Picked Up the Female Lead When She Was Young (GL) - Chapter 51

The words “Thinking about you” echoed in Zhou Qinglang’s ears, traveled from her cochlea to her heart, and caused her brain to repeat them endlessly.

A sweetness surged onto her tongue for no reason.

Her heart thumped, and the air around her felt coated in sticky, sweet honey.

Even though she knew Xia Wanshuang absolutely didn’t mean it romantically, the words were enough for her to smile foolishly.

“What were you thinking about, Sister?”

“I was thinking if you finished your homework.”

The sweet atmosphere vanished instantly, replaced by the cool air of an autumn night.

Zhou Qinglang cursed herself internally for opening her mouth, knowing perfectly well that her sister wouldn’t have any ambiguous thoughts.

“Finished it ages ago. Sister, let me dry your hair for you.”

Zhou Qinglang kept her tone light and naturally took the hairdryer from Xia Wanshuang, continuing to dry her hair.

She was taller than Xia Wanshuang.

She delicately ran her fingers through the thick, smooth black hair of the person in front of her, holding the dryer to blow the warm air.

This was a movement she had performed countless times.

In the past, Xia Wanshuang dried her hair, and once she grew taller, she started helping Xia Wanshuang.

She loved the sensation of Xia Wanshuang’s hair slipping through her fingers—soft, fine, and deeply comforting.

The warm air seemed to make the house three degrees warmer.

Xia Wanshuang had been standing while drying her hair, but soon sat down.

The reason was simple: Zhou Qinglang’s blow-drying was too comfortable.

The perfect warmth on this slightly chilly night made her feel drowsy.

Xia Wanshuang’s stamina was generally low, and she was tired after a day of playing.

She yawned, her eyes half-closed.

“Sister, let me give you a massage before you sleep.”

“Okay,” Xia Wanshuang mumbled.

Her naturally soft voice deepened, sounding a little yielding and sweet.

Zhou Qinglang hadn’t formally learned massage, but pressing shoulders and rubbing backs was easy enough.

Since Xia Wanshuang often sat in front of the computer to write or read motionless, she had developed a chronic neck problem from her past life—her cervical spine wasn’t good, and her shoulders and arms often ached.

Xia Wanshuang pulled back the covers, sat on the bed, closed her eyes, and waited for Zhou Qinglang to massage her shoulders.

Zhou Qinglang sat behind Xia Wanshuang, brushed her hair aside, wiped the sweat from her palms, looked at Xia Wanshuang’s pale, slender neck, took a deep breath, and placed her hands on her, starting a medium-pressure massage.

When she hit a sore spot, Xia Wanshuang would emit a contented little groan.

The lazy hum and light breathing drilled into Zhou Qinglang’s ears one after another.

Zhou Qinglang felt the room growing warmer, almost hot.

Things that hadn’t seemed like a big deal before now felt completely different.

Xia Wanshuang’s sounds danced on her heart like musical notes, forming a cheerful melody.

Zhou Qinglang massaged Xia Wanshuang from her shoulders to her waist, harboring her secret, inexpressible feelings.

“Looks like I can’t keep sitting for so long next time. My back feels stiff from sitting for too long,” Xia Wanshuang muttered softly.

As Zhou Qinglang massaged her, she felt Xia Wanshuang was exaggerating.

Her back was still very soft when pressed.

Xia Wanshuang had a small frame and was slender; the flesh on her body seemed to be exactly where it should be.

Zhou Qinglang could wrap one hand around her thin waist.

When Zhou Qinglang finished making her skin and muscles warm and supple, Xia Wanshuang called a halt, yawned, and fell onto the bed.

She took Zhou Qinglang’s hand and began to rub it.

“Thank you, Langlang, for your hard work. It’s late. Go back and sleep.”

Xia Wanshuang’s voice was heavy with drowsiness.

She closed her eyes while rubbing Zhou Qinglang’s fingers, missing the profound look Zhou Qinglang cast on her face and her completely red earlobes.

Xia Wanshuang’s fingers were smooth; her hands were soft except for a small callus from writing.

