Secret Lover Who Stealthily Fell in Love with My Older Sister - Chapter 67

Chapter 67: Study Group: ……

Study Group:

[AnAnUneasy: Talk, talk! How did it go?]

[AnAnUneasy: Yu Tiantian, where are you?!]

[AnAnUneasy: What time is it? Yu Tiantian, are you sleeping already?!!!!]

[AnAnUneasy: What the heck, am I the only one excited? Forget it, forget it. Song Wannin called me. Waiting for your good news tomorrow!]

Qiao Xi deleted all the words she had typed in the chat box. She wanted to tell her friends that her confession had failed today, but she knew that sending the message would inevitably affect Xia Cong’an and Yu Tiantian’s New Year’s Eve. She was never a selfish person, so she decided not to say anything for now.

Besides, it was so embarrassing, and she really didn’t know how to face it yet.

Last year at this time, she was heading home with Shen Ya. She originally thought tonight would be even happier than last year. Her mind had already envisioned three wonderful days together, but alas, everything was ruined. She had indeed been too confident in herself and too confident in Shen Ya’s feelings. She should have realized it earlier; the other person was simply not someone who could confront her own inner thoughts.

Looking at the happy faces of the pedestrians outside the window, she should have been one of them. But now, she thought she would never forget today.

New Year’s Eve was truly detestable.

This was not a good day at all.

The car radio was still playing festive music, but Qiao Xi found it jarring. She didn’t know if she should contact Shen Ya afterward, or even if she still could. That smile and those words had used up her last bit of courage. She wasn’t strong at all; Teacher Shen knew that clearly.

Qiao Xi didn’t want the unfamiliar driver to see her sadness and vulnerability, so she kept forcing herself to hold back. As the car drove away from the bustling and prosperous streets onto a smaller road, its speed began to pick up.

Her mother’s house was in another vibrant area. Many people were setting off fireworks in the community; it wasn’t much quieter than outside. Tonight was originally meant to be a family dinner, but since she wasn’t going home, it was changed to everyone doing their own thing.

Qiao Xi didn’t want to go back to her sisters’ place. She was afraid her sisters would notice her distress, and she was also worried that if the two houses were too close, she might run into Shen Ya on the street.

As she neared the small garden at her house, she noticed the lights were on. Pangpang’s fluffy fur was constantly fluttering in the north wind. Standing by Pangpang were two middle-aged women, leaning against each other, holding a sparkler together.

The two were similar in height. Although they were no longer young, their love for exercise and good maintenance made them look much younger. Jiang Zhiqing had one arm around Qin Yunxin’s waist. As the sparkler burned out, she turned her head and kissed Qin Yunxin on the corner of her mouth.

Pangpang, tongue lolling out, happily circled the two women. Even from a distance, Qiao Xi could feel the sweetness between her mothers.

Her carefully regulated emotions surged again. A pang of bitterness struck her heart. She suddenly didn’t want to step forward and interrupt her mothers’ time together. Qiao Xi lowered her head, quickly wiped away the tears in her eyes, and started to turn away.

“Woof woof!!”

Pangpang smelled a familiar scent in the air. It was the first to spot Qiao Xi and barked twice at her. The sound caught Qin Yunxin’s attention. She looked up and saw Qiao Xi’s lonely figure.

“Xiao Xi?” Seeing Qiao Xi turn to leave, Qin Yunxin quickly said, “A-Qing, go see! Why is she at the door but not coming in?”

Jiang Zhiqing let go and quickly left the house, chasing after Qiao Xi and calling out, “Xiao Xi?”

Hearing the sound, Qiao Xi stopped. She simply couldn’t bear to leave once her mother had noticed her. She didn’t want her mothers to worry about her, but tears blurred her vision, and no matter how much she wiped, they wouldn’t stop. She could only keep her head down, letting Jiang Zhiqing’s hand rest on her head.

“What’s wrong?” The community road was dim, and Qiao Xi’s face was hidden in the shadow. Jiang Zhiqing couldn’t see Qiao Xi’s expression, but as a mother, she could sense Qiao Xi’s distress: “Didn’t you say you were spending New Year’s Eve with friends? Why are you back? Did something happen?”

Jiang Zhiqing’s voice was gentle, and she continuously stroked Qiao Xi’s head. Wrapped in such warmth, the suppressed grievances in Qiao Xi’s heart found a vent. Her hair swayed with her movement. She rushed into Jiang Zhiqing’s arms, hugging her tightly, crying without reservation in her mother’s embrace, just like when she was a child.

Jiang Zhiqing looked worried. She lightly patted Qiao Xi’s back with a rhythmic motion. “What happened?”

But Qiao Xi just kept crying. In front of her mother, she didn’t have to put on a brave face, didn’t have to pretend to be strong. The grievances didn’t have to be hidden in her heart.

Qin Yunxin tiptoed over to the two of them. She exchanged a look with Jiang Zhiqing, frowned, and questioned her with her eyes.

