Chapter 7: Reconciliation - All Misunderstandings Cleared Up...
“You know perfectly well that’s not what I meant,” Qin You looked at her with a hint of helplessness mixed with a doting affection that even he himself could hardly perceive. “I’ll take you home.”
Tao Jiang finally smiled. "Then go buy me milk tea at the school gate."
"Um."
The two walked out one after the other, as if the "Yu Kui" mentioned earlier was just a minor incident that neither of them took to heart.
After dropping Tao Jiang off at her doorstep, Qin You thought of Yu Kui on his way back. He had mixed feelings; he was reluctant to part with Yu Kui, his childhood friend, but he also couldn't explain his actions.
He felt an indescribable sense of guilt and unease deep inside him, but he couldn't explain why he felt guilty.
Before he knew it, he had arrived at the entrance of Yu Kui Street again. Just as he raised his hand to knock on the door, he called Yu Kui. The phone rang for a long time before it was answered. Yu Kui did not speak, only her soft breathing could be heard.
“It’s me,” Qin You said softly, leaning against the wall. “Are you feeling better?” The words of concern came out of his mouth as if he had suddenly found a reason to make the call.
“Hmm,” Yu Kui’s voice was a little muffled, but there was no accusation or questioning as he had imagined. “I’m much better now.”
Seeing that she was still willing to talk to him, Qin You secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "Yesterday... I should have accompanied you to the competition. I'm sorry."
Yu Kui didn't say anything upon hearing this. Qin You heard Yu's mother calling her to go out for dinner, and his heart ached. "Can you... not be angry? I won't do it again."
"Qin You, were you with Tao Jiang all yesterday?"
He heard the girl's soft voice, "You've always been by her side, haven't you?"
It was just a casual question, yet it tugged at Qin You's heartstrings. He curled his fingers, the image of himself and Tao Jiang yesterday flashing through his mind, and remained silent for a long time. He dared not tell her the truth—that he had not only been by Tao Jiang's side but had also done many childish things with her—as if once he spoke, he would lose something completely, something he didn't want to lose and couldn't bear to lose.
“No,” he heard himself say, “I just bought her some things. The rest of the time I’m in the classroom doing my homework.” He said calmly, “You know I always have a lot of homework.”
"Is that so?" The girl's tone softened considerably, though she didn't seem to believe him. "Qin You, I thought about a lot of things after I got home yesterday, some about you and some about Tao Jiang. There's something I want to ask you. Can you answer me seriously?"
Hearing her mention Tao Jiang, the boy felt his heart almost tip off. "What do you want to ask?"
"Do you like Tao Jiang?" Yu Kui took a deep breath, looked at the dim night outside, and asked calmly, "Do you like her?"
Please tell me the truth. If you like her, I will absolutely not stop you. I will only gradually withdraw my feelings for you and completely return to the position of friends.
This is the question that Yu Kui has been struggling with since yesterday. Sun Shuya said she was silly, but in fact she was more sensitive than anyone else about Qin You. The reason she didn't contact him and Tao Jiang was that Yu Kui was afraid of making an irreversible mistake.
She didn't want to lose her two close friends.
Although the decision was difficult, she was not the type to cling on and refuse to let go. If Qin You liked Tao Jiang, she was willing to withdraw her crush on him, even if the process was difficult. She would completely detach herself and let him pursue the love he truly desired.
So, do you like her?
If you like it, don't lie.
Upon hearing this question, Qin You's heart seemed to freeze for a moment. Why would Yu Kui ask such a question? Had she figured it out? Or...?
"I..." He wanted to admit that he had feelings for Tao Jiang, but he couldn't say it. His fingers clenched tightly, and even breathing became difficult. "I haven't thought about this yet."
Qin You slowly said, "I treat her as a friend, just like you. I helped her yesterday because she wasn't feeling well, there was no other reason."
As he said this, fearing Yu Kui wouldn't believe him, he continued, "If you had been with her yesterday, I wouldn't have..."
“I know,” Yu Kui said, “you’re helping her.” Her voice was tinged with excitement, as if she had transformed back into that adorable, always-chattering little girl. “You’re quite the helpful one.”
Qin You sighed deeply, looking at the gray-white wall, "You know this, yet you still doubt me?"
“But I really felt terrible yesterday,” Yu Kui snorted and complained, “I felt so bad after running, and then I couldn’t see you and Tao Jiang, of course I was angry.”
"I'm sorry, it's my fault."
“It’s okay,” Yu Kui said. “Your studies are more important.” She was still very sad when she said this, but she couldn’t blame Qin You for it. After all, she was just Qin You’s friend, and he had no obligation to wait for her.
She took herself too seriously and overlooked the fact that Qin You had more important things to do.
