At Ruan Xingyue’s home.
Pork ribs simmered in the pot, filling the air with a rich, meaty aroma.
Ruan Xingmian lifted the lid to take a look, turned the ribs in the clay pot, and seeing they were nearly done, added the prepared tomatoes, bean sprouts, and yam.
She covered the pot again, reducing the heat to a low simmer.
The fish steaming on another burner was almost ready.
She poured the prepared seasoning sauce over it and continued steaming for three more minutes before turning off the heat.
She took out the fish from the top tray and used a plate to serve the steamed corn.
She would arrange it on the plate once it cooled down.
Ruan Xingyue loved corn and was a vegetarian.
The book said she could eat corn for all three meals a day. Ruan Xingmian aimed to please her sister by catering to her preferences, hoping it would make it easier to bring up the topic of taking a break from school.
Tomato and yam pork rib soup, steamed fish, and steamed corn.
The greens from the Farmers’ Market were tender, so she bought a bunch, planning to make a simple blanched vegetable dish.
She had also intentionally saved some corn and yam to make half a pot of corn and yam juice in the soy milk maker, which was good for strengthening the spleen and stomach.
She hoped Ruan Xingyue would drink more of it. Her sister was a picky eater who felt nauseous at the sight of meat and had grown alarmingly thin.
While reading the novel, Ruan Xingmian had thought that if Ruan Xingyue had been healthier and not constantly falling ill with colds, Gu Xing might not have been able to outshine her every time and secure the title of gaokao top scorer.
With the kitchen tasks temporarily completed, Ruan Xingmian went to the laundry room to hang up the washed clothes.
She also took the opportunity to mop the balcony and wipe down the cabinet doors in the storage area by the railing.
Big Uncle was often away on business trips.
Big Aunt was a high school homeroom teacher who also taught Chinese for two classes.
Her dedication to her job kept her leaving early and returning late.
Household chores often piled up until they were tackled all at once.
Ruan Xingyue opened the door.
For the first time, she saw a tidy and clean entryway.
Not a single dirty shoe or stray sock in sight.
The stool for changing shoes was spotless, gleaming under the light.
She ran her hand over the dust-free shoe cabinet, her usually indifferent expression softening slightly.
Had a housekeeping fairy visited her home?
“Sis, you’re back?”
Ruan Xingmian came down from the balcony carrying a pile of laundry.
She tossed it onto the sofa, planning to fold what needed folding and hang what needed hanging.
Items that required ironing were set aside separately.
“Did you do all this?”
Ruan Xingyue changed her shoes and walked in, her calm gaze settling on her sister as she observed her quietly.
Ruan Xingmian frowned at the entryway, not noticing her sister’s look.
Sneakers were scattered carelessly, and one of the socks she had taken off was left in the entryway while the other had made its way to the living room.
Ruan Xingmian held back her irritation.
“Sis, your sock…”
Ruan Xingyue turned around.
Seeing the once tidy entryway now in disarray because of her.
She rubbed her nose and silently walked back. “I’ll wash it right away.”
Ruan Xingmian nodded in approval.
As she carefully folded the bedding set, she asked cautiously, “Does Big Aunt have duty today?”
“I called her earlier. She should be able to come back early.”
Seeing the anticipation written all over her sister’s face.
Ruan Xingyue pulled out her phone from her backpack. “I’ll call her again.”
The call connected, and Ruan Xingyue put it on speaker.
“Don’t rush me, don’t rush me. I’m on the bus.”
“It’s so close, why don’t you just ride a shared bike?” Ruan Xingyue replied while washing her socks.
“I’ve been standing all day, and my butt hurts too much to ride. Hang up, hang up, we’re wasting phone credit.”
The call ended but kept vibrating with notifications.
Ruan Xingyue didn’t answer, muttering complaints under her breath as she scrubbed her socks, though it was unclear who she was cursing.
Ruan Xingmian finished tidying the sofa, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
Back when she had kept reading the novel, aside from Gu Xing, she had also liked the Female Lead, Ruan Xingyue.
She felt Ruan Xingyue was a top student with a particularly striking contrast.
Outwardly, she was aloof and reserved.
Her mouth was sharp and unyielding.
Her heart was full of grumbling and muttered curses.
But deep down, she was kind and soft.
Back then, she had even shipped Ruan Xingyue and Gu Xing.
She just never expected that these two, who had been competing since high school all the way through college, hadn’t sparked even a tiny bit of romance.
If those two had ever fallen for each other, what chance would Lu Tian have had?
“Hello? Lu Tian? Sorry, my phone was on silent.”
“No need, I’m already home. I’ll be eating at home today.”
“Yeah, you all have fun. I won’t be joining. I’m heading to the library tonight.”
“I’ll definitely come to your birthday. As for anyone else’s… forget it.”
…
The call ended.
Through the door, Ruan Xingmian seemed to catch a faint, intermittent mutter of “idiot.”
Her clever older sister didn’t seem to like Lu Tian very much.
Ruan Xingmian folded the clothes, wiped the table, and began setting the dishes.
Ruan Xingyue washed her socks, took a quick shower, changed into her pajamas, and sat on the sofa sorting and folding the clothes.
