Chapter 68: Auditing
Having received a hard kick, Tang Xiao chose to shut up.
Tang Xiao’s words were a bit harsh, but they were the truth. Tang Tang remembered how Ye Qizhen had argued fiercely with her family just over choosing a major, let alone coming out.
Wasn’t it a bit too early to consider coming out now? Dating in college was uncertain; who could say for sure what would happen in the future? No need to consider such realistic issues so quickly.
Thinking this way, Tang Tang didn’t continue the topic, cheerfully changing the subject.
The atmosphere seemed to relax.
However, both Ye Qizhen and Wen Yu secretly pondered some things.
It was getting dark.
After eating hot pot, Ye Qizhen felt a bit bloated. The apartment wasn’t far, so Wen Yu pulled her to walk back, just right for digestion on the way.
Crossing the campus, passing near the playground where they often went for night runs, Ye Qizhen swung Wen Yu’s hand and looked at her. Wen Yu matched Ye Qizhen’s leisurely pace, and the two walked towards the playground.
The back playground was indeed a holy land for couples on campus. Some were running, some were walking—familiar liveliness.
After walking three and a half laps around the track, tired, they found a place to sit down. The two leaned against each other side by side, leisurely killing time.
Ye Qizhen gazed into the distance outside the school. The lights were brilliant and beautiful, but hazy, unable to see clearly what they were.
She zoned out for a moment.
Seeing Ye Qizhen staring blankly, Wen Yu also looked in the direction Ye Qizhen was gazing. After enjoying the breeze for a while, she asked Ye Qizhen in a gentle voice, “Thinking about coming out?”
Ye Qizhen turned her head, looking at Wen Yu’s face under the moonlight, revealing a micro-expression of having her thoughts guessed.
It seemed that people their age dated purely based on liking, with simple and pure thoughts, not considering too much.
But she did think about the future. Because it was Wen Yu, she thought more. Tonight, even without Tang Xiao’s reminder, she had thought about it too.
Afraid Wen Yu would be affected by Tang Xiao’s words, Ye Qizhen smiled warmly, her tone indifferent and relaxed. “It’s nothing. Being with you is my business; I decide for myself.”
Always thinking of giving her security first. Wen Yu stroked Ye Qizhen’s head. “When we are financially independent in the future, we can take it slowly, okay?”
Ye Qizhen nodded happily. She guessed Wen Yu must have thought about it too, always feeling their relationship was different from many others.
“Silly?” Wen Yu saw Ye Qizhen staring at her constantly.
Ye Qizhen was smiling quite foolishly. She had never heard Wen Yu actively plan their future. She once heard Wen Yu say that if you don’t expect many things, you won’t be disappointed, but she hoped Wen Yu could look forward to their future.
Wen Yu’s personality was such that it was hard for her to promise things like “I will always be with you,” not because she didn’t like enough, but because she thought it was unrealistic.
However, someone was tirelessly teaching her how to treat the present and future with a better attitude. It wasn’t like before anymore; she should have more courage and confidence now.
That night, they chatted enthusiastically about the future. Arrangements after graduation, which city they wanted to stay in, lots and lots—
Ye Qizhen tilted her head, leaning comfortably on Wen Yu’s shoulder, feeling much lighter in her heart. She looked up at the night sky and sighed softly, “Look, the stars are so beautiful.”
Wen Yu looked into Ye Qizhen’s eyes. “So beautiful.”
Ye Qizhen noticed and met Wen Yu’s gaze. “You were clearly looking at me.”
Wen Yu: “Praising you.”
Ye Qizhen smiled until her eyes curved.
Perhaps the future was vast and unknown like the night sky, but there were stars shining.
The evening breeze blew gently, curling up traces of coolness.
Wen Yu touched Ye Qizhen’s arm and hugged her. Ye Qizhen hugged back tighter greedily.
Among their peers, they were both much more mature. Ye Qizhen was overly sensible, while Wen Yu was overly realistic. Their personalities were vastly different, yet both were sensitive and liked being held in an embrace…
Just like now.
Ye Qizhen felt warm all over. “Wen Yuyu, you are so warm.”
Wen Yu lowered her head and smiled. She didn’t want Ye Qizhen to be her little sun forever; she wanted to be Ye Qizhen’s little sun too.
***
Autumn in Nancheng had little presence, usually just passing through hurriedly. Perhaps because life was too nourishing, Ye Qizhen always felt winter arrived exceptionally fast this year.
The temperature dropped below zero, and the north wind rustled the leaves, creating a damp chill.
The heating was on in the classroom, and with many people, it was stuffy and hot. Three full periods of theoretical classes made people drowsy and bored.
During the break.
“Are you feeling unwell?” Qi Yun saw Wen Yu’s complexion didn’t seem very good.
“No.” Wen Yu let out a muffled sound.
“Hey, are you living with Sweetie?” Qi Yun couldn’t leave gossip for half a sentence. That night she returned to school, she ran into Ye Qizhen and Wen Yu walking towards the off-campus apartment; looked like a situation.
Wen Yu wasn’t in a good state tonight and didn’t want to pay attention to Qi Yun even more.
Qi Yun rested her chin on her hand, looked left and right, then lowered her voice so only Wen Yu could hear: “Speaking of living together, can Sweetie handle it? You guys held back for two years; are you shaking the bed apart every day now?”
Eyeing each other since freshman year, only getting together near junior year—she admired these two for being able to endure so much.
Wen Yu was long used to Qi Yun’s loose tongue. She turned her head, looking at Qi Yun with a faint smile, “Are you envious?”
Qi Yun was rendered speechless; she never gained an advantage with Wen Yu. Her gaze swept boringly, then she knocked on the table to remind Wen Yu, “Your wife is here.”
