I Fell In Love With My Rival (GL) - Chapter 20

In the end, Fu Erqiu stayed the night with Su Chunyin. After a quick wash, she slipped under the covers beside Su Chunyin. Both girls were drowsy, and before long, they drifted off to sleep.

When Su Chunyin woke up, she found herself curled up in Fu Erqiu’s arms. She sat up, holding her head, guessing she must’ve unconsciously gravitated toward the warmth in her sleep—the night had probably been cold.

Fu Erqiu was still asleep. Su Chunyin leaned in to take a closer look at her face. Fu Erqiu had beautiful features, and with her eyes closed, her long lashes seemed even more striking. As she admired her, Su

Chunyin couldn’t help but feel smug about her taste—this girl was gorgeous enough that even as a fake love interest, she’d be worth showing off in the group chat.

Under Su Chunyin’s gaze, Fu Erqiu slowly woke up. The first thing she saw was Su Chunyin’s smiling face, uncomfortably close. She blinked into full awareness, subtly pulled away, and sat up on the bed.

“What time is it?” Her voice came out hoarse and rough.

Su Chunyin leaned over to feel her forehead. “Hmm… feels like you’ve got a fever. I noticed your voice was hoarse yesterday already—probably caught a cold.”

Fu Erqiu had been out delivering food in the rain all day. It wasn’t surprising she’d gotten sick the next morning. She knew her body well enough and got out of bed to look for her slippers. “Where are my clothes?”

Su Chunyin crossed her arms and smiled playfully. “Take a guess.”

Fu Erqiu sighed. “I need to go back. Just hand them over.”

Su Chunyin didn’t answer but held a finger to her lips and motioned for her to listen. Fu Erqiu paused and heard the resonant toll of a bell echoing through the temple—it must’ve rung without her noticing. The sound was solemn and filled every corner of the Daoist temple.

“That’s the meal bell. Breakfast is ready.” Su Chunyin blinked at her. “No need to argue—I know you’re not in the condition to deliver food right now anyway. Why not just stay and have breakfast with me? My mom should have cold medicine. We can grab some after we eat. Take your meds, get some rest, and wait until your fever’s gone before heading back down the mountain.”

Fu Erqiu didn’t respond. What else could she say? Su Chunyin had already planned everything for her down to the minute. Anything more would just sound redundant.

“There’s no need for all this. I know my body—it’s nothing serious.” Despite herself, Fu Erqiu still muttered a half-hearted protest.

Su Chunyin rolled her eyes, clearly expecting that response, and countered coolly, “Then just consider it repayment for bringing me that quilt last night. Or better yet, how about this—how much do you make per hour delivering food? I’ll pay you your hourly rate to rest. Deal?”

Fu Erqiu could only change the subject. “Let’s go eat.”

The temple breakfast was vegetarian as usual, but they’d prepared boiled eggs for the guests. Su Chunyin peeled two eggs slowly, and after finally finishing one, she tossed it onto Fu Erqiu’s plate. “Eat some eggs—good for recovery.”

As they chatted, Xu Yuhui walked into the dining hall. She paused when she saw Fu Erqiu sitting beside her daughter, clearly confused.

After swallowing the last bit of her egg, Su Chunyin pulled Fu Erqiu over and introduced her. “Mom, this is the classmate I mentioned—the one I wanted tutoring from. Fu Erqiu.”

She caught her mother’s puzzled look and added quickly, “She delivered food up here last night, and it got too late to head back down, so I let her stay at the temple.” She gave her mother a pointed look—surely someone who worked this hard deserved a little extra tutoring fee?

Xu Yuhui smiled knowingly, seeming to understand, and sat down beside them with a tray of food.

Su Chunyin asked, “Mom, where’s the medicine kit you brought with you? I’ll need it later.”

Xu Yuhui looked her over. “You caught a cold?”

