What big sister said hit hard, but it was not without reason.
Life, after all, had to go on.
With only seven days left until the Civil Law midterm exam, she couldn’t afford to suffer a heartbreak in her love life and fail in the exam room at the same time.
When it rains, it pours, but the roof shouldn’t leak this badly.
A thousand words converged into a single directive: Study!
Yu Weiwan changed her shoes and accepted the pen offered by Rao Shi, which came laden with blessings and encouragement.
Abandoning all illusions, she buried her head into her studies.
Once she started, she sank completely into the material. By the time she looked up again, the sun had set, the fluorescent lights were on, and night was falling.
Yu Weiwan stretched her stiff limbs, causing her joints to emit a distinct crackling sound.
She rotated her neck and looked around.
Wu Tao and Ji Qing were not in the room, but they had left her a message saying they had gone to the cafeteria, and that she should call them if she wanted them to bring back a meal for her.
Rao Shi was staring at her phone, her eyebrows tightly knit as her thumb scrolled endlessly up and down the screen. Her face grew longer and longer the more she read.
Rao Shi was a typical optimist, the kind who felt that even if the sky fell, it could be used as a blanket. She lived by the attitude that nothing is a big deal except life and death. Seeing her with such an expression was a rare sight indeed.
Yu Weiwan teased, Is an asteroid hitting the Earth tomorrow?
Hearing this, Rao Shi shot up from her seat, took several big steps over, and looked as though she wanted to speak but hesitated.
She slowly handed her phone toward Yu Weiwan, but before Yu Weiwan could take it, she abruptly pulled it back.
She repeated this several times.
Yu Weiwan chuckled. Why so cautious? Is it classified information?
Rao Shi steeled her heart, shoved the phone into Yu Weiwan’s hand, and said, Just read it. Stay calm after you look at it.
Yu Weiwan took it, lowered her eyes, and the university’s confession wall scrolled into view.
X University Confession Wall:Submission: Looking for the girl who was eating spicy chicken on the third floor of the Second Cafeteria at noon today.
Below the post was a photo of Qi Chi with her face blurred out.
There were many comments in the section below, and several top-liked ones were pinned right at the top, momo: She is the campus belle of the Performance Department at the Dance Academy, and today’s newly minted first-prize winner in the solo dance youth group of the Youth Lotus Cup, Qi Chi. Trying to look for her like this… bro, you don’t surf the internet much, do you?
Adults Are Forbidden to Imagine: Don’t assume the poster’s gender. What if it’s a girl trying to look for her?
My ID Deserves a Spot in the Imperial Ancestral Temple: Even if it’s a girl, there’s no chance. Qi Chi already has a girlfriend.
This comment set off a massive wave of reactions, triggering a barrage of follow-up questions and doubts.
Escaped Village Belle Cuihua: You can’t just talk nonsense like that. Even though Qi Chi doesn’t have a boyfriend, she is clearly straight, ironclad straight.
Cunning Bot: Agreed with the above. I have a friend in her class who said Qi Chi even described her ideal type before. How could she possibly be a lesbian?
Perhaps annoyed by the relentless questioning, the original commenter dropped a photo straight into the thread.
The photo had a blurred background. A young girl with exquisite facial features was kissing another girl’s cheek. Light passed through the gaps between dust particles and leaves, condensing into transparent shafts of light. The outlines of both girls became hazy, leaving behind only an intimate and warm atmosphere.
It was an exceptionally fine piece of candid photography; its composition, timing, colors, and ambiance were all nothing short of perfect.
As if stunned by the photograph, no one replied for a while.
Only after a long silence did a new comment appear.
Can’t Wake Up Day or Night: It’s just a joke between good friends. Our Qi Chi is still a completely straight girl.
My ID Deserves a Spot in the Imperial Ancestral Temple: Still being stubborn even with picture proof? Well, then I have nothing left to say.
Can’t Wake Up Day or Night: If you don’t believe what I say, you’ll believe what Qi Chi herself says, right? Hang on, I’ll record a video for you right now.
Clicking into the profile, the latest post in her social feed was indeed a video.
In the video, Qi Chi was holding a wine glass and chatting with people. A female voice called out to her, asking if she liked girls.
Qi Chi smiled nonchalantly. Where did you hear such fake news? Do I look like a lesbian to you?
The video ended.
Staring at the now dark screen, Yu Weiwan’s pupils lost their focus, drifting off into a long daze.
Wan, are you okay? An anxious face leaned in close.
Yu Weiwan blinked and said nothing.
Rao Shi began to ramble on, trying to comfort her:
Ahem, think about it, it’s really not that big of a deal. You’re still young, so there’s no need to fear failure. As the old saying goes, there are plenty of fish in the sea. The next one you find will be even better.
With your looks, personality, and talent, anyone you lay eyes on later will be swept off their feet in a heartbeat.
