I Became the Female Lead’s Current Obsession - Chapter 20.3

Hou Xue looked at her, eyes sparkling, almost glowing with pride.

“Amazing,” Hou Xue said softly, placing a hand gently on Jiang Qing’s head as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Just as she imagined—soft and easy to ruffle.

“I’m in the top three, Teacher Hou. You didn’t forget what you promised, right?” Jiang Qing leaned in closer.

No one was around.

Jiang Qing placed her hands on either side of Hou Xue, effectively caging her in—like a dragon protecting its treasure.

“What is it that Miss Jiang wants?” Hou Xue smiled faintly, placing her hands lightly on Jiang Qing’s shoulders. “Or what would you like me to do?”

The light from the corridor window spilled in at an angle, casting a soft divide of shadow across Hou Xue’s face—half in the light, half in the dark.

It hit Jiang Qing’s heart all at once.

Without thinking, she stepped even closer, her gaze drifting down to Hou Xue’s lips and the faint line of her collarbone, exposed by a loosened top button.

For a moment, Jiang Qing’s breath brushed against Hou Xue’s cheek.

But she didn’t kiss her.

Instead, she rested her head gently on Hou Xue’s shoulder and mumbled, “…I haven’t decided yet. Let’s save it for later.”

Hou Xue gave a quiet hum of acknowledgment.

And then, her eyes drifted to the far corner—where Xu Miao’s shadow stretched long on the ground and up the wall.

She had seen the eavesdropper the moment Jiang Qing cornered her.

It was Xu Miao. She was sure.

Hou Xue didn’t say anything. Xu Miao was Jiang Qing’s friend, after all. She probably came to talk about the exam results.

Still, Hou Xue hadn’t expected to be pinned to the wall. Xu Miao might’ve seen it, or maybe not.

But honestly, what did it matter?

If Xu Miao misunderstood—even better.

Hou Xue wanted her to understand where things stood. That she wasn’t just anyone in Jiang Qing’s life.

It was a childish kind of pettiness, but Hou Xue didn’t care.

She pressed her lips together.

“Second Miss, class is about to start,” she reminded gently.

Jiang Qing hesitated, reluctant to move.

Hou Xue smelled so good—and she wanted to savor it a bit longer while she had the chance.

“What brand of shower gel do you use?” Jiang Qing asked, trying to mask her desire behind curiosity. If it wasn’t okay to keep smelling someone up close, maybe she could just buy the same scent.

“It’s not a brand,” Hou Xue replied. “I made the fragrance myself. It calms the mind.”

“You made it?” Jiang Qing’s eyes widened. “That’s amazing. I don’t remember this being in the original story… What a hidden talent.”

“If you like it, I can make some for you,” Hou Xue offered.

“Would that be too much trouble?” Jiang Qing admitted she was tempted.

Hou Xue shook her head with a smile.

Just then, Jiang Qing turned around—and immediately spotted the long shadow on the wall.

Xu Miao.

She hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward.

“Miao Miao?” Jiang Qing asked in surprise. “When did you get here? Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I…” Xu Miao glanced at Hou Xue behind Jiang Qing, then back at her, unsure how to start. “I… just wanted to say that we should aim even higher together. Let’s work hard, okay?”

“Huh?” Jiang Qing scratched the back of her neck. “Of course. We’re friends. Oh, right! Miao Miao, you were incredible this time, ranking first. I was so excited just now that I forgot to congratulate you!”

Xu Miao clearly hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly. But right now, her mind wasn’t on the rankings. She lowered her voice and asked, “What were you and Hou Xue doing just now…”

“Oh, that,” Jiang Qing rubbed the tip of her nose, quickly spinning a plausible story. “Actually, Hou Xue has been tutoring me. I got second place this time, so we were just… celebrating.”

Xu Miao blinked. “Tutoring?”

Did Jiang Qing really need Hou Xue to tutor her? And celebrating for second place? Was this still the same Jiang Qing? She did remember Jiang Qing mentioning that she’d be studying with Hou Xue again, but no matter how she imagined it, the dynamic between tutor and student didn’t make sense here.

Behind Jiang Qing, Hou Xue tugged gently on the hem of her school uniform, her expression saying: You didn’t have to lie, but thanks for trying.

Jiang Qing decided to add a bit more. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you before. I hit my head a while ago. It caused some memory issues, and I’ve forgotten a lot of what I used to know. That’s why I asked Hou Xue to help me study.”

“You hit your head? That sounds serious…” Xu Miao sighed in relief. “Well, I’m just glad you’re okay.”

That would explain a lot—Jiang Qing’s sudden personality shift and her new attitude toward Hou Xue. Maybe her instincts hadn’t been wrong all along.

Still… Could a bump on the head really change someone so completely?

That was the part Jiang Qing wasn’t willing to explain. Some things were better left unsaid—after all, they were just friends. This much explanation would suffice.

Xu Miao had witnessed Jiang Qing’s hostility toward Hou Xue in the past. Now, seeing her refer to her as “Teacher Hou” and follow her around with such reverence, the contrast was striking. It left Xu Miao with more questions than answers.

“Alright, I get it. Class is about to start anyway. Let’s head back,” Xu Miao said, giving a little wave.

This time, Jiang Qing didn’t hold back. She took Hou Xue’s hand in full view of everyone.

Xu Miao caught sight of their fingers laced tightly together—and felt her vision blur for a moment.

Was this really okay?

Even if they were stepsisters, even if it was only in name… Friends didn’t usually do this kind of thing.

