The Passerby Female Supporting Character – Chapter 87

Extra IF-Line – Modern Arc

Can you be in a relationship with me?

When she said this, she put down her utensils, calmly looking at the person opposite her. She looked very serious, not joking in the slightest.

Song Linlin’s chewing movements paused. Then she swallowed the food in her mouth, feeling like she should say something to keep the conversation going, but she inexplicably froze up.

            

Usually, she could chat naturally with anyone for a bit, but right now, she couldn’t utter a single word.

After several seconds, afraid the atmosphere would become awkward, Song Linlin finally nodded and replied stiffly, “Oh, I see.”

“What about you?”

            

Chi Qianning picked up her glass and took a light sip of the water inside. She suddenly asked, and fearing the other person hadn’t understood, she added in detail, “Do you have anyone you’re interested in romantically?”

She watched Song Linlin’s eyes the entire time, especially since she was asking such a question. Song Linlin averted her gaze, no longer meeting those distinctive red eyes, and at the same time shook her head, saying, “No, I’ve never been in a relationship.”

Song Linlin had only seen friends around her experience romance; she had always been single from birth​¹.

            

“Mm.”

Chi Qianning nodded. She picked up her spoon and elegantly took a sip of soup. “Me neither.”

After hearing this, Song Linlin looked at Chi Qianning with some surprise. Logically, someone as good-looking and outstanding as her definitely wouldn’t lack admirers, yet Chi Qianning had never been in a relationship either.

            

“Why is that?” Song Linlin asked curiously. “I feel like Teacher Chi, you should have many admirers.”

“I just didn’t like anyone,” Chi Qianning replied faintly, as if talking about something unimportant.

There was really no way to question that reason. Song Linlin had also been single for so many years because she had never felt her heart flutter for anyone before. “Oh, okay.”

            

The conversation fell silent at that point. Eventually, Song Linlin took the initiative to change the subject and started talking about other things. The meal passed in this desultory​² chat.

Partway through, Song Linlin went back to her dorm to get her tutoring books. She had no classes on the weekend, and Chi Qianning had no other plans that afternoon, so the afternoon became study time.

Having been at Chi Qianning’s place for so many days, Song Linlin herself had almost forgotten that her original purpose for coming here was for tutoring, not to cook and clean for Chi Qianning.

            

Even though Song Linlin disliked the Advanced Mathematics course, Chi Qianning was tutoring her so diligently. If she still failed advanced math in the finals, she would be letting Chi Qianning down terribly. Not to mention possibly being laughed at by others, Song Linlin herself wouldn’t have the face to see Chi Qianning again.

Song Linlin perked up and listened to the lesson. Chi Qianning’s home had a whiteboard specifically for calculations and drafts. She stood in the living room explaining key concepts to Song Linlin, who sat on the sofa listening attentively. It inexplicably felt like a high school private tutoring session.

The only difference was that Chi Qianning, standing in front of her, was simply too beautiful. Even listening to her explain those difficult mathematical formulas was very pleasing to the eye.

            

The afternoon passed quickly. At half-past five, Song Linlin got ready to cook. She erased the pile of calculations from the whiteboard, pushed it back to its original room, and then went to cook, humming a tune.

Song Linlin felt she had grown to like cooking. Every day, she tried different ways to learn new and interesting dishes to make for Chi Qianning, and was very enthusiastic about slowly discovering the other’s preferred tastes.

After busying herself with dinner, Song Linlin and Chi Qianning sat down to eat together as usual.

            

Their appetite for dinner was lighter. After Song Linlin finished cooking, she carefully picked out all the ginger slices and garlic. She had noticed that Chi Qianning would also subconsciously pick these things out bit by bit when eating.

While eating, Chi Qianning noticed that she hadn’t seen any ginger today. Looking at the ginger slices in the trash can, she quickly understood what had happened.

So, when Song Linlin started clearing the plates and cutlery, Chi Qianning said again, “Let me help you clean up.”

            

“Ah?”

Song Linlin put the plate in her hand into the sink and turned on the faucet. Looking at Chi Qianning standing behind her, she quickly waved her hands. “Let me do it! You go rest!”

