The Heiress No One Expected

The morning air in the residential streets of Beijing was cool and clean, carrying the faint scent of steamed buns from the breakfast shops opening along the road. Inside a modest apartment tucked above a row of neighborhood stores, the alarm on Bai Ruoyin's phone rang for the third time. A slender hand emerged from beneath the blanket and silenced it. For several seconds, the bedroom remained completely still. Then came a knock at the door. “Ruoyin.” Bai Ruoyin pulled the blanket over her head. “Five more minutes, Mother.” Su Qinghe stood outside the door with her arms folded, already dressed for the morning. “You said that five minutes ago.” Ruoyin's voice came muffled from beneath the blanket. “I was mistaken.” Qinghe shook her head. “You have class at eight.” The blanket suddenly dropped. “What time is it?” “Seven.” Ruoyin sat upright. “Seven?” “Yes.” “Why didn't you wake me earlier?” “I've been trying for fifteen minutes.” Ruoyin looked toward the clock, then immediately threw the blanket aside. “Mother, where's my white shirt?” “On the chair.” “My student card?” “On the table.” “My charger?” “Beside your bag.” Ruoyin stopped halfway across the room. “How do you always know where everything is?” Qinghe's lips curved slightly. “Because you never know where anything is.” “That isn't true.” “You lost your keys yesterday.” “I found them.” “After twenty minutes.” Ruoyin grabbed her white shirt. “That still counts as finding them.” Qinghe laughed quietly. “Get dressed. Breakfast is ready.” --- A few minutes later, Ruoyin hurried into the kitchen, fastening the last button on her white shirt as she sat down. She wore a simple black skirt with plain black flats, her university outfit neat and practical for another day of Law lectures. The apartment was simple and comfortable. The furniture had been used for years, the curtains had faded slightly from the sunlight, and the small dining table had a few scratches along its edges. Nothing about the place was remarkable. To Ruoyin, it was home. Qinghe placed breakfast in front of her. “Eat properly.” “I am eating properly.” “You're eating too quickly.” “Because I'm late.” “You're late because you refused to get out of bed.” Ruoyin lowered her eyes to her bowl. “That is also true.” Qinghe sat opposite her. “Finish your breakfast.” Ruoyin nodded. Her phone vibrated against the table. She glanced down. A message from Lin Xiaoyu appeared. Are you coming to class? Before Ruoyin could reply, another message arrived. Don't tell me you're still sleeping. Ruoyin smiled. She typed quickly. I'm eating breakfast. The response came almost immediately. You? Eating before class? Ruoyin frowned. She turned her phone toward Qinghe. “Look what she said.” Qinghe read the message and smiled. “She knows you well.” “Everyone thinks I'm irresponsible.” Qinghe raised an eyebrow. “Are they wrong?” Ruoyin picked up her chopsticks. “Yes.” Qinghe said nothing. Ruoyin looked at her. “Mostly.” Qinghe laughed. “Finish eating.” Ruoyin did. When she stood, Qinghe's eyes immediately moved toward the door. “Umbrella.” Ruoyin followed her gaze. Outside, the sky was pale and clear. “Mother, it isn't raining.” “Take it anyway.” Ruoyin sighed and picked up the umbrella. “You always do this.” “And how many times have I been right?” Ruoyin thought about it. “Too many.” Qinghe smiled. “Your student card?” “Here.” “Keys?” “Here.” “Charger?” “In my bag.” Qinghe nodded. “Good.” Ruoyin opened the door. “Bye, Mother.” “Be careful.” “I will.” “And call me when you get there.” Ruoyin looked back with an amused smile. “I'm going to university, not another country.” “I know.” Qinghe's expression softened. “Call me anyway.” Ruoyin nodded. “Okay.” She stepped into the hallway. “I love you.” “I love you too,” Qinghe replied. The door closed behind her. --- Imperial Capital University was already busy by the time Ruoyin reached the law building. Students moved between the lecture halls in small groups, carrying books and coffee, talking about assignments and upcoming examinations. Ruoyin spotted Lin Xiaoyu waiting near the entrance. Xiaoyu looked at her phone. “You're three minutes late.” Ruoyin stopped beside her. “Three minutes isn't late.” “It is when I have been waiting.” “You could have gone inside.” “I could have.” “Then why didn't you?” Xiaoyu smiled. “Because I knew you'd come.” Ruoyin laughed. The two girls entered the building together. “Did you finish the reading?” Xiaoyu asked. Ruoyin glanced at her. “What reading?” Xiaoyu stopped walking. “You forgot?” “I didn't forget.” “You clearly forgot.” “I remembered that I had something to read.” Xiaoyu stared at her. “That is not the same thing.” Ruoyin smiled. “I'll