After the Early-Deceased White Moonlight of a Wealthy Family Returns (GL) - Chapter 47

“How do we walk?” Meng Xi and Shen Huaijin were leaning on each other’s shoulders, stumbling out of the private room toward the elevator. Both had lost their sense of direction, swerving left and right like a car with a broken steering wheel.

Su Wu calmly grabbed each of them by the back of their collars. “You’re both like this; how exactly do you plan to walk? I’ve already called a designated driver.”

Of the four adults, only Su Wu hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol. Ji Lan had been drinking, but she wasn’t as dizzy as the other two; aside from slightly flushed cheeks, she showed no other symptoms.

Shen Huaijin swayed unhappily, trying to shake off Su Wu’s grip.

Su Wu simply let go.

Shen Huaijin promptly collapsed onto Meng Xi.

Meng Xi: “Whoa, it’s Mount Tai pressing down!”

Shen Huaijin: “Nonsense!”

Meng Xi tried to push her off but failed, suddenly shouting: “You, Shen, you have no conscience! You left just like that, abandoned your friends! You dog! You’re heartless!”

Shen Huaijin nodded: “I’m guilty. I’m a dog.”

Meng Xi sighed, pulled Huaijin close, and patted her back. “Forget it, sister. You had no choice. I understand.”

Shen Huaijin let out a wail: “You understand nothing! Your sister is still alive! My sister—”

Suddenly, her arm was pulled. Shen Huaijin looked sideways in confusion.

Shen You’an said helplessly: “Sister, I’m right here.”

Tears instantly burst from Shen Huaijin’s eyes. She lunged at her, hugging her tightly: “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Meng Xi let out an “aiyah” and leaned toward Huaijin: “The Qiantang River is flooding.”

Meng Dongdong stood by with a blank expression. “Sister Su Wu, are they crazy?”

What were they even talking about?

Su Wu: “You could say that.”

After consulting Ji Lan, she arranged: “I’m not comfortable with those two like this. I’ll have the driver take the cars while I take them home and to the hotel. Ji Lan, could I trouble you to take Dongdong home? You two can look out for each other.”

Ji Lan: “It’s my duty.”

Meng Dongdong didn’t think twice: “No!”

She grabbed Shen You’an’s arm: “I want to go with An-jie.”

Shen You’an felt like she was being pulled apart. Shen Huaijin was hugging her, and Meng Dongdong was clinging to her. She raised her hands in surrender. Su Wu’s gaze swept over Dongdong and Huaijin’s hands before unhesitatingly prying Huaijin’s hands off.

Shen Huaijin tilted and hugged Meng Xi instead.

Meng Xi: “Holy crap, a zombie attack.”

Meng Dongdong tightened her grip triumphantly: “Thank you, Sister Su Wu.”

Ji Lan’s gaze darkened. “Dongdong, it’s already a lot of trouble for them to look after your sister and Shen Huaijin. You should come with me.”

Meng Dongdong: “I’ll help them!”

Ji Lan lowered her brow: “Meng Dongdong.”

Dongdong was truly unhappy and turned her head away. Ji Lan’s eyes, usually full of gentle charm, stared back with a heavy intensity.

Shen You’an felt she was the only one present who understood Dongdong’s stubbornness. She felt the girl’s fingertips trembling on her arm. She patted the back of Dongdong’s hand twice and said to Ji Lan: “Auntie Lan, Dongdong has made her decision. I hope you can respect that. Don’t worry, we will get her home safely.”

Ji Lan frowned: “What does this have to do with you? I am speaking to her.”

Meng Dongdong snapped: “Ji Lan! What’s with that attitude toward my friend!”

Ji Lan’s frown deepened: “It was just one sentence. Is she worth you defending her like this?”

Dongdong bit her lip and turned away, her round, grape-like eyes full of anger.

Su Wu’s hand rested lightly on You’an’s shoulder as she handed her the car keys. “The driver is here. You and Dongdong take Meng Xi’s keys to her, then get in my car. I had the driver park it here before dinner.”

Shen You’an gripped the keys and bit her lip. Su Wu gave her a gentle smile: “Go. Don’t make Auntie wait.”

Ji Lan wanted to say something more, but Su Wu turned and met her gaze coldly.

“Ji Lan, you’ve had a bit too much to drink today.” Su Wu’s voice was steady, but the smile she had for You’an was gone, her face cold enough to freeze. “I won’t hold what you just said against you. But I hope that when you wake up, you’ll remember what I’m about to say.”

“You are an adult in your thirties. You’an and Dongdong are just high schoolers. Before you lose your temper with them, I hope you keep that premise clear.”

“Your driver is here too. You seem to be in a decent state. Safe travels.”