The day before yesterday, Chi Qianning had broken a bowl while washing dishes and cut her hand. Song Linlin didn’t feel safe letting her help in the kitchen again.

            

However, Chi Qianning took the initiative to pick up a rag. She knew what Song Linlin was thinking and said, “This time, you wash the dishes, and I’ll wipe the table and tidy the countertop. Don’t worry, there won’t be any more problems.”

“But…”

Song Linlin wanted to say more, but Chi Qianning interrupted her, “Just focus on washing the dishes.”

            

Seeing Chi Qianning so insistent, Song Linlin could only nod. “Alright then…”

“But if you get tired, go rest first. Just leave the rest, and I’ll do it.”

“Mm.”

            

The kitchen was spacious, an open-plan design, so it didn’t feel crowded with two people there. Song Linlin washed the plates with a rag, occasionally turning her head to glance at Chi Qianning, afraid another accident might happen.

Although it was all simple work, Chi Qianning was clearly not someone who had done much housework. Song Linlin felt it was better to keep an eye on her.

This time, what happened before didn’t occur again. After Song Linlin finished washing the dishes, she even had time to wipe the dining table for Chi Qianning. The two of them got along very harmoniously in the kitchen.

            

It was still very early. Song Linlin checked her phone; it was just seven o’clock. She had cleaned the rooms at noon, and now, suddenly, there was nothing to do.

“Are you going back now? Or later? I’ll drive you,” Chi Qianning said to Song Linlin, wiping the water droplets from her hands.

Song Linlin thought for two seconds. It seemed like if she went back this early, she’d just lie in her dorm playing on her phone. So, she might as well stay a bit longer; anyway, the curfew was very late.

            

“I’ll go back later.”

“Okay.” Chi Qianning nodded. She didn’t mind Song Linlin going back later; having one more person at home would make her feel less bored too.

Song Linlin looked towards the living room and tentatively asked, “Then… should we watch a movie together?”

            

Song Linlin suggested this to avoid an awkward situation where the two of them had nothing to do.

Chi Qianning didn’t refuse either. There was a large projection screen in the living room, and it would surely be great for watching movies at night. “Sure.”

Song Linlin turned off the main lights in the living room, leaving only a few small warm lamps on. Dimmer lighting made for a better movie-watching experience. Now, she and Chi Qianning were sitting on the same sofa. Song Linlin turned her head and asked Chi Qianning, “What do you want to watch?”

            

“You pick. I’m fine with anything.”

Song Linlin nodded. “Alright then.”

She quickly picked a movie she really liked and started playing it. A projection screen over a hundred inches was much more atmospheric for watching movies than a TV.

            

Naturally, the logos of various production companies appeared first. Taking advantage of this time, Chi Qianning asked curiously, “What kind of movie is this?”

“Er…”

Song Linlin thought about how to describe it, then said, “An inspirational movie? It has music too.”

            

“Hmm?”

Playing this type of movie was truly unexpected.

Song Linlin looked at Chi Qianning. “Is something wrong, Teacher Chi?”

            

Chi Qianning shook her head. “Nothing.”

“Teacher Chi, if you’re not interested, we can change it!” Song Linlin said specifically, afraid the other person wouldn’t like it.

Chi Qianning shook her head again. “That’s not what I meant. Let’s watch this one.”

            

By now, the movie’s opening credits had finished, and the main feature began. Both of them quieted down and stared at the screen.

The movie Song Linlin chose was 《The Chorus》​³. Logically, after dinner, when it was completely dark and two people were sitting on the same sofa watching a movie, the most likely choice would be a romance film.

But Song Linlin thought about that scenario, and it was just too awkward!

            

She had already seen this movie twice, so she wasn’t in a hurry to watch the main feature now. Instead, Song Linlin turned her head again to look at Chi Qianning beside her.

Only one dim warm lamp was left on in the living room. The white light from the screen cast a particularly hazy glow on their faces, making the profile of Chi Qianning beside her appear much softer.

