Secret Lover Who Stealthily Fell in Love with My Older Sister - Chapter 42

Chapter 42: The Unspoken Comfort

The things Qiao Xi had mailed while traveling arrived at the small apartment Shen Ya had previously rented. Qiao Xi found a day to go with Shen Ya to pick up the package. It was a box of food items. Once they had it, Qiao Xi suggested splitting some of it with Shen Ya’s former neighbor.

They knocked on the neighbor’s door and gave her a few bags of local specialties. From the neighbor, they also learned a piece of news: Chen Qian had come by a couple of days ago looking for Shen Ya. She hadn’t managed to open the door but had disturbed the next-door neighbor. After the neighbor said a few passive-aggressive things, Chen Qian left, blushing.

The reason Chen Qian hadn’t contacted Shen Ya was that Shen Ya had blocked Chen Qian’s contact information after Shen Qiuyu showed up at her door that day.

However, based on the female neighbor’s description, Chen Qian seemed to have come to find Shen Ya without Shen Qiuyu’s knowledge, and her attitude was not as irritating as before. The neighbor hadn’t pressed for details, so she wasn’t sure what Chen Qian’s objective was.

Qiao Xi didn’t ask Shen Ya what she would do, because she saw that Shen Ya remained expressionless after hearing the news, looking indifferent, as if listening to something inconsequential.

After parting ways with the neighbor, Qiao Xi asked Shen Ya: “Teacher Shen, why do you think Chen Qian came looking for you?”

“I don’t know, and it’s irrelevant to me.”

Shen Ya’s voice was chilling as she said this. Qiao Xi was glad that she was special to Shen Ya; at least Shen Ya had never treated her with such coldness. Thinking of this, Qiao Xi hugged Shen Ya’s arm and flashed a silly smile: “Then, should I go ask her?”

“No need. Pay her no mind. You should be focused on your studies now. If she bothers you, I will handle it.”

Why is it back to studying again?

Qiao Xi noticed that ever since school started, every time she met Shen Ya, the other person was bound to ask about her academic progress. Sometimes when she came home, Shen Ya would even ask for her test papers to review, worrying about her grades even more than her own sisters.

Qiao Xi let go of Shen Ya’s arm and covered her ears: “Can’t hear you, can’t hear you! Teacher Shen, I’m resting today. Can we not talk about studying? I just finished an exam yesterday.”

Shen Ya didn’t speak again. She thought that perhaps these words annoyed Qiao Xi, but every time she saw Qiao Xi, she couldn’t help but be reminded of her students, and thus, couldn’t help worrying about Qiao Xi’s studies.

Although she knew from the test papers that Qiao Xi’s grades were better than she had imagined, the college entrance examination shouldn’t be too difficult for Qiao Xi. She had taught many students and had seen those who performed well but failed the Gaokao. As the exam date approached, the tense, oppressive atmosphere always affected people’s state of mind.

However, Qiao Xi seemed to be in good spirits currently, but Shen Ya wasn’t sure if Qiao Xi was feigning ease in front of her. Still, if Qiao Xi didn’t like her talking about studies, she would simply avoid bringing it up directly.

The Spring Festival holiday passed without notice. Shen Ya no longer had time to come home to cook every day, and her time with Qiao Xi gradually lessened. However, Shen Ya would notice new snacks and candies appearing at home, and she, in turn, would stock the house with new beverages.

Although her and Qiao Xi’s schedules often clashed, the traces left behind in the house proved that the apartment was not hers alone.

Chen Qian hadn’t contacted her again, and even Shen Qiuyu was temporarily silent. Shen Ya didn’t know if the other party was plotting something else or was truly scared off by Qiao Xi’s previous actions, but whatever the reason, she couldn’t let her guard down.

Changing houses indeed brought a change of mood. With Qiao Xi’s company, she found that light would also shine on her path forward.

When the first spring thunder rang out, Qiao Xi introduced her to a few students who needed tutoring. Shen Ya began to stay home during her free time to tutor these students individually. Whenever this happened, Qiao Xi was always there, occasionally helping her by explaining problems to the students.

