Secret Lover Who Stealthily Fell in Love with My Older Sister - Chapter 20

 Chapter 20: The Persistent Warmth

Words were typed and deleted in the dialogue box. Qiao Xi didn’t know the exact meaning of Shen Ya’s sentence. Was it an unwillingness to interact with her again, a simple refusal to rent her apartment, or was Shen Ya still angry because her presumption made her uncomfortable?

Should she continue to apologize?

But thousands of words of apology couldn’t win back the opportunity Shen Ya had initially given her. What was the point of saying ‘I’m sorry’ anymore?

She had been incredibly wrong and far too self-assured. She had finally found a chance to get closer to Shen Ya, yet before she could gain a firm foothold, the other woman had pushed her back outside the safe line.

After much deliberation, Qiao Xi finally typed a few words: 【What is the environment like in the new apartment? Is it safe around there?】

【Mm.】

The reply was flat and impersonal. Even across the screen, Qiao Xi could feel Shen Ya’s detachment. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, stopping once again.

Qiao Xi thought that this obvious rejection meant she should stop bothering her. But she was unwilling to give up. She and Shen Ya were not exactly close, having only met a few times, but in every interaction, she saw a reflection of her childhood self in Shen Ya.

No, more accurately, Shen Ya seemed more helpless and lonely than Qiao Xi had been as a child. Qiao Xi always felt an uncontrollable urge to approach Shen Ya; even just offering a piece of candy made her feel like she was redeeming her past self.

This was why she didn’t want to break contact with Shen Ya. The reason Shen Ya always kept people at a distance might be because she lacked anyone to truly open up to.

She certainly didn’t believe she could be that person to confide in, but as long as Shen Ya could find some happiness in her presence, then she felt she would have fulfilled the promise she made to herself as a child.

Her heart suddenly became firm. Shen Ya was indeed cold, but if Qiao Xi retreated now, what made her any different from all the others who had once approached Shen Ya only to leave?

Since she had been the one to actively pursue Shen Ya, she absolutely would not back down now.

Qiao Xi typed: 【When are you moving, Teacher Shen? Can I come with you?】

After more than ten minutes, she couldn’t be sure Shen Ya would reply immediately, but it didn’t matter. She could wait. If she didn’t hear back today, there was tomorrow. If Shen Ya stopped replying, then she would… she would…

Luckily, Shen Ya’s message popped up the next moment: 【Tomorrow. You have class.】

Qiao Xi’s eyes lit up. Shen Ya hadn’t rejected her, merely stating that she couldn’t come because it was Monday. So, Shen Ya wasn’t actually rejecting continued contact.

Should she ask about the self-reflection now?

Qiao Xi had already typed two words but quickly deleted them all. She shook her head and muttered to herself, “No, if Teacher Shen hasn’t brought it up, then I won’t mention it yet.”

She clicked on her emojis, found a small crying puppy image, and hit send. Then she typed a few more words: 【Is Teacher Shen available to take a call now?】

【Mm.】

Qiao Xi was delighted. She quickly initiated a voice call, and in her nervous and expectant state, Shen Ya answered the phone.

She couldn’t wait to call out: “Teacher Shen!”

“Mm.”

“Are you busy, Teacher Shen?”

Shen Ya was currently sitting in the newly rented apartment. She had just finished cleaning. Her exhaustion left her hungry but with no appetite. Looking at the empty, small apartment, she suddenly found the quietness a little scary.

For some reason, she suddenly missed Qiao Xi’s noise. She had deliberately given her the cold shoulder for so long today and had gone back on her word about considering the apartment. Would Qiao Xi still dare to approach her after realizing she had been teased?

“Teacher Shen?”

Qiao Xi’s voice brought her thoughts back. That message and this call were like a timely comfort, bringing some human presence to the desolate small apartment.

Shen Ya’s voice carried a hint of fatigue: “I’m listening.”

“Are you not at home right now, Teacher Shen?”

“Mm… not exactly.” Shen Ya thought for a moment before explaining to Qiao Xi: “I rented an apartment for a transition period. I’ll look for a suitable residential apartment after the New Year.”

