After I Cheated on the Heiress of a Powerful Family - Chapter 8
Chapter 8
After speaking, it felt as though the secret buried deep inside Xie’s heart had suddenly been laid bare under the sunlight. She looked quietly at Wen Yan, waiting for her response.
Would Wen Yan show suspicion? Ask about the root of the problem? Or pretend to be casual and unaffected, then silently distance herself?
Wen Yan stared at her for a moment before taking Xie Buyi’s hand gently and whispering, “Hasn’t your hand felt warm all morning? Why is it still so cold now?”
No reply came to that. Xie Buyi pressed her lips together and asked, “Wen Yan, did you hear what I just said?”
“I know, I know. It’s just that I’m sick, right? What’s the big deal?” Wen Yan answered lightly.
Xie Buyi had never heard such a response before. It was unfamiliar territory for her. She went quiet for a long time, then finally asked, “You won’t tell me what illness it is?”
“Say whatever you want. If you don’t want to know, then I won’t say anything,” Wen Yan said softly.
Holding an umbrella in one hand, Wen Yan took Xie Buyi’s cold hand with the other and tugged her toward the cafeteria. “The most important thing in the world is food. When you’re sick, eating well is the top priority. Don’t think about anything else. Let’s just figure out what you want to eat.”
What’s scarier than illness? Wen Yan learned from her mother’s battle with cancer that poverty is the most terrifying thing.
Money can buy treatment, ease pain, and prolong life. Even if the disease is incurable, having funds allows for comfort and peace in the final days.
Without money, people suffer quietly in rundown homes, trembling in pain, too afraid to seek medical help because they can’t afford it.
A simple check-up might cost thousands, and medication runs into hundreds. Many poor people become critically ill simply because they never sought treatment early enough.
Minor ailments get ignored because they don’t affect work, and the hospital seems too expensive.
For someone like Miss Xie, even a headache or fever would bring a family doctor rushing over from the villa.
If Xie Buyi had a contagious illness, she wouldn’t be allowed at school. Most likely, it’s psychological, but mild enough not to harm others.
Overall, Xie Buyi’s illness seems minor, almost negligible.
No matter what, as long as you don’t lose your money, you can always make more.
The cafeteria was near the dormitory. From the teaching building to the cafeteria, there was a straight path flanked by two playgrounds, about three to four hundred meters long. Usually, it took only a few minutes to walk, but today it took nearly ten.
The rain didn’t let up, making the ground slippery and muddy, with wet footprints everywhere. A cleaner was busy mopping the floor back and forth.
Wen Yan closed her umbrella and glanced sideways at Xie Buyi. “Hey, I’ve been thinking. What do you want to eat?”
“Thanks for sticking with me. My mind’s all over the place. I didn’t even think about food. Just… whatever,” Xie Buyi answered softly.
Miss Xie’s “whatever” usually meant one of three things: truly indifferent (any choice is fine), pretending to be indifferent because she’s shy to say what she wants, or the trickiest—half-hearted and vague, where she expects you to read her mind and choose just right.
— “A Hundred Ways to Interpret ‘Whatever’” by Wen Yan
“I’ve seen you eat noodles before. You don’t hate them, do you? It’s cold today and the rice will get cold quickly. Having something hot would be better. How about some noodle soup?”
Xie Buyi nodded quietly.
There were few people in the cafeteria and many empty seats, so there was no rush to pick a spot. Wen Yan told Xie Buyi to wait while she ordered noodles at the counter. She smiled but kept her thoughts to herself.
Thanks! If you put the effort into understanding me, I should reward you somehow!
“Hey, Xiaowen’s here!” the aunt at the noodle stand greeted brightly, surprised to see Wen Yan with someone else. “This is the first time I’ve seen you bring company! Who’s this?”
Usually, Wen Yan came alone—work-study schedule kept her busy. Even Xie Buyi joining her for dinner was unusual.
