After Confessing To My Childhood Friend - Chapter 40
Chapter 40: Confession
◎ Don’t be nervous, Mom’s just a little shocked. ◎
After the countdown ended, they all shouted “Happy New Year!” in unison. Fireworks lit up the night sky outside the window.
The festive atmosphere inside was warm and cozy. Tang Jingxue stood and gave Zhirou a hug, then turned and hugged Mengyin too. “Happy New Year, little ones.”
“Happy New Year, Auntie,” Mengyin replied with a smile. Zhirou also gave her mom a quiet hug.
Chen Lin opened a bottle of cider and poured everyone a glass. Even Mengyin and Zhirou were given small sips, just for the occasion.
Li Ran remained silent for a while. She looked over at her daughter and Zhirou, still holding hands under the table. Her gaze darkened slightly, but she said nothing.
After midnight, the guests prepared to leave. It was snowing harder outside, and Chen Lin went to warm up the car.
Zhirou had fallen asleep on the couch. Mengyin nudged her gently. “Hey, it’s time to go home.”
“Mmm,” Zhirou mumbled, rubbing her eyes. She was still a bit groggy.
Tang Jingxue came over with her coat and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Come on, sleepyhead. Let’s go.”
Mengyin helped her to her feet. As the two families said their goodbyes, Li Ran suddenly called out, “Zhirou, wait a moment.”
Everyone looked at her. Li Ran’s expression was unreadable.
“I want to talk to you,” she added.
Mengyin felt her stomach drop. Zhirou blinked, then nodded. “Okay.”
Li Ran led her to the side hallway. Tang Jingxue was about to follow when Li Ran turned and said, “It’s nothing serious. I just want to ask her something.”
Tang Jingxue looked at her daughter, who gave her a reassuring glance. So she stayed where she was.
In the hallway, it was quiet and dim. Zhirou stood with her hands at her sides, calm and collected.
Li Ran didn’t speak for a long time. She just looked at her.
Zhirou waited patiently.
After a while, Li Ran finally said, “You and Mengyin… how long has it been?”
Zhirou was silent for a moment. Then she replied softly, “Almost two years.”
Li Ran’s fingers twitched. She had suspected it, but hearing it confirmed was something else entirely.
“She told you?” she asked.
“No. You saw it,” Zhirou said. “We didn’t want to hide it, but we didn’t know when the right time would be.”
Li Ran let out a breath. “So all those times you stayed over, all the trips you took together…”
“Yes,” Zhirou said, voice still calm. “But we never did anything disrespectful. We just wanted to be together.”
Li Ran leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. After a long pause, she asked, “Does your mother know?”
“No.”
“You’re not afraid of her finding out?”
“I’m not afraid,” Zhirou said. “But I don’t want her to be hurt.”
Li Ran looked at her. “So you’re afraid of hurting her, but not me?”
Zhirou paused. “Auntie… I respect you. I didn’t want to deceive you.”
Li Ran chuckled bitterly. “But you did. For two years.”
Zhirou didn’t respond. She lowered her eyes.
Li Ran looked at the quiet, composed girl in front of her, and something inside her softened. She sighed.
“Do you love her?”
Zhirou looked up. Her voice was firm. “Yes.”
Li Ran didn’t say anything else. She nodded slowly and turned back toward the living room. “Alright. Go.”
Zhirou bowed her head. “Thank you, Auntie.”
When she returned, Mengyin’s worried gaze met hers. Zhirou gave her a faint smile and nodded. “It’s okay.”
The car ride back was silent. Tang Jingxue didn’t ask what Li Ran had said, and Zhirou didn’t volunteer it. Snowflakes danced past the windows, and the two of them sat side by side in the back seat, not touching, but close enough to feel each other’s warmth.