Vol 2 Chapter 125: Bai Jingxuan’s Chocolates
While the younger girls went back to fetch their chocolates, Veronica took the opportunity to shift seats, settling down at a square table in the cabin.
Though the place was open on all sides, the temperature was still noticeably warr than outside thanks to so temperature-regulating spells. So Veronica casually took off the new blazer she’d just bought today and placed the shopping bag—with another outfit inside—next to her.
As soon as she was done, the three younger girls made their way over to the table one by one.
As always, it was Bai Jingxuan—true to her character and boundless energy—who ca over first with the handmade chocolates.
She brought over a few pieces of chocolate wrapped in colorful paper, plastered with a bunch of cartoon stickers that looked like they were scavenged from who-knows-where.
Without hesitation, she plopped herself down in the chair next to Veronica and lined up three adorably packaged chocolates on the table. Once the other two were close enough, she started handing them out.
“This one’s for Sister Xiaolu!” she said as she pushed the one covered with magical girl stickers over to Lin Xiaolu.
“This one’s for Sister Liang!” Next, she slid the chocolate with animal stickers—cats, dogs, and the like—toward Xia Liang.
“And this one’s for Teacher!” Finally, she offered Veronica a chocolate adorned with stickers of nature thes—sun, clouds, snowflakes.
It was clear that the real personalization ca from the stickers, more so than the wrapping paper itself.
Though Veronica had no idea what criteria Bai Jingxuan used to pick the stickers, it was obvious she'd put thought into it. And that sentint wasn’t lost on Veronica.
“Thank you. I’m really touched.”
Veronica accepted the chocolate with both hands and expressed her gratitude sincerely.
“That’s not all—there’s sothing inside, too! Teacher, you can open it now!” Bai Jingxuan leaned on the table eagerly.
“Inside?” Veronica was slightly surprised, but since Bai Jingxuan had brought it up herself, she had no reason to decline. So she reached out and carefully peeled open the wrapping, avoiding the stickers as best she could.
Inside was a block of milk chocolate, light brown in color. On the top side, in white chocolate, were words written:
“To my favorite, the mom who was willing to take ho.”
The writing was clearly done by hand—uneven pressure made the strokes irregular, and scattered around were little hardened white dots, probably from accidental spills.
If we’re talking technical skill, then this clumsy writing definitely didn’t have any. But to Veronica, it ant far more than any machine-perfect lettering ever could.
There was no question that when she’d first taken Bai Jingxuan in, she did it partly out of concern, as an emotional cushion during what had been a precarious ti. She had agreed to play the role of “mother” in Bai Jingxuan’s eyes, more as an ergency response than a heartfelt decision.
But every little thing since then had proven just how seriously Bai Jingxuan took that relationship.
Not just with her—with Lin Xiaolu, with Xia Liang, even with the “Lin Yun” persona that Veronica herself had created—Bai Jingxuan had gone all in, cherishing every bond with the utmost sincerity.
She never held back her affection or goodwill. In fact, she’d said “I like you” to Veronica so many tis it had almost beco background noise. And yet, these simple words scrawled across a piece of chocolate still ward Veronica’s heart more than she expected… maybe even moved her.
“Hug.”
Although Veronica didn’t show much emotion on her face, Bai Jingxuan—who was often glued to her side—instantly picked up on the shift in her mood and scooted closer with open arms.
“Thank you.”
Veronica hugged her back.
She gently wrapped her arms around the girl and gave her a few light pats on the back. Her voice even grew a little heavier. “I’m really happy. And really touched. Thank you.”
“Hehe, you’re welco.” Bai Jingxuan rubbed her chin against Veronica’s shoulder, her face full of contentnt.
Lin Xiaolu and Xia Liang watched the scene unfold from the side. At first, Lin Xiaolu was practically green with envy and just about to butt in, but Xia Liang quickly stopped her.
Without saying a word, Xia Liang simply pointed to the chocolate in Lin Xiaolu’s hand—the one from Bai Jingxuan.
So she wants to open it now?
Lin Xiaolu glanced at Xia Liang’s already-open wrapper, then racked her brain. She finally picked up on what Xia Liang was trying to say. Gritting her teeth to suppress the jealous itch inside her, she slowly started unwrapping her chocolate.
—“To Sister Xiaolu: I know I was wrong. I wanted to steal a bit of Teacher, and maybe a little bit of Dad too. So… can I try liking you a bit more instead? Maybe if I love you more, I can borrow a little of their love back?”
Lin Xiaolu froze after reading those words.
A few monts passed before she turned her head to peek at the chocolate in front of Xia Liang. On that one, it said:
—“To Sister Liang: Thank you for always taking care of and going easy on , and never getting mad. Can I start calling you just Liang-jie from now on?”
And that, it seed, was why Xia Liang had stopped her earlier.
Bai Jingxuan was a thoughtful kid.
She never played favorites. She never overlooked anyone’s feelings. No matter how small, she responded to every gesture with all her heart.
If this kid were really her little sister… Lin Xiaolu was now certain, more than ever, that she’d lose miserably in any family power struggle.
Not only was she inherently likable, but she also went out of her way to make people like her in return. That kind of drive was sothing Lin Xiaolu—and even Xia Liang—sorely lacked.
Worse still, Lin Xiaolu had to admit sothing else:
She was starting to really like Bai Jingxuan, her “rival” for Veronica’s affection.
So even though her inner jealousy was still screaming to drag that clingy little thief away from Veronica, she slowly relaxed her legs and gave up on standing from her chair.
Then, like petty revenge, she bit into her chocolate with unnecessary force.
…Way sweeter than expected. How much sugar did this brat put in here?
The sweetness nearly hit her brain like a sugar bomb. Lin Xiaolu frowned at the overly sweet bite mark she’d left, but after a sigh, she gave in and went back in for another bite with a “might as well” attitude.
“Mom… I an, Teacher.” After a while, Bai Jingxuan—still clinging to Veronica—finally spoke again.
“What is it?” Veronica smiled down at her warmly.
“Did you change into new shoes today along with your new clothes?” Bai Jingxuan asked, looking a little confused. “Why does it feel like my chin can’t quite reach your shoulder anymore?”
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