Immature Confession Day gl 1

Chapter 1

Lin Qianqian considered herself above rummaging through her suitcase for clothes at the airport. Ten minutes after disembarking, however, she mentally slapped herself. Face hidden beneath a hat and mask, she crouched in a corner, wrestling with her overstuffed luggage.

Perfect. Not a single summer garment. And now she couldn’t even close the suitcase.

She refused to admit that a white-haired elderly woman from across the hall had helped her wrestle the suitcase shut. Before retreating, the woman had asked, “How old are you?”

This wasn’t the first time. Upon their initial meeting, the woman, mistaking Lin Qianqian for a minor, had enthusiastically offered to contact social services and help locate her adoptive parents. Lin Qianqian had produced various forms of identification, desperately trying to prove she was a legal adult here to study.

How old are you?*

You don’t look like an adult.

How old are you?

Are you sure you’re an adult with that strength?

Lin Qianqian temporarily disregarded the elderly woman’s stale jokes, choosing to focus on the pleasant memories of the past four years to overshadow their awkward encounters.

Her flight had arrived half an hour early, meaning she had to wait for Lu Yin. Lu Yin was punctual, but only for herself; she wouldn’t waste time on others. Her time management was precise to the second; you wouldn’t see her until the crucial moment.

Lin Qianqian regretted not telling Lu Yin an earlier arrival time. She would have preferred Lu Yin waiting impatiently at the airport.

Now, she huddled in the corner, hugging her knees and staring blankly at the floor. If she had a bowl in front of her, her pitiful appearance would have earned her a shower of coins.

Her text messages remained unanswered. She didn’t know if Lu Yin was aware of her early arrival. As far as she knew, Lu Yin’s app notifications could accumulate to 999+.

Wouldn’t all those red dots give you a headache? Lin Qianqian had once asked.

As long as you don’t look at your phone for a day, there won’t be any red dots, Lu Yin had replied.

So, Lin Qianqian felt uncertain.

WeChat was one of the few apps Lu Yin checked regularly. If only she hadn’t blocked and deleted Lu Yin four years ago. She couldn’t bring herself to add her back, and Lu Yin might not even accept. – Or even see the request.

It was late summer in China, and the midday sun was scorching. Looking at the people passing by in short sleeves and sundresses, then at her heavy coat and the chaotic mess of her suitcase, Lin Qianqian felt the urge to buy another ticket and flee back abroad.

People here stared at unusual clothing, just as she stared when the elderly woman unceremoniously tossed aside her pineapple pizza. Back then, she would only curse in Chinese the woman couldn’t understand: “Damn Italians!”

Later, when her blonde, blue-eyed friend started experimenting with Chinese food, adding strawberries to her pork and preserved egg congee, Lin Qianqian found herself on the same side as the old woman—

Flipping over the bowl of strawberry pork and preserved egg congee.

Five minutes remained. Lin Qianqian sneezed repeatedly.

Oh God, please help me. Am I going to end up in the hospital on my first day back?

Her prayer was answered!

The next moment, Lu Yin, clad in a military-green trench coat, strode towards her. The long coat couldn’t hide her long legs, further accentuated by black boots hugging her skinny jeans. Her pace slowed slightly as her gaze fell upon the suitcase.

Lin Qianqian looked up instinctively, but avoided direct eye contact. She first noticed Lu Yin’s dark hair cascading over her shoulders, the ends curled. If she hadn’t known Lu Yin, she would have mistaken her for a passing model.

The suitcase finally yielded some space, and Lin Qianqian retrieved a bag of snacks.

Lu Yin began organizing the messy suitcase, one hand smoothing back her long hair, which had fallen forward as she bent down. Lin Qianqian noticed the coat dragging on the floor and reached out to adjust it.

But as she lifted the corner of Lu Yin’s coat, she caught the strange glances of passersby.

Conservative people. What’s wrong with adjusting my sister’s coat?

They have no idea what we’ve done that’s far worse!

Lu Yin closed the suitcase within minutes. Lin Qianqian noticed her complex expression before she silently pulled the suitcase forward.

Lin Qianqian hurried after her, carrying her heavy coat. The padded lining made her feel sticky and uncomfortable. Her words were clear, her tone calmer than a news broadcast.

The snacks in the suitcase were all domestic brands. Lin Qianqian had paid a hefty sum to have them shipped abroad, and now, having returned early, she hadn’t even finished them. She had no choice but to carry them back herself. Now, they sat precariously atop the suitcase.

The woman pulling the suitcase clearly didn’t care about the fate of the delicious snacks.

Lin Qianqian quickened her pace, clutching the bag to her chest.

Outside the airport, Lu Yin opened the trunk and placed the suitcase inside. She then opened the passenger door. Without waiting for an invitation, Lin Qianqian bent down and slid into the seat.

