55
Ji Shengsheng did not move in with Xu Yu immediately, but only stayed for a few days.
She plans to see if her freelance work schedule can be compatible with Xu Yu's work schedule.
If it's not a perfect fit, it's better to come and stay occasionally.
After telling Xu Yu about this idea, Xu Yu remained silent. Ji Shengsheng interpreted this as tacit approval rather than disagreement.
She quickly dismissed the idea.
There's nothing more suitable for them to be together.
They are perfectly compatible in every aspect of life, if you don't consider their diet.
However, Ji Shengsheng noticed that Xu Yu seemed to have stopped focusing on her meals and instead started making a fuss about what she currently liked to eat.
In just one week, she ate several kinds of delicious bread and beef.
Although she had no interest in fruit and snacks, she would occasionally accept food from Xu Yu when they watched TV together on the sofa.
This silent feeding allowed her to gain two pounds in just two weeks.
Xu Yu was very satisfied with the result, and then took her shopping for clothes.
"...It seems like your main job is to fatten me up and dress me up." That day, when Xu Yu got off work, looking at the roast beef ingredients he brought back, Ji Shengsheng jumped into his arms, "Going to work is just a side job."
"Don't you call me 'brother' every night?" Xu Yu hugged her, walked to the kitchen, and put the beef back in the refrigerator.
"Since I'm your older brother, of course I'll take care of you and dress you up."
Ji Shengsheng watched as Xu Yu carried her to the bedroom, then remembered she had something important to tell him, and struggled, saying, "But my brother won't be with me..."
“This brother knows how.” Xu Yu pointed to the location of his heart.
Ji Shengsheng: "..."
After the surgery, I feel like I don't get tired anymore...
“…You…how are you so amazing?” Ji Shengsheng couldn’t help but grab his hair.
"Um?"
"...That's amazing."
"...Good girl." Xu Yu comforted her, "Brother will make you happy."
After it was over, she was so tired that she forgot what she wanted to say to Xu Yu.
When she woke up in the afternoon, Xu Yu had already returned to the company to handle work.
Ji Shengsheng glanced at her phone; she hadn't yet figured out how to reply to the message Xing Xing had sent her.
Then, she saw the picture that Xu Lin sent.
Xu Lin has received the catalog and related samples that she mailed to him.
She hadn't expected that Xu Lin would buy a few extra portions.
"Where love is, money is!" Xu Lin posted many updates on WeChat Moments and Weibo, showing off the merchandise he bought.
Ji Shengsheng realized that she had never given any gifts to her fans.
After placing the order through the official channels, Ji Shengsheng went on Weibo to participate in the lucky draw.
While studying the lottery program, she would occasionally see message notifications.
She had no idea that the collaboration would be so well received.
Many people who don't play games also come to buy it.
Her account has never been so lively.
After posting the giveaway announcement on Weibo, Ji Shengsheng quickly went offline to continue drawing.
She's almost finished preparing for her new comic series.
Xu Yu returned less than two hours after leaving, and Ji Shengsheng, who was taking a shower, was startled.
"...Not wearing a shirt anymore?"
"No, no, no." Ji Shengsheng pulled her cardigan tighter and shook her head frantically. "There's something I want to tell you."
Xu Yu hugged her: "Hmm?"
"It's Xing Xing's grandmother's birthday..." Ji Shengsheng hesitated for a moment, but decided to say it directly, "This is a normal thing, but Xing Xing has been talking to me a little strangely lately, which makes me a little unsure."
Xing Xing didn't directly say anything to her.
I would occasionally send her some old photos of us together, and I even found screenshots of our interactions on Renren.com when we were in elementary school.
Ji Shengsheng felt completely bewildered.
I urged Xing Xing several times to find something productive to do, but to no avail.
Their relationship became inexplicably ambiguous due to Xing Xing's unilateral actions.
Although she didn't think Xing Xing liked her, she figured he was probably just looking for a partner but hadn't found anyone suitable, so he went to her to act crazy.
...If they are just friends, then there's no problem with them celebrating Grandma's birthday together and meeting up.
In this situation...
Ji Shengsheng briefly described what had happened and how she felt to Xu Yu. Xu Yu's expression turned serious as Ji Shengsheng watched.
"You said you have a lot in common... and a tacit understanding I didn't know about." Xu Yu's voice was low and melancholy. "Sheng Sheng, if he also likes you, would you choose him?"
