After Becoming Roommates with My Flirty Ex-Girlfriend - Chapter 25

“Forever” is a deceitful word.

Only frozen moments can truly last forever. Medieval oil paintings, still visible today, capture the timeless elegance of their subjects. It’s easy to imagine their peerless beauty in their prime, but the stories behind them have long been swallowed by the relentless currents of history. Whether the endings were happy or tragic remains a matter of debate for future generations—and even the stories that survive, passed down through oral tradition or distorted by written accounts, may not be true.

Yu Xia understood the unreliability of “forever” from a young age. Her first lesson came from a childhood friend who swore on a pinky promise to remain best friends for a hundred years, never to change. For humans, a century is practically synonymous with eternity; since we rarely live beyond a hundred years, death marks the beginning of forever.

She understood all this perfectly. So when her college roommate shyly confessed, clutching a bouquet of flowers, that she wanted to be with her partner forever, Yu Xia felt only bewilderment. Why believe in something so ephemeral and unattainable?

Until just now, when she saw Zheng Yun sprinting toward her.

For the first time, someone she cherished was running toward her, throwing caution to the wind.

When drowning, people instinctively grab onto anything nearby. Yu Xia had always believed herself to be an exception, until she met Zheng Yun.

She knew “forever” was an illusion, that the Earth’s rotation brought constant change, and that nothing could withstand the relentless march of time.

But in that moment, she had only one thought.

“I want to be with you forever,” Yu Xia repeated.

At the end of the road, far from the noise of the city, few people ventured this far. As night deepened and the temperature dropped, she calmed down, her eyes betraying an uncontainable hope.

Even as she spoke, she didn’t know what answer she longed to hear from Zheng Yun.

“When I woke up this morning and saw you sleeping so peacefully, I thought,” Zheng Yun said, “how wonderful it would be to wake up beside you every day.”

“How wonderful it would be to be with you forever.”

A cool wind swept past them, lifting Zheng Yun’s hair. Her eyes shone like the morning star, blazing brightly in the night sky.

“I… I want to be with you forever too,” Zheng Yun said, her voice trembling slightly.

Yu Xia understood. This was the answer she had been waiting for.

She knew forever was unreliable, that promises were often just the beautiful hopes of infatuation. She didn’t want to hear Zheng Yun say, “We’ll always be together.” Such baseless promises were like willow catkins in the wind, vanishing with the first strong gust.

She only wanted to know that Zheng Yun shared the same desire, that they were united in the present moment, their hearts aligned, their purpose for this journey one and the same.

Zheng Yun tilted her head back, allowing Yu Xia to see her expression clearly, to read the sincerity in her eyes. She laid bare her true feelings, revealing her honesty without reservation. She wanted Yu Xia to know she wasn’t lying, that every word came from her heart.

Yu Xia understood her meaning and kissed her without hesitation.

Forget the future. Let’s cherish today.

Yu Xia shed the burden in her heart. She no longer cared to dwell on Zheng Yun’s moments of distraction, the hidden phone contacts, or the uncertain future.

After all, she couldn’t bear to leave tonight.

By the time they returned to Chuntianli, it was nearly midnight.

The trip should have taken only half an hour, but Zheng Yun was inexplicably excited that night. She kept pulling Yu Xia aside for kisses, and to avoid the main roads, they wandered through winding alleys, inadvertently familiarizing themselves with the area around Chuntianli.

Whether they’d recognize the place in daylight remained to be seen, but at least they now knew where the hidden alleys and dead ends were at night.

Xiao Qi and Xiao Jiu hadn’t gone to bed. Wrapped in separate blankets, they were huddled on the sofa watching TV, a mountain of snacks and fruit piled on the coffee table. Hearing the knock, Xiao Qi shuffled over, still bundled in her blanket.

The moment they stepped inside, the cold air made them shiver.

“Are you two raising zombies in here?” Zheng Yun shuddered, pressing closer to Yu Xia.

“We were just watching a zombie movie,” Xiao Qi explained. “She insisted the low temperature added to the immersion.”

As she spoke, Xiao Qi switched on the overhead lights, the sudden brightness making all four of them squint.

Xiao Jiu wailed, “Why is it so bright?!”

Yu Xia deadpanned, “It’s not the sun. Aliens are attacking Earth.”

