After Zhou Qin left, Lin Xian followed Xiao Wanqing back into the bedroom to start unpacking.

  She knelt by her suitcase, determined to put everything in place by herself—her mom’s advice still echoing in her ears: Be independent. Don’t cause trouble.

  When Wanqing bent down to unzip the suitcase and help, Lin Xian quickly waved her hands and said, “It’s okay, Aunt Xiao. I can do it myself.”

  There was a polite but stubborn edge to her voice. She meant it.

  Wanqing smiled at her seriousness and didn’t insist. She took a seat on the small sofa nearby, watching quietly as Lin Xian tried to sort things out.

  But truth be told, Lin Xian had no idea how to organize clothes.

  She opened the suitcase, stared at the mountain of shirts and dresses, and froze. The closet looked big enough, so… she figured she could just toss everything in and be done with it?

  So that’s what she did.

  T-shirts with sweaters. Underwear with jeans. Summer with winter. Everything was crammed in with zero strategy—pure chaos disguised as effort.

  Wanqing watched the whole thing unfold, somewhere between amused and exasperated.

  She finally got up, pulled two tissues from the side table, and gently dabbed the sweat off Lin Xian’s forehead. Then, with a soft voice that made Lin Xian’s ears go warm, she said, “Technically, that works… but I have a better way. Would you like to hear it?”

  Lin Xian paused, looked up at her—those gentle eyes again—and then quickly looked away, flustered. “…I guess I knew I was doing it wrong,” she admitted, biting her lip. “I think I do need your help after all.”

  Wanqing’s lips curved into a smile. “Gladly.”

  She reached into the closet for a hanger, then bent down to pick up a trench coat. “Try separating clothes by category,” she said, her voice calm and clear, like a soft stream. “The ones you wear this season should be easy to reach. Coats, shirts, and anything that wrinkles easily—hang those if you can. And for your underwear… let’s keep that separate.”

  Xiao Wanqing's voice was very pleasant to listen to, each word like the clear, melodious sound of a spring gently flowing past Lin Xian's ear. Lin Xian was slightly lost in thought, thinking: Aunt Xiao seems more suited to be a teacher than Mom.

  By the time they were done organizing, the sky outside had already turned a soft, golden hue. Twilight was settling in.

  Xiao Wanqing sat at the edge of the bed, looking out at the sky tinged with crimson, then turned to Lin Xian, who was sprawled across the bed. She smiled and asked, “Hungry? We ended up organizing for quite a while without realizing it.”

  Lin Xian touched her stomach and gave a small smile. “I’m okay, probably still full from lunch.”

  Xiao Wanqing stood up, her smile soft. “Perfect, then let’s take a trip to the supermarket. We can pick up some groceries for dinner and get you a few everyday essentials.”

  Lin Xian sat up and agreed easily, “Sure, though I don’t think I need much. I brought my toothbrush and towel.”

  Xiao Wanqing's eyes curved into a smile, this time with a rare playful glint. “I wasn’t sure what brand you usually use...” She winked at Lin Xian and continued, “So I didn’t prepare any. Did you bring them?”

  Lin Xian blinked, then realized what Xiao Wanqing meant. She was talking about sanitary pads. Her cheeks flushed pink in an instant, but she kept her composure. “I actually didn’t bring any…”

  Xiao Wanqing noticed that Lin Xian was more composed and open than she had expected. Her smile deepened. “We should also get you your own slippers, a mug…”

  Lin Xian shifted to the edge of the bed and dangled her legs down, slipping her feet into the slippers she’d been wearing. She looked at Xiao Wanqing in confusion. “But I already have slippers.”

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  Xiao Wanqing chuckled. “Those are for guests. You can’t wear guest slippers in your own home.” She pointed toward the bathroom across the hall. “It’s right over there. You’ve been sweating—if you feel uncomfortable, you can wash your face. I’ll go change, and then we’ll head out.”

  Lin Xian nodded, picking up the towel folded neatly on the bed. “Okay, I’ll go wash up.”

  As she watched Xiao Wanqing walk out of the room, Lin Xian held the towel in her hands. One sentence echoed in her mind: your own home. Her smile spread wide, and she hopped off the bed.

  Xiao Wanqing changed quickly. By the time Lin Xian had washed her face and tidied her hair, she saw her waiting at the entrance, keys in hand, ready to go.

  Hearing footsteps, Xiao Wanqing turned and smiled. “Ready?”

  She was wearing an elegant ink-wash print dress in black and white, paired with slim-heeled sandals. It was a simple outfit, yet on her, with her delicate features and graceful demeanor, she looked stunning—enough to dazzle Lin Xian for a moment.

