Chapter 20

By the time the four dishes and one soup were served, Ming You somewhat regretted coming to “mooch” this meal.

She didn’t know if Yan Ningxi liked these dishes, but they were all ones He Huan knew she loved. Before graduation, He Huan had made them for her in the apartment more than once.

Among the three of them, or between any two, there was no excessive interaction, nor much polite small talk. The girl ate as if chewing wax.

“Are classes busy lately? You’re in your junior year now. If there are any school-organized practical activities, whether on or off campus, you should seize every opportunity.” He Huan tried to lighten the atmosphere, but aside from topics about studies, she had nothing else to say.

“Talk is cheap; real knowledge comes from practice. I get it.” Ming You looked at He Huan with a smile. “Teacher He, you’ve said these words to me several times already, and I’ve remembered them all.”

Yan Ningxi: “Remembering isn’t enough; you have to put it into action.”

With the lesson from last time in the cafeteria in mind, Ming You kept her cool and calmly recounted her “glorious resume”: “In my freshman Freshman Hosting Competition, I took first place. In my sophomore College Debate Competition, I won best debater. This year, I’ve already signed up for the National University Hosting Competition, with the preliminary round next weekend. Teacher He, Teacher Yan, if all these practical experiences don’t count as action, then you’re biased against me.”

The National University Hosting Competition was held once every three years, open to any full-time university student aged 18 or older. Students generally only got one shot at it.

Hearing the girl’s achievements at first, Yan Ningxi gained a new understanding of her.

Based on what Teacher Li and the others had said a few days ago, Yan Ningxi had thought she would hide her talents and play it subtle in university too.

“No bias against you; I just hope you can do better. Past glories are just paving the way for the future. From now on, stay humble, keep pushing forward without slacking.”

“I will, Sister Yan.”

After the meal, Ming You insisted on washing the dishes. He Huan was about to put on an apron when Ming You snatched it from her hands.

Yan Ningxi, as the injured party, naturally didn’t join the dishwashing tussle. She wiped the table again with a paper towel and sat on the sofa. “Teacher He, let her wash. There’s no such thing as a free lunch; this is her own realization.”

The one doing the work chimed in: “Teacher Yan is right.”

Ming You squeezed dish soap into the sink with one hand and turned on the faucet with the other. The water heater rumbled with a boom. He Huan stepped back out of the kitchen with her hands at her sides and sat back on the sofa.

Yan Ningxi put down her phone and said to He Huan, “She washes with gloves on, so it doesn’t hurt her hands, and she’s not sloppy about it. She cleans thoroughly.”

But the girl wasn’t wearing gloves today.

“Mm, she’s meticulous in her work.” Old memories left He Huan dazed for a moment, then she turned her attention to Yan Ningxi’s injury. “How’s the knee wound? Can you walk to school tomorrow? Or should I drive over to pick you up?”

Yan Ningxi politely declined: “No need to go out of your way. It’s only ten or so minutes; it’s nothing.”

This time, Ming You had learned to behave. After washing the dishes, she bought high-speed rail tickets right in front of Yan Ningxi without waiting for her to ask and showed her the fresh purchase confirmation.

“Sister Yan, I bought tickets for 2:30. I also checked the route—it’s an eighteen-minute cab from the apartment to the station if there’s no traffic. It’s only 1 now, so plenty of time.”

He Huan: “I drove here today. I’ll take you to the train station later.”

Ming You hadn’t expected He Huan’s sudden “hospitality.” Didn’t she not want to see her anymore? Hadn’t she said they couldn’t even be friends?

She changed her tune awfully fast.

Once upon a time, alone time with her had been what she craved, but now it was no longer the girl’s desire: “Thanks for the kind offer, Teacher He, but I booked a car. It’ll pick me up at 1:30.”

She scanned the living room again: “Sister Yan, can I borrow a hair tie?”

A hair tie was, of course, for tying up hair. Yan Ningxi didn’t ask questions; she had one on her wrist and took it off to hand it over.

