Secret Lover Who Stealthily Fell in Love with My Older Sister - Chapter 76

Chapter 76: Shen Ya listened to Zhou Ziqian…

Shen Ya felt like she had attended a class after listening to Zhou Ziqian, except that the class had very few useful knowledge points and mostly consisted of nonsense. However, due to her professional habit, she was still able to extract useful information from the pile of nonsense and record it.

When Fang Moyao returned to ‘Blank’, she initially thought Zhou Ziqian had somehow acquired a teaching certificate and was opening a class at ‘Blank’. But when she got closer, she realized that the “student” was only Shen Ya, and her Qianqian was talking nonsense again.

Yet, one dared to speak, and the other dared to listen. Not only did she listen, but she also took out a notebook to record.

Fang Moyao approached the two without a sound, leaned over, and glanced at the notebook in front of Shen Ya. The handwriting was indeed strong and vigorous, but the recorded content made her shake her head.

Basic elements of the wife-chasing-hell trope…

If encountering the following situations (extreme resistance, coldness, ignorance, harsh words, already starting a new life), please try this solution. The solution is as follows…

Watching Shen Ya look serious, sitting up straight and recording Zhou Ziqian’s words, Fang Moyao found it amusing and decided not to interrupt them. Shen Ya was a good person. Although a bit reserved, she treated her feelings seriously. Being with Xiao Xi would be suitable.

Shen Ya stayed at ‘Blank’ all day and only received a message from Qiao Xi in the afternoon: [Okay, what time tomorrow? Where should I find Teacher Shen?]

Shen Ya found this question somewhat puzzling. Didn’t they usually meet at home? Could it be that Qiao Xi wanted to go somewhere else?

Shen Ya’s first thought was ‘Blank’, but what she wanted to say tomorrow was quite private, and ‘Blank’ might not be suitable. [At home. What do you want to eat? I’ll cook for you.]

Reading this message, Qiao Xi felt bitterness in her heart and mouth, as if her entire body was soaked in an unpalatable traditional Chinese medicine. Was Shen Ya asking to meet at home to return the key and have a farewell meal?

What must come eventually came, but what about Shiyi? She never expected that within just two months, she would have to worry about Shiyi’s custody. She didn’t know if tomorrow would be the last time she would eat Shen Ya’s cooking. She really wanted to eat Shen Ya’s signature dish, but did she even have the right to make so many requests now?

Qiao Xi pouted, reluctantly typing two words: [Anything is fine.]

The polite and distant reply made Shen Ya stare blankly at the two words. Zhou Ziqian accidentally caught a glimpse of Shen Ya’s phone screen and immediately became excited. She tapped the table, her tone agitated: “See what I told you? Isn’t this the first step of the wife-chasing-hell trope? The other person is cold and wants to distance herself from you. What was the coping method we just talked about!”

Shen Ya’s gaze shifted to the open notebook. Four large characters were written prominently: Relentless persistence.

She used to call Qiao Xi a little rascal. Was it now her turn to take on the title of rascal?

Shen Ya was prepared to face Qiao Xi’s cold shoulder tomorrow. After being brainwashed by Zhou Ziqian all day, her mind was filled with the need to be proactive, to be shameless, and to cling tightly to her little sun.

She needed to prepare for tomorrow, so she didn’t stay at ‘Blank’ for long today. Although Zhou Ziqian was reluctant, she still returned Shiyi to Shen Ya. If Shen Ya and Qiao Xi weren’t going to meet at home tomorrow for a private talk, Zhou Ziqian would have wanted to follow Shen Ya home tonight.

Back home, Shen Ya rolled up her sleeves, intending to clean the house. She also had to go out to buy groceries early tomorrow morning. Before returning home, she had already decided on the dishes she would make tomorrow.

This was destined to be a sleepless night. Qiao Xi tossed and turned in bed, clutching the blanket. The small nightlight by the bed emitted a faint glow. She was both looking forward to seeing Shen Ya and afraid it would be their last meeting. If the other party decided to completely say goodbye to her tomorrow, what should she say?

Qiao Xi lay on her stomach, kicking her legs up and down. She scratched her hair, moaning: “What should I do!”

A gust of wind snuck in through the slightly ajar window. These words quickly dissipated into the air. The north wind howled at night, coming and going through the slightly open gap.

“Shiyi?”

The white cat jumped onto the windowsill. Hearing the wind rattle the window, Shiyi stood up and clawed at the window.

Shen Ya, wearing fuzzy slippers, walked over. She picked up Shiyi in her arms. It was pitch black outside the window. The neighborhood was as quiet as the end of the world in the dead of night. Perhaps tomorrow wouldn’t be a sunny day. “What should we do, Shiyi?” She also wondered what kind of expression Qiao Xi would have when she saw her tomorrow.

Anxiety kept both of them awake all night. Despite the distance, they both got up early. As Shen Ya went out, Qiao Xi had also finished washing up and taken Pangpang out for a walk.

