Although They're Mentally ill, They're Extremely Easy to Comfort - Chapter 50

“Fresh tripe, fresh duck intestine, luncheon meat, shrimp dumplings… yes, two portions of the shrimp dumplings…” Ling Xi was a whirlwind, ticking off all her favorite dishes on the menu.

Qiao Bo’er kept pulling out thick stacks of napkins, wiping the table incessantly, seemingly very concerned about the hygiene conditions of the hot pot restaurant.

Outside, the world was bustling with noise, and the air was filled with the hot, spicy aroma of beef tallow. Amidst this vibrant, earthly scene, Qiao Bo’er stood like a rose, untainted and icy, completely out of place.

It was understandable. She was used to frequenting high-end restaurants and the quiet atmosphere of private rooms. If Ling Xi hadn’t insisted on sitting in the main hall to enjoy the so-called “human world’s fireworks,” she wouldn’t have stayed for a second.

Ling Xi handed the menu to Qiao Bo’er and cheerfully asked, “What do you want to eat? Pick for yourself.”

“No need, I’ll just try a little of whatever you order.”

Seeing that Qiao Bo’er’s hands were still constantly wiping the table, Ling Xi snatched the napkins away with a look of disdain: “You’re going to polish the table until it shines! You can’t possibly be this obsessed with cleanliness, can you?”

She might have grumbled, but Ling Xi immediately took over the wiping motion, not missing a beat.

Soon, the waiter brought the beef tallow hot pot base, which was piled up like a small mountain, to the table. However, it would take a while for the red oil to boil.

Seeing Ling Xi rubbing her hands in impatience, Qiao Bo’er picked up the menu, read it, and then flagged down the waiter, ordering a ‘small mountain’ of yogurt cubes and crispy bobo shaved ice for the young woman across from her.

Before long, the shaved ice, indeed as large as a small mountain, was served.

Ling Xi picked up a spoon and was about to scoop a mouthful when she noticed Qiao Bo’er staring at the ice mountain with interest. She paused, holding the spoon out towards Qiao Bo’er: “You try it first.”

This sudden proactive gesture surprised Qiao Bo’er a little. She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, leaned over, took a tiny sip, and praised it with a faint smile, calling it delicious.

Finding their seating arrangement inconvenient, Ling Xi pushed the dessert and cutlery over to Qiao Bo’er and moved to sit right next to her.

Qiao Bo’er gave a wry smile. The seating was clearly very spacious, so why did they have to squeeze together?

Once the pot base began to gurgle and bubble, Ling Xi skillfully picked up a slice of tripe and started to blanch it. But noticing that Qiao Bo’er hadn’t picked up her chopsticks, she looked up, puzzled: “I seriously suspect you don’t know how to eat hot pot?”

“Yes, I really don’t,” Qiao Bo’er answered honestly. Ling Xi teased, “That makes sense. You’re from a wealthy family and a foreigner. Well, I’ll teach you how to eat.”

After placing the properly blanched tripe into Qiao Bo’er’s bowl, Ling Xi picked up another piece and began a live tutorial: “When blanching tripe, you do it like this, seven up and eight down. Don’t cook it for too long, or it’ll be too tough to chew.”

Qiao Bo’er imitated her, starting to clumsily blanch the vegetables, occasionally asking Ling Xi if the food in the pot was ready.

Ling Xi, slurping duck intestine, nodded perfunctorily. Qiao Bo’er, annoyed, tossed the undercooked food into her bowl.

Ling Xi wasn’t angry; a truce was called in the face of delicious food.

However, they suddenly started a strange competition, constantly sending their perfectly cooked food into the other person’s bowl, going back and forth tirelessly.

They were clearly concerned for each other, yet their gestures were filled with competitive sparks—a behavior only a “petty wretch” and a “childish ghost” could enact.

“Ling Xi?” A cheerful greeting from an approaching person interrupted their interaction.

Ling Xi looked up at the sound; it was Jiang Xingran.

Yao Miao, who was following behind Jiang Xingran, clasped her hands shyly and quietly greeted, “Hello, Associate Professor Ling.”

