[Boarded the plane, phone will be turned off soon, turning it back on in two hours.]
Song Xinya pondered over this sentence. Was President Qin reporting his whereabouts to her?
Her fingers tapped on the screen, replying to him: [Have a safe trip, President Qin.]
The plane was about to take off. Just as Qin Yuhe pressed his thumb on the screen, ready to power off, Song Xinya's message popped up.
He looked at the line [Have a safe trip, President Qin]. He didn't know if it was just his illusion, but he felt like she seemed very happy.
The other party seemed to have realized this too, and another message was sent over: [I'm going to miss you so much.]
The corners of Qin Yuhe's lips curled up. He scoffed lightly and replied: [Sweet talker.]
Oops, he caught her lying.
Song Xinya's delicate willow brows furrowed. Holding the phone in one hand, she pressed her other hand against her temple, her fair face scrunching up as if she was particularly worried.
What should she do?
Whatever. Let it be.
Song Xinya couldn't possibly say, "Yes, I was just humoring you."
Not knowing how to reply, she simply didn't.
Although she hadn't spent much time with Qin Yuhe, she knew he wasn't a narrow-minded person and probably wouldn't care about such a trivial matter.
It was a trivial matter, right? Right...
Song Xinya put her phone into her bag and continued walking forward.
On the other side, Qin Yuhe held his phone, waiting the whole time for Song Xinya's reply.
He waited until the flight attendant walked over again and again, urging him to turn off his phone.
Everyone on the plane turned to look at him, scrutinizing him with strange gazes.
For the first time in his life, Young Master Qin endured so much pointing and staring.
Knowing she wouldn't reply anymore, Qin Yuhe swiped his finger and turned off the phone.
He leaned back against the seat, closing his long eyelashes with a helpless smile.
Honestly, why couldn't she just humor him with one more sentence?
The runway moved rapidly backward outside the window, turning into a blurred line. A sense of weightlessness hit him as the city and skyscrapers continuously shrank, turning into blocks of color of varying sizes beneath his feet.
Two hours later, Qin Yuhe arrived in the Magic City.
Song Xinya arrived at a reptile pet experience center in Jingbei City.
When dealing with clients, one must be patient and attentive, anticipating their thoughts, sharing their urgencies, and catering to their preferences.
Song Xinya remembered her promise to Qin Yuyan: to give her eight hognose snakes the next time they met.
She walked into the reptile center, carefully selected a few, and bought eight relatively pretty hognose snakes.
They had delicate little round faces, upturned little snouts, and a pair of beady eyes. As soon as they were pet, they would comfortably fall asleep.
Considering that some people were truly afraid of snakes to the point of screaming at the sight of them, she covered the box holding the hognose snakes with a black cloth.
Carrying the box, Song Xinya arrived at the villa where Qin Yuyan lived and pressed the doorbell.
Qin Yuyan opened the door, holding her phone and in the middle of a call. Seeing Song Xinya, she stepped aside to let her in.
Song Xinya sat to the side, quietly waiting for Qin Yuyan to finish her call, her gaze drifting over to her.
Today, she was again wearing a white dress made of a light, airy gauze material. Her long hair draped over her shoulders, and her skin was as luminous as winter snow. Agile and unearthly, she looked so much like a pure little angel.
Qin Yuyan sat on the sofa, hugging a pink throw pillow to her chest. Her slender calves dangled, her toes lightly tapping the floor. The expression on her palm-sized face was full of longing and anticipation.
"Dad, do you remember what day tomorrow is?"
Song Xinya's expression shifted slightly. So she was on the phone with Father Qin, Qin Hanxiao.
The phone's volume was set quite high, allowing Song Xinya to clearly hear the voice on the other end.
Qin Hanxiao: "What about tomorrow? It's nothing special."
Qin Yuyan's face filled with disappointment.
After a moment of silence, she said, "Dad, tomorrow is my birthday."
Qin Hanxiao: "Ah, is it? It's your birthday again so soon. Happy early birthday to our family's little princess."
Anticipation reignited in Qin Yuyan's eyes. Hesitantly, she asked, "Dad, could you not say it early, but say happy birthday to me tomorrow instead?"
Qin Hanxiao lay in a rocking chair, a cigarette pinched between his fingers, lazily puffing out smoke: "What's the difference between wishing you a day early or a day late? Dad is usually busy; I might not remember tomorrow."
The burning anticipation in Qin Yuyan's eyes shattered once again.
She lowered her head, murmuring softly as if talking to herself, "So Dad can't celebrate my birthday with me this year either."
Qin Hanxiao exhaled a puff of smoke slowly into the air, speaking in an indifferent tone: "Daughter, let me tell you, it doesn't matter whether you celebrate a birthday or not. Nowadays, all these holidays, like Valentine's Day, Women's Day, 520, 521, they're all hyped up by capitalists to make people spend money. Celebrating holidays is a scam; there's absolutely no need for it."
Qin Yuyan: "If there's no need for it, Dad, why do you always hold the grandest banquets in the most luxurious hotels for your own birthday, having everyone celebrate for you?"
