After Becoming Roommates with My Flirty Ex-Girlfriend - Chapter 9

Zheng Yun wasn’t trying to scam anyone. She spoke about her sexual orientation as naturally as if she were mentioning the rain outside this morning—without hesitation or awkwardness.

After speaking, she blinked, stood up, casually gathered her hair into a bun, bent down, and began tidying her clothes.

Yu Xia unconsciously followed her movements with her eyes. It took her several seconds to fully process what Zheng Yun had just said.

It wasn’t Yu Xia’s fault she was slow to react. Zheng Yun’s directness was like a sudden, unstoppable football hurtling straight at her face from the sky, knocking her senseless on impact. Even though Yu Xia had long suspected it, the revelation left her momentarily stunned.

The thrower of the ball, Zheng Yun, remained oblivious to the impact, having merely tossed the ball lightly.

As an art student, Yu Xia lived in an environment where the concentration of LGBTQ+ individuals was as high as that of strong liquor. A random sampling of people would reveal over half to be queer. Perhaps it was a case of like attracting like, with one person bringing another into the community. No introductions were needed; the moment they exchanged names, a knowing wink would follow—So, you’re one of us too.

In this environment, Yu Xia had never heard anyone openly declare their sexual orientation. The only exceptions were girls who, like fiery chili peppers, would confront her directly with crimson roses, their burning gazes even more passionate than the flowers. If Yu Xia weren’t as cold as an iceberg, she might have melted under that heat.

The blunt “I like you” failed to move the eternally icy Yu Xia. Instead, Zheng Yun’s casual remark left her questioning her entire existence.

What does it mean to reveal one’s sexual orientation to someone you’ve only just met?

If Yu Xia were a man, hearing someone say they liked girls would clearly signal a rejection of any further advances.

But she was also a woman.

This question was more baffling than a college entrance exam math problem. Yu Xia blinked slowly, a faint crack forming in her icy composure as a trace of confusion flickered in her eyes.

If Chen Zhu were here—the perpetually single but theoretically knowledgeable friend—she would likely stroke her chin and offer Yu Xia some romantic advice, suggesting Zheng Yun was casting a line to see if she’d bite.

Unfortunately, Chen Zhu was currently overwhelmed with babysitting duties, completely unaware of the drama unfolding a thousand miles away.

Yu Xia wasn’t one to dwell on things she couldn’t understand. As a child, her questions often went unanswered, her parents’ attention always focused on Yu Nian. None of her inquiries ever found solid ground.

Over time, she had grown accustomed to resolving problems slowly, after the fact.

“Is that so strange?” Zheng Yun folded her clothes, stretched languidly, and sat casually beside the neatly stacked pile. The stack wobbled precariously, the top few garments threatening to topple.

Yu Xia’s gaze fell on the pile, and she instinctively reached out to steady it. Zheng Yun was quicker, pressing her hand down to secure the stack.

“What is it?” Yu Xia finally looked up, her expression puzzled.

“I like women,” Zheng Yun said, her gaze fixed on the rain-streaked balcony and the misty, overcast sky—hardly pleasant weather.

That’s not the strange part, Yu Xia thought. At the art academy, people of all orientations were common. One student was so infatuated with his own sculpture that when a classmate curiously touched it, he broke down in tears, claiming the statue was cheating on him. He bombarded the classmate with angry messages for three days before his family sent him to a psychiatric hospital.

Besides, the guesthouse owner was a lesbian couple, which Zheng Yun had accepted without issue. But Yu Xia understood that some people could accept others being gay while struggling to accept their own identity.

Perhaps Zheng Yun was one of those people.

Zheng Yun now wore a hint of frustration, as if genuinely troubled.

“It’s not strange,” Yu Xia replied.

“Really?” A strand of Zheng Yun’s long hair fell loose, swaying in the breeze. Her eyelids lowered, as if she were about to sigh.

From Yu Xia’s perspective, Zheng Yun seemed genuinely troubled by this. She racked her brains, desperately trying to find comforting words.

