36. On the day you come back, I want to kiss you.

Luo Yue didn’t correct the ambiguity in Cheng Shijing’s words, such as how “not yet confessed” turned into “not-yet-official girlfriend.” Cheng Shijing also refrained from commenting on her “protective” statement, responding with a few speechless and eye-rolling emojis.

The training content was monotonous, all about the “new education” in a repetitive manner. Break times were short, with new lecturers entering the classroom, colleagues returning from the restroom, and Luo Yue glancing at the podium. Her fingers couldn’t help but instinctively zoom in on the photo on her screen.

The colleague sitting next to her casually glanced over and exclaimed in a low voice, “Isn’t that the serious-looking Teacher Qi?”

Qi Duan had a good reputation at the school, not taking advantage of his relatively decent appearance to flirt with female colleagues. Although a few teachers had some thoughts about him, they considered him too “introverted” and didn’t pursue it.

Upon hearing this, Luo Yue immediately turned off her screen.

Her colleague, however, saw the people in the photo very clearly. In the still noisy classroom, she leaned over to Luo Yue and asked in a low voice, “Doesn’t he seem to have a bit of interest in your friend?”

Luo Yue shook her head, smiling gently, “Not sure.”

“Then why not play matchmaker and set them up?” The colleague chuckled, “But judging by your friend’s taste, I guess she wouldn’t fancy Teacher Qi.”

Luo Yue continued to smile gently, “Hard to say.”

Luo Yue originally intended to give an ambiguous answer to dodge the conversation, but she didn’t expect that it wouldn’t deter her colleague’s gossip enthusiasm.

“Although Teacher Qi is upright, he’s too reserved,” the colleague complained, “Your friend looks so beautiful; he simply can’t handle it.”

“Really?” Luo Yue’s fingers rubbed the screen, “Opposites in personality may complement each other.”

“That’s not it.” The colleague shrugged and distanced herself from Luo Yue, “It has to be a suitable contrast, not the complete mismatch between Teacher Qi and your friend.”

“What kind of person would be able to handle it?” Luo Yue asked in return.

The colleague paused for a moment, then stared at Luo Yue and pondered, “If you were a man, you two would probably be a great match.”

Luo Yue: “…”

Luo Yue smiled appropriately, “Unfortunately, such a hypothesis doesn’t exist.”

However, her heart was in turmoil.

While the colleague’s words were just a joke, for Luo Yue, it felt like a stone thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples to spread.

Because she liked the same sex, she would deliberately avoid close contact during school, rejecting any friendly gestures from others. She was afraid of someone holding her hand, only to look at her with disdain once they knew about her sexual orientation, as if saying: bad luck. Some might even think she was deliberately deceiving them.

Fearful of verbal abuse, she avoided starting anything. But sometimes, she would wonder if it was wrong.

It seemed like it wasn’t. She was just different from most people in the world.

To avoid trouble, however, she never actively mentioned it to others.

Luo Yue lowered her eyes, quietly listening to the teacher at the podium, her gaze distant, as if in a trance.

Her wandering thoughts only returned when the teacher called on her to answer a question. A colleague nudged her with an elbow, “Why do you look unhappy?”

Luo Yue paused, habitually smiling, “Do I?”

“Yes,” the colleague whispered, “You suddenly became cold a while ago.”

Luo Yue shook her head, “The teacher is lecturing.”

As usual, she shifted the topic away.

Her colleague was carefree, making a few acknowledgments and then diverting attention elsewhere, leaving Luo Yue free to hold her phone throughout the class. However, she lacked the courage to open it and see the person frozen on the screen.

The eye contact was too beautiful, like the main characters stepping out of a romantic drama.

Even though she could salvage some dignity in front of Cheng Shijing, only she knew how long she had been fantasizing about the frozen scene on her phone.

Sometimes, she felt that Qin Zhaoyi was like the wind.

Perhaps because she was in the literary field or maybe because of her cold gaze, she exuded an elusive charm.

That’s why Luo Yue feared she might lose interest suddenly, feared she would abandon everything midway.

That’s why she patiently guided her closer step by step.

In economics, there’s a viewpoint that the higher the sunk costs, the harder it is to abandon. At this moment, Luo Yue was merely incurring more “sunk costs” in trying to engage Qin Zhaoyi further. It was a bit risky because she didn’t know when Qin Zhaoyi might lose interest and walk away. She was like a bait-thrower in fishing; whether the fish would break free was not within her control.

Until the end of the class, Luo Yue finally opened her phone, only to find another message from Cheng Shijing: [Probably no chance.]

Luo Yue: [Are you not busy?]

Cheng Shijing: [Just happened to have some free time, ate a melon.]

Luo Yue: “…”

Even if Luo Yue didn’t ask, Cheng Shijing would “enthusiastically” tell her anyway.

