Weakness Trap - Chapter 15

“Qing Luan.” Yu Lingxue’s voice sounded faint.

But after a moment, she adjusted her tone.

It had actually been a week since they last contacted each other.

And this was after she had stood Yu Qingluan up last time.

Was Yu Qingluan angry?

Yu Lingxue felt slightly guilty.

She had been so absorbed in learning new knowledge, forgetting even to eat and drink, that she had completely forgotten about Yu Qingluan.

“Hmm.” Yu Qingluan responded very softly.

She had no intention of causing any unpleasantness with Yu Lingxue.

She was simply waiting for Yu Lingxue to take the initiative.

Seven days.

It had taken her a week to finally hear from her.

Or rather, she was surprised she had even gotten a response.

Was she lucky?

Yu Qingluan didn’t know.

She was sitting outside the library at the moment, holding a thermos cup.

She took a sip the water tasted as if it had been steeped with lemon, making it hard to swallow.

Yu Lingxue, hearing that almost non committal “hmm,” felt her chest tighten.

“Little Bird, I, I was a bit busy these past few days,” she hurriedly tried to explain.

But Yu Qingluan only offered a light, airy “It’s fine.”

As if Yu Lingxue standing her up or going silent didn’t matter.

Ignoring her for a week wasn’t a big deal either.

Everything was “It’s fine.”

And everything was “unimportant.” Just like her.

Yu Lingxue felt a surge of pain welling up from deep within her lungs.

“Little Bird, I can explain.” Yu Lingxue pressed a hand to her chest, tasting a hint of metallic bitterness.

How could this be?

Did Yu Qingluan not see her as important?

If she were important, why wasn’t Yu Qingluan angry?

Yu Lingxue thought that if someone treated her this way, she would definitely be angry.

Unless that person didn’t matter.

Yu Lingxue spoke again, her tone urgent.

She would rather Yu Qingluan lose her temper at her.

But all she got in response was the sound of Yu Qingluan’s breathing.

“Qing Luan, where are you right now?” Yu Lingxue set down her pen.

“Lingxue.” Yu Qingluan’s tone remained heavy, like deathly stillness. Yet it was as light as drifting clouds, impossible to grasp.

She interrupted Yu Lingxue.

“I’m working on an assignment. Let’s talk another time.” As she said this, Yu Qingluan even curved her lips into a slight smile.

As if she really was just busy and didn’t want to talk to Yu Lingxue.

That was what she told herself, too.

“Qing Luan!” Yu Lingxue’s voice was tinged with anxiety.

Yu Qingluan could hear the sound of wind.

Had Yu Lingxue come out to look for her?

How strange. She wasn’t even angry, so why was Yu Lingxue in such a hurry?

“Qing Luan, let’s meet up.” Yu Lingxue gritted her teeth, her chest heavy with suppressed emotion.

She tried to avoid vomiting while on the phone, not wanting to make things worse for Yu Qingluan, who was already upset with her.

“It’s alright.” Yu Qingluan finally sensed something amiss, her brows naturally knitting into a frown.

Her naturally sorrowful expression made it seem as though she was pitying Yu Lingxue on the other end of the line.

But her own feelings were something even she couldn’t decipher.

“Let’s talk during winter break. We both have assignments and exams coming up we’re busy.” With that, Yu Qingluan hung up.

She was even surprised by her own decisiveness when she ended the call.

When had she ever hung up on Yu Qingluan before?

In fact, Yu Lingxue rarely even called her.

They usually just arranged a time via text and met up.

Meeting up,

Yu Qingluan scratched her reddened wrist.

She really did miss Yu Lingxue a little.

Had it almost been a month since they last saw each other?

Did Yu Lingxue know what could happen in a month?

Yu Qingluan got up and, instead of heading to the library to study, simply rowed the boat back home.

She took out the gloves she had knitted and put them on, but they did little to ease the allergic pain and itching. Her hands and neck were covered in patches of red and purple, as if branded onto her heart along with that unbearable discomfort.

Tormenting her.

Winter was approaching.