Jiang Zhiqing just shook her head and continued to soothe Qiao Xi: “Sweetie, it’s cold outside. Shall we go inside first?”

Qiao Xi’s face was still buried in Jiang Zhiqing’s arms, but she nodded, sniffled, and said through her sobs: “D-Don’t, don’t tell, tell the sisters.”

“Okay, we won’t tell your two sisters. This will be just between the three of us mothers and daughter.” Qin Yunxin stroked the back of Qiao Xi’s head. When Qiao Xi let go of Jiang Zhiqing, she put her arm around her shoulder, letting Qiao Xi lean her head against her.

The two mothers protected Qiao Xi between them, one on the left and one on the right. Once they entered the home garden, Pangpang also came over, rubbing its head against her legs.

The heating was on inside, blocking the cold wind and frost. The bright light allowed the two mothers to clearly see Qiao Xi’s current state. Her eyes were red from crying, even her nose was pink. Her cheeks were flushed, whether from the cold wind or another reason.

Qin Yunxin took Qiao Xi’s backpack and led her to the living room sofa to sit down. Jiang Zhiqing went to pour her a glass of warm water. Qiao Xi cupped the warm glass with both hands, her mood still low, as if her spirit had been drained by something.

The two mothers felt distressed looking at her distraught appearance. Although Qiao Xi was not their biological child, they had long regarded her as their own flesh and blood. Moreover, she was a darling they had pampered since childhood. They had never seen Qiao Xi look so disheartened.

Qin Yunxin worried that Qiao Xi had encountered some trouble or was bullied outside. So, she softened her tone and said cautiously: “No matter what happened, Mommy will help and protect you, so tell us without fear, little Xi.”

Tears dripped onto Qiao Xi’s pants, leaving small marks. Her thumb pressed against the glass cup. Her mind was still figuring out how to tell her mothers.

Jiang Zhiqing was anxious but feared that a harsh tone would scare Qiao Xi. She could only ask tactfully: “Were you bullied outside?”

Qiao Xi shook her head.

The two mothers sighed slightly in relief.

“I had a breakup.”

Upon hearing Qiao Xi’s words, the heavy stones in the mothers’ hearts, which were about to settle, immediately shot back up. Their pupils constricted. They both looked up, trying to find answers in each other’s eyes.

Both were shocked and bewildered. Qiao Xi had been dating without telling them? When did this happen? Did Jiang Yunxi and Qin Shuyao know? Who was the person who would abandon their little Xi?!

Qin Yunxin and Jiang Zhiqing were full of questions. In their eyes, Qiao Xi was the most excellent and perfect child. How could anyone not like their treasure?

Although she didn’t know who the person was yet, Jiang Zhiqing was already getting angry.

“Who is so blind? Don’t cry, don’t cry.” Jiang Zhiqing pulled Qiao Xi into her arms. “Xiao Xi will meet someone better in the future.”

“No.” Qiao Xi was indeed wronged, but she couldn’t tolerate anyone speaking ill of Shen Ya, even if it was her mother. “I confessed to her tonight, but… but she, she refused me. She said, said she wasn’t ready yet and asked me to give her some more time. But I could see it clearly; she obviously likes me too. We’re always so happy together whenever we meet.”

Qiao Xi broke free from Jiang Zhiqing’s arms. She pulled out the red scarf on her neck. Although it had been washed several times, she still seemed to smell Shen Ya’s scent: “This scarf was knitted by her personally. She clearly likes me, so why isn’t she willing to admit it, why isn’t she willing to accept it?”

She clutched the scarf tightly, tears constantly spilling from her eyes: “Mommy, I like her so, so much, but she refused me. Mommy, what should I do? What can I do? Can I still like her?”

Qiao Xi simply couldn’t bear to take off the scarf. In the familiar environment and in front of her closest family, she could finally cry out loud. Just moments ago, she was being tough with Shen Ya, saying that being rejected was no big deal, but it was just an excuse.

She was so sad she could barely breathe. This feeling was intense but unreleased. It was the first time she had tasted love, but before Qiao Xi could taste the sweetness, she had already faced its bitterness.

Qin Yunxin pulled tissues from the dispenser on the table. She gently wiped Qiao Xi’s tears. “Then, Xiao Xi, can you tell us who the person you like is?”

Qiao Xi’s shoulders were convulsing from crying. She said, “I, I don’t want my sisters to know.”

“Okay, we won’t tell your two sisters. This matter will be known only by the three of us.”

A blink sent large tears falling from Qiao Xi’s eyes. Even her curled eyelashes became wet. “It’s Teacher Shen.”

After she spoke the name, Shen Ya’s face clearly appeared in her mind. Her every move and smile in the past tugged at Qiao Xi’s heart. Just a few hours ago, Shen Ya was covering her eyes and asking if she was looking for her, but when the zero-hour bell rang, she was mercilessly rejected.

This was the first time Qiao Xi had deeply felt Shen Ya’s coldness. It hurt so much to have her heart pierced by ice.

