As She Wished - Chapter 6

After agreeing to work part-time, Fu Jing immediately followed Lu Jiuping to the bar counter in high spirits to learn how to clean up after closing. In truth, there was not much work to do. The cocktail tools only needed to be returned to their original places, and the counter wiped down.

When they had almost finished cleaning up,

Fu Jing was moving some decorations around when she suddenly noticed that there was also a small metal model inside one of the compartments. She took out the little craft piece, preparing to wipe the dust off it.

This Green Dragon Crescent Blade was very beautiful.

Although the workmanship could not be considered exquisite, after being scaled down proportionally, it was still quite pleasing to look at.

Its silver light was restrained, and the simple, delicate blade did not look like a toy at all.

Fu Jing held it curiously and swiped it across her palm.

In an instant, a faint white mark appeared, as though she had been scratched. After a few seconds, bright red blood slowly spread out…

This blade was actually sharpened.

Fu Jing was stunned. Models these days were made so seriously.

She stared at it hesitantly for a few seconds, then still took it over to ask Lu Jiuping, who was mopping the floor beside her, “I accidentally dirtied this Green Dragon Blade. It should be fine, right?”

“Did you use it to open wine?” Lu Jiuping had not noticed her movements earlier. She glanced at it and said indifferently, “It’s just a cheap thing that’s been sitting here for ages. It doesn’t matter even if you break it.”

Fu Jing relaxed and wiped it clean again with a tissue.

Then she put it back in its original place.

Lu Jiuping saw the dark red smear on the tissue and asked with interest, “Great God, how did you use that thing to open red wine? Teach me!”

“…I didn’t open red wine.” Great God Fu Jing shyly spread open her hand and explained, “I thought it was a toy, so I tried swiping it across my hand.”

The untreated bloody mark on her palm was half-congealed and looked somewhat ferocious.

Lu Jiuping cried out in shock, “Holy crap!”

She immediately threw away the rag in her hand and raised her voice to shout, “Sister Anjiu, hurry and bring the first-aid kit over! Fu Jing cut a huge gash in her hand!”

“Okay,” Tao Xian answered from not far away. “The first-aid kit is upstairs. I’ll go get it now.”

“How did you do this?” Ye Xinyi came over on her way past, glanced at it, and asked, “Cutting lemons shouldn’t cut your palm, right?”

“…”

And so, Fu Jing repeated how she had managed to do it.

In truth, she did not feel that this wound needed treatment at all.

But since someone had already said it, and even the first-aid kit was being brought over, it would not be good to refuse. Otherwise, it would seem as if she were deliberately trying to show how brave she was.

—

Everyone gradually finished cleaning up, and closing was complete. They paired off in twos and threes, preparing to leave. After hearing about Fu Jing cutting her hand, they all comforted and teased her a little.

Tao Xian came downstairs carrying the first-aid kit and also asked, “How did you hurt your hand?”

“…”

Fu Jing did not make a sound. She lifted her lashes and glanced at Gu Qingci behind Tao Xian.

Lu Jiuping answered for her from the side, “She saw a mini knife, thought it was fun, picked it up, and cut a line across her own palm.”

“The Green Dragon Crescent Blade on the bar counter?” Tao Xian still remembered the little thing she had casually bought. She opened the first-aid kit and took out a disposable cotton swab that came with iodine. Smiling, she said, “Then blame me. It’s something I bought. It’s specifically for cutting envelopes.”

“So it was a paper knife?” Fu Jing watched Tao Xian treat her wound, then stick on a Band-Aid with a little bear pattern. She smiled cheerfully. “No wonder it was quite sharp.”

“If there were a gun, would you also aim it at your temple and try it?” Gu Qingci suddenly spoke.

Her voice was a little cold, and her words somehow seemed to carry thorns.

Everyone in the bar froze when they heard it.

They all raised their eyes one after another, their gazes shifting from Fu Jing to Gu Qingci.

Gu Qingci’s usual image in the bar was very mysterious. Everyone knew she was Tao Xian’s friend, and that she did not look short on money. Occasionally, she would come over for a glass of wine and then leave quickly. Rarely, she would also sit alone quietly for a long while.

Although she seemed difficult to approach, she was not a cold and fierce person.

On the contrary, there was often a faint smile on her lips. She spoke slowly and gently, and she was careless toward everything.

So they had never seen her speak in such a low voice before.

“…”

“Fu Jing, it’s so late. How unsafe would it be for you to go back alone?” Tao Xian’s eyes shifted slightly, and she suddenly said very naturally, “Let Gu Qingci send you back, okay?”

Everyone in the bar was used to reading expressions and sensing the mood.

After reacting for a moment, they all chimed in.

“Fu Jing, where do you live?”

“You’re a student, so you should still be living at school, right?”

“Songjiang University seems quite a distance from here. Hurry and go with Gu Qingci.”

“No, I don’t live on campus anymore…”

Fu Jing had only said half a sentence when she suddenly stopped.

She anxiously scratched at the seam of her pants, wondering whether she should say the address. The new place she had just moved into was right near the bar. It was four hundred meters on foot to the entrance of the residential complex, then another two hundred meters to her front door.

Qin Zijin had warned her not to announce it, because pursuing someone to this extent sounded completely like the behavior of a stalker.

“…”

Seeing her lowered brows and eyes, with all her hesitation written on her face, Gu Qingci thought she was worried about troubling her. The corner of her lips lifted slightly, as though ice had melted, and only then did she speak.

“Then come with me. I’ll take you home.”

She stepped forward with her long legs and walked straight ahead a few steps.

“Okay.” Fu Jing came back to herself several beats late and jogged to catch up. At the door, she paused again, turned around, and waved goodbye to the people in the bar. “Bye-bye, everyone.”

