The Green-Tea Childhood Sweetheart Fell for Me

My boyfriend had a delicate, unlucky little childhood sweetheart.

Translator’s note: “Green tea” = a girl who acts all sweet and innocent while scheming behind the scenes. “Childhood sweetheart” (qingmei) just means a girl he grew up with, not necessarily an ex.

On our first date, she ran toward him, tripped over absolutely nothing, and fell into my arms.

On our second date, she said, “Xingchen-ge, teach me to swim,” then started drowning and was fished out by me.

Translator’s note: Ge/gege = “big brother,” also used affectionately for an older guy who isn’t family.

On our third date, men harassed her. She begged Xingchen-ge to save her, but I was the one who beat the bad guys off.

Later, as she fed me food she had made herself, she said, “Jiejie, Ji Xingchen doesn’t deserve you at all.”

Translator’s note: Jiejie (or jie for short) = “big sister,” likewise used for a slightly older girl.

1

The day Ji Xingchen and I officially started dating, he posted, “Fortunate to have met you; unwavering for this lifetime,” with a photo of us together.

When Dad found out, he patted my shoulder and sighed.

“Not bad, not bad. This lovely flower finally has an owner. I was beginning to think our little cabbage would rot in our hands.”

In short, Ji Xingchen and I becoming a couple was a joyous occasion worthy of celebration by all.

And so, on the second day of our relationship, my own mother dressed me up and sent me off on a date.

“Xiao Yan, I brought you soy milk.”

When he saw me, Ji Xingchen smiled gently and handed me a cup of soy milk from the shop I always bought from.

“Thank you.”

I smiled happily. It was our first date, and I was a little excited. I couldn’t quite control the upward curve of my mouth.

“Xiao Yan, shall we look around the museum?” he asked.

I nodded.

I thought anything would be fine. It was all boring anyway; being together was what mattered.

So we went to the museum.

Actually, walking around and looking at things was pretty nice. I learned a lot and felt as though I had ascended to a higher plane.

Ji Xingchen looked at everything very seriously. Probably because he worked in archaeology, he was interested in these objects that held the memories of history.

According to his Moments feed, this was his fifth visit in the year since the museum had opened.

He looked at the artifacts; I looked at him.

Ji Xingchen was good-looking and scholarly, with a delicate build. He always wore half-rimmed glasses and had a distinctly bookish air.

We first met when he came to my family’s martial arts school to learn. He said it was to strengthen his body and improve his ability to protect himself.

As the second generation of the school—that is, the owner’s daughter—I was also its youngest instructor. Mom, harboring her own little agenda, put Ji Xingchen in my class.

She even told me, “The pavilion nearest the water gets the moonlight first. You spend all day with these martial arts brutes. When are you ever going to stop being single?”

“When a handsome man like this delivers himself to your door, you can’t let him slip away.”

“And with that build, he definitely can’t beat you. You’ll have him firmly in hand.”

I admit it. The last sentence moved me.

So I paid particular attention to Ji Xingchen during lessons. I held him to stricter standards than everyone else and occasionally gave him extra private training, all to help him achieve his martial arts goals more quickly and effectively.

In the third month of these extra sessions, he finally understood my feelings and confessed to me.

During another extra practice that day, Ji Xingchen suddenly asked, “Coach Xiao Yan, do you like me? Is that why you always give only me extra training?”

My eyes lit up at once. I reached out and patted his shoulder.

“You finally noticed?”

“Mm?”

Ji Xingchen paused, then lowered his head and laughed softly. When he looked up again, his smile was bewitching.

“Then, Coach Xiao Yan, would you like to date me?”

Honestly, hesitating even one more second would have been disrespectful to beauty.

So I decisively took his left hand and pressed a light kiss to its back.

“Of course.”

When I looked up, Ji Xingchen’s whole face was red.

Thinking about it, I lost myself in a daze.

Perhaps my gaze was too obvious. Ji Xingchen looked up from the artifacts and turned toward me.

“Sorry, I got absorbed. Are you terribly bored?”

I shook my head.

“Not really.”

What did it matter? Beauty could make up for absolutely anything.

Ji Xingchen’s lips curved in a quiet laugh, and he took my hand.

“Come on. Let’s get you something to eat.”

