Secret Lover Who Stealthily Fell in Love with My Older Sister - Chapter 111

Chapter 111: “Confess and Be Lenient, Resist and Be Punished…”

“Confess and be lenient, resist and be punished!”

“How dare you, Qiao Xi, keep secrets from us!”

Xia Cong’an stood behind Yu Tiantian, holding Shen Ya’s food container, while Yu Tiantian stared seriously at Qiao Xi. The two were like judges in a courtroom, interrogating Qiao Xi.

Qiao Xi was currently pinned against the dorm wall by Yu Tiantian. Coincidentally, earlier downstairs, just as she and Shen Ya hugged, Xia Cong’an happened to walk around the corner. Seeing Shen Ya, she looked like she had seen a ghost and quickly ran to Yu Tiantian, staring at her wide-eyed.

Yu Tiantian shrugged, hands spread, not knowing what was going on.

Later, Shen Ya released Qiao Xi, smiled and nodded slightly at both of them, and finally said: “I am currently pursuing Xiao Xi. Sorry to make you witness such a spectacle.”

At the time, Xia Cong’an thought she had misheard. She even patted Yu Tiantian’s hand and told her: “Pinch me.”

It was meant as a casual remark in her shock, but Yu Tiantian actually rolled up her sleeve and fiercely pinched the flesh of her arm. Xia Cong’an screamed and jumped, about to retaliate, when she heard Qiao Xi say: “Then you should go back and eat quickly. I’m heading back to the dorm too.”

“Alright. The weekend is coming up soon. Be good and stay at school these next few days.”

Qiao Xi agreed. Although reluctant, she still watched Shen Ya leave.

Qiao Xi retracted her thoughts, a smile still hanging on her lips. Even being pressed by Yu Tiantian, she didn’t feel pain: “It’s exactly as you saw. Teacher Shen is pursuing me.”

This was the second time Xia Cong’an and Yu Tiantian heard this. Qiao Xi was still heartbroken before the holiday, feeling she had no chance with Shen Ya, so how did their relationship undergo such a drastic change in just one month?!

“You know what we want to hear.” Yu Tiantian pressed down harder on her shoulder and threatened: “If you don’t honestly confess, you won’t get to eat the food Teacher Shen brought.”

“No way!” Everything else was negotiable, but how could she give up the food Shen Ya made for her? “I’ll talk! Put down Teacher Shen’s food!”

Yu Tiantian released her. Qiao Xi rubbed her shoulder; the force was strong enough to almost break her arm. The food container Shen Ya brought was placed on Xia Cong’an’s desk. Qiao Xi and Yu Tiantian pulled their chairs over to Xia Cong’an.

The three-tiered container. Xia Cong’an took them down one by one. Opening the first lid, it contained neatly arranged cola chicken wings coated in sauce. The chicken wings were still hot, with white steam rising as the lid was removed, looking as if they had just been cooked.

All three simultaneously swallowed. There was no time to put on gloves. They didn’t know whose hand reached into the container first to pick up a chicken wing. The other two naturally didn’t lag behind. Three pieces instantly disappeared from the full bowl of chicken wings. For a moment, the only sound in the dorm was the crunching of chicken wings.

Shen Ya’s cooking skills were excellent. At least Qiao Xi couldn’t wait to pick up the next one after finishing the first. Xia Cong’an pulled out a tissue to wipe her hands before opening the second food container. Three lamb chops were stacked, topped with a few sprigs of rosemary. This time, the three didn’t rush, instead directly opening the last lid.

The final container held pieces of cut kimbap (seaweed-wrapped rice rolls), a full box, more than enough for the three of them.

“Looks like we don’t have to go out for dinner tonight.” Yu Tiantian stood up. She first went to the bathroom to wash her hands thoroughly before returning to her desk, pulling open the bottom drawer, and taking out three pairs of disposable chopsticks.

Xia Cong’an and Qiao Xi returned after washing their hands together. Yu Tiantian handed each of them a pair of chopsticks. She embraced the container with the kimbap. Xia Cong’an turned around with her chopsticks, picked up a rice roll from the container, and urged Qiao Xi: “Hurry up and tell us what’s going on between you and Teacher Shen?”

Qiao Xi picked up a rice roll and grabbed a container lid to hold under her mouth. After taking a bite of the rice roll, she slowly said: “During the New Year holidays, Teacher Shen came to find me. She said she had thought things through and wanted to reconcile with me. I was angry, right? I thought she had left my place without a word and hadn’t contacted me for so many days, so of course I was unhappy. Therefore, I decided to give her a chance and let her pursue me.”

“But the way you were acting just now, are you sure you haven’t reconciled and are already dating?”

Yu Tiantian’s question made Qiao Xi feel guilty. Although she kept saying she hadn’t forgiven Shen Ya, she had just run to see Shen Ya last night and did things that boosted their relationship.

