Chapter 17: Compromise

The handbag contained a set of sportswear from some brand—a beige polo short-sleeve top with red trim, along with matching tapered long pants. Inside was also a sticky note.

The note was only half a palm-sized, with these words written on it: Sister Yan, after getting to know you, there have been many happy things, like this one.

The sky was overcast, dark clouds pressing down low as circling birds seized the chance to attack once more. But this time, it retracted its talons, its wings skimming the water’s surface like a dragonfly touching down, brushing away the startled fish’s panic as well.

Just like that skirt, there was no receipt, and the tags had been snipped off.

There was nowhere left to retreat.

Yan Ningxi hung both the skirt and the sportswear on hangers inside the closet, pressed against the wooden back panel in the far right of the left-side cabinet. As long as the everyday sliding door wasn’t fully opened, they couldn’t be seen.

She didn’t look up the price of the clothes. The account between her and Ming You was no longer something that could be settled with clear prices and simple calculator math.

…

Huai’an No.3 High School’s annual Autumn Sports Meet was held as scheduled. The teachers’ group events took place on Friday.

【Jiang Lai: Senpai, the teachers’ group is this afternoon. I’ll record a video for you.】

【Jiang Lai: Teacher Yan got hurt.】

【Jiang Lai: Video】

【Jiang Lai: Senpai, don’t worry. Teacher Yan’s injury isn’t serious. Teacher He already took her to the doctor.】

【Jiang Lai: Compared to the injury, do you think Teacher Yan feels more embarrassed about losing face? All the teachers and students saw it.】

From noon until four in the afternoon, Jiang Lai sent Ming You several messages, but Ming You saw them and didn’t reply.

In the video, Yan Ningxi wasn’t wearing the sportswear Ming You had given her.

It was a relay race focused on speed. Yan Ningxi was on the third leg, and during the baton handoff to the fourth, several teachers crowded together. She collided, pitched forward, and knelt down hard.

From the posture, her knees, arms, and palms must have suffered abrasions.

After two unhappy partings at noon and evening the day before yesterday, did she have to face difficulties head-on again today?

After some internal struggle and calculating the time, Ming You arrived at Yan Ningxi’s door just before eight at night. But the one who opened the door wasn’t Yan Ningxi—it was He Huan.

The air froze as the two stared at each other in silence.

This was a meeting Ming You hadn’t anticipated. Should she smile? Act surprised? Or say “Hello, Teacher”? She just felt like she didn’t even want to pretend anymore.

But why couldn’t she?

Was it some lingering effect from Yan Ningxi’s words, “Don’t go astray”?

“Teacher He, I’m here to return Teacher Yan’s clothes. They got soaked in the rain during break, so I borrowed some from Teacher Yan.” Ming You wasn’t empty-handed; the clothes she mentioned were the short-sleeve shirt and jeans she’d worn home the day she scalded her mouth.

When Yan Ningxi had given her those clothes, she hadn’t said they didn’t need returning. Borrowing and returning made this visit perfectly reasonable.

“I’ve already washed the clothes, so I won’t disturb you two teachers any longer.” She handed the bag to He Huan and turned to leave.

“Stop!”

Yan Ningxi hobbled a few steps toward the door, her tone leaving no room for argument. This was the first time the other two had seen such a firm side from Yan Ningxi.

He Huan stepped aside and said to Ming You, “Teacher Yan got a minor injury at the sports meet. I was worried she couldn’t cook easily, so I came to check on her and had dinner with her. It’s getting late; I should head back too.”

She returned to the living room, grabbed her bag, changed her shoes, and headed out. “You two already know each other well. Since you’re here, spend some more time with Teacher Yan if you can.”

Yan Ningxi leaned back against the wall, arms crossed over her chest. Only after hearing the elevator open and close outside did she speak to Ming You. “Are you planning to stand in the doorway like a door god?”

“…”

Ming You entered, closed the door, helped Yan Ningxi sit down, then crouched on the spot. She gently lifted Yan Ningxi’s right arm and examined the treated abrasions. The worst one was covered with sterile gauze.