“Teacher Qi came to buy medicine from me. I asked a few indirect questions, and he looked embarrassed. Probably got rejected,” Cheng Shijing said in a relaxed tone, not taking it seriously at all. “You can tell without asking; that ice-cold face doesn’t speak any good words.”

After hearing this, Luo Yue automatically imagined Qin Zhaoyi’s cold expression and tone.

Indeed, Qin Zhaoyi had no patience for people and things she didn’t like. It was a considerable advantage.

However, Luo Yue didn’t show too much emotion and replied reservedly: [I’m not very interested in knowing.]

Cheng Shijing: [Pretending?]

Luo Yue: [Pretending what?]

Cheng Shijing sneered, “Clearly, you care a lot, right? I bet you didn’t even have a good class. I don’t believe you truly think she’s that great. Moon, when can you be more honest?”

The person who had watched her grow up since childhood knew how to grasp her secret thoughts tightly.

Luo Yue helplessly sent a voice message: [Can you at least leave me some face?]

Cheng Shijing laughed, “Who asked you to like her so much?”

Luo Yue: […]

Not wanting to argue further, Cheng Shijing mentioned that someone had arrived, and he had to go. With Cheng Shijing’s confirmation, Luo Yue found the picture less unpleasant than before.

Especially during lunch, Luo Yue received a message from Qi Duan, with a crying emoji. The message caught her off guard.

Perhaps he realized it was inappropriate, as he chose to recall the message.

The next second, Qi Duan sent a message with a wailing emoji, saying, “Sorry, Teacher Luo.”

Luo Yue had no idea what he was up to and sent a tentative question mark.

Qi Duan: “I didn’t consider your feelings. I’m sorry.”

This sudden apology left Luo Yue a bit bewildered. She asked, “What happened?”

Qi Duan: “Today, I met your friend. She… rejected me, and I’ve decided to withdraw my feelings.”

The words seemed carefully considered, and it had been more than two hours since Cheng Shijing told Luo Yue about the incident.

Luo Yue felt there was something more to it, as it seemed like a reversed confession to Qin Zhaoyi. Who would retract their feelings after just one meeting? After all, emotions weren’t something that could be easily withdrawn.

Surely, something must have happened on Qin Zhaoyi’s end. All Luo Yue needed to do was ask, and he would spill everything like a bamboo tube pouring out beans.

However, Luo Yue didn’t give him the chance to vent his frustrations. She politely replied, “Okay.”

There was a long silence on Qi Duan’s end, perhaps not expecting Luo Yue to be so calm, showing no curiosity about the process or asking for the reasons. There wasn’t even a hint of regret in her response.

After a long silence, he only sent a string of ellipses.

Even through the screen, Luo Yue could sense his discomfort.

Silence can be deafening, and every ellipsis carried a sense of resentment.

Princess Qin did indeed say something excessively harsh.

Suddenly, Luo Yue felt a bit curious.

But no matter how curious she was, she couldn’t possibly ask Qin Zhaoyi.

Otherwise, the puppy’s tail might end up pointing to the sky.

Despite being away from Moon Island, Qin Zhaoyi still paid close attention to her, especially her emotional status.

She felt like a small dog had grabbed her ponytail, desperately pulling and being relentlessly pursued. At the very least, she had to bite off something before relenting.

Luo Yue leisurely finished her meal, placed her bowl and chopsticks in the designated area, and just as she left the dining room, she received another message from Qi Duan.

【I’m just interested in her. If she doesn’t like me, she could have said so directly. Why did she have to belittle me when we met on the street? I don’t think I’m that worthless.】

【I admit I’m a bit timid, lacking the courage to talk to her directly. I entrusted you to be the middleman. Isn’t that human nature? How did she see me as a coward? She really doesn’t understand the ways of the world, does she?】

【Her words are too sharp. Even if I have a good personality, it’s impossible to get along peacefully with her. This time, it’s my lack of consideration. Teacher Luo, I apologize to you again; I can’t be interested in her anymore.】

【I thought Teacher Luo’s friend would be as gentle as you, but unexpectedly, her personality and temper are quite challenging. It’s for her own good, Teacher Luo should advise her not to be too arrogant and willful. It will really drive many people away, and she won’t find a husband.】

Several consecutive complaints almost filled Luo Yue’s screen, making her a bit dizzy with words.

It was evident that he was quite upset, and Luo Yue’s earlier speculation was not wrong; he indeed had a lot to say about this matter.

But even though Luo Yue didn’t offer him an opportunity to vent, he still managed to smoothly “roll” down by himself.

Luo Yue took screenshots and promptly sent the images to Qin Zhaoyi.

Then, she replied, quoting his messages one by one.