Unfortunately, she had never comforted anyone before. After a half-minute of awkward silence, she still couldn’t think of anything appropriate to say.

“Really,” Yu Xia finally blurted out in resignation. “Me too.”

Zheng Yun suddenly smiled.

The gloom in her eyes vanished completely, like sunlight piercing through endless rain—bright and dazzling.

Seeing her smile, Yu Xia let out a relieved breath, only to immediately realize something was off.

“You too?” Zheng Yun’s eyes curved into crescents, her voice softening as if she were seeking an accomplice for mischief.

It was then that Yu Xia realized what was wrong—

She had just confessed something deeply personal to a complete stranger.

What was said couldn’t be unsaid. She could only stare back at Zheng Yun, nod stiffly, and press her lips together.

Zheng Yun’s smile deepened. She gave Yu Xia a meaningful look and said, “Then I feel much better.”

Yu Xia assumed Zheng Yun was simply relieved not to be the only one feeling this way, never suspecting any ulterior motives.

Zheng Yun turned and went back into her room. When she emerged, she held a piece of clothing, which she handed to Yu Xia. “The rain’s getting heavier. Put this on before you catch a cold.”

Yu Xia shook her head, wanting to refuse, but Zheng Yun sighed. “I have too much to carry. If you wear it, you can just take it back for me. Would that be okay?”

Zheng Yun held out the garment—a beige knitted sweater. Yu Xia’s refusal circled her tongue twice before she finally accepted it.

The continuous rain had washed away any trace of sunlight from the sweater, leaving only the scent of lime-scented laundry detergent—exactly the same as Zheng Yun’s own fragrance.

The living room was well-ventilated, with a cool breeze drifting through. Yu Xia hadn’t felt cold before, but the moment she put on the sweater, she shivered slightly, followed by a wave of warmth enveloping her.

It felt like snuggling into freshly changed bedsheets, or perhaps… being held in someone’s arms.

The thought flashed through her mind, and Yu Xia almost instinctively glanced at Zheng Yun, who was kneeling on the floor packing her suitcase. But when Zheng Yun looked up, Yu Xia guiltily averted her gaze.

Even she didn’t understand why she felt so guilty.

If Chen Zhu were here, she’d say, “You’re done for! You’ve fallen for her!”

But Chen Zhu wasn’t here, so Yu Xia could only attribute her guilt to being caught eavesdropping on someone working.

A few days after the floodwaters receded, Zheng Yun had already come to clean up. This time, she was just packing her belongings to leave. She had only stayed for a few days, so she didn’t have much to pack. After waiting a while, Yu Xia watched as Zheng Yun closed her suitcase and clapped her hands.

“All done. Let’s go home.”

Yu Xia smoothly took the suitcase from Zheng Yun’s hand. “I’ll carry it.”

Zheng Yun didn’t argue, obediently handing it over. “Thank you.”

As they left, they encountered the neighbor’s aunt again—or rather, the aunt was clearly waiting for Zheng Yun.

She stood at the entrance of the building. The narrow doorway of the old apartment complex was further obstructed by electric scooters parked haphazardly against one side, making it difficult for two people to walk side by side. The aunt was deliberately blocking the middle of the path.

She’s determined to wait for Zheng Yun.

Zheng Yun walked ahead, with Yu Xia following behind, carrying the suitcase. Yu Xia heard Zheng Yun sigh softly, her voice filled with resignation.

In her limited life experience, Yu Xia had never encountered such a situation. When she wore her cold expression, she was like an Antarctic ice wall—anyone who dared to approach would be frozen out.

Just as Zheng Yun was about to step down, Yu Xia reached out and grasped her wrist.

Through the thin knit of Zheng Yun’s sweater, Yu Xia’s cool palm pressed against her skin.

Zheng Yun’s first thought was: Does Yu Xia still feel cold?

“Is there anything else, Auntie?” Yu Xia’s tone was far from friendly.

“I just want to chat with Xiao Zheng for a bit longer,” the auntie said, frowning, having picked up on Yu Xia’s unspoken message. “What’s it to you?”