“Does it still hurt?”

“How long did you plan to keep lying about not going back to school?”

In their seated and crouched positions, Ming You felt like Yan Ningxi was a lofty judge on high, while she was some irredeemable outlaw.

Her worry for Yan Ningxi instantly vanished. Since she’d been called out, there was no point pretending anymore.

Ming You straightened up with a cold laugh, looking down at Yan Ningxi. “Teacher Yan, you’re not anyone to me. Whether I go back to school or attend classes has nothing to do with you, right?”

Yan Ningxi was left speechless by the retort.

“Besides, I took sick leave. You know I’m in the Broadcasting Major. With my throat injured, how could I go to class?”

The girl’s righteous indignation left Yan Ningxi deeply disappointed. “Your matters have nothing to do with me, and mine naturally have nothing to do with you. Ming You, go back and attend school properly. Don’t waste your precious time on emotional impulses, and don’t come find me again.”

“Who I want to see and how I waste my time is my freedom.” As she spoke, Ming You’s right hand brushed past Yan Ningxi’s neck, bracing against the sofa backrest as she leaned down. “Sister Yan, you can’t have it both ways. Studies can be caught up anytime, but if you miss the person you like, you’ll regret it for life.”

Yan Ningxi had no romantic experience herself. Even if she had case studies for reference, they wouldn’t apply to the current situation.

She tilted her head up to meet the girl’s gaze. The curve at the girl’s eye corner and mouth was full of teasing.

Yan Ningxi said, “You’ve picked the wrong target.”

“Whether I have or not, we’ll know once we try. Don’t tell me you and your friend went to that infamous La Bar in the dead of night just to drink a glass of plain water? We’re all adults; there’s no need to hide it. Besides, you provoked me first. You pulled me into your world at the bar. You made me fall for you at first sight. What’s wrong with pursuing you—pursuing the person I like? Or maybe we can get on the bus first and buy the ticket later, pick up where we left off that night and do what we should have done. Who knows…”

The girl’s wrist was seized hard. The hand gripping her was ice-cold, so cold. The sensation from their first meeting at the bar rushed straight to her head—blizzard winds blasting her face, leaving her dazed.

“Ming You.”

Yan Ningxi lowered her head, resting it just on the girl’s shoulder. “You have your own life and freedom; no one can control that, not even me. If you’re determined to bet your future and prospects on this, fine. I compromise.”

Whether it was a delaying tactic or a stopgap measure, Yan Ningxi truly lacked the energy to play along with Ming You’s feigned sincerity, nor could she bear responsibility for Ming You’s future.

“What do you mean?”

“Sit down first.” Yan Ningxi turned to face Ming You, her eyes flickering slightly, her tone free of any anger.

She pulled Ming You to sit beside her, then continued. “You asked what kind of person I like; I haven’t thought about it, so I can’t give a precise answer. But I can tell you exactly what kind of person I don’t like.”

“Listen: I don’t like impulsive, reckless, arrogant people. I don’t like scheming, deep-minded types. And I especially don’t like those who lack ambition and just muddle through life. If you truly like me as you so solemnly claim and want to pursue me, then do it openly and honorably. Don’t hurt yourself with self-inflicted wounds to gain sympathy anymore. But one thing upfront: without my permission, don’t go to school and interfere with my work. Can you promise that?”

Faced with Yan Ningxi’s compromise, the girl averted her eyes. She fell silent for a moment, then finally nodded.

“Ming You.” Like sugar-coated bullets, it seemed effective. Yan Ningxi pressed her advantage, taking the girl’s hand gently. “You have your freedom, and I have mine. We need to respect each other. I won’t question if your feelings are real or fake, a whim or genuine. I’ll judge for myself through our time together. Time is precious; we don’t need to drag this out endlessly. Let’s set a six-month period. If after six months, your feelings haven’t changed, I’ll give you an answer—but no guarantee it’ll be acceptance. It has to be on equal, voluntary terms; you must respect my choice. Of course, if during these six months you fall for someone else and lose interest in me, you can leave any day, any time.”