After saying this, Su Wu turned and hauled her two old friends—who were currently huddling in a corner pretending to be trash cans—toward the garage.

Ji Lan stood there for a moment, silent, before letting out a scoff and covering her forehead. Her skin, flushed from the alcohol, was alarmingly hot.

Meng Dongdong doesn’t want to look after her at all. She used to be a little shadow following her everywhere, but now she had suddenly learned to cast her aside.

Ji Lan suddenly froze. Or rather—maybe she remembered.

Su Wu drove, Shen You’an sat in the front, and Meng Dongdong was squeezed in the back with the two drunks.

After dropping off Meng Xi and Dongdong, Su Wu planned to take Shen Huaijin to her hotel. But after a ride in the car, both Meng Xi and Huaijin were making a fuss about going home for a “second round” of drinks.

Su Wu was slightly disgusted. “Dongdong, what do you think?”

Dongdong said: “It’s fine, Sister Su Wu. My parents are at the old house; it won’t be a problem.”

Su Wu nodded. Before getting out, Dongdong said to You’an awkwardly: “An-jie, I’m sorry. I’m apologizing for Auntie Lan. I don’t know what’s wrong with her, but she didn’t mean it. She’s just drunk and has a bit of a temper.”

“Dongdong, I’m fine. But you…” Shen You’an found it hard to say more. “Protect yourself,” she said seriously. “Don’t let yourself get hurt.”

Dongdong froze, looked at You’an, and her eyes stung. She realized You’an likely knew what she meant by the “story” she had told. “I know, An-jie. Thank you.”

Dongdong forced a smile: “See you Monday! Same time, same place, I’ll pick you up!”

Shen You’an smiled too: “Okay.”

After watching Dongdong and the two “crazies” go inside, You’an finally looked away. The air, which had been boisterous since the afternoon, finally settled.

“I’m sorry you had to deal with that,” Su Wu said.

Shen You’an shook her head: “It’s okay. Dongdong said Auntie Lan is just drunk, or maybe she has things on her mind.”

“You aren’t a punching bag; why should she take it out on you?” Su Wu said. “Don’t call her ‘Auntie.’ If you do, doesn’t that make my seniority lower than hers? I don’t want to call her that.”

You’an tilted her head and looked at Su Wu intently, as if discovering something new. “A-jie, you’re angry.”

Su Wu chuckled at her tone. “Why so surprised?”

“I haven’t seen you angry much,” You’an recalled. The incident on the mountain didn’t count. In daily life, Su Wu was a cool beauty, but she rarely lost her temper and was calm about everything.

“I’m human; humans have emotions and get angry,” Su Wu said. “But I usually process those emotions before I get home. Today was… honestly, I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing?” You’an’s eyes went round. “I know you were angry on my behalf. I’m actually… a little happy. And!”

Su Wu’s gaze melted; her eyes were smiling as she looked over, making You’an feel a bit flustered. She looked away and continued: “It’s okay to be angry. You can be angry with me too. A home is a place that should hold everything.”

Su Wu smiled and agreed. However, in her heart, she didn’t think a home was a place that could hold anything. It was more fragile than anything else, so it required more care.

“Then I’ll try to have a small ‘thunderstorm’ in front of you next time,” she said.

You’an muttered: “Actually, you already have.”

Su Wu raised an eyebrow: “Are you sure you want to bring that up?”

You’an covered her mouth, knowing she was in the wrong, and shook her head. Su Wu started the car and headed home. You’an stole a glance at her profile.

Su Wu: “What is it?”

You’an shook her head and turned to look out the window. Her heart was beating fast; something in her body was clamoring again, but she couldn’t tell what it meant.

“I want to learn to drive too,” she said suddenly.

Su Wu: “Hm?”

You’an: “It’s always you driving me.”

Su Wu: “That’s because I’m the older sister.”

You’an: “So what? No one says a younger sister can’t drive the older one.” She spoke with her head down, fidgeting with her fingers. “You’ve worked so hard today. This morning… you walked such a long mountain path to find me. And just now you were busy getting everyone home. A-jie, I don’t want to just sit in the passenger seat next time something like this happens, unable to help. I want to take care of you too.”

You’an’s head dropped lower. “I was bad,” she whispered. “After last night, I only thought about my own feelings and felt too ashamed to face you. I didn’t think about how you had to face such a terrifying experience. I didn’t know how to take responsibility. A-jie, I’m sorry. I’m not sensible at all.”

Su Wu took a deep breath. You’an’s head stayed down.

Su Wu: “This is a city elevated highway.”

You’an: “Huh?”

Su Wu: “Illegal parking costs three points on your license.”

You’an: “…?”

