The Gaze of the Radio Girl (GL) - Chapter 19

Xue Ran raised an eyebrow: “Since when did you two start having little secrets?”

“No, no secrets!”

“Then what’s this thing I can’t know about?”

Wu Lele’s eyes darted, then she covered her phone, sighing: “I wanted to surprise you.”

“What surprise?”

“…Birthday surprise.”

Xue Ran chuckled: “You know my birthday?”

“Isn’t it June 20? It’s soon.”

“I don’t think I ever told you. How’d you know?”

“Tao Tao told me. She said you’re a year older, I can ask you anything.”

“…”

Old Tao again…

Did she really have the awareness of a proper teacher?

Xue Ran got up: “Fine, I won’t ask. Let’s keep some surprise.”

“Where you going?”

“To shower… Oh, you free tomorrow? The science museum has a deep space exhibit. Wanna go?”

Wu Lele’s eyes lit up, then dimmed: “I… have something tomorrow.”

“Where?”

“Uh…”

Wu Lele clearly didn’t want to say.

Thinking it might be for her birthday, Xue Ran didn’t want to ruin the mood: “No worries, do your thing. Tell me when you’re free. The exhibit’s on till month’s end.”

“Then we’ll go at the end!”

Xue Ran paused—such an obvious hint. She couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Okay, I’ll wait.”

Next morning, Xue Ran slept in, but Wu Lele was already gone.

“Big Ran, did Lele say where she went?”

“Nope, just said she’s meeting a classmate, not back for lunch. She didn’t tell you?”

Xue Lin was working on the downstairs sofa: “You two didn’t fight, did you?”

“No way…”

Xue Haichao, brewing tea: “Lele’s growing up, having her own plans is normal. Don’t meddle too much.”

Xue Ran bit her lip and went to wash up.

For days, Wu Lele left early, returned late, sometimes going out in the afternoon, back at night.

Even under the same roof, Xue Ran barely saw her, sometimes only catching a few words in the class WeChat group.

She muttered, what kind of gift needs this much…

Wait, does she even have money?

Xue Lin gave her pocket money, but she never spent it.

Was she working?

On Tuesday afternoon, Wu Lele came home early, wearing sunscreen sleeves she wouldn’t take off. Xue Ran sensed something.

She didn’t call it out at dinner, but while Wu Lele showered, she slipped into her room.

Wu Lele, exhausted, was drying her hair, freezing as she saw Xue Ran.

Her first move wasn’t to speak but to hide her hands.

As expected.

Xue Ran patted the bed, signaling her over.

Wu Lele, like a kitten understanding human words, froze, stuck in place.

Xue Ran walked over, pulled her in, and locked the door.

“I…”

“Sit.”

Xue Ran opened the first-aid kit: “Show me your hands.”

“…It’s not a big deal.”

“Show me.”

“…”

“Wu Lele.”

Full name called, Wu Lele sat beside her.

Xue Ran took her hands.

Her forearms were covered in blisters.

“How’d this happen?”

“…”

“Wu Lele!”

“Cleaning the fryer today… got burned by accident…”

“Fryer? Where?”

“…The diner’s fryer… for fried chicken, fries… Don’t worry, the manager already treated it. It just needs time to heal.”

Xue Ran froze, then sighed, pulling out ointment and cotton swabs, silently applying it.

The cool ointment made Wu Lele’s arm tremble.

Xue Ran wanted to press harder, teach her a lesson, but her touch stayed soft.

“Short on cash?”

Xue Ran pretended ignorance.

“…No.”

“Then why?”

“Wanted… to experience life.”

Xue Ran glared: “You could tutor. Why pick something so dangerous?”

“I tried. Talked to a kid’s dad, all good, but the mom kicked me out.”

Xue Ran’s hand paused, staring at Wu Lele before continuing: “Didn’t work out, not necessarily bad. Tomorrow, I’ll go with you to ask at tutoring centers. They’re safer than house calls.”

“No, no need.”

“Why?”

“Earned enough.”

“That fast?”

“The diner pays well, and the manager’s nice. Said they’d move me to the coffee section, less heavy work, learn more. But… if you don’t like it, Ran, I won’t go.”

“…You like it?”

“Yeah, it’s fun, and everyone’s nice.”

“Not tiring?”

Wu Lele shook her head.

Xue Ran finished applying the ointment, pinching her cheek: “Do it if you want, but no more secrecy. I won’t stop you, but I’ll worry, got it?”

“Yeah.”

“Come, hug.”

Wu Lele looked at Xue Ran, hesitating…

She hesitated?

Wasn’t everything fine before? Was Xue Ran’s approach wrong?

Xue Ran watched her, growing more puzzled. When did this start?

She thought of someone—Hu Xin.

Letting Wu Lele go, she grabbed the hairdryer from her room, drying Wu Lele’s hair as usual.

The tense Wu Lele relaxed, her ear tips red.

Xue Ran touched them, and the red spread to her earlobes.