2

As soon as we left the museum, Ji Xingchen asked, “What would you like to eat?”

Remembering that I should be refined and ladylike, I said, “Anything’s fine. What would you like?”

Ji Xingchen gave me a smiling look.

“How about hot pot?”

Hot pot. My favorite!

I nodded at once.

“Yes!”

As soon as I said it, I saw the amusement in his eyes deepen.

“Xingchen-ge!”

A sweet, lively female voice suddenly rang out. A girl in a princess dress came running over, her ponytail bouncing.

“Ah!”

Just before she reached Ji Xingchen, her left foot caught her right, and she pitched straight forward.

Before my brain could even think, I instinctively stepped up and caught her.

Ji Xingchen and I really were in perfect sync. Before I moved forward, he had already stepped back and made room.

“Xingchen-ge, thank you. I would have fallen.”

The girl in my arms spoke as she struggled upright.

Her voice was sweet and delicate, especially pitiable and endearing.

“You’re welcome,” I replied, helping her stand properly.

Hearing my voice, she looked up before she had even regained her balance.

“Why is it you?”

Hmm?

I raised an eyebrow, not very pleased.

“Who else would it be? Young lady, when someone helps you, you should be grateful.”

Her face soured for an instant before she spoke again.

“Thank you.”

Then she looked at Ji Xingchen.

“Xingchen-ge, why didn’t you catch me?”

His expression returned to calm.

“I’m rather weak. I couldn’t catch you. My girlfriend was already doing a good deed by catching you. You really should thank her.”

The girl pouted, then looked at me again.

“So you’re Li Yan. I’m Su Xiaoxiao, the childhood sweetheart who grew up with Xingchen-ge, innocent playmates from our earliest days.”

I nodded, my eyes brightening.

“You know me? Did Ji Xingchen tell you about me? What did he say?”

“Sorry, I’m a little excited.”

“But I’ve never heard him mention you, so I don’t know you. Sorry about that.”

“Still, now that we’ve met, Ji Xingchen’s childhood sweetheart is my childhood sweetheart too.”

Ji Xingchen chuckled. I looked back and couldn’t help sighing in admiration.

“What a beautiful smile!”

Hearing me, he smiled even more happily and reached out to ruffle my hair.

Su Xiaoxiao pressed her lips together and muttered, “Shameless. Who’s your childhood sweetheart?”

Ji Xingchen’s face cooled.

“Su Xiaoxiao, what did you say?”

Her eyes reddened.

“I… I’m sorry.”

Then she ran off.

“Hey, be careful!” I called after her.

Don’t trip over nothing again. That really hurts.

“Xiao Yan,” Ji Xingchen called.

“Mm?”

“Let’s go.”

He took my hand and motioned for us to continue on to hot pot.

With beauty in hand, and such a feast for the eyes to accompany my meal, I stopped thinking about anything else and happily enjoyed the hot pot.

When he took me home, Ji Xingchen said, “Xiao Yan, you don’t need to imitate anyone else when you’re with me. Just keep being yourself. Whatever you want to eat or do, say it directly. That’s perfect.”

I looked up. His eyes were fixed on me seriously, so very gentle. Following my heart, I nodded.

“Okay.”

Then I watched a deeper smile bloom in those eyes, as though fireworks had fallen into my heart.

3

When Mom heard that our date had consisted of nothing but a museum and hot pot, she scoffed.

“So young, and already dating like old people.”

I considered this an insult, so I asked her with righteous indignation, “Then tell me, what kind of date counts as a young person’s date?”

Mom’s lips curved.

“Hot springs and swimming, of course. Show off your figure properly.”

Old ginger really was spicier. I thought she had a point.

So for our second date, I followed her suggestion and chose a swimming pool.

Ji Xingchen ruffled my hair.

“Coach Xiao Yan, I’m only half a bucket of water at this. You’ll have to teach me properly.”

I patted my perky chest and said proudly, “No problem. Leave it to me.”

After changing, I looked over my slender figure in satisfaction. I would absolutely move through the water like a fish in its element.

“Your… swimsuit is certainly distinctive.”

Ji Xingchen’s gaze paused when he saw me emerge.

“Right? This is my battle outfit.”

I tugged at the fabric clinging to my arm.

