I’ll Hold Your Hand And Promise You A Lifetime - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Being Approached By you Again

“Ding-dong!”
The doorbell rang, crisp and clear.

Holding her chopsticks, Yue Xi turned to look at Ning Ran, confusion written all over her face.

“What are you staring at me for? It’s definitely not for me, probably your girl,” Ning Ran said, never hiding her orientation or filtering her words. “I’m not going. I haven’t even finished my food…”

Yue Xi shot her sister a sharp glare, put down her chopsticks, and reluctantly went to answer the door. No one could drag Ning Ran away from the dinner table once she started eating.

As Yue Xi stood frozen at the open door, Ning Ran muttered to herself, What’s wrong with this kid? Doesn’t even know to close the door. How am I supposed to teach her anything like this… Did something happen? She quickly shoveled the remaining food into her mouth and hurried over.

“Hey, did you get hit with a freeze spell or something? If someone’s here, let them in. If not, close the damn door already!” As she finished her sentence, a head popped out from behind Yue Xi.

“Ning Ran-jie~ It’s me,” said the familiar voice.

“Oh, it’s Xiao Luo! Haven’t seen you in years—you’ve grown up! And so pretty now too.” Ning Ran smiled brightly. “And you, silly girl, why are you just standing there? Let her in!”

“Um… Ning Ran-jie, my parents are both out of town tonight for business, and there’s no one at home… I’m a little scared.”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry.” Ning Ran brushed Yue Xi aside and ushered Yi Luo onto the couch. “If you’re scared, just tell your parents you’ll stay here tonight.”

“Really? I can?” Yi Luo’s big, bright eyes sparkled with hope.

“Aw, you’re too cute—I could die. Of course you can stay. It’s just me and Xiao Xi here anyway.” Ning Ran handed Yi Luo her phone while shooting Yue Xi a pointed look. “Your girl’s staying over tonight. You better make good use of this chance!”

“Drop dead! She’s not my girl!” Yue Xi shot her a glare.

“Please, I knew about your little crush centuries ago. Don’t pretend in front of me.” Ning Ran whispered while Yi Luo was on the phone.

Yue Xi ignored her and went to clean up the table.

“Ning Ran-jie, my parents probably won’t be back for a few days,” Yi Luo said after hanging up.

“No problem. Stay until they return. Look at our Xiao Xi—perfect housemate material! She can cook, clean, she’s versatile, and she’s got that cool, soft butch vibe going. Total heartthrob material! Right, Xiao Luo? You can have her for free!”

Yi Luo bit her lip to suppress a laugh. She didn’t want Yue Xi to feel awkward.

“Xiao Xi, you’d better treat Xiao Luo right. Just look—she’s practically holding back internal injuries for you,” Ning Ran teased, stretching lazily. “Alright, I’m off to visit my harem of beauties online. You two chat away~ Hope you become a couple soon! I’m rooting for your love!”

“Yue Xi… I’m a bit thirsty,” Yi Luo said quietly after Ning Ran left.

Without a word, Yue Xi rinsed the soap off her hands, grabbed a white ceramic cup from the top cabinet, filled it one-third with hot water, then added cool water until it was just right, and handed it to Yi Luo.

Yi Luo gently took the cup. “Thank you. Thanks for letting me stay over.”

“Mmm, it’s fine. Um… my sister’s kind of nuts.”

“Haha, I think having such a funny sister is great. I wish I had an older sister.”

Yi Luo held the cup, fingers tracing the handle, her head bowed, hair softly falling forward. She looked so gentle, a little melancholy. Yue Xi’s heart tingled, her hand itched to brush Yi Luo’s hair behind her ear—but she held back, clenched her hand, and continued washing dishes.

Yi Luo tilted her head slightly, watching Yue Xi silently as if deep in thought.

When Ning Ran came out to grab a drink, she saw the warm scene before her: the two girls in the kitchen, gentle and calm. To Ning Ran, they looked like a perfect pair—natural, peaceful, just right.

“Xiao Luo, do you want to go home and grab some clothes or anything?”

“Yeah. I’ll get my bag too.”

“Alright. Xiao Xi, go with her. She’s a girl—it’s safer.”

“Mmm.” Yue Xi finished washing the last plate, put it in the sterilizer, washed her hands clean. “Let’s go.”

Yi Luo nodded.

“Come on in, I’m just grabbing my books.”

“Okay.”

Yue Xi followed Yi Luo into her room and looked around. The decor didn’t match Yi Luo’s soft, quiet image at all. Game controllers sat on her desk; her bedside table was stacked with tomb-raiding novels. Yue Xi’s mouth twitched.

As she stood staring at a photo of the two of them as children, Yi Luo poked her in the arm.

“What are you looking at so intently?”

“Ah, that photo—you still kept it?”

