Chapter 28 : A Seven-Year Secret

“Ah!”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine!”

Tang Zhen kicked the table leg and immediately grimaced in pain, hopping to the bathroom on one leg while sucking in her breath.

She slammed the door shut with a bang and turned to see her flushed face in the mirror. Then she looked down and saw her big toe curled up, the nail’s edge frayed. That kick had been quite hard.

Tang Zhen felt she was done for… after a few cheap drinks, she dared to say anything.

After a clatter of washing up, she tiptoed back to her bedroom to change, grabbed her bag, and was about to sneak out.

But as soon as she pushed the door open, she was caught by Chen Min, who was leaning against the bathroom doorway. Chen Min hadn’t changed yet, wearing a slip dress with a back that opened to her waist, her hair down, looking so charmingly disheveled so early in the morning.

She tilted her chin at Tang Zhen—

“Where are you going?”

“To work.”

“The subway isn’t even running yet. What kind of work are you going to?”

“I’m catching the first train.”

Chen Min would have to be a fool to believe her. She smiled again. “Are you going to catch the first subway, or are you in a hurry to see someone?”

Tang Zhen surrendered. “I’m begging you, don’t mention this.”

“If not this, then Chi Yuqin…”

“…”

Seeing her like this, Chen Min burst out laughing. “Look at you, what a wimp. Come eat.”

At the plastic coffee table in the living room, one person sat on each side.

Tang Zhen held her chopsticks, the golden and tempting fried dough rings and the fragrant millet porridge unable to stir her appetite in the slightest. Her small, palm-sized face was extremely distracted.

“How about I give you a tip?”

“What tip?”

“Sleep with her!”

Tang Zhen’s eyes widened. Her arm slid off her knee, and her chopsticks almost fell to the floor—

“Are you serious?”

“What do you think? You’ve liked her for seven years anyway. Instead of bottling it up, you might as well go for something drastic.”

“But that’s a bit too drastic… I don’t even know if she likes men or women…”

“Who cares if she likes men or women? As long as she likes you, that’s all that matters.”

“How would I know if she likes…” Tang Zhen was stunned for a moment, suddenly understanding the meaning of those words. “Are you saying she likes me?”

A smile appeared in Chen Min’s eyes. Seeing this smile, the thought that had just popped into Tang Zhen’s head was instantly dismissed—

“Can you please stop teasing me?”

“I’m not teasing you. I’m being serious. Although I don’t know if Chi Yuqin likes you, from what you said last night, I think Chi Yuqin is acting very abnormally.”

The word ‘abnormal’ gave Tang Zhen a glimmer of hope again. She propped her elbows on her legs, stopped eating, and leaned forward—

“Can you be more specific?”

“She’s not a person who likes to meddle in other people’s business. In all these years, besides Si Xiaolin, I haven’t seen her get close to anyone else. To pick you up and have dinner with you so many times, don’t ask me, ask yourself, isn’t that abnormal?”

“That is quite abnormal, but what if it’s just a coincidence?”

“You have to know that when all coincidences add up, it’s a premeditated plan.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because that’s how Si Xiaolin was when she was pursuing me.” It was just that Si Xiaolin had an extroverted personality, so Chen Min’s feelings were more intense. But for a person with a bland personality like Chi Yuqin, being a little abnormal was already very abnormal.

Chen Min looked at the girl in front of her, her large, dark eyes clear and pure. She then thought of Chi Yuqin’s expressionless face… a strange thought suddenly arose in her mind… perhaps, Tang Zhen was the one being tested.

She put down her chopsticks, the smile in her eyes gone, and said with extra seriousness, “Actually, this matter isn’t as complicated as you think. No matter how outstanding Chi Yuqin is, if you don’t like her, then she’s nothing. Think about it… you stayed in Jingbei and got into Renhua. Besides Chi Yuqin, don’t you have a bit of a fighting spirit yourself? This place is so big and so prosperous. Don’t you want to put down roots here?”

“Many people have their eyes on Chi Yuqin, but how many of them can actually turn that into a reality?”

Chen Min was telling the truth. Who hasn’t had a secret crush? But besides experiencing the heartache of a secret crush, who can really stand by their white moonlight with just a surge of courage? Isn’t it just giving up after not getting a response and thinking that crying a few tears in bed is enough?

But on the other hand, the white moonlight is so good and so outstanding. Why should she respond to your few tears? If you want to be seen, especially by an outstanding person, isn’t it normal to suffer a little?

Crying is the most useless thing, and tears are the most worthless.

“You’re a good girl. You’re neither arrogant nor delicate. You’re down-to-earth, hardworking, and eager to learn. You got into Renhua in Jingbei on your own merits. Chi Yuqin is at most a guide during your period of confusion. You like her… but don’t take her too seriously. You are the most important thing at all times. If Chi Yuqin doesn’t like you… that’s her loss. If she likes you, then there must be something shining about you… that’s worth her liking. Don’t doubt yourself, don’t change yourself, and certainly don’t belittle yourself. Understand?”

