After Becoming Roommates with My Flirty Ex-Girlfriend - Chapter 11

Yu Xia instinctively glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Her pale skin was flushed pink, and her long lashes trembled slightly. Only then did she realize her earlobes felt like they were burning; she didn’t even need to touch them to know how hot they were.

The two women were crammed into the narrow dressing room, their shallow breaths mingling in the air. Yu Xia could hear the pounding of a heart in her ears, unable to tell if it was her own or Zheng Yun’s.

“It’s a bit warm,” Yu Xia said, pulling away and turning her face aside, offering a clumsy explanation.

“It is a little,” Zheng Yun replied, not calling her out on her lie. “Why don’t you go wait for me outside?”

Yu Xia nearly bolted. Her hand was already on the doorknob when something occurred to her. Without turning around, she lowered her voice and asked, “Do you need me to help you with your zipper?”

Her reasoning was simple: if Zheng Yun had needed help zipping up, she probably needed help zipping down too.

Zheng Yun chuckled, pausing for a few seconds before replying, “Could you take a photo for me instead?”

Yu Xia tilted her head in confusion.

“I don’t have a phone,” Zheng Yun said, meeting her gaze with disarming innocence. “Once I get a new one, I’ll ask you for the photos. Is that okay?”

There’s no real reason to refuse, Yu Xia thought. It was just like when Chen Zhu bought new clothes and asked her to take photos to send to friends—just helping with a photo, only using her phone.

“Okay,” Yu Xia agreed.

The fitting room was cramped. Yu Xia pulled out her phone but struggled to find a good angle. Direct shots were out of the question; squatting down to photograph Zheng Yun would risk an embarrassing exposure. The only option was to shoot through the mirror.

“Stand here,” Zheng Yun said, tucking her hair behind her ear as she stepped back, creating space for Yu Xia in front of her.

Yu Xia was now a compliant photographer, standing exactly where Zheng Yun directed.

Only after moving into position did she realize the problem. She lowered her phone, about to ask, when Zheng Yun wrapped her arm around Yu Xia’s.

“Perfect,” Zheng Yun said, smiling warmly at her.

The sudden closeness banished the cramped feeling. Yu Xia switched the phone to her left hand, tacitly accepting that they would both be in the shot. She reasoned that in such a small space, it was better to include both of them and edit the photo later.

Yu Xia raised her phone. Zheng Yun shifted her pose, placing her hands on Yu Xia’s shoulders and adjusting her posture while looking at their reflection in the mirror. Yu Xia slightly adjusted the camera angle, her fingertip hovering over the shutter button. The moment she pressed it, Zheng Yun tilted her head up.

The phone camera faithfully captured their image. As Zheng Yun tilted her head back, the corner of her mouth curved into a subtle smile, her profile sharp and refined. Her gaze followed Yu Xia’s eyes, a strand of dark hair falling between them. The contrast of her jet-black hair against her crimson dress was striking, the bow at her waist lifting slightly as Zheng Yun leaned against Yu Xia, who stood ramrod straight. It was a perfectly natural couple’s photo.

Yu Xia pressed her lips together, struggling to keep her voice from trembling.

“Should we take another one?” she asked.

Zheng Yun tilted her head to examine the photo on Yu Xia’s phone. The lighting, composition, and their poses were all perfect. The only awkward element was their close proximity, which made Yu Xia’s knuckles tighten with discomfort.

“This one’s great,” Zheng Yun said, pulling away slightly. “No need to retake it. You’re really good at this.”

They were standing too close. Even if Zheng Yun were cropped out later, anyone could tell someone else had been there.

“I’ll go now,” Yu Xia said, turning to leave after completing her task.

“Wait… could you help me with the zipper?” Zheng Yun called after her.

Yu Xia had almost forgotten about that. She turned back silently and wordlessly pulled down the zipper.

The zipper felt like a seal being broken. As she slid it down, the delicate ridge of Zheng Yun’s spine pressed against her knuckles through the fabric. Even through the layers of clothing, Yu Xia could feel Zheng Yun’s slight shudder.

She kept her head bowed, watching the ribbon sway, afraid to look up.

“I’m going now. It’s a bit cold in here. You should change quickly,” Yu Xia said finally, hurrying out.

She sat on the sofa for a long time, waiting for the citrus scent in her nostrils to fade and the warmth behind her cheeks to subside. Zheng Yun emerged, having changed back into her own clothes and carrying the dress.

“Would you like to take one with you?” the sales assistant asked.

“Let me think about it,” Zheng Yun replied, handing the dress back to the assistant as she walked over to Yu Xia.

“This is one of our new arrivals this year. The fabric and hardware are top-quality. You really should consider taking one,” the sales assistant urged, sensing Zheng Yun’s hesitation.

“Then I’ll take it,” Zheng Yun said with a radiant smile.

Yu Xia, however, remained lost in thought.

New clothes wouldn’t have issues with stiff zippers. So why had Zheng Yun called her in to help with the zipper?

After settling the bill, Zheng Yun returned with the shopping bag and looped her arm through Yu Xia’s, leading her toward the escalator.

“Why did you ask me to help with the zipper earlier?” Yu Xia felt her face flush again. “You could have zipped it up yourself.”

“Didn’t you say today I’m your ‘traditional date’?” Zheng Yun showed no embarrassment at being called out. “A date should feel involved, right?”

It was as if fireworks had exploded overhead, colorful streamers bursting outward to fill the entire world.

By the time Zheng Yun had led her down two floors, Yu Xia finally found her voice. She cleared her throat, trying to sound composed. “When did I say that?”

