Chapter 50: Clearing the Air

Warm breath at ear—itch—Jiang Ya turned head away—heat climbed—whole side face burning.
Held in Qi Yu’s arms—shifted awkward—mind messy from words—no words to organize.
……
Last night both knew—hearing Qi Yu say plainly—still embarrassed.
Qi Yu saw silence—arms tighter—unhappy. “Why not talk?”
“You didn’t… forget last night…”
Jiang Ya dared not let her finish—“No… I didn’t forget.”
“If you forgot—I can recap.”
Normal tone—but in Jiang Ya’s ears different—kiss images flashed—more awkward—face on fire.
“No recap.” Pouted—“Let go first…I…”
Not finished—Qi Yu low voice again.
“Teacher Jiang—why are your ears so red?” Pushed hair aside—ear red like dripping blood.
Innocent tone—but eyes smiling—staring at ear.
Adult—but G family etiquette—strict. Twenty-seven—bad at intimacy—even film intimacy she skipped.
“Teacher Jiang” again—teasing—shame enough—Qi Yu asking on purpose—could not bear.
Wished bury herself.
“Stop saying…” half day—voice barely heard.
Qi Yu suppressed laugh—annoyed—tried break free—both hands held—could not move.
“Let go okay—I didn’t wash last night—I need to go wash.” Helpless—soft tone negotiate.
Held long—body hot uncomfortable.
Qi Yu: “Still going back? You can wash here.”
“…You don’t have my pajamas—or…” or right size underwear.
Eyes flickered—Qi Yu distracted—slipped out of arms.
“I… go back first—anything… message me.”
Quick glance back—flushed—when Qi Yu looked again—already at door fast.
Qi Yu walked her—watched fumble shoes—wanted laugh—did not tease—eyes followed until gone.
Closed door—stretched—fist on back—eyes on sofa.
Warm scene still before eyes—smiled—remembered Jiang Ya’s words.
Indeed—planned solo—only her things—but now… should add new things.
……
Jiang Ya fled to her apartment.
Mild cleanliness—no time replay last night—quick rinse—laundry to bathroom.
Shower on—hot water down—looked up—pushed wet hair back—eyes closed—comfortable sigh.
Liked hot water—soon mirror fogged.
Hand on mirror—clear face with water drops—looked at self long.
Long look—expression in mirror dazed.
Honestly recalling last night—like dream—details incomplete—still unreal.
One fact undeniable.
She and Qi Yu were together.
One night—relationship overturned.
Days ago worried how to ease between them—now thinking how to be with Qi Yu going forward.
Much difference from before? Jiang Ya ignorant.
Once talked everything—close—even very long ago.
After confirming—different from then?
Shower off—soap carefully—glanced mirror again.
Soap careful—hand unconscious over chest—mirror action—paused—thought something—eyes away—lashes blink fast.
Flash—back to mirror—lips.
Last night again—lost count—adapted—not awkward now. Drunk then—touch unclear—only remembered… soft…
Thought stopped—realized—could not meet mirror face.
Soap unfinished—shame from wandering thoughts—shower on again—relieved sigh.
Stared wall—drifted again—hand on lips—pressed—put down.
Pushed wet hair—head down—secret smile at corner of mouth.
……
Woke early but after wash near ten. Saturday—time to dawdle.
Hair dry—meant message Qi Yu—she sent minutes ago—ordered delivery—coming up soon.
About to reply—doorbell.
Opened—surprised. “So fast—I was replying.”
“Delivery half hour ago—thought you might still be washing—waited.”
Big bag—shoes off—sofa—boxes one by one—“Maybe cold—not best taste.”
Jiang Ya did not care—full table—“So much—we can’t finish.”
Qi Yu bought plenty—two soy milk—two preserved egg lean porridge—soup dumplings—xiaolongbao—crystal dumplings—beyond two people.
Opened boxes—porridge before Jiang Ya—“Fine—leftovers my lunch.”
“You drank so much—rich breakfast today.” Sip soy milk—“No ingredients at home—bad cooking—only delivery.”
Looked up at Jiang Ya.
Jiang Ya met eyes—chopsticks small bun—low eyes. “Next time… I can cook.”
“What do you like?”
Serious face.
Qi Yu looked serious—curved lips—could not hold—laughed.
Jiang Ya confused—what wrong with that sentence.
“What are you laughing at?”
“Nothing.” Shook head smiling—suddenly stood—in Jiang Ya’s daze—sat beside—shoulders touching.
Distance short—instant uncomfortable.
Could not dodge—pretend fine—ate meaty bun—glanced Qi Yu sometimes.
Opened lips abrupt. “Why… sit over suddenly?”
Qi Yu spooning porridge paused—turned.
Jiang Ya at home no glasses—less cold stern—Qi Yu looked—cuter.
Somehow one night—their positions flipped.
Stared—raised brow—smile in eyes. “Want to be closer—can’t I?”
Jiang Ya paused—blinked—nodded light—“Mm”—turned head—ate bun focused.
Like little hamster.
Pleasure itchy like feather across heart—light—unscratchable.
Unconsciously closer—both short sleeves—skin touched—Jiang Ya paused—swallowed—blank look at Qi Yu.
Mood subtle.
Qi Yu smiling—good mood. “Teacher Jiang—can I ask a question.”
Jiang Ya wiped mouth—pressed lips—soft. “Yes.”
“But… can you not call me Teacher Jiang.”
“Why?”
“…” Could not say—only. “You calling me that… feels strange.”
“Hm?” Qi Yu leaned closer.
Qi Yu’s breath—mind messy—side glance—dared not look openly like before—since last night’s kiss—Qi Yu near made her nervous.
Lips almost cheek—Jiang Ya dodged—hurried topic. “You… can call if you want—not important… your question?”
Qi Yu laughed again—gentle profile—soft. “Though confirmed last night—I want to hear once more today.”
Jiang Ya confused. “Say what?”
“What are we… now?”
……
Jiang Ya blank—turned face—small voice. “You know—you still ask…”
More she hid—more Qi Yu teased. “Last night only I said—you didn’t.”
“You don’t say—I have no security.”
Glanced Qi Yu—hesitated—lips moved—lowered eyes—few words.
Qi Yu: “Didn’t hear.”
Jiang Ya bit lip—glared. “You did it on purpose.”
“I didn’t.” Lost laugh—eyes straight on Jiang Ya. “Really didn’t—too quiet.”
Shame-angry look.
Qi Yu smile wider—about speak—Jiang Ya suddenly close.
Lips brushed ear—whisper. “Girlfriend.”
Qi Yu heart swayed—held thrill—mischief again. “Whose girlfriend?”
“Yours—okay?” Saw intent—annoyed line.
Did not understand—once proper ignored her—now fast—even learned teasing.
Like Qi Xuan after all.
“Okay.” Satisfied answer—while unprepared—kissed her cheek.
Jiang Ya shivered—blank—face red under Qi Yu’s gaze.
Hearing laugh—belatedly touched cheek—palm hot—shame flooding.
Fake angry glare—gentle brows behind—looked away—other side—tacit smile together.