n

n

nThirty minutes had passed and Zhang Ren is already finished with his break with Shi Lian.

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"Shu Xian?

"

nAs Wang Fang called Shu Xian who was busy working at their workstation. With her standing up as she smiled at their Chief Librarian, Wang Fang gestured for her to enter her office, Shu Xian now curious as to why she is called.

nShu Xian wanted to ask, but with her feeling nervous all of a sudden, she entered the room with no questions asked.

nWang Fang had not been in work for a whole week. With her being called in her office, did she possibly do a wrong thing in one of their tasks and it was only noticed now?

nWith Wang Fang gesturing for Shu Xian to take a sit, the young lady fidgeted on her seat. The Chief Librarian let out a soft chuckle, actually noticing the uneasiness in Shu Xian's demeanor.

n

"You don't have to worry, Shu Xian,

" Wang Fang said, already getting a small box of cake from her table and then handing it over to her.

"I only want to give you this!

"

nShu Xian blinked her eyes a few times. With her curious as to why she was getting something from their Chief Librarian, she was hesitant, but still got the box from her carefully.

nWang Fang then gestured for her to open the small box and Shu Xian did so. As the ribbons come undone, she widened her eyes the moment she lifted the cover and saw a small, chocolate moist cake.

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"This…

"

nWang Fang sat in front of Shu Xian. With her reaching out to her as she put her hand on her shoulder, Shu Xian felt warm in her heart with what she heard next.

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"I heard that it was recently your birthday, Shu Xian. This is my present for you. It may not be much… but I hope that you'd like this.

"

nEven though her birthday had long been over, Shu Xian felt tears pooling in her eyes. With her overcome with joy, she put the cake down on the coffee table before them and then gave Wang Fang a hug, the Chief Librarian not expecting her show of affection.

n

"You already gave me a place to stay… and you say that the cake is not much? Oh, Miss Wang Fang… you're indeed too kind! Thank you so much!

"

nAs Wang Fang patted Shu Xian's back, she couldn't help but feel warm in her heart, remembering that she shared the same birthday with her dead sister.

nIf she was still alive, then she would be having the same moment with Shu Xian, her little sister probably giving her a tight embrace such as this.

nWith her tearing up at the thought because she knew that they would be in the same age, Wang Fang gently broke away from the embrace, Shu Xian sitting down as she noticed that there's something wrong with Wang Fang—her eyes pooling tears.

n

"Is there something wrong?

" Shu Xian asked, furrowing her brows together.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have hugged you—I didn't know it'd make you feel uncomfortable.

"

n

"Oh, no, no, dear,

" Wang Fang immediately replied, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

"It's just that I got emotional with my thoughts,

" she added, Shu Xian cocking her head to the side.

n

"If I may… can I know why?

"

nIt was silent for a full three seconds. With a sigh coming out from Wang Fang's mouth, she then let out a small smile, answering Shu Xian's question as she was now comfortable of telling her.

n

"You're the same age with my little sister. If she's still alive, both of you are the same age. Both of you even share the same birthday.

"

nShu Xian then nodded, now getting her handkerchief and then handing it over to their Chief Librarian. With Wang Fang gratefully getting it from her, she wiped her eyes once more and then continued talking.

n

"I… I got emotional when you hugged me. I thought to myself it would be nice if my little sister Yan Ran would be able to do that to me, too.

"

n

"Yan Ran…

"

nShu Xian trailed off, feeling warm in her heart for an odd reason as she liked the name even though it isn't hers.

nHow is it possible to feel elated and joyful in your heart without you even knowing who the person is and why a simple name could make her feel this way?

nSuch an odd, but harmonious feeling…

n

"It's…

" Shu Xian trailed off, snapping herself out of her thoughts.

"It's a beautiful name… Yan Ran.

"

n

"Oh, it is,

" Wang Fang agreed, nodding as her smile never left her face.

"I know she'd be pretty as you.

"

n

"Oh, I think not,

" Shu Xian said, smiling at her back.

"I know she would be as pretty as you. I'm just simple.

"

nWang Fang knew that Shu Xian was just being modest and humble. Heck, Shu Xian may not even be aware of how pretty she was with how she regards herself as a simple gal!

nWith them now silent, Wang Fang then redirected the conversation towards the cake, Shu Xian now looking at it with eager eyes.

n

"I guessed that you might like chocolate?

"

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"Oh, I do. It's my favorite flavor,

" Shu Xian replied, Wang Fang relieved that she had chosen a good flavor for Shu Xian's cake.

n

"I'm glad you like it,

" she said, now standing up as she put her hand on Shu Xian's shoulder.

"We will talk later for dinner, yes? It's about you moving already to the house I prepared for you.

"

n

"Oh!

"

nWith Shu Xian blinking her eyes a few times as she was surprised by the news, she then nodded, Wang Fang further explaining.

n

"Yes, you don't have to worry about anything. Like I told you, I'm willing to let you stay for free as long as you watch over the house.

"

nWith this said, Shu Xian's mind started going blank.. With the thought of her soon moving out, she felt a little hallow in her heart—the thought of leaving Pan An even though they live across each other slightly aching her heart.

n