Chapter 61: Pt.2

Facts had proven that Murong Shi was indeed correct.

They arrived at Xian City after a two-hour drive. Then, under Xu Chuanchuan's guidance, Murong Shi drove to Xian City's People's Hospital.

When they arrived at the hospital, Father Xu had already come out of surgery. He had received nine stitches in total. However, apart from a slight concussion, he did not suffer any significant problems.

When Xu Chuanchuan saw that her father was fine, she finally relaxed her tense heart. According to her mother, both parties involved in the fight had been wounded in action. Father Xu had suffered a head injury, while the other party had received a broken arm.

Upon entering the car, Mother Xu finally noticed Murong Shi and asked, "This is?"

Xu Chuanchuan sat in the passenger's seat. Then, turning around, she introduced, "Mom, Dad, this is my friend, Murong. She offered to accompany me when she heard Dad got into an accident."

Upon hearing her daughter's explanation, Mother Xu promptly thanked Murong Shi, saying, "Thank you very much. Have you two eaten yet? I'll buy some ingredients and cook up something delicious for you."

"Aunty, you're too polite. I'm not a picky eater; I'm fine with anything," Murong Shi said, keeping her eyes forward while driving.

It had been some time since Xu Chuanchuan had returned home. After pondering for a moment, she said, "My mom makes incredible chuanchuan. Why don't we have her make that for you?"[1]

Murong Shi glanced at Xu Chuanchuan when she heard the latter's words. Then, she put on an ambiguous smile and asked, "Eat chuanchuan?"

Thinking that Murong Shi disliked the food, Xu Chuanchuan said, "It's somewhat similar to malatang. Do you want to eat it?"

In response, Murong Shi smiled and said, "Of course. I can't wait to try it."

For some reason, Xu Chuanchuan found that despite Murong Shi's words sounding normal, she had noticed something subtle in Murong Shi's expression.

After taking a deeper read into Murong Shi's words, Xu Chuanchuan realized that their conversation just now sounded very ambiguous. Xu Chuanchuan couldn't help but wonder whether Murong Shi was looking forward to eating her mother's homemade chuanchuan or herself...

Immediately, Xu Chuanchuan's face heated up, and she secretly stretched out a hand and pinched Murong Shi's thigh.

However, Murong Shi's indifferent expression made it seem like she didn't feel any pain from Xu Chuanchuan's retaliation. On the contrary, the smile on her face became even more prominent.

Murong Shi stopped the car in front of an old apartment building. Father and Mother Xu went up first while Xu Chuanchuan waited for Murong Shi to park the car.

The sun was scorching, so Xu Chuanchuan's face quickly became tinted with a red hue. Then, after waiting for Murong Shi to move closer, Xu Chuanchuan pointed at the old building and said, "My house is a little tattered. I hope you don't mind it."

"I'm not that kind of pretentious person," Murong Shi said, smiling.

"Also, my house is on the fifth floor, and there's no elevator."

"It's okay. Let's go."

The staircase was narrow and steep. Xu Chuanchuan worried that it would be inconvenient for Murong Shi to climb it in her high heels, so she held one of Murong Shi's arms to provide support.

However, Murong Shi broke free of the hold and switched to holding hands with Xu Chuanchuan instead. Then, she said, "I'm fine. You don't need to think of me as such a fragile person."

Xu Chuanchuan fell silent for a moment as she looked at their intertwined hands. Then, she said, "Make sure to control yourself afterward."

"Control what?"

"Don't say or do anything ambiguous."

Pursing her lips, Murong Shi said, "I feel wronged."

"You were already speaking nonsense in the car!" Xu Chuanchuan said as she glared at Murong Shi.

"What nonsense did I say?"

"..."

"Just because I said I want to eat chuanchuan? What's wrong with eating chuanchuan?" Murong Shi asked with an innocent look.

Xu Chuanchuan curled her lips and harrumphed. Then, she said, "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking in your heart."

In response, Murong Shi bent her knees slightly and gently blew into Xu Chuanchuan's ear. Then, she said, "Alright, I admit that I want to eat both chuanchuans."

"..."

"But what can I do about it? I'm so thirsty."

"..." This woman is holding a grudge!

When Murong Shi saw Xu Chuanchuan's face gradually reddening, she couldn't help but laugh out loud.

