The Gaze of the Radio Girl (GL) - Chapter 13

This was Wu Lele’s first time at Xue Ran’s house.

It was big—a three-story villa with trees, a small garden, and a bright rooftop.

Wu Lele stood at the entrance, looking down at the soft, creamy white tiles, so different from the dark, mottled bricks at home.

“Here, your slippers,” Xue Ran handed her a pair of light blue ones. “Big Ran bought them new. Size should be fine, try them?”

“Big Ran?”

Wu Lele stepped into them, soft and cushy.

“Yeah, Big Ran’s my mom. You don’t need to call her Auntie—just Big Ran. I’m Little Ran… or Ran.”

“Oh… okay, Ran.”

“You’ll share my room. You take the bed.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll get a new one in a few days.”

Xue Ran’s room was spacious too. A 1.5-meter bed still left the space feeling open.

A stack of bedding sat between the desk and bed, filling the gap, adding a touch of warmth to the otherwise neat, cold room.

“There’s pajamas and a nightgown on the bed, new, unworn. Big Ran bought them years ago. Size… should be okay.”

Xue Ran opened the wardrobe: “This shelf’s for you. Put whatever you want, I won’t peek. School uniform… you can wear mine for now. Might be loose, but it’ll do. Other clothes too, and… underwear’s new, don’t worry. Next holiday, we’ll shop together. Your cup and toiletries…”

Before finishing, Xue Ran vanished through the door, heading to the bathroom.

Wu Lele looked around, touching the new pajamas.

The fabric was soft, slightly cool to the touch.

She held them up. The pajamas were short-sleeved, practical. The spaghetti-strap nightgown was almost too cute—she couldn’t picture herself in it.

A full-length mirror stood in the corner. She held the nightgown against herself. The bubbly ruffled straps looked like little wings, the hem reaching her calves, surprisingly fitting.

“Like it?” Xue Ran returned with a cup.

Wu Lele didn’t know what “like” meant, but she nodded.

She set the nightgown down, went to the desk, unzipped her backpack, and pulled out a small metal box, handing it to Xue Ran: “For you.”

“What? A gift?”

Xue Ran’s lips twitched, giving her a blank look.

She opened the lid, and a pile of crumpled bills spilled onto the floor.

Some were 100s, but most were 5s and 10s.

“…”

“This is my savings, for this month’s rent and food. Is it enough? I’ll earn more later, and…”

“Wu Lele…”

Xue Ran cut her off, full name and all.

A bad feeling hit her: Was Ran mad?

“Yo, why’s money all over?” Lin Ran walked in, setting a towel on the desk. “Lele, you’re injured. Be careful washing, don’t get water on them—it’ll scar. If you’re unsure, let Little Ran help. School’s sorted, leave’s taken. Don’t worry, just sleep well at home, got it?”

Xue Ran answered for her: “Yeah, got it.”

After Lin Ran left, Xue Ran picked up the bills, closed the box, and stuffed it back into Wu Lele’s bag: “We’re not taking it. Keep your money.”

“But…”

“No nonsense. I’m tired.”

Xue Ran grabbed the nightgown and underwear from the bed, wrapped them in a big towel, and pushed Wu Lele into the bathroom.

She didn’t give her a chance to hesitate, shutting the door.

“You’re still feverish. Wash up quick, then sleep.”

Fine, she should clean up properly—not dirty the bed.

The bathroom had a big mirror. Wu Lele glanced at herself, feeling like a stranger.

After Wu Haosen’s rampage, her hair was a chewed-up mess, ugly.

She wanted to leave but found the door locked from outside, as if Xue Ran feared she’d run.

“Ran?” She tapped the door.

“What?” Xue Ran’s voice was close, right behind the door.

“Can you get me scissors?”

“You… what do you want to do?”

Her tone was tense.

“I… I want to cut my hair.”

“Oh… wait.”

A clatter outside, then the door opened. Xue Ran came in with a stool and a small leather pouch.

She spread newspapers on the floor, set the stool: “Sit.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll cut it.”

“You… can you?”

“You doubting my skills?”

“Not really…”

“Don’t worry, Xue Lin and I cut each other’s bangs. I’ve got experience.” Xue Ran wrapped a towel around her neck, covering the bandage. “Customer, how do you want it?”

The class monitor seemed different. Wu Lele blinked: “Anything’s fine.”

“What’s ‘anything’?” Xue Ran chuckled. “No refunds, and no beating up Tony if you’re unhappy.”

Wu Lele thought, once it’s cut, how could she return it? And she’d never hit Ran.

The scissors danced in Xue Ran’s fingers. She didn’t seem like just a bangs-cutter.

Hair fell bit by bit. In the mirror, Wu Lele found the class monitor gentle, focused, like she was sculpting art…

Art?

Wu Lele felt shameless for thinking it.

“Lele, close your eyes.”

Xue Ran’s face came close, close enough to see the faint mole on her nose.

She obediently closed her eyes, feeling Ran’s breath nearby.

Xue Ran’s skin was cool, brushing her forehead, sweeping her bangs like a feather across her heart.

“Done. Look.” Xue Ran brushed hair off her face, glancing at the mirror. “How’s it?”