“Look. A close fit makes it easy to move.”

Looking into my sincere eyes, Ji Xingchen laughed softly. The gentleness in his gaze was almost overflowing.

As I looked into his eyes, my gaze inadvertently slid down to his waist.

Tsk, tsk. Excellent!

Who could have guessed? He looked slim in clothes, but he had plenty of muscle where it counted. His figure was pretty good.

“Xingchen-ge, you’re here too?”

Su Xiaoxiao’s voice rang out. Turning, I saw her in an adorable swimsuit with layer upon layer of ruffles, innocent yet seductive.

“Oh, Li Yan, you’re here too. I thought you were some middle schooler. So covered up even for swimming.”

Her gaze swept over me.

I looked down at my swimsuit and said sincerely, “Trust me. Yours definitely isn’t as practical as mine.”

Su Xiaoxiao paused, pressed her lips together, and turned to Ji Xingchen again.

“Xingchen-ge, teach me to swim.”

“I can’t. Ask someone else.”

As he spoke, Ji Xingchen pulled me away.

“Relax your arms. Try kicking and paddling.”

I looked at the man clinging to me.

“Xiao Yan, I can’t.”

Ji Xingchen looked up. Water dripped from his hair and ran down his chin.

This was going to kill me…

I wiped away my nonexistent nosebleed and reached up to stroke his wet hair.

“Actually, if you stand up straight, the water won’t even cover you.”

He was about to speak when an alarmed cry came from nearby.

“Xingchen… Glug… Ge… Glug…”

Turning, I saw Su Xiaoxiao struggling in the water for some reason. We had come early, so there were only a few people at the pool.

“Stand properly.”

I hauled Ji Xingchen upright, plunged into the pool, and swam over.

I lifted Su Xiaoxiao up and helped her stand. Just as I was about to leave, she clung to me tightly.

“Xingchen-ge, I’m scared.”

I paused, patted her back, and said, “Don’t worry. It’s all right now, it’s all right.”

She froze, let go, and frowned.

“Why is it you?”

I pointed at the man standing serenely in the water to one side.

“Ji Xingchen can’t swim.”

Her expression changed.

“How could he not? He’s…”

Just as I was wondering what he was, she suddenly shut her mouth. She looked at me with a complicated expression.

“Thank you.”

4

After choking on the water, Su Xiaoxiao left.

I returned to Ji Xingchen and continued teaching him to swim.

Watching his clumsy movements, I suddenly asked, “Do you really not know how to swim?”

His expression didn’t change. He blinked at me.

“No. Why? Does Xiao Yan not want to teach me anymore?”

As he spoke, I actually saw a trace of grievance in his eyes.

Ah! Damn me. I had doubted him.

“N-No. Let’s keep learning.”

I waved my hands hurriedly and resumed the lesson.

By the time we left the pool, the only swimming I had done was going to rescue Su Xiaoxiao. All the rest of my time had gone into teaching Ji Xingchen.

Back home, Mom cried out while sorting my clothes. She brought my long, one-piece swimsuit over.

“Li Yan! Don’t tell me this is what you wore to the pool today.”

Not quite understanding her anger, I nodded as though it were obvious.

“Yes.”

Mom took several deep breaths. With a shaking hand, she pointed at me.

“Tell me, wrapped up from neck to ankle, with only your head and toes left out, what charm were you showing off?”

I blinked and asked uncertainly, “The charm of excellent swimming skills?”

Seeing that Mom seemed about to pass out, Dad hurried over, helped her sit, then took the swimsuit and put it in the laundry basket.

“How did Xiao Chen react?”

I thought back before answering.

“I think he was pretty happy.”

Dad’s eyes brightened. He motioned for me to look at Mom and keep talking.

Receiving the signal, I continued.

“He spent the whole day having me teach him to swim. Doesn’t that mean he was captivated by the charm of my superb swimming?”

Mom paused, then asked, “Are you sure he can’t swim?”

I nodded.

“Yes. He said so himself.”

Mom gave me a complicated look and dragged Dad back to their room, leaving me to admire their retreating backs.

“This child’s brain doesn’t seem to work very well,” I heard her mutter.

Eh? Hey, even if you’re my parents, you can’t say that about me.

