You Must Be Good 83

Chapter 83

—When are you moving out?

Chu Xinrou’s words directly stunned Qiao Xiaoxiao. She stared at her sister in a daze. What does that mean? When did she say she was leaving? Is my sister trying to kick me out?

In front of Qiao Xiaoxiao, Chu Xinrou had always been good-tempered. But now, her long fingers were tapping on the table, her brows furrowed, clearly very impatient.

Sensing her sister’s displeasure, Qiao Xiaoxiao thought for a moment and asked cautiously, “Are you talking about what Tiantian said about borrowing money to buy a house?”

She hadn’t taken it to heart at all, thinking that Tiantian was just saying it casually.

An unprecedented irritability surged in Chu Xinrou’s heart, like a tangled mess, getting tighter and tighter. She had always treated Xiaoxiao with gentleness and care, but at this moment, an unknown fire was raging in her chest, burning her fingertips. She even wanted to push this heartless person hard and see if she would feel better after seeing her fall.

The moment this thought appeared, she herself was startled.

Too dangerous.

She stood up abruptly, didn’t look at Qiao Xiaoxiao again, turned and went into the bedroom. The door closed with a bang, and even the air in the living room trembled.

Qiao Xiaoxiao was frozen on the sofa, not coming back to her senses for a long time. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, she couldn’t squeeze out a single word.

What… what’s wrong?

It was late at night.

Chu Xinrou was lying in bed, her eyes open, staring at the ceiling. In the dark, those images were particularly clear. Xiaoxiao and Wang Tiantian were standing together, full of youth, their smiles brilliant. They were both in sports and had endless topics to talk about. They could even talk on the phone after training, and even have video calls to study…

Did they not get together back then just because Wang Tiantian had gone abroad?

But Xiaoxiao had clearly said that she had liked her for a long, long time… then when did they end?

Chu Xinrou tossed and turned, becoming more and more awake. In the end, she simply took out her phone, wanting to scroll through something to distract herself. But fate seemed to be deliberately teasing her. The videos that were pushed to her were all—

#The Regret of Being Born When I Was Not Yet Born#

#How Hard It Is to Raise a Young, Spoiled Wife#

#I Fell in Love with a Girl Eight Years Younger Than Me, and I Regretted It Ten Years Later#

…

It was as if it were mocking her.

The next morning, as soon as the sky was light, Qiao Xiaoxiao got up quietly and prepared a sumptuous breakfast for Chu Xinrou. Qingxin was at a critical period now. She had to be fully focused, but she couldn’t help but worry about her sister.

Before she left, Qiao Xiaoxiao hesitated for a long time and still took a detour to Yang Feitang’s house. She stood at the door, took a deep breath, and raised her hand to knock gently.

“Knock, knock, knock—”

It was not even seven o’clock. The person inside was clearly still sound asleep. After waiting for a long time, Yang Feitang’s lazy and impatient voice came from inside. “You have a key. Can’t you open it yourself?”

Who else but this little brat Qiao Xiaoxiao could be knocking so early?

Xue Youyou was also woken up. Hearing the noise, she couldn’t help but chuckle and burrowed deeper into the blanket, her voice hoarse from the morning. “Don’t be so fierce. Be careful not to scare the child again.”

The embarrassing scene of being caught last time had taken Qiao Xiaoxiao a while to digest. Now, she didn’t even dare to enter directly with a key.

Qiao Xiaoxiao pushed the door open cautiously. The moment she looked up, she saw Yang Feitang sitting on the bed with her long hair down, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

The morning light filtered through the gap in the curtains, shining on her face, making her look as beautiful as a peach blossom. Qiao Xiaoxiao thought she was still not fully awake and said in a hurry, “Sister Yang, if you have time today, can you go and accompany my sister? She seems to be in a bad mood.”

“Oh?” Yang Feitang raised an eyebrow, her long fingers twirling a lock of hair, a meaningful smile on her lips. “Why do you think she’s in a bad mood?”

“Maybe it’s because she heard Wang Tiantian say she was going to lend me money to buy a house yesterday, and she thought I was going to move out,” Qiao Xiaoxiao said quickly, not noticing the sudden frozen expression on Yang Feitang’s face.

Just as Yang Feitang was about to make a joke, she suddenly felt a wet and hot sensation there. Her body trembled, and she quickly bit her lower lip, forcing back the whimper that was on the tip of her tongue.

