Chapter 35: The Only One

Qi Yu compromised anyway.
She stood frozen watching Jiang Ya move from fridge to kitchen—back and forth busy—always felt awkward inside. Wanted to help—did not know how—Jiang Ya sent her back to rest, call when breakfast ready.
Qi Yu still did not leave—stood at kitchen door too long—silence between them more awkward—went obediently to bedroom.
Bedroom door closed—Jiang Ya paused stirring eggs, glanced toward the door, sighed softly inside.
Always said she toughs it out. Qi Yu was no different.
From high school years she could see—Qi Yu’s nature quiet—not only surface—quiet because she never expressed, never relied—habitually gave, liked being the silent guardian.
Maybe Qi Yu thought her giving went unseen. Wrong—she was not stone—had heart, flesh and blood—saw everything—just never had courage to talk with Qi Yu about it.
For example—casual mention liking a certain milk tea—same night that milk tea on her desk—when she asked who sent it, nobody claimed. Classmates teased—must be some unknown boy. That night she saw Qi Yu leaving the milk tea shop—holding that cup.
Or those years QQ popular—everyone sharing moods in space. She too—occasionally reposted life reflections—and every post’s view history always had Qi Yu’s avatar.
Once study pressure—posted something sentimental—her message board gained an encouraging comment—from an obvious alt account. Qi Yu might think so many wanted to add her—could not tell which small account—but when that account added her Jiang Ya had already noted the name Qi Yu—homepage, signature style—only fit one person.
Or only Qi Yu truly cared about her in earnest.
How could she not feel it.
Countless small things like this—trivial next to life’s mess—yet she remembered clearly. Every thing Qi Yu did for her—clear as day.
But Qi Yu would not say—she would not ask. They were really alike.
How to open her mouth? Say she did not want Qi Yu to leave that night either—knowing Qi Yu deleted her she did not sleep—years wanting to reach out—nights tossing missing the past—did she… miss her too?
Could not say it.
Stupid, foolish, melodramatic—would rather grieve to death than speak.
Once a green girl lived in her heart—that girl braver, stronger, stauncher—that girl could tell everyone her mind—that girl would go all in for what she wanted—that girl would firmly hold whoever she depended on, never let go…
Pity. She was not that girl.
“Brave”—she would never deserve the word.
……
Qi Yu was never good in the kitchen—after opening the shop delivery more often—fridge mostly drinks, few ingredients.
Sick people need not feast—Jiang Ya cooked tomato egg noodles—saw leftover pork—minced, added in.
Simple ingredients, not long—but after cooking she cleaned the kitchen, then bedroom to wake her.
Qi Yu did not lock doors—approaching bedroom Qi Yu seemed eyes closed resting—Jiang Ya lightened steps, tiptoed in.
“Qi Yu?” Standing by the bed, soft call to the sleeping one.
Qi Yu still—on her side—mask off—peaceful sleep, even breath—deep asleep—no reaction to outside.
Jiang Ya tried twice more—still no wake—stood blank—wake her or let her rest?
But… afraid noodles outside would cool.
Stared at the person in bed a long while—decided to step forward.
Movements light—no sound—even sitting bed edge careful—only when seated exhaled relief.
Turned—gentle gaze on Qi Yu’s sleeping face. Meant to wake her—Jiang Ya stayed motionless long.
Maybe illusion—Qi Yu’s brow seemed knit… nightmare? Sudden wake—not good either?
Hesitation—eyes never left Qi Yu’s face. Lingered on brows, lashes, nose… lips.
Qi Yu really was beautiful. Always thought so—now the thought surged more.
Heroic spirit in her brows—not sharp. Nose neither high nor low—just right for Eastern aesthetics. Lips—most refined feature—thin yet full, natural pale pink—look long enough—unexpected girlish tenderness.
Jiang Ya thought: does Qi Yu know— asleep she’s so obedient—more likable than sometimes cold awake?
Lips unconsciously curved slightly.
How long watching—a strand of hair fell on Qi Yu’s face—curved at nose tip, ends touching lips.
Heart moved—staring at that strand—eyes deepening. Could not help leaning close—close enough to hear Qi Yu’s light sensual breath—her own breath disordered—heartbeat loud in quiet room.
Raised hand—meant to gently smooth that hair.
Fingertips and Qi Yu’s face drawing nearer—heartbeat faster uncontrollably…
Instant before touch—Qi Yu opened her eyes.
Looked straight at her.
……
Jiang Ya frozen—thunder in her chest—waves crashing—inside chaos body still stiff there—hand withdrawn properly, clenched tight—but eyes forgot to move—surprise overflowing—expression blank.
