“What… what are you doing?!” She glanced at Sha Xinyu and whispered.
Lin Xiaozhi, laughing and coughing: “A thank you kiss.”
“You don’t have to do that! What if someone sees…”
“Let them see.” Lin Xiaozhi started eating. “I can kiss my own girlfriend, can’t I?”
Wei Zhuoning blushed: “Who’s your girlfriend…”
“You are.” Lin Xiaozhi, while eating, wrapped an arm around Wei Zhuoning’s waist.
Suddenly, Sha Xinyu sat up, and Wei Zhuoning quickly pushed Lin Xiaozhi’s hand away.
Sha Xinyu sneezed and went back to sleep. Lin Xiaozhi chuckled.
“You’re so easily embarrassed.”
“…You’re just shameless.”
“This chicken is amazing!” Lin Xiaozhi said sincerely. “Imagine, years from now, after a long day at work, coming home to a delicious meal like this…”
“Aren’t you thinking too far ahead?”
“What? Isn’t that your plan too?” Lin Xiaozhi’s eyes narrowed.
Wei Zhuoning imagined living with Lin Xiaozhi after graduation… it was too good to be true. She didn’t dare to dream.
“Of course it is…” She said, lacking confidence.
Wei Zhuoning opened her own lunchbox. Lin Xiaozhi glanced at it:
“Where’s your chicken? Why only vegetables?”
Wei Zhuoning ate quickly: “I don’t like meat.”
“You gave me the chicken, and you didn’t have any yourself?!”
Wei Zhuoning had been spending too much this month, and she could only afford two chicken legs, one for Lin Xiaozhi, one for her mother. She didn’t mind eating vegetables.
“I weally don’t wike it,” Wei Zhuoning mumbled with her mouth full.
“Look how skinny you are! You need to eat meat! Here, have some!”
Lin Xiaozhi tore off a piece of chicken and tried to feed her.
Wei Zhuoning grabbed her lunchbox and ran, Lin Xiaozhi chasing after her.
Wei Zhuoning was surprisingly fast, but Lin Xiaozhi’s long legs caught up to her.
Pinning her against the classroom door, Lin Xiaozhi forced her to eat the chicken.
Sha Xinyu, opening one eye, looked at the couple impassively.
She had stayed up late doing homework, skipped lunch to nap, and now this PDA.(public display of affection)
Being single was hard.
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