BSG - Chapter 17
Chapter 17
The three-day New Year's holiday arrived. Yun Youqing looked forward to New Year's Day even more eagerly than in previous years. Because Shen Wenxin wouldn't be busy during the New Year, and because Tao Fangran would be back right after the New Year. She'd be able to see her best friends again—happy!
But what reached her even faster than Tao Fangran was Tao Fangran's phone call. She picked it up happily.
"Hello? Ranran? What's up? Are you coming back early? Do you need me to pick you up?"
Tao Fangran had been in H City for the past few days, planning to have fun with her team for a couple of days before returning, which also served as a celebration for the successful conclusion of the concert tour.
"No," Tao Fangran said over the phone. "Youqing... I ran into Tang Yue."
Yun Youqing's hand holding the brush froze. Hearing that name so suddenly, a myriad of emotions surged in her heart. There was confusion, and a hint of sudden understanding. So after we broke up, Tang Yue went to H City...
"And then?" Very calm words. As she spoke, Yun Youqing felt a moment of trance. When she first experienced the breakup, it was like falling into a deep abyss; the whole world lost its color, dull and dark, only the pain like a glaring red light magnified infinitely. She hadn't imagined then that one day in the future, hearing news of Tang Yue again, she would be this calm, this detached.
"She's with a woman."
"Oh?" Yun Youqing's reaction remained calm. She lifted her brush, ready to continue coloring, and even adopted a gossipy attitude. "Could it be her girlfriend?" Then she answered herself, "Well, it has been a year. It's normal to have someone new." Not everyone gets stuck in the past. Not everyone's love life is full of bumps and disappointments. But why? Why had she just cast her aside like that back then?
The brush, laden with paint, stopped on the paper, unmoving for a long time. Eventually, the brush was set down on the table. Along with it settled the Yun Youqing from a year ago. In the end, she was still trapped by this question.
Tao Fangran's voice came through again. "It is indeed her girlfriend. They were even holding hands."
Yun Youqing inexplicably thought of Shen Wenxin. She finally managed a small smile. "What if it's her mom?"
Tao Fangran was extremely certain. "Not a chance. We both know that person."
Yun Youqing raised an eyebrow. Her gossipy curiosity grew stronger. "Who?"
Tao Fangran: "Tang Yue's white moonlight from university, Li Shuyue."
As the words fell, Yun Youqing paused, then raised an eyebrow again. "Impressive, Tang Yue. After breaking up with me, you actually managed to win over your white moonlight."
But Tao Fangran said, "No." Yun Youqing sensed something was off. "What do you mean?"
Tao Fangran's tone suddenly became serious. "I didn't let her off. I went straight up and asked her why she abandoned you so abruptly back then." Yun Youqing cared deeply about this. As her friend, she had to ask and find out, so she could help Yun Youqing break free from it. If Tang Yue's final reason was still "I don't like you anymore," then there was nothing more to say. But this time, the answer was different.
"Tang Yue, she..." At this point, Tao Fangran hesitated. She frowned, unsure for a moment whether she should tell her. "What about her?" Yun Youqing's appetite was whetted. "No stopping mid-sentence."
Tao Fangran was silent for a good while. Finally, she decided to tell Yun Youqing the truth. She couldn't just stand by and watch Yun Youqing be trapped by this question, constantly thinking about that awful woman, Tang Yue. "Youqing," she said, "Tang Yue broke up with you because of Li Shuyue."
Yun Youqing was stunned. "What... did you say?" Because of who? What did that mean? When Tang Yue was still with her, her heart had been on Li Shuyue?! "She emotionally cheated on me?!" Yun Youqing was flabbergasted. She had imagined a thousand possibilities, but never this one. Her white moonlight, after they got together, still held another white moonlight in her heart!