A month was enough time for her to mend the stage costumes Yu Lingxue needed to wear, to repair the gift she had once given Yu Lingxue but which had been burned, and to finish this year’s gift for Yu Lingxue the one she hadn’t had time to complete. She could also knit a pair of winter gloves for her mother, her grandmother, Yu Lingxue, and herself.

Thirty days were enough to accomplish all these things.

But they weren’t enough for Yu Lingxue to spare even a moment to see her.

Yu Qingluan tried to warm the itchy, allergic spots on her skin, hoping to soothe the bitterness in her heart. Stepping outside, the cold wind hit her face, and her skin began to itch again.

It seemed her allergy to cold air was something she simply couldn’t avoid, no matter what.

“You’ve been acting pretty unusual lately,” Xiang Yan remarked, glancing at the menu. She ordered a cup of hot water for Yu Qingluan first before starting to choose dishes.

“What do you mean?” Yu Qingluan rubbed her hands together, instinctively reaching for the ointment in her bag. But as her fingers brushed against it, she thought of Yu Lingxue and stopped, ultimately deciding not to apply it.

So that was what Xiang Yan was referring to.

“Your girlfriend,” Xiang Yan said, watching Yu Qingluan’s movements before handing over her own hand cream. “Haven’t you been in touch with her lately? You used to spend weekends together occasionally, but recently you’ve been ‘favoring’ me.” Xiang Yan guessed the two must be having a disagreement.

Wow, could it be that her gentle, kind friend was actually angry with her love obsessed girlfriend?

Xiang Yan’s interest was piqued. She casually ordered a couple of dishes, propped her chin on her hands, and looked expectantly at Yu Qingluan.

“What ‘favoring’?” Yu Qingluan couldn’t help but laugh.

“We just had a fight well, not really. We just haven’t been talking.”

No one had actually lost their temper, so it couldn’t really be called a fight.

“Are you mad at her?” Xiang Yan asked, surprised. There were actually days when Yu Qingluan wasn’t talking to Yu Lingxue?

Yu Qingluan nodded.

Xiang Yan’s eyes lit up.

“Way to go, girl!” She never imagined her love struck best friend would one day have the nerve to give her girlfriend the cold shoulder.

What a development.

“Actually, I wouldn’t really call it that,” Yu Qingluan said, a frown of displeasure creasing her brow.

Was she really angry with Yu Lingxue?

She was just a little tired, that’s all.

Their relationship wasn’t that important anyway. Why cling to it so desperately?

Once the agreement expired, they would go their separate ways regardless.

Maybe it was better to start getting used to that kind of life sooner rather than later.

Yu Qingluan quickly changed the subject. “What about you? How’s it going with that girl who added you on WeChat at the mall the other day?”

Xiang Yan’s smile froze at the corners of her mouth.

Yu Qingluan narrowed her eyes slightly. “Don’t tell me you’ve actually been chatting?”

Was she playing matchmaker now?

Xiang Yan lowered her head, slightly annoyed. “It’s not that I don’t know how to explain. She’s already working, and she keeps asking me out on dates.”

“Isn’t that a good thing? That’s the first step to developing a relationship, right?” Yu Qingluan swirled her teacup, unaware of the figure that had just flashed past the entrance.

Xiang Yan shook her head vigorously. “I feel like it’s moving a bit too fast.”

“Anyway, just drop it, okay?” Xiang Yan’s ears turned red.

Seeing her like this, Yu Qingluan sensed there was more to the story but didn’t feel comfortable pressing further.

Her own love life was already a mess, and lately, she hadn’t felt like discussing anything related to romance.

“Anyway, to celebrate your successful escape from misery, this meal is on me today.” Xiang Yan was also eager to change the subject and raised her teacup.

Before it could clink against Yu Qingluan’s cup, a figure appeared before them.

It was a presence impossible to ignore.

A slender figure, soft flowing hair. Standing there like a divine statue, yet with the slightest movement of her delicate features, she resembled willow branches swaying in the breeze.

She looked at Yu Qingluan, her lips trembling slightly.

“Qingluan.” A faint call escaped her lips.

Laced with tears.

Yu Qingluan looked up and saw the reddened corners of Yu Lingxue’s eyes.

