It Seems Like My Senior Seems to Like Me - Chapter 99

Ye Wanjia’s home was in the western part of Tong City, a forty-minute ride even with a fully-powered tricycle.

From town to countryside, from wide asphalt roads to winding rural cement lanes, countless people were returning home in eager anticipation.

The house was still the same as two years ago—a small bungalow at the foot of a hill. The roof was slightly crooked, with patched tiles in mismatched colors, some green, some black, which somehow gave it a naturally charming, uneven look amidst the forest.

The walls and floors were cement, behind the house sloped a bamboo grove, and in front lay a small embankment used to stack firewood and miscellaneous items. Beyond it, a small garden, half planted with flowers, half with green onions and chili peppers, supplied fresh ingredients for daily cooking.

“Here we are! Here we are!”

Ye Hua, carrying a box, walked ahead, quickly setting it down before turning back to help Ye Wanjia with her heavy backpack.

“It’s a bit run-down, Xiao Pei, don’t mind it!”

Pei Suye helped support a limping Chen Meijuan with a smile:

“No, Uncle, not at all.”

On the left of the cement exterior wall hung strings of dried chili peppers, on the right, sections of air-dried sausages. Below, a row of stacked firewood leaned against the wall, while clothes were drying on wooden rods on the embankment alongside Ye Wanjia’s bedding.

“Full of life,” Pei Suye remarked appreciatively.

“Of course,” Ye Wanjia said proudly, puffing out her chest. “Don’t look down on our home; it’s small but fully equipped. All these sausages are homemade.”

Her gaze wandered to the stack of dry wood by the wall, showing a trace of disappointment. She then asked:

“Mom, why are you still using firewood? Didn’t we pay to install gas?”

Chen Meijuan waved her hand with a smile: “The gas was installed. The captain came to oversee it. But gas still costs money. Better to burn the stove—it costs nothing.”

Ye Wanjia chided: “How much is gas per month? The living allowance I send you—have you not spent it?”

Ye Hua went to the inner room to put down the backpack. Hearing Ye Wanjia’s reproach, he hurriedly came out to smooth things over:

“It’s been spent. See, Dad bought new clothes today with your money to welcome you home.”

Chen Meijuan looked up, glanced at Pei Suye, and continued following Ye Hua’s lead, though there seemed to be a subtle undertone in her words:

“We spent what needed spending. The rest, we thought to save as a dowry for you. After all, you’ll get married one day, have a family, and need support in your later years, right?”

The words landed like a music box shattering—clack—and the music vanished.

Ye Wanjia said nothing, instinctively reaching for Pei Suye’s hand, only to touch empty air. She turned to see him maintaining a courteous smile, though only someone truly close could detect the faint bitterness beneath it.

Ye Hua patted Chen Meijuan: “Hey, Wanjia isn’t dating anyone yet. Why say that? Don’t let Xiao Pei laugh at us later.”

Pei Suye said calmly: “It’s okay, Uncle. As parents, of course, you hope your daughter finds a good match.”

Thus, an underlying test was averted. The couple hurried to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Once they disappeared from the embankment, Ye Wanjia threw herself into Pei Suye’s arms, her throat swollen, almost splitting with pain.

She blamed herself for not coming out to her parents, forcing the person she deeply loved—Pu Suye—to disguise their relationship under the pretense of friendship.

Pei Suye understood her feelings. Because he did, there was no need for words; she deeply sensed the heavy bitterness.

“It’s okay.”

She murmured, patting Ye Wanjia’s back gently, though she had to keep alert, pulling away just slightly to glance toward the kitchen. Seeing her reddened eyes, she felt heartbroken.

“It’s okay, Xiao Ye. Look, they like me. That’s good.”

Ye Wanjia gritted her teeth, forcing herself to hold back tears, though they still streamed down.

“Not good at all,” she said, her voice breaking.

She spoke without lowering her voice, choking, fragmented. Pei Suye quickly covered her lips with his hand.

Feeling her trembling against his palm, his eyes misted. He glanced at the kitchen—her parents were busy inside, unaware—and then spoke louder, so they could hear:

“Wanjia, show me your room.”

Supporting each other, they walked to the innermost bedroom.

“See, Wanjia and Xiao Pei get along well.”

Hearing this, Ye Hua’s eyes gleamed with pride, scrubbing the pan with renewed vigor. “Xiao Pei is a university teacher with broad connections. It’s good for Wanjia to get along with her—helpful for her future career.”

Chen Meijuan stared at the fire in the stove, her eyes unfocused: “I just feel… their relationship is too good…”

“Huh? Too good?”

