Overgrown Grasslands
26. Chapter 26
Zhu Yun watched a little bit of TV, however went upstairs after becoming bored. Her mom reminded her that they needed to keep as much as usher within the new 12 months.
“Usher within the new 12 months?” As if Zhu Yun was within the temper to try this. She made an excuse, “I’m type of drained.”
“Nonsense.” Her mom glanced at her. “What time is it, and also you’re already drained? You normally examine by means of the night time.” Zhu Yun sat on the couch uncomfortably.
At 11pm, her mom had already turn out to be drowsy. Her father nudged her mom and informed her to go on to sleep. She yawned and headed up the steps, however not earlier than urging Zhu Yun, “Be sure that to usher within the 12 months. At 12, go to the prayer room and make your needs.”
Zhu Yun actually sat on the couch till 12am. When the TV host began counting down the previous couple of seconds till the brand new 12 months, Zhu Yun bought up. Their prayer room was on the third ground, transformed from a storage room. Her grandmother believed in Buddha, and her mom… sometimes believed.
When she walked into the darkish room, she was overcome with the scent of sandalwood. (t/n: It’s used to make incense)
Zhu Yun sat down on some padding and checked the time. 12am, good. In accordance along with her mom’s request, Zhu Yun kowtowed thrice, in preparation to ask for her blessings.
Simply then, the cross necklace she wore fell out from her collar
Zhu Yun stared forward blankly. She’d almost forgotten… In fact, she typically forgot about it, that she wore this necklace. It was an outdated necklace, one she’d had for a few years. The design was nothing particular, and it was made with the most cost effective steel. The truth is, the steel had already dulled.
Zhu Yun had already forgotten what the proprietor of the necklace regarded like. At any time when she recalled that point, her thoughts merely conjured up a blurred determine. That woman had been conceited, like a peacock.
She tucked the necklace again inside her shirt. Then she remembered that she appeared to have forgotten to make her want.
Oh nicely.
Midnight was peak time for firecrackers. Zhu Yun walked out of the prayer room and cleared her throat in direction of downstairs. Her father’s voice got here from his bedrom, “We’re heading to sleep. You must get to sleep quickly too!”
Zhu Yun replied loudly, “Okay!”
Evening had lastly come.
Zhu Yun returned to her room and locked the door. Outdoors, the sounds of firecrackers echoed, and fireworks stuffed the sky. After sitting in a daze on her mattress awhile, she went to the toilet to bathe. By the point she dried her hair and tidied issues up, it was already 1am.
She tossed her towel to the bottom and walked over to her closet. After going by means of her garments, she pulled out her new white costume. Zhu Yun modified her garments after which stood in entrance of the mirror. She utilized a lightweight layer of basis and added a contact of lip gloss. She blinked a number of instances on the mirror, after which she sat down on her mattress, quietly ready.
Whenever you have been ready for one thing, endurance grew to become troublesome.
The sounds outdoors have been clearly thundering, and but she nonetheless appeared in a position to hear her coronary heart beating. She clasped her fingers collectively, calmly, sweatily.
How irritating… She pressed her lips collectively. Significantly fucking irritating.
Time ticked by, one minute, one second at a time. The sounds outdoors began to calm, with solely occasional echos from afar, reminding everybody that this unordinary night time had but to finish.
2 o’clock. Zhu Yun stood up and grabbed her bag, fastidiously leaving her room. Her steps have been gentle as a spirit strolling. The home was quiet. Her mother and father have been each fairly heavy sleepers; they hadn’t even been effected by the firecrackers. She walked down the steps and pulled out a pair of excessive heels from the shoe cupboard, however she didn’t put on them instantly.
She tiptoed to the door and slipped out. The coolness of the stone steps made each pore on her physique shut up tight. She didn’t dare set free a breath.
After standing nonetheless for 2 minutes, guaranteeing that her mother and father hadn’t woken up, Zhu Yun lastly placed on her heels. She turned and regarded on the snowfall in opposition to the moon. Then she took a deep breath, jumped off the steps, and headed out.
The streets had already emptied out, with solely firecracker remnants left behind. They have been mushy, and strolling on them felt like strolling on snow.
Zhu Yun’s costume did depart her a bit chilly in midwinter, however although she had an additional jacket in her backpack, she didn’t need to put it on.
She recalled the day she and Li Xun had visited the artwork institute. After which her steps quickened. Sooner and quicker, till she was sprinting. Her hair and costume fluttered wantonly round her, seeming to echo her coronary heart’s beat.
The midnight bell had already been rung, and hers was the one ship nonetheless crusing this night time.
There have been solely two streets between Zhu Yun’s home and Lihua Road. There have been numerous small resorts and eating places there, a lot of them open 24 hours a day. She knew exactly the place Lihua Lodge was, so she ran over. There, noticed a gaggle of fellows taking part in playing cards within the corridor.
She instantly noticed that shining, golden head. Now that their mission was on a break, he lastly didn’t seem like he was struggling. He knew easy methods to smile.
A sure golden haired man was about reveal his profitable hand, when his clean transfer was interrupted by a shout—”Li Xun!”
