CH 73

There was a young girl, slim and with slightly disheveled hair, squatting there, hugging her knees.

A familiar face flashed through Jiang Yu's mind.

How could it be...

"Coco? Hey? Why are you ignoring me?" Pei Chutong's voice called out to her over the phone.

"Oh, I have something unexpected going on here. I'll get back to you later. Hang up for now." Jiang Yu spoke rapidly and hung up the phone, striding quickly towards the girl.

As she approached, perhaps hearing the footsteps, the girl lifted her head.

Their eyes met.

"Sister..." The girl stood up suddenly, staring at her in a daze. A hint of surprise appeared in her bewildered eyes.

Jiang Yu abruptly froze in place.

Familiar memories flooded in, filling her previously blank mind. Those suppressed images that she had buried deep within suddenly burst into color, becoming vivid and alive. It was Ranran.

After over a month had passed, seeing the abandoned little canary again, it was as if she had relapsed after a long period of quitting smoking. Her heart twitched unexpectedly, a slight itchiness creeping in.

She had become thin, worn-out.

"Why are you here?" Jiang Yu asked calmly.

Cheng Suran's voice was hoarse, "To find you."

"What do you want from me?"

"I wanted to see you..."

It was twelve degrees outside, and the girl was only wearing a khaki turtleneck sweater. She carried a small backpack on her back, and her thin, wispy hair was tousled by the wind. Her little face and nose were flushed from the cold, and her hands clenched into fists, trembling in the chilly wind.

She stole glances at Jiang Yu, looking restless and uneasy.

Jiang Yu furrowed her brows slightly, saying nothing. She took off her own down jacket and draped it over the girl, then grabbed her wrist and started walking back.

Her wrist is freezing cold.

They arrived at the front of the car, and Jiang Yu opened the back door, saying, "Get in."

"...”

Cheng Suran glanced at her and obediently got into the car.

Jiang Yu followed suit, closing the door. The driver and the assistant were both French, so she casually explained that Cheng Suran was her sister and instructed them to go straight home. After that, she remained silent, expressionless, staring ahead.

The car drove leisurely on the empty streets.

Cheng Suran curled up in her seat, head lowered, her long hair falling to cover her face, silent like an ostrich.

She twisted her fingers, biting her dry lips, a mixture of delight and uneasiness in her heart. Finally...

After the final exams last month, winter vacation had begun, and one by one, her classmates went back home. Normally, she wouldn't go home, but with the existence of her "aunt," it would be suspicious if she continued to act as before. So she found a short-term rental on the internet and moved in for a month.

When the final exam results came out, she failed one subject. Although it was a non-major course, having to take a makeup exam at the beginning of the semester was still a headache, not to mention her performance in the other courses wasn't great either.

She was seen as a top student by the teachers and classmates, so if her grades dropped, it would undoubtedly cause a stir, let alone failing a subject. No one said anything openly, but there were discussions behind her back. The class teacher and the counselor took turns asking about the situation on Penguin*, making her feel guilty and helpless.

*messaging app

This year, she didn't apply for any scholarships, and failing one subject wasn't a big deal, but it still weighed heavily on her heart...

How did she end up like this?

Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=4738582

This translation is originally posted on

love4baihe.blogspot.com

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After returning the check to Assistant Tian that day, she couldn't help but send a message to Jiang Yu when she got home, but her eyes were stung by the red exclamation mark. She had so much more to say, she wanted to see Jiang Yu.

She tried to enter the company, but the security and receptionist denied her entry. She attempted to visit the studio without an appointment, but was also turned away. When she called Assistant Tian, there was no answer, and on the second attempt, she was blocked. Finally, she looked at the contact named "Flower in the mirror and Moon in the water" in her phonebook and suppressed her longing.

It was their last connection.

She followed Jiang Yu's work updates on Weibo, and the fan group posted various activity announcements. In March, Jiang Yu would primarily be in Europe, attending fashion weeks. The specific cities and shows were clearly listed.

Confirming that Jiang Yu would be in Paris in early March, she checked the times and locations of each show, silently noting them down. With determination, she quickly obtained her passport, visa, and flew over.

As Cheng Suran walked out of the airport, looking at the hazy gray sky and breathing in the cold air, she had a dreamlike feeling. It was hard to believe that she had actually traveled to a foreign country, a different city. She had never imagined that one day she would come thousands of miles away, not for the sake of education.

During her four days in Paris, she wandered outside various fashion show venues, but never caught a glimpse of Jiang Yu. Disappointment hit her repeatedly, almost leading her to despair.

Today was the last show.

If she couldn't see her sister, she would go back and wait at the company's entrance. She believed that one day, she would be able to meet her.

Luckily...

Cheng Suran's tightly pressed lips curved upward, forming a satisfied smile.

Suddenly, her hand was caught and lifted. She turned her face abruptly and saw Jiang Yu gazing at her with a faint expression. "Give me your hand," Jiang Yu said calmly.

She was momentarily stunned but obediently extended her other hand.

Jiang Yu held both of the girl's hands and pressed them against her chest, enclosing them in her palms.