Wen Yan smiled and said, “This is my deskmate. We’re good friends and very close. Auntie, could you make her a bowl of noodles first? I’ll help you after.”
“Oh, you’re such a helper! But today’s so quiet in here, there’s nothing to do. I don’t need your help! I’ll make two bowls—eat quickly!”
“I’ll be gone after dinner to pack things up for you. And can you make her noodles a little lighter, please?” Wen Yan requested softly.
“I got it, I got it. You’re so thoughtful! Eat well, alright?” Auntie said, already preparing the bowls.
While cooking, Auntie chatted, “I made so much food today, but with this rain, it looks like a lot will go to waste. Many kids can’t even get out of class to eat. If they don’t eat, how can they attend afternoon lessons?”
Wen Yan paused, then asked, “Auntie, does the cafeteria have a vehicle? Like a van or a tricycle? Maybe you can deliver food to the classrooms for kids who can’t come here.”
“There are teachers stuck in the building too. If you contact them, they could count who hasn’t eaten and place orders to send food over. It’d cut down waste. But delivery and packaging costs… it’s expensive, you know.”
Auntie’s eyes brightened. “Hey! That’s a smart idea, Xiao Wen! I’ll ask right now! If it works, I’ll give you a share!”
Wen Yan laughed, “I just came up with it, didn’t do anything else. I can’t take money for free!”
“No way! Good ideas like that save the canteen from waste and help students eat. That’s definitely worth something.”
Wen Yan smiled and said, “If it really happens, I’ll finish my meal and help pack. If Auntie still refuses to pay me, then I really can’t take it.”
Auntie laughed, “Okay, okay! Here’s your noodles, eat up!”
Wen Yan grabbed her hot bowl quickly and led Xie Buyi to find a seat.
Rubbing the disposable chopsticks, she said, “The bowl’s hot now, but you can warm your hands on it first.” Then she stood and said, “I’ll go get my noodles now!”
As she left, Xie Buyi lowered her eyes and tentatively touched the warm bowl. The heat started gentle, then grew warmer, almost hot. After a moment, her fingers tingled and burned. Her skin flushed bright red, but she kept her hand there, unmoving.
Suddenly, a hand tapped her shoulder. Xie Buyi startled, pulling her hand back and curling her red fingers. She turned to see a middle-aged woman in work clothes, smiling kindly.
“You’re with Xiao Wen, right? You don’t have an umbrella?” The woman held up an umbrella and offered it to Xie Buyi.
Xie Buyi hesitated, then declined, “No thanks, I have one.”
“Oh? Oh, okay…” Aunt Chen looked puzzled, unsure if Xie Buyi misunderstood or was just refusing politely.
Maybe the girl was too graceful, looking like she wasn’t raised in an ordinary home. When she said no, Aunt Chen didn’t press further and took back the umbrella.
Watching Aunt Chen leave, Xie Buyi looked at her flushed hand, then picked at it casually.
The real reason she refused the umbrella was that it was ugly.
And she didn’t want to owe anyone.
With Wen Yan carrying an umbrella, there was no need for her to hold one.
She just didn’t want the trouble.
Just that.
Wen Yan’s noodles were ready by the window. She saw Aunt Chen approaching with the umbrella and asked, “Aunt Chen, you going out?”
“No, I just grabbed an umbrella thinking you might need it. I have one that I don’t use. I wanted to lend it to you so you don’t get soaked.”
“No need, Auntie. I brought my own,” Wen Yan replied, pointing toward the umbrella.
Aunt Chen was even more confused. “I thought the little girl didn’t bring one. I wanted to lend her mine so you wouldn’t be short. But she said no, she has an umbrella…”
Wen Yan glanced at Xie Buyi, then laughed softly. “Um… Auntie, we’re sharing. The umbrella’s big.”
Aunt Chen smiled but didn’t argue further—no matter how heavy the rain, they had an umbrella to share now.