He paused for a number of seconds, after which circled. His victory expression became a dumbstruck one. Li Xun stared at her blankly, after which set free a surprised, “Shit…”
The picture of Li Xun’s turned head, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, a hand able to reveal his card… It was actually amusing. Zhu Yun couldn’t assist laughing. And he laughed too.
“What are you throwing out? Are you continue to taking part in or not?” the subsequent participant rushed.
Li Xun tossed apart the cardboard in his hand and stated, “Sorry, I can’t hold taking part in.”
“Why not?”
Li Xun shrugged and replied helplessly, “I’ve a customer.” He positioned his winnings in the midst of the desk and stated, “It’s not a lot, however purchase yourselves a field of cigarettes.” He’d received essentially the most video games on the desk, so when he redistributed the cash, the opposite guys fortunately wished him a cheerful new 12 months.
Whereas re-shuffling the playing cards, the blokes regarded previous Li Xun, a mischeivous look of their eyes. Certainly one of them narrowed his eyes at Li Xun and stated, “Stop dillydallying and get again to your room.”
Li Xun bought up from the desk, amidst the opposite guys’ laughter, and complacently walked over to Zhu Yun. A depraved gleam crossed her eyes, and as they walked, she requested quietly, “If I flip round and depart proper now, would that make you look dangerous?”
“Sure.” He lowered his head, a smile on his face, and stated, “Princess, are you leaving?”
Zhu Yun pursed her lips and stated, “Depends upon your efficiency.”
“I’ll make sure you make you glad.”
Zhu Yun raised a forehead.
Li Xun requested, “Are you continue to leaving?”
“……” Quietly, she stated, “I suppose I received’t depart but.”
Li Xun bent down and whispered into her ear irreverently, “Your Highness.” Zhu Yun stopped herself from laughing, and the 2 headed upstairs.
Midway up the steps, she heard laughter ringing from under. Her face felt a bit sizzling.
New Yr’s celebrations have been very nice.
Lihua Lodge was small, so the corridors have been slim and all of the rooms have been all singles. Li Xun pulled out his key to open the door, and Zhu Yun waited quietly behind him. She checked out him, within the slim area, underneath the dim lighting. He was almost as tall because the door body.
After opening the door, Li Xun turned to the aspect and stated, “Princess, please enter.”
Zhu Yun walked inside and took a glance across the room. “It’s messy.”
He laughed and tossed the important thing onto the desk. “Let me wash my face.” Li Xun was wanting significantly magnanimous that day.
Zhu Yun regarded round for a spot to sit down down. The room was certainly messy. Hadn’t he simply arrived as we speak? How might somebody flip their room into such a large number in simply in the future? He didn’t have a suitcase with him, only a black sports activities duffel. It was partly unzipped, Li Xun’s garments piled inside.
Li Xun walked out from the toilet and stated, “Why are you standing? Have a seat.”
“The place am I supposed to sit down?’
Li Xun rubbed his fingers as he regarded round. Lastly, he motioned to a spot along with his chin. “Over there.”
The mattress. The one mattress. In opposition to the wall.
Overlook it. Zhu Yun walked over to the chair coated in garments and cleared it off. Li Xun took the mattress.
The chair was tall. Zhu Yun very a lot loved the overlooking view she had. “It’s too messy in right here,” she stated.
“Mmh.”
“Like a pigsty.”
“Mmh.”
She’d attacked ruthlessly, solely to have him lazily agree. That didn’t appear fairly proper. His seriousness was too out of the peculiar. Whether or not or not he actually agreed with Zhu Yun’s phrases, Li Xun didn’t make any retorts, and easily listened to her communicate.
Possibly he hadn’t even actually been listening?
He yawned after which reached for a cigarette. Whereas Zhu Yun’s ideas have been battling with one another, Li Xun tapped the again of his hand with the cigarette and raised his eyes.
“Rise up.”
“Hm?”
“Rise up and let me see.”
Zhu Yun knew roughly what he was considering. She bought up slowly. This gave the impression to be the primary time she’d ever regarded down on him like this.
He lit his cigarette and used the dim gentle to examine her. Zhu Yun didn’t dare look him within the eyes, so she stared out the window, on the road that she’d come from. As she regarded on on the naked tree branches, her ideas ran wild.
Did he just like the costume? After all he did. In any other case, why would he inform her to face up? She thanked her mom for having such elegant style. Hallelujah.
“You don’t should work so exhausting to suck in your abdomen. There’s not a lot meat there anyway.”
“……” Might he damage the second any extra?
She knew that there was no manner he might have been so critical, letting her acquire the higher hand. Disheartened, Zhu Yun couldn’t assist rolling her eyes. Simply then, she noticed Li Xun decrease his head. He tried to cover fun, however he couldn’t. That contact of gentleness in his lips, within the foggy air, made it unattainable for one’s coronary heart to not be shaken.
Zhu Yun’s coronary heart pounded in her chest. She regarded left and proper, hoping to alter the subject. After recognizing a plastic bowl beside his laptop computer, she stared and requested, “You had that for dinner?”
“Mmh.”
“You had malatang (sizzling, spicy soup) for New Yr’s?”
