Little Duckling - Chapter 37

Jian Xin had always loved sweets and hated bitterness. Unaccustomed to coffee, she sat in the café, clutching the massive menu in her hands. After agonizing over the twenty to thirty yuan average price for ages, she still couldn’t decide what to order.

Finally, Yan Lu couldn’t bear to watch her struggle any longer. She ordered a matcha latte for Jian Xin and added two small desserts.

“You just woke up, so you must be hungry,” Yan Lu said. “Let’s get something light to tide you over.”

Jian Xin nodded sheepishly, but couldn’t resist adding, “You’re so thoughtful.”

“Not really,” Yan Lu chuckled, patting Xin Xin’s head. “If I were truly thoughtful, I wouldn’t have brought them here. Now we don’t even know where to go next.”

“They’re so cute! I’ve been wanting to meet them!” Jian Xin exclaimed, her gaze drifting involuntarily to Cauliflower. “Little Duck, are you the one they call ‘Cauliflower’?”

She swore she had used the gentlest, friendliest tone possible, even adding a touch of sweetness.

But this little duck had kidnapped her countless times over the past six months!

It would have been one thing if the Little Duck hadn’t caused any trouble in the past, but today it had made her miss her movie with Yan Lu. If Yan Lu hadn’t suggested rescheduling, Jian Xin would have seriously considered eating roast duck!

The thought made her grind her teeth.

Jian Xin didn’t realize her gaze had unconsciously taken on a resentful edge.

Cauliflower tilted his head slightly to the left, his inexplicably wise beady eyes meeting her stare without a hint of fear, as if daring her: What are you looking at? What are you looking at?

Yan Lu glanced at Cauliflower, then at Jian Xin, sensing an inexplicable tension between the two.

She doubted her perception—Jian Xin wouldn’t possibly be feuding with a duck, would she? Yet whenever their eyes met, they locked in a stubborn, unblinking stare.

Not only did they refuse to break eye contact, but as the staring match intensified, both leaned forward slightly, craning their necks.

Yan Lu opened her mouth slightly, wanting to say something, but couldn’t find the right words.

Fortunately, a waiter arrived with their order: “Hello, your matcha latte, blueberry mascarpone, and chocolate mousse.”

Jian Xin snapped out of her daze, silently withdrawing her gaze from Cauliflower.

The desserts were placed on the table, and Xin Xin stretched her neck to sniff them, but Yan Lu gently pulled her back.

“You can’t eat these, they’re not good for you,” Yan Lu coaxed softly.

“Woof~” Xin Xin lowered her head and slumped onto the sofa like a puddle of mud.

“Dogs can’t eat sweets?” Jian Xin couldn’t help but ask.

“There are potential risks. A little now and then is okay, but it’s best to avoid them. Once they taste it, they’ll keep wanting more.”

“I see!” Jian Xin thoughtfully sipped her drink.

After a moment, she glanced at Xin Xin sprawled on the sofa and tentatively called out, “Xin Xin?”

Xin Xin instantly lifted her head, her eyes following the sound to meet Jian Xin’s gaze.

Confusion lingered in her eyes, but curiosity shone even brighter.

“Calling my own name and having a dog respond,” Jian Xin said, unable to suppress a laugh. “It’s quite a magical experience, isn’t it?”

She turned to Yan Lu, her curiosity piqued. “Can I pet her?”

Yan Lu raised an eyebrow. “You’re really not afraid of dogs anymore?”

“I haven’t been afraid for ages!” Jian Xin declared confidently. “Don’t worry, I’ve been practicing!”

For the past six months, she had been practicing with a mischievous little dog that shared her name, sharing a room with it for countless hours.

“It doesn’t know you. It might not let you pet it…” Yan Lu’s words trailed off as she saw Xin Xin perched on the edge of the sofa, looking ready to jump down.

The sofa was a bit too high for its short legs, and it hesitated for a long moment, unable to muster the courage.

Cauliflower, seeing this, let out a sharp “Caw!” and flapped his wings to hop onto the table. He weaved around the desserts and cups, strutting with an air of arrogant indifference, his head held high and chest puffed out, wobbling as he ran to Jian Xin’s right side. Turning to face Xin Xin, he unleashed a series of mocking “Caw! Caw! Caw!” sounds.

Xin Xin, hearing this, perked up immediately. Still tethered by its leash, it leaped off the sofa and dashed to the opposite side of the table, its tail wagging furiously.

