Picked Up the Female Lead When She Was Young (GL) - Chapter 39

Unable to resist Zhou Qinglang, Xia Wanshuang ended up hanging Zhou Qinglang’s clothes in her own bedroom closet.

Xia Wanshuang’s room had a bay window where she had just placed some new green plants.

Zhou Qinglang, in a great mood, happily went to water the flowers like a busy little bee, humming a song.

Xia Wanshuang had just finished tidying the house and was about to figure out a quick lunch when Lin Qiushui called.

“Shuangshuang, are you done cleaning up? Let’s go out to eat!”

“Just finished. What should we eat?”

“I’ll come and get you. Just wait at home.”

Lin Qiushui hung up after saying that.

Xia Wanshuang twitched her mouth and told Zhou Qinglang that their dinner plans were sorted.

••••

Xia Wanshuang changed clothes and combed her hair.

“Langlang, do you think I should cut my hair? It feels so long, and it’s a hassle.”

Xia Wanshuang’s long hair reached her waist, but she wasn’t particularly thrilled about it because washing it took a lot of time.

“If Sister wants to cut it, then cut it. I’ll cut mine too.” Zhou Qinglang originally had short hair, but she hadn’t cut it in over a year of middle school—Xia Wanshuang only trimmed her bangs. It had grown long enough to tie into a ponytail at the back of her head.

“Are you going back to short hair?”

“Mhm, it’s easier.”

“Alright. Then let’s go to the hair salon after lunch.”

That was Xia Wanshuang’s plan, but reality was different from her imagination. After they ate, Lin Qiushui dragged them to a KTV.

Lin Qiushui’s reasoning was: “You can cut your hair anytime. The mood is right today. After lunch, let’s go to KTV and sing our hearts out. We can get our hair cut after singing.”

Teacher Xia was actually hesitant about going to KTV. She had many skills—she could play chess and the piano—but she could not sing. She was naturally tone-deaf and always sang off-key. Despite having a face that looked like she could sing, Xia Wanshuang was musically challenged in both lives. To make things worse, Zhou Qinglang and Lin Qiushui were egging her on to sing.

“Shuangshuang, just sing one song. I’ve never heard you sing before.”

“I’m not a good singer.”

“Sister’s singing is definitely beautiful! The most beautiful in my heart.”

Xia Wanshuang was worried, thinking Zhou Qinglang’s flattery would cease the moment she finished the song.

“Hurry up, hurry up! What do you want to sing? I’ll queue it up for you. The time has come to unleash your golden voice!”

“Then you guys better be mentally prepared.”

“Mhm, mhm, mhm, mhm!” Lin Qiushui nodded frantically, handing the microphone to Xia Wanshuang.

Xia Wanshuang listened to a lot of music but could barely sing any of it. She cautiously chose “Tong Hua” (Fairy Tale), a melody she thought she could manage.

The first few lines were actually okay. Then the rest of the song completely fell apart.

Lin Qiushui fell silent, with only Zhou Qinglang still applauding.

Xia Wanshuang was mortified. She wasn’t one of those people who thought they were great singers and fully committed. She stopped singing the moment she realized something was wrong. Exposing her weakness in front of the kids made her deeply embarrassed.

“I always thought the little vinegar pot just praised Shuangshuang with her eyes closed. Today, I realized she praises her with her ears closed too.” Lin Qiushui’s voice was strained. He gave Zhou Qinglang a thumbs-up, feeling genuine respect.

“Was it that bad?” Xia Wanshuang coughed. It shouldn’t be that bad, should it?

“Not bad, not bad,” Lin Qiushui shook his head. Though he was teasing, he wouldn’t intentionally humiliate Xia Wanshuang. It wasn’t terrible, but it certainly wasn’t good.

Xia Wanshuang refused to sing anything else. She placed the microphone near Lin Qiushui and sulkily took a sip of water.

“Sister, I think it sounds great—mhm!” Zhou Qinglang was cut off mid-sentence by Xia Wanshuang covering her mouth.

Xia Wanshuang was already embarrassed, and Zhou Qinglang’s further praise made her feel like her whole face was on fire.

Zhou Qinglang’s lips were pressed against Xia Wanshuang’s palm, and she couldn’t resist licking it.

Xia Wanshuang snatched her hand back as if she’d been burned, thinking Zhou Qinglang was being mischievous.

Xia Wanshuang wouldn’t overthink it, as Zhou Qinglang was still young.

And Zhou Qinglang didn’t have any overly mature thoughts; it was a purely subconscious lick.

To prevent Zhou Qinglang from praising her again, Xia Wanshuang shooed her off to sing.

Zhou Qinglang chose “Pian Ai” (Partiality), a song that had become popular with the hit drama Chinese Paladin 3.

“Abolish all yesterdays, you’re now before my eyes. We’re in love, give me a chance. If I’m wrong, I’ll bear it. I’m certain you are the answer. I’m not afraid of anyone mocking my extreme belief.”

Zhou Qinglang’s voice was slightly husky and deep. When she sang, her tone had a mature sexiness to it. She looked at Xia Wanshuang, and her eyelashes fluttered when she saw Xia Wanshuang smiling at her.

Sitting nearby, Zhao Tianhang grabbed the other microphone and joined the duet.

“Trust your own intuition. Stubborn hearts don’t tire. I won’t retreat from loving you.”

Zhao Tianhang’s voice was clearer than Zhou Qinglang’s, with a sense of casual indifference. He gazed down at the reflection on the coffee table, gripping the microphone tightly.

“I said I won’t hide, I must do this. I’ll love even if I’m told no, and love harder to make you understand. There is no other path to walk. You decide if you want to stay with me.”

