My Roommate Is a Dirty Talker (GL) - Chapter 53

Mmm… sleep well, Li Sulan mumbled, her words trailing off. Seeing Shen Weixiao’s sly expression—as if she were thinking, I’m all ears, what’s on your mind?—Li Sulan suddenly found it difficult to speak. She hesitated, wondering if her question would be too abrupt and put pressure on her younger sister. Should I wait a bit longer? Asking so directly might embarrass her.

 

Shen Weixiao couldn’t guess what her sister-in-law wanted to ask but couldn’t bring herself to say. After tidying up the room, she lay down and started playing on her phone.

 

She didn’t know what Shi Xuan was doing at home, but it seemed she was always busy until late at night. On New Year’s Eve, Shi Xuan had called her at midnight just to say…

 

Aaaah, so embarrassing! Shen Weixiao felt a surge of excitement just thinking about it, barely able to contain her joy.

 

Xiao, I love you.

 

Xiao, I love you too! Shen Weixiao repeated Shi Xuan’s words to herself, her heart overflowing with happiness.

 

She slept soundly that night, though she didn’t dream of her Goddess Older Sister.

Shen Weixiao opened her eyes to find the lights still on. She stuck out her tongue, already apologizing to herself. How did I fall asleep while we were talking last night? I even forgot to turn off the lights! What a waste of electricity!

 

Having grown accustomed to renting apartments, she was always mindful of conserving water and electricity. Even the usually extravagant Shen Weixiao would occasionally calculate utility bills, shocking Shi Xuan a hundred times over.

 

The next morning, as Shen Weixiao was about to board the train, Li Sulan finally seized her chance, quietly pulling her aside to advise, Wei Xiao, you’re graduating soon. Start looking for a partner right away, understand? Keep your standards high and don’t let anyone fool you. Bring someone home next year, and your sister-in-law will help you vet them!

 

Mhm, mhm, Shen Weixiao nodded absently. So that’s what this is about. It seemed a Lunar New Year without being pressured about marriage truly felt incomplete. She hurried to greet her brother before boarding the train.

 

As she settled into her seat, her brother and sister-in-law remained on the platform, waving goodbye. A sudden pang of emotion welled up in her chest. She wanted to promise to visit often, to reassure them, but the thick glass window sealed her lips.

The bus started moving, and Shen Weixiao waved goodbye to her family with a smile, resolving to tell them about her relationship with Shi Xuan on her next visit.

 

Shen Mian watched his sister’s car disappear into the distance before turning to his wife with a teasing laugh. You know, I told you to ask her, but you didn’t. Now she’s gone, and who knows when she’ll be back?

 

I… I reminded her just now! she protested. Don’t laugh at me. You’re her older brother, and you kept quiet too! Shen Mian only had one younger sister, and she worried about her constantly.

 

As he watched his sister’s car recede, Shen Mian sighed inwardly. Their mother had passed away early, and no matter how much he tried to care for Wei Xiao, he could never fully replace the maternal affection she had lost.

 

The long journey ahead lulled Shen Weixiao into a deep sleep.

 

The road ahead was exactly as she had predicted completely gridlocked. Shen Weixiao glanced out the window at the small cars below the bus, sprawled motionless on the ground like freshly discarded mahjong tiles.

 

There must be some trouble up ahead, she thought. Checking the traffic updates, she felt overwhelmingly drowsy and decided to turn off her phone and go back to sleep.

Just as the car pulled into a gas station, Shen Weixiao hurried out to use the restroom before rushing back to her seat to sleep soundly. The thought of needing to pee while stuck in traffic on the highway made her shudder.

 

Children prone to car sickness often instinctively fall asleep as soon as they get in. After drifting in and out of consciousness for what felt like an eternity, Shen Weixiao opened her eyes to find her phone buzzing incessantly in her bag.

 

She apologized with a smile to the middle-aged man beside her and quickly unlocked her phone. The sight that greeted her nearly made her drop it in shock. The screen was flooded with messages from Shi Xuan and her sister-in-law.

 

Shen Weixiao first opened Shi Xuan’s messages.

 

Older Sister Have you left yet?

 

Older Sister Where are you now?

 

Older Sister Where are you now?

