Chapter 43: The Answer
Compared to a question, Wen Yu’s tone sounded more like a statement.
Forum, thread. When Ye Qizhen heard these words from Wen Yu’s mouth, her expression froze instantly, as if electrocuted, every nerve in her body tightening.
Wen Yu knew asking so directly would embarrass Ye Qizhen, but she couldn’t wait. After spending so much time together, she didn’t think Ye Qizhen treated her just as an ordinary friend, but Ye Qizhen’s hesitation made her afraid to speak out. She was afraid Ye Qizhen couldn’t accept liking a girl. Until she saw that thread tonight. Her first reaction after reading it was to see Ye Qizhen, and she did.
Originally, Wen Yu planned to wait for Ye Qizhen to finish her classes, but as soon as the first class ended, she couldn’t resist calling Ye Qizhen. She usually faced everything calmly, but tonight she was impulsively unlike herself.
Deny it? Admit it? Say something? Ye Qizhen tasted the feeling of her brain being emptied. So Wen Yu saw the post? How could Wen Yu check the forum? Wen Yu knows everything? She was dazed. Because of Wen Yu’s one sentence, her brain turned into a chaotic pot of porridge, and a wave of heat rushed uncontrollably straight to her cheeks. Perhaps she had already revealed something.
Ye Qizhen’s reaction at the moment confirmed Wen Yu’s guess even more. Looking at Ye Qizhen, she suddenly started laughing.
Ye Qizhen’s mood was like riding a roller coaster. Wen Yu’s smile gradually brought her back to her senses. She quietly looked at Wen Yu for a while, pursing her lips hard. So Wen Yu is like me? If she wasn’t like me, why would she come to find me?
Wen Yu said bluntly, “I saw it.”
Ye Qizhen remained stiff, her heartbeat running wild.
There were five minutes left until class started. People constantly walked towards the classrooms, brushing past them. A moment later, wetness landed on her cheek, cool and refreshing.
It seemed to be raining.
The rain that had been brewing for a long time finally fell.
The rain showed a trend of getting heavier. Wen Yu took Ye Qizhen’s hand and pulled her to the corridor outside the first-floor classroom to shelter from the rain. Ye Qizhen was pulled along by Wen Yu, steps hurried.
Reaching the corridor, both of their hair was slightly messed up by the wind and dampened by raindrops, looking a bit disheveled. Looking at each other silently again, even without words, some things were self-evident.
“How could you check the forum…” As soon as Ye Qizhen opened her mouth, she was a bit incoherent; better not to speak. She never imagined Wen Yu would check the forum.
If I hadn’t seen it, how long would we have endured? Wen Yu thought of the words Ye Qizhen recorded, all liking and being moved. Her voice was very light: “Fool.”
Thinking of everything, Ye Qizhen finally smiled belatedly, nose sour. Every time Wen Yu called her a fool, she felt it was sweet. Turns out it wasn’t an illusion. That night, when they rode bikes together, nestled on the grass watching the stars, and couldn’t help wanting to kiss each other, she felt it wasn’t just her heart fluttering, so strongly.
Their relationship had changed flavor long ago. There were too many tests and uncontrollable moments that could be felt, but both were pretending. No one took a step forward to break the ice. Sometimes it really only takes one firm and serious look to understand. Like now, understanding that they have liked each other for a long time.
Seeing Ye Qizhen smile, Wen Yu breathed a sigh of relief. She thought for a moment and said honestly, “Let’s not pretend anymore in the future, okay?” She admitted she had been pretending too—pretending not to care when she did, pretending to joke when she was serious.
This sentence hit Ye Qizhen right in the heart; they had been pretending for too long. Slowly, she nodded foolishly in agreement: “Mn.”
The rain poured down instantly, dyeing the hazy night on campus. What poured out along with it were the secret feelings hidden for who knows how long.
Wen Yu reached out to tidy Ye Qizhen’s messy long hair. The touch, once accustomed to, was now endowed with other meanings.
Different now. From cautious ambiguity to open and aboveboard ambiguity.
Wen Yu knew even less how to restrain herself now. When close, she just stared straight at Ye Qizhen. It was fine if she couldn’t look enough; just keep looking. Liking is liking, no need to use friendship or jokes as a cover anymore.