“Of course. You were my best friend as a kid.” Yi Luo paused. “Don’t tell me you lost yours?”

“No, I kept it too.” Yue Xi had reprinted that photo many times—it was in her wallet, diary, bookshelf…

“Good. I was afraid you’d forgotten about me.”

“Are you packed?”

Yi Luo lifted her backpack and jingled her house key. “Ready.”

—

“We’re back,” Yue Xi called out.

“Alright, Xiao Luo will sleep in your room tonight. You come sleep with me.”

Yue Xi was about to agree when Yi Luo’s sweet voice floated in, “Ning Ran-jie, that’s too much trouble. I’ll just share a room with Yue Xi—it’s easier. I’ll wake her up in the morning and we can head straight to school. No need to disturb you.”

Ning Ran raised a brow, shot Yi Luo a thumbs-up, then said, “Alright, that works. I’ll leave your breakfast out. Just warm the milk before you go. I’m off to bed—getting old, you know. Sleepy all the time. Do whatever you need to do, kids~”

Yue Xi showed no expression, but behind her long bangs, her eyes sparkled with hidden delight.

“I’ll tidy up a bit. You hang out,” she said, scratching her head.

“Sure.”

After getting ready for bed, the two girls lay side by side, facing away from each other. Neither spoke at first.

“So… what time do you usually wake up?” Yue Xi asked.

“Hmm, around 6:40.”

“So early…”

“Well, I get ready, and then the commute takes about 20 minutes. If I get to school by 7:50, that’s pretty good.”

“But classes start at 8:30… why so early?”

“To review or prep for class. We’re only in our first year of high school, but good habits matter.”

“I used to walk into class just before the bell.”

“Where did you go to school before this? You only just transferred.”

“Small-town schools. We moved a lot—basically changed schools every year and a half.”

“Oh… doesn’t that get tiring?”

“I got used to it.” Yue Xi shifted, eyes staring at the ceiling. That simple “used to it” made Yi Luo feel an inexplicable distance between them—as if no matter how close, she couldn’t reach Yue Xi’s heart. Her own chest tightened slightly.

“You’re not moving again, are you? You’re finally back now.”

“I don’t know. Depends on Ning Ran.”

“Is she really that busy?”

“More or less. I’m not even sure what she does for work.”

“Oh.” Yi Luo wanted to ask more, but couldn’t find the words, so she fell silent.

“How have you been these years? Studies going well?” Yue Xi finally asked.

“Yeah, not bad. I passed the entrance exams smoothly and got into CH High with a few close friends.”

“You’re really popular. Everyone likes you.”

“Hehe, do you like me too?” Yi Luo suddenly rolled over and lay on Yue Xi’s pillow.

“Uh…” Yue Xi shrank toward the edge of the bed, grateful for the darkness hiding her flushed face. “Of course. You’re the class president. Who wouldn’t like you?”

“You’ve changed… You used to joke around and tease me. Now you’re all serious—like that gloomy, mysterious guy in The Grave Robbers’ Chronicles…”

“You actually like those creepy novels?”

“Haha, when did you get so timid? I think the stories are well-written and educational.”

“Educational? You planning to rob tombs?”

“No, I want to study archaeology.”

“Isn’t that the opposite of tomb robbing?”

“Exactly. It’s called broadening your horizons. Reading is good for you.”

“Well, I like surfing the net.”

“Oh yeah? What do you do online?”

“Check out forums… play some games…”

“Hmm.”

“Do you play?”

“Not really. Feels pointless—just grinding and leveling up endlessly.”

“Yeah, nowadays the games are full of pay-to-win players with all the best gear. Too much rare gear just becomes worthless.”

“Exactly. Better to read a book.”

“…”

“Alright, let’s sleep. Gotta wake up early tomorrow,” Yi Luo said, satisfied with the conversation, and closed her eyes. She didn’t know that Yue Xi was still watching her in the dark, eyes soft and full of unspoken warmth.

—

“Lazy bug! Get up! It’s already 6:56!” Yi Luo shouted. She had already gotten up, washed up, packed her bag—she’d even let Yue Xi sleep ten extra minutes on purpose.

“Mmm… what time is it?” Yue Xi rubbed her eyes.

“6:56.”

“Okay, I’m up…”

“Hey hey, don’t close your eyes again. Get up already!” Yi Luo couldn’t help but smile. She’d never seen this groggy side of Yue Xi before. But class time was non-negotiable. She soaked a cloth in cold water, smirking mischievously as she crept back to the bed.

“Pia!” The cold, wet towel landed squarely on Yue Xi’s face.

“Ugh—who?!”

“Haha! Serves you right! Big as you are and still clinging to bed—had to go nuclear to wake you!”

“Ugh…” Yue Xi still felt the chill from the cold towel. She hated the cold more than anything.

“Ugh, my foot. Come on—it’s already seven!”

“Coming, coming…”