Chapter 75

This was the fourth time the three of them ate together at the same table. The first time was at the apartment, the second at the cafeteria, the third at the hotpot restaurant, and the fourth time back at the apartment. It was impossible to tell which time was more awkward than the others, or who felt more uncomfortable than whom.

“Does the university still have the day off tomorrow?”

“New Year’s is three days nationwide. We don’t have classes every morning, so none tomorrow. I bought an early bus back to school.” Ming You answered honestly. Her expression and tone were perfectly normal.

Yan Ningxi placed the sauce-plated duck in the spot closest to Ming You. After they picked up their chopsticks, no one had taken a bite yet.

He Huan picked up a small piece for Yan Ningxi. “Yan Yan, give it a taste.”

“Thanks.”

“There’s a fast food place outside the neighborhood with a bright red sign. Their fried chicken and ice cream are pretty good. If I didn’t know you hate fried food, I would’ve recommended it ages ago.”

Ming You: “……”

Yan Ningxi picked up a duck leg and put it in Ming You’s bowl. “Teacher He brought this back specially from her hometown visit. Don’t you like meat? Eat more.”

Just looking at the duck leg made her mouth burn before it even touched her lips.

What sin had she committed!

She couldn’t disrespect Teacher He, which meant she couldn’t disrespect this duck either. Ming You gnawed on the duck leg in silence. And since Yan Ningxi had picked it out for her, even if it was poisoned, she’d choke it down through her tears.

“That night, Director Zhang didn’t do anything ridiculous, did he?”

At He Huan’s question, Ming You jolted. She still had the big duck leg in her mouth as she looked up at Yan Ningxi.

Yan Ningxi grabbed a tissue and wiped the sauce from the corner of Ming You’s mouth. “With all those teachers there, even drunk he kept some sense of proportion.”

“Drunk, he loves grabbing female teachers and rambling on. Still so annoying.” He Huan chuckled lightly and glanced at Ming You. “Someone wrote an anonymous complaint to the principal back then, but it didn’t do a thing.”

Ming You: “……”

He Huan had been fed up at the time and vented to Ming You over tea. A few days later, after Ming You quietly dug into the details, she wrote a thousand-word anonymous complaint letter—calling it essay practice.

She even showed it to He Huan over the weekend for grammar corrections before dropping it in the principal’s mailbox. It didn’t cause so much as a ripple.

Ming You stayed quiet.

Yan Ningxi picked another piece of sauce-plated duck for her—this time a meatless wing.

As the meal wound down, the kitchen light flickered a few times and went out.

Ming You climbed onto a stool to check the tube model. Yan Ningxi and He Huan watched her nervously. He Huan lit the way with her phone’s flashlight while Yan Ningxi steadied her waist.

Yan Ningxi said, “Won’t it shock you? I’ll go flip the main breaker.”

He Huan added, “Don’t bother. Tomorrow we can have property management come check what’s wrong.”

Ming You had already pried off the lampshade. “It’s not that bad. The tube’s probably just burnt out. This model’s common—I’ll grab a replacement. If the new one doesn’t work, then we call them.”

With a click, she pulled out the circular tube. “Sister Yan, hold this.”

Leaning on Yan Ningxi, she hopped down from the stool and dusted off her hands. “I’ll walk Teacher He downstairs later and swing by the hardware store outside for a matching tube.”

With the kitchen dark, washing dishes would be a hassle.

Since Ming You was set on buying it, He Huan didn’t linger. “Then head out soon before they close.”

“Mm.” Ming You took the old tube and told Yan Ningxi, “Washing in the dark strains your eyes. Wait for me to get back.”

Yan Ningxi: “……”

He Huan laughed, though there was a hint of bitterness in it. “Girls change a lot after turning eighteen—it fits Ming You perfectly. Not just more outgoing, but funny too.”

In the elevator, Ming You hit the first-floor button and asked, “Teacher He, heading to the garage?”

“Yeah, I still need to go to school.” It wasn’t Monday tomorrow, and there were no evening study sessions, but as homeroom teacher, she had to check on the students returning from holiday and do dorm rounds.

Just one floor down, a man and a woman stepped in. They wore thick winter pajamas suitable for going out. The man stared down at his game while the woman held his arm with one hand and a Chihuahua with the other.

They planted themselves smack in the middle. Ming You stood by the buttons, He Huan against the door-facing wall.

