My Roommate Is a Dirty Talker (GL) - Chapter 40

In the blank world, only the sound of light footsteps remained.

One step, two steps, three steps tapped against Shen Weixiao’s heart. Between the gentle flutter of her trembling eyelashes, a pair of dark green boots squeezed through the crowd and stopped before her. The faint panting from across the aisle washed over her nerves in waves. Even without looking up, she could feel the person’s burning gaze fixed on her lowered forehead.

Xiao? Shi Xuan called softly, her voice as cautious as if she had just caught a fledgling sparrow, afraid that even a heavy breath might startle it. The subway car grew more crowded, the noise deafening, yet Shi Xuan seemed to hear Shen Weixiao’s heart pounding in her chest.

At each stop, a fresh surge of passengers flooded in, the clatter of rolling luggage enveloping their breaths. Shi Xuan pressed closer to Shen Weixiao’s arm, silent but her eyes never leaving her.

Her eyebrows, her eyes, the delicate flare of her nostrils with each breath—Shi Xuan watched them all, her gaze unwavering.

Shi Xuan tried to raise her finger, but before she could touch Shen Weixiao, she felt her tremble. Suddenly, the elbow of the woman beside her moved, and Shi Xuan, caught off guard, bumped into her, shattering the tranquil atmosphere.

Xiao must be angry. She must be so hurt that I lied to her. Ah, if only I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have done it in the first place. Shi Xuan berated herself, suddenly unable to meet Shen Weixiao’s gaze. Like a child, she leaned against the train car wall, her brow furrowed in a low frown.

She had rushed to the hospital without notifying Shen Weixiao. Only after confirming her mother was safe and settled back home did she finally have time to send a message. But the round trip took two or three hours, and she got stuck in traffic, not arriving at Lianyan until after five o’clock.

Water shimmers in the sun, a clear day’s delight mountains veiled in mist, a rainy day’s wonder.

This cafe, co-owned with others, was Shi Xuan’s favorite place. She had often imagined bringing Shen Weixiao here, even if they spent the whole day in silence. The cafe’s unique feature was a centuries-old wooden wall on the third floor, where couples could carve their promises. Each pair who reserved a custom session received a heart-shaped wish stone, one heart for each couple.

Shi Xuan clenched her fist, the orange gemstone digging painfully into her palm.

Shen Weixiao stood stiffly beside her. The sudden collision had jolted her awake, and the conflicting emotions—wanting Shi Xuan to find her yet fearing she would see—gradually dissipated. The woman beside her was like a refreshing breeze in the sweltering subway car. She bit her lip, her gaze darting sideways.

Sister Xuan, you’re Lao Xue, aren’t you?

Shi Xuan’s head snapped up as if struck by lightning. Her hands instinctively gripped Shen Weixiao’s arm. Yes, I am.

It was all her fault for rushing today. She’d forgotten her role as Shen Weixiao’s roommate and sent the message directly using her card. By the time she realized her mistake, nearly two hours had passed. She’d planned to use this day to confess everything properly and make a sincere declaration of her feelings.

But then her mother had suddenly returned to the country and been involved in an accident on the way.

Xiao, please don’t blame me, Shi Xuan said, clutching Shen Weixiao’s wrist tightly. She was terrified Xiao would run off in anger. She wouldn’t let this chance slip away, even if it meant enduring Xiao’s anger or even her blows. She refused to let go.

Shen Weixiao stared at Shi Xuan in astonishment. This woman, so aloof and composed in the second dimension, was actually begging for her forgiveness in front of all these subway passengers, all because of little her. Shen Weixiao felt as if she had suddenly been immersed in a jar of honey, the unprecedented sweetness making her feel slightly drunk.

A strand, two strands, a thousand strands of sweetness wrapped tightly around her. Yet a sliver of rationality forced her to demand clarity. You’ve been hiding this from me for so long. I feel like a complete fool, being played like a puppet.

