Let's Do Some Questions - Chapter 45

Song Man looked at the sentence Ah Q sent on the screen, feeling a bit wistful.

She didn’t know what to say. Ah Q was right; Lingnan was self-loathing and never held out hope for that relationship, resorting to extreme measures.

Is love between people of the same s3x always this despairing?

Song Man felt a strange sadness, then thought she was being overly sentimental.

She rarely thought about relationships. In fact, she didn’t like anyone disrupting the pace of her life or breaking her rhythm.

She said goodnight to Ah Q, pulled up the covers, and prepared to sleep.

The room lights went out, and the curtains were drawn, blocking out the moonlight.

Just a wall away, Chu Fengqiu was still talking to Ke Lingyu.

Actually, it was Ke Lingyu who was pulling her into conversation.

While Lingnan was singing earlier, Chu Fengqiu had been paying attention to Ke Lingyu’s activity.

She had a strange feeling that Ke Lingyu actually knew.

Knew Lingnan was here, and knew Lingnan was sick.

After Lingnan finished singing, Ke Lingyu suddenly sent her a message on WeChat, asking out of the blue if she had ever been pursued.

Chu Fengqiu actually had quite a few admirers, but she had rejected them all.

She probably understood what Ke Lingyu wanted to tell her, so she quietly listened.

From Ke Lingyu, she heard another version of the story.

Although Ke Lingyu used the phrase “good friend” throughout, Chu Fengqiu knew who she was talking about.

Ke Lingyu and Lingnan were once good friends. In Ke Lingyu’s words, she felt Lingnan was the most compatible person because they had known each other since childhood and had a good relationship. Ke Lingyu was a bit arrogant and flamboyant, easily attracting resentment, but Lingnan had a gentle temper and was always very tolerant and kind to her, enduring all her bad moods.

At that time, Lingnan should have been the most important friend in Ke Lingyu’s heart.

But the change occurred when Ke Lingyu became an adult. She thought the “liking” the other person mentioned before was just a joke, so she was truly shocked, angry, and somewhat confused by the situation. She instinctively spoke harshly and began to avoid her.

Chu Fengqiu asked her if she had ever liked that person.

Ke Lingyu said she had liked her. Although the beginning wasn’t pleasant, it was abrupt and felt crazy, but that person was exceptionally good to her, putting herself in a very low position. Sometimes, Ke Lingyu even told her not to like her anymore and would feel annoyed by how humble that person was in front of her. She felt it shouldn’t be like that.

Just as she said this, A Man came to chat with her.

【Ke Lingyu】: Actually, I’m also very conflicted. Sometimes I feel especially heartbroken for her, but in front of her, I can’t help but lose control.

【Ke Lingyu】: She accommodates me too much. No matter what I do, she endures it. Sometimes, when I think back on that feeling, I find it terrifying. I feel like a different person in front of her.

【Ke Lingyu】: Actually, I really dislike that version of myself. I hope our relationship can go back to how it was, but I also know we can’t go back.

【Ke Lingyu】: Later, she got sick. She told me she was transferring schools abroad and would see a doctor there. She said it so casually, and at the time, I only thought about her leaving and felt relieved. I thought time could smooth over her feelings, so we could smile at each other when we met again.

【Chu Fengqiu】: Did you achieve your goal?

【Ke Lingyu】: No, I didn’t expect her to be so seriously ill. I had no idea. She didn’t tell me, and her parents didn’t tell mine either.

【Ke Lingyu】: It wasn’t until my parents mentioned it a few days ago that I learned she was so seriously ill, and the chance of recovery is very slim.

Ke Lingyu looked at her phone screen, her mind filled with the image of that person looking gaunt and weak.

When she heard her parents discussing it, it felt like being hit by a sudden, heavy blow.

For the past two years, she hadn’t looked for or listened to news about that person, as if she had never known her.

She subtly inquired from her parents and learned that the uncle and aunt said that person’s condition seemed to have improved recently and that she was even live-streaming herself doing practice problems on a learning platform. She tried one app after another, typing “Lingnan” with hope.

