“Zhi Nian, Zhi Nian? Can’t find what you’re looking for? Did you drop it on the way here? I can call someone to help you look for it if you want.”
“Ah… It’s fine, I just zoned out for a bit, the thing’s still here.”
I shook my head, tossing aside those memories of my father.
What does that scumbag who abandoned his wife and daughter have to do with whether I find a boyfriend or not? Even if Gu Fan really is just trying to trick me into bed and will dump me when he’s tired of me, that would be my own poor judgment. I’d never think I should have asked for that man’s opinion in the first place.
Besides, didn’t he treat my mother’s feelings the same way—stringing her along, then running off to Flower City before I was even born? He saw us as burdens to his business ventures and just dumped us in this remote mountain village without a second thought.
With that thought, I took out the photo taken with Gu Fan in the old-fashioned wooden cabin at the photo studio and handed it to Big Sis, whose face was full of curiosity.
“Whoa, Zhi Nian, you’ve got good taste! Where’d you find such a handsome young guy? Judging by that build, I bet he’s got solid muscles under those clothes. Looks like the athletic type. Are you sure his character is okay? From what I know, hot guys usually get around quite a bit.”
“He probably isn’t the type to mess around… I’ve never seen him going out for parties or hanging out with friends all the time. At school, if he’s got free time, he’s either playing basketball or tagging along with me, skipping class and chatting while wandering about.”
I don’t really know what kind of person Gu Fan used to be. I’ve overheard classmates talk about how the gentle and polite Gu Fan now was actually a notorious school bully back in junior high, with countless victims to his name. But I just can’t believe that—how could Gu Fan be that kind of person?
If the rumors were about Gu Fan standing up to bullies to protect other students, becoming some kind of justice-bringer, I’d actually think that was true.
Big Sis held up the photo, squinting under the fluorescent light to get a better look.
“Mm, not bad, not bad, this guy’s really handsome. Zhi Nian, you’ve got good taste! So, when are you planning to seduce him into confessing to you? Want Big Sis to teach you some tricks to hook a man?”
After admiring Gu Fan, Big Sis nodded with satisfaction, handed the photo back, and patted her chest as she spoke openly.
Though Big Sis, like me, has never dated before, she’s been a regular woman for over a decade. Her experience dealing with guys and her way of thinking is definitely better than me, a clueless catgirl who came into this halfway.
“A confession, huh? He’s pretty laid-back. He might have some special feelings for me, but he’s never tried anything with me. Usually, I’m the one making a move, and then he’ll passively hug me or hold my hand.”
“So shy? Judging by his face, I thought he’d be the assertive, wolfish type. Didn’t expect you’d have to be the bold one, Zhi Nian. That’s quite a contrast.”
I don’t know how Gu Fan’s looks and vibe come across to others. I just know he’s always been the type to never take the initiative with big things, going with the flow with a sort of Buddhist calm.
As a friend, that’s actually a really likable personality—he respects your boundaries and lets you lead, while keeping himself out of trouble.
But to me, he’s the partner I’ve dreamed of. Even though we haven’t taken that all-important step to officially become a couple, nothing can erase the special place he holds in my heart.
I want to kiss him openly, hold his hand, and experience all those couple-exclusive moments together.
And after we’ve gone through every step, it’ll be time to walk down the aisle, have an adorable baby, and look forward to a wonderful married life together—hmph~
As those fluffy pink thoughts popped up in my mind, I swallowed hard, tucking each of them away, saving them for when I finally confess and maybe, just maybe, turn them into reality.
“Speaking of which, if you can keep a hold of a guy like that, you’ll have peace of mind after marriage. That Gu guy looks like the devoted type, and married life with him will definitely be fun, never dull or tiresome. Plus, with that build of his, Zhi Nian, you’d better get ready.”
Big Sis scooped a big spoonful of ice cream into her mouth and waved her spoon as she spoke.
“R-really?”
This was the first time I’d talked with another girl about something this private, not hiding anything at all. My cheeks felt like they were burning, and I couldn’t help lowering my voice.
I glanced quickly around the dessert shop, head lowered. There were only two or three other young customers, all seated far away from our corner. They definitely couldn’t hear our conversation.
“Of course! My eyes are as accurate as a measuring tape. Sure, I might be off sometimes, but I’m usually right on.”
At some point, half my bowl of matcha ice cream had melted away—too busy chatting to eat. Meanwhile, Big Sis had already finished every crumb of her chocolate chip ice cream, down to the bottom of the bowl.
After polishing off her bowl, Big Sis looked at me with sparkling eyes and even batted her eyelashes a few times.
“Zhi Nian, you gonna finish that? Want me to take care of it for you?”
“Go ahead, Big Sis.”
I’ve never had much of an appetite, and I don’t love sweets like most girls do. Might as well give it away and hear more of Big Sis’s thoughts on relationships.
Big Sis quickly dug into my matcha ice cream, methodically spooning it up as she spoke. “If you ask me, he definitely has feelings for you. Boys are pretty simple—if they like you, they like you, if they don’t, they don’t. Since he’s willing to do all these ambiguous things with you, odds are he’s got some deeper intentions. Especially with teenage boys, sometimes during lunch break, I even see some boys… heh heh.”
Big Sis gave a wicked chuckle, leaving it at that, then let out a belch. That’s when I realized she’d eaten all the remaining ice cream in one go.
“Want to order anything else? It’s on me. Big Sis can order whatever she wants.”
“No, no, I’m stuffed already.”
She grabbed a napkin to wipe her mouth, then leaned back against her chair and continued.
“Zhi Nian, are you planning to be the one who confesses to him?”
“Mm-hmm, I am. He never makes a move, so I have to be the one to confess. I want to get closer to Gu Fan. Being childhood friends just doesn’t let me do enough—I’m not satisfied.”
I confessed my true feelings, and felt all the tension in my body ease away.
“Zhi Nian, do you want to hear my bold plan, or my gentle plan?”
“I—I want both!”
Greedy little catgirl that I am, of course I want everything! If possible, I’ll make them all happen!
“Then I’ll start with the bolder plan.”
Big Sis’s lips curled into a mischievous smile.
Then, under my stunned gaze, she acted out something that made my mind completely crash…