When Spring Burns - Chapter 32

“Sis, I…”

Sheng Tingmian didn’t know what to do. On her phone, Ji Siyi was still waiting for her reply.

He Jianxue: “Do you like her?”

By now, Sheng Tingmian had completely come to see He Jianxue as an older sister. Only a real sister would care so much about her and remain so objective and composed. Unconsciously, she had developed an emotional dependence on her.

“…I only see her as my sister’s friend.”

“Then reject her, so she doesn’t think you have those kinds of feelings for her.”

Sheng Tingmian thought that made sense, but she was afraid it would be too abrupt. “But sis, won’t that hurt Siyi’s feelings?”

He Jianxue: “Don’t worry about that. She took nine years to graduate from studying abroad, that alone shows she’s resilient under pressure.”

“…Huh?” Sheng Tingmian found it both amusing and a little sad. After thinking it over seriously, she edited a message and sent it, using training as an excuse to decline.

Ji Siyi sat on a bench in the hospital, clutching two tickets in her hand. After waiting for a long time, she finally received Tingmian’s reply.

Tingmian: Sorry, Siyi, I have training tomorrow and won’t be able to go watch.

A flicker of disappointment passed through Ji Siyi, but she quickly rallied and replied that it was okay.

If the mountain wouldn’t come to her, she would go to the mountain.

…

The next day, Sheng Tingmian went to the theater in the morning to rehearse The Jade Hairpin with Du Jingya.

After practice, the two walked out of the rehearsal room, wiping sweat from their brows.

“Mianmian, I heard that for this TV station program selection, we’re competing against people from the Tianxing Troupe, Jinyuan Troupe, and Xiangcai Troupe.”

Du Jingya sighed. “The pressure is immense…”

Sheng Tingmian was also aware of this. “I wonder which plays they’ll choose to perform. Hopefully, they won’t clash with ours?”

Du Jingya shrugged. “It shouldn’t come to that. Those troupes have more experienced actors with deeper backgrounds. They’ll probably choose plays with richer historical and cultural significance, like The Peony Pavilion, The Palace of Eternal Life, or Single Sword Meeting.”

Sheng Tingmian thought for a moment. “That makes sense. But our Liqing Troupe choosing The Jade Hairpin doesn’t necessarily mean we can’t be selected.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Sheng Tingmian noticed Du Jingya had stopped beside her. Following her gaze, she nearly jumped in surprise.

Standing on the steps at the theater entrance was a tall, slender woman, it was Ji Siyi.

When Ji Siyi saw her come out, her eyes lit up, and she approached her. “Tingmian, are you done with training?”

Sheng Tingmian glanced at Du Jingya beside her, who had tactfully stepped away. Sheng Tingmian tried to silently plead with her to stay, but it didn’t work. She could only nod and say she was done.

Ji Siyi smiled at her. “Tingmian, I happened to be passing by and thought you might be training, so I came to see you.”

Sheng Tingmian felt even more guilty. She hadn’t actually scheduled a rehearsal that morning, but afraid Ji Siyi would realize she was lying, she had dragged Du Jingya along to practice for the entire morning. She never expected Ji Siyi to show up…

A mix of emotions stirred in Sheng Tingmian’s heart. “Siyi, about the play, I’m really sorry…”

Ji Siyi comforted her. “No need to apologize. It’s completely understandable. If you couldn’t make it, it’s because you had training. Besides, we can watch a play anytime. Next time, when you’re free, we’ll go together.”

Sheng Tingmian lowered her gaze, unsure how to respond. She no longer had the same cheerful mood from their earlier conversation, especially after her sister revealed that she actually wanted to pursue a romantic relationship with her.

Now that Sister Siyi was asking her out like this, she simply couldn’t bring herself to continue treating her as just a friend without any reservations. Pretending to be oblivious and interacting with her as a friend would only make her feel guilty and uneasy.

