Chapter 19: When Did You Become Old? "You've disappeared in the blink of an eye, hurry up and start preparing!" Ruoxi's head poked into the bathroom, her crisp voice ringing by my ear.

  "It's still early, let's do it later when mom and dad have left." Whispering in her ear, even though I managed to get away with it last time, I promised myself that I wouldn't cause any more trouble, but what if I get caught again this time?

  I glanced at my dad reading the newspaper in the living room and my mom washing dishes in the kitchen. They both had things to do today, so they told us to just make something simple for lunch on our own. That way, if I go out this afternoon, they won't even know. Although they say they trust me, which parent can truly be at ease with their child? They always have to worry about me from the time I was little, and now that I've finally become a good student, I want to return to my true nature, but it's hard for them to accept this change all of a sudden. It's better if they don't find out, so I'll try to avoid letting them know.

  "Are Grandpa and Grandma going out today?" Yu Xi also lowered her voice.

  "Ah, seems like I'm going to attend my high school reunion." I said in front of the mirror, flipping up my eyelids to check, something got into my eyes and it hurts. "My parents were also from Ying Hua High School, they're even alumni from before my time! Haha!"

  "Wow, this love is really great! It started from high school and now the feelings are still so good!" She leaned in close to me, looking at her reflection in the mirror, with an envious expression on her face. "I really hope I can marry a man who's willing to grow old with me too!"

  "Have you been brainwashed by your mom's ideas? You're still so young and thinking about such distant things!" I teased her with a smile, "Marriage-obsessed sister! If you've found someone you like, be sure to tell me! I'll discuss with Mom and Dad how to get you married off!"

  Ruoxi is three years older than me, and this year she's also nineteen. She looks carefree, but actually, she's still a young girl at heart, gentle as water, sometimes weak, and when encountering bullying, she belongs to the type that doesn't dare speak up or fight back. Seven years ago, our first encounter was by the riverbank under a Chinese parasol tree, where she was being surrounded by two girls, while I was lying on top of the tree, enjoying the peacefulness of the blue sky, white clouds, clear wind, and green water. Of course, I was disturbed by the commotion below, so I jumped down with a fierce attitude, chased away those two little girls in just a few moves, and saved Ruoxi, who is half a head taller than me. Her face was dirty, but she didn't cry, and instead smiled at me, saying on the spot: Little sister, you're not simple at all.

  After that, I've been acting as her bodyguard. Sometimes I feel like I'm the older sister and she's the younger one. When we were kids, what I hated most was when people would bully or take advantage of others because they were stronger, bigger, or had more power. She said she wouldn't stoop to fighting with such people, and when she said this, I could clearly see the indifference in her eyes. It seemed like she'd been bullied and ignored at home since she was a kid, so it didn't faze her anymore. Later on, after we became close, I found out that she only dared to pick on people she knew well. So, naturally, I became her punching bag...

  "Ah! No, you still have to wait another year before getting married!" Before she could even open her mouth, I continued in a serious tone and her fist lightly landed on me. "If the partner is Winter Melon, it seems like we'll have to wait two more years! You're of the same age! A sister-brother romance?"

  "I really wish... but he said we're just friends." Yu Xi's emotions sank, her voice was very soft, and her head hung down.

  It seems like Ruoxi has really fallen for him, last time in the neighborhood just seeing Ji Dong made her so happy. Is he an idiot? Such a good girl and he's rejecting her! I'll find a chance to properly advise him, these men who don't know how to cherish are bastards, more hateful than homewreckers!

  "Mǐ mǐ! Ruò xī! Wǒmen chūmén le!" The sound of my mom's voice came from the entrance hall, slightly relieving the dull atmosphere in the bathroom, and I also let out a breath to relax.

  "Be careful, Mom and Dad!"

  "Be careful on the road, uncle and aunt!"

  The big gate slammed shut with a "bang", and when I looked at Ruoxi again, she had regained her excited look, pulling and dragging me into the room.

  "It's finally starting! Mimi! Don't worry, I'll definitely use all my skills to not let you down!" She smiled and handed me the dress, "Put it on first, I'll help you with your hair and makeup!"

  Put it on again with difficulty, wrapped tightly around the body, more difficult to wear than that pink lace one. The V-shaped collar is open very wide, and a little lower is the chest, really quite embarrassing. Tight on top and loose on bottom, feeling like a clown suit, awkwardly coming out from behind the curtain, preparing to accept her teasing.

  "Wow! He has a good eye for this! It looks great on you!" exclaimed Ruo Xi.

  "Don't laugh at me, I'm totally incompatible with this kind of clothing. What's suitable about it?" I pouted, "School uniforms are still the best."

  She gave me a white glance, happily surrounded me and slowly turned around, carefully measuring up and down. I was dizzy from her spinning, and hurriedly used my hand to block her, stopping her from continuing to spin around.

  "Alright, just help me out a bit, it's not like we're going on a blind date."

  "That's out of the question! It goes against my professional ethics!" She said with a straight face, I really don't know when she started working as an image consultant.

  Ruo Xi pressed me down into the chair at the desk, first helping me to comb my hair. The hair that just passed my ear line was thick and hard, although not as exaggerated as weeds, but also not smooth, pulling on my scalp several times before it was finally combed through. It had just been washed, yet it was still so stubborn. Then she took out that treasured set of makeup and applied it to me, once again treating me like a doll, moving my head in sync with her movements. After that, she put the platinum necklace on me, pinning the black diamond-encrusted hairpiece onto my hair.

