After Becoming Roommates with My Flirty Ex-Girlfriend - Chapter 7

The rain in Yuncheng arrived suddenly and lingered long, drizzling steadily through the night and gradually easing by the time Yu Xia woke the next morning.

The guesthouse backed onto the riverbank, where upstream waters carried leaves downstream in a surging current. The air grew increasingly humid, with a faint earthy scent.

As the rain subsided, Yu Xia decided to open the window for some fresh air.

The temperature had plummeted, and she felt a chill in her short-sleeved shirt. Rummaging through her suitcase, she realized she hadn’t packed a jacket at all.

She had left home in a hurry, throwing a few clothes into her bag without considering the possibility of a prolonged rainy season and a sudden drop in temperature.

Fortunately, she could wrap herself in the guesthouse’s blankets and simply stay indoors.

Yesterday, after Zheng Yun treated her to breakfast, they had returned to their respective rooms to catch up on sleep. When Yu Xia woke again, Zheng Yun hadn’t come to find her. With the rain pouring down, she had nowhere to go, so she chatted briefly with Chen Zhu and sketched some drafts.

It seemed today would be much the same.

Leaning against the window, Yu Xia watched the fine rain wash the lush green leaves to a glossy sheen. A breeze carried wisps of rain into the room, landing on her bare forearm.

A misty rain shrouded the city, making it seem as if it were still asleep at seven or eight in the morning. The few pedestrians hurrying along the streets moved with brisk purpose.

Just as Yu Xia was about to turn and head out to buy breakfast, her phone rang.

It was a WeChat call from Yu Nian.

Except for essential matters, Yu Xia and Yu Nian rarely contacted each other. Their WeChat conversation history was so sparse that it could be scrolled through in a single swipe, filled with detached, business-like notifications. The call logs were even more meager, so much so that when Yu Xia locked Ke Qian in the dark room, she hadn’t even remembered that Yu Nian had her own contact information.

She pushed the window open a little wider, letting the breeze flow more freely into the room, hoping it would help her answer the call calmly.

Yu Nian rarely contacted her. What if something had happened at home?

“Hello, Xiaxia, where are you?” The voice on the other end wasn’t Yu Nian’s.

“Traveling out of town,” Yu Xia replied tersely.

“How could you go on vacation without Niannian? She must be so bored all alone at home! If you’re not going to stay home with her, you shouldn’t be going out to play by yourself either!” Ke Qian chided gently.

Ke Qian was the epitome of a Jiangnan woman. Even when scolding, her tone remained soft, like a tofu block studded with iron nails, rolling gently across Yu Xia’s heart.

Yu Xia listened in silence, pretending not to hear.

“Why aren’t you saying anything, Xiaxia? When are you coming back?” Ke Qian was long accustomed to Yu Xia’s refusal to engage. The fact that Yu Xia hadn’t hung up meant she was still willing to listen for a few more moments.

But Yu Xia was lost in thought.

Zheng Yun had returned from somewhere, holding a clear plastic umbrella she’d bought for 9.9 yuan at the convenience store. Raindrops scattered across the umbrella’s surface, dripping softly behind her.

Her pale, slender wrist gripped the umbrella handle. She wore a cotton maxi dress draped beneath a thin beige cardigan, the hem brushing against her calves as she turned gracefully. Her delicate ankles peeked out from beneath the skirt, her low-heeled flats barely audible as she stepped lightly onto the stone-paved path.

Yu Xia felt a pang of regret.

If she hadn’t been on the phone, she would have raised her phone to capture the scene. No need for framing or filters—the moment before her was already perfect, the subject in her most radiant form.

“Xiaxia? Xiaxia?” Ke Qian raised her voice slightly. Yu Xia snapped back to attention, murmuring a soft “Mm-hmm” as a response.

Yu Nian’s voice, neither too loud nor too soft, carried through the speaker.

“Mommy, I want mango! Let her come back or not—I’d rather you stay home with me anyway.”

“How are you talking to your sister? I feel much better knowing she’s with you. We’ll have to go on a business trip again soon,” Ke Qian said, her tone scolding but her voice filled with amusement.

Yu Xia listened impassively to the mother and daughter’s affectionate exchange, feeling like a detached moviegoer watching a film that had nothing to do with her, unable to elicit any emotional response.