Qin Hanxiao: "Daughter, let's stop talking. I have urgent matters to deal with on my end. Remember to buy yourself something delicious on your birthday, get yourself a big cake. If you run out of money, just ask your brother for some."
The call was disconnected. Qin Yuyan rested her cheek in her palm, her head lowered and eyes downcast, staring blankly at the floor.
After a moment of silence, she picked up her phone again. "I'll call my mom."
The call connected, and her voice rippled with anticipation and joy as she called out crisply, "Mom."
Jiang Yaoxue's voice came through: "Yanyan."
Qin Yuyan's voice was joyful, yet carried a hint of fawning: "Mom, I miss you."
Jiang Yaoxue: "Yanyan, Mom misses you too."
Qin Yuyan's voice grew even more cheerful: "Mom, do you remember what holiday tomorrow is?"
Jiang Yaoxue: "Tomorrow is our little princess Yanyan's birthday."
Qin Yuyan cheered happily: "Only Mom is the best in the world. Mom, I knew you loved me."
She asked, "Mom, will you come over and celebrate my birthday with me tomorrow?"
Jiang Yaoxue fell silent for a moment before saying, "Yanyan, I'm not in Jingbei. Xingxing is on a study tour in Europe, and I'm accompanying Xingxing."
Qin Yuyan: "Oh, I see. You're accompanying your other daughter, and you don't have time for this daughter."
Song Xinya was momentarily astonished. Did Qin Yuhe have another sister?
Didn't everyone say that the Qin family only had one little princess, Qin Yuyan?
Wealthy, aristocratic families always had many anecdotes and complex family relationships. Having married Qin Yuhe not long ago, Song Xinya could guess that there were still things she didn't know about.
Jiang Yaoxue: "Yanyan, have your grandparents celebrate your birthday with you. When I get back from Europe, I'll bring you a birthday present to make up for it."
Qin Yuyan opened her mouth, wanting to say that her grandparents weren't in Jingbei either. Her grandmother's sister, her great-aunt who lived in another city, had fallen ill, and her grandparents had gone to visit her.
She didn't say it, because saying it would be useless. Her mother was accompanying her other daughter and had no time to celebrate her birthday with her.
After hanging up the phone, Qin Yuyan sat on the sofa, hugging her legs and curling up into a ball. With her head buried in her arms, she looked solitary and listless, as if all her vitality had been drained away, leaving her utterly wilted.
Song Xinya looked at her, reminded of an unwanted puppy by the side of the road.
Song Xinya stood up. Just as she was about to pat her head, Qin Yuyan got up from the sofa and walked toward the study.
Carrying the hognose snake, Song Xinya followed her into the study.
Qin Yuyan sat by the desk. On the desk was a transparent box containing her pet corn snakes.
She looked at the nest of corn snakes and said, "So what if no one celebrates my birthday with me? My little snakes will always be with me."
"These little snakes are my babies, and I am their mommy. As their mommy, I will always love my babies, every single one of them."
When Qin Yuyan said these words, her expression was serious, sincere, and resolute.
She turned to look at Song Xinya and said, "Ms. Song, I'm not in the mood to study today. You should go."
Song Xinya sat down right next to her. "Since you don't want to study, we won't study today."
Qin Yuyan hadn't expected Song Xinya to say this. She looked at her in surprise. "You're a teacher, why aren't you playing by the rules?"
Song Xinya: "What did you think I would say?"
Qin Yuyan: "I thought you'd be like other teachers and give me a bunch of grand lectures. Stuff like 'if you don't study, you have no future,' 'sleep in class today, carry bricks at a construction site in ten years,' 'if you can't endure the hardship of studying, you'll suffer the hardships of life,' blah blah blah, and then force me to study."
Song Xinya: "Would you study if I forced you?"
Qin Yuyan said very frankly, "No. If you forced me, I'd make your life a living hell."
Song Xinya's face remained calm and unfazed. "Should I say, thank you, little princess, for showing mercy?"
Qin Yuyan: "No need to thank me. You didn't force me to study, which is why I didn't mess with you. If you want to thank anyone, thank yourself."
Song Xinya placed the hognose snake she was holding on the desk and lifted the black cloth covering it. "This is a gift for you. See if you like it."
Qin Yuyan looked over and let out a "Wow!" "These little snakes are white!"
Song Xinya: "Do you like them?"
Qin Yuyan: "I love them. I love white."
She asked, "Is this my birthday present from you?"
Song Xinya told the truth: "No, because when I bought this gift, I didn't know your birthday was tomorrow."
Qin Yuyan: "Oh."
Song Xinya: "I will come to see you again tomorrow, and I will bring you a birthday present."
Qin Yuyan's eyes sparkled. Her parents weren't going to give her any gifts tomorrow, but this tutor said she would give her one. As if unable to believe it, she asked, "Really?"
Song Xinya: "As real as can be."
Qin Yuyan chuckled, revealing two sweet little dimples at the corners of her lips.
She asked curiously, "Ms. Song, what birthday present are you going to give me tomorrow?"
