The Premeditated Seductress Childhood Friend - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: That Mole

Song Yixi was deeply moved.

After chatting with Xu Qingyu for a few more minutes, she fell asleep clutching her phone, a sweet smile on her face.

Over the next few days, undercurrents surged within the class. Yu Wei spent her time grinning ear to ear as she devoured all the latest gossip, while Song Yixi remained indifferent, her only daily concern being whether she might “accidentally” run into Xu Qingyu.

“Mr. 6’1″” hadn’t been giving her much face ever since she cursed him out; he’d drop a sarcastic remark here and there. Song Yixi never held back—whenever he acted snide, she fired back with interest, scolding him mercilessly. Yu Wei would instantly join the fray, and occasionally Chen Jingyu would jump in too. After a while, the guy learned to stop looking for trouble.

The three girls managed to reach a state of begrudging harmony, even going to practice basketball together when they had free time to prepare for the tournament in October.

When the National Day holiday arrived, Song Yixi’s mom called, asking her to come home with Xu Qingyu. Xu Qingyu had a car, which made the trip convenient, but Mom was worried that with the holiday traffic, Xu Qingyu might feel unwell if she had to drive alone for too long.

Song Yixi agreed without a second thought. She didn’t feel comfortable letting Xu Qingyu drive back alone either. After hanging up, she called Xu Qingyu directly.

When the call connected, Song Yixi asked, “When are you heading back?”

“I’m packing,” Xu Qingyu replied. “I’ll head out after a quick bite. Do you want to come over?”

“Sure, I’m on my way.”

Song Yixi had already finished packing. She left her suitcase by the entryway and headed over to Xu Qingyu’s place. Knowing Xu Qingyu was busy packing, she let herself in with the door code.

Upon opening the door, she saw the living room curtains were drawn. Xu Qingyu was facing away from her, her hands lifting her shirt. Above that snowy-white skin was a strip of black lace…

Song Yixi froze, her gaze following the movement, forgetting to look away. Simultaneously, her face began to flush a deep crimson.

Xu Qingyu heard the door open but didn’t stop what she was doing. She changed into a clean white shirt, slipped her arms into the sleeves, and sat on the sofa without even fastening the buttons.

She didn’t look at Song Yixi. Instead, she raised her hands to tidy her hair and said, “Peeking at your sister changing clothes?”

Song Yixi snapped back to reality and hurriedly turned around. “You… put your clothes on properly.”

Xu Qingyu didn’t move. She kept her arms raised as she tied up her hair. Once finished, she leaned back against the sofa.

“I’m out of strength,” she said softly.

Song Yixi moved to leave. “Then I’ll come back in a bit.”

“Come help me,” Xu Qingyu said. Her voice was lazy, seemingly unbothered by Song Yixi’s peeking.

Song Yixi stood frozen, having a mental battle with herself.

Xu Qingyu looked at her back and said slowly, “Didn’t you see everything just now anyway? Besides, we’re both girls, what does it matter? I even changed your diapers when you were little.”

“Stop right there.”

Song Yixi changed into her indoor slippers and moved over cautiously. She could never win an argument against Xu Qingyu. That phrase “we’re both girls” made her feel that Xu Qingyu truly had no idea that two girls could date. She felt a surge of panic, feeling as if she were taking advantage of Xu Qingyu.

But Xu Qingyu said she had no strength.

Lost in thought, she found herself standing in front of Xu Qingyu, seeing the curve of her body half-hidden by the open shirt. Xu Qingyu was thin, but…

Song Yixi swallowed hard. Fearing Xu Qingyu would discover her “filthy” little thoughts, she knelt with one knee on the sofa, trying her best to keep her eyes fixed solely on the buttons. But as she pulled the fabric together, glimpses were unavoidable.

She gritted her teeth and fastened the buttons one by one. Only when she reached the top did she let out a long sigh of relief.

“Is your luggage ready?”

“Almost.” Xu Qingyu pointed to the suitcase on the floor; the lid wasn’t closed yet.

Song Yixi understood the hint. She walked over, closed it, and zipped it up. “Is there anything to eat at home?”