  "Great success! Beautiful! Take a look at my results!" Yu Xi looked at my face and sighed, then handed me a circular mirror that was just the right size to frame my head.

  My heart is still a little excited, especially when I see Ruoxi's satisfied and admiring expression, thinking that one day I can also become a white swan. With some tension and expectation, I look into the mirror, the light golden makeup is very suitable, looking shy and lovely, my eyes are bigger and more spiritual, my lips are bright and full, my cheeks are rosy, and my whole person has been upgraded. Ruoxi really has a good technique, compared to last time's light makeup, she has made great progress, it can be seen that she has not spared any effort in researching this recently.

  "Thanks, elder sister! You're indeed very impressive!" I stood up and jokingly gave her a elegant bow.

  "I don't want just verbal thanks, that's too cheap. If you really want to thank me, show some actual action." She actually did it, with her hands clasped together in front of her and a pleased smile on her face.

  Suddenly an idea flashed through my mind that could make her happy. Looking at the clock, it was exactly 9 o'clock, still in time.

  "At noon we invite Donggua to have a meal." I said with a sly smile, "I'll go and invite him, as a thank you gift, do you want it?"

  Ruo Xi indeed burst out laughing at that moment, her voice trembling slightly as she exclaimed: "Really? Great!"

  It seems that this time I should be a good moon old, take out my mobile phone and dial his number. Yesterday, Yu went back to his own home, so don't worry, he will also bring him over. A song was almost sung in the phone, before someone came to answer it.

  "Hey." A loud voice, it was indeed Ji Dong.

  "Winter melon! It's me, Mimi. Come to my house for lunch at noon, my parents aren't home, just me and Ruoxi." I said straightforwardly, "No refusal allowed! If you still consider me a friend!"

  The person on the other end of the phone seemed stunned by my barrage of bullets and fell silent for a long time before making a sound.

  "Oh, okay I'll go."

  Just before 12 o'clock, the dining table was already filled with all kinds of dishes, both meat and vegetarian, colorful and fragrant, comparable to a five-star hotel standard. For the entire morning, from buying vegetables, washing vegetables, cutting vegetables to stir-frying, Yu Xi took care of everything herself, and I, who didn't know anything about cooking, just lent a hand slightly, without realizing that she was also very skilled in the kitchen.

  Two people sat around the dinner table, Ruoxi had a happy face, while I secretly swallowed my saliva and prayed for Jidong to appear soon, so that I could satisfy my hunger.

  Ding dong ding dong......

  "Here!" Ruoxi jumped up from her chair and hurriedly went to open the door. I also stood up.

  Ji Dong, who was standing at the door, was holding two big bags. He walked in and casually put them on the ground, from which a bright red apple rolled out. You're even bringing fruit when you come to my place, isn't that too formal?

  "Come quickly, come quickly, we've been waiting for you!" I stood by the table waving my hand.

  His gaze stayed on me for a while, then he smiled faintly and walked over with a swing of his arm. The three of us sat down at the dinner table, and finally we could start eating.

  "You're going to Yu Ge's house this afternoon, and you're dressed up so carefully."

  "This is what acting requires, I don't like wearing this either!" Stuffing a piece of chicken into his mouth, he chewed and said, "This craftsmanship is not bad, it's all done by Ruoxi alone! She heard that you were coming and specially prepared it. Usually, I don't have the good fortune to enjoy this!"

  I've put on lipstick, and now I have to be careful when eating so as not to stain it, which is really not my style.

  "Eat more!" Ruoxi's face turned slightly red as she kicked me under the table and handed Ji Dong a Coke chicken wing.

  "Uncle Wu's mom is hard to deal with, you be careful." He said lightly to me, but his eyes were fixed on the stacked bowls in front of him.

  "Don't worry," he said calmly on the surface, but his heart was getting a little nervous. As long as I don't make any mistakes, everything will be fine.

  The atmosphere at the dinner table was a bit awkward, and neither Ruoxi nor Jidong had said much. I wasn't exactly the type of person who was good at livening up the mood either, so I could only sit there uncomfortably between them. After finishing dinner, Ruoxi started clearing the plates, while I pulled over Jidong, who was still sitting there staring blankly into space.

  "Today I'm entrusting my cousin to you, I won't be able to accompany her!" On the sofa, I sat next to him and whispered, "Take good care of her! She's very suitable for you! Trust me, it's not wrong!"

  He looked at me silently for a moment, his eyes piercing through me, I was slightly stunned, this familiar gaze, just like the night under the streetlight when I broke free from him.

  "Is this what you wanted?" His voice was low and husky, his eyes fixed intently on me.

  I didn't dare to look into his eyes again, and I nodded slightly. I felt like I had hurt him once more, and my heart ached with regret. But this choice was the best for Ji Dong, Ruoxi, and me - wasn't it? Ruoxi had deep feelings for him, and as her good sister, how could I just stand by and watch her suffer without lending a hand? I also believed that Ji Dong would definitely come to like Ruoxi. Since childhood, he had always followed my lead, liking what I liked. This time wouldn't be an exception either. They just hadn't fully understood each other yet; feelings take time to develop through interaction.

  "Alright, I'll take good care of her from now on." He stood up and said indifferently, then turned his back to me and went into the kitchen.

  The back he left me with appears tall and desolate.

  I patted my face: I'm not going to harm him, what's there to feel guilty about? Anyway, this is a good start, and I sincerely hope they can have a good outcome.