Xiao Jiu leaped off the sofa, her blanket sliding off her shoulders. The draft from the air conditioner vent hit her neck, making her shiver and sneeze violently. She scrambled off the sofa and jumped into Xiao Qi’s arms, who stumbled backward, dropping her blanket to the floor.

Xiao Jiu howled, “Me? I felt like an alien was grabbing my neck!”

Yu Xia, holding Zheng Yun’s hand and the remote control, pointed it at the two bare-chested boys on the standing air conditioner and pressed the button. With a few beeps, the air conditioner stopped blowing cold air.

Zheng Yun exclaimed dramatically, “Xiaxia, you’re amazing! You can even subdue aliens!”

Yu Xia: “……”

Xiao Qi, torn between laughter and tears, supported the child in her arms to prevent Xiao Jiu from sliding down. “I thought you two were lost! You weren’t answering your phones either.”

Both women kept their phones on silent year-round. Usually, they’d glance at their phones occasionally, but tonight they had been too preoccupied.

Xiao Jiu scrutinized them from head to toe, asking suspiciously, “Did you two go steal steel bars from the construction site next door?”

They had left wearing light-colored clothes, but now their bodies were half-covered in gray dust, with streaks even on their arms, glaringly visible under the light.

“Please don’t report us,” Yu Xia said, her usual icy expression betraying no emotion. If Xiao Jiu hadn’t been watching her lips move, she wouldn’t have believed the words were coming from her mouth.

The room’s temperature gradually rose, becoming slightly warmer than the previous ice-cave-like chill. The projector continued playing the TV series, but all four of them fell into a sudden silence.

After several long seconds, Xiao Jiu finally slid off Xiao Qi, her arms still wrapped around Xiao Qi’s neck. Xiao Qi had to bend over to accommodate the embrace. Clearly stunned, Xiao Jiu seemed to have forgotten her own actions. She slowly asked, “Are you Yu Xia, or an alien?”

Yu Xia replied mechanically, “I’m the Haier Brothers.”

Zheng Yun, leaning against Xiao Jiu’s shoulder, shook with laughter. Yu Xia playfully scratched Zheng Yun’s palm with her fingertip, but Zheng Yun grabbed her hand, laughing so hard she couldn’t speak.

Xiao Jiu choked, finally realizing she was clinging to Xiao Qi like a monkey hanging from a tree. After a moment’s thought, she climbed back onto Xiao Qi, still feeling a chill. She snuggled against Xiao Qi’s warmth.

Whispering into Xiao Qi’s ear, she murmured, “Don’t you think Yu Xia is acting really strange?”

Yu Xia would never usually joke around with her for so long. Even when in a particularly good mood, she’d only banter briefly, never this persistently. Xiao Jiu reasonably suspected that Yu Xia had been replaced by someone else.

Remembering horror movies she’d seen, Xiao Jiu shuddered and burrowed deeper into Xiao Qi’s arms, asking timidly, “Yu Xia, did you win five million yuan?”

Yu Xia looked up, her expression puzzled.

“Or do you have a twin sister, and you two switched places tonight?” Xiao Jiu asked again.

Yu Xia’s eyelid twitched, and she shot Xiao Jiu a cold glare.

Xiao Jiu choked for a moment, then relaxed. “That’s the Yu Xia I know! I need that edge. Without that look, summer just feels too hot.”

“You two must have hit the jackpot tonight, you’re so giddy,” Xiao Qi teased.

“Weren’t we happy before?” Zheng Yun retorted.

“Not like this! You two are acting like it’s the end of the world tomorrow.”

Xiao Qi set Xiao Jiu down on the sofa, picked up the blanket from the floor, and tossed it back. Xiao Jiu hugged the blanket, let out a contented “Awooo,” and sprawled against the backrest, her wide eyes fixed on the two women with curiosity.

“You two are just trying to squeeze in one last wild night before the apocalypse,” Xiao Qi snorted. “If we weren’t here, who knows what you might have gotten up to?”

They had already done most of what they wanted to do today. After baring their hearts, their spirits had remained high, like a rocket launched to the moon, only calming down upon landing.

Xiao Jiu said with concern, “You both have dark circles under your eyes. Young people need to pace themselves. Oh, Yu Xia, do you need a wrist brace?”

