Chen Jinyue stood before the bathroom vanity. Her mind was still filled with the resolution she had made amidst her tears the night before—to "begin a beautiful twenty-fifth year"—but the reality in the mirror was a pair of eyes swollen larger than lightbulbs.
The first day of being twenty-five was not only far from beautiful, it was downright ridiculous.
She let out a long sigh, resigning herself to fate.
Lin Yunsheng had already left for work, leaving only Chen Fang at home. Her mother was on a video call with her friends, chatting about how the New Year festivities were over and it was time to get their mahjong group back together.
Chen Fang said she was free anytime, a smile she couldn't suppress plastered across her face. Her friend, predictably, asked if something good had happened.
"Oh, you know," Chen Fang said gleefully, "my eldest daughter is finally dating. She’s thirty, and it’s her very first time."
Expressionless, Chen Jinyue walked to the balcony door in the living room and pulled the half-drawn curtains wide with a sharp *shhh-t*, startling Chen Fang.
"It was too dark. It’s brighter this way," Chen Jinyue explained before her mother could say a word. She then sat on the sofa, crossing her legs.
Chen Fang hung up the video call and looked at her daughter. "What happened to your eyes?"
"I cried watching a TV drama last night."
"What kind of drama makes your eyes swell like that?"
Chen Jinyue narrowed her eyes. "Don't ask. It's not a genre you'd like."
"Oh."
She took out her phone and began checking flights on a travel app. There were no direct flights from Haicheng to where she lived; she had to meticulously consider prices, flight durations, and the number of layovers. It was a significant amount of work.
As she browsed, she notified her mother, "I should be heading back soon."
To her surprise, Chen Fang showed no sign of trying to make her stay or feeling any reluctance. "Sure. Anyway, the New Year and your birthday are over. It’s time to settle back into work."
Chen Jinyue lifted her foot from the rug and rested it on her mother’s lap. "Am I really your biological daughter? How can you not miss me at all?"
Chen Fang tucked her daughter's foot in. "Who says I won't miss you? But don't you always have to go back to work? What, do you want me to cry for you right now until my eyes are as swollen as yours?"
Chen Jinyue pouted and gave a small huff, her attention returning to her phone.
Just then, a message from Ren Xiaoxiao popped up.
[How did things go last night?]
[Pretty well.]
[So it’s a success?]
[She succeeded. I didn't.]
On the other end, Ren Xiaoxiao frowned, her fingers typing and deleting on the keyboard as she puzzled over what that sentence meant.
Seeing the "typing" status flicker for a long time without a new message, Chen Jinyue followed up.
[She’s in a relationship with Yuanmao Mansion. I’m preparing to head back.]
A few seconds later, the screen showed Ren Xiaoxiao inviting her to a video call. Chen Jinyue hesitated for a moment, then stood up, walked to her room, and pressed accept.
"What?"
"Are you okay? Yikes, your eyes... how did they get that swollen?"
"I'm fine."
"Really?"
"Really. I can properly wish her happiness now." Chen Jinyue flopped onto her bed, even offering a smile.
"Then when are you leaving?"
"Hmm... I don't know yet. I'm still looking at tickets. If I find a suitable one, I'll leave early."
"Okay. Well, if you're in a bad mood these next few days, come find me. It’s not like it’s the first time I’ve had to comfort you."
Ren Xiaoxiao was referring to six years ago. After Lin Yunsheng had abruptly called things off, Chen Jinyue had been so stifled with grief that she eventually confessed everything to her friend.
To her surprise, Ren Xiaoxiao hadn't reacted with the shock she expected, nor had she judged her. She had simply stayed by Chen Jinyue's side, soothing her and handing her tissues when she cried, right up until she left.
But that was just how Ren Xiaoxiao spoke—even when her words and actions were meant to care for someone, she always had to poke at a sore spot. She was incredibly stubborn in that way.
Chen Jinyue rolled her eyes at her. "I'm really fine. I felt better after crying last night."
"Fine, you've grown up. Take care of yourself then."
"Yeah. I'll treat you to dinner once my dates are set. Hanging up now."
Her phone returned to the chat interface. Chen Jinyue habitually scrolled through her Moments and, rare as it was, saw a new update from Zhao Man.
It was a photo of a computer screen, with the background looking like a conference room. In the blurred distance sat a figure dressed entirely in black.
Even though it was so blurry that the features were indistinguishable, she recognized her instantly. It was Lin Yunsheng.
She used two fingers to zoom in on the image, staring for a few seconds. Then, she long-pressed and clicked save.
The caption for the post read: *Finally, some progress.*
Chen Jinyue guessed it was about the project, so she gave it a 'like.' Then she locked her screen and tossed the phone aside. Lying on the bed, she stared at the stark white ceiling, thinking of nothing. Drowsiness washed over her, and she slowly drifted back to sleep.
***
After the night of the birthday, Lin Yunsheng inevitably became busy again, rarely returning home in time for dinner. The feeling was familiar to Chen Jinyue—after their argument six years ago, Lin Yunsheng had also stayed out as late as possible, even on weekends. That lasted until Chen Jinyue finally chose to move out.