However, Xu Chuanchuan quickly covered Murong Shi's mouth and said, "Shh."

Then, Murong Shi pulled away Xu Chuanchuan's hands and said with a serious face, "I didn't think I would visit your house as a guest in such a manner."

Putting on a bitter smile, Xu Chuanchuan said, "I didn't expect this, either."

The situation at home was worse than Xu Chuanchuan expected. When she saw that mold had already started growing on the soaked walls, she got angry and loudly said, "Mom, we must make them pay!"

Mother Xu first helped Father Xu lie down on the sofa. Then, she sighed and said, "That's for certain, but we'll have to wait for them to get their bathroom repaired first. Only after the leaking has stopped can we repaint the house," Mother Xu said. Then, she glanced at Murong Shi and continued, "Go accompany your friend first. You can watch TV or anything. I'll go out to buy the ingredients to make chuanchuan."

Then, Murong Shi politely asked, "Do you need my help?"

"No, no, please sit down," Mother Xu said. Then, she looked toward Xu Chuanchuan and asked, "By the way, why didn't Xiangxiang come back with you?"

Upon hearing her mother's words, Xu Chuanchuan suddenly remembered that, in her hurry, she had forgotten to tell Xu Xiangxiang about this incident. "She's working part-time right now. I forgot to tell her."

Mother Xu didn't doubt Xu Chuanchuan's words.

Grandpa Xu needed to take an afternoon nap. Father Xu also needed to rest after going through surgery. So, Xu Chuanchuan turned on the TV, lowered the volume, and watched some reality shows with Murong Shi.

Only after they had finished eating Mother Xu's homemade chuanchuan and got back on the road did Xu Chuanchuan give Xu Xiangxiang a call and tell her about what happened at home.

After hearing about the incident, Xu Xiangxiang said that she would return home immediately. However, Xu Chuanchuan dissuaded her against doing so, saying, "It's the thought that counts. There's nothing you can do even if you come home. Don't worry, Dad is fine."

Xu Chuanchuan had brought home a set of chuanchuan for both Little Yan and Xu Xiangxiang. Unable to resist the temptation of food, Xu Xiangxiang abandoned her live stream and visited Xu Chuanchuan that night.

By the time Xu Chuanchuan and Murong Shi arrived back at the dormitory, the chuanchuan had already cooled. So, Little Yan went and borrowed a cooking pot and an induction stove from next door. After the chuanchuan was heated up, the two girls of similar ages began feasting and chatting.

"Is it good?" Xu Xiangxiang asked.

"It's delicious! This is the first time I'm eating chuanchuan. I didn't think it would be so good," Little Yan said with a bright smile.

In a delighted tone, Xu Xiangxiang said, "My mom has a secret recipe for making chuanchuan. Most of the chuanchuans sold outside can't compare to hers."

Little Yan had sweated profusely from the food's spiciness. While gulping some iced water, she glimpsed the closed door of Xu Chuanchuan's room. Then, she asked, "Should we call them out to eat together?"

"Didn't they say they've eaten already?"

"But there's still a lot left."

Waving her hand, Xu Xiangxiang said, "With me around, we can definitely finish everything."

Little Yan smiled but said nothing.

"What are they doing inside?"

"Uh... I don't know," Little Yan said, her eyes flickering.

Then, Xu Xiangxiang tilted her head and put on a confused expression as she muttered, "How strange. My sister used to hate Big Sis Shishi. Why is their relationship suddenly so good now? Big Sis Shishi even drove my sister all the way back home today."

Little Yan swallowed the food in her mouth and probed, "Did your sister not tell you?"

"What did you say?"

...That's probably a 'no,' then, Little Yan thought. But, seeing that the person herself hadn't revealed the matter to her little sister, Little Yan felt that it wouldn't be appropriate for her to say anything about the relationship between Xu Chuanchuan and Murong Shi. Then, letting out a dry laugh, she said, "It's nothing. They're close friends now."

There was no way Xu Xiangxiang could discern any information through Little Yan's words with her simple mind. Though, she did grow curious as she looked at the door as she said, "I'll go take a look at what they're doing."

Reacting quickly, Little Yan hurriedly held Xu Xiangxiang back and said, "Don't go, don't go. Let's focus on eating and not disturb them."

Frowning, Xu Xiangxiang asked, "Disturb them? Do you know what they're doing?"