"Of course I choose you..." Although Xing Xing didn't ask her to choose, "No matter what, I will choose you."
"Really?" Xu Yu stroked her face. "I don't have as much confidence in myself as you do."
Ji Shengsheng had never seen Xu Yu like this before, and she was at a loss for what to do.
“Xu Yu…”
"Cheng Yu needs to see me. I need to go out for a bit tonight."
After a long silence, she heard Xu Yu speak.
"Okay, then come back soon." Ji Shengsheng loosened her grip on his arm.
Watching Xu Yu leave, Ji Shengsheng tossed and turned in bed, distressed.
Actually, normal couples don't spend all their time together outside of work like that. Everyone has friends and needs to socialize. It's perfectly normal for Xu Yu to go see Cheng Yu.
But at this moment, she felt somewhat uneasy.
Zhu Xiaodan asked her to come and get some merchandise, and Ji Shengsheng opened the door and let her in.
Why do you look so depressed?
Zhu Xiaodan exclaimed in surprise, "Shouldn't you be basking in happiness right now?"
Ji Shengsheng told Zhu Xiaodan what had happened that day.
"You mean, Xing Xing's attitude towards you is ambiguous, and you still want to go to his house to celebrate his grandmother's birthday?" Zhu Xiaodan was even more surprised. "At the same time, Xu Yu was very hurt and wanted to leave, and you actually let him go?"
Ji Shengsheng: "Huh?"
Is that how it's summarized? It makes her seem like an ignorant and bad person.
"Sheng Sheng, to be honest, I might have a clearer perspective as an outsider, or my viewpoint might be limited, but Xing Xing has always treated you very differently, hasn't he?"
The three of them were classmates in junior and senior high school. Although she didn't know much about what happened after college, Zhu Xiaodan still spent those six years with them.
Ji Shengsheng: "...I don't think so at all?"
"How would you describe it?" Zhu Xiaodan racked her brains, "It's like the two of you standing together, although you weren't holding hands or doing anything ambiguous..."
“But it makes it easy for others to think that you are either siblings or a couple.” Zhu Xiaodan wanted to describe it in more detail, so she added, “Even if you are siblings, I suspect that you are secretly practicing orthopedics.”
Ji Shengsheng: "...?"
"How could this be?" Ji Shengsheng dropped the notebook she was holding to the ground.
"I don't know how you two developed this kind of feeling..."
Zhu Xiaodan recalled many things: "For a while, although Xing Xing often went to other girls to make jokes, you see, he only helped you with chores like wiping the blackboard and mopping the floor, he only gave you a ride on his bike to and from school, and he even brought you breakfast..."
"Do you remember that year when there was a blizzard, he helped you shovel snow and even got frostbite on his hands?"
Ji Shengsheng nodded. She remembered.
"Xing Xing is like the kind of guy who's nice to others but lacks common sense."
Before you fell for Xu Yu, I always thought that the two of you would end up together sooner or later.
Ji Shengsheng remained silent.
...So this is how it is from other people's perspectives?
"What's wrong with you?" Zhu Xiaodan had never mentioned these things before.
She spoke out only because she was afraid that Ji Shengsheng would make the wrong decision and affect her current happiness.
She saw how difficult things had been for Ji Shengsheng and Xu Yu, which is why she said so much as a friend.
Although Zhu Xiaodan has always sided with Xing Xing more, she feels deep down that her childhood sweetheart is more reliable.
Moreover... Xu Yu's appearance is too eye-catching. Although he is relatively low-key, people are always a little uneasy about having a man like that out in public.
But now that things have come to this, Zhu Xiaodan can sense that Ji Shengsheng is firmly choosing Xu Yu, so she will stand on her friend's side.
"I feel a little uncomfortable." Ji Shengsheng hugged her knees and nestled on the sofa.
"Oh," Zhu Xiaodan quickly went over to comfort her, "Shengsheng, I'm sorry, I didn't say these things to make you feel bad..."
She knew.
She was just thinking that, for Xing Xing, she seemed to have unconsciously taken up many years of his life, and yet it was as if nothing had happened.
For Xu Yu...
If this is how Zhu Xiaodan and Xing Xing are perceived from her perspective, then what about the moments Xu Yu witnessed?
Misunderstandings and pain will only double, right?
