Picked Up the Female Lead When She Was Young (GL) - Chapter 34

Zhou Qinglang knew Xia Wanshuang cared about her.

But even with that certainty, Zhou Qinglang was still not satisfied. She knew Xia Wanshuang was a wonderful, gentle person, kind and rational. That kindness seemed to seep from her very bones, like a babbling brook, softly melting people’s hearts.

But precisely because of this, Xia Wanshuang wasn’t just kind to her. She was kind to Lin Qiushui, kind to Zhao Tianhang, and even to beggars on the street, street performers, and waste collectors. Xia Wanshuang would always lend a hand when she saw them, warming others with her actions and setting an example for Zhou Qinglang that taught her the meaning of: “Do not fail to do good, however small.”

Her sister’s goodness was not a selfish kind of goodness. Because of this, Zhou Qinglang was sometimes terrified. If one day her sister met another pitiable child just like she had been, would Xia Wanshuang treat that child the same way she treated Zhou Qinglang?

Every time this thought came up, Zhou Qinglang felt a wave of panic. That person hadn’t even appeared yet, but just thinking about it made her feel like a huge chunk had been carved out of her heart.

It wasn’t that her sister didn’t provide enough security; it was that Zhou Qinglang demanded too much.

••••

“These two are going to smother me with their sweetness eventually.” Lin Qiushui made a face of disgust. He didn’t understand why girls had to be so clingy, just like he didn’t understand why girls had to hold hands when going to the restroom.

“It’s so sweet it hurts my teeth… Wait… crap… my mouth actually hurts.” Lin Qiushui touched his palate with his tongue and winced. “Zhao Tianhang, Zhao Tianhang, look for me! I think I have a canker sore.”

“No thanks,” Zhao Tianhang glanced at him and cruelly refused.

“Are we even brothers?! Shuangshuang, come look for me.” Lin Qiushui was about to open his mouth toward Xia Wanshuang but was pushed away by a disgusted Zhou Qinglang.

“I can’t feel a single ounce of warmth left in this world.”

“Open up,” Zhao Tianhang, unable to endure the whining any longer, pinched Lin Qiushui’s nose.

They bickered and played all the way to the bike shed. They were still four people on two bikes.

“Aunt Jiang still isn’t back?” Xia Wanshuang figured Jiang Wan had been gone for four days. She had mentioned bringing back local specialties in their last chat, so Xia Wanshuang thought she’d be home soon.

“No, I think she said a few more days.” Since Zhao Tianhang started middle school, Jiang Wan had changed jobs, making her busier, with frequent business trips.

“Then why don’t you come stay at my place? I can clean up the guest room.” This way, she could look after Zhao Tianhang, and also give the two kids a chance to develop a relationship. So far, the two didn’t seem to have sparked any romance, but Xia Wanshuang was calm; it was normal. After all, Langlang was still young, and Tianhang wasn’t a very expressive person. As the saying goes, if you don’t have an opportunity, you create one; if you don’t have conditions, you create them.

“I’m afraid if I go, someone’s jealousy is going to multiply. The two bottles of vinegar I brought back last time might not be enough for her.” Zhao Tianhang spoke seriously, but his tone was full of teasing.

“It’s fine, it’s only for a few days. You can’t cook, and eating out all the time isn’t good.”

“Then come to my house! I have an auntie.” Lin Qiushui offered casually. His house was big and he had a cook; why should Xia Wanshuang bother cleaning a room?

“Yeah, Sister. It’s much easier for Zhao Tianhang to go to Lin Qiushui’s house. It’s only for a few days anyway.” Zhou Qinglang, finding Lin Qiushui unusually agreeable, immediately chimed in.

The plan to create conditions for romance died a quick death. Xia Wanshuang thought, perhaps the time isn’t right.

Zhou Qinglang looked at Lin Qiushui and gave him a thumbs-up where Xia Wanshuang couldn’t see. Lin Qiushui patted his chest, signaling he was completely fine with it. The little jealous pot is sometimes easy to appease, Lin Qiushui thought happily. Now my homework is safe.

Zhao Tianhang smiled to himself, his hands in his pockets, and continued walking slowly ahead.

••••

The day of the Sports Meet, the sun was particularly bright. Xia Wanshuang and Zhou Qinglang got dressed in the morning.

Zhou Qinglang wore the white shirt and black skirt her class had decided on. The skirt had a cinched waist, making her look even skinnier and long-legged.

“Our Langlang is so beautiful,” Xia Wanshuang’s gaze swept over Zhou Qinglang’s features inch by inch, and an inexplicable feeling of “my girl has grown up” welled up in her heart. The female lead’s beauty was naturally beyond words—a favor from the creator. Every detail was perfect.

“Sister is the most beautiful,” Zhou Qinglang nudged her nose against Xia Wanshuang’s playfully. Her eyes were pure and bright, looking straight into Xia Wanshuang’s heart. Zhou Qinglang’s eyes were pure black, which was rare, as most people’s eyes were various shades of brown.

“You’re just trying to flatter me.” Xia Wanshuang gently touched Zhou Qinglang’s cheek. The girl had been fond of sweet talk since she was little.

“I’m telling the truth.” Zhou Qinglang hugged Xia Wanshuang’s soft waist, tightening her arms, and only separating after a long moment of lingering.

The Sports Meet began. Stirring music played on the field. Each class had to line up and walk past the main stage.

Xia Wanshuang carried Class 1’s placard. She wore the class uniform, her high ponytail tied up. She looked radiant and pure in the sunlight, giving off an aura of freshness and beauty.