Ye Hua poured water into the sink, slowing his movements.

“What kind of relationship is it?”

Chen Meijuan’s mind churned, unable to find the right words, and finally said:

“I don’t know.”

Ye Hua pondered, his eyes half-closed in thought. After a while, he lifted his head and resumed washing the pan.

“Young girls having good feelings is normal. Don’t overthink. Xiao Pei is visiting for the first time—she’s leaving a good impression, useful for Wanjia later.”

Perhaps men and women perceive things differently, or perhaps he had overthought it.

Dinner was served, each lost in their own thoughts.

Red oil tofu, steamed sausages, tiger-skin pickled fish, green pepper potato strips, and soft egg soup—a simple yet hearty meal made by Ye Hua, the top chef of Chinatown. The dishes were ordinary, but they were done perfectly.

With Pu Suye’s comforting presence, Ye Wanjia calmed down. Eating the long-missed home-cooked food, her eyes curved into a smile.

“So delicious! Dad, your cooking is still as good as ever!”

Ye Hua beamed, urging Pei Suye to take some food. Chen Meijuan also smiled:

“You’re 30 now, still eat like a child.”

Ye Wanjia pouted: “What 30? I’m only 27!”

Ye Hua explained to Chen Meijuan: “27 by actual age, 28 by nominal age—close enough to 30.”

Chen Meijuan turned to Pei Suye: “Xiao Pei, you’re slightly older, almost 30 too?”

Pei Suye swallowed the fish and nodded: “Yes, I’ll be 30 in June.”

Ye Hua asked: “Dating anyone? High-educated girls like you—hard to find a suitable guy, huh?”

Ye Wanjia froze, mechanically eating without replying. They had silently agreed in the bedroom to avoid sensitive topics about relationships.

Pei Suye’s eyelids drooped briefly, then lifted again, smiling at Ye Hua:

“Yes, dating, but not married yet.”

Ye Hua continued: “Have you met their parents?”

A difficult question—if he said no, her parents were right in front of him. If yes, they had only just met.

She smiled discreetly:

“Met her mom—impression was good.”

Indeed, she had met her mother seven years ago at school, in a joyful scene, wearing an ink-patterned dress.

A pang of sadness struck—she could be open with Su Hongyue then, but Pei Suye now had to hide their love, pretending to be just a friend.

Pei Suye’s answer was flawless, but in Chen Meijuan’s eyes, not perfect. Especially recalling the kiss at the station—no ordinary friends could act like that.

“He’s a PhD; you needn’t worry,” Chen Meijuan muttered, scolding Ye Hua, then cautiously asked:

“Xiao Pei teaches at university, right? Surely meets many outstanding young men? Wanjia’s still single—you could help her meet someone?”

Crunch!

A grain of sand from the rice hit Ye Wanjia’s teeth, sending a sharp sting through her head.

Dark clouds swirled in her eyes, but she kept her head down, unnoticed.

Pei Suye’s expression cracked slightly. He glanced at her, seeing her trembling hand gripping her pants. Lifting his eyes, he forced a gentle smile:

“Wanjia is very outstanding. No need for me to help.”

Chen Meijuan’s suspicions grew. She took a deep breath and pressed further:

“Why not? Wanjia’s never dated, but at heart, she’s traditional. Surely wants a husband and kids in the future. Xiao Pei, you know many young men. Don’t forget to introduce someone to Wanjia.”

In front of the one she loved, saying she’d help her meet someone—an unbearable pain.

Pei Suye lowered his gaze, silent, taking a few deep breaths to control the bitterness. When he looked up, he maintained his warmth:

“Sure, I will.”

Crunch… crunch…

Ye Wanjia slowly chewed, grinding the sand between her teeth, finally swallowing.

The moment it went down, she seemed to make a decision. She lifted her head, eyes resolute, and said deliberately:

“Mom, she won’t introduce anyone to me.”

Chen Meijuan froze—a rare, sharp yet pure look appeared on Ye Wanjia’s face, like crystal reflecting sunlight.

In that instant, the woman who had raised this child for over twenty years realized: once this steadfast, devoted child made up her mind, nothing could sway her.

Pei Suye felt the imbalance, grasping her hand under the table to stop her, but it was in vain.

Ye Wanjia put down her chopsticks, eyes fixed on Chen Meijuan, gaze sincere and unwavering, like sunlight reflecting off crystal-clear water:

“Mom, there’s something I was going to tell you after you recovered. But now… I have to say it.”

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