Solitary Toss of Tenderness

What do you think I want?

The fireworks continued to burst for over half an hour, and the crowd at Jiangxin Square lingered, stopping to watch until well past one o’clock in the morning, when the square slowly quieted down…

However, Lu Zizheng and Jiang Huaixi didn’t wait for the fireworks to fade and the crowd to disperse. In the midst of the liveliest moment, they drove away.

After the grand feast, loneliness inevitably followed, and after the bustling, a sense of desolation lingered. Fireworks, in the end, would have their moment of ceasing, a moment Lu Zizheng couldn’t bear to witness. She hoped that this fireworks display between her and Jiang Huaixi would remain in their memories as the most splendid beauty, without the loneliness of its ending.

After dropping Lu Zizheng off at the entrance of her mother’s residential area, Jiang Huaixi also got out of the car. Resting her hand on the car door, she gazed at Lu Zizheng with a hesitant expression.

Lu Zizheng furrowed her brows slightly, feeling a bit puzzled. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

Jiang Huaixi’s fingers gripping the car door moved slightly before she softly opened her lips and said, “Do you have time tomorrow afternoon? My… my grandmother is turning eighty, and I would like to invite you to our home for a meal.”

Lu Zizheng clearly didn’t anticipate this invitation, as it came suddenly. She was momentarily nervous and didn’t react, only widening her eyes slightly, staring at Jiang Huaixi in a daze.

Seeing Lu Zizheng’s stunned state, Jiang Huaixi seemed a bit troubled. Her eyes dimmed, and she lowered her head, smiling faintly as if nonchalantly saying, “It’s okay if it’s not convenient.” Indeed, such an invitation seemed rather inexplicable and forced. Lu Zizheng was not someone who enjoyed socializing, so it would be normal for her to refuse. However, even though she had prepared herself for rejection, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of disappointment in this moment.

She gathered her unexpectedly downcast mood, glanced again at Lu Zizheng, who was still in a daze, and calmly instructed, “Go inside, I’ll be leaving.”

Bending down, she closed the car door and smoothly got into the vehicle, completing the motion effortlessly.

As Jiang Huaixi was about to start the car and leave, Lu Zizheng finally snapped out of it. She hurriedly took three steps in two and rushed to the side of the car, extending her hand to gently tap on Jiang Huaixi’s car window.

Jiang Huaixi rolled down the window and saw Lu Zizheng, bending over with her eyes fixed upon her. Nervously, Lu Zizheng explained, “I’ll go.”

Jiang Huaixi’s eyes instantly brightened, and a smile threatened to escape from the corners of her mouth. However, she deliberately furrowed her brows slightly and coldly retorted, “Are you cursing at me?”

Lu Zizheng chuckled softly, calming down and speaking seriously, “What time tomorrow? I’ll be waiting for you at home.”

Jiang Huaixi relaxed her brows and said, “Is 2 o’clock alright?” Afterward, she added, “Grandmother doesn’t want a grand celebration, so it will just be our family having a meal together. You don’t need to be too nervous.”

Lu Zizheng’s gaze flickered, and her eyebrows slowly began to furrow. Jiang Huaixi didn’t successfully appease her, and upon hearing her words, she became even more nervous. Why would they invite her to join their family for a meal…

Jiang Huaixi seemed to see through her thoughts and teasingly said, “Grandmother thinks I’m too obedient and worries that I might make bad friends. She wants me to bring you home to meet her, to see if her well-behaved granddaughter has been corrupted by you. You seem a bit nervous, as if you think you’ve already corrupted me.”

Lu Zizheng chuckled and replied, “In that case, my mother should chase you out with a broom. Alright, obedient granddaughter, I understand. I’ll wait for you at my home tomorrow.” It was getting late, so she waved to Jiang Huaixi as a farewell gesture and said, “I’m going in now, take care on the way, obedient granddaughter.” After speaking, as if afraid of any retort from Jiang Huaixi, she quickly walked away, taking quick strides.