After much deliberation, Sheng Tingmian made up her mind and lifted her eyes. “Sister Siyi, there’s something I need to tell you.”

Seeing the girl she liked staring intently at her, Ji Siyi unconsciously smiled, her eyes softening. “What is it?”

Sheng Tingmian spoke bluntly, “Are you pursuing me?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, the corridor outside the theater fell so silent that they could hear each other’s breathing.

Ji Siyi hadn’t expected her feelings to be exposed so quickly in front of the younger girl. For a moment, she even wondered if He Jianxue had ruined her chances. But He Jianxue was her longtime friend, surely she wouldn’t do such a thing.

“Was I… that obvious?” she concluded that it must have been her own fault.

Not wanting to betray her sister, Sheng Tingmian could only nod.

Ji Siyi composed herself. “Since you’ve noticed, I won’t hide it anymore. I am indeed pursuing you. The moment I saw you, I felt that Tingmian had a unique aura that deeply attracted me.”

Listening to the first woman in her life confessing to her, Sheng Tingmian felt calm inside but couldn’t help looking at her with inexplicable concern.

She never expected Sister Siyi to have fallen in love with her at first sight.

If she rejected her now, would it hurt her deeply?

Ji Siyi continued, “Tingmian, would you be willing to give me a chance? I really like you.”

“Sister Siyi, I…” Sheng Tingmian looked at her apologetically and finally mustered the courage to refuse, “I only see you as an older sister. I don’t have those kinds of feelings…”

…

He Corporation.

He Jianxue was working when Ji Siyi showed up with alcohol, seeking to drown her sorrows.

“A’Xue, I got rejected.” Ji Siyi slumped onto the sofa and took a large gulp straight from the bottle.

He Jianxue paused mid-action. Rejected? Could it be…?

She stood up and walked over to Ji Siyi. “Did my sister reject you?”

Ji Siyi let out a bitter “Mm” from her throat. “She realized I was pursuing her and turned me down. She said she only sees me as an older sister.”

Damn it, it hurt so much!

“She said she hopes I find the right girl soon and wished me happiness…”

Ji Siyi smiled bitterly. “Is it my fault? Does she not like someone like me?”

He Jianxue sat down opposite her, suppressing the slight curve at the corner of her lips. “You’re wonderful. It’s probably just that my sister isn’t into your type. Don’t be upset, Siyi.”

Ji Siyi lifted her eyelids and looked at the woman across from her. In a flash of insight, she suddenly asked, “Did you say something to Tingmian?”

“What could I have said?” He Jianxue smiled candidly. “At most, I told her you were pursuing her and tried to help you two get together. Didn’t you ask for my support?”

Ji Siyi’s mind was muddled, and for a moment, she couldn’t process it. It sounded reasonable, and He Jianxue had always been straightforward. “You really tried to help us? You didn’t say anything else?”

Her first romance since returning to the country had withered before it even had a chance to bloom, how could it not break her heart?

“Of course. You’re my friend.” But she’s my sister first.

Ji Siyi let out a deep sigh, set down the wine bottle, and lay down, gazing at the ceiling as she murmured, “Maybe we just weren’t meant to be… It’s just a little hard to take.”

He Jianxue said, “While your feelings aren’t too deep yet, it’s best to pull back early. You’re not that young anymore, what’s a setback like this? You managed to endure nine years before graduating, didn’t you?”

The mention of taking nine years to graduate plunged Ji Siyi back into the agony of her study abroad days, a pain almost unbearable. But comparing it to that, what was a mere rejection? She had endured all that hardship to enjoy the rest of her life.

Even rejection felt sweet in comparison, at least Tingmian’s voice was lovely, her words gentle and considerate.

They could still be friends in the future. What was there to be so upset about?

Thinking this way, Ji Siyi immediately felt much better.

“A’Xue, thank you for comforting me. I feel a lot better now.”

He Jianxue replied with a meaningful tone, “No need to thank me.”