Chapter 45: A Perfect Match

Ming You washed clothes for an hour before returning. Yan Ningxi lay on her side facing the door and opened her eyes at the sound of it opening.

“Why haven’t you slept yet?” Ming You set down the bag and squatted by the bed to ask.

“Can’t sleep.”

Just now, Qi Xuexin had called her. She asked why Ming You hadn’t participated in the championship match. She had set an alarm to watch the live stream. Ming You had clearly advanced to the quarterfinals yesterday, so why had she withdrawn today?

Yan Ningxi gave the gossipy Qi Xuexin a brief rundown of the past two days’ events. The other side fell silent for a long while before speaking.

— Yan Huahua, she was a pearl lost in the sea, and you had an eye for talent. You deserve to hit the jackpot—just secretly rejoice.

Had she profited?

Yes, she had.

Ming You affectionately scraped Yan Ningxi’s nose tip. “Then I’ll hang up the clothes and lie down with you for a bit until you’re sleepy.”

She had bought base layer shirts, outerwear, and pants sets for both Yan Ningxi and herself. She didn’t know the size for underwear and felt too embarrassed to ask, so she hadn’t bought any. The panties were disposable ones.

After hanging the clothes, she went into the bathroom, took off the bathrobe, and changed into a newly bought grass-green cotton long-sleeved nightgown printed with lemon patterns.

They had shared a bed many times, but this was the first time they covered themselves with the same quilt.

What Ming You hadn’t expected was that Yan Ningxi had been lying under the quilt for an hour, yet it was still so cold.

Under the quilt, she reached toward where Yan Ningxi lay. Everywhere her hand touched was icy cold—even her hands were cold.

“I’ll go turn up the temperature.”

She had just gotten into bed when Ming You lifted the quilt to get up. Yan Ningxi quickly pulled her back. “I’m not cold. It’s not the room temperature; it’s my constitution.”

Aside from sharing a bed with her parents when she was little, Ming You hadn’t shared a bed with anyone for many years. She had no idea that someone’s constitution could be cold enough to keep even the quilt from warming up.

She scooted closer to Yan Ningxi and slipped her right hand under her neck. “My mom says I’m a little stove. I can help warm the quilt for you.”

It was indeed very warm. Yan Ningxi had experienced it before.

So she didn’t resist Ming You’s closeness or her embrace.

When people felt vulnerable, who didn’t hope for someone to hold them in the palm of their hand, to care for their cold and warmth, to be considerate to the minutest detail, and to favor only them?

Yan Ningxi rested her forehead against Ming You’s shoulder. Ming You pulled her right hand to her belly and held her left hand with her own right. Everywhere was warm.

“Warmer now?”

“Mm.” Yan Ningxi’s eyes grew hot and wet. She had never imagined that her cold body and heart could one day be warmed by someone.

“Then sleep well. When you wake up, I’ll tell you something.”

“Tell me now.”

“Your feet are cold too. Put them on my legs.”

Yan Ningxi didn’t move—her feet felt like ice blocks. Ming You hooked her calf with her own foot. One dodged while the other chased. Their four feet played hide-and-seek under the quilt until, amid laughter, Ming You emerged victorious.

“No more playing. Business time.” Yan Ningxi buried her head even lower.

Childish, but joyful.

After brewing for half a minute, Ming You spoke up. “About Mr. Luo next door advancing the medical fees and hotel room fees—how should we settle them?”

It was better to learn from her mistakes. Hiding things from Yan Ningxi would lead to endless trouble. Better to lay out her own thoughts upfront; otherwise, she’d be the one getting scolded.

Yan Ningxi was about to speak when Ming You tickled her palm, denying her the chance.

“Let me go first. Medical fees—he covers half. Room fees—we pay him back in full. You’ve had a headache these past two days, so don’t worry about it. I’ll negotiate with him to settle everything and report back later. Okay?”

That money had to be settled with him anyway. “Mm, you handle it.”

Having someone she could rely on and trust by her side—and having someone willing to let her rely on them—felt utterly wonderful.

A girl with her own opinions was a girl with courage. Yan Ningxi’s trust in Ming You grew by more than just a little.