Jian Xin instinctively looked down at it.

The little creature bounced several times beneath the sofa, even knocking over the cane leaning against the side, but still couldn’t manage to jump up.

Afraid it might bite if it got too frustrated, Jian Xin quickly leaned down to try and pick it up.

Truth be told, she was still a little apprehensive. After all, she had been chased and bitten by a rabid dog on the street as a child.

Xin Xin was surprisingly well-behaved. Seeing someone come to pick her up, she immediately calmed down. Jian Xin scooped her up, supporting her front legs with one hand and her rear with the other.

As soon as Xin Xin was placed on the sofa, she became wildly excited. The moment she was released from Jian Xin’s hands, she lunged at Cauliflower.

Her short legs landed with surprising force on Jian Xin’s right leg, causing her to gasp sharply in pain.

“Xin Xin!” Yan Lu shouted, startled. “Don’t step on people!”

The scolding instantly slowed Xin Xin’s pursuit of the duck. She continued moving for another two seconds out of momentum before seemingly snapping out of it. The little dog froze mid-pounce, her entire body stiff in a hunting stance, too afraid to move even a muscle.

“It’s okay, it’s okay!” Jian Xin waved dismissively, smiling, and ruffled the fur on Xin Xin’s neck. “She’s so lively and energetic—how adorable!”

As if I wouldn’t repay kindness! she thought.

After all, she had only been able to return to her own body and sit here with Yan Lu at this very moment thanks to Xin Xin’s slap!

It wasn’t just that slap—this little guy had even opened the duck cage for her!

If it hadn’t opened the cage, allowing her to escape with Yan Lu, she might still be trapped in the duck’s body. Yan Lu would be waiting alone at the mall, hating her guts. There would be no chance of settling the score.

Thinking this, Jian Xin couldn’t stop petting the dog.

This fluffy little angel was growing more endearing by the minute!

Xin Xin’s fur was short, soft, and dense, clearly well-cared for by Yan Lu.

Despite being stroked by a stranger, it showed no resistance. Instead of remaining stiff as before, it obediently lay down beside Jian Xin, its short legs stretched out front and back, its entire body relaxing completely under the soothing strokes.

Cauliflower squatted nearby, head tilted, staring blankly at the pair.

“Looks like it really likes you,” Yan Lu said, surprised. “That’s so strange—it’s never even met you before.”

“You said it was shy earlier,” Jian Xin retorted. “But it seems pretty friendly to me!”

“Why would I lie?” Yan Lu replied, her eyes softening as she watched Xin Xin revel in the petting. “If you don’t believe me, ask Qian Qian. See how many times she had to visit before Xin Xin would lie down and let her pet it like this.”

“I’m serious, I’ll really ask!” Jian Xin declared, pulling out her phone to record a short video of herself petting Xin Xin. She sent the clip to Yao Wenqian with a cheerful grin.

Yao Wenqian, a self-proclaimed computer addict, sat glued to her screen, replying to messages almost instantly whenever she was awake.

Upon seeing the video, she immediately flooded the chat with exclamation marks.

Don’t Steal My Little Pudding: Xin Xin!!!!!

Don’t Steal My Little Pudding: You’re already petting her?!

Picked Up a Heart: She let you touch her on the first meeting? What a good girl!

Don’t Steal My Little Pudding: ???

Picked Up a Heart: Happy Dog

Don’t Steal My Little Pudding: How did you manage that?!

Don’t Steal My Little Pudding: It took me over a dozen visits before she’d let me pet her so calmly!

Don’t Steal My Little Pudding: At first, I had to force myself on her!

Picked Up a Heart: Hehehe

“She really did!” Jian Xin put down her phone and gently rubbed Xin Xin’s fluffy head, tilting her own head and asking sweetly, “Why did you let me pet you on our first meeting, Xin Xin? Do you think we’re destined to be together? We even have the same name! Could we be long-lost family members?”

“Woof! Woof-woof-woof!”

“That’s impossible,” Yan Lu said flatly.

“…I was just joking, Teacher Yan. You’re so strict.”

Jian Xin pouted. Suddenly, Cauliflower craned his neck and began to quack loudly, his calls rising and falling in a mocking rhythm, like laughter—loud, derisive laughter!

Wait a minute…

Is he actually laughing?

This duck is seriously creepy! Not only can he kidnap me, but he also understands human speech?

Damn it! How dare even a duck laugh at me?

