"Who was following you? I just happened to be going this way too," Ya Xi said defiantly, her big eyes glaring.
"This is the West District," Shen Qinglan reminded her.
"Uh." Ya Xi was at a loss for words; she was actually heading to the East District.
"Well, big sister, why don’t you come with me?" Ya Xi still wanted to be with Shen Qinglan. Maybe there was some truth to the saying that fights lead to friendships; she had a good impression of Shen Qinglan.
"No need, we’re going different ways."
"Where are you going? I can have my brother give you a ride."
Shen Qinglan started to walk off. Immediately, she heard footsteps behind her, and the slight panting of a girl. She stopped again.
"We really aren’t headed the same way."
"I can really have my brother drive you, honestly," Ya Xi insisted, looking earnestly at Shen Qinglan.
Shen Qinglan felt a twinge of helplessness. "Why do you want to go with me?"
"Because I like you," Ya Xi blurted out.
Shen Qinglan didn’t want to speak anymore. She never knew she appealed to both men and women.
"Hey, big sister, I’m serious, I really like you. If you don’t want my brother to give you a ride, that’s fine. Just tell me when you’re going back to Beijing, and we can go back together," Ya Xi caught up with her again. She couldn’t quite articulate what she liked about Shen Qinglan, but she just did.
"I’m from Hang City. I’m just visiting Beijing for fun." So, we really couldn’t be going the same way.
Shen Qinglan casually told a lie. Although she didn’t mind this young girl, she didn’t want to travel with her. She wanted a quiet environment.
Ya Xi finally stopped in her tracks. "Big sister, you’re not from Beijing?" she said in a disappointed tone, with a hint of grievance.
"Can I leave now?" Shen Qinglan asked.
Ya Xi nodded weakly. Just after Shen Qinglan had taken a few steps, Ya Xi’s voice suddenly came from behind, "Big sister, can I find you to hang out while I’m in Hang City?"
Shen Qinglan didn’t respond, walking straight ahead. She didn’t see Ya Xi’s eyes darken when there was no reply.
Ya Xi listlessly began to walk towards the East District.
"Xiao Xi, why aren’t you even paying attention while walking?" Just as Ya Xi was about to bump into a pillar, a man’s voice came from above her.
Ya Xi looked up to see her brother Yan Shengyu and barely managed a smile, "Brother."
Yan Shengyu took her luggage, putting an arm around her shoulder. "Are you just tired from the train ride, feeling so listless?"
Ya Xi didn’t speak. She still hadn’t said anything when they got in the car, a sharp contrast to her usual chattiness.
Yan Shengyu looked at her with concern, touching her forehead and finding her temperature normal, he was slightly relieved. His sister had been frail since childhood and almost didn’t survive when she was born, so the family had always been very cautious with her.
"Xiao Xi, if you’re tired, just sleep for a while. I’ll wake you when we get there."
Ya Xi shook her head, looking at Yan Shengyu. "Brother, do you think I’m really annoying?"
"How could that be? You’re the little princess of our whole family. How could anyone find you annoying?"
"Then why didn’t that big sister want to walk with me?" Ya Xi pouted, her face full of grievance.
"Which big sister?" Yan Shengyu was baffled by what she said.
"The one I met on the train, she was sitting next to me, so pretty..." Ya Xi rambled on, recounting the details of her encounter with Shen Qinglan as if pouring out beans from a bamboo tube.
"Brother, I’ve never liked a stranger so much, but I really, really like the vibe that sister has, really like it." With two "really likes," it was clear Ya Xi truly liked Shen Qinglan, even though this affection seemed inexplicable.
Yan Shengyu didn’t think his sister had developed inappropriate feelings for what she called that "big sister," but he was a bit curious about that "big sister" who had ignored his sister.
He knew his sister well, having been frail since childhood, she had spent most of her time in the hospital, lacking friends. When she finally got healthier and started school, Ya Xi’s pride kept her from liking those who wanted to befriend her because of her status. She appeared cheerful and chatty, but was, in fact, quite lonely inside.
Yan Shengyu patted his sister’s head. "Maybe she really had something urgent and couldn’t go with us. Besides, she said she’s from Hang City, and doesn’t live in Beijing. We’ll be going back to Beijing in a few days, so chances of meeting again are slim."
Though he said this, Ya Xi’s spirits remained low. Yan Shengyu tried everything to cheer her up, but to no avail.
He wanted to help Ya Xi find this "big sister," but they weren’t in Nancheng. They had no particular contacts here, having come only to attend a friend’s wedding. Moreover, Ya Xi didn’t even know the girl’s name; even if he wanted to ask friends to help find her, he had no way to do so.