“Little Shen?” Jiang Zhiqing certainly remembered. She had even accompanied Qiao Xi during her college entrance exams. Despite the scorching sun, she waited patiently at the school gate with flowers, showing no sign of fatigue. At that time, she and Qin Yunxin were suspicious, but there was no apparent romantic tension between Qiao Xi and Shen Ya, so they didn’t take it to heart.

Qin Yunxin said: “I remember Little Shen’s name is Shen Ya, right? She seems to be the same age as Shuyao?”

“Mhm.” Qiao Xi didn’t want her two mothers to misunderstand Shen Ya. She calmed herself down before continuing: “Teacher Shen is very good. She often helped me find and fix my weaknesses, specially created exam papers for me, and tutored me. When I was stressed or tired, she would cook a big table of delicious food for me. She knows my preferences and remembers the food I love. Although I’m usually the proactive one when we spend time together, Teacher Shen always takes care of me silently. She is also very soft-hearted. Whenever I act like a brat, she can’t resist me. Others always think she is cold and difficult to get along with, but I know she is actually a very gentle person, just quiet because of her family background.”

“Later, after I entered university, I realized I liked her. I spent some time observing her feelings for me. Although I couldn’t be 100% sure, it was at least 70%. She clearly has feelings for me, so why…”

At this point, Qiao Xi’s voice softened again, and more tears slid down her face.

Qin Yunxin embraced Qiao Xi, gesturing to Jiang Zhiqing to fetch a wet wipe. Qin Yunxin gently patted Qiao Xi’s arm: “Although Mommy hasn’t interacted much with Shen Ya, I can feel that she is a good person. Since she is your sisters’ friend, her character must be fine.”

“Yes, Teacher Shen is a good person.”

“Mommy can see that Xiao Xi truly likes her.” Qin Yunxin took the wet wipe from Jiang Zhiqing and gently wiped Qiao Xi’s tear stains: “Hearing you say that, Mommy actually thinks Shen Ya rejecting you might not be a bad thing.”

Why wouldn’t it be a bad thing, Qiao Xi was confused.

“There’s an 11-year difference between you two. It might not seem like much, but it’s genuinely eleven more years of experience for her. As the older party, she naturally thinks more deeply. She might have feelings for you, but she might not know if this relationship is strong enough. Since she didn’t choose to completely reject you, but asked you for some time, perhaps she is also confused, also thinking about how to give you a perfect relationship.”

Qiao Xi had thought about these things, but: “But isn’t love a matter for two people? If she has concerns, why doesn’t she tell me? We can figure it out together, right?”

“It’s different,” Jiang Zhiqing placed one hand on Qiao Xi’s thigh and patted it. “Love is complicated. Your mom and I also had moments of confusion and got stuck in dead ends back then. At times like this, one has to figure it out for themselves. Although love is for two people, both parties still need personal space.”

After speaking, Jiang Zhiqing raised her hand and pinched Qiao Xi’s cheek. She smiled: “The fact that she temporarily rejected you shows that she is not a frivolous person. If she accepted you without thinking clearly or being ready, then Xiao Xi, imagine how many conflicts you would have later? A relationship needs nurturing, but right now, you two aren’t yet putting in effort in the same direction.”

“So, Xiao Xi, have a little more patience. Love cannot be rushed, nor can it be forced.” Jiang Zhiqing released Qiao Xi’s face and smoothed back the stray hairs covering Qiao Xi’s eyes: “I didn’t expect your two sisters to still be single while our little Xi already found someone she loves.”

The comfort from her two mothers was just right, helping her analyze things she couldn’t see clearly. Although she couldn’t fully understand it right now, she would definitely think it through. She knew she couldn’t rush and had to be more patient with Shen Ya. She was still young and had plenty of opportunities.

With the distraction, Qiao Xi’s mood recovered somewhat. Hearing her two sisters’ names from her mothers’ mouths, she felt a little malicious delight. Her two sisters had been keeping secrets from their mothers for a year. She wondered if the sisters would get scolded by their mothers when they found out about their relationships.

Qiao Xi leaned on Qin Yunxin’s shoulder, her gaze fixed on Jiang Zhiqing. She asked: “Mommy, do you not object to me being with Teacher Shen?”

“Why would I object?” Jiang Zhiqing said: “Little Shen isn’t a bad person, and you yourself said she treats you very well. So why would your mom and I object? A relationship is between the two of you. Your mom and I just need to know if the other person is a good person, and that’s enough.”

“Mommy…” Qiao Xi took Jiang Zhiqing’s hand. Indeed, every time she was going through an emotional struggle and came to her mothers, she gained so much. She loved her two mothers and was grateful to be their child. With her mothers as her backing, the courage she had lost returned to her.

“Our little Xi is good enough. I believe Shen Ya will figure it out. Xiao Xi, you can treat what happened today as the first challenge in your relationship. Try to overcome it yourself. Your mom and I will always support you.”

With this encouragement, Qiao Xi saw clearly how to proceed. She was indeed not one to give up easily. She planned to rest for two days, then go home to check Shen Ya’s reaction.