After the Fake Heiress Died, She Was Filled with Regret - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: But Upperclassman Xia Said You Only…

After last night’s heavy rain, the weather was exceptionally good today. A crescent moon hung in the dark sky, surrounded by twinkling stars, occasionally dozing off behind thin clouds.

At 8 PM, the soccer field was busy with students—some playing soccer, others running, couples strolling and dating, and even a cheerleading squad practicing.

When Xia Shinan arrived at the field, the broadcast was playing her favorite English song. She hummed the tune and then saw Tang Yin and Fang Yue.

The two had their backs to her, seemingly talking about something. Fang Yue looked very happy.

Why are they together again?

Xia Shinan pursed her lips, and her good mood suddenly turned sour.

She realized she wasn’t a very generous person; whenever she saw Tang Yin and Fang Yue together, her heart felt restless.

“Shinan, why are you standing here?” Qian Yu, holding a cup of milk tea, patted her shoulder, “What are you looking at?”

Xia Shinan glanced at Qian Yu and suddenly asked: “Little Feather, after Tang Yin and I became good friends, do you ever feel a little down sometimes?”

Qian Yu thought seriously for a moment, “A little at first, I suppose. They say friendship also has a sense of possessiveness. But now that I know Tang Yin well, it’s nice for all of us to hang out together.”

Xia Shinan nodded, mumbled something, and walked with Qian Yu.

“Tang Yin, Fang Yue! When did you two arrive?” Qian Yu greeted them, then noticed that Tang Yin’s sportswear and Xia Shinan’s were quite… matching.

Just like in the photo shoot last time, they had a strong ‘couple’ vibe.

Both were dressed in black. Tang Yin wore a simple windbreaker and sweatpants. Xia Shinan was more playful, wearing a black T-shirt embroidered with a pink bow, a short sports skirt that showed off her white, slender legs, and black and white sneakers with high socks, exuding a youthful college vibe.

“It looks like the two upperclassmen coordinated?” Fang Yue also noticed, smiling, “It makes Upperclassman Qian and me feel out of place.”

Tang Yin glanced at Xia Shinan’s outfit and curved her lips into a smile: “I already said she and I are a team, so it’s normal to wear matching uniforms. Let’s go warm up.”

The last sentence was directed at Xia Shinan.

Xia Shinan nodded, waved goodbye to the other two, and jogged to the other side with Tang Yin.

She didn’t understand why Tang Yin insisted on pairing up when all four of them could have exercised together, but she was happy that Tang Yin’s pair included only her.

“Let’s start with some stretching, and then we’ll run 800 meters.”

The two arrived at an open space, and Tang Yin rolled up her sleeves.

Xia Shinan was surprised, “800 meters today? I can’t run that far.”

The other physical fitness test events were fine, but the 800 meters was like a nightmare for her.

“Take it slow. Run as much as you can,” Tang Yin encouraged her while guiding her through stretching and joint movements, “If you run 400 meters today, 500 meters tomorrow, and improve a little each day, won’t you pass?”

Easier said than done…

Xia Shinan mumbled: “But I’m out of breath after 200 meters.”

Tang Yin: “…”

“How did you manage the last two years?”

Xia Shinan stammered, “I barely passed the make-up exams each time.”

Tang Yin immediately understood. Sometimes, when students couldn’t genuinely pass the make-up exams, the teachers would often turn a blind eye and let them scrape by with a low passing grade, without really making it difficult for them.

Moreover, given Xia Shinan’s mother, perhaps not taking the test at all would have been fine.

Tang Yin looked at her with a smile: “You want to pass this time?”

Xia Shinan looked at her, her eyes curving: “You said so. You said you’d help me pass.”

Tang Yin looked at her smile and suddenly felt that in the dark night, the scene before her was even more dazzling than daylight. She subconsciously avoided Xia Shinan’s gaze, nodding: “Then we’ll take it slowly. Run as much as you can. I’ll stay with you.”

“Mhm! If I don’t pass this time, there’s always next year!”

Tang Yin raised an eyebrow. Who is she looking down on?

She accompanied Xia Shinan for 200 meters, then walked for a minute to recover before continuing to run. Gradually persevering this way, they finished the 800 meters.

Although the finishing time was well beyond the physical fitness test standard, Tang Yin comforted her: “Finishing is great. You need to get used to running first, then slowly reduce your walking time and increase your running speed.”

The two walked around the track to normalize their heart rates. Xia Shinan’s face was flushed, feeling the unique heart vibrations brought by the exercise. She nodded, panting, a smile on her face: “I never thought I could run for so long!”

Tang Yin smiled, “You’ve been in your own little world for too long, so now that you’ve just poked your head out, it feels new.”

Xia Shinan paused and asked, “Then, Tang Yin, will you take me to see the world outside?”

Tang Yin looked at Xia Shinan, her eyes holding deep meaning, like unfathomable seawater, hiding intentions known only to her. “If you are willing, of course, I will.”

Her heart rate was supposed to be normalizing, but Xia Shinan felt her heartbeat quicken again. Tang Yin’s words always made her overthink.

But, what if she wasn’t overthinking it? She recalled their conversation while drinking last night and bravely asked: “Tang Yin, did you say something last night…”

“Shinan!” Qian Yu’s voice came from behind, interrupting Xia Shinan. “Not bad! I saw you finish the 800 meters!”

Fang Yue was with Qian Yu, her eyes constantly fixed on Tang Yin.

