25. Do You Like Me?

An unexpected kiss kept Qin Zhaoyi awake until midnight. Unable to sleep, she sat by the window, lost in thought.

In the latter half of the night, the wind picked up, and rain fell. Rain by the sea was different from inland rain; it was particularly damp. Waves rolled in layers, ceaselessly churning.

Qin Zhaoyi was immersed in her own world, and when thinking became tiresome, she would casually prop up an arm on the table and doze off.

The next day, when she woke up, a layer of rainwater had accumulated on the windowsill. Thick fog covered the outside, and only the sound of the waves could be heard; the distant sea was invisible. It seemed like dawn.

She felt groggy, not knowing the time. Absent-mindedly reaching for her phone, even the back of the phone had a layer of dampness.

Upon checking the time, it was already past nine in the morning.

Zhong Ling had sent her a message in the morning. Perhaps from a night of drinking or maybe dreaming of her ex-girlfriend, the chat window contained a string of garbled characters, followed by an unclear voice message.

Qin Zhaoyi’s attempt to transcribe failed. Despite enduring a headache, she listened to it twice and could only understand two words: [Miss you.]

Unable to bear it, Qin Zhaoyi furrowed her brow and replied: [Are you sick?]

Dead silence ensued on Zhong Ling’s end.

The rain on Moon Island continued to drizzle. Qin Zhaoyi reached out and touched the rain on the windowsill. The coolness rushed straight to her heart through her fingertips.

Unconsciously shivering, her first reaction was to call out, “Luo Yue.”

Her voice was low and slightly hoarse.

However, the room echoed with emptiness, and there was no response.

The kitchen was also empty, and a new tablecloth adorned the dining table. In the middle, a vase held a beautiful bouquet of purple baby’s breath.

Apart from a pair of unwashed dishes in the sink, there were no other traces of someone living there.

Luo Yue had already left.

This realization irritated Qin Zhaoyi even more. Clearly, she had gained the upper hand last night; she had obtained what she wanted. However, for some unknown reason, only she felt unsettled, her sleep pattern disturbed, and her inner turmoil heightened.

Luo Yue continued to follow her usual daily routine, unaffected by the events.

Qin Zhaoyi opened the refrigerator, intending to find some milk to drink, only to discover that it was also empty.

Luo Yue left nothing for her, a vast difference from the treatment she received yesterday.

Helplessly, Qin Zhaoyi took out a bottle of cold water from the refrigerator and, after unscrewing the cap, gulped down a few sips.

Her usually pampered stomach felt a bit uncomfortable due to the cold water, but it managed to relieve the burning sensation in her throat.

After drinking half the bottle, Qin Zhaoyi casually placed the water on the countertop, wiped her mouth with her hand, and dragged her somewhat heavy body back to the room to continue sleeping.

In the morning, when Luo Yue went to school, she happened to encounter Cheng Shijing. He had just taken two bottles of nutritional drinks and threw one to Luo Yue from a distance of one meter.

“What about your girl?” Cheng Shijing asked.

Luo Yue furrowed her brows. “Stop talking nonsense.”

Cheng Shijing smiled. “Luo Yue, you haven’t gone for your morning run in two days.”

Luo Yue was taken aback. “I had things to do these past two days.”

At that moment, the rain was as fine as needles, and Luo Yue held her umbrella in hand, with a slight dampness in her hair.

Cheng Shijing, on the other hand, looked like he had just finished running.

“Besides,” Luo Yue defended her unusual behavior, “running in the rain doesn’t necessarily lead to catching a cold.”

Cheng Shijing shrugged. “Who runs in heavy rain without any fear?”

Luo Yue, feeling helpless, replied, “I already said it was an accident.”

Cheng Shijing didn’t tease her further. “Alright, whatever you say.”

“I’m heading to school,” Luo Yue said, trying to pass by him, but Cheng Shijing stopped her.

Luo Yue was puzzled. “What’s up?”

Cheng Shijing contemplated for two seconds. “Although it’s a bit of a downer, I still want to say.”

Cheng Shijing’s tone was somewhat serious. He lowered his head, glanced at the lower eyelids of Luo Yue, and raised his hand to suddenly wipe them, removing a layer of powder.

