Xu Youzhi stared blankly, her eyes glazed over. She felt that Jiang Ruoxun’s voice was far too pleasant—it tickled her ears, and like an addiction, she wanted to hear it over and over again.
“Sister, I’m a commuter student, so I come home every day. If there’s nothing going on…” Xu Youzhi murmured, her face flushing red, “I’m back after just half a day of classes. If you ever feel bored, Sister, you can come find me anytime, anywhere.”
Jiang Ruoxun gave a casual “mm-hmm” as she listened half-heartedly.
“Then, should we add each other on WeChat first?” Xu Youzhi suggested.
“Hmm?” Jiang Ruoxun hesitated for a moment.
“I’m sorry, I forgot you’re a celebrity, Sister,” Xu Youzhi said apologetically.
“It’s fine.” Jiang Ruoxun took out her phone and added, “Just don’t give my WeChat to anyone else.”
“Mm-hmm!!” Xu Youzhi beamed, unable to hide her joy. Having managed to add a big star on WeChat by such a stroke of luck, she would naturally guard this “rare treasure” with her life.
“It’s getting late, Senior. I’ll head out now.”
Jiang Ruoxun nodded. After Xu Youzhi had walked just a few steps, she called out again, “Wait a moment.”
Like a little puppy, Xu Youzhi scurried back and stood politely in front of her.
Jiang Ruoxun suppressed a smile.
She ran back just because I called? She’s even more obedient than my assistant.
“Isn’t calling me ‘Senior’ a bit too formal?”
“Should I call you by your nickname?”
Jiang Ruoxun fell silent. No one really called her by a nickname; even Xu Ling or the company boss, President Ye, called her Ruoxun or Teacher Jiang at most.
“How about just calling me ‘Sister’?”
Xu Youzhi thought about it. The title “Sister” (Jiejie) wasn’t so formal that it made the person sound old, but it closed the distance and added a touch of intimacy.
It wasn’t the first time Xu Youzhi had called someone “Sister,” but whenever she said the word, her voice became soft and “milky,” sounding even sweeter than when she said “Senior.” It was the kind of voice that could make someone’s maternal instincts overflow.
Listening to her, Jiang Ruoxun felt a mix of irritation and amusement. She didn’t like being called “Sister” simply because she hated feeling old, but she truly couldn’t think of a better title, so she reluctantly accepted it.
“Alright then.”
Jiang Ruoxun smiled. Looking at Xu Youzhi’s bright, toothy grin, a sliver of coldness rose in her heart.
Innocent? A university student being this innocent… she must be faking it. If that’s the case, it’ll be even more fun to tear away her mask.
As soon as Xu Youzhi got home, she couldn’t contain her excitement and began cheering and jumping around. This prompted Xu Hui and Wang Qiuhua to come out of their bedroom and give her a good scolding.
“Our neighbor next door…” Xu Youzhi bit her tongue. She wouldn’t tell anyone about Jiang Ruoxun’s identity.
“By the way, what did the neighbor think of the lychees? Your father brought those specifically from the Liangguang region. Although, people living in this complex are quite wealthy; they’ve probably seen plenty and won’t think much of it.”
Xu Youzhi hadn’t actually asked Jiang Ruoxun what she thought of the fruit. At the time, she noticed the lychees in the gift box hadn’t been touched at all.
“I don’t know.”
— Sister
After showering, Xu Youzhi quickly messaged Jiang Ruoxun.
Earlier, while sitting on the sofa, Xu Youzhi had caught the scent of a cold fragrance lingering on Jiang Ruoxun. It felt as though it was circling around her, becoming an addiction—it was so incredibly pleasant. With such a fragrant Movie Queen as a neighbor, who could possibly ignore her?
If their relationship suddenly became close…
She might even be able to get “cuddly” with the Movie Queen. Imagining herself holding hands with her, Xu Youzhi couldn’t stay still, tossing and turning on her bed in excitement.
Jiang Ruoxun was watching TV. Seeing Xu Youzhi message, her, she replied immediately.
What’s up?
Xu Youzhi felt like a stampede of horses was running through her heart again.
Nothing, I just wanted to chat with you.
A smile played on Jiang Ruoxun’s lips.
Were the lychees I gave you good?
I’ll eat them tomorrow.
Jiang Ruoxun wouldn’t actually eat them; lychees were too high in sugar and calories.
Oh, okay!