Jiang Yu was tall, and her hands were large with slender and agile fingers. She completely enveloped the small, cold hands, providing a warmth like a cozy fireplace.

The warmth spread from their fingertips to Cheng Suran's heart. She secretly glanced at Jiang Yu, her eyes welling up with emotion.

"Don't you want to look at the scenery outside?" Jiang Yu sensed the girl's sidelong gaze, but she didn't turn her head. She continued to gaze ahead with a calm expression.

Reluctantly, Cheng Suran withdrew her gaze.

Although it was her first time abroad, arriving in her favorite city, she had no intention of appreciating the scenery along the way. She simply stared at the tiny water droplets on the window glass, her eyes scanning like a robot, numbly passing over the moving shadows.

The car passed through the bustling city center and gradually entered the vicinity of Parc de Sceaux in the southern suburbs. It stopped in front of a courtyard gate.

"We've arrived."

"..."

Cheng Suran obediently followed Jiang Yu out of the car.

A quaint and elegant mansion came into view, three stories high with warm white walls. The yard was spacious, with an empty outdoor swimming pool and a designated vegetable garden that was bare and desolate.

This was Jiang Yu's home in Paris.

Jiang Yu exchanged a few words with her assistant, then took Cheng Suran's hand and walked straight into the house. They took off their shoes inside.

"Have a seat."

The room was heated, extremely comfortable. Cheng Suran obediently sat on the sofa, curling herself into a ball and burying herself in the oversized down jacket.

"Have some hot water and rest." Jiang Yu poured a cup of hot water and handed it over. She sat beside Cheng Suran, her expression still devoid of emotion, but her tone was gentle, as if afraid of frightening the girl.

Cheng Suran hesitated for a moment. A glimmer of light appeared in her dim eyes, and she held the cup with both hands, softly saying, "Thank you, sister..."

Her hands had warmed up along the way, but her body was still trembling slightly. As she took a sip of the hot water, warmth spread through her, and her tense nerves relaxed.

The little canary looked disheveled.

Watching the girl drink water in small sips, clearly nervous as she glanced at her with her peripheral vision while trying to maintain a calm demeanor, Jiang Yu felt somewhat helpless. Her cold and sharp gaze softened momentarily, and her heart softened a little as well.

"Ranran."

"!"

Upon hearing her nickname, Cheng Suran stiffened, her eyes widening.

Jiang Yu reached out and tidied up her messy hair. "Go back, don't be like this."

The wind had tangled her hair, and Jiang Yu patiently straightened it, her movements meticulous and gentle. Her voice was soft, like countless whispered nights, alluring and seductive, but the words she spoke were chilling.

Cheng Suran lowered her thick lashes and looked at the clear water in the cup, stammering, "Did I trouble you?"

"No."

The girl remained silent.

She had so many things she wanted to say, countless words that she had repeatedly thought about on the plane. But as soon as she saw Jiang Yu, everything slipped from her mind. Setting down the cup, she gently hugged Jiang Yu's arm and rested her head on it. "Sister..."

Jiang Yu's heart warmed at being called sister, and her body felt like a giant void filled with indescribable joy.

Time hadn't taken away everything; instead, it had nurtured longing within her.

She had deliberately ignored it because of busyness.

Her hair was already sorted out, but Jiang Yu hesitated to withdraw her hand, allowing her fingertips to glide along the girl's shoulder through her hair. She restrained the impulse to hug and kiss her, sighing, "When did you arrive?"

"On the 1st."

Today is the 5th of March.

"Which hotel are you staying at?"

Cheng Suran took out her phone and showed Jiang Yu the booking information.

It was located in the city center, in the Petite Paris area, slightly higher in price but safe and convenient.

Jiang Yu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She had been worried that Cheng Suran would choose a cheap hotel near the 93rd province, which was a notorious impoverished area in all of France, with poor environmental conditions and low security. Even during broad daylight, there was a possibility of encountering danger there.

"How did you know where I was?"

"..."

"Speak." Jiang Yu raised her voice.

Cheng Suran immediately hugged her tightly and whispered, "I saw the event announcement in your Weibo fan group. I originally wanted to go to New York to find you, but their Fashion Week started on the 8th of last month, and I didn't have enough time to apply for a visa..."

It was her first time going abroad, and she didn't understand any of the procedures. She spent three days doing research online and set aside time to handle the necessary documents, only to realize that she could only make it for Paris Fashion Week.

When she made the decision, her mind was in a feverish state, and she didn't think much about it. She just flew over.

Jiang Yu listened quietly, a myriad of emotions churning inside her.

"Is this your first time abroad?"

"Mm."

"Aren't you afraid of anything happening? What if you get lost? What if you get scammed? What if you encounter violent activities? You..." Jiang Yu's tone turned serious but suddenly choked.

You should have informed me in advance. So that I could come and pick you up.

The words surged up and then swallowed back down.

She remembered that she had deleted Ranran's WeChat and Ranran didn't have her phone number either.

