SCHS - Chapter 47
Chapter 47
Wen Shixue was a complete and utter straight shooter. She always spoke her mind and never beat around the bush, especially when she liked someone. This was mainly influenced by her respected mother, Ms. Meng Yuezhu.
Meng Yuezhu was also very direct. If Wen Lianchang did something she liked, she would say she liked it. If he did something she didn't like, she would say she didn't like it. She wore her affection and annoyance for her husband plainly on her face and expressed it all, even teaching her daughter: "Liking is liking, not liking is not liking. There's nothing wrong with expressing it directly and boldly. Others aren't worms in our stomachs; you can't expect them to guess. Bottling it up will only hurt yourself in the end."
Having been influenced by this since childhood, Wen Shixue grew up into someone who never bottled up her feelings for people she liked. So she wanted Qin Zhen to know she liked her, wanted to convey her feelings to Qin Zhen fearlessly and without restraint.
She just hadn't expected her straight shot to be "bombed" by something she had said herself, resulting in an unexpected outcome.
Wen Shixue: The person involved is now regretting it, regretting it immensely!
Qin Zhen had experienced Wen Shixue's straight-shooting skills firsthand, but she never expected Wen Shixue to actually like her, let alone be so direct as to confess right away.
The sudden confession dispersed the fatigue that had lingered on her from various matters, like a clear beam of light suddenly shining into the darkness surrounding her heart, igniting a gentle fire there. It surprised her, delighted her, and also made her disbelieving.
Her brain, which had been a chaotic mess of complex emotions, suddenly calmed down, prompting her to say, with a hint of caution, something Wen Shixue had said before.
She still remembered the first time Wen Shixue said she liked women. For a second, she had almost believed it, but then Wen Shixue's flippant, not-so-serious remark shattered that belief.
It was fake, just a joke, a joke to stop Zhu Ziming from developing feelings for her—she didn't like women at all.
And she wouldn't like her either.
So after the surprise came a calm questioning. The little devil had too many tricks; she had to be cautious.
Wen Shixue, having shot herself in the foot, was stunned for a few seconds. Then she hugged her even tighter, as if afraid she would run away, her eyes fixed on her, her tone exceptionally serious: "This time it's not a deceiving ghost, this time it's real."
"Qin Zhen, I like you, the kind of like that wants to be your girlfriend."
After she finished speaking, she gazed at Qin Zhen with those bright, star-like eyes even more sincerely. As if afraid she wouldn't believe her, her body couldn't help but press closer.
As Wen Shixue moved, her center of gravity shifted towards Qin Zhen. Qin Zhen's body and head tilted back slightly, and then she subtly propped her hand on the edge of the table, choosing not to push her away, inadvertently forming a posture that neither refused nor accepted.
The sincerity Wen Shixue displayed was enough to make anyone believe it was all real, but she didn't know how to accept it.
This was clearly what she had most hoped for deep down, but when it actually happened, the unease, doubt, and inferiority buried in her heart sprouted unreasonably, like wild grass growing wildly and tightly entwining her heart, making her feel like she couldn't breathe.
She couldn't figure out what Wen Shixue liked about her, couldn't figure out what about herself was worth Wen Shixue's affection.
She was quiet, didn't like to make a fuss, was boring and dull, her life as stagnant as a pool of dead water. She seemed full of flaws, not enough to match the ever-vibrant Wen Shixue.
They couldn't be a match. Wen Shixue was a noble and dazzling young lady; she was just an ordinary orphan with no parents. They were mismatched in status.
Besides, how could a young person like someone so much older? She was... a full seven years older than her.
She pursed her thin lips, her brows slightly furrowed, suppressing the heavy sense of disappointment in her heart. Her tone was calm, almost cold, as if she was speaking to Wen Shixue, and also to herself: "You don't like me."
Wen Shixue was stunned for a moment.
Qin Zhen's voice paused. Finally, she brought herself to look into those eyes she had thought about all week. Her heart softened once again at the sight of them, and her voice involuntarily softened a bit, speaking cautiously as if afraid of damaging a precious treasure before her: "Shixue, you're just curious about me."
Just like she was curious what it would be like to be friends with someone seven years older, she was now curious what it would be like to date a woman seven years older.
The little devil's interest in her would always stem from curiosity, and curiosity was never sincere or long-lasting. Once the novelty wore off, nothing would be left, like a dream.