Thank you to your family for the gift.
It’s no trouble at all.
Little one, it’s late. You should go to sleep.
Xu Youzhi: “?”
They had only been talking for a few moments, and the Movie Queen was already urging her to go to bed.
Does Sister really want me to go to sleep?
Xu Youzhi asked with a hint of worry.
Little ones need to wake up early.
Xu Youzhi didn’t know whether to be disappointed that the conversation ended so quickly or touched that the Movie Queen cared about her not staying up late.
Of course, Jiang Ruoxun had her own reasons. Being too eager was never good; she had to maintain her sense of mystery and cold detachment.
Okay! If Sister says so, I’ll listen immediately! — Sticker: Jumping Puppy.jpg
Jiang Ruoxun looked at the animated puppy sticker. Clicking on it revealed a whole series of puppy emojis. She saved them all, one by one.
Puppy, you really are obedient, she thought to herself.
Although Xu Youzhi felt lucky to have added Jiang Ruoxun as a friend, she wasn’t the type of person to be overly clingy. After chatting for a bit, the Movie Queen’s somewhat aloof attitude dampened her spirits, and since Li Wuyi wasn’t busy with work, Xu Youzhi went to chat with her instead.
For three days, the two didn’t speak.
Jiang Ruoxun didn’t have a bad memory, but after adding Xu Youzhi, she simply forgot about her. Even if she had viewed it as a minor “task” initially, when faced with her precious time off, she didn’t have the energy to care about others.
It wasn’t until she went out to pick up a delivery that she locked eyes with Xu Youzhi, who was just returning from school.
Xu Youzhi greeted her as politely as before: “Hello, Sister.”
The girl’s smile was brilliant, bright, and soft.
Jiang Ruoxun had been in the entertainment industry for nearly ten years; she had seen plenty of scheming, backstabbing people, but she had never seen eyes with such “clear stupidity” before.
She really was like an enthusiastic Golden Retriever.
“Hello, Zhizhi,” Jiang Ruoxun said with a curved smile, exuding a captivating, sophisticated charm.
Xu Youzhi was dazed by the sight, only snapping out of it after the other woman had already closed her door.
Perhaps it was a coincidence, but Jiang Ruoxun finally remembered she had Xu Youzhi on WeChat. Oh, right—that clearly stupid Golden Retriever. She must be very comfortable to pet.
Zhizhi? What are you doing?
Xu Youzhi was binge-watching a show at night when she received the message. She scrambled to reply.
I’m watching a drama. Sticker: Dancing Puppy.jpg
What are you watching?
Xu Youzhi glanced at the screen. It wasn’t one starring Jiang Ruoxun. She typed out the name of the show.
The other side didn’t reply for a long time, so Xu Youzhi put her phone down to continue watching. Then, she heard her phone ring—Jiang Ruoxun had sent a voice message.
“Ah, that drama is actually quite good. But it would be great if Zhizhi watched the dramas I’ve starred in.”
Xu Youzhi’s ears turned red. She was beautiful herself and usually remained calm when facing the equally stunning Jiang Ruoxun, but the woman’s voice always felt like it was laced with a soul-stealing potion. The first time you heard it, your whole body went numb; even after hearing it many times, it remained unforgettable.
With this back and forth, the conversation finally opened up.
Over the next two days of intermittent chatting, Jiang Ruoxun found that Xu Youzhi was actually quite cute. Perhaps she was the only person who could make her feel that way.
Why did she think so?
Was it because she was cautious with her words, had a sweet way of talking, and a warm, gentle attitude?
Thinking carefully, it seemed she only remembered that moment by the delivery—the way she obediently called her “Sister.” The girl’s wide, white-toothed grin, the way her eyes curved into crescents, her playful look, and especially the flush on her face… well, those things weren’t important.
What was important was that she looked like a very enthusiastic little puppy…
Zhizhi, it’s the weekend tomorrow. Shall Sister take you out to play?
Tomorrow, Xu Youzhi was supposed to go to the Datong Caves with Li Wuyi.
Xu Youzhi replied apologetically: I’m so sorry, Sister, I already have an appointment tomorrow.
I see. That’s a shame.
Xu Youzhi suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
But I’m free the day after!
Are you really free the day after? You don’t have to force yourself.
I’m really free. I really want to go out with Sister.
Okay, it’s a date.
Jiang Ruoxun turned off her phone, the smile on her lips refusing to fade.