“What?”

“For carpal tunnel syndrome,” Xiao Jiu said, starting to get up to find one. “I think you should take precautions.”

“You can keep them for yourselves,” Yu Xia said, instinctively flexing her wrist. Finding no stiffness or pain, she relaxed.

“We have extras,” Xiao Jiu said, her bare feet cold against the floor, making her grit her teeth. Xiao Qi lifted her up, and she obediently clung to Xiao Qi’s back. “We’re all good friends here. We can share some with you.”

Yu Xia was truly speechless.

She didn’t know how to politely refuse Xiao Jiu’s offer. Saying her wrist was fine would make her seem weak, but accepting would be embarrassing in front of Zheng Yun.

“Do you want them?” Xiao Jiu pressed, her tone half-doubtful, half-challenging. “Or am I wrong? Are you not as tough as I thought, Yu Xia?”

“She’s implying you’re not up to par,” Zheng Yun said, tightening her grip on Yu Xia’s hand as she joined the conversation. “Even the medicinal patches have extras.”

“Enough, you two,” Xiao Qi said, a smile playing on her lips as she wrapped an arm around Xiao Jiu. Her muscular arm looked both reliable and protective. “Trying to stir up trouble between us? Go on, get back inside.”

After bidding farewell to Xiao Qi and Xiao Jiu, the pair headed upstairs. The rowdy college students who had been staying there recently had already checked out, leaving the upper floors eerily quiet. The air conditioning didn’t reach the lobby, so the higher they climbed, the warmer it became.

Yu Xia’s palms grew slightly damp. Her other hand remained firmly clasped in Zheng Yun’s. Glancing sideways, she met Zheng Yun’s upward gaze, her eyes brimming with amusement.

“Xiaxia,” Zheng Yun said, her affectionate lips parting and closing. Yu Xia braced herself for another round of soothing words.

“Hmm?”

“It’s okay,” Zheng Yun whispered, leaning close to Yu Xia’s ear. Her voice was soft and laced with a low chuckle. “I know best whether you can handle it.”

Yu Xia tugged angrily at Zheng Yun’s wrist, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. The two women continued their playful tug-of-war as they made their way upstairs.

Just before the door closed, they heard Xiao Qi’s earth-shattering roar from downstairs: “Did you eat all the popsicles?!”

Zheng Yun couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Yu Xia slept soundly through the night.

She woke up early the next morning and checked her phone, replying to a few messages. A high school classmate asked if she had argued with her family, saying Yu Nian had asked her to pass on a message: Yu Xia should call home when she had time.

Yu Xia couldn’t be bothered to reply.

It was simply time for another performance of family harmony. In previous years, around this time, the family would gather to celebrate the birthdays of their elders, the four of them present and accounted for.

Though nominally birthday celebrations, these gatherings were actually occasions for the younger generation to compete and compare themselves. Years ago, Yu Xia had once slammed her chopsticks down in frustration. Distant relatives criticized her for lacking social skills, earnestly warning that such a temperament would lead to hardship in the real world.

Yu Xia hadn’t experienced any significant setbacks outside the home. Stepping out into the world, she discovered that most people were normal—there were no relatives who lectured her the moment she opened her mouth, no one who treated everyone else’s belongings as if they belonged to their younger sister, and no parents blinded by favoritism.

The classmate who dared to relay the message was someone Yu Xia had been somewhat close to in high school, and her wording was as tactful as could be. Yu Xia pressed her lips together and finally replied:

Thank you. Please tell her I won’t be calling back.

Also, tell her to stop harassing people I know.

She didn’t know what family gatherings were like in other households. All she knew was that whether it was her immediate family or her extended family, she was treated like a decorative vase—only brought out for group photos to fill space. Since she was just a vase, her presence was optional; if she didn’t attend, no one would worry about her breaking.

The “typing…” indicator flashed for a long moment before a simple “Sigh” appeared.

Got it.

Yu Xia glanced at Chen Zhu’s chat window again. Though they had only known each other for a semester, Chen Zhu and she were as close as if they had been friends for a decade. Even an unresponsive chat window couldn’t stop Chen Zhu from rambling on for three days straight.