Yu Weiwan’s expression remained calm. I’m fine.
Rao Shi said, You’re just stubborn. You’re hurting so much inside, yet you’re still holding it all in.
Yu Weiwan replied, I’m not lying to you. I really am fine.
It was an unexpectedly calm reaction.
Perhaps it was because Yu Weiwan had long prepared herself psychologically.
On the way back to the dormitory, when Qi Chi was describing her imaginary perfect lover, when her own subtle feelings were just sprouting, before any of this had ever taken place.
They were destined to walk separate paths.
The only reason they were still walking down the same road now was simply that Yu Weiwan wanted so badly to walk beside her that she bore the pain just to accommodate her.
Rao Shi visibly let out a sigh of relief. I knew it! This is nothing to you at all, a piece of cake.
Yu Weiwan said, I told you, we are just good friends.
Navigating back to the confession wall, she saved the cheek-kiss photo, forwarded it to herself, deleted the record, and then returned the phone to its owner. Big sister, you’re overthinking things.
Rao Shi muttered from the side, I thought so too at first, but someone posted a photo below of you two kissing. What kind of ‘good friends’ kiss on the mouth?
It’s kissing the cheek, not the mouth, Yu Weiwan corrected her. Change one word, and the entire nature of it changes.
Rao Shi countered, Is kissing the cheek completely normal? I certainly never kiss my friends on the cheek.
Declining her roommates’ offer to bring back food, Qi Chi casually ordered takeout, finished eating, washed up, and climbed into bed early to rest.
She closed her eyes and counted over two thousand sheep, yet her mind remained wide awake.
She counted over two thousand more, but still couldn’t fall asleep.
Giving up the struggle, Yu Weiwan pulled out her phone.
Qi Chi had posted on her Moments feed.
It was a nine-grid photo collage featuring the same background as the video.
Vibrantly colored, exquisitely plated food; youthful, wildly laughing handsome men and beautiful women; arms raised together holding golden alcohol; and a glittering crystal chandelier hanging high overhead.
It was easy to tell that Qi Chi was very popular. The people taking photos with her changed one after another, but she was always right at the center of every group picture.
She was smiling in every single photograph, a brilliant smile that radiated bright colors and vibrant vitality.
The WeChat notification sound rang out.
Qi Chi: Your little cutie has suddenly appeared.jpg
Qi Chi: Surprise inspection! What is Yuyu doing? Are you missing me?
Yu Weiwan typed out a few words, deleted them, and in the end only replied simply: Sleeping.
Several messages quickly popped up on the screen.
Qi Chi: Well aren’t you a stinky Yuyu! How dare you not answer my second question!
Qi Chi: And here I was, missing you constantly since this afternoon! I barely ate a few bites of dinner! You heartless woman!
Yu Weiwan: Missing me?
She recalled the photos she had just seen, where Qi Chi clearly looked like she was having a great time.
Qi Chi: When we parted earlier, your face looked so pale and upset. Of course I was worried about you!
Qi Chi: Yet you, you ungrateful thing, didn’t miss me at all!
Qi Chi: Play with my feelings, use me up, and then dump me without mercy! What a despicable scumbag girl!
Qi Chi: You will pay the price for your behavior right now!
Qi Chi: Dagger dagger dagger.emoji
Even though she knew this was just Qi Chi’s uniquely exaggerated way of speaking, Yu Weiwan was still charmed by how cute she was being.
Yu Weiwan: Spare my life, Your Majesty! I have elders above and elders below to take care of! .jpg
Qi Chi: Her Majesty raises her chin and forgives you this time.jpg
The draft of her reply was still in the chat box when another message arrived.
Qi Chi: Someone is calling me, so I gotta go. Goodnight, Yuyu.
Staring into the dark with open eyes, Yu Weiwan found it even harder to fall asleep.
The next day.
Seven in the morning.
Knock, knock, knock. A knock resounded on the door.
Rao Shi asked, Who is it?
I don’t know. Fourth sister, go open it. Wu Tao stared at her computer screen without turning her head.
Ji Qing, who was sitting closest to the door, stood up to open it. Upon seeing the visitor clearly, she let out an exclamation: Qi Chi?
Everyone turned their heads toward the doorway.
Qi Chi was dressed up very beautifully today.
On her upper body, she wore a cropped, asymmetrical cherry-blossom-pink hoodie, paired with milk-white cargo wide-leg pants. Her hair was tied half-up into a high ponytail, looking clean, sharp, cool, and dashing.
At her feet sat a massive bag of snacks and fruits stacked up like a small mountain, the quantity was so vast that it nearly burst the plastic supermarket bag.
Even with four pairs of eyes fixed on her, Qi Chi did not show the slightest stage fright. She had been a glowing center of attention since childhood and was long accustomed to the gazes of others.
