My Roommate Is a Dirty Talker (GL) - Chapter 41

Shi Xuan followed Shen Weixiao, laughing as they stumbled out of the subway station. The night air was crisp, and few cars remained on the roads. Shi Xuan glanced at her phone—it was nearly ten o’clock. Yet Shen Weixiao continued walking forward, oblivious to the fact that she was heading in the wrong direction. Shi Xuan called out, but Shen Weixiao didn’t respond.

It was just one extra stop. Why is she so panicked?

Shi Xuan pursed her lips and hurried to catch up, gripping Shen Weixiao’s trembling shoulder. Only then did she realize the younger woman was crying.

Shen Weixiao stood silently, tears streaming down her face, oblivious to whether she was in front of her goddess. She couldn’t stop the snot and tears as she leaned against a large poplar tree, sobbing uncontrollably. Shi Xuan, anxious and disregarding her own clothes, gently pulled Shen Weixiao into a tight embrace. I know I was wrong, she murmured, holding her close. Please don’t cry. Your tears are making my heart race.

Nestled in Shi Xuan’s arms, Shen Weixiao found some calm in the gentle fragrance. She took the tissue Shi Xuan offered, sniffling intermittently before stubbornly turning her head away. Don’t laugh at me, she said, her voice thick with tears. I don’t want to cry, but… but the tears just… won’t stop. The choked tone tugged at Shi Xuan’s heart.

I know, I know you’re the strongest and most proud person I know, Shi Xuan said, trying to comfort her. But Shen Weixiao’s expression darkened at the last part of the sentence. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have kept things from you, stood you up, or given you such an insincere apology.

Shi Xuan carefully listed her mistakes, afraid of missing anything important. You said you forgave me back then. How can you go back on your word?

You forced me to say that under those circumstances. It doesn’t count, Shen Weixiao replied, straightening her posture and adopting a serious tone. Her hands hung awkwardly at her sides as she sniffled again, her pink nose red from crying.

Shi Xuan tried to pull Shen Weixiao closer, but she kept dodging. The evening wind had grown sharp, and Shi Xuan worried Shen Weixiao would catch a chill. After all, she hadn’t dressed warmly for the sake of fashion, and the combination of crying and anger in the middle of the night had likely taken a toll on her.

Realizing her mistake, Shi Xuan decisively tore off her scarf and roughly wrapped it around Shen Weixiao’s neck. With a firm grip, she seized Shen Weixiao’s wrist—icy cold, confirming she was indeed freezing.

Come on, let’s go home, Shi Xuan said, pulling Shen Weixiao toward the bus stop with unwavering determination. But Shen Weixiao refused to budge, stubbornly trying to pull her hand away.

If you don’t want to go home, does that mean you want to go to a hotel? Shi Xuan asked, deliberately provoking her when gentler methods failed. In the darkness, she couldn’t see Shen Weixiao’s expression, but she noticed her eyebrows twitch upward in surprise. Knowing her tactic had worked, Shi Xuan seized the opportunity and dragged Shen Weixiao to the bus stop. After a long wait, they discovered the last bus had already left at 930 PM. With no taxis in sight, they were stuck in a stalemate.

Shen Weixiao wiped away her tears and stood quietly, clutching her phone and flipping it over and over, lost in thought. After a long silence, she suddenly blurted out, But you were the one who was wrong!

Yes, yes, I was wrong, Shi Xuan quickly admitted.

But why did I still end up being the one who suffered in the subway? Shen Weixiao couldn’t bring herself to voice this thought.

Shi Xuan was right. Shen Weixiao had stopped being angry the moment she saw her. But she couldn’t help feeling bothered—bothered by her own stupidity for not realizing Shi Xuan and Xi Pi were together all this time, and bothered by her own spinelessness for forgiving Shi Xuan so easily. She had no backbone.

Maybe everyone in love becomes both stupid and spineless, she consoled herself, her teary eyes gradually clearing.

Shi Xuan had been watching Shen Weixiao’s expression intently. Only when her tightly furrowed brow relaxed did she slowly say, I was late today because my mom suddenly returned to China. There was a minor accident on the way home, and I rushed to the hospital without telling you. When I finally got here, I saw you leaving.

Ah? Shen Weixiao hadn’t expected it was a family emergency. Guilt washed over her. So that’s what happened? Is your mom okay?

Shi Xuan smiled reassuringly, reached out to pat Shen Weixiao’s head, and shook her head. She’s fine. She’s already home.

Then why aren’t you home taking care of her? Hearing the real reason, Shen Weixiao immediately forgot her petty grievances. All she could think about was Shi Xuan’s family emergency and how she had been acting so childishly. She felt ashamed.

