Secret Lover Who Stealthily Fell in Love with My Older Sister - Chapter 63

Chapter 63: [Teacher Shen, I went to the…

[Teacher Shen, I went to the cafeteria late today, but I actually got the last serving of my favorite dish!]

[Good morning, Teacher Shen. Is Shiyi doing well at home? I bought some toys for her online. Teacher Shen, remember to sign for them. Oh, and there’s a small gift for Teacher Shen too.]

[I miss Teacher Shen’s cooking so much. The cafeteria is boring again and again. I’m a bit busy this week and can’t go home.]

[Teacher Shen, the temperature is dropping tomorrow and it will rain. Remember to bring an umbrella when you go out. I’ll try my best to come home this weekend.]

[Teacher Shen, I need to take Shiyi to get a shot tomorrow, but my family wants me to go back home for a visit. I can only trouble Teacher Shen to take Shiyi first. I’ll find an excuse to sneak out and meet up with Teacher Shen.]

Since that day they parted, the messages Qiao Xi sent her have been increasing. In the past, it was just good morning and good night greetings, occasionally sharing some recent news. But now, Qiao Xi was eager to share everything that happened every second of the day.

Shen Ya could clearly know what Qiao Xi did, what she ate, who she met, and what they talked about throughout the day. In the evening, when she was free, Qiao Xi’s call would always come in on time. Whenever the call connected, she would always hear Qiao Xi’s bright voice, mixed with a little playful coquetry, saying to her, “Teacher Shen, I miss you so much.”

Shen Ya was not unaware of how ambiguous these words were. These days, she clearly saw the change in Qiao Xi. The former Qiao Xi would advance ten steps and then stop to gauge her acceptance range, hiding some emotions no matter what she did.

But now, Qiao Xi had become very proactive. Instead of walking ten steps and stopping, she chose to forge ahead, boldly and directly showing herself to Shen Ya.

However, Shen Ya couldn’t bring herself to say the words “I miss you too” to Qiao Xi. Faced with such unfamiliar feelings, her considerations grew heavier. She couldn’t be as optimistic and hopeful for the future as Qiao Xi was.

Even now, she didn’t know how to proceed. How deep were Qiao Xi’s feelings for her? Did she have the right to let this little sun orbit her forever?

What was the most correct choice for her to make?

The more enthusiastic Qiao Xi became, the more troubled Shen Ya felt. On one hand, she couldn’t bear to push Qiao Xi away, and on the other hand, she was afraid this was another relationship destined to go nowhere. She didn’t dare to easily hold onto hope for it, yet she didn’t want to hurt Qiao Xi’s feelings.

After much deliberation, Shen Ya decided not to make any move for now. She would take it one step at a time. Perhaps at the end of that mist, she could find a satisfying answer.

…

The temperature was dropping day by day. After several cold fronts swept through the city, the temperature gradually stabilized. Shen Ya put on her wool coat. Holding a cat treat stick, she called out in the house: “Shiyi?”

Although Shiyi had only been home for less than a month, it had already lowered its guard against Shen Ya. Shen Ya always remembered what Qiao Xi said—to use snacks to capture the kitten’s trust. So, she had been consistently interacting with Shiyi every day during this period.

Shiyi, seeing the cat treat stick in Shen Ya’s hand, darted out from under the sofa. After feeding it a stick, as usual, Shen Ya picked up Shiyi from the floor: “We are going for a shot today.”

Shen Ya put Shiyi into the cat carrier she bought last time, tossed a small toy inside, then grabbed her car keys and left the house with the cat.

Although Qiao Xi left the car with her, she hadn’t driven it many times. The subway was still much more convenient.

She went to the pet hospital alone today, but the previous Dr. Xu remembered her. She happened to meet the doctor when she entered, and Dr. Xu invited Shen Ya into the consultation room with the cat carrier.

“Alone today?” Dr. Xu wore a high-collared sweater under her white coat. She smiled warmly. After taking the cat carrier, she slowly took Shiyi out.

“Yes,” Shen Ya said. “We’re here for a shot today.”

Dr. Xu held Shiyi, examining it while asking, “How’s its condition these two days? Eating, drinking, and bathroom habits are all fine?”

“Very good.”

“Alright, I’ll take its temperature first.”

Dr. Xu called in a slightly younger intern doctor to prepare the equipment. While Shiyi was being looked after, Shen Ya had a moment to check her phone.

About ten minutes ago, Qiao Xi had sent her a message, saying she was preparing to sneak out from home and asking if Shen Ya had arrived at the pet hospital.

Shen Ya spoke briefly with Dr. Xu, then left the consultation room. She dialed Qiao Xi’s number, walking toward the pet hospital entrance.

Before the call connected, she saw Qiao Xi pushing the door open. The other person was dressed casually today, mostly in light colors, looking clean and neat. Coupled with her extremely approachable smile, just one glance could soften anyone’s heart.

“Teacher Shen.” Qiao Xi’s eyes were bright. When she looked at Shen Ya, it was as if a luminous star had appeared in her pupils. After a while apart, Qiao Xi could finally declare her missing of Shen Ya without a screen separating them.

