The Premeditated Seductress Childhood Friend - Chapter 8

Chapter 8: The Feather

“Give it a rest.”

Song Yixi turned to leave, but after a few steps, she suddenly stopped and asked, “There are so many ‘fast-food’ romances in university—there are already several couples in our class—how come you aren’t dating anyone?”

For the past few years, Song Yixi hadn’t dared to contact her, assuming that someone as popular as Xu Qingyu must have been in a relationship long ago. She hadn’t wanted to hear it from Xu Qingyu’s own lips. Now that she knew Xu Qingyu had never dated, she felt a secret sense of joy.

Xu Qingyu was silent for a moment before saying, “I don’t have the time or energy to give to others.”

“Got it.”

Song Yixi caught a glimpse of the packaged herbs on the coffee table but didn’t think much of it. Xu Qingyu was born into a family of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and had been groomed since childhood to inherit the family clinic. It seemed normal that her time was consumed by her studies, especially in a demanding nine-year program.

Feeling much more at ease, Song Yixi waved her hand and left.

After sneaking back to her room, she dove into her blankets and laughed out loud into her pillow. It was an indescribable kind of happiness. With her mood lifted, she fell asleep quickly.

In the apartment next door, Xu Qingyu remained on the sofa. As if she had nothing better to do, she untied the bundles of herbs she had just packed, only to tie them up again. The curve of her eyes and lips was subtle, but she was clearly smiling. She was savoring the taste of Song Yixi’s jealousy.

It was a long time before Xu Qingyu finally retreated to her room to sleep.

…

The next morning, as soon as Xu Qingyu stepped out, she saw Song Yixi in the hallway waiting for Yu Wei. Song Yixi held a bag of bread, chewing on a slice, looking quite composed.

Xu Qingyu tapped her wrist. “You’re going to be late.”

“Aren’t you giving me a ride?” Song Yixi raised her hand, casually passing the bag of bread to her. “The fare.”

Xu Qingyu noticed the words “Sugar-Free” printed on the bag. She took the bread and pressed the elevator button. “Let’s go.”

A smirk played on Song Yixi’s lips as she turned to urge Yu Wei, “Hurry up!”

“Coming, coming!” Yu Wei grabbed her bag and hurriedly changed her shoes. Seeing Xu Qingyu by the door, she greeted her with a grin. “Hi, Senior! Good morning.”

Xu Qingyu gave a slight nod. She was back to her cool, aloof self—the version of her that didn’t like to speak much.

Sensing the coldness, Yu Wei whispered, “Is Senior in a bad mood?”

Song Yixi crossed her arms and shrugged. “Her? She’s just ‘lagging.’ Her body hasn’t fully ‘booted up’ yet after waking up. It takes a while before she’s willing to talk.”

As she spoke, Song Yixi felt a bit smug. Just a moment ago, Xu Qingyu had been the one to strike up a conversation with her.

With that thought in mind, Song Yixi couldn’t keep her smile down the entire way to school. Xu Qingyu drove, glancing at her a few times through the rearview mirror but saying nothing until she dropped them off at the teaching building.

It was almost 8:00 AM. The two girls didn’t have time to chat; they hurriedly thanked her and ran inside. Xu Qingyu didn’t leave immediately. She waited until Song Yixi’s silhouette disappeared around the corner of the stairs before slowly driving away.

Song Yixi reached the classroom just in time. Sitting by the window, she caught sight of Xu Qingyu’s car as she looked out. She stared at it for a long time, feeling a strange emptiness in her heart. It was just like every time they had separated when they were children, yet entirely different.

She pulled her gaze back, forcing herself to focus on the lesson. But she had only been listening for a few minutes when a message from Xu Qingyu arrived:

When you’ve decided, find me.

Song Yixi knew exactly what she was referring to. Her face flushed red, and she instantly locked her phone screen. But her heart refused to settle down.

“Damn it,” she cursed under her breath, opening a carton of milk and gulping it down.