Yan Ningxi spoke unhurriedly, her words clear and precise. Ming You heard every bit.

Her compromise had come faster than Ming You imagined.

This woman was terrifyingly calm and rational. Even backed into this corner, she could negotiate conditions so logically. Had Ming You underestimated her, or overestimated herself?

Unwilling to back down, Ming You said, “Is that all? Any other conditions or rules I need to follow? Lay them all out at once.”

“That’s it.”

“My turn. For fairness, I have some questions for you too.”

“Go ahead.”

“Aren’t you afraid of being with a woman? The world’s judgmental eyes, all those rampant rumors?”

“If someone is worth making that choice for, I’d stand in the sunlight with her, facing it together. Within controllable limits, without directly clashing with family and friends, I’d do my utmost to give her the greatest sense of security. It might be hard, but I’d try.”

Her answer left too many escape routes. People of different personalities handle the same thing differently based on their stance—reasonable and fitting.

Ming You asked herself the same questions she’d posed to Yan Ningxi, subconsciously replacing “woman” with “Yan Ningxi.”

Being with Yan Ningxi, aren’t you afraid?

Afraid of what?

Someone who’d even considered giving up her life.

But a voice in her heart whispered: Don’t be stupid anymore. You actually believe the teacher’s words?

“How many of your friends know you like women?”

Yan Ningxi’s heart tightened. This wasn’t about how many knew—it was that she herself didn’t even know.

To make Ming You believe her, she half-truly, half-falsely replied, “Right now, only one person knows. You’ve met her—my ‘heavily made-up’ friend who’s even prettier.”

Heavily made-up—the image was vivid enough. Yan Ningxi remembered her words so clearly; did that mean she agreed?

With the doubt resolved, Ming You replied, “Fine. I agree to everything you said.”

Yan Ningxi raised her right hand, palm forward. “Six months.”

What era was this, still doing pinky swears? But the girl still raised her left hand, pressing palms together with Yan Ningxi. “Six months.”

…

Dawn slowly lifted the curtain as the first ray of sunlight pierced the clouds, ushering in another bright day.

At eight, the phone alarm rang. The girl slowly opened her eyes. She turned it off and opened the chat, looking at their mutual “good nights.” Last night’s scenes felt like a dream.

If not for Yan Ningxi’s “good night” as proof, and the alarm labeled “buy breakfast,” even she wouldn’t believe they’d vaguely agreed to a “six-month” verbal pact with Yan Ningxi the night before.

It had happened so suddenly.

【Ming You: Good morning, Sister Yan. I’ll bring you breakfast soon.】

【Yan Ningxi: Good morning.】

【Yan Ningxi: Thanks.】

Bringing breakfast was something they’d agreed on when parting the night before.

Ming You wasted no time. By nine, she arrived at the apartment with a hearty breakfast.

Yan Ningxi sipped the red date and longan porridge Ming You bought, ate the corn dumplings, and asked her, “Did you sleep well last night?”

Today’s Yan Ningxi was bare-faced, her hair not tied up—straight black hair, fair skin, black V-neck short-sleeve knit top, exuding an aura of pure, desireless serenity.

Ming You was used to ponytailing her hair and wearing loose T-shirt hoodies daily. Comparing herself to Yan Ningxi, an inexplicable irritation bubbled up.

Not hearing a response, Yan Ningxi rephrased. “Didn’t sleep well?”

“No.”

“No what?”

Realizing the deliberate probing, Ming You looked at her seriously. “No, I slept well.”

“Good sleep means energy for studying. A week without classes—catch up on your missed work. I don’t like people who skip class, play hooky, and fail.”

“…”

“No teacher dislikes good students. As you see, I’m no exception.”

“I’m not your student, and my grades aren’t bad.” Sure enough, bringing up her status again. Ming You felt even more annoyed.

Yan Ningxi wiped her mouth and cleared the tableware. “How much do you remember from last night?”

“Hm? Oh, all of it.” It wasn’t a hangover; no way she’d forget after one night. Was this a quiz?

“Good that you remember. We both need to honor our agreement and keep our word.”