Du Xiu Chapter 80

In the silent parking lot, the light around them was dim, while inside the car it was bright and warm – like a small lamp glowing at home in the dead of night.

The fragrance of blossoms lingered, dew sparkling crystal-clear, yet it could not quench the fire spreading across her face.

Her lips parted slightly, her heart thudding violently in her chest. Realizing that his feelings mirrored her own only made the emotions surge even stronger.

It wasn’t that she had never been afraid – afraid of ruining their harmony, of shattering the beautiful past with a careless move.

But seeing the light brimming in his dark eyes, watching him cautiously offer her the white rose, his usual calmness fractured, even his breath held tight – at that moment, all those needless fears vanished, as though someone had lifted them from her.

Perhaps she and he were simply too in sync, to the point of sharing each other’s feelings.

Looking at the bouquet, Chu Duxiu remarked, “Very traditional, indeed.”

“Not good?” Xie Shenci asked hesitantly.

“It’s nice,” she said, taking the white rose. She lifted it to cover her face, sneaking a glance up at him, and whispered, “There’s a reason classics endure.”

Through the veil of leaves, her eyes shone clear, as if touched by dew. Embarrassed to meet his gaze directly, she let the pure white petals conceal her blush.

Romantic, pure, innocent – the language of the white rose was just like the bond between them. Not fiery or overwhelming, but spotless and untainted.

They looked at each other for a long time, and then, almost at the same moment, their lips curved upward, laughter slipping out unbidden.

No one could have said why they laughed. It was like catching a cold – contagious. By the time they realized it, joy had already blossomed at their lips.

Xie Shenci forced down the curve of his lips. “So now this is…?”

“We haven’t even had a proper confession yet.” Chu Duxiu cradled the bouquet and teased, “This is only the first step.”

Xie Shenci shot her a glance.

Chu Duxiu had thought he would be stumped – like when he was forced to tell jokes, suddenly tongue-tied, trapped between advance and retreat, his embarrassment and helplessness plain to see.

But instead, Xie Shenci abruptly leaned down, lowering himself toward her ear to whisper.

That usually austere figure bent close, and in an instant, the space between them vanished, his faint breath mingling with the fragrance of the flowers.

Chu Duxiu hadn’t expected him to bend down, whispering softly to her as though sharing a secret.

A few strands of his dark hair brushed against her cheek, his breath sweeping past her ear. The deep, sincere words, carried on that warm breath, slipped through the shell of her ear and seeped into her body, sending an involuntary shiver through her.

Tingling, numbing, like lively musical notes, they struck at her heart, stirring a rush of heat that surged upward, boiling over.

He, who was always so cautious with his words and actions, now leaned close on purpose, offering her a confession that was clear, singular, and entirely his own.

When Xie Shenci finished speaking, he straightened again, lips pressed tight. “Is that alright?”

Chu Duxiu’s face was flushed red. She hugged the bouquet tightly and mumbled back, “Mm…”

“Should I say it again?” His Adam’s apple shifted slightly. “I’m afraid it wasn’t formal enough.”

“…No need.”

If she heard it one more time, she was sure her legs would give out, and she wouldn’t be able to stand at all.

Xie Shenci asked softly, seeking her answer, “Then…”

Chu Duxiu turned her head aside, avoiding his gaze. She reached out a hand toward him and muttered, “Help me up.”

The next moment, she heard his quiet laugh.

Their fingertips brushed, and with no effort at all, he pulled her easily to her feet – then, without pause, their fingers interlaced.

Chu Duxiu held the roses in one hand, while the other was clasped firmly in his, her palm filled with his warmth. She could even faintly feel the quickened beat of his heart, as if two mismatched puzzle pieces had finally locked perfectly into place.

Both were shy, hearts pounding, yet neither was willing to let go – so they simply held on, tightly.

Xie Shenci’s throat felt dry, but he forced a casual tone. “Want to walk around a bit, go for a stroll?”

Chu Duxiu widened her eyes. “Now?”

Outside the studio was a crowd of spectators – yet he was suggesting a late-night stroll?

“We could just walk around the parking lot.”

“…Alright.”

Like two schoolchildren, they walked hand in hand, circling the underground lot twice, not really knowing what they were doing, simply savoring the quiet of the moment.

Chu Duxiu deliberately squeezed his hand, only to see that Xie Shenci didn’t pull away. Instead, a smile crept into the corners of his eyes.

It wasn’t until a phone started ringing that they finally returned to the car.

Outside the car, Xie Shenci held the door open for her before circling around to take the driver’s seat.

Chu Duxiu sat in the passenger seat, her lap piled high with flowers and a trophy. She picked up her phone, which had been ringing nonstop, and, seeing the caller ID, exclaimed in delight, “It’s my sister!”

Xie Shenci nodded knowingly. The Season 3 finale of The Stand-Up King was broadcast live, so it was no surprise that Chu Shuangyou had already seen the news and was calling to congratulate her sister.

He took the chance to send a message to Shang Liang, letting him know they wouldn’t be returning to the studio but heading straight to the celebration banquet instead.