Su Chunyin shook her head and pointed at Fu Erqiu. “Not me—her. She was the one who delivered my food last night, and she even lugged a heavy quilt up the mountain for me. She got caught in the rain and now has a fever. I remember you brought some fever and anti-inflammatory medicine, right? Let her have some.”

Xu Yuhui reached out and placed a hand on Fu Erqiu’s forehead. The sudden touch caught Fu Erqiu off guard, but she forced herself to stay still.

After a moment, Xu Yuhui nodded. “It’s just a mild fever. Take the medicine and bundle up in a few extra blankets—you’ll sweat it out and feel better.”

Faced with their shared concern, Fu Erqiu could only nod slowly.

After breakfast, they all headed to Xu Yuhui’s room for the medicine. Su Chunyin frowned at the identical furnishings—her mother’s room looked just like hers. “How did you ever sleep on such a hard quilt and prickly bamboo mat?”

Xu Yuhui read between the lines. “What, didn’t sleep well last night?”

Su Chunyin dramatically complained, “It was more than uncomfortable! If it weren’t for Erqiu bringing a soft quilt and even laying it out for me, I probably wouldn’t have fallen asleep at all.”

Xu Yuhui smiled warmly at Fu Erqiu. “Then thank you, Fu.”

Fu Erqiu felt a bit awkward. “It was nothing—just helping out.”

She took the medicine with warm water, and a Daoist priest later delivered two extra quilts. After a good nap bundled up, she felt much more refreshed.

As soon as Fu Erqiu sat up, Su Chunyin burst into the room, shaking her shoulders excitedly. “Wish-making and fortune sticks! Come on—let’s go!”

Still half-confused, Fu Erqiu was dragged outside. At some point, a long line had formed at the temple entrance.

As they walked, Su Chunyin explained, “Qingchan Temple is most famous for its wishing rituals. On the first day of every month, if you burn a wish incense and pray sincerely, your wishes are said to come true.

Also, the abbot will interpret fortune sticks for free today!”

She lowered her voice, glancing around. “Normally, getting a stick interpreted by the abbot costs four figures at minimum. Free today—what a deal! Come on, we’ll use my mom’s connections for VIP treatment.”

Sure enough, Xu Yuhui’s name carried weight. The abbot read their fortunes first—both drew the rare ‘Great Blessing’ stick, and even the interpretations were nearly identical:

“Smooth academic progress, career success. But romance may be troubled—don’t be fooled by appearances.”

Su Chunyin pouted as they exited. “What kind of lazy interpretation is that? We got the exact same fortune!”

Still, she remained enthusiastic about the wish-making. Without her mom’s help for this part, she and Fu Erqiu queued up at the back.

The line moved slowly—everyone had heartfelt wishes to make. Su Chunyin grew sleepy, and Fu Erqiu offered to hold her place while she rested.

Su Chunyin was tempted but refused. “You’re the sick one. How can I let a patient stand alone?”

So, they waited together all morning, until finally, it was their turn.

Fu Erqiu received a stick of incense and bowed before the altar. Su Chunyin leaned in. “Time to make your wish.” She closed her eyes, praying sincerely.

Fu Erqiu hesitated, unsure of what to wish for.

Afterward, Su Chunyin asked, “So what did you wish for?”

Fu Erqiu thought for a moment. “That the people around me stay safe and healthy.”

Su Chunyin elongated her response teasingly, “Ohhh—”

Fu Erqiu asked, “What about you?”

Su Chunyin grinned, a little slyly. “I wished that you’d agree to tutor me. Do you think that’ll come true?”

Fu Erqiu was momentarily dazzled by her smile and almost said yes before catching herself. Su Chunyin’s expression sobered. “Just kidding.”

She looked up at the tall, dignified deity watching over them all.

Her voice was barely audible amid the crowd, muffled by the breeze, but Fu Erqiu still heard it:

“I wish… that you could like me too, Jie.”

It’ll come true.