Solitary Toss of Tenderness

Zizheng, is it not good to just stay like this?

On the sixth day, for some reason, as soon as it was barely dawn, Lu Zizheng woke up. She got up and opened the window to let in some fresh air, only to discover that the sky outside was gloomy, with a cold wind howling and snowflakes swirling around. It was snowing again.

While having breakfast, Lu Zizheng was lost in thought, wondering if it was snowing in Linzhou and if Jiang Huaixi had listened to her advice and worn warmer clothes before setting off.

Feeling overly worried, Lu Zizheng put down her cup and went back to her room to grab her phone. She sent a text message to Jiang Huaixi: “It’s snowing in Juzhou. Wear thicker clothes. If you catch a cold, I won’t pay for medical expenses.”

After a while, Jiang Huaixi replied: “If it weren’t for the last sentence, I might have interpreted your concern as kindness. Indeed, I should assume the worst of you with malicious intent. Hmph.”

Lu Zizheng looked at the final “hmph” on her phone and inexplicably smiled with a good mood.

After finishing breakfast, she pondered and couldn’t shake off her concerns. She hastily returned to her room and rummaged through her belongings, searching for her thick clothes, just in case Jiang Huaixi needed them.

Around ten in the morning, Lu Zizheng was sitting in the living room, holding the clothes and watching TV when the doorbell rang.

Lu Zizheng immediately sprang up, but Mama Lu was even quicker, swiftly reaching the door like a gust of wind.

Lu Zizheng stood in the living room and indeed heard Jiang Huaixi’s clear and melodious voice coming from the entrance: “Auntie, I wish you a happy New Year and good health…”

Mama Lu affectionately scolded her with a smile, “Since you’re here, why did you bring anything? We’ll be going back soon anyway. Can’t you see you’ll have to carry it back again?”

Lu Zizheng glanced at her watch, bit her lip, and felt a warmth in her heart. She didn’t believe a word of what Jiang Huaixi had said about coming to Juzhou on the fifth day to handle some matters and conveniently picking them up on the way back. Although there was a new highway from Linzhou to Juzhou, it still took a four-hour drive. It was just past ten o’clock, and Jiang Huaixi had already arrived. She must have set off before dawn.

Before long, Jiang Huaixi entered the living room.

She was uncommonly dressed in a thick black down jacket and a long scarf. The normally bulky attire, when worn on Jiang Huaixi’s slender figure, unexpectedly accentuated her tall and beautiful appearance.

Lu Zizheng nodded approvingly in her mind. At least she was obedient.

Her gaze shifted upward, and then she saw Jiang Huaixi’s familiar and delicate face. Although she should have been thrilled and filled with joy, Lu Zizheng unexpectedly furrowed her brows and fixed her gaze firmly on Jiang Huaixi’s face.

Jiang Huaixi loosened her scarf and noticed Lu Zizheng silently staring at her. She curled her lips and smiled, saying, “Have you been away from me for so long that suddenly my beauty has become attractive to you?”

Lu Zizheng’s brows furrowed even tighter, ignoring her teasing, and asked, “Why is your complexion so pale?”

Jiang Huaixi paused for a moment, rubbed her hands together, took a breath, and said, “It’s so cold outside. Stay outside for a few minutes and see if your face turns as pale as mine.” Then, as if thinking of something, she added, “Well, probably not. Your face is darker than mine.”

Lu Zizheng turned around without saying a word and returned to her room.

Jiang Huaixi’s smile faltered, feeling somewhat puzzled. Something seemed off about Lu Zizheng today.

Before she could think much more, Lu Zizheng came out again, holding a hand warmer in her hands. She placed the hand warmer on the sofa, plugged it in, and then returned to the still puzzled Jiang Huaixi. She reached out her hand, took Jiang Huaixi’s clasped hands, and gently began to rub and knead them.

Jiang Huaixi was surprised and remained half-astonished without moving, feeling the soft and warm touch in her hands, while a smile increasingly appeared on her lips. “Zizheng, how is it that after the New Year, you suddenly changed and became so caring towards me? Could it be that the climate in Juzhou is better, nurturing young girls like water, gentle and tender?”

Lu Zizheng’s hand paused, and she raised her head, glaring fiercely at Jiang Huaixi.

