Chapter 5: She’s My Girlfriend
After eating, Wen Xia went back to her room and took out her phone with the nine-key keypad. A message popped up from a familiar number. She smiled, pressed confirm, and opened the message.
[Wife, did you eat?]
She typed a few keys. [Yes, I did.]
Soon, a call came through from his side. When she answered, a slightly hoarse, adolescent voice sounded, “Wife, are you full?”
“Yes, I’m full. How about you?” Wen Xia, worried Wen De would overhear, walked over to shut and lock the door.
“I’m full. Come home and eat some grapes, wife.”
Wen Xia lightly tapped her fingers on the keypad, whispering, “Husband, do you miss me?”
“Mm.”
“Husband, maybe tomorrow. It’s too late tonight.”
Just as Wen Xia finished speaking, there was a knock at the door, followed by Wen De’s voice, “Xia Xia, open the door.”
Startled, Wen Xia quickly responded, “Dad, I’m coming.”
She hurriedly whispered into the phone, “Gotta go. Dad’s here.”
“Alright, say hi to my future father-in-law for me.”
“…”
If she dared to say that, Wen De would probably scold her.
Wen Xia hung up the phone, took out a workbook, and placed it on the desk before opening the door. Wen De was standing there holding a glass of milk.
“Dad.”
“Drink the milk and go to bed.”
Wen De handed her the milk, adding, “Did your mom call you?”
“No, it was An’an who needed something.” Wen Xia took the milk, feeling a bit guilty and avoiding his gaze.
Wen De didn’t ask further. He opened his mouth, almost as if he wanted to say sorry, but he didn’t. “I’m going back to my room. Make sure to close the window before you sleep.”
“Okay.”
Holding the warm milk, Wen Xia returned to her room. She didn’t call Qin Mo back but instead took out her homework and started working.
Since she had the chance to do this over, she was determined to try her best this time, with no regrets.
On the other side, Qin Mo was also studying. Most of what he’d learned ten years ago was nearly forgotten.
…
The Next Day
After eating breakfast, Wen Xia washed the dishes and came out of the kitchen, glancing at Wen De, who was watching TV on the sofa.
“Dad, I’m going to An’an’s house to do homework later.”
“Mm, come back early for lunch,” Wen De nodded.
Wen Xia slung her backpack on and left home, heading to Qin Mo’s place. As she neared, she called him to let him know to open the door.
Qin Mo’s house was a large villa, with two floors and even a swimming pool.
Today, Qin Mo was wearing a loose black sweatshirt without a hood and light gray pants. His slightly messy hair added to his relaxed, handsome look.
No wonder she fell for him at first sight back then, pursuing him persistently for a whole year.
“Why are you standing there like it’s your first time here?” Qin Mo leaned against the iron gate, looking her over with a smile. She wore a white sweater and light blue jeans, looking a bit shy and demure.
They went inside, and Qin Mo handed her a brand-new pair of slippers.
Liu Ci, who was mopping the living room floor, glanced at them and quickly came over. “Xiao Mo, is this your classmate?”
“Mm. Aunt Liu, could you wash some fruit and bring it upstairs later?” Qin Mo nodded, steadying Wen Xia as she wobbled while changing into her slippers.
Liu Ci glanced at the two of them and then went back to the kitchen.
…
Once they reached the second floor and entered the bedroom, Wen Xia whispered, “Will Aunt Liu tell your parents?”
Here, “parents” referred to Qin Mo’s mom and dad.
Qin Mo looked at her with amusement. “Why are you worried, ‘wife’? You’ve already called them Mom and Dad.”
“It’s different. We’re still students,” Wen Xia said, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. “Xiao Mo.”
“Come in, Aunt Liu,” Qin Mo replied.
Liu Ci came in with a plate of fruit, placed it on the desk, and quickly left.
Not long after she left, Qin Mo locked the door from the inside.
Seeing this, Wen Xia immediately knew what he was planning, and her cheeks flushed. “Isn’t this… not okay?”
“What’s not okay? Hmm?”
The young man stood in front of her, leaning down slightly, holding her face gently in his hands, and lowered his head to kiss her.
A few minutes later, Qin Mo pulled down the shirt he had pushed up on her and, seeing her dreamy gaze, said in a low, husky voice, “You’re still young; I won’t go further.”
“I’ll go take a shower. You can start reading.”
He went into the bathroom and took a cold shower for several minutes until the heat in his body finally cooled down.
He sighed inwardly—after years of indulgence, going back to restraint was really tough.
When he returned, Wen Xia was already doing her homework, her fair cheek still flushed.
He ran a hand through his slightly damp hair, then sat down beside her. “Need help with any problems?”
“I don’t know how to do this one.” Wen Xia slid her math homework over to him.
“Hand me the pen. Let’s set the minimum goods as X. From the question, we know that
10*10+（X-10）*6≥208.”
Qin Mo paused, looking at Wen Xia again, and asked, “Do you know how to set up this inequality?”
Wen Xia shook her head.
He then pointed to the problem and carefully explained, “The goods can’t exceed 10 kilograms, and each kilogram costs 10 yuan…”
…
Around eleven, Jiang Yu and Qin Ande returned home.
Hearing the door open, Liu Ci, who was in the kitchen, quickly came out. “Madam, sir,” she said, bringing slippers for both of them.
Jiang Yu placed her bag on the shoe cabinet, took off her heels, and put on the slippers. “Aunt Liu, is Momo home?”
“Yes, he is. A girl classmate came to visit him,” Liu Ci nodded.
“A girl classmate?”
Jiang Yu and Qin Ande exchanged a curious glance. Qin Mo had never invited any classmates over before.
The two went upstairs, and as they approached the bedroom, they could hear their son’s patient voice explaining a problem, ending with, “Did you understand?”
“Yes, I understand,” came the girl’s soft, gentle voice.
Jiang Yu knocked on the door and then opened it slightly. “Momo.”
Qin Mo turned his head and, seeing her in a black suit, remained calm. “Mom.”
A moment later, Qin Ande walked in, and he greeted him as well, “Dad.”
At this point, Jiang Yu and Qin Ande looked much like they would years later—efficient and professional, yet with gentle tempers.
Wen Xia pushed back her chair and stood up. She had intended to address them as “Uncle” and “Auntie,” but the words that slipped out were, “Dad, Mom.”
It was a habit; changing it on the spot was harder than she thought.
“…”
“…”
Jiang Yu and Qin Ande glanced at Qin Mo, whose clean-cut, handsome face held a smile.
“…”
“…”
Could it be… early romance?
Realizing her mistake, Wen Xia quickly waved her hands and corrected herself, “Sorry… Uncle, Aunt.”
She shot a discreet glance at Qin Mo, hoping he’d help smooth things over.
Jiang Yu, ever the composed businesswoman, quickly recovered from her surprise and gave a gentle smile. “No need to be nervous. His father and I are easygoing.”
“What’s your name, dear?”
“Wen Xia. Wen as in ‘warmth’ and Xia as in ‘summer.’” Having spent a few years around them, she quickly regained her composure after a moment of awkwardness.
“Wen Xia—a lovely name. I’ll call you Xia Xia from now on,” Jiang Yu said warmly.
They chatted for a few minutes, and when Wen Xia checked her watch and saw it was nearly noon, she mentioned she had to head home.
Qin Mo didn’t try to keep her and walked her to the building entrance before heading back.
…
At the dining table
Jiang Yu placed a piece of meat in Qin Mo’s bowl. “Momo, if I remember correctly, there’s no Wen Xia in your class.”
Qin Mo nodded, knowing what she was trying to figure out, and answered straightforwardly, “She’s my girlfriend.”
