“Sister, can I stop calling you ‘Sister’?”
That night, Li Mingxi held her pillow and cheekily returned to Jingchun’s bed. Jingchun, unable to do anything about her persistence, allowed her to occupy half the territory once again.
“If not sister, what do you plan to call me?” Jingchun took Mingxi’s hand and traced the words onto her palm.
“Chun. Can I call you Chun? I’ve wanted to call you that for a long time, but I was afraid you’d dislike it. Can I now? Or… I could call you ‘Wife,’ you choose.” Mingxi teased her, though she knew the Li family values of self-respect meant she wouldn’t truly cross lines until the day was official.
Calling me Chun is better, Jingchun wrote, her face flushing. Mingxi caught her hand before she could pull away. Jingchun’s hands were beautiful—slender and straight, perhaps from years of playing the piano.
“Chun, I still can’t believe this is real. Hit me to make sure I’m not dreaming.”
Mingxi’s words stung Jingchun’s heart. Has my avoidance made her feel this insecure? Jingchun wrapped her arms around Mingxi’s waist and rested her head on her chest, using action to prove it wasn’t a dream.
I’m sorry for making you wait and suffer, Jingchun wrote on Mingxi’s back. It had been four years since Mingxi first hinted at her feelings under the shade of trees after high school graduation. Back then, Jingchun had simply patted her head and called her a “silly girl,” before walking away. She realized now that she had always been the one leaving a cold silhouette for Mingxi to chase. Thankfully, Mingxi never gave up.
“Sister?” Mingxi nudged her. Jingchun looked up, leaned in, and left a soft kiss on the corner of Mingxi’s mouth.
I love you, Jingchun mouthed silently.
Tears instantly spilled from Mingxi’s eyes. Jingchun tried to wipe them away, but they flowed like an endless spring. Finally, Jingchun leaned down and kissed the salty tears away. Mingxi pulled her into a tight embrace, burying her face in Jingchun’s neck and crying out years of pent-up longing until her pajamas were soaked.
“Cried enough?” Jingchun wrote.
“Cried enough, but I haven’t stayed in this hug long enough,” Mingxi replied with a slightly nasal, stubborn voice. Jingchun smiled; Mingxi was still a child at heart, but one she loved deeply.
A New Beginning
The next morning, Mingxi woke up and immediately checked her side. Seeing Jingchun sleeping peacefully, her heart settled. It wasn’t a dream.
She quietly prepared breakfast. When Jingchun emerged, Mingxi offered a radiant smile. “Chun, I’ll be back late today. Baijia is reopening soon, so things will be busy. I’ll make it up to you later.”
Jingchun shook her head slightly to say it was fine, then signed: Next month, I have a charity performance in France. Can you come with me?
“I will. Give me the dates; I’ll arrange everything,” Mingxi promised instantly. She couldn’t remember the last time she had sat in the audience to hear Jingchun play. She wouldn’t miss it for the world.
Don’t work too hard. Prioritize your health, Jingchun reminded her.
“I know. Also, there’s a new car in the garage for you—a new model from Nitian with unparalleled safety features. I’ve got to go now!” Mingxi stole one last kiss on Jingchun’s cheek and skipped out the door.
Her happiness was infectious. Even at the office, the employees noticed their boss was in an exceptionally good mood, making the atmosphere light despite the mountains of paperwork.
A Golden Opportunity
“General Manager, I think this will make you even happier.”
Shen Jingwen walked in and handed a folder to Mingxi. Mingxi’s eyes widened as she read. Was she on a lucky streak? One good thing after another.
“This is amazing! We actually won the bid for that land? Shen Jingwen, you did an incredible job. I’ll make sure the head office hears about this!”
They had successfully bid for a prime piece of real estate from the municipal government. It was a miracle—countless powerful competitors had been eyeing it, yet the “struggling” Baijia had come out on top.
“The bid is won. Now, what’s the specific plan?” Jingwen asked, remaining calm.
“I want to build a ‘Shopping Heaven’ there—one of the most famous in the world. However, we’ll need massive funding. Baijia doesn’t have enough, so I’ll apply to the head office for half, and the rest will come from bank loans. Jingwen, handle the bank negotiations. Remember: strictly banks. No private financial institutions. We have to be careful.”
As Mingxi looked out the window, she felt Baijia was finally moving toward a bright, stable future.