Jiang Huaixi received her stern gaze and laughed more audaciously, understandingly saying, “I knew it. It only took five minutes for your true nature to reveal itself. Zizheng, you still need to practice your skills.”

The hand warmer bubbled and sizzled, making a sound that indicated it was ready for use. Lu Zizheng stopped her actions, picked up the hand warmer from the sofa, and stuffed it into Jiang Huaixi’s embrace, saying lightly, “I’m afraid your hands will freeze. There won’t be anyone to drive later.”

Jiang Huaixi placed both hands inside the hand warmer, holding it close to her chest as she sat on the sofa. She let out a soft sigh and suddenly looked up at Lu Zizheng earnestly, saying, “Zizheng, happy New Year.”

Lu Zizheng gazed at Jiang Huaixi’s sparkling eyes, smiled, and replied warmly, “Yes, happy New Year.”

Jiang Huaixi blinked her eyes and asked, “You see, I traveled a long way to celebrate the New Year with you. Shouldn’t you have some kind of gesture or expression?”

Lu Zizheng raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on her lips, and said in a deep voice, “Yes, I should.” With that, she put her right hand into her pocket as if holding something and instructed, “Close your eyes and stretch out your hand.”

Jiang Huaixi looked at her skeptically, saying, “I don’t believe…”

Lu Zizheng furrowed her brow and said, “Fine, forget it then.”

Jiang Huaixi kept her beautiful eyes open, gazing at Lu Zizheng intently for a while. Seeing her serious expression, which didn’t seem like a joke, she hesitantly withdrew one hand from the hand warmer and slowly closed her eyes. Her long, dense eyelashes fluttered with each movement of her eyes, charmingly stirring the atmosphere.

However, as soon as she closed her eyes and extended her hand, Lu Zizheng swiftly and mercilessly slapped Jiang Huaixi’s outstretched left hand with a resounding “slap.”

Startled, Jiang Huaixi immediately opened her eyes, her face turning somewhat dark. She stared at Lu Zizheng, displeased and angry.

Mama Lu came out of her own bedroom and happened to witness the scene. She walked over to Lu Zizheng’s side and scolded, “Zizheng, you’re bullying Huaixi again.”

Sensing the situation, Jiang Huaixi meekly called out, “Auntie…”

Mama Lu gently stroked Jiang Huaixi’s head and smiled, saying, “Zizheng is stingy, not giving it to you. Auntie will give it to you.” With that, she took Jiang Huaixi’s hand and pulled out a big red envelope from her pocket, placing it in Jiang Huaixi’s palm.

Jiang Huaixi’s expression froze, and she immediately stood up, trying to decline, “Auntie, Zizheng and I were just joking. I can’t accept this.” She attempted to return the red envelope to Mama Lu.

Mama Lu’s face turned serious, and she said sternly, “In Auntie’s heart, you are just like Zizheng, both my dear daughters. What’s wrong with me giving my own daughter New Year’s money? Are you saying that in your heart, Auntie is not close enough to you?”

Even though Jiang Huaixi was skilled in eloquence, at this moment, she was tongue-tied and could only weakly defend herself, “Auntie, it’s not like that, of course…”

Mama Lu then firmly concluded, “Enough talk, just accept it. I’ll go to the kitchen and prepare lunch for you.” With that, she turned around and headed to the kitchen.

As soon as Mama Lu turned around, she dropped the serious demeanor she had used to scare Jiang Huaixi and instead wore a warm and affectionate smile, squinting her eyes. She calculated in her mind that once they returned to Linzhou, she should go to a jewelry store to buy some jewelry, preparing dowry for Zizheng and a gift for Huaixi’s future mother-in-law.

Jiang Huaixi held the red envelope given by Mama Lu, feeling like she was holding a hot potato, appearing somewhat restless. Lu Zizheng took the red envelope from her hand and placed it into the pocket of her down jacket, comforting her, “Mom gave it to you, so accept it. Don’t be polite. If you don’t accept it, Mom will worry.”

Jiang Huaixi sighed and softly responded, “Okay.” She rubbed her temples, looking somewhat tired.

Lu Zizheng observed her pale complexion and felt sorry for her, knowing that she had been exhausted from the early morning journey. She bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, and then suggested, “If you’re tired, why don’t you rest in my room for a while?”

