Secret Lover Who Stealthily Fell in Love with My Older Sister - Chapter 31

Chapter 31: A Warm Reunion

“Guest, wake up, we have arrived.”

As the car gently eased to a stop, Shen Ya heard someone calling her. She opened her eyes, her pupils darting left and right, momentarily unsure of the time or place. After a nap, her head felt heavier. Pressing her forehead, she took her bag, opened the car door, and said, “Thank you.”

Stepping out of the car, the cold wind hit her face, shattering the warm barrier of the car. Shen Ya hadn’t eaten much tonight. Now she was dizzy and a bit hungry. She had wanted to buy something to eat downstairs, but all the convenience stores were closed.

Helplessly, she figured she would just go home and cook the last bit of dumplings she had left.

Shen Ya opened her phone, ready to give the driver a five-star review, but repeated missed call notifications popped up, and her messaging app was filled with messages from Qiao Xi.

She tapped the missed call log and called Qiao Xi back. Just as she stepped through the community gate, the call connected. Before she could speak, Shen Ya’s gaze fell on the figure not far away, whose shadow was lengthened by the warm yellow streetlamp.

Shen Ya saw Qiao Xi carrying a wide takeout bag in one hand and holding her phone in the other. Her previously lost gaze brightened instantly upon seeing her.

A joyful exclamation came through the phone: “Teacher Shen!!”

Before Shen Ya could respond, Qiao Xi hurried towards her, her black hair swaying lightly in the wind. She seemed to emit a soft glow under the moonlight. Even before she got close, Shen Ya felt the passionate warmth radiating from Qiao Xi. Even the biting cold of the winter wind could not blow away Qiao Xi’s warmth.

Qiao Xi was running fast. Shen Ya was afraid she might fall, so she subconsciously reached out to catch Qiao Xi before she reached her. Her fingertips had just touched Qiao Xi’s clothes when Qiao Xi slammed to a stop. Shen Ya was about to withdraw her hand, but saw Qiao Xi’s eyes roll. The girl, who had just steadied herself, suddenly dove into Shen Ya’s embrace. Shen Ya finally held this warm little sun.

Qiao Xi was a bit shorter than her. Strangely, both Jiang Yunxi and Qin Shuyao were tall, so Qiao Xi shouldn’t logically be this height. Though curious, Shen Ya didn’t ask. Only after feeling Qiao Xi nuzzle into the crook of her neck did she ask, “Why did you come over?”

“I wanted to spend New Year’s with Teacher Shen.” Qiao Xi didn’t dare nuzzle for long. She stood up straight and held up the bag in her hand: “Teacher Shen, I brought delicious food. Have you eaten dinner yet?”

Shen Ya shook her head. She realized Qiao Xi always seemed to appear at her most repressed moments. She took the takeout bag from Qiao Xi’s hand and proactively put her arm around Qiao Xi’s shoulder. “How long have you been here?”

“Not long. I just arrived. I went up but didn’t see Teacher Shen, so I came back down.” In reality, Qiao Xi had been waiting for almost two hours, but she didn’t want to pressure Shen Ya, so she didn’t tell the truth. She changed the subject and asked, “Was Teacher Shen out with friends?”

“No.”

Qiao Xi thought for a moment, then asked, “Then… did you go home?”

“Mhm.” Shen Ya hadn’t intended to say much, but she had so many pent-up emotions right now. Although Qiao Xi was young, she was an excellent listener. “Chen Xi came to find me this morning, so I went back with her for a trip.”

Qiao Xi was surprised that Shen Ya would voluntarily talk about her private matters. Since seeing Shen Ya earlier, she had noticed the smell of alcohol on her. Furthermore, she hadn’t had dinner at this hour, and under the moonlight, Shen Ya’s face looked like frost. Qiao Xi suspected something unpleasant must have happened at home.

Although Qiao Xi didn’t know Shen Ya’s past, she remembered how Shen Ya treated Chen Xi like an enemy when she visited before. Qiao Xi didn’t need much thought to know Shen Ya’s relationship with her family wasn’t good. Now that Shen Ya brought it up but didn’t continue, Qiao Xi was unsure whether to probe further or to skip the topic and say something to cheer Shen Ya up.

Watching the increasing number of people in the community and the occasional sound of firecrackers, Qiao Xi finally spoke to Shen Ya as silver fireworks burst into the sky: “If someone made Teacher Shen unhappy, it’s definitely their problem.”

The hand that had been resting on Qiao Xi’s shoulder suddenly lifted and patted her head.

Qiao Xi didn’t ask for the reason, clearly stating her position. This was obvious bias, yet this was the first time Shen Ya had experienced the feeling of being unconditionally supported.

At this moment, everything became clear in Shen Ya’s heart.

A slight smile entered her voice: “Coming out so late, are your family members not worried?”

The change in topic let Qiao Xi know that Shen Ya was not planning to discuss her family issues further. She shook her head and said, “They are worried, but Mom and Sis can’t stop me from going out. As long as I check in with them on time, it’s fine.”

…

The two walked into the apartment building. People delivering takeout could still be seen at this hour. The elevator was crowded. Shen Ya led Qiao Xi to the innermost corner, circling Qiao Xi with one arm to shield her from others.

As the two stepped out of the elevator, they could smell the aroma of hotpot from afar. The closer they got to Shen Ya’s apartment, the clearer the sounds of laughter became.

“Eh? Has the neighbor gotten a new little sister?” The female neighbor who had been disturbed by Chen Xi in the morning had her door open and was having hotpot with friends at home. Seeing Shen Ya and Qiao Xi, she naturally greeted them.