【Firstly, you really aren’t that unbearable, but that’s about it.】

【Secondly, she may not interact with people often and may not understand the so-called ways of the world, but that’s an innocence worth preserving. What about you? Is your emotional intelligence high?】

【Then, who did you create the illusion of having a good personality for? She never asked you to like her. If you don’t like her, that’s your prerogative. Why bother mentioning it to me?】

【Lastly, her arrogance is probably a result of being indulged. Her family surely wouldn’t want their pampered little princess to marry someone rude, lacking emotional intelligence, and lacking character. So, this is not something you need to worry about. As a friend, I have no right to restrict her behavior. My gentleness is limited to school and doesn’t extend to private matters. It’s not to please you or to get married. Thank you for your concern.】

After responding, she added: 【After being entrusted, liked, passively enduring all of this, I still have to be accused. Teacher Qi, I just got to know you today.】

After this sarcastic exchange, Qi Duan sent an ellipsis followed by an angry rebuke: 【You’re unreasonable!】

Luo Yue: 【I’m just reasoning with you.】

The message didn’t go through because Qi Duan had already blocked her.

Petty and lacking class, what a trashy man.

Even someone as easy-going as Luo Yue couldn’t help but roll her eyes at her phone.

She wondered how harshly Qin Zhaoyi had scolded him. People like this deserved nothing less.

Qin Zhaoyi’s reaction to seeing the screenshot was calm. She sent an expressionless emoji and an audio message.

Luo Yue was puzzled: 【What is it?】

Qin Zhaoyi: 【As expected, so I recorded a message in advance.】

Luo Yue: 【…】

Encountering Qi Duan in the morning was indeed a random event for Qin Zhaoyi.

How should she put it?

Given this man’s appearance, in Qin Zhaoyi’s over twenty years of life, he was honestly quite ordinary.

So ordinary that Qin Zhaoyi wouldn’t have given him a second glance if he hadn’t stopped her on the street and introduced himself.

And his first words were, “Do you still remember me? We met last time, at school. I am an English teacher, graduated from Jia *Normal University.”
*can also be teacher training college

Coming straight out with his school background, he made it clear that he was confident about himself.

Qin Zhaoyi frowned, reached out, and pressed the recording. Considering that he was Luo Yue’s colleague, she greeted him a bit more politely, saying, “Oh, hello.”

It seemed that Qin Zhaoyi’s coldness had hurt him, but he was not deterred. Instead, he chatted with Qin Zhaoyi, asking her where she was going, offering to give her a ride. Later, he asked if she wanted to take a walk together, if she was free for dinner, and so on. Qin Zhaoyi’s patience had already worn thin, silently noting that she had to work with this person because of Luo Yue. Politely, she declined each invitation.

She thought that refusing would be the end of it, but to her surprise, he invited her to watch a movie, the same one for which he gave tickets to Luo Yue. He mentioned that Luo Yue and Cheng Shijing would also be there, emphasizing their intimacy. This made Qin Zhaoyi even more irritated.

Unable to hold back any longer, Qin Zhaoyi saw through his intentions, “Are you trying to pursue me?”

Qi Duan was briefly stunned, somewhat embarrassed, but he didn’t directly admit it. Instead, he evasively said, “Not exactly, but I’m very interested in you.”

His words sounded like Qin Zhaoyi was a doll displayed on a shelf in a store.

As someone who dealt with words all day, Qin Zhaoyi could dissect every word and understand the condescending tone. Her disgust for him reached its peak, but he seemed oblivious. He even took pride in himself, “I’m a good person. The teachers at the school have a high opinion of me. Would you like to get to know me?”

“Get to know?” Qin Zhaoyi frowned and said coldly, “To what extent? Book a hotel room? Get into bed?”

With a provocative tone.

Qi Duan was taken aback, then laughed, “Not that kind of level… but if it’s suitable, and you’re willing, it’s also possible.”

Perhaps Qin Zhaoyi’s open challenge gave Qi Duan the wrong idea, and he started making suggestive remarks. For example, asking about her preferences in men, whether she liked muscular or skilled ones, and casually revealing that his ex-girlfriends were quite satisfied with his skills. Qin Zhaoyi felt uncomfortable hearing this, giving him a cold look. Only then did he realize, “Don’t you like discussing these things?”

“Or is it that you prefer to experience them first?” Qi Duan said, “I know a good hotel. Would you like to go together?”

Qin Zhaoyi just stared at him coldly.

Qi Duan then asked, “What’s wrong? Or do you want to go to a more distant place for a hotel? I have a relative who owns a hotel over in Wangchun Bay. It offers discounts, and if we drive there in the afternoon, we can even see the sunset. Oh, by the way, can you accept pulling the curtain when we do it? Do you like doing it by the window? Those are beautiful ocean-view rooms.”

Qin Zhaoyi slapped him across the face coldly, saying, “Have I given you face?”