She had once inscribed a poem by Su Shi on a bookmark for that person, a “Ding Fengbo,” saying that even when she smiled, she still carried the fragrance of plum blossoms from the ridge.

Often envying the jade-carving young man in the world. Heaven must have granted him a creamy-skinned maiden. All say her clear singing is passed on by pearly teeth. The wind rises. Snow flies, turning the fiery sea cool. Returning from a thousand miles, her face is younger. Smiling. When she smiles, she still carries the fragrance of plum blossoms from the ridge. Asking if Lingnan must be unpleasant. Yet she says. Where my heart finds peace is my home.

That person’s name also contained the character “Nan” (South), and later, when they wrote poetry and lyrics together, she used “Lingnan” as her pen name.

She really did find her by trying those two characters and saw her recent situation. It was a mix of emotions, hard to describe.

【Chu Fengqiu】: So, are you going to catch up with her?

【Ke Lingyu】: To be honest, I’m a little scared.

【Chu Fengqiu】: You can be scared sometimes?

Chu Fengqiu was quite surprised. With Ke Lingyu’s personality, who seemed ready to challenge the heavens, she could still be afraid of doing something.

【Ke Lingyu】: Actually, I even resented her in my heart for not coming to find me when she was so seriously ill, especially after saying she liked me before.

【Ke Lingyu】: Later, I thought about it. Maybe she didn’t want me to know. I’m afraid to find her, just like she was afraid to find me.

【Ke Lingyu】: I don’t know what I’m afraid of.

【Chu Fengqiu】: Afraid she’ll cling to you again?

【Ke Lingyu】: Maybe. I’m very afraid of being seen as her motivation and meaning to live. That’s too heavy. I don’t want her to live for me. Call me selfish, but I don’t want her to become a responsibility I have to bear, disrupting my future life.

【Ke Lingyu】: But I really want her to live well.

Chu Fengqiu’s fingertips hovered over the screen, finding herself at a loss for words. Finally, she typed out a sentence.

【Chu Fengqiu】: If you don’t want to have regrets, then do what you want to do.

Chu Fengqiu tilted her head, looking at the wallpaper on the wall, thinking of the person on the other side, her eyes softening with tenderness.

Ke Lingyu didn’t reply. Chu Fengqiu turned off her phone, plugged it in to charge, turned off the light, and went to sleep.

Other people’s matters still needed to be figured out by themselves.

The class, back from vacation, was filled with a strange atmosphere, both motivated and listless.

After morning self-study, everyone handed in their assignments one by one. Song Man had fallen asleep on her desk after morning self-study.

Chu Fengqiu returned after handing in the papers and saw Song Man sleeping on her desk. She placed her hand in Song Man’s.

Song Man was half-asleep. Feeling the cool, soft hand, she knew Chu Fengqiu was back. She didn’t open her eyes and continued sleeping in that position, using Chu Fengqiu’s hand to cool her own.

Chu Fengqiu also rested her head on the desk, watching Song Man’s sleeping face.

When Song Man slept, that sharp edge was greatly reduced, making her look like a quiet child. But when she opened her eyes, you could feel that vitality.

Dong Xue sat behind them, seeing their little actions clearly, and got goosebumps.

She always felt very strange, couldn’t quite pinpoint what was wrong, but Chu Fengqiu’s changed demeanor made her feel both psychological and physical discomfort.

She had been Chu Fengqiu’s deskmate for about a month. She had to admit Chu Fengqiu was quite good-looking and had good grades, but she wasn’t as charming as others said. Her personality was ice-cold, and she was particularly fake and pretentious. Others said she was approachable, but Dong Xue didn’t see it that way.

But ever since Song Man arrived, Chu Fengqiu seemed to have completely changed in front of her, probably because Chu Fengqiu was just a bully who picked on the weak and feared the strong. She had found Song Man as a backer and was now trying to please her in every way.

Chu Fengqiu didn’t care what others who saw them might think. She intertwined her fingers with Song Man’s, holding her hand tightly.

She didn’t wake Song Man until it was almost time for class.

Song Man forced herself to listen to the lecture. A small, silent fan was placed in front of her to cool her down, but her palms were still hot, and she wanted to touch something cool.

