What's Wrong With Being Fifteen Years Older Than Me?! - Chapter 4

Ye Li didn’t sleep well all night because of the woman who insisted on sleeping with her. At some point, she was the only one left in the bed. She turned over to face away from the sunlight, comfortably half-closing her eyes to drift off to sleep. A distinct “ding” sound came from the living room. Her mind was instantly wide awake.

Ye Li got out of bed and opened her door. The smell of toasted bread filled her nose. Her eyes followed the scent, and she saw two perfectly golden slices of toast pop out of the toaster on the dining cabinet. There was no one in the apartment, but the front door was open. The girl pursed her lips and went into the bathroom.

When she came out, she still didn’t see anyone. Bored, she wandered around and eventually made her way to the front door. She looked up and saw that there was a staircase leading up. Ye Li slowly walked up the stairs until she reached the rooftop terrace.

The summer morning was completely still, and the sky was a brilliant blue, like something out of an anime. Ye Li took a few steps forward, then glanced over and saw a woman watering the plants. Today, she was wearing a white French-style dress with delicate ruffles on the sleeves that perfectly complemented her shoulders. She was slightly bent over, a slender hand holding a white porcelain watering can. Her graceful posture was on full display, and her gentle aura was stunning. As the water streamed from the can, it formed an arc in the air, the sunlight catching the droplets and creating a beautiful rainbow. The scene was as beautiful as a dream.

As if sensing her gaze, the woman turned her head and smiled brilliantly. Ye Li coughed awkwardly, immediately looking away and scuffing the stones under her feet.

“Your toast is ready.” It was as if she were clarifying that she hadn’t been spying, but was just there to remind her about the toast.

Lu Zhiyun’s smile deepened. She suddenly found the shy little girl in front of her quite cute. Her personality wasn’t nearly as difficult as her father had described. “I know,” the woman replied softly, her voice sweet. Just as she was about to say something else, the girl turned abruptly and rushed back down the stairs.

Breakfast was a simple affair: toasted bread with jam and milk. Ye Li sat quietly at the table, watching the woman in the white dress walk into the kitchen and open the fridge. The sound of bottles and jars clinking made her curious. What was she going to do?

“This is chia seed peanut butter, this is matcha milk spread, this is strawberry chocolate…” As the woman brought all the jars to the table and introduced them one by one, Ye Li propped her head on her hand and took a bite of her plain toast.

This is so much trouble. Why not just eat the bread plain?

“Xiaoli, do you want to come out with me today?” Lu Zhiyun asked, her clear, beautiful eyes filled with anticipation. Ye Li was trying to figure out how to refuse, but before she could formulate her words, the woman added, “You’re so adorable, you wouldn’t say no, would you?”

Adorable… She didn’t think that word fit her at all. Ye Li had always wanted to be a cool girl.

“Where are we going?” Her head was spinning from the flattery, and her planned refusal was suddenly a question.

“I ordered a car from the dealership. I’m going to pick it up today. Having a car will make it much easier to get around with you, don’t you think?” Lu Zhiyun couldn’t help but smile. It seemed she couldn’t help but use a sweet tone when talking to a child, even though she wasn’t normally like that.

Ye Li picked at her fingers. “I can go, but on one condition.”

“Can I sleep by myself tonight…?” The woman agreed quickly, which made Ye Li feel a little better. In return, she decided to accompany her on this trip.

“Just a moment, Xiaoli.” With that, Lu Zhiyun went into the bathroom.

Ye Li stood by the door, waiting. From her angle, she could see a corner of the bathroom. She occasionally peeked in, watching the woman meticulously put on makeup and do her hair. It reminded her of the simple toast at breakfast, served on a delicate French-style plate, and the fresh flowers in the vase on the table, which looked so vibrant they could still be wet. Even the way the woman ate was slow and elegant.

She couldn’t help but think of her dad’s words. He had said this auntie had just come back from abroad. Is this how everyone who lives abroad for a long time acts?

In the elevator going down, the space was limited, and Ye Li again caught a whiff of the woman’s faint perfume. It was different from yesterday’s. It was as if her scent matched her outfit; yesterday was a passionate blue rose, and today was an elegant white jasmine.

It was already ten in the morning, and the sun was directly overhead. “Xiaoli, don’t walk so fast.” Ye Li, who thought she was walking at a normal pace, turned around to see she had left the woman far behind. She remembered her dad saying that this auntie wasn’t in the best of health and she shouldn’t tire her out. But she looked so healthy, so vibrant, no different from anyone else. Out of a sliver of kindness, Ye Li stopped and waited.

“Girls aren’t pretty when they’re sunburned,” Lu Zhiyun said, raising her umbrella to bring the girl into its shade.

The gap between them closed, and the fragrant scent wafted into Ye Li’s nose again. She subtly wrinkled her nose. Lu Zhiyun heard the girl beside her mutter in a tiny voice, “So what if I get sunburned? It’s not a big deal.”

“Besides the fact that UV rays damage your skin and cause you to age faster, there’s nothing wrong with getting a tan, as long as your future boyfriend likes it.” The woman’s voice was as smooth as a flowing stream, soothing to listen to.

“Why would I get a boyfriend? I’m never getting a boyfriend!” the girl retorted.

