Turbulent Thoughts

Luo Chen drove the car through the city until they reached the most bustling district. He took Qiao Wei into a lively pedestrian street, crowded with people. Street vendors called out, trying to entice young women shopping with the aroma of their snacks. A sweet little girl clung to her boyfriend, begging him to buy her a candied hawthorn skewer; the sight caught Qiao Wei’s attention, and she couldn’t help but smile at the couple’s animated expressions.

Suddenly, Luo Chen took Qiao Wei’s hand and led her to the very stall selling those candied hawthorns. He bought two skewers, handed the bigger one to Qiao Wei, tapped her on the forehead, and said, “If you want one, why not just say so?”

Qiao Wei accepted the treat from Luo Chen, grinning. “It’s not that I wanted to eat it,” she replied. “I just thought that couple was cute. Don’t treat me like a child, alright?”

“Alright, Miss Qiao, fifteen years old. Eat it quickly, before the sugar coating melts,” Luo Chen said, carefully peeling off the thin film covering the candied fruit and reminding her to eat up.

Qiao Wei nodded, but inside, her unease and curiosity only grew. She wanted to know what Luo Chen was hiding from her. The feeling was like standing under the scorching sun, desperate to find a patch of shade—his gentle, almost unsettling kindness was the blazing sun, making her want to run away.

Suppressing her anxiety, Qiao Wei forced herself to enjoy shopping with Luo Chen. Laden with bags of clothes and snacks, they continued to wander the bustling streets. For a fleeting moment, Qiao Wei forgot her worries and doubts. Watching Luo Chen, she felt a longing to walk beside him forever. But soon enough, this thought would be shattered by a wave of unease.

As night fell, Qiao Wei collapsed wearily into the car seat. Luo Chen, driving, glanced at her and said, “Tomorrow I have some things to take care of. Stay home and rest, alright? Don’t go out. The day after tomorrow, we’ll set off together. Is that okay?”

“Mm…” Qiao Wei replied, still troubled by her unanswered questions.

Once home, after showering, Qiao Wei lay on her bed, restless, and soon drifted into sleep without realizing it.

The next morning, she awoke to find a thin blanket covering her and a note on the desk in Luo Chen’s handwriting: “Little one, there’s bread on the table. Remember to eat.”

After breakfast, Qiao Wei sat idly on the sofa, beginning to miss her mother. Suddenly, a shadow slipped into the room.

She hadn’t noticed when Xuan came to sit beside her, startling her. Regaining her composure and realizing it was Luo Xuan, she scolded, “Luo Xuan, you nearly gave me a heart attack!”

“Hehe, how about I make it up to you by taking our little princess somewhere fun?” Luo Xuan replied with a playful smile. “But our little princess should change her clothes first. You look adorable in pajamas, but it’s not polite to wear them out.”

Qiao Wei laughed, deciding she also had some questions for Luo Xuan. “Alright, Luo Xuan, enough with the ‘princess’ talk. It’s not flattering at all. From now on, just call me Qiao Wei.”

“Then you can call me Brother Xuan, and I’ll call you Qiao Qiao. How about that?” Luo Xuan winked mischievously, making it hard for her to refuse.

Qiao Wei could only nod in resignation. “Fine… Brother Xuan, I’ll go change. Wait a moment.”

Luo Xuan grinned in satisfaction as Qiao Wei disappeared from sight.

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Yu Ning is so upset—minors need a guardian’s signature for contracts, which means Yu Ning will have to go home and beg her mother. T.T.

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