In contrast to Xia Wanshuang’s smooth hands, Zhou Qinglang’s were slightly rougher.

After all, she often played basketball and sometimes got into fights to protect Xia Wanshuang, so bumps and scrapes were common.

Xia Wanshuang was fairer and her hands were a size smaller than Zhou Qinglang’s.

Zhou Qinglang gazed obsessively at where their hands met, but when her eyes reached Xia Wanshuang’s face, she deeply scorned her own thoughts.

She covered Xia Wanshuang with the blanket, turned off the light, closed the door, and hurriedly fled the room.

Zhou Qinglang chugged some cold water in her room to calm her breathing.

Her face and hands were hot.

Xia Wanshuang’s unguarded kindness made her both sweet and troubled.

But when she thought of Zhao Tianhang, Zhou Qinglang felt she had to learn to be content.

••••

White dew turns to frost, the morning light breaks the cold.

The students at No. 1 High School began their morning reading with the sound of the bell.

After that, calls to hand in homework, accompanied by the aroma of various breakfast foods, rang through the classrooms.

Zhou Qinglang, the math class representative, ran into Zhao Tianhang, who was also submitting homework, as she left the office with a stack of papers.

They exchanged a look, and Zhou Qinglang knew Zhao Tianhang had something to tell her.

Zhou Qinglang waited for Zhao Tianhang by the door.

The two walked onto the footbridge.

Zhou Qinglang leaned against the wall, waiting for Zhao Tianhang to speak.

“I might be leaving.”

Zhao Tianhang didn’t hesitate, cutting straight to the point.

“What? Leaving?”

Zhou Qinglang was a little stunned, silent for a while.

“Is it because of him?”

Zhou Qinglang wondered if Lin Qiushui’s influence had reached the point where Zhao Tianhang felt he had to leave.

“No, my mom is moving to Haicheng due to a job transfer.”

“Oh, I see. Aunt Jiang didn’t tell us.”

“She asked for my opinion last night. I told her I needed time to think, and to not tell you guys yet,” Zhao Tianhang said calmly, looking at the street trees in the schoolyard.

“So you’ve decided to go?”

“Not yet, actually. I’m a little hesitant. I said I’d give up, but there’s a part of me that’s still unwilling.” Zhao Tianhang murmured.

Zhou Qinglang didn’t need him to elaborate on what he was unwilling to let go of.

“I… I can’t give you advice on this,” Zhou Qinglang said, hesitating for a moment.

She didn’t dare lightly advise Zhao Tianhang not to leave any regrets, fearing that she might only cause a greater wound.

If Zhao Tianhang confessed and was rejected, it wouldn’t just be an issue of embarrassment.

“If you tell him, he’ll definitely try to make you stay.”

Zhou Qinglang could imagine the scene.

If Zhao Tianhang told Lin Qiushui he was leaving, Lin Qiushui would be shocked, saying Zhao Tianhang was abandoning his brother.

“So don’t tell him for now. Wait until I make up my mind. And don’t tell Shuangshuang either.” Zhao Tianhang grabbed the bridge railing. The morning dew on it chilled his hands.

“Alright.” Zhou Qinglang nodded.

If she told her sister, she would then have to instruct her sister not to tell Lin Qiushui, which would make her sister suspicious.

While good friends shouldn’t keep secrets from each other, everyone had things they preferred to keep private.

Moreover, Zhou Qinglang worried that Xia Wanshuang might put two and two together, realize her true feelings prematurely, and then refuse to give her any opportunities.

Xia Wanshuang, walking toward the office, saw the two children talking quietly on the footbridge.

She flashed a knowing, motherly smile, silently heading into the office, not wanting to interrupt them.

Zhou Qinglang, with her back to Xia Wanshuang, didn’t notice, but Zhao Tianhang caught a glimpse of her retreating figure.

His eyebrow twitched, and he had a vague, uneasy feeling.

But the feeling came and went quickly.

Zhao Tianhang moved his lips toward Zhou Qinglang but decided to remain silent.

