C21 Uncoordinated

"What's on your mind? You were so absorbed that you didn't even notice when I called you. It's like your soul was about to take flight."

"Oh, it's nothing. I was just thinking about how I can relax at home tomorrow."

"You have the day off tomorrow? Then I'll tell HR I'm taking the day off too. How about we take your sister out for dinner? I've never met her, and I'm curious to see what she looks like."

"You're that eager to meet my sister? Well, she has school tomorrow, so we can only see her in the evening."

"In the evening works for me. Let's spend the day at the mall and pick out a gift for her as a welcome present."

"She's just a kid; a small gesture will do."

"No way, I can't risk making a bad impression."

As Qu Ningyuan and Yang Xue strolled leisurely, the breeze by the lake was delightful. Yang Xue affectionately held Qu Ningyuan's hand, the picture of a loving couple.

Despite the late hour, the streets were bustling with people out enjoying themselves. Spotting someone selling chilled mung bean jelly, Qu Ningyuan, nostalgic for the taste, eagerly suggested they sit down to try some.

Yang Xue surveyed the area with a hint of distaste. The tables and benches, merely wiped down after previous use and lacking a coat of varnish, seemed unclean. Eating by the roadside, she worried about dust getting into the food, but she didn't want to dampen Qu Ningyuan's spirits by voicing her concerns.

Qu Ningyuan noticed her reluctance to eat at the roadside stand, but it would be awkward to leave now that they had already ordered and taken a seat.

"Give it a try later; it's really sweet and tasty. But if you don't like it, don't force yourself. It's been a while since I've had it, and I've been craving it. I promise not to bring you here next time."

Inside, Yang Xue felt a strong aversion. With her mysophobia, she was particularly averse to roadside food, regardless of its taste. The thought of how much dust might have gotten into the food during cooking made her uneasy, and she was unsure how to even begin eating.

Qu Ningyuan eagerly took a big bite of the chilled jelly, relishing the refreshing sweetness and the icy chill. Yang Xue, after a single taste, set it aside and occupied herself with her phone, waiting for Qu Ningyuan to finish so they could leave. Qu Ningyuan sighed, recognizing that at her core, she was still very much a lady of privilege. It looked like he would have to make concessions for her from now on, even giving up his beloved roadside stalls.

Qu Ningyuan didn't see anything wrong with enjoying the simpler things. Back when his family was well-off, he had indulged in these same treats. It was about staying grounded. He could savor a five-star gourmet meal just as much as a few dollars' worth of street food. These were the famous specialty snacks of China, even earning rave reviews from foreigners. Life would be so dull without them.

He reminisced about his school days, when he and Chen Huan would race to get cold jelly on hot afternoons, braving the crowds and long lines just to savor that moment of bliss. Those were truly carefree times.

People say you might one day buy a girl a three-hundred-yuan lipstick, a three-thousand-yuan dress, or even thirty-thousand-yuan jewelry. But for Qu Ningyuan, love started with a three-yuan cup of milk tea. The thought brought a tinge of sadness; he and Chen Huan were so in sync, so understanding of each other. No matter who he ended up with, Chen Huan would remain the unattainable ideal, the white moonlight of his heart, unforgettable in her beauty.

But that was all in the past now. He and Chen Huan had no path to retrace, and it was too late for any second chances. A significant reason Qu Ningyuan hesitated to start anew with Chen Huan was the uncertainty of his life's length. All he wanted now was to secure a good life for his sister. His own happiness was no longer a consideration.

As long as his sister was happy, everything he was doing would be worthwhile. His mission, then, would be fulfilled.

After Qu Ningyuan and Yang Xue finished their meal and he dropped her off at home, Qu Ningyuan headed back to his own place. Qu Ningjing had long since gone to bed. She maintained an excellent routine, always going to bed early and rising early, never oversleeping, even on holidays. Qu Ningyuan, however, could sleep endlessly if given the chance.

The next morning, Qu Ningyuan made a point of waking up early to have breakfast with his sister and gave her some instructions.

"Ningjing, come home right after school tomorrow. There's no need for you to cook; I'm taking you out to meet my girlfriend for dinner. She comes from a wealthy family, so try to get along with her, okay?"

"You know me, why would you think I'd give her a hard time? I'm off to school now."

Truth be told, Qu Ningjing wasn't particularly interested in her brother's new girlfriend. In her heart, there was only one sister-in-law for her, and that was Sister Chen Huan. No matter how wonderful anyone else might be, they couldn't compare to the kindness Sister Chen Huan had shown her and her brother. She believed they were a perfect match, and even though Chen Huan and her brother were no longer together, Ningjing's affection for her remained singular.

Qu Ningjing was aware of Chen Huan's recent visit to look for Qu Ningyuan. She had stealthily observed from her room's window and could tell that Chen Huan still loved her brother; her tears were proof enough. Yet, she couldn't fault her brother. She understood that he had his reasons for not getting back together with Chen Huan. Maybe it was simply not meant to be.

"Take care on your way," she called out.

After breakfast, Qu Ningyuan and Yang Xue left to find a gift for Ningjing at the department store. Yang Xue's thoughtfulness didn't go unnoticed; she even wanted to buy a present for Ningjing. Despite Yang Xue's temperamental nature, Qu Ningyuan was willing to overlook it, appreciating her gesture.

Yang Xue, however, was at a loss for what to get Qu Ningjing. She considered that most girls liked lipstick and clothes, but realized that as a high school student, Ningjing probably wasn't allowed to wear makeup and had few occasions to wear anything other than her school uniform. Jewelry seemed too extravagant and inappropriate for her age.

Yang Xue considered that Qu Ningjing was still in high school and should prioritize her academics. After the sales clerk's persistent recommendations, she meticulously chose a learning device for her, equipped with materials for math, physics, chemistry, language arts, and English. It even included synchronized online courses and English listening exercises. The device was fully featured, offering everything she could need.

She wondered whether Qu Ningjing would appreciate the gift; she had selected it with great care and intent. If it wasn't to her liking, there was nothing more she could do.

Qu Ningyuan approved of the gift Yang Xue had chosen. He was relieved she hadn't gravitated towards cosmetics, unsure of how he would explain such a distraction to his younger sister, who needed to stay focused on her high school studies.

Despite Qu Ningyuan's offer to pay, Yang Xue was adamant about handling the purchase herself, leaving him no choice but to acquiesce.