Chapter 10: “A Rose For You”

Today after school, Shen Xiaofan had to attend her piano lesson. Surely, Wei Xiu had followed her this time as well.

"How far are you going to follow me?",

"As far as I'm feeling lonely.",

"Are you always lonely?",

"Yes.",

"Okay.",

Shen Xiaofan continued to head home without feeling the slightest bit bothered. Her Xiaofan sure is a simple person, sometimes, Wei Xiu is worried about Shen Xiaofan's future. There were many treacherous people seeking fortune by taking advantage of other people. Wei Xiu was reminded of her workplace and her ex-boyfriend. Both were disasters, and sometimes, she was glad that she died and met Shen Xiaofan. This way, she could protect her secretly without anyone else noticing it.

At home, Shen Xiaofan exchanged her clothes and headed to the living room, where her piano is located. Her teacher hadn't arrived yet, so she decided to play a song. Wei Xiu sat on the piano as usual and staring at Shen Xiaofan fondly, she had forgotten that Shen Xiaofan can see her now due to the bracelet's power.

"W-why are you staring at me like that?", Shen Xiaofan asked nervously, she wasn't sure what to say whenever Wei Xiu stared at her with such... mesmerizing eyes.

"I was just admiring you for being able to play the piano. I love music but I couldn't play any musical instruments.",

Shen Xiaofan was thinking for a moment, then she offered, "Do you want to sing? I'll play the piano for you.",

"C-can I?",

"Yes.",

"Do you know a song called 'Emotional Light' sung by Chen Xueran?",

"No, never. Hold up, let me search it on Youtube.",

Shen Xiaofan pulled her smartphone and searched for the song, it was actually from a C-drama soundtrack.

"Wei Xiu, do you like watching dramatic cinema?",

"Yes, I'd love to watch it. How about you?",

"I only love to play music and read some books.", Shen Xiaofan placed her smartphone on the piano and began to play the song.

"It's quite a sad song.",

"It is.",

Wei Xiu began to sing as Shen Xiaofan played the piano. It was a perfect duet, yet the only one who can hear Wei Xiu's voice is only Shen Xiaofan, a song that was sung just between those two.

…

In the evening, Shen Xiaofan's parents urged her to wear a formal dress because today is their marriage anniversary. Shen Xiaofan wore a white one-piece dress, somehow the dress resembled Wei Xiu's bright crimson dress. Wei Xiu was happy because it's as if they were wearing matching dresses.

"Wei Xiu, why are you grinning?", Shen Xiaofan asked.

"Nothing, I was just happy that your parents didn't leave you out.",

Shen Xiaofan chuckled and nodded in agreement, "Indeed. Well, shall we head to the car?",

"I'm right behind you.",

Shen Xiaofan opened the car's door and beckoned to Wei Xiu. Wei Xiu was stunned and dumbly asked, "What are you doing?",

"Huh? Oh, right… you don't need this kind of treatment to get inside.",

Feeling embarrassed, Shen Xiaofan hurriedly got inside the car. Wei Xiu felt warm inside, even her ex-boyfriend had never treated her this way. Sometimes, Wei Xiu felt that Shen Xiaofan is like the embodiment of a perfect gentleman. Wei Xiu grinned before she got inside the car. Later when they arrived, both Shen Xiaofan and Wei Xiu were astonished at how majestic the restaurant's building was. Many customers who had come were all wearing formal wear. No need to be mentioned, the food prices must have to skyrocket as well.

"Wait, I remember coming here…", Wei Xiu suddenly said, she walked inside the building and her eyes immediately fixed on a rose trellis in the lobby. Wei Xiu was reminded how she and her ex-boyfriend took a picture together here. Shen Xiaofan followed after her and saw the melancholy look on Wei Xiu's face. Her parents were walking slowly behind, they thought Shen Xiaofan really liked the rose trellis over there.

"Xiaofan, once you're done looking around. Just remember we're at table eight. Do come back soon.", Shen Xiaofan's mother said, then, they went to their reserved table.

Shen Xiaofan nodded to her parents, and slowly approached Wei Xiu.

"You know, my ex-boyfriend and I used to go on a date here. We even took a picture exactly right here... at that time, I thought our relationship was special.",

Shen Xiaofan just stood there right next to her as she listened to Wei Xiu's babbling about her past. Shen Xiaofan could understand Wei Xiu's griefs, yet, at the same time, she couldn't comprehend how it feels like to love and lose someone. However, she sure does know how it feels to be betrayed.

"It must be boring to hear an adult rambling about their past, right?", Wei Xiu said and laughed dryly.

"I don't understand...",

"Yes, I bet.",

"No, I don't understand why adults often took lightly of themselves. If you are in grief then just say so, why must you make them sound like a bad joke?",

Wei Xiu blinked twice and again, she really couldn't tell whether she should laugh or cry towards this person. Just now she was in a foul mood, but this girl had done nothing to comfort her. Although what she had said just now actually makes sense. Why did she put a mask in front of this girl? Even though she already knew that Shen Xiaofan is not like any ordinary girl. She's always serious, open-minded, and a sweet child.

"You're right, I do wonder about that sometimes.",

Shen Xiaofan held Wei Xiu's hand and said, "Regarding your ex-boyfriend, perhaps you may have come here with him in the past, but now in the present, you came here with me. So, uh... cheer up?",

Wei Xiu laughed and shook her head, "You're really bad at comforting someone.",

"Since you know, then don't be sad, if you're sad I feel uncomfortable.",

Shen Xiaofan walked inside the dining room and found her parents, with her hand still holding Wei Xiu's, she approached her parents and let Wei Xiu sit on the empty seat next to her. It was actually a 4-person table. Wei Xiu felt like she's having dinner with her parents-in-law and her wife. She couldn't help but be overjoyed with such thoughts. Shen Xiaofan saw that Wei Xiu was smiling strangely again at her. However, she couldn't guess what's on her mind.

"Why are you grinning about?", Shen Xiaofan asked inside her heart.

"I'm just happy that I get to come here with you. My bad memories can be replaced safely~",

"Oh, so am I just a replacement then?", Shen Xiaofan teased.

"Of course not! You are my--",

"Here's your order of Tenderloin beef steak, potato wedges, two glasses of wine, and orange juice.", a waiter suddenly came with the ordered foods and drinks. Shen Xiaofan helped placed the food on the table, and sat back on her chair, "What did you say?",

"Nothing… it's not the time for you to know.", Wei Xiu said ambiguously, she loved to tease Shen Xiaofan like this.

"Oh, okay.", Shen Xiaofan cut a slice of meat on the Tenderloin steak and ate it happily. Shen Xiaofan literally had zero interest in what Wei Xiu had said earlier, it's probably nothing important.

With such thoughts, Wei Xiu felt angry for a bit. It WAS something important, but Shen Xiaofan's mentality hadn't prepared for such a confession yet! This is why Wei Xiu preferred to wait for a definite answer than breaking a high schooler mentality.

In the end, Shen Xiaofan still had no idea why Wei Xiu goes silent all the time with her cheeks puffed. It's cute to see her throwing a tantrum like that, so Shen Xiaofan didn't mind it. By the end of the day, Wei Xiu gave up on trying to make Shen Xiaofan feel guilty, and returned to her usual self.

"Just wait, I'll definitely get my revenge one day.",

"Huh? What are you talking about?",

"Nothing.", Wei Xiu smiled.

Wei Xiu's smile was so beautiful that even the dense Shen Xiaofan could tell that she must be up to something. Shen Xiaofan knew that Wei Xiu could read her thoughts, so she pretended to be unbothered by it while silently taking cautions around her.