Chapter 38: Jealousy

April in Nanliu—temperature climbed fast.
Besides two rains during Qingming—over ten days straight blazing sun—barely spring yet felt like summer.
Qi Yu born and raised—used to Nanliu weather—every year heat made her complain.
Rather wrap in down jacket than sticky sweat all over.
Heat brought hidden costs to the shop—afraid customer complaints—AC all day… utilities, materials, wages—big monthly bill.
Luckily—since Li Tong’s promo video last month went viral—exposure surged—new customers drawn—business slightly better.
Lately with Xiaojing and Liyun—Qi Yu and Tang had more free time. Tang could idle—Qi Yu could not—on Tang’s suggestion “return to old trade”—picked up unfinished college novel—try signing route again.
Now basically two-point life—apartment and café. Free time writing at apartment—no inspiration help at shop—chat with Qi Xuan, Tang, Li Tong. Occasionally old complex on Ning’an Road—lunch with family, small talk.
Life seemed full—Qi Yu lived at ease. One day former colleague Xiao Zhao visited—vented an hour—Qi Yu laughed helplessly, comforted—more sure quitting was right.
Days flowed plain and calm.
Late April—day after learning Qi Xuan’s study trip—next day message from Jiang Ya—asked her to cat-sit Zaizai at home—Qi Yu agreed gladly.
One month apart—Zaizai grew faster than thought—skin and bones when found—now chubby, sprouted fast—hard to hold one hand.
They say pets resemble owners—Zaizai nothing like Jiang Ya. First day Qi Yu visited—Zaizai not shy but hostile—dashed corner—hard catch—moment regretted agreeing.
But Jiang Ya asked.
Her flaw—soft heart. Qi Yu knew herself well.
Fortunately—few days together—Zaizai dropped guard, bonded fast—voluntarily jumped her lap licking fur—melted Qi Yu’s heart.
Friday evening—after delivery—on time at Jiang Ya’s door—two bags cat treats—ordered days ago for Zaizai—delivered today.
Electronic lock password Jiang Ya sent before leaving.
990911. No need memorize—knew it was Jiang Ya’s birthday.
Qi Yu stared—before finishing code—door opened—
Jiang Ya—home clothes—both stunned facing each other.
“You…”
“How did you…”
Almost simultaneous—voices overlapped.
“Why’re you here?” Jiang Ya paused—asked.
“I came…”
Before “feed cat”—seeing Jiang Ya puzzled—suddenly remembered—study trip only five days Mon–Fri—today return day.
“I… forgot you’d be back—thought I’d visit Zaizai.” Awkward smile.
“Oh… bought cat treats—take them—occasional snacks.”
Jiang Ya looked at offered hands—no answer.
So only for the cat.
“Come in—you can feed it too.” Did not take treats—smiled aside making room—walked to living room.
Qi Yu watched her back—blank a moment—did not refuse.
Door closed—changing slippers at entry—heard Jiang Ya. “Sorry—just back—forgot to tell you early.”
“Thanks these days caring for it—did it trouble you?”
Qi Yu on sofa—water Jiang Ya handed—sipped. “Fine—not trouble—playing daily I’m happy too.”
Glanced at Jiang Ya sitting beside.
Hot weather—Jiang Ya hair in bun—alone at home dressed light—short black ice-silk pajama set—collar slightly low—slender neck—skin fine as jade—shorts—long legs together—calves straight even—clean pale like lotus root.
Qi Yu uncomfortable—quietly looked away.
No topic—eyes searched. “Where is it? Sleeping?”
Jiang Ya hand pausing re-tie hair. “Not yet.”
“Was in my room—I'll look.”
Stood to bedroom. Out again holding Zaizai—unhappy—two kitten mews.
“Look—jiejie came specially to feed goodies—go to jiejie.” Jiang Ya sat holding it—finger light on head—gentle murmur.
Voice soft—Qi Yu listened—lifted eyes to Jiang Ya.
Zaizai seemed to understand—left Jiang Ya’s arms—slow paws on sofa toward Qi Yu—soft “ah~” at her.
Heart melting.
“Little baby—see what I brought?” Eyes smiling—lifted Zaizai to lap—waved cat treat stick before it.
Zaizai ~two months—exploration phase—curious everything—treated stick as toy—paw tested.
“Don’t rush—food.” Qi Yu laughed—tore open—squeezed bit—Zaizai smelled—bit eager.
“Good? Can’t eat too much—got it?” Moments ago marveling Jiang Ya’s contrast—now her tone identical to Jiang Ya’s.
……
Had thought about pets—always felt no time. Five days with Zaizai—almost treating as own child.
Though cats don’t speak—Qi Yu could not help coaxing Zaizai—muttering a long while.
Person and cat on sofa—warm harmonious—healing picture.
In Jiang Ya’s eyes—only silent side glance—did not speak.
After feeding—Zaizai satisfied lying in Qi Yu’s lap—trashed wrapper—noticed silent person beside.
