After Becoming Roommates with My Flirty Ex-Girlfriend - Chapter 48

Yu Nian finally broke free from Ms. Ke Qian’s grasp, her small face flushed crimson—whether from heat or anger, it was hard to tell. Yu Xia found it rather amusing to see Yu Nian so worked up, looking like a ripe, red apple.

“You—you weren’t really working overtime!” Yu Nian’s first words were sharp, but she quickly lowered her voice. “What were you doing?”

“I have no obligation to explain,” Yu Xia replied coolly.

She had no intention of opening the door to welcome the two uninvited guests. Instead, she stood her ground, quietly waiting for them to begin their performance.

“Little Zheng,” Ms. Ke Qian, who hadn’t been this humiliated in ages, turned to Zheng Yun for help when Yu Xia remained unmoved. “Niannian missed you so much, so we came straight over.”

Zheng Yun smiled apologetically, pressing her lips together. “My phone was on silent all evening, and I didn’t have time to check it. I’m so sorry I didn’t know Auntie and Niannian were coming over.”

“Oh,” Yu Xia nodded knowingly. “So, because you wanted it so badly, you came here even after I refused you? And Zheng Yun refused you too?”

“Why are you butting in when we’re talking to Zheng Yun-jie?” Yu Nian frowned, clearly annoyed.

“This is my home,” Yu Xia retorted with a mocking smile. “You’re standing at my doorstep, yet you’re telling the homeowner not to speak? Didn’t your parents teach you basic manners?”

Her words were almost venomous, causing Ms. Ke Qian to frown. Just as she was about to scold Yu Xia, Zheng Yun intervened, cutting off the conversation.

“It’s my fault for not booking a hotel for Auntie and Niannian in advance,” Zheng Yun said, taking full responsibility with a gentle smile. “This has nothing to do with Xiaxia.”

“Why are you being so affectionate with her?” Yu Nian couldn’t help but complain. “Our parents raised her for twenty years, and she still says such things? She’s a complete ingrate!”

“I think she’s right,” Zheng Yun replied with a faint smile. “Guests should seek the homeowner’s permission before visiting and behave politely.”

Zheng Yun pulled out her phone, ignored the missed calls, and swiped through the screen. “Auntie, I’ll book a hotel for you and Niannian right now. Xiaxia and I can take you there later. I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t had time to clean the house properly—it’s not suitable for guests.”

“I don’t mind,” Yu Nian mumbled, her voice tinged with grievance. After Zheng Yun’s pointed remarks, she had become noticeably more subdued. “I don’t want to stay in a hotel.”

“I don’t want you staying at my place either,” Yu Xia retorted with a cold huff.

“Could you please keep it down?” Their sleepy-eyed neighbor pushed open the door, his voice heavy with the resentment of someone whose pleasant dreams had been rudely interrupted. Suppressing his anger, he asked politely, “It’s late. Even if this is your doorstep, it’s not your home.”

“We’re sorry,” Zheng Yun and Yu Xia apologized almost simultaneously.

“I’ll resolve this immediately,” Yu Xia said. “My apologies.”

The neighbor nodded curtly. “Thank you, but please hurry. I have overtime tomorrow.”

With that, he closed the door.

“Xiaxia,” Ms. Ke Qian rubbed her temples wearily. “Mom is exhausted.”

She felt a little lost. Everyone said twins were connected by fate, their hearts and minds intertwined. Yet Yu Xia and Yu Nian had clashed since childhood, their personalities utterly incompatible. When they were young, their constant bickering seemed like childish rivalry for their mother’s affection, something they would outgrow.

But as they grew older, why had their animosity deepened into such utter intolerance for each other?

Ke Qian’s usually refined expression was now etched with unconcealed weariness, making her look years older.

Yu Xia remained silent for a few seconds before sighing softly. “Just sleep here tonight.”

She took out her keys and unlocked the door, passing by her mother and sister without so much as a glance.