 

Older Sister Are you asleep? zzz

 

Older Sister What time will you arrive? I’ll come pick you up.

 

Older Sister Are you okay? Asleep? Phone dead? Call me when you see this!

 

Shen Weixiao stared in panic at the 19 missed calls and the time stamp of 248 PM, feeling inexplicably exhausted. After quickly notifying her family, she began to ponder how to explain the situation to Shi Xuan.

 

Three hours stuck in traffic?! she thought in disbelief. Good heavens, I boarded the bus around 11 AM. I should have arrived ages ago!

Hello? Shen Weixiao’s face was numb from being pressed against her sleeve, her eyes still blurry with sleep. She quickly called Shi Xuan back. I… I fell asleep. I just saw your call and text.

 

Shi Xuan felt like she was about to call the police. She scolded Shen Weixiao for being so careless, but her hands were already grabbing her coat and scarf as she raced downstairs.

 

Alright, alright, you’re such a dummy. Just stay put when you get there. I’ll wait for you at the exit. Muah! Gotta go!

 

Ji Wen had been watching Shi Xuan’s flurry of activity, a rare smile on her face. Her gaze sharpened, and she asked with mild concern, So excited? Where are you going?

 

Shi Xuan, calculating the time as she rushed out, glanced up at the question. Her Majesty the Mother was descending the stairs with regal composure, her tone brooking no refusal to answer truthfully.

 

Shi Xuan paused, her expression smoothing into calm politeness. Oh, I’m just picking someone up. I’ll be back tonight.

 

Picking up who? Ji Wen pressed, still not entirely convinced by Shi Xuan’s claims about liking girls.

She still worried that Shi Xuan was lying, perhaps out of resentment for her and her husband’s deception, or out of extreme self-hatred for failing to save the man she believed to be her biological father.

 

Mom, I’m going to pick up Shen Weixiao.

 

Even when at a disadvantage, Shi Xuan’s face still radiated aloof arrogance. She refused to let anyone doubt her feelings, not her mother now, nor Xu Sheng back then.

 

Love was love, and wrong was wrong.

 

Ji Wen wanted to say more, but before she could formulate her thoughts, the door flashed open and Shi Xuan had already turned and dashed out. Ji Wen sighed heavily, suddenly at a loss for what to do.

 

Years ago, when her husband urgently needed a bone marrow match from their biological child, Shi Huan proved incompatible. By the time Shi Xuan rushed home from school, she discovered she wasn’t the family’s biological daughter after all.

 

Her father’s death had dealt her a crushing blow.

 

Later, Ji Wen personally revealed Shi Xuan’s true origins, but her daughter’s shock and fury far exceeded her expectations.

 

Shi Xuan was a stubborn child. Though her parents had maintained a facade of mutual respect for years, she had sensed the truth but never pressed for details. Perhaps because Ji Wen often traveled abroad for work, Shi Xuan’s affection for her father far surpassed her feelings for her mother.

Ji Wen felt a pang of disappointment. If Xue Min knew how distant their adopted daughter had become, she would surely be heartbroken. Perhaps it was Ji Wen’s fault for not being a good enough mother, for neglecting Shi Xuan in her attempts to escape the past.

 

The bus station in B City was a sea of long queues.

 

It took Shi Xuan over three hours to reach the station. As soon as she spotted Shen Weixiao standing in the open space outside, she hurried over to apologize.

 

I got stuck in traffic and I’m late, Shi Xuan said breathlessly, hugging Shen Weixiao tightly. She noticed Shen Weixiao was shivering from the cold. You must be freezing! She rubbed Shen Weixiao’s hands briskly and quickly led her away.

 

Let’s grab something to eat first, Shi Xuan said, her gaze scanning the surroundings, her palm warm against Shen Weixiao’s. Rice or noodles?

 

Shen Weixiao was indeed chilled to the bone, especially after standing motionless in the open space. She had gotten off the bus early and, knowing Shi Xuan was stuck in traffic, had deliberately waited a while. Worried that Shi Xuan might not find her, she had moved to a less crowded area.

 

Now that Shi Xuan was here, the cold seemed insignificant. Shen Weixiao clung to Shi Xuan’s arm, her smile exceptionally tender. There’s a beef noodle place over there. I remember it being pretty good. Let’s just grab a quick bite.