Qiao Xi, hearing this on the other end of the phone, dug her fingernails into the keyboard. So, Shen Ya hadn’t found a completely satisfactory apartment after all. Did that mean she still had a chance?

Qiao Xi didn’t rush this time, nor did she bring up her own apartment. Her original intention was simply to have Shen Ya live in a better, more comfortable environment. If Shen Ya later found an apartment with good conditions, she couldn’t force her to choose her own.

Qiao Xi suppressed her excitement and said, “Then, if Teacher Shen goes apartment viewing again later, can I come with you?”

“We’ll see.”

Qiao Xi noticed that Shen Ya liked to give her ambiguous answers. Perhaps Shen Ya herself was unsure of her own feelings, which was why she didn’t dare to commit easily.

“Has Teacher Shen already booked a moving company?”

“Mm.”

“Then… do I still have a chance to visit Teacher Shen’s new place?” Qiao Xi asked cautiously. She was genuinely testing whether Shen Ya’s attitude toward her had truly changed.

“It’s not really a new place.” Shen Ya paused, then added: “Wait until you’re on break.”

“Yay!” Her heart, which had just calmed down, became excited again. She knew that the outwardly cold Shen Ya was inwardly gentle. “Then can I still… still contact you like before, Teacher Shen?”

Shen Ya let out a soft, almost imperceptible chuckle. “Speaking of which, where did you copy those 2,000 words of self-reflection from?”

“Uh… that…” Qiao Xi hadn’t expected Shen Ya to bring this up now. She froze for a moment, the words she was about to say caught in her throat. She didn’t know how to answer.

Shen Ya heard her awkwardness but didn’t offer a way out. Qiao Xi scratched her head, her face flushing, grateful that she wasn’t talking to Shen Ya face-to-face. Otherwise, Shen Ya would have seen her embarrassed state.

After chatting with Qiao Xi for a while, Shen Ya realized she had recovered some energy. It was getting late, and Qiao Xi had school tomorrow. She said, “Alright, I’m going to pack up and head back now.”

“Then, then can you send me pictures of the new apartment after you move, Teacher Shen?” Afraid of being misunderstood, she quickly added: “I don’t mean anything else. I just want to see what kind of apartment is lucky enough to be chosen by Teacher Shen.”

“There’s nothing special about it.” Since it was only meant to be a transition apartment, it naturally wasn’t anything great.

“Then I won’t disturb you anymore tonight, Teacher Shen. Please be safe on your way home, and good night in advance.”

“Mm, good night.”

The call was about to end, and Qiao Xi felt a pang of reluctance. Perhaps her new friend was too mysterious, making her constantly want to get closer, to uncover those secrets.

She had resolved not to be reckless, but in the end, Qiao Xi couldn’t stop herself. Just before Shen Ya was about to hang up the voice call, she called out to her: “Teacher Shen.”

“Mm?”

Qiao Xi’s tone became cautious: “I mean, if, if Teacher Shen doesn’t find a satisfactory apartment later, can you reconsider me? Please don’t overthink it, I don’t mean anything else. Since Teacher Shen wants a safe, quiet, and comfortable space, why can’t it be my place? At least you and I are friends, and we definitely won’t have those conflicts between a landlord and a tenant, right?”

After speaking, Qiao Xi’s heart became anxious again. Shen Ya was angry with her for lying and plotting, so now she was being direct and not hiding her intentions anymore.

The phone line went silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Even Shen Ya’s breathing seemed to have vanished. Qiao Xi had to look at the screen to confirm the call was still connected.

After what felt like an entire century, Qiao Xi thought she heard a sigh, followed by Shen Ya’s emotionless two words: “Hanging up.”

The call was cut off the next second. A continuous dial tone hummed into Qiao Xi’s ear.

Qiao Xi put down her phone and rubbed her head. She didn’t understand why Shen Ya was willing to let her get close but unwilling to accept her kindness. Could it be embarrassment? Or was it because of her sister?

She shook her head, deciding to stop thinking about it for now.