Cheng Shijing frowned, but Luo Yue, looking even more speechless, took a step back, glaring at him. Let’s see how he explained this unusual behavior.

“If you keep doing this, I’ll get angry,” Luo Yue expressed her frustration through gritted teeth.

Cheng Shijing spread out his fingertips to show her, saying seriously, “Luo Yue, you’ve been having insomnia.”

Luo Yue remained silent.

Cheng Shijing’s expression turned solemn. “You know your body, right?”

Luo Yue pursed her lips, showing no intention to defend herself.

“The day you went into the sea to rescue someone, you started staying up late…” Cheng Shijing chuckled, “Are you trying not to live anymore?”

“How could that be?” Luo Yue retorted. “I know my own body pretty well.”

A few seconds later, Luo Yue helplessly said, “Do you still think of me as I was when I was a child?”

Cheng Shijing countered, “Isn’t that the case?”

“I can run a half marathon now,” Luo Yue said. “My injury has long since healed.”

“The aftereffects of surgery are no joke,” Cheng Shijing warned.

Glancing at her watch, Luo Yue pretended to be in a hurry. “Alright, I know. I’ll be going.”

As she was about to leave, Cheng Shijing couldn’t help but utter the words he had been holding back all night: “It’s not going to end well.”

Luo Yue halted her steps and asked softly, “Because we’re both women?”

“No,” Cheng Shijing closed his eyes and spoke in a deep voice, “Is it because you want to leave, or does she want to stay?”

Luo Yue remained silent.

The question ultimately went unanswered. Just like the tug-of-war between Luo Yue and Qin Zhaoyi last night, no one knew where the future would lead.

But Luo Yue smiled and said to Cheng Shijing, “We’ve only known each other for two days. Is it too early to worry about these things?”

Cheng Shijing shrugged, “I hope so.”

After going to school, Luo Yue touched up her makeup, making herself look more vibrant. Accustomed to exercise and an early bedtime, these two days of irregular schedules had indeed affected her heart rate.

She had undergone minor surgery before, but being a premature baby, her health had not been great. After the surgery and insufficient care, she had been weak and sickly for some time, often running to the hospital. However, since starting to exercise under a doctor’s guidance after entering university, she had gradually recovered.

Back in the dormitory during her university days, people often teased her for living like an elderly person because there were few university students waking up at 6 a.m. without an 8 a.m. class.

Now, as an elementary school homeroom teacher she was too busy, causing Luo Yue to have no time to think about Qin Zhaoyi for the whole day, she still couldn’t help but write Qin Zhaoyi’s name on her notebook during lunchtime or in the leisure moments after class, only to cross it out later.

The rainy season on Moon Island came unexpectedly, and the rain poured for the entire day. It cleared up only in the evening, with the tide rising at the seaside. After finishing her teaching and giving extra tutoring, Luo Yue reminded the students again not to go to the seaside after school.

Although they were children raised by the seaside, there were a few with excellent swimming skills, but most of them were like little ducks on land.

When everything was done, and all the children were settled, the school was empty. Luo Yue slowly packed up her things in the office.

After putting the last book into her bag, just as she finished, someone knocked on the office door.

“Come in,” Luo Yue said, and the door was pushed open.

It was the math teacher for the fifth grade. He was transferred from another place for teaching assistance, staying for only two years as part of grassroots experience. After that, he would be transferred to a good school. It was said that someone in his family worked at the education bureau and could have arranged a good position for him, but he had a fight with his family. In a fit of anger, he came here.

Luo Yue had a good impression of him. He had a decent appearance, was not very old, but carried a maturity not typical of his age. He was very gentle in character, spoke and acted appropriately, and was quite popular with the students.

“Teacher Qi,” Luo Yue greeted him, “Is there something you need?”

Qi Duan adjusted his tie, looking a bit embarrassed. He greeted her very politely, “Hello, Teacher Luo.”

Luo Yue nodded, “Yes?”

“Well,” Qi Duan paused for a moment, blushing before saying anything, “You…”

Luo Yue initially thought he was going to confess to her. As she was contemplating how to politely decline, she heard Qi Duan swallow and tentatively asked, “Is your best friend still single?”

Luo Yue: ?

Her best friend?

Luo Yue was confused, “Who?”