“Teacher Qi called me.” Yan Ningxi clenched her left fist to stop the tickling. “She complained that she watched the live stream yesterday. Today she had beer and peanuts ready, waiting to see you shine again and celebrate your victory online. But you inexplicably withdrew, so she couldn’t watch.”

“There will be plenty more competitions like that in the future. Just consider it I owe you a championship.” Ming You squinted her eyes, growing sleepier. “Ask her—if I win a prize next time, can she treat us to the most expensive buffet in Huai’an City?”

“No need for her to treat. Next time, I’ll treat you all.”

…

She slept soundly that afternoon. Ming You woke up close to five o’clock. To avoid anyone looking for her, she had turned off her phone before napping.

Yan Ningxi faced away from her but not too far, her head pillowed on Ming You’s arm as she looked at her phone.

Ming You reached around to hug Yan Ningxi’s shoulder and pressed her body close, asking lazily with her eyes closed, “Still not asleep?”

“I slept—just woke up earlier than you.” Yan Ningxi set down her phone and turned to face Ming You. Her long, curled lashes stood out distinctly. Her eyes were narrow, her nose tip slim and round, her lips pink and matte, somewhat dry.

Ming You swallowed.

Yan Ningxi closed her eyes. What was she doing? What was she thinking?

The one being watched curved her lips upward.

Ming You quickly kissed Yan Ningxi’s forehead, withdrew her arm, and sat up. “Time to get up. I’m going to settle the bill.”

She had no wallet or cash on her, but there was a red envelope in her backpack—the one from Qi Xuexin. Could she use that?

While Yan Ningxi was in the bathroom, she pulled the red envelope from the inner pocket and opened it. Inside was a thousand yuan.

But when she thought of all the time spent with Qi Xuexin and her strong support in pursuing Yan Ningxi and the competition, she stuffed the money back in.

This money could only be spent on herself or given to Yan Ningxi. Giving it to anyone else would be an “insult” to the greeting gift.

Ming You exchanged it for cash at the front desk. She had looked at the receipts during the day and checked some of the hospital’s price lists, so she had calculated the bill comprehensively.

She knocked on Luo Yongjun’s door. “Ming You? Do you need something?”

Ming You handed over a plain envelope. “Mr. Luo, regarding Sister Yan’s injury, you do bear undeniable responsibility, so we’ll split the medical fees half and half. As for the hotel expenses, those were our own expenditure and have nothing to do with you. Between classmates, it’s best to keep accounts clear. This is half the medical fees plus two nights’ room fees. Please accept it.”

“I thought you supported me pursuing your sister.” Luo Yongjun had gotten the wrong idea at the hospital.

“On that point, I asked her directly about her wishes. Sister Yan said she has no romantic feelings for you, but she cherishes your bond as fellow disciples and hopes you’ll know when to stop.”

Luo Yongjun took the envelope from Ming You’s hand. With things said so clearly, pursuing Yan Ningxi further would trample his own dignity.

How reserved and strong-willed Yan Ningxi was.

Over those two years together, he had never seen her get close to anyone—let alone hold hands with some girl.

This girl had fought with her and given her the cold shoulder, yet she still held onto her. How could he not believe?

Luo Yongjun smiled in relief. “Please pass on the message: if one day she steps into the marriage hall, be sure to send me an invitation. I’d love to see what kind of man—talented and handsome, perfectly matching her—can take her as his wife.”

Man. Marriage.

Ming You paused for a moment before spitting out a single word. “Good.”

For an instant, she admired and respected Luo Yongjun. He dared to act and knew when to stop. He could pick up and let go without petty entanglement. In looks and demeanor alone, he outshone He Huan’s husband by tenfold.

Whether he matched Yan Ningxi or not, Ming You couldn’t say—but Yan Ningxi deserved better than him.

After settling the bill, Ming You searched for nearby food on her app while heading downstairs. Even at the same shop, the taste of delivery and dine-in could differ noticeably. Some places didn’t even offer delivery.

S City was even farther north.

The roads and sidewalks were wide and flat, with few pedestrians. Electric bikes and shared bicycles zipped along the streets everywhere.

She called in an order, scanned the code to unlock a blue electric bike, and chased the setting sun through the streets of this unfamiliar city, blending into the unfamiliar crowds.

