That “Bad” Woman Next Door – Chapter 7

Why Are You Blushing?

“Hurry up and take your medicine,” Yu Xi said, steering the conversation back.

Yuan Yue was still lost in thought about the ex-girlfriend follow-up. She stared blankly for a moment before realizing what Yu Xi was talking about, but she didn’t move.

“What’s wrong?” Yu Xi could see she was hesitating to speak.

Yuan Yue secretly adjusted her breathing, reorganized her thoughts, and said, “You just moved in. We don’t even know each other that well, but you’ve been helping me this whole time.”

Yu Xi let out a soft laugh. “Is there a problem with that?”

It wasn’t a problem, exactly, just that Yuan Yue felt embarrassed. It was true—they had only met a few times, and their knowledge of each other was limited to names and genders. Their relationship was shallow, but Yu Xi had helped her a great deal: giving her a ride, bringing her medicine, taking her home, and possibly even helping her bathe?

At the thought of that last item, Yuan Yue’s face turned red.

Yu Xi herself couldn’t say why she kept helping her, including the fierce battle of the previous night. It was as if she’d suddenly been possessed—it had started in a daze, proceeded as a matter of course, and then ended.

Thinking of last night’s frenzy, Yu Xi’s mind felt a bit muddled, a subtle flutter stirring in her heart. She put on a nonchalant expression, however, and said in a light tone, “It just means I’m a good person.”

Though it was a teasing remark, Yuan Yue took it to heart. In all the time she had lived here, Yu Xi was the most warm-hearted neighbor she had ever met. And the most beautiful, of course—so beautiful it made one blush.

The cold medicine in her palm was clenched tighter and tighter. Yuan Yue looked her straight in the eye and said sincerely, “No matter what, I’m truly grateful to you. How about this? Once I’m better, I’ll treat you to a meal. What do you think?”

Yu Xi was noncommittal, merely offering a faint smile as she urged her again, “Go on back. I’m getting ready to head out, too.”

“Okay, bye-bye.”

“Bye-bye.”

Yuan Yue returned home with the loving medicine Yu Xi had given her. She got a glass of warm water to take it, only to remember that she hadn’t washed up yet. She sniffed her breath, wrinkled her nose in disgust, and immediately put the cup down to run to the bathroom.

Having fallen ill again, Yuan Yue was lazing around at home like a salted fish¹. She measured out some rice to make congee and, while it was simmering, opened her computer to find a movie to pass the time.

She didn’t actually like watching movies, because watching them alone only made her feel more desolate. Plus, her tastes were quite niche and she was picky, so she searched for a long time without finding anything that suited her. In the end, she had no choice but to pull out an old movie she had seen several times before, 《Lian Xiang》². She clicked play and sat on the living room rug, leaning against the sofa and watching with rapt attention.

It was a lesbian-themed film that had been released ten years ago. Set in the 1980s, it told the secret love story of two girls in the prime of their youth. The two of them were green plums and a bamboo horse³ who grew up and studied together. They got into the same university, where they carried on a secret romance, but their relationship was eventually discovered by their families, and their conservative parents cruelly tore them apart…

The story ended in tragedy. When the film was first released ten years ago, it was quite controversial. It was right when Yuan Yue was in college, and she had secretly dragged her roommate, Sun Wenya, to the movie theater. At the time, she had been deeply shaken.

Ten years ago, they were both so innocent. Yuan Yue vaguely remembered Sun Wenya burying her face in her arms in a corner of the theater, sobbing uncontrollably as she promised her, “Yuan Yue, we can’t end up like them. No matter what happens in the future, we can never, ever be separated!”

What a beautiful vow. Yuan Yue had believed it, but in the end, Sun Wenya had abandoned her all the same.

Ten years had passed. Sun Wenya was married, while Yuan Yue was still single. The contrast was both stark and ironic.

When she first watched the movie, Yuan Yue had cried her eyes out. Watching it again now, her state of mind was completely different. She remembered every single detail of the film, her expression numb as she watched the familiar scenes.

The sweetest part of the movie was probably when the two main characters were studying in the university library and, in a deserted corner, carefully kissed across the table.