She rubbed her hand on the desk, then her eyes were drawn to Chu Fengqiu’s arm next to her.

Everyone’s school uniforms were short-sleeved. Chu Fengqiu’s arm was exposed. Just thinking about that cool, smooth touch made Song Man want to stroke it a couple of times.

A voice in her heart said, “No, no, this is too much. Chu Fengqiu is still in class taking notes.”

But another voice was quietly tempting her, saying, “Just touch it, it’s okay to touch it. It feels especially comfortable. You’re good sisters, Chu Fengqiu won’t blame you.”

Song Man’s heart was greatly swayed. The two voices were in a tug-of-war. Finally, the tempting voice suddenly seemed to have taken a powerful stimulant, pulling the other voice that advised her to be rational over with an unstoppable, destructive force, pinning it to the ground and beating it up, successfully achieving victory.

The scale in Song Man’s heart instantly tipped. Her hand reached out and touched Chu Fengqiu’s arm.

Comfortable!

That was the feeling!

Chu Fengqiu felt the heat on her arm and glanced towards Song Man. Song Man blinked at her. Chu Fengqiu seemed to indulge her, turning her head back.

Song Man chuckled inwardly, knowing Chu Fengqiu would go along with her.

Song Man, thinking she had gotten the better deal, was delighted. Chu Fengqiu, also feeling she had gotten the better deal, was even more delighted.

This kind of mutual happiness was truly great harmony between people.

Time passed in the continuous cycle of studying, and several days flew by in an instant.

On a beautiful, sunny day, the class teacher announced a piece of news: the school’s autumn sports meet was about to begin.

This meant that PE classes over the next week wouldn’t be replaced by Chinese or Math classes just because the PE teacher was always sick. What’s more, the class teacher might even give up their own class time to let everyone go to PE.

Why? Of course, it was because they had to practice the performance routine. This was a big deal concerning the sports meet performance.

Each grade would have its own performance. For example, Song Man’s previous year involved waving large flags, and some older students did somersaults. The year before that, they used two-colored fans that could open up in a showy way. And this year, it was said to be a pink fan dance.

Why “it was said”? Because Song Man didn’t participate in the freshman sports meet practice. She thought it was too silly, too hot, and too tiring, so she skipped it, and the teacher didn’t dare force her.

“Chu Fengqiu, are you also doing that fan performance?”

Song Man asked softly.

Chu Fengqiu shook her head.

“Last year, Grandma’s high bl00d pressure acted up, and she was hospitalized, so I took leave and went back.”

Song Man nodded and gave an OK sign.

The sports committee member held a form and asked everyone to sign up. Song Man never participated in this kind of sports meet stuff and just put her head down to sleep.

Song Man was prone to drowsiness and would sleep during every break. After another class ended, she had just fallen asleep when she vaguely heard someone talking.

“Class monitor, there are only a few girls in the class, and no one signed up for the 3000 meters. They’re all unwilling.”

“Then write my name.”

“But you’ve already signed up for three events. How about giving one to someone else?”

“It’s okay.”

Song Man understood as soon as she heard. She forced herself to open her eyes.

“Who says no one is willing? My name, write it down.”

Song Man yawned lazily, tilting her chin towards the sports committee member.

“Oh, and while you’re at it, give me two of her events. Actually, just move all of them to me.”

“Huh?”

The sports committee member looked confused.

“Song Man, you don’t need to.”

Chu Fengqiu shook her head, signaling the sports committee member to just write her name.

“Don’t you know your limits? With your small build, don’t wear yourself out. You can just cheer for me then. Give me the 3000 meters.”

Song Man leaned against Chu Fengqiu, squinting her eyes, not fully awake.

“Then you’ll be responsible for the 3000 meters. The others are still mine. Just write it like that.”

The sports committee member nodded, looking at Song Man as he wrote.

Chu Fengqiu noticed his gaze and frowned almost imperceptibly.

“Anything else?”

The sports committee member shook his head, his face still a little red.

“Then you can go do something else.”

The sports committee member turned around blankly, then touched his arm with a strange expression. How odd, why did he feel a bit cold on his back just now?