After Becoming a Spare Tire, I Got Together with My White Moonlight - Chapter 45

Yan Guiqiu moved the water cup further away and coughed violently.

Jiang Xuehe reached out to pat her back, seemingly completely unaware of the earth-shattering words she had just uttered.

“Sister Xuehe, why are you saying that too.” Yan Guiqiu paused, recalling the person Jiang Xuehe had just been chatting with, and couldn’t help but ask, “Did my dad just tell you that?”

“Mm.” Jiang Xuehe calmly took the cup from her hand and added, “Just joking.”

“I thought so.” Yan Guiqiu breathed a sigh of relief. “Why is Sister Xuehe joining in the nonsense too?”

Though she hadn’t been entirely without expectations, hearing those words from Jiang Xuehe’s mouth made it hard to believe.

It wasn’t that she thought Jiang Xuehe incapable of such feelings, but…

Jiang Xuehe was practically the embodiment of reliability and steadiness not the type to joke about such matters.

With the Jiang family’s affairs still unresolved, Jiang Xuehe probably wouldn’t rashly decide on marriage.

“Sister Xuehe, don’t worry. I can wait a little longer.” Yan Guiqiu thought for a moment and tried to comfort her. “Do whatever you need to do. Don’t worry too much about me, I believe in you.”

Jiang Xuehe said, “Okay.”

More words were swallowed back.

Like how, in that brief moment, it hadn’t been a joke but genuine sincerity.

Jiang Xuehe looked up at the certificates of merit pasted on the wall, thought back to Yan Guiqiu’s elementary school days, and recalled that the phone call with Qin Xiangxi hadn’t led to any clear conclusion.

But for the first time, she turned her thoughts to why Qin Xiangxi liked her.

She and Qin Xiangxi were merely casual acquaintances. The only reason Qin Xiangxi might like her was perhaps due to a few gentle words of comfort. But Jiang Xuehe treated everyone that way there was nothing special about Qin Xiangxi, let alone any profound memories or favors.

In contrast, Yan Guiqiu had saved her life multiple times, shared countless coincidental encounters, and been the subject of so many rumors about her unrequited feelings. How had Qin Xiangxi remained completely unmoved?

If Qin Xiangxi simply didn’t like someone of Yan Guiqiu’s temperament, why would she go out of her way now to dig up such distant past events?

Baseless speculations swirled in Jiang Xuehe’s mind, leaving her feeling irritable.

The more she tried to dismiss them, the more they nagged at her.

In one fleeting moment, she couldn’t help but think that if they were really married, with the law stamping its seal between them, perhaps she could ignore these unfounded worries.

Love makes people foolish.

Jiang Xuehe felt that the saying should be extended, it also makes people narrow-minded and prone to anxiety.

But these were just sudden, random thoughts. Jiang Xuehe had no intention of voicing them and becoming a laughingstock.

It would be best not to remind Yan Guiqiu about that troublesome person again.

Truthfully, she wasn’t magnanimous at all.

Jiang Xuehe reflected, she was growing increasingly unwilling to let anything divert Yan Guiqiu’s attention.

Reason probably served its purpose at times like these.

Noticing Jiang Xuehe’s silence, Yan Guiqiu stopped and turned to look at her. “Sister Xuehe? Are you tired?”

Jiang Xuehe set the cup on the table and nodded. “A little.”

Yan Guiqiu dropped the subject. “Then let’s rest early.”

Though weariness was evident on Jiang Xuehe’s face, she didn’t move. After a brief silence, she asked softly, “Can I sleep here tonight?”

Yan Guiqiu’s eyes widened slightly, completely stunned by that one sentence.

What did she mean by “sleep here”?

What kind of “sleep here”?

Jiang Xuehe added, “Together, is that okay?”

Yan Guiqiu blinked, still processing the words, but her face flushed red instantly. For a long moment, she couldn’t utter a single word.

Jiang Xuehe smiled, as if deliberately, lowering her voice slightly and deliberately adding, “I won’t do anything, I promise.”

Yan Guiqiu slowly let out an “Oh.”

The words she had originally intended to say were left unspoken, and now, anything she might say felt awkward.