She jogged to Shen Ya’s side and, ignoring the onlookers, hugged Shen Ya: “I missed Teacher Shen.”

A sudden, furnace-like warmth enveloped her. Shen Ya first paused, then raised her hand to embrace Qiao Xi’s waist, gently patting her twice: “It’s cold today. Why are you wearing so little? Don’t catch a cold.”

Qiao Xi had a sense of propriety. Although reluctant to let go of Shen Ya, she controlled herself. She released Shen Ya from the hug, linked arms with her, and smiled: “There are guests at home today, it’s very lively. I really couldn’t stay put, so I secretly found an excuse to slip out. That’s why I didn’t have time to change. It’s okay, it’s not cold here anyway.”

“Oh, right. How is Shiyi? Is it done with the shot?”

“It’s still inside.”

The two returned to the consultation room, just in time to see Dr. Xu giving Shiyi the injection. Shiyi, recognizing Shen Ya, continuously let out miserable “meow meow meow” cries towards them.

Shen Ya and Qiao Xi quickened their steps. By the time they reached Shiyi, the shot was already done. Qiao Xi let go of Shen Ya and took the cat from the doctor, but the startled kitten only recognized Shen Ya.

Shiyi struggled in Qiao Xi’s arms. Seeing that it was about to scratch Qiao Xi, Shen Ya immediately took the cat into her own arms and skillfully comforted it: “Be good, it’s over.”

But Shiyi still tried to burrow into Shen Ya’s coat. Seeing this, Shen Ya raised her chin and said to Qiao Xi: “Get the cat treat stick from the outside pocket of the cat carrier for me.”

Qiao Xi quickly searched and soon pulled out a cat treat stick. This stick was not one she bought, nor one they bought together last time. It seemed that in her absence, Shen Ya and Shiyi had gotten along very well.

She suddenly felt a little envious of Shiyi. She would have to wait until the winter or summer break to have a chance to live with Shen Ya.

Qiao Xi watched Shen Ya holding Shiyi with one hand, while the other hand held the treat stick to soothe the cat. Shen Ya looked as gentle as a warm spring. This sight captivated Qiao Xi. She felt as if she was seeing an angel radiating maternal glory in Shen Ya.

In this moment, she desperately wanted to hug Shen Ya, kiss those soft lips, and be bathed in a holy light under Shen Ya’s gaze.

Every time they met, she discovered a new shining point in Shen Ya. The other person was like a mountain of gold piled up with countless treasures; every exploration brought her a new surprise.

Under Shen Ya’s gentle soothing, Shiyi quickly calmed down. After eating the treat stick, it no longer resisted. Qiao Xi stroked Shiyi’s head, and Shen Ya then put it back into the cat carrier.

The two quickly bid farewell to Dr. Xu. As they left the pet hospital, Shen Ya asked her, “Do you need to go back to your mother’s place?”

“Just before dinner is fine.” If it wasn’t absolutely unavoidable tonight, Qiao Xi really didn’t want to go back. “Let’s take Shiyi home first.”

“Okay.”

Qiao Xi proactively sat in the driver’s seat. Her car looked very clean, as if it had been recently washed. There was a new air freshener inside, and two small cat figurines were added to the dashboard on the passenger side.

Before Qiao Xi could ask, Shen Ya explained: “The old air freshener lost its scent, so I replaced it. I bought these two small cats because I thought they looked a lot like Shiyi.”

“They really do look alike. I always thought the car felt empty before, but now with Teacher Shen’s decorations, it looks much nicer.” Qiao Xi held the steering wheel with both hands, looking straight ahead, but still secretly glanced at Shen Ya out of the corner of her eye: “I’ll trouble Teacher Shen to decorate the car for me more often in the future. Teacher Shen has excellent taste. I love everything you buy.”

The long-missed charming words felt familiar to Shen Ya. If it were before, she would definitely scold her for being ‘glib,’ but now, every word spoken by Qiao Xi sounded pleasant.

…

Back home, Qiao Xi took off her coat and hung it on the rack. The familiar environment and scent made her feel incredibly relaxed. She walked into the living room, stepped barefoot on the rug, and then, like a person without bones, just flopped down.

She lay spread-eagled: “So comfortable. Home is indeed the best.”

Shen Ya let Shiyi out of the cat carrier. Shiyi trotted quickly towards Qiao Xi. As Shiyi appeared in front of Qiao Xi, she immediately scooped up the kitten and kissed Shiyi’s head several times.

Shen Ya put away the cat carrier and then returned to the living room. She stood in front of Qiao Xi, looking down at her: “What would you like to drink?”

“Iced orange juice, please, Teacher Shen.”

Shen Ya went to the kitchen. She opened the refrigerator but then stopped her hand. In the end, she retrieved a drink that hadn’t been put into the fridge from beside it and gave it to Qiao Xi.

“Huh?” Qiao Xi held the room-temperature orange juice, sounding puzzled. She thought it was a new drink Shen Ya had bought and hadn’t had time to chill. Qiao Xi sat up, twisted open the cap, and then heard Shen Ya say:

“It’s getting cold. Drink it at room temperature.”