Only after settling on the sofa and Zheng Yun had served everyone water did Yu Xia, pressing a hand to her forehead, ask, “Alright, what do you want?”

“My birthday is on Sunday. We agreed you’d come then. Can you explain the meaning of this little drama today?”

Yu Nian completely ignored her, clinging to Zheng Yun’s arm and fussing over her. “Zheng Yun-jie, where were you tonight? You smell like alcohol.”

“There’s a gathering tonight,” Zheng Yun said, blatantly lying. “The boss said we absolutely have to attend.”

“That boss is so mean!” Yu Nian exclaimed, joining in the condemnation of “the boss.”

Xiao Zhou, who was leaning against Cen Xue’s shoulder on the way home, suddenly sneezed, rubbed her nose, and mumbled, “Who’s badmouthing me now?”

Cen Xue patted her cheek. “Who would dare badmouth you? You might just be catching a cold from the sudden temperature change.”

Xiao Zhou shifted into a more comfortable position and drifted back to sleep.

Yu Xia hadn’t expected an answer from Yu Nian anyway. She looked up at Ms. Ke Qian, who opened her mouth to speak but said nothing.

Ms. Ke Qian closed her eyes briefly and pushed a disposable paper cup forward. “Have some water.”

What answer could there be to this question? It was simply that Yu Nian had the idea, and Ms. Ke Qian had acted on it.

As for whether her own thoughts and feelings had ever taken precedence…

Yu Xia stood up. “Zheng Yun will sleep with me. You two can sleep in Zheng Yun’s room. Tomorrow morning, you’ll go to the hotel on your own.”

Yu Nian immediately protested, “I don’t want to! I want to sleep with Zheng Yun-jie!”

Yu Xia ignored her completely and turned to leave. “Ask Zheng Yun-jie if she agrees.”

Yu Nian immediately turned to Zheng Yun, trying to win her over with a charming act.

Zheng Yun glanced in the direction Yu Xia had left and shook her head gently. “Let’s do as Xiaxia says, okay? Are you girls going to shower now?”

“No way, Zheng Yun-jie! You have no idea—Yu Xia is such a restless sleeper! My mom says she used to kick people in her sleep when she was little, so we’ve slept in separate beds since we were tiny. If you don’t believe me, ask my mom! Even she doesn’t want to share a bed with her…”

“You’re talking about when she was a child, ages ago,” Zheng Yun replied with a polite smile. “You don’t really know what she’s like now. Please don’t speak about her like that again. She doesn’t kick in her sleep anymore. We’ve slept together many times, and I’ve never had the problems you’re describing.”

Zheng Yun said no more. She stood up, pointed out the locations of the toiletries to Ms. Ke Qian, and added casually, “Xiaxia doesn’t like people touching her things, so just use mine.”

Yu Nian was still muttering when Ms. Ke Qian suddenly called out, “Niannian, why are you talking about your sister like that in front of outsiders?”

Yu Nian’s eyes widened. “Well, I wish Zheng Yun were my real sister too! What kind of sister is she anyway? Am I wrong?”

Ke Qian stared at Yu Nian for a moment, then sighed softly.

Zheng Yun entered her room, changed the bedsheets, stuffed the old ones into the washing machine, and then went to Yu Xia’s room.

Yu Xia was sitting on a stool, texting Cen Xue. Tonight’s drama had completely sobered her up. She glanced up at Zheng Yun entering, then lowered her head again, asking coolly, “Did you agree to Yu Nian’s request?”

Zheng Yun shook her head.

After finishing her message to Cen Xue and confirming that Cen Xue and Xiao Zhou had also arrived home safely, Yu Xia got up and went straight to take a shower.

By the time Zheng Yun finished her shower and emerged, Ke Qian and Yu Nian were still chatting in the living room.

After greeting the mother and daughter, Zheng Yun closed the door.

The familiar scene unfolded once more.

Yu Xia was in a foul mood, so Zheng Yun refrained from teasing her as she usually did. Instead, she obediently snuggled under her own blanket and settled down to sleep.