Ling Xi put down her chopsticks and looked at the two students who had come for a meal, flashing a brilliant smile: “Just the two of you?”

“I’ve been working on a new research topic with Yao, and it’s been pretty tiring. I happened to get off work early today, so I thought I’d treat her to a meal to relax.”

Jiang Xingran briefly explained. Ling Xi warmly invited them: “I’ve ordered a lot of food. Why don’t you join us? Save on the cost of a new pot base.”

“Wow, what a special day! The Scrooge of Xuan Yi University is actually offering to treat us?”

Jiang Xingran joked, yet made herself right at home, pulling Yao Miao to sit across from them.

Qiao Bo’er’s expression barely changed, but her “do not approach” aura became even more intimidating, making the atmosphere at the table a bit awkward.

She was naturally displeased. This was a rare date with Ling Xi, and these tactless intruders not only exchanged a few pleasantries but actually sat down and refused to leave. Moreover, one of them was a little fan who delivered milk tea—even if she was young, she was still a rival in position.

Ling Xi had no idea about Qiao Bo’er’s sour mood. She just leaned close and whispered, “My treat today. Eat until you’re full, okay?”

“Hmph…” Qiao Bo’er snorted coldly and buried her head, eating the food Ling Xi had just put in her bowl.

“Yao Miao, don’t be shy. Order whatever you like to eat. I’ll get you whatever drinks you want,” Ling Xi, fearing the student would feel uneasy, joked to help her relax.

She then continued to tirelessly scoop food from the pot into Yao Miao’s bowl, showing concern: “I heard from Professor Jiang that your grades are ranked first in the department, and you win scholarships every year. You’re so excellent and eager to learn; I’ll look for you next time I have a research project.”

Yao Miao’s eyes, directed at Ling Xi, were clear and bright, and her face and ears flushed crimson. She held her bowl and quietly thanked her, “Thank you for the invitation, Associate Professor Ling… You don’t need to worry about me, I can help myself.”

Qiao Bo’er picked up her cup to drink water, staring coldly at the pretty, young girl across the table, then glanced at the solicitous Ling Xi.

That enthusiastic expression was a world away from the lazy, couch-potato she knew. Qiao Bo’er felt incredibly unbalanced; it was as if a million vinegar jars had simultaneously been overturned.

A wave of uncontrollable sourness rushed to her head. Qiao Bo’er deliberately set her cup down heavily, then held out her bowl to Ling Xi with a glance that was a frigid command: put food in my bowl.

Seeing the “crazy woman’s” odd behavior, and having no idea what fit of pique she was having now, Ling Xi complained, “You have hands; you can serve yourself.”

“I am also your student. Why won’t you serve me?”

Jiang Xingran bit her lower lip, desperately trying to suppress her laughter. Her nosy, gossipy heart was practically leaping out of her chest; she just knew something was off between these two. Could it be that the lilies were blooming beneath Brokeback Mountain?!

Yao Miao ate carefully, occasionally glancing up at the exquisite and cold Qiao Bo’er.

The moment their eyes met, Qiao Bo’er’s gaze instantly turned aggressive and hostile. She raised a challenging eyebrow, as if warning Yao Miao not to harbor any foolish delusions.

Yao Miao’s admiration for Ling Xi was one of sacred reverence; she dared not dream of doing anything out of line. However, Qiao Bo’er’s look made her realize that Associate Professor Ling might forever remain the unattainable “white moonlight.”

Ling Xi couldn’t win against Qiao Bo’er, so she gave in.

Qiao Bo’er flashed a triumphant, winning smile, as if announcing to the world: Hmph, this dog is mine!

After dinner, they said goodbye to Jiang Xingran and Yao Miao. Ling Xi contentedly patted her round belly, yawning sleepily: “I always want to sleep after a meal. How about we go home?”

Qiao Bo’er reached out, grabbed the back of Ling Xi’s collar, and protested: “A walk after a meal keeps the doctor away! Come, walk with me.”

Ling Xi hunched her shoulders and obediently accepted the arrangement: “Fine, let’s go for a walk along Binjiang Road. The night view there is quite nice.”

“You’re surprisingly obedient.”

