Solitary Toss of Tenderness

The sweetest dreams are the easiest to wake from

Coming out from Xu Baihan’s house, the sky was already growing dim, the time of sunset.

On the way, it was the peak of rush hour, and Jiang Huaixi and Lu Zizheng were stuck on the Second Ring Road, unable to move. Mother Jiang worried that Jiang Huaixi and Lu Zizheng might cancel their appointment, so she called again to remind and urge them, and she earnestly inquired about Lu Zizheng’s dietary restrictions, talking incessantly for quite a while.

Jiang Huaixi turned on Bluetooth, gripping the steering wheel, and responded absentmindedly, “Sure, have Auntie jot it down, Zizheng likes sweet but not sour, can’t handle overly spicy food, doesn’t eat raw vegetables, dislikes celery, avoids eggplants, won’t eat oysters, won’t eat…”

Lu Zizheng sat on the side, tilting her head to look at Jiang Huaixi’s calm and composed demeanor, and couldn’t help but curl her lips into a faint smile.

Jiang Huaixi hung up the phone and, out of the corner of her eye, saw Lu Zizheng smiling at her. She lightly smiled and asked, “What have you been secretly laughing about?”

Lu Zizheng turned her head back, her smile deepening, and she softly hummed a song. She didn’t reply to Jiang Huaixi directly, but it was clear that her mood was quite cheerful.

Jiang Huaixi lightly traced her index finger on the steering wheel, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. After a moment of contemplation, she chuckled, “Well, if you won’t tell, then let me guess what you’re secretly laughing about.”

In response, Lu Zizheng raised an eyebrow, casting a curious glance toward Jiang Huaixi.

Jiang Huaixi’s eyes and brows curved, and she said with an air of seriousness, “I guess you must be thinking, ‘Ah~ How does Huaixi understand me so well? Ah~ She must love me a lot. Ah~ I’m so lucky in this lifetime to receive her love. Ah…’ Those ‘ah’s sound so overly dramatic and exaggerated.”

The more Lu Zizheng listened, the darker her face became. Finally, Jiang Huaixi’s last “ah” ended with Lu Zizheng’s annoyed and embarrassed hand covering her mouth as she exclaimed, “Shut up, don’t say it.”

Jiang Huaixi’s eyes slightly turned to the side, looking at Lu Zizheng. Her eyebrows lightly furrowed as she used her gaze to threaten Lu Zizheng, asking, “Are you going to let go or not?”

Lu Zizheng furrowed her brows, looking at the unmoving traffic ahead, and stubbornly refused to release her grip.

Jiang Huaixi gazed at Lu Zizheng, her eyes shifting with a playful glint. Suddenly, she relaxed her brow. Lu Zizheng caught the mischievous twinkle in her eyes and couldn’t help her heart skipping a beat, sensing that something was amiss.

Sure enough, in the next moment, under Jiang Huaixi’s confident and watchful gaze, Lu Zizheng, as if struck by electricity, swiftly retracted her hand. Instantly, her face turned red.

Seeing her flustered and adorable appearance, Jiang Huaixi couldn’t help but let out a gentle laugh.

Lu Zizheng bit her lip, glaring at Jiang Huaixi with a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance. “Rascal!” she exclaimed. Jiang Huaixi had just, surprisingly, stuck out her tongue and lightly licked the palm of Lu Zizheng’s hand that covered her mouth.

Jiang Huaixi blinked her eyes, the curve of her lips deepening. She calmly teased, “Is it considered acting like a rascal when it’s your own girlfriend? Zizheng, can’t you handle this?” The word “handle” was enunciated very clearly, suggesting a deeper meaning.

Lu Zizheng slightly lowered her gaze, her cheeks flushed, one hand covering the hand that had been licked. She let out a soft hum twice, clearly showing her intention to ignore Jiang Huaixi.

The traffic finally moved forward a bit, and Jiang Huaixi also moved forward a little. Then, she turned her head with a gentle smile and asked the seemingly sulking Lu Zizheng beside her, “Could it be that I guessed wrong just now?”

Lu Zizheng glanced sideways at Jiang Huaixi’s sparkling eyes filled with a playful glint. She saw that Jiang Huaixi’s eyes were full of herself, focused and tender. Finally, she couldn’t help but curve her lips, no longer pretending to be upset. She leaned her head on Jiang Huaixi’s shoulder, looking at the long line of red lights ahead, forming a path back home. With a gentle smile, she said, “I was just thinking, having family’s care and nagging, having a place to return to, feels really nice. Whether it’s Sister Baihan or us, if things could continue like this, it would be wonderful.” After a pause, she affirmed, “Yes, it will definitely continue like this.”

