Chapter 118: Reserved Girlfriend

Yu Ziqing’s tears flowed incessantly, and she remained silent. Seeing that she no longer resembled the teacher he once knew, Jiang Xiwen felt a pang of pity. He stepped forward, gently wiped the tears from her face, and whispered, "Sister Ziqing, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken to you so loudly. I know that anyone facing these circumstances would be at a loss. By the way, weren't you in Modu just a while ago? You sounded quite fine over the phone, so how did..."

Jiang Xiwen changed the subject, hoping to distract her.

"Zixin suddenly fainted at home. When my father took her to the hospital, they discovered she had congenital heart disease. It’s already very serious; if she doesn’t have surgery, her life will be at risk..." Yu Ziqing sobbed as she spoke. "I don’t know how Gao Jie found out about this, but he came to see my father..." By the end, she was weeping uncontrollably.

"It’s okay, it’s okay, Sister Ziqing..." Jiang Xiwen pulled her into his arms, holding her half-embrace as he rhythmically patted her back.

Leaning against his chest, Yu Ziqing gradually stopped crying. As her emotions settled, the scent of Jiang Xiwen—no longer that of a child, but of a man—wafted over her.

Startled by this realization, she panicked and pushed him away, standing there at a loss for words.

Realizing the awkwardness, Jiang Xiwen smiled and said, "Alright, it’s fine now. I’ll walk you home, Sister Ziqing."

"Mm..." Yu Ziqing’s voice was barely a whisper. She glanced at him, saw he hadn't noticed her reaction, and quickly lowered her head again.

The spring night in March carried a cool breeze; though chilly, it was quite pleasant. Neither spoke. Yu Ziqing kept her head down, her brow furrowing and smoothing in turns, lost in thought.

They soon reached the entrance of Sanli Lane, where Yu Ziqing lived. Just as Jiang Xiwen started to walk in, she grabbed his hand.

"Sister Ziqing, what’s wrong?" Jiang Xiwen turned around, puzzled.

Yu Ziqing’s voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, her head still bowed. "I... I will be your woman..."

"What?!" Jiang Xiwen was stunned, thinking he had misheard.

Yu Ziqing’s oval face turned even redder under the moonlight. She looked up, her voice still faint. "I’m older than you. I don’t want anything else. Whenever you want, it’s fine. Once you’re... grown up. I’ll be your girlfriend—no, I’ll just be with you once..." She became increasingly incoherent, but finally said with conviction, "In any case, if you don’t let me give you my first time, I won’t take your money..."

"Oh?" Jiang Xiwen found it all quite bizarre. What era was this? Moreover, hearing such words from the usually vibrant and positive Yu Ziqing was hard to believe. He reflexively scratched his head and chuckled. "Haha, Sister Ziqing, are you being serious or joking?"

"You..." Seeing his expression, a wave of humiliation surged within her. Feeling simultaneously ashamed, regretful, and desperate, she cried out, "Am I not good enough for you?!"

"..." Jiang Xiwen didn't know how to respond.

"I am a few years older than you, but I will wait for you to grow up. And I won't stop you from liking someone else in the future. Just for this hundred thousand yuan, can you... can you let me keep a shred of dignity? Am I so pathetic that I have to seduce a child?!" As she spoke, she began to cry again, her voice eventually dissolving into mere sobs.

Jiang Xiwen finally understood. He realized what she was feeling. It was as if she had stripped herself bare only to be rejected by the man she offered herself to—a man who was her student, someone she had always viewed as a child.

Perhaps it was the grievances suffered at the hands of Gao Jie, her sister’s illness, her father’s pleas, and the internal turmoil—all of these had left her feeling lost. Having said what she did, being met with such a reaction from Jiang Xiwen would make anyone feel their dignity had been shattered in an instant.

"Sister Ziqing," Jiang Xiwen suddenly stepped forward and held her tightly. "I promise you. Not just to be with me once, but to be my girlfriend. Once I get into university, that will be enough..."

He didn't want to see her in such a state of near-manic distress. Her vulnerability triggered a protective instinct in him, which was why he spoke those words.

"Xiwen, don't just try to comfort me..." This time, Yu Ziqing tried to push him away. "It’s my fault. I shouldn't have said those things. I’m not fit to be your teacher..."