Looked at Jiang Ya’s expressionless face—blank—belatedly—too cold to her?
“Right—how was the study trip?” Random topic. “Qi Xuan said she didn’t want to come back.”
Jiang Ya curved lips—recalled. “Okay—pretty good.”
“Yunjiang base—rich activities daily—memorial halls, science museum—better than dry study—of course she liked.”
“But this term she improved—English was around passing—now catching up—near class average.”
“Progress is good.” Qi Yu rubbing Zaizai fluff. “Aunt said—same as before—not more diligent.”
“So—all thanks to Teacher Jiang.”
Hearing that address Jiang Ya raised brow—eyes gathering faint smile. “Why?”
Qi Yu matter-of-fact. “You teach well—great teacher great student.”
Smiled at Jiang Ya.
Jiang Ya blank a moment—then smile in eyes melting like snow.
“Is that praise?”
“Of course.” Qi Yu looked up smiling. “Why that face—I praised you often before?”
Blurted out—then pause—smile at lips stiffened.
“That too.” Jiang Ya laughed.
Qi Yu watched—eyes flickered—unnaturally looked away—down teasing Zaizai in arms.
“What doing? Hm?” Finger poked—almost bitten.
Fake anger. “You bite me? Hm? Just fed you goodies—still fierce?”
Hands under front paws—lifted Zaizai easy. “Still fierce? Still!”
Zaizai unwilling—wriggled—coquettish mew.
Fake stern face changed—smile opened—nose nuzzled—kiss on head.
“Qi Yu.” Jiang Ya suddenly called.
“Hm?” Not done playing—setting Zaizai down—smile not faded.
Jiang Ya warm expression—hand extended. “Give me Zaizai—time for wet food.”
“Oh…” Looked at docile Zaizai—reluctant—but placed in Jiang Ya’s hands.
Hands touched inevitable—less than a moment Qi Yu pulled away.
Watched Jiang Ya carry Zaizai to bedroom—thought—bowls in living room—why bedroom…
Subtle—but could somewhat read from Jiang Ya’s look just now—did not seem to want her too close to Zaizai?
Bad to speculate—could not lie to herself either.
Did not mind—just curious.
Why?
Possessive of Zaizai? Jealous of a cat?
Thinking so— laughed dumb.
……
Past seven evening.
Qi Yu left Jiang Ya—walked to shop—bought oden on way.
Entering—several tables occupied. Xiaojing off today—Liyun cleaning—Tang lounging at register on phone.
Qi Yu greeted Liyun—straight to Tang.
Tang looked up—spotted oden in hand.
“Gimme one.” No courtesy—skewered Qi Yu’s favorite beef ball.
Qi Yu speechless—sat beside—heard Tang casual ask. “Why so early? Not feeding cat?”
“Done.” Qi Yu chewing radish—muffled. “Didn’t need to—she’s back—I forgot.”
Tang: “Oh—right.”
Qi Yu side-eye. “You knew?”
Tang casual posture. “Saw Qi Xuan’s Moments.”
“Full nine-grid… looked fun—museum—why didn’t we have this in school.”
Tang scrolled Xuan’s feed.
First photo to group shot—laughed.
Showed Qi Yu.
“What?” Qi Yu did not get it.
Tang laughed again. “Don’t you think your sis and classmate—very CP vibes.”
Photo—Qi Xuan arm around another girl—both bright smiles.
Tang’s take probably height gap—Qi Xuan grew again after New Year—174 cm now—taller than Jiang Ya. Other girl normal southern height—nearly a head shorter than Xuan.
Qi Yu recognized her—Chen Xiaojun—winter break visited Xuan at complex—some impression.
“You’re insane.” Could not help cursing. “That’s her friend.”
“Don’t see something in everyone—dirty mind—don’t corrupt her.”
“How corrupting—kid grew up—unlike kid clinging to me—not talking anymore.”
“Not talking to you—I’m chatting someone.”
Tang remembered Xuan dodging her—like she was a monster about to eat her.
Qi Yu finished last radish—tossed bowl—looked at silent Tang.
Realized tone too harsh—initiated chat. “Chatting who?”
Tang chin in palm—other hand slow typing. “Net friend.”
“Net friend?” Qi Yu light laugh. “What net friend—online dating?”
“How’d you know?” Tang surprised.
Interest up—put phone down—told Qi Yu. “Lately I’ve been thinking about it—best way out of a breakup is a new romance.”
Qi Yu: “Then? Where meet net friends?”
Tang: “Here.”
Opened social app. “This one for lesbians—I downloaded before—people weird—uninstalled.”
“But believe chat enough—normal person eventually? Look—can see same city…”
Seriously introducing—Qi Yu pushed back fast. “Okay okay you chat—I don’t want to know.”
“Why?” Tang glanced—raised brow. “You’re 27—never dated… don’t want romance?”
Qi Yu: “Don’t want.”
Tang: “Anyone you like now?”
Tang: “Anyone you like now?”
Hearing that—heart jolted inexplicably—could not answer at once.