Zheng Yun was almost downstairs. Yu Xia withdrew her gaze, leaned against the window, and turned her attention to the distant mountains as she continued to handle the call.

“Xiaxia, did you hear me? When are you coming home?” Ke Qian asked, finally turning her attention back to Yu Xia after finishing her conversation with Yu Nian.

“Not for now,” Yu Xia replied tersely.

The volume on the other end suddenly surged, as if Yu Nian had accidentally turned up the living room speakers. The sudden noise startled Ke Qian and made Yu Xia flinch, her brow furrowing slightly. Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore.

“I won’t be coming home this summer. I’ll go straight back to school when classes start. I’m hanging up now.” She lowered her head and ended the call, adding Yu Nian and her equally absent father to her blacklist to avoid further interruptions.

She exhaled softly, intending to close the window a bit before heading downstairs.

As Yu Xia looked up, her eyes met Zheng Yun’s, who was standing downstairs holding an umbrella and gazing upward.

Zheng Yun’s eyes were truly captivating—naturally alluring peach blossom eyes with upturned corners. Yu Xia always felt that if Zheng Yun ever intentionally tried to seduce someone, no one could escape her gaze.

Yet Zheng Yun simply stared at her directly, without any ulterior motive, like casually petting a kitten’s head as she passed by a cat stretching on the street.

In that instant, it felt as if a plane had just roared overhead, its sonic boom shaking Yu Xia’s heart.

Yu Xia showed no reaction, merely nodding slightly as a greeting.

Her mind raced through the recent events. She was certain she hadn’t lost her composure, but she couldn’t understand how, in the brief moment she’d looked down, Zheng Yun had suddenly appeared, gazing up at her.

What normal person would randomly look up at the sky while walking?

Before she could make sense of it, Zheng Yun smiled and waved at her.

Yu Xia: ?

Zheng Yun’s wave was utterly natural, exactly like how Chen Zhu would call out affectionately to the cats she fed outside the dormitory, using the names she’d given them, while beckoning them over.

Chen Zhu had been feeding those cats for half a year, and now they would climb onto her legs at the mere scent of her.

Yu Xia and Zheng Yun had only met a few times, yet Zheng Yun’s warm, smiling gaze as she called out to Yu Xia was nearly identical to Chen Zhu’s affectionate way of coaxing the cats.

Yu Xia couldn’t help but wonder if she had given Zheng Yun the impression that they were closer than they actually were.

“Want to grab breakfast?” Zheng Yun asked, raising her voice slightly when Yu Xia didn’t respond immediately, assuming she hadn’t heard.

The deserted street was nearly empty, save for green leaves swirling in the air, dislodged by the wind and rain, drifting slowly to the ground.

Zheng Yun’s voice seemed perfectly suited for singing, especially melancholic ballads. Her soft, slightly raspy morning voice would undoubtedly charm many young women.

Yu Xia wanted to refuse, but the words caught in her throat.

She had no shortage of admirers, each seizing any opportunity to strike up a conversation. Some were more direct, arriving with flowers to wait for her outside class, standing below with bright smiles and asking if she’d like to grab a meal together.

What had she said back then?

Yu Xia couldn’t quite recall her exact words, only remembering Chen Zhu standing beside her, muttering that she shouldn’t reject girls so bluntly, as it would hurt their feelings.

But Yu Xia believed that if there was no future, there was no point in starting anything.

Besides, she didn’t know how to refuse gently.

Her life consisted only of firm rejections and silent acceptance.

Zheng Yun assumed Yu Xia hadn’t fully woken up yet. Her disheveled hair swayed in the gentle breeze and drizzle. Zheng Yun squinted, her voice softening by another three degrees.

“Going for breakfast, Yu Xia?”

Five minutes later, Yu Xia came downstairs.

This time, she remembered to bring her umbrella, avoiding the need to share one with Zheng Yun again.

The lobby was three degrees cooler than the room. If it weren’t for the lush green trees lining the street, Yu Xia would have thought autumn had arrived.

Xiao Qi and Xiao Jiu were sprawled on the sofa, watching a movie with half-closed eyes. A half-eaten plate of green mangoes sat on the table, the misty rain outside the window lulling them into drowsiness.

Yu Xia nodded to them as she passed. Xiao Qi patted Xiao Jiu’s head and greeted Yu Xia, “Going out to play?”

Yu Xia glanced back and saw Zheng Yun standing at the shop entrance, her dark hair cascading down her back, a gentle smile curving her lips—clearly waiting for someone.

