After hanging up on Zhou Qin, Lin Xian returned to her room, turned on her computer, casually logged into QQ, and opened her email to check the materials Zhou Qin had sent her.

  Thirty minutes later, she had finished a listening comprehension exercise and completed two reading passages. Stretching her arms lazily, she caught a flicker of movement from the corner of her eye—a boy’s avatar bouncing persistently in her QQ message bar.

  Lin Xian immediately recognized the old, unchanged default avatar. It was from Xu Chengjun. A small smile bloomed across her face.

  They were next-door neighbors. Xu Chengjun’s mother worked with Zhou Qin, so the two had known each other since they were little. Although he was four years older and often mischievous like most boys, Xu Chengjun had always looked out for Lin Xian. He never minded his friends teasing him for hanging around a younger girl, and often brought her along to play. Lin Xian enjoyed being with him too, treating him like an older brother. After graduating from high school, Xu Chengjun had gone to study in the US, but they kept in touch online.

  This whole summer break, Xu Chengjun had been her gaming buddy—farming items, running dungeons, and battling it out in the arena.

  Seeing his message, Lin Xian’s first thought was: Finally! My cursed win rate in this week’s arena matches might be saved. No way I’m staying upset now.

  Xu Chengjun had already heard that Zhou Qin was entrusting Lin Xian to a woman she barely knew. So tonight, he had messaged her specifically to check how her first day at her new place had gone.

  Lin Xian had been calling Xiao Wanqing “Aunt Xiao” all day, and having said it enough times, it didn’t feel strange anymore. But when Xu Chengjun casually asked, “So how’s that auntie of yours? She easy to get along with?”—the word “aunt” suddenly felt so grating and jarring to her ears.

  She pouted and corrected him, “Don’t call her ‘auntie.’ At most she’s a big sister. She’s not even that much older than you. If she’s an aunt, then I should start calling you uncle.”

  Xu Chengjun chuckled. So Lin Xian seemed to like this “aunt.” He asked with good humor, “Alright, big sister then. So, how’s the big sister? You like her?”

  At the mention of Xiao Wanqing, a soft light lit up Lin Xian’s eyes. She propped her chin on one hand, a bright smile curling on her lips—one she hadn’t even realized was there. Half-jokingly, she replied, “Well, I like her more than my mom.” Then, after a pause, she asked, “Brother Chengjun, are you free right now?”

  Xu Chengjun knew Lin Xian well. Whenever she called him “brother” with that sugary tone, she was definitely up to something.

  Sure enough, Lin Xian pleaded, “Brother Chengjun, come help me in the arena, please? My win rate this week is a pathetic 20%. I’m going to cry.”

  Xu Chengjun thought she should probably start getting into study mode with school starting tomorrow, but he couldn’t say no to her wheedling. In the end, he gave in and joined her in the game.

  An hour later, Lin Xian emerged from the arena victorious, her win rate now sitting comfortably at 80%. Grinning in satisfaction, she said goodbye to Xu Chengjun, stood up from her desk, and stretched out her stiff limbs.

  She rolled her neck, turning left, then right. A strange feeling lingered in her chest, like she had forgotten something. Something important. She couldn’t put her finger on it.

  As she bent down to stretch, the answer suddenly hit her. She straightened with a jolt and ran out of the room, practically leaping toward the bathroom.

  She remembered what she’d forgotten—her laundry!

  Zhou Qin had warned her a thousand times: Don’t leave your dirty clothes lying around. Wash them right after your shower. Don’t make Aunt Xiao do it just because she can’t stand the mess.

  But when Lin Xian reached the bathroom and saw the laundry basket completely empty, she could only facepalm. Sorry, sister Qin… I’ve already failed you.

  From the balcony off the living room, she heard the sound of running water and the rhythmic swish swish of scrubbing. Hope flickered in her chest, and she bolted toward the balcony with light, hurried steps.

  As she rounded the corner into the living room, she saw Xiao Wanqing in a gauzy nightdress, her hair casually tied back. She was leaning slightly forward, wringing out the last piece of laundry from the basin.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Hearing Lin Xian’s footsteps, Xiao Wanqing turned her head and gave her a warm, gentle smile. “What’s wrong? Why are you in such a rush?”

  Lin Xian came closer and saw that the item Xiao Wanqing was about to hang up… was her own denim overalls. Her gaze shifted to the rack beside it—her white T-shirt, her underwear, her bra… all hanging neatly, freshly washed.

  Her face instantly flushed with embarrassment. She fumbled with her words. “I-I’m sorry, Aunt Xiao. I didn’t mean to make you do it. I just… forgot to wash them. I wasn’t planning to leave them for you…”

  Xiao Wanqing gave a small smile. “I was wondering what was up. It’s fine—I just washed everything together. If anyone should apologize, it’s me. I did it without asking you first. I hope you don’t mind.”

  Lin Xian shook her hands quickly. “No, no! Not at all. I’m grateful, really!”

  Xiao Wanqing laughed softly, her voice gentle. “Then why don’t I wash your clothes for you from now on?”