Qi Duan cleared his throat, “The one who came to our school yesterday.”

Luo Yue frowned, “Are you talking about Qin Zhaoyi?”

“Is her name Qin Zhaoyi?” When Qi Duan pronounced her name, there was a hopeful and shy anticipation, “Does she have a boyfriend?”

Luo Yue: …

“I don’t know.” Luo Yue’s tone was somewhat cold.

Qi Duan, feeling a bit awkward, scratched the back of his head, “Can you help me ask her? I’d like to get to know her.”

Luo Yue: …

After a moment of silence, Luo Yue asked with a sinister tone, “Why didn’t you ask her directly yesterday?”

“She seemed a bit aloof.” Qi Duan said, “I didn’t dare to.”

Luo Yue thought, isn’t he afraid of her being aloof today as well?

“Teacher Luo.” Qi Duan was also very tactful, saying with a balanced approach, “If she has a boyfriend, just express my liking for her. I’ve never met such a unique person in my life.”

Qi Duan was afraid that Luo Yue would feel awkward in the middle, so he added, “If she doesn’t want to get to know me, just tell me directly. Don’t feel pressured, and don’t hesitate because we are colleagues.”

Qi Duan almost covered all possible responses, leaving Luo Yue with no choice but to say, “Okay, I’ll ask for you.”

“Thank you, Teacher Luo.” Qi Duan awkwardly smiled, “I have two movie tickets for this Saturday here. You and Dr. Cheng can go watch together.”

Luo Yue wasn’t prepared to accept, but before she could refuse, Qi Duan placed the movie tickets on the table near the door and hastily left.

It was like forcing her to accept.

However, these movie tickets were different from the usual gifts, just like trading for information about Qin Zhaoyi.

Luo Yue walked to the door, glanced at the two movie tickets, walked out, and then turned back to pick them up.

Mixed feelings lingered in her heart.

On the way back, she saw the sunset. The evening sky after the rain had an indescribable and beautiful brilliance.

Halfway through, due to Qi Duan’s request, she changed the route and went to Yan Ci’s coffee shop.

The coffee shop was, as usual, quiet, with only one person and a dog. The air was filled with the rich aroma of coffee.

After greeting Yan Ci, Luo Yue prepared to take the dog away. While playing with the dog, Yan Ci talked about yesterday’s events, including Qin Zhaoyi’s impulsive decision to buy a car and her agonizing struggle to choose a gift in the shop.

She even asked Luo Yue if she was satisfied with the pen she had given her.

It was just a casual question, and Luo Yue didn’t have to answer.

This was their usual way of interacting.

Facing Yan Ci’s inquiries, Luo Yue hesitated for a moment, “So, did she carefully choose the gift?”

Yan Ci nodded, “Yes.”

Luo Yue’s fingers traced the table as she spoke softly, “Do you think she… likes me?”

Yan Ci placed a glass of milk in front of her, “She might think she’s straight.”

“What do you think?” Luo Yue asked.

Yan Ci, “…Bent.”

Hearing Yan Ci’s answer, Luo Yue leaned down on the table and laughed.

After laughing for a while, she said, “So, has she been deceiving herself all along?”

“Or maybe she hasn’t met someone she likes yet,” Yan Ci gave an earnest evaluation, “She is a very pure person.”

Luo Yue chuckled at the comment, “Our Princess Qin is indeed innocent and quite popular.”

Yan Ci sniffed the air and then shook her head, “Spring is coming.”

Luo Yue understood the implied meaning in her words, “Am I about to fall in love?”

“Maybe,” Yan Ci touched her ceramic cup, “Congratulations.”

Although Princess Qin seemed aloof and hard to approach on the surface, deep down, there was a utopia in her heart.

This was the shared understanding between Luo Yue and Yan Ci.

Perhaps it was because they were getting older, and they had some insights in terms of judging people.

After chatting with Yan Ci, Luo Yue’s mood improved significantly.

Holding the dog’s leash, Luo Yue walked back quickly, and her steps became light along the way.

However, when she returned home, the lights were not on.

Luo Yue opened the door and didn’t sense the familiar atmosphere. Turning on the living room light, everything at home was exactly as she left it this morning, untouched.

But Qin Zhaoyi couldn’t have stayed indoors the entire day.

