My Upperclassman Wants me to confess my feelings - Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Congratulations

Late at night, the room was quiet and very dark.

The moment Cheng Wu lay down, she nearly fell asleep instantly.

But for Xiao Han’s sake, she forced her eyes open, silently reviewing key points for her final exams in her mind to stay awake.

Suddenly, Xia Xiao Han rolled over and sat up. Clutching the corner of the quilt, she whispered, “I think I’ll take a sleeping pill after all.”

Cheng Wu grabbed her arm and sat up with her, gently pulling her into an embrace. “I’ll hold you while you sleep. Let’s try again. Once tonight passes, if you still can’t sleep, it won’t be too late to take it then.”

“But… but I don’t want Senior to force herself,” Xia Xiao Han sobbed, hugging Cheng Wu’s waist tightly and leaning against her shoulder.

Cheng Wu was exhausted and weary, but her voice remained gentle, carrying a power that soothed the heart: “But I can only feel at ease if you aren’t suffering.”

The heavy pressure on Xiao Han’s heart suddenly dissipated quite a bit.

Xia Xiao Han looked into Cheng Wu’s eyes. “Then I’ll try again!”

The two lay back down. Cheng Wu pulled Xiao Han into her arms, tucked in the quilt, kissed the top of her head, and said goodnight.

Xia Xiao Han gave a soft “mm,” pillowed her head on Cheng Wu’s arm, and circled her waist. The heart that had been hanging in suspense gradually settled, and drowsiness slowly washed over her.

After an unknown amount of time, Cheng Wu finally heard the sound of Xiao Han’s breathing in deep sleep.

Only then did she feel relieved enough to close her eyes, falling into a dreamland a moment later.

…

While Xia Xiao Han was still groggy, she was startled to find her hands empty. She snapped her eyes open—there was no one there!

The senior was gone!

She immediately threw off the covers and walked to the bedroom door in a few quick, barefooted steps.

Just as she was about to open it, the door was pushed open from the outside.

She saw Cheng Wu wearing an apron with her hair pinned up. Her hand hadn’t even left the doorknob yet, and her eyes were full of worry.

Xia Xiao Han stepped forward and lunged into Cheng Wu’s arms, saying muffledly, “I thought Senior had left secretly.”

Originally worried, Cheng Wu couldn’t help but laugh at these words. “Silly girl, how could I ever leave you secretly?”

The familiar scent of rosemary seemed to be mixed with a faint smell of something burning.

Xia Xiao Han released her hold, sniffed, and asked, “Is Senior cooking?”

“Yes, I tried, but it wasn’t successful, so I just ordered takeout,” Cheng Wu explained somewhat sheepishly.

Seeing Xiao Han barefoot and wearing only her thermal underwear, Cheng Wu hurriedly pushed her back into the room to get dressed. “Be careful not to catch a cold. Put on your clothes and brush your teeth first. I’ll go tidy up the kitchen.”

The door closed, blocking out the burnt smell. Xia Xiao Han was curious—didn’t Senior know how to cook?

After a quick wash, Xia Xiao Han went to the kitchen door just in time to see Senior about to throw away a pot of scorched noodles.

“Senior, let me do it.”

Rolling up her sleeves and walking over, Xia Xiao Han looked down to see soy-sauce-colored soup and clumps of noodles… noodle cakes, floating and sinking in the pot.

Xia Xiao Han skillfully lifted the pot, used a strainer to pour the liquid down the sink, and as she turned to dump the black cake-like mass into the trash, she saw some soggy, disintegrated buns.

Seeing Xiao Han pause, a blush crept onto Cheng Wu’s cheeks. She explained softly, “I originally wanted to steam buns, but I used too much water. Once the water boiled, the buns got soggy and fell apart. I saw they weren’t edible, so I threw them away.”

“It’s okay, I’ll cook some noodles,” Xia Xiao Han said with a pursed-lip smile.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Senior looking nervous for the first time.

Fifteen minutes later, Xia Xiao Han brought out two bowls of noodles.