Jiang Huaixi looked up at Lu Zizheng with surprise in her eyes. When she was a freshman, she had visited this place once, and Lu Zizheng’s room was heavily guarded like a forbidden zone. Jiang Huaixi chuckled lightly and teased, “I dare not go in. Didn’t you say there were landmines all over the floor, and if I dared to take a step, I would be blown to pieces?”

Lu Zizheng could sense the mischievous humor in her eyes and felt a little embarrassed about the past intimidation. She intentionally frowned, adopting a cold tone, “Times have changed. If you don’t want to rest, forget it.”

But Jiang Huaixi didn’t want to miss this opportunity. She calmly stood up, saying, “Since you have invited me so graciously, how can I be so impolite as to refuse? I will respectfully accept your offer.”

Lu Zizheng led Jiang Huaixi step by step towards the bedroom. Jiang Huaixi followed behind, unable to see her expression, but her smile grew deeper. Lu Zizheng knew what it meant for her bedroom to be open. Jiang Huaixi had already entered her heart, and where else could there be a place she could keep her from entering?

Jiang Huaixi entered the room and calmly surveyed her surroundings. Lu Zizheng’s bedroom was very simple, with a desk connected to a bookcase, a chair, and not much else.

Jiang Huaixi’s attention was drawn to a family photo placed on the bedside table by Lu Zizheng. In the photo, Lu Zizheng had her hair tied in a ponytail, leaning on her father’s shoulder, with a radiant smile that Jiang Huaixi had never seen before. Jiang Huaixi stared at it in a daze, unable to look away. She turned her head and softly asked Lu Zizheng, “Zizheng, do you have a photo album?”

Lu Zizheng curiously asked back, “Yes, why?” Saying that, she squatted down next to the desk.

Jiang Huaixi smiled, a hint of mischief in her voice, “I’m suddenly curious if you were always so shy when you were little.”

Lu Zizheng opened the cabinet under the desk and took out a thick photo album, tossing it onto the bed in front of Jiang Huaixi with a thud, and said angrily, “Then you better not look. I’m afraid your eyes will hurt from looking, and we don’t have any eye drops at home.”

Jiang Huaixi snorted lightly and squatted down, flipping through the album on her own. When she saw the first photo of Lu Zizheng as a newborn, she was naked in the picture. Jiang Huaixi’s eyebrows curved with a smile and she commented, “Hmm, not bad figure…”

Lu Zizheng immediately became anxious and tried to snatch it, but Jiang Huaixi agilely sidestepped, blocking Lu Zizheng’s attack.

Just then, Mama Lu called out, “Zizheng, come out and bring some fruits for Huaixi…”

Lu Zizheng bit her lip and stomped her foot in frustration. Fine, she decided to ignore it completely. She turned around and left the room to fetch the fruits from the kitchen.

As she was halfway there, the phone in the living room started ringing. Lu Zizheng changed direction and went to the living room to answer the call.

The incoming call displayed an unfamiliar number from Linzhou. Lu Zizheng answered with some confusion, assuming it was another insurance sales call. However, to her surprise, a familiar and clean male voice came through the phone.

“Sister Zizheng, it’s Huaichuan.”

Lu Zizheng was taken aback, clearly surprised by the call.

Jiang Huaichuan asked anxiously, “Sister Zizheng, is my sister with you?”

Lu Zizheng glanced towards the bedroom and replied, “Yes, she’s with me.”

On the other end of the phone, Jiang Huaichuan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. He said, “I suspected as much. I’ve been trying to reach her all morning, but her phone has been off, so I took the liberty of calling you.” He paused for a moment before continuing, “Sister Zizheng, my sister had a severe cold and high fever a few days ago. Against everyone’s advice, she left the hospital and went back to her own place yesterday when her condition slightly improved. My mother was worried and went to look for her this morning after hearing that she left early before sunrise. My mother was extremely worried, but knowing that she’s with you, we can feel relieved.” After another pause, he lowered his voice and earnestly requested, “Sister Zizheng, I kindly ask you to take good care of my sister.”

Lu Zizheng was taken aback, realizing that indeed her condition wasn’t good; she was sick. She furrowed her brows and earnestly responded to Jiang Huaichuan, “I will take care of her.” After thinking for a moment, she expressed her confusion, “However, it seems that Huaixi’s phone wasn’t turned off. We exchanged text messages this morning.”