The car started up slowly, pulling out of the underground parking lot, while inside, only the sisters’ voices filled the space.

“Hello?”

“Congratulations on taking first place and reclaiming the lost spotlight, little champion.” Chu Shuangyou’s voice was gentle. “When you come back to Wencheng, we’ll give you a proper celebration. Whatever you want to eat – Xian’er Zhai or anywhere else – you name it.”

“Yay! You didn’t work overtime?” Chu Duxiu exclaimed joyfully. “You actually watched the livestream!”

“I had the iPad on the side while I worked, so nothing got delayed.”

As Xie Shenci quietly drove, he listened to their affectionate chatter, one brow lifting slightly.

He thought to himself: Chu Shuangyou always claimed she wasn’t the kind of parent who coddled, yet when it came to her little sister, she still spoke in the same “baby, you’re amazing” tone – sometimes even more exaggerated than Chu Lan or Shi Qin.

Chu Shuangyou asked, “By the way, did Mom call you? Were you too busy and missed it?”

“No, she didn’t. Why?” Chu Duxiu was puzzled. “She hasn’t called me.”

“Then you’d better brace yourself.” Chu Shuangyou paused briefly. “I heard that people in the neighborhood have all been watching the show. Pretty soon they’ll be crowding into the house – expect to be harassed a bit.”

Wencheng wasn’t a big place, and with Chu Duxiu’s growing fame, it was inevitable that the neighbors would gossip. Chu Lan and Shi Qin had lived there for years and knew many people locally, so distant relatives and coworkers would certainly be asking questions.

That was just how small towns were – one little thing and the whole place buzzed. It was like when Chu Shuangyou became the top scorer in the college entrance exam: the family’s doorstep was nearly trampled flat, and it turned into sensational news at the time.

Chu Duxiu’s eyes went blank. “Huh? But that didn’t happen last season?”

“It did,” Chu Shuangyou replied, “but Mom drove them all away. She was afraid the finals would upset you. This time, though, she probably won’t have an excuse.”

In the Season 2 finals, Chu Duxiu had been the victim of backstage manipulation. Fearing that well-wishers would wound her daughter instead of comforting her, Chu Lan had turned everyone away, terrified that the sight would trigger old pain and sorrow.

Now, with the Season 3 victory well earned, there was no longer any reason to shut the door on visitors.

And speak of the devil – while Chu Duxiu was still on the phone with her sister, another call came through. It was Chu Lan, all the way from Wencheng.

“It’s over, it’s over – the call’s here.” Chu Duxiu panicked. “What do I do? Who’s even at the house? I don’t know them!”

“Just make a few perfunctory remarks – or don’t even talk, just listen,” Chu Shuangyou advised with the voice of experience. “It’s not like you see them often. They’re only there to make a fuss because they’ve got nothing better to do.”

“I’ll hang up now – you answer Mom’s call.”

Sure enough, as soon as Chu Duxiu ended her call with her sister and picked up Chu Lan’s, she barely had time to exchange a few words before she realized the phone was being passed around farther and farther away. All she could hear were the chaotic noises in the background – whether it was the old neighbors from the courtyard, or distant aunts and uncles, it was impossible to tell. Everyone was talking at once, showering her with congratulations.

The crowd erupted into a noisy clamor, voices overlapping – men and women alike.

“Xiuxiu, do you still remember me? I’m Auntie Chen. I held you when you were little -you used to play in the courtyard with your sister.”

“We all saw your performance on the show! You really made your parents proud. They’ve got two wonderful daughters!”

“Now you’re a big star, a comedian, on TV!”

All kinds of voices mingled together, leaving her at a loss for how to respond, hands and feet tied in awkwardness.

From the side came Chu Lan’s impatient voice, trying to rein them in. “That’s enough…”

Shi Qin also stepped in to mediate, embarrassed yet still polite: “She’s probably busy right now. Maybe save the chatting for another day – why don’t we all have some tea first?”

But drinking tea was certainly less exciting than talking to a “celebrity.” Even though Chu Duxiu wasn’t really a star, her fame was more than enough in the eyes of ordinary people.

The crowd refused to hang up, showering her with endless praise, as if they couldn’t flatter her enough – saying she’d be on the Spring Festival Gala by the end of the year, and next year conquer the box office during New Year’s season. They clearly had no real understanding of stand-up comedy, holding wildly unrealistic expectations, mistaking her for some kind of world-class comedy star.

“We won’t lose the chance to see you in Wencheng anymore, right? You’ll still come back for New Year’s, won’t you?”

“Well, who knows? You’ve seen the news – stars make so much money. She’s already at the peak of her life; by New Year’s she’ll probably be on the Spring Festival Gala…”

Chu Duxiu felt suffocated by their praise, flustered to the point of stammering. She hurried to explain modestly, “No, you’ve misunderstood. Of course I’ll be back for New Year’s!”

“Honestly, being good at stand-up comedy isn’t anything that special. It won’t make you rich overnight, and it won’t land you some tall, rich, and handsome husband either!”