Seeing this scene, Yuan Yue sighed with endless regret.

Sun Wenya had been timid, and Yuan Yue had been naive back in college. In the four years they were together, they had never once kissed. Their relationship was so damn chaste.

If Yu Xi hadn’t just mentioned Sun Wenya, Yuan Yue probably would have been unwilling to revisit these memories for the rest of her life. They were pretty disgusting. She sniffled through her stuffy nose, shut down the computer, and got up to check if the congee in the kitchen was ready.

Yuan Xi came over at dinnertime. He was quite thoughtful, bringing not only medicine but also a Mandarin duck hot pot⁴ from the restaurant.

Yuan Yue had been eating plain congee all day and was about to throw up. Seeing the hot pot, she shouted excitedly, “Ge⁵! I could just die, I love you so much!”

Yuan Xi, busy setting up the hot pot, laughed at her. “Do you have to be so dramatic? Look, you’re drooling.”

Yuan Yue retorted, “How is this dramatic? Lately, I’ve either been sick or breaking out. I haven’t dared to eat hot pot for over a week. The craving was killing me.”

Yuan Xi had brought plenty of ingredients, enough for two people to have two meals. He put the extra food in the fridge and stopped teasing her.

The broth and soup base were fresh from the restaurant. Yuan Yue lifted the lid and took a deep whiff. A rich, spicy aroma assailed her senses, and she couldn’t wait to dig in.

“I brought these especially for you. A little spice helps a cold get better faster.” Once everything was ready, Yuan Xi gestured for her to sit and turned the heat down. “Seeing as you’re sick, I’ll stay and have dinner with you tonight.”

Yuan Yue took the chopsticks he handed her, a little worried. “You dare eat hot pot with me when I have a cold? Aren’t you afraid I’ll infect you?”

Yuan Xi was unconcerned. “What’s there to be afraid of? We can just use serving chopsticks.”

Yuan Yue could no longer hold back. Just as she raised her chopsticks to start, she suddenly remembered something. She put them down and said hurriedly, “Ge, don’t eat yet! I’m going to go get someone.”

“Get who?” Yuan Xi’s outstretched chopsticks froze in midair.

Yuan Yue didn’t have time to answer him and bolted out the door.

She had said she would treat Yu Xi to a meal. It was a coincidence that Yuan Xi had brought hot pot over tonight—how could she miss such a perfect opportunity?

Unsure if Yu Xi was home at this hour, Yuan Yue ran out full of enthusiasm and knocked on her door.

The moment the door opened, Yuan Yue’s eyes lit up. She grabbed Yu Xi’s hand and said, “Yu Xi, have you had dinner yet? If not, how about I treat you right now? My brother brought hot pot over. It’s from our family’s place, super clean and hygienic. I guarantee you won’t regret eating it!”

She said it all in one breath. It took Yu Xi a moment to process the stream of information. Seeing that some color had returned to her cheeks, she asked, “Is your cold better?”

Yuan Yue said dismissively, “It’s not that fast. Are you worried I’ll infect you? Don’t worry, we’ll use serving chopsticks, so we won’t be eating each other’s saliva.”

“…That’s not it.” Yu Xi paused, her gaze sweeping over the wrist that Yuan Yue was gripping tightly. Her eyes shifted, and, not wanting to dampen her enthusiasm, she said, “Alright. But I just got back, so I need to change my clothes first.”

Only then did Yuan Yue notice that Yu Xi was dressed differently today. She was wearing a white shirt on the outside, and was that a small black bustier underneath? She didn’t get a clear look before the figure flashed past, and Yu Xi’s slender waist had already vanished from her sight.

Yuan Yue could only wait outside the door.

Yu Xi changed quickly. When she came out and saw Yuan Yue still waiting foolishly at the door, she couldn’t help but chuckle. She closed the door and asked, “Why the sudden dinner invitation?”

Yuan Yue smiled back and said, “You always appear like a spirit and disappear like a ghost⁶. If I want to treat you, I have to do it while you’re home!”

“Then I suppose it’s my fault,” Yu Xi said, joking with her for once.

