My Upperclassman Wants me to confess my feelings - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: A Match

In the early morning, Xia Xiaohan opened her eyes dizzily. Just as she was about to sit up, she discovered her Senior above her, chin resting on her hands, watching her with a smile in her eyes.

“Senior!” Xia Xiaohan immediately slid toward the end of the bed and flipped up to sit, only to accidentally lock eyes with the alluring sight of Cheng Wu’s collarbone and neck.

Her shoulders retracted, and she quickly averted her gaze, asking in a small, blushing voice, “Senior, why are you always looking at me?”

Cheng Wu turned and sat up with a laugh, putting on her cotton jacket. “Because Xiaohan is cute, of course. Just looking at you makes people happy.”

“Sen… I…” Xia Xiaohan frantically grabbed her sweater to put it on. She wanted to say something, but her mind was a mess; she uttered one word and forgot the next, completely at a loss.

After getting dressed and climbing down from the bed, Xia Xiaohan was about to grab her toothbrush and cup when she suddenly froze. A dream from last night surfaced in her mind.

In an empty dormitory, her Senior was showering. The body wash had run out, and she asked Xiaohan to bring some to her.

She brought the body wash to the door; the bathroom door opened, and a burst of steam billowed out, swirling with the scent of rosemary, making her heart skip a beat. Her Senior’s form was obscured, only a shimmering silhouette visible through the mist.

Just as she was wondering whether to enter, a hand reached out and pulled her in abruptly.

She and her Senior were inches apart, almost pressed together. The steam grew denser, her body getting hotter from the vapor, but in those ink-dark eyes of her Senior, she saw the reflection of her own face drawing closer and closer. Her Senior curved her lips into a smile and suddenly leaned down.

But then Xiaohan suddenly heard her brother’s voice. She turned around, and everything was pitch black. When she turned back, her Senior was gone.

The dream was short, but it made Xiaohan’s face flush with shame. She had actually dreamed that her Senior was going to… to kiss her!

Xiaohan quickly shook her head and touched her cheek with the back of her hand; it felt hot. Turning around, she met Cheng Wu’s smiling eyes. Thinking of the eyes in the dream, she gasped and took several steps back in surprise.

As a result, she hit her stool and began to fall backward.

“Careful!” Quick-witted and fast-acting, Cheng Wu stepped forward, grabbed Xiaohan’s arms, and pulled her into her embrace.

Xiaohan’s hands pressed against Cheng Wu’s shoulders; the scene from the dream seemed to be repeating itself. The soft body and warm breath stimulated her nerves; her blood accelerated, causing a layer of peach-blossom pink to rapidly surface on her skin.

Cheng Wu took in her reaction completely. The smile at the corners of her mouth deepened. She let go with her right hand and wrapped it around Xiaohan’s waist instead, leaning her upper body slightly forward to whisper enticingly near Xiaohan’s ear, “Xiaohan, why do you look so nervous? Are you afraid of falling?”

“N-no, I’m not.” Xiaohan tried desperately to break free, but for some reason, her body wouldn’t move an inch.

Suddenly, the tip of her ear touched something soft and fragrant, sending a shiver through her entire body and stopping her breath instantly.

Was that… her Senior’s lips touching the tip of her ear?

Cheng Wu wanted to continue teasing her, but Xiaohan was so nervous she seemed frozen into an ice sculpture; only the thumping of the heart beneath her chest could be heard.

Letting go of Xiaohan, Cheng Wu patted her head. “Go brush your teeth and wash your face. Let’s go eat breakfast together.”

“Oh, okay.” Xiaohan nodded mechanically and scrambled toward the balcony.

She didn’t even turn the faucet, nor was there toothpaste on her brush, yet she began brushing her teeth in a daze.

…

Twenty minutes later, as they walked out of the dorm, Xiaohan noticed that Cheng Wu was wearing that silver rose necklace.

Following Cheng Wu, Xiaohan held it in for a long time before asking, “Senior, do you like that necklace very much?”

She thought to herself: If Senior likes it, I’ll save up money to buy one for her. Her Senior had always taken such good care of her; she really ought to give her something in return.

Cheng Wu took her hand and looked at the necklace on Xiaohan’s neck. “The four-leaf clover and the rose are a good match.”

Was it the necklaces that were a match, or…

A surge of inexplicable joy rose in Xiaohan’s heart. So, her Senior didn’t like it because of the person who gave it, but because Xiaohan was wearing the four-leaf clover!

After breakfast, they walked to the entrance of the main building. Cheng Wu flicked her nose. “Study hard, and finish your homework early.”

“Mm,” Xiaohan replied softly, clutching her backpack straps.

Entering the classroom, Xiaohan saw Bei Wenxin. Just as she was about to go over, she noticed another girl from the Math department walking up with two cups of soy milk. Wenxin gave her a slight smile and started chatting with the girl.