  Lin Xian immediately shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I can wash them myself. I’m not a kid anymore—I can handle my own laundry.”

  She glanced at her underwear hanging there, red creeping up her face again.

  Xiao Wanqing followed her gaze and seemed to understand. After washing her hands, she said considerately, “Then how about this—I’ll wash your outerwear, and you handle your underwear. Sound good?”

  Still, Lin Xian politely refused. “Really, I can manage on my own.”

  Seeing how insistent she was, Xiao Wanqing didn’t press the matter. Her long lashes fluttered, and she smiled, smoothly changing the subject. “What time are you heading to campus tomorrow?”

  Since Lin Xian wasn’t staying in the dorms, she didn’t need to move in or shop for daily necessities—reporting to university would be a relatively simple affair.

  “Probably around 8:30,” Lin Xian replied without thinking. Zhou Qin had reminded her it was better to be early than late.

  “I’ll take you then,” Xiao Wanqing offered. “You’re not staying on campus, so it should just be paying fees and picking up your uniform. But university campuses are bigger than high schools, and since it’s your first time there, you might get a little lost. I’ve got time tomorrow, so I’ll come with you—and I can show you the usual route.”

  Lin Xian had always been driven to school on the first day of each term. Zhou Qin insisted on it, especially since they’d usually have to collect stacks of textbooks, which would be a nightmare on public transport. This time, since she wasn’t boarding and wouldn’t get books right away, Zhou Qin and Lin Zhan both had their hands full with their own kids starting school. They assumed Lin Xian would just take the direct bus from Xiao Wanqing’s place—simple enough.

  But even though it shouldn’t have felt so different, the idea of entering a completely unfamiliar campus made Lin Xian nervous. She did want someone to go with her. Xiao Wanqing’s offer was tempting, but she hesitated. “Would that be too much trouble?”

  Xiao Wanqing reached out and playfully tapped Lin Xian’s nose. “Didn’t I tell you not to be so polite with me? What trouble?”

  Lin Xian stared up at her, eyes wide and still. Under the dim light, in her soft nightdress, Xiao Wanqing’s quiet elegance had taken on a gentle, enchanting charm. For a moment, Lin Xian forgot how to respond.

  Xiao Wanqing touched the ends of her hair lightly. “Your hair’s still a little damp. It’s not good to leave it wet in air-conditioning. Go dry it before bed.”

  Snapping out of her daze, Lin Xian nodded. “Okay.”

  A little before ten, Xiao Wanqing knocked on her door. Lin Xian was lounging in bed with headphones on, listening to music. Xiao Wanqing stepped in with a warm cup of milk and placed it gently on the bedside table.

  “You’ll have to start waking up early again. Try to get some sleep soon,” she said softly.

  Lin Xian took off her headphones and nodded obediently.

  Xiao Wanqing leaned forward slightly, a strand of hair falling over her cheek. She tucked it behind her ear and picked up the digital alarm clock from the nightstand. Her voice was calm and clear. “Want me to set this for you?”

  Lin Xian thought for a moment. “Set it for 6:30, please. That should be enough time, right?”

  But Xiao Wanqing considered it and said, “Let’s make it 7:00. You’ll still be on time if I take you. Sleep in a bit more.” She winked at her, smiling. “Not getting enough sleep will stunt your growth, you know.”

  Lin Xian pouted dramatically. “Exactly! I’ve been waking up earlier than the roosters and sleeping later than the dogs for years—just for school. My height’s probably shrunk because of it. So tragic. Ugh. No more studying—I’m going to start sleeping in, or I’ll never grow tall!”

  Xiao Wanqing chuckled. “Silly girl.”

  She set the alarm carefully and placed it back on the nightstand. “Get some rest. Good night.”

  Lin Xian dropped the theatrics and smiled warmly. “You too. Good night.”

  Only after Xiao Wanqing closed the door and disappeared from view did Lin Xian finally look away.

  Maybe it was the unfamiliar room, or the strange mix of emotions, but even after finishing her milk, brushing her teeth, turning off the lights, and curling up in bed—sleep wouldn’t come.

  Half an hour passed. Still no sleep.

  Eventually, she gave up and climbed out of bed to play on her computer. But she hesitated, remembering she’d just promised Xiao Wanqing she’d go to bed early. She felt a little guilty.

  So, on tiptoes, she quietly locked her bedroom door, didn’t turn on the lights, and slipped to her desk in the dark to power on her computer.

  Just after midnight, in her study, Xiao Wanqing finally wrapped up her work plans for next week. She stretched her shoulders and headed to the kitchen to get water.

  Lin Xian’s room was on the way. As she passed by the door, Xiao Wanqing paused. In the stillness of the night, she could clearly hear the rapid click-clack of a keyboard.

  She frowned slightly, thinking she might’ve imagined it. But when she stopped and listened carefully, the sound was undeniable—Lin Xian was still awake.

  Xiao Wanqing’s eyes darkened slightly, her steps slowing. After a moment, she walked past the door without a word, and continued toward the kitchen.