I Fell In Love With My Rival (GL) - Chapter 24

Su Chunyin’s summer break was officially ruined. One scorching afternoon, she and Fu Erqiu had gone swimming on the rooftop and Su Chunyin nearly drowned. Though she felt fine after waking up, Xu Yuhui insisted on taking her to their private hospital for a full check-up, running every test imaginable. The results showed nothing serious, but the doctor still recommended that she stay for observation.

Xu Yuhui didn’t hesitate—she abruptly cut off Su Chunyin’s tutoring sessions and ordered her to be hospitalized.

Bored out of her mind at the hospital, Su Chunyin felt like she was starting to grow mold.

Song Rao and the others came to visit, fruit basket in hand. As soon as Yang Yuxia entered the room, she dramatically exclaimed, “Oh my dear sister! I haven’t seen you in days—what in the world happened to you?”

Su Chunyin pulled the biggest, reddest apple from the fruit basket and took a hearty bite, rolling her eyes. “No one would mistake you for mute if you stayed quiet for once.”

Unbothered, Yang Yuxia dragged a chair to the bedside and sat down. “Seriously, what happened? We were scared half to death when we heard you were in the hospital. But looking at you now, you seem perfectly fine.”

Song Rao and Xu Chang were also clearly curious. They stepped closer. “Yeah, what’s the story? Don’t tell us you’re putting on a brave face but are secretly dying tomorrow.”

Su Chunyin almost burst out laughing at their wild imaginations. “What could’ve possibly happened to me? I went swimming a couple of days ago without warming up properly and ended up with a leg cramp. My mom insisted on bringing me here for a check-up. You know how this hospital is—always finding something wrong so they can squeeze more money out of her.”

“Ohhh,” Song Rao nodded knowingly, having had similar experiences. “That tracks.”

Among them, only Xu Chang caught the key detail. “Swimming? Weren’t you supposed to be tutoring with Fu Erqiu at home?”

Su Chunyin paused mid-bite, then tried to sound casual. “Tutoring is so boring. I figured we’d squeeze in a little fun first, so we swam for a bit. Who knew I’d end up drowning…”

“Ohhh~ so you were swimming with Fu Erqiu~”

“And you drowned~”

Song Rao and Xu Chang chimed in like a comedy duo.

Yang Yuxia leaned in with a mischievous grin. “Did she pull a hero-saving-the-beauty move? Rescued you and gave you mouth-to-mouth?”

Mouth… to… mouth…

The memory of that icy touch instantly resurfaced in Su Chunyin’s mind. The half-eaten apple stuck in her throat as she began coughing violently.

Song Rao slapped the back of Yang Yuxia’s head. “Alright, enough. Niaoniao’s shy—don’t tease her.”

Yang Yuxia pouted, unconvinced. “TV dramas always have that scene…”

Song Rao ignored her, but her eyes twinkled with gossip. “By the way, Niaoniao, you’ve been here for days. How come Fu Erqiu hasn’t come to see you yet? I thought things were progressing between you two?”

At that, Su Chunyin’s irritation flared again. She’d been in the hospital for several days. She’d sent Fu Erqiu a message with the address—yet she never came.

Song Rao winked at her playfully, voice full of innuendo. “Just the two of you, alone together under the pretense of tutoring every day—don’t tell me she hasn’t started falling for you?”

Falling for her? Su Chunyin thought of Fu Erqiu’s serious, no-nonsense face during lessons and immediately deflated. She’d been around her long enough to know—if there were any sparks, they were probably all on her side. Her nerves and confusion were very real, though.

Then she remembered that almost kiss. It wasn’t warm—it was cold—but in that moment, lying in the water, it felt like a fire had ignited inside her, making her whole body burn.

That memory had branded itself into her mind. She remembered no discomfort from drowning—only the endless blue sky, sparkling ripples, and lips brushing through waves.
As they chatted, the door suddenly opened from the outside. Song Rao turned and blinked in surprise. “Well, speak of the devil—if it isn’t the great scholar Fu Erqiu herself.”