Zhou Qinglang carried Class 4’s flag. Her classmates had practically forced her into it, saying she was their best representation and they had to choose the best-looking person. The class monitor nervously went to consult with Zhou Qinglang, afraid she would refuse. Zhou Qinglang hadn’t wanted to agree, but the moment she heard Xia Wanshuang was carrying Class 1’s placard, she immediately accepted. Although she couldn’t stand next to her sister, standing in the same position was a close second.

After the parade, each class moved to its designated area. Xia Wanshuang had to read announcements on the main stage, which gave her freedom to move around.

She went up to the high platform and immediately spotted Zhou Qinglang in the crowd wearing the skirt, almost glowing. But as she watched, Xia Wanshuang felt a moment of panic. Why were so many boys crowding around Langlang, offering her water, food, and being so attentive? Mother Xia Wanshuang instantly grew anxious, only relaxing when she saw Zhou Qinglang ignore them.

Ms. Xia had completely forgotten that she had been the one internally strategizing about creating opportunities for Zhou Qinglang yesterday. Her treatment of Zhao Tianhang versus other boys was a clear case of double standards.

Zhou Qinglang’s events were all in the afternoon. Xia Wanshuang had been reading her classmates’ submissions: she was tired of saying the words “crisp autumn weather” and “athlete heroes.”

Before the relay race, Zhou Qinglang looked up at the main stage. Her sister was right there. Somehow, Zhou Qinglang just knew that at that moment, her sister was looking at her, too.

Xia Wanshuang was indeed watching from the stage, ready to cheer when the race started. The Women’s 4x100m relay began. At the sound of the whistle, the first runners all took off.

Zhou Qinglang was the last leg, waiting for her teammates. Class 4 fell behind in the first leg. Even though the second and third runners pushed hard, Class 4 was still lagging when the baton reached Zhou Qinglang.

Xia Wanshuang was reading Class 1’s cheering draft on the stage. After she finished, she stood up and saw Zhou Qinglang desperately trying to catch up to the runners ahead.

“Go, classmates! Go, Zhou Qinglang!”

“Class Monitor! You’re playing favorites!” Class 1 students groaned. Xia Wanshuang had shouted into the microphone, loud enough for the entire field to hear.

When people run at top speed, they usually can’t hear much around them, but miraculously, Zhou Qinglang heard that one cheer. It flowed in from every corner of the field, surrounding her like converging water, clinging tightly, filling her with joy.

The speed that had seemed utterly maxed out found a new gear. To everyone’s astonishment, Zhou Qinglang passed two runners in the last two seconds, winning the race by a narrow margin.

Class 4 erupted in cheers. Zhou Ying, who had almost taken first place, stood frozen in shock. How was that possible?!

“Wow, she’s got great potential. What an athlete,” the physical education teacher praised, making Class 4’s homeroom teacher immediately vigilant.

“I’m telling you, don’t even think about it. She’s number one in our class.”

“Fine,” the PE teacher conceded.

Apart from Class 4’s celebration, the other classes were all dumbfounded.

Xia Wanshuang asked the other announcement reader on the stage to cover for her and rushed down to the finish line to meet Zhou Qinglang. Many Class 4 students were already there, running to greet Zhou Qinglang and offer her water.

Zhou Qinglang shook her head, politely refusing everyone’s support and water. She was panting hard and walking forward on her own. She didn’t stop for Zhao Tianhang or Lin Qiushui, either.

“The little jealous pot looks like she’s in pain. Does she really not want our help?” Lin Qiushui was holding a towel. He had called out to Zhou Qinglang, but she just waved him off and kept staggering forward.

“Just wait. Here comes the help she wants.” Zhao Tianhang lifted his chin, watching Xia Wanshuang approach.

There was no one more qualified than Zhao Tianhang, who had witnessed everything, to talk about how dependent Zhou Qinglang was on Xia Wanshuang. Zhao Tianhang knew that Zhou Qinglang was territorial. She didn’t like people getting close to her and was wary of everyone and everything, except Xia Wanshuang. He hadn’t noticed it much when they were little, but as they got older, Zhao Tianhang realized how severe Zhou Qinglang’s dependency on Xia Wanshuang was. Just now, Zhou Qinglang was panting uncontrollably, on the verge of collapse, yet she avoided everyone else’s help and walked forward step by step on her own.

Zhou Qinglang’s world didn’t seem to have room for many people. She only opened her inner world to Xia Wanshuang. Even after growing up together, Zhao Tianhang couldn’t claim to fully understand Zhou Qinglang.

Zhou Qinglang was walking with her head down, her steps extremely slow. Her heart was beating so fast it felt like it was going to explode. She could hear her own labored breathing. Sweat dripped from her forehead, blurring her vision and stinging her eyes, but Zhou Qinglang didn’t even have the strength to wipe it away. The final burst of speed had completely drained her. Then, faintly, Zhou Qinglang caught a familiar, soft scent.

“Sister.” Zhou Qinglang stopped walking, waiting for the person behind her to catch up.

“I’ll help you walk.”

“Mhm.”

“Do you want some water?”

“No strength. Sister, feed me.” Zhou Qinglang’s voice was hoarse as she leaned into Xia Wanshuang, acting spoiled.

“Wait a moment, I need a bottle of water.” Xia Wanshuang paused and looked back.

“Zhao Tianhang, water.” Zhou Qinglang spoke first, possessively unwilling to hear another person’s name in Xia Wanshuang’s mouth at this moment.

“Go on. Need something? It’s Zhao Tianhang. Nothing needed? It’s Xia Wanshuang.” Lin Qiushui patted Zhao Tianhang’s shoulder, amused by his own joke.

“Zhou Qinglang’s answer is always Xia Wanshuang, whether she needs something or not.” Zhao Tianhang corrected him, walking over with the water.