“When you were shopping with your friend, she said you were,” Zheng Yun replied confidently, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “So if you’re with me, it must be true too.”

Yu Xia didn’t argue further.

She knew she could never win against Zheng Yun’s logic anyway.

It was difficult to hail a taxi in downtown Rain City on a rainy day, so the two were delayed. On the way, Xiao Qi called Yu Xia to check in and said she would wait for them to have dinner together when they got back.

It’s more lively when we all eat together.

Yu Xia relayed Xiao Qi’s message to Zheng Yun, who was watching the rain patter against the car window. Zheng Yun nodded and said, “Xiao Jiu loves eating with everyone.”

As Zheng Yun spoke, Yu Xia listened quietly.

“When I first moved here, Xiao Jiu would invite me to dinner every day. At first, I enjoyed going, but they couldn’t help but show off their affection during meals,” Zheng Yun sighed in frustration. “I know they don’t do it on purpose; it’s just their natural habit.”

“But after watching it for so long, it still made me feel a little bitter,” Zheng Yun looked up, her long, raven-feather lashes failing to conceal the glint in her eyes. “But now that you’re here too…”

Yu Xia subtly averted her gaze, glancing down at her muddy shoes. “Hmm?” she murmured.

First mentioning Xiao Qi and Xiao Jiu, then bringing her up—was Zheng Yun trying to draw a parallel between their relationships? Yu Xia frowned slightly, feeling the pace was moving too quickly.

“Now that you’re here for dinner too,” Zheng Yun leaned back in her seat and stretched languidly, “I won’t have to eat dog food alone anymore.”

Yu Xia: ……

So that’s what she meant.

She lowered her gaze, relieved she hadn’t asked for more details and avoided further embarrassment.

“But,” Zheng Yun paused, leaned closer, and whispered into Yu Xia’s ear, “even if it means eating dog food, it’s worth it to dine with you.”

Yu Xia nearly strained every muscle to maintain her composure, managing only a cool “Mm.”

Zheng Yun retreated to her seat, giving Yu Xia ample space to regain her composure.

Two minutes later, Yu Xia belatedly realized her response had been too stiff, a bit pretentious.

She hadn’t even registered that in the past, hearing such words would have made her frown and steer clear, convinced the speaker was mentally unwell.

“Me too,” Yu Xia murmured softly.

“Huh?” Zheng Yun’s thoughts had already drifted elsewhere. Startled by Yu Xia’s words, her train of thought derailed.

“I said, me too,” Yu Xia repeated, turning her head to stare at the blurry reflection of her face in the car window. Only a careful observer would notice the subtle upward curve of her lips.

“That’s wonderful!” Zheng Yun clutched her chest dramatically. “I was worried you didn’t feel the same way.”

Zheng Yun’s words were muffled, and Yu Xia remained silent, afraid that speaking again would betray her true feelings.

Her fluttering emotions, like a Samoyed’s ears, stood on end, trembling at the slightest touch, impossible to conceal.

After half an hour of stop-and-go traffic in the city, they finally arrived at Chuntianli.

Yu Xia got out first.

The car had parked poorly, leaving a puddle on the ground. Yu Xia nearly stepped into it as she crossed. Large raindrops splashed into the water, creating ripples that reflected the wrinkled sky.

She opened her umbrella and waited for Zheng Yun to get out.

As Zheng Yun moved to exit, she noticed the puddle. Frowning, she prepared to step over it when a slender, delicate hand appeared before her. The knuckles were distinct, and the nails were neatly trimmed into rounded shapes, a stark contrast to their owner’s sharp personality.

The pale wrist peeking out from beneath the sweatshirt sleeve revealed faint glimpses of hidden blue veins, making it easy to imagine how they would look when strained.

“Let me give you a hand,” Yu Xia offered.

Having nearly stepped into the puddle herself, she worried Zheng Yun might do the same. Though the guesthouse was just steps away, she didn’t want their otherwise pleasant outing to end on a sour note.

“Thank you,” Zheng Yun said without hesitation, taking Yu Xia’s hand. Her palm felt icy cold, with warmth only near the base of her hand.

When Zheng Yun stepped out of the car, Yu Xia gently pulled her along. This caused Zheng Yun to stumble onto the sidewalk, unable to stop her momentum, and crash directly into Yu Xia’s arms. The impact made Yu Xia stagger backward, nearly losing her grip on the umbrella.

The driver, eager to eat, didn’t hesitate. Seeing both passengers had disembarked, he floored the accelerator and sped away.

On the vast street, most pedestrians hurried home, their faces grim. The rain shrouded the world in a misty veil, and no one noticed the two figures embracing in a small corner.

Yu Xia held the umbrella with one hand, still clutching Zheng Yun’s hand with the other. Both were startled by the sudden embrace, too stunned to react until the driver’s revving engine jolted them apart.

Zheng Yun’s cheeks flushed a rare crimson. Just as she was about to apologize, a whistle cut through the air.

“Oh, look who’s wearing matching outfits for their outing!” Xiao Qi teased, holding an umbrella and wearing slippers. “Hugging in the rain right at your doorstep? Why not go inside to hug?”

Xiao Jiu emerged from behind Xiao Qi, carrying a bag full of snacks. Her free hand gripped Xiao Qi’s tightly, shooting her a sharp glare.

“What do you know? This is called romance! You have no sense of romance whatsoever.”

She then raised an eyebrow at Yu Xia. “Am I right?”

Yu Xia: “……”

Is it too late to say it was an accident?