Chapter 4 Apron and Confessions
After ten minutes of my feet barely skimming the ground, they finally let me stand properly.
At the entrance, Xu Jiaqing changed his shoes and handed me a brand-new pair of women's slippers.
Xu Yan suddenly dropped to one knee on the floor and reached for my shoelaces.
I panicked, kicked off my shoes, and hopped toward the living room.
His hand froze in midair. He picked up my shoe and placed it on the rack.
Xu Jiaqing stood a short distance away, watching the scene with unreadable eyes.
"Brother, Tian Wan is my guest. Aren't you being... a little too enthusiastic?"
Xu Yan smiled. "She's my student. She got hurt because of me. Shouldn't I take care of her?"
Xu Jiaqing frowned. "What do you mean she got hurt because of you?"
"Exactly what it sounds like. You'll understand when you need to." Xu Yan took off his watch, placed it on the cabinet, and headed to the kitchen.
A moment later he came back to the living room. "Didn't you say you were cooking? Where's the food?"
"The rice is in the cooker."
"And the dishes?"
Xu Jiaqing spread his hands. "Some of the ingredients in your fridge I've never even seen. I don't know how to cook them."
Xu Yan took a deep breath and returned to the kitchen.
When he came out again, he carried a plate of fruit.
"Eat some fruit and snacks to tide you over. Dinner will be ready soon."
I caught the big bag of chips he tossed me, my eyes stuck on the pink-and-white frilly apron tied around his waist.
"What's wrong? Your face is suddenly so red." Xu Jiaqing speared a piece of apple and held it to my lips.
"N-nothing."
Xu Jiaqing curved his lips. "Do you also think my brother wearing that apron looks weird?"
I forced a smile.
That apron was the gift I gave Xu Yan.
I just never got to see him wear it before we broke up.
The day before the breakup, we were still talking about how he'd cook and I'd eat.
After finishing his food, I'd eat him...
"Your face is even redder now."
Xu Jiaqing's smile deepened slightly. "Tian Wan, I didn't expect you to be so innocent. You blush so easily."
"..."
"So the messages you sent me today were just teasing?" Xu Jiaqing sat beside me and unconsciously moved closer.
He leaned down and whispered near my ear, "I've been a bit inconvenient these past few days. Believe it or not, my brother and I sync up for three days every month."
"Heh. I believe you." I pressed my lips together.
"You actually believe it?"
Xu Jiaqing gave a half-smile. "Or... have you already tested it?"
After a brief silence, he scoffed. "I'm kidding. You got so nervous you almost stopped breathing."
Xu Jiaqing leaned back against the sofa. The air around me finally felt breathable again.
I rolled my eyes inwardly. Synesthesia Link between brothers? Who would believe that.
Xu Jiaqing could be kind of childish sometimes.
He confessed, "At first when they said you liked me, I didn't take it seriously. I knew why you approached me. It was because someone posted rumors on the school confession wall saying you liked girls, and I spoke up for you, right?"
I froze. So Xu Jiaqing already knew.
I said, "They were just rumors. Thank you for defending me."
"Don't thank me yet. I didn't believe it at first, so I accepted your WeChat. But after a few days of watching your messages, I... started believing. The way you chat really doesn't sound like a normal girl."
Xu Jiaqing glanced at me. "I'm sorry."
I felt awkward. "You don't need to apologize. I really am bad at chatting."
"I'm not apologizing for that."
"Then...?"
Xu Jiaqing's gaze landed on a box of tissues on the coffee table, then darted away.
"I thought I could never have feelings for you. But after adding you on WeChat, I couldn't stop checking your updates, waiting for your messages, your selfies. I..."
Xu Jiaqing hesitated. "Tian Wan, do you want to give us a try?"
"Xu Jiaqing."
Xu Yan walked out of the kitchen with a plate of food, his face dark. "Go serve your own rice."
Xu Jiaqing didn't get my answer. He just smiled. "No rush. Tonight, let's just mooch dinner first."