••••

Although they had celebrated their birthdays together during the rafting trip, they maintained the ritual of going out for a meal on Zhou Qinglang’s actual fourteenth birthday.

The dinner venue was a famous private restaurant in Tongli, booked by Xia Wanshuang.

It was a bit expensive, but the food was excellent.

Xia Wanshuang had eaten there once and couldn’t stop thinking about it.

She only came again for Zhou Qinglang’s birthday because of the limited budget.

Xia Wanshuang also ordered a cake, and the restaurant gifted a delicious bowl of longevity noodles.

“Shuangshuang, are the candles lit? I’m turning off the lights!”

“They’re lit, they’re lit! Turn them off.”

The lights clicked off.

The candles on the cake flickered, casting a warm glow on the surroundings.

Xia Wanshuang and the others formed a circle, clapping and singing a mix of Chinese and English birthday songs.

Zhou Qinglang, wearing a party hat, laughed and sang along.

“We’re done singing! Langlang, make a wish and blow out the candles.”

Xia Wanshuang clapped and watched as Zhou Qinglang blew out the candles in one puff.

Lin Qiushui turned the lights back on.

Zhou Qinglang clasped her hands, closed her eyes, and made a wish to the cake.

—To be with Xia Wanshuang forever and ever.

For the past few years, every one of Zhou Qinglang’s birthday wishes had been about Xia Wanshuang.

It started with hoping her sister would be happy and healthy.

Now, she was becoming more greedy.

Zhou Qinglang still didn’t dare to wish that “Xia Wanshuang would fall in love with me,” afraid the wish-granting deity would find her too presumptuous.

Even if her sister couldn’t accept her, she hoped to remain by her side, even if it was only as her sister.

After dinner, Lin Qiushui suggested they go out for some fun.

“What about this cake?”

Xia Wanshuang was holding the cake.

They were full and hadn’t eaten much, so it would be a waste not to take it with them.

“We can take it with us, or put it in my family’s car first.”

Lin Qiushui waved his hand, implying it was no big deal.

“What should we do? Not singing again, right?”

Zhou Qinglang didn’t want to go singing because her sister always just sat there listening, which felt boring.

“How about the arcade? They have a dance machine, and we can take photo booth pictures.”

Lin Qiushui was excited.

The mention of “photo booth pictures” gave Xia Wanshuang a nostalgic, retro feeling.

The cake was placed in Lin Qiushui’s car, and the group excitedly headed to the arcade.

A girl in jeans was dancing on the dance machine, her moves precise, scoring points non-stop.

Several people gathered to watch.

Lin Qiushui’s eyes lit up.

He nudged Zhao Tianhang’s arm.

“Look, it’s Qian Lan. What a coincidence that we ran into her here!”

“Who?”

Zhou Qinglang frowned, feeling a sense of dread.

Lin Qiushui’s oblivious enthusiasm was frustrating.

“His pretty girl,” Zhao Tianhang said calmly, his hands in his pockets, revealing no hint of emotion.

Zhou Qinglang couldn’t help but admire Zhao Tianhang.

Such composure was beyond ordinary people.

Qian Lan also spotted Lin Qiushui after she finished dancing.

She smiled in surprise and confidently greeted Xia Wanshuang and the others.

“Hello, I’m Qian Lan.”

Qian Lan was genuinely pretty and seemed very cheerful.

When she learned it was Zhou Qinglang’s birthday, she offered congratulations and complimented Xia Wanshuang, Zhou Qinglang, and Zhao Tianhang on their looks.

Xia Wanshuang liked the girl.

Her greeting was straightforward, unlike Tong Yao, whose friendliness felt passive-aggressive.

What started as a quartet at the arcade soon split into a duo and a trio.

Lin Qiushui winked at Xia Wanshuang and the others and ran off to play with Qian Lan.

“He’s forsaking friendship for love,” Zhou Qinglang scoffed.

Even though she knew Lin Qiushui was innocent in the matter of the unrequited crush, Zhou Qinglang couldn’t help but feel an uncontrollable surge of emotion.

