Qi Yin currently looked rather comical. With one hand, she managed to hoist up the heavily tipsy Jiang Yu whom she had finally dragged up, while her other arm cradled the cat that Jiang Yu had desperately insisted on bringing back. Her hair was completely ruffled by the uncooperative drunk all the way up, making her stand rigidly outside Jiang Yu’s apartment door without a shred of human dignity left.
Jiang Yu was also quite a handful. Within the span of just a few flights of stairs, she zig-zagged all the way, knocking on three different neighbors’ doors. Pointing at the startled residents who came out at the sound, she demanded, What are you doing in my house?! This is home invasion! She even threatened to call the police to have them arrested.
To this moment, Qi Yin could still vividly recall the terrified, disgusted, and speechless looks those residents gave them after being thoroughly disrupted by Jiang Yu.
To put it simply, every breath of air she inhaled right now was freezing cold.
Qi Yin pulled the thoroughly boisterous Jiang Yu, who refused to quiet down even after making a scene, against herself, brushed back a strand of hair, and tried to calm her mind.
Where is the key? she asked in a low, slightly helpless voice, gently patting Jiang Yu’s back afterwards as a gesture of reassurance.
However, the clueless Jiang Yu completely missed the meaning. Assuming the key was on Qi Yin instead, she grabbed Qi Yin’s waist and began fumbling around wildly. When she couldn’t find the key, she frowned. It’s gone… Did you hide the key? She shoved Qi Yin away, pressed down on her shoulders, and asked fiercely.
Qi Yin’s waist was exceptionally sensitive. Being fumbling all over by Jiang Yu left her entire body tingling with numbness, and a strange sensation rushed straight to the top of her head.
Hush, stop messing around. Qi Yin pinned down Jiang Yu’s wandering hands and pushed her back slightly, deciding she had better look for the key herself.
Yet Jiang Yu refused to let up. Seeing Qi Yin move again, she took another two steps forward.
Drunks never walk steadily.
Especially Jiang Yu when she was drunk.
After her left foot tripped over her right foot, twisting her into half a pretzel, she plowed straight forward into Qi Yin.
Seeing Jiang Yu tumble toward her, Qi Yin’s heart skipped a beat, and she reached out to catch her.
She failed to catch the other person and ended up falling down right along with her, losing her grip on the cat in her arms in the process.
A resounding bang echoed through the stairwell.
Jiang Yu crashed fully onto her, knocking a muffled grunt out of her.
This was truly exhausting.
Once she caught her breath, Qi Yin propped herself up halfway and rotated her neck.
Fortunately, either Jiang Yu or one of Jiang Yu’s neighbors had laid down a thick layer of soft padding in the hallway, so the fall wasn’t too painful; otherwise, she would have really suffered from that impact.
Qi Yin nudged Jiang Yu, who was sprawled across her body. Did you hurt yourself from the fall? She originally intended to pull the other person up, but Jiang Yu refused to budge at all, even leaning forward to nudge against her a couple of times.
When Jiang Yu’s neighbor anxiously stepped outside to check the source of the commotion, this was precisely the scene they walked in on: two people tangled together on the floor, with a cat meowing off to the side.
Neighbor: …
Qi Yin: …………
Qi Yin turned her head, opened her mouth, but couldn’t produce any sound.
The neighbor was a young woman. After staring awkwardly at the intertwined pair for two seconds and figuring out where that loud crash had come from, she rubbed the bridge of her nose. Um, are you two alright? Do you need any help?
Qi Yin did not need help. All she wanted was for this person to close her door immediately.
Cough… We’re fine, thank you. She kept it brief and concise.
Fortunately, the neighbor wasn’t as brainless as Jiang Yu. Not only did she sense the awkwardness of the situation, but she also caught the heavy vibe of Qi Yin trying to chase her away.
She nodded and offered a random remark, Ah… Then I won’t disturb you. Carry on.
Once the neighbor closed her door, Qi Yin closed her eyes, pushed the person draped over her away, hoisted her up, and looked her up and down to make sure everything was fine before fishing the keys out of Jiang Yu’s pocket.