That won’t be enough, will it? Shi Xuan always wanted to treat Shen Weixiao to a hearty meal. How about we go home and have Little Yu Mansion?

 

There was a great Chongqing-style restaurant just outside their neighborhood, and Shi Xuan remembered Shen Weixiao particularly enjoying their grilled fish.

 

Shen Weixiao shook her head. I’m tired of eating meat after being home for the New Year. Besides, it’s better to eat something light on an empty stomach. Let’s just have ramen—my treat!

 

Shi Xuan couldn’t resist Shen Weixiao’s request. After a moment’s hesitation, she agreed. They pushed open the door and entered the restaurant. Shi Xuan, who rarely ate noodles, glanced around and was surprised to find the place surprisingly well-decorated and clean.

 

With only a few empty seats near the entrance, Shi Xuan let Shen Weixiao sit down while she went to order and take a number.

 

Shen Weixiao always preferred intensely flavorful food. Shi Xuan recalled how she had added two or three spoonfuls of chili sauce to her wontons last time they ate together.

 

So when the large bowl of ramen arrived, Shi Xuan kept a close eye on Shen Weixiao, warning her not to add too much chili. Hey! Too much chili is bad for your stomach. Besides… she lowered her voice, her tone concerned, Auntie’s almost here, right? You should really avoid spicy and cold foods.

Shen Weixiao suddenly remembered the time when they first started living together and Shi Xuan’s Auntie had arrived. The memory still gave her a lingering sense of unease.

 

Alright, then I won’t eat it. She reached for the vinegar, mixed it into the noodles, and grabbed some cold dishes to eat alongside them.

 

As they ate and chatted, Shen Weixiao suddenly felt a shadow fall across her vision, as if someone had walked past.

 

The woman standing before them wore a dark green coat, knee-high boots, and a short skirt. Tall and slender, with delicate features and pale skin, she had narrow, almond-shaped eyes and faintly drawn eyebrows. Her flaxen-brown hair was styled in a half-bun, the slightly curled ends cascading down to her waist in a thick, lustrous layer.

 

At first, Shen Weixiao assumed she was just a passing customer and paid her no mind. But when the woman remained motionless for an unusually long time, she couldn’t help but glance up again. The woman’s gaze was fixed intently on Shi Xuan, her eyes filled with the longing of someone looking at a former lover.

 

Shen Weixiao’s heart skipped a beat, and a chilling premonition surged through her.

 

Xu Sheng? What are you doing here?

 

Shi Xuan stood up from her seat, her brow furrowing. After a brief pause, she looped her arm through Shen Weixiao’s and pulled her up as well.

 

Xu Sheng smirked, glancing at Shen Weixiao before letting out a cold laugh. I came to find you.

 

Shi Xuan ignored Xu Sheng’s remark, instead gently lowering her head to ask, Are you full?

 

In this situation, who could possibly have an appetite?

 

Shen Weixiao wiped her mouth with a few tissues and nodded. I’m full.

 

Having confirmed Shen Weixiao’s wishes, Shi Xuan coldly grabbed her suitcase with one hand and Shen Weixiao’s hand with the other, striding toward the exit.

 

She was genuinely surprised by Xu Sheng’s sudden appearance, which had startled her.

 

For some reason, Shen Weixiao felt that Shi Xuan’s grip was unusually tight this time, so firm she couldn’t even try to pull away.

 

The walk was silent. Shi Xuan led Shen Weixiao beside Xu Sheng, who she had no idea was even in this city. She’d heard that after graduating from university, Xu Sheng had been working as a legal assistant at a law firm.

Counting the days, she realized it had been nearly five years since she’d last seen her.

 

Five years.

 

Five years ago, she had been as cheerful and lovable as Shen Weixiao. But now, she had become someone she disliked, yet she had also met the person she loved most.

 

Xiao Xuan, I want to talk to you.

 

The familiar nickname struck Shi Xuan as absurd.

 

Their past affection had likely vanished into ashes when she burned all traces of their connection. Revisiting it now stirred little emotion.

 

Seeing the tension between them, Shen Weixiao knew Xu Sheng wanted her to leave. She tried to pull her hand away, but Shi Xuan held her tightly.