Shi Xuan sensed the deep resentment in Shen Weixiao’s voice. Her stubborn pride refused to yield. Time seemed to race by in the blink of an eye, five or six stops had passed. By the time they reached the train station, nearly all the passengers had disembarked. On the remaining stretch home, only a handful of people were scattered throughout the car. The two women stood facing each other. Shi Xuan mustered her courage and finally took Shen Weixiao’s hand. Yes, you are a fool. That’s why I want to take care of you for the rest of my life.

Huh? Is this a confession? Shen Weixiao lifted her head in a daze, meeting Shi Xuan’s burning gaze.

Moving closer silently, her eyes sparkling, Shi Xuan slowly lowered her lips, her breath as fragrant as orchids. I know you’re not angry anymore, she whispered. Forgive me, okay?

Shen Weixiao remained silent, the last defenses of her heart crumbling. Caught off guard, she found herself suddenly pulled back by Shi Xuan into the corner of the adjacent compartment, the very last carriage. Only two elderly people sat near the door, waiting to disembark. Just as Shen Weixiao heard the announcement and was about to say they had arrived, Shi Xuan’s sudden kiss silenced her.

Someone’s here… Shen Weixiao struggled gently, her face flushing crimson. Seeing her flushed cheeks, Shi Xuan braced one hand beside her ear and wrapped the other around her waist, grinning mischievously. If you forgive me, I’ll stop. When Shen Weixiao hesitated, Shi Xuan leaned in again. The door to the next compartment opened, and someone seemed to be boarding. Shen Weixiao’s body went limp, her mind reeling. She nodded weakly. I’m not angry. I don’t blame you. Just sit down.

A flicker of delight flashed in Shi Xuan’s eyes. Cornered, Shen Weixiao scrambled to the opposite corner and sat down. When she saw Shi Xuan seemed about to follow, she hesitated for a moment before shifting two seats further away, still wary of being trapped in a corner.

Shi Xuan pressed her advantage, settling across from Shen Weixiao and deliberately turning her head to gaze at Shen Weixiao’s flushed face. She asked in a low voice, her expression genuinely puzzled, You said you don’t blame me?

Mhm, Shen Weixiao mumbled, still anxious about what her dominant partner might do in public.

Then what did you mean by ‘be good’? Be good at what?

You… Shen Weixiao’s ears perked up nervously. The train car was nearly empty, but the silence was deafening. Overwhelmed with embarrassment, she almost pleaded, Let’s go home…

Hm? Go home? To do it at home? Shi Xuan interrupted, her expression utterly innocent, devoid of any ulterior motives.

This has to be Shi Xuan’s revenge, Shen Weixiao thought. But I was the one who was tricked! I’m the victim here! Why am I the one suffering in the end? Awoooo! This isn’t fair!

She inwardly howled in frustration.

Although it was just one subway transfer away, it was rush hour, and even on a weekend, the crowds surged like a tidal wave. At one of B City’s most congested transportation hubs, Shen Weixiao finally managed to get through security after a long wait, only to realize she’d taken the wrong exit and had to push her way against the crowd to backtrack.

The elevator entrance was packed, with young people dragging suitcases that blocked the subway like a dam. Shen Weixiao paused, realizing it was almost Chinese New Year, and many migrant workers were heading home for the holidays.

Perhaps it was wishful thinking, but Shen Weixiao kept feeling like someone was calling her name from behind. Yet when she turned around, she couldn’t spot a familiar face in the noisy crowd.

After finding her subway line, Shen Weixiao checked her phone and saw three missed calls from Shi Xuan. She instinctively glanced back, and a familiar splash of color caught her eye.

As the train pulled into the station, the crowd surged forward, pushing Shen Weixiao all the way to the back of the car before she could even step off. Sure enough, she saw Shi Xuan rushing toward her, then darting to another door when she realized she couldn’t reach her.

Shen Weixiao’s heart tightened as her gaze remained fixed on Shi Xuan’s retreating figure. The moment the train began to move, she involuntarily stood on tiptoe, straining to catch one last glimpse of Shi Xuan. Realizing her impulsive action, she awkwardly lowered her head and tried to blend into the corner of the crowd.