Chapter 58: Shen Xixi

Shouldn’t young couples be all over each other, clinging and hugging? Even if their relationship was great, there would always be times they were apart. When one was alone, the feeling of being held would linger on the body, making them naturally lean into the next embrace.

But Tiantian was different.

When that child was held, her body was stiff.

Like a cat that hadn’t been petted in a long time, her first instinct was to dodge. Only then would she slowly realize — ‘Oh, this is well-intended; I can relax.’

Su Wenjun had seen too many patients like this.

Elderly people living alone, widowers, and long-term hospital patients whose families rarely visited.

Their bodies would remember loneliness.

Tiantian was only 20.

How could a 20-year-old child’s body remember loneliness?

Could she and that boyfriend be… in a platonic love? No hand-holding, no hugging, no intimacy?

Su Wenjun shook her head, feeling that this guess was too far-fetched.

Young people these days didn’t do the platonic thing. It wasn’t like they were filming some Republican Melodrama.

“Mom, let’s go.”

Su Xiao pushed the door open and entered, interrupting her thoughts.

Su Wenjun turned her head and saw her daughter standing at the doorway. Her face was expressionless, but she didn’t have that cold vibe she used to have whenever she saw her mother.

She just stood there quite normally, like any other daughter calling for her mom.

Su Wenjun felt a sense of comfort in her heart.

This was enough.

“Alright, let’s go. Send Tiantian a message and ask her where she is.”

“She should be at home, right? I just sent her a WeChat, but she hasn’t replied yet.”

“Maybe she’s busy. We’ll head over first and wait for her reply.”

***

Inside the rental room.

Luo Tiantian took off her helmet.

She sighed and picked up her phone.

[Su Xiao: Tiantian, my mom and I are heading out. Have you left yet? I sent you the restaurant address. Don’t be late.]

Below it was a location pin.

Luo Tiantian sat up and walked to the mirror, looking at the face inside.

It was full of worry; her brows were slightly furrowed, and the corners of her eyes drooped downward. She looked like someone with a lot on her mind.

She reached out and used her fingers to push the corners of her mouth upward.

A stiff smile.

It looked terrible.

Forget it, let it be.

Anyway, Auntie Su knew she had a fever, so it was normal for her complexion to look poor.

She put on a mask and changed into the white T-shirt and light-colored jeans Auntie Su had bought for her today.

***

The restaurant was next to a high-end residential area.

When Luo Tiantian got off the bus, she saw Su Xiao and Su Wenjun waiting for her at the entrance.

Su Xiao saw her first and walked up quickly to meet her.

“Tiantian, over here.”

Luo Tiantian trotted a few steps toward them.

Su Xiao looked her up and down, her gaze becoming a bit strange.

“What’s wrong?” Luo Tiantian looked down at herself. “Is something wrong?”

“Is this the new one we bought today?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re wearing it directly without washing it?”

Luo Tiantian froze for a moment.

Did new clothes need to be washed first?

She used to buy clothes from street stalls — the kind where you got two items for 30 yuan. She basically always wore them directly without washing and never felt like there was a problem.

“Um… do they need to be washed?”

Su Xiao massaged her temples.

Su Wenjun walked over and happened to hear this, unable to stifle a laugh.

“Tiantian, new clothes should be washed once before you wear them. Especially undergarments. This kind of cotton fabric might have chemical residues from the factory. Wearing them directly against your skin isn’t good for you.”

Su Xiao leaned in. “Think about it. This shirt was hanging in the shop; how many people have tried it on? What if someone tried it and didn’t buy it? What if someone bought it and returned it? You don’t know what the last person who wore this did.”

Luo Tiantian’s expression froze.

‘The last person who wore this…’

Su Wenjun said, “Just remember for next time. Wash new clothes before you wear them. Especially bras; those must be washed.”

Luo Tiantian nodded obediently.

Luckily, she hadn’t figured out how to fasten the bra hooks, so she was still going without one today.

The three of them walked toward the restaurant.