I’m going home tonight to pack. I’ll be gone for a few days starting tomorrow, Shi Xuan said calmly, looking at Shen Weixiao with regret. I know you’re really angry with me. Since your work is giving you time off anyway, why don’t you go home for the New Year and come back after? That way, you won’t have to see me and feel upset.

What are you talking about? I’m only upset when I can’t see you!

Shen Weixiao felt a pang of disappointment at Shi Xuan’s words. Counting on her fingers, she realized the New Year holiday was only six or seven days long. But the thought of leaving B City—and leaving Shi Xuan in B City—filled her with reluctance. Summoning her courage, she abandoned her anger and pettiness, suddenly moved closer to Shi Xuan, wrapped her arms around her, and asked plaintively, I don’t care! You promised we’d watch a movie together, and since you’re leaving tomorrow, we have to watch it tonight.

Seeing Shen Weixiao’s sudden change of mood, Shi Xuan knew her anger had dissipated. She quickly raised her hands in surrender. Okay, okay! I’ll stay up all night if you want.

In truth, Shen Weixiao had already booked a late-night movie ticket that morning. But with all the back-and-forth today, time had slipped away. Checking the ticketing website, they saw plenty of seats still available for the midnight show. Without hesitation, they hopped back on the subway, rode two stops to SXB City, and settled in for the midnight screening.

The film was the latest detective thriller, and the 3D effects made it easy to immerse themselves in the scenes. Shi Xuan calmly watched her little tomato, Shen Weixiao, fidget and tug at her clothes, took a resigned sip of her cola, tugged her shirt up, and couldn’t help but yawn. Looking at Shen Weixiao’s bright, excited eyes, she couldn’t help but sigh, Young people really have such energy.

As the movie neared its climax, the seemingly innocent young girl on screen suddenly flashed a sinister smile, startling Shen Weixiao so badly that she screamed and burrowed into Shi Xuan’s chest.

Shi Xuan’s expression darkened. Her fingers moved swiftly to yank Shen Weixiao’s face away from her chest, but Shen Weixiao was too engrossed in the film to react. Shi Xuan wrapped an arm around the younger woman’s neck, her slender fingers retaliating with a deliberate downward poke. Just as the final clue was about to be revealed, Shen Weixiao suddenly felt her bun being firmly grasped, leaving her completely stunned.

The theater wasn’t crowded, and as the true killer was revealed, gasps and murmurs rippled through the audience. No one noticed Shen Weixiao’s startled cry.

Sister Xuan!

The suppressed roar, tinged with embarrassment and a hint of coquettishness.

The lights came on.

Shi Xuan took a sip of her drink, calmly removed her glasses, and gazed at Shen Weixiao’s flushed face. Leaning gently against her shoulder, she murmured, Such a small chest, yet so fierce?

On the way home, the streetlights glowed brightly beneath their red shades. Shen Weixiao leaned shamelessly against Shi Xuan’s shoulder, feeling an overwhelming sense of security.

Sister Xuan, when did you start liking me? Shen Weixiao asked casually, her mind drifting back to when she had first stumbled onto Bilibili, clueless and determined to hook up with Shi Xuan. How utterly foolish I was back then! she thought, wanting to cover her face to hide her past self from Shi Xuan’s gaze.

Remember that Ink Wash public service animation I uploaded? Shi Xuan smiled softly, a hint of emotion in her eyes. Actually, it was only half-finished. It was the first animation I ever made, back in my freshman year. It was simple and rough, but I poured so much of my heart into it. After I gained some recognition, many of my works were widely praised, but that one received almost no coins, no rewards, and no meaningful comments.

Shen Weixiao suddenly understood, but she replied with a hint of embarrassment, So that’s why. When I first saw the title ‘The Dry Well,’ I assumed it was an artistic theme. But when I clicked on it, I discovered it was an ink wash realism piece about homeless children. Even though I didn’t fully understand it, I was deeply moved. And… Shen Weixiao smiled, And because there were so few comments on that video, I felt confident enough to write such a long comment. I thought maybe if I stood out a little, you might notice me.

Mm, Shi Xuan smiled faintly. So, I really was completely fooled by you.

Shen Weixiao straightened up indignantly. How shameless! What kind of ‘innocent’ person would be so lewd? You used to tease me on Weibo, and now you’re suddenly getting handsy.

Shi Xuan shrugged helplessly. It’s not like I haven’t touched you before. I was just indulging you, since you’ll be alone in your room starting tomorrow.