5

For our third date, Ji Xingchen and I went to an amusement park.

“Want to ride the roller coaster?”

He looked up at the tall, conspicuous structure in the distance.

Following his gaze toward the ride dozens of meters high, I listened to the screams and swallowed.

“Maybe let’s not.”

I was extremely brave, but I happened to be afraid of heights.

Ji Xingchen turned toward me and nodded.

“All right. I agree. Let’s do something else.”

So we went to the bumper cars and the balloon-shooting stall and had a pretty good time.

“Jiejie, why are you two playing children’s games?”

A child nearby suddenly asked curiously.

Hmm? Children’s games?

“Tongtong, you mustn’t be rude.”

His mother tugged at him, then apologized to us.

“Sorry. He doesn’t know how to mind his manners.”

I smiled and shook my head.

Ji Xingchen smiled, pointed at me, and told the child, “Because in gege’s eyes, this jiejie is still a child too.”

“Wow.”

The child’s eyes widened. Then his mother smiled and led him away.

As for me, his words had already made my eyes curve into smiling crescents.

“Let’s ride the Ferris wheel.”

Ji Xingchen led me toward it.

Staring at the figure a head taller than me, I felt my heart pounding so hard that my cheeks grew hot.

My brain had basically short-circuited. I didn’t even realize when I followed him onto the Ferris wheel.

As we approached the very top, Ji Xingchen spoke.

“Xiao Yan, I’ve heard that if lovers kiss at the highest point of a Ferris wheel, they’ll stay together forever. May I?”

I snapped back to myself, looked into his gentle eyes, and grinned.

“Of course.”

Then I watched his face come closer and closer. At the moment we touched, it was as though flowers exploded in my mind.

Ji Xingchen supported my head and reminded me softly, “Xiao Yan, close your eyes.”

My eyes obeyed, but…

Oh no. With my eyes closed, my sense of touch was even sharper…

When we were halfway down, Ji Xingchen drew back.

I floated out of the Ferris wheel.

“Xiao Yan.”

Hearing him, I looked up in a daze.

“You’re moving the arm and leg on the same side together.”

???!!!

I abruptly came to my senses.

How mortifying!!!!!!

Ji Xingchen laughed and murmured, “So cute.”

I couldn’t hear him anymore. I only wanted to dig a three-bedroom, two-living-room apartment out of the ground with my toes and move into it.

Lowering my head, I took the lead toward the exit.

“It’s getting late. Let’s go home.”

6

After leaving the amusement park, we passed an alley and suddenly heard an argument.

“Y-You… Don’t do anything stupid.”

A familiar female voice.

“Heh heh, beautiful, this place is out of the way, and there aren’t any cameras. So what if we do?”

The sleazy male voice was followed by several men’s laughter.

I frowned.

“Ji Xingchen, call the police. I’ll take a look.”

“We’ll look together.”

He ran after me.

At the end of the alley, several men surrounded a delicate girl in a princess dress.

On closer inspection, she was rather familiar: the little childhood sweetheart, Su Xiaoxiao.

She saw us too and hurriedly cried, “Xingchen-ge, save me.”

The men panicked briefly, then steadied themselves.

“Oh, you’re together? I suggest you mind your own business.”

I frowned.

“Hey, beautiful, since you’re here, why not stay and play with us too?”

The ringleader spoke lewdly.

For fuck’s sake… If I could tolerate this, what couldn’t I tolerate?

I didn’t even want to waste words on them. I charged over and gave them a beating.

They might have looked sturdy, but a life of debauchery had long since hollowed them out. Not one could put up a fight.

One of them took a single kick from me and lay on the ground, groaning “aiyo, aiyo” nonstop.

I took off my light jacket and draped it over Su Xiaoxiao, who was hugging her own arms. Lowering my head and tilting it slightly to look at her, I said, “Don’t be afraid. It’s all right now.”

She stared at me for a moment.

“Thank you.”

The police arrived soon afterward and bundled the thugs on the ground off to the station.

As the people involved, we went along to give statements.

When we came out, Su Xiaoxiao said, “Thank you both for today. Let me buy you a meal.”

I looked at her expression.

“Forget it. I’m a little tired today, so I’ll skip the meal. Do you need us to take you home?”

She shook her head.