She hadn’t been thinking about those messy things at all!

Yan Guiqiu silently thought to herself, but the heat in her face uncontrollably intensified.

The night passed peacefully.

Indeed, nothing happened.

Except for a hug and the near-sleeplessness it caused.

The next day wasn’t suitable for going out either. Yan Guiqiu drifted around the house with panda-like dark circles under her eyes, receiving several puzzled or meaningful glances.

Jiang Xuehe, on the other hand, was full of energy, but she didn’t mind staying home to rest.

She had never been particularly fond of traveling in the first place. Simply being with someone she liked was enough to satisfy her, and she didn’t want Yan Guiqiu to exhaust herself just to accompany her.

The two rested at home all morning. After lunch, Gu Yuyin prepared to leave.

They had originally planned to visit the newly opened amusement park in the city the next day, but unfortunately, Gu Yuyin’s film crew sent a last-minute message urging them to return as soon as possible. Apparently, some issue had arisen that required the lead actors’ cooperation.

The details weren’t clear over the phone, but Gu Yuyin couldn’t refuse. After hanging up, she sighed and canceled the amusement park tickets, then checked for the earliest available flight.

Even Yan Guiqiu, who was used to Gu Yuyin’s streak of bad luck, couldn’t help but express sympathy.

“I think you should avoid going out during this period. Next time you have a break, it might be better to just sleep in near the set,” Yan Guiqiu advised. “We can go to the amusement park after you wrap up filming. I’ll take you next time you visit.”

Gu Yuyin consoled herself, “At least I won’t be a third wheel for you two anymore.”

But Yan Guizhou would probably be disappointed.

The amusement park outing had been her suggestion for a group activity, but with Gu Yuyin gone, she would be the only third wheel left.

The earliest flight was that same afternoon. Since Yan Guiqiu and Jiang Xuehe had nothing else to do, they decided to see her off at the airport to avoid any further mishaps on the way.

“When are you two heading back?” Gu Yuyin asked during the car ride.

“Tomorrow is our last day, the day after, I guess,” Yan Guiqiu checked the tickets on her phone. “We have tickets for the afternoon the day after tomorrow. We should be home before dark.”

“Nothing’s going on at the school these days, right?” Gu Yuyin asked, referring obliquely to the matter with Qin Xiangxi.

Yan Guiqiu shook her head after a brief pause.

“Nothing’s happened,” she waved her phone. “Haven’t even received any unknown calls.”

“Just be careful,” Gu Yuyin reminded her without going into detail.

Yan Guiqiu nodded in acknowledgment.

Jiang Xuehe sat quietly beside them, not interjecting.

After seeing Gu Yuyin off at the airport, Yan Guiqiu simply waved goodbye. Gu Yuyin glanced at Jiang Xuehe, who gave a slight nod in return as a farewell.

Gu Yuyin was momentarily taken aback, then she too curved her lips into a faint smile, waved her hand, and said, “Goodbye.”

After just a few days of interaction, the two of them had likely reached a similar conclusion.

They just didn’t click.

There was no particular reason for it. Just as romantic relationships depend on fate, friendships are also a matter of destiny.

One was Yan Guiqiu’s friend, the other was Yan Guiqiu’s lover.

That was the only point where their paths intersected.

But it didn’t matter. They still shared some common wishes, they both hoped Yan Guiqiu would be happy, joyful, and content.

That was enough.

Yan Guiqiu and Jiang Xuehe stood outside, watching until Gu Yuyin passed through security, entered the waiting hall, and disappeared completely from their sight around the corner.

“I never really felt it before,” Yan Guiqiu said. “But now, watching her leave, I suddenly feel a little sad.”

It was only then that she realized this was a “parting.”

Just like when her parents and younger sister would see her off at the airport, watching her disappear from view.

“We’ll see each other again soon,” Jiang Xuehe said, taking Yan Guiqiu’s hand. “Let’s go back.”

“Okay,” Yan Guiqiu nodded and slowly turned around.

When they returned, Yan’s father was already home. He had just put rice in the pot and was preparing other ingredients. When he heard that Gu Yuyin had left early due to prior commitments, he was somewhat surprised.