Tao Fangran was also furious, especially when facing Tang Yue. When she heard Tang Yue speak the truth, she truly wished she had no class, so she could just slap her twice. Now, hearing Yun Youqing's voice, she couldn't help but sigh. What had Yun Youqing done wrong? Why was she forced to become a play in these two people's... game?
After pondering, she still decided to tell Yun Youqing the whole truth. Yun Youqing had the right to know exactly what kind of person she had loved so wholeheartedly.
"It was emotional cheating. Or rather, her heart never truly belonged to you," Tao Fangran's tone was icy, filled with disgust. "She got together with you to try and use you to forget Li Shuyue."
A buzzing sound filled Yun Youqing's head. "What does that mean..."
"When you two reconnected, she had actually just broken up with Li Shuyue. Li Shuyue had also just left." Tao Fangran held her forehead. "Tang Yue realized you liked her, so she thought she'd give it a shot with you, to use you to forget Li Shuyue... And then Li Shuyue came back for her."
They knew what happened after that. Tang Yue couldn't let go of Li Shuyue and resolutely broke up with Yun Youqing. She said she didn't like her anymore, and maybe that was partly true. The moment the white moonlight reappeared, Yun Youqing automatically dimmed and exited her world. She broke up with Yun Youqing—or rather, abandoned Yun Youqing. From A City to H City, she reunited with Li Shuyue, her white moonlight ex. They were happy and harmonious again.
But what about Yun Youqing? The pitiful Yun Youqing, who had given her wholehearted devotion and was kept in the dark? What was she supposed to do?
Tao Fangran raised her eyes, her mind replaying the scene of her conversation with Tang Yue. Tang Yue still had that cool, aloof demeanor. Her appearance hadn't changed, her expression hadn't changed. She just said, "I'm sorry to Xiao Qing." Sorry, and too ashamed to see her, so she simply disappeared from her life. "Just let her think I'm dead."
"You really should be dead." Tao Fangran's eyes were as sharp as knives. There was so much she wanted to say, but facing that face, she felt it was unnecessary—a waste of saliva. Finally, she stood up, looking down at the impassive Tang Yue. "I have nothing good to gift you both here, so I'll just wish you and Li Shuyue a miserable ending."
Tang Yue's expression finally flickered. She slowly looked up at Tao Fangran. Tao Fangran scoffed disdainfully. "What? Am I wrong? You two don't exactly look like the type to last, do you?"
When she'd run into them, Tang Yue and Li Shuyue were in the middle of an argument. Yes, an argument. Both had looked very unhappy. In the end, it was Tang Yue who conceded and apologized first, taking Li Shuyue's hand, then hugging her, even when Li Shuyue angrily struggled. She bowed her head, admitted fault, and proactively placated her. That's how the matter was settled. She seemed quite practiced at it, as if she'd done it many times.
Tang Yue frowned, her lips moving as if she wanted to say something. Tao Fangran didn't listen, turned around, and left.
"Youqing, she's not worth your sorrow," Tao Fangran said. "From today on, completely delete her from your world. Erase her completely!"
Yun Youqing held her phone, silent.
Not hearing her voice, Tao Fangran gently asked, "Does it hurt?"
Yun Youqing hummed "Mm" very softly. It hurt. How could it not? After all, she had truly loved her once. She had thought they would be loving and happy, lasting forever. But it was all a lie. She had thought her heart belonged solely to her, but she'd never even touched the door to that heart. She had been shut out the whole time, while Tang Yue had been acting the whole time—acting happy, acting in love, acting like there was hope for a lasting future together. How could it not hurt...
"Then save this hurt for now," Tao Fangran said. "When I get back, we can curse her out together, properly. Drink and curse!"
Yun Youqing let out a laugh, just one. "Mm, okay." She added, "Fangran, I'm painting. I'll hang up now."
Tao Fangran understood something and didn't refuse. "Alright. Call me anytime if you need anything. I'll be here."
"Mm."
