Playing the role of deep affection

Chu Yiqi took a half step forward, but hesitated. Fortunately, Xi Ai stepped forward, hugged her lightly, and said, "The place we went to today was a bit out of the way, and we couldn't find a flower shop, but we got a few flowers when we got back. Just make do with them."

Xi Ai was very familiar with the room's layout, so she found a vase and casually placed a flower in it, yet it looked as if it had been carefully designed.

Chu Yiqi said, "Thank you."

The person by the window stood up, wearing a blue and pink cloak, which looked like an early spring and was quite out of place in the dead of winter.

Chu Yiqi was actually exceptionally beautiful, so much so that people would often joke during filming, "Yiqi is so pretty, I'd accept it even if her acting wasn't good."

Xi Ai always felt a sense of pride, and then said with a smile, "Of course, doesn't anyone think that Teacher Chu looks especially beautiful every time she stands on the stage?"

Unlike Xi Ai's bright and beautiful appearance, Chu Yiqi's beauty is always more subtle, with a scholarly air, like a graceful beauty in an ancient painting.

So when Xi Ai first met Chu Yiqi, she had a great deal of goodwill towards him. However, she suddenly saw the caution and pessimism that she didn't understand at the time in a self-introduction video, and her goodwill was washed away and turned into indifference.

But every time Chu Yiqi is in the practice room or on stage, she is always overly confident, as if this is her home turf. Yet, this person's temperament never reveals a trace of arrogance, always gentle and graceful—except for a few times when stage effects require it.

Xi Ai hugged Chu Yiqi and asked her, "What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"

“No.” Chu Yiqi paused for a moment, then said, “Not entirely.”

She kissed Xi Ai's lips briefly, but it wasn't even a proper kiss; before they were even separated, Xi Ai pressed down on the back of Chu Yiqi's neck.

Xi Ai approached Chu Yiqi, very gently and slowly, and smelled a floral fragrance. Then, when they were almost touching, she looked up and asked Chu Yiqi, "Perhaps before I speak, would you be willing to kiss me?"

Chu Yiqi later felt that Xi Ai had actually guessed what she was going to say.

They were so close that they would inevitably kiss each other if they opened their mouths, so Chu Yiqi took the opportunity to step forward and kiss Xi Ai.

Like two madmen, both lucid yet depraved, knowing it's a dead end, yet still embracing and kissing until the very last moment before the game ends.

They weren't good people to begin with.

In fact, even Xi Ai's friends said from the beginning, "Be careful of Xi Ai, she's not a good person either."

A young lady raised in a life of pleasure and debauchery has managed to produce a rare, deeply affectionate individual, yet she is excessively rational.

After gathering her courage for a long time, Chu Yiqi finally said, "Xi Ai, let's break up, okay?"

However, Chu Yiqi overestimated Xi Ai this time.

Xi Ai was taken aback. After a long while, she belatedly released Chu Yiqi's hand and took a half step back.

She suddenly felt it was absurd. This person was playing the role of someone deeply in love one moment, but the next moment he was asking a question that had no problem, and even adding "okay?" as if the choice really was hers.

"Can I hear why?" Xi Ai's tone was almost too gentle. Logically, she should be angry or aggrieved, but she just patiently waited for Chu Yiqi's answer.

Because we're not a good match, honey, that's what everyone says, and I suddenly realize they're right, at least not right now.

See, didn't I hurt you the other day because of another version of myself?

Chu Yiqi couldn't speak. She felt that no matter what she said, it wouldn't be fair to Xi Ai. After a long silence, she lowered her eyes, her gaze falling on Xi Ai's ring, and said, "Darling, I'm a little tired."

Xi Ai didn't reply. She actually knew the reason: because of her family, because of the constant pressure and exploitation from her parents, because of the series of negative posts and rumors that followed her after leaving the castle, and because of another self that had emerged from long-suppressed self-protection...

Xi Ai sighed. She had always known that Chu Yiqi only appeared cautious, but was actually incredibly arrogant at heart and couldn't accept this side of herself.

This made her feel that there was a hint of sympathy between them.