She couldn’t let them overestimate the stand-up comedy scene. After all, stand-up comedians were still worlds apart from film and TV actors. Somehow they were making her sound like she’d rocketed to A-list celebrity status, and she couldn’t allow such strange rumors to spread unchecked through Wencheng.

“That’s good, that’s good. Now that your career is on the rise, don’t forget about your personal life. Make sure you bring a partner home for New Year’s.”

“Shuangyou as well!”

That age-old, classic topic instantly stirred irritation among those nearby.

“Enough already. First you call her a celebrity, then you tell her to bring home a partner – don’t you hear how contradictory that sounds?” Chu Lan scolded, decisively snatching back the phone. She then said casually to her daughter, “Go on with what you’re doing, we won’t bother you anymore. You probably still have events tonight.”

Rescued by her mother, Chu Duxiu finally let out a long breath of relief.

With Chu Shuangyou’s outstanding career, every time she returned home she was bombarded with questions about her love life. Chu Lan had long since grown adept at fending off such inquiries, and now she stepped in just in time to shield her younger daughter as well.

After that noisy, chaotic phone call, Chu Duxiu’s head was spinning so badly she didn’t even notice when the car arrived – the restaurant was already right in front of them.

Through the window, Chu Duxiu looked at the brightly lit building in the distance and asked curiously, “We’re here?”

Inside the car, Xie Shenci had already parked, his hands lifted from the steering wheel. Casting her a sidelong glance, he said coolly, “I see how it is – win a championship and suddenly I’m not handsome enough for you.”

Chu Duxiu: “?”

Baffled, she turned to study the man speaking in such an odd tone.

His gaze was deep, the arch of his brows lifted as he repeated, word for word, “Being good at stand-up comedy isn’t anything that special. It won’t win you some tall, rich, and handsome husband.”

“???”

Good grief – he had actually eavesdropped on her call and was secretly keeping score against her.

Chu Duxiu was both exasperated and amused. “Why don’t you question the word ‘rich’ too? Out of the three words, you only fixated on ‘handsome’?”

“Oh, I get it now. Win a championship and suddenly I’m neither rich enough nor handsome enough,” Xie Shenci said in mock grievance. “It’s barely been a moment, and you’re already disdaining me.”

“…”

He was thoroughly dissatisfied – the bouquet he had confessed with was still sitting on her lap, yet his trial run at romance already felt over, plunging him straight into the icy pit of being ignored. Anyone would struggle with that kind of whiplash.

Especially after Chu Lan’s “What celebrity needs to bring home a partner?” and Shi Qin’s “Wencheng men don’t belong at the table” – the layered blows weighed on him, leaving him melancholy and nursing his grievance.

“Well, it’s normal. The internet says once the flirting stage ends, the freshness fades.” Chu Duxiu’s eyes rolled slyly as she teased him on purpose. “Moving ahead to the next phase early – plain and steady is what really lasts…”

Xie Shenci was stunned she would admit it. “?”

Folding his arms across his chest, he shook his head solemnly. “No.”

“How is it ‘no’?”

“You’ve never said anything to me, and there’s no cat contract either.” Xie Shenci gave her a sideways look, holding out his hand. “Without a proper title, it doesn’t count.”

Thinking back, after receiving her birthday gift he had been swept away, unable to hold back his confession. But she had given neither a formal promise nor a direct reply, leaving him restless and insecure, as if floating in the clouds with nothing solid to hold onto.

Chu Duxiu stared at the palm he held out, demanding a contract: “…”

Where on earth was she supposed to conjure up a betrothal letter for him now?

So instead, she simply took his hand. “Will this do?”

Before Xie Shenci could even reply, she gave a gentle tug, drawing him closer without his consent.

The next instant – moist and soft, a fleeting touch, brushing lightly against his cheek like a snowflake falling in early spring: vanishing in an instant, melting into ripples.

A tender, lingering kiss on the cheek.

Having committed the “crime,” Chu Duxiu saw him stunned into stillness. Her own heart pounded wildly, yet she forced herself to sound calm. “Well? Does that count?”

“…It does.”

Xie Shenci’s body was stiff, but he didn’t pull away. On the contrary, he stayed perfectly still, his dark eyes fixed on her, voice muffled as he asked, “Just one?”

His jade-like skin flushed with red. Though his whole body seemed to be burning, he still tried to put on an air of calm – only making him look all the more endearing.

Maybe it was true that the first time is nerve-wracking, the second time easier. Once the initial fluttering of her heart had passed, her heartbeat steadied, softening inexplicably into something as light and sweet as cotton candy.

She really shouldn’t have given him only one kiss – it made her seem too stingy.

So the next kiss wasn’t tender at all. Instead, it was fierce, carrying much more force.

Chu Duxiu suddenly planted a hard kiss on him, stripped of any romantic subtlety, brimming instead with the exuberant delight of cuddling a cat. She exclaimed gleefully, “Kittens are born to be kissed half to death by humans!”

Xie Shenci, struck head-on: “???”