Song Xinya said, "A very meaningful birthday present."
Qin Yuyan grew even more curious: "What very meaningful birthday present? Tell me quickly."
Song Xinya: "A birthday present that will make you feel incredibly happy when you receive it."
Qin Yuyan's appetite was thoroughly whetted. "Ms. Song, stop keeping me in suspense. Just tell me."
Song Xinya: "Do you really want to know?"
Qin Yuyan nodded heavily twice. "Mhm!"
Song Xinya pulled a set of math test papers from her bag and placed them in front of her. "Finish this set of questions, and I'll tell you."
Qin Yuyan grabbed a pen and started writing on the paper. "Okay, I'll do the paper right now."
Song Xinya sat to the side with her arms crossed, a knowing smile of quiet triumph on her face.
In the study, Qin Yuyan scribbled furiously while Song Xinya leisurely teased the little snakes.
The rustling sound of a pen tip writing on paper drifted through the air.
Qin Yuyan finished the last question and suddenly realized—didn't they agree not to study today? She had just finished an entire test paper!
Song Xinya graded her paper. After the score came out, Song Xinya said, "Not bad. You scored an 8 last time, and you've improved this time. You got a 9."
Qin Yuyan: "Improving by one point a day, in five months I'll get a perfect score in math and shock the whole world."
Song Xinya: "Not just the world. The entire Milky Way will be shocked by you."
Qin Yuyan covered her mouth and laughed. "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. Don't want to alert the aliens and have them abduct me."
Song Xinya: "Let's review all the questions you got wrong."
Qin Yuyan paused slightly. "Didn't you say that once I finished the paper, you'd tell me what birthday present you prepared for me?"
Song Xinya: "When I said 'finish a test paper,' I meant the entire process: doing the paper, grading it, and reviewing the mistakes."
Qin Yuyan blinked. "Really?"
Song Xinya: "As real as can be."
Song Xinya spoke with absolute conviction: "I'm a teacher, why would I trick my student?"
Qin Yuyan thought about it. That made sense. She replied, "Alright then, hurry up and explain the mistakes to me."
Song Xinya began explaining the questions to Qin Yuyan one by one.
Qin Yuyan's foundation was poor. She had forgotten everything she learned in her sophomore year and hadn't learned anything at all during her freshman year.
Basically—some people rely on ability for exams, some rely on eyesight, but she relied on her imagination.
Sleeping during class, jumping around after class, and completely dying during exams.
Song Xinya had never taught such a poor student.
After pouring her heart and soul into teaching all afternoon, Song Xinya asked Qin Yuyan, "Did you memorize everything I just explained?"
Qin Yuyan patted her chest and said, "Don't worry, I forgot it all."
Song Xinya almost coughed up a mouthful of blood.
At seven o'clock in the evening, a servant came over to call Qin Yuyan for dinner.
The living room was huge, and the table was filled with food. Qin Yuyan sat alone in her chair.
Song Xinya put on her backpack and walked out. Just as her foot was about to step out the door, Qin Yuyan's voice came from behind: "Ms. Song, stay and have dinner with me."
Song Xinya turned back to look at her. In the massive space, her thin, small body looked incredibly lonely and isolated.
Song Xinya pulled her foot back and walked toward the dining table. "Alright, I happen to be hungry."
Qin Yuyan smiled, her eyes curving into crescents and her shallow dimples showing.
Song Xinya sat next to Qin Yuyan and scooped her a bowl of lotus root and pork rib soup.
During the meal, Qin Yuyan wanted to eat fish, so Song Xinya helped her pick out the bones.
The little princess had the kind of personality where she'd shine brightly if given even a little bit of sunshine. After finishing her meal, she puckered her lips at Song Xinya.
Song Xinya was confused. What was this? Surely she didn't want her to kiss her on the lips, right?
Two women making out?
Qin Yuyan: "Wipe my mouth for me."
Song Xinya pulled out a napkin and threw it at her face. "Wipe it yourself."
Qin Yuyan grabbed the napkin from her face and slowly wiped her mouth.
Setting the used napkin aside, she looked at Song Xinya and said, "I'm really happy you stayed to eat with me today. Let me do something for you too."
Song Xinya asked, "What are you going to do for me?"
Qin Yuyan: "Didn't you ask me before to find out if my brother has any other women besides my sister-in-law?"
"I'll call my brother right now and ask."
She picked up her phone and dialed Qin Yuhe's number. "Brother, what are you doing?"
Qin Yuhe: "Working. Making money."
Qin Yuyan: "You have worked so hard, bro. I promise I will not let you down. I will do a wonderful job spending the money you earn."
Qin Yuhe: "When are you finally going to grow a brain and earn some money for me to spend?"
Qin Yuyan thought about it seriously for a moment, then said, "Maybe in my next life."
Qin Yuhe: "I am hanging up."
"Hey, wait, wait, do not hang up," Qin Yuyan quickly called out to stop him. "Bro, I want to ask you, besides my sister-in-law, do you have any other women?"
Qin Yuhe thought of that woman. On her fair, plump right buttock, there was a small, round black mole...