Qiao Xiaoxiao was at a loss. ???

Poor Xiaoxiao, she might have been able to get some guidance from Sister Yang, but unfortunately, CEO Xue in the blanket had chosen this time to cause trouble. Feeling the increasingly excessive movements, Yang Feitang held on to her last bit of reason and said with a trembling voice, “I… I know…”

Qiao Xiaoxiao was thus fooled and sent away.

Before she went to Qingxin, she had sent a message to her sister.

—Jiejie, I’m not leaving. Even if you chase me away, I won’t leave.

She would stay by her sister’s side forever.

Chu Xinrou was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window with a coffee cup, the unreplied message still lit up on her phone screen. The morning light filtered through the glass, casting a dappled shadow on her face, but it couldn’t illuminate the gloom in her eyes. The coffee had long since gone cold, but she was completely oblivious, just mechanically stroking the rim of the cup.

She knew the importance of Wang Tiantian to the Qingxin project, and she also understood that Xiaoxiao and her were just normal partners now. But the voice in her heart kept shouting that Wang Tiantian was different to Xiaoxiao, that there were still feelings. They were together day and night. Who could guarantee that the old flame wouldn’t be rekindled?

Chu Xinrou tugged at the corners of her lips in self-mockery. She couldn’t even sort out this tangled mess of emotions herself. How could she give Xiaoxiao a clear explanation?

Just past eight, Yang Feitang, who had been entrusted by someone, came to the door with a steaming basket of soup dumplings. The password lock unlocked with a beep, but the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. She turned around and saw a half-empty cup of cold coffee on the coffee table. The drawing board and the entire set of paints were gone.

Did she go out to sketch?

How unhappy must she be to not even want to see her?

The cooperation between Qingxin and Wang Tiantian was progressing exceptionally smoothly.

The studio had been preparing for a long time to find a suitable spokesperson. The details of the plan had been repeatedly deliberated, and only the final candidate was left to be decided.

The addition of this super-first-tier superstar, Wang Tiantian, had invigorated the entire design department. They had specially readjusted the design plan for her unique athletic style.

At the design communication meeting, the designers cautiously asked Wang Tiantian for her opinion. This superstar, who was always cool in public, just said lightly, “A little more youthful and lively is fine.”

Qiao Xiaoxiao, who was standing on the side, couldn’t help but interject, “It can be a little more girlish.”

Wang Tiantian immediately glared at her. Does she have to ruin her cool image?

Qiao Xiaoxiao had originally wanted to persuade Wang Tiantian not to be so formal in front of her partners, but in the afternoon, when she was scrolling through Weibo, she saw that a casual post by Wang Tiantian would get tens of thousands of likes and comments, among which there were some sharp comments. Only then did she understand that her friend had not been as carefree as she had imagined all these years.

Besides work, the two of them had also taken the time to go back to Yucai Middle School. Although Wang Tiantian was fully armed with a mask and a baseball cap, she was still recognized by a sharp-eyed student the moment she entered the school gate.

Qiao Xiaoxiao asked worriedly, “Should we go back?”

Wang Tiantian shook her head, a trace of stubbornness in her eyes. “I want to run with you. It’s been a long time.”

During her training years abroad, in the face of elite athletes from all over the world, the once-lively and cheerful Wang Tiantian had once fallen into a state of panic. The lively and laughing girl had had to learn to be silent in the real competitive arena. Time and time again, she had hit a wall, and time and time again, she had been treated with cold eyes. She could only swallow all her grievances.

The monotonous training day after day, the oppressive environment, had made her cry alone in the middle of the night countless times. At her most difficult, she had even thought of giving up.

But every time this happened, she would always think of Qiao Xiaoxiao, that once-insignificant girl who was like an ant, and how she had carved out her own world step by step. If Xiaoxiao could do it, why couldn’t she?

These past few years, Qiao Xiaoxiao had only seen the halo on Wang Tiantian, but she didn’t know the thorny path she had walked. And Wang Tiantian, on the other hand, had always been paying attention to every step of Qingxin’s growth.

When the two of them stood side by side on the starting line again, the afterglow of the setting sun stretched their shadows long. The parasol trees by the track rustled, as if telling the story of the changes over the years.