"I... I don't know." Probably something inappropriate for children?

…

Contrary to Little Yan's thoughts, the atmosphere inside Xu Chuanchuan's room was peaceful. There was nothing age-restricted happening on the other side of the door.

Xu Chuanchuan had gotten a little carsick on their way back, so she and Murong Shi laid on the bed together while having a light conversation.

"My family's house really is tattered."

"It is quite tattered, but your mother kept it very clean."

Sighing, Xu Chuanchuan flipped her body to face Murong Shi. Then, she said, "I want to buy a house."

"In Xian City?"

"Mhm." Xu Chuanchuan revealed a look of disgust when she recalled the moldy walls. "That house is small and shabby. My sister and I have shared a room since we were young, and we slept in a wooden bunk bed. I've long since had enough of that house."

Maintaining a calm expression, Murong Shi asked, "Buying a house in Xian City shouldn't be too expensive, right?"

"It's not. I plan to buy one that's at least 100-square-meters. The down payment should cost around two or three hundred thousand. If I include the renovation fees and everything else, I'll need to prepare around five hundred thousand."

"Have you saved up enough money?" Murong Shi asked with a smile.

In response, Xu Chuanchuan said, "I have enough for the down payment, but I'll need to save up a little more for the renovation fees."

Putting on a surprised look, Murong Shi asked, "You've only been working for a few years. Your monthly salary should also be barely enough to cover your living expenses. How did you save up so much money?"

"I… I invested in stocks before," Xu Chuanchuan muttered.

Murong Shi became even more surprised. "Stocks? What a coincidence. I invest in stocks as well. Which stocks did you invest in? Let me make some money as well."

How would I know what stocks there are?! Xu Chuanchuan regretted making up such a clumsy lie. Unfortunately, Murong Shi was persistent on the matter, so she had no choice but to bite the bullet and said, "I was following the trend at the time. I don't remember which stocks I bought.'

"Hah—"

Xu Chuanchuan thought Murong Shi sighed because she lamented over a missed opportunity to make money. While Xu Chuanchuan was racking her mind on how to cope with this matter, she heard Murong Shi saying in a gloomy tone, "Have I ever told you about the reactions you make when you lie?"

Xu Chuanchuan's heart thumped. Then, pretending to be calm, she said, "But I didn't lie."

Murong Shi gave Xu Chuanchuan a deep look. Then, she said, "Alright, then. If you say so."

Although Murong Shi did not expose her, Xu Chuanchuan couldn't help but feel guilty. When Murong Shi leaned in and kissed her, Xu Chuanchuan felt even more guilty.

A moment later, Xu Chuanchuan put a hand between them, abruptly ending their kiss. Then, she looked straight into Murong Shi's eyes and said, "I have something I want to tell you."

Murong Shi took the opportunity to hold onto Xu Chuanchuan's hand and gently kissed it one time after another. Then, she casually asked, "What's the matter?"

Xu Chuanchuan shuddered when she felt Murong Shi's soft lips and tongue wrapping around her index finger. Quickly, she withdrew her hand and rubbed the saliva stuck to her finger onto Murong Shi's shirt. Then, she said, "I'm going to say something important. Be serious."

In response, Murong Shi sat up on the bed in a cross-legged position. Then, after pulling Xu Chuanchuan up as well, she looked at the latter and said, "Go on."

"Do you normally read novels?"

Raising an eyebrow, Murong Shi said, "I don't."

"You should know about web novels, right?"

"I heard a little from Little Yan."

There were only the two of them in the room. Xu Chuanchuan had also locked the door when she came into the room. Even so, Xu Chuanchuan still lowered her voice before carefully saying, "I'll tell you a secret."

Leaning closer with an ear, Murong Shi asked, "What secret?"

...Is there a need to be this mysterious?

Xu Chuanchuan thought, rendered speechless by Murong Shi's actions. However, she still played along and leaned closer to Murong Shi's ear. Then, she slowly said, "I'm one of the people writing these web novels."

"..." Murong Shi gradually sat upright and looked at Xu Chuanchuan in astonishment.

TL Notes:

[1]chuanchuan: The chuanchuan here refers to chuanchuanxiang (串串香), which is also the origin of Xu Chuanchuan and Xu Xiangxiang's names.