The male and female voices harmonized. Zhou Qinglang glanced up at Zhao Tianhang and read a familiar look in his expression. During the song’s interlude, Zhou Qinglang raised her hand to brush back a stray strand of hair near her temple and smiled silently. She looked at Zhao Tianhang, and they shared a knowing understanding.

“You are the same.”

Even with a gentle veneer, deep down, he was the same as her. They were the same kind of person. While Zhou Qinglang didn’t know the focus of Zhao Tianhang’s obsession, his expression, uncovered in the dim KTV light, gave him away.

Zhao Tianhang wasn’t worried about his true nature being discovered. He maintained his gentle and clear demeanor, continuing to sing along to the accompaniment.

“If I’m wrong, I’ll bear it. I’m certain you are the answer. I’m not afraid of anyone mocking my extreme belief.”

Xia Wanshuang clapped along and listened, thinking Zhou Qinglang and Zhao Tianhang had amazing chemistry.

“Don’t you think they look good together?” Xia Wanshuang couldn’t help but ask Lin Qiushui, who was eating fruit next to her.

“Pfft, cough, cough, cough!” Lin Qiushui nearly choked to death, looking at Xia Wanshuang in horror. “Shuangshuang, what are you thinking? Where did that come from?” Lin Qiushui looked at Zhao Tianhang and Zhou Qinglang. They looked so mismatched!

“I think Langlang’s personality goes well with Tianhang’s.” One was cold outside and warm inside, the other was warm outside and cold inside—how compatible was that?

“Shuang’er, it’s daytime. Why are you daydreaming?” Based on the way those two interacted, it would take an incredible imagination to pair them up. “Besides, how old is Zhou Qinglang? Don’t make Zhao Dog sound like such a beast, okay?”

“A three-year age difference is perfectly fine.” Xia Wanshuang wanted to say more, but Zhao Tianhang and Zhou Qinglang finished the song. The KTV grew quiet, so she couldn’t speak, only communicating with her eyes to Lin Qiushui.

Just you wait. This is a match made in heaven.

Lin Qiushui failed to understand her gaze, assuming Xia Wanshuang was just making a bad joke. He excitedly went up to sing.

Lin Qiushui sang Sodagreen’s “Wu Yu Lun Bi De Mei Li” (Unparalleled Beauty). His voice was clear. When he sang seriously, it was quite pleasant.

“You describe me as the unparalleled beauty in this world, hey ya hey ya. I know you are the unparalleled beauty in this world. A kite flies in the sky, a person chases on the ground.”

Lin Qiushui sang the song to all three of them. The outgoing boy was, at times, tender enough to make hearts soften.

Zhou Qinglang squeezed Xia Wanshuang’s palm, urging her to look up at her. “I know you are the unparalleled beauty in this world.” Zhou Qinglang sang softly into Xia Wanshuang’s ear, hooking her pinky with her sister’s.

Xia Wanshuang’s ear was sensitive. The warm breath in her ear sent a jolt of strange current that momentarily numbed half her body.

After Zhou Qinglang stood up, Xia Wanshuang rubbed her reddened earlobe, feeling quite flustered.

She took a sip of juice to calm down and leaned back on the sofa.

Next time, I need to remind Langlang not to talk so close to my ear.

Lin Qiushui enthusiastically queued many songs. Xia Wanshuang listened until the three of them were tired, then they gathered their things and left.

It was only 3:30 PM when they left the KTV, still early for dinner. Zhou Qinglang and Xia Wanshuang decided to go get their hair cut. Lin Qiushui and Zhao Tianhang accompanied them, carrying the leftover snacks from the KTV.

While Zhou Qinglang and Xia Wanshuang were getting their hair washed, Lin Qiushui told Zhao Tianhang what Xia Wanshuang had said in the KTV, laughing as he ate potato chips.

“What was Shuangshuang thinking? You and the little vinegar pot? I think that’s completely impossible. How could you two ever date? Hahaha. The little vinegar pot doesn’t even talk to anyone.” Lin Qiushui found it hilarious, especially imagining Zhou Qinglang’s expressionless, cool face. He laughed harder. “If the little vinegar pot knew, she’d probably flip out, hahaha. Just thinking about that scene is hilarious. Should we tell her? But would she get mad at Shuangshuang? No, that’s impossible. The little vinegar pot wouldn’t get mad at Shuangshuang for anything. So, should we tell her?”

“We could, but it’s unnecessary.” Zhao Tianhang used a tissue to wipe the potato chip crumbs from Lin Qiushui’s lips, then put the tissue in his hand for him to wipe his hands.

“Alright, we won’t say anything then.” Lin Qiushui was right; Zhou Qinglang would definitely be upset if she knew Xia Wanshuang paired her up with Zhao Tianhang.

Xia Wanshuang and Zhou Qinglang were done with the wash and were sitting out front for the haircut. Xia Wanshuang’s hair was cut shorter, while Zhou Qinglang went back to short hair completely.

Lin Qiushui looked at the length Xia Wanshuang had cut off and sighed regretfully. “Shuangshuang, how could you? It was such long hair!” Lin Qiushui thought long black hair was beautiful, but Xia Wanshuang cut off so much.

“If you like it, I’ll buy you a wig tomorrow so you can wear it all you want,” Zhao Tianhang teased, poking Lin Qiushui’s hair with his finger.

“Go to hell! Wear it yourself!” Lin Qiushui and Zhao Tianhang started bickering again. Xia Wanshuang went to pay.

Zhou Qinglang, listening to Lin Qiushui’s comments, was suddenly moved by an impulse.

She went back to the cutting chair. When no one was looking, she picked up a strand of Xia Wanshuang’s cut hair and a strand of her own.

Her heart was pounding rapidly.

Feigning nonchalance, she slipped the hair into her pocket.