Although her true thoughts were completely exposed, being stared at by Wen Yu for so long still made Ye Qizhen awkward, especially thinking that Wen Yu had read the post she wrote. Most of those words were written by her in the middle of the night, as cheesy and emotional as could be.
“Why do you keep staring at me?” Ye Qizhen mumbled, looking for something to say. Wen Yu liked staring into her eyes before, but not like this.
Wen Yu pointed out: “You have the nerve to say that about me?”
Can’t help staring at her as soon as we meet. Ye Qizhen quickly remembered what she wrote, her cheeks burning even hotter. Wen Yu didn’t continue; she saw someone was too shy to speak.
Embarrassment aside, Ye Qizhen still couldn’t restrain her smile. More than that was the overflowing happiness. No need to suppress her heart flutter for Wen Yu anymore. It felt a bit like a dream; tonight was confusingly wonderful.
The class bell rang. What could happen in a short ten-minute break? Suddenly, a rainstorm fell, romantic beyond measure.
Those who should enter the classroom had entered. The surroundings quieted down, leaving only the sound of rushing rain.
“Class is starting…” Ye Qizhen opened her mouth, feeling that saying this sentence at this time was extremely inappropriate.
It was quite inappropriate. Wen Yu thought for a moment, stared at Ye Qizhen, and asked, “Taking me with you?”
Wanted to stay together a bit longer.
Even without talking.
The classroom was on the second floor. Ye Qizhen wasn’t quite sure how she led Wen Yu back to the classroom, only remembering being reckless and almost walking into the wrong classroom next door, laughed at by Wen Yu all the way.
Just two minutes late to the classroom, and the teacher had already started lecturing eloquently.
Ye Qizhen had to pull Wen Yu to sit in the empty seats in the back row. As expected, bringing Wen Yu into the classroom attracted quite a few curious gazes.
Luo Bei also looked over, and Ye Qizhen took the opportunity to ask Luo Bei to pass her textbook and notebook.
Although Wen Yu often came to wait for Ye Qizhen after class, this was her first time accompanying Ye Qizhen in class. She liked the focused energy on Ye Qizhen; serious in everything she did. A girl who had experienced a lot but still maintained enthusiasm was truly attractive.
Ye Qizhen opened the textbook and looked at the courseware on the projector, calm only on the surface. She was destined not to focus much in this class; listening but not really hearing. With what just happened, how could she calm down? Her mind kept thinking about Wen Yu liking her too, not to mention Wen Yu was sitting right next to her. Giving up the struggle; special circumstances, allowing herself to zone out for one class.
Wen Yu didn’t disturb Ye Qizhen, just sitting quietly beside her, accompanying her in class.
When two people’s minds were on each other, stealing glances from time to time, their gazes easily collided. After finishing her notes, Ye Qizhen saw Wen Yu looking at her too. Her heart was easily hooked away. Eye contact after clarifying feelings held an extra layer of hazy sweetness.
Wen Yu was no longer reserved, flirting with Ye Qizhen with explicit eyes. Afterwards, she reminded in a low voice, “Time to turn the page.”
Ye Qizhen: “…”
Wen Yu laughed. She knew Ye Qizhen was good at pretending, but after seeing that post tonight, she found Ye Qizhen was even better at pretending than she imagined. So secretly passionate. She liked secretly passionate too.
“Don’t laugh.” Ye Qizhen furrowed her brows. She couldn’t let go of the fact that Wen Yu read the post, always feeling Wen Yu would tease her about it. Her face was still hot even now.
“Mn.” Hearing Ye Qizhen’s request, Wen Yu tried to cooperate, but didn’t last long. She laughed to herself several times.
Ye Qizhen couldn’t do anything about it and let Wen Yu be.
Class ended at 8:30, and students filed out. The large classroom quickly became empty.
Knowing Wen Yu liked her too, Ye Qizhen was still somewhat at a loss, especially now being alone with Wen Yu. Perhaps all this came too unprepared; she needed a little more time to digest and react.
Wen Yu actively said, “Stay with me a little longer.”