Zhao Tianhang seemed quite at ease, but the fact that he missed every shot on the basketball machine showed his true state of mind.

Xia Wanshuang went to watch the claw machine.

Zhou Qinglang picked up a basketball and tossed it at the hoop.

“I think you should just leave,” Zhou Qinglang said, looking at the backboard instead of Zhao Tianhang, continuing to shoot hoops.

“Not seeing him is better than self-torture. Maybe you’ll forget him eventually.”

Time and distance are the best cures for strong feelings, invisible yet powerful.

“Don’t think of me as so miserable,” Zhao Tianhang laughed, inserting another coin.

“I’ve always known that no one is obligated to love another person. If I expect him to love me just because I’m good to him and make sacrifices, that’s completely unreasonable.”

Zhao Tianhang threw a ball, which landed squarely in the hoop, scoring ten points.

“You’ve got an incredibly open mind,” Zhou Qinglang said, pausing.

She was a little surprised by Zhao Tianhang’s composure.

“Well, there’s no other way.”

Zhao Tianhang tossed the ball in his hand.

The machine chimed, another ten points.

Zhou Qinglang sighed, shook her head, threw the last few balls, and ran to join Xia Wanshuang at the claw machine.

Xia Wanshuang intently watched the claw of the machine.

When a doll was lifted only to be dropped at the last second, she sighed in disappointment.

“Sister, let me help you. Is that the doll you want?”

Zhou Qinglang pointed to the one that had just fallen.

Xia Wanshuang nodded, eagerly anticipating Zhou Qinglang’s prowess.

Ten tokens later, the doll stubbornly remained unhooked.

Xia Wanshuang’s encouragement went from “Go for it” to “Forget it, forget it,” but couldn’t stop Zhou Qinglang’s determination to catch the doll.

Another ten tokens were spent, and Zhou Qinglang was still wrestling with the doll.

“How about we let Tianhang try?”

If the Female Lead’s luck doesn’t work, maybe the Male Lead’s will?

“No, I have to do it.”

Zhou Qinglang patted the claw machine, took a deep breath, and suppressed the urge to smash the machine, tossing in more coins.

Seeing Zhou Qinglang’s stubbornness, Xia Wanshuang didn’t stop her, standing by with game tokens, ready for resupply.

On the twenty-third token, Zhou Qinglang finally grabbed the doll.

She excitedly shook it in front of Xia Wanshuang.

“Sister, I got it!”

It was a big white tangyuan (glutinous rice ball) with sesame paste dripping out and a cute, cheerful expression.

“Langlang is so clever.”

Xia Wanshuang took the doll and kissed its cheek.

Zhou Qinglang’s face flushed, as if Xia Wanshuang had kissed her instead.

“This is what they mean by ‘Sincerity overcomes metal and stone,'” Teacher Xia said, smiling, never missing an opportunity to teach a lesson through a small life event.

Zhou Qinglang curved her lips and nodded.

That’s the lesson you taught me, and it’s the courage you’ve given me to pursue the desire in my heart.

••••

They played at the arcade until nine o’clock and then planned to head home.

Qian Lan’s house was close by and in the opposite direction from theirs.

Lin Qiushui happily walked her home first, then ran back to meet Xia Wanshuang and the others.

They didn’t call the driver and walked back, the four of them on the road.

9 PM wasn’t late for the people of Tongli.

The lights of the shops and barbecue stalls were still on.

The teenagers walked leisurely, the moonlight stretching their shadows long.

A night breeze blew, making Xia Wanshuang shiver.

She tucked her hand into Zhou Qinglang’s pocket for warmth.

Lin Qiushui’s heart, however, was clearly burning hot; the cold wind couldn’t extinguish the smile on his face.

“Our Comrade Lin seems to be in a relationship. Even if it’s an early one, don’t forget your studies,” Xia Wanshuang said, laughing at the silly joy of the young man beside her.

“We… we’re not official yet, but I really like her.”

Lin Qiushui scratched his head, sharing his happiness with his good friends.

