The Tragic Heroine Fell in Love with Me - Chapter 18

“You’re awake.” Shen Lin stood at the doorway, seemingly a bit awkward, and didn’t step inside. He held onto the doorknob. “Since you’re awake, come out and have something to eat.”

Zheng Qi stared at Shen Lin, deeply, as if trying to carve him into her heart.

She stood up in a daze, unsure how she made it to the dining table. By the time she regained her senses, she had already finished a bowl of plain rice porridge.

“Thank you.”

Zheng Qi looked at the simple bowl of rice porridge. It had soothed her aching stomach, bringing a warmth that spread to her limbs. She felt as though she had regained the strength to keep living.

“It’s nothing.” Shen Lin rubbed his nose.

Perhaps because he had never seen Zheng Qi so vulnerable before, his gaze toward her softened considerably.

“If you don’t want to go home, you can stay here for a few days.” Shen Lin looked up at the ceiling. “My parents never come here. It’s usually just me living here, so you can relax and make yourself at home.”

“Thank you.” Besides gratitude, Zheng Qi had nothing else to say.

She had a home, yet she didn’t know how to return to it. At a time when she was so down and out, having Shen Lin take her in filled her with genuine gratitude.

Shen Lin awkwardly turned away, and Zheng Qi could only see his bright red ears.

“I can cook,” Zheng Qi said. “Cleaning, cooking, washing dishes, doing laundry, I can do all of it.”

Shen Lin cleared his throat. “Of course. I’m not charging you rent, so you’ll have to handle these things.”

With that, Shen Lin fled as if escaping.

Zheng Qi couldn’t help but chuckle.

Shen Lin was just like she remembered from her childhood always hiding his concern in his heart.

But…

She had lost the whistle.

Zheng Qi’s childhood hadn’t been affluent, but it had been happy.

Zheng Quanqiang only gained wealth after Zheng Qi graduated from elementary school, thanks to a lottery ticket. That money allowed him to invest and eventually become the nouveau riche he was today.

Back then, Zheng Quanqiang and Xie Xinyue ran a small restaurant in the city, and Zheng Qi was often left in the care of Xie Xinyue’s younger sister, Xie Xinxi.

Zheng Qi often missed those days. Though there were no luxury cars or villas, at least she had her aunt’s care. Her aunt would always take her to various amusement parks. If there was an entrance fee, they would find a way in from the edges climbing over walls or slipping through holes. If it was free, they would enter through the main gate and stand by the rides, laughing along with the crowd as if they were part of it.

She never felt those days were particularly difficult until her aunt passed away.

Zheng Qi quickly pulled herself out of her memories.

While reminiscing, she hadn’t stopped working. She efficiently cleaned the kitchen and carried the plates to the table.

In the living room, Shen Lin’s friends were chatting on the sofa.

Shen Lin sat in the center. Not far from him, a guy dressed in hip-hop style had his feet propped up on the coffee table, munching on sunflower seeds while staring at the TV, roaring with laughter at the antics of Tom and Jerry.

Another friend sat alone on a single sofa, holding his phone in one hand and gesturing on the screen with the other. From time to time, he looked up and reminded the hip-hop guy, “Huang Xi, keep it down.”

These two were Shen Lin’s childhood friends who always bickered with each other. Since Shen Lin was on break, both of them had come over to his place for a gathering.

Huang Xi scattered melon seeds all over the floor. “Qi Yan, don’t be so serious. We finally have a chance to hang out, and you’re still glued to your phone. How boring.”

Qi Yan sneered, “Still better than someone like you, who’s always fooling around.”

As they were talking, they noticed Zheng Qi walking out, and both immediately toned down their confrontational attitudes.

Huang Xi rubbed the floor with his foot, pushing the scattered melon seed shells toward the coffee table. “Your cooking smells amazing, sis. I could smell it from way over here.”

Even though Huang Xi was a few months older than Shen Lin, he looked significantly younger. With his baby face and chubby cheeks, he still had a childlike appearance even though he was almost twenty.

Coupled with his habit of wearing hip-hop style clothes and his loud, boisterous way of speaking, he came across as nothing more than a kid.

Qi Yan, on the other hand, was the complete opposite of Huang Xi.

He always sat upright and proper, and even during a casual gathering, he would be on his phone handling work matters. His attire was always neat and meticulous, and even while arguing with Huang Xi, he would stand up politely when facing Zheng Qi and say, “Thank you for all your hard work.”

“It’s nothing,” Zheng Qi replied, lowering her head, her cheeks flushed like they were brushed with rouge. “Dinner is ready.”

“If you’re so grateful, why don’t you go help instead of pretending to be the nice guy here?” Huang Xi shot Qi Yan a glare and then linked arms affectionately with Zheng Qi. “Zheng Qi, I’ve been dying to taste your cooking again. Finally, I get the chance.”

Zheng Qi brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “If you want to eat, Xiaoxi, you just have to let me know.”

Then she chided Huang Xi, “And you, stop provoking Qi Yan on purpose. I was the one who told him not to help.”

“Ugh, you’re always taking his side.”

Shen Lin stomped his foot heavily, shooting a glance at Zheng Qi, his tone full of irritation. “You two seem awfully close.”

