Online Love, Based on the Real Object - Chapter 30

Qi Ning suddenly regretted bringing up this topic with such a “steel-straight” woman.

Just as she was trying to think of how to save the situation, she heard Chu Yunjing ask for clarification: “When you say they’re a couple, what kind of relationship is it?”

 

“Well…” Qi Ning wanted to say they were lovers, but on second thought, that didn’t seem quite right either.

 

She had to answer honestly: “According to Sister Shu, Xiao Ji is a ‘little lover’ she’s keeping.”

 

“…” Chu Yunjing was silent for half a minute before simply saying, “Oh.”

 

“???”

 

Chu Yunjing’s excessive calm made Qi Ning wonder if there was something wrong with her own ability to communicate. She chased after her, adding: “Even if it’s a ‘sugar baby’ arrangement, they’re still basically a little couple. A real couple!” She repeated for emphasis: “And they’re both women. Don’t you have any thoughts on that at all?”

 

Chu Yunjing stopped in her tracks and turned to look at her. “Whether they’re a couple or not has nothing to do with me. What thoughts should I have?”

 

For some reason, hearing this made Qi Ning feel a sense of relief. A bright smile instantly lit up her face as she threw an arm around Chu Yunjing’s shoulder. “Aha! So you aren’t actually repelled by the idea?”

 

“…” Chu Yunjing shot her a glance, said nothing, and continued walking.

 

Qi Ning hurried after her, pushing her luck a little further. She said tentatively, “Maybe one day I’ll just find a girlfriend too~”

 

At this, Chu Yunjing stopped abruptly. She looked at her and said in a very serious tone, “Don’t make jokes like that.”

 

Qi Ning’s heart skipped a beat. She asked blankly, “Wh… what’s wrong?”

 

She had expected her friend to say she’d be jealous or something similar. Instead, Chu Yunjing proceeded to give her a detailed analysis of how difficult the “one-way street” of homosexuality is. She warned Qi Ning not to date girls just out of curiosity about that community.

 

“If your dad found out, he’d break your legs,” Chu Yunjing said. “Whether it’s a heterosexual or homosexual relationship, falling in love is easy—staying together is the hard part. Furthermore, given the current state of our country, same-sex couples don’t have legal protection. Wouldn’t it be better to find a boyfriend who dotes on you? Why are you thinking about a girlfriend?”

 

Qi Ning gave a forced laugh. Thinking of Yun Yu, she felt a pang of guilt. “But what if… what if one day I truly fall in love with a girl? What then?”

 

“…” Chu Yunjing felt like Qi Ning was deliberately being argumentative. She said irritably, “I can’t stop you from liking whoever you like. If you want to love someone, go ahead.”

 

Qi Ning kept her hands behind her back, her eyes fixed on her friend without blinking. “What if I meet the wrong person and she cons me out of my money and my heart? If that possibility you mentioned really happens, and I can’t find a suitable partner and end up dying alone in my old age, what then?”

 

“…”

 

Hah, she’s really getting addicted to this.

 

Chu Yunjing wanted to say, “Then it serves you right,” but seeing the serious expression on Qi Ning’s face, it seemed she was truly contemplating the issue. She swallowed the words back.

 

She actually followed along with the hypothetical.

 

“I’ll pay for your nursing home, okay?”

 

“Pfft.” Qi Ning couldn’t help but laugh; she had almost forgotten about that. These two “single dogs” had already agreed to move into a nursing home together when they got old. How could they possibly die alone?

 

Qi Ning stepped forward and hugged Chu Yunjing, nuzzling her head against her chest. She said in a soft, sweet voice, “Aww~ my Jingjing is the best after all~ Big Sister really hasn’t doted on you for nothing!”

 

“…”

 

Chu Yunjing was forced back a step by the sudden movement, pressed against the car door. She stared at Qi Ning with a deadpan expression.

 

“Let me tell you something.”

 

“My car hasn’t been washed in days and it’s filthy. If you get my clothes dirty, you’re responsible for washing them.”