As they reached the door, Su Xiao suddenly stopped and turned to look at the nearby residential complex.

“Mom, the place you picked is such a coincidence. Shen Xixi lives right here.”

Su Wenjun followed her gaze and was somewhat surprised.

“Is that so? Then call her out to eat with us.”

“Forget it. She’s probably still playing games.”

“Just call her out. I haven’t seen her in a long time.”

“…Okay.”

Su Xiao began to call Shen Xixi.

“Hello? Shen Xixi, are you home?”

“My mom said she hasn’t seen you in a long time and wants to invite you out for dinner… Yeah, it’s the restaurant right next to your place… Fine, then hurry up.”

“She said she’s coming down right now.”

Su Wenjun looked at Luo Tiantian. “Tiantian, you must be hungry, right? How about we go in and order first? The food will be ready by the time she gets here.”

“It’s fine, Auntie. I’m not hungry. Let’s wait.”

The three of them stood at the restaurant entrance.

Luo Tiantian looked at the residential gate, feeling a bit curious.

This Shen Xixi sounded like a girl’s name.

Was she Su Xiao’s friend?

Well, it didn’t matter to her anyway. She would just say hello when the person arrived, eat, go home, and continue coaxing that runner Sponsor Mom.

“She’s here.” Su Xiao nodded toward the residential gate.

Luo Tiantian followed her gaze.

A tall woman walked out of the complex.

She wore a grey hoodie and black sweatpants, with her hair tied in a messy ponytail. She looked like she had just woken up.

She was wearing a mask, but her eyes were very beautiful.

However, for some reason, Luo Tiantian felt she looked a bit familiar.

‘Have I seen her somewhere before?’

Shen Xixi approached, her gaze sweeping over the three faces.

Su Xiao, Auntie Su, and a girl in a white T-shirt.

The girl was also wearing a mask, revealing only her eyes.

Those eyes…

Shen Xixi’s footsteps faltered.

The shape of those eyes, with the corners drooping slightly, as if they were always holding something back…

They were familiar, as if she had seen them somewhere before.

She couldn’t recall where for a moment.

Luo Tiantian felt uncomfortable being stared at.

‘Why is this person staring at me? Did I offend her while delivering food? Is there someone else besides Sako Toyokawa?’

‘No way. Could I be recognized even with a mask on?’

“Shen Xixi, why are you dazing? Come over,” Su Xiao said.

Shen Xixi snapped out of it and walked over quickly.

As she got closer, the sense of familiarity grew stronger.

It wasn’t just the eyes, but also the posture, and that way of standing with her head slightly lowered and looking a bit restrained…

‘Who does she look like?’

She had definitely seen this person, maybe even recently, but her mind was short-circuiting, and she couldn’t remember for the life of her.

“Hello, Auntie Su.” She nodded to Su Wenjun.

Su Wenjun smiled as she looked her over. “Xixi, long time no see. You’ve gotten thinner. Have you eaten? Why don’t you join us?”

Shen Xixi scratched her head. “I actually have something to do, so I won’t eat.”

“What’s so urgent? Go after you eat.”

“I really can’t. I have a scheduled time.” Shen Xixi checked her phone. “I have to go, or I won’t make it.”

Su Xiao frowned. “What is it? This late at night.”

Shen Xixi opened her mouth, not knowing how to explain.

As soon as she had logged off, she continued looking for jobs on her phone. She happened to see a part-time recruitment nearby with flexible hours. It was close to home, so she wanted to hurry and give it a try.

“It’s just… some private business. Anyway, it’s nearby. I’ll head home once I’m done.”

Su Wenjun didn’t insist.

“Alright then, go ahead. Come over for dinner when you’re free another day. I’ll cook something delicious for you.”

“Thank you, Auntie.”

Shen Xixi waved to them and turned to walk toward the commercial street next to the residential area.

After walking a few steps, she couldn’t help but look back once more.

The girl in the white T-shirt was looking down, thinking about something.

Even her profile looked familiar…

‘I’ve definitely met this woman before.’