She recalled the questions Xu Yu had asked her.
As long as she maintains her relationship with Xing Xing, Xu Yu's pain will only intensify.
...At that time, she only felt wronged and didn't think about what Xu Yu was going through or enduring.
"Sheng Sheng, do you feel guilty towards Xing Xing?" Zhu Xiaodan felt that she was making things worse by trying to help him. "You must not think like that. We have seen how you treat him, and he himself knows the truth."
When Xing Xing was in junior high school, he was short and thin and was ostracized by the boys. Ji Shengsheng was always there for him.
Some boys even deliberately spread rumors that the two of them were in a relationship, but Ji Shengsheng did not stop hanging out with Xing Xing because of this.
Xing Xing's parents had a bad relationship, and neither of them often attended parent-teacher conferences during junior high school. For a long time, people talked about Xing Xing, and Ji Shengsheng was always the one to stand up for her.
For three years in junior high, Ji Shengsheng was Xing Xing's little bodyguard. After entering high school, Xing Xing grew taller, became more handsome, and developed an outgoing personality, making more friends.
Occasionally, when Xing Xing got into a fight, it was Ji Shengsheng who would clean up the mess and take him to the infirmary.
Upon closer examination, they both made significant sacrifices for each other.
They can take care of each other and support each other, but they are not destined to be lovers.
After staying with Ji Shengsheng for a while to make sure she was calm and in a good mood, Zhu Xiaodan left.
Downstairs, Zhu Xiaodan looked at the light on in Ji Shengsheng's room upstairs.
She didn't dare tell Ji Shengsheng that she had been a fan of the pairing of Ji Shengsheng and Xing Xing when she was in junior high school; that was her introduction to shipping.
However, when Xing Xing got to high school, he became more outgoing and started flirting with girls who had particularly good figures at school, which disillusioned him.
Whether it was a twist of fate or simply a lack of destiny, she hoped that Ji Shengsheng could maintain her current state of happiness.
Fearing she might say the wrong thing, Zhu Xiaodan couldn't help but sigh.
After Zhu Xiaodan left, Ji Shengsheng called Xu Yu.
Xu Yu didn't answer, so she called Cheng Yu instead.
"Sheng Sheng called me?" Cheng Yu felt puzzled and looked at Xu Yu. "Should I answer?"
Xu Yu nodded, signaling him to take it.
"Yes, he's with me. I'll take him home in a bit, don't worry."
Cheng Yu hung up the phone and looked at Xu Yu sitting across from him, puzzled: "Why do you have time to come see me again today?"
In the past few years, every Chinese New Year, he would always spend one or two days with Xu Yu, whether it was going to the gym or having dinner with friends, and he has always maintained that habit.
As soon as Ji Shengsheng returned, Xu Yu disappeared. They only met twice because of work.
After the New Year, Ji Shengsheng stayed in Taoyuan, while Xu Yu returned to Lucheng by himself. Apart from work hours, he still couldn't see Ji Shengsheng.
One day a week ago, he became curious about what Xu Yu was doing at home, so he went to Xu Yu's house and found that he was researching how to make bread.
For a moment, Cheng Yu even thought she was hallucinating.
Then Ji Shengsheng returned to Lucheng, and Xu Yu disappeared for another week. He completely ignored him except for work-related messages. Tonight, he casually invited him out, and Xu Yu surprisingly agreed.
"How is she feeling?" Xu Yu and Cheng Yu asked to confirm.
"I'm quite anxious."
Xu Yu remained silent.
"She probably called you but you didn't answer, right?" Cheng Yu suddenly leaned closer. "You little rascal, you dare to give Sheng Sheng the silent treatment?"
"I wouldn't dare."
He's gambling.
Let's gamble on this to eliminate future troubles.
"What are you doing?" Cheng Yu almost jumped up when she saw Xu Yu pick up the wine in front of her. "I said I would take you home just to reassure Sheng Sheng. If you really drink too much, I can't carry you."
Xu Yu simply pursed her lips.
Cheng Yu breathed a sigh of relief: "At least you have some conscience."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Yu silently drank two cups.
Cheng Yu: "Damn, you're my grandpa."
Ji Shengsheng asked them where they were, and Cheng Yu quickly sent them a location.
Less than half an hour later, Ji Shengsheng appeared in front of them.
"...Have you been drinking?"
