Try Saying You Don't Like It - Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Xiao Hua was the first one to call with congratulations.

Ever since she found out that Yin Qiuman actually liked He Xinglan, she had been waiting for the follow-up. In this day and age, girls and girls make the best couples to ship. Heaven knows how anxious she had been every single day.

But ever since Yin Qiuman consulted her on how to pursue someone, without success, Yin Qiuman had never contacted her again.

She checked Yin Qiuman’s WeChat Moments until her screen was smoking, but saw no progress whatsoever.

Xiao Hua even thought Yin Qiuman had given up at one point.

She never expected that behind the tranquility was a major move.

Yin Qiuman had managed to take down He Xinglan without a sound?!

Upon seeing Yin Qiuman’s official announcement Moment, Xiao Hua sprang up from her bed like a carp and immediately dialed Yin Qiuman’s number without hesitation.

“Manman, congratulations! You’ve captured the beauty!”

Listening to Xiao Hua’s joyful voice, which genuinely cheered for her, Yin Qiuman pursed her lips, suppressing the upward curve of her smile, acting reserved yet not entirely so: “Thank you.”

“Hehe.” Getting confirmation from Yin Qiuman herself, Xiao Hua chuckled and asked: “When are you bringing He Xinglan out for a get-together? The straight-A student and the academic underachiever from high school ended up together—I bet all our old classmates will be absolutely stunned.”

Xiao Hua could already imagine the scene. And she, the only one who knew the news in advance—that feeling of everyone else is drunk but I am sober was simply too thrilling.

But Yin Qiuman had no such intention.

“Xiao Hua, it’s not necessary for everyone to know about He Xinglan and me.”

“Huh?” Xiao Hua felt as if a basin of cold water had been poured over her head, and her rationality instantly returned: “Is it… because He Xinglan doesn’t want to?”

Thinking of this possibility, Xiao Hua immediately became anxious.

“Manman, I’m genuinely happy for you that you’re finally with He Xinglan, but please don’t let love cloud your judgment. You must stay rational, especially if He Xinglan is unwilling. You need to ask her carefully why. A relationship that has to be hidden—don’t let her fool you…”

“No, it’s not that.” Seeing Xiao Hua misunderstand, Yin Qiuman quickly explained: “No, it’s me. It’s because of me.”

“Ah, this…” Xiao Hua was confused. “But didn’t you already make an official announcement in your Moments?”

“Manman, honestly, I don’t quite understand.”

Yin Qiuman was silent for a while before saying: “Academic underachiever… doesn’t sound very good.”

“And He Xinglan, during high school…”

At this point, Xiao Hua understood. He Xinglan in high school was not like the popular Yin Qiuman; she was the complete opposite. Few classmates liked her, even though she was pretty.

“Well, okay. Then… can we at least meet up?” Xiao Hua backed down and asked for the next best thing.

Just then, Yin Qiuman’s phone received a new call—it was Yin’s mother, Leng Ci.

“Xiao Hua, let’s talk about meeting later. My mom is calling.”

“Oh, oh, oh, okay. Then talk to Auntie… talk well,” Xiao Hua instructed her, then quickly hung up.

In a small county town, how rigid the elders’ mindsets are… Xiao Hua looked at the hung-up call with worry.

On the other side, Yin Qiuman had already pressed the answer button.

“Mom~”

“Manman, your Moment…” Leng Ci hesitated, afraid to ask.

She thought she was overthinking. Don’t young people nowadays like to play those truth-or-dare games?

But the next second, Yin Qiuman clearly told her that she wasn’t overthinking.

“It’s true,” Yin Qiuman said. Her voice was soft, sounding light, but it was very firm and serious.

“Mom, I’m sorry I never told you, but I actually like the same sex.”

Yin Qiuman’s words were so direct that Leng Ci almost thought the person on the other end of the line was not her obedient daughter at all. But Yin Qiuman’s words today made her start to recall everything that had happened in the past.

Why didn’t her daughter have male friends? Why did her daughter reject blind dates? Why was her daughter always so tolerant toward women, even personally mentoring female interns who were ostracized? Why were there books describing lesbian relationships on her daughter’s bookshelf?

She thought it was just curiosity. She thought it was the natural kindness of a woman…

After a long silence, Leng Ci sighed and spoke first: “Is she… someone you just met?”

“No,” Yin Qiuman said. “Xingxing and I were high school classmates.”

“Mom, actually, I wasn’t a good student. In high school, I already…”

“Enough.” Yin Qiuman’s words were interrupted by Leng Ci. Yin Qiuman could clearly hear Leng Ci’s rapid breathing on the other end of the phone.

Was it because the usually obedient daughter, the ‘good child’ in the neighbors’ eyes, had suddenly gone bad? Or was it because the ‘good child’ she had always believed in was actually a ‘bad child’?

Yin Qiuman pursed her lips in silence. Only after the breathing on the other end gradually stabilized did Yin Qiuman speak again: “Mom, I’ve liked her for a long, long time.”

Because she had liked her for a long time, it was hard-won, and she would not give up.

This was what Yin Qiuman wanted to tell her mother.

Beep, beep, beep…

Yin Qiuman was answered by a busy signal.

Yin Qiuman stared at the busy phone for a long time, frowning. Leng Ci’s attitude didn’t seem too bad, but Yin Qiuman knew her mother; this was definitely not a good sign.

She had been too confident in herself. She thought her hints had already been received, and even accepted…

“Top Scholar, breakfast is ready! I bought you the best Qīngchéng Noodles in Qīngchéng, plus old-fashioned buns and soy milk.” He Xinglan came in from outside, both hands full, her face radiant with a spring breeze.

Looking at the smile on He Xinglan’s face, Yin Qiuman couldn’t help but curl her lips as well.

“Let me help you.” Yin Qiuman quickly put down her phone, walked over, and took the items from He Xinglan’s hands, placing them on the table.

Her hand touched He Xinglan’s, and it felt like she had suddenly touched an ice cube. Yin Qiuman immediately held He Xinglan’s hand tightly in her palm.

“Is it that cold outside? I should have just ordered delivery in the room,” Yin Qiuman said, breathing warm air onto the hand in her palm, regretting allowing He Xinglan to go out and buy breakfast for her.

He Xinglan enjoyed this kind of care and gave a silly smile: “Delivery is not as delicious as buying it fresh right away.”

“You finally made the trip to Qīngchéng; of course, I want you to try the authentic Qīngchéng cuisine.”

“Finally?” Yin Qiuman looked up at He Xinglan upon hearing that, then lowered her head: “I’ll have to come often from now on.”

“After all, my girlfriend is here.”

The three words “my girlfriend” successfully pleased He Xinglan. She found that she really, really liked the identity of Yin Qiuman’s girlfriend. Grasping Yin Qiuman’s hand in return, He Xinglan said: “Yes, from now on, Qīngchéng is your home. Come whenever you want.”

“Leave whenever I want?” Yin Qiuman deliberately teased He Xinglan.

She was satisfied with He Xinglan’s anxious look: “You slept with me and you still want to leave? Yin Qiuman, are you a player?”