Jiang Huaixi’s heart couldn’t help but soften, and she softly responded, “Yes.”

The traffic finally started moving again. The night had fully fallen, and as the streetlights suddenly illuminated, the path back home became clear and bright.

Jiang Huaixi followed the slow and steady flow of traffic, remaining silent for a while. Suddenly, she smiled and sighed, “You know, actually, the most important thing, isn’t it wonderful to have me?”

Lu Zizheng instantly sat up straight, her teeth clenched. She exclaimed through gritted teeth, “Jiang Huaixi, you’re really something…”

Jiang Huaixi just looked ahead, smiling without saying a word.

“Zizheng, I can’t guarantee how long these days will last, but I can promise you that as long as you want it and as long as I’m here, our days will definitely be as you hope.”

When they arrived at the Jiang residence, Father Jiang, Jiang Huaichuan, and Qiao Xin had already returned home. The family was gathered in the living room, chatting and laughing. Seeing Jiang Huaixi and Lu Zizheng returning, Jiang Huaichuan couldn’t help but tease, “Sis, you both look so radiant.”

Jiang Huaixi raised an eyebrow, smiled faintly, and calmly replied, “Nowhere near as much as you and Qiao Xin.”

Lu Zizheng was slightly nervous and nodded politely to Father Jiang, who they had just met upon returning. She greeted, “Uncle, we’re back.”

Father Jiang’s expression still held a touch of seriousness, but he gave her a faint smile. However, Lu Zizheng could see a soft and affectionate glint in his eyes. “We’re all family now, no need to be formal.”

Grandmother Jiang kindly echoed, “Your uncle is right.” With that, she smiled and waved to Lu Zizheng, saying, “Zizheng, come over here to Grandma.”

Jiang Huaixi smiled at Lu Zizheng and released her hand, then took a seat next to Jiang Huaichuan.

Lu Zizheng walked over to Jiang Huaixi’s grandmother, crouched down, and looked up at her with an obedient demeanor.

Grandmother Jiang reached out, took Lu Zizheng’s hand, and lightly patted it. The more she looked, the more she grew fond. After a moment, she let go of Lu Zizheng’s hand and slowly took off the only bracelet she had on, handing it to Lu Zizheng. “This was given to me by my mother-in-law when I got married to Grandpa Huaixi. One bracelet, I gave to Qiao Xin. This one, today I pass it on to you, it’s a way of feeling at ease.”

Lu Zizheng’s face slightly reddened. She looked towards Jiang Huaixi and saw a faint smile at the corner of her lips. In Jiang Huaixi’s gaze, there were gentle and sparkling stars. Lu Zizheng extended her hands to receive the bracelet from Grandmother Jiang and softly replied, “Thank you, Grandma.”

Grandmother Jiang’s eyes squinted happily into a narrow line. She pulled Lu Zizheng to sit beside her and glanced at Jiang Huaixi across from them. With a smile, she said to Lu Zizheng, “Zizheng, actually, the first time you came to our home, Grandma wanted to give you the bracelet.”

Lu Zizheng blinked slightly, taken aback. Clearly, she still remembered the almost imperceptible look Grandmother Jiang had cast her that day, making her feel uneasy. She thought that at that time, Grandmother Jiang’s attitude towards her was…

As if sensing her confusion, Grandmother Jiang smiled warmly and continued, “Zizheng, when I first found out that Huaixi liked you, I didn’t quite understand it for a while. But as time passed, seeing how dedicated and serious Huaixi was, I came to accept it. Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. As long as Huaixi is happy, Grandma has nothing more to ask for. Later on, what I looked forward to every day was when Huaixi and you would finally be together. Her mother and I would subtly ask her and express our concern, but she, on the other hand, always remained calm about it. On the day of your first visit to our home, her mother and I both wanted to help her a bit. However, when she heard about it, she became anxious and adamantly refused, asking me to keep the bracelet and then hurriedly interrupting the conversation between you and her mother.”

Grandmother Jiang sighed and continued, “Later, I heard her mother saying that this matter had caused you a misunderstanding. We tried to do something good, but it turned out otherwise, and we felt quite guilty. Zizheng, please don’t take it to heart.”

Lu Zizheng gently shook her head and reassured, “Grandma, I won’t.” She turned to look at Jiang Huaixi, a sense of relief and amusement in her expression. However, Jiang Huaixi seemed a bit embarrassed, avoiding Lu Zizheng’s gaze and changing the subject by asking her mother, “Mom, can we have dinner now? Dad and Huaichuan should be hungry.”