 

“…”

 

Give me back my sentimental moment!

 

Qi Ning clocked out on her phone, and the two went to dinner together. On the way, Qi Cheng called.

 

Seeing the name on the screen, Qi Ning knew her “idiot younger brother” was calling with no good intentions—likely planning a way to pester her. As soon as she picked up, she got straight to the point: “What is it?”

 

“Big Sis~~~” a young man’s voice came from the other end. “What are you doing right now~~~?”

 

Qi Ning felt a layer of goosebumps from his overly affected tone.

 

“Speak like a human.”

 

“Oh. Fine.” He cleared his throat. “Sis, are you free for National Day? Mom told me to go stay with you for a few days.”

 

Qi Cheng attended university at Chongda. Whenever there was a long holiday, he would rush to his sister’s place—but of course, he wasn’t there for her.

 

His motive was as clear as day. Qi Ning knew exactly what her brother was up to the moment he opened his mouth. Her brother had been chasing after Chu Yunjing since they were kids, much to Qi Ning’s annoyance. Even though he was her own brother, she wouldn’t show the slightest favoritism when it came to her best friend’s choice in partners.

 

He was handsome enough, sure, but she had watched him grow up. Qi Cheng had no “protective filter” in her eyes. What does a wet-behind-the-ears brat know about love? And yet he’s already daydreaming about my best friend. If I weren’t standing in his way, he’d probably try to take flight.

 

“I’m not free,” Qi Ning refused without a second thought. “Go play by yourself.”

 

“Why?!”

 

“I’m going out with Yunjing.” She quickly added, “And we aren’t bringing you along, so give it up.”

 

“Don’t be like that! I can carry your bags! It’s dangerous for two girls to go out alone; you need a strong young man by your side. If some idiot tries to hit on you, I can block them!”

 

“Get lost,” Qi Ning replied bluntly. “I’m hanging up.”

 

“Is Xiao Cheng coming over?” Chu Yunjing asked casually. She had heard the entire sibling spat.

 

“He wants to,” Qi Ning said, putting her phone away. “I shut him down.”

 

“He rarely visits. As his sister, you shouldn’t just push him away. It’s no big deal to bring him; I’ll just book an extra room.”

 

As an only child, Chu Yunjing had always viewed Qi Cheng as a younger brother. In some ways, she was slightly nicer to him than his actual sister.

 

“Forget it.” Qi Ning rolled her eyes and pulled out her lipstick to touch up her makeup. “You know exactly what that kid is thinking.”

 

“…” Chu Yunjing felt quite helpless. “He’s just a child.”

 

“He’s eighteen this year. There are no ‘children’ that big.” A thought struck Qi Ning. “Wait, are you defending him?”

 

“Let me tell you, you cannot end up like that news story I saw. I absolutely could not accept that!”

 

She recalled the headline: “Nearly Forty, Marries Best Friend’s Twenty-Five-Year-Old Son.”

 

Chu Yunjing: “???”

 

“Listen to me,” Qi Ning advised earnestly. “Men mature late. You can’t look for someone younger than you; you’ll end up feeling like you’re raising a child. Look at Qi Cheng, don’t let his height fool you, he’s a total brat at heart.”

 

The car stopped at a crosswalk. Chu Yunjing looked at her as if she were an idiot. “I have no interest in your brother.”

 

“Besides…”

 

“Forget your brother. Even with his sister, I already feel like I’m raising a child.”

 

It took Qi Ning a moment to process the insult. Wait, she’s talking about me!

 

“You are really asking for a beating.”

 

Chu Yunjing curled her lips and looked at her with a calm, composed face. “Try it.”

 

Qi Ning sized her up. Having a clear understanding of the difference in their physical strength, she huffed and talked tough: “I’ll let you off for today.”

 

The week-long National Day holiday was only seven days away. During dinner, they discussed their travel plans. Qi Ning wondered if she still fit into the swimsuit she bought last year; she felt like she might have gained a little weight.