The car’s air conditioning was much more comfortable than the airport’s. She lifted the hem of her shirt, wanting to remove another layer. But she didn’t wear a bra in winter, and taking off her inner layer would leave her in only a thin base layer, which would be too embarrassing.

The AC(air conditioning) was blasting. Sitting in the passenger seat, Lin Qianqian finally felt alive.

She subtly lifted the edges of her clothing, trying to let the cool air circulate.

A blanket appeared before her.

“I’m already hot. Don’t you want to know why I’m wearing a winter coat?”

The blanket was draped over her before she finished speaking, and the car started.

Four years apart, and it seemed Lu Yin had become mute.

Lin Qianqian tried to convince herself of this, attempting to ignore Lu Yin’s coldness. But she was tired from the journey and, worried about catching a chill, she pulled the blanket around herself.

With her body comfortable, her mouth started acting up.

She didn’t like eating on planes, preferring to go hungry. But now, in Lu Yin’s car, hunger gnawed at her.

Lin Qianqian was glad she had grabbed the snacks; otherwise, they too would have been left alone in the trunk.

She opened a bag of chips and munched loudly.

She wanted to offer some to Lu Yin, but didn’t dare.

Glancing at Lu Yin, she saw no reaction, her focus solely on driving. Reassured, Lin Qianqian continued to eat.

Lu Yin didn’t like being disturbed, especially when painting. Ideally, not even the slightest sound should be made. This was a conclusion Lin Qianqian had drawn from personal experience.

She had once wandered into Lu Yin’s dedicated study and found her painting. Lin Qianqian didn’t understand the painting but found it beautiful. Lu Yin’s hand, holding the brush, had stopped.

The next day, while taking out the trash, Lin Qianqian found a crumpled ball of paper in the plastic bag. She unfolded it, despite the smell, and discovered it was the beautiful painting.

Some time later, Lu Yin produced an identical painting, which won first prize.

That’s when Lin Qianqian realized she had unintentionally interrupted Lu Yin. Lu Yin hadn’t been satisfied with the original and had discarded it, though Lin Qianqian couldn’t see the difference.

Unable to eat or sleep properly on the plane, Lin Qianqian now felt sleepy as warmth enveloped her.

The bag of snacks rustled as it fell onto the car floor, startling her awake. She bent down to retrieve them.

The driver remained unresponsive to her movements, large or small.

One hand on the steering wheel, she waited patiently for the traffic jam ahead to clear.

The car ride continued in silence, the atmosphere subtle and cool. Lin Qianqian could already foresee her future interactions with Lu Yin: distant and polite, maintaining a carefully measured distance.

She stayed awake, looking out the window at the scenery, but stealing glances at Lu Yin’s profile.

Time had passed, and much of the youthful innocence had faded from her face, replaced by a more pronounced coolness, her gaze always distant.

But there were deliberate changes too. She used to always wear a low ponytail; now, her long hair was curled.

To Lin Qianqian, Lu Yin had become more mature, but also more distant.

It seemed only she hadn’t changed, still childishly wanting things to go back to the way they were, to be with Lu Yin again.

But reality rarely grants such wishes.

The car prepared to turn right. Lin Qianqian’s gaze lingered, and as the light turned green, her eyes met Lu Yin’s. Embarrassed, she offered a quick excuse, “That car is so cool!”

The “cool” car drove ahead, and through the gap, Lin Qianqian saw a truckload of pigs.

Lu Yin showed no interest in her awkward attempt at conversation, not even glancing at the pig-laden vehicle.

Throughout the journey, Lin Qianqian failed to capture Lu Yin’s attention. It was as if she was merely a friend’s designated driver, picking up a stranger.

She felt a pang of disappointment.

The car finally stopped in the underground parking garage.

The surroundings were exceptionally quiet. Lin Qianqian remembered that their old apartment complex didn’t have such a fancy parking garage.

After the car was parked, Lin Qianqian followed Lu Yin out, pulling an orange-flavored lollipop from her pocket.

She unwrapped it and licked it a few times. It was still quite sour.

“I can’t finish it. Sister, help me eat it.” Lin Qianqian offered the lollipop to Lu Yin.

This was her first tentative step. The road ahead was long, and she couldn’t continue being the most familiar stranger to Lu Yin.

Lu Yin didn’t react much, taking the candy, biting it into pieces, and tossing the stick into a nearby trash can.

Just as natural and normal as when they were younger.

She spoke very little, only uttering a single sentence since the airport when offering the blanket.

She seemed more indifferent than before, her expression calm, as if nothing mattered much.

Others might call it arrogance, and she was, but it wasn’t quite the same.

Lin Qianqian couldn’t articulate the subtle difference, but she knew she was still captivated by this version of Lu Yin.

She was then, and she was now.