The call ended. Yun Youqing put down her phone, and her shoulders also slumped. She sat in her chair blankly. Then, she picked up her brush, only to put it down again. She sat blankly in front of the easel for a long time. She didn't know how much time passed before she finally started painting again, only to stop halfway. She got up and left the studio.
Left behind on the easel were the darkest, most somber colors. Black and white collided on the paper, slanting to divide the surface in two—like the two sides of the sea, one side light, the other an unfathomable abyss. A shapeless streak of red sank into the black sea, gazing at the white from a distance, like falling into a lonely, boundless deep sea, sinking deeper and deeper. Just like the current Yun Youqing.
Yun Youqing opened the liquor cabinet at home—empty. Oh, right. She'd drunk most of it over Tang Yue before, and Tao Fangran had taken the rest, afraid she'd resort to alcohol and harm herself. After that, to pull herself together, she'd never brought another bottle into the house. But now she wanted to drink. She was annoyed. Extremely annoyed. She needed alcohol to numb this knife-twisting pain in her heart.
She closed the cabinet door and went to change. If there was none at home, she'd just go out and drink—and call someone to accompany her.
The private booth was booked. The drinks had arrived. The bill was paid early. Yun Youqing lay on the table, scrolling through her phone. Who should she call to drink? She should call Tao Fangran, but she wasn't in A City. ...Shen Wenxin? It was New Year's. Shen Wenxin should be free, right? What was she doing now?
As if possessed, Yun Youqing opened Shen Wenxin's WeChat and dejectedly sent a message: [Where are you? Are you free?]
A minute later, Shen Wenxin replied: [Spending time with my parents. What's up?]
[Yun Youqing]: Oh, never mind then. Shen Wenxin usually worked, and her parents had classes. It was rare for the family to get together. She shouldn't disturb their family time.
But as if possessing a superpower, Shen Wenxin sensed her unhappiness and sent another message: [What's wrong?]
Yun Youqing was also frank. [I'm a bit upset about something. Wanted to find you to come out for a drink.] She typed out another line: [It's nothing major. You spend time with Uncle and Auntie. I'll find someone else.]
She exited Shen Wenxin's WeChat and prepared to find her next drinking target. Like, Huo Xi. She clicked into Huo Xi's WeChat, tapped the input field, and typed out "Free to come out for a drink?" Her finger moved toward the "Send" button.
Just then, a message notification slid down from the top of the screen—
[Shen Wenxin]: Address.
Yun Youqing's eyes widened slightly. The light from the screen reflected in her pupils.
By the time Shen Wenxin arrived at the booth, an entire bottle of liquor was already empty on the table. Yun Youqing had opened a new one and was slowly pouring it into a glass. She leaned against the long table, her right hand propping up her head, looking languid, as if already drunk.
Shen Wenxin only glanced once before striding quickly to Yun Youqing's side and pressing down on her wrist. Yun Youqing looked up along Shen Wenxin's arm, then smiled at her. "You came." Then she patted the empty seat beside her. "Sit."
Definitely tipsy. After Shen Wenxin sat down, she moved the wine glass away, not letting her drink. "Tell me. What happened?"
Yun Youqing propped her head up with her hand, looking at her, and pouted. "Unhappy."
Shen Wenxin hummed and asked, "Why unhappy?" Yun Youqing didn't usually act like this. That was precisely why she was here. For Yun Youqing to drown her sorrows in alcohol like this, it couldn't be a small matter.
Yun Youqing reached for the wine glass. Shen Wenxin blocked her once more. Unable to reach it, Yun Youqing snorted. "Because of my ex."
—Her again. The thought suddenly surfaced in Shen Wenxin's mind. How could this person, so long after leaving, still manage to dictate all of Yun Youqing's negative emotions? Wasn't this a bit too much like a haunting?