Qiao Xi paused, looked at the woman who suddenly spoke to them, and then turned back to Shen Ya.

Shen Ya offered no explanation, just nodded lightly, then opened her front door and pulled Qiao Xi inside.

As soon as the door closed, Qiao Xi asked, “Who was that?”

“A neighbor. She was bothered by Chen Xi knocking on the door this morning, so we had a brief interaction.” Shen Ya opened the shoe cabinet, took out Qiao Xi’s slippers first, then put on her own shoes.

“Oh, no wonder she said Teacher Shen got a new little sister.” Earlier, Qiao Xi thought another peer had come to visit Shen Ya. It seemed it was a false alarm.

Strange, why did she feel like it was a false alarm?

While she was still wondering, she heard Shen Ya ask her, “Where did you buy the food?”

Qiao Xi’s mind hadn’t fully returned, but her mouth answered first: “A restaurant outside my mom’s community.”

Shen Ya placed the bag on the kitchen counter. She took out her phone, habitually opening the unread messages. When she saw the timestamp of Qiao Xi’s first message asking if she was home, she looked up at Qiao Xi’s face, a slight curve on her lips: “Little liar.”

Qiao Xi saw the phone in Shen Ya’s hand and instantly realized her clumsy lie was exposed. She looked shifty, her smile awkward and slightly pleading. “I just didn’t want Teacher Shen to overthink things.”

Shen Ya raised her hand and flicked Qiao Xi’s nose, but the force was gentle, just a “punishment” for lying. But the next moment, Qiao Xi covered her nose, her eyes watery, looking like she had been bullied.

Qiao Xi was being deliberately difficult again. Shen Ya shot her a look before unwrapping the bag. “Something did happen, which is why I turned off my phone.”

Shen Ya took out the containers one by one. The restaurant had packaged the food elegantly. When she checked the temperature, even with good insulation, Qiao Xi had waited for so long that the food was only slightly warm.

Qiao Xi stepped half a pace closer to Shen Ya. Seeing that Shen Ya planned to reheat the food, she proactively offered to help: “Then, is Teacher Shen willing to tell me what happened earlier?”

Shen Ya kept her mouth shut, her hands still busy. During the walk back from the community gate, the cold wind had sobered her slightly heavy mind. Qiao Xi was indeed a qualified listener, but Shen Ya hadn’t forgotten that Qiao Xi was still a student. Moreover, Qiao Xi grew up in love, being optimistic and warm. She shouldn’t have her mood disturbed by the terrible things in Shen Ya’s past.

“Is this seafood?” Shen Ya finally chose to ignore Qiao Xi’s question.

Qiao Xi was sensitive and thoughtful. As soon as Shen Ya spoke, she understood her meaning. She always managed to stay within the safe boundaries, keeping Shen Ya comfortable and without worry.

“Yes, steamed coral trout, and two small spiny lobsters.” Qiao Xi scratched her face: “Uh… this is crab roe fried rice, cheese-baked crab legs, and a matsutake mushroom abalone soup. Teacher Shen isn’t allergic to seafood, right?”

“Not allergic, but these things must have been expensive, right?”

This question set off an alarm in Qiao Xi’s mind. She knew Shen Ya would not comfortably accept her money, and even for the food she brought, Shen Ya would likely try to transfer the market price to her.

“Not expensive, not expensive at all! It was completely free. The owner of this restaurant is Mom’s friend, so she didn’t charge me anything. Teacher Shen, please don’t transfer money to me, or I’ll feel embarrassed to eat it.”

Shen Ya didn’t entirely believe Qiao Xi, but if she insisted on transferring money, Qiao Xi would likely become difficult again. Forget it. She could always make up for this meal in another way.

She finished reheating the food. Qiao Xi then took the bowls and plates to the dining table, running back and forth several times. “Okay, you go sit down. I’ll wash my hands and be right over.”

Qiao Xi went to the dining table and sat down. While Shen Ya was busy, she quickly opened her phone and ordered takeout.

When Shen Ya returned, Qiao Xi turned off her phone and placed it on the table. She looked at Shen Ya with an expectant gaze. After Shen Ya sat down, Qiao Xi proactively added rice to Shen Ya’s bowl: “This restaurant tastes really good. I’ve been eating here since I was little.”

Shen Ya picked up her bowl. Glancing at the empty bowl in front of Qiao Xi, she paused for a brief moment, then scooped a spoonful from her own bowl into Qiao Xi’s bowl: “I know you ate dinner, so don’t force yourself. Just eat this much.”

A sudden, indescribable flutter arose in Qiao Xi’s heart. Shen Ya, who was indifferent to outsiders, was actively sharing food from her own bowl with her. This unique gesture excited Qiao Xi and made her heart race.

Did this mean Shen Ya was slowly responding to her advances?

“I didn’t eat much tonight. I just wanted to come over and have New Year’s dinner with Teacher Shen.” After seeing Shen Ya take a bite of food, Qiao Xi finally picked up a grain of rice with her chopsticks and put it into her mouth. This was given to her by Shen Ya, so she naturally had to eat it slowly.

“Why?” Qiao Xi clearly had a home to go back to and a happy family. Why would she choose to come to her at this time?

“Does there need to be a reason?” Qiao Xi tilted her head, showing her heart to Shen Ya with the most genuine words: “Because I missed Teacher Shen. Because I wanted to have New Year’s dinner with Teacher Shen. Because I wanted to watch the fireworks with Teacher Shen again. Are these reasons good enough, Teacher Shen?”

Every word Qiao Xi spoke seemed to melt into the surrounding air. Shen Ya felt her fingertips growing warm. When she inhaled, the warming air flowed into her body, causing her heart to tremble slightly.