Crossing the Clouds and Sky to Fall in Love with You - Chapter 25

These two siblings… don’t they even blush saying things like that right in front of the person?

“About the presentation… are there any other questions you’d like to ask? Actually, you don’t need to divide the work so specifically. If you get really nervous during the presentation, I can certainly speak, and you can just operate the slides.”

“No way! A presentation is supposed to be a joint effort. You’ve already collected the information and made the slides, so if I don’t go on stage to speak, wouldn’t that be me stealing your points?” I hated being grouped with slackers when I used to do presentations, so there’s no way I’m going to be a slacker! “No problem now, I’ve pretty much memorized it all. I’ll just organize the script when I get back, and we can present next week.”

“Okay.”

The mildly sweet hot black tea was very comforting. I exhaled a puff of hot air. “By the way, where did you go just now? I didn’t see you.”

“Oh! I thought you were so focused that you didn’t notice I left the room.”

“How could that be?”

He put down his empty teacup. “I actually prepared a small gift for you today.” His expression was very gentle, as if even his eyes were smiling.

“No way? I get a gift just for coming over to do a report?” I gasped in surprise.

“Just a small token of my appreciation. Drink slowly, I’ll go get it for you.” He said mysteriously, then quietly left the room again.

Does a person being courted always get gifts from the pursuer? Did I accept Lü Hanjun’s courtship too quickly back then? I should have been a little more reserved!

He came back quickly, holding a large picture frame that obscured half of him. “This is my painting. I wanted to paint it and give it to you.”

He spoke with confidence, so it must be his proudest work. “Don’t tell me you painted another clock?” He didn’t know about the joke I told Yiting at the OB-GYN clinic.

“No, do you want to guess?” He raised an eyebrow.

Since he’s giving it to me— “Could it be a painting of me?”

“You got it right.” He smiled and turned the canvas upright. I was astonished by the watercolor painting; the person in the painting was me, wearing the same outfit as that day I spent by his side. I was holding a pencil and a utility knife, but my gaze wasn’t fixed on the objects in my hand. Instead, I was looking at something else with a mysterious expression, slightly smiling.

“This is why you insisted I come to your house, isn’t it?” I glanced at him, and he shrugged, admitting it. My eyes returned to the painting. “I… this is the first time anyone has painted me, and it’s painted so beautifully.”

“Because that’s how you are; do you like it?”

“Of course!”

“It’s for you. This is also the most satisfying portrait I’ve done to date.”

I took the picture frame and examined it carefully. “Are you sure you want me to carry this frame home?”

“That’s why I said I’d drive you back.”

He’s really so calculating… I gently stroked the smiling face in the painting. I was inexplicably touched and couldn’t help but wipe the corners of my eyes. “You use your talent to show off like this! Oh… but, I’m very happy anyway.”

He nodded, and as the lines on his face relaxed, I realized how nervous he had been. “If my sister tells stories with a camera and her own two feet, then I certainly can’t lose to her… Xiaoning, you awakened my confidence. I still want to pursue you, so I will definitely be someone you can rely on… You deserve better.”

His eyes no longer evaded mine. While looking straight at me, he spoke with immense confidence, even a slight arrogance.

I couldn’t help but pout. “You already said that last sentence to me before.”

“I remember, but this time I want to add one more thing.” He sat upright in his wheelchair and told me in a clear voice, “I believe I am the better choice.”

I hugged the picture frame, and an inexplicable tingle ran from my feet to my entire body—

“Xiaoning, I like you.”

Although I had known it was coming, receiving the confession in person still felt very shocking…

His chef’s French cheese omelet was delicious, but I stared at the plate the entire time, which earned me a tease that I might want to pack the plate home too.

Perhaps realizing my nervousness, he tried to cheer me up the entire drive back, but my lips weren’t cooperative.

“Is my confession putting pressure on you?”

“N-No, not at all? Don’t overthink it. Getting a painting of me from you and receiving your confession—I’m very happy.”

“Really?” He looked doubtful.

I nodded vigorously. “Really!”

If your sister hadn’t gotten ahead of you, and I wasn’t living with her right now, I might be even happier…

Oh god! How could this be so absurd!

I’ve only ever heard of brothers liking the same girl, or sisters fighting over the same man, but I’ve never seen a sister and brother pursue the same person!

Coincidentally, this strange thing is happening to me.

If I were to go buy a lottery ticket, would I actually win the jackpot?

And after hearing him talk about the things between him and Sister Tao, I was initially full of confidence, wanting to help broker a sibling reconciliation drama, but now I feel awkward about bringing it up… First, let’s not discuss whose courtship I should accept! Just the three of us meeting together would be enough to make me want to dig a hole and bury myself in it!

What exactly is going on here?

Finally, we drove to the alley entrance. There are many shops here, and his car is a large SUV, so it couldn’t drive in. I was actually relieved, at least I didn’t have to worry about this pair of siblings meeting face-to-face right as I got out of the car. “I can walk in myself. Thank you for the painting, and for your hospitality.”

