She Seems to Struggle with Having a Wife - Chapter 11

Ling Xi, the senior of both her and Xiao Xi, was in the same year as Wei Qing’an. Both were prominent figures at the school.

When Qin Mu and Xiao Xi were freshmen, Wei Qing’an and Ling Xi had already been recommended for postgraduate studies.

The reason they got to know each other was that the school had the tennis club organize a match, specifically emphasizing that Wei Qing’an and Ling Xi must participate.

The goal was to boost the atmosphere for the new semester.

At the same time, before Wei Qing’an and Ling Xi left the school, the institution wanted them to set a positive image for the university.

After all, both were outstanding in character and academics, with bright eyes, radiant smiles, and elegant features making them ideal for promotional purposes.

The tennis match was scheduled for the third day of the semester.

That day, the gymnasium was packed with students who had come to watch the game.

Qin Mu was dragged along by Pang Jiaxi, and since they arrived late, they couldn’t secure good seats and had to squeeze into a corner.

Not particularly curious, Qin Mu spent most of the time looking at materials on her phone, occasionally catching snippets of conversations amid the noisy chatter mostly discussions about the school’s widely acknowledged “wife,” Wei Qing’an.

Hearing the name Wei Qing’an, Qin Mu seemed to recall something and slowly looked up.

Through the gaps in the crowd, she could see two people standing in the center of the gym, one in a white tracksuit, the other in red both preparing for the match.

At first glance, Qin Mu was more drawn to the one in white.

Although the distance made it hard to see their faces clearly, the person in white gave her the impression of being gentle, lively, and cheerful.

Later, Xiao Xi told Qin Mu that the one in white was Wei Qing’an, and the one in red was Ling Xi they were both rivals and friends.

Since it was a friendly match, only six players participated, competing in pairs. The three winners would advance, with the highest-scoring player going directly to the finals, while the remaining two would compete for the other spot. The final match would determine the champion and runner-up.

Qin Mu didn’t stay until the end, but the result was that Wei Qing’an won by a two-point margin against Ling Xi, securing the championship.

The skill gap between the two was more than slight, and many students later speculated that Wei Qing’an had “spoiled her wife” in the final score.

However, because of this match, Xiao Xi fell in love with Wei Qing’an.

And her love was both intense and bold.

She began appearing frequently by Wei Qing’an’s side wherever Wei Qing’an was, Xiao Xi was there, as long as she didn’t have class.

After half a year of effort, Xiao Xi finally got Wei Qing’an’s WeChat and was so excited she spun around with Qin Mu several times.

Happiness came suddenly, but sorrow followed just as quickly.

Wei Qing’an and her advisor were involved in a university project, requiring constant business trips, and she was often unreachable on WeChat.

Xiao Xi fell lovesick.

For three whole years, Wei Qing’an returned to campus only a handful of times. Xiao Xi could only catch glimpses of her in promotional materials for art exhibitions, cultural relic displays, or news about related departmental activities.

For Xiao Xi, that period felt like an eternity.

She even frequently sought solace in alcohol.

The turning point came in their third year.

Xiao Xi heard that Wei Qing’an might stay at the university as a teacher, so she began studying diligently to prepare for staying on campus.

Qin Mu had never seen Xiao Xi so hardworking before.

She woke up at 5 a.m. sharp and studied until 11 p.m. The girl who used to clamor to go out and have fun every day seemed like a completely different person her days now consisted solely of reading, solving problems, reading, and more problems.

By then, Qin Mu had already been recommended for a master’s degree with plans for a direct Ph.D., so she had no pressure. To support Xiao Xi, she also woke up at 5 a.m., returned to the dorm at 11 p.m., and even ate her meals in the library.

In the end, their hard work paid off, Xiao Xi succeeded.

That day, Xiao Xi hugged Qin Mu and cried.

She sobbed uncontrollably, saying, “Qin Mu, I finally have a chance to spend time with her, wu wu wu wu…”

Qin Mu gently patted her back and offered a few words of congratulations before suddenly lowering her head in silence, feeling a bitter ache in her heart.

The truth was, she had fallen for Wei Qing’an earlier than Xiao Xi.

It was, frankly, a rather ironic reality.