At the first floor, Ming You smiled and said goodbye to He Huan. It was like all the messy emotions had been erased—she could face her calmly again.

But before she left the neighborhood, a new message popped up on Penguin.

She didn’t see the content until checkout.

【Teacher He: Ticket.jpg】

【Teacher He: I remember my promise. Next weekend, big theater entrance. I’ll wait for you.】

The sudden invitation threw Ming You’s heart into chaos. He Huan had sent two tickets to Far Far Away—prime front-row seats worth over a thousand yuan. They were also her reward for placing top three in the National University Hosting Competition.

Without the reminder, she’d have forgotten all about it.

Besides, she hadn’t placed top three.

Holding the tube, Ming You walked deeper into the neighborhood—but not toward Yan Ningxi’s apartment.

In the northwest corner sat an open grove of trees. Planted densely, the undergrowth got no sunlight and mostly withered away, leaving only sparse, hardy plants clinging to life.

Stray cats roamed here too.

At the familiar feeding spot, the bowls had all been replaced. They weren’t dirty, and bits of kibble remained.

A few cats squatted quietly in the woods. Others strolled leisurely along the wall base like they owned the place.

The light was dim, so she switched off her phone flashlight, backed up a few steps, and sat on the roadside bench. He Huan had brought her here once.

They’d swapped out the bowls together and fed the cats. Back then, cats would crowd around, rubbing against them, rolling for pets and cuddles.

A cleaner had told them there were at least thirty strays in the neighborhood. If they could, they should adopt a few.

She’d wished so badly that this was their home. Then they could raise cats together.

【Ming You: Thanks for the invite, Teacher He, but I don’t deserve it. Finals prep means no Huai’an trips for the next few weeks. Invite another friend instead. Tickets like that are hard to snag—don’t waste them.】

After a few minutes, He Huan replied: 【Tickets bought for you are never a waste.】

【He Huan: It’s fine if you don’t come.】

……

Buying a tube outside should’ve taken twenty minutes tops, but Ming You was gone for over half an hour.

When she got back, Yan Ningxi didn’t ask why she’d taken so long. She just said, “Got it?”

“Got it.” Ming You avoided Yan Ningxi’s eyes as she opened the package and headed to the kitchen. The stool was still there, but the dirty dishes in the sink had been washed.

Ming You said nothing. She climbed up. “Sister Yan, light it up with your phone.”

Yan Ningxi steadied her with hovering hands. “Be careful.”

“Last time I changed the entryway light, you didn’t tell me to be careful or ask if I should cut the power.” Ming You dug up an old grievance. “Why so nervous now?”

“I may not know circuits, but I know kitchen and entryway lights are different. Changing a bulb isn’t dangerous.”

“Got some common sense. If the ballast’s busted, though, it’s real danger—wiring involved.”

It went in smoothly. The kitchen lit up bright.

What she wanted to give Yan Ningxi wasn’t just emotional loyalty and resolve, but everyday “can-do” capability and thoughtfulness in all things.

“Light’s back—perfect.” Ming You beamed up at the ceiling fixture.

“Mm. Handy.”

“When the lights went out at home before, Grandma bought and swapped a new one herself before Mom could call someone. I watched a few times and even helped. Back then, she was nimble, sharp-eyed, good-eared. She always said… women toughen up for their kids, and toughen up for love too.”

“……” Yan Ningxi didn’t buy that last bit came from Grandma.

“Sister Yan, no reward?” Ming You leaned in her face. Yan Ningxi gave her a rewarding kiss.

The kiss stirred something in her. No half-measures—she locked Yan Ningxi’s waist against the counter and kissed her until those old dinner stories from He Huan were the last thing on her mind.

Teeth tugged open the loose loungewear. Cool kisses landed on her shoulder.

Yan Ningxi’s body tingled like a shock. If she’d been holding dishes, they would’ve shattered on the floor.

Every kiss from Ming You, every word of “I like you,” knocked softly at her heart. The door locking it—she wanted to open it for Ming You. It was hard, but she’d try. She couldn’t quit without trying.

“My patience isn’t as good as yours. Don’t overthink, okay?”

Yan Ningxi’s raised hand draped softly over Ming You’s shoulder. She tilted her head for a kiss on the cheek. “Good girl. Shower first. I’ll finish the kitchen.”