“No, my family’s here to pick me up.”

She pointed to a car nearby. Through the open window, I could see a young man.

I nodded and prepared to leave.

Su Xiaoxiao called, “Then next time. I’ll buy you a meal next time.”

I looked at Ji Xingchen, who showed no reaction, and remained silent too.

But Su Xiaoxiao said, “Xiao Yan-jie, okay?”

Hmm??? Xiao Yan-jie???

I pointed at myself. When she nodded, I grinned and nodded too.

“Sure.”

Hehe. Did this mean Ji Xingchen’s little childhood sweetheart accepted me? Being accepted by the people around him felt pretty good.

7

It was Ji Xingchen’s grandmother’s birthday, and I was invited to dinner.

Since he had to help with the preparations, I volunteered to go over by myself. He only needed to meet me at the entrance.

I was about to buy presents at the mall when, before I even reached the entrance, I saw a crowd gathered, pointing and talking.

“You money-scamming woman! I spent a hundred thousand yuan marrying you, and you took the money and ran. You even abandoned your child. I’ve finally found you. Come home with me right now!”

A man was dragging a young woman along, and a middle-aged woman stood beside them.

“I’m not! I didn’t! You’ve got the wrong person!”

The girl struggled, but she was too weak and was still being dragged along.

The people around them chattered, but not one stepped forward.

“You heartless thing! That hundred thousand was our entire family’s savings. Never mind that—your son’s still so little, and he cries for his mama every day. How could you have the heart?”

As she wailed, the woman swung a hard slap at the girl. I caught her wrist just in time.

“Who are you?”

The woman glared at me.

“You’re with this woman, aren’t you? You’re a marriage scammer too, aren’t you?”

I looked at the frightened girl in front of me. Yes, it was Su Xiaoxiao again. This girl might really have a little bad luck clinging to her.

With one hand, I yanked the man over and threw him to the ground. Then I pressed the woman down on top of him and planted a foot on her back.

Ignoring the onlookers, who were pointing and seemed about to step forward to help, I whipped out my phone and called the police.

“Hello. Beside Minghua Mall on Renmin South Road, someone is trafficking a woman. Please come and deal with it.”

Hearing me, those about to step forward stopped.

I raised my voice.

“Everyone here is now a witness and also a suspect. Until the police arrive, please keep an eye on one another. No one may leave the scene.”

“There are surveillance cameras all around. If anyone leaves at a time like this, there’s good reason to suspect they’re an accomplice.”

After that, the crowd really stayed until the police arrived. By coincidence, they were familiar faces from the same station as last time.

By the time we finished giving statements, it was already afternoon. I gathered my things and prepared to hurry to Ji Xingchen’s house.

“Jiejie, are you going to Xingchen-ge’s home?”

Su Xiaoxiao followed behind me.

“Mm. Yes.”

“Were you about to buy a present earlier? My trouble delayed you. I happen to have bought something. Take it for now.”

As she spoke, she offered the gift box in her hand. I glanced at it: nutritional supplements for older people.

“No, no.”

I hurriedly waved my hands.

“Take it.”

She stuffed it into my hands, hailed a car, and left.

I scratched my head. Fine. It would do in an emergency. I would repay her next time.

When I reached Ji Xingchen’s house, I was more than two hours later than expected.

But I had called him on the way to the police station. Fortunately, his family was very welcoming.

An hour later, the doorbell rang. When the door opened, Su Xiaoxiao walked in.

“Xiaoxiao, you’re here.”

Still holding my hand, Ji Xingchen’s grandmother greeted her.

“Come, let me introduce you. This is Xingchen’s girlfriend, Li Yan.”

“Ji-nainai, happy birthday.”

Translator’s note: Nainai = “grandma.”

Su Xiaoxiao first handed over her gift, a silk scarf—an entirely conventional present.

“Thank you, Xiaoxiao. Sit down and have some fruit.”

Grandma Ji invited her to sit.

“Jiejie, thank you so much for earlier,” Su Xiaoxiao suddenly said to me.

“Hmm?”

Grandma Ji looked between us, puzzled.

“You two know each other?”

“I was in danger earlier, and Jiejie helped me. That’s what delayed her.”

“Oh?”

Grandma Ji’s eyes brightened. Smiling, she patted my hand.