When Li Xue opened the door, she was greeted by this scene.
Her older daughter organizing clothes.
Her younger daughter arranging the dining table.
When had their home felt this warm since the car accident?
Hearing from her older daughter over the phone that her younger daughter wanted to cook a meal for her and apologize, she hadn’t believed it.
But as the aroma of food wafted over, Li Xue couldn’t help but slow down as she changed her shoes.
“Teacher Li, you’re so slow,” Ruan Xingyue said coldly, her brows slightly furrowed.
Ruan Xingmian looked nervously at Big Aunt.
Li Xue finished changing her shoes and walked in, ignoring her older daughter and focusing on her younger one. “Why have you lost so much weight?”
She went into the bathroom to wash her hands. “How many times have I told you? Takeout isn’t nourishing. Look at your chin—it’s so sharp it could plow two acres of land.”
Big Aunt’s willingness to let bygones be bygones made Ruan Xingmian’s eyes well up and her nose sting.
She slipped into the kitchen.
And brought out a bouquet of yellow roses.
The sunset-hued yellow roses were gathered into a bunch, their petal edges shimmering with a honey-colored glow.
The fluffy flower heads bowed slightly.
The stems were wrapped in plain white paper, with a few sprigs of eucalyptus leaves peeking out at an angle.
Ruan Xingyue looked at her, puzzled.
Li Xue turned around, equally stunned.
Their family had no romantic inclinations.
A bouquet of flowers couldn’t compare to a good meal.
Spending money on something like that was better spent on a hearty dinner.
“Mom, I want to apologize for running away from home.”
Ruan Xingmian spoke, her eyes red.
She remembered most of the plot from the book and knew that Big Aunt had adopted the original host long ago.
Calling her “Mom” wasn’t out of place.
What the original host had discarded like trash was the maternal love she herself had longed for but could never have.
“I bought these flowers at the flower and bird market. I wrapped them myself, so they only cost thirty.”
Afraid Li Xue would scold her for wasting money, she quickly explained.
“The florist said yellow roses represent an apology. I’m really sorry for running away.”
Li Xue’s lips twitched slightly as she glanced at her older daughter.
Ruan Xingyue shrugged, indicating she knew nothing about it.
When she saw Ruan Xingmian on Monday, she had been astonished.
Her long hair was cut, the green dye was gone, and she even called her “sister.”
Even her beloved green nail polish had been removed.
It was as if she had become a completely different person… At this thought, Ruan Xingyue’s gaze once again settled on Ruan Xingmian’s face, quietly observing.
“Mom, can you… forgive me just this once?”
When she was ten years old, the original host had been called a motherless wild child by the village kids and cried for three days and three nights.
Li Xue had raised her since childhood and had long regarded her as her own younger daughter. However, after some unforeseen changes later on, the younger daughter had grown distant from the family. Seeing her cry so pitifully, Li Xue took the opportunity to have her change her address to “Mom,” treating both sisters equally.
Yet, this child only called her sweetly when she wanted pocket money.
This was the first time she had called “Mom” so sincerely and pitifully.
Li Xue couldn’t help but feel moved.
There was a bittersweet sense that the child had finally grown up.
She took the flowers. “Between mother and daughter, there’s no such thing as forgiveness or not. Mom also apologizes to you for scolding you so harshly the other day.”
As a homeroom teacher, she scolded her daughter even more fiercely than her students.
The younger daughter looked at her with tear-filled eyes.
She forced an awkward smile and, upon taking the flowers, noticed a large envelope tucked inside the bouquet.
The envelope contained thirty thousand yuan in cash.
Ruan Xingmian proudly showed the five thousand yuan she had earned from her part-time job. “I went out to work part-time and only then realized how hard it is to earn money. Mom, please take this money. From now on, I can support myself.”
“What nonsense are you talking? You’re still studying. The family doesn’t need you to earn money.” Li Xue tried to push the money back.
Ruan Xingmian insisted on returning it.
Ruan Xingyue tapped her bowl, sounding quite displeased. “Should I start eating first? Do you need me to set up a temporary stage for you two to go back and forth for an hour?”
The envelope was set aside for the moment.
The three of them sat back at the table and began eating.
Looking at Ruan Xingmian, Li Xue felt for the first time a sense of happiness that her efforts hadn’t been in vain.
It didn’t matter if her grades weren’t good; as long as she was independent and resilient, that was enough.
Her parenting hadn’t failed.
After the meal, Ruan Xingyue washed the dishes.
Ruan Xingmian used all her persuasive skills to convince Li Xue to accept the thirty thousand yuan and agree to make time for a full-body checkup.
Li Xue suggested she move back home, take online classes, and focus on preparing for the upgrade from college to university.
The online course fees had already been paid—several thousand yuan, in fact.
Ruan Xingmian reluctantly noted down the account and password and packed up the family computer to take with her.
Ruan Xingyue came out after changing her clothes and asked, “Where are you going? Should I give you a ride?”
The pressure from the top-tier teacher was too intense; Ruan Xingmian couldn’t wait to leave quickly.