Jiang Huaixi didn’t immediately raise the car window. She watched Lu Zizheng’s rare, childlike figure as she hopped and skipped away, her mouth curved upwards. She ran like a fool, without a trace of elegance, but Jiang Huaixi liked it very much…

Upon returning home, Lu Zizheng took out her keys to open the door. As she prepared to turn on the hallway light, she noticed that the living room light was still on. Closing the door, she changed her shoes and peered into the living room. She saw her mother standing by the water dispenser, holding a cup and drinking water, her expression seemingly not very pleasant.

After changing her shoes, Lu Zizheng asked her mother with a puzzled expression, “Mom, why haven’t you slept yet at this late hour?”

Mama Lu placed the cup on the small rack next to the water dispenser and said with a slight headache, “There was some commotion outside just now, and I couldn’t fall asleep, so I came out to have a drink of water.”

Lu Zizheng, not suspecting anything, noticed that her mother had only thrown on a coat hastily and expressed her concern, “The outside seems to have quieted down now. You should go back to sleep and make sure to wear something warmer if you come out again.”

Mama Lu smiled and replied, “Your tone doesn’t sound like I’m your mother; it’s more like you’re my mother. Anyway, I’ll go back to sleep now. You should wash up and go to bed soon.” After saying that, she turned to head back to her room but then turned back to ask Lu Zizheng, “Did Jiaozi1 Huaixi eat?”

Lu Zizheng was momentarily taken aback. Jiaozi? Ah, right, the dumplings! She remembered that when she entered the building with Jiang Huaixi, she had left them in Jiang Huaixi’s car and had completely forgotten about them. They must still be in Jiang Huaixi’s car now…

Seeing the situation turning unfavorable, Mama Lu quickly turned around and made her escape, saying, “Ah, I suddenly feel a bit tired. I’ll go back to my room and sleep…”

Lu Zizheng sighed and went back to her room, feeling powerless, to wash up in the bathroom.

What do you mean ugly? I look decent, don’t I?! If you think I’m ugly, then don’t eat it! Lu Zizheng felt like she was exerting too much force, and her gums felt like they were going to bleed. It’s all Jiang Huaixi’s fault.

Jiang Huaixi was driving on the way home and felt a warmth in her ears. She looked at the ugly rabbit placed on the dashboard and involuntarily curved her lips.

The next morning, after having breakfast and bidding farewell to her mother, Lu Zizheng headed home. As soon as she passed the gate of the residential area, she hailed a car and headed straight to the shopping mall. During the ride, Lu Zizheng kept pondering about what gift to bring to Jiang Huaixi’s house.

Even when they arrived at the shopping mall, Lu Zizheng still couldn’t come up with a reasonable idea.

She was not accustomed to socializing with people on a regular basis, let alone visiting someone’s home. However, it didn’t mean she was ignorant of social etiquette. Understanding was one thing, but executing it properly was another. The Jiang family was affluent, and Lu Zizheng couldn’t think of anything they might lack or what they would like.

She sent a text message to Jiang Huaixi: “What do Uncle, Aunt, and Grandma like?”

Jiang Huaixi replied instantly: “They will be very happy if you come. You don’t need to bring anything.”

……

Lu Zizheng looked at the wide array of gifts in the shopping mall, feeling completely clueless.

She held her phone, locked and unlocked the screen, and suddenly had a brilliant idea.

She opened the browser on her phone, launched Baidu, and typed in “What gift to bring when visiting someone’s home for the first time,” “What to give when meeting the girl’s parents for the first time,” “What to bring when meeting the parents for the first time”…

Oh, she didn’t mean to ask those questions. She just wanted to know what to bring when visiting a friend’s home. But seeing those prompts, she inexplicably became nervous, and her face started to flush. Well, it wouldn’t hurt to take a look, right? With that thought in mind, Lu Zizheng tremblingly tapped on the first prompt, “What gift to bring when visiting a girl’s home for the first time”…

She earnestly read the enthusiastic suggestions from internet users for dozens of minutes, closed the webpage with a sigh, and realized that everyone was suggesting the usual options: cigarettes, alcohol, tea leaves, health products, and things the person likes. Since she didn’t know their preferences, she could only go with the flow, hoping not to lose points even if she couldn’t gain any.

Oh, why did she care so much about the impression she would make on Jiang Huaixi’s parents!