Yu Xia suddenly felt a pang of guilt for having been so absorbed in her romance that she had neglected her friend. She scrolled back through their chat history to review Chen Zhu’s initial updates.

Chen Zhu treated their chat window like a personal memo pad, jotting down game account details one moment and grocery lists the next.

Her brother and sister-in-law had given her some money as compensation for helping with the baby, urging her to take a trip. She booked a tour group and spent her days wandering and taking photos, sending Yu Xia countless pictures of clear blue skies, fluffy white clouds, and lush green landscapes. The summer days were crystal clear, and gazing at the scenery for hours filled her heart with a sense of openness and clarity.

In high spirits, Yu Xia selected a few messages to reply to. Just as she finished and was about to put her phone down to wait for Zheng Yun to wake up, she looked up and saw Zheng Yun standing before her, leaning slightly forward.

Zheng Yun was wearing the same spaghetti-strap nightgown Yu Xia had seen before. As she leaned over, glimpses of her skin flashed tantalizingly. Her long, dark hair cascaded down her neck, its raven hue accentuating her snow-white complexion. Her cheeks and earlobes flushed a delicate peach, her eyelids lowered, and her lashes fluttered faintly.

Her voice still carried the lingering tenderness of sleep as she murmured with playful annoyance, “Who are you texting, smiling so happily?”

Zheng Yun wasn’t one for being clingy, but just woken up and still drowsy, she spoke with uncharacteristic abandon.

“A college roommate,” Yu Xia replied. Realizing her answer sounded too curt, she added, “She’s traveling and sent me some photos.”

Zheng Yun sat down in front of her, pressing close enough that her breath warmed Yu Xia’s face. In her eyes, Yu Xia saw Zheng Yun’s features reflected, their beauty breathtaking.

“So happy?” Zheng Yun frowned slightly.

“The photos are beautiful,” Yu Xia murmured, glancing down to reach for her phone, intending to show them to Zheng Yun. But she was interrupted by a soft, brief chuckle.

She looked up and met Zheng Yun’s eyes, which were brimming with amusement.

“Just teasing you, Xiaxia,” Zheng Yun said, pinching Yu Xia’s cheek. Seeing her brow furrow, she quickly reassured her, “Don’t be angry.”

Yu Xia responded by cupping Zheng Yun’s slender neck and pressing a kiss against it.

The morning kiss carried the lingering warmth of sweet dreams. Their lips brushed briefly before parting. Yu Xia figured they’d indulged too much the previous night and should rest.

Mostly for Zheng Yun’s sake.

“Xiaxia,” Zheng Yun suddenly asked, “do you have a younger sister?”

“Mm-hmm,” Yu Xia replied lazily, looking up at Zheng Yun, who stood a head taller than her.

“Does she look like you?” Zheng Yun pressed.

“Don’t bring up people I dislike at such a perfect moment,” Yu Xia said, reaching up to wrap her arms around Zheng Yun’s neck. She forcefully pulled the moon down from the sky, silencing the questions that still lingered on Zheng Yun’s lips.

The kiss was swift, urgent, and possessive. Zheng Yun instinctively struggled, but Yu Xia’s response was a dizzying roll, her long legs pinned by another’s. Deprived of air, Zheng Yun’s faint whimpers were barely audible. Yu Xia gripped her wrist with detached indifference, her grip firm but not painful. Zheng Yun ceased struggling, clinging to Yu Xia’s wrist as if grasping a lifeline.

Yu Xia lifted her head, her gaze fixed on Zheng Yun’s beautiful eyes, where only her own reflection lingered.

She refused to let another’s image intrude.

“Xiaxia, I’ll only ever love you,” Zheng Yun gasped, taking small, ragged breaths of fresh air. Even before she had fully recovered, she smiled at Yu Xia.

“Mm, me too,” Yu Xia murmured, leaning against Zheng Yun’s chest. Beneath the soft embrace, her heart throbbed, as if affirming her words.

“Even if you looked exactly like me, I’d still recognize you. I’ll only ever love you,” Zheng Yun repeated.

“We don’t look alike,” Yu Xia replied, feeling the vibrant life force radiating from Zheng Yun beside her ear.

“You’re right,” Zheng Yun murmured, holding her close and gently patting her back. “You are you. You’re the one and only Yu Xia in the world.”

“My precious.”