After Being Marked By A Love Rival - Chapter 38

Zhao Rongrong was the first to greet her: “Oh, Musi, you’re back.” But her voice trailed off halfway, inexplicably feeling a little hesitant, she didn’t know why.

This was because Qi Musi looked drastically different from usual.

Contrary to her usual habit, there was no smile on her face. Her eyes were slightly bloodshot, the dark pupils were intense, her lips were tightly pursed, her hands were clenched into fists, and the emotion in her brow seemed to be suppressing and restraining something, which was unsettling.

Although her surface appeared calm, it was as if turbulent waves were hidden beneath.

Zhao Rongrong paused, then cautiously asked, “Is, is something wrong, Musi?”

Qi Musi’s gaze swept over Xie Rong, who was already back and seated. She tried hard to judge the information about Xie Rong based on her scent, state, and expression. Only after confirming that Xie Rong didn’t show any overly obvious joy did Qi Musi close her eyes, take a deep breath, and suppress all the anxiety in her heart.

“I’m fine,” Qi Musi said, her voice slightly hoarse.

She closed the door and walked in, stopping next to Xie Rong.

Zhao Rongrong also fell silent, watching the two of them. For some reason, she felt the atmosphere was a little oppressive.

Xie Rong sensed Qi Musi’s arrival and looked up at her.

She took in Qi Musi’s unusual appearance, slightly frowned, but then thought of what Zhuang Xinbai had said.

Zhuang Xinbai had said… that she had a slight liking for Qi Musi, but didn’t take the next step for various reasons. It wasn’t just because of Qi Musi’s later “change of heart,” but more so because, in Zhuang Xinbai’s view, Qi Musi’s feelings for her were not genuine love, which she couldn’t accept.

Thinking of this, Xie Rong’s expression became subtly complicated.

Qi Musi greedily savored the eye contact with Xie Rong. She took in the other person’s face and emotions, then bent down and leaned closer, lightly sniffing the faint pheromone scent on Xie Rong.

“You went out with Zhuang Xinbai, didn’t you?”

Xie Rong nodded it wasn’t something that needed to be concealed.

Qi Musi asked again, “I should have noticed earlier. You seemed distracted during class. Thinking back now, you must have been planning your outing with Zhuang Xinbai during lunchtime.”

Xie Rong didn’t notice the change in Qi Musi’s tone. She just didn’t want Qi Musi to guess everything, so she said, “It has nothing to do with you.”

Hearing these four words, Qi Musi’s expression darkened for a moment, and her jaw tightened. She restrained herself from acting impulsively, maintaining her current stance and boundaries purely through logic.

Qi Musi let out a small, light laugh. “Nothing to do with me?”

She took a deep breath, then said, “So, you confessed, didn’t you?”

Xie Rong’s expression was cold, clearly indicating she didn’t want to answer Qi Musi’s question. However, Qi Musi was relentless and unwilling to back down.

“Did she accept?”

Even though Qi Musi speculated that Xie Rong was unsuccessful, she still couldn’t relax. Only hearing the answer directly from Xie Rong’s mouth would allow Qi Musi to breathe a sigh of relief.

Xie Rong felt annoyed and uncomfortable by her interrogative manner. Her fingers tapped on the desk, displaying a hint of impatience, and she retorted, “Is that any of your business?”

The back-and-forth between the two made Zhao Rongrong anxious and tense. She couldn’t help but interject to ease the tension, “Um, Musi, let’s not ask anymore. After all, this is Xiaorong’s personal matter; let’s just enjoy the gossip.”

Mo Li’s eyes flickered, then she pulled Zhao Rongrong and whispered in her ear, “Come out with me for a bit.”

Zhao Rongrong gave her a surprised look, likely not understanding why they had to leave in this situation. She was genuinely afraid that the two friends, who had just recently reconciled, would fall out again.

However, Mo Li was firm and simply said, “Just come out with me first. I have something to tell you. Don’t worry, it’ll be fine.”

So, Zhao Rongrong was reluctantly pulled away by Mo Li. The dormitory was once again left with only Xie Rong and Qi Musi.

The atmosphere quieted down for a while.

Qi Musi closed her eyes, trying to calm her emotions.

Xie Rong turned away again, not wanting to deal with Qi Musi.

However, Qi Musi didn’t give up. She merely stared down at Xie Rong and finally asked softly, “Were you successful?”

Xie Rong was utterly exasperated by her. She looked over with cold eyes, “No, are you satisfied? Are you happy?”

The heavy stone in Qi Musi’s heart finally lifted. Her stiff fingers moved slightly, and a smile touched her lips. She spoke insincerely, “How could I be? Why would I be happy about your failed confession?”

Yet, in reality, Qi Musi was happy.

Xie Rong sneered softly, not saying anything more, but the emotion conveyed in her eyes suggested otherwise.

Qi Musi felt a tickle in her heart, seeing that look. She couldn’t resist bending down and moving closer to Xie Rong.

However, as soon as she moved, Xie Rong noticed.

Xie Rong slightly frowned, looking up at Qi Musi. “What are you doing?”

Qi Musi bit the tip of her tongue, recalling her sense of reason. She put on her gentle smile again and asked Xie Rong, “Then, Xiaorong, what are your thoughts? Now that you’ve been rejected, will you continue to pursue her?”