Xia Shinan smiled, explaining how Tang Yin helped her, full of confidence: “I think at this rate, I can definitely pass the physical fitness test! Little Feather, let’s work hard together!”

Qian Yu gave an awkward smile, “I already sat on the grass and played a round of a game. You keep it up. I’ll just stick to the make-up exam like before. I won’t come tomorrow. I’d rather play on my phone in the dorm!”

Fang Yue sighed next to her, looking at Xia Shinan: “It seems the three of us will be together tomorrow.”

Xia Shinan was slightly taken aback, “Okay.”

The four found a spot on the soccer field to chat for a while before preparing to leave. Qian Yu volunteered to walk Xia Shinan back, so Tang Yin didn’t follow. They all left through different exits.

Although Qian Yu was usually carefree and not as cautious and reserved as Xia Shinan, she wasn’t oblivious. She could tell that Fang Yue’s sudden inclusion was a bit strange.

So, on the way back with Xia Shinan, she couldn’t help but say: “I originally thought she just wanted to join the club to hang out with everyone, but she rarely comes. And every time she does, you and Tang Yin are always there.”

“When we were running earlier, she kept staring at you and Tang Yin. Did… something happen between you and her recently?”

Xia Shinan immediately shook her head: “No.”

Qian Yu thought for a moment, then stopped walking, “Then it must be my initial suspicion.”

Xia Shinan felt uneasy, “What suspicion?”

Qian Yu had a look on her face that said, ‘My dear, you are too innocent.’ “That afternoon, Tang Yin had a lot of scenes to shoot. Fang Yue was next to her, offering coffee and fanning her, like a little fan. I think… she likes Tang Yin.”

Xia Shinan listened without much expression, looking at her shadow on the ground in silence.

Qian Yu chuckled, “Aren’t you surprised? I was surprised at first, but later I thought it was normal. Tang Yin, with her style, looks, and personality, is the ultimate catch among lesbians.”

“But…” Xia Shinan stopped, “Tang Yin never said she was a lesbian. What if she isn’t? Then Fang Yue’s feelings won’t matter…”

She didn’t know if she was trying to convince Qian Yu or herself.

She was unsure if their conversation last night was a dream, and even if it was real, Tang Yin didn’t say she wanted to date her. Maybe it was just a joke.

Qian Yu let out an ‘ay ya,’ “Our little Shinan is still a baby; you wouldn’t know this. Cool girls like Tang Yin are actually very soft-hearted and easily smitten! Fang Yue is quite cute and is so obvious about her feelings for Tang Yin. After a few times, maybe Tang Yin won’t be able to resist…”

Plop. The paper bag hanging on her wrist fell to the ground. A light pink thermos rolled out of the bag. It was the one Tang Yin had used to give her sweet soup at noon.

Xia Shinan quickly picked it up, “I forgot to give Tang Yin her thermos! You go back first. I’ll return the cup to her!”

“I’ll go with you…” Qian Yu stared wide-eyed at Xia Shinan’s speedy footsteps.

Was the training that effective? She’s running so fast now.

Xia Shinan ran toward Tang Yin’s dorm. She quickly spotted Tang Yin. She was panting, about to call out to her, when she realized there was someone else with Tang Yin—Fang Yue.

The two were walking toward the nearest academic building.

“Upperclassman, I have something I want to tell you,” Fang Yue was very nervous, clutching her fists, but her gaze was very determined.

In contrast, Tang Yin looked much more relaxed, leaning against the wall with her hands in her jacket pockets, “Mhm, go ahead.”

Fang Yue took a deep breath, then slowly began: “The first time we met, you saved me from being hit by a basketball. At that moment, I thought you were so cool, Upperclassman, and I wanted to get to know you.”

“I only went to my cousin’s birthday party because I heard you would be there, and I only joined the club for you. Upperclassman, I like you, and I want to be your girlfriend!”

Tang Yin froze. Fang Yue liked her?

She had thought all these days that Fang Yue was interested in Xia Shinan and was only following them because of that.

It turned out she had been overthinking. Tang Yin looked down and smiled wryly, but in her peripheral vision, she caught sight of the corner. She looked a few times, and when Fang Yue was about to turn, she retracted her gaze and looked back at Fang Yue.

“Are you sure I like girls?”

Fang Yue bit her lip. Her intuition told her that Tang Yin not only liked girls but also felt a different way about Xia Shinan.

“It doesn’t matter whether you like girls or not. I’m confessing just so you know how I feel.”

“If you start noticing me after hearing my confession, I’ll be happy too,” Fang Yue stated firmly, “The confession is just the beginning. I’ll work hard to pursue you! Unless… you are completely straight and don’t like girls.”

Tang Yin smiled. In Fang Yue’s expectant gaze, she said, “I’m sorry, I don’t like you. You don’t need to pursue me. It would only be a waste of time.”

Fang Yue’s face fell. “Then, Upperclassman… do you not like me, or do you not like girls?”

Tang Yin looked up, glanced at the corner across from them, “That’s my private business, and it has nothing to do with you.”

Fang Yue’s tears fell. She hadn’t expected Tang Yin’s tone to be so harsh. She said “I’m sorry” and turned to leave. Her footsteps were rapid, and she quickly disappeared into the academic building.

Tang Yin maintained her original posture, waiting for a few seconds, but the little rabbit at the corner didn’t emerge. She simply walked straight to catch her.

When did Xia Shinan tell Fang Yue that? Just friends?

Tang Yin hated the word “just.”

She walked to the corner, but it was empty.

It turns out there’s a side door here. The rabbit ran away.

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