Cheng Suran was startled by Jiang Yu's sudden change in emotions. She looked up cautiously, observing her expression, and only dared to speak after a while. "I didn't think about all that..."

"Besides, I made preparations. If I don't know the way, I can use navigation. If navigation fails, I can ask people for directions. I took a daytime flight and chose a hotel in the city center. I don't trust anyone except official sources for expenses... Sister, I'm not a child anymore, you don't need to worry about these things."

"Worry? Did I say I was worried?"

"..."

"You came to find me, and if something happened on the way, I might be responsible for it. I don't need to mention everything," Jiang Yu was a bit annoyed, but when she looked at the exhausted face of the girl, she couldn't bring herself to say it aloud.

"Nevermind." 

She turned her face away in frustration.

Cheng Suran lowered her head with a sense of grievance, tightly pursing her lips.

The wall clock ticked away, time passing slowly. The surroundings were quiet, and their breathing seemed to synchronize, rising and falling together, almost imperceptibly.

After a moment, Jiang Yu turned her face back and looked at the girl's dejected appearance. Her heart softened once again, but she couldn't quite describe the feeling.

"You're quite capable, kid, handling everything on your own. How should I address you?" She couldn't bring herself to be stern and could only try to coax her, reaching out to ruffle her hair.

Unexpectedly, Cheng Suran tilted her head to avoid it and looked at Jiang Yu earnestly. "I'm not a kid."

Jiang Yu was taken aback. "Oh?"

"We are equals now. You're not my benefactor, and I'm not your lover. Don't call me kid anymore."

"But you used to like it when I called you kid."

"That was in the past." Cheng Suran emphasized seriously.

"..."

Jiang Yu gazed at her in silence.

A long time passed before the hand that had been suspended above her head gently landed on Cheng Suran's face, caressing it tenderly. Jiang Yu asked in a soft voice, "Have you booked your return ticket?"

"Mm." Cheng Suran nodded, rubbing her face against the warmth of that palm. "It's scheduled for the day after tomorrow in the afternoon."

"I'll change it for you. Leave tonight."

"?"

The voice in her ear felt like shattering ice, falling one piece after another. Cheng Suran suddenly lifted her head and looked into those deep, unfathomable eyes, feeling her heart freeze.

After Jiang Yu finished speaking, she took out her phone and checked the flights for tonight. However, all the direct flights within the next three days were sold out, leaving only connecting flights.

Cheng Suran, alone and unfamiliar with the world, would be more prone to accidents with a more complicated itinerary. If anything went wrong during any part of the journey, she would regret it a hundredfold.

"I'm not leaving," Cheng Suran shook her head.

Jiang Yu raised her gaze and saw the girl stubbornly looking at her, which made her feel both headache and unwillingness. She couldn't come up with a solution at that moment.

If Tian Lin were here...

"Cheng Suran."

"Mm?"

"You're a smart girl. I shouldn't have to explain things too clearly."

"I know."

Cheng Suran's eyes turned red. The words she had been preparing for a long time circled in her mouth. After hesitating repeatedly, she finally mustered the courage to speak. "Sister, for so many years, no one has been as good to me as you. I thought I would be content, but I can't control myself. I've become increasingly greedy. Originally, I just wanted to stay by your side, even as a pet, but that would mean I have to hide my emotions forever and perform in front of you... I can't do it."

"Fans can say they love you, strangers on the street can say they like you, but I can't. In your eyes, everyone is a person, except me."

"So, I want to break free from this unequal relationship and stand proudly by your side."

"But I also know that I'm not an outstanding person. I can't compare to you in any aspect. I'm not worthy of you." Her voice choked up as she spoke.

Jiang Yu frowned and quickly turned her face away, interrupting Cheng Suran in a fast-paced manner. "Ranran, let's not talk about this anymore, okay? What do you want to eat tonight? I'll take you around the city of Paris, let you speak with the French people, experience the authentic French language environment. It will be beneficial for your language learning. And then, tomorrow we..."

She was breathing a little heavily, her fingers tightly gripping the edge of the sofa, the joints turning white.

Her mind buzzed.

The girl's words, one after another, felt like countless arrows stabbing into her heart, making it hard for her to breathe. She couldn't bear to bring her face down, and her calm eyes cracked open.

"Sister, am I cheap?"

Cheng Suran laughed at herself.

"Don't say that!"

Jiang Yu shouted in a low voice, turned her head, and stared at her with a cold gaze. She suddenly realized that she had overreacted and quickly restrained her emotions.

She embraced Cheng Suran's waist and pulled her into her arms, comforting her gently. "You're still young, and you haven't seen the world outside. You only think that what's in front of you is the best. When you grow a little older and enter society, encountering various kinds of people and experiencing different things, you will realize that what suits you best is the best."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

The reason why the little canary was tempted was nothing more than a sense of longing for strength. It was dependency, not love.

She couldn't use this dependency to confine someone by her side.

Jiang Yu said to herself in her heart.

Author's Note:

I couldn't finish writing this chapter, oh no, TUT. I'll put it in the next chapter, sigh...