Xie Rong lowered her eyes. This time, she didn’t hide anything. After a brief pause, she replied, “I don’t know, but I won’t force it.”

Most importantly, what Zhuang Xinbai said to Xie Rong had a significant effect. Before continuing the pursuit, Xie Rong thought she should first figure out her own feelings and the definition of love.

Where did her affection for Zhuang Xinbai come from, and what kind of nature was it?

But if her feelings for Zhuang Xinbai couldn’t even be considered love, Xie Rong didn’t know what other emotion could qualify. But these were matters for later.

The smile on Qi Musi’s lips deepened. She softly murmured, “That’s good.”

Only then did she slowly straighten up and move away from Xie Rong.

The previously tense atmosphere dissipated, and Xie Rong’s emotions were no longer so strained. Perhaps because she had acknowledged Qi Musi as a friend, or perhaps because their relationship had improved after their argument, Xie Rong hesitated briefly but then surprisingly wanted to ask Qi Musi a certain question.

Maybe it was also because Qi Musi had once liked Zhuang Xinbai, just like her.

“What do you… think it feels like to like someone?” Xie Rong finally asked the question.

Qi Musi was startled, not expecting Xie Rong to ask her this suddenly. She thought for a moment, then smiled and replied, “It’s probably a mix of joy and heartache.”

Xie Rong was slightly taken aback.

Perhaps seeing Xie Rong’s confusion, Qi Musi tapped her own elbow, then said, “However, everyone has a different definition of liking. I’m just stating my feelings. Maybe Xiaorong, you feel differently. So, don’t take it too much to heart.”

Xie Rong lowered her eyes, appearing somewhat bewildered. After a moment, she said, “Xinbai said that my affection for her isn’t the romantic kind of love.”

Qi Musi looked back, a strange expression flashing in her eyes. “How so?”

Xie Rong looked at her. For some reason, at that moment, she didn’t feel resistant, repulsed, or secretive. She recounted her conversation with Zhuang Xinbai today to Qi Musi.

Then Xie Rong raised an eyebrow slightly, “Xinbai also mentioned you.”

Qi Musi slightly stiffened. “Me?”

Xie Rong gave a light scoff. “After all, didn’t you pursue Xinbai too?”

Xie Rong only spoke about part of the matter. Out of selfish considerations, she did not tell Qi Musi about Zhuang Xinbai’s slight moments of attraction; perhaps this action was somewhat petty, but… Xie Rong was afraid they might become a couple. Even though Qi Musi had changed her mind, Xie Rong was still scared.

So she concealed this fact.

“Xinbai said she could sense that your liking for her wasn’t the kind she wanted.”

The emotion in Qi Musi’s eyes slowly settled. She sat down nearby and then said, “She told me that as well, back then.”

Xie Rong glanced at her, but Qi Musi didn’t seem to want to elaborate on the matter. She only provided a brief introduction and then fell silent.

Xie Rong paused, still unable to resist her curiosity and asked, “What about you?”

Qi Musi looked up at her.

“Do you think your feeling for Xinbai was love?”

If it were before, Qi Musi’s answer would undoubtedly have been affirmative, because she was certain she liked Zhuang Xinbai. But now, after meeting Xie Rong, Qi Musi couldn’t utter that definite answer.

It was only when she genuinely fell in love with someone that she could most clearly realize the difference between the two, and then know that this was what the emotion of love felt like.

Qi Musi paused, closed her eyes for a moment, and softly said, “I know now, it wasn’t.”

Xie Rong looked at her, but Qi Musi turned her head away, afraid to meet her gaze.

Xie Rong thought of something, then pulled the corner of her lips, “I almost forgot, your liking…” She didn’t finish her sentence, but the implication in her tone was clear.

Qi Musi admitted that her words to Xie Rong back then were intentional, but she didn’t truly want Xie Rong to misunderstand her.

So she frowned slightly, turned her head, and explained, “Xiaorong, it’s not what you think.”

Xie Rong slightly raised an eyebrow. “And you know what I’m thinking?”

Qi Musi took a deep breath.

She was not a person who liked to dissect her inner feelings, nor did she like to publicly discuss matters concerning herself and her mother. As for the definition of liking or love, Qi Musi disliked having to explain it even more.

But facing Xie Rong at this moment, she knew she had to explain.

Because Qi Musi didn’t want the person she liked to misunderstand her.

Qi Musi paused, then slowly said, “Initially, my liking for Zhuang Xinbai stemmed from her persona.”

Zhao Rongrong was pulled downstairs by Mo Li. She shivered, feeling a bit cold.

“I mean, why did you drag me down here? What if the two of them start arguing or fighting in the dorm?” All the hard work she put into establishing their relationship would be ruined.

Mo Li curved her lips. “Do you really think they would start arguing?”

“Otherwise, what?”

Mo Li said, “Why do you think Musi was angry?”

“This…” Zhao Rongrong stopped, unsure how to answer.

She could tell the atmosphere between the two was tense, and she could tell Qi Musi’s mood was off, but as for why the other person was angry…

Mo Li rubbed the back of her hands, trying to dispel the chill, then raised an eyebrow and told Zhao Rongrong the result of her observation.

“Because Musi likes Xiaorong.”