The girl thanked her and tied up her hair: “Half an hour left—just enough time for a quick clean.”

She tidied, wiped surfaces, mopped the floor. Even after finishing the cleaning, Ming You couldn’t quite define her own actions. Was she “putting on a show,” or had she truly become more diligent?

Right on time, Ming You made to say goodbye. He Huan grabbed her bag too: “Let’s go together. I need to head to school anyway.”

Ming You lagged behind He Huan. Once He Huan opened the door, she turned back to the living room, leaned close to Yan Ningxi, and whispered, “I promise I won’t neglect my studies or fail any classes. I’ll even snag that scholarship. Will that make you trust and worry about me a little less?”

Yan Ningxi dodged the question: “I hope you can live up to your words and not make me guilty of leading you astray.”

Ming You chuckled softly.

But Yan Ningxi said with mock anger: “Ming You, I hope you can take this seriously. I don’t have time to play childish games with you. If you were actually a child, it’d be easy—I could buy you lollipops anytime, anywhere, as many as you want. But you’re not a child. Think it through: what is it you really want?”

“…” She got scolded out of nowhere again. But this time, Ming You had no urge to retort.

“Hurry to the high-speed rail station; don’t miss your train. Once you’re at school, send me a photo.”

“…”

“Can’t do it, or do you have objections?”

“No objections. I can do it.” The girl took off the hair tie and slipped it onto her own wrist. “I’ll keep the hair tie. We’ll stay in touch by phone. Goodbye, Sister Yan.”

This time, Yan Ningxi didn’t hesitate to say, “Goodbye.”

In the elevator, He Huan pressed for the first floor.

The basement levels one and two were garages, but she made no move to press further.

Ming You: “Teacher He, you didn’t park in the complex garage?”

“I feel like walking. I’ll see you to the gate.” He Huan stared straight at the elevator doors. “You barely touched your lunch.”

“I don’t eat much; you know that. With the competition coming up, I need to watch my weight too.” Both the qualifying round and national finals had live broadcasts; she had to look good on camera.

“Mm, I believe in your abilities. You’ll definitely make it to the finals.” The girl had reined in her edge, no longer targeting her directly, but she’d put up shields to keep her at bay.

“Our previous promise is off, Teacher He. Forget it.”

Back in September when she signed up, Ming You had wheedled a reward from He Huan. He Huan had promised that if she placed top three, she’d go see a play with her.

Early August, Far Far Away had announced its tour in eight cities nationwide, including a stop in Huai’an.

Ming You had forwarded the announcement to He Huan on Penguin.

“Ming You…”

The elevator reached the eighth floor and opened; someone entered.

The girl stepped back to the left rear, making space for the old lady holding a child.

The little boy, about one or two, wouldn’t stay still in her arms. He waved a toy car wildly in his hand and kicked his legs every which way.

Ming You hated kids the most.

The old lady turned her back to Ming You, bringing the child’s feet even closer. Just as he was about to kick Ming You’s arm, He Huan shifted left, blocking it with her palm.

“What a cute kid. How old?”

Hearing someone praise her grandchild, the old lady beamed and turned the child toward He Huan: “Turning two by year’s end. He’s so lively and active. Every day after lunch, he has to go out and play for a good while or he’ll cry nonstop at home. No way around it…”

Once the topic of kids opened up, the old lady chattered on endlessly.

He Huan shielded Ming You from being touched, chiming in now and then.

The elevator stopped at the first floor. Even as the old lady walked out, she was still going on about how their kid had so many toy cars he could set up a toy parking lot.

Ming You couldn’t take it anymore and hurried ahead. He Huan told the old lady, “My friend has something urgent; we’ll head out first,” then quickened her pace to catch up.

The girl’s steps were swift, showing no intention of waiting.

They’d walked this road together before; they’d encountered elevator situations like this too. But the girl who used to pull out wet wipes to clean her hands had walked far ahead and would never slow down for her again.

They reached the complex gate, but the girl never looked back—not until a taxi spotted her waving and pulled up.