Yuan Yue waved her hands to show that wasn’t what she meant. She walked backward toward her own apartment and asked, “Do you like hot pot?”

Yu Xi thought for a moment. “I can’t say if I like it or not. I actually rarely eat it.”

They reached her door in just a few steps. With her hand already on the doorknob, Yuan Yue turned back, gave Yu Xi a playful wink, and said, “I guarantee that after you eat my family’s hot pot tonight, you will fall in love with it.”

“Is that so?” Yu Xi found herself feeling a little expectant at her words.

Click. Yuan Yue turned the knob and opened the door.

Inside, Yuan Xi, who was preparing the dipping sauces, heard the noise and stood up. When he saw Yuan Yue lead in a tall, stunningly beautiful woman, he was amazed. “And this is?” he asked quickly.

Yuan Yue pointed to Yu Xi and made the introduction. “Ge, this is my neighbor, Yu Xi. She’s the one who brought me home last night.” As she said this, she couldn’t help but recall last night’s shameful spring dream⁷. A flash of unease crossed her face, and she avoided Yu Xi’s gaze, turning to her brother. “This is my ge, Yuan Xi.”

Yu Xi nodded at Yuan Xi. “Hello.”

“Hello, hello.” Yuan Xi wiped his hands on his pants and came over to shake her hand. “Thank you for bringing my sister home last night.”

“You’re welcome,” Yu Xi said, touching his hand briefly.

After the pleasantries, Yuan Xi pointed to the chair next to Yuan Yue and warmly invited her, “Please, sit down and eat with us!”

The sudden presence of a man made Yu Xi a bit uncomfortable. She was fine with Yuan Yue, but this was her first time meeting Yuan Xi, and eating with a stranger always felt a little awkward. But since she had already agreed, it wouldn’t be right to leave now. She had no choice but to suppress her discomfort.

Yuan Xi even gallantly pulled out the chair for Yu Xi. As he stepped back, he accidentally bumped into Yuan Yue, who was about to return to her own seat.

“Ow!” Yuan Yue cried out. “You stepped on me!”

“It’s already crowded here. Why didn’t you go the other way?” Yuan Xi bickered with her.

Yuan Yue shot him an annoyed glare. As she lifted her foot to walk away, Yuan Xi suddenly grabbed her.

“What are you doing?” Yuan Yue tried to swat his hand away in disgust.

Yuan Xi held on tight, leaned in closer, and stared at her neck. “Yueyue, what’s that red mark on your neck?”

Yuan Yue’s mind went blank. She instinctively covered it with her hand and glanced guiltily at Yu Xi, stammering, “It’s—it’s nothing. I was drunk last night and pinched myself.”

“Pinched yourself?” Yuan Xi was clearly skeptical. Seeing how nervous she was, he suspected something was up. But with a guest present, he didn’t press further, only tapping Yuan Yue on the forehead with his finger. “You’re really something else.”

Yuan Xi was considerate enough not to pursue the matter, but Yuan Yue’s heart was pounding. She kept her hand clamped firmly over her neck, unable to stop herself from stealing another glance at Yu Xi.

As luck would have it, their eyes met. A jolt of panic shot through Yuan Yue, and she hastily looked away.

“Why are you blushing?” Yuan Xi asked, pointing at her instantly crimson face.

“I’m hot!” Yuan Yue snapped back defensively, returning to her seat.

She wanted to bury her head and play ostrich, but Yu Xi was a guest she had invited over. Yuan Yue had to lift her head and look over cautiously.

Yu Xi was staring straight at her. That gaze… how to describe it? It was as if she was going to devour her…

Unsure of what Yu Xi was thinking, Yuan Yue thought back to the events of last night and felt a wave of heat wash over her. She could only use a smile to hide the inner feeling of soldiers in turmoil and horses in chaos⁸. She placed a clean set of tableware in front of Yu Xi and said with a grin, “Just make yourself at home. Please don’t be polite with us.”

Yu Xi’s eyes moved slightly. Her gaze swept over Yuan Yue’s neck, lingering there for several seconds before slowly returning to her face. The corners of her lips curved into a smile that wasn’t quite a smile. “Alright,” she said.

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