Unexpected (GL) - Chapter 24

As soon as the call connected, Xie Jing immediately asked, “Hello? Qin Ning, are you okay?”

Qin Ning’s slightly hoarse voice came through the receiver, “I’m fine.”

“I sent you a message on WeChat. Did you see it?” Xie Jing had a feeling something was wrong with Qin Ning’s condition, but she held back from asking.

“I just saw it,” Qin Ning said. “I missed you too.”

After she said that, she went quiet. Just as Xie Jing was about to say something else, a series of WeChat messages from Qin Ning popped up.

[Qin Ning: “I missed you so, so much.”]

[Qin Ning: “My grandma has been in the hospital these past few days. I kept my phone on silent so it wouldn’t disturb her.”]

[Qin Ning: “I wasn’t ignoring you on purpose. I just didn’t want you to worry, so I didn’t tell you.”]

[Qin Ning: “You can message me anytime. As long as I’m free and see your message, I’ll reply right away.”]

“How did your grandma end up in the hospital? Is she okay?” Whether she replied or not wasn’t important—what mattered was Qin Ning’s grandmother. Xie Jing had never even known Qin Ning had a
grandmother. This was the first time she had ever mentioned her.

“She’s getting older and has trouble walking. A few days ago, she fell when going downstairs and had to stay in the ICU for a while. She was just moved to a regular ward today.”

These days, Qin Ning had been busy taking care of her grandma. Other than eating and sleeping, she hardly had time for anything else.

“I see… Then I shouldn’t bother you. You should go take care of your grandma,” Xie Jing said and was about to hang up when Qin Ning quickly stopped her.

“Wait, Xie Jing, don’t hang up yet. I want to hear your voice a little longer.”

Xie Jing paused with her finger hovering over the screen. “Then let me tell you what I’ve been doing at home these past few days.”

“Okay.” Qin Ning put on her earphones. “Go ahead, I’m listening.”

“A few days ago, I went to the back gate of No. 2 High School and ate those rice rolls I used to love. That street has changed so much—so many buildings were torn down I barely recognized it.”

“No. 2 High also built a bunch of new teaching buildings, and the sports field got renovated. They even dug an artificial lake in the garden. It looks really grand.”

“I even maxed out my Zhu Xian game account. If you don’t have time, I can help level up your account too, so your monthly pass won’t go to waste.”

“If there’s anything you need help with, just let me know.”

Qin Ning: “Okay.”

That night, Xie Jing rambled on and on. Qin Ning listened quietly, occasionally responding with a word or two. It wasn’t until Ms. Xie called her downstairs for dinner that they reluctantly ended
the call.

Xie Jing stayed home for about half a month. The feeling of the Spring Festival slowly started to appear. The streets outside were decorated with Chinese knots, every home hung lanterns and lights.

The festive atmosphere added a touch of warmth to the cold winter.

She took pictures of everything and sent them to Qin Ning. She thought, since Qin Ning had left Jiangcheng for Jinghai after middle school, maybe she missed her hometown now and then too.

After receiving the photos, Qin Ning sent back a few snowy landscape pictures for her to enjoy.

Xie Jing had never seen persimmon trees in the north before. When she saw the bare branches with bright yellow-orange fruits hanging like egg yolks, she curiously asked, “Are the persimmons on the
tree sweet?”

“Very sweet. You can eat them right after picking,” Qin Ning said, holding a softened persimmon in her hand. “If you want to try them, I’ll bring some to school when the new term starts.”

Xie Jing asked happily, “They won’t spoil?”

Qin Ning: “Nope.”

Xie Jing trusted her completely and nodded excitedly. “Then I’ll bring you some local specialties from Jiangcheng too.”

Qin Ning: “Okay.”

“Do you like bazhen cake? My dad makes it himself. It has a lot of herbs in it—it’s really good for you. And there’s sausage too. Do you want the sweet kind or the salty one?”

Xie Jing racked her brain for everything she could bring Qin Ning—snacks, drinks, herbal teas, even toys. She wanted to bring them all.

“Anything’s fine. I like whatever you bring.” Qin Ning wasn’t picky and didn’t mind salty or sweet food thanks to her experiences living in both the north and south. As long as Xie Jing didn’t bring
her mushrooms, she’d be fine.

Xie Jing: “Okay!”

As the New Year approached, two-thirds of winter break passed without her even realizing it.

On New Year’s Eve, Xie Jing got up early. Whether it was putting up couplets or setting off firecrackers, she wanted to take part in everything.

Ms. Xie watched her daughter bouncing around excitedly and shook her head with a smile. Even though she was eighteen, she was still such a child.

That night, while staying up to celebrate the New Year, Xie Jing quietly called Qin Ning. Compared to the fireworks booming outside Xie Jing’s window, things on Qin Ning’s end were unusually quiet.

Xie Jing asked, “Qin Ning, are you in your room?”

