The Guide to Faking Innocence to Win His Wife - Chapter 28

If one were to speak aloud the frustrations that entangle the heart and are so difficult to let go, they would actually amount to only a few sentences.

While the insider experiences a turbulent storm, an outsider can only glimpse a shallow reflection of those emotions, which scatter as soon as the wind blows.

After leaving Jiang Town back then, Xie Zhiyi had returned to her original life. She studied, graduated, and, relying on her excellent grades and her parents’ connections, stayed at the university to become a teacher. Once things stabilized, she started her own business, opening a studio for jade carving and design. Life was busy and fulfilling. When she occasionally spoke with her former roommates, she was considered an object of envy. Aside from remaining single and being nagged by her parents and friends from time to time, her life was leisurely and peaceful.

As for her sexual orientation, Xie Zhiyi had sensed it since childhood. She was never particularly close to men and would unconsciously let her gaze linger on girls. It wasn’t until she encountered information on the subject later that she dared to slowly confirm she was attracted to the same sex. Since she came from an intellectual family with loving parents and an older brother, Xie Zhiyi did not feel burdened. After becoming an adult, she tested the waters a few times and came out. Although her parents did not approve at first, they eventually let her be, saying it was her own life.

Even so, Xie Zhiyi remained single until now. First, the community was indeed small; second, she was busy with her career; and third, she was the type to believe in fate. She never took an interest in anyone introduced by friends, and so she drifted until the age of twenty-five. She thought things would continue this way until someone unexpectedly arrived and broke the silence.

That person was a freshman in the department where Xie Zhiyi taught, youthful and bright, the kind of presence that could be distinguished in a crowd at a glance. At that time, Xie Zhiyi did not harbor any special feelings, but she could not help letting her gaze linger for a moment. Then came the meetings in the first row of the classroom, at the corner of the stairs, and sharing tables in the crowded cafeteria. It is always hard to refuse such a girl, bright yet not flamboyant, well-behaved, and knowing when to advance or retreat.

She did not rush into a pursuit but approached bit by bit. First, she made sure Xie Zhiyi knew her name and remembered her class, then she added her contact information. Every day, there was just enough pleasant conversation. The elder was pulled into the net inch by inch, never imagining that everything was a lie.

It was laughable really. Xie Zhiyi could never have imagined such a ridiculous reason—all that calculated effort was merely for revenge. Just because the senior the girl liked happened to like Xie Zhiyi? It was absurd and unbelievable. When Xie Zhiyi watched her make a scene in the office, claiming that Xie Zhiyi, as a teacher, had intentionally seduced her—even producing so-called evidence of molestation—the only word left in Xie Zhiyi’s mind was “absurd.”

Xie Zhiyi did not bother to defend herself. She handed in her resignation and left the school.

The light rain continued outside the window, and a stifling heat enveloped the room. Perhaps because it had been on for too long, the desk lamp crackled a few times, and the light inside grew dimmer. Xie Zhiyi did not go into detail, stopping her story at the betrayal. She let out a soft sigh of relief. She had thought it would be extremely difficult to speak of, but saying it made her feel much lighter. She had, after all, picked up the adult habit of knowing that talking helps soothe the emotions, yet she had kept herself confined within a cage, suppressing herself.

Xie Zhiyi leaned back against the headboard. Her long, slender swan neck revealed a hint of blue veins, like fragile and precious white porcelain. The person beside her was an excellent listener, never interrupting to ask more. She had been staring down at the shadows on the floor. After a moment of silence, she finally asked, “Has she been the one sending you messages and calling you all these days?”

Although Xie Zhiyi had tried to hide it, after being together for so long, some traces were bound to show. Xie Zhiyi paused before giving a soft hum of affirmation. She added, “This matter had an impact on her as well.”

Presumably, that girl never expected that her attempt to slander Xie Zhiyi and have her suspended would backfire. Xie Zhiyi was harder to handle than she imagined. On the day she caused the scene in the office, someone called the police, and the school launched an investigation. By the next day, Xie Zhiyi’s innocence was proven. The evidence produced had been maliciously edited, and the claim that Xie Zhiyi made her skip class to come to the office was fabricated. Consequently, the girl was publicly criticized and expelled.

“I see,” Jiang Zhongmu nodded. She did not know what to say. She was naturally clumsy with words and not good at comforting people. After a long pause, she only managed to ask, “Do you want a candy?”

Xie Zhiyi laughed, thinking the girl was quite silly. She was incredibly sharp when being mischievous, but so dull at ordinary times. She gave the girl a fleeting glance, her eyes shimmering with a soft, watery light that exuded a quiet charm.