Before she could inquire further, Yun Youqing had already started speaking on her own. "I know why she broke up with me back then..." Holding the empty wine bottle, Yun Youqing's eyes were hazy, as if filled with fog. Her eyes and face were drunk, but her voice was still clear. The pain was also clear, shimmering in her eyes, like tears. "When she was with me, she was just trying to use me to forget her ex. She never liked me at all. The moment her ex came back for her, she ran to her without hesitation. Truly worthy of being a white moonlight, such lethal power... But what about me?"
Her clear articulation gradually gave way to a hint of a sob. "What did I do wrong? If you didn't like me, why did you stay with me for so long and put on an act like you loved me? I really thought we had mutual affection, that we could last forever... Liar... liar, sob..."
The sobs swallowed all the wronged words. She collapsed onto the table, no longer able to hold back the tears. Every tear was a curse against Tang Yue—hating her dishonesty, hating her betrayal, hating that her sincere heart had been misplaced.
Shen Wenxin listened quietly until she saw Yun Youqing slump over the table, crying. Yun Youqing was crying so pitifully, so aggrieved, as if the sky had fallen, as if her heart had been brutally gouged out. Shen Wenxin's brow furrowed slightly. She couldn't bear it. Feeling both sorry for her and irritated. How could that woman trample on Yun Youqing's sincerity like this?
Shen Wenxin reached out and gently patted Yun Youqing's trembling back, then stroked her hair—again and again, extremely tenderly. "You did nothing wrong. She was the one who wronged you. She bullied our Youqing; she's the bad one. If it hurts, just have a good cry. I'm right here."
Yun Youqing was already aggrieved and upset. Hearing Shen Wenxin comfort her so gently, her tears became even harder to hold back. She cried harder and harder, more and more fiercely. Not only did she cry, she also wanted to drink—crying while drinking. It was all that bastard Tang Yue's fault! Tang Yue had bullied her, deceived her! It infuriated her so much, infuriated her!!
This time, Shen Wenxin didn't stop her from drinking anymore. She just stayed with her, watching her tears fall like a broken string of pearls—plop, plop. So miserable, so wronged. It made one's heart ache. Shen Wenxin did ache for her a little. When someone who was always smiling suddenly cried, it was particularly heart-wrenching. But she didn't say anything more. She just accompanied Yun Youqing, poured her drinks, and offered a shoulder to lean on.
Yun Youqing was drunk and upset right now. Saying anything was useless; no one else needed to say much either. Just being there was enough. Echoing her words, validating her emotions, always standing by her side was what mattered. In this world, there were millions who would treat her well; she didn't lack that damn ex.
Yun Youqing drank while crying and gradually got drunk, her speech unclear. Except when cursing her ex; that was still clear.
Shen Wenxin checked the time and looked at the alcohol on the table. She reached out to press down on Yun Youqing's hand holding the glass. "Youqing, it's late. You should go home and rest. Drinking more will be bad for your health."
Yun Youqing sat there, motionless. Shen Wenxin said gently, "Ruining your health for someone like her isn't worth it, right?"
Yun Youqing moved. She nodded her head emphatically. "Right!"
Shen Wenxin: "Then shall we go home now?"
Yun Youqing nodded again. "Go!" As soon as she said it, she stood up on her own. She didn't stand steady and fell back onto the sofa. Shen Wenxin quickly caught her, holding her steady. As if thrown for a loop, Yun Youqing mumbled in a daze, "Why is the floor spinning..." She looked at it twice more, then immediately turned and cried to Shen Wenxin for help. "The floor is moving! I'm scared, sob..." Two genuine teardrops rolled down her cheeks. Pitiful and ridiculous at the same time.
Then she saw Shen Wenxin was also a double image. She stared dizzily. "Why are there two of you?"
Shen Wenxin was about to speak when Yun Youqing despaired and twisted away. "Oh heavens, two straight girls—!"