But she’d grown used to Jiang Qing’s constant attachment to Hou Xue. Her tolerance had grown along with her confusion.

“…You’re really not mad?” Xu Miao asked directly. She figured there was no need to beat around the bush with this ‘new’ Jiang Qing.

“…Not really,” Jiang Qing replied after a pause. “I’m honestly happy for you.” She looked at Xu Miao seriously. “You should keep working hard and take first place in the grade again.”

Xu Miao smiled, feeling unexpectedly touched.

She’d always known what kind of person Jiang Qing was. And this change—this version of Jiang Qing—was the one she’d always hoped to see. This was the kind of friend worth cherishing.

Before her smile faded, Xu Miao noticed Hou Xue’s gaze.

Jiang Qing stood between them, offering Xu Miao a polite, distant look.

Hou Xue looked away, as if confirming something in her mind.

There was no need to test anymore—they were just friends. That much was clear.

________________________________________

Jiang Qing was in an excellent mood the entire day. Even the stern physics teacher seemed more pleasant.

Even though she’d made a mistake on the second part of the final problem, it didn’t matter much. Hou Xue had asked her to review her own test, so she used the time during class to organize what she knew.

Since her talk with Xu Miao, Jiang Qing felt completely at ease. She chatted more openly with her again, though most of her attention still went to Hou Xue.

“You never stop talking about Hou Xue. Can’t you tone it down, Classmate Jiang Qing?” Xu Miao teased with a smile.

“Why should I?” Jiang Qing replied, scribbling in her correction book while still chatting.

Xu Miao wanted to say, Because you sound like you’re bragging about your girlfriend, not your sister.

“The Hou Xue you describe is even better than the top-ranked student in the whole grade. She’s basically perfect. But if you’re not bothering her anymore, then why does she still act like… like she’s hiding something for you?”

Jiang Qing didn’t respond immediately. She used a ruler to draw a diagram, silently considering how to respond.

Knock knock.

A light tap on her desk.

Jiang Qing looked up to see Hou Xue leaning down, her voice soft: “The homeroom teacher wants to see you.”

Jiang Qing smiled and nodded, putting down her pen and following her out.

But from Xu Miao’s point of view, the scene looked too… intimate.

She speaks softly and leans in like that—on purpose. Her voice is so gentle, it’s like she practiced.

Hou Xue, so full of calculation.

And yet Jiang Qing didn’t seem to mind at all. In fact, she looked like she enjoyed it.

Everyone else is fooled, but I see it clearly, Xu Miao thought. Maybe I’ve reached some kind of higher enlightenment.

________________________________________

At the office, the teacher was checking grades on the computer.

“Hello, teacher.”

“Jiang Qing,” the teacher said, looking up. “You did well on this exam. There’s a slight drop compared to your previous scores, but I’m confident you’ll catch up next time. Make good use of the holidays.”

“Thank you, teacher. I’ll work hard.”

“But that’s not the only reason I called you in.” The teacher paused. “I wanted to ask… what exactly is your relationship with Hou Xue?”

Hou Xue?

Jiang Qing froze for a moment. So Hou Xue had been called in earlier. What had she said?

“We’re… technically stepsisters. In name only,” Jiang Qing answered.

That’s probably how Hou Xue would have put it too.

“Oh?” The teacher raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t know that. So, you’re not really close?”

Jiang Qing nodded.

“I see,” the teacher said. “Some classmates told me the two of you didn’t get along, and I wanted to help smooth things over. Seems like it was just a misunderstanding.”

“Teacher, what… what did Hou Xue say?”

“Hm?”

“When you asked her about us, what did she say?”

“Oh, she didn’t mention being sisters,” the teacher replied. “She said you two are friends. Very close friends.”

Jiang Qing exhaled.

Friends—a reasonable, safe answer.

But… why did it leave her feeling unsatisfied?

________________________________________

Outside the office, Hou Xue was leaning against the wall, her chin slightly lifted as if lost in thought. When Jiang Qing appeared, she turned and smiled faintly.

“Let’s go,” she said, reaching out.

Jiang Qing hesitated, glancing around.

It was break time. The hallway buzzed with students laughing and talking. She didn’t want to attract too much attention.

She stopped Hou Xue’s hand mid-reach, held her wrist instead, and tucked her other hand into her pocket as she took the lead.

“What did the teacher say?” Hou Xue asked.

“Nothing much. Same thing he asked you,” Jiang Qing replied lightly.

Hou Xue fell silent.

The summer cicadas chirped loudly. The sun was high in the sky—another signal that the holidays were near.

Jiang Qing thought of the international resort Jiang Xing had mentioned. Clear skies, fresh air, tickets already bought. All that was missing was the school break.

Suddenly, she felt she was overthinking everything.

She should enjoy the moment. No matter what happens.

If life was short, wasn’t it better to spend it without regrets?

What if she could change everything—wouldn’t she regret not holding Hou Xue’s hand just because of a few watchful eyes?

Her hand slid downward, slowly brushing against Hou Xue’s palm behind her.

And just as their hands were about to separate, one finger hooked the other.

Their fingers laced together again.

No one noticed. No one cared.

In that moment, Jiang Qing and Hou Xue were in a world of their own.

Jiang Qing walked ahead, her smile radiant and unguarded.

Hou Xue followed behind, her eyes soft and full of tenderness.

They couldn’t see each other’s faces.

But it didn’t matter.

Because right now, they belonged only to each other—no regrets, no need to explain.