Fu Erqiu? Su Chunyin turned to the door just in time to meet her eyes. Neither spoke. A strange tension filled the room.

Did she hear their conversation? How much? Was anything they said really that inappropriate? Su Chunyin wasn’t sure what kind of nonsense she and the others had spouted, and her fingers tightened unconsciously around the bedsheet.

“Hey hey,” Song Rao broke the silence. She nudged Yang Yuxia and yanked Xu Chang. “You guys keep chatting—we’re just a little thirsty. Gonna grab some drinks.”

She shot Su Chunyin a sly look and grinned. “Want us to bring something back for you two?”

Fu Erqiu shook her head. Su Chunyin didn’t speak. Getting no answer, Song Rao’s gaze flicked between them, then she quickly ushered the others out, closing the door behind her.

Fu Erqiu stood frozen at the door. Su Chunyin grew more irritated. She patted the bed. “Come in already. I’m not going to bite you—why stand at the door?”

Fu Erqiu walked in, holding a small fruit basket. “I got held up with some stuff the past few days. I heard you’re still in the hospital, so I came to check on you.”

She placed the basket by the bed.

There was already a luxurious fruit basket from earlier—an 888-yuan premium set from the hospital gift shop. By contrast, the one Fu Erqiu brought was a simple plastic-wrapped bundle with only a few types of fruit—cheap and unimpressive.

Fu Erqiu glanced at both baskets but said nothing. She turned to the girl in bed. “How are you feeling? Any discomfort?”

Su Chunyin had been watching her every move. When Fu Erqiu turned back, their eyes met. There were dark circles under Fu Erqiu’s eyes—she clearly hadn’t been sleeping well. When she said she’d been tied up,

Su Chunyin figured those circles must be the “things” she was dealing with.

Realizing she was staring, Su Chunyin quickly looked away, fixing her gaze on her blanket.

After a pause, she finally answered. “Oh, I’m fine. You didn’t have to go out of your way to visit.” She looked at the fruit basket. “You didn’t need to spend money either.”

The two of them sat in awkward silence for a moment. Su Chunyin didn’t know what to say. Ever since that mouth-to-mouth incident, she felt off. When Fu Erqiu hadn’t come, she felt restless. Now that she was here, she didn’t feel much better.

Fu Erqiu was even worse—never one for small talk, she was stiff and quiet by nature. She sat with her eyes half-lidded, visibly exhausted. Su Chunyin half expected her to fall asleep on the spot.

They sat quietly for a while. Just before leaving, Fu Erqiu finally spoke. “You’ve missed several lessons, and school’s starting soon. I’ve been busy and can’t come to tutor in person. You can just deduct the missed sessions from my pay.”

Su Chunyin blinked. That little bit of money meant nothing to her or the Su family. Neither she nor Xu Yuhui would bother deducting it—but she knew if she said that, Fu Erqiu would insist.

So, she changed tack. “No need. Even though you weren’t here, your notes and practice quizzes have helped a lot. If we stop completely, how am I supposed to pass the entrance test?”

She shifted slightly on the bed. “How about this—why don’t you organize the lessons I missed, along with what’s coming up, into notes and send me pictures? You can also send the quizzes in digital form. That way,

I won’t fall behind, and it won’t take too much of your time. Sound good?”

Fu Erqiu paused for a moment and didn’t refuse her invitation.

After Fu Erqiu left, Su Chunyin suddenly realized she hadn’t paid Qiu Ye her wages. She logged into WeChat and transferred the money. Just as she finished, Song Riao walked in and teased, “Oh, so clingy—you can’t go a minute without messaging? Constantly on WeChat?”

Su Chunyin realized Song Riao must’ve assumed she was texting Fu Erqiu. She waved it off lazily, “Nope, I’m chatting with someone else.”

Song Riao didn’t buy it. “Who are you kidding? I was right outside earlier and heard her phone buzzing with a WeChat notification. I came in to find you texting—if you two weren’t secretly talking, I’d actually twist your head and kick it.”