Shen Wenxin couldn't help it and laughed out loud. Even dead drunk, she remembers I'm straight. Seems my not liking women really is a heavy blow to her. Though she laughed, her hands were still gentle as she wiped away Yun Youqing's tears, then helped her cover her eyes. "It's alright. Cover your eyes, and you won't see any of it."
And indeed, she couldn't see. The moving floor was gone. Yun Youqing pressed her hands down, tightly covering her own eyes. Seeing this, Shen Wenxin felt helpless. She stroked Yun Youqing's head with her other hand. "Youqing, we need to go home."
Yun Youqing's voice still carried a hint of fear. "The floor is moving... It wants to eat me..."
"No, it won't. I'm here." She gently stroked her hair. "You cover your eyes; I'll hold your hand and lead you. I'll protect you. Trust me, okay?" Shen Wenxin felt like she was coaxing a child. A cute child.
Yun Youqing hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Mm..."
Shen Wenxin withdrew her hand. With one hand supporting Yun Youqing's hand and the other on her waist, she encircled her in her arms, providing a full sense of security. With one hand over her own eyes and the other tightly gripping Shen Wenxin, Yun Youqing carefully moved her feet. The two of them left just like that.
It was a blessing that, after dozing a bit in the car, the moving floor was finally gone when they got out. But she also couldn't remember the passcode to her own apartment door.
Shen Wenxin stood in front of the door, silently looking at the even more silent electronic lock. "... "
Nothing but unfamiliarity. Ask Yun Youqing's assistant? Forget it. It was too late; Huo Xi was probably already asleep. No need to disturb someone's rest. In the end, it was up to the owner of this home.
Shen Wenxin turned her head to look at the person crouched on the ground. Orange light from above shone down, warmly enveloping Yun Youqing. She hugged her legs, head lowered, her long coat trailing on the floor. Her whole body swayed gently—hard to tell if it was from unsteadiness due to being drunk or if she was just rocking. It didn't look like she remembered the passcode, nor did she realize this was her own home.
Shen Wenxin sighed and walked over, crouching down in front of her. "Youqing."
Yun Youqing lifted her head in response. Shen Wenxin froze for a second, suddenly forgetting what she was going to say.
At this moment, Yun Youqing's face was gently caressed by the warm light, appearing exceptionally soft. The glow settled in her slightly red, almond-shaped eyes—glistening, sparkling, exceptionally pitiful and exceptionally moving. She was looking at her with those eyes, very earnestly, very dazedly.
Shen Wenxin's heart was prodded by a thought that suddenly emerged: It's like a star from the sky got drunk and fell down here...
Shen Wenxin hadn't spoken, but Yun Youqing did. "Yes, my name is Yun Youqing." As if reminding her for her.
Shen Wenxin came back to her senses and smiled slightly. "You really can't remember the passcode?"
Yun Youqing tilted her head, as if thinking. "What passcode? Bank card passcode? You're trying to scam me out of my money?! You can't!" Her voice suddenly jumped eight octaves.
Shen Wenxin: "... " Great. Even drunk, her vigilance is still high. Though it's not the same thing. Shen Wenxin patiently corrected her. "Not your bank card passcode. The passcode to your apartment door."
Yun Youqing shook her head. "Don't know." Then muttered, "Can't just tell anyone my passcode..."
Seeing her like this, Shen Wenxin actually laughed. Her patience was also surprisingly high. "Then what do we do? You live here. Without the passcode, you can't get in."
Yun Youqing's brain was working in some strange way at this moment. After hearing this, she looked at her and asked, "I live here. Then where do you live?"
Shen Wenxin: "?"
Yun Youqing shook her head again. "I can't get in. I don't have a home anymore. And you? Don't you have one either? We're so pitiful..." The next second, she brightened up. "Then let's sleep here together! I'll sleep here, and you sleep there!"
Shen Wenxin laughed softly. So cute. How can she be this cute? Is she a cutie even when drunk?