Wang Tiantian turned to look at Qiao Xiaoxiao. The moment their eyes met, it was as if time had turned back to that summer when the cicadas were chirping. They had once been in the same position, competing over an insignificant bet. Now, things were different, but the tacit understanding in each other’s eyes was still the same.

The starting gun went off, and two figures shot out from the starting point like arrows from a bow. The wind whistled in her ears, blowing Wang Tiantian’s ponytail high.

She ran very seriously, each step firm and powerful, the qualities of a professional athlete fully displayed. Although Qiao Xiaoxiao tried her best, she was, after all, at an amateur level, and she was quickly left behind.

The crowd of onlookers by the track grew larger and larger, and the screams were endless. A few old teachers had also heard the news and had come over. Some even had red-rimmed eyes. The two young girls who had been chasing each other on the sports field back then, one was now an Asian Games champion, and the other was a rising star in the business world.

Coach Lu Chen stood at the outermost edge of the crowd, her arms crossed, quietly watching this scene. A gratified smile was on her lips, but her eyes were moist. In a daze, she seemed to see that group of energetic team members again, but that captain who always loved to joke around had not been heard from for a long time after she had hurt her.

“I won!!!”

Wang Tiantian was the first to cross the finish line. She turned and opened her arms, cheering like a child. The hair on her forehead was soaked with sweat, and her chest was heaving violently, but she was smiling more brilliantly than ever before. At this moment, she was no longer that cold and arrogant Asian Games champion, but just the young girl from back then who loved to compete with Qiao Xiaoxiao.

Qiao Xiaoxiao arrived at the finish line, panting heavily. Looking at Wang Tiantian’s smug look, she couldn’t help but smile and shake her head. “You’re smiling so wide. You don’t have an idol’s burden now?”

Wang Tiantian was breathing heavily, her gaze fixed on Qiao Xiaoxiao for a long time. She suddenly reached out and wrapped an arm around Qiao Xiaoxiao’s shoulder, her warm breath brushing past her ear. “Xiaoxiao, you have to remember that in front of you, I will always be Wang Tiantian.”

Qiao Xiaoxiao’s heart trembled. She looked up and met that pair of familiar eyes, catching a fleeting complex emotion. Just as she was about to investigate further, Wang Tiantian had already let go and had turned to wave vigorously at Lu Chen in the crowd. “Coach! We’re here!”

…

The crowd of onlookers grew larger and larger, and the cheers were endless.

Seeing this, Lu Chen quickly led the two of them away from the scene. Her current residence was near the school, a rented two-bedroom apartment. Although it was not big, it was warm and comfortable.

Pushing open the door, a simple gray and white color scheme came into view. The living room was spotless, with a few sports magazines on the coffee table and a few black and white sports-themed photos on the wall. Qiao Xiaoxiao and Wang Tiantian exchanged a tacit look, both seeing the same surprise in each other’s eyes. This was clearly the captain’s aesthetic style from back then.

Wang Tiantian’s fingers gently stroked the geometric patterns on the sofa armrest, while Qiao Xiaoxiao stared at the familiar basketball ornament on the TV cabinet in a daze. It was the captain’s favorite collectible style.

Lu Chen came out of the kitchen with tea. Seeing the two of them’s expressions, she lowered her head slightly.

The three of them sat together and just talked about where the team members from back then were now, who had gone the professional route, and who had gotten into university. They could talk for a whole morning.

Wang Tiantian was relaxed in front of them, and the little emotions in her heart couldn’t be hidden. “Coach, after talking about so many people, why haven’t I heard you talk about the captain?”

In the past, weren’t they the closest?

Qiao Xiaoxiao had heard some things about Chu Ge from Chu Xinrou and had roughly guessed the direction of their relationship. She quickly winked at Wang Tiantian.

Lu Chen was silent for a while. She looked at Wang Tiantian and said, “I hurt her. She doesn’t want me anymore.”

They were all her team members and knew about her past with Chu Ge. She didn’t need to hide it.

This directness stunned both of them, especially Qiao Xiaoxiao. She pressed her lips together. “Coach, weren’t you going to… get married?”

Hearing this, Lu Chen’s grip on her teacup tightened. “Yes, I was originally going to get married.”

She should have gotten married.

But her heart couldn’t get over it.