Here, there were no memories that made her flinch, no sights that tugged at her heartstrings, no old faces that stabbed like knives.

Here, there were only she and Yan Ningxi, two people warming each other. She warmed Yan Ningxi’s body, while Yan Ningxi warmed her heart.

A voice call came in.

It was Yan Ningxi.

Ming You pulled over to the side. “Sister Yan, I’m out buying dinner.”

“See if there are any local specialty shops around. Pick one or two tasty, portable things to bring back to your beauty teacher-sister. It wouldn’t be right to let her weekend of guarding your live stream go to waste.”

Was it possible she had just checked the match results, or that “guarding for two days” was really just to watch pretty young things like Lin Yiyang?

She might think it, but she couldn’t say it. “Got it. This time we’ll coax her together—bribe her with food for twice the result with half the effort.”

…

On Monday morning, the pair who had both taken leave slept in until the sun was high in the sky before getting up. Ming You opened one of the unread messages—it was from Jiang Lai.

【Jiang Lai: Senior, Teacher Yan took sick leave.】

【Ming You: I’m taking care of her.】

【Jiang Lai: Sorry to disturb.jpg】

【Jiang Lai: Wish goddess Yan a speedy recovery!】

Today was probably the latest Yan Ningxi had ever slept in. She had agreed to turn off the alarm and done it herself.

When she woke, she found her right arm draped over Ming You’s waist. Her hand shifted and touched smooth skin. Ming You’s nightgown hem had ridden up to her waist.

Yan Ningxi’s hand froze.

Her whole body froze.

Then the fabric her pinky had brushed against…

Poor Teacher Yan, who had never tasted meat, kept her hand stuck there—unable to withdraw it or leave it be. She was tormented inside, her heart racing faster.

“I want some water.”

“Okay, I’ll boil some.”

The someone set down her phone, got out of bed to boil water, and took the chance to wash up.

She poured half a cup of boiled water and topped it with half a cup of mineral water before handing it to Yan Ningxi, who sat on the bed’s edge coming awake. “Warm—not hot.”

After Yan Ningxi drank half, Ming You drank the rest straight from the cup.

She drew back the blue-gray curtains. Outside stood a forest of small buildings. The sky held no fanciful shapes of white clouds, but the autumn air was crisp, the sunlight mildly warm.

Yan Ningxi slept on the side by the window. The girl turned to her. “How are you feeling today?”

“Much better than yesterday.”

As she started to get up, the girl bent down and hugged her. “Good morning, Sister Yan.”

After releasing her, she added, “I saw a local Chicken Broth Rice Noodles spot downstairs yesterday. Lots of people eating there—light flavor too. Perfect for brunch. Want to try?”

Yan Ningxi nodded. “Good.”

“You go wash up. I’ll change and head down to buy it.”

Ming You went out.

Yan Ningxi finished washing up and sat by the window in the sunshine, dealing with her unread messages and missed calls in silent mode.

【Teacher He: How did you get sick? Serious?】

【Teacher He: Hospital or home? I’ll visit after school.】

【Yan Ningxi: Not serious. I’m not home today—a friend is taking care of me. Thanks for your concern, Teacher He.】

He Huan had just finished class and returned to the office.

A friend?

In her understanding, the only “friend” Yan Ningxi ever mentioned was Ming You.

After all, the only friend Yan Ningxi had ever brought up with her before was Qi Xuexin. And today being Monday with the flag-raising ceremony, He Huan had deliberately detoured to the junior high section during lineup and asked Teacher Qi if she had gone to visit Teacher Yan.

Qi Xuexin didn’t know the tangled relationships between Yan, Ming, and He. She only knew He Huan was Yan Ningxi’s closest colleague in the High School Division and that they’d run into each other a few times in the teachers’ cafeteria. So she told her Yan Ningxi was out of town and hadn’t returned yet—someone was taking care of her.

He Huan had specifically checked Space last night. Ming You hadn’t posted any National Finals photos or text, and she wasn’t on the official winners’ list. But that afternoon, she had updated with a single line.

【Win over countless mortals.】 The photo was a sunset. Location: S City.

【Teacher He: Someone taking care of you is good enough. When you get home, let me know. I’ll come see you.】

【Yan Ningxi: Okay. Monday and Tuesday, I took two days off.】