It happened a few days before the start of their freshman year. Qin Mu had arrived at the university early. Since her dormitory was empty, she went to the library to read.

By eight o’clock, the sky outside had turned completely dark, and she returned her books and left the library.

On her way back to the dorm, there was a narrow path lined with a few peach trees on the left side, which were then in their peak fruiting season.

Rumors had it that some students would sneak in at night to steal peaches, so the security guard patrolled the area almost every evening with a flashlight, trying to catch the culprits.

As Qin Mu passed by, it just so happened that a student was caught stealing peaches. The security guard shouted from within the grove, “Which department are you from? Stop right there!”

The guard chased after the student relentlessly.

Qin Mu heard the commotion and was about to turn around when a dark figure suddenly pressed down on her. Her arm was grabbed by a hand, pulling her under a nearby willow tree. The person lowered their head, cupping Qin Mu’s face with their left hand, and their hurried breath instantly brushed against her.

The person’s warm cheek pressed against Qin Mu’s cool skin as they whispered, “Shh, don’t say a word.”

Qin Mu, still shaken, looked up.

She met a pair of beautiful eyes, dark pupils glancing guiltily in the direction of the approaching security guard. Beads of sweat dotted their forehead from the frantic run, yet they carried a fresh, pleasant scent.

Qin Mu breathed it in and slowly relaxed the hand she had raised to push them away.

A moment later, the security guard caught up.

Wei Qing’an pressed Qin Mu against the willow tree behind her, leaning in closer and pretending to kiss her.

Their breaths intertwined, creating an ambiguous atmosphere.

Qin Mu’s initially frightened expression gradually softened.

Wei Qing’an was still panting heavily, the sound clear even to her own ears, let alone Qin Mu. Feeling awkward, she deliberately tried to quiet her breathing. A foolish grin lingered at the corner of her lips, relieved at having narrowly escaped trouble.

The security guard, fuming as he searched for the culprit, rounded the corner and saw the scene. His old face flushed red, and he shone his flashlight on them a couple of times, the beam landing directly on Qin Mu’s face.

Qin Mu frowned, closed her eyes, and turned away. Noticing this, Wei Qing’an instinctively straightened up, shielding Qin Mu from the harsh light.

“You students, hurry back to your dorms! Hanging around here at night is bad for the school’s image,” the guard scolded, both annoyed and embarrassed.

Once the blinding light was gone, Qin Mu opened her eyes.

Wei Qing’an turned and took Qin Mu’s hand, laughing cheerfully as she waved and said, “Alright, we’re leaving right now.”

Then, she pulled Qin Mu along as they walked away.

Their shadows intertwined behind them.

After they had gone a little farther, Qin Mu stopped and withdrew her hand, saying, “It’s fine now.”

Wei Qing’an was forced to stop as well, awkwardly retracting her hand. Only then did she get a proper look at Qin Mu’s face: long eyelashes, a small face, and jet-black hair that cascaded down. The bright moonlight fell on her makeup-free cheeks, giving her a simple, elegant, and cool demeanor.

“May I go now?” Qin Mu asked.

Wei Qing’an, momentarily dazed, stepped aside to make way. “Oh, yes, of course. I’m sorry about what happened earlier. It was all so sudden, I…”

“It’s fine.” Qin Mu walked past her.

After Qin Mu had gone some distance, Wei Qing’an suddenly caught up and stuffed something into her hand. While stepping back, she said loudly, “Consider this a thank you for earlier. Try it, it’s really tasty. I’ll pick some more for you when I have the chance. My name is Wei Qing’an.”

Qin Mu raised her hand and opened her palm it was three peaches.

Wei Qing’an…

This was the first time Qin Mu learned her name.

In the days leading up to the start of the semester, Qin Mu often ran into Wei Qing’an and Ling Xi walking together, chatting and laughing.

Classmates said they were together; rumors spread like wildfire, and Qin Mu believed it.

Until the day before school started, when heavy rain poured down.

The library lost power. Students with umbrellas left, those without were picked up by roommates, leaving only a few behind.

Qin Mu had no umbrella and no roommate, so she found a corner to sit in.

It wasn’t cold in summer; she hugged her backpack and leaned against the wall to rest.

After a while, a jacket was suddenly draped over her. Qin Mu had been dozing and woke when the coat was placed on her, but it was too dark to see who it was.

