Chapter 18: A Person who arrives unexpectedly

“Mmm—”
A comfortable sensation came from my lips, moistening the dryness left by the autumn night and pulling my consciousness out of sleep.

I opened my eyes.

A pair of moist, bloodshot eyes were staring at me from extremely close range.

On her pale cheeks, it looked as if two streaks of blood were imprinted.

“Ah—ah—wah!”

I cried out as I jerked my head up and hit something.

“Hiss! Oww, that hurts—!”

A few seconds later, Su Xixia retreated to the foot of the bed, rubbing her reddened forehead.

“What’s wrong with you!? I just wanted to try waking you up like that. Did you have to be so scared? Ungrateful jerk!”

“…Sorry?”

Her words were still sharp, but… they felt much softer than before.

This was the first time she had woken me like this.

A faint sweetness still lingered on my lips.

“Since you’re awake, hurry up and eat. It’s all your fault for staying up so late yesterday. You even have dark circles now. So ugly.”

“Today’s my day off. Even if I’m ugly, you’re the only one who’ll see it.”

“Hmph… You should be glad it’s only me! Hurry up and get up and help with the cleaning!”

Unreasonably, she pulled off the blanket.

My body, used to warmth, was suddenly wrapped in cold air, instantly waking me up.

I was wrong. How was this “gentle”?

She’d become even harsher.

Our distance, after one night, had rapidly closed.

It was no longer just physical.

“Here! Take this! Sweep under the bed first, then—”

I took the broom she handed me and watched as she bent down, pointing at the dusty corners under the bed, lecturing me again about how careless I’d been with cleanliness before…

Things she used to do alone, I was now participating in too.

Though half-forced…

After a whole morning of cleaning, my sore arms finally made me realize how hard it must have been for her to handle all the housework alone in the past.

Some things, you only understand after doing them yourself.

If it were me, I probably wouldn’t have that much patience or put in that much effort for an ordinary friend.

Just as she poured the dirty water into the toilet—

Knock, knock…

An unexpected knock sounded.

“Wait!!”

I almost jumped up instantly, pulling the equally surprised Su Xixia to the bed and forcing her, despite her puffed-up dissatisfaction, to hide underneath it.

I rarely had visitors.

And this light knocking couldn’t be Xiao Ji… Could it be—

In my panic, I picked up my vibrating phone and saw a message that had just arrived.

“Sorry for coming suddenly. Is it inconvenient?”

It was Xu Yinyin. But why?

“No, it’s fine!”

As I sent the reply, I went to open the door.

Xu Yinyin stood outside, wrapped up tightly like a ball, shyly waving her hand at me.

“Senior Xu, please come in… I’ll turn on the air conditioner.”

I invited her in and turned on the AC, something I normally hesitated to use.

“Are you alone? This place is surprisingly clean. I thought boys’ homes were usually messy, hehe.”

She was like a rabbit, shrinking slightly as she came in, curiously looking around.

“Ah… I just cleaned. Don’t compare me to someone like Xiao Ji.”

“Relax, I’m joking.”

She sat at the small table. “Everyone’s different.”

“…Did Xiao Ji do something again? That guy, honestly. If something happened, you can tell me. I can help.”

“Mmm—not really. Actually… I came here secretly.”

Of course.

If Xiao Ji knew, he’d definitely stop you.

She came secretly…

Was it because of what Xiao Ji said before?

About wanting to “talk with me”?

“If Xiao Ji finds out you came here alone, he’ll kill me. Senior, my life is in danger right now.”

“Hahaha, that’s funny~”

How is that funny?

“But… it seems she’s not here. An Zhi,” she murmured casually.

“…Mm, she—she comes back sometimes! Just bad timing.”

Driven by sudden panic, the lie slipped out.

Then, as I sat on the bed, a sharp pain suddenly shot through my calf.

“Hiss—”

Su Xixia, if you want to punish me, at least wait until later, please…

“I see. There’s a girl’s scent here, and the kitchen tools are neatly arranged. It looks like someone cooks often. To make a place this warm… An Zhi has changed a lot.”

Are girls really this perceptive?

“Mm, not really…”

I wanted to tell her the truth.

But she was An Zhi’s earliest friend, the one who introduced An Zhi to me.

No matter how many times I tried, I couldn’t say it.

I didn’t want to betray her trust.

And I didn’t want to affect her relationship with Xiao Ji either.

And besides…

I still hadn’t fully trusted Su Xixia, who had once deceived me.

I was cowardly.

Selfish.

Always hoping for a perfect solution.

But in reality, nothing was ever perfect.

If I hid it from her, I would hurt Su Xixia.

Caught in painful indecision, time slowly passed.

Silence was always easier than speaking.

My calf hurt so much I was on the verge of crying out.

“You two were never good at being honest with each other. I thought there would be a lot of misunderstandings… but maybe I was overthinking. You never come to visit me after graduating. We should get together sometime.”

She held her warm cup, smoothing the ends of her hair.

“…Sorry.”

To both sides.

“Haha, why so formal all of a sudden? No need to apologize. An Zhi changed because of you. Xiao Ji and the others might not notice, but I know. She became more open after meeting you. From having only me as a friend, to being able to talk with everyone. I’m really happy for her…”

“…Yeah.”

I didn’t want to remember those past moments.

Yet I remembered clearly that sad expression when I saw An Zhi again.

Help me. Save me.

It was as if she had said that.

But she hadn’t even seen me…

“Did I disturb your rest? Xiao Ji said you recently found a job. You must be tired. You’re the kind of person who works too hard without realizing it. There are people who rely on you—and people who admire you.”

“Senior, you’re overestimating me.”

“I’m telling the truth. I’m your friend. I care about you, just like Xiao Ji does. If anything happens, come talk to me. I’m not like that idiot Xiao Ji who only comes up with stupid ideas.”

“Thank you…”

“…Then I won’t disturb you anymore. Next time, bring An Zhi with you to see me, okay?”

She raised her finger and touched her lips—a gesture meaning “it’s a promise.”

I walked her to the door and watched her leave.

When I returned, Su Xixia was sitting on the bed like an angry tiger, dark energy practically radiating from her.

“Xixia… I’m sorry. She’s a very important friend. There’s a lot to consider…”

“You’re good at lying too! I did all the cleaning… and you didn’t even tell her about us!? Li Mingshan, what do you mean!? Are you bullying me now!?”

“I don’t mean that. I know I need to tell them eventually. I’ll gather everyone together and tell them all at once. I’ll bring you with me.”

I still needed time to fully trust her.

She seemed to understand and nodded.

“Okay! I know city relationships are complicated. It’s not like back home where everyone knows each other. Sorry… I shouldn’t have pinched you earlier.”

She had become more understanding.

So different from before.

From the girl who once humiliated me… dragged my hair… forced me to eat unknown things…

I hugged her tightly.

“Do you want it?”

she whispered seductively in my ear.

Afterward, I sent messages to Xiao Ji, Xu Yinyin, and several other friends, asking about their availability next weekend.

I had made my decision.

Next weekend, I would tell everyone the truth about our relationship.

Before that…

I had to finally bring this painful indecision to an end.