It Seems Like My Senior Seems to Like Me - Chapter 35

In the cold of January, outside the Graduate Library of Nanzhou University.

After the long ginkgo avenue turned, it met the dawn redwood avenue. Centuries-old trees stood densely together, slicing the moonlight into patches of light, and along with it, the temperature dropped sharply—it was freezing.

Two figures walked along the ginkgo avenue. The fallen leaves underfoot swirled faintly in the night wind, and the words they spoke became misty puffs of white that dispersed into the air.

Pei Suye took out a self-sealed bag from the compartment of her laptop bag. “Here, this is for you.”

Ye Wanjia was pleasantly surprised. “For me?”

Startled, she took it and, under the streetlight, examined the contents carefully. It looked like some Chinese herbs.

“What’s this?”

Pei Suye explained, “These are herbs to supplement blood and energy. Recently, with all the studying, you can brew a little each day—it should help.”

“Thank you,” Ye Wanjia said sweetly, accepting it. Then she asked, “Senior, where did you buy these?”

“My family sent them. My dad is a traditional Chinese medicine doctor.”

“Oh, I see.”

“The ‘Pei Suye’ in my name is actually a type of herb,” she voluntarily explained the origin of her name.

“Herb?” Ye Wanjia admitted her ignorance, feeling a bit embarrassed. “I thought it was because your mom’s surname is Su.”

Pei Suye chuckled. “My mom is indeed Su. So when they named me, they chose the herb Pei Suye.”

Ye Wanjia felt a spark of admiration for her own cleverness. “It seems your parents really love you.”

Pei Suye turned to look at her. “Your parents love you a lot too.”

“Eh? How do you know?”

“You can tell from a child’s face when they are loved by their parents.”

“Hehe, yes. Although I’m not my mom’s biological child, she has always treated me exceptionally well.”

“Your father remarried?” Pei Suye asked.

Many people consider family matters private, and often choose not to share unpleasant or awkward details. But Ye Wanjia didn’t feel that way. Her family might be poor, but the three of them were happy. So she answered truthfully:

“Yes. My dad had me when he was 40, so he really doted on me. Later, when I was two, he met my mom and married her. Because my mom had health issues and had to undergo dialysis weekly, they didn’t have other children—just me. Though our family isn’t rich, they love me a lot, so I feel very happy.”

Pei Suye looked into her sincere eyes, as if a layer of ice melted, revealing the depths of her heart.

“Love is priceless. True affection shows itself in hardship. The poorer the family, the more precious the familial love.”

Ye Wanjia sensed the depth in her words and turned to ask, “You seem to be speaking from experience?”

Pei Suye nodded slightly. “Actually, my parents were separated for a period. When I was one, my mom went to the U.S. Later, when I was in elementary school, she was diagnosed with stomach cancer. My dad, upon learning this, realized he couldn’t forget her, so he brought her back. After that, their relationship became even better than before.”

“That’s wonderful.” Happy families can double a person’s sense of joy. Ye Wanjia didn’t know how the topic started, but these matters she hadn’t shared with Wei Xiaoxiao before felt natural to share with Pei Suye. “How’s your mom’s health now?”

“She had two surgeries, which were fairly successful. Now she has regular check-ups and takes her medication on time. Nothing serious.”

“That’s really good. When you go home for vacation, bring her some local specialties from Nanzhou; she’ll be super happy!”

“My home is in Nanzhou.”

“Oh, sorry for bothering.”

“When you go back, you can buy some, and I’ll recommend what to get.”

“Great!”

When someone is willing to share family misfortunes, it shows complete trust.

Exam week passed quickly. Ye Wanjia finished her first semester of university ranked 2nd in her class and 6th in her major. During the break, taking advantage of students returning home and the rising prices, she worked part-time for a week and earned a full 800 yuan. Plus, she avoided the 75% discounted train tickets and got 50% off, saving over 100 yuan. Accumulated together, she bought some nice local specialties to bring home.

Of course, when buying the specialties, she carefully called Pei Suye, under the pretext of seeking advice.

The train ride took a full 27 hours. After getting off, she transferred to a bus ticket to reach her small county town. Despite traveling two days and nights, she didn’t feel tired at all; instead, she felt more energetic.

“University student is back!”

“Ye Wanjia is back! Long time no see!”

After getting off, she dragged her large suitcase that could almost fit her whole body, slung her backpack full of local specialties, and greeted neighbors along the way.

At home, she dragged her luggage into the brick-and-tile house, turned on the yellow kitchen light, and played with the family’s big yellow dog for a while. She drew water, cooked, and cut vegetables. Just as the meal was about ready, her father returned, driving her mother back from dialysis.

“Ye Wanjia is back?”

“Ye Wanjia, come see your mom. Studying hard, have you lost weight?”

Due to long-term uremia, Chen Meijuan already had severe complications; her right leg was numb and stiff, making walking difficult. Yet she ran to the kitchen after hopping off the tricycle to see Ye Wanjia.

Ye Wanjia, wearing a black apron, ran out from the kitchen. “Mom, slow down. I haven’t lost weight; see, I’m fine.”

Her father parked the tricycle in the yard. The brakes were broken, so he always had to wedge a stone under the front wheel. After parking, he smiled and came to see Ye Wanjia, taking out her favorite mung bean cakes from childhood.

“Ye Wanjia, take your mom to take her medicine; I’ll cook.” Ye Hua took off Ye Wanjia’s apron and put it on himself.

Chen Meijuan added, “Yes, you’ve traveled far. Let your dad cook; he was once the top chef in Chinatown!”

In Jiangbei, Nanzhou City, on the top floor of a wealthy residential building, the Pei family was preparing dinner.

Pei Suye, wearing a gray long-sleeve apron and a cake-making cap covering her long hair, held a bowl in one hand while whisking eggs with the other. Her delicate face looked like a clear moon.

Beside her, her mother, Su Hongyue, prepared the cake batter according to her unique recipe. Also wearing a long-sleeve apron and cake cap, she smiled kindly at the little flour dusting Pei Suye’s nose.

Glancing outside the kitchen, she noticed her husband was absent, and quietly leaned toward her daughter, whispering:

“Earlier, mom saw your phone wallpaper—it seems to be a girl?”

“Huh?” Pei Suye paused, then looked back down at the eggs in the bowl. “Yes.”

“Is it…” Su Hongyue asked, half seriously, half casually, “someone you like?”

This time, Pei Suye didn’t hesitate. She smiled and nodded. “Yes.”

She had come out in high school. Initially, her parents didn’t understand, but gradually accepted that she liked girls. Su Hongyue even bought many psychology books to learn about female homosexuality, and eventually moved on to reading yuri novels.

“Love between girls is very beautiful. Mom hopes that someday you can meet someone special and enjoy beautiful love together.”

After unburdening her heart, she sent this message to Pei Suye.

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