“Ohhh, someone’s jealous! Why don’t you just make things official with Zheng Qi already?” Huang Xi deliberately slung an arm over Zheng Qi’s shoulder and winked teasingly at Shen Lin.

“Stop talking nonsense,” Shen Lin’s voice immediately rose.

His brows furrowed, and his face showed a mix of anger and frustration. “If you keep spouting nonsense, get out of here.”

Huang Xi shrugged, stuck out his chin, and stuck out his tongue. “Oops, I took the joke too far again.”

Shen Lin was the first to head toward the dining area.

Qi Yan gave Huang Xi a warning look. “Are you out of your mind? Why do you always have to provoke him?”

Huang Xi returned to his carefree demeanor. “It’s fun.”

Those three simple words made Shen Lin bristle like a prickly hedgehog, and he couldn’t even manage a pleasant expression toward Zheng Qi.

Huang Xi waved at Zheng Qi. “Let’s go, I’m starving.”

Qi Yan hung back a few steps, looking at Zheng Qi as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Zheng Qi turned to him.

Qi Yan finally spoke, “It might not be my place to say this, but Zheng Qi, you deserve someone better.”

“There is no one better,” Zheng Qi said with deep emotion, her gaze fixed on Shen Lin. She was like a moth drawn to a flame, fully aware that the path ahead would lead to her destruction, yet she walked forward without any regrets.

Qi Yan sighed, then stepped past Zheng Qi and quickly made his way to the dining table.

Shen Lin and Huang Xi had already started eating. Neither of them was particularly adept at considering others’ feelings, but perhaps it was precisely because of this that, despite all the bickering, they managed to maintain a basic friendship.

Qi Yan gave Zheng Qi an apologetic look, pulled out a chair for her, and waited for her to sit down before taking a seat opposite her.

Qi Yan took a bite of each dish. “Zheng Qi, your cooking keeps getting better.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Huang Xi chimed in, nodding repeatedly. “This is even better than restaurant food.”

Zheng Qi smiled shyly. “Don’t praise me like that. I don’t even know how to react.”

“Good is good. Are we not allowed to praise good food?” Huang Xi laughed playfully.

“Isn’t it just because you two haven’t eaten much good food? You think this is delicious?” Shen Lin said disdainfully.

Zheng Qi’s smile faded. She stared blankly at the food in front of her, her eyes unfocused.

“Shen Lin,” Qi Yan called out warningly, unable to stand it any longer. Unexpectedly, Shen Lin grew even more displeased. “What? You’re allowed to lie, but I’m not allowed to tell the truth?”

Even Huang Xi couldn’t help but give Shen Lin a sidelong glance. “Bro, you’re something else. Only you could say something so shameless.”

Shen Lin glared at Huang Xi. “What do you mean by that?”

Huang Xi waved it off. “Oh, come on, I’m just joking. You’re not actually mad, are you?”

Watching the two of them bicker as if no one else was around, Qi Yan didn’t know what expression to wear. He could only apologize to Zheng Qi again. “I’m sorry. Shen Lin isn’t targeting you. He and Huang Xi are always like this, they argue as soon as they see each other. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Zheng Qi lowered her head, seeming to take in Qi Yan’s words, yet also seeming not to.

The meal ended on an unpleasant note.

As Zheng Qi carried the plates to the kitchen to wash them, Qi Yan finally let out a sigh of relief.

Qi Yan said to Shen Lin, “If you don’t like her, you should make it clear. Why keep her hanging like this?”

Huang Xi sneered. “What’s the use of reasoning with him? He enjoys having people fawn over him.”

“Hey, don’t say things like that. She’s just staying here temporarily. There’s nothing between us.”

“You think I believe that?” Huang Xi laughed mockingly. “Back then, you went abroad with Nuanyan, then came back alone and started pushing for some exchange student program. I think there’s something wrong with your head. Now you’re saying there’s nothing going on with Zheng Qi? Who do you think would believe that?”

“I didn’t come back for her,” Shen Lin retorted, widening his eyes as if to make his words more convincing.

“If not for her, then for whom?” Huang Xi pressed.

Shen Lin hesitated, unable to speak.

“Enough. Every time we talk about who you like, you get all wishy-washy. If you like Zheng Qi, then be with her. Why do you always act like someone’s forcing you?” Huang Xi shot Shen Lin a sidelong glance. “As expected, I still despise hypocrites like you the most.”

Qi Yan had to pull Huang Xi back. “That’s enough. Say less. We came here to catch up, not for you two to argue.”

“Hah, do you think I want to argue? Just look at this guy, he’s disgusting.”

Qi Yan rubbed his forehead and said, “Shen Lin, Huang Xi and I are leaving first. Don’t take it to heart, he’s been irritable lately, probably going through menopause.”

“Who’s going through menopause? Who’s going through menopause? Say that again, Qi Yan, and I’ll make you pay for it!”

Huang Xi jumped up angrily but was easily held back by Qi Yan, who grabbed the back of his collar. After apologizing to Shen Lin, Qi Yan pulled Huang Xi toward the exit.

Zheng Qi stood at the restaurant entrance, looking somewhat flustered as she watched the scene unfold.

Support