The person in the mirror froze, then touched her hair, smiling: “Much better.”

“Not bad, right? When it grows, I’ll trim it again, no awkward phase from short to long.”

“…Long hair?”

Xue Ran packed the tools: “Yeah, don’t you want long hair? It’ll grow fast… Or if you don’t, I can still cut it, I…”

“I want it.”

“…Hm?”

“I want long hair. You said I look good with it.”

Xue Ran’s hands paused. She opened her mouth but said nothing, only asking: “Can you wash your hair?”

“Should be fine.”

“What about the neck wound?”

“Huh? Oh… I’ll be careful.”

“…I’ll do it.”

The stool moved from the dry area to the wet zone.

Wu Lele sat, letting Xue Ran handle her head, like a stray just brought home.

Washing was slow. Xue Ran wrapped her neck in cling film, moving carefully. Wu Lele squinted, comfortable.

She wanted to sleep.

“Clothes are wet. Wanna just bathe?”

Maybe under a sleep spell, Wu Lele nodded absentmindedly.

Xue Ran wrapped her other wounds in cling film, holding the showerhead.

Warm water splashed, mist rising around them.

Wu Lele looked at her bruised body, asking Xue Ran: “Think it’s ugly?”

A moment of silence, then a soapy hand rested on her back.

“Not ugly.”

Her class monitor was so kind.

But it was her body—she knew the truth.

“You’re lying.”

“Hm… it’s a bit shocking.”

“See… it’s ugly…”

Wu Lele curled up, hugging her knees tightly.

The showerhead froze, not following.

Away from the warm water, the late-autumn chill hit her back.

Suddenly, 36-degree warmth pressed close, skin to skin.

Xue Ran held her hands from behind, whispering: “Bruises fade, skin regrows, things will get better.”

Her voice had a magic that stung Wu Lele’s eyes.

Buried emotions surged. She bit her teeth: “Yeah… hehe… it’ll be fine, hehehe.”

“Lele… stop laughing. Cry if you want.”

Her eyes burned, defenses crumbling, tears falling silently.

The class monitor was such a demon.

This was Wu Lele’s longest bath ever.

Dried off and in the nightgown, the gruesome scars seemed to fade a bit.

She’d never worn short sleeves or straps. She twirled curiously in front of the mirror.

Sniffing the clothes, she felt wrapped in Ran’s scent.

“Lele, come here.”

Xue Ran stood at the vanity, plugging in the hairdryer.

“No need, my hair’s short, dries fast.”

“Come.”

Ran’s orders were non-negotiable. Wu Lele sat, looking up: “Then I’ll dry yours later.”

“Fine, don’t burn it.”

Unlike Wu Lele’s soft, short hair, Xue Ran’s long hair cascaded like a waterfall, slightly curled when wet, not as straight as usual. Wu Lele held it carefully, cool to the touch.

She sniffed, catching the damp, fragrant scent.

She giggled.

“What are you doing?”

“We smell the same now.”

“You silly? Same shampoo, same smell. Hurry up, I’m tired.”

“Oh.”

Hair dried, Xue Ran tucked Wu Lele into bed and left.

Wu Lele rolled over, the blanket and pillow smelling nice.

Strange—her first time here, yet she felt so safe.

She pulled the blanket over her head, succumbing to the sleep spell.

Wu Lele slept; Xue Ran freaked out.

Did this girl know what she was doing?

Thinking of her sniffing her hair with closed eyes, Xue Ran found her dangerous.

How hadn’t she noticed how scary she was?

Xue Ran paced the rooftop, mentally tracking time.

At 4 a.m., assuming Wu Lele was asleep, she went downstairs.

The door was ajar, warm light spilling out.

But she didn’t return to her room. She pulled a key from her pajama pocket and entered Xue Lin’s room.

Since college, Xue Lin had lent her the key.

Looking at the radio and Morse code transmitter on the desk, she hesitated briefly.

But she decided.

She unplugged the transmitter, locked it with her voice changer in the drawer.

Then she left, closed the door, turned the key, and locked it.

The Deep Space Witch had to exit.

Done, she grabbed a glass of water, returning to her room.

Sigh… her own room, yet she felt like a thief.

The source of the trouble was curled up, sleeping soundly.

Standing by the bed, if not for the dough-like figure breathing, Xue Ran might’ve thought she was dead.

The AC was on, but wasn’t she hot?

Or maybe…

—I tell you to lock the door, I tell you to lock the door!

Wu Haosen’s voice echoed clearly.

She sat gently on the bed, lifting the fragile shield, revealing soft, short hair.

Wu Lele’s cheeks were flushed, slightly sweaty—fever or her own doing, unclear.

Her hands twitched, grasping for something.

Xue Ran grabbed a pillow, tucking it into her arms.

Wu Lele clutched it, calming once it seemed harmless, but her furrowed brow stayed tense.

Xue Ran poked the frown, then pressed gently.

Her brow relaxed, breathing steadied, mouth slightly open.

Xue Ran leaned closer, noses touching, Wu Lele’s warm breath tickling her skin.

Wu Lele softly called: “…Ran?”