Qin Ning: “Yes.”

“Does your room have a window?”

Qin Ning: “Yes. Why?”

“Then go to the window now and look up,” Xie Jing said. After a few seconds, she asked again, “Do you see those three stars in a row?”

Qin Ning looked up at the sky and paused. “I see them.”

“Even though we’re far apart, we’re looking at the same sky. Those three stars are proof of how much we miss each other. Through them, I can picture you standing by the window right now.”

As the New Year countdown ended, fireworks filled the sky and Xie Jing said, “It’s a new year. I hope you’re always happy, Qin Ning.”

Qin Ning: “Happy New Year, Xie Jing.”

After the holiday, time passed quickly. On the second day of the new year, Xie Jing visited her grandmother’s house. On the third day, she stayed home to welcome relatives. This cycle went on until
the Lantern Festival.

After the Lantern Festival, Xie Jing had to return to school. Ms. Xie Ruzhuo packed two big bags for her—one with daily supplies and the other full of local specialties.

“Mom, I love you, but I don’t have six arms! So this, this, and this—no way!” Xie Jing pointed to the humidifier, kettle, hot water bottle, and electric blanket with a dazed look.

These were all things she could buy at school. Why lug them 2,000 kilometers north?

But Ms. Xie just replied, “Nothing you buy outside is as good as what you have at home.” And that was that.

Even though Ms. Xie loved stuffing her daughter’s luggage with all kinds of things, she knew her daughter had a weak build. With a wave of her hand, she arranged for two bodyguards to carry the bags
and check them in. She’d also arranged people to pick her up in Jinghai, so all Xie Jing had to do was carry her phone and a backpack onto the plane.

Before this, Xie Jing had never imagined that one day she’d actually look forward to going back to school. All winter break, her mind was filled with thoughts of Qin Ning. Even when playing games,
she couldn’t stop thinking about her. Every time she saw her profile picture greyed out, she felt a wave of sadness.

While at home, all she could think was: Why is time going so slow? Why is winter break so long? I want to go back to school!

The moment she got off the plane, she saw Qin Ning waiting.

“Qin Ning—!” Xie Jing ran straight into her arms.

Even though they’d only been apart for just over a month, it felt like a lifetime to Xie Jing.

Thinking back to right before the holiday, she had confidently said, “A month will go by in no time.” But she had been completely wrong.

Xie Jing: “I’m never saying that again. Time apart from you does not go by fast.”

Now, she finally understood that look in Qin Ning’s eyes before.

Qin Ning gently wrapped her arms around Xie Jing’s waist and kissed her forehead. “One day apart feels like three years.”

Xie Jing: “Wow, someone’s poetic. But we’re at the airport—kissing me in public like this, isn’t it weird?”

Qin Ning: “I love you. I couldn’t help it.”

Xie Jing wanted to kiss her too, so she dragged Qin Ning back to the dorm room.

But she miscalculated—even back at the dorm, they couldn’t kiss. Zhou Yan and Chen Yuan had already returned and were cleaning the room.

“You two came back at the same time? Were you living together over break?” Zhou Yan eyed them suspiciously.

Xie Jing: “No way. I went back south for the New Year. Qin Ning stayed in Jinghai. We were separated by mountains, rivers, and stars.”

Zhou Yan looked surprised. “Wait, Qin Ning’s a local? Then how come you never go home on weekends?”

Xie Jing suddenly realized, “Oh, yeah. Qin Ning, since your family’s in Jinghai, why don’t you go home on weekends?”

Qin Ning stared at her silently.

Xie Jing blinked. That look—could it be that Qin Ning stayed on campus because of her? That would be a huge burden!

Zhou Yan looked like she instantly understood. Xie Jing wisely didn’t ask any more questions, and the topic was quickly dropped.

Not long after returning to the dorm, Xie Jing got a call from Ms. Xie Ruzhuo saying the two big bags had already been delivered downstairs. She could go pick them up now.

Xie Jing called her roommates for help. Luckily, they didn’t live on a high floor, so after three or four trips, they managed to carry everything up in smaller loads.

Back in the dorm, Zhou Yan pointed to the pile of local snacks and asked if she could try some. Xie Jing waved generously. “Go ahead! I already set aside Qin Ning’s share.”

She even got the orange persimmons she wanted. When she took a bite of the soft, sweet fruit, she was so thrilled she wanted to roll around in the snowy field to express her joy.

“Is it really that good?” Zhou Yan peeled one of the bright, shiny persimmons and popped it into her mouth. With one suck and a squish, it turned into a gooey ball of goodness.

Zhou Yan couldn’t help but say, “Wow, it is delicious.”

Then she moved on to the cakes. While eating, she suddenly felt a warm flow in her nose. Before she could even touch it, Xie Jing noticed something was off.

“Oh my god, Zhou Yan, you’ve got a nosebleed!”