Chapter 56: Confrontation

Finger tug release—still cloth between—like plucking weakest nerve—small move—Jiang Ya too shy to raise head.
Forehead on shoulder—bit lip—hug again—soft press—separated deliberate—squeeze strange flutter—loosened gap.
“Don’t always say improper…” still down eyes—light scold.
“Said nothing—you thought too much.” Smile sly.
Saw instigator innocent face—shame annoy—speechless—water eyes weak glare.
Qi Yu smile deeper—enough—pulled into arms—smile faded—eyes on her. “Remember? Promise no more lie—no trust problem—okay?”
“I believe you—please… believe me more.”
“Don’t say please.” Deep look—eyes water. “With me… no need hold back—my fault—not thoughtful—you can feel—can vent—your right—your freedom.”
“Not good at coaxing… but I’ll try…” Serious—glasses mist—tenderness clear.
Like academic problem—Qi Yu smiled—touched—melting.
“Who said not good—Teacher Jiang talented.”
Truth. On way home imagined scenes—silence or fight—believed her person—chose silence—cover undercurrent.
Human not machine—emotion before reason. Fortunately—wave calmed before shore—no argument whirlpool.
Sincere—deep gaze—Jiang Ya stunned—silent.
Moment—shy eyes down—landed on Qi Yu chest—lashes tremble—unnatural flicker.
Remembered her taking the initiative to kiss—finger tug behind…
Face lower under stare—pressed voice. “Saying again… slick talk.”
“What? Slick?” Shocked—really no hidden meaning.
Pinch soft waist—explain—body more sensitive than thought—finger pinch—tremble—soft hum—
Face red instant—broke free—excuse—fled kitchen.
Stood outside blank—watched half beat—hand over waist awkward—finally smiled.
……
Rain yesterday—today clear—warm not hot—fine day.
Afternoon nap—sun jacket—shared bike supermarket—tonight ingredients.
Saturday out—movie plan shelved—today make up—morning text call Zhou Lin—agreed not home tonight.
Alone fast—list done—daily goods—half hour checkout.
Apartment ~4 PM—Zaizai tail rub—living room quiet.
Water—look around—familiar—strangely empty.
Cup on table—cucumber chips alone—desk tidy—chip out of place.
Qi Yu said take last night—forgot this morning.
Looked sofa corner.
Last night Jiang Ya chores—Qi Yu rest bedroom—album from shelf—childhood awards—no memory some—treasure like kid—silly—fought on this sofa over album.
Laughter seemed still ear—soft smile at spot.
Look again—pillow—Qi Yu shirt only—still quiet.
Heart empty.
Sighed—pet Zaizai—phone—what doing.
Qi Yu fast: *Miss me?*
Samoyed sticker.
Remembered dog joke—smiled—reply:
*Mm—a little*
Qi Yu: *Only a little?*
Jiang Ya: *A bit more then*
Qi Yu: *Two points not enough*
Jiang Ya: *How much you want?*
Qi Yu: *Voice message—I’ll hear how much*
Near lips—about speak—stopped.
Normal—but Qi Yu might replay—shame endless.
Still shy—typed: *When you’re back I’ll tell you*
Two minutes—aggrieved kitten sticker.
*Don’t go back on it!*
*Helping mom aunt pick vegetables—chat later—back ~six*
Six? Four now—many dishes—prep time.
Chat end—bags kitchen—apron—sort wash meat veg.
……
Focused—time fast—all prepped—wait wok—glanced hour—free—sit living room rest.
Soon—doorbell.
Heart jump—stared door—opened.
No delivery—should be Qi Yu.
Five already—early—no message.
Smile rose—opened eager—
Face froze.
“Mom… why here?” Instant adjust—let Zhou Lin with gifts in.
Outfit surprise in Zhou Lin’s eyes—in—gift bags—slippers at door—changed.
“Sigh—we and your dad worried—lived here so long never visited—today came look.”
“Sea cucumber—good soup—Xiao Zheng sent yesterday.”
Xiao Zheng—father’s student—contact never added.
Silent—water—heard. “Not well—why cook? Good delivery nutrition…”
Stiff—heart tight. Morning lied unwell—never thought Zhou Lin would come—in two years never—why now…
“Fine—medicine helped—simple dishes—okay.” Sat beside Zhou Lin—Qi Yu’s shirt right there.
Brow knit—heart raced—sat quick—hand behind—shirt under pillow.
Luckily—Zhou Lin watched cat on table.
Turned. “When cat?”
“I…” lowered—“Months ago—heavy rain—found in complex—wouldn’t survive.”
“Oh… nice—gentle—pet company good.”
Zhou Lin reached cat—Jiang Ya watched face—small smile—breath finally out.
Age ten—relative Bichon—fear dogs from stray chase—two days trust—talked secrets—named Yaya.
One month only—morning gone—father sent back study—first tears before parents—pride plea failed—Yaya gone.
Memory—did not notice Zhou Lin touring room.
Bedroom—woke—hurried after back. “Mom… what?”
“Nothing—just look.” Cup—slow by bed—desk glance. “Years out—we worried—you okay—weekly home visit—reassured.”
Close—eyes frantic follow her gaze—calm face. “Fine—can care self—don’t worry…”
Door—balcony outside.
Stood still—eyes on Zhou Lin—faced wash stand—stunned—eyes water stirred—lashes blink—heart race.
Sure enough—saw.
Two cups same style—black white—rack.
Brow knit. “Jiang Ya—alone—why two cups?”
Air frozen.
Silence—Zhou Lin turned—Jiang Ya breath—against light—walked up—two cups toothbrushes toothpaste—clearly used.
“Hm? Two?” Face no longer gentle—stare—silence—suspicion deepened.
“Both… mine—what?” Hand clenched—cold scalp—forced meet eyes—no crack.
Clumsy—Zhou Lin back to cups. “Both yours? Why two alone?”
Brow knit—grabbed arm—fingers in skin. “Tell me—someone living with you?”
Heart dropped—death silence—blank stare—eyes cannot focus.
Long—lowered eyes—hand loose—sigh—face Zhou Lin. “No mom—overthinking…”
“Set pair when bought—other useless—use both.”
Under pressure—barely smile shape.