Wen Yu turned back subconsciously. “Why did you come?”
Ye Qizhen: “Came to audit the class. Not welcome?”
There happened to be an empty seat next to her.
Wen Yu held Ye Qizhen’s hand and pulled her to sit down.
Ye Qizhen had something to do in the evening. As soon as she finished, she ran over. Wen Yu caught a cold yesterday and wasn’t feeling well; she was worried. Putting down her water bottle and bag, she leaned over to touch Wen Yu’s forehead, asking in a whisper, “Better? Still uncomfortable?”
“It’s okay, just a bit dizzy.” As Wen Yu spoke, she leaned on Ye Qizhen.
“Maybe ask for leave, let’s go back.”
“Forget it.”
Qi Yun on the side saw this scene and exclaimed internally: Good lord. Usually so prickly, but turning into a sheep in front of her girlfriend. One thing conquers another?
Not only Qi Yun was watching; quite a few people around cast their gazes over.
Their relationship was almost fully public in the Fine Arts Department. It started when Ye Qizhen came to wait for Wen Yu after class one day, and a boy came to ask Ye Qizhen for her WeChat.
Standing in the corridor, Wen Yu asked the guy with full aura: “What do you want my girlfriend’s WeChat for?”
Making the guy flee in embarrassment.
Many people heard it at the time. Seeing the parties involved didn’t mind going public, Qi Yun spread it all over the department with her big mouth. Heaven knows how long she held back from gossiping.
Wen Yu not only didn’t mind but was quite happy. Ye Qizhen’s personality naturally attracted people; who knew how many people were thinking about her.
“Student Wen, your aloof persona is going to collapse.” Ye Qizhen laughed at Wen Yu.
“What aloof persona?” Wen Yu didn’t care. She rested her head on Ye Qizhen’s shoulder, murmuring like a kitten, “Lean for a bit.”
Ye Qizhen sat still obediently. She used to think Wen Yu was aloof too. After getting together, she found Wen Yu had nothing to do with the word “aloof.” Especially in bed—thinking about it made her blush and heart race.
Qi Yun was stuffed with dog food. Having said that, she was quite envious. Wen Yu’s condition had visibly improved a lot, not quite like the Wen Yu she knew before. Quite good.
The class bell rang; two more periods left.
Wen Yu wasn’t as serious in class as Ye Qizhen, holding her hand under the desk to play. Normally Ye Qizhen would definitely tell her to listen seriously, but seeing Wen Yu uncomfortable today, she let her be.
When it was time to take notes, she let go of Wen Yu’s hand.
Wen Yu insisted on making small movements, touching her leg.
Some people looked aloof on the surface but privately… Ye Qizhen was helpless, busy taking notes for Wen Yu again.
Ye Qizhen’s handwriting was neat and elegant; notes were done beautifully. Seeing Ye Qizhen copying notes meticulously, Wen Yu really wanted to laugh. “Are you taking the class or am I?”
“Stop messing around.” Ye Qizhen scolded her.
Wen Yu rubbed her palm on Ye Qizhen’s leg a few more times before behaving properly, not disturbing. She liked watching Ye Qizhen when she was serious; never got tired of it.
Qi Yun copied more than half a page of dense notes, her hand sore. While copying, she sighed resentfully at Wen Yu: “Tsk, having a straight-A girlfriend is nice.”
Finally, class ended. Ye Qizhen wrapped her own scarf tightly around Wen Yu’s neck before pulling Wen Yu out of the classroom.
Both Ye Qizhen and Wen Yu had constitutions afraid of the cold. Once winter arrived, there seemed to be more reasons to hug.
Before sleeping, Ye Qizhen actively pulled Wen Yu into a hug. “Stop looking at the phone. Sleep early if you’re uncomfortable.”
Wen Yu showed the phone screen to Ye Qizhen.
It was a WeChat message from Wen Qiuxian. Their mother-daughter relationship was considered normal this semester. When she celebrated her birthday last year, Wen Qiuxian even sent her a “Happy Birthday” and asked how she spent it.
Contact wasn’t frequent, but they didn’t argue as soon as they called anymore.
Ye Qizhen finished reading the chat history. Wen Qiuxian asked Wen Yu if she wanted to travel during the winter vacation, but the lines revealed a tsundere attitude, ending with a sentence like “go or not is up to you, just asking.”
“Auntie probably means she wants you to accompany her, right?” Ye Qizhen almost figured out Wen Qiuxian’s personality.
Wen Yu was thoughtful.
Ye Qizhen: “Don’t you want to go?”
Wen Yu: “Going for more than ten days.”
Ye Qizhen saw it too. For almost half a month, Wen Yu wouldn’t be in Beilin. She thought for a moment and said, “Ten days is ten days. Having ample time makes playing more comfortable too.”
Hearing Ye Qizhen say this, Wen Yu pinched her waist. “Tired of being with me so soon?”
Ye Qizhen felt wronged. “No way.”
Wen Yu said seriously: “You aren’t even reluctant to part.”
Ye Qizhen smiled, saying softly, “Do you have to be so cheesy?”
Wen Yu hesitated, mainly because of Ye Qizhen.
In previous winter and summer vacations, once back in Beilin, Ye Qizhen could always find various excuses to meet her every few days. She guessed Ye Qizhen wasn’t happy staying at home; Ye Qizhen had also told her the atmosphere at home was depressing.
Actually, Ye Qizhen had no right to talk about Wen Yu, but she didn’t voice her reluctance. She hugged Wen Yu tightly, stroking Wen Yu’s back slowly. “Go. It’s rare to have a holiday to go out and play. Besides, if you accompany Auntie, she should be very happy.”