To prevent Qiao Xi from getting distracted, Shen Ya would usually usher Qiao Xi into the bedroom, handing her the past exam papers she had collected. Every time Qiao Xi received these exams personally prepared by her, Shen Ya was met with a look of resentment and pity.

This life made Shen Ya realize that all these changes were brought about by Qiao Xi. She was grateful and constantly thought of how to repay her.

During a unit dinner, Shen Ya stopped in front of a glass display case in a shopping mall. She saw a deep-blue fountain pen. The pen was expensive, but it was a style Qiao Xi would likely appreciate.

She was familiar with the brand, so she didn’t worry about writing fluidity. Shen Ya bought the pen with almost no hesitation. When the salesperson heard she was giving it as a gift, they packaged it beautifully. She wondered what kind of expression Qiao Xi would have when she saw the pen.

The weekend arrived. The weather had warmed up recently, and Qiao Xi had long shed her heavy winter clothes for lighter outerwear. Although she didn’t have school today, she still wore her uniform when going out.

She and Shen Ya had an unwritten rule: unless one of them specifically said they had plans, they would inevitably meet during the holidays.

She came to the apartment opposite the girls’ high school early today. As soon as she entered, Shen Ya was there with dumplings, inviting her to eat breakfast.

Qiao Xi took off her coat, rolled up her sleeves, and washed her hands in the kitchen before opening the refrigerator to grab a can of soda. “Teacher Shen, don’t you have tutoring today?”

“Since your school stopped evening self-study for non-senior students, I moved those classes to weekday evenings.”

Reminded by Shen Ya, Qiao Xi finally remembered that there seemed to be a new regulation from above that high school students, except for seniors, no longer had to attend evening self-study. “Oh, I remember now. I’ve been so busy lately! I thought the Gaokao was still a long way off, but the countdown board in class made me realize there isn’t much time left.”

Shen Ya asked her: “Are you nervous?”

Qiao Xi picked up a dumpling, blew on it, and replied, “I can’t really say. The atmosphere in class is definitely getting heavier. Every day I walk into the classroom, I feel weighed down. Even my friends have become much quieter.”

“Mhm.” Shen Ya thought for a moment and said, “You don’t need to put too much pressure on yourself. With your grades, you can pick and choose your universities.”

Qiao Xi laughed out loud when she heard this: “Teacher Shen, you sound exactly like my homeroom teacher.”

Shen Ya closed her mouth again, glaring at Qiao Xi. She lowered her head and started eating the dumplings in her bowl, deciding not to pay Qiao Xi any more attention.

“Is Teacher Shen unhappy?” Qiao Xi put down her chopsticks and stretched out her neck to look, only for Shen Ya to raise her hand and tap her forehead. Qiao Xi immediately retracted, covering the spot and exclaiming loudly, “Ouch! That hurt so much!”

“I didn’t use any force.” Shen Ya watched Qiao Xi act up in front of her, arms crossed.

Qiao Xi then put her hand down, offering an awkward smile. She changed her voice to a playful whine: “Actually, I am a little nervous. I want Teacher Shen to comfort me.”

“Okay.”

“Huh?” It was meant as a joke, but Shen Ya agreed, completely surprising Qiao Xi. She stared blankly at Shen Ya, her body seemingly rooted to the spot.

“Finish your breakfast first.”

This was like bait thrown out by Shen Ya. She sat steadily on the bank, fishing rod in hand, eyes fixed on the little fish that kept nibbling at the bait underwater.

Qiao Xi, the little fish, was indeed clever. She knew this was bait, a tool to capture her, but she couldn’t resist the smell of the food. So, she opened her mouth, bit the hook, and waited for the angler to reel her in.

She picked up her chopsticks again, scooped up a dumpling, and took a big bite. She was curious and excited to see how Shen Ya would comfort her.

The dining table fell quiet. Qiao Xi focused on eating the dumplings. She finished a bowl of soup dumplings in less than five minutes. She ate quickly, her cheeks puffed out. Before swallowing the food, she looked up at Shen Ya and said, “I’m done.”

Qiao Xi looked like a little hamster. Shen Ya just glanced at her, then lowered her head to hide a smile in the shadows.

“I saw you smile, Teacher Shen!”