  If I could be this graceful when I’m her age, Lin Xian thought, that would be amazing.

  Without missing a beat, she walked over and crouched down to put on her shoes. “Almost ready—just let me tie my laces.”

  “No rush,” Xiao Wanqing said softly, then bent slightly to pull up the slipped strap of Lin Xian’s overalls, settling it back on her shoulder.

  Lin Xian noticed the gesture but kept tying her shoes, turning her head to flash a bright, thankful smile. Xiao Wanqing found her so charming, with those clear, sparkling eyes, that she couldn’t help but gently pinch her nose.

  The supermarket wasn’t far—just a five-minute drive. On the way, Xiao Wanqing pointed things out: the bus stop fifty meters from the gate, where Bus 791 could take her to Jingnan University in seven stops. Three hundred meters further was a stationery store, and two hundred more beyond that, a Xinhua Bookstore. The area was filled with all kinds of bookstores.

  She spoke in detail, and Lin Xian listened carefully.

  Just as they were pulling into the parking lot, Lin Xian suddenly remembered something and asked, “Aunt Xiao, are there any breakfast stalls near the bus stop?”

  Xiao Wanqing smiled as she backed into a space. “Why do you ask?”

  Lin Xian answered honestly, “If there’s a stall nearby, I can save time in the mornings. School breakfast spots usually have long lines during rush hour.”

  Xiao Wanqing turned off the engine and looked at her with amusement. “Don’t want to try my cooking? I’m actually a pretty decent cook.”

  That caught Lin Xian off guard. Her eyes widened slightly, a bit stunned.

  Xiao Wanqing chuckled, opened the door, and said warmly, “Come on, let’s go.”

  Lin Xian hurried to catch up with her. After a pause, she said, “Aunt Xiao, if I have early classes, I don’t want you to go through the trouble of making breakfast. I can just grab something on the way.”

  Xiao Wanqing smiled and replied, “I don’t really sleep in anyway. And breakfast outside isn’t as clean or nutritious. You’re still growing—can’t be careless about meals.”

  Lin Xian hesitated, then suggested, “Then maybe we can buy a box of milk and some bread. I can just have that in the mornings.”

  Xiao Wanqing stopped walking and turned to her, her smile gentle. She held up her hand and gestured to Lin Xian’s height. “Lin Xian, don’t you want to grow taller?”

  Lin Xian blinked, then grinned and playfully replied, “I’ll be taller than you soon.” She pointed to her chin and added proudly, “You’ll only reach here by then.”

  Xiao Wanqing laughed. “Then eat well—I’ll wait for that day.” After a few steps, she added thoughtfully, “But would that be too tall? Maybe just three centimeters taller than me would be perfect.”

  Lin Xian thought seriously for a moment. She was 164 cm, and Xiao Wanqing was about 167 cm—so 170 would be just right. But it wasn’t like height could be chosen, anyway. The thought made her laugh, and her embarrassment faded away. She leaned closer and reached out to take Xiao Wanqing’s hand. “Then if I grow three centimeters taller than you, you can stop feeding me. Hit the pause button for me.”

  In that moment, Lin Xian thought she felt Xiao Wanqing tense ever so slightly. She glanced at her, but Xiao Wanqing’s face was calm and smiling. Must’ve been my imagination, she thought.

  She lowered her gaze to Xiao Wanqing’s hand—long, elegant fingers, nails neatly trimmed and naturally pink. Lin Xian suddenly thought of her mom’s colorful, glittery, rhinestone-covered nails, and realized what people meant when they said natural beauty is the best.

  From this moment on, she declared silently, she wasn’t just into pretty faces—she was officially a hand person now, too.

  Xiao Wanqing turned to find Lin Xian staring at her hand. She bit her lip, suddenly feeling a bit awkward. Then Lin Xian looked up, and their eyes met.

  There was nothing guarded in Lin Xian’s gaze, only a bright, open smile. As she lightly rubbed Xiao Wanqing’s fingers between her thumb and forefinger, she said sincerely, “Aunt Xiao, your hands are so long and beautiful.”

  Xiao Wanqing felt her cheeks heat up almost immediately, the blush blooming all the way to her ears.

  Wait, Aunt Xiao gets flustered this easily?

  The hand Lin Xian was holding was already slightly damp with sweat. Xiao Wanqing gave a small smile, quickly regaining her composure. “It’s getting dark—let’s hurry.”

  She strode ahead toward the supermarket.

  At the entrance, she finally saw a basket and, as if relieved, gently slipped her hand from Lin Xian’s grasp and reached for the handle.

  Lin Xian watched her hold it awkwardly with her left hand and frowned slightly. Is she left-handed?