Qiao Xi realized then that it wasn’t that there was no iced drink at home, but that Shen Ya, considering her health, had given her the room-temperature one.

She thought, Shen Ya definitely cares about her.

Qiao Xi happily took a large gulp, then tightened the cap and put the bottle aside. “Teacher Shen, do you have plans for New Year’s Eve next month?”

New Year’s Eve was a month away. Shen Ya couldn’t be sure she would be free, but based on previous years, she should be available. However, since Qiao Xi asked, she would make sure to clear her schedule for Qiao Xi that day, no matter what.

“No.”

“Then I’m booking it in advance. Teacher Shen must save the time on New Year’s Eve for me.”

Shen Ya nodded: “Okay.”

Getting Shen Ya’s verbal promise wasn’t enough. Qiao Xi then said to Shen Ya: “I’m afraid Teacher Shen will forget when things get busy, so can Teacher Shen write a memo and set a schedule reminder?”

“That formal?” Shen Ya didn’t know what Qiao Xi was planning now, but she felt a little expectant nonetheless. “I can.”

Shen Ya took out her phone and opened the memo app. She intended to do it herself, but seeing Qiao Xi staring intently, she handed her phone to the other person.

Qiao Xi held Shen Ya’s phone and typed a sentence in the memo:

[New Year’s Eve time is fully reserved for Qiao Xi. Absolutely no acceptance of any other invitations.]

Shen Ya watched the sentence, her eyebrow lifting slightly. She then gave Qiao Xi a meaningful smile.

Qiao Xi had her back to Shen Ya and didn’t notice the other’s lively expression. At the moment, she was concentrating on editing Shen Ya’s schedule.

After adding the entry, she double-checked it for accuracy, then returned the phone to Shen Ya: “Done. Teacher Shen must remember our promise. I’ll be very sad if Teacher Shen goes back on her word.”

Qiao Xi spoke this sentence very seriously, making Shen Ya retract her intention to joke.

“Alright.” Shen Ya drew out the last syllable: “Since I promised you, I won’t go back on it.”

Qiao Xi extended a hand, palm facing Shen Ya: “Then let’s seal it with a high-five.”

This sudden display of childishness made Shen Ya internally chuckle, but she still indulged her in this slightly childish agreement. She patted Qiao Xi’s palm: “Satisfied?”

Qiao Xi finally smiled again and nodded emphatically: “Mhm!” Taking advantage of her good mood, she not only moved from the rug to the sofa but also, in a playful manner, threw herself into Shen Ya’s embrace.

She rubbed her head against Shen Ya’s abdomen: “Teacher Shen, university is so tough, not relaxing at all.”

“You’ve worked hard.” Shen Ya endured the ticklish sensation on her body. Her hand rested on Qiao Xi’s head, stroking gently, much like how she usually comforted Shiyi. “When you’re on break, I’ll cook you some good food.”

“Okay.” Qiao Xi missed this hug intensely. With finals approaching, she was getting busy. Now, she had to juggle school work and make time to visit her mother and sister at home. Every time, she had to scheme to find an opportunity to see Shen Ya. Therefore, she cherished her time with Shen Ya: “Then let Teacher Shen hug me, and forgive my intrusion.”

How could Shen Ya consider this an intrusion? She equally missed the warmth and vitality radiating from Qiao Xi. Although she knew Qiao Xi’s intentions were no longer simple, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse any of Qiao Xi’s requests or closeness.

Perhaps seeing Qiao Xi hugging Shen Ya’s waist and occupying the spot where it usually slept, Shiyi, after finishing its cat food, jumped onto the sofa. It padded lightly onto Qiao Xi’s body and slowly walked forward, and its tiny paw landed on the half of Qiao Xi’s face that was exposed.

“Shiyi!”

Qiao Xi wanted to get up, but Shen Ya, harboring a mischievous thought, held her down. She knew Shiyi better than Qiao Xi and somewhat guessed what Shiyi wanted to do. Usually, when she sat in the living room, Shiyi would curl up on her lap to sleep, but Qiao Xi had taken that spot today, so Shiyi was naturally upset.

“You took her spot, so she’s going to fuss at you.” Seeing Shiyi still kneading Qiao Xi’s shoulder, trying to find a spot to curl up, Shen Ya used her other hand to stroke Shiyi’s head: “She’s rarely home today. Give her the space, or she’ll cry.”

Those words made Qiao Xi instantly spring up from Shen Ya’s arms, her face flushed red like a boiled shrimp. She was being teased by Teacher Shen again! How had her Teacher Shen become mischievous after a short time apart?

Qiao Xi felt a bit shy. Shiyi, unaware of what was happening, simply noticed Qiao Xi had yielded the spot, quickly curled up, and settled on Shen Ya’s lap.

The thought of competing with a kitten for the same spot made Qiao Xi so embarrassed that she retreated to the rug, hugging her legs and pretending to be a mushroom.

Watching Qiao Xi bury her head between her knees, radiating awkwardness and shyness, Shen Ya could no longer suppress her laughter.