My Ex-Girlfriend Said She Was A Fairy - Chapter 14

……?

 

 

What’s out there, some kind of monstrous beast? What’s the big deal about being alone outside?

 

 

Ji Qingyi sat up, stiffly tugging at the corner of her mouth, but still couldn’t muster a friendly expression.

 

 

“Are you a child? Do you really need someone to keep you company?”

 

 

She had originally planned to soften her tone out of gratitude for the other person cooking, but the words came out sharp instead.

 

 

But there was no helping it, Ji Qingyi thought. Anyone hearing such nonsensical words would feel exasperated.

 

 

“But companionship is a basic human need. It has nothing to do with being an adult or a child.”

 

 

Wen Yuchuan said pitifully.

 

 

Ji Qingyi almost laughed at the sight of this person earnestly spouting nonsense, but she held it in, maintaining a look of annoyance. How should she retort? She pondered.

 

 

“But… are you even human? You…”

 

 

After a brief pause, Ji Qingyi finally spoke.

 

 

This time, she managed a genuinely friendly smile—though the friendliness was only in the smile itself. Her words remained laced with sarcasm, and their bite had noticeably sharpened.

 

 

“…I’ll go cook.”

 

 

Wen Yuchuan cut off Ji Qingyi before she could finish. Though the other woman might have simply wanted to berate her, there was no guarantee the topic wouldn’t continue afterward. Explaining now would be too troublesome, and telling the truth would only get her labeled as insane. With these thoughts in mind, Wen Yuchuan chose not to prolong the teasing. Instead, she stood up somewhat guiltily and opted for the more sensible course of action.

 

 

Ji Qingyi finally burst into laughter as she watched the other woman’s retreating figure. Aren’t you supposed to be some kind of immortal? She hadn’t even gotten to ask that before the other left. At least you know when to back off, Ji Qingyi mused.

 

 

Finally having seen the other woman at a disadvantage for once, Ji Qingyi crawled back under the covers with satisfaction. Her mood lifted, and even the dizziness in her head seemed to ease a little.

 

 

 

When Wen Yuchuan called her for dinner, Ji Qingyi left her room.

 

 

The moment she stepped out, the aroma of food hit her. It had been a long time since she’d cooked for herself—most days, she survived on instant meals or cold dishes. Now, in this ordinary house, the extraordinary scent struck her as oddly poignant.

 

 

“Come eat.”

 

 

Wen Yuchuan spoke to Ji Qingyi as if she were the lady of the house.

 

 

Ji Qingyi couldn’t be bothered to snipe back. Discretion is the better part of valor—it was time to eat.

 

 

The dishes were simple home-cooked fare. Though ordinary, the fresh ingredients made them far tastier than pre-packaged meals. Over the past couple of days, Ji Qingyi felt as if her stomach had been purified, leaving her much more comfortable.

 

 

She sipped some tomato and egg soup—sweet and tangy, just enough to whet her appetite. At last, she could enjoy a proper meal. Ji Qingyi was quite satisfied with this lunch, but she remained stingy with praise, only allowing the faintest hint of a smile to curl her lips.

 

 

Wen Yuchuan noticed the change in Ji Qingyi’s expression and deliberately fixed her gaze on the unyielding woman.

 

 

“Tastes good?”

 

 

“Terrible.”

 

 

“Then don’t drink it.”

 

 

“Why not?”

 

 

“I bought the tomatoes.”

 

 

“But I bought the eggs. Fine, I’ll pay you back for the ingredients and labor later.”

 

 

“Oh… So you’re willing to pay just to keep drinking something you claim is terrible?”

 

 

“…Say whatever you want.”

 

 

Why do I always lose these arguments? Ji Qingyi tapped her bowl lightly with her chopsticks. She had finally managed to shut the other woman up earlier, only to have the tables turned again.