“Hiss.”

Yan Ningxi got nipped again. A faint tooth mark on her rounded shoulder.

“Bit you twice this morning, but too light through the sweater—no trace. This one’s the punishment!” Ming You vented and let her go, fixing her clothes. “Punishment for being naughty, ignoring me, and sly too.”

Ming You treated her like a kid—sweet on the heart, but mortifying.

Yan Ningxi coaxed, “Got a gift for you. New Year’s gift.”

“Really?” Ming You’s eyes sparkled. The gloom from outside vanished in instant joy.

“No tricks. Go shower.”

“Okay, I’ll wash up nice and warm the bed, then wait for my New Year’s gift.” She planted one more kiss on Yan Ningxi’s face before scampering off.

……

Yan Ningxi’s New Year’s gift for Ming You was a pair of black neck-hanging sports Bluetooth earphones, bought right after Christmas. They hadn’t talked in a week then, and she wasn’t sure she’d get to give them, but she bought them anyway.

Back at school, Ming You wore them every day—music for runs, necklace for daily wear. Her favorite “necklace.”

Gu Xirui noticed her fiddling with them in class and on walks. She pegged the origin right away.

“These earphones—from that sister?” She’d secretly scanned them. “Latest December model, same as that A-lister’s.”

“Her taste is spot-on.”

“Obviously. Best taste in people.”

Gu Xirui’s flattery heated Ming You’s cheeks. “Xirui, that rumor about Jingping TV Station’s Emerging Host Competition holding sea selects at Hengchuan University before New Year’s—is it legit?”

“Lin Yiyang said so. One parent’s a university dean, the other TV brass. Gotta be ninety percent reliable, right?”

After the village trip, Lin Yiyang treated Gu Xirui and Ming You like friends. No daily meals, but she shared any good news.

“She’s not issuing another challenge, is she?”

“Who knows? You two haven’t had a proper showdown yet. But if there’s a fight, it’d be with you. I got cut from her battle list after no finals in the uni comp. You’re the only one she sees as her equal.”

“Miss Gu! Humility’s fine in moderation. Excessive self-deprecation isn’t noble. Mountains and rivers—we advance neck and neck.”

“There’s a saying… not sure if I should say it.”

“Say it.”

“You told me to. I think you…” She perked up like she’d mainlined caffeine. “Must love your sister’s chicken soup.” She shoved her textbook into Ming You’s hands and bolted. “Take my book back to the dorm. I’m heading out.”

“Gu Xirui! Just admit you’re meeting Lin Yiyang!”

Three days back in class after break, and Gu Xirui had skipped the library two nights already. Post-lunch or post-dinner, she’d vanish.

Tuesday night they’d both gone. Wednesday afternoon she claimed club stuff—someone spotted her with Lin Yiyang at the arts center. Tonight she was “going out,” and tomorrow the busybodies would tattle again.

Today someone had DMed her: Gu Xirui’s been pairing off with you—is she switching sides? Is “Gu-Ming Siyi CP” headed for a bad end?

Her account nickname was just her name plus the English abbreviation My, which she set up during that summer vacation after the college entrance exam. She didn’t usually post anything, only sharing some photos when she traveled.

She originally didn’t have many fans, but starting from last October, new natural fans were added bit by bit each month.

She wouldn’t reply to private messages. Whether they asked if she was the real Ming You or cursed her out over the withdrawal from the competition, she ignored them all.

But recently, after seeing some of the questions directed at her, she changed her nickname to—Pomelo Not Bitter.

As expected, within half a day, the little red dot in her messages column had already reached double digits. The questions were all much the same, mostly inquiring about her relationship status or Gu Xirui’s.

Once she got back to the dorm, she opened her account and went ahead and updated her personal bio too—Not bitter means not bitter, not that I’m not crying.

Meanwhile, Qi Xuexin wasted no time screenshotting the latest homepage of her account and sending it to Yan Ningxi: 【Your family’s dog cub changed her name and signature—too funny.】

Yan Ningxi replied with an ellipsis.

【Qi Xuexin: No clue here, so asking. Teacher Yan, what’s the deal with “Pomelo Not Bitter”?】

【Yan Ningxi: It means not bitter is not bitter.】

【Qi Xuexin: You’re messing with me.jpg】

【Yan Ningxi: Dinner this weekend—you can ask her yourself.】