Waking up this morning, she even saw teeth marks on her butt in the bathroom mirror, like Shen Ya had stamped a seal on her. Thinking of this, the area with the teeth marks on her butt felt hot. She secretly squeezed her legs together, her knees brushing unconsciously, and an indescribable fire ignited in her lower abdomen.

Even though Qiao Xi’s mind was wandering, her mouth remained firm. She flatly denied it: “Can’t we just be ambiguous? Teacher Shen still owes me a confession.”

If these two knew that Shen Ya had already met the family elders, she would probably become the fourth dish on the table today. After all, she hadn’t mentioned such an important matter all winter break. As her two best friends, they would probably want to tear her limb from limb.

Xia Cong’an was distracted by the delicious food and didn’t think much of it. Besides, she had clearly heard it just now: Shen Ya personally admitted to pursuing Qiao Xi. Even if Qiao Xi might lie, a teacher like Shen Ya surely wouldn’t, right?

Yu Tiantian wasn’t as easily fooled as Xia Cong’an. Unlike Xia Cong’an, she had also gone through the ambiguous phase, experiencing pursuing and being pursued. Qiao Xi’s eyes were shining when she saw Shen Ya just now, as if only Shen Ya existed in the world. Although they only hugged, Yu Tiantian believed that if no one else was around, Qiao Xi would definitely be kissing Shen Ya while clinging to her neck. The reason she was so sure was that the specific chemistry between couples couldn’t be masked or faked.

Knowing it in her heart was one thing; calling it out was another. Qiao Xi’s secrecy probably had her own reasons. Yu Tiantian had no intention of digging for details. Her curiosity stemmed from Qiao Xi’s previous rejection, which led both her and Xia Cong’an to believe there was no hope for Qiao Xi and Shen Ya.

Now, knowing this good news, Yu Tiantian believed Xia Cong’an was just as happy for Qiao Xi as she was.

“So, when do you plan to accept Teacher Shen?” Yu Tiantian asked again.

Qiao Xi had already accepted her in her heart. Even though she was sitting in the dorm right now, her heart had already flown to Shen Ya. It wasn’t that she was too clingy; it was just that Shen Ya possessed an aura that was incredibly attractive to her, making her lose control of her body and emotions every time she saw her.

Qiao Xi replied: “That depends on when Teacher Shen confesses to me.”

“So, did you go to find Teacher Shen last night?”

Xia Cong’an, who had been quietly chewing on a lamb chop, suddenly spoke up. Even the seemingly naive one could figure this out.

Qiao Xi admitted it frankly this time: “Yes, my cousin has two apartments in the community across from the school, and she let Shen Ya use one of them.”

“Tsk.” Yu Tiantian stared meaningfully into Qiao Xi’s eyes: “You two are practically like a real couple now.”

Xia Cong’an held up the gnawed clean lamb chop: “Agreed.”

Qiao Xi felt a warmth in her heart and shared her recent interactions with Shen Ya with her friends. Of course, she omitted some key details and only talked briefly about their dates.

The food Shen Ya brought was entirely devoured by the three of them. Although it wasn’t a huge amount, it was enough to satisfy them.

Qiao Xi was disciplined. After a long period of indulgence, she needed to resume her normal study life. She created a schedule for her extra-curricular time, determined not to get distracted or chat with Shen Ya while studying.

She sent the schedule to Shen Ya, and the other party respected her time, never sending a message when Qiao Xi was studying or in class.

The next evening, Shen Ya came again.

Qiao Xi was studying in the dorm at the time. Shen Ya called her precisely during her break time. Learning that Shen Ya was outside the dorm, Qiao Xi put on a jacket, informed Xia Cong’an and Yu Tiantian, and left the dorm.

The temperature had slightly warmed up recently, but the night wind was still biting. Shen Ya was like a gentle, flawless bright moon in the deep dark night. Initially, she emitted only a faint silver glow, but upon turning around to see her beloved, her eyes became brighter than the stars.

She opened her arms to receive the sun approaching her and, ignoring everyone else, left a kiss on Qiao Xi’s face.

“Teacher Shen, why did you come over?”

Shen Ya handed her the small food container she was holding: “I made some snacks. Take them back and eat them.”

Qiao Xi took the small food container and asked: “What delicious treats are they?”

“A secret.”

The more Shen Ya didn’t tell her, the more curious she became. The chicken wings and lamb chops she brought previously were so fragrant that Qiao Xi still craved them.

Although she wanted to know what was inside right now, Qiao Xi wanted to spend more time with Shen Ya. She asked: “Is Teacher Shen in a hurry to go back?”