But she couldn't exactly move out now. After all, Lin Yunsheng had bought this house; it would be ridiculous if she were the one to leave. It would be too farcical.
The good news was that Chen Jinyue would be leaving soon. For both of them, it was a relief worth sighing for.
One night around midnight, Chen Jinyue was leaning against the kitchen island drinking water. As she drank, she looked around and realized the kitchen really was quite large now.
She had once said she wanted to renovate a larger kitchen, and Lin Yunsheng had fulfilled that for her. The second half of that wish—that she would cook for Lin Yunsheng—had instead become an invalid promise left behind in the dilapidated kitchen of their old apartment.
But she had been sincere when she said it. Things change, and who could have predicted this? She couldn't even blame herself.
She tilted her head back and finished the last drop of water.
Just as she was about to return to her room, the front door opened. Lin Yunsheng walked in. When she saw her younger sister stepping out of the dining area, she was visibly uneasy.
Chen Jinyue, however, remained natural, acting as if she hadn't noticed the other woman's awkwardness.
"You're back," she said first, shrugging.
"Yes."
"Have you eaten?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Get some rest then." Having said her piece, she turned the corner and walked the few steps back to her room.
—They were like a pair of ordinary sisters.
She had wondered why she had accepted the reality so quickly this time, unlike the refusal to let go six years ago. After much thought, her conclusion was: because she knew Lin Yunsheng loved her.
If Lin Yunsheng had abandoned her because she didn't love her, she might have made a scene, demanding an explanation, wondering how she could forget so quickly after only six years.
But Lin Yunsheng clearly loved her, yet still chose others. Was there any solution to that? If there were obstacles in Lin Yunsheng's heart that even "love" could not overcome, then Chen Jinyue didn't believe she had any power to change things.
She hadn't expected that "love" could hurt more than "not loving." In that case, it was better to just let it go.
Thinking this, she felt she truly did look a bit more like an adult.
***
Chen Fang’s first mahjong game of the year was set for Saturday. It was to last from lunch until late at night. Hoping for a lucky start to ensure a prosperous year at the table, she even solemnly put on a red braided bracelet.
When Chen Jinyue said goodbye to her, she offered a few sweet words, wishing her a big win. Her mother happily hummed a tune as she headed off to the game. Chen Jinyue was left alone at home, lying bored on the sofa.
She was wrapped in the fleece blanket, though the woody scent had mostly faded.
Just as she was about to drift off again, her phone suddenly vibrated. She squinted at it; it was Zhao Man, whom she hadn't been in contact with for a long time.
The other woman asked: [Xiao Jin, what are you up to?]
Chen Jinyue was slightly stunned. Her subconscious told her that if Zhao Man was looking for her, it must be related to Lin Yunsheng.
[Hi, Sister Man. Not much, just resting at home.]
[I see. The weather is lovely today. Do you want to go for a walk?]
She held her phone, hesitating for a long time. She wasn't sure if it would just be Zhao Man, or if Lin Yunsheng would be with her.
Zhao Man seemed to see through her thoughts and followed up: [I’ve wanted to go to Hubin Park for a long time, but unfortunately, I had no one to go with. You probably haven't been there either, right?]
Chen Jinyue glanced at the time in the top left corner of the screen: 1:00 PM.
[That's true, I haven't been. You want to go today, Sister Man? I can do that.]
[That’s great. Shall I pick you up at three?]
[It’s okay, Sister Man. It’s very easy to get a taxi from here. Let’s meet at the park entrance at three.]
[Sounds good.]
Zhao Man quickly sent a location pin to ensure she didn't go to the wrong place.
Chen Jinyue sat up after dawdling for two minutes. She could be unkempt and dress casually when going out with Ren Xiaoxiao, but with Zhao Man, she probably needed to pay a little attention to her image.
With that thought, she headed toward the bathroom.
After showering, she applied light makeup and picked out her outfit. She checked herself in the mirror; it was decent.
As she started tidying the vanity, she pulled open a drawer and saw the red hair ribbon—the one she had bought at the Plum Garden. It was currently tangled in a heap in the corner, looking far less lively than when it had been tied in her hair.
She picked up one end of the ribbon and pulled it out. It was a long strand, the beads and tassels dangling accordingly. She shook her wrist, and the small silver bell on the ribbon let out a crisp chime.
Looking at it now, she still thought it was quite beautiful. However, her gaze dimmed slightly.
Chen Jinyue raised her hand, holding the ribbon against her hair to test it. She adjusted the angle five or six times, then wound it around several times, pulling her hair back into a ponytail.
Unlike at the Plum Garden, where she had let it trail behind her, she tied it up neatly and briskly. It looked quite presentable.
She checked the time: 2:10 PM. It was about time. She grabbed her bag and stepped out the door.
***
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
---|---|---
远茂府邸 | Yuanmao Mansion | The real estate project Lin Yunsheng is working on.
湖滨公园 | Hubin Park | Literally "Lakeside Park."
小曼姐 | Sister Man | A polite/affectionate way for Jinyue to address Zhao Man.
梅园 | Plum Garden | The location from a previous chapter where they bought the hair ribbon.
