“Cousin, you can’t be like this!” Chi Xi said with a serious expression. “Your mindset is wrong!”
“Oh? What mindset is that?” Chi Qingwei looked at her leisurely.
She wanted to see what nonsense Chi Xi could come up with.
“Cousin, your current mindset is just like those who, after falling in love, think everyone around them should start dating too, constantly urging others to get into relationships. It’s also like those who, after getting married and having children, become overly concerned about others’ marital and reproductive issues.”
“You’re being unlikable!” Chi Xi concluded.
“Oh? So according to you, isn’t this common among relatives and friends?” Chi Qingwei said calmly.
“Exactly! Others may not have the right to speak, but don’t you? Just think about how many ‘kind inquiries’ you receive from relatives and friends during the holidays!” Chi Xi said with an exaggerated expression.
Chi Qingwei: “…”
“But aren’t I your relative?”
“Since I’m your relative, I might as well play the annoying role to make the most of this relationship,” Chi Qingwei said indifferently.
Chi Xi: “…”
She had been too naive!
“Anyway, I don’t want to. I’m sticking by your side for the rest of my life!” Chi Xi threw herself onto the sofa, acting spoiled.
“Don’t get any incestuous ideas,” Chi Qingwei said without looking up as she replied to Shen Zuofeng’s message.
Chi Xi had never felt so speechless in her life.
“Don’t worry, with you, I’m like jelly that’s never been in the freezer completely unhardened!” Chi Xi rolled her eyes dramatically.
“Good,” Chi Qingwei said casually.
Of course, Chi Qingwei was joking. But over the years, Chi Xi had never been in a relationship, which inevitably made people wonder if there was a reason behind it.
If she simply wanted to live alone, Chi Qingwei would respect her choice. But if it was due to other reasons, she would be willing to help if she could.
“For so many years, the only omegas around you besides me are Muyu. Could it be that you don’t like omegas? Do you prefer betas or alphas?”
Chi Qingwei felt it was necessary to have a serious talk with her. Her aunt had asked her to inquire about this before, but she had put it off, thinking Chi Xi was still young and wouldn’t appreciate others prying into her love life.
But now, years had passed, and Chi Xi still showed no signs of being interested in anyone. This worried Chi Qingwei. There had to be a reason, right?
“Cousin, what nonsense are you talking about?” Chi Xi said helplessly. “Of course, I like omegas. Omegas are sweet and soft, how comfortable it must be to hold them!”
Chi Qingwei countered, “Whether they’re alphas or betas, there are sweet and soft people among them.”
She had some authority on the matter of sweet and soft alphas. After all, during her heat, she had practically clung to Shen Zuofeng the entire time. She knew better than anyone how sweet and soft Shen Zuofeng was.
It was an embrace that was sweet, gentle, and full of security.
Chi Xi wiped her face, exasperated. “Anyway, I just like omegas!”
After all, Jiang Muyu was an omega. If Jiang Muyu were an alpha or beta, then she would like alphas or betas.
Her preference was determined by Jiang Muyu.
“Then why haven’t you found someone yet? You know how anxious your mother is about this,” Chi Qingwei sighed.
“What about you, cousin? Why haven’t you been in a relationship all these years?” Chi Xi retorted.
Chi Qingwei put down her phone and said calmly, “I just don’t want to settle. You know that.”
“Exactly! You don’t want to settle, and neither do I. The person I want is the one I love! If it’s not her, I don’t want anyone else!” Chi Xi said with determination.
Looking at her resolute face, Chi Qingwei suddenly felt that Chi Xi had grown up. She had her own opinions now.
“Do you have someone you like now? If so, you can tell me. If I can help, I won’t hold back.”
Hearing this, Chi Xi’s eyes lit up but then dimmed again. Her mood sank as she said, “What can you do? She doesn’t like me at all.”
Chi Qingwei frowned, watching her like this, and suddenly seemed to realize something. She widened her eyes slightly as she looked at Chi Xi.
Seeing Chi Qingwei’s expression, Chi Xi felt a bit guilty.
“Tell me the truth, do you like Muyu?” Chi Qingwei asked seriously.
There weren’t many omegas close to Chi Xi. Besides family, only Jiang Muyu remained. Moreover, Chi Xi had always been very attentive to Jiang Muyu’s matters, which made Chi Qingwei suspect something.
Chi Xi scratched her cheek, a bit embarrassed, and said, “You figured it out. Cousin, you’re amazing.”
Chi Qingwei: “…”
“Don’t flatter me!”
However, when she guessed that Chi Xi might like Jiang Muyu, Chi Qingwei wasn’t surprised. After all, Jiang Muyu was outstanding enough that liking her was perfectly normal.