Chi Qianning noticed from the corner of her eye that the person next to her was looking at her, so she turned her head slightly and met Song Linlin’s gaze.

            

Her beautiful eyes seemed to ask what was wrong. Song Linlin quickly shook her head and turned her own head back. “Nothing!”

Chi Qianning also withdrew her gaze. Both of them seriously watched the projection screen, and neither spoke again afterwards.

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Song Linlin sat in the passenger seat. She fastened her seatbelt. The car window had been manually rolled down. She leaned back against the seat, looking at the familiar scenery outside.

            

It was almost nine o’clock after the movie. Chi Qianning changed her shoes and went downstairs with her; she was driving Song Linlin back to school today.

Chi Qianning sat beside her, driving. Perhaps Song Linlin was so familiar with the buildings along this road that she couldn’t be more so; staring at them was really boring, so she turned her head again to gaze at Chi Qianning.

Compared to the scenery outside, the person next to her was someone she never tired of looking at.

            

Probably to prevent her hair from blowing around and possibly covering her eyes after opening the window, Chi Qianning found a hair tie in the car and casually tied her hair into a high ponytail, fully revealing her delicate jawline and beautiful face.

Song Linlin looked at the silvery-white strands of hair at the back of her head, fluttering in the wind. She suddenly had the urge to braid Chi Qianning’s hair into a few plaits, thinking it would look very pretty too, and her hair wouldn’t get so messy from the wind.

“You can get out here.” Chi Qianning found a quiet place to park.

            

Song Linlin nodded. She reached out to unbuckle her seatbelt and thanked her politely, “Okay, thank you.”

Opening the car door, Song Linlin didn’t forget to turn her head and say to Chi Qianning, “Goodbye.”

Chi Qianning also smiled slightly, her voice much softer. “Mm, goodbye.”

            

Song Linlin got out of the car and closed the door. This spot was under the shade of a tree. The sky was completely dark, illuminated only by the streetlights and moonlight.

She walked towards the dorm entrance. She only needed to walk a little further to reach the dorm building. Chi Qianning watched her departing figure, then started to reverse the car, preparing to leave.

When the car had turned around and Chi Qianning was just about to drive off in the opposite direction, she heard the sound of running footsteps from behind. Her car window wasn’t closed, so she could hear outside sounds clearly.

            

Chi Qianning looked out the window and saw Song Linlin, who had already walked a short distance, running back towards her.

“What’s wrong? Did you forget something?” Chi Qianning asked, looking at Song Linlin outside the window.

Song Linlin had run a short distance, but because it wasn’t far, she wasn’t particularly out of breath. She came to Chi Qianning’s car window, bent down, her fingers gripping the window edge, and then rested her head on her fingers. Now, their faces were very close.

            

Song Linlin shook her head. “I didn’t forget anything.”

The books she had brought were still in Chi Qianning’s living room. Since she had no classes tomorrow, Song Linlin would definitely go over again, so she simply couldn’t be bothered to bring them back.

Chi Qianning was puzzled. “Then what is it?”

            

For Song Linlin to run back specifically when she was about to leave, it probably wasn’t some trivial matter.

Song Linlin’s large, almond-shaped eyes looked at Chi Qianning. She blinked, her dark blue eyes filled with expectation.

“Teacher Chi…”

            

“Can you be in a relationship with me?”

Hearing this, Chi Qianning was stunned for a moment. She usually wore a calm expression, but now her eyes showed obvious surprise.

Would someone, after watching an inspirational movie, suddenly, without any warning, say they want to be in a relationship?

            

She didn’t even say a single sweet nothing or vow, like pledges of eternal love​⁴.

Chi Qianning looked at Song Linlin leaning on her car window. She stared into the other’s eyes and didn’t make Song Linlin wait too long. As if answering a child asking if she could buy them a candy today, she nodded almost without thinking.

“Okay.”

            

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The author has something to say:

Such a straightforward confession!

And because this is an extra/side story, the progress of everything will be faster. A lot of things have been skipped in between. It might seem to us like only a day or two have passed, but actually, some time has already passed in the plot.

            

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