Chapter 16 The Only Friend in the Bitter Summer
Tutoring at Xia Lin's house wasn't boring. Xia Lin was very kind to her, and Xia Qing had never been a talkative person. Apart from helping her solve difficult problems when they were doing homework together, he still spoke very little.
But over the past few days, Shen Qingli gradually pieced together a completely different Xia Qing in her mind.
She used to think that this person was too cold, like an emotionless learning machine. In addition, junior high school was the time of rebellion for them, so this good kid from another family could almost always be one step ahead of her. They were the only two people of the same age in the village, so it was inevitable that the gossipy neighbors would compare them. Over time, she disliked Xia Qing even more.
Previously, the other party seemed to have noticed her avoidance, so they never took the initiative to say more than a few words to her.
This summer, a rainstorm disrupted the previously balanced relationship between the two, and Shen Qingli also realized for the first time in real life that Xia Qing's personality was cold on the surface, but actually very caring and gentle.
He wasn't talkative, but he was keenly observant of what she liked to eat. For example, on the first day of tutoring, Charlene cut fruit for them, and she ate a green pear once or twice. From then on, every time she came, there would be a washed and peeled green pear in the fruit plate.
She initially thought it was Xia Lin's thoughtfulness, but later, during a break, she heard her say it was Xia Qing's instruction.
However, Xia Qing was somewhat "ashamed and indignant" about her mother revealing her past and refused to admit it.
At times like this, Shen Qingli felt he became much more vibrant. Watching his ears turn slightly red with embarrassment at being exposed was particularly amusing. He was no longer the cool, aloof Xia Qing she knew, but a friend who showed a variety of expressions due to life's various events.
She used to wonder how Xia Qing could be so different from Aunt Xia in temperament. In contrast, Xia Lin's enthusiasm and frankness were rare among parents of this age, while Xia Qing, as her child, was the complete opposite.
But now, she no longer thinks that way.
Because she felt that Xia Qing was actually quite similar to Xia Lin, only he was more reserved.
-
As a matter of reciprocity, although they were supposed to be tutoring each other, since they were both staying at Xia Lin's house, Shen Qingli would bring some fresh things from her home every time she visited. Sometimes it was cookies she had baked with her grandmother, and sometimes it was fresh fruits and vegetables from her home.
They continued this routine of one or two classes per week for almost a month.
Xia Qing and Shen Qingli's initially awkward and unfamiliar relationship has gradually overcome the initial awkwardness.
When they weren't studying, the two started chatting occasionally. After getting to know each other, Shen Qingli discovered that Xia Qing wasn't actually a quiet person. On the contrary, Xia Qing was quite talkative. They were about the same age and had been classmates in the same class, so they naturally talked more when they talked about things from their junior high school days.
Although Shen Qingli doesn't seem to have many friends, she surprisingly knows a lot of gossip. When she has nothing to do, she will talk about these things with Xia Qing. Although he is a little surprised that she doesn't seem to care about anything, he didn't expect her to know so much about these things. However, he doesn't think she is too gossipy, but just casually agrees with her.
Neither of them had ever made a true friend before, so to be precise, they were each other's first good friend with whom they could talk and chat.
...
They were once "oddballs" in their junior high school class.
One is a top student, but very quiet and the only one in the grade who keeps to himself at school.
One was a pretty girl who was an average student, had little presence in the eyes of the teachers at school, and seemed aloof and difficult to get along with.
Back then, most people still preferred outstanding and cheerful individuals. Whether male or female, everyone had their own circle of friends, and they would stroll around the school in twos and threes.
Most of the time, the two of them walked alone to the cafeteria and home from school. No one thought they were easy to get along with, and no one dared to approach them and talk to them.
Back in junior high, there were quite a few people who complained behind their backs that they were too pretentious and fake, but they were so oblivious to their past that they hardly knew anything about it.
Shen Qingli never imagined that she would be mentioned alongside Xia Qing in such unpleasant terms. But at least, in some people's eyes, they were the same kind of people, even if those weren't very nice words.
Despite her excellent grades, Xia Qing, who was on the very edge of the school, did not have many friends. Shen Qingli, who was not good at making friends and always used a cold exterior to protect herself, was naturally ostracized by many people.
Perhaps it is human nature for many people to reject those who are different from themselves. In that school, the two of them walked alone on the road, were noticed in the crowd, accidentally brushed past each other, and their shadows met, all indicating that they were clearly the same kind of people.
