After Confessing To My Childhood Friend - Chapter 22
Chapter 22: Confession
◎ Two Hearts, One Kiss ◎
Chen Mengyin walks along the road. The streets by Linjiang Road are nearly empty, with a few hurried cars passing by. The Huai River, swollen by recent heavy rains, churns and surges under the night sky.
She looks up. The night sky over Yonghuai is beautiful—stars shimmering like a secret universe in her eyes. Spotting the brightest star, she takes out her phone and sends a photo to Xie Zhirou.
Chen Mengyin (weChat): “Look! A star!~”
Xie Zhirou: “Had dinner? Such a bright star.”
Mengyin: “Yeah. Someday, let’s go to Tibet and stargaze together?”
Zhirou: “Sure.”
Mengyin sends a joyful sticker.
Mengyin: “I’m going for some cake—be back soon!”
Zhirou: “Be safe!”
Mengyin replies with a thumbs-up emoji and heads off happily.
Feeling a pang of guilt over rejecting Zheng Xixi’s confession earlier, she pushes aside her remorse and steps into the bakery. The smell of sweetness fills the air, and cases are lined with delicate cakes and soft breads. Mengyin knows exactly what Zhirou likes—chocolate mousse cake because she dislikes jam, and pistachio chocolate tarts. Few know about Zhirou’s sweet tooth, so Mengyin always volunteers to buy her treats.
Around 8 pm, she picks out her favourites and stands in line. The cashier smiles teasingly: “Buying cake for your girlfriend again? So sweet!” Mengyin blushes and nods, asking for a chocolate mousse and a rainbow mousse cake. The cashier packs them carefully. Mengyin thanks her and leaves.
She quickly texts Zhirou: “Almost home—get the controller ready!” Zhirou sends a photo confirming she’s waiting. Mengyin speeds home.
Just before reaching the courtyard gate, her phone buzzes. She thinks it’s Zhirou—but it’s a message from Zheng Xixi: “Don’t take it to heart. Let’s stay friends?” Mengyin replies, “Okay,” though they both know things won’t be the same.
Entering the house, she notices lights only in her room upstairs. She walks up and gently pushes open the door to find Zhirou in pajamas, reading at her desk, strands of hair drifting across the pages. The sight warms Mengyin’s heart and she playfully dives into Zhirou’s arms: “I’m back!”
Zhirou pets her hair and teases: “Did you have fun tonight?” Mengyin sits on the bed, places the cakes down, and starts rambling about the dinner spot. Then she wrinkles her nose: “Hold on, I smell awful—dinner smoke and beer.” She rushes off to take a quick, refreshing shower. When she returns, she tosses her smelly clothes aside.
Zhirou hasn’t touched the cake yet, only a half remains. Mengyin, unfazed, picks it up and eats the rest without hesitation. She winces: “A bit too sweet—next time get something lighter at night.” Zhirou chuckles, offering her jasmine lemon tea, which tastes refreshing.
They stash leftover bread in the fridge and soon settle down to play a couch co-op game. As they play, Mengyin realizes Zhirou saw through her all along—her crush wasn’t hidden as well as she thought.
They play into the night. Around 10:30, Li Ran bustles in—the moms had gone out. Mengyin pouts but Zhirou tucks her in and they go upstairs.
In bed, Mengyin asks: “Do you have a favorite flower?” Zhirou answers, “Sunflowers.” Mengyin’s heart races—she’d planned to present sunflowers after Zhirou’s performance.
They cuddle and playfully banter (“Please, chat with me longer!”). Eventually they fall asleep in each other’s arms.
In the night, Zhirou gently strokes Mengyin’s lips until she softly kisses them, tender and sweet.
…
The Next Morning
Zhirou calmly wakes, brushes teeth, and calls for Mengyin. When Mengyin emerges, her lips are swollen—chapped and tender. She worries she hurt herself, but Zhirou examines them and theatrically declares it’s just a bite—she’ll apply some balm later.
At breakfast, Zhirou helps by tearing bread into manageable pieces and feeding her. They decide to stay home due to the heat and focus on studying. Zhirou applies balm to Mengyin’s lips and coaches her through math errors in her notebook. Mengyin stares entranced, mesmerized by Zhirou’s voice and features.
Zhirou chuckles and tells her to focus. Lunch is noodles with chili—spicy enough to make her sweat. Afterward, they experiment making fruit-milk popsicles with bananas, mangoes, milk, and condensed milk. They freeze them, sleep, and wake refreshed.
That afternoon, instead of studying, they play games again until Zhirou receives a call—her mother is coming home tonight. Mengyin is sad but Zhirou reassures her they’ll eat together tomorrow.
Zhirou leaves that evening, and Mengyin quietly orders dinner herself. She stays up playing games and texting Zhirou late into the night.
…
The Performance Day Arrives
At the big auditorium, seated on the left side, Mengyin changes seats to be ready. She holds her camera and a hidden bouquet of sunflowers—this is the moment she’s been preparing for.
When Zhirou steps out on stage in a white dress, hair braided with pearls, playing piano, Mengyin’s breath catches. She captures the moment through the lens.
After the performance concludes, Mengyin slips down the stairs, delivers the sunflowers, and praises Zhirou: “That was amazing!” Zhirou smiles, and her duet partner steps aside. Mengyin gathers courage: “Zhirou, can we go out for a moment?”
They leave into a dimly lit corner. Mengyin’s heart pounds. In the quiet, she grips Zhirou’s hand.
“I love you. I want to marry you—will you be my girlfriend?” she blurts out.
Zhirou steals her breath with a fierce kiss—long, tender, unrestrained. When it ends, Mengyin is breathless and tears up, astonished.
Zhirou gently advises: “Next time, breathe through your nose.” Mengyin teases her: “Why are you so good at kissing?” Zhirou kisses her again and admits: “I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time.”
Mengyin, shy, asks: “So… does that mean you accept?” Zhirou taps her nose and says: “I’ve kissed you that many times—don’t you get it? Girlfriend.”
Mengyin grins: “You should’ve just said it!”
Zhirou replies: “I formally accept Chen Mengyin’s confession—yes, I’ll be your girlfriend. Can I have another kiss?”
Mengyin yelps happily and kisses her again.