Unimpressed, Su Chunyin only replied with a bored, “That’s rude.”

Song Riao, ever the social butterfly, had been picking up a rougher tone lately but didn’t care. She pulled a stool by the hospital bed. “Su Niaoniao, answer me straight—how far have you progressed with Miss University Scholar?”

Su Chunyin sidestepped: “Where are Yang Yuxia and Xu Chang? Why haven’t they come back?”

Song Riao hit the edge of the bed impatiently. “What are they doing? They went to buy you a strawberry milkshake from Wang Yi Tang.”

Wang Yi Tang’s strawberry milkshake was Su Chunyin’s favorite, but she rarely bought it—lines always stretched two hours, and she hated waiting. So, when she heard Yang Yuxia and Xu Chang were queuing for her, she softened. “Just like I said in the group chat—nothing special.”

Song Riao leaned in close. Su Chunyin shuddered at her emotive eyes. “Say it straight—no physical intimidation!”

Rolling her eyes, Song Riao continued, “I don’t think you two are making any progress.”

The words hit Su Chunyin like a bolt of lightning. Internally, she replayed her attempts: skipped meals, unread letters, and a bouquet without a card. Maybe Fu Erqiu didn’t realize Su Chunyin was pursuing her!

That must be it—though Fu Erqui liked girls, a lesbian wouldn’t just assume every friendly interest was romantic.

Su Chunyin’s heart sank. She remembered how Fu Erqui had initially avoided her—barely even a friend—only tutoring out of payment. If it weren’t for the money, Fu Erqui might never have come at all.

Seeing Su Chunyin’s expression, Song Riao agreed, “Okay, tell me everything between you two.”

Su Chunyin, tangled in her feelings but desperate for advice, spilled the details—omitting only the strange dreams and the ambiguous “not-a-kiss.”

Song Riao frowned. “You may not have explicitly confessed, but your actions are practically a proposal! Unless she’s blind, she’d know.” Pausing, she added thoughtfully, “Then again, nerdy scholars aren’t always perceptive.”

Su Chunyin lowered her head. “When her mom heard I liked her, she didn’t think romantically either. Fu Erqui probably just sees it as friendship.”

Song Riao gave her a knowing look. “Even so, once someone hears ‘like’ and they’re interested in girls—they’ll suspect something more.”

She patted Su Chunyin’s shoulder. “You’ve planted the seed. Now, take the chance—confess and tell her formally you’re pursuing her—it’ll be half done already.”

Su Chunyin stared blankly. “What do you mean by ‘tell her formally’?”

Song Riao sighed at her innocent expression. “Confess! Tell her you want to start chasing her properly!”

They barely spoke more before Yang Yuxia burst in with strawberry milkshakes. “Here we go, milk tea time!”

Xu Chang followed, closing the door. “I got scalped tickets online—only waited ten minutes.”

Su Chunyin and Song Riao exchanged knowing looks and dropped the conversation. They drank their shakes, shared holiday stories, had “sick food” for dinner, and spent the day laughing.

Song Riao advised Su Chunyin to confess to Fu Erqiu. Su Chunyin wanted to but Fu Erqui disappeared for days afterward. Su binge-sent study materials and quizzes that Fu Erqui eventually replied to—though half the time she took hours.

Su Chunyin didn’t mind and continued messaging frequently.

They shared a mutual interest in meteorites; Su Chunyin sent her a newly listed moon rock from a foreign auction site and casually asked how things were going and if she needed help.

Fu Erqui wouldn’t accept help from a “middle schooler.” She smirked when seeing Su Chunyin’s offer. Su Chunyin’s boss probably couldn’t take care of herself, let alone help Fu Erqui.

Fu Erqui briefly mentioned her family: “[My father is ill. Nothing you need to worry about—just focus on your studies.]”

Su Chunyin frowned at the academic nudge but still offered a thoughtful: “Hope he recovers soon.”

Fu Erqui replied, “[We’ll see.]” and went quiet again.