Before going to Shangsu No.1 Middle School, she always thought that way. Whether they were unfamiliar with each other before or became acquainted unexpectedly later, she always felt that she and Xia Qing were the same kind of people.
They can understand each other.
So, when Luo Yiqiu later said that they were not from the same world, she couldn't help but frown.
This summer passed so quickly that she forgot exactly when they stopped traveling together.
-
After finishing their tutoring that day, during a break, Charlene found them an old English movie so they could relax and also improve their English speaking skills.
The lights in the room dimmed, and the old television in front of them played fast-paced English. Charlene watched it with them for a while, then went back to her own business.
Shen Qingli, however, seemed somewhat distracted as she watched the conversation between the male and female leads on the screen.
"What's wrong?" Xia Qing noticed that she seemed down today, so she asked.
"What?"
"You seem a little unhappy today," he said truthfully, his voice gentle.
Upon hearing this, Shen Qingli looked away from the television. She looked up at Xia Qing in the dim light, the blue reflection from the television falling on his face, the cold light making him look particularly cold when he wasn't speaking.
His gaze fell directly on her in the darkness, and whether it was an illusion or not, his gaze seemed exceptionally gentle and tender.
The person in front of her always seemed to be like this, gentle and polite. She couldn't help but feel a little dazed for a moment, then subconsciously murmured, "How can you always tell when I'm unhappy? Is this some kind of talent?"
"Hmm?" He was clearly taken aback by her question before laughing and saying, "Is it possible that you're being too obvious?"
Speechless at his words, Shen Qingli glanced at him speechlessly. Xia Qing noticed her expression, awkwardly stopped laughing, and resumed his serious expression, continuing, "So... I guessed right?"
"..."
She remained silent for a moment before slowly nodding in agreement.
Looking at her expression, Xia Qing could guess what was going on. He tentatively asked, "Is it because of your parents' family again?"
"Um."
Mentioning this, Shen Qingli nodded, her expression clearly worsening.
The movie playing in front of them became the background noise of their conversation. In the past, she would have cherished every opportunity to watch a movie, but today, she simply had no time to be interested.
"It seems like you're always in a bad mood after coming back from your parents' house."
He was telling the truth. Even though Shen Qingyun was there to talk and chat with her, she still felt very uncomfortable in that house because she didn't know her parents at all.
The obvious favoritism shown by Shen's parents towards their two daughters is already quite remarkable, and it's already difficult enough that it doesn't affect the relationship between Shen Qingli and Shen Qingyun. After the incident where she was falsely accused of "stealing money," Shen Qingli's communication with them became increasingly rare.
Her parents were always so strange. At first, when she went back, they felt guilty and apologetic for misunderstanding her. But their shortcomings seemed to only manifest in some extra care and concern. If nothing had happened before, perhaps she would have felt a little comforted.
But their kindness towards her always had a reason; it was an attempt to make amends for their mistakes, not the kind of love parents should show their children. And those acts of love that she found extraordinary were just a fraction of what Shen Qingyun experienced every single day.
But Shen Qingyun was also very kind to her. As an older sister who was in poor health and had many illnesses, she took care of her a lot on a daily basis. This awkward and strange feeling made Shen Qingli feel very uneasy.
She even felt that she shouldn't compare herself to Shen Qingyun, because relatively speaking, Shen Qingyun was indeed a very good older sister.
But human nature is so complex. Even if she knows that what she is doing is wrong and bad, she cannot control the comparison in her heart.
In that house, everything seemed to be placed on an equal scale, and she watched as one side of the scale clearly tilted. She was unsure whether to continue looking at it or to throw away the "scale."
At this time of year, she especially misses her home in the countryside and longs to return.
But when she returned, it seemed no one told her anything. Xia Lin had been very good to her, so she didn't want her to worry about her all the time, and it was even more impossible for her grandparents to tell her.
No matter how much you say, in the end it all boils down to understanding. And in the end, it all boils down to one sentence: they are, after all, your parents.
This blood relationship, which everyone sees as the closest and most inseparable bond, has kept all the words from her lips. But now, looking at Lin Xiaqing, she seems to have found a window to express her emotions for the first time.
She poured out all her inner turmoil to him. Perhaps it was because of their time together that she believed he would keep his promise and keep quiet even if she told him, or perhaps it was because she had been suppressing those emotions for too long and she really needed a friend to confide in.
At this moment, the boy in front of him was his only friend.
-----------------------
Author's Note: They are actually very precious to each other TvT
Happy September! Only four more chapters left to write TvT. I need to rest for two days, then save up some more chapters. Update on Thursday!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