Lu Zhiyun just smiled and said nothing more. She took it as a rebellious comment common for this age. It was just like when she was a teenager and her parents sent her abroad for school; she had said similar things, like she would never come back.

Lu Zhiyun bought a MINI, a distinctive hatchback that cost over 300,000 yuan. She didn’t have many friends in the country, and she rarely needed to drive other people, so she didn’t choose a larger car.

As soon as they arrived at the dealership, the salesman who had helped her before warmly greeted them. “Ms. Lu, your car is here, parked in the warehouse. If you don’t have any other requests, we can settle the final payment, and I’ll have it driven out right away.”

Ye Li wasn’t interested in cars. The salesman led her to a waiting area and even had another employee bring her a small cake.

“Little sister, is that woman in the white dress your older sister? Does she have a boyfriend?” The salesman, in his suit and tie, seemed to have nothing to do and leaned against a Roman column, striking up a conversation.

Ye Li scooped a bite of cake into her mouth and mischievously replied, “Yes, she does. He’s super handsome and super rich.” In reality, she had no idea if the woman had a boyfriend or not, but seeing the salesman’s face fall and turn green felt incredibly satisfying.

Having just paid in full, Lu Zhiyun waved from a distance, gesturing for her to come over. Ye Li put down her half-eaten cake and walked away, her ponytail swinging, without looking back.

“Want to go for a drive?” The woman’s fair, slender fingers toyed with the new car keys, a slight smile on her face.

This was the first time in Ye Li’s life she had ever been in someone else’s new car. The interior was completely fresh, unlike her dad’s worn-out Santana, which showed the marks of time everywhere. And the air conditioner was incredibly strong, the air so refreshingly cool. The girl couldn’t help but put her hand in front of the vent, feeling the coolness penetrate her warm palm.

“What are you doing, Xiaoli?” Lu Zhiyun asked with amusement as she drove.

Ye Li immediately pulled her hand back. “I was checking if the AC works,” she said awkwardly.

“Of course it works. It’s a new car.”

Right, a new car must be good. One day, Ye Li wanted to have her own new car. If she had more money, she would also get a new one for her dad. His car was too old and worn out.

While they were stopped at a red light, Lu Zhiyun took a call. She didn’t bother to turn down the volume and put her phone on speaker.

“Where are you?”

“Just picked up the car.”

“Let’s have dinner tonight at Zhou’er Plaza. Remember to bring little Xiaoli along. I can’t wait to see her.”

…Ye Li hadn’t intended to eavesdrop, but the voice was too loud. She was surprised to hear her own name.

The 90-second red light turned green. Lu Zhiyun released the brake and started driving again, her eyes on the road. “We’re having dinner with my friend tonight. She really wants to see you, but if you don’t want to go, Auntie won’t force you.”

Ye Li sat in the passenger seat, conflicted. Should she go or not? In the end, she went. She didn’t know why, but when she saw the woman’s gentle, expectant gaze, she just couldn’t say no.

Zhou’er was one of Jingchuan’s biggest plazas. Ye Li had never been there, but she’d heard her classmates say the clothes were super expensive. Her friend, who came from a wealthy family, was often brought here by her parents to buy clothes, and a single item would easily cost four digits. So, in Ye Li’s limited and young mind, Zhou’er = expensive.

They were having dinner at a Western restaurant. Not counting KFC and McDonald’s, this was probably Ye Li’s first time in a Western restaurant. The atmosphere was unique and elegant, not loud or chaotic. Lu Zhiyun’s friend was an auntie with a shoulder-length bob. She was wearing a rose-colored, off-the-shoulder top and stood out in the corner of the restaurant.

“That’s Tang Qianxia. Just call her Auntie Tang later,” Lu Zhiyun whispered into Ye Li’s ear as she led her to the table. The woman’s warm breath on Ye Li’s neck and ear, mixed with the scent of jasmine, made the girl’s ears turn red without her noticing.

“You must be Ye Li. You’re so cute. You’re going to be a beautiful woman when you grow up!” Tang Qianxia greeted her warmly, taking a small gift bag with a prominent Dior logo from her purse.

“I didn’t know what to get a girl your age, so I just got her a lipstick,” Tang Qianxia explained. Lu Zhiyun, sitting across from them, frowned slightly, a helpless smile in her eyes.

“She’s only twelve. Why would you give her lipstick?”

“What does it matter? It’s a girl’s nature to love beauty, regardless of age. I remember wanting my own lipstick so badly when I was little.”

“You shouldn’t be so strict with her. If she starts dating early, you’ll have a huge headache!” Lu Zhiyun just looked at the girl. Dating early? Would I?

The girl listened with her head down, idly playing with the white tablecloth under the table. They had red wine, but Ye Li had orange juice. She wasn’t usually interested in adult conversations. Then, for some reason, Auntie Tang suddenly called her name.

“Little Ye Li, if you had to choose, would you pick Auntie Qianxia or your Auntie Lu?” Ye Li glanced at the woman beside her in surprise. Both of them had had some wine and looked a little tipsy. What are they talking about…?

“Tang Qianxia, stop that. She’s my kid,” Lu Zhiyun said, leaning in and putting her arm around Ye Li’s neck. Without warning, she gave Ye Li a kiss on the cheek, leaving a lipstick mark.