"Sister Ziqing, I’m being serious. I was just too nervous earlier, that’s all. Believe me." Jiang Xiwen didn't let her pull away. He knew she needed this embrace and this affirmation. In a few years, she would surely find her impulse today laughable, and by then, he could just bring it up himself, and it would be forgotten.

"Xiwen..." All the grievances and pressure of the past few days exploded within her. She let go of everything and surrendered to his embrace. In this moment, she was no longer a teacher or an older sister; she was just a young girl in need of protection.

After several minutes, the sound of a car horn startled her. She pushed Jiang Xiwen away, and this time, he let her go.

"Sister Ziqing, what’s wrong?"

"You... you’re still calling me sister?" Her face flushed a deep red.

"Uh, is a relationship between a younger man and an older woman forbidden? I think the more unconventional it is, the more profound it feels." Jiang Xiwen placed a hand on his chest and looked up at the sky, spinning his tall tales. He didn't want to drop the "sister" title, just to avoid future complications.

Yu Ziqing seemed to have truly fallen for him. However, Jiang Xiwen remained convinced that her feelings were rooted primarily in gratitude, followed by a woman’s need for security after extreme distress. As for romantic love, he doubted she could feel that for him—at best, it remained the bond of an older sister and younger brother.

Seeing his expression, Yu Ziqing burst into laughter, her shyness and embarrassment vanishing. Yet, unlike their previous dynamic, there was now a hint of happiness. Her character had always possessed a resilient side; once her feelings were unleashed, she didn't stop to wonder why—she simply chose to love bravely.

Not far away, a pair of malicious eyes watched them. Gao Jie cursed inwardly, "Cheap woman! I knew there was something wrong with her—she actually likes a little boy!"

Gao Jie punched a nearby plane tree, the pain nearly making him cry out. He glared at Jiang Xiwen and growled under his breath, "Damn you. You’re already chasing the mayor’s daughter, and now you’re hooking a beauty? I’ll destroy your mayor father-in-law, too, and see what you can do then!"

After escorting Yu Ziqing inside and explaining the situation, Yu Fugui was filled with gratitude. After much polite back-and-forth, with Yu Ziqing’s help, Jiang Xiwen managed to "escape."

Gao Jie watched until Jiang Xiwen had left before boarding a taxi.

Early the next morning, worried that Yu Ziqing might be anxious, Jiang Xiwen went to the bank with his passbook, withdrew 120,000 yuan in cash, and stuffed it into a large envelope. He then took a taxi to her house.

Just as he was about to knock, the door opened from the inside. Yu Fugui was just stepping out. Upon seeing Jiang Xiwen, he immediately wore a polite, smiling face. "Xiwen, your Sister Ziqing had to rush back to Modu early this morning for work. A teacher at the school asked for leave, and she had to cover the class. She even called the neighbor's house to let us know. As for that surgery..." Here, Yu Fugui’s gaze fixed on the large envelope in Jiang Xiwen’s hand.

Jiang Xiwen understood and quickly handed over the envelope. "Uncle Yu, here is the 120,000. Please count it. You can use the extra for the little one’s supplements."

Yu Fugui reached out to take the money, his hands visibly trembling.

Thump! Just as Jiang Xiwen wondered why the man was so emotional, Yu Fugui suddenly knelt on the floor. Startled, Jiang Xiwen hurried to help him up, but Yu Fugui resisted with all his might, tears streaming down his weathered face.

"Xiwen, you have every right to look down on your Uncle Yu. I’m useless; I almost ruined your Sister Ziqing’s happiness for a lifetime. That is why I must thank you. I thank you on behalf of Ziqing’s late mother, and I thank you for Zixin."

Is this whole family from ancient times? A vision flashed through Jiang Xiwen’s mind: Yu Fugui in coarse hemp robes kneeling on the ground, beside him a young Yu Ziqing wearing a floral-print jacket... A shiver ran down his spine. Jiang Xiwen quickly used both hands to force Yu Fugui to his feet. "Uncle Yu, by kneeling like this, you aren't thanking me; you’re cursing me to a short life! You are Ziqing’s father, my elder—how can you kneel?"

With that, he effectively blocked any further attempts from Yu Fugui to kneel. The older man wiped his tears and hurriedly said, "Xiwen, it was your Uncle Yu who was muddle-headed, I shouldn't have..."