Just as Zheng Yun thought Yu Xia was drifting off, Yu Xia spoke: “Yu Nian really likes you.”

“She’s probably just being childish,” Zheng Yun replied.

She didn’t believe Yu Nian’s affection stemmed from romantic love. It was more like the fondness a child might have for a pretty older neighbor—a sense of instant connection that made her want to visit Zheng Yun’s home more often.

Suddenly, darkness fell.

Yu Xia leaned in, blocking the light. Her dark eyes, backlit by the dim light, revealed no emotion, like storm clouds gathering before a downpour, concealing an immeasurable deluge.

“And what about my feelings for you back then?” Yu Xia asked coldly. “Were those just childish whims too?”

Yu Xia loomed over her, pinning Zheng Yun beneath her. Unable to sit up, Zheng Yun could only gaze up at Yu Xia, every emotion in her eyes laid bare, leaving her no room to lie.

“You’re more mature than she is. You know what you’re doing,” Zheng Yun replied.

“Does being mature mean I should back down?” Yu Xia pressed.

“I’m sorry,” Zheng Yun apologized.

“Why are you apologizing?” Yu Xia asked, frowning in genuine confusion. “What does this have to do with you?”

“Because I made you unhappy…” Zheng Yun began, but Yu Xia pressed a finger to her lips, stopping her from finishing.

“The three of you are like a family,” Yu Xia said, her lips curling into a mocking smile. “Yu Nian comes to you with her problems, and my mother does too.”

“Zheng Yun, if Yu Nian were the one dating you, wouldn’t things be so much easier?”

Her words were venomous, like a sharp knife plunged into Zheng Yun’s chest, twisted to make her wince in pain.

Zheng Yun shoved Yu Xia onto the bed and began stripping off her clothes.

Yu Xia sat on the bed, suddenly craving a cigarette.

But there were none in the house.

Zheng Yun wore a white cotton nightgown with built-in padding. It slipped off easily. She crawled over to Yu Xia, grabbed her left hand, and pressed it against her heart.

Warm, trembling skin nestled in Yu Xia’s palm, the soft cherry tip pressing against her palm. A rapid heartbeat pulsed through the tender flesh, transmitting to the nerve endings in Yu Xia’s hand, the two hearts resonating across the space between them.

“If you have any questions, ask it directly,” Zheng Yun said, as if she had made up her mind. “You don’t believe what I say, but you should believe what it tells you.”

Yu Xia stared at the back of her hand, silent for a moment. Then she asked, “Is the door locked?”

“Locked,” Zheng Yun replied instantly.

Yu Xia fixed her gaze on Zheng Yun’s eyes, like a leopard locking onto its prey, crouching low, ready to strike the killing blow.

“I want you to tell me,” Yu Xia said, her other hand gripping the back of Zheng Yun’s neck, her fingertips kneading the skin in a predatory motion, like a feline savoring a successful hunt.

The skin in Yu Xia’s palm trembled. Zheng Yun shifted uncomfortably, curling her legs as if trying to grasp something, but Yu Xia gave her no chance.

Yu Xia spread her fingers wide, pressing her palm against Zheng Yun’s neck, forcing her down until her face was buried in the pillow, preventing her from seeing Yu Xia’s expression.

Zheng Yun could only clutch the corner of the pillow, submitting to Yu Xia’s ministrations.

Yet Yu Xia hesitated, delaying the final, crucial stroke.

Yu Xia was like an executioner gripping the guillotine’s blade, while Zheng Yun was the condemned, awaiting judgment. She felt the executioner’s gaze slowly, inch by inch, scrutinize her body and soul, and she was powerless to retaliate.

Yu Xia’s fingertips traced Zheng Yun’s spine, her slender shoulder blades revealing the delicate butterfly bones beneath, like a wounded butterfly clinging helplessly to a rock. The prominent ridge of her spine formed that very rock.

With each caress, Zheng Yun trembled, as if poised to take flight at any moment.