Jian Xin stared at Cauliflower, her mouth opening and closing involuntarily, caught between wanting to speak and holding back.

Just as she was about to say something, Xin Xin raised her paw and slapped Cauliflower’s beak twice.

Xin Xin: “Woof!”

Cauliflower: “Quack-quack-quack!!!”

After this brief exchange—unintelligible to humans but somehow conveying unpleasantries—Xin Xin raised her paw again and pressed Cauliflower’s head against the sofa twice.

Cauliflower flapped his wings frantically, struggling against Xin Xin’s paw. Unable to break free, he could only stick his rear in the air and quack fiercely.

“Should… we stop them?” Jian Xin asked.

Yan Lu chuckled, a mix of amusement and exasperation. “They’re always like this. You can try to stop them…”

After a moment’s thought, Jian Xin reached out and rescued Cauliflower from Xin Xin’s clutches, cradling him in her arms.

Even separated, the duck and dog remained defiant, craning their necks to glare at each other and erupting into a cacophony of quacks and barks.

When Jian Xin was still a duck, she hadn’t found their bickering particularly loud. But now, hearing both sounds simultaneously, she belatedly realized just how ear-splitting the combination was.

How haven’t the neighbors complained yet? Yan Lu’s apartment must have excellent soundproofing!

It was fortunate that it was a weekday, and the café was empty save for them. Otherwise, Jian Xin feared they’d be kicked out by the staff.

As the commotion continued, the duck abruptly fell silent.

He seemed to have noticed the human holding him was observing him intently.

After a brief pause, he tilted his head back and gazed up at Jian Xin.

Their eyes met for several seconds before Jian Xin suddenly stroked Cauliflower’s small head. “Can’t you be a little better behaved?”

The question seemed simple, but Jian Xin felt Cauliflower should understand what she truly meant.

Can you just be a good duck and stop messing with me at crucial moments?

Cauliflower: “Quack!”

I don’t understand, but I’ll take that as a yes.

Jian Xin extended a finger and gently scratched Little Duck’s round, white chest from bottom to top. Leaning close to its head, she whispered, “We have an agreement now, okay? No more of this next time.”

Cauliflower: “Quack-ah!”

Yan Lu, watching from the side, couldn’t help but smile. “How could it possibly understand?”

“I think it does,” Jian Xin replied, smoothing the feathers on Little Duck’s wing.

After a moment of silence, she looked up, a hint of embarrassment in her eyes. “I was late today, and I don’t have a good excuse. I just overslept. Forgetting to charge my phone last night was really irresponsible…”

“Ever since the car accident, I haven’t been able to control when I fall asleep or how long I sleep,” Jian Xin continued, sighing softly and biting her lower lip. “But I was so looking forward to this movie today. I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep last night, even after counting hundreds of sheep. It’s just a shame I ended up missing it.”

Yan Lu: “It’s okay. It’s not like the movie’s being taken off the screens after today.”

Jian Xin: “It’s not about the movie.”

Yan Lu: “……”

Noticing the fleeting discomfort in Yan Lu’s eyes, Jian Xin waved her hand dismissively and smiled nonchalantly. “Anyway, I just wanted to say I’m really sorry—I really didn’t take our plans lightly. I rushed here as soon as I woke up…”

“I can tell,” Yan Lu murmured, her voice softening slightly from its usual detached tone. “You’re a complete mess.”

Jian Xin instinctively pulled out her phone, checked her reflection, and smoothed her hair before letting out a relieved sigh.

She asked Yan Lu what they should do today. With these two noisy little ones, it seemed inconvenient to go anywhere.

Yan Lu pondered for a moment. “How about we go to your place? There’s a supermarket nearby with really fresh produce.”

Jian Xin couldn’t help but be surprised. “How do you even know that?”

Yan Lu: “The private chef told me.”

Jian Xin: “Oh—”

The two fell into casual conversation, lingering in the café for a while longer.

Once they had finished their drinks and desserts, they strolled leisurely back to the mall, one behind the other, through the chilly wind.

Jian Xin went in alone to return a portable charger, then joined Yan Lu in the underground parking garage. They drove home amidst Xin Xin and Cauliflower’s bickering.

After settling the two rambunctious kids, Yan Lu planned to go grocery shopping alone, but Jian Xin, despite her leg injury, insisted on joining her. Leaning on her crutch, she hobbled along behind Yan Lu.