After saying this, Chen Min saw the dazed look on Tang Zhen’s face and smiled again—

“I’ve said a bit too much…”

“No, no, you’re doing it for my own good. I know that. Thank you, Chen Min.”

“We’re under the same roof. Why say thank you?”

Jingbei is a prosperous place, but it’s also a realistic place. There are all kinds of indifferent barriers between people. It’s a matter of minding one’s own business. Not only could Chen Min listen to her confide in her, but she could also have such a heart-to-heart conversation with her. It was clear that she truly cared for her as a friend.

Tang Zhen was beyond grateful. How could she think she had said too much?

Being away from home, in a foreign place, to meet a friend like Chen Min whom she could confide in, was a blessing from heaven.

The two of them finished their meal.

Chen Min had just entered the bathroom to wash up, the foam on her face not yet rinsed off, when the phone on the coffee table rang.

“It’s Si Xiaolin—” Tang Zhen said.

“Can you bring it to me?”

Tang Zhen picked up the phone and went to the bathroom, answered the call, and then put the receiver to Chen Min’s ear.

Si Xiaolin’s voice immediately came through—

“I bought you the blue pills. The delivery is at the security office at the entrance. Remember to pick it up when you go to work later. Take it in advance. Don’t wait until it hurts to take it and suffer for no reason.”

“I know, I know. I’m washing my face. Hanging up, hanging up.”

“Don’t drink cold water. Drink more hot water—”

As soon as Si Xiaolin’s voice fell, the phone was hung up by Chen Min’s wet fingers.

She took a face towel and wiped her face clean. Chen Min saw Tang Zhen’s silly smile in the mirror.

When things were not out in the open, Chen Min was a little reserved. Now that they were, she was carefree.

“What are you smiling at again?”

“Why is Si Xiaolin so nice…”

“Then she’s yours.”

“Sure, but are you willing to part with her?”

Chen Min quickly flicked her nose with her hand—

“Go to work, you~”

“Alright!”

Tang Zhen still caught the first subway, just without a seat. She was already used to the ninety-minute standing journey every day, treating it as a warm-up before work.

When she arrived at the hospital and was heading to the changing room, she saw Chi Yuqin and Zhao Qin standing in the backlit area of the corridor, talking.

Chi Yuqin was wearing a striped shirt and black trousers, her long, smooth hair casually draped over her shoulders. She was tall and slender, with a well-defined silhouette. She was thin, but not skinny, a lean and well-proportioned kind of thin. Her delicate features were set on a naturally good bone structure, every line perfectly placed. Even a passing glance would make people stop and stare.

Tang Zhen had always thought of herself as a very clear-headed person. Even when she didn’t want to study medicine, she would still force herself to stay in the library every day just to not fail. But when it came to Chi Yuqin, she had stumbled.

She walked to the changing room door, went in, and didn’t look at Chi Yuqin again.

As soon as the door closed.

Chi Yuqin’s gaze, however, shifted over. She turned her head… and looked nonchalantly.

Zhao Qin didn’t see Tang Zhen. At this moment, seeing her turn her head, she also looked over— “What are you looking at?”

It was empty, nothing there.

“Nothing.”

Today’s locker door was particularly difficult to open. Tang Zhen twisted the key in the lock for a long time. She heard a sound behind her, turned to look, and it was Chi Yuqin.

Tang Zhen was neither stunned nor flustered, nor did she have the thought of running away like before. She was just normal and open, and said to her, “Good morning, Director Chi.”

With that, she turned her head, and the locker door opened.

Chi Yuqin nodded. “Morning.”

Then she walked to her own locker and started changing.

As she was changing, she caught a glimpse of the person who had just been standing next to her, now leaning against the windowsill.

The morning breeze was gentle, the faint sunlight refreshing. A faint scent of camellia lingered in the air.

Tang Zhen leaned against the window, as if enveloped in the bright morning light. She held a carton of walnut milk, pierced the straw, and drank slowly with her head down.

Her hair was tied in a ponytail behind her head. The fine baby hairs on her forehead were almost transparent in the sunlight shining through the window. She bit on the straw, her mouth puckered.

Chi Yuqin pretended to casually glance over and saw this person’s fair neck, her throat moving up and down as she swallowed.

The changing room was too quiet. Chi Yuqin’s hearing was surprisingly good. She seemed to be able to hear the gurgle in Tang Zhen’s stomach as she swallowed.

Tang Zhen finished the walnut milk in her hand, not leaving a single drop. She threw the carton into the trash can, then looked at Chi Yuqin again and said—

“Director Chi, I’ll be leaving now.”

Without any lingering, she walked steadily to the door, pushed it open lightly, and when she closed it, it swayed twice for no reason before closing tightly.

After leaving the changing room, Tang Zhen let out a long sigh of relief. Had she just been tough for a moment?

Probably. At least she hadn’t been scared of her.

Inside the door, Chi Yuqin frowned, thinking of the girl’s back, and then of her gaze just now… and the two not-so-light and not-so-heavy sounds of the door closing. She was puzzled…

She had just been in her car last night, and today she was already denying it?