Cheng Wu looked at the white broth and green leaves in front of her, garnished with diced carrots and shrimp; it looked very appetizing.

Taking the chopsticks from Xiao Han, Cheng Wu took a bite and looked up in surprise. “Is your cooking this good? It’s almost as good as Ah Ru’s!”

“If a senior likes it, I’ll cook for you whenever I have time.” Xia Xiao Han rested her face in her hands, watching Senior with a heart full of joy.

Compared to yesterday, the seniors’ spirits were much better.

After finishing the noodles, Xia Xiao Han took Cheng Wu out to buy groceries.

It was mid-afternoon, and there were very few people in the wet market.

Xia Xiao Han went straight to the stalls she was familiar with, greeting the uncles and aunties skillfully as she shopped.

Back at home, Cheng Wu wanted to help, but she really didn’t know how to do anything, so she could only watch Xiao Han cook.

Plucking the vegetables, washing them, chopping them, peeling garlic, smashing ginger—the stove was lit, oil was added, and with a sizzle, the aromatics went into the pan first.

Once the ginger and garlic were fragrant, Xia Xiao Han nimbly added the vegetables and began stir-frying.

Cheng Wu watched with immense envy. So Xiao Han was this good at cooking.

After preparing dinner, the two took insulated lunch boxes and went to the hospital together.

In the ward, when Xia Yu heard that Xiao Han could sleep now, she was so moved she cried on the spot, clutching Cheng Wu’s hand and thanking her repeatedly.

After finishing the day’s tasks, Xia Xiao Han saw Cheng Wu to the subway station, insisting that Senior should not take any more leave.

Knowing Xiao Han’s temperament, Cheng Wu gave her a few instructions and headed back to school.

In the following days, Xia Yu was in very good spirits, and various pre-surgery indicators reached the required levels ahead of schedule.

Looking at Senior’s daily greetings, Xia Xiao Han’s mood became more and more relaxed.

On the day of the surgery, Cheng Wu specifically took leave from school to accompany Xiao Han.

Outside the operating room, Xia Xiao Han sat bolt upright, staring unblinkingly at the surgery light, praying in her heart for everything to go smoothly.

Cheng Wu sat beside her, tightly holding Xiao Han’s hand, waiting with her.

The moment the light went out, the two immediately stood up and walked over.

A moment later, the lead surgeon came out, took off his mask, and said to Xia Xiao Han with a smile, “Congratulations! Everything went smoothly.”

Xia Xiao Han turned and hugged Cheng Wu, bursting into tears.

…

Around seven in the evening, Zhou Rui accompanied Chen Lan, who had just finished work, as they hurried over. Seeing Xia Yu after the surgery, Chen Lan hugged Zhou Rui, laughing and crying all at once.

Luckily, everything was moving in a good direction.

To take care of her mother, Xia Xiao Han took a long leave of absence.

She didn’t return until the day of the final exams.

After finishing the exams, before she even had time to pack her things, she rushed back to the hospital.

On Cheng Wu’s side, the original plan was to stay in Jiangcheng for a few more days, but Cheng Ying personally came to the school to pick her up.

“Xiao Wu, you should come home for New Year this year.” Cheng Ying was dressed in a suit, looking clean and sophisticated, his voice gentle and even carrying a hint of pleading.

Letting go of her suitcase handle, Cheng Wu walked up to straighten Cheng Ying’s slightly crooked tie. She asked in a mild tone, “Does Mom know Dad came to find me?”

Hearing the word “Mom,” Cheng Ying’s body stiffened, and his expression instantly became unnatural.

Cheng Wu let go, turned back to grab her suitcase handle, and said with utter disappointment, “Dad, you and Mom have been divorced for several years, and you’re getting married next year. Why are you still so afraid of her?”

“I… I can’t get married anymore.” Cheng Ying lowered his head, seemingly unwilling to show such a pathetic side in front of his daughter.

“What happened? Didn’t you even buy the rings?” Cheng Wu sensed something was wrong, the veins on her forehead throbbing.