“There are dumplings in the freezer,” Xu Qingyu said.

“Sit for a while, then.” Song Yixi naturally walked into the kitchen and put the dumplings on to steam. Judging by the portion, it was exactly enough for two people. “Did your mom send them over?”

Xu Qingyu lowered her gaze, her voice dropping. “Mhm, the auntie.”

Song Yixi paused. She realized they weren’t talking about the same person. She had been asking about Xu Qingyu’s mother, but Xu Qingyu was referring to her family’s housekeeper.

Xu Qingyu’s parents were always busy with work, putting patients before family. Growing up, Xu Qingyu was mostly raised by the housekeeper. Song Yixi’s mom, pitying her, often brought her over for meals. Song Yixi only saw Xu Qingyu’s parents when Xu Qingyu was sick or needed her medication changed. Every time she visited Xu Qingyu’s house, it felt lifeless—there was either the busy housekeeper or Xu Qingyu alone in her room reading.

Song Yixi felt a pang of sympathy. “I’ll wrap some dumplings during the holiday and bring them over. Whenever you want to eat, I’ll cook them for you.”

Xu Qingyu looked up and offered a small smile. “Thank you.”

“There’s no need for ‘thank you’ between us.” Song Yixi watched the boiling water, her tone becoming slightly forced. “During the holiday, if you feel it’s too lonely at home, you can stay at my place.”

Xu Qingyu agreed immediately. “Okay.” There wasn’t a hint of her past reserve. “Will I sleep in your bed?”

“Where else?” Song Yixi didn’t dare look at her. “You used to treat my house like your own anyway. Just keep doing that. You can sleep wherever you want.”

Xu Qingyu broke into a warm, soft smile, seemingly very satisfied with that answer. “Mhm. I like sleeping in your room, in your bed…”

She paused as if she hadn’t finished her sentence. Song Yixi waited expectantly, but the rest never came.

Song Yixi didn’t ask. When the dumplings were ready, she plated them and brought them to the table. “Time to eat.”

She prepared some vinegar, a bowl for each of them. Their tastes were different—Xu Qingyu only needed a tiny dip of vinegar, but Song Yixi liked hers loaded with cilantro and garlic. Surprisingly, Xu Qingyu—who hated cilantro and garlic—actually had them stocked in her kitchen.

Once Xu Qingyu sat down, Song Yixi picked up a dumpling and stuffed a large bite into her mouth. Shrimp filling—her favorite. “Delicious.”

Seeing her eat so happily, Xu Qingyu placed a few more in her bowl. “Eat slowly.”

Song Yixi didn’t stand on ceremony. Between bites, she said, “Why did the auntie only make shrimp? You love water bamboo filling. Whatever, I’ll go buy groceries tomorrow and make them for you.”

A smile touched Xu Qingyu’s eyes. “Okay.”

Song Yixi was single-minded sometimes. It didn’t occur to her that Xu Qingyu had specifically asked the housekeeper for shrimp dumplings; they were prepared for her from the very beginning.

Xu Qingyu was full after just a few. She let Song Yixi finish the rest. Song Yixi then automatically cleaned the kitchen and checked the windows, doors, and utilities. Once everything was confirmed, she grabbed Xu Qingyu’s suitcase and went next door for her own.

Xu Qingyu followed her with empty hands. Downstairs, Song Yixi lifted both suitcases into the trunk. Xu Qingyu leaned against the car door, head tilted, watching her. Her eyes were full of tenderness.

“Want to take turns driving?”

“No need.” Song Yixi finished loading the luggage and jingled the car keys. “It’s only an hour’s drive. Easy.”

Saying this, Song Yixi strode over and opened the passenger door for her. “Get in.”

“Mhm.”

As Xu Qingyu held the door to get in, her translucent white shirt shifted against her skin, catching Song Yixi’s eye. She saw the mole on Xu Qingyu’s shoulder.

Faint as it was, it instantly triggered those deep-seated thoughts from all those sleepless nights.

She wanted to pull back Xu Qingyu’s clothes and see that mole with her own eyes.