Chapter 21: Cold Sweat

Jiang Xihan held the soup-stained tissue, scanning for a trash can.

“Thanks, Professor Jiang.”

Ji Pei, stunned for a moment, took the tissue and tossed it into the nearby bin.

Something felt off. Why was Jiang Xihan so kind as to wipe her clothes? Was it because Ji Pei got her lunch?

That was too polite, especially since Ji Pei ate using Jiang Xihan’s card.

Over these few days, they’d grown close, almost friends. Why was Jiang Xihan still so formal?

“Professor Jiang, I remember your last class is this afternoon. Let’s head home for a nap first.”

Jiang Xihan still felt surprised. She hadn’t expected Ji Pei to go this far for her.

At first, she was smug, her heart soaring.

But then, realizing Ji Pei was just this caring with friends and family, she felt unbalanced.

Yet, with no claim to Ji Pei, just a decent friend, she had no right to question her.

The pink-haired girl followed them into the elevator. Ji Pei, holding the wheelchair, briefly met her gaze.

The girl seemed about to speak when the elevator doors opened. Ji Pei pushed Jiang Xihan out.

“You really don’t need me to wash it?”

The girl’s eyes looked pitiful, but Ji Pei found her oddly persistent.

She’d already said it was fine, she’d handle it, yet the girl clung on.

“No need, thanks.”

“But…”

Before she could finish, Ji Pei wheeled Jiang Xihan away.

Jiang Xihan, in the wheelchair, felt the speed for the first time.

In a corner unseen, her lips curved slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Bai Yin, living in faculty dorms, went back for a nap after lunch.

The tree-lined path buzzed with students. Ji Pei and Jiang Xihan stood out in the middle.

Their pairing was unprecedentedly novel, especially Jiang Xihan—most at the academy knew her and her appearance.

Ji Pei heard whispers and gossip all along the way. After this morning, she was nearly immune, unfazed.

At the parking spot, Ji Pei helped Jiang Xihan into the passenger seat, folded the wheelchair, and stowed it in the trunk.

The car’s speakers auto-connected to Ji Pei’s playlist, starting with soothing instrumental music.

After it ended, a familiar prelude played. Ji Pei didn’t think much of it.

As the song hit the chorus, Ji Pei blinked lightly.

“I can’t just be ordinary friends…”

“Feelings run so deep…”

Ji Pei: “…”

Would turning off the stereo now seem like she was hiding something?

She snuck a glance at Jiang Xihan in the passenger seat, relieved to see her unbothered.

Before she could fully relax, Jiang Xihan spoke. “This song’s pretty good.”

Ji Pei: “…”

Ji Pei smiled.

“Yeah, it’s in my playlist.”

She thought the moment would pass, but Jiang Xihan asked,

“What’s it called?”

“Well…”

Ji Pei licked her lips, about to answer, when Jiang Xihan spoke again.

“‘Ordinary Friends,’ that’s the name.”

After the song ended, Ji Pei drove back to the villa complex, parked in the garage, and quickly turned off the stereo.

Aunt Wang, hearing the car, came to the garage, helping Ji Pei retrieve the wheelchair from the trunk.

Ji Pei pushed Jiang Xihan into the living room. Aunt Wang had prepared post-meal fruit on the dining table.

Jiang Xihan ate a few cherries, red juice staining her lips.

Ji Pei tried to ignore it but couldn’t resist pointing at her own lips.

“Professor Jiang, you’ve got something on your mouth.”

Jiang Xihan wiped her lips with a tissue, and Ji Pei finally felt at ease.

After the fruit, Jiang Xihan saw Ji Pei grab her bag, seemingly about to leave.

“Where are you going?”

“Professor Jiang, take a nap first.”

Jiang Xihan frowned.

“You’re not napping?”

She assumed Ji Pei was going home to sleep, but Ji Pei said,

“I’ll nap here. I had Aunt Wang clean the second-floor bedroom earlier.”

Jiang Xihan nodded. Ji Pei hung her bag on the door, setting an alarm.

After escorting Jiang Xihan to her room, Ji Pei held the doorframe, smiling.

“Professor Jiang, rest well. I’ll wake you later.”

Ji Pei had napped since childhood. A short sleep recharged her, even if just half an hour.

After Ji Pei left, Jiang Xihan stood from the wheelchair.

Her ankle barely hurt anymore, shocking even her with its recovery speed.

In less than a week, she’d likely walk smoothly again.

Jiang Xihan sat on the bed, shedding her coat, her mind a jumbled mess. Lying down, eyes open, she couldn’t sleep.

***

Ji Pei fell asleep quickly, slipping into a vivid dream.

She dreamed of meeting Dongri, who wore a flowing red dress, graceful and alluring.

They stood on soft pink clouds. Ji Pei, shy and nervous, froze, legs unable to move.

Through hazy, intimate mist, the red figure approached. Ji Pei’s heart raced to her throat.

A slender, beautiful hand reached out, soft fingertips grazing her throat, sliding up her skin to her chin.

Ji Pei closed her eyes, letting the hand move from her neck to her chin, then to her earlobe and lips.

Her soft, pale pink lips were gently rubbed by fingertips lingering on their warmth. Her chin was lifted lightly.

In the moment before a kiss, the mist cleared, and Dongri’s face came into focus.

Ji Pei slowly opened her eyes.

In that instant, her face paled, body numb, instinctively wanting to retreat, but her legs felt cemented.

She saw Dongri’s blurry face shift with the flickering light, turning into Jiang Xihan’s cold, restrained face.

“Ah—”

Ji Pei gasped, bolting upright in bed, eyes wide.

Her back was soaked with sweat. A breeze from the open window turned it to cold sweat.

Ji Pei sat motionless, rubbing her face hard, trying to stay awake.

Why did she dream of Jiang Xihan?