Su put her phone away and stared at the ceiling. Su Chunyin’s father had been on a business trip to Germany for months. But did Fu Erqiu even have a father?

Though everyone is born to both parents, no one had ever mentioned Fu Erqui’s father. It was as if she grew up with only her mother.

Su Chunyin shook off her tangled thoughts. Lately, she found herself thinking of Fu Erqui more often.

The summer passed and she didn’t see Fu Erqui again.

Before school reopened the next day, Xu Yuhui confirmed Su Chunyin was physically fine and took her home from the hospital.

Before classes resumed, the study support team gathered at the “Golden Arches” (McDonald’s) to tackle the dreaded summer homework.

Yang Yuxia and Xu Chang were deep in copying. Song Riao lolled on her straw. “Niaoniao, you’re not copying?”

Su Chunyin, gazing out the window, snapped back. “Me? Nah.” Fu Erqui had already explained many homework questions to her during their tutoring sessions. She’d done most, and just copied a few answers off the internet.

Song Riao flipped through her workbook: “We’re talking Fu Erqiu helped you here?” she teased maliciously.

Su Chunyin nodded. Yang Yuxia perked up instantly and demanded to copy from Su Chunyin. “Hurry—I can’t just copy from Song Riao or online answers. I need diversity!”

Su Chunyin tossed it to her and stared out again.

Song Riao nudged her. “What are you looking at out there? You’ve been staring for ages.”

Su Chunyin blinked, pulled herself from her reverie, and shrugged: “Nothing… maybe I’m imagining things.”

They were in the city’s most bustling district—Yulin Street, called “Golden Street.” Their McDonald’s was on the second floor with a panoramic view of downtown. It wouldn’t be unusual to see people who looked like Fu Erqui walking by. Su Chunyin shook her head again and dismissed the image.

Five minutes earlier, Su Chunyin had indeed seen Fu Erqui step out of a black Audi. A short, chubby middle-aged man with stubby fingers followed behind, clutching a bunch of new dresses. He urged her, “Go check on your father later, okay? Talk to him about how well you’ve done! Keep reminding him—he might wake up.”

Fu Erqui ignored him and, at the mall entrance, finally turned to smirk. “Sure, I’ll whisper in his ear about the will—who gets the property and money.”

The man paused, flustered. “Just visit and remind him—you and your mother will get everything anyway. I’ll manage it for you—investments and all. You two won’t have to worry.”

He perked up and noticed Fu Erqui had paused at the entrance. “What are you watching?” he asked.

Fu Erqui looked up and quietly replied, “Nothing.”

Back at the table, Su Chunyin finished her cola in one gulp. She asked Song Riao softly, “Do you know Fu Erqiu’s birthday?”

Song Riao thought a moment: “I saw it on her school record in Grade 10… September something.”

September… that familiar month made Su Chunyin’s fingers twitch. “September 13th, maybe?”

Song Riao puzzled. “Maybe?”

Yang Yuxia, eager for gossip, leaned in: “Are you going to celebrate scholar Fu Erqui’s birthday?”

Su Chunyin opened her mouth but Song Riao interjected with a teasing smile: “As if she’d let you celebrate for her!”

Xu Chang asked: “So when are you finally going to woo her?”

Woo her? When?

Su Chunyin raised her empty cup—she’d already drained it—and put it down reluctantly.

Before she could respond, Song Riao added fuel. “Niaoniao and Scholar Fu Erqui progressed so fast; you’ve been together for months. All that’s left is the final push. For Fu Erqui’s birthday, you’ll definitely win her over!”

Su Chunyin shot Song Riao a warning look, but Song Riao shrugged and leaned back.

Su Chunyin hesitated. She’d wanted to boast “I’ll definitely get her by her birthday,” but didn’t dare. Instead, she twisted it: “By the end of this semester, I’ll definitely have won Fu Erqiu’s heart.”

The group fell silent. Song Riao silently mouthed: Really?

Su Chunyin’s fluttering heart somehow steadied. She restated with conviction:

“By the end of this semester, I will definitely win Fu Erqiu’s heart!”