At the final step of discussing marriage and meeting the parents, Lu Chen had backed out.

But… it was already too late.

She had gone back to find Chu Ge.

Chu Ge had not seen her, had blocked her number, and had deleted her on WeChat.

This was Chu Ge’s personality. After being hurt, she would not show her any mercy.

Lu Chen had always had a “coach’s” air in front of the two of them. But now, the vulnerability and pain on her face were heartbreaking.

When they came out of her house, Xiaoxiao was still sighing with emotion. “I didn’t expect… I always feel it’s a bit of a pity.”

Wang Tiantian was also thoughtful. “If I had known it would be like this, it would have been better to endure it and not say anything back then.”

Hearing this, a trace of sweetness actually rose in Qiao Xiaoxiao’s heart. She hadn’t been able to hold it in, and she had said it. But her sister hadn’t left.

Just as Xiaoxiao looked up, she saw Wang Tiantian staring at her, taking in her uncontrollable smile. Her body stiffened, and she pushed Wang Tiantian. “What are you doing?!”

Wang Tiantian snorted coldly. “I’m looking at you, acting like you’ve eaten bee droppings. I don’t know what you’re so happy about.”

The two of them started to chase and play again, like children who hadn’t grown up. This kind of smile had not been on Tiantian’s face for a long time. She was so reluctant, so unwilling to give up just like this.

But she knew that if she didn’t give up the feelings in her heart, then she would be giving up their years of friendship.

…

Wang Tiantian’s time back in the country was not long. After she had filmed the commercial for Qingxin, she was about to leave.

So time was very tight.

The chance encounter at the school today had ultimately not escaped the capture of the internet. The topic #Wang Tiantian races with a commoner# was prominently displayed on the hot search list. Netizens flocked to it, all wanting to see who this sacred person was who could compete with an Olympic champion.

In this era where looks are everything, Qiao Xiaoxiao’s beautiful face and long, well-proportioned legs instantly became the focus of attention.

The comment section was quickly flooded by enthusiastic netizens.

—Three minutes, I want all the information on this young lady!

What kind of heavenly looks is this? Are you sure she’s not a newly debuted artist?

Sister is so cool! She’s not inferior at all standing next to my goddess!

…

There were also replies from the same school.

—Oh, I know them. They almost debuted as the Xiao Tiantian combination back then.

That’s right. They were inseparable at school.

I heard that Wang Tiantian’s switch to high jump was also related to the beautiful sister!

…

The hot search continued to ferment for half a day.

The moment Yang Feitang saw the news, she rushed next door in her slippers, eager to share it with Chu Xinrou.

If you didn’t know the truth, just by looking at the photos, the two youthful, tall, and spirited girls really seemed like a perfect match. She had even liked it on the hot search!

Pushing open the door, she saw Chu Xinrou standing in the kitchen, a rare sight. On the counter were finely chopped carrots and cabbage. The “thump, thump” sound of the knife hitting the cutting board was as if she were trying to chop off Qiao Xiaoxiao’s head.

Yang Feitang froze at the door and unconsciously swallowed. She quietly moved back half a step, about to pretend she hadn’t seen anything and retreat.

“Yang Feitang.”

Chu Xinrou spoke without looking back, her hands not stopping. The gleaming kitchen knife came down heavily, and the last carrot was cut in two.

“Present!”

Yang Feitang stood at attention reflexively, her voice so loud it could shatter glass. She peeked at Chu Xinrou’s profile and saw that she was looking at the gloomy sky outside the window, her gaze colder than a blade.

After a long silence.

Chu Xinrou finally spoke. “Did you see the hot search?”

Yang Feitang nodded heavily, her neck so stiff it was rigid. “I did.”

She secretly clutched the hem of her clothes, always feeling that Xinrou’s calmness at this moment was terrifying.

“Yes,” Chu Xinrou replied lightly, the kitchen knife in her hand glinting in the light. She slowly turned around, the tip of the knife pointing at Yang Feitang. “Everyone online says Xiaoxiao and Wang Tiantian are a good match.” She looked up at Yang Feitang, a faint smile on her lips. “What do you think?”

Yang Feitang’s gaze was fixed on the gleaming kitchen knife. She abruptly took half a step back, her voice suddenly rising. “A good match my ass! Who said that? I’ll go and blind her right now!”