“Isn’t this what you like?” Qi Duan, covering his face in surprise, showed frustration after embarrassment, “Aren’t you interested in me?”

“Who gave you that misconception?” Qin Zhaoyi looked at him disdainfully, as if he were the most irredeemable trash in the world, “Harassing openly on the street gives you a sense of accomplishment? You dare to claim to be a teacher? Have some decency.”

“I…” Qi Duan blushed and turned pale alternately as he began attacking indiscriminately, “Aren’t you women after money? I’ll pay for the hotel. What else do you want? Speak up!”

Qin Zhaoyi lifted her foot and kicked at him, “I fucking want your life.”

Qi Duan, who usually didn’t exercise much, struggled to retaliate against Qin Zhaoyi after falling to the ground. However, Qin Zhaoyi grabbed his wrist and pinched it until his wrist bones felt like they were about to break.

Qin Zhaoyi pointed at his forehead, speaking calmly and disgustedly, “Trash like you is a severe environmental pollutant even if thrown into the sea. Claiming to be interested in someone, attempting to morally coerce me through a colleague—I look down on you, and you think I despise you for being poor and love the rich. Take a fucking good look at yourself in the mirror. With that pathetic appearance, how many people find you interesting? Do you really think you’re something special?”

“Useless scoundrel, coward, with no abilities and a bad temper. I’ve seen plenty of people like you. I really don’t like you. You don’t earn in a fucking year what I make in a day. In terms of education, ability, and looks, what do you have to show? Why should I be morally coerced by you? Also, apologize to Luo Yue. Where do you get the face to have someone introduce you to potential partners? Do you really think so fuccking highly of yourself?”

Qin Zhaoyi, who usually spoke sparingly, didn’t mean she couldn’t curse. Growing up with Zhong Ling, she learned quite a bit of foul language. After the scolding, she tossed him aside, saying, “Get lost.”

Disgusted by his dirty arms, she stood in place, wiping her fingers with wet wipes, cleaning every crevice between her fingers.

Qi Duan, glancing back at her three times, was met with her stern gaze. She even raised her middle finger at him: “Fuck.”

Qin Zhaoyi’s already bad mood worsened due to this trash, and this trash even went to complain to Luo Yue.

Qin Zhaoyi couldn’t be bothered to explain, lying alone on the bed, listening to the distant sound of the waves, her mind far from calm.

Still feeling somewhat uneasy, after all, that person was Luo Yue’s colleague, and Luo Yue would have to interact with him for a long time to come. She was afraid of hearing Luo Yue’s reproach, as it would only worsen her mood.

After returning to the dormitory, Luo Yue put on her headphones and listened carefully to the audio clip. Several times in the middle, she clenched her fists.

After finishing, she took a few deep breaths before reopening the conversation with Qin Zhaoyi. Facing the screen, she didn’t know what to say for a moment.

This wasn’t something that could be brushed off with emoticons and stickers. It was a heavy matter for every girl.

After a long silence, Luo Yue recorded a voice message with a solemn tone, “I’m sorry, Qin Zhaoyi.”

As she pronounced Qin Zhaoyi’s name, it sounded melodious and carried a faint sigh.

The voice message wasn’t long, but Qin Zhaoyi listened to it several times.

Luo Yue continued, “From now on, I won’t provide anyone with a way to get to know you through me.”

This was a promise she made to Qin Zhaoyi.

In reality, Qin Zhaoyi knew that Luo Yue wasn’t at fault in this matter. She hadn’t even actively mentioned that Teacher Qi; it was a playful comment she made after discovering the movie tickets, and she hadn’t given out her contact information.

Even so, Luo Yue felt a sense of self-blame.

Hearing Luo Yue call her name was somewhat ticklish, but it improved Qin Zhaoyi’s mood a lot.

Luo Yue waited for Qin Zhaoyi’s reply for a long time, thinking that she might still be upset and not ready to forgive herself. Carefully considering her words, she sent a message: “Would you like to have a phone call with me?”

The words were cautiously chosen, afraid of facing rejection.

Qin Zhaoyi looked at the message, fearing that her sense of satisfaction might be exposed once they spoke on the phone, so she declined: “No.”

Pretending to still be angry.

Luo Yue’s heart sank, and she apologized again: “Sorry.”

Qin Zhaoyi replied, “Is that all?”

Luo Yue asked, “What else do you want?”

After thinking for a moment, Qin Zhaoyi cleared her throat and said in a cold tone, “Fulfill one of my wishes.”

Luo Yue inquired, “What wish do you have?”

Qin Zhaoyi’s tone subtly changed, her throat tightened, but she still spoke in a low voice, “On the day you come back, I want to kiss you.”

Afraid that Luo Yue would sense her overstepping, she added, “Consider it an apology.”

TN:

Some men are just…Why do they even exist?