The corners of her lips curled upward, and her clear eyes crinkled slightly into a sweet smile. I’m so sorry to come and disturb you all so early in the morning.
Except for Yu Weiwan, the other three roommates instantly straightened their spines and waved their hands repeatedly in refusal.
Rao Shi said, Oh, it’s nothing at all!
Ji Qing added, Exactly! Everyone in our dorm rises early as a rule. Forget this hour, you could come an hour earlier and it would still be fine.
Rao Shi said, Um, come on in and sit down for a bit. There’s a chair here.
Rao Shi pulled out a paper towel to wipe the chair, instructing as she wiped:
Fourth sister, go bring the stuff at the door inside. Third sister, go check if we still have those disposable paper cups from last time. Weiwan, why aren’t you welcoming her in yet? What are you waiting for?!
Ever since Ji Qing called out Qi Chi’s name, Wu Tao had begun putting on an act.
She put on her headphones, maintained a stern expression while staring at the computer screen, sat bolt upright without blinking, and even knit her brows tightly from time to time before relaxing them as if realizing something.
Hearing Rao Shi’s instructions now, she put on an expression of just waking up from the world of studying, nodded solemnly, and said, Leave the matter to me. Rest assured.
With that, she walked off with solemn steps to search for the cups.
Yu Weiwan pressed a hand to her forehead. Big sister, you guys are being way too…
And Third Sister too, the way she walked, it looked as if she were about to perform a military march in the next second.
Qi Chi was ushered down into the chair, and a cup of warm water was shoved into her hands.
She took a small sip, cupped the glass in her hands, and began charming them:
No wonder Yuyu always tells me that her roommates have super great personalities and take extra good care of her. I only truly understood it today. Everything Yuyu said was completely true, not a single word was an exaggeration.
The corners of Rao Shi’s mouth almost stretched behind her ears. You flatter us, you flatter us! We’re not nearly as good as you say.
Ji Qing and Wu Tao were also smiling incomparably happily.
Qi Chi continued to pour on the charm:
You guys are just far too humble.
Yuyu has a personality that’s a bit cold and a little awkward. Before she started college, I was worried for quite a while.
I never expected she would meet such wonderful roommates like you. It’s truly our Yuyu’s good fortune.
The three of them responded, Meeting Yuyu is our good fortune too, hahahaha!
Seeing the three of them already dizzy with praise, Yu Weiwan covered her face.
She knew it, whenever Qi Chi wanted to get closer to someone, she never failed.
The four of them cast Yu Weiwan, the topic’s original center, aside, chatting up a storm and getting familiar with one another at lightning speed.
By the time Qi Chi had to leave first because she had things to attend to, her phone had already collected all kinds of contact information for everyone in the dorm.
Regarding this, Yu Weiwan was deeply puzzled. Third Sister is obsessed with good looks, and Fourth Sister loves snacks, so I can understand why they were so enthusiastic.
But Big Sister, what about you?
Rao Shi sighed. I know she isn’t your girlfriend, but the moment I saw her, I felt like a mother-in-law meeting her daughter-in-law, I just felt a head shorter than her.
After two or three more days of studying so hard they forgot to eat and sleep, the class gathering was finally settled upon.
Starting at one in the afternoon, they would first go to Flowing Years for karaoke, followed by a meal at Zhu Li Xiang, and end the night at Shifu Bar.
All three locations were modestly famous and not far from each other, allowing the entire trip to be made via the subway. It was clear that the organizer had put a lot of thought into it.
Early in the morning, Qi Chi dragged Yu Weiwan out to shop for clothes, insisting on buying outfits that would let people see at a single glance how close they were.
Yu Weiwan said, It’s just a class gathering. There’s no need to make it so grand.
You don’t understand. Qi Chi held up a dress and held it against the two of them to compare.
Our gatherings get a bit wild, and there are quite a few lesbians in our class. You’re so popular, what if I don’t keep a close eye on you and someone carries you off?
I need to declare my sovereignty so everyone knows who you’re closest with. Anyone thinking of making a move will have to think twice.
Yu Weiwan hesitated. How wild does it get?
When they get drunk, they kiss people like crazy. If I hadn’t dodged quickly, I would’ve suffered too. Don’t you think that’s terrifying? Qi Chi said with a face full of lingering fear.
If it’s just kissing on the cheek, that’s fine. It was much better than she had imagined.
What do you mean ‘just’ kissing on the cheek?! Qi Chi opened her eyes in outrage.
Her exquisite face leaned in close, and a warm, moist sensation touched Yu Weiwan’s cheek, feeling like a flower petal soaked in water or a cloud drenched in rain.
After leaving a clear lipstick mark, Qi Chi triumphantly declared to Yu Weiwan:
Yuyu’s face can only be kissed by me!