Online Romance with an Iceberg Professor Backfired - Chapter 24

Chapter 24: The Reveal

When Ji Pei received the message from Winter Sun, she was at an art exhibition venue moving an oil painting. Shen Yuan, the curator and a woman in her late thirties, saw Ji Pei struggling to move the painting alone and quickly came over to help her. The two easily hung the oil painting on the wall. Shen Yuan smiled and patted Ji Pei’s shoulder.

“Little Pei, thank you so much for your help these past few days. You’ve helped me so much. Let’s go out for a meal later. Please don’t refuse me.”

Ji Pei smiled. “Alright, let me finish up first.”

Since Ji Pei quit her designer job, most of her time was spent on leisure, and one more important thing: replying to Winter Sun’s messages. Because she was helping at the art exhibition, Ji Pei had muted her phone and set it to vibrate.

When the phone in her trouser pocket vibrated, Ji Pei was carefully holding a blue-and-white porcelain vase, about to place it in a glass cabinet. Ji Pei took out her phone and clicked to see the message from Winter Sun.

The moment she saw the message, Ji Pei thought her eyes were playing tricks on her.

Winter Sun: “Are you free tomorrow? I’d like to meet you.”

Ji Pei fumbled, nearly dropping and shattering the vase. Shen Yuan walked over, helping Ji Pei steady the vase. Seeing the other person look preoccupied, she couldn’t help but ask what was wrong.

“Aunt Shen, I’m fine. I just got distracted.”

Ji Pei put her phone back. Her heart was still pounding. She hadn’t even clearly heard what Shen Yuan had said. Shen Yuan saw a faint pink flush on Ji Pei’s face and thought she might have a fever, so she reached out to check her forehead.

Ji Pei instinctively backed away, touching her own forehead. “I don’t have a fever. I’m just tired from earlier.”

Shen Yuan awkwardly retracted her hand. “Then go take a break. I’ll handle things here.”

Normally, Ji Pei would have put away the remaining ceramics before resting, but now her heart was fluttering. She wanted to run away immediately.

“Okay, Aunt Shen, I’ll go rest for a bit.”

Ji Pei stroked the phone in her pocket, pursed her lips, and an undeniable smile crept onto her face. She found a small, dark room in the back, closed the door, and eagerly opened her phone.

Winter Sun: “Are you free tomorrow? I’d like to meet you.”

Ji Pei reread the message over a dozen times, covering her face and beaming. She quickly typed a reply.

Seasonal Wind: “Yes”

After sending it, Ji Pei felt one word wasn’t enthusiastic or appropriate enough, so she continued typing.

Seasonal Wind: “Absolutely yes”

Seasonal Wind: “I’m free all day. Today works too.”

After sending the message, Ji Pei realized it wasn’t quite right. She had already promised Shen Yuan to have dinner today, and breaking the promise now wasn’t right.

Seasonal Wind: “Let’s stick to tomorrow. I have something on today.”

Ji Pei’s hands were trembling as she typed. Her entire body felt invaded by a pleasant, tingling current. She leaned back in the soft chair, her eyes crinkling with laughter. Winter Sun was finally going to meet her!

After the initial burst of joy, Ji Pei’s excitement slowly settled. Winter Sun was going to meet her. She needed to bring a decent gift for their first meeting. When they were dating online, Winter Sun was always the one sending gifts. The gifts she sent Ji Pei, aside from a small number of romantic toys, were all rare little trinkets. Ji Pei knew she wasn’t someone who lacked money. If her material world was already abundant, what would be an appropriate gift?

She sighed, opened a popular social media app, and started searching for “first meet-up gift.” Many people offered suggestions in the comments section. Some suggested looking at her social media background or profile picture to guess what she liked. If it was small animals, send a plush toy. If it was scenery or flowers, send a bouquet of fresh flowers. That was guaranteed to work.

Ji Pei thought this sounded reasonable. She clicked on Winter Sun’s main page background and saw the Milky Way under a clear sky. Ji Pei stroked her chin in contemplation. Was she supposed to send Winter Sun a spaceship to explore the mysteries of the universe? This absurd thought flashed through her mind, and Ji Pei laughed out loud in the break room.

She continued scrolling through the comments. Someone else suggested that the perfect gift was to give herself away during the first meeting. Ji Pei felt a chill run down her spine. How could someone immediately think of doing such a thing? What was the difference between that and a beast? She clicked on the person’s profile picture, saw it was a man, and immediately blocked him.

After blocking him, Ji Pei rested her chin in her hand, falling into dilemma again. What should she give? A necklace, a bracelet, or a handbag? She wasn’t sure if Winter Sun would like those things. Maybe a bouquet of flowers was still the best choice. Ji Pei wasn’t sure what kind of flowers to send. Winter Sun had sent her a bouquet of 999 roses before. Would sending red roses again be redundant?