They were intimately familiar with each other, having explored every inch of each other’s skin and savored every part of their bodies. Naturally, they knew exactly how to control each other’s bodies.

So when Zheng Yun bit down on the pillow, Yu Xia released her hand and casually wiped it on Zheng Yun’s thigh.

She placed a palm on Zheng Yun’s waist, waiting for the tense muscles to gradually relax before probing again.

After repeating this three or four times, Zheng Yun could no longer bear the restraint. Just as she was about to beg for mercy, Yu Nian’s voice rang out from outside the door.

“Mom, how much longer are you going to be?” Yu Nian huffed. “If I’d known, I would have showered first.”

Yu Xia whispered to Zheng Yun, “What do you want to say?”

Zheng Yun dared not speak at that moment. Yu Xia’s fingers rested against her, occasionally flicking the sensitive spot, sending shudders through her.

She was terrified that if she spoke, Yu Xia would force her to make sounds loud enough to attract Yu Nian’s attention.

“Why are you afraid to speak in front of Yu Nian?” Yu Xia asked, feigning confusion. “Didn’t you say she’s just a child? What could a child possibly understand about what we’re doing?”

She flicked the spot again. The cute little pearl was plump and round. Yu Xia had trimmed her nails just a few days ago, leaving them barely longer than the free edge. Yet even this tiny bit of nail, when it brushed against the pearl, felt like the pendulum of a giant clock swinging across Zheng Yun’s scalp.

“I didn’t…” Zheng Yun managed to utter two words before Yu Nian pressed down harder, forcing her to swallow the rest of her sentence with a muffled whimper.

Hearing Ms. Ke Qian’s reply, Yu Nian shuffled back to her room in her slippers. Only then did Zheng Yun dare to peek out from the pillow, her face flushed crimson.

Tears clung to her eyelashes as she gazed pitifully at Yu Xia. But Yu Xia ignored her completely, casually wiping the water droplets from her hands onto Zheng Yun’s thigh.

“Nothing?” Yu Xia continued. “Afraid Yu Nian will find out about our shameful relationship?”

“I’m not…” Zheng Yun managed a few words before Yu Xia pressed down again, her fingertip grinding mercilessly against the sensitive spot. Zheng Yun gasped, her breath catching in her throat as she sank into the pillow, unable to finish her sentence.

This was a one-sided interrogation, with Yu Xia as the tyrannical judge. She had no intention of listening to Zheng Yun’s tiresome explanations; she only wanted to punish.

“Xiaxia,” Ms. Ke Qian knocked softly on the door. “Are you asleep?”

Yu Xia’s hand didn’t pause as she replied coldly, “What is it?”

Zheng Yun’s knuckles turned white as she gripped the pillow. Distracted by speaking, Yu Xia momentarily forgot to ease her pressure, and her finger was suddenly pinched.

“Can I come in and talk to you for a few minutes?” Ms. Ke Qian asked.

Her finger was pinched again.

Yu Xia paused, then stroked Zheng Yun’s back. “Whatever you want to say can wait until tomorrow. Go to sleep.”

Ms. Ke Qian hesitated before finally leaving.

Zheng Yun relaxed slightly.

“If I had let my mother in just now,” Yu Xia said flatly, “would she have scolded me or you for seeing us like this?”

Yu Xia thought with almost masochistic certainty that Ms. Ke Qian would have slapped her, and Yu Nian would have rushed to protect Zheng Yun. Once again, she would have found herself standing alone against three people.

“No,” Zheng Yun managed to gasp, her voice hoarse and strained.

“I won’t let her in?”

“I won’t let her insult you.” Zheng Yun wiped away tears from the corners of her eyes, the peach-blossom tips now tinged with a seductive flush. Even her most earnest words now rang hollow.

“Your words mean nothing to me anymore,” Yu Xia said, unmoved. “I’ll never trust you again.”

“Xiaxia…” Zheng Yun’s plea died in her throat.