Yun Youqing then frowned at the cold floor. "But the floor is so cold. I'm afraid of the cold..." After saying that, she wrapped her coat tighter around her legs, strictly on guard, not letting a single draft in.
Shen Wenxin smiled and helped her up. "We won't sleep here." "I have a home," Shen Wenxin said. "I'll take you to my home."
After Yun Youqing stood up, she struggled to identify her. It was Shen Wenxin. Shen Wenxin said she'd take her home. Yun Youqing sweetly responded, "Okay~" She drunkenly leaned against Shen Wenxin and looked up at her obediently. "Are you taking me to meet Uncle and Auntie? But I haven't thought about how to greet them yet..." And she didn't buy any meeting gifts. Nothing at all. Will Shen Wenxin's Uncle and Auntie think I'm very impolite? "But don't worry. I'll definitely praise you a lot in front of them~" After saying this, she very reliably patted Shen Wenxin's chest.
Shen Wenxin found it amusing even as she listened. Even now, she could remember things they'd talked about. Drunk in a very magical way. She steadied her and picked up Yun Youqing's bag from the ground. "Sorry, Uncle and Auntie aren't here. Only me." She was taking Yun Youqing to her own home, just hers.
Drunk people are heavy. What Shen Wenxin was grateful for was that Yun Youqing was very obedient. She didn't run around or act crazy drunk; she just kept holding her arm obediently and following her. They went home, changed shoes, entered the guest bedroom, and got her onto the bed. All in one go.
Shen Wenxin let out a long breath. Tonight, she seemed to have become Yun Youqing's guardian. And it wasn't over yet. She still had to help Yun Youqing take off her scarf and coat. She looked at the person lying on the bed. On a whim, she called out, "Youqing."
The reply was a soft "Mm?"
Shen Wenxin curved her lips and sat on the edge of the bed. "Time to sleep. How about you take off your coat and scarf yourself, okay?"
But Yun Youqing had her eyes closed and turned away in resistance, gripping her coat even tighter, her brow deeply furrowed. "No. It'll be cold... I'm afraid of the cold."
"There's underfloor heating in the house. It's not cold."
"Mmm..."
"And there's a blanket."
Yun Youqing seemed to take it in; her grip on her coat loosened. Then, Shen Wenxin watched as she sat up on her own, obediently took off her scarf and coat. She even started, in her daze, to take off her inner clothes. Shen Wenxin quickly pressed down on her hands as she tried to unbutton. "Okay, no need to take off any more. Lie down and rest."
Thankfully, Yun Youqing could still be communicated with at this moment. She nodded and flopped back down. Shen Wenxin placed Yun Youqing's clothes and scarf on the chair, then came back to cover her with the blanket. As she looked down, her eyes inadvertently caught a tear at the corner of Yun Youqing's eye. A fragile, pitiful tear.
Shen Wenxin couldn't help but sigh softly, very tenderly stroking Yun Youqing's hair. So pitiful... I hope you'll be better when you wake up tomorrow. "Good night."
Shen Wenxin withdrew her hand. She turned around, but the next second, her hand was grabbed. Turning back, she met a pair of red-rimmed eyes. "Where are you going?" Yun Youqing tightly clutched her hand, both scared and aggrieved. "Are you going to abandon me, too..." As she spoke, a choked sob emerged, and tears welled up.
In this situation, it was hard for Shen Wenxin not to curse Yun Youqing's ex in her heart. Truly despicable. To reduce a wonderful person to such a pitiful state. I hope she never appears again, never to disturb Yun Youqing!
Yun Youqing still held onto Shen Wenxin's hand tightly, on the verge of tears, pitiful beyond measure. Shen Wenxin relented and bent down to whisper softly, "I'm not leaving. I'll stay right here with you."
Yun Youqing said with a sob, "Then sleep with me..."