 

Qi Ning asked, “Do you need to buy a swimsuit?”

 

Chu Yunjing shook her head. “I have one.”

 

Qi Ning hummed an acknowledgment, then remembered the small floral dress she had given her previously. She had never seen her friend wear it. She rested her chin on her hands and looked at her expectantly: “Wear that dress I bought you when we go out for National Day.”

 

“Which one?” Qi Ning had bought her quite a few clothes; she couldn’t remember which one she meant.

 

“The floral one.” Qi Ning made a curvy gesture with her hands. “You look incredibly curvaceous in that! It’s super ethereal! I guarantee a 300% head-turn rate! You’ll have people lining up from the beach to the hotel to ask for your WeChat!”

 

The reminder brought the dress back to Chu Yunjing’s mind—the one exchanged for the bathrobe gift. She had tried it on at home, and while it looked great, it wasn’t suitable for work. Traveling in it would also be a hassle because the neckline was quite low; one slip-up and she’d be overexposed. With the holiday crowds, Chu Yunjing didn’t want the prying eyes of strangers on her, so she had no intention of wearing it out.

 

“No,” Chu Yunjing refused flatly.

 

“Why not!” Qi Ning slapped the table in annoyance. “I’m telling you, you’ll look amazing. Listen to me—bring that dress!”

 

“…” Chu Yunjing knew that if she didn’t agree now, Qi Ning would keep buzzing in her ear like a mosquito. She reluctantly agreed, planning to just say she “forgot to pack it” when the time came.

 

Satisfied with the unexpectedly quick agreement, Qi Ning nodded and began nagging: “It’s rare to go on a trip; it’s nice to wear pretty dresses. You always dress so plainly; people who don’t know you would think you’re frigid.”

 

They were seated in a corner of the restaurant. From their spot, they could see the men and women coming and going. Another couple walked in—the perfect height difference. The boy had his arm around his girlfriend, rubbing her head affectionately.

 

Qi Ning watched this scene play out. She thought of Shu Mingyao and Ji Zhijing, and then she thought of Yun Yu. She let out a soft sigh.

 

“What’s wrong?” Chu Yunjing looked up from across the table.

 

Qi Ning hesitated for a long moment, indecisive.

 

“Um… so I have a friend…” The moment she spoke, she instinctively used the “I have a friend” excuse.

 

Chu Yunjing looked at her, waiting for her to continue, with no intention of interrupting. Just like always, she was ready to quietly listen to the trivial matters of Qi Ning’s life.

 

“I have a friend,” Qi Ning sat up straight, secretly monitoring her friend’s emotional state. “She recently met someone online…”

 

“Their relationship is just friends, but she’s already started to feel something. In a situation like that, what do you think she should do?”

 

“And another problem is, that person is still in contact with an ex-girlfriend. She’s torn about whether to keep going.”

 

Chu Yunjing pondered for a moment before saying, “What is the guy’s attitude toward your friend? Is the feeling mutual, or is it just your friend’s unrequited crush?”

 

Qi Ning thought about it. There was definitely some chemistry, mixed with a bit of affection. But as for Yun Yu’s true attitude, she couldn’t tell.

 

“She doesn’t know what that person’s attitude is.”

 

Chu Yunjing shot her a glance and took a leisurely sip of tea. “Instead of overthinking it, she should just ask directly. If the person only sees her as a friend, then just move on. If the feeling is mutual, then I don’t need to say anything more.”

 

Qi Ning touched her neck. Does she really have to be that direct? If she got a disappointing answer, she’d be devastated. Her instinct was to run away again.

 

Back home that night, Qi Ning sat on her sofa after her shower, just like every other night. Gritting her teeth, she pulled out her phone.

 

She opened Zuire.

 

Skipping the opening ad, she landed on the home screen. She glanced at the message icon at the bottom.

 

The red circle actually displayed over twenty unread messages…

 

Sent by Yun Yu?