Xiaohan sat in her usual front-row seat and couldn’t help but look back. Wenxin and the other girl were talking happily. She took out her phone; the three calls to Wenxin had gone unanswered, and the seven messages had no reply. Yet Wenxin was right there.

When class ended, Xiaohan quickly packed her things. Just as she was about to head over, she noticed that Yang Xing had somehow already sat down next to Bei Wenxin.

“Xiaohan! Come over!” Yang Xing greeted her when he saw her.

Xiaohan walked over and looked at Wenxin’s leg. “Is your leg better?”

“The doctor said it’s basically healed. I can stop using crutches around New Year’s.” Bei Wenxin tried her best to appear calm, but her slightly wavering voice betrayed her.

Earlier, from upstairs, Wenxin had seen with her own eyes how intimate her Senior and Xiaohan were. She was truly jealous, which was why she had pretended not to see Xiaohan. Is it because Xiaohan is closer to Senior, or because she met Senior first, that Senior likes her?

Reason told her no. But emotionally, Wenxin really didn’t want to talk to Xia Xiaohan.

Forcing herself to calm down, Wenxin turned to Yang Xing. “Sorry, I don’t like you. I already have someone I like.”

“Ah! Really? Who is it from our school?” Yang Xing was stunned for a moment, then laughed, pretending not to care.

Seeing him like that, Wenxin felt as if she were seeing herself; the bitterness in her heart intensified. “I’m sorry. I should have made it clear sooner.”

“It’s fine! Don’t worry about it! Plenty of people are chasing you! It’s normal to have someone you like!” Yang Xing was devastated inside, but he maintained his nonchalance, though he was curious about who she liked. But seeing that she didn’t want to talk, he didn’t press.

Wenxin said she had something to discuss with Xiaohan privately, so Yang Xing said his goodbyes and left. The classroom slowly emptied until only the two of them remained—one standing, one sitting.

Xiaohan looked nervously at the person in front of her. She could clearly feel an inexplicable sense of resistance from Wenxin. What exactly happened?

“Xiaohan, sit down.” Seeing her nervous look, Wenxin’s slight displaced anger finally dissipated. Xiaohan hurried to sit and waited for her to speak.

After a moment of silence, Wenxin asked, “Do you want to know who I like?”

“If you want to say it, say it. It’s up to you.” Xiaohan shook her head, a bit afraid of making Wenxin unhappy.

Wenxin looked at her, her smile growing more bitter. She turned to look at the blackboard and asked, “Do you know that Senior Cheng Wu likes you?”

“I know. She definitely likes me, otherwise she wouldn’t always take care of me,” Xiaohan answered without hesitation.

Hearing this answer, Wenxin turned back. Xiaohan’s eyes showed no trace of ulterior thought—they were too clean! If there was anything there, it was only a worry that Wenxin was unhappy.

This kind of Xiaohan made Wenxin feel powerless. She lowered her head with a sigh and whispered, “Never mind. You’ll understand what I mean in a few days.”

In the end, Wenxin left on her crutches. She had taken the afternoon off, saying she had things to do.

…

For the next few days, Bei Wenxin attended class, ate, and did homework as usual. The only difference was that she didn’t eat with Xiaohan; she ordered takeout and ate in the classroom while catching up on schoolwork. She didn’t refuse the notes Xiaohan gave her, but she also asked for Ding Ming’s notes.

On Saturday, because of the modeling semi-finals, their class needed to have a meeting, so Xiaohan told Cheng Wu she wouldn’t be going to the library.

In the department building, the Math Analysis teacher looked very happy, pointing at the projector. “Student Yang Xing did very well! He’s been very proactive lately and proposed a very constructive plan. Everyone should learn from him!”

Unlike when he was chasing Wenxin, Yang Xing looked a bit despondent.

After the meeting, the class monitor suggested a group dinner, and the teacher agreed they should be rewarded, so a place was booked. Surprisingly, Yang Xing stood up and said righteously, “Teacher, I fell behind too much before. I won’t go to dinner for now; I want to perfect the plan first.”

The teacher and monitor took turns trying to persuade him, but they couldn’t move him. Xiaohan found it strange and turned to Ding Ming, who mouthed silently: He’s heartbroken.

Oh! It was from that time in the classroom.

Xiaohan went out with Ding Ming, but unexpectedly received a message from Bei Wenxin. In the days following their meeting, Wenxin had only replied when Xiaohan initiated contact. This was the first time Wenxin had messaged her.

‘Come to the West Gate of the birch forest on campus. Wait for me behind the parking shed.’

Xiaohan was excited. She said goodbye to the teacher and hurried to the birch forest. It wasn’t far from the building; she reached it in a ten-minute jog.

Under the shed, Xiaohan looked around but saw no one. She sent a message: Where are you? I’ve arrived.

Wenxin replied quickly: Walk forward along the shed and stand under the largest tree. Don’t make a sound. There are two things I think you need to know.