There was a brief silence on Jiang Huaichuan’s end of the phone, and then he explained, “My sister’s phone has dual SIM cards, and one of the numbers, which only you know, has been kept on 24/7.”

Upon hearing Jiang Huaichuan’s words, Lu Zizheng’s heart felt like a calm lake suddenly disturbed by a stone, creating ripples that couldn’t settle down…

She brought the fruits from the kitchen back to the bedroom. Through the partially open door, she saw Jiang Huaixi leaning over the bed, holding her phone and meticulously inspecting each photo in the album, her expression serious and focused as if examining important reports.

Lu Zizheng’s heart grew increasingly tender and moist.

Lu Zizheng knocked on the door, alerting Jiang Huaixi. As expected, Jiang Huaixi swiftly put her phone into her pocket, pretending as if nothing had happened, and turned to tease Lu Zizheng, saying, “I just looked at all the photos and discovered a major secret. Uncle and Auntie look really good, but it seems like you underwent a genetic mutation.”

Lu Zizheng set down the fruit plate, listening attentively, detecting a hint of a nasal tone in Jiang Huaixi’s voice. She couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty for not noticing earlier. Letting out a sigh, she speared a piece of apple and brought it close to Jiang Huaixi’s mouth, pretending to be angry as she said, “I don’t know if eating can shut your mouth.”

Jiang Huaixi raised an eyebrow, opened her mouth, and bit into the apple without saying a word.

After eating a few pieces of fruit, Lu Zizheng suddenly pushed Jiang Huaixi to sit on the bed and reached out to tug at her clothes.

Jiang Huaixi, rarely showing a hint of panic, instinctively crossed her arms, but in an instant, she regained her composure and raised an eyebrow, lightly chuckling. “Isn’t it inappropriate to tease a virtuous woman in broad daylight?”

Lu Zizheng’s eyebrows twitched sharply, and she spoke in a cold tone, “Who is the virtuous woman? Aren’t you tired? Lie down and take a nap. I’ll wake you up for mealtime.”

Jiang Huaixi initially intended to refuse, but as soon as she rested her head against the pillow, she felt an overwhelming desire to close her eyes and relax. Indeed, she was so tired, feeling like she couldn’t hold on any longer. So she followed Lu Zizheng’s suggestion and replied with a soft “Mm,” before settling down and falling into a deep sleep.

Perhaps she was truly exhausted, or perhaps it was the comforting scent of Lu Zizheng enveloping the pillow, but Jiang Huaixi felt an exceptional sense of relaxation and familiarity. Within moments, she drifted off into a deep slumber.

Lu Zizheng gently tucked the corner of the blanket for Jiang Huaixi and gazed at her peacefully serene sleeping face, her eyes filled with tenderness.

Time passed unnoticed, and Jiang Huaixi faintly heard someone calling her. She slowly opened her eyes, and in her hazy state, she saw Lu Zizheng leaning down, lowering her head to lightly kiss her forehead. A faint smile curved her lips as she felt like it was a dream, unwilling to wake up, and she once again drifted off, losing consciousness in a daze.

When she woke up again, Jiang Huaixi saw Lu Zizheng sitting quietly at the desk, watching her.

Lu Zizheng noticed that Jiang Huaixi was awake and stood up, walking to the bedside, teasingly saying, “I thought you were going to sleep until dinner.”

Jiang Huaixi felt a bit annoyed as she sat up and asked, “What time is it?”

Lu Zizheng replied, “It’s after two o’clock. Mom heated up lunch for you. After we finish eating, we should get ready to leave.”

Jiang Huaixi put on her coat, preparing to head out, when Lu Zizheng suddenly grabbed her arm and said, “Didn’t you just ask me for a New Year’s gift?”

Jiang Huaixi paused and looked at Lu Zizheng with confusion.

Lu Zizheng reached into her pocket and pulled out a large red envelope, handing it to Jiang Huaixi.

Jiang Huaixi raised an eyebrow, a smile forming at the corner of her lips as she asked, “What’s inside? It feels quite thick. It’s not all one-cent coins, is it?”