As she drank, images of Xu Qingyu’s lips flashed through her mind. She suddenly choked on the milk, coughing as she slumped over the desk. She was losing her grip.

Yu Wei noticed her. “What’s wrong? Feeling sick?”

Song Yixi shook her head. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a couple in the front right row flirting right under the teacher’s nose. They were quite intimate—holding hands, shoulders touching—looking as if they might kiss at any second. Song Yixi tried to look away, but couldn’t help stealing a few more glances.

She was actually quite curious about what being in love felt like.

Yu Wei used a book to block her line of sight. “Didn’t you see enough at the playground?”

“Tsk, what are you saying?” Song Yixi quickly looked away. “I just find it strange how someone can… during class time…” She took another sip of milk and didn’t finish her sentence.

Yu Wei was used to it. “I’ve been a student-athlete for so many years; I got used to it long ago. Don’t you want to date too? See if there’s anyone in class you like.”

Song Yixi rejected the idea without a second thought. “No. Impossible.”

She had never been interested in the people around her. It wasn’t that no one pursued her, but she simply had zero desire for romance. Most of her mental energy had been spent competing with Xu Qingyu.

Yu Wei glanced at the teacher and whispered, “Then why do you want to date? Or is it that you don’t want the relationship, you just want the kissing?”

Song Yixi was stumped. It seemed like she really did just have the urge to kiss. And it was directed at Xu Qingyu…

She shivered, shaking that dangerous thought out of her head. “Is that wrong? It sounds so ‘scummy.'”

Yu Wei wagged her finger. “Not at all. At our age, having some physical curiosity is normal. As long as both parties are willing, who cares about being ‘scummy’? Look at the couples in our class—most of them break up after the initial spark fades anyway. It’s almost better not to date.”

“Is that so?”

Song Yixi didn’t know whether to believe her. Dating someone after knowing them for a few days and breaking up a month later felt wrong to her. But not dating and only kissing seemed wrong too.

But Xu Qingyu and I are both girls. A little kiss shouldn’t be a big deal, right?

She often saw girls in class kissing each other on the cheek or being affectionate. It was just a way to express friendship, wasn’t it? She and Xu Qingyu had over ten years of history; it was just a kiss—it shouldn’t matter. Xu Qingyu had even seen her bathe when they were little.

Yes, that makes sense.

Song Yixi successfully convinced herself. Unable to wait a moment longer, she replied to Xu Qingyu: Tonight. 10:00 PM. Your place.

Short and to the point. Song Yixi felt she sounded cool and assertive. She put her phone away and sipped her milk, leisurely waiting for a reply.

But by the end of class, no reply came. Thinking that Xu Qingyu might be busy with her own classes, Song Yixi reassured herself and went to lunch with Yu Wei. Even after lunch, there was still nothing.

Song Yixi’s heart felt like it had been pricked by a bee—itchy and restless, yet unreachable. She lost all interest in her phone. She went back to the apartment to nap, and the moment she woke up, she checked her messages.

The inbox was empty. Her mood plummeted instantly. It’s been so long; she definitely checked her phone. She’s ignoring me on purpose.

What does she mean by this? She doesn’t want to? Fine then. I’m not going tonight.

Song Yixi stomped out of the room in a fit of pique, just as Xu Qingyu was coming back. She pretended not to see her, crossing her arms and refusing to say hello.

Xu Qingyu looked at her, a faint ripple of a smile appearing on her face. “Why didn’t you reply to my message? Didn’t you see it?”

Song Yixi, who was in the middle of sulking, was stunned. How is she turning this back on me?

She snapped, “Who didn’t reply? Wasn’t it you?”

“I did reply.” Xu Qingyu’s gaze swept over the old phone in Song Yixi’s hand, appearing as if she’d just had a realization. “Is your phone broken? Let me take you to buy a new one.”

As she spoke, she reached out and took Song Yixi’s hand.

Song Yixi froze. The palm of Xu Qingyu’s hand was warm and soft, like holding a feather.

It tickled its way right into her heart.