Su Wu: “Remember this for the exam; it might come up in Part 1.”

You’an nodded, confused as to why the topic had suddenly shifted.

“So I’m going to drive very fast now,” Su Wu said. “Hold on.”

You’an realized she was picking up many “different” versions of Su Wu today. She didn’t know Su Wu could drive this fast. Usually, she was steady and quiet in traffic. Tonight, the car moved with exceptional speed.

They arrived at the garage of their usual home. Su Wu said: “Get out.”

You’an hurriedly unbuckled and followed Su Wu into the elevator. Neither spoke. You’an felt a bit apprehensive, trying to remember if she’d said something wrong. She chewed over her words so intently she didn’t realize she’d followed Su Wu through the front door.

The door closed softly. Su Wu reminded her: “Change your shoes.”

You’an obeyed, slipping on the rabbit slippers Su Wu had placed by the mat. “Wait for me on the sofa,” Su Wu added.

Alarm bells rang in You’an’s head. She sat on the sofa like a student in a strict classroom. Her ears were pricked, listening to Su Wu’s every move. She went into the kitchen, opened a cabinet, got some water, and came back out. Two matching glass cups were placed in front of You’an.

“You’an, I’ve noticed a problem with you.”

You’an’s breathing hitched. “What is it?”

“You don’t drink enough water.” Su Wu held her cup, leaning against the divider cabinet, watching her from a distance. From that distance, she could see all of You’an’s reactions.

She saw You’an let out a huge sigh of relief and mutter: “A-jie, you’ve said that before.” Su Wu made sure she had her thermos every morning. You’an picked up the cup with both hands and took a deep gulp.

So cute.

Su Wu smiled, then turned serious again. “There’s another problem.”

You’an’s hand shook, nearly dropping the cup. “What do you think I’m going to say?” Su Wu threw the question back at her.

“Ah? I…” You’an was speechless, feeling like a student caught napping and called on to answer a question. Her short nails scratched against the glass as she struggled to say: “I shouldn’t have just left like that today.”

That was it. You’an felt she’d caught the “tail of correctness.” Su Wu’s reaction had changed after she said those words.

“I’m sorry.” She bowed her head in deep reflection. “I didn’t consider your feelings at all. I was selfish. I only saw my own problems as problems and didn’t consider your situation.”

Su Wu didn’t speak; she just sighed. You’an’s soul trembled, and she stole a glance at her. “A-jie…?”

“Wait a moment.” Su Wu held her cup. “My emotions are a bit complicated; let me organize them.”

So You’an watched as Su Wu took two sips of water, pinched the bridge of her nose, set down the cup, and leaned back against the cabinet. You’an felt she was doomed. In this moment of life and death, the first thought that popped into her head was: Su Wu looks so beautiful with that relaxed posture and tired expression.

“Shen You’an.”

“Here!”

“…” Su Wu laughed. She said: “Do you know what your problem is?”

You’an shook her head blankly.

Su Wu said: “You are too sensible. That is the problem I don’t know how to handle.”

You’an didn’t understand. Su Wu gazed at her, her eyes as soft as a breeze. She thought of how You’an, even after losing her reason, had obeyed her, stopped when she heard Su Wu’s voice, and feared she was hurting her. Now, seeing her bow her head and say she was wrong made Su Wu’s heart ache.

Ten years in an apocalypse, being a monster—what had it done to her? Su Wu hated the apocalypse and those who created the monsters, but she also felt that without it, You’an might not have survived at all. That was fate—always two sides of the same coin.

“You said you want to learn to drive so I won’t have to work so hard. I know you’re worried about me. I wanted to tell you that having you by my side is what makes things the least hard. But then you say you haven’t done well and that you were ‘not sensible’ this morning.”

“Shen You’an…” Su Wu called her name with a sense of helplessness. A thousand words were in her throat, yet none could be spoken steadily. Every word, no matter how she tried to say it, felt like an approaching tsunami. She could only breathe again, close her eyes, and open them. “If you think you did wrong, then I tell you: I forgive you.”

“On the ship, I was the one who ignored your refusal and insisted on opening that door. Even if you don’t remember, I was the one who decided to bring you home. I am the one who should bear the consequences.”

“For making you carry such guilt, You’an, can you forgive me too?”

You’an’s tears flowed uncontrollably. “It’s not like that!” she started crying. “A-jie is wrong, it’s not like that! You did nothing wrong!”

Su Wu didn’t expect her to cry so hard and panicked. She stepped over quickly, unusually flustered, pulling a tissue from the box You’an had hand-sewn. She knelt down, cupping You’an’s face with one hand and gently wiping her tears with the other.

You’an cried even louder. “It’s my fault, A-jie is never wrong.”