Luo Yue’s brows furrowed slightly, a sense of ominous premonition looming.

She tried calling out, “Qin Zhaoyi?”

No response.

Striding to the door of Qin Zhaoyi’s room, she politely knocked and immediately pushed it open.

No one was there; the bed was neatly made, as if deliberately arranged.

Even the suitcase that was previously on the floor was nowhere to be seen.

Luo Yue’s heart suddenly felt empty. She turned and walked to the other rooms, opening each door, hope fading with every empty room.

Finally, she pushed open the bathroom door and found that Qin Zhaoyi had thrown away the toothbrush and disposable cup she used the past few days into the trash.

It felt like a form of retaliation.

Leaving without a word.

Luo Yue’s hand hung by her side, slowly clenched into a fist.

Honestly, her mind was blank.

Because she had never anticipated this outcome.

She knew she would leave, but she didn’t expect it to happen at this time, in this way, without a word.

For a long time, Luo Yue didn’t catch her breath.

It was so long that she felt like she was suffocating, and only then did she slowly exhale.

Perhaps… this was her fate.

Things she wanted would never happen, and the ones she liked couldn’t be kept.

Life was destined for unrequited love.

Before Luo Yue could recover, the dog she had been holding, Zao Zao, suddenly broke free from the leash. The long rope slashed across Luo Yue’s palm, causing a tingling and painful sensation.

However, Luo Yue couldn’t afford to worry about that; she turned around to chase after Zao Zao.

Zao Zao joyfully ran towards the neighboring building, which had long been vacant.

“That’s not our home,” Luo Yue shouted while chasing, but Zao Zao paid no attention.

With four legs, Zao Zao ran exceptionally fast, and Luo Yue couldn’t catch up.

In the end, it barged into the yard and circled at the entrance.

Zao Zao was usually well-behaved and never did anything unusual like this before.

At first, Luo Yue thought it might have developed an attachment to this building. Still, seeing its anxious eyes while circling at the entrance, she bent down to pat its head, asking, “What’s wrong? Is something happening here?”

Zao Zao just bumped its head against the door.

The door had a password lock, and the elderly lady next door had told Luo Yue the code before leaving Moon Island, asking her to keep an eye on her house.

Luo Yue frowned, casually entered the password, and opened the door.

This small villa, unoccupied for a long time, had become more damp with the coastal air. The scent of dampness mingled with dust in the air.

However, Zao Zao didn’t enter and continued circling at the entrance.

Luo Yue reached out to touch the doorknob and accidentally kicked something hard, causing her to inhale sharply.

In the moonlight, she saw a dark mass that looked like a suitcase.

And as her hand reached out, she felt a source of warmth, scalding hot. The light turned on at the same time.

Turning around, she saw Qin Zhaoyi, half-squinting, leaning lazily against the wall, her face flushed.

“You…” Luo Yue furrowed her brow, about to ask why she was here. But as soon as the words began, Qin Zhaoyi pressed her temples, muttering in a low voice, “Seeing illusions due to a fever?”

Luo Yue: “…”

Luo Yue reached out to touch her forehead, which was like a furnace.

She knew Qin Zhaoyi would catch a cold after being out in the cold wind last night. Immediately thinking of calling Cheng Shijing, Qin Zhaoyi, leaning against the wall, twisted a few times, seemingly trying to use the wall to help cool herself down.

“Luo Yue,” Qin Zhaoyi extended a hand toward her, “come over and hug me.”

Luo Yue took a light step forward, still hesitating.

Unexpectedly, Qin Zhaoyi leaned over suddenly, her body arching, chin resting on Luo Yue’s shoulder. She spoke with a breath so hot it could swallow a person.

She said, “Why don’t you listen to me in my dreams?”

Helpless, Luo Yue reached out and pinched her waist, asking in a low voice, “Do you like me?”

Qin Zhaoyi licked her slightly cracked lips, burning in a daze. Listening to people felt like being separated by a mountain, but she chuckled foolishly, burying her head in Luo Yue’s neck. It seemed like she wanted to feel the coolness. The scorching tongue lightly grazed the skin on Luo Yue’s neck, like a vampire.

“Wanna kiss you,” Qin Zhaoyi swallowed saliva, “and… want to… have s*x with you.”