Ye Qizhen agreed happily, thinking the same as Wen Yu. Wanted to stay together.
The rain outside had stopped, taking away the stifling heat, leaving only moisture and freshness.
Ye Qizhen was familiar with the tree-lined path she had walked with Wen Yu for almost two years, but now her mood was completely different.
Walking for a while, neither spoke. When they reached the third intersection, their hands unknowingly held together. Couldn’t tell who initiated it first; it just happened naturally.
Walking and thinking about the bits and pieces between her and Wen Yu, the corners of Ye Qizhen’s mouth rose high unconsciously. When in a good mood, she couldn’t help smiling at all.
Wen Yu turned her head, saw it, and smiled too.
Tonight was particularly strange. Just because of a tiny little thing, they could look at each other and smile for a long time, accompanied by blatant liking.
Passing by a convenience store.
Ye Qizhen remembered: “Did you eat anything tonight?”
Wen Yu answered truthfully: “No.”
Ye Qizhen: “Always not eating.”
Wen Yu: “I’ll remember everything you say from now on.”
An answer that made one’s imagination run wild; quite embarrassing. Ye Qizhen led Wen Yu into the convenience store to pick some food to fill her stomach.
Standing in front of the cashier, Wen Yu looked down at their hands still held together, also feeling all this was unrealistically sudden. Although she desired it, she never dared to expect too much. Is it all coming true now? Thinking this, she loosened her grip on Ye Qizhen’s hand and then held it immediately again, interlacing fingers like lovers.
With this subtle movement, Ye Qizhen felt Wen Yu’s fingers gently rubbing against hers, and her heart leaped with joy.
Wen Yu had to pass by Dormitory Building 9 to return to her apartment, so walking Ye Qizhen back was a common occurrence. Arriving downstairs at the dormitory, the two stood face to face, silent for a while, or maybe waiting for the other to say something.
Finally, Wen Yu said first, “I’m leaving.”
Just leaving? Ye Qizhen opened her lips, wanting to say something but didn’t say it. Wen Yu had read so many of her true feelings; wouldn’t she express a bit more? Or was she too impatient?
“What’s wrong?” Wen Yu asked. She really wanted to know what was going through Ye Qizhen’s little head right now.
“Nothing.” Ye Qizhen said insincerely.
“Then I’m leaving.” Wen Yu said again.
“Mn.”
Wen Yu walked a few steps, then turned back to Ye Qizhen, gazing at her.
Just as Ye Qizhen was about to speak.
Wen Yu took a step forward, pulled the person in front of her into her arms, and hugged her. She had wanted to do this outside the classroom earlier, but time was too rushed. She guessed Ye Qizhen wanted this too.
Instantly wrapped in the pleasant fragrance on her body, slowly, Ye Qizhen closed her eyes and hugged Wen Yu back, rubbing her cheek against Wen Yu’s neck. She had coveted this hug for too long—not self-deceiving friendship, but tacit love.
So clingy. Wen Yu’s heart was filled with satisfaction. She stroked Ye Qizhen’s hair and whispered in Ye Qizhen’s ear, “Ye Qizhen.”
Ye Qizhen responded.
Wen Yu sighed softly: “You are so secretly passionate.”
Ye Qizhen dared not look up even more now. She hid her face in the crook of Wen Yu’s shoulder, her voice light and muffled, “Wen Yu, you are so annoying.”
Wen Yu rubbed against Ye Qizhen’s hair, finally understanding what Ye Qizhen meant by calling her annoying. She added, “If you can’t hug enough, you can hug a while longer.”
Mentioning those words in the post again, Ye Qizhen wanted to get anxious with Wen Yu. She didn’t answer but tightened her arms wrapped around Wen Yu’s waist. Wen Yu also hugged Ye Qizhen tighter. Heartbeats accompanying each other, silently immersed, reluctant to let go for a long time.
Having restrained this liking for too long.
“Like it or not?” When Wen Yu asked this hoarsely, her breath was warm, lips touching the tip of Ye Qizhen’s burning ear. She had never thought about dating before, but now her mind was full of ideas. As long as it was something Ye Qizhen liked, she would remember it and want to do it.
