Act with Impunity – Chapter 16

Confirming that the two girls holding hands who had just flashed by were from that movie’s poster, Tan Xingwei immediately sat up straight.

But she quickly leaned back again.

This movie was called “Meteor,” the kind that had broken out of its niche circle, so it didn’t seem to mean much. A senior of Tan Xingwei’s who had just gotten engaged had also seen it. Although she didn’t know why it was on Su Xu’s movie list, her senior said she was just curious. And she hadn’t just seen this one; she also watched Thai ones.

As she was thinking, five minutes of the movie’s opening credits had already passed on the TV. When she came back to her senses, Tan Xingwei didn’t know what had happened.

She glanced at the remote and decided to give up. Let’s just leave it. Otherwise, Su Xu would discover that she could get distracted while watching a movie so quietly, and not much had happened anyway.

The animated film’s plot was captivating enough, and Tan Xingwei soon became immersed.

But the good times didn’t last long. During a lull in a less important part of the movie’s plot, Tan Xingwei got distracted again.

This time, her gaze was drawn to a photograph placed on the cabinet next to the television.

It was a family portrait. Tan Xingwei had seen this photo four years ago, but seeing it now, she felt differently.

The six people in the photo were all smiles. In the back row stood a father, a mother, and a little Su Xu who was probably only twelve. In the front row, a grandfather and grandmother sat on two separate chairs, with a younger sister sitting on the grandfather’s lap.

After Tan Xingwei’s birthday in her third year of high school, when Tan Yinqing noticed the budding signs of interaction between Tan Xingwei and Su Xu in their daily lives, she told Tan Xingwei not to ask Su Xu if she had any other siblings.

Tan Xingwei naturally asked why. At first, Tan Yinqing was reluctant to talk about it, but in the end, she couldn’t withstand Tan Xingwei’s pestering and finally told her.

Six years before that time, which was ten years ago from the present, a very serious bus crash had occurred in Haicheng where a bus fell off a cliff. There were no survivors. Even Tan Xingwei, who was only in elementary school back then, could immediately recall the incident when Tan Yinqing mentioned it.

Tan Yinqing said that Su Xu’s younger sister was on that bus.

Tan Yinqing didn’t give specifics; she probably hadn’t asked Su Xu for details either. After hearing this from Tan Yinqing, Tan Xingwei went and looked up the news from that year.

The cold words seemed to be imbued with emotion, and Tan Xingwei’s mood was heavy for the entire evening.

Fortunately, she didn’t see Su Xu often back then. Plus, Tan Yinqing had told Tan Xingwei to act as if she knew nothing about it, and also warned her, “If you dare act strangely in front of Su Xu, you’re dead. The two of you can forget about ever seeing each other again.”

Tan Xingwei naturally didn’t dare, and of course, she wouldn’t. How could she do anything to hurt Su Xu?

The movie’s plot entered another exciting segment. Tan Xingwei tried to make herself focus and watch properly, but as she watched, her mind wandered again.

She recalled another, somewhat related matter.

And this matter, again, had to do with Tan Yinqing.

This happened during Tan Xingwei’s freshman year of university, when Su Xu had already gone abroad, Tan Xingwei had already unblocked Su Xu, Tan Xingwei was already serializing on Weibo, and Tan Xingwei was already fiercely missing this White Moonlight of hers in her heart.

During a short holiday, she and Tan Yinqing had their daily argument. After battling from poetry and songs to the philosophy of life, Tan Yinqing said, “I give up. Who on earth can stand that rotten temper of yours?”

Tan Xingwei retorted unconvinced, “There are plenty of people who can stand it.” Her mind whirred, and she brought out the authoritative Su Xu: “Big Sister Ah Xu can stand it.”

At this point, following their usual pattern, Tan Xingwei expected Tan Yinqing to say things like, “Ah Xu can’t stand it either, she just doesn’t say it,” or “Don’t be so smug, how do you know Ah Xu can stand it”—all that nonsense Tan Xingwei was already immune to.

Unexpectedly, Tan Yinqing said, “The reason she’s so good to you is because…”

Tan Yinqing’s words stopped right there, as if cut by a knife. Her voice came to an abrupt halt.

It was a fresh counterattack. Tan Xingwei also calmed down and asked Tan Yinqing, “Because of what?”

Tan Yinqing’s expression was a little unnatural. “Nothing.”

Tan Xingwei’s face darkened. “Speak.”

Tan Yinqing seemed to think for a moment before saying, “Ah Xu’s younger sister…” But she stopped there again. “It’s nothing. I was just talking nonsense.”

In this battle, it was clearly Tan Xingwei who was choked speechless, but in the end, it was Tan Yinqing who had to liven up the atmosphere.

Tan Xingwei had actually known for a long time, but it was as if she only just remembered at this moment that Su Xu’s younger sister was also four years younger than Su Xu.

It was also at this moment that Tan Xingwei had a sudden epiphany. Su Xu’s kindness towards her, her indulgence, her concern, her thoughtfulness—suddenly, it all had a plausible explanation.

Yeah, that’s right. What else could it be?

So that’s how it was.

After that day, Tan Xingwei was dejected for a while.

However, her self-healing ability wasn’t bad. She was back on her feet in a couple of days, even thinking, there are so many girls her age, so why is Su Xu only good to her? Why does she only treat her as a younger sister? Why not someone else?