Never this flustered.
Qi Yu oddly calm—unblinking eye contact—brow lightly knit—not letting go—as if puzzling something deeply.
Stared a long while—neither broke silence. Long exchange—indescribable feeling brushed the air—ambiguity spreading.
Strange emotion occupied Jiang Ya’s heart inch by inch—swallowing reason—mind blank—even her best smile would not come.
Then Qi Yu laughed without warning.
Looked away—under Jiang Ya’s baffled eyes—even body trembling slightly laughing—could not stop.
“Why are you laughing?” Jiang Ya frowned—sat straight—proper distance again.
Since reunion—first time seeing Qi Yu laugh so freely before her. Hard not to connect to her own action—shame flooded face red.
“No… sorry…” Qi Yu still laughing—calmer than before.
When finally settled—half sat up—mirth in eyes not gone. “Ahem… sorry… not laughing at you—I thought you’d wake me—waited so long you didn’t… then…”
“You were awake already?” Jiang Ya interrupted—stunned—eyes moist, delicate.
“On purpose?” Jiang Ya asked again.
“I didn’t… I…” Qi Yu guilty defending—unfinished—Jiang Ya stood to leave.
“Really not on purpose.” Qi Yu rushed off bed—flustered.
Forgot she was sick—just woke—stood sudden—blood not enough—vision stars—grabbed wardrobe beside her.
Jiang Ya heard—turned—face changed—hurried to support her. “You okay? Why so rushed?”
“Fine.” Glanced at Jiang Ya’s arm on hers—did not shake off—let Jiang Ya help to sofa. “Listen—I really wasn’t laughing at you… I just… just…”
Could not explain herself either.
Jiang Ya heard her still on it—chided lightly. “Enough—I’m not blaming you—don’t say more…”
“Go eat breakfast—I just made it—sat a while—might be cold.”
Both on sofa—Jiang Ya touched soup bowl—warmth in palm—relieved, turned to Qi Yu. “Still hot—but sat long—texture maybe not as good.”
“Fine—not picky.” Sofa too high—Qi Yu grabbed plastic stool to sit.
Chopsticks stirred noodles—two blows—into mouth. Still a bit hot—tolerable—swallowed hard.
Several bites—looked aside—wanted thanks—too weird—asked instead. “You… eaten?”
Jiang Ya nodded. “I had breakfast. You eat.”
Qi Yu: “Oh…”
Topic ended—back to eating.
But… felt someone watching beside her—eating awkward any way.
Luckily—brainstorming something to say—Jiang Ya finally: “How is it? Taste okay?”
“Good.” Qi Yu nodded without hesitation.
Cold dulled taste—could not tell salt—but noodles smooth, broth thickness right—and she had tasted Jiang Ya’s cooking before—undeniably good.
Seeing her eat well Jiang Ya smiled too—elbow on knee, chin in palm, staring at Qi Yu unblinking.
“Don’t rush—eat slow.”
“Mm… feels like you treat me like a kid.” Qi Yu looked back—joked.
Glanced at Jiang Ya again—tissue wiping mouth—asked. “At home—you usually make breakfast yourself?”
Jiang Ya: “Yeah—sometimes lazy, order delivery.”
Qi Yu: “Then… made for family too?”
Jiang Ya: “No—at home they cook.”
“Oh…” Qi Yu swallowed bite—coughed lightly—looked at Jiang Ya—asked knowing answer. “So you never made breakfast for anyone else?”
“Of course not.” Jiang Ya looked at her seriously. “You’re the first.”
Hearing that Qi Yu met her eyes—lips parted slightly—stunned.
Curved one side of mouth—back to noodles—feigned ease. “Honored then—first to eat your breakfast.”
Jiang Ya did not deny—smile deepened. “Maybe the only one.”
“What?” Qi Yu stopped—blank—thought misheard.
Turned—Jiang Ya’s soft smile—dazed ask. “Why?”
“Because… no why.”
“If I must say… you’re special.”
“Special?” Qi Yu’s lips rose unconsciously—smile lines under eyes shallow. “Why am I special?”
“Won’t tell you.” Jiang Ya actually raised a brow—playful teasing—looked away, phone out—smile never left.
No exact reason—yet Qi Yu stared—one sentence—indescribable pleasure slowly rippling inside—seeping blood and bone—could not ignore even trying.
Turned—chopsticks picked noodles—did not eat—repeated motion—head lower—smile at lips betraying secret thought.
Bit lip—useless. Jiang Ya’s words replaying in ears.
Special…
So she… was special.