“Xiao Yan is really impressive.”

8

After dinner, I saw Su Xiaoxiao alone in the courtyard. I was about to thank her for lending me the present when Ji Xingchen walked over to her.

I paused and stayed where I was.

Forgive me. I really was curious and wanted to hear what they would say.

“Su Xiaoxiao, I remember making myself very clear. I don’t like you. Please stop pestering me.”

Ji Xingchen spoke first.

Su Xiaoxiao took her time, not even turning around.

“I don’t like you anymore, and I’m not pestering you.”

“Then why did you come to my house today?”

“Jiejie arrived late. I had to come explain. What if your elders misunderstood her?” she replied.

“You’re that kindhearted?”

Ji Xingchen sounded skeptical.

Su Xiaoxiao turned and looked him up and down.

“Ji Xingchen, honestly, I think you’re extremely ordinary now. I don’t have the slightest feeling for you anymore.”

Lowering her eyes, she laughed softly.

“Jiejie, on the other hand, is very interesting.”

“You…”

He was about to say something when Su Xiaoxiao interrupted.

“Jiejie.”

She trotted over and took my arm.

“Jiejie, don’t worry. I don’t like Xingchen-ge, and I definitely won’t pester him.”

She looked into my eyes as she spoke.

“Mm.”

I nodded along. After all, I had no idea what else I could say.

“Jiejie, I promised to buy you a meal. Let’s have hot pot tomorrow.”

Su Xiaoxiao smiled, sweet and adorable enough to make me want to pinch her cheeks.

“Mm. All right.”

I nodded. She had just lent me a present; refusing even a meal wouldn’t be very nice.

“Xingchen-ge, you surely won’t join a girls’ gathering, right? Even when you’re dating, you should give a girl some personal space.”

Once I agreed, Su Xiaoxiao turned to him.

Hey, wait. I wasn’t that close to her yet. Eating alone together would be awkward.

Ji Xingchen closed his eyes briefly, pressed his lips together, and gave her a sidelong look before saying softly, “Of course. Have fun.”

And so, when I went out alone with Su Xiaoxiao the next day, I was still bewildered.

I didn’t know a thing. I didn’t understand a thing. We weren’t close!

“Jiejie, how did you meet Xingchen-ge?”

Seeing my discomfort, Su Xiaoxiao changed the subject.

Now that was something I knew all about.

So I chattered away and told her how Ji Xingchen and I had met.

Su Xiaoxiao narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.

“Was that really how it happened?”

“Hmm?”

I was puzzled.

“Jiejie, so you’re an amazing martial arts instructor!”

Her eyes shone with admiration.

Embarrassed, I rubbed my head.

“Ah, just so-so, just so-so.”

“Jiejie, let me come learn martial arts from you too!”

She caught my hand.

“Um… Would that really be a good idea?”

After all, she looked every inch a delicate young lady.

“Jiejie, look how unlucky I am. If I don’t have any way to protect myself, what will I do the next time I’m in danger?”

As she spoke, her body gave a seemingly involuntary shiver. Tears filled her eyes, about to fall.

“Learn, learn, of course you can!”

I hurriedly nodded and patted her shoulder.

“Jiejie, you’re so good to me.”

As she spoke, Su Xiaoxiao rested her head on my shoulder and nuzzled against it.

Um… Something felt a little strange.

9

Sure enough, I saw Su Xiaoxiao at the martial arts school the next day. This time, she had finally given up the princess dress and put on training clothes.

“What are you doing here?”

Ji Xingchen frowned at her.

“What? You’re allowed to learn, but I’m not?”

She spoke indifferently.

“Don’t disturb us.”

At his words, Su Xiaoxiao glanced over.

“I used to like you, so I gave way to you. Now I don’t. What you think is none of my business.”

Then she put on a bright smile and turned toward me as I came through the door.

“Jiejie, you’re here.”

Unexpectedly, Su Xiaoxiao was very serious during the lesson too.

After class, I dismissed everyone and was about to give Ji Xingchen his extra training when Su Xiaoxiao produced a handkerchief from somewhere and wiped the sweat from my face.

“Jiejie, you’ve worked so hard. Are you still giving Xingchen-ge extra training? You must be exhausted.”