What does that show? It shows that Tan Xingwei has her own charm. It shows that there’s just this kind of magnetic field between them.

A younger sister, then. So be it. Being a younger sister is great. If Su Xu has a chance to return to the country in the future, if they can meet again, she’s willing to be Su Xu’s younger sister for a lifetime.

Hey… I can’t keep reminiscing. The movie is already over twenty minutes in.

This time, Tan Xingwei had no choice but to rewind. She had really missed a crucial moment.

With the smallest possible movements, she picked up the remote control from the coffee table, studied the buttons for a moment, and then inconspicuously rewound it by eight minutes.

After doing all this, she glanced back at Su Xu.

Okay, she didn’t notice you at all.

Tan Xingwei finally became completely immersed in the movie. A highly-rated and well-reviewed film was indeed very engaging. Tan Xingwei quickly adopted the protagonist’s perspective, going on adventures and overcoming obstacles with them.

She didn’t even know when Su Xu had finished her work.

The sofa beside her suddenly dipped, startling Tan Xingwei.

“So engrossed.” Su Xu placed her half-finished orange juice on the coffee table.

Tan Xingwei pressed the throw pillow to her chest. “It’s pretty good.”

Su Xu nodded. “It is very good.”

Tan Xingwei asked, “Have you seen it?”

Su Xu: “I have.”

Tan Xingwei said “oh.” “Even if you’ve seen it, you have to watch it with me.”

Su Xu chuckled. “Isn’t that what I’m doing?”

After a moment, Su Xu added, “I’ve basically seen all the movies on those few pages.”

Of course, some images flashed through Tan Xingwei’s mind when she heard that, but she said aloud, “You must really like watching movies.”

Su Xu gave a soft “mm.” “It’s the top choice for passing the time.”

And so, they continued watching the movie together. Su Xu also grabbed a throw pillow to hug. With the space of one person between them, they sat quietly in the colorful light of the movie.

So, Tan Xingwei’s selfish reason for choosing a movie was that, unlike TV series or variety shows, a good movie should be watched in one sitting.

A movie is over two hours long. This way, she could stay at Su Xu’s place for a long time.

Just like that time before when she said she was uncomfortable because of her period, and ended up being “uncomfortable” at Su Xu’s house for nine days.

But time is always fair. In the blink of an eye, two hours had passed.

The night was deep and quiet. Tan Xingwei was no longer the scoundrel she used to be; she had no reason to stay any longer.

However, because they were going to meet again tomorrow and have dinner together, Tan Xingwei wasn’t too sad. The journey back was light and cheerful.

It’s not clear who started it, but the two of them began chatting about their current jobs in the car.

Su Xu was as impressive as ever. She had come back and been parachuted directly into an indispensable position at her company.

“Big Sister Ah Xu,” Tan Xingwei said as the conversation died down, “Back in my third year of high school, I used to think about becoming someone like you.”

Su Xu asked, “What, you don’t want to anymore?”

Tan Xingwei tugged at the collar of her white shirt. “Aren’t I already?”

Su Xu smiled. “In what way have you become like me?”

Tan Xingwei recalled for a moment. “Back then, Tan Yinqing told me how amazing you were at school, how much the teachers liked you, how impressive your internship company was. Plus, the clothes you wore on weekdays were very mature, very…” The word “taste” almost slipped out of her mouth, so she quickly changed it: “charming.”

Thinking about Su Xu’s praise for her today, Tan Xingwei added, “You’re the truly sophisticated one.”

Su Xu understood. “Well, you certainly are. I’ve heard Tan Yinqing mention you quite a few times over the past few years. Your current company is very good, and you’re very good too.”

Tan Xingwei pressed, “In what way am I good?”

Su Xu: “Mature, charming, sophisticated…”

Tan Xingwei thought Su Xu was just perfunctorily mimicking her and was feeling dissatisfied, but then Su Xu added, “Very likable.”

Caught off guard, and this is no exaggeration, Tan Xingwei’s neck turned red.

Getting her lips to curl up from Su Xu’s teasing was as easy as breathing.

Unfortunately, the journey didn’t allow for more. They had arrived at the entrance to Tan Xingwei’s residential complex.

Saying goodbye was a matter for the next second. Tan Xingwei thanked Su Xu for the dinner and orange juice and opened the car door to get out.

But the next second, she opened the car door again and sat back down.

Before Su Xu could wonder, Tan Xingwei said hurriedly, “Go, go, go! Tan Yinqing is coming out.”

Sure enough, at the main gate to their side, Tan Yinqing walked out dressed in loungewear.

Su Xu restarted the car and stepped on the gas.

On the road leading away from the complex’s gate, Su Xu let out a laugh.

Tan Xingwei laughed too.

“Let’s circle around. Looking at her, she should be going back in soon,” Tan Xingwei said, complaining, “What’s she doing out here in the middle of the night?”

Just then, Su Xu’s phone rang in the car.

The central control screen displayed the caller: “Yinqing.”

Su Xu glanced at Tan Xingwei and answered the call.

“I think I just saw your car,” Tan Yinqing’s voice came from the speakers. “Was that you?”

Su Xu said, “It was.”

“It really was you! I was just at the gate too,” Tan Yinqing had no idea that Su Xu had actually seen her, and continued to ask, “What are you doing here? What brings you over so late?”

Su Xu seemed to laugh helplessly. “Having an affair.”