“You’re blocking the way,” Yu Xia said, looking down at her. “Are you trying to collect protection money here?”

“I’m not blocking you,” the auntie retorted, rolling her eyes. “Xiao Zheng, why don’t you come over for lunch? I’ve called my son home. We can all eat together later.”

Zheng Yun sighed. “Auntie, I really don’t want to meet your son. I have no plans to date anyone.”

She had made her rejection crystal clear.

“Not now doesn’t mean never. Besides, it’s just lunch…” The auntie was determined to take Zheng Yun with her and actually reached out to grab her arm.

“Can’t you understand plain English?” Yu Xia frowned, setting down her suitcase to block the auntie’s path. “Or is your son so rotten that you have to kidnap someone to be your daughter-in-law?”

Her words were brutally blunt.

Zheng Yun was momentarily stunned. The suitcase, which hadn’t been properly secured, began to slide. She quickly reached out to steady it.

“What’s it to you? Who are you to her that you’re interfering?” The auntie’s face flushed crimson with anger. Yu Xia’s attack had struck her where it hurt most.

“Of course! Yuncheng is such a small place. Everyone knows everyone in the dating scene. No one wants to be the villain who introduces their daughter to a loser. She only set her sights on Zheng Yun because she had no other options.”

“Zheng Yun is beautiful and has such a gentle personality. Everyone likes her—she likes her, so her son must like her too.”

“Why shouldn’t she interfere?” Zheng Yun frowned, her peach blossom eyes filled with confusion. “She meddles in everything I do.”

Yu Xia completely forgot what she was about to say.

“You’re bothering young Zheng again? Enough is enough! Don’t you know what your son is like? A toad lusting after a swan! Your whole family lives in a fantasy world!” Security guard Uncle Zhang squeezed through the gate, his words blunt and unforgiving.

Zheng Yun quickly pulled Yu Xia away, whispering a thank you to Uncle Zhang as they passed.

Uncle Zhang waved them off, urging them to leave quickly. As they walked away, they heard Uncle Zhang and the aunt arguing loudly. A neighbor leaned out of their window to ask, “What’s all the commotion?”

“A toad trying to eat swan meat and getting angry when it can’t,” Uncle Zhang retorted irritably.

Zheng Yun dragged Yu Xia away without looking back. Despite having seen her share of dramatic scenes, she had never encountered anything quite like this before.

As they left the residential complex, a light rain was still falling. Zheng Yun’s hurried pace had disheveled her hair. After smoothing it back into place, she finally let out a long sigh of relief.

“Thank you for earlier,” Zheng Yun said, her eyes crinkling into a smile. “You were so impressive when you spoke.”

Yu Xia fell silent.

People had praised her paintings before, and others had complimented her looks, but this was the first time anyone had praised her for her eloquence.

“Like a valiant female general,” Zheng Yun added, searching for the right words.

Yu Xia remained silent, her earlobes burning crimson. Raindrops sizzled on them like ice cubes dropped into hot water.

“…I was pretty harsh earlier,” Yu Xia finally managed to say, her voice returning. “I was a bit flustered.”

“Not harsh at all,” Zheng Yun shook her head. “Absolutely badass.”

The two continued walking toward Chuntianli, one praising while the other downplayed her actions.

After a while, Zheng Yun suddenly remembered something and stopped.

“Yu Xia.”

Her voice was soft, barely audible above the hurried footsteps of passersby. Only Yu Xia heard her clearly and turned back.

“Hmm?”

“Earlier, when I said I didn’t want a relationship…”

Zheng Yun wasn’t holding an umbrella. The lingering drizzle from the early summer downpour barely dampened the ends of her hair, yet her gaze was misty. Her dark hair framed her face, and her peach-blossom eyes curved into crescents, brimming with laughter as she met Yu Xia’s gaze.

“What about it?” Yu Xia asked, puzzled.

Zheng Yun jogged two steps, closing the distance to Yu Xia. Tilting her head slightly, she said earnestly:

“That doesn’t apply to you.”