As they descended in the elevator, Yan Lu couldn’t help but mutter, “You should rest more with your leg like this…”

“Exactly because it’s injured, I need to move around more!” Jian Xin replied with a smile. “It’s called rehabilitation!”

Yan Lu shook her head, smiling, and said nothing more.

That afternoon, Jian Xin followed Yan Lu through the supermarket, browsing every aisle. In addition to fresh meat, vegetables, and fruit, they also bought snacks and drinks.

Jian Xin didn’t particularly crave snacks anymore; as adults, such desires naturally diminish.

But having not been to a supermarket in ages, watching Yan Lu push the cart around reminded her of long-forgotten memories.

Back when Yan Lu was still around, every New Year’s, Jian Xin would grab the supermarket gift card from her dad’s company and drag Yan Lu to the neighborhood supermarket to buy mountains of snacks.

The two of them would push the small shopping cart together, passing aisle after aisle overflowing with treats.

Yan Lu was always too shy to grab anything, but Jian Xin was different. She’d toss everything into the cart, determined to pile it so high it resembled a small mountain. Then they’d haul it home and binge-eat together every day, ignoring Jian Xin’s mom’s nagging about junk food and health.

But those days seemed to have vanished in the blink of an eye, now as distant as a dream.

After returning home, Jian Xin took out a small knife, chopped up the freshly bought fruit and hard-boiled eggs, and arranged them neatly in bowls. She carried the bowls to the living room, set them on the floor, clapped her hands, and called the two little ones over.

Finally, she got up and peeked into the kitchen, hoping to find something to do. But her legs were too unsteady, and she ended up just getting in Yan Lu’s way. Before long, Yan Lu shooed her back to the living room.

Jian Xin pouted and plopped down on the sofa, muttering under her breath to the two little creatures huddled together eating nearby.

“Your master’s snubbing me! And here you two are, happily munching away!”

“I wanted to help, but cooking’s not my forte. I can wash and chop veggies just fine… I’m just a little slow.”

“I made your dinner, you know! Look at how perfectly separated each grain of rice is! My knife skills aren’t that bad, are they?”

The two little ones were ravenous, their entire world reduced to the food before them. They ignored her completely, their rumps sticking up as they buried their heads in their bowls.

Seeing them like this, Jian Xin couldn’t help but feel a pang of emotion.

Before today, she never would have imagined these two little creatures would be in her home.

Cauliflower and Xin Xin—the ones she had longed to meet but never could—were suddenly right here. And Yan Lu was even in her kitchen, personally preparing dinner for her.

Could this be a blessing in disguise?

With this newfound joy, she finished dinner with Yan Lu.

Winter nights always come early.

Outside the window, the sky gradually darkened.

They had made too much for dinner, and the two of them couldn’t finish it all. Yan Lu found a large bowl, combined all the leftovers, and portioned the remaining rice into another bowl—making it easy for Jian Xin to microwave the meal the next day.

After storing the leftovers, Yan Lu went into the kitchen to wash the dishes.

Jian Xin offered to help, but Yan Lu glanced at her and said flatly, “Someone whose legs are still shaking should probably go sit down in the living room.”

Jian Xin: “……”

She pursed her lips, silently thinking, It’s not like I’m avoiding chores! She just won’t let me do anything!

With that thought, Jian Xin sat in the living room, staring blankly at the duck and dog scurrying around her feet.

Come to think of it, she couldn’t even remember the last time Yan Lu had cooked for her.

Back home, her mother had always done most of the cooking. But because Yan Lu wanted to learn, Huang He had taught her step-by-step, so occasionally one or two dishes on the family table would be Yan Lu’s creations.

After they went to different universities in different cities, the distance between them grew vast. Without splurging on plane tickets, seeing each other meant enduring seven or eight hours on the high-speed train.

Yet Jian Xin still longed to see Yan Lu. So whenever she had more than three days off, she would always visit her.

Some things were just too inconvenient to do in the school dorm, so they would rent a guesthouse for a temporary stay.

Whenever they did, Yan Lu would personally cook a meal for her.

In Jian Xin’s memory, Yan Lu’s cooking wasn’t particularly delicious—at least not compared to her own mother’s.

She preferred eating out, indulging in strong flavors or dishes she rarely got to try.

Looking back now, she realized how she had taken Yan Lu’s efforts for granted.

Yan Lu’s cooking was actually quite good.

Better than many of the takeout meals she often ordered—simple yet so satisfying that she could eat it every day without tiring of it.