The people in the bar could not help smiling. “Bye-bye, Fu Jing.”

“…”

—

At the entrance of the bar,

Gu Qingci took her car keys from her bag and pressed the unlock button. “Where do you live?”

“Cough…” Fu Jing cleared her throat, then obviously shifted her gaze away. After hesitating, she said, “I live in that… Bigui Garden.”

After a few seconds of silence,

The corner of Gu Qingci’s lips lifted. She turned around and glanced at the residential complex across the intersection, its decorative lights glowing. Confirming, she asked, “You mean this Bigui Garden right in front of us?”

“…Mm.”

Fu Jing quietly hid both hands behind her back, twisting them nervously. She wanted to lie and say it was a coincidence, but for some reason, she could not open her mouth.

Perhaps subconsciously, she felt that her lie would not fool Gu Qingci.

Unexpectedly, Gu Qingci did not say anything more about it.

Fu Jing lifted her eyes and secretly looked at her.

Their gazes met directly.

“…”

Gu Qingci said amusedly, “Then haven’t we already arrived?”

She thought to herself that this kid actually had a decent sense of safety.

At least she knew it was best to live as close as possible when going home at night.

Hearing her say that, Fu Jing froze. “Oh. Then I’ll go back.”

She was a little disappointed, but very sensibly waved goodbye to Gu Qingci.

She had not taken more than a few steps when she was called back. “Wait.”

Fu Jing turned around.

She saw Gu Qingci lock the car again. Gu Qingci took a few steps forward and stuffed a lollipop from who knew where into her hand, saying casually, “Let’s go. I said I would take you home.”

“…”

Fu Jing stared blankly at the candy in her hand. Several beats later, she smiled and followed. “Why are you giving me candy too?”

It had just rained heavily outside. The ground was slightly damp, and a special fresh scent drifted through the air. There were quite a few cars passing through the intersection, and the numbers on the traffic light changed.

Fu Jing kept her gaze fixed on Gu Qingci, completely failing to notice the condition of the ground.

Gu Qingci could not help raising her hand and lightly wrapping an arm around Fu Jing’s waist, guiding her toward herself. “Watch where you’re going. Be careful not to step on an earthworm.”

In less than two seconds, she let go.

But Fu Jing used that force and naturally leaned toward her.

She even hummed softly and answered sweetly, “Okay.”

Her movements were especially natural. If someone were watching from far away, they would definitely misunderstand and think Gu Qingci had deliberately pulled her into her arms.

“…”

Even Gu Qingci froze for a moment.

After a pause, she glanced sideways at Fu Jing beside her. “Kid, do you like me that much?”

“Mm.” Fu Jing bit her lip. Although she was shy, her answer did not hesitate. “Of course.”

“We haven’t spoken more than a few sentences in total. What do you like about me?”

“…I like the way you look.” Fu Jing furrowed her brows and thought for a long while, but in the end, she could only give this sincere yet unromantic answer.

Gu Qingci did not seem to mind at all and nodded.

They stopped in front of the crosswalk.

Gu Qingci said, “When you cross the road by yourself, remember to pay attention to the traffic lights too.”

Fu Jing: “…?”

Why was she even talking about traffic rules?

Fu Jing was slightly embarrassed and could not help reminding her, “I’m already twenty.”

Gu Qingci suddenly revealed a hint of a smile and told her, “Fu Jing, I’m nine years older than you. We’re practically from two different generations.”

Her tone was gentle, but the meaning in her words was not vague.

“Mm, I’ve remembered your age.” Fu Jing nodded in response. “What else?”

“…”

Gu Qingci frowned, realizing that Fu Jing seemed completely unable to understand indirect words.

After a long while, seeing that Gu Qingci did not speak, Fu Jing took the initiative and asked, “What blood type are you? I’m type O.”

Gu Qingci was a little helpless, but still answered along with her. “I’m type O too.”

“This is our common point.” Fu Jing immediately clapped her hands, her tone sincere and enthusiastic. “That’s great. If something happens in the future, I can donate blood to you!”

Gu Qingci: “…………”

—

Before they knew it, they had already reached the downstairs of Fu Jing’s home.

“I live in 901.” Fu Jing still did not want to part with her. “Do you want to come up and sit for a while?”

“It’s very late.” Gu Qingci raised her hand and suddenly pinched Fu Jing’s cheek, reminding her, “Go home, eat the candy, and sleep early.”

“…Okay.”

Fu Jing swiped open the access control of the standalone building and went inside, looking back every few steps. Even in the elevator, she was still smiling foolishly, her round eyes sparkling with excitement she could not hide.

Gu Qingci had actually pinched her face. Just now, she had even held her waist!

Fu Jing entered her home with uneven steps, her heart floating. When she turned into the bathroom to wash her hands and lifted her eyes, she saw her flushed face in the mirror. She could not help washing her face with cold water.

In her heart, she silently chanted: Fu Jing, oh Fu Jing, you can’t be this hopeless.

She casually took the lollipop hidden in her pocket back out, looked at it for a while, then took a photo and sent it to Qin Zijin. Carefully telling her the whole sequence of events, she anxiously asked: [Does she really see me as a child?]

Fu Jing added: [But there’s only a nine-year difference between us.]

Fu Jing asked: [Why did she give me candy too?]

The photo also captured a corner of the little bear Band-Aid on her palm.

On the other end, Qin Zijin quickly replied: [She specially gave it to you and even reminded you to eat it and sleep early. Maybe she wants you… to forget the unpleasantness of your hand being cut by the knife tonight, and only remember the sweetness of the candy.]