“Well, I bought too much food again today,” Yan’s father said with a sigh. “I thought she’d be staying for another two days.”

“It’s fine. How much can one person eat? We’ll just share it among ourselves,” Yan Guiqiu reassured him.

“I suppose that’s the only way,” Yan’s father sighed. “Your mother is going on another business trip the day after tomorrow Guiqiu?”

Yan Guiqiu hugged her father from behind.

She bumped her head gently against his sturdy back, chuckled softly, and quickly stepped away.

By the time her father turned around in surprise, Yan Guiqiu had already retreated to the kitchen doorway, saying, “Dad, next time you have a lot of free time, let me know. If I’m available, I’ll bring Sister Xuehe back for a meal.”

Yan Guizhou happened to walk in just as this scene unfolded and couldn’t help but pause in surprise. She didn’t join in, though, afraid her sister might feel awkward and take back her words.

She glanced at Jiang Xuehe, who was standing closer.

Noticing Yan Guizhou’s gaze, Jiang Xuehe didn’t take credit, simply saying, “It wasn’t me. She probably just figured things out recently.”

But Yan Guiqiu had struggled with it for so many years without finding clarity. Why was it that as soon as Jiang Xuehe appeared, she suddenly understood?

Yan Guizhou had also noticed that her sister seemed much warmer and livelier since returning home this time. She knew exactly why.

Whether Jiang Xuehe had said anything or not, this positive change was undoubtedly her influence.

So Yan Guizhou looked at Jiang Xuehe and said sincerely, “Thank you.”

Jiang Xuehe glanced over at Yan Guiqiu, smiled, and replied, “Because that’s what family is about, isn’t it?”

Yan Guizhou paused for a moment, then softly agreed, “Mm.”

The usually stern expression on her face finally softened into a gentle smile.

Late at night.

In a dormitory at Yunhua University.

Yang Weiyu woke from her sleep with a start, realizing that the sound of sobbing she had heard was not a dream.

But it was long past lights-out. When she opened her eyes, aside from the faint glow of signal lights, everything was pitch black.

The intermittent sobbing sent chills down her spine.

Lost in unsettling thoughts, she instinctively pulled the quilt tighter around herself when suddenly, a violent shaking erupted from the upper bunk.

It sounded as if someone was dancing wildly up there.

Yang Weiyu was startled at first, then her expression shifted as if she’d remembered something. She abruptly threw off the covers, scrambled out of bed, and snapped on the dormitory light with a sharp click.

The four-person room had never been fully occupied, one roommate was from another department and had moved out for an internship at the start of the semester.

Besides Yang Weiyu, the only other person who should have been staying in the dorm was Qin Xiangxi from her own department.

But after the rumors about Qin Xiangxi began circulating, she had been publicly taken away by her parents.

Yang Weiyu had been exhausted after a long day and hadn’t paid attention to the upper bunk when she returned.

Why hadn’t Qin Xiangxi said anything about coming back?

Feeling thoroughly irritated, Yang Weiyu stood on her toes and lifted the curtain of the upper bunk. Sure enough, there was a lump under the covers Qin Xiangxi had only half her head exposed and was writhing beneath the blanket.

“What are you doing up there?” Yang Weiyu glanced at the time and snapped angrily, “It’s already one in the morning! If you’re not sleeping, at least let others sleep!”

The sobbing abruptly ceased, and the shaking of the bunk stopped along with it.

Qin Xiangxi seemed frozen in fear.

Seeing her like that, Yang Weiyu felt a twinge of guilt, but she wasn’t about to apologize. Besides, her anger at having her sleep disturbed still dominated. She snorted coldly and turned to switch off the light.

But before her finger could press the switch, a dull thud made her instinctively turn back. Qin Xiangxi had slammed her head against the bed rail, leaving an immediate bruise.

Yet that was nothing compared to how terrifying she looked her face flushed crimson, as if she might collapse at any moment.

Yang Weiyu’s hands trembled, her mind going blank.

It felt like an eternity before she remembered to grab her phone, dialing the emergency number with shaking fingers.

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