My Wife is the Vicious Supporting Character from an Era Novel - Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Zhen Zhen

Before opening the door, Ji Baiqing knocks and announces herself. When she enters, she finds Wen Miao packing her clothes, taking them out of the wardrobe they now share. Ji Baiqing, feeling a pang of panic, stands in her way and asks, “What are you doing?”

Teary-eyed, Wen Miao keeps her head down and calmly says she’s moving back to the youth-point dorms. Ji Baiqing immediately objects, refuses to let her go, and shoves all the clothes back into the wardrobe. A stubborn back-and-forth ensues.

Overwhelmed, Ji Baiqing gives up on the argument and hugs Wen Miao tightly. She begs her to reveal what she did wrong, and when Wen Miao remains silent, Ji Baiqing bursts into tears. “Wen Miao, you’re awful!” she wails. “Why are you so mean? What did I do wrong?”

Seeing Ji Baiqing cry disarms Wen Miao. The sight of her tears softens Wen Miao’s resolve, and she gently pats Ji Baiqing’s shoulder. “All right, you’re a grown-up, why are you always crying?” But she can’t bring herself to say anything more.

Ji Baiqing senses Wen Miao’s compassion and, with tear-filled eyes, asks her again to reveal the problem. “Wen Miao, please, tell me what’s wrong. I don’t want to be separated from you. Please don’t go.”

Moved by her words, Wen Miao’s heart flutters. She pushes Ji Baiqing away and says, “Let go of me first.”

Ji Baiqing quickly wipes her tears, composes herself, and stands up straight. “Wen Miao, please tell me. I promise I’ll change.”

After a long silence and a lot of hesitation, Wen Miao finally reveals the reason for her anger. “Because… of Li Wenwen.”

Ji Baiqing is taken aback. So Wen Miao’s anger isn’t about her, but someone else? She asks, “What about Li Wenwen?”

Wen Miao is hesitant again, embarrassed to reveal the “trivial” reason. But Ji Baiqing persists, taking Wen Miao’s hand and urging her to speak.

Wen Miao finally asks, “What do you call Li Wenwen?” Ji Baiqing says, “Li Wenwen.” Wen Miao shakes her head and says, “No, you didn’t call her that before.”

Ji Baiqing thinks about it and says, “Wenwen?”

The word triggers a realization. Ji Baiqing understands: “Are you upset because I call you Wen Miao and her ‘Wenwen’?”

In a voice barely a whisper, Wen Miao replies, “Just partly.”

Overjoyed and finding Wen Miao’s shyness adorable, Ji Baiqing pulls her back into a hug. She whispers in her ear, trying out different nicknames, “Miao Miao, Jie Jie, Wen Wen… What do you like me to call you?”

Wen Miao is flustered and tries to push her away, but Ji Baiqing holds on, repeating the question. Finally, Wen Miao reveals her childhood nickname: Zhen Zhen.

Ji Baiqing repeats the name and smiles, “It’s so pretty. I’ll call you Zhen Zhen from now on. You’re not mad anymore, right?”

Wen Miao agrees, but stipulates that the name is only to be used when they are alone.

Ji Baiqing then asks about the other part of the reason for her anger. With renewed courage, Wen Miao looks at Ji Baiqing and says, “You said we would only be friends with each other. But… Li Wenwen said she is your friend, too. You lied to me. You’re a liar.”

Ji Baiqing is flustered and says, “But… a person can’t have only one friend.”

Wen Miao frowns. “I only have one friend—you.” She immediately freezes, realizing her own words. She thinks to herself that when she says “friend,” she means “girlfriend,” which shows she has already accepted Ji Baiqing. She then wonders, “Do I really… like Ji Baiqing?”