Xiaohan was confused but replied with an “okay.” She walked slowly to the end of the shed. Beside it was a hundred-year-old birch tree, wider than two people. Beyond the tree was a gravel path winding into the deep woods.

Standing behind the tree, Xiaohan was about to message Wenxin when Cheng Wu’s voice suddenly came from behind.

“This is fine. No need to go further.”

Xiaohan’s hand holding the phone froze. Why is Senior here too?

Immediately following, Wenxin’s voice came from a bit further away: “That works too. Thank you, Senior, for giving me this opportunity.”

“Wenxin, you know I won’t say yes to you.” Cheng Wu sounded a bit weary. Wenxin was actually a very perceptive child, but she had become a bit obsessed with her.

Wenxin laughed happily. “I know. But if I can’t tell Senior everything in my heart, I won’t be able to sleep night after night.”

Behind the tree, Xiaohan suddenly became nervous. What is Wenxin saying? What ‘feelings’ is she telling the Senior? Should I look? What if I’m caught?

Xiaohan fell into a state of extreme conflict. The question Wenxin asked in the classroom suddenly echoed in her head: “Do you know that Senior Cheng Wu likes you?”

She opened her mouth, her heart beating faster and faster. Is it… that kind of liking?

In a brief instant, a thousand thoughts raced. The strange joy that had once appeared in her heart seemed to gradually become clear. Leaning against the birch tree, Xiaohan slowly turned. She couldn’t restrain herself after all and peered out with both eyes.

She saw her Senior’s back, and she saw a meticulously dressed Bei Wenxin. Wenxin was holding a pink box tied with a soft brown ribbon bow. From Xiaohan’s angle, she could see Wenxin’s expression.

She had never seen such a look in Wenxin’s eyes—full of joy, yet cautious. It was the most beautiful smile she had ever seen. Xiaohan searched her mind for a long time before finally finding a word to describe it.

Love.

At the moment of realization, Xiaohan’s hands couldn’t help but claw at the tree bark. Her heart was shocked, yet felt it was only natural. This was the “liking” Wenxin meant.

On the gravel path nearby, Wenxin knew the outcome, yet she pushed forward. She spoke slowly of their meeting, of being moved by Cheng Wu on the interview stage, and the liking that surged in her heart after being rescued from the bathroom.

“Senior Cheng Wu, after going home from the hospital, I thought about you every day. I wanted to see you, eat with you, go to class with you, go to the library, go running, do everything together.”

“I want to hold Senior’s hand, embrace Senior’s waist, lean in your arms, and look up to kiss you. I wanted to hide this liking, but then Senior Sun Wenze came to my house to confess, and he made me realize my own heart even more.”

“Later at the cafe, hearing that seniors like girls, I was so happy I could hardly control myself.”

Cheng Wu spoke softly: “Wenxin…”

Wenxin lifted her hands and offered the gift box. “Senior! I like you! I even love you! I want to be with you, to spend my whole life with you. These are chocolates I made myself. Can you give me a chance?”

Her eyes were full of hope, praying for a miracle.

However, Cheng Wu firmly pushed back the gift box. “I’m sorry. I can’t give you a chance, because I like Xiaohan. I want to be with her. I want to spend my whole life with her.”

“Thank you, Senior.” Wenxin’s voice suddenly became hoarse, as if her chest were blocked and she couldn’t breathe. Tears instantly filled her eyes and fell one after another.

Cheng Wu took out a tissue, but Wenxin shook her head with a smile, choking out a forced laugh: “I hope Senior treats Xiaohan well. She likes you too, she just hasn’t realized it as fast as I did. I hope you’ll be happy.”

Wenxin glanced behind Cheng Wu, let her tears fall, turned around, and left, quickly running out of the woods.

Behind the tree, Xiaohan had already turned back when Cheng Wu said she liked her. Leaning against the birch tree, Xiaohan gripped the sides of her pants tightly. Her heart was filled with wild, extreme joy, but even more so with the panicked nervousness of knowing everything, mixed with a trace of insecurity.

Senior is so outstanding, so beautiful, so perfect. How could she like someone as worthless as me?

On the gravel path, Cheng Wu turned around. She heard the increasingly rapid breathing. That sound was… Xiaohan.

Cheng Wu walked over step by step, the sound of her high heels crisp in the silent birch forest. Behind the tree, Xiaohan wanted to run, but her legs were sore and weak; she couldn’t move at all.

Until her Senior appeared bit by bit in her sight. Xiaohan bit her lip and stammered, “I… I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. It… it was Wenxin who told me to come.”

Hearing this, Cheng Wu broke into a laugh. She walked slowly up to Xiaohan, pressed one hand against the tree above her head, took Xiaohan’s hand with the other, and kissed the back of it.

Xiaohan’s eyes widened instantly. She stared blankly as her Senior pressed her hand against her own heart, leaned forward slightly toward her lips, and asked in an elegant, low voice like a succubus’s charm:

“I like you. So, do you like me?”