“Your Nine Yin White Bone Claws are gripping me; what else can I do?”

Seeing the little cutie grumbling, Qiao Bo’er smiled and gently ruffled her hair: “You’re quite likable when you’re not bickering with me.”

A natural breeze swept over Binjiang Road on the summer night, pleasant and refreshing.

Occasionally, night runners passed by on the green path, and the dim yellow streetlights cast an ambiguous glow.

Ling Xi leaned on the railing, watching the waves rise and fall. Even small things seemed to bring her joy. Qiao Bo’er quietly accompanied her, saying nothing.

Following Ling Xi’s gaze toward the unquiet river, Qiao Bo’er’s thoughts drifted. Then, a sudden question broke the harmonious atmosphere.

“Actually, I’m very curious as to why you suffer from depression. I want to ask, but it feels presumptuous. If I don’t ask, I feel uneasy.”

Qiao Bo’er’s voice was drowned out by the whistle of a cruise ship preparing to dock by the pier. Ling Xi looked back at her innocently, contemplating how to phrase her explanation.

Qiao Bo’er thought she was sensitive about her illness and didn’t want to answer, so she quickly amended her question: “If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s okay too.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to answer. I don’t remember why I got depressed. Because of the treatment, a lot of past events are like a censored image—my mind is just a mess.”

Ling Xi’s explanation was open and unburdened, showing no intent to conceal anything.

Qiao Bo’er connected this to the side effects of MECT treatment (Electroconvulsive Therapy). Faced with Ling Xi’s memory loss, the problem was easily solved, and perhaps, this was for the best.

“It doesn’t matter. If you can’t remember, you can’t remember. As long as you are happy now, that’s what matters.”

“I’d be happier if you bullied me less!” Ling Xi pouted. Qiao Bo’er raised a hand, pinched her pouty lips, and arched an eyebrow: “That won’t do. You still owe me for that slap…”

“Petty wretch!” Ling Xi slapped Qiao Bo’er’s hand away, yelled, and then darted off.

Watching the young woman play around, Qiao Bo’er kindly reminded her: “Childish ghost, slow down! Be careful not to fall.”

Sure enough, joy turned to sorrow.

No sooner had Qiao Bo’er’s words left her mouth than Ling Xi stumbled and fell with a plop. She sat on the ground, clutching her knees and wailing: “Are you a jinx?”

Qiao Bo’er didn’t worry about twisting her ankle in her high heels and rushed forward anxiously.

She squatted down, rubbing Ling Xi’s knee. She scolded her angrily, but couldn’t hide her concern: “I told you to slow down! Does it hurt?”

Ling Xi tilted her head, staring at Qiao Bo’er’s exquisitely sculpted profile. The sensation of her heart skipping a beat was strange and wonderful.

Then, for reasons unknown, the woman suddenly became emotional. She tightly hugged Ling Xi, and they remained in a speechless embrace.

Ling Xi knew how much Qiao Bo’er cared about her, so she didn’t struggle or try to escape the warm embrace. Instead, she patted Qiao Bo’er’s back, turning to comfort her: “I just fell down, that’s all. It’s nothing. Look how scared you are.”

“I just wanted to hug you. I was afraid you would float away like a balloon.”

“According to gravity, I can’t float away.”

“But in my heart, you will.”

“I won’t answer the phone, because I’m ill…” The jarring phone ringtone broke the quickly escalating warmth between the two.

Ling Xi took out her phone, saw the incoming call from Xiao Mo, and felt puzzled—he never bothered her at night.

“Hello, Xiao Mo, what’s wrong?”

“The studio caught fire. Yun Jin and I are here. Get over here as fast as you can.”

“How could it have caught fire! Okay, I’m coming right away.”

Hearing the bad news, Ling Xi quickly stood up. She dusted the dirt off her backside, her expression growing anxious and tense, ready to run to the roadside to hail a cab.

Qiao Bo’er had also heard the conversation. Her ability to manage her emotions was astonishingly fast. She grabbed Ling Xi’s hand, signaling her not to panic, and immediately made a call: “Qu Ye, pick me up on Binjiang Road. Immediately.”

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