Jiang Zhongmu did not dare to meet her gaze. Almost the next second, she turned her head away and blurted out stiffly, “Is that the reason you rejected me?”

“That is the reason I advised you to change if you can,” Xie Zhiyi corrected her patiently.

It was, after all, a minority orientation. It clearly did not hinder anyone, yet it was used by others as a blade to attack her. Her hands resting on the bed tightened. Malicious, prying eyes flashed before her, and the idle gossip still circled in her mind.

“How could such a good person become that kind of…” “I heard there are family reasons for this. I thought Professor Xie’s family was so happy, but it was all an act.” “What a pity for such a nice young lady.”

Xie Zhiyi closed her eyes and said slowly, “This society is not as beautiful as you imagine.”

“I do not care,” Jiang Zhongmu replied quickly. “I do not care what others say or think. I do not care about the eyes of others.”

She lifted her feet, releasing the bare feet that had been confined. The fine beads of sweat were hit by the wind, turning into a sticky sensation that was hard to endure. Xie Zhiyi did not take her words seriously. She merely opened her eyes and glanced at her, as if smiling at a naive child.

“Are you laughing at me?” Jiang Zhongmu did not leave any room for politeness. Although it was a question, her tone was certain.

Silence was her response.

“Xie Zhiyi, I am not like you,” the unruly child began to call the other by her name again, her every word firm and decisive. “I am not a child who knows nothing. I know what it feels like to be gossiped about. I have felt those gazes too.”

Jiang Zhongmu grinned, smiling nonchalantly. “At least you could choose to leave, but I have lived here for over ten years.”

“Sister,” she whispered, sounding like a sigh. “What is the difference between a poor orphan who lost her parents and a lesbian? It is just a little more discrimination.”

She leaned back against the chair and laughed carelessly. Her handsome features were usually clouded by gloom, but in the half-light, she showed a desolation that did not fit her age. “What does that matter to me, Sister? They say I am the one who jinxed my parents, that I am the one who broke this family. Jiang Nanyang and the others threw stones at me, called me an orphan without parents, and spread it through the school so everyone would know.”

She gave a mocking smile and continued, “If I truly cared, how could I have endured until now?”

Xie Zhiyi opened her mouth, now the one at a loss for words. Jiang Zhongmu did not care at all. Instead, she comforted her, speaking as if sharing a joke. “I beat them up so badly later. They went to their parents with bruised faces to complain, only to get beaten again by their own parents. My godfather even found me a wooden stick and said he’d get me another if I broke it.”

Jiang Zhongmu leaned in closer to the bed. With the rustle of fabric, her calloused palm covered the hand that was tightly clutching the sheet, warming the cold fingertips. “Do not be afraid, Sister,” she whispered. The hand with thick calluses covered hers, inching between her fingers until their palms were tightly pressed together.

Xie Zhiyi had a petite frame and slender bones. Even her hands were a joint shorter than Jiang Zhongmu’s, completely covered. The elder, having failed to dissuade her, simply remained silent and let her have her way.

Do not be fooled by the sweet and sour taste of the bayberry wine, where one can barely taste the alcohol. It was brewed with white spirits. Even strong drinkers could not handle a few glasses, let alone Xie Zhiyi, who rarely touched alcohol before. As the drunkenness kicked in, she became groggy and did not want to speak. She leaned lazily against the headboard, as if the previous conversation had exhausted all her strength. She was only forcing herself to stay awake.

Their fingers intertwined in an awkward, tight lock. The sweet scent of the Burmese laurel tree drifted from the branches, and the bells on the eaves tinkled. The rain from outside blew into the room, leaving puddles on the floor.

Jiang Zhongmu suddenly asked, “If the one you met first had been me…” She stopped abruptly, her voice vanishing.

How could such a thing be possible? Some things seemed destined. If that car accident had not happened and she had not repeated a grade, perhaps she would have found Xie Zhiyi before that person. But how could it be? If those things had not happened, Xie Zhiyi would have been just like any other tourist passing through, appearing briefly without leaving any memories. Perhaps Jiang Zhongmu would have paused for her for a moment during her busy studies, but they could not have become well-acquainted, let alone would she have chosen a certain school because of her. Fate is always twisted and torturous, allowing no room for change.

Xie Zhiyi heard her words and knew what was left unsaid. She only smiled. How could there be so many “ifs” in this world?

So Jiang Zhongmu fell silent, gripping the other’s hand tightly, letting go of the “ifs” to ask about the present. She asked, “Then if it is me, are you willing to believe in me now?”