Seeing Ji Shengsheng walking towards her, Xu Yu stood up, and Cheng Yu also stood up, surprised: "You could smell it?"
He was unaware of the truth and originally wanted to help Xu Yu hide.
Ji Shengsheng asked Xu Yu again to confirm, "Have you been drinking?"
"No." Xu Yu shook his head.
"Why are you wearing so little?" Xu Yu took off his coat and handed it to Ji Shengsheng.
"I was worried about you." Ji Shengsheng was only slightly relieved after confirming that he was alright. "You didn't answer the phone."
"I'm fine."
"Thank you, Chengyu." Ji Shengsheng quickly thanked Chengyu.
"It's nothing." Cheng Yu, feeling uncomfortable, simply exposed Xu Yu, "He did drink a little, so you take care of him."
After saying that, he prepared to leave.
Ji Shengsheng understood what Cheng Yu meant. Cheng Yu always liked to say the opposite of what she meant.
If he said Xu Yu "had a little," then he must have drunk a lot...
"Going home?" Ji Shengsheng reached out and hugged Xu Yu, but Xu Yu grabbed her wrist tightly.
"go home."
After taking a taxi home, Ji Shengsheng helped Xu Yu sit down and kindly helped him take off his clothes and change into pajamas.
Xu Yu reminded her that she shouldn't take a shower after drinking alcohol.
Ji Shengsheng used a towel to wipe his body, and then Xu Yu pulled her into his arms.
Why are you so worried about me tonight?
Ji Shengsheng heard Xu Yu ask her.
“I was afraid you would be unhappy…” Ji Shengsheng looked into Xu Yu’s eyes, “I’m sorry, I’ve been too inconsiderate of your feelings all this time.”
"Hmm?" Xu Yu gave her time to continue.
"I will handle Xing Xing's matter well."
So...you're going?
"yes……"
"Can we not go?"
Xingxing's grandmother had just recovered from a serious illness and had overcome another hurdle, which was a joyous occasion. Not only Xingxing, but her mother also called her. Since both her parents were going, there was really no reason for her not to go, nor would it be appropriate.
"Don't worry, I know what to do."
"Sound after sound".
"Trust me, okay?" Ji Shengsheng didn't know how to comfort her. "I'm not a butterfly in your palm. Even if you open your hand, I won't fly away."
She had to deal with Xing Xing's matter.
She and Xu Yu also need to build trust.
After all, we will have to spend many more moments apart from each other in the future.
Xu Yu stared into Ji Shengsheng's eyes and sensed her unwavering determination to go. It was a determination that he couldn't stop even with the worst methods he had tried.
Watching Ji Shengsheng pack her things to go back to Taoyuan, Xu Yu didn't ask her how many days she planned to stay.
Revealing the truth about Ji Shengsheng and Xing Xing's affair is risky, but the feeling of being slowly cut is also unpleasant.
Despite the risks, he was determined to do it.
Xu Yu didn't move when he felt Ji Shengsheng approach him.
“Xu Yu…”
"Sheng Sheng, I cannot accept that you and Xing Xing can continue to be friends."
Ji Shengsheng remained silent.
Try to see things from another person's perspective.
If Xu Yu had a childhood sweetheart who occasionally had feelings for him, she would also care about their interactions.
Previously, she thought her relationship with Xing Xing was purely platonic. She could still try to explain and seek understanding from Xu Yu's speculations and doubts.
But now... if Xing Xing really has feelings for her, they really can't be friends anymore.
“I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon,” Ji Shengsheng proactively reported. “I’ll give you a definite answer tomorrow.”
Xu Yu didn't speak, but just looked at the light above his head.
It's very dazzling.
The intimacy of the past two months feels like a dream, everything seems unreal.
If you're going to lose him, then kill him with one blow.
He had already made up his mind when he decided to meet Xing Xing.
"Xu Yu, do you feel unwell anywhere?" Seeing that he hadn't spoken, Ji Shengsheng was worried about him.
“Yes.” Xu Yu pointed to his chest.
Ji Shengsheng understood what he meant.
Will I lose you?
“Xu Yu…” Ji said firmly, “You won’t lose me.”
"Really?" Xu Yu reached out and hugged her, kissing her painfully. "Go home early tomorrow."
This time.
If she slips up...
If she still wants to be friends with Xing Xing...
He then withdrew permanently.
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