The Premeditated Seductress Childhood Friend - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Ten O’Clock Tonight

It took Song Yixi a long time to snap out of her daze and realize the reality of her situation.

She had rented the apartment directly across from Xu Qingyu. From now on, no matter how she tried to hide, they would be seeing each other constantly. She had been played by Xu Qingyu again.

“She…” Song Yixi was frantic, suffering in silence. She had been too hasty.

Yu Wei was also quite stunned. “Senior lives right across the hall? Why didn’t she say anything?”

Song Yixi gritted her teeth. “I knew it. She is clearly the greatest danger.”

“What danger? Having Senior live right across the hall is great!” Yu Wei checked her phone. “The agent sent a message. They said the people installing the AC and water heater are coming tonight. We don’t have to take leave from school; we can just ask Senior if she’s free to keep an eye on things for us.”

As she spoke, she went to knock on the door, acting completely at home. Song Yixi tried to stop her, but it was too late. She could only cover her face and hide to the side.

Xu Qingyu opened the door. Her gaze bypassed Yu Wei and landed softly on Song Yixi. “What is it?”

Yu Wei beamed. “Senior, will you be home tonight? The agent said someone is coming to install the appliances, but we have evening self-study and can’t really skip. Could we trouble you to open the door for the workers? I’ll buy you supper!”

Seeing the key being offered, Xu Qingyu took it lazily. “No need for supper. Just be careful on your way back tonight.”

“Thanks, Senior! I’ll bring you a little cake from school!” Yu Wei blew a kiss to Xu Qingyu.

Song Yixi caught the gesture from her hiding spot and her brow tightened. Xu Qingyu was pleasant and gentle to everyone else, but when it came to Yixi, she was always critical and cold. She did nothing but lecture her.

It didn’t used to be like this. In the past, Xu Qingyu only played with her. The more Song Yixi thought about it, the angrier she got, and her face darkened.

Xu Qingyu noticed. “Want to come in and sit for a while?”

Song Yixi turned her head away. “No.”

Xu Qingyu said, “Aren’t you going to treat me to a meal?” Her tone made it sound like Song Yixi owed her money.

Song Yixi snapped back, “I’m out of money after paying rent.”

Xu Qingyu nodded and pushed the door wide open. “I bought groceries. Let’s have hotpot.”

Standing at the door, Yu Wei saw the dining table covered in various plastic bags, clearly meant for hotpot. Before Song Yixi could object, Yu Wei pulled her inside. “Great! Senior, go rest. We’ll handle the prep.”

Xu Qingyu had no intention of helping. she gave them each a pair of clean disposable slippers and sat in the living room to organize her Chinese herbs. Song Yixi was pushed along, looking quite reluctant, but though her lips thinned, she didn’t refuse.

…

The table was indeed full of hotpot ingredients. The two girls dumped the vegetables into the sink to wash. While washing, Yu Wei looked around. The layout was the same as their apartment, but Xu Qingyu’s side had clearly been renovated. The custom furniture made it look far more sophisticated. A traditional medicine cabinet stood in the living room, and the air was thick with the scent of herbs.

Yu Wei remarked, “Senior doesn’t usually cook, does she?”

Song Yixi gave a cold laugh. “Her? She won’t even touch cold water, let alone cook.”

Hearing this, Xu Qingyu shot a glance over. Song Yixi pretended not to notice.

When the ingredients were ready, there was no sign of a soup base. Yu Wei asked, “Did we not buy a soup base? I’ll go get one. What flavor do you like? Can you eat spicy?”

“Spicy? You’ll be lucky if she lets you have clear broth,” Song Yixi said, unhurriedly drying her hands and walking over to Xu Qingyu.

Xu Qingyu didn’t look up. She casually handed several wrapped medicinal herbs to Song Yixi.

Song Yixi sighed and said to Yu Wei, “It’s not too late for you to regret this.”

“Regret what? A medicinal soup base?” Yu Wei was curious. “I’ve never had it. I’ll give it a try. Besides, we have dipping sauces. If it’s not good, I’ll just double-dip.”

Song Yixi shook her head and skillfully began boiling the herbs. “You’ll regret it.”

An hour later, Yu Wei understood. A hotpot with a medicinal base wasn’t necessarily bad, but it certainly wasn’t good. The flavor was bizarre—strange and slightly bitter upon closer tasting. Yu Wei gave up after two bites. Fortunately, the flavor wasn’t too strong, so she could mask it with sauce.

But looking at Song Yixi and Xu Qingyu, both were eating calmly.

She asked sincerely, “Do all TCM students like this kind of soup base?”

Xu Qingyu replied flatly, “My apologies. My health isn’t great, so I try to nourish my body with every meal. You might not be used to it at first, but it’s very good for you.”

Yu Wei understood. “Bitter medicine is good medicine. It’s fine, I can eat it.” She then turned to Song Yixi. “Your health isn’t good either? Do you eat this often?”

“No.” Song Yixi poked at a meat roll in her bowl, suddenly losing her appetite. “I used to be as round as a ball precisely because I ate stuff like this.”

Hearing the hint of resentment in her voice, Xu Qingyu slowly put down her chopsticks. “Are you still angry with me? But didn’t you scold me back then too? I thought we were even.”

During that time Song Yixi was hospitalized for dieting, Xu Qingyu had said some harsh things, but Song Yixi’s tongue was equally sharp. She had fought back plenty.

To this day, Xu Qingyu remembered Song Yixi shouting: “If it weren’t for you, would I be this fat? Do you just hope that no one will like me so I’ll stay circling around you forever?”

They were young then, and in their anger, they lashed out at those closest to them. Regret came too late. Words that wound leave roots in the heart. Every time Song Yixi dieted after that, it wasn’t just a battle with herself; it was a battle with Xu Qingyu.

Sensing the grievance in Xu Qingyu’s voice, Song Yixi countered stubbornly, “Well, I bought you a new computer. I haven’t even replaced my own phone yet.”

She had thought about apologizing, but she couldn’t bring herself to lose face. After years of barely communicating, they weren’t like they were as children anymore—they couldn’t just say anything to each other.

There were so many things Song Yixi didn’t know how to voice. Her own grievances were many. “You were the one who didn’t send me a single message.”

She had waited all night, full of hope, thinking that once Xu Qingyu received the new computer, she would reach out to break the ice. But she had waited until late at night, watching the lights stay on in Xu Qingyu’s room, yet she hadn’t received even a polite “thank you.”

Xu Qingyu said, “Didn’t you also fail to send me a message?”

Song Yixi was speechless. For years, they seemed to be constantly sulking over these small things, neither willing to be the first to bow.

Seeing the silence fall, Yu Wei smelled the scent of gossip. She tried to ease the tension awkwardly. “This soup base… is very nourishing, huh?”

Song Yixi twitched the corner of her mouth, ate a few more bites, and said she was full.

…

Since they had self-study, the two girls headed back to school after eating. Song Yixi was restless all evening, daydreaming through class. Her mind was entirely occupied by Xu Qingyu; she couldn’t focus on anything else.

While she was lost in thought, her phone vibrated three times. Song Yixi lit up the screen. Her lazy expression transformed into something indescribable as she read the words:

Xu Qingyu: Do you think it’s my fault you grew up ‘fat’ and ‘unlikable,’ which is why you’ve never been in a relationship? Why you’ve never even tried the taste of a kiss?

Xu Qingyu: If that’s the case, I’ll compensate you.

Xu Qingyu: Tonight at ten o’clock, come to my apartment.