She looked up at Xie Zhiyi. The woman with her long chestnut curls draped over her shoulders remained silent. She had a very gentle appearance, and the faint melancholy in her eyes was like a spring lake with a slight ripple, yet she was incredibly heartless. She was the coldest person Jiang Zhongmu had ever met, the hardest to melt.

The proud little leopard lowered her head again and again before her, unable to find an answer. She asked hoarsely, “Xie Zhiyi, what should I do? What am I to do with you?”

She could not let go, yet she could not get close. Those lingering glances could not be faked. The pleasure shown when they were close and the helpless indulgence when fingers ran through her hair were real. Yet, being pushed away again and again was also real.

“Xie Zhiyi, you coward,” she protested with red eyes, feeling incredibly wronged. “I am not her. Why do you dismiss me like this?”

This time, Xie Zhiyi did not avoid her gaze. She only let out a helpless sigh and said softly, “How many times have you cried in front of me?”

The child held her head up stubbornly, refusing to admit her vulnerability. “I have not.”

“Crybaby,” Xie Zhiyi concluded. “Coward,” Jiang Zhongmu called back. “Crybaby,” Xie Zhiyi repeated. “Coward,” the other refused to yield an inch.

It was the elder who gave in first. She curled her lip and scolded, “Childish.” The one being scolded laughed and replied, “Likewise.” Xie Zhiyi sighed from her heart. “Foolish.”

With a slight tug of their joined hands, Jiang Zhongmu leaned in. Her high bridge of her nose brushed against her cheek, and her thin lips pressed against her ear. A warm breath accompanied her voice. “I am not foolish.”

Xie Zhiyi was against the wall with no room to retreat. Her hand was held, and she could only struggle to say, “What are you doing?” This spot was sensitive; even a brush would leave it red for a while, let alone this kind of teasing.

Jiang Zhongmu was mischievous. She was happy because of this and intentionally blew a breath. Xie Zhiyi could not help but hide in her embrace like a kitten acting spoiled, making one want to tease her even more.

Jiang Zhongmu’s eyes darkened. She could not help but call out, “Sister.” “Hmm?” The person in her arms instinctively looked up. The long-scheming little leopard leaned down and pressed against the corner of her lips.

Xie Zhiyi, who had recovered a bit of clarity, was stunned. She squeezed out a sentence through her teeth, “You did not drink?” This fresh, clean scent did not smell of alcohol at all.

Jiang Zhongmu finally remembered that part. She gave a muffled laugh and wrapped her long arms around the slender waist, pulling Xie Zhiyi into her embrace, trying to distract her. Xie Zhiyi tried to push her away, feeling that she had been tricked. She was furious and turned her head several times to avoid the other’s approach. Jiang Zhongmu acted like a rogue. Instead of letting go, she held her tighter.

“Jiang Zhongmu!” The elder finally grew angry, looking up and glaring at her.

There was no sense of threat at all. Instead, it drew Jiang Zhongmu’s gaze elsewhere. In the struggle, the nightgown was messy, the straps had fallen completely, leaving only the beautifully lined, full shoulders and neck, and the curves that were different from a young girl’s.

Her inconspicuous Adam’s apple bobbed. The person in her arms was still struggling and complaining. Jiang Zhongmu reached out with one arm and grabbed the bottle from the floor. She unscrewed the cap with one hand, tilted her head back, and took a large gulp. The purple-red liquid sloshed in the bottle. A few stray drops lingered at the corner of her mouth before sliding down her chin and wetting her thin shirt.

Jiang Zhongmu frowned slightly, perhaps not used to the taste of alcohol. She stopped after a large swallow and put the bottle back on the floor. She leaned down and pressed against the stunned woman. Their breaths, light and heavy, intertwined. Jiang Zhongmu skillfully pried open her lips and teeth, sending the wine into her mouth.

Sweet bayberries, intoxicating wine, and the girl’s hot, urgent breath occupied her bit by bit. She had to strictly control her strength to resist breaking the slender waist under her palm, filling the shallow small of her back and intentionally lifting her up.

Jiang Zhongmu was never associated with the word “gentle.” She was a wild little leopard who only knew how to mark her prey, leaving her own exclusive traces. Xie Zhiyi could not withstand it. Even if she was occasionally let go to breathe a few gulps of fresh air, she could not endure the girl’s wild behavior.

But Jiang Zhongmu knew how to act spoiled, coaxing her in a hoarse voice, calling her “Sister” again and again. She told her not to care about things outside, to focus, to only think about her now. She even said pitifully, “Sister, the wine tastes bad. My head is so dizzy.”

Xie Zhiyi was always soft-hearted. Her heart, which had hardened as she retreated again and again, was now completely defenseless.

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