She would have gone out much earlier before, but today, she walked Pangpang around the neighborhood several times until Pangpang dragged her towards home. Only then did she take Pangpang back into the house.

It was too cold outside. It hadn’t snowed this year, and the sky was overcast today. Not long after Qiao Xi returned home, a drizzle began outside the window. Before long, Qiao Xi received a message on her phone: [It’s raining outside. I’ll come pick you up.]

Qiao Xi immediately replied: [No need. I’ve already called a cab and will be there shortly.]

[Okay, be safe then.]

She had originally planned to linger at home for a while, but now she had to leave. Shen Ya was smart and could calculate the time needed from her mother’s house to her house.

The Spring Festival holiday was nearing its end, and most people’s lives were returning to normal. After calling a cab, Qiao Xi found an umbrella at home. She tore open a pet treat, tossed it to Pangpang, and instructed: “Be good at home. Don’t tear things up. I’ll be back tonight.”

Pangpang was already lying next to the sofa, gnawing on a large bone treat. Qiao Xi was afraid she would return late, so she left a nightlight on.

A black commercial vehicle was parked outside the neighborhood. Qiao Xi opened the car door and sat inside, then folded her umbrella and placed it by her feet. It had been a month since she returned to her own home. She sighed internally. She still had to face Shen Ya with a smile later.

Halfway through the journey, the drizzle turned into a torrential downpour. The driver slowed down. The car’s wipers blurred her vision. The car windows were obscured by rain. Although it was daytime, the entire city was overcast. Only occasionally could she see a few streaks of light flickering in the wind and rain.

Shen Ya was preparing the dishes for lunch. She wasn’t sure if Qiao Xi had eaten breakfast, so she had prepared congee early this morning. Just as she finished preparing the last dish, the sound of raindrops pounded against the window. She washed her hands and came out of the kitchen, then found her phone to check the time.

She wondered where Qiao Xi was. She really should have personally picked her up. As time slowly passed, she still hadn’t seen any sign of Qiao Xi. Shen Ya paced back and forth in the house, even sending a few messages to confirm Qiao Xi’s safety.

Just as she couldn’t resist sending a fourth message, the doorbell rang. Shen Ya instantly froze in place. It wasn’t until the door lock clicked open that Shen Ya’s body was reawakened. She walked a few steps towards the front door and saw a delicate figure enter her sight.

Under the light gray coat was a cute sailor-style shirt, paired with a plaid skirt below. Her black leather shoes were lightly splattered with water marks. Qiao Xi stood awkwardly, looking at her, completely lacking her usual closeness and vitality.

At this moment, Shen Ya’s heart felt as though a large hammer had dropped. Qiao Xi’s current appearance was entirely her own doing. After being repeatedly lectured by Zhou Ziqian yesterday, to win Qiao Xi back, she had to be shameless and act like a rascal.

But she couldn’t imitate Zhou Ziqian’s brazen manner. Even though she had rehearsed it many times in her mind, her mouth failed her when she tried to speak.

“Tea-Teacher Shen.” Qiao Xi was nervous. Since entering the door, Shen Ya had been staring at her with a serious expression. She didn’t know if she had done something wrong, so she stood rooted to the spot, afraid the next thing she heard would be Shen Ya telling her to get lost.

This address brought Shen Ya back to her senses. She pinched her palm, reminding herself not to forget the plan from yesterday. Even if she couldn’t be like Zhou Ziqian, she still needed to be more proactive than before.

Shen Ya walked towards Qiao Xi. The corner of her mouth curved slightly. As she approached Qiao Xi, that familiar scent returned to her side. She found her body to be like a piece of land longing for sweet rain for a long time. When she felt Qiao Xi’s warmth, her body miraculously regained its vitality.

“Did you get wet in the rain?” Shen Ya naturally started a conversation with Qiao Xi, taking her umbrella. Finding the umbrella only slightly damp, she hung it on a nearby hook. “I bought you new slippers. See if you like them.”

Shen Ya took out a pair of fuzzy slippers from the shoe cabinet, identical to the ones she was wearing, except the colors were different. Hers were blue, and the pair she gave Qiao Xi was red.

She bent down to place the slippers in front of Qiao Xi, but saw Qiao Xi take a step back. Shen Ya’s hand paused. When she straightened up again, a hint of bitterness was added to her smile.

Qiao Xi put on the slippers. She noticed the pair on Shen Ya’s feet was the same as hers, probably a buy-one-get-one-free item bought online. “The car drove directly into the underground parking lot, so I didn’t get wet.”

As Qiao Xi spoke, she secretly observed the situation in the house. When she followed Shen Ya into the living room, she saw Shiyi sleeping on the sofa. Qiao Xi’s eyes lit up, “Shiyi is here too?”

“Hmm?” Shen Ya turned around, puzzled: “Where else would Shiyi be?”