Shen Wenxin sighed again. "Alright. I'll sleep with you." Shen Wenxin had no choice but to lie down and accompany her, planning to leave after she fell asleep. Seeing Shen Wenxin lying beside her, Yun Youqing finally closed her eyes, at ease. Shen Wenxin waited quietly until steady, even breathing came from beside her.
She gently turned her head to look. Yun Youqing lay very still, her sleeping face peaceful. Her fair cheeks were tinged with the flush of intoxication. She was curled up under the blanket, as if wanting to sink completely into it—into a world that was safe and warm enough for her, by Shen Wenxin's side.
Shen Wenxin watched silently for a while. After a moment, her hand had unconsciously reached out, landing very gently on Yun Youqing's cheek. So you can be this well-behaved, too... What a pity the price was so high. This was a moment of peace bought at the cost of tearing open Yun Youqing's wound. Yun Youqing wouldn't like this kind of peace, and neither did she.
Shen Wenxin silently gazed at the person before her. Great painter, you're cuter when you smile. Her gentle hand stroked Yun Youqing's face with extreme lightness, twice, like the wind gently kissing her cheek.
This breeze departed very soon. Almost in an instant. Shen Wenxin withdrew her hand as if waking from a dream. What am I doing? She glanced at the sleeping Yun Youqing once more, then quietly got up and left.
The sun was high in the sky before Yun Youqing finally woke up. After her eyes adjusted to the brightness of daylight, she sat up, holding her head. Headache... Eyes feel swollen, too... Brain's like a pot of mush...
She slowly came around. Once her brain started working, questions popped up one after another. What did I do last night after I got drunk? Where is this place? How did I end up here?? She suddenly remembered that it was Shen Wenxin who had accompanied her yesterday. Then this place must be—
"Awake?" Shen Wenxin pushed the door open and entered. Worried that the drunk Yun Youqing might need something while asleep, she hadn't even dared to close the door firmly.
Yun Youqing blinked and asked, her slept-on hair a mess, "Is this your place?"
Shen Wenxin leaned against the doorframe and nodded.
Yun Youqing asked again, "I didn't do anything embarrassing last night, did I?"
Shen Wenxin thought for a moment. "Does trying to strip all your clothes off in front of me count?"
Yun Youqing was instantly wide awake. She let out a shocked "Ah!" "I wouldn't be that wild when drunk, would I?!"
Shen Wenxin laughed at her reaction. "I told you to. I asked you to take off your coat and scarf before sleeping."
Yun Youqing immediately relaxed. Okay, okay. So it wasn't me taking the initiative to embarrass myself. Good. She looked at Shen Wenxin. "So mean, President Shen. Making a lady undress."
Shen Wenxin didn't play along with that. "You should be thanking me for taking care of you."
Yun Youqing complied readily. "Thank you for taking care of me. I shall kowtow to you now." With that, she bowed directly until she was snuggling with the blanket. Incredibly cheerful, super energetic, as if the person who had cried so miserably yesterday wasn't her. Then, she propped herself up, raised a hand to her forehead, and whimpered. "Headache..."
Shen Wenxin immediately turned and left the room.
Yun Youqing: "?" She leaned sideways to look toward the door. "Where are you going?" Not even going to ask after me? Heartless Shen Wenxin! Yun Youqing continued massaging her aching temples.
After a while, Shen Wenxin came back. She was holding a glass of water. "Honey water."
Warmth spread through Yun Youqing's heart. She accepted the glass with a beaming smile. "Thank you~" Ah, so she wanted to show she cared through actions. How wonderful.
Shen Wenxin sat down and said, "If you get a headache, don't drink so much for her next time. It's not worth it. Youqing, you need to let her go."
Yun Youqing held the cup, rubbing its base. She said, "I know." She had always known. It was just that this resolution came too late, the answer she sought arrived too late, so she had delayed.