“Don’t be a stranger. If you like it, I wouldn’t mind if you came to my house every week.”

“How could that be! I’m not that shameless!” I yelled, pouting, and he laughed heartily.

His laughter subsided, and he said in a very light tone, “Xiaoning, I look forward to your answer. Goodbye.”

“Uh… goodbye.”

Oh my god, what he just said to me puts so much pressure on me! I hugged the picture frame and hurried through the shops in the alley. When I walked through the apartment entrance, I heard footsteps coming down the stairs. Thankfully, it was just a couple who live upstairs. I almost thought I ran into Sister Tao and scared myself!

I rushed up to the third floor, planning to hide the painting in the closet first. As I opened the door, the phone coincidentally rang! I entered the room, tucked the painting under my armpit, and pulled out my phone. An unfamiliar incoming call? “Hello?”

‘You answered this time, good.’ The voice on the other end was a bit unfamiliar, but also slightly familiar…

I frowned and guessed instinctively. “Sister Tao?”

‘Mhm, that’s right. You can tell?’

“I knew it… Is this your phone?” Pulling open the closet, I put the painting into the pile of clothes.

‘Mhm, Auntie asked me to get one, so I did. But I don’t plan to give her the number. I only plan to use it for online contact… I only want you to know this number. You can call me on this one from now on.’

That sounds so easy to misunderstand! Isn’t that like a ‘couple-only’ phone line? “Oh, oh!”

Her tone seemed surprised. ‘Not happy? You’re the only person who can call this number.’

“Okay! I’m super happy, alright?” I must admit, hearing her say that did make me quite happy! I wrinkled my nose, and she laughed, saying, “That sounds so insincere.”

‘Are you home yet?’

“Just arrived.”

‘Did you have dinner? I’m currently at the supermarket buying some daily necessities. I can bring some back for you.’

“Oh… no need! I already ate. Just buy your own share.”

‘Is there anything you want to drink or eat? I already bought the kind of milk tea you like.’

I looked up at the ceiling and pondered. “I haven’t thought of anything… Oh, don’t spend any more money on me, just buy your own things.”

‘Isn’t it natural to spend on someone you like?’ Her laughter sounded just as pleasant even through the phone. I couldn’t help but hold my breath. She sighed with a smile, ‘Alright, I’ll finish buying things and go back early. Remember to take your supplements; I’ll check when I get back!’

“You are so strict… I know!” She laughed a few more times, which made my ears hot. We said goodbye to each other, and after the call ended, I put my phone close to my chest, feeling my heart pound.

Tao Yian likes me, and Sister Tao also likes me… However, when Tao Yian said “goodbye,” I felt inexplicably pressured; but Sister Tao’s “goodbye” made me feel very natural, even with a slight sense of anticipation…

Is it because I interact more closely with Sister Tao, and we live together?

Or… is it some other reason?

Tao Yian clearly has the image of a prince charming! The look of confidence and dominance when he said, “I like you,” is something I can remember even with my eyes closed.

‘I will definitely find a way to make you fall in love with me.’

However, Sister Tao’s declaration lingers in my ears all the time. Although it should be a more forceful and willful statement, it sounds so sweet…

Wait a minute! Did the word that just flashed through my mind really say “sweet”?

Wuu! Yu Xiaoning! Could you… really be slowly turning gay!

Regardless of the turning gay issue, right after the presentation, the final exam week immediately followed. Sister Tao noticed my nervousness, so even though we were in the same room, she wouldn’t randomly strike up a conversation with me, allowing me to focus on preparing for the exams.

And “Congratulations, my lord and lady”! My “good friend” finally came to visit; although it was still a little painful, and the menstrual period combined with exam week is usually a deadly combination that destroys rationality, I didn’t want to take any more tonics or supplements. This “showing red” meant finally getting out of the painful ordeal, so my mood was actually light and cheerful.

After finishing an exam on Wednesday afternoon, after eliminating a “major concern,” and knowing that I had scored quite well, I was about to go home and brag to Sister Tao. Unexpectedly, I received a surprising message.

‘Xiaoxiao, are you free now? It’s been a long time since we last saw each other!’

It was a private message from Senior Saya; truly, ever since I broke up with Lü Hanjun and she came to my apartment but didn’t see me, it’s been until now. During this time, I experienced an abortion, cohabited with Sister Tao, received Tao Yian’s confession, and so on… Only a little over a month has passed, but it feels like being with Lü Hanjun was in a past life.

Everything is in the past… Senior Saya doesn’t need to prepare for final exams, and others couldn’t possibly be performing on campus while studying. So, she came specifically to find me?

Should I see her?

I thought for a moment. Only after my phone re-entered standby did I press it open and immediately type: ‘Sure, where should we meet?’