After Confessing To My Childhood Friend - Chapter 17
Chapter 17: The Gift
◎ “New love, old flame?!” ◎
The spicy hotpot tonight was delicious.
Chen Mengyin had specifically asked the housekeeper to make one portion medium-spicy and another mild for Xie Zhirou, since she can’t handle too much chili.
After the hotpot, both of their foreheads were damp with sweat. Chen’s portion had extra chili oil—her mouth was bright red, even after wiping it with a wet tissue.
She gulped down a cold Coke, and the bubbles made her eyes water as she wildly gestured.
Zhirou wiped her lips, packed up the containers, and said, “I need to tell you—I won’t be able to hang out with you after dinner from tomorrow.”
Chen choked on her saliva, staring at her in disbelief: “What?!”
“Why can’t you chill with me? Do you have some new fling now, abandoning me, your old flame?!” She pouted dramatically: “I’ll go chop up your new fling!”
How dare anyone steal her from Zhirou, after being glued to her side?!
Zhirou pressed her hand gently: “Don’t talk nonsense. I don’t have any ‘new fling’. Ms. Zhu needs me for rehearsal after school.”
She added firmly, “This is a lawful society—no slander.”
Embarrassed, Chen felt her face flush like a tomato. She didn’t know where to look and silently stared at the ceiling, pretending nothing happened.
Zhirou couldn’t help but laugh at her vivid imagination: “You watch too many dramas and read too many novels.”
Chen stammered, then realized: “Why do you need to rehearse for the performance?”
Zhirou sighed: “Ms. Zhu said I have to perform it with someone from Class 2—she’ll sing, I’ll play.”
Chen sensed jealousy: “Still a duet? You don’t know them that well—what a random pairing.”
Zhirou smiled: “Exactly—we barely know each other. But it’s already submitted to the office. Can’t change it now.”
Chen was upset—they’d spend less time together. She fumed: “Can I come watch rehearsal? I promise I won’t interrupt.”
If Zhirou couldn’t be with her, she’d at least stay nearby. What if Zhirou and the unknow person clicked? She’d freak out!
Since it’s a joint performance, Zhirou couldn’t decide alone.
She thought, and nodded: “Okay—let’s go together tomorrow. And we’ll ask the other person if it’s okay.”
Of course Chen agreed eagerly. Her plan: even if the person says no, she’ll relentlessly beg until they relent.
Chen sulked at the table: “This whole event is annoying.” The thought of Zhirou rehearsing with someone else irked her.
Zhirou soothed her by stroking her hair. The ticklish softness soothed Chen.
Zhirou teased: “It’s not self-study tonight—shouldn’t you be happy?”
Chen looked up with a pout: “But you’re going with someone else.”
Zhirou glared and said, “Where else would I go? You’ve got me—your grip is too tight. Even if I wanted to flee, I couldn’t.” She raised her hand, which Chen had been holding, smiling gently.
Chen felt warmth in her palm and felt a strange satisfaction.
Soft as spring’s first breeze, she held onto it.
Chen extended her pinky and stared at Zhirou: “Promise you won’t run off with someone else.”
Zhirou linked pinkies with hers: “Pinky promise.”
Chen smiled, swinging their linked pinkies: “Pinky promise.”
As evening self-study approached, Chen stopped sulking and took her bag, walking back to school with Zhirou.
The first self-study was English listening practice. Their monitor, Wang Hong, watched over from the podium.
Chen knew she was weak in English. To avoid failing the quiz, she listened extra carefully, rather than guessing answers like usual.
When the listening ended, Wang wrote the answer key on the board for them to check. Chen finished and found she’d only missed four questions—a big improvement.
She wanted to celebrate, but held it in while clapping silently with Zhirou under the desk.
Zhirou smiled softly: “Mengyin, you’re awesome—a lot of progress.”
Chen’s cheeks flushed: “Next time I’ll get them all right.”
Zhirou reassured her: “I believe in you.”
Wang finished the listening review and let them start their assignments, offering help if needed. Chen had Zhirou beside her—no need to ask the teacher.
Zhirou was there to help with anything she didn’t understand.
The four-period night study ended in a strong academic atmosphere.
Chen still remembered to ask the class rep tomorrow if Zhirou could join the class dinner. She grabbed a light snack before going home with Zhirou, riding electric scooter.
They said goodbye at the gate. Walking home, Chen drafted a message to the class rep. After sending it, she opened her front door. Her mom, Li Ruan, was in the kitchen cooking—she hadn’t noticed her return.
Chen called out: “Mom, I’m back! What are you making?”
Li nearly cut the cucumber crooked: “Chicken feet. Hopefully they’ll be ready by lunchtime tomorrow.”
Chen took off her shoes and entered: “Can I try it now?”
Li replied without looking up: “Not yet—it needs more time. Now go shower.”
Then, remembering something: “Oh, and the packages you ordered arrived today. When you have time, tear them open, okay?”
Chen was chewing cucumber and mumbled: “Clothes, and Lego I ordered.”
Li glared: “Don’t block the flavor!”
Chen apologized and walked to the living room.
On the couch were the bags of clothes and Lego—and one extra bag containing the Diagon Alley Lego set Chen loved but couldn’t afford.
She smiled, realizing what had happened. She dropped the bag and ran to the kitchen.
Li didn’t even get the chance to ask where she was going. Chen dashed out using Zhirou’s house key, sprinted to Zhirou’s gate, and unlocked the villa door with a fingerprint.
Inside, Zhirou was sorting through the courier-delivered clothes. Surprised, she asked, “Why are you here so suddenly?”
Chen, catching her breath and tossing aside her house slippers from earlier, didn’t answer immediately. She rushed into the living room.
Zhirou, concerned, came closer—but Chen just threw herself into her arms.
Her chin resting on Zhirou’s shoulder, she gasped: “Thank you, Zhirou—I love the gift!”
Zhirou patted her back to calm her breathing: “I’m glad you like it.”
Chen, still holding onto her shoulders, eyes bright, smiled a radiant smile Zhirou had loved seeing for years: “I really thought you were going to the store to fix missing Lego pieces. How could you deceive an innocent comrade like me?”
Zhirou chuckled: “You just didn’t notice. You can’t blame me.”
Chen had planned to scold her for tricking her next time—but Zhirou’s gentle expression broke her resolve, and she laughed too.
Zhirou: “Alright, it’s late—go home, pack, shower, and rest.”
Chen let go: “I’m going! Goodnight.”
Zhirou replied: “Goodnight.”
They waved goodbye. Chen grabbed her slippers and walked home singing.
Just ahead of her house, Li stood at the door, arms crossed, a half-smile on her lips: “What—comfortable wearing slippers outside, huh?”
Chen gulped and took half a step back: “Zhirou! Save me!”
She turned to run, but Li was faster—grabbed her collar and dragged her inside: “You brat—running around at this hour? Go pack your stuff and shower!”
Chen flashed her a winning smile: “Mom, you’re the best. Only you care so much.”
Li rolled her eyes: “Stop crocodile tears. Go on—before I change my mind.”
Chen snapped to attention, marched in. Li called after her: “Leave the slippers at the door!”
Chen slipped them off: “Got it!”
She piled away the clothes into the laundry basket, carefully carried the Lego to her room—it was a gift from Zhirou and must be handled with care!
Just as she finished, her phone dinged. It was the class rep’s response. Chen’s smile faded as she read:
“It’s okay, but since this is a class dinner, bringing someone from another class—are you sure they won’t feel awkward?”