“What do you like about her?”

Zhou Qinglang asked, feeling deep sympathy for her friend beside her.

“I… I can’t really name one thing. I think everything about her is great—her looks, her personality, everything.”

Zhou Qinglang was silent for a moment.

She knew she shouldn’t ask any more questions, as every word Lin Qiushui spoke was a dagger to Zhao Tianhang’s heart.

But she had to ask.

If he was going to give up, it had to be completely and decisively.

“How did you know you liked her?”

“I’m just really happy when I see her. And when something good or bad happens, the first person I want to tell is her.”

Lin Qiushui looked a little shy when he said this, his handsome face flushed.

“Sister, I’m happy when I see you, too. And when something good or bad happens, you’re the first person I think of telling.”

“Little Vinegar Pot, don’t pretend you don’t know. You don’t understand. My kind of like is different from yours.”

How is it different?

Zhou Qinglang thought.

Precisely because she understood, she was seizing the opportunity in someone else’s conversation to express her feelings to the one she loved.

“That’s nice,” Xia Wanshuang said with a smile, feeling a little wistful.

This is the beautiful emotion of youth.

“Yeah, it’s nice.”

Zhao Tianhang, hands in his pockets, tried to flash as casual a smile as possible, but found it difficult.

“It’s really… nice.”

Zhao Tianhang gave up on smiling, repeating the phrase softly, as if speaking to Lin Qiushui and himself at the same time.

He looked up at Zhou Qinglang, and Zhou Qinglang looked back.

In the instant their eyes met, Zhou Qinglang knew his answer without a doubt.

“It’s nice,” Zhou Qinglang repeated as well.

“Are you two possessed by repeating spirits?”

Lin Qiushui joked with a laugh, humming a tune, clearly in high spirits.

Everyone was smiling, as if everyone was happy.

Zhou Qinglang had thought Zhao Tianhang would tell them he was leaving the day after he made his decision.

She never expected Zhao Tianhang to tell them on the second-to-last day before his departure.

Lin Qiushui was completely stunned, frozen in place for a while.

Zhou Qinglang had been informed by Zhao Tianhang himself, and Xia Wanshuang knew the plot from the System, so both of them only had to feign surprise.

Only Lin Qiushui was genuinely shell-shocked.

“No way… Hey… why are you leaving? Why so suddenly?”

“My mom was transferred to the headquarters in Haicheng. I don’t feel comfortable with her going alone, and she doesn’t feel comfortable leaving me behind, so we’re moving and I’m transferring schools.”

Zhao Tianhang’s tone was calm, his soft bangs drooping, mirroring his low spirits.

“Can’t you just stay? You’re not familiar with that place. Your grades are so good, you’re definitely the best in our city. How could the school let go of someone as talented as you? And us, we can’t bear to lose you.”

Lin Qiushui was starting to panic, his face full of distress.

Had he been too preoccupied with Qian Lan this past month, not spending enough time with Zhao Tianhang after school?

This sudden blow was hard to take.

“You two, quickly try to convince him! Why are you just standing there?”

Lin Qiushui tugged at Xia Wanshuang’s sleeve, his tone anxious.

“Lin Qiushui, I’ll miss Zhao Tianhang too, but Aunt Jiang needs Tianhang more. We can’t keep him here,” Zhou Qinglang said first, afraid Zhao Tianhang might waver.

When things are complicated, it’s better to cut them clean.

“Exactly. You know how deep the bond is between Aunt Jiang and Tianhang. Besides, Haicheng isn’t far from here. We can just take the train to meet up with Tianhang whenever we want, right?” Xia Wanshuang chimed in.

She felt a twinge of sadness, but children must grow up eventually.

She had known this was coming, so she wasn’t overly emotional.

But she still felt something was off, though she couldn’t pinpoint it immediately.

Lin Qiushui fell silent.

He looked at Zhou Qinglang, then at Xia Wanshuang.

Their words made him feel like an immature, unreasonable child.

“You’re right. When are you leaving? We’ll see you off.”

