Chapter 45: Possessiveness

Silence a while—air between them seemed frozen.
Jiang Ya only stared at coffee—unknown thoughts. Qi Yu did not raise new topics—let stiffness sit—Jiang Ya silent—she silent too.
Each seemed to pull same thread—tight—might snap anytime. So they tacitly used silence to keep balance—neither wanted to expose under dignity—their respective mess.
In quiet time Jiang Ya did not leave—Qi Yu would not chase her away.
Just sat companionably—mind emptying—as if across was Tang or Qi Xuan—or anyone—calm—unwilling to spend more emotion.
Qi Yu did not look at her—picked up phone—hot news—notification popped—Aria DM.
Aria: *Good afternoon*
Aria: *Friday night—you free?*
Qi Yu: *What’s up?*
Aria: *If free—drink together?*
Aria: *No drink ok—you pick place*
Aria: *Important—I want to meet you*
Aria’s bluntness made Qi Yu pause. Only a week—surprised at speed—not offended.
She was sapiosexual. Aria online did make her admire—no ulterior motive—even friendship—willing to know Aria offline.
Qi Yu smiled without meaning to—agreed quickly—exchanged greetings.
Chat with Aria absorbed—as if forgot person across—barely lifted eyes—virtual keyboard clicks loud in quiet second floor.
Jiang Ya looked up—eyes on smile at her lips unhidden. Stared—breathed inside—lashes lowered.
“You… chatting with someone? Busy?”
Qi Yu just finished with Aria—last message sent—looked at Jiang Ya. “Not busy—just…”
Paused—changed words. “A new acquaintance—pretty interesting.”
Jiang Ya met her eyes—thin smile. “New friend?”
“Not really friend… online for now—but later… maybe something else.” Qi Yu smiled. “Depends on fate.”
Saw Jiang Ya clearly stunned—little smile fading bit by bit.
That gaze—Qi Yu’s heart stirred oddly.
No expected relief or pleasure—like pebble lodged—not painful—could not remove—stuffy.
Quickly looked away—down—then street outside—eyes wandering—no fixed point.
“Fate” so clever. Even without saying plainly Jiang Ya understood—no words to answer.
Surprised? Very. More confused—unclear—even in turmoil a trace of anger she had not noticed.
But why. What was she angry about. Qi Yu just unlike her—not hung up on that night—sleepless—that’s all—Qi Yu did nothing wrong—what right to be mad.
Jiang Ya dazed at her wandering—when Qi Yu looked back—startled awake.
Deep breath—eyes dry—blinked fast.
Nothing to say—picked random. “Online friend… how long known? Met in person?”
How long. Just one week.
Answer surfaced—Qi Yu paused—vague. “Not long—some time—haven’t met.”
“But she just asked—probably meeting this Friday.”
……
“Friday…” Today Wednesday—two days. Jiang Ya mind chaotic—no expression—heart pricked dense—holes—pain seeping in waves—would not let go.
Distracted—met Qi Yu’s eyes—blank—looked away—brow knit and release—wanted to speak—stopped.
Pain faded or numbed—finally curved smile—lips trembling.
“I… never met online friends—don’t know—but… meeting so soon after knowing… isn’t it… too fast?”
Jiang Ya did not know what she was saying. Only knew—after whole paragraph—heart suddenly fast—each beat heavy in ears.
Looked at Qi Yu—emotion beyond control—eyes slightly wet—all hidden thoughts exposed.
Qi Yu no reaction.
Stared—expression unchanged—brow knit slight. “We’re still getting to know each other—one meeting is normal.”
“She’s local too—easy to meet. She’s an editor—I’m writing lately—can talk that side.”
“But…”
“What?”
Still no ripple in Qi Yu’s eyes. Jiang Ya stared—many words crashing the line—screaming to burst out.
Could not.
How could she have such shameful thoughts.
Qi Yu free to date—what right—what qualification to interfere.
Pain spread again—with sourness—through flesh—corroding heart—until breath tasted sour—no words.
Picked up coffee. Americano no sugar—rich bitter—not used to it.