Strange.

Didn’t they agree to contact each other during winter break?

Why had she come looking for her now?

And why was she crying?

They hadn’t argued.

Yu Qingluan froze in place as Yu Lingxue crouched down, leaning against the table so Yu Qingluan wouldn’t have to look up, trying to meet her at eye level.

“Qingluan, Qingluan.” Yu Lingxue merely repeated her name.

Yu Qingluan couldn’t help but lean in closer.

Was she hallucinating?

Why couldn’t she make out what Yu Lingxue was saying?

Was Yu Lingxue, speaking to her?

“Little bird can we talk?” Yu Lingxue cupped Yu Qingluan’s hands.

Her eyes were filled with urgency.

Hope condensed like frost, covering her sincere gaze.

Yu Qingluan’s hand twitched.

Yu Lingxue stubbornly held on, even rummaging through her bag for the ointment she always carried, wanting to apply it to Yu Qingluan.

Yu Qingluan’s gaze sharpened the moment it landed on the green ointment.

She pulled her hand back firmly.

“I’m having a meal with a friend.” No harsh words, no anger.

But the refusal was clear.

The hope in Yu Lingxue’s eyes shattered.

“But.” Yu Lingxue still wanted to say something.

She turned and saw Xiang Yan’s furious glare, finally remembering her manners.

“I, I’ll wait until you’re done.” Yu Lingxue stepped aside and sat at the table next to them.

She ordered food but didn’t touch it, instead staring intently at Yu Qingluan.

Xiang Yan watched the scene, barely resisting the urge to roll her eyes.

But,

She truly believed what Yu Qingluan had always said about their close relationship.

Otherwise, Yu Lingxue probably wouldn’t have chased after her.

Discussing her in front of others would be rude anyway.

So Xiang Yan kept quiet and focused on eating with Yu Qingluan.

Yu Qingluan ate slowly.

Meanwhile, Xiang Yan was still texting her.

[Xiang Yan: Are you going to leave with her later?]

Yu Qingluan thought for a moment and declined.

[Probably not. I promised to go shopping with you today.]

She couldn’t break her promise to a friend just because Yu Lingxue had shown up unexpectedly.

Although, the moment she saw Yu Lingxue appear, Yu Qingluan had already begun to feel warm.

Her chest, her head, her limbs.

The hand Yu Lingxue had held was now unusually warm on its own.

Making her feel she didn’t need gloves to ward off the late autumn chill.

Yu Qingluan thought that she probably did want to go with Yu Lingxue.

Very much so.

She was just genuinely sulking.

[Xiang Yan: It’s fine, you can go with her. That older sister just contacted me to hang out anyway.]

Xiang Yan was quite understanding.

She could tell Yu Qingluan wasn’t herself.

And the root of it was Yu Lingxue.

Better to resolve it than to drag out the unhappiness.

Yu Qingluan unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.

[Then have fun.]

She added another message. [Good luck~]

Xiang Yan, embarrassed by her teasing, tossed her phone aside and buried her face in her meal.

After the meal, Xiang Yan wanted to settle the bill, but the server informed them that the woman at the next table had already paid for them.

Yu Qingluan’s expression turned somewhat subtle.

Xiang Yan didn’t know what to say either and quickly slipped away.

Only Yu Lingxue remained, trailing behind Yu Qingluan, silently pleading with her to turn back.

Once they reached outside the mall, Yu Qingluan still got into Yu Lingxue’s car.

“Little Bird,” Yu Lingxue said, holding the ointment as she reapplied it to Yu Qingluan’s wound.

“Was that person just now your friend?” Her tone was casual, almost indifferent.

But Yu Qingluan couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable hearing it.

“Lingxue,” Yu Qingluan withdrew her hand, refusing to let Yu Lingxue touch her.

“Don’t you know?”

They had known each other for a year.

They had been in a relationship for a year.

Did Yu Lingxue really not know who her friends were?

Then again, she didn’t know who Yu Lingxue had around her either.

For instance, even now, she still didn’t know who that person named Wen Ying was.

“You can track my location, but you don’t know who my friends are?”