 

Hmm, Older Sister doesn’t want me to go? Shen Weixiao’s heart warmed as Shi Xuan gazed at her with a knowing smile.

 

Momentarily distracted, she glanced at Xu Sheng.

 

Ah, Xu Sheng is truly beautiful. Among the three of them, she felt like the odd one out. Yet Shi Xuan’s firm grip seemed to transmit a mysterious energy, filling her heart with warmth as she remembered Shi Xuan’s words

 

Only those who love each other can truly trust each other.

Get straight to the point. I need to take Xiao home. Shi Xuan’s concise words tugged at Shen Weixiao’s heart. She must have endured immense suffering to become so outwardly tough yet inwardly soft. Even with time passed, the pain likely still resurfaced unexpectedly, causing her distress.

 

Shen Weixiao wanted to say something, but her lips twitched. It felt like she was the one being attacked, as if she shouldn’t have stubbornly run out to invite trouble. So she obediently stayed behind Shi Xuan.

 

Could you ask the outsider to leave?

 

Hiss! That was truly cutting. Shen Weixiao’s stomach churned with suppressed anger. Shi Xuan glanced at Shen Weixiao’s flushed, indignant face, wrapped an arm around her, and tilted her chin with a hint of domineering CEO arrogance. It seems… you’re the outsider here.

 

Wow! So cool and badass.

 

Shen Weixiao forced herself to remain calm, her expression shifting to one of admiration as she gazed at Shi Xuan. With a gentle nudge, Shi Xuan guided her around Xu Sheng and down the side corridor.

 

You still refuse to forgive me?

 

Shi Xuan continued walking forward, but Shen Weixiao felt a pang of guilt. She glanced furtively around, then quietly covered her mouth and nudged Shi Xuan with her elbow. Older Sister, everyone’s staring at us.

Xu Sheng noticed Shi Xuan’s hesitation and quickly caught up. Xiao Xuan, I don’t believe you never saw the emails I sent! Don’t you know how I feel about you?

 

Xu Sheng swore that was the most humiliating moment of her life.

 

But she had misunderstood Shi Xuan, personally inflicting immense pain on the girl she loved most. She knew she deserved it.

 

Back then, she had wrongly blamed Shi Xuan for their breakup. In hindsight, she realized that her resentment toward Shi Xuan stemmed from the suppressed affection she had always resisted.

 

When Shi Xuan started dating him, Xu Sheng was furious. But once she understood that her anger and sadness stemmed from Shi Xuan’s absence during that difficult time, she knew it was too late.

 

She had acted impulsively, refusing to love the boy but unable to tolerate her closest bestie’s betrayal. At that moment, revenge was all she could think about.

 

Shi Xuan seemed to sigh, inexplicably finding Shen Weixiao’s kindness almost foolish. Silently, she turned around, this time clearly seeing Xu Sheng’s expression.

 

Xu Sheng.

Shi Xuan pursed her slightly dry lips. To say I never resented you would be a lie. But listen carefully whether you confess your feelings or not, I will never be with you.

 

That year, Shi Xuan was a freshman in college, nineteen years old.

 

One day, she received an unfamiliar email. The moment she opened it and read the first line, she knew it was from Xu Sheng. Even while bowing her head in apology and desperately trying to salvage their relationship, Xu Sheng maintained her condescending demeanor, strutting like a peacock convinced of its inevitable victory. The unwavering arrogance in her tone remained unchanged.

 

Shi Xuan hadn’t always been as reserved as she was now. She had once been innocent and kind, enjoying laughter and carefree conversations with like-minded friends. But among the closest and most intimate people in her life, apart from her family, were Xu Sheng and Shen Weixiao.

 

She and Xu Sheng shared a bond forged through childhood. Shi Xuan didn’t deny having felt a fleeting attraction to her during her early adolescence, but she knew it was never love.

 

Xu Sheng represented a deep-seated connection from the past, while Shen Weixiao embodied the soul-stirring love of her lifetime.

 

What does she have that I don’t? Xu Sheng demanded, pointing at Shen Weixiao with fierce indignation. I’m willing to humble myself and come to you. Are you just with her out of spite?