“I can’t try this?”
“You—” Earlier than she might end talking, her cellphone vibrated, giving her fairly the fright. She pulled it out; it was the alarm she’d set when she left. As a result of she was afraid that it would get too late, she set her telephone to remind her each half hour. That was already the second vibration.
“When are you heading residence?” Li Xun requested.
Zhu Yun regarded up. “…Earlier than 4:30 ought to be high quality.” It was already previous 3, which meant there wasn’t a lot time left. This night time was actually passing shortly.
Whereas she was caught up in her ideas, a paper object flew at her. She subconsciously grabbed it in her arms. “What’s this?”
Li Xun took off his sneakers and moved additional onto the mattress, his again to the wall. He yawned. “A tribute.”
Ah, fee?
“It’s very skinny.” Zhu Yun pinched the envelope. With out holding again her disdain, she stated, “Didn’t you say you have been going to verify I used to be glad?” Li Xun raised a forehead however didn’t communicate.
Zhu Yun opened the pink envelope and poured its contents out. A card. Oh.
“That is your pay card.”
Li Xun stretched his arm over, and Zhu Yun pushed the ashtray in direction of him. When he was achieved, he stated, “I’ve already deposited the cash from the Languan mission.”
Zhu Yun requested, “What’s the PIN?”
“Six 8s.” How unoriginal… (t/n: 8 is taken into account a fortunate quantity)
Zhu Yun put away the cardboard after which pulled her chair over to Li Xun. She stated, “Inform me about what occurred with Languan. What did you inform them? Did they like what we made?”
Li Xun gave a chilly look. “How outdated are you that you just nonetheless want bedtime tales?”
She kicked the mattress. With a helpless expression, Li Xun stated, “Speaking about these sorts of issues in this sort of state of affairs actually isn’t my type.”
Zhu Yun checked out him, silent. Three seconds later, Li Xun stated, “High-quality…”
He began going over the previous few days’ occasions, and Zhu Yun realized that she actually favored listening to Li Xun speak. It wasn’t solely that his voice sounded good, but it surely additionally revealed a lightweight, but indestructable directional sense.
Zhu Yun requested, “Had been you scared while you went to the corporate?”
Li Xun replied, “Why would I be scared?”
“You have been by your self…”
Li Xun scratched his cheek. “Let me see…”
?
“The primary time I noticed a programming e book at somebody’s home was almost ten years in the past.” Li Xun spoke in his straightforward, carefree method. “I buried myself in research for ten years, so how might I be scared off by a small program for a meals firm?” He checked out Zhu Yun a bit teasingly. “Usually, individuals really feel scared as a result of they really feel responsible, for instance, a sure princess taking an examination.”
Zhu Yun, “……”
Can we not point out that.
Zhu Yun requested Li Xun for extra particulars. Listening to him mocking the grand Languan Firm, Zhu Yun couldn’t assist laughing. He paused for a number of seconds and Zhu Yun smiled at him. “What’s it?”
“Nothing.”
Li Xun lowered his eyes and barely leaned to his aspect, in opposition to the pillows. With out a lot consideration, he stated, “I broke up with Cui Xiangjun.”
“Who?”
“Cui Xiangjun.”
The identify didn’t spark something in Zhu Yun’s reminiscence. “Who?”
Li Xun’s face had darknened. In no good temper, he shouted, “Juliet!”
“……”
So her identify was Cui Xiangjun. Your girlfriend’s identify even feels like a Qinhuai prostitute. (t/n: Briefly, see within the historical past part, Li Xiangjun of Beauties of the Qinhuai River)
Zhu Yun nodded.
Li Xun requested, “Do you will have something to say?”
Zhu Yun replied, “Because you don’t appear too distraught over it, I received’t trouble comforting you.”
Li Xun snorted. He licked his lips and the sleep in his eyes grew to become extra obvious. Zhu Yun regarded away.
However wanting away didn’t matter. Her face was nonetheless burning. Quietly, she stated, “I’m going to go to the toilet.”
Inside the toilet, she checked out herself within the mirror. She pushed apart the stray strands of hair that have been in her face. After wetting her fingers in chilly water, she shook them off and pat her face to chill down.
The night time was intoxicating.
Zhu Yun didn’t know the way lengthy she’d been rubbing her face within the lavatory. However when she walked out, she found that Li Xun had already fallen asleep. She tiptoed over to verify if he is likely to be faking it, however he wasn’t. He’d tried. He’d washed his face and smoked, however he was unable to maintain away the exhaustion.
Zhu Yun crouched down and checked out him with out reserve. His face was skinny, and he had double eyelids. When he was awake, the sharp strains made him look conceited, however when he was sleeping, he regarded like a great little boy.
Li Xun’s fingers rested on the mattress, lengthy and fairly. Zhu Yun prolonged a finger, wanting to the touch between his thumb and forefinger. She tried a number of instances to get the correct angle, however then Li Xun stirred and Zhu Yun instantly pulled her hand again.
Her telephone vibrated once more…
Zhu Yun smiled on the dreaming Li Xun. Overlook it. The long run forward was lengthy.