Lu Zizheng chuckled and replied cheerfully, “Why don’t you open it and see for yourself?”

Curiosity sparked within Jiang Huaixi, and she smiled as she opened the red envelope to find actual money, red bills neatly stacked inside.

A smile hung on Jiang Huaixi’s lips as she counted the bills, but it froze in place when she reached five hundred and twenty. 520?1

She looked up with a questioning gaze at Lu Zizheng, only to see Lu Zizheng looking at her with an unfamiliar tenderness and seriousness, about to confess something. Lu Zizheng began, “Huaixi, I like…”

Before Lu Zizheng could finish her sentence, panic washed over Jiang Huaixi, and she hurriedly interrupted, “I think I’m a bit hungry. Let’s go out to eat.” And she hastily fled.

Lu Zizheng was left frozen in place, the smile on her lips slowly fading away…

It wasn’t until Mama Lu called for Lu Zizheng to get ready to leave that Lu Zizheng finally left the room.

When they returned to Linzhou, Lu Zizheng and Mama Lu sat together in the back seat, the atmosphere inexplicably heavy.

Mama Lu sensed that something was off and wanted to say something to break the awkward silence, but as she looked at Lu Zizheng’s cold expression and Jiang Huaixi’s indifferent demeanor, she opened her mouth and ultimately chose to remain silent.

And so, for the entire four-hour journey, not a single word was spoken among the three of them.

Finally, they arrived in Linzhou, where it was indeed snowing.

Upon reaching the residential area, Mama Lu couldn’t wait any longer and got out of the car first, taking some of the luggage upstairs and leaving space for Lu Zizheng and Jiang Huaixi.

Jiang Huaixi silently helped Lu Zizheng carry some of the luggage up the stairs. When they reached the front door, she finally broke the silence that had lasted for over five hours and said, “I won’t go in.” With that, she turned around to leave.

Lu Zizheng instinctively reached out and grabbed her, her gaze burning into Jiang Huaixi’s eyes. She bit her lip and spoke hoarsely, “Huaixi, do you know what I was about to say? Why did you deliberately interrupt me?”

Jiang Huaixi avoided Lu Zizheng’s gaze, looking down without meeting her eyes. She softly replied, “I don’t know what you were going to say. Zizheng, is it really not good for things to remain as they are?”

Lu Zizheng held onto her hand, but gradually her grip weakened and slipped away. Finally, she let go of Jiang Huaixi, turned around, and entered the house without looking back.

Mama Lu stood at the entrance, worriedly watching Lu Zizheng. Lu Zizheng appeared remarkably composed, methodically taking off her shoes and socks—one foot at a time.

Suddenly, as if triggered by something, Lu Zizheng stood up straight and rushed out of the house barefoot…

She pressed the button for another vacant elevator and descended to the ground floor. Then, disregarding everything, she sprinted out of the building and exerted all her strength to catch up with Jiang Huaixi, not far ahead, shouting, “Jiang Huaixi!”

Jiang Huaixi’s footsteps paused, and after a moment of hesitation, she finally turned around, her expression complex.

Lu Zizheng, barefoot in the snowy ground, walked step by step until she stood in front of Jiang Huaixi. Her eyes turned red as she asked, “Jiang Huaixi, I like you. Is there really no possibility for us to move forward?”

However, Jiang Huaixi crouched down, took off her own shoes, and remained silent without answering her.

Lu Zizheng lowered her head and looked at the figure before her, once so familiar but now strangely distant. She mustered up all her courage and finally asked, “Then why are you so good to me?”

Jiang Huaixi held onto Lu Zizheng’s foot, attempting to fit her own shoe onto Lu Zizheng’s bare foot. After a moment of silence, she responded with an indifferent tone, “Aren’t we good friends?”

Lu Zizheng, as if finally giving up, instantly turned pale, a wry smile on her face, and repeated, “Indeed, just good friends. Do you treat all your good friends this way?” She shook off Jiang Huaixi’s hand from her foot and turned around, walking back, whispering, “I’m sorry, I misunderstood. Please don’t be so good to me anymore. I can’t handle it.”

Jiang Huaixi remained crouched in place, watching as Lu Zizheng’s bare, freezing red feet struggled to step further into the snow, her expression filled with sorrow, and gradually, tears welled up in her eyes…