Xiao Xuan! Xu Sheng reached out and grabbed Shi Xuan’s sleeve, trying to salvage something. But when she saw the matching bracelet on Shi Xuan’s wrist—identical to Shen Weixiao’s—she looked up in shock, a bitter smile twisting her lips. You took her to Lianyan?

 

Though Shi Xuan had blocked Xu Sheng, Xu Sheng had been obsessively monitoring her every move. She knew which university Shi Xuan attended, what she was studying, and whether she was dating anyone, gathering all the details through mutual friends.

 

After all, after over a decade of friendship, they shared more than just a few mutual connections. Those unaware of the past had no idea that Xu Sheng was the one who leaked the forum exposé, and Shi Xuan was the target. They still assumed the two were besties.

 

Xu Sheng glared fiercely at Shen Weixiao’s hand. Feeling a chill on her wrist, Shen Weixiao quickly tucked it into her pocket. Xu Sheng sneered, You said you’d only ever take one person to Lianyan in your lifetime. I always thought that person would be me.

 

Xu Sheng’s confidence crumbled instantly. The perfect love, at the perfect age, had slipped through her fingers.

In B City, March was slowly warming up, though the weather threatened rain. Shi Xuan turned to tuck Shen Weixiao’s collar, then sighed to Xu Sheng, I’m so grateful to have you in my life, yet I’m also terrified of revisiting those memories. Baicai, this is probably the last time I’ll call you that. I hope you live a better life than I have.

 

Xu Sheng stood alone on the street, watching Shi Xuan and Shen Weixiao walk away on either side. A pang of sorrow hit her, and tears began to fall.

 

Huaxin Baicai and Baicai Huaxin had been the names of their shared account on the online forum, with avatars personally crafted by Shi Xuan. Back then, they’d loved posting in the forum, flaunting their affection daily.

 

But now, was she the only one still using that account?

 

Xu Sheng’s tears streamed down her face, yet her heart remained strangely calm, devoid of any lingering sadness.

 

Clutching her phone, which had been lit for a long time, Xu Sheng wiped her tears and stared blankly at the street corner bathed in twilight. After a long moment, she answered the call, suppressing a sob. Hello? Oh, I’m done here. I’ll be right over.

Xu Sheng had originally intended to see Shi Xuan one last time before leaving. But when she arrived at Shi Xuan’s house, her mother told her she had just left for the train station.

 

Xu Sheng hurried downstairs and rushed outside to chase after her. Just as she was worrying about which station Shi Xuan might have gone to, she spotted her figure flashing past the intersection ahead. Shi Xuan was still wearing high heels and had been running for quite a while. Xu Sheng finally managed to flag down a taxi and followed her.

 

At that moment, she believed this would have a happy ending.

 

Shen Weixiao wasn’t as beautiful as Xu Sheng had imagined, but when she saw the way Shen Weixiao looked at Shi Xuan, she could feel a warmth radiating from their connection. In that instant, she began to doubt her assumptions.

 

Perhaps this is the best outcome, Xu Sheng sighed, turning and walking away in the opposite direction.

 

Shen Weixiao followed Shi Xuan and hailed a taxi. She didn’t dare say much during the ride, feeling awkward. Watching Shi Xuan reject others gave her the strange sensation of a husband scolding a suitor while his wife looked on.

As Shen Weixiao pondered the situation, she felt utterly mortified. She covered her face in embarrassment ?.

 

Shi Xuan leaned back in the car seat, resting. Sensing Shen Weixiao fidgeting restlessly in her arms, she reached out and firmly pressed her hand against the younger woman’s head.

 

Stay still, Shi Xuan murmured, feeling unusually tired today. She held Shen Weixiao close, sitting quietly until her drowsiness gradually faded.

 

But Shen Weixiao looked distinctly uncomfortable, her head tilted at an awkward angle, her expression pitiful.

 

What’s wrong? Shi Xuan asked, surprised. She reached out and gently touched Shen Weixiao’s neck. Did you strain your neck?

 

Teary-eyed, Shen Weixiao replied, I didn’t dare move while you were sleeping, and now my neck… feels a bit stiff.

 

You silly thing! Shi Xuan’s face softened into a tender smile as she pulled Shen Weixiao closer and began gently massaging her neck with her right hand. Does that feel better?