Next day, Xue Ran started checking in daily.

“One iced Americano, please.”

The diner was quiet, the manager teaching Wu Lele basic operations.

Hearing her, Wu Lele looked up, smiling in surprise: “Why’re you here?”

“Going to the library, grabbing a drink to take. Can I use my own cup?”

“Sure.”

Wu Lele took Xue Ran’s tumbler, fumbling—she was new, not skilled, working slowly.

The manager stood by, beaming fondly.

Xue Ran stood expressionless at the coffee counter, eyeing the manager.

Blonde, short hair, ears full of piercings, shimmering silver, a tattooed arm with colorful beads.

Xue Ran didn’t find her cool, but passing girls glanced over, some squealing, snapping sneaky photos.

“The manager’s young,” Xue Ran forced a smile, praising. “Feels like you just graduated.”

“Call me Ange.” Ange turned. “I’m graduating next year, still in grad school.”

“Starting a business before graduating?”

“See the art academy gate? This shop’s school-owned, leased to us for a trial run.”

“Oh…” Xue Ran drew out the sound, intrigued.

“You’re Lele’s classmate?”

“Family.”

“Sisters?”

“…” Xue Ran didn’t know how to define their relationship.

“Don’t worry, Sister, Lele’s safe here.”

“…”

“Ran, done.” Wu Lele capped the tumbler, handing it over. “Try it?”

Xue Ran sipped: “Mmm, good.”

Wu Lele beamed.

Ange looked away, smirking.

Ten meters out, past the street, Xue Ran’s face scrunched.

Her first coffee—too bitter…

Who drinks this stuff?

But not drinking was wasteful, so she carried the Western medicine to the library, grimacing.

Life improved when Wu Lele mastered coconut lattes.

The night before their graduation trip, past ten, Wu Lele wasn’t home, not replying. Xue Ran grabbed her keys and went looking.

The closed diner had one warm yellow light.

Xue Ran pushed the glass door, heading toward the light, hearing Wu Lele and Ange laugh.

It was a separate space, a jewelry workshop.

No wonder—showcases and the counter held silver accessories. She hadn’t noticed before, but now saw consigned items. Ange’s flashy look made sense.

Xue Ran stood quietly behind a pillar, watching them shoulder-to-shoulder, close, intimate, in their own world.

What they were doing, Xue Ran instinctively avoided, leaving as silently as she came.

A sound outside made Wu Lele look up—nothing in the dark shop.

“Lele, weld this piece, and the bracelet’s done.”

“Oh.” Wu Lele snapped back, grabbing the small torch. “I know how.”

“…So jealous. Your friend will love this.”

“Hehe, I want a box to pack it.”

“Sure, boxes are on the shelf, pick one.”

Wu Lele had already chosen, grabbing a navy velvet box, placing the bracelet inside, closing it, tucking it into a paper bag, satisfied.

“Lele.”

“Yeah?”

“Not considering a long-term gig? You’re great at coffee, customers are growing. I can give you a cut.”

Wu Lele shook her head: “I don’t want Ran to worry. She comes daily for coffee—it’s expensive, wastes time.”

“So,” Ange propped her chin on the wooden table, tilting her head, “you two dating?”

“Huh?”

“You’re blushing.”

“No, no, we’re not.”

“You like her. Does she know?”

“…”

“Or, you’re scared to tell her?”

“I… yeah, I’m scared. What if she doesn’t like girls?”

“Yeah, that’d hurt,” Ange twirled a strand of Wu Lele’s hair. “I’m different—I know I like girls.”

Ange’s dark eyes locked onto Wu Lele’s, intense, unlike her usual self.

Wu Lele’s brain crashed.

Ange smiled, looked away, ruffled her hair: “Alright, you’ve got a trip tomorrow. I’ll settle your pay. If you ever want to come back, call me, you’re always welcome.”

The payment hit her phone, and Wu Lele gasped: “This much? Did you deduct the bracelet?”

“Deducted. I told you, you got a cut. Thanks for doubling my coffee sales.”

“Thank you, Manager!”

“Go home, or she’ll worry.”

Wu Lele packed, shouldered her bag, thanked Ange again, and ran to the subway.

It was late, luggage unpacked, and she wondered if Ran was asleep.

At the street corner, she saw a familiar figure.

Xue Ran stood under a sycamore, walking slowly toward her.

Her first thought: Ran came to get me.

She laughed: “Ran, why’re you here?”

“It’s late, you didn’t reply, it’s dangerous.”

“I was busy, just saw your message, planned to reply in the subway.”

“Oh… really?”

Under the streetlight, Xue Ran’s smile seemed forced. Wu Lele thought it was her imagination.

She wanted to hold Xue Ran’s hand but didn’t dare—Ange’s words lingered.

They walked shoulder-to-shoulder, occasionally brushing, then parting.

Under dim streetlights, they headed home.

“Ran.”

“Yeah?”

“I quit, won’t go back.”

“…Why?”

“Because… my wish came true.”