…

Ji Xingchen squeezed his fingers, couldn’t hold it in, and turned away to make a call.

When he returned, he was smiling gently.

“Xiao Yan, I think I’ve improved a lot. Would you take a look? But will extra training tire you out too much?”

Falling into his gaze, I nodded before I knew it.

“Sure. I’m not tired.”

The moment I said it, his smile grew even more bewitching. He took my hand and led me to the middle of the training floor.

Then he turned to Su Xiaoxiao.

“You’ve only just started. You don’t need extra training. I called Xiao Ting just now. He’ll be here to see you soon.”

“What? Xiao Ting?”

Su Xiaoxiao visibly panicked.

“Jiejie, I have something to do today. I’ll go first and come back next time.”

She ran off as soon as the words left her mouth.

“??? Who’s Xiao Ting?”

I looked at Ji Xingchen, puzzled.

“A fanatic who’s liked Su Xiaoxiao since childhood.”

His eyes held a smile.

“Never mind them. Look at me, okay, Xiao Yan?”

There always seemed to be countless galaxies in Ji Xingchen’s eyes, drawing you unconsciously into their depths.

I heard myself murmur, “Okay.”

Then his smile grew even more beautiful.

At the next lesson, Ji Xingchen was busy and couldn’t come.

Su Xiaoxiao arrived carrying little cookies.

“Jiejie, I made some cookies myself. Try them and see if they’re good.”

She picked one up and held it to my lips.

I ate it and nodded.

“Pretty good.”

Su Xiaoxiao smiled innocently.

“Jiejie, I think Ji Xingchen is both a noob and black-bellied. He lies to you too. He doesn’t deserve you at all. Jiejie, dump him.”

Startled, I looked up.

“He lied to me?”

“Mm. Yes. He’s not honest at all.”

She nodded.

“Actually, Ji Xingchen has known how to swim since he was little. He even entered swimming competitions and won prizes.”

“Jiejie, you didn’t know, did you?”

I froze, remembering how firmly he had said “No” when I asked whether he could swim.

“Jiejie, my brother’s even better than Ji Xingchen. He’s handsome and a great catch. Plus, I like you so much. Be my saosao, and we won’t have any sister-in-law problems.”

Translator’s note: Saosao = “big brother’s wife.”

“My parents are very open-minded too. They’ll definitely like you.”

But I didn’t hear a word of what Su Xiaoxiao said after that. My head was full of one thought.

“Ji Xingchen lied to me?”

10

That evening, Ji Xingchen called to chat as usual.

I answered absentmindedly.

“Xiao Yan, did something happen?”

I hesitated, then decided to ask.

“Ji Xingchen, have you lied to me about anything?”

There were three seconds of silence.

“Xiao Yan, wait a little.”

Then he hung up.

Feeling a little down, I sat on the sofa and devoured watermelon.

Seeing that I wasn’t very happy, Mom lifted her head from Dad’s arms.

“What is it? Had a fight with Ji Xingchen?”

I touched my face.

“Is it that obvious?”

“It wasn’t really a fight. I just found out today that he lied to me about something.”

Mom scoffed.

“That’s all?”

“Is what he lied about important? How does it affect you? Is it good or bad? Are you going to fight with him and break up over it?”

Her barrage left me stunned.

Dad sighed.

“What are we going to do with this romance blockhead of ours? How did she fail to inherit even a little of her parents’ emotional intelligence and flair?”

???

I refused to listen to these unprovoked personal attacks. So I asked, “Then tell me how sophisticated you two were.”

Dad proudly stroked his nonexistent beard.

“Back then, to get close to your mom, I pretended to be all weak and delicate. Girls have a natural instinct to protect people. One thing led to another, and your mother and I became close.”

Mom looked at him and scoffed.

“Back then, I’d already seen videos of your father competing. Since he wanted to act meek, I played along.”

“Huh?”

Dad stared at Mom.

“You already knew me? And you still watched me putting on that act? Were you laughing at me the whole time?”

As he spoke, he began to look aggrieved.

Mom hurriedly wrapped her arms around him.

“No, no. I was very happy back then.”

“Really?”

“Really! Truer than gold!”

I couldn’t bear to watch their lovey-dovey display any longer. Just then, someone knocked.