“Muyu is nine years older than you.”
“Of course, I know she’s nine years older than me. Do you have a problem with the age difference?” Chi Xi grew anxious.
The age gap had always been a point of insecurity for her. After all, she was truly nine years younger than Jiang Muyu. Would Jiang Muyu accept someone so much younger?
“I don’t, but Muyu might not,” Chi Qingwei pointed out bluntly.
Chi Xi slumped onto the sofa like a salted fish, exuding an aura of despair.
“Cousin, you’ve known her for so many years. Do you think she cares about age?”
“From what I know, she doesn’t judge others for their age differences. But when it comes to herself, I’m not sure,” Chi Qingwei said straightforwardly.
After all, it was easy to be indifferent about others’ affairs, but when it came to oneself, it might not be so easy to accept.
Hearing this, Chi Xi felt even worse.
Her love already seemed hopeless, and now there was this insurmountable gap of age.
“Sis, can you help me find out for me?” Chi Xi crawled over to Chi Qingwei, tugging at her sleeve and shaking it like a child begging for candy after being wronged.
Chi Qingwei looked down at her and said seriously, “Muyu is also my friend. I can help you find out, but when it comes to matters of the heart between you two, I don’t want you to approach her with an uncertain attitude. I hope you take love seriously.”
Chi Xi buried her face in the sofa and said muffledly, “I’ve liked her since I was fifteen. All these years, she’s been the only one I’ve ever liked. Isn’t that serious enough?”
At fifteen, she fell in love with the twenty-four-year-old Jiang Muyu. Seven years later, at twenty-two, she still loved the thirty-one-year-old Jiang Muyu.
Chi Xi never knew her affection could last so long. It seemed as though she had saved all her patience for Jiang Muyu, leaving none for anyone else.
Chi Qingwei looked at Chi Xi, who resembled an ostrich, and gently patted her head. Softly, she said, “I’m sorry. Even though you’re my family, Muyu is also my friend. I don’t want Muyu to get hurt, especially if the hurt comes from my own family.”
Over the years, Jiang Muyu hadn’t had it easy. After her lover left, she withered like a flower. Though she still appeared gentle and kind to outsiders, her heart was empty.
If Chi Xi could love her sincerely and take care of her, as a friend, Chi Qingwei hoped Jiang Muyu could move on from the past and embrace a new person and a new life.
But…
Chi Qingwei looked down at Chi Xi so young and tender. Could she really take care of Jiang Muyu? What if it ended up with Jiang Muyu accommodating her instead?
And then there was the insurmountable chasm of Jiang Muyu’s ex-girlfriend.
Chi Qingwei: “…”
If it were her, she might not be interested in Chi Xi either.
She seemed like someone who hadn’t settled down yet. What sense of security could she offer in a relationship?
But Chi Qingwei didn’t want to say these things to discourage someone who was already feeling down. She could only sigh softly.
Chi Xi’s pursuit of Jiang Muyu seemed like a long and arduous journey.
“Sis, I like her. I want to do everything I can to make her happy, but right now, she doesn’t need me,” Chi Xi said, lying face down like a pitiful puppy abandoned by its owner.
“You need to be patient,” Chi Qingwei said, stroking her head gently. “Muyu’s situation is different from others. She needs you to be extra patient with her before she might even consider accepting you a little.”
Though Jiang Muyu appeared gentle, aside from the few friends she had accepted, she maintained a transparent barrier with everyone else. You might think she was warm and approachable, but in reality, you had never truly gotten close to her.
“Sis, what if I can’t compare to her?” This was something Chi Xi had always been anxious about. She feared she wasn’t good enough.
Chi Qingwei’s hand paused as she remembered the woman whose smile could light up the entire world. Why was life so unpredictable? She was so wonderful, yet she left this world far too soon.
“You don’t need to surpass her,” Chi Qingwei said softly. “You are you, and she is she. There’s no need for comparison.”
Chi Qingwei’s voice grew quieter. “Muyu loved her. She was unique in Muyu’s heart, and you are unique too.”
“All you need to do is be yourself and treat Muyu well, without getting trapped in comparisons with her.”
“If you can sincerely make Muyu accept you, then she will be Muyu’s past, and you will be her future.”
Chi Xi suddenly looked up, staring blankly at Chi Qingwei. Gradually, a dazzling light appeared in her eyes, like a beam tearing through the darkness before dawn, spreading its brilliance across the land.
“Sis, you’re so wise!” Chi Xi exclaimed joyfully. Her words had given Chi Xi a sense of reassurance. Yes, they were both unique individuals. Why compare?
She had her way of loving Muyu, and Chi Xi had hers. As long as it was genuine love, neither was inferior to the other.