Suddenly, Cheng Ying looked up and grabbed Cheng Wu’s arm, his face full of terror as he begged her, “Xiao Wu, go back and help me. Your mother is too terrifying. Your Auntie Luo was in a car accident; I suspect it has something to do with her. If you don’t go back, maybe I’ll be in a car accident too. Consider it Dad begging you, okay?”

Cheng Wu clenched her palms, a breath stuck in her chest. It took a long while before she gritted her teeth and said, “Mom hates Auntie Luo, but she would never intentionally harm a life! Dad, tell me the truth!”

Cheng Ying covered his face with his hands, speaking in agony: “Yes, it’s… it’s your maternal grandmother who intentionally snatched the company’s new project. Now, you’re the only one who can persuade her.”

He looked up, trying to grab Cheng Wu’s hand, but she dodged him. He pleaded almost in tears, “Xiao Wu, Dad is useless. Can you please help me?”

Is it still like this after all…

At this moment, Cheng Wu’s face was full of numbness. Part of the reason she came to Jiangcheng was to avoid getting involved in the entanglements between the Lu and Cheng families.

Cheng Ying stood in the wind, pleading bitterly, not looking at all like a father should.

Looking at her weak-willed father, Cheng Wu’s eyes were filled with sorrow.

In her parents’ marriage, if only her mother had taken a step back, or her father had taken a step forward, they wouldn’t have ended up like this.

Footsteps sounded from behind; it was Cheng Wu’s eldest uncle, Cheng Qi, walking over.

Cheng Wu looked over numbly and said expressionlessly, “Uncle, no need to persuade me. I won’t go back.”

“But, your grandfather has made a will, leaving all his shares to you.” Cheng Qi looked at Cheng Ying helplessly.

If his younger brother had even a bit of ability, things wouldn’t have turned out this way.

He explained, “Back then, I was the one supposed to marry your mother. Ah Ying only pretended to like her to help me out. It’s my fault for letting him down.”

Cheng Wu still didn’t react, only saying, “I can transfer the shares to my older cousin later.”

“But your grandfather found out about Xia Xiao Han’s existence.” Cheng Qi hadn’t wanted to say this, but remembering his father’s personality, he felt Cheng Wu needed to know.

Sure enough, Cheng Wu immediately became tense. “Uncle isn’t lying to me?”

Cheng Qi smiled bitterly. “Am I the kind of person who would lie to you?”

After a moment of struggle, Cheng Wu glanced at her disappointing father and finally took out her phone to call Xia Xiao Han.

“Senior, have you arrived?”

“No, something came up at home suddenly. I need to go back first. I’ll come to see you when I’m free, okay?” Cheng Wu tried her best not to let any emotion slip.

On the other end of the line, Xia Xiao Han keenly sensed that Senior was trying hard to hide something.

The senior must have encountered some very troublesome matter and didn’t want her to worry.

Xia Xiao Han nodded with a smile. “Mm, then seniors should handle the family matters first. I’ll wait for you.”

After hanging up, Xia Xiao Han turned around to see Chen Lan smiling at her.

“Auntie.” Chen Lan walked over and patted Xia Xiao Han’s cheek. “You’ve worked hard these days. Not only have you lost weight, but you’ve even developed bags under your eyes.”

Xia Xiao Han shook her head. “I’m not tired. It’s Brother and Auntie who have it hard.”

Chen Lan pulled her down to sit and asked about Cheng Wu: “That senior of yours—do you know her family situation? Where is she from? Does she have siblings?”

“She’s from Kyoto. She has paternal and maternal cousins, but I think she’s an only child. Her family should be quite well-off. Last time when there was no money in Mom’s card, Senior helped pay the deposit—she swiped over fifty thousand all at once.” Xia Xiao Han thought Chen Lan was just asking casually and didn’t think much of it.

Hearing her words, Chen Lan frowned.

Cheng Wu was only a college student. To be able to swipe that much money at once, her family conditions must be more than just “good.”