The door opened. It was Ji Xingchen.

“What brings you here?”

I was puzzled.

He hugged me lightly, then stepped back, took my hands, and looked at me.

“I think this is important, so I came to explain in person.”

I looked at him and waited.

“Actually, the martial arts school wasn’t the first place I saw you. I’d seen you helping someone on the street before.”

“Back then, I thought, This girl is so adorable. If only I could get to know her.”

“One day, I saw your photo on a recruitment flyer for the school, so I came.”

Then he added worriedly, “Xiao Yan, I admit that my intentions toward you weren’t entirely innocent. I did use a few little schemes. But I absolutely haven’t lied to you about anything else, and I won’t hurt you.”

“Xiao Yan, can you forgive me and give me another chance?”

Staring at his face, I admit I was led astray by beauty. I found myself nodding and saying “Okay” without thinking at all.

Then I saw Ji Xingchen’s smile bloom like a flower.

“Who is it? Oh, Xiao Chen. Come in, come in.”

Dad poked his head out.

“Shushu, Ayi.”

Translator’s note: Shushu/ayi = “uncle/auntie,” the polite way to address a friend’s parents.

Ji Xingchen greeted them politely, then lifted a whole pile of gifts from the ground.

??? How had I missed those?

After a round of pleasantries, he said, “Ayi, my family likes Xiao Yan very much. I wonder when both sets of parents might have time to meet?”

Mom’s eyes lit up.

“Of course. You pick a time. Just have Xiao Yan tell us.”

At that moment, I could feel how impatient Mom was to marry me off.

Ji Xingchen smiled like a fox.

“Then… would you happen to be free tomorrow?”

“Mm?”

Mom and Dad paused, then smiled.

“Sure.”

11

And so, while I was still completely bewildered, both sets of parents met.

While they were at it, they set dates for the engagement and the wedding.

Before I knew it, we were engaged too.

As a bride-to-be, I didn’t need to prepare anything. Ji Xingchen had already arranged everything. He took me to see things and try things, then waited for me to nod and say I was satisfied before finalizing it all.

And while I was still lost in the clouds, before I could react, Ji Xingchen and I were married.

Su Xiaoxiao strongly recommended herself as my bridesmaid. Before the ceremony, she crouched in front of me and asked softly, “Jiejie, do you really want to marry Ji Xingchen?”

Without thinking, I nodded firmly.

“Mm.”

Then realization struck. Without even knowing it, I hadn’t resisted this wedding at all. In fact, my heart was full of joy.

Su Xiaoxiao let out a quiet breath and smiled purely.

“All right, then. Jiejie, you must be happy.”

“Okay,” I answered.

“Xiaoxiao, when will you marry me?”

Just as she finished speaking, Ji Xingchen came in with Xiao Ting, today’s best man.

At the sight of Su Xiaoxiao, Xiao Ting excitedly hurried over and fussed around her, eager to please.

“In your dreams. Stay away from me.”

She answered disdainfully.

Bickering as they went, the two moved off to one side.

Watching them tease and squabble, I smiled. Perhaps Su Xiaoxiao’s wedding wasn’t far away either.

Ji Xingchen took my hand, still smiling gently. But I could feel a slight tremor in his fingers.

“Xiao Yan, will you marry me?”

I looked into his eyes. He was trying hard to hide it, but worry still showed.

Smiling, I nodded.

“I will.”

Later, in only a year, Su Xiaoxiao and Xiao Ting married too. They were still the same pair of bickering sweethearts.

Whether there was a reason or not, Su Xiaoxiao was always coming to see me.

Ji Xingchen practically worried himself to pieces over it.

One day, I heard him ask Xiao Ting, “You’re sure Su Xiaoxiao doesn’t like women, right?”

Xiao Ting froze, then answered quickly.

“Of course not. Xiaoxiao and Li Yan are just best friends.”

Ji Xingchen gave him a sidelong look.

“They’d better be.”

Meanwhile, Su Xiaoxiao was peeling fruit for me.

“Jiejie, have this one. It’s sweet.”

I paused, looked at Su Xiaoxiao’s clear eyes, and smiled.

“Okay. You have some too.”

And afterward, we remained good friends for the rest of our lives.

(The End)