Her inferiority made her unable to believe that Wen Shixue liked her wholeheartedly. Out of consideration for Wen Shixue, she also didn't want Wen Shixue to so hastily decide on the person she liked, lest she discover after being together that the initial feeling was just a whim, leading to unhappiness for both of them in the end.
Love, like doing business, required caution.
Wen Shixue didn't speak, but she was still looking at her, her gaze fixed, seemingly holding a hint of confusion. Was she confused about whether her liking was curiosity or something else? She didn't know, but she couldn't bear to keep looking like this. She wanted to push her away but couldn't bear to. Finally, she gently placed her hand on the back of Wen Shixue's head and pulled her into a hug, avoiding that burning gaze.
She gently stroked Wen Shixue's hair, coaxing her like a child: "Shixue, you're still young. I hope you can think clearly."
She didn't want to hold Wen Shixue back, nor did she want Wen Shixue to be held back by her. She didn't ask for much in this life; Wen Shixue's confession was enough—even if it was fake.
Wen Shixue was stunned for a few seconds. That elegant and comfortable subtle fragrance drifted from Qin Zhen's body into her nostrils. It was a scent she was all too familiar with, and the scent she relied on the most. In this gentle fragrance, she calmed down and quietly thought about what Qin Zhen had said.
A moment later, she slowly opened her mouth—
Qin Zhen's neck was suddenly bitten, not too hard, but enough to send a faint pain. It made her look at the little devil who had finally "used her mouth." Then, her waist was suddenly hugged tightly by a force.
Wen Shixue held her firmly: "It's not curiosity, it's just liking."
"I know the difference."
She knew the difference between curiosity and liking. If she were just curious about Qin Zhen, she wouldn't have been stuck in that hazy liking, possessively not wanting Qin Zhen to be with anyone else, and she certainly wouldn't have felt sad when she heard Qin Zhen had someone she liked.
She just liked Qin Zhen, liked her more than anyone else!
She smiled and said, "Like me, Lao Qin, you won't lose out by liking me."
After all, she was the business genius Wen Shixue!
Qin Zhen was made even more conflicted by her appearance. She felt like she was splitting in two, with two contradictory voices arguing endlessly in her mind. One urged her to agree, to be with the little devil she liked, while the other reminded her that they weren't on the same path, advising her not to waste Wen Shixue's prime years.
After a struggle, she yielded to the latter once again.
"Shixue," she looked into her eyes seriously, restraining her liking for her, and said as rationally as possible, "I'm seven years older than you."
Wen Shixue raised an eyebrow, said "Oh," blinked, and said casually, "Yes, I'm seven years younger than you, and very pretty—Lao Qin, you've hit the jackpot!"
Qin Zhen: "...?"
Did I say that so you could comfort me???
Qin Zhen sighed: "Shixue, think about it carefully again. Being with me might not be a good thing. You might not get the blessings you want."
She couldn't just be with Wen Shixue without considering anything. She always thought of Wen Shixue's parents, the engagement that still bound Wen Shixue, and what others would say about Wen Shixue.
She didn't want to bring trouble to Wen Shixue, didn't want Wen Shixue to be criticized because of her. The little devil was also a little princess, deserving of the best person in the world, receiving everyone's blessings, and living a happy, carefree life.
Wen Shixue quietly observed her for a while, then curved her lips into a smile and said, "Lao Qin, you have me in your heart, don't you?"
Qin Zhen was startled and didn't answer immediately.
"You've always thought from my perspective, never for yourself, and you've never directly said you don't like me." Wen Shixue's smile grew brighter, like a child who had just eaten candy. "Lao Qin, you like me."
And she added cheekily: "Denial is invalid now."
From the moment she confessed, Qin Zhen hadn't shown any disdain or rejection towards her liking, only worry and lack of confidence. If Qin Zhen didn't like her, she would have rejected her directly after the confession, instead of repeatedly telling her to think clearly and reminding her of their age difference.
Because Qin Zhen also liked her, she never thought of refusing her by saying "I don't like you"—her Lao Qin wasn't someone who would lie.
She was very happy that Qin Zhen liked her too, and at the same time, she found it very strange. The words "lack of confidence" sounded so out of place on the steady and mature Vice President Qin.
Qin Zhen handled matters calmly and quickly, had outstanding bearing, and was beautiful and charming. Any one of these qualities could make her stand out in a crowd, radiating a dazzling light, like the bright moon in the sky. What could make such an excellent person lack confidence?