Of course, she should be at ‘Blank’. Wait, Zhou Ziqian and Fang Moyao didn’t say that Shen Ya gave the cat to them to raise, but rather that Shiyi was left there by Shen Ya.

Oops, Qiao Xi only just realized something was wrong.

“Uh… nothing.”

Shen Ya didn’t ask further. She only said: “Have you eaten breakfast?”

Qiao Xi sat down next to Shiyi. She shook her head, her hand already resting on Shiyi, stroking her: “Not yet.”

“Perfect. I made congee. Let me get you a bowl.”

Watching Shen Ya hurriedly walk into the kitchen, Qiao Xi wondered if it was just her imagination, but she felt that today’s Shen Ya was a little different, seeming to be more proactive?

Unfortunately, Qiao Xi didn’t dare to think too much. She was afraid that her overthinking would make the situation awkward, so she sat obediently, stroking Shiyi while observing her home.

Shen Ya came out with two bowls of congee: “Qiao Xi, get the placemats.”

Qiao Xi then noticed a few cute placemats on the coffee table. When did she buy these? Wasn’t Shen Ya planning to move out of her house? Why would she still buy things for the house?

“They’re still a bit hot. Let them cool down first.”

Qiao Xi nodded, her body instantly tense when Shen Ya sat down next to her. The scent of the other party’s hair constantly drifted over, the familiar scent of Shen Ya. Today, Shen Ya was wearing a light blue shirt. Perhaps because of the heating inside, she had unbuttoned two buttons of her shirt.

The blue diamond rested quietly on Shen Ya’s chest. Shen Ya rested one arm on the sofa, seemingly intentionally exposing her perfect collarbone. Qiao Xi swallowed hard, her gaze slowly shifting upward.

Today’s Shen Ya was so different. Even though she was at home, she wore glossy lip gloss. It was probably just a light layer of color, but in the light, her lips looked plump and tempting.

Qiao Xi had impure thoughts, but she was trying desperately to restrain herself. She and Shen Ya were only considered ordinary friends now. How could she freely fantasize about the other party in her mind?

Qiao Xi dared not look anymore. She quickly lowered her head and closed her eyes. Her hands rested on her thighs as neatly as a primary school student’s, but the redness of her ears betrayed her fluctuating emotions.

“Qiao Xi, I know everything.”

Qiao Xi suddenly opened her eyes. She quickly glanced at Shen Ya, then immediately looked away again. She nervously gripped her pants and asked: “Wh-What?”

This was the first time Shen Ya had seen Qiao Xi so reserved in front of her. Although this was Qiao Xi’s most familiar environment, she was now keeping a distance, like a guest. This was not what Shen Ya wanted to see. She didn’t want Qiao Xi to deliberately suppress herself.

She recalled Zhou Ziqian’s words again. To succeed in the wife-chasing-hell trope, she had to be relentless and shameless. In the past, she was cold and distant, yet Qiao Xi dared to be proactive. This time, it should be her turn to be proactive.

Shen Ya summoned her courage. She reached out a hand and gently grasped Qiao Xi’s wrist. She could clearly feel Qiao Xi stiffen, the person seemingly turning to stone.

She continued: “Thank you. I know you came back from Zhoucheng on the third day of the Lunar New Year because of Shen Qiuyu. Actually, I should say it was for me. I wasn’t in Jianglan City that day. Do you want to know where I went?”

Qiao Xi behaved like a machine, her head slowly turning towards Shen Ya.

“I took an early morning flight to Zhoucheng, but unfortunately, by the time I arrived, I found out you had returned to Jianglan City.” Shen Ya patted the back of Qiao Xi’s hand. “Thank you.”

Qiao Xi’s brain was smoking. She couldn’t think normally anymore. “So, Teacher Shen invited me over today to, to thank me?”

“Of course not.”

Qiao Xi looked at the face that was getting closer. The curve of Shen Ya’s lips was deepening. Up close, she noticed a faint small mole at the corner of Shen Ya’s right eye. Had she never looked closely at this face before, or did Shen Ya usually cover this mole up?

Did Shen Ya wear perfume today? She still smelled as cool as usual, but why was there a deep, alluring quality to it? The faint floral scent made her want to lean in and carefully sniff her neck.

The usually distant eyes were now staring at her with meaningful intensity. Qiao Xi felt her heart about to leap out of her chest from that gaze. Shen Ya clearly knew her love, so why was she seducing her like this? Did she really think Qiao Xi was an immortal who could remain unperturbed?

Wasn’t she afraid Qiao Xi wouldn’t be able to resist doing something out of line!

Teacher Shen was going too far!

“Qiao Xi.”

Shen Ya called her name again, but this time her voice was so soft that Qiao Xi thought she was hallucinating.

She saw the moist lips slowly part. The floral scent enveloped her. Shen Ya blinked at her, and in that instant, a shooting star crashed into her heart:

“I missed you.”