She thought Shen Ya would shake her head, which would allow her to naturally suggest a walk. Hopefully, as they walked, she could cling to the other person, perhaps finding an excuse to go home with Shen Ya tonight. As for whether Xia Cong’an and Yu Tiantian would get to eat the snacks Shen Ya made, she didn’t care; as long as she could eat them, that was enough.

“Mm.”

Qiao Xi had already drafted her plan in her head. Hearing that one word, she swallowed her words. Shen Ya actually rejected her?!

“Does Teacher Shen have work to take care of?”

Shen Ya nodded and said: “Mm, I have some work to handle.”

Qiao Xi didn’t doubt it; after all, Shen Ya was very busy and had already dedicated most of her free time to her. She couldn’t interrupt the other party’s normal work. Logic told her to maintain boundaries, but her emotions weren’t controlled by logic.

She tried to force a smile, but after lifting the corners of her mouth for a long time, she only managed a smile uglier than a cry: “Alright then.”

Shen Ya knew Qiao Xi’s little thoughts but didn’t expose them. She smiled inwardly, but her expression remained unchanged. She simply lifted her hand to touch Qiao Xi’s face and said: “Go back now. The wind is strong outside. Eat something, rest a bit, and go to bed early. I don’t know how long I’ll be busy.”

The implication was that she couldn’t chat with Shen Ya tonight.

Qiao Xi nodded reluctantly, like a small dog drenched by heavy rain. She bid farewell to Shen Ya with a slump, and under Shen Ya’s wave, she reluctantly moved around the corner where Shen Ya could no longer see her.

Carrying the food container back to the dorm, every step Qiao Xi took felt heavy. Xia Cong’an, sitting closest to the dorm door, stretched her neck: “Huh? I thought you weren’t coming back tonight.”

“Heh.” Qiao Xi looked up, with a forced, unnatural smile.

“What’s wrong?” Xia Cong’an’s eyes lit up as she stared at the food container in Qiao Xi’s arms: “Did Teacher Shen bring us relief supplies again?”

Qiao Xi glared at Xia Cong’an with resentment.

Xia Cong’an ignored the look. As Qiao Xi walked past her, she reached out and snatched the food container from Qiao Xi’s arms. Opening the lid, the aroma of fried spare ribs instantly made Xia Cong’an’s mouth water.

Yu Tiantian moved her chair over. She picked up a piece of fried spare rib and popped it into her mouth. Seeing Qiao Xi listless, she asked: “What’s wrong?”

Qiao Xi slumped onto her chair like a wilted mushroom and said weakly: “I hinted to Teacher Shen that I didn’t want to stay at the dorm tonight, but Teacher Shen actually rejected me! She said she has work to do. Fine, I know I shouldn’t be so clingy and shouldn’t interrupt her work, but even if I went back with her, I could quietly accompany her, right? Why did she refuse me?”

Qiao Xi was completely baffled, unaware that the previous night, during dinner, Shen Ya and Fang Moyao had unintentionally discussed her and Qiao Xi’s little agreement.

When Fang Moyao learned that Qiao Xi was still stubbornly refusing to admit she was dating Shen Ya, she offered Shen Ya a small suggestion.

She said: “Don’t always let Qiao Xi lead you around. It wouldn’t do to spoil the little brat. The collar I gave you isn’t just for show. Don’t you understand the principle of tightening and loosening?”

She also said: “Since she’s being petulant and dragging things out, why don’t you use some tactics to reclaim the initiative? Since she likes to cling to you, then don’t let her cling to you. Let’s see if she’s more impatient than you.”

She concluded: “Dating isn’t that simple. Give and take is necessary to maintain freshness forever. Life is often boring and dull; you have to find ways to amuse each other to keep things interesting.”

Shen Ya took all these words to heart, even taking out her phone and opening her notes app to type them in word for word, more seriously than she was at work.

Seeing Shen Ya’s eagerness to learn, Zhou Ziqian also offered some not-so-reliable little tricks. Shen Ya wrote them all down, whether they were useful or not. After the dinner party ended and she returned home, she even transferred all these “tactics” from her notes to her computer.

After pondering for most of the night, she devised a simple little strategy. She understood Qiao Xi. Although Qiao Xi was mature, she was often impulsive due to her youth. Shen Ya decided to deliberately curb Qiao Xi’s impulsiveness.

Today, after finishing work and returning home, she put the spare ribs she marinated yesterday into the air fryer. Timing it perfectly, she drove to Qiao Xi’s school with the food container.

Qiao Xi predictably couldn’t resist the temptation and hinted that she wanted to go home. Shen Ya lied. She didn’t have to work overtime tonight. She simply refused to “punish” the stubborn little brat. She gritted her teeth and heartlessly refused.

It turned out a disappointed Qiao Xi could display such a cute and expressive range of emotions. When Qiao Xi was out of sight, Shen Ya turned around, and a soft chuckle escaped her nose.

She wondered how long Qiao Xi would be able to hold out this time.