Yu Xia flipped her over and focused on rolling the beads.

Now lubricated, the smooth, round beads felt satisfyingly tactile. Yu Xia rolled them a few times before pausing, wary of tiring herself.

Zheng Yun, however, was in agony, like a roller coaster stuck mid-climb, unable to ascend or descend. She clamped her hand over her mouth, but muffled whimpers still escaped through her fingers, the only sound in the quiet room besides the soft, wet sounds of the beads.

Yu Nian, sleepy from her quick bath, knocked loudly on the door. “Sister Zheng Yun!”

Yu Xia tilted her head, pinched a small bead between two fingers, and asked innocently, “Sister Zheng Yun, why aren’t you answering?”

Yu Nian’s voice was naturally sweet, especially when calling out to someone, her tone becoming particularly coquettish. When she called for “Sister Zheng Yun,” it sounded like a child chasing after an adult, begging for candy.

Yu Xia called out, her voice like a death sentence being read aloud.

Zheng Yun shivered, her eyes pleading.

“She’s asleep. Don’t shout,” Yu Xia said coldly. “It’s noisy.”

“Zheng Yun-jiejie, if Yu Xia makes you uncomfortable tonight, come knock on my door! Don’t suffer in silence!”

“Good night, Zheng Yun-jiejie!” Yu Nian said sweetly.

If Yu Xia hadn’t seen Yu Nian’s true nature, she might have mistaken her for a polite and endearing child.

“Did I make you uncomfortable?” Yu Xia asked, feigning confusion.

“No,” Zheng Yun shook her head, her face flushed and her eyes glazed after a night of Yu Xia’s torment, yet she stubbornly denied it.

“Or is sleeping with me beneath you?” Yu Xia pressed.

“No!” Zheng Yun quickly denied again.

“Then you must really enjoy this arrangement.”

Yu Xia ignored her attempts to appease her and was about to continue when Zheng Yun grabbed her arm urgently.

“Please, Xiaxia, stop,” Zheng Yun pleaded, her voice softening. “My stomach aches so much.”

“Stop?” Yu Xia squeezed the bead. Zheng Yun flinched, her grip loosening, allowing Yu Xia to move freely.

She didn’t torment Zheng Yun further.

Like a fish in water, Yu Xia’s fingers, now fully lubricated, swam even faster.

Over the past three years, Yu Xia’s dormant skills gradually regained their familiarity. Just like her practiced painting techniques, even after a period of disuse, a little practice brought them back to her fingertips.

Zheng Yun was like a whale that had lost its swim bladder, uncontrollably surfacing. The moment her belly flipped upward, Yu Xia ruthlessly pushed her back down, forcing her to bob up and down in the water.

“I think you wanted this quite a bit,” Yu Xia concluded, slowly drying her hands.

A flower-viewing guest doesn’t care how the petals fall. After Zheng Yun dressed, Yu Xia went out to wash her hands, returned to bed, and turned her back to Zheng Yun.

Once Zheng Yun’s breathing steadied, she took a deep breath and left the room.

She feared Yu Nian or Ke Qian might emerge and see her disheveled state, inevitably asking questions.

Fortunately, it was late, and both seemed to be asleep.

Yu Xia checked her phone and found a voice message from someone she hadn’t heard from in months, sent an hour earlier.

She tapped to transcribe it:

“Hey Yu Xia! Xiao Qi and I are coming to Nanqiao tomorrow. Do you have time to celebrate your birthday with us?”

Yu Xia rubbed her temples, unsure how to explain her current situation.

The sound of Zheng Yun’s shower water dripped rhythmically. After listening for a moment, Yu Xia typed a few words on her phone.

Yu Xia: There’s something I need to tell you. To put it simply, I slept with my ex-girlfriend.

The response came almost instantly.

Qi Qi is a Nine: ?

Qi Qi is a Nine: Which ex-girlfriend?

Yu Xia: ?

Could Zheng Yun possibly have a split personality?