Drank—frowned—bitterness spreading—so bitter—stuffy—nearly suffocating—head dizzy.
Put cup down—nodded at Qi Yu like Qi Yu—forced smile.
“Fine—good.”
“Hope your meeting goes well—if good news… tell me.”
Before voice shook—Jiang Ya stopped—grabbed cup—drank nearly two-thirds left—bitterer the more she drank.
Swallowed last bitterness—heavy sigh—glanced watch—eyes swept Qi Yu’s face and left fast.
“Past one—I should get back to school—talk next time.”
Grabbed bag—did not wait reply—hurried past Qi Yu’s side.
Qi Yu still back to her—footsteps downstairs into heart. Until gone—slowly turned head.
Stared at empty place—withdrawn gaze.
……
Meeting with Aria set Friday 8:30 PM—quiet bar Aria chose.
Street far from apartment—unfamiliar route—e-bike detour—few minutes late.
Early—few people in bar—upstairs—woman in corner at once.
Black hair past shoulders—light blue shirt—open collar—sleeves to elbows—watch on hand lifting glass—simple—mature air.
Felt her look—woman looked up—blank—Qi Yu walked over sat—smiled. “Qi Yu?”
Qi Yu nodded—close look—polite smile. “Me… what do I call you? Aria?”
Woman laughed. Features not outstanding—even cold when expressionless—hard to meet eyes—but smile unexpectedly soft—brows curved—even light nasolabial lines right beauty.
“You still nervous? No need so polite.”
“I’m Zhou He—He as in seedling. Thirty-six this year… older than you—a lot—if you want call me Sister Zhou—or whatever—I don’t mind.”
Qi Yu blank—Zhou He’s clear smile—moment—came back. “Okay Sister Zhou… sounds like boss—if you don’t mind I’ll use your name.”
Zhou He laughed. “Sure—of course.”
“Relax—treat me as peer friend—I talk with young people—no generation gap.”
“Oh scan—order drinks food—you pick—my treat tonight.”
“Don’t stand on ceremony—by age I’m your big sister—sister treats—should.”
Zhou He’s warmth choked Qi Yu. Years she cared for others—occasional care from outsider—still unaccustomed.
Zhou He saw her wooden—laughed again.
Chat smoother than expected. Ten years apart—but as Zhou He said—understood young mindset—saw deeper issues in Qi Yu’s words—careful steady speech—answered writing questions.
Over an hour Qi Yu fully immersed in Zhou He’s stories—admiration to worship—eyes never left Zhou He.
Another topic end—already late night.
Before leaving Zhou He finished drink—interested look at Qi Yu. “Talked so much about me—didn’t hear you.”
“That night’s worry—can you say now?”
Qi Yu still drinking—almost choked—put glass—coughed.
Looked at Zhou He—eyes flicker—light laugh. “Nothing much… personal feelings.”
“Over now—nothing worth saying.”
Zhou He silent—smiling eyes on her—then. “If over—you should say freely—past now—right?”
Sat straight—played with glass—light in eyes—smile still. “Fine—whenever you want to share—I’m happy to listen.”
“Likewise—I’ll share a story with you.”
Zhou He lifted empty glass—near Qi Yu’s—not touching. Looked at Qi Yu—smile wider.
Qi Yu met her—smiled—clinked glasses on her own initiative.
……
Qi Yu posted tonight’s drinks on Moments.
Two photos—first table—bottles—two plates skewers. Second clinking glasses—each one hand showing.
Only two—but Jiang Ya in bed opened again and again over ten minutes.
Especially last—watch on other hand—slender bones—absurdly imagined woman’s face from one hand—younger or older than Qi Yu.
Ended feeling absurd.
Opened chat with Qi Yu—“You drank tonight—go home early” stayed in box long—deleted—never sent.
Unnameable stuffiness again. Strange emotion tortured her long—still could not find source.
Could not digest—even no one to tell.
Sleep failed—Jiang Ya sat up—rubbed hair—turned off bedside lamp.
Opened phone AI—struggled several times—typed:
*Is excessive possessiveness toward a friend normal?*
*What are the signs you’re starting to like someone?*