Little did she know that when Qin You heard "It's okay," his body stiffened, as if he had just realized the harm he had caused her yesterday. He had used "studying" as an excuse to not only deceive her but also to make her realize that she wasn't actually that important.
"That's not what I meant." Qin You wanted to deny it, but he couldn't find a better reason, so he could only remain silent.
"It's really okay," Yu Kui said. "I understand you. I'm going to eat now."
Yu Kui hung up the phone, but Qin You's mood did not relax because of the reconciliation. Instead, he was caught in an unprecedented struggle. He knew he should not lie to Yu Kui, but he still did not tell her his true thoughts.
He knew Yu Kui well; she was warm and bright like a little sun, but in reality, she had her own thoughts. If she knew the truth, it would be the worst outcome for him.
The next day, when Yu Kui came downstairs, she walked naturally to Qin You's side with a smile on her face, just like usual.
"Let's go." Qin You lifted his foot and walked forward, with Yu Kui jogging behind him. She didn't mention the events at the sports meet again, as if she had completely forgotten about them.
The two arrived at the school gate and ran into Tao Jiang. Before Yu Kui could speak, Tao Jiang walked over and took her arm, asking with concern, "How are you feeling today? Are you still feeling unwell?"
"It's alright now." Yu Kui shook her head and walked towards the teaching building with her, their relationship returning to its previous intimacy. Qin You followed behind them, a faint smile on her lips.
When Sun Shuya saw Yu Kui and Tao Jiang come in together, she glared at Yu Kui and asked, "What kind of sweet talk did you get this time?"
Yu Kui blinked and explained, "I called Qin You yesterday and realized I misunderstood them."
"Are you sure?" Sun Shuya asked doubtfully. "His attitude that day didn't seem like a misunderstanding."
“I asked him,” Yu Kui said in a low voice, “but he denied it, and I believe him.”
Before Sun Shuya could say anything more, Yu Kui said, "He has been my good friend for over ten years. He has never lied to me, and I believe what he says."
"you......"
“If he really did deceive me,” Yu Kui said in a barely audible voice, “it means he has found someone more important to share the same path, and I should move forward, instead of being stuck in the past, unable to turn back, crying hysterically and resentfully. That’s not me.”
She treats people with sincerity, and she shouldn't be the one who feels regret.
“But he said he wasn’t lying to me, so I believed him. If all that’s left between friends is doubt and blame, then they’re not friends anymore.”
Sun Shuya remained silent for a long time after hearing this, unsure how to evaluate her. It seemed that anything she said would be superfluous. It wasn't that she wasn't smart; she just took all of this too seriously. Fortunately, she didn't lose herself because of either friendship or unrequited love.
"You should be more careful," she couldn't help but complain. "Even if you're childhood sweethearts, you should still think about yourself."
At lunchtime, the three of them resumed their usual lively conversation. Tao Jiang also apologized to Yu Kui in person, saying that she shouldn't have impulsively asked Yu Kui to run in her place, causing Yu Kui to get sick.
Yu Kui didn't blame her. "Participating in the competition is about the collective honor. It's just a pity I didn't win an award."
"You've already done a great job," Tao Jiang said dejectedly. "It's a pity I prepared for so long, but I never actually got to play..."
“There will be a sports meet next year,” Yu Kui comforted her, “You can sign up then.”
"good."
After lunch, Qin You went back to the classroom to do her homework, while Yu Kui and Tao Jiang took a walk on campus to digest their food. A gentle breeze blew in their faces, and neither of them spoke.
Only after passing a relatively secluded corner did Yu Kui turn around, look at Tao Jiang's delicate face, and ask bluntly, "Tao Jiang, do you like Qin You?"
"Huh?" Tao Jiang's eyes widened, seemingly surprised that she would ask such a question.
Yu Kui stared into her eyes and said seriously, "I told you about Qin You and me before, but that was just my personal feeling for Qin You. He himself was unaware of it. Right now, Qin You and I don't have any contact beyond friendship. If you like him too, you don't need to worry that I will be sad. We can compete fairly."
"How could you... think that?" Her sudden words were completely unexpected by Tao Jiang. She thought Yu Kui would act as if nothing had happened and continue to be her friend.
Unexpectedly...
“Because you are all people I value,” Yu Kui said, “I want to continue being friends with you and don’t want any misunderstandings to cause any resentment.”
Tao Jiang stared at her blankly. "Why do you think I like Qin You? Is it because of that day at the sports meet?"
Yu Kui did not deny it, "I just want to say that Qin You is free, and you and I can both like him."
When Tao Jiang met her clear eyes, she was so open and generous, as if she wouldn't complain even if Qin You were taken away from her.
This made her seem particularly despicable.
Fair competition.
How can people who never started on the same footing compete fairly?
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