Unaware that Qin Mu was awake, the person muttered by the bookshelf, “How unlucky, of all times for the power to go out when I’m here. It’s been so long since I last came to the library, and even my usual spot is taken.”

Usual spot? Was she referring to this place?

Qin Mu gathered the jacket, stood up, and said, “Sorry for taking your spot. Here’s your jacket back.”

“Ah!” The person was startled and let out a shout.

Unfazed by the outburst, Qin Mu took two steps forward in the dark and handed her the jacket.

Coming to her senses, the person initially wanted to scold Qin Mu for sneaking up on her, but when she reached out, she touched Qin Mu’s cold arm and pushed the jacket back, saying, “You keep it. Don’t catch a cold. Who knows when the power will be back.”

“It’s fine.” Qin Mu insisted on returning it.

Surprised by Qin Mu’s stubbornness, the person took the jacket and draped it over her, wrapping her arms inside, then bent down to zip it up. With a grin, she said, “I told you to wear it. Don’t catch a cold with that slight frame of yours.”

Qin Mu was trapped inside the jacket, unable to move.

But she recognized the voice it was Wei Qing’an.

What a twist of fate.

That night, the two stayed in her usual spot. Wei Qing’an was reserved at first but later chattered nonstop by Qin Mu’s ear until midnight ghost stories, bad jokes, and her favorite history topics until she grew tired and fell asleep.

Only then did Qin Mu react belatedly, smiling to herself for a long while.

The next day, as dawn approached, the rain stopped.

Qin Mu unzipped the jacket, stood up, and draped it over Wei Qing’an. Before leaving, she glanced back in the dim light.

Perhaps it was that one glance that Qin Mu held in her heart.

Later, on the day the tennis match ended, when Xiao Xi told Qin Mu that she liked Wei Qing’an, Qin Mu froze, a sour feeling in her chest. But she had no right to say anything, so she buried all her emotions deep inside, letting no one know.

Even after Xiao Xi passed away, Qin Mu never let her know.

Xiao Xi and Wei Qing’an’s relationship progressed further during their second year of graduate school.

That year, Wei Qing’an returned.

The school announced that she would serve as a part-time teacher in the archaeology department for six months, with the possibility of extension depending on Wei Qing’an’s preference.

Returning with Qin Mu was Ling Xi.

However, she wasn’t back to teach but specifically to accompany Qin Mu in handling some procedures.

Upon hearing the news, Xiao Xi was so excited she couldn’t sleep all night.

When Qin Mu found out, she also seemed a bit dazed.

That person it felt like she hadn’t seen her in a long time.

They met again later at a school assembly, where Wei Qing’an took the stage to give a speech. Dressed in a white shirt, a full black suit, and her hair tied in a low ponytail, she spoke eloquently and confidently. Qin Mu felt that she had changed, and the transformation was immense.

The Wei Qing’an of the past always had a gentle smile in her eyes, her words were soft and warm, and even when angry, she never wore a cold expression. But that day, Wei Qing’an seemed unapproachable, carrying a strong sense of distance.

This wasn’t a change born of maturity or feigned composure.

It was as if her very soul had been replaced.

“President Qin, over here, over here!” Zhang Fan waved both hands excitedly upon spotting Qin Mu’s car.

Qin Mu pulled over, unbuckled her seatbelt, grabbed her bag, and hurriedly stepped out of the car. She tossed the keys to Li Jiashan and said, “Park the car. I’ll meet the artist alone. You two wait outside.”

“Huh?” Zhang Fan pouted, looking uneasy.

Qin Mu took the fried chicken and coffee from Zhang Fan’s hands and reassured her, “Don’t worry, I can handle this myself.”

“Alright then, good luck.”

“Got it.”

Qin Mu walked into the ceramic shop, where a busy employee setting up for the day stopped her and asked, “Excuse me, miss, who are you looking for?”

Qin Mu lifted the breakfast in her hand and replied, “I’m here to see your boss, Ling Xi. I’m Qin Mu from Liunian Company. We scheduled a meeting yesterday to discuss a collaboration. Is she in?”

“Oh, yes, she’s upstairs on the second floor.”

Qin Mu nodded with a smile. “Great, thank you.”

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