Lin Qiushui took a deep breath, adjusted his attitude, and patted Zhao Tianhang’s shoulder.

“The train leaves the morning after tomorrow.”

“Okay, then we’ll have a farewell dinner for you tomorrow. How about we skip school tomorrow and go out to play for the whole day?”

“I’m only transferring schools; I’m not leaving forever,” Zhao Tianhang said with a helpless smile, thinking the farewell didn’t need to be so dramatic.

“But I just feel like…” Lin Qiushui frowned.

He just had a feeling that once Zhao Tianhang left, something would be lost forever.

“Feel what?”

“Nothing. Let’s go eat.”

••••

Dinner was at Jiang Wan’s house.

Jiang Wan cooked a table of delicious food, but none of the four were as cheerful as usual, and the atmosphere felt a little heavy.

“Tianhang told you, didn’t he? We’re moving to Haicheng. You’re all children I’ve watched grow up, and I’ll miss you dearly.”

Jiang Wan sighed without touching her chopsticks.

She sniffled, her eyes moist.

“Oh, what am I doing? I didn’t mean to make it so sad. We’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet in the future, and we can always call each other.”

Jiang Wan wiped her tears, scolding herself.

“This toast is for Shuangshuang. Even though Shuangshuang isn’t the oldest of you kids, she’s the most mature and independent. She’s been capable since she was little. No matter what you’ve been through, I’ve seen and remembered your thoughtfulness and kindness. You’re a good child. I hope your future path is smooth and successful.”

Jiang Wan raised a glass of juice, looking into Xia Wanshuang’s eyes, knowing Xia Wanshuang understood her meaning.

“Thank you, Aunt Jiang. You’ve always been a wonderful elder to me, and the person I respect the most in this life.”

Xia Wanshuang raised her glass as well.

She knew her words were understood by Jiang Wan.

“This toast is for Qiushui. Qiushui seems easygoing, but he’s actually a very thoughtful child. He always notices what I like and brings it to me right away. Whenever I’m not feeling well, he’s always the first to notice, even more observant than Tianhang. In my heart, you’re like a second son to me. And I’m especially grateful to you for always spending time with Tianhang and making him much more outgoing. Remember to call me often in the future.”

“Aunt Jiang, you don’t need to thank me so formally. You’re like a second mother to me. Haicheng is so close; I’ll definitely come visit you often.”

Lin Qiushui drank a large gulp of orange juice.

His nose felt sharp and sour.

The big guy was on the verge of tears.

“This glass is for Langlang. Langlang, I remember when Shuangshuang brought you home. I was worried then, thinking Shuangshuang had picked up a little boy, and I worried about your livelihoods for a while. But you’re truly well-behaved and sensible. It’s wonderful that you can keep Shuangshuang company. I wish you a brilliant future, and always remember your sister’s kindness.”

“Don’t worry, Aunt Jiang, I will.”

She will be the best person to Xia Wanshuang in the world.

“And finally, this glass is for Hanghang. Mom knows you hate leaving your good friends, but you’re doing it for Mom. It’s a good thing Haicheng isn’t far from Tongli, so you can often come back to see Shuangshuang and the others.”

“Yes, Mom, I know.”

The four children raised their glasses together one last time, and then Jiang Wan urged them to eat.

“Haicheng” appeared frequently in their conversation, and Xia Wanshuang finally realized what she had felt was off before.

Zhao Tianhang was going to Haicheng.

In the plot, Zhou Qinglang was supposed to have a conflict with Zhao Tianhang due to the appearance of “Xia Wanshuang”, go to Haicheng on a business trip, and discover the truth about her background there.

That would create a contradiction.

If they were already in Haicheng, the plot point wouldn’t make sense.

Unless, in the original plot, Zhao Tianhang was working in a different city after graduation—perhaps back in Tongli, or elsewhere—and then ran into Zhou Qinglang there.

That was very possible.

Xia Wanshuang tried to call the System in her mind, but received no response.

Xia Wanshuang realized she had fallen into a plot-prejudiced way of thinking. She suddenly thought of a new possibility.