Mother Jiang smiled and stood up, inviting everyone, “Of course, let’s go. Let’s have dinner first, and we can talk afterward.”

As a result, Jiang Huaixi, Jiang Huaichuan, and Qiao Xin were the first to rise and head to the dining room. Father Jiang followed behind, while Lu Zizheng helped Grandmother Jiang to her feet and accompanied her, and Mother Jiang walked at the end, strolling alongside Lu Zizheng.

During the brief moment when Jiang Huaixi was not beside Lu Zizheng, Mother Jiang suddenly asked, “Zizheng, during these days, did Huaixi mention anything about what happened before she went to Ji’an as a child?”

Lu Zizheng pondered briefly and replied, “She hasn’t really mentioned much, Auntie. Is there something specific?”

Mother Jiang smiled, shook her head, and said, “Nothing, I was just asking casually.”

After taking their seats, Grandmother Jiang sat at the head, while the others were paired up and seated across from each other. Not long after the dinner began, Father Jiang raised his glass, slightly tilting it towards Lu Zizheng. With a smile, he said, “Zizheng, Uncle welcomes you to our family.”

Lu Zizheng quickly put down her chopsticks and also raised her glass.

Jiang Huaichuan lifted his glass and glanced at Lu Zizheng and Jiang Huaixi, unable to resist teasing, “Dad, should you say she’s joining the family through marriage.”

Mother Jiang chuckled, looking at Lu Zizheng’s blushing face, and helped ease the situation by saying, “Whether it’s joining through marriage or by being wed, you’ll have to ask your sister.”

This time, Lu Zizheng’s face turned even redder, and despite Jiang Huaixi’s composure, she couldn’t help but feel a bit of warmth in her ears.

With a blush on her face, Lu Zizheng gently clinked glasses with Jiang Huaichuan and Father Jiang, saying, “Thank you, Uncle. Thank you, everyone.”

Qiao Xin couldn’t help but laugh and remarked, “Zizheng sis seems to be blushing.”

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their gaze to Lu Zizheng and burst into laughter.

Seeing Lu Zizheng’s ears turning as red as if they were about to drip blood, Jiang Huaixi couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy. She cleared her throat and helped divert the attention by bringing up the engagement between Jiang Huaichuan and Qiao Xin that was to take place in two or three days.

Gradually, the atmosphere became warmer and more relaxed. In the midst of the jovial conversations, Lu Zizheng also started to unwind.

During the meal, Jiang Huaixi suddenly got up and went to the restroom, taking quite some time before returning. When she came back, Lu Zizheng noticed that her expression seemed a bit off. It wasn’t as naturally cheerful as before she left; her gaze was heavy, and she appeared somewhat absent-minded.

Just as Lu Zizheng was about to ask Jiang Huaixi what was wrong, she heard Mother Jiang say to her and Jiang Huaixi, “Zizheng, don’t mind, it’s Uncle and Aunt owing you now. When the day comes that Huaixi is open and brave enough, we will also celebrate for you, just like Huaichuan and Xin’er did, with a lively and joyful gathering, alright?” When Mother Jiang mentioned “open and brave,” she looked at Jiang Huaixi, as if there was an underlying meaning to her words.

Jiang Huaixi glanced at Mother Jiang, avoiding her gaze, and remained silent, not uttering a word. Her gaze seemed even more burdened.

Lu Zizheng felt a mixture of confusion and concern, but at the moment, she didn’t want to ask too much. She simply responded with a obedient smile to Mother Jiang’s words.

After dinner, everyone sat in the living room for a while before dispersing to rest.

Lu Zizheng nodded and responded contentedly, “Sure, come back early.”

As Jiang Huaixi turned to leave, she took a deep look at Lu Zizheng’s smiling face, subtly clenching her fists and biting her lip before turning and heading downstairs.

In the corridor outside the director’s office at Jiang Family Hospital, Jiang Huaixi sat with her hands clasped on her knees, eyes closed as she leaned back in her chair, waiting for Director Wang, who had already finished work, to return to the hospital. Her brows were tightly furrowed, and her lips were pressed together, expressing a sense of exhaustion and sorrow.

Suddenly, the quiet corridor was filled with the sound of high-heeled shoes tapping against the floor, clear and crisp, approaching from a distance until finally stopping in front of Jiang Huaixi, casting a shadow over her.

Jiang Huaixi’s brows furrowed even tighter as she slowly opened her eyes. Before her stood the exquisitely beautiful face of Lian Xuan. At this moment, Lian Xuan was smiling gently, looking at her calmly, though the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Miss Jiang, I finally got to meet you again after such a long time,” Jiang Huaixi heard Lian Xuan saying with such words.