Su Wu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Her heart was soft and aching. “Why has this become a courtroom debate? That wasn’t my intention. Meng Xi was right; you and Shen Huaijin are the same—when you cry, the Qiantang River floods.”

“Waaaah!”

“Now it’s the Three Gorges Dam.” Su Wu tried to tease her.

You’an suddenly blew a snot bubble. Su Wu tried to wipe it, but You’an shyly turned away, took the tissue, and blew her nose loudly. She reached for the trash can, but Su Wu held out her palm to take the tissue, set it aside, and then used her cool, dry finger to wipe the tear tracks from You’an’s eyes.

“Why the sudden tears?” she asked very softly. “Tell me, okay?”

You’an clutched Su Wu’s sleeve. “I don’t know.” Her mind was a mess. “I’m not smart like you, and I can’t speak well. I… I always did poorly in math, and I still do. Since I was little, I was never picked for the debate team.” Once she started talking, she couldn’t stop crying.

Su Wu was patient. For every tear, she wiped it away, saying: “I know, I know.”

You’an took a couple of quick breaths, clutching Su Wu’s sleeve tighter. Her eyes were red as she looked into Su Wu’s. “A-jie always says I can do whatever I want, and that you’ll stay by me. You’re always so good to me, and even after today, you only care about me and take all the blame on yourself.”

“But I don’t want that.” She was crying messily. “Su Wu, I don’t want it to be like this.”

“I want to be good to you too, but I… I haven’t done well enough… I…” She spoke in fragments, her words punctuated by heartbreaking sobs. “I don’t want it to be like this, where only you are good to me. I don’t want that.”

“I won’t forgive you; you did nothing wrong. You just want to be too good to me.” All of You’an’s thoughts suddenly became clear through her tears. Su Wu had done nothing wrong; she just wanted to be good to her, so she worried and opened the door. Even after seeing the terrifying monster, she stayed for her and brought her home.

Su Wu gazed at her intensely.

You’an was crying so hard all her emotions were flooding out like the Three Gorges Dam. She had to say it: “You don’t know how scared I was just now. You drove so fast and said nothing the whole way, and then you stood so far away when we got back… I was so scared, A-jie, I was so scared you wouldn’t want me anymore…”

“I—”

Before she could finish, Su Wu pulled her into a tight, warm embrace.

“I’m sorry.” Su Wu buried her head in You’an’s shoulder. “I just needed a moment to calm down.”

Her hands on You’an’s back were trembling. Su Wu took a deep breath, closing her eyes to hide the madness. Only she knew how hard she’d fought to stop herself from kissing the girl just now.

How can the person I like be this good?

Su Wu patted You’an’s back rhythmically. “I said those things because I don’t want your first reaction to everything to be reflecting on yourself and checking if you weren’t ‘sensible’ enough. You’an, I don’t want you to be like that. This world… there aren’t many good people. Some will use your kindness to make you torment yourself. Sometimes, I’d rather you were a complete villain, a real monster, than see you like this.”

“You carry enough already; you don’t need to be more ‘sensible’ or worry about others’ feelings.”

“You survived the apocalypse and came back here, and you fight your instincts every day.”

“You’an, you’re already amazing.”

“But A-jie isn’t ‘others’.” You’an hugged Su Wu tightly, very seriously. “A-jie is not others.”

“A-jie… A-jie is a good person too.”

Su Wu’s eyes were a bit wet, but her lips curled into a self-deprecating smile. She didn’t know when she’d become associated with the words “good person.” Cold, heartless, and selfish—that was her true nature. She was only willing to be a bit better to the world because You’an was in it. She was good to You’an because she wanted her to stay forever. She was the one with ulterior motives from the start. Her kindness was never without a purpose. Her devotion was full of enticement.

“Okay, we are both good.” Su Wu hugged her tight and ruffled her hair. “Done crying?”

You’an shook her head. “I didn’t mean to.”

“It’s okay to cry,” Su Wu smiled. “Comforting a sister who accidentally started crying is a sweet trouble for any older sister.”

“You’an, remember what you said in the car? A home is a place that holds everything. So no matter who you are or what you do, I will hold it. We… are family.”

“Chosen family, not family decided by blood.”

Su Wu surreptitiously hid all the “wrong” things in her eyes. You’an already carried too much. She didn’t want, and wouldn’t allow, her to carry the weight of her own world-shattering feelings. Living together as family, never separating—Su Wu felt she had learned to be content.

“Remember what you said on your eighteenth birthday? You gave your wish to me. Now, Shen You’an, I’m going to make a wish.”

“I…” Su Wu paused. “I wish that in this new year, you will be a bit kinder to yourself. Just a bit kinder.”