Regardless of the reason, Xi Ai could come up with a set of words to say, but when she put herself in that situation, she couldn't even convince herself.

Xi Ai subtly hid her hand, which still had bandages on, behind her back and asked, "So what are your plans?"

"I want to go abroad."

"Which day?"

"The day after tomorrow." Chu Yiqi felt a little guilty and worried about Xi Ai's reaction.

Xi Ai sat down, and instead of calming down, she forced a smile and said, "So you see, Chu Yiqi, whatever decision you want to make, I can't interfere with it."

Chu Yiqi instinctively stepped forward, but then stopped herself. She suddenly remembered that someone had said that someone like Xi Ai should cut ties cleanly if she wanted to, and that the siblings had the same problem—they were exceptionally affectionate.

Chu Yiqi stood there, tears streaming down her face.

Xi Ai raised her hand, wiped away her tears, and handed Chu Yiqi a pack of tissues.

Are you coming then?

Xi Ai didn't look up and said, "Forget it, I guess we won't be able to handle it."

In fact, Xi Ai had already prepared gifts for this day, both New Year's gifts and birthday gifts.

But she didn't want to tell Chu Yiqi anymore, and she never wanted to in the future.

Xi Ai considered it for a while and felt that Chu Yiqi's decision might be a good thing, and that it would be good for everyone.

If Chu Yiqi needs some time to heal, then Xi Ai should wait.

But why can't I stop crying?

With his back to Xi Ai, Chu Yiqi took a long time to finally say, "Goodnight, Xi Ai."

"Sweet dreams, I'll book a later ticket home."

Chu Yiqi watched Xi Ai's departing figure, then sat down as if utterly exhausted, and slumped onto the table, fiddling with the flowers Xi Ai had given him.

"You know, she was super busy today. Her feet were all blistered and red. I specifically called her, but she wanted to break up."

"Sweet dreams, but who can sleep tonight?"

"But won't she be very busy tomorrow too?"

"I'm so bad."

"Will she be as cold and distant as if it were the first time we met next time?"

But cherry blossoms are not flowers that understand words; they can only quietly listen to Chu Yiqi's murmurs, one by one.

Perhaps, if the flower can be interpreted as Xi Ai, then there should be an answer.

—I'm not very busy, I have time to see you.

If you can't sleep, look out the window; you might just see me.

—There probably will be some, but what difference does it make whether I'm busy or not right now?

—No, you're fine, darling. It's not your fault, it never has been.

—I don't know, but I'm starting to dislike you a little right now. But if you hug me, it should make me feel better.

Chu Yiqi, I've agreed to everything you said, so why aren't you happy? Cheer up!

Xi Ai didn't leave, nor did she rush to book tickets. She actually didn't have work scheduled until tomorrow afternoon, so she found a riverside tavern to sit in.

The indoor heating was a bit too high, so Xi Ai mixed herself a drink and sipped it slowly.

Xi Yuchuan was in a different time zone, so he was surprised to find that his workaholic sister was still online.

[Da Xi, don't stay up too late, you'll look scary on camera later.]

[How about I fly back to help you? I don't have many classes lately.]

Xi Ai glanced at the screen, took her hands off the keyboard, and replied to Xi Yuchuan with a single word: [Shh—]

Xi Yuchuan had no choice but to make a group voice call in the small group chat: "Someone explain to me, what happened to Da Xi?"

Nadia, who was making latte art, said upon hearing this, "There seems to be a big conflict, isn't there? She wants me to help her look for a house."

"ah?"

Xuan Yanyue rarely stays up all night to paint, so I saw her after 10 pm, which was unusual. She said, "I think I know, I think I'm going to the Royal College of Art, and my tutor is Anna."

I don't know if it was fate or intentional.

"That won't do. We should send the Grand Master a bottle of the new blue-bottomed Rose Estate."

"Are you crazy?"

“You don’t understand. Whenever Da Xi is unhappy, he starts boosting the performance of Rose Manor.”

"Alright, Shiny has hands to divide it, I don't know what some socially anxious people and some people who are afraid to talk to their crushes are listening to."

"..."

Very good, you've mastered the trick of killing two birds with one stone.

