Scarred Hearts — A Girls' Love Tale - Chapter 14

“Shuang’er, you finally remembered to come see me.” Granny Luo’s voice rang out in a mock-stern tone as she wiped her wet hands. Hearing footsteps, she came out of the kitchen and saw Yan Shuangfei and Luo Qinghan walking toward her. One of Shuangfei’s arms was bandaged in stark white, contrasting sharply with the all-black outfit she wore. Granny’s expression immediately shifted from playfulness to concern. “How did you end up getting hurt like that?”

“It’s nothing serious,” Luo Qinghan answered for her. “Shuang’er doesn’t visit often—you’d better cook a few extra dishes, Grandma.”

Although Granny Luo was usually out of touch with the latest news, she wasn’t completely clueless. She had some vague ideas about the Yan family’s background, so she didn’t press the issue further.

“You’ve always been a reckless child. You really need to be more careful,” she said, clearly worried, still not ready to let the matter go.

Yan Shuangfei didn’t show the slightest impatience—she listened intently. She was genuinely touched. After all, very few people continued to treat her with such warmth and affection after all these years, offering a kind of familial care she rarely experienced anymore.

Seeing Shuangfei’s respectful responses, Granny Luo felt satisfied and ended her little lecture. Humming a Christmas tune, she returned to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Even though she was getting old, Granny Luo was still strong and energetic.

Such a kind-hearted old woman—may heaven bless her with peace and a long life, Yan Shuangfei thought to herself.

She noticed the house was already decorated with gold and silver ornaments, and Christmas music was playing softly in the background, filling the space with a peaceful and festive vibe.

Spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Luo Qinghan used to be a regular thing. Now, revisiting that old tradition again brought with it a wave of bittersweet nostalgia. In such a cozy environment, Yan Shuangfei couldn’t help but feel a little emotional.

“Why isn’t Zhe Yun here?” Granny asked while setting the table. “It’s Christmas Eve—don’t tell me he’s too busy with work to come?”

Her tone carried a hint of annoyance and disapproval, and Yan Shuangfei’s expression instantly turned awkward.

Christmas Eve, like Lunar New Year, was a time for family to come together. Granny hadn’t meant anything by it, but her casual remark struck a nerve in Shuangfei. No matter what, she was still just an outsider. Chang Zheyun was the one who held the title of Luo Qinghan’s husband.

For the first time, Yan Shuangfei felt a murderous urge toward someone she’d never even had a direct conflict with.

As long as Chang Zheyun remained Luo Qinghan’s husband, Shuangfei would continue to resent him. It was a deep-rooted jealousy—resentment born from being unable to stand openly by Qinghan’s side.

Granny soon turned her attention back to Shuangfei. Once the three of them were seated and eating, she asked, “Since Qinghan is already married, does Shuang’er have anyone special in her life now?”

Yan Shuangfei was sipping her wine in small sips. Hearing that question, even her drinking posture froze. She quickly set down her glass and, forgetting all about maintaining a ladylike image, wiped her mouth and answered, “Not at the moment.” Then she glanced sharply at Luo Qinghan. “I’m only in my early twenties. There’s no need to rush into these things.”

Luo Qinghan kept her eyes on her plate and her face blank as she calmly enjoyed her food. But under the table, her hand reached over and pinched Shuangfei’s thigh—hard.

Shuangfei looked at her with a wronged expression. Luo Qinghan took advantage of the moment when Granny had her head down to silently mouth: “Watch your mouth, you brat.”

Shuangfei couldn’t believe her hard-earned lip-reading skills were being used like this, and felt even more wronged. She hadn’t said anything wrong!

So violent! she thought to herself. It’s not my fault you won’t divorce your husband. I’m not the one sneaking around behind someone’s back!

With a bitter heart, she focused on her food, eating in silence for the rest of dinner. Why am I the one feeling upset? I’d love to find someone, but the person I want is still being all coy.

After dinner, they followed their usual Christmas Eve routine. Even though it had been a long time since Yan Shuangfei celebrated the holiday, that didn’t stop her from slipping right back into Luo Qinghan’s family traditions, feeling like she’d never left.

“You should sleep in the guest room,” Luo Qinghan said firmly, blocking the doorway to her room. “This is Grandma’s house. No fooling around here.”

“What do you mean fooling around?” Yan Shuangfei protested. The awkwardness from dinner was long gone—right now, all she could think about was how to get into Luo Qinghan’s bed. She believed that not holding grudges was the key to keeping love alive.

She wasn’t really mad—just acting a little clingy. She never really had a temper around Qinghan and didn’t expect to ever get truly angry with her.

Her wide, innocent eyes made Luo Qinghan want to laugh. Struggling to hold back, she said, “I know you too well. I said no, and I mean it.”

She had to keep her guard up—Yan Shuangfei had no self-control when her desires kicked in.

Shuangfei clung to Luo Qinghan’s hand, pouting, and started to whine, “Ever since we were little, you always slept with me on Christmas Eve!”

Luo Qinghan was starting to cave. In a coaxing tone, she said softly, “We need to be careful. People might talk.”

“We’re both women. What’s there to be careful about?” Shuangfei replied, looking completely innocent.

That response shut Luo Qinghan right up. Seeing that hesitation, Shuangfei knew she was winning and quickly pressed her advantage, switching between sweet and pitiful: “I promise I’ll be good. Besides, I’m still injured—what if something happens while I’m alone?”

Something happening while you sleep with me is way more likely! Luo Qinghan groaned internally, completely thrown off by Shuangfei’s twisted logic.

But Shuangfei stubbornly stayed put, eyes darting toward the room with longing. Her exhaustion was written all over her face, and with her injury still healing, Luo Qinghan’s heart began to soften. She knew Shuangfei too well—once she set her mind to something, there was no changing it. That included her feelings for Luo Qinghan.

If she shut the door on her now, chances were she’d wake up to find Shuangfei still standing outside. Or worse—curled up in a corner like a lost, lonely child.

Luo Qinghan imagined the scene and found it unbearably sad. Her heart wavered again.

Unable to bring herself to reject her, she turned around and walked back into the room, leaving the door open—her silent way of giving in.

Seeing that, Shuangfei lit up, realizing her revolution had succeeded. Without hesitation, she dashed inside, planted a hard kiss on Luo Qinghan, then gleefully flopped onto the bed to claim her prize.