Lu Zizheng went from one mall to another, visiting four or five of them before finally completing her purchases. In the end, she bought high-quality tea leaves for Jiang Huaixi’s parents, health supplements for her grandmother, and also prepared a finely polished chess set for Jiang Huaichuan.

After leaving the mall, Lu Zizheng went to a hair salon. By the time she finished styling her hair and stepped out, it was already past 12 noon. She quickly grabbed a hasty lunch outside and then hurried home with bags in hand.

Once she arrived home and took a shower, she began changing outfits one after another. She wanted to appear poised and fresh. Oh, this won’t do. Oh, neither will this. She glanced at the clock and realized there was no more time. Ah, forget it, this will have to do.

When Jiang Huaixi called to say she had arrived, Lu Zizheng was still standing in front of the mirror, just finishing applying lipstick. She hung up the phone and carefully scrutinized her reflection once again. Though she couldn’t match the stunning appearance she had yesterday, she should still look presentable, right?

Today, Jiang Huaixi’s hair had returned to its usual long, straight, and black state. Wearing tall boots, paired with simple pencil pants, a shirt, and a cardigan, she stood by the car, looking fresh and clean. She had become a beautiful sight to behold.

Lu Zizheng hadn’t put so much effort into dressing herself up in a long time. Step by step, she approached Jiang Huaixi and noticed the slightly surprised look in her eyes. This made Lu Zizheng feel a subtle nervousness.

Jiang Huaixi noticed the bag in her hand and furrowed her brows slightly. Then she reached out and took it, placing it in the backseat of the car. She opened the door for Lu Zizheng and gestured for her to get in before smiling and saying, “It seems like you still can’t accept that I said I’m prettier than you yesterday. Are you in such a hurry today to turn the tables?”

Lu Zizheng pressed her lips together and smiled faintly. She got into the car and looked back, asking with a playful smile, “So, does that mean I win today?”

Jiang Huaixi was momentarily taken aback, and Lu Zizheng felt a bit embarrassed under her gaze. Awkwardly, she shifted her eyes downward. Jiang Huaixi raised an eyebrow, curved her lips, and said softly, “Well, alright. Let’s consider it a win for you today.”

Lu Zizheng responded with a light, dissatisfied hum, indicating both satisfaction and dissatisfaction.

On the way, Lu Zizheng grew uneasy and glanced at the gift bag on the back seat. She asked Jiang Huaixi, “I had no idea what your parents would like, so I bought tea leaves for them, health supplements for your grandmother, and a chess set for Huaichuan. Do you think it’s suitable?”

Jiang Huaixi furrowed her brow and replied, “You went through all this trouble, but they might think it’s not suitable.”

Lu Zizheng let out a nervous “ah.”

Jiang Huaixi then smiled lightly and said, “Don’t worry, they will like it. By the way, I noticed you listed gifts for everyone except me. What did you prepare for me?”

Lu Zizheng glanced at her and calmly replied, “There’s nothing for you.”

Jiang Huaixi raised an eyebrow, displeased, and said, “You’re the one who went out of your way for me. Why do they all have gifts sitting at home while the person who worked the hardest has nothing?” She paused and asked seriously, “Do you think that’s fair?”

Lu Zizheng pretended to agree, earnestly saying, “Hmm, it does seem unfair. So, tell me, what do you want? Let’s see if I can fulfill your wish.”

Jiang Huaixi looked at her sideways, her gaze intense, and after a long while, she slightly curved her lips and said, “I can’t think of anything for now. Let’s leave it for now.”

Lu Zizheng huffed lightly and replied, “Don’t expect me to wait indefinitely.”

Jiang Huaixi turned her head back without arguing, and Lu Zizheng saw a gentle and charming smile on her beautiful profile.

“Zizheng, can you guess what I want?”

“Jiaozi” is the Chinese word for dumplings. It refers to a type of traditional Chinese cuisine that consists of a filling, often made with meat and vegetables, wrapped in a thin dough wrapper and then boiled, steamed, or pan-fried. Dumplings are a popular dish in Chinese cuisine and are often enjoyed during festivals and family gatherings.