The discussion ended there, and the group gave Xi Ai and Chu Yiqi a heartfelt thank you.

Xi Ai sat for a while, packed up her notebook, strolled over to a 24-hour pharmacy to get a bottle of eye drops, and then pulled a box of candy from her bag. It was something a child had given her when she and Chu Yiqi visited the orphanage the day before.

When Xi Ai saw that the lights were still on downstairs, she called Chu Yiqi, making up a very good excuse.

"What's wrong?" Chu Yiqi's voice sounded a little different, but it could be assumed that he hadn't slept well.

Xi Ai breathed a sigh of relief and asked her, "Which version of you is it now?"

"The normal me."

I do feel a little regretful, and I miss you so much.

"Chu Yiqi, I left something with you."

Why aren't you coming up?

Xi Ai carefully considered her tone, making it unclear whether she was being coquettish, being genuine, or simply complaining. She said, "Chu Yiqi, but I feel so bad, I can't take a single step."

Chu Yiqi looked downstairs, while Xi Ai happened to look up. Through the fine snow, their visions seemed somewhat blurred, as if they were both wearing a disguise of nonchalance and courage that was easily pierced.

After a moment of silence, Chu Yiqi looked at Xi Ai, his voice dissipating in the snow and then reappearing in Xi Ai's ears.

"Take what?"

"A freshly picked winter cherry blossom branch."

It's unreasonable, yet it makes perfect sense.

Chu Yiqi chuckled softly and said, "Okay."

She got the medicine for Xi Ai and then picked out the prettiest one to hold in her hand.

The two exchanged items, but when they faced each other, they were like clueless children, and their speech was clumsy.

"You probably didn't bring those eye drops. Just use these for now, and your eyes won't hurt as much tomorrow."

Chu Yiqi nodded and then said, "After you apply the medicine, rub it in. At least you won't feel too much pain wearing high heels tomorrow when you have so many things to do."

After a moment of silence, Xi Ai finally sighed, her white breath blurring her vision before dissipating into the long wind: "Happy New Year."

Happy New Year, Xi Ai.

The day Chu Yiqi left happened to be a sunny day.

He deliberately delayed until the last minute, but still didn't see the person he wanted to see.

They truly kept their word.

However, Chu Yiqi did not notice that Xi Ai was standing on the covered bridge. After Chu Yiqi had completely disappeared from sight, she finally took a step and was willing to leave. She selfishly left herself a photo, her pale yellow down jacket looking like a cluster of morning light in the distance.

Chu Yiqi's gaze fell upon him again and again, but Xi Ai always managed to block it and deflect it.

A grand yet oblivious exchange of glances came to an end.

This happened repeatedly over the next two years, without anyone noticing.

As she was leaving, Xi Ai turned around and saw Shi Yunshan, who had been waiting for a long time with her arms crossed.

Xi Ai gave a somewhat bitter smile and said, "How did you see me?"

"I knew you'd come." Shi Yunshan didn't mention anything else, only asking her, "Are you coming or not?"

"Where is the shadow?"

"I went to buy KFC."

...

*

It's been a while since we last met, but I hope you've been well.

"What's wrong, Teacher Chu?"

Chu Yiqi snapped out of her daze, smiled, and said, "It's nothing, I was just a little distracted."

"Indeed, it's been a long time."

Finally, Xi Ai had a flash of inspiration and realized it was the "silver" in the wine cabinet. When she actually discovered it, it was quite amusing.

Shi Yunshan stood to the side and laughed: "Little President Xi, are you actually a barista at the coffee shop?"

Xi Ai looked at her with a resentful expression: "Actually, you were the one who hid it, weren't you?"

"Who knows, what if it's Teacher Chu?"

"I finished my work at 3 a.m., and Lina wouldn't be so heartless as to wake people up after 3 a.m.

"Then you are even more suspicious."

"Who knows if you're just faking it again this morning?"

Chu Yiqi had been resting in the living room since early morning. After listening to the whole story, he found it quite amusing.

Chu Yiqi chimed in, "Didn't Lina say yesterday that you're perfect for villainous roles?"