finish it later.” “You said that yesterday.” “This time I mean it.” “You'd better.” Ruoyin laughed. “You sound like my mother.” “Your mother has common sense.” “That was unnecessary.” --- The morning lecture passed quickly. Ruoyin sat near the middle of the hall, her notebook open as she carefully followed the professor's explanation. Beside her, Xiaoyu was beginning to lose the battle against sleep. Ruoyin glanced at her. “You're falling asleep.” Xiaoyu kept her eyes on the front. “I'm not.” “Your eyes are closed.” “I'm thinking.” Ruoyin covered her mouth to hide a laugh. The professor looked toward them. “Is something amusing?” Ruoyin immediately straightened. “No, Professor.” The professor watched them for a moment before returning to the lecture. Xiaoyu whispered, “You nearly got us caught.” Ruoyin whispered back, “You were the one sleeping.” “I was thinking.” “Very deeply.” Xiaoyu gave her an annoyed look. Ruoyin smiled and returned to her notes. --- By lunchtime, the campus had become louder. Ruoyin and Xiaoyu found a table near the cafeteria windows and sat down with their meals. Xiaoyu opened her phone. “There’s a student activity next week.” “What kind?” Ruoyin asked. “I haven't checked.” “Then why are you telling me?” “Because you should come with me.” Ruoyin considered it. “Maybe.” “You always say maybe.” “Because maybe is safe.” Xiaoyu laughed. “You're impossible.” Ruoyin's phone vibrated. She looked down. Mother. She answered immediately. “Hello, Mother.” Qinghe's voice came through the phone. “Have you eaten?” “Yes.” “What did you eat?” Ruoyin looked at her tray. “Rice, vegetables, and chicken.” “Good.” Qinghe paused. “When will you be home?” “Around six.” “Don't stay out too late.” “I won't.” “And take your umbrella.” Ruoyin glanced at Xiaoyu. “I have it.” “Good.” Ruoyin smiled. “You really don't trust the weather.” “I don't trust you to remember things.” “That is also fair.” Qinghe laughed softly. “Go eat.” “I am eating.” “Good. I'll see you tonight.” “See you tonight, Mother.” Ruoyin ended the call. Xiaoyu rested her chin on her hand. “Your mother worries about you a lot.” “She always has.” “She sounds sweet.” Ruoyin's expression softened. “She is.” Xiaoyu smiled. “You're lucky.” Ruoyin looked down at her food. “Yeah.” --- Classes continued through the afternoon. By the time Ruoyin left the law building, the sky had darkened considerably. She stopped beneath the entrance. Rain began falling across the campus. Ruoyin slowly opened her umbrella. Beside her, Xiaoyu laughed. “Your mother was right.” Ruoyin sighed. “Don't say it.” “I didn't say anything.” “You were thinking it.” Xiaoyu smiled. “I'll see you tomorrow.” “Bye.” “Bye, Ruoyin.” Ruoyin walked toward the bus stop beneath the umbrella. --- By the time she reached home, the rain had become heavier. Ruoyin unlocked the apartment and stepped inside. “Mother?” There was no answer. She checked her phone. A message from Qinghe appeared. I'll be home late. Don't wait for me for dinner. Ruoyin smiled and replied. Okay. Be careful coming home. She changed into comfortable clothes, ordered a simple dinner, and settled at her desk with her books. The apartment was quiet. Outside, rain tapped against the window. A little after eight, the front door opened. “Ruoyin?” Ruoyin looked up. “Mother?” Qinghe entered carrying a small shopping bag. “You're still awake?” “I was waiting for you.” “I told you not to.” “I know.” Qinghe placed the bag on the table. “Did you eat?” “Yes.” “What did you eat?” “Food.” Qinghe looked at her. “Bai Ruoyin.” Ruoyin laughed. “I ordered noodles.” “You should eat something proper next time.” “I did.” Qinghe opened the shopping bag. “I brought fruit.” Ruoyin walked over. “You always bring fruit.” “Because you don't eat enough of it.” Ruoyin smiled. “You worry too much.” “Maybe.” Ruoyin leaned against her shoulder. “This is nice.” Qinghe looked down at her. “What is?” “Being home.” Qinghe smiled. “Then stay a little longer.” “I will.” Ruoyin glanced toward the kitchen. “Mother?” “Yes?” “Do we have anything sweet?” Qinghe laughed. “There are two pieces of cake in the refrigerator.” Ruoyin immediately stood. “Why didn't you tell me that earlier?” “Because I knew you'd stop studying.” “I was studying.” “You were staring at the same page for ten minutes yesterday.” Ruoyin opened the refrigerator. “Yesterday isn't today.” Qinghe shook her head. “Don't eat too quickly.” “I won't.” “And don't stay up too late.” “I know.” Ruoyin carried the cake to the table and sat down. Qinghe began putting away the groceries. After a moment, she looked over. “Goodnight in advance.” Ruoyin smiled. “Goodnight, Mother.” She took a bite of cake, opened her book, and continued reading.