Chapter 14: The Terrifying Uncle Qing

In the cream-colored room, a single bed was placed against the wall, adorned with simple pink bedding and a small rectangular pillow. Beside it lay the Pikachu plushie Wei Lai had gifted to Qing Ting, accompanied by a smiling Jigglypuff resting on its head.

(There aren’t any other stuffed toys in the room. Is this meant as a hint for me?)

Standing at the entrance of Qing Ting’s bedroom, Wei Lai’s first sight was the bed and the plushies on it. As he pondered, a sudden realization struck him, causing his heart to skip a beat.

(How did I end up in her room so carelessly?)

The moment he acknowledged being led into a girl’s room – specifically, Qing Ting’s – Wei Lai felt as if an invisible barrier surrounded him, rendering his feet immovable. His entire body tensed up.

Hearing Wei Lai’s thoughts, Qing Ting released his hand and chuckled softly, gently poking his face. 

“Is this your first time entering my room? Did that turn you into a wooden statue?”

It was almost as if she was testing whether she could elicit a wooden thump, checking if he truly transformed into wood.

“I’m not turning into wood; boys shouldn’t casually enter girls’ rooms.” 

Wei Lai glanced at a flower pot on the windowsill, noticing a young sprout with new buds emerging.

“How about I wait downstairs while you bring down the dandelion?” Wei Lai suggested a compromise, feeling truly uneasy in Qing Ting’s room.

During his previous visits to Qing Ting’s home, her parents, An Bao’er and Qing Qishu, were usually not around. Wei Lai had no choice but to wear Qing Qishu’s oversized slippers, which didn’t fit him well.

Now, wearing slippers that fit perfectly, he stood in Qing Ting’s room, yet felt even more uncomfortable than before.

Suddenly, Qing Ting’s smile faded as she leisurely walked over and sat on the edge of her bed. She picked up the yellow plush rat lying there and gently stroked its ears.

“You can wait downstairs if you want, but think carefully.” 

“I’ve thought it through.”

Just as Wei Lai was about to turn and head downstairs, he caught a glimpse of Qing Ting’s expression while caressing the stuffed toy.

Her demeanor appeared focused yet nonchalant, seemingly all attention on the plushie. However, despite looking at the toy, her gaze wasn’t truly fixed on it; instead, through the plushie he had gifted her, her eyes seemed to be directed at him.

If he left now, she would surely tease him even more relentlessly in the future.

“Since I’m already here, pretending it never happened won’t work. I’ll stay and keep you company.” Wei Lai felt embarrassed as soon as he uttered these words, fearing they might sound forced, like he actually wanted to remain behind.

“If only you had said that sooner.”

Satisfied with his response, Qing Ting hugged Pikachu tightly before rushing towards Wei Lai, pulling him over to the window sill.

She then stuffed Pikachu into his arms and quickly turned to run back to her desk, searching through the drawers for something.

Standing by the window, Wei Lai held Pikachu after a long time, feeling its familiar soft and fuzzy texture. However, there was a new scent on Pikachu that he recognized yet hadn’t noticed before – it seemed similar to Qing Ting’s fragrance.

Wei Lai glanced at the bed in the corner, envisioning how every night this past month, Qing Ting must have slept hugging Pikachu.

Recalling that just a month ago, he too occasionally slept holding it, he realized…

As an odd image flashed in his mind, Wei Lai hastily shook his head, banishing the terrifying thought.

“This is the page we need.”

Qing Ting retrieved a book from the drawer, flipped through to the section on dandelions at the table, and brought it over to Wei Lai.

Seeing the thick book with its crisp, new pages, Wei Lai suddenly felt immense admiration for Qing Ting.

She truly goes all out to accomplish anything she sets her mind to.

However, watching Qing Ting hold the book, Wei Lai couldn’t help but think she looked even more like a witch – one of those scholarly witches who enjoy reading and studying magic. Such witches tend to be formidable, and their pranks are notoriously unpredictable.

Hearing Wei Lai’s mental praise, Qing Ting’s mood brightened further. 

She pointed to an image of young dandelion sprouts in the book and said, “Look here, it says that from seed to germination, dandelions take around fifteen days. Right at fifteen days, I almost gave up, but thankfully I persevered and didn’t discard Xiao Ying.”

“Mm-hmm, I’ve always thought you’re really impressive, Xiao Ting.”

On the windowsill, the dandelion sprout grown by Qing Ting stretched its tender leaves, basking in the sunlight streaming through the window.

Apart from insects, witnessing any form of new life often evokes feelings of affection and wonder.

Wei Lai, eager to contribute, recalled seeing greenhouses in the fields during winter and suggested, “Does the book mention how dandelions survive winter? Should I help make a plastic cover for it?” (At the bakery, there might be similar-sized plastic covers. We could save up some money, buy a cake, and then use the cover for Xiao Ying.)

Upon hearing Wei Lai mention cakes, anticipation sparkled in Qing Ting’s eyes, but her reason for wanting a cake was different.

“No need, the book says dandelions can grow outside as well, so Xiao Ying doesn’t require special care.”

After discussing the dandelion, Qing Ting promptly closed the book, driven by another thought. With urgency, she held the book, intending to put it away in a drawer.

“Since no special care is needed, having seen the dandelion – uh, Xiao Ying now, I’ll head off first.”

As Wei Lai started to leave, a sequence of images flashed through his mind.

Once he left Qing Ting’s room and descended the stairs, he encountered Qing Qishu approaching from below.

“Hey, Little Wei, come over to play?”

“Yes, Uncle Qing, school ended early today, so I came to visit Xiao Ting.”

Qing Qishu glanced at the slippers on Wei Lai’s feet, his expression subtly shifting, revealing a hint of an ambiguous smile.

“Earlier, Xiao Ting brought down a stuffed toy saying it was from her best friend and asked her mom to prepare a matching pair of slippers for that friend. Was she referring to you?”

“Uh, I suppose so. Xiao Ting is also my best friend.”

Under Qing Qishu’s gaze, Wei Lai felt immense pressure, constantly fearing he might be killed on the spot.

“As Xiao Ting’s best friend, why don’t you stay a bit longer? Uncle will get some snacks for you.” Qing Qishu firmly guided Wei Lai towards the living room without room for objection.

Before reaching the sofa, Qing Ting’s voice echoed from upstairs:

“Wei Lai, don’t leave yet. I’m almost done putting my clothes back on; I’ll be down soon.”

Wei Lai froze!

Upon hearing this, he immediately sensed Qing Qishu’s grip tighten around his hand, emitting an inexplicable aura.

I’m about to be killed!

Flashbacks raced through Wei Lai’s mind, remembering Qing Qishu’s demeanor one hour later, sending chills down his spine.

If he went downstairs now, he would surely encounter Qing Qishu, and Qing Ting would utter those puzzling words again.

Anticipating such terrifying consequences, Wei Lai hastily rushed to the door and swiftly closed it.

Qing Ting, who had finished placing her books away, turned to see Wei Lai looking visibly shaken, feeling quite puzzled. Just moments ago, she wanted him to wait outside instead of leaving, but now he seemed reluctant with a look as if he’d experienced a nightmare.