Fortunately, it wasn't too late. "I'm already in the process of letting go," she said. "Since last night, I've been letting go..." In the fury of being deceived, in the despair of being betrayed, everything could be let go. She had gouged out that rotten moon from her heart through her tears. She would never again care about anything related to Tang Yue. To hell with Tang Yue! Whoever wanted to like her could go ahead and like her!!!
Shen Wenxin gazed at her. No joking around. There was a calmness, a seriousness in her expression that made one believe she could truly do it.
"That's the way." A relieved sigh escaped Shen Wenxin as she patted Yun Youqing's head with approval. "It makes my hard work last night worthwhile."
Yun Youqing smiled apologetically. "Sorry about that. Next time you get drunk, I'll take care of you." She patted her chest in assurance. "I'll definitely take excellent care of you!"
Shen Wenxin chuckled softly. "Alright. Put it on my tab."
Yun Youqing's smile grew even brighter. "I was actually really happy you could come yesterday."
Shen Wenxin burst her bubble. "Then why did you cry so hard?"
"Ah, well, I was more sad than happy at the time!" Yun Youqing tried hard to defend herself. "People need to let out their sadness, otherwise it gets worse."
"Still feeling sad?" Shen Wenxin asked.
"Not anymore," Yun Youqing shook her head. "I feel better after crying it out."
"That's good, then."
Yun Youqing looked at Shen Wenxin. Their eyes met. "Wenxin."
"Mm?"
"Will you be willing to come be with me again next time?" To accompany her through drinks, through the toughest times. Just be there for her, care about her... would she still be willing?
Shen Wenxin answered without hesitation. "For her? No."
Yun Youqing held the cup, blinking gently.
Shen Wenxin said frankly, "I witnessed firsthand how miserably you cried. I saw you lose control because of her. If you still can't let go of her after you wake up, I'll probably be a little angry." She might even feel disgust. Toward that ex of Yun Youqing's. What right did she have to Yun Youqing's lingering attachment? What right did she have to trample on Yun Youqing's sincere heart like this? What gave her the right?
Shen Wenxin fixed her gaze on Yun Youqing, her tone more serious than ever before. "Yun Youqing, don't be a hopeless romantic for that person. Don't be a hopeless romantic for someone who doesn't cherish you. You always deserve the best."
In that instant, Yun Youqing felt that her eyes were especially bright. Entrancingly bright, making her heart flutter. Thump-thump, thump-thump—her heart beat faster and faster. Driven by this accelerating heartbeat, Yun Youqing followed up with a joking comment. "You're great. How about I be a hopeless romantic for you?"
Shen Wenxin picked up the thread this time. First, a laugh. Then, "Compared to her, I would indeed rather you liked me." At least she wouldn't treat her this way.
Yun Youqing's eyes rapidly blinked twice. Her head lifted slightly as Shen Wenxin stood up. She saw Shen Wenxin bend down and lean toward her. A gentle poke, twice, on her forehead. "Yun Youqing. If you're going to like me, then be serious about it. Don't think about anyone else."
"..."
Yun Youqing was suddenly stunned. It was in that fleeting moment—she seemed to see light radiating from Shen Wenxin. Brilliant, dazzling light, making Shen Wenxin even more radiant and unmatched in her world, surpassing everything.
Yun Youqing couldn't utter a word for a very long time. Her mind was turning slowly, as if the intoxication from last night still lingered, making her unable to even tell if this was a joke. "Spacing out again," Shen Wenxin said, leaving behind another sentence. "If you're not feeling well, stay a bit longer. The food is on the table; remember to eat. I have to go out for something. Call me if you need anything." And then she left, leaving Yun Youqing alone in the room.
Yun Youqing watched her leave. A long time later, she slowly raised her hand and touched the spot on her forehead that had been poked. Then she pressed her hand against her chest, silently feeling the frantic heartbeat beneath her palm.
It's over. She thought. Shen Wenxin, this time, I'm really afraid I'll fall for you seriously... It's over, I've completely fallen for a straight girl—!!!
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