 

 

 

Wen Yuchuan was unaware of the silent battle raging in Ji Qingyi’s heart, but she could clearly sense the other’s displeasure. Perhaps she should have immediately tried to placate her, yet seeing Ji Qingyi’s angry expression, she couldn’t help but chuckle twice. The consequence, of course, was receiving an even fiercer glare—though in Wen Yuchuan’s eyes, it was nothing short of adorable.

 

 

This is good, Wen Yuchuan thought with a smile as she watched Ji Qingyi. The other’s expressions had become far more vivid compared to when they first reunited. Though most of them seemed to be negative emotions… Still, any shift in mood was a positive sign. Someone capable of disliking others couldn’t possibly be devoid of all emotions, could they?

 

 

As long as Ji Qingyi still had feelings, she wouldn’t return so soon… She could stay here a little longer.

 

 

All of this was far too surreal for Ji Qingyi, whose current understanding was limited to human society and who believed herself to be nothing more than an ordinary person. Even if Wen Yuchuan explained, Ji Qingyi wouldn’t believe her. Unless she regained her memories—but those wouldn’t return unless the conditions for going back were met. Displaying divine powers in front of Ji Qingyi was also out of the question, as it would expose the truth… A complete deadlock. The only thing Wen Yuchuan could do was stay by Ji Qingyi’s side, doing her best to prevent her from losing her emotions, so she could remain in the mortal world a little longer.

 

 

Absurd as it was, that was the reality. Wen Yuchuan was a celestial being—and so was Ji Qingyi.

 

 

The reason Ji Qingyi was human now was that she was undergoing a trial of emotions. Only by completely relinquishing all emotional attachments and achieving inner peace could she return to the heavens.

 

 

If she said any of this out loud, Ji Qingyi would probably suggest she get her head examined. Wen Yuchuan sighed.

 

 

…

 

 

For now, it was best to avoid discussing the reasons for their breakup, Wen Yuchuan thought helplessly. After all, she hadn’t yet come up with a plausible explanation that Ji Qingyi could accept.

 

 

“I’m done eating.”

 

 

Ji Qingyi set down her bowl and looked at Wen Yuchuan. Logically, now that the meal was over, the other should leave. She couldn’t think of any reason for her to stay.

 

 

“Remember to take your medicine later.”

 

 

“Of course I remember.”

 

 

Ji Qingyi averted her gaze, though she felt a twinge of guilt. Still, she responded with feigned indifference.

 

 

“Good, as long as you remember.”

 

 

Wen Yuchuan didn’t argue. Instead, she played along with an understanding tone—that same infuriatingly patronizing voice, as if speaking to a child. It only made Ji Qingyi more irritated.

 

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

 

Wen Yuchuan asked.

 

 

Never mind. If she let something like this escalate into an argument, she’d really be acting childish. Ji Qingyi thought this, though she still found the other unbearably punchable. But she couldn’t be bothered to expend the effort.

 

 

“Nothing.”

 

 

Ji Qingyi sighed softly in response before picking up a glass to pour herself some water and take her medicine.

 

 

“You said you didn’t have any cups.”

 

 

Wen Yuchuan stared at the glass in Ji Qingyi’s hand.

 

 

“I said I didn’t have one for you.”

 

 

“You’re drawing such a clear line?”

 

 

“Isn’t that obvious?”

 

 

Ji Qingyi looked at her, baffled by the question.

 

 

“Never mind.”

 

 

What do you mean, never mind? Ji Qingyi felt a flicker of annoyance as she watched Wen Yuchuan trail off, her expression tinged with melancholy.

 

 

The other had pretended so much that Ji Qingyi could no longer tell what was real and what wasn’t.

 

 

“Feeling any better?”

 

 

Wen Yuchuan abruptly changed the subject.

 

 

“I just took the medicine. It doesn’t work that fast.”

 

 

“Still feeling terrible?”

 

 

“Not really.”

 

 

“Let me check if your fever’s gone.”

 

 

Without waiting for a response, Wen Yuchuan pressed her hand against Ji Qingyi’s forehead. Ji Qingyi didn’t resist—it was just a touch, after all. She couldn’t be bothered to fight it.