Knowing that Qin Zhen had her in her heart, Wen Shixue no longer needed to worry about being rejected. Her mood instantly lightened. She crossed her hands behind Qin Zhen's waist and even leisurely guessed the reason for Qin Zhen's lack of confidence: "Because of my parents?"
Qin Zhen neither admitted nor denied it, as if she didn't know whether she should answer.
Wen Shixue thought for a moment and added: "Because I have an engagement?"
"Because you think you're older than me?"
Qin Zhen gently closed her eyes, then opened them again. Aside from family background, Wen Shixue was indeed spot on.
Wen Shixue knew she had guessed correctly. She placed her hand on Qin Zhen's hand: "I'm not afraid of my parents knowing I like you. I'm dating for myself. Liking you isn't stealing or robbing, so why should I be afraid? Besides, if I were afraid they wouldn't like the person I chose, I wouldn't be standing here today, and I wouldn't have met you. I would have obediently listened to them and gone through with the arranged marriage long ago. And if it's you, I believe they won't object."
"As for the engagement, you don't need to worry about it even more. I can break it. You have to believe me."
"As for age..."
She couldn't help but lean closer to Qin Zhen's face, taking in her exquisite features, and whispered ambiguously, "Thirty is a perfectly mature age to be called 'older sister'."
Qin Zhen was afraid she would suddenly kiss her and the situation would become uncontrollable. She immediately held her arms and gently pushed her away: "Stand properly."
Wen Shixue's tone changed. She put her hands on her hips and said logically, "Even Zhang Tianhao, who likes the cute type, changed his taste because of you. That's enough to show how incredibly charming you are—the charm of a mature woman is irresistible! Thirty is just too delicious!"
Qin Zhen: "..."
She was getting more and more outrageous.
Could she really be that desirable at her age?
Wen Shixue took her hand, her expression gentle and soft: "Don't be insecure. You are ten thousand times better than you think. I don't like anyone else, I only like you. Only you and I are a match."
She couldn't help but squeeze her hand, her eyes soft and pitiful: "So don't reject me, Qin Zhen, please don't."
It was the first time Qin Zhen had heard her speak in such a pitiful tone. She couldn't help but sigh inwardly. It was as if Wen Shixue knew exactly how to make her heart soften, succeeding every time and leaving her unable to say a single word of refusal.
Wen Shixue liked her, but... how long would Wen Shixue like her?
She selfishly hoped this feeling could last forever, hoped Wen Shixue was the person she would rely on for the rest of her life. But who could say for sure? Not everyone was lucky enough to find someone to spend their life with on the first try.
"Shixue," she asked, "How long will you like me?"
Wen Shixue blinked, gently intertwined her fingers with hers, and smiled playfully: "Why don't we try and see?"
Qin Zhen was startled by her words and suddenly felt a hint of compromise. Yes, they could try, try without being discovered by others.
"We can try," she said, "but we need to make an agreement."
Before Wen Shixue could be happy, a question mark popped up above her head: "?"
She inappropriately thought of those messy master-servant contracts in novels and TV dramas.
Wen Shixue: Ah... so Lao Qin likes this kind of thing?!
Qin Zhen was completely unaware of her messy thoughts. She said seriously, "Until you break off the engagement, you cannot let anyone know about us, to avoid malicious speculation from those with ill intentions. During the relationship, if you feel you don't like it anymore, tell me immediately. Don't force yourself."
It was Wen Shixue's first time in a relationship, and breaking off the engagement wouldn't happen in a day or two. This long period would be enough to help Wen Shixue confirm her feelings—whether it was a brief phase or a lifelong commitment would be up to her to decide.
Qin Zhen, who longed for a love that would last a lifetime, treated it as giving the child a love lesson. The little devil, who usually defied heaven and earth, had lowered her stance to this extent. Qin Zhen couldn't bring herself to refuse. Compromise, going along with her wishes and her own heart, was better than letting her first relationship be with someone else who might hurt or bully her.
Anyway, her principles had been broken for her so many times already; one more time wouldn't hurt.
Wen Shixue intertwined her fingers with Qin Zhen's, knowing that Qin Zhen's starting point was always for her own good. This made her even more determined to treat Qin Zhen well—she would definitely work hard to break off the engagement!
She thought for a moment and asked, "Can't anyone in the office know?"
Qin Zhen said firmly, "Yes."
Wen Shixue said "Oh" meaningfully, her smile starting to look mischievous: "An office affair... a little exciting."
Qin Zhen: "???"
Was she thinking something inappropriate???
Comments
Post a Comment