“Just getting breakfast,” Yu Xia replied.

Xiao Qi wore an knowing expression, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “What are you doing after breakfast?”

Yu Xia didn’t answer, her gaze shifting to Zheng Yun.

She didn’t know what they would do after breakfast either. It was still early, and the fine rain made everywhere feel damp and uncomfortably sticky.

“We’ll go pick up our clothes later,” Zheng Yun said, closing her umbrella and leaving the dripping umbrella outside before stepping inside.

Xiao Jiu suddenly chuckled. “You’ve only known each other for a few days, and you’re already taking her home?”

Yu Xia’s eyelashes fluttered, but she remained silent.

Zheng Yun shot Xiao Jiu a sidelong glance, raising her voice slightly. “It’s just a rented apartment. How is that my home?”

Xiao Jiu quickly raised her hands in surrender. “Go eat, you two. Don’t wake my baby.”

Upon hearing the word “baby,” Yu Xia’s eyelashes fluttered again—she was getting annoyed by the saccharine tone.

Zheng Yun finally gripped Yu Xia’s forearm, pulling her toward the door.

The warmth of Zheng Yun’s palm against Yu Xia’s icy wrist made her frown slightly. “Are you cold?”

Yu Xia shook her head, though she was indeed quite cold. A chilly breeze swept through the open glass door into the lobby, making her feel like her hair was standing on end. She was so cold she almost shivered.

The warmth from Zheng Yun’s hand surged up her arm through her veins. Yu Xia lowered her gaze to stare at that hand for a moment, hesitating whether to decisively pull away.

By the time they finished talking, they had already reached the entrance. The rain showed no signs of letting up, but the sky was brightening, and more pedestrians were out on the streets. Cars occasionally honked as they passed, bringing the city to life.

“Why aren’t you wearing a coat?” Zheng Yun frowned, sighing softly.

“I didn’t bring one,” Yu Xia replied.

Before she could react, Zheng Yun had already released her arm, opened her umbrella, and was standing on the steps, waiting for her to come out.

Yu Xia still held her umbrella, a faint warmth lingering on her wrist, like the soft brush of a kitten’s fur.

“Walk with me,” Zheng Yun said, tilting her head to look at Yu Xia, her eyes sparkling. “I’ll shield you from the wind.”

Another refusal would make Yu Xia seem presumptuous. Zheng Yun treated everyone with warmth and consideration, never crossing boundaries, simply caring for those around her.

Yu Xia turned back, placed her umbrella on the reception desk, and stepped under Zheng Yun’s umbrella.

The familiar scent filled her nostrils again. Whether it was Zheng Yun’s body heat or the umbrella truly blocking the wind, Yu Xia felt a sudden warmth. She instinctively touched her earlobe—it was warm.

“You didn’t bring a jacket. Want to borrow mine?” Zheng Yun asked casually, barely noticing Yu Xia’s gesture.

“No, thank you,” Yu Xia replied immediately, without hesitation.

Exchanging clothes felt far too intimate. Yu Xia unconsciously frowned.

“We’re going out to have fun. What if you catch a cold?” Zheng Yun stopped walking, her right hand on her hip. “Or do you just not like my clothes?”

Yu Xia glanced at her in surprise, completely unprepared for her simple refusal to be interpreted this way.

“I just washed it a few days ago,” Zheng Yun sighed helplessly. “Buying a new one would be a waste. It’ll get warm again after the rain stops.”

Yu Xia shook her head.

“Let’s wait for the rain to stop before going out to play.”

Zheng Yun stared at her for a few seconds, then sighed helplessly. “Alright.”

Yu Xia glanced at Zheng Yun’s face out of the corner of her eye, noticing it remained unchanged. Without even realizing it, she felt a slight sense of relief.

The two slowly walked to the place where they had bought breakfast last time. By this hour, it was no longer breakfast time, and only a few scattered people lingered outside the shop.

Zheng Yun placed Yu Xia under the eaves to shelter her from the rain, asked about her preferences, and went to order from the shop owner. While waiting, she chatted casually with the owner before returning with a bag in hand.

She handed the bag to Yu Xia, and through the umbrella handle, she asked softly, “I need to go back and pack. Do you want to come home with me?”

Yu Xia’s eyelids twitched. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she had somehow been tricked.