Shen Ya lifted her eyes to look at Qiao Xi after erasing her smile: “You’re mistaken.”

Qiao Xi noticed that Shen Ya was learning to be mischievous. Before, Shen Ya would never resort to such teasing or argue over such childish topics. Shen Ya had become more lively, like an iceberg that had partially melted, revealing the treasure hidden deep inside.

“So, how is Teacher Shen going to comfort me?”

“There’s a bag on the desk in the room. Bring it out.”

Qiao Xi immediately stood up, pushed her chair aside, and ran off. She reached the bedroom door and pressed the handle. The scent of Shen Ya filled the air. Since moving into her house, Shen Ya had become more protective of everything inside. She had hung scented sachets near the entrance to the room; the scent was fresh and elegant, just like Shen Ya herself.

Shen Ya hadn’t changed the room’s layout, but the sheets and duvet cover had been replaced with a dark blue color. There were no patterns or designs, simple yet perfectly matching Shen Ya’s personality.

She saw the drawing she had given Shen Ya last time placed on the bedside table. The frame was meticulously clean, suggesting it was dusted daily.

Qiao Xi pulled her gaze away and headed toward the small study area. Before getting close, she saw a black gift bag on the desk she used to use. Beside the gift bag, there was a laptop, and to the right, some neatly stacked books and test papers.

She walked up to the desk and read the brand name on the gift bag. It was a luxury brand. Nothing from this brand was cheap. Although she hadn’t opened the gift bag, Qiao Xi had a suspicion about what was inside.

The item was too valuable. She didn’t dare accept it, no matter what it was. This wasn’t a holiday. Why would Shen Ya give her such an expensive gift?

Qiao Xi picked up the bag, which felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

She had entered the room like a cheerful little bird. Emerging from the room, her little bird’s wings seemed broken. Not only had her smile vanished, but she was frowning. Shen Ya saw her expression and worried that Qiao Xi didn’t like the gift.

Qiao Xi returned to the dining table. She put the bag down and pushed it towards Shen Ya. Shen Ya glanced at it; the gift box inside hadn’t been opened. “Why didn’t you open it?”

Qiao Xi shook her head. “Teacher Shen, this is too valuable.”

“How will you know what’s inside if you don’t open it?”

“I know the brand. Whatever it is, it’s expensive. Teacher Shen, I’m embarrassed to accept such an expensive gift. I haven’t done anything special. Accepting this makes me uneasy.”

Shen Ya sighed softly. She took the gift box out herself, pulled Qiao Xi’s hand, and placed the box in her palm. Her tone was unusually gentle, as if she were deliberately softening her voice: “How did you persuade me to rent this house?”

“But…”

“Qiao Xi, the emotional value you’ve brought me over this time already far exceeds the value of this item itself. So, if you don’t accept it, I will be sad.”

The word ‘sad’ coming from Shen Ya made Qiao Xi’s heart ache. She remembered that when she first approached Shen Ya, the other person was equally resistant and kept her distance, even preferring to sleep on the sofa rather than share a bed with her.

But now, Shen Ya was telling her how she felt. This must be a huge change for Shen Ya.

Qiao Xi didn’t want Shen Ya to be sad. She loved seeing Shen Ya’s smile and loved how Shen Ya was slowly becoming warmer. If she kept refusing, it would not only make the atmosphere awkward, but Shen Ya might retreat into herself again.

Did this gift mean that Shen Ya had finally accepted her as a friend?

In the next instant, a sun-like, warm smile appeared on her face. Qiao Xi opened the gift box. When she saw the deep-blue fountain pen, her mouth formed a circle, large enough to fit an egg.

“A fountain pen!” Qiao Xi took out the pen and kissed it. “Teacher Shen, how did you know I wanted this one? I always wanted to buy it, but it was too expensive, and I was too embarrassed to ask my sisters. I can’t believe Teacher Shen understands me so well.”

Shen Ya knew Qiao Xi didn’t mean that literally, but she didn’t deny the “understands” part. She realized she truly was getting to know Qiao Xi better. Just like she knew that Qiao Xi said these words to make her happy.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“I love it, I absolutely love it! Teacher Shen, I will take good care of it. This is the most thoughtful gift I have ever received.”