 

 

“Seems like it’s gone.”

 

 

 

“Are you sure? I still feel a bit dizzy.”

 

 

Ji Qingyi took her temperature again with the thermometer, and indeed, the fever had subsided. How could she sense it so accurately? Ji Qingyi felt a bit puzzled.

 

 

“See? I was right.”

 

 

“…Who knows if you were just guessing.”

 

 

Ji Qingyi fell silent for a moment before responding. In truth, she had noticed before—though they were always trivial matters—there were times when the coincidences felt oddly uncanny. Wen Yuchuan always seemed to anticipate things, as if she had foreseen them… For example, on the very afternoon Ji Qingyi fell ill, Wen Yuchuan had appeared downstairs at her office.

 

 

…

 

 

Was it fate or just unfortunate coincidence? Ji Qingyi kept running into her at the most inexplicable moments, and somehow, the two of them naturally became entangled.

 

 

Whatever. What was the point of dwelling on it? Even if there had been some kind of fate between them, it should have been severed by now. Thinking this, Ji Qingyi decided she really ought to keep her distance from Wen Yuchuan. She truly disliked—and had no desire to become—someone who remained entangled with an ex.

 

 

“You should go now.”

 

 

Once again, Ji Qingyi bluntly issued the dismissal. This time, Wen Yuchuan really had no excuse to stay. It was still too early in the evening—she couldn’t very well claim she was sticking around to make dinner.

 

 

“Alright. Make sure you rest well.”

 

 

Wen Yuchuan didn’t resist the suggestion this time, though she couldn’t help adding one last reminder.

 

 

I don’t need your concern. Ji Qingyi wanted to say it, but over the past two days, she had already accepted too much of Wen Yuchuan’s care. Refusing it now would just feel strange. So she swallowed the words and simply nodded, finally muttering an awkward “thank you” as she saw her guest to the door.

 

 

Wen Yuchuan stood outside, watching her, those dark eyes narrowing slightly—like whirlpools, pulling her in, making her want to surrender and yield. Ji Qingyi didn’t want to look into them, so she averted her gaze as usual, only to find herself staring at Wen Yuchuan’s lips instead. That was even worse, because she saw the corners of those lips curve upward again.

 

 

“I’m leaving now. Take care of yourself.”

 

 

Wen Yuchuan smiled, her tone suddenly softening.

 

 

They were just neighbors separated by a single wall, yet she spoke as if they might never meet again. Ji Qingyi froze for a second before realizing Wen Yuchuan was just spouting nonsense on purpose, trying to make her reluctant to see her go.

 

 

“Of course I’ll be fine without you.”

 

 

With that, Ji Qingyi promptly shut the door.

 

 

Once the room was quiet again, she felt a strange unease. Why had she gotten so angry? Was it just because of Wen Yuchuan’s teasing… or was it that she disliked hearing words that hinted at farewell?

 

 

…

 

 

It shouldn’t matter. They were bound to part sooner or later, just like before. Back then, at least, their relationship had been a buffer. But now? There was nothing. The separation would only come more abruptly—maybe one day she’d wake up to find Wen Yuchuan had already moved out of the neighboring apartment.

 

 

If she could imagine such an ending, she shouldn’t invest anything in this, or hold onto any expectations.

 

 

Ji Qingyi admonished herself like this, yet she still felt an inexplicable sense of loss. She understood her emotions less and less, had less and less control over them. All she knew was that these unusually intense feelings had all been brought on by Wen Yuchuan.

 

 

 

From the moment he appeared, her dull and numb life, like stagnant water, gained a hint of vitality. Though she didn’t consider it a good thing… there was no denying that her emotions were always swayed by Wen Yuchuan.

 

 

Her head was spinning. Ji Qingyi suddenly felt unwell again and hurried back to bed. The warmth of the covers, unchanged from before, now felt far less comforting than it had moments ago.

 

 

Emotions couldn’t alter objective reality, but they could warp subjective perception. Ji Qingyi brooded as memories surged uncontrollably to the surface.