Lost in thought, Jian Xin was startled when a duck, chased by a dog, flapped its wings and landed on her lap.

The sudden appearance of the little flying duck jolted her back to reality, and she instinctively tightened her grip on Cauliflower.

Cauliflower quacked in her hand, while Xin Xin barked on the ground.

Regaining her composure, Jian Xin tilted her head and began to carefully examine the little duck in her hand.

Determined not to miss a single detail, she even lifted its wings to inspect them closely.

White, small, and seemingly clueless—well, it didn’t seem particularly special.

“How did you even do that?” Jian Xin asked, stroking the Little Duck’s head, her eyes brimming with curiosity.

The Little Duck flapped its wings in her hands. “Quack quack! Ah ah quack!”

Jian Xin poked a finger at the Little Duck’s beak, lowering her voice to a serious tone. “Listen here,” she said, “I’m usually pretty easygoing, but I’m letting you off this time for your owner’s sake. Next time you pull a stunt like that, believe me, I’ll find a master to exorcise you!”

“Quack—” Cauliflower struggled, twisting his neck to look at the ground. “Quack quack, quack quack quack—”

I can’t understand a word he’s saying…

Communicating between ducks and humans was difficult, and vice versa.

“Woof woof woof! Woof woof woof woof!” Xin Xin barked impatiently, pawing at Jian Xin’s leg.

Jian Xin sighed, released Cauliflower, and let him hop back to the ground to resume playing with Xin Xin.

These two little guys at Yan Lu’s house are bursting with energy.

Sometimes it was hard to imagine how someone as quiet and reserved as Yan Lu could raise such noisy, rambunctious pets.

But the commotion was actually quite nice.

In Jian Xin’s memory, Yan Lu had always been a woman of few words. She had always assumed Yan Lu was simply born quiet.

It wasn’t until she became a duck that Jian Xin realized Yan Lu had so many secrets. When no one else was around, Yan Lu would confide in the two little creatures, sharing words she couldn’t bring herself to say aloud.

Each time Jian Xin secretly overheard, she couldn’t help but wonder, How could someone like this exist?

Yan Lu kept her gentle words and tender heart hidden so carefully—invisible to people, yet laid bare to ducks and dogs.

As Jian Xin pondered this, Yan Lu emerged from the kitchen.

Their eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, time seemed to pause, transporting them back to the past.

They used to live together in a guesthouse. After dinner, they would carry small stools to the balcony, bask in the night breeze, gaze at the stars and moon, and chat about everything under the sun…

But those days were long gone.

After a brief silence, Yan Lu calmly averted her gaze.

“I should get going. Let’s catch a movie another time,” she said, crouching down to clap her hands and call Xin Xin to her side, then fastening the dog’s leash.

Jian Xin absentmindedly murmured, “Oh,” before looking up to ask, “If I ask you on the day itself, would you be free?”

Yan Lu replied, “I’m not working on any serializations right now, so my schedule is pretty flexible.”

Jian Xin nodded, murmuring, “Then let’s just play it by ear. I’ll ask you again if I happen to wake up early one day.”

“Okay,” Yan Lu replied.

Jian Xin smiled, her eyebrows curving into a crescent shape, and walked Yan Lu to the door.

Moments later, the elevator doors closed in the hallway. Jian Xin took a deep breath and slowly shut her own door.

She leaned against the door, lost in thought for a long time.

Snapping out of her reverie, she lowered her head, opened WeChat on her phone, and tapped the “Family Member” group chat. In one go, she sent a flurry of photos:

 Drinks and desserts from the café  Ducks and puppies  Tonight’s lavish dinner

Huang He: Looks pretty good!

I’m Alive Again: Yan Lu made it!

Huang He: Wow!

Jian Changjiang: 👍

Jian Xin scrolled back slightly to review the photos, her smile widening.

She unconsciously pursed her lips, suppressing the corners of her mouth. Switching from WeChat to Q/Q, she sent the same photos to the band group chat.

Invincible Happy Duck: @all members

Invincible Happy Duck: Aiyo!

Invincible Happy Duck: How did you know Yan Lu made this dinner for me, you guys?

Stubborn Dead Duck: Who asked you?

Lanlan’s Sleepy: Who asked you?

Just a Little More Gu: Who asked you?

Invincible Happy Duck: Hehehehehehehehehehehe

No one had asked her!

But she just wanted, so, so much, to tell the whole world!

How desperately she wanted—

To hold that person’s hand again.