The key turned once in the lock, and the door finally swung open.
With mixed feelings, Qi Yin tossed Snowball into the apartment and glanced around the interior decor. Where is your bedroom?
Inside, Jiang Yu mumbled incoherently.
Upon hearing this response, Qi Yin nodded as if finally resigning herself to her fate. Got it.
She surveyed the area, randomly picked a room with a bed, and guided Jiang Yu inside.
Winter clothes were rather bulky, and sleeping in them probably wouldn’t be very comfortable.
As soon as Jiang Yu lay flat on her back, she started fumbling with her collar, trying to take off her coat. After rubbing back and forth for a long time until the back of her neck was scratched red, she still couldn’t find the zipper.
Watching Jiang Yu’s dazed appearance, which practically invited people to take advantage of her, Qi Yin sighed for the nth time today and pinned down Jiang Yu’s hands as they clawed blindly at her own neck.
She squatted down halfway, helped Jiang Yu sit up properly, and pulled down her zipper.
There, Qi Yin said gently, piling Jiang Yu’s discarded coat to the side. Go to sleep.
With her coat off, Jiang Yu felt immensely more comfortable. Hearing Qi Yin’s words, she tilted her head as if in thought, then nodded obediently. Like a child, she burrowed straight under the covers, leaving only her eyes exposed, blinking and staring at Qi Yin as if she had something to say.
Qi Yin locked eyes with that pair of exposed eyes for a while, until the more she looked, the more amused she became.
She really knows how to act cute.
Mimicking Jiang Yu, she tilted her head as well. Is there anything else you want to say?
I’m thirsty… Jiang Yu fussed for a moment before poking her head out. I want water.
You want water? Seeing Jiang Yu’s rare display of obedience, a wave of mischief suddenly welled up from the bottom of Qi Yin’s heart, and she decided to tease her. Call me ‘Sister,’ and I’ll get you some water to drink.
Jiang Yu paused for a moment, appearing to weigh which matter was more important. Ultimately yielding to her parched throat, she croaked out a dry, reluctant, Sister…
Qi Yin’s heartbeat skipped a beat. After a long moment, she let out a soft laugh.
She was truly doomed…
Wait right here, she said, glancing at Jiang Yu, who was still waiting with hopeful eyes.
Qi Yin strolled out to Jiang Yu’s living room, grabbed a plastic cup, filled it to the brim with water, and brought it back to Jiang Yu.
When Qi Yin re-entered the bedroom, Jiang Yu had somehow managed to sit up halfway, propping herself up against a cotton pillow and leaning back crookedly.
Qi Yin straightened the cotton pillow for her and handed the cup right to her.
For reasons unknown, Jiang Yu was deep in her own thoughts and didn’t take the cup Qi Yin offered. Instead, she narrowed her eyes and muttered inexplicably, Qi Yin?
Hmm? Qi Yin raised an eyebrow.
I hate you… Jiang Yu suddenly seemed to recall something, bit her lip, and repeated it, I don’t like you anymore!
Qi Yin froze for a split second, her hand lost its grip, and the cup suddenly crashed to the floor, splashing water all over the bed.
Yet Qi Yin couldn’t care less about that right now.
Going in circles only to end up right back at the original topic.
Qi Yin stood silently for two seconds, her fingers tightening as she lowered her gaze to look at the aggrieved-looking Jiang Yu, and asked in a hoarse voice, Why?
Jiang Yu gave a light huff, not quite comprehending Qi Yin’s meaning, and stared at her blankly.
Why don’t you like me anymore? Qi Yin intertwined her fingers, her arms trembling slightly, yet refusing to compromise as she asked again.
Mentioning this subject brought back a fresh wave of tears for Jiang Yu. As teardrops fell pathetically down her face, she looked up tearfully at Qi Yin and enunciated every single word: You hate me, so I don’t like you.
Qi Yin was left speechless, struggling to open her mouth, but her throat felt as though it had been stuffed with a ball of cotton, unable to make a sound.
I don’t hate you.