The girl opened the door but didn’t get in right away. Instead, she turned to look back at the complex gates.

The girl and the woman gazed at each other in silence.

Seconds later, the car sped off with the girl, kicking up dust.

The one at the gates hesitated to take a step. The girl kept her promise—no more messages, seemingly cutting contact. Yet she hadn’t left her world.

From the moment she’d started dating Jiang Bin with marriage in mind, she’d imagined two outcomes with Ming You: luckily keeping the secret and things going on as before, or the lie exposed and them becoming strangers.

She never imagined the girl would take a third path. One she hadn’t rehearsed.

…

At the gates of Hengchuan University, Ming You made a heart with her left thumb and index finger, framing the words Hengyuan Media University, snapped a photo, and sent it to Yan Ningxi.

【Ming You: At school.】

【Yan Ningxi: Study hard. Good luck in the competition.】

【Ming You: Sister Yan, if I pass the prelims this weekend, can I invite you to a movie next time I come back? As a reward or encouragement.】

【Yan Ningxi: Friends can watch movies, eat out, shop—as long as both have time and interest, just make plans. Not a reward.】

【Ming You: Will messaging you Mon-Fri affect your work?】

【Yan Ningxi: No.】

【Yan Ningxi: I’ll reply, but not always promptly.】

【Ming You: Sister Yan, what I want with you isn’t friendship.】

…

The girl who’d skipped a week of classes earned applause in Monday’s major lecture with an outstanding performance. The subject teacher, peeved about her missing online homework last week, was pleased by the double portion of high-quality assignments she’d submitted last night—not only letting her off lightly but selecting her work for assessment.

At noon, walking to the cafeteria with Gu Xirui and chatting about last week’s classes, someone spoiled the mood, interrupting their talk and peace.

It was the class rep from the next class over—Lin Yiyang.

Lin Yiyang sat in the empty seat next to Ming You: “For this National University Hosting Competition, have you two signed up?”

She’d lost to Ming You in the freshman hosting contest and never got over it, always looking for a rematch. Now in their junior year, she’d been outshone in looks too—her votes even lower than Ming You’s. She came alone today to issue a challenge.

Gu Xirui closed her lunchbox and said coolly, “That question should’ve come before the deadline.”

Ming You snapped her lunchbox shut and stood: “Lin Yiyang, I don’t mind beating you again. Is that the answer you wanted to hear? Hope so.”

After Gu and Ming left, Lin Yiyang poked at her rice, forcing down a few bites that tasted like nothing: “What Gu-Ming Siyi, what Department Belle CP—I don’t believe I can’t break you up!”

Whenever the Gu-Ming Siyi CP appeared together in public, they drew everyone’s eyes.

Lin Yiyang was a beauty praised by all, but how could she compete alone against the “Gu-Ming Siyi” Department Belle duo?

For two years running in freshman and sophomore years, Gu Xirui had topped the Broadcasting Department votes in the School Flower Selection promos. But this year, a miracle happened—Ming You surged ahead during the National Day holiday, surpassing Gu Xirui.

When Gu Xirui sent her the results, even Ming You was shocked.

Their rankings swapped, but it didn’t matter; neither cared. What stayed the same was the School Flower title still dominated by the acting majors.

On a tree-lined path, Gu Xirui played guide, telling Ming You about the overt and covert battles between the acting and broadcasting departments over the School Flower.

Like Ming You, she preferred quiet and only opened up more when alone with her.

“By the way, before the holiday, a guy from the next class was into you—everyone could tell he wanted to pursue you. While you were gone this week, he asked me about you several times and wanted your contact info. I didn’t give it.”

“I don’t add strangers.” During National Day, she’d rejected a friend request from “Mr. Liu.” “Do you know his name? Surname Liu?”

“Yeah, Liu Xianhe.”

Downstairs at the dorms, that very guy stood against the wall, smoking with a bouquet in hand.

Gu Xirui: “Speak of the devil. He’s chased you all the way to the dorms. Fast worker.”