Ji Pei finally messaged Ye Wenzhu.

Ji Pei: “Wenzhu, I need your help with something very important.”

Ye Wenzhu: “What is it?”

Ji Pei: “Come to my place tonight. We’ll talk in person.”

Ye Wenzhu: “Why so mysterious? Don’t tell me you went bankrupt, accumulated debt, and are being chased by enemies.”

Ji Pei: “Shut up. You must come tonight.”

Ji Pei put down her phone, feeling happier the more she thought about it. She was beaming and finally couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Someone knocked on the door. It was Shen Yuan’s confused voice. “Little Pei, are you in there? Shall we go to dinner now?”

“Yes, okay.”

Ji Pei replied and typed a message in the chat with Winter Sun.

Seasonal Wind: “Sweetheart, I’m going out for something. I’ll call you tonight when I get back.”

Jiang Xianhan received Ji Pei’s message while slowly walking on the gravel path in the backyard. The caregiver followed behind her. Seeing that Jiang Xianhan was walking without any discomfort, she was surprised. “Professor Jiang, you’re recovering so quickly! You can walk already.”

Jiang Xianhan stopped and walked back. She looked at her ankle, which was no longer swollen, and explained, “Even with a sprained ankle, you still need to move it around.” She had tried countless methods to speed up her ankle’s recovery these past few days, even resorting to so-called folk remedies. Heaven knew how much she wished her foot would heal quickly.

After receiving Ji Pei’s message, Jiang Xianhan still had some doubts. She couldn’t help but type a question.

Winter Sun: “What are you going to do?”

Jiang Xianhan sat on the swing in the garden, seeing Ji Pei quickly reply.

Seasonal Wind: “I’m helping at the art gallery. The curator is taking me out to dinner tonight [cheeky]”

Curator? Taking her out to dinner?

Jiang Xianhan’s eyes narrowed slightly. The tear mole at the outer corner of her right eye flickered under the reflection of her glasses.

Winter Sun: “How many people are eating? Male or female?”

Ji Pei came out of the restroom. After washing and drying her hands at the sink, she picked up her phone and saw the messages from Winter Sun. It seemed Winter Sun was very concerned about her safety. Ji Pei smiled, her face filled with happiness.

Seasonal Wind: “Two people. The curator is a woman, and very kind. Don’t worry, my love.”

Beep beep. Winter Sun sent another message.

Winter Sun: “Why is she only inviting you, not others? Are you the only one helping?”

Ji Pei stood in front of the mirror, staring at Winter Sun’s words. She clearly felt the sour, jealous scent emanating from the screen.

Seasonal Wind: “My mom and she are friends. She’s over ten years older than me, so don’t worry, my love.”

Winter Sun: “Mhm, be safe.”

In the villa garden, the caregiver saw Jiang Xianhan’s expressions change, smiling one moment and frowning the next. She had no idea what was going on.

“Professor Jiang, let’s go back now. It’s getting windy outside.”

“Mhm.”

The caregiver reached out to help Jiang Xianhan, but the professor waved her away. “No need. I can manage myself now.”

Back in the room, Jiang Xianhan first checked the weather forecast and saw that the temperature would drop slightly tomorrow. What should I wear to meet Ji Pei?

In the car, Shen Yuan couldn’t help but smile at Ji Pei’s continuous giggling while looking at her phone.

“Little Pei, what are you smiling at on your phone?”

Ji Pei put down her phone, looking at the old knitted rabbit ornament in Shen Yuan’s car. “I’m replying to my partner’s messages.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Shen Yuan’s eyes. She was stunned. “You have a boyfriend?”

Ji Pei shook her head. “A girlfriend.”

Ji Pei felt there was nothing to hide about her sexual orientation. She knew Shen Yuan and Liu Yanfen were good friends, and Shen Yuan was definitely not the type to gossip. Shen Yuan’s surprise intensified. “A girlfriend?”

But soon, a faint smile appeared on her lips. “Girls are good.”

Ji Pei paused. “Aunt Shen, are you not afraid of me, or do you think I’m an anomaly?”

Shen Yuan shook her head. “Why would I? Who says love must be between a man and a woman? I also liked women when I was young. I was chased out of my home and made my own way. It’s been over ten years, and I haven’t been back once.”

“Aunt Shen…”

Ji Pei had never imagined that such a thing could have happened to Shen Yuan. She had initially worried that if Liu Yanfen and her husband found out, they might scold her and order her to cut ties with Winter Sun. Seeing the astonished look on Ji Pei’s face, Shen Yuan felt like she was looking at her younger self. Equally impulsive, yet full of passionate enthusiasm, with a resolve not to turn back even if she hit a wall.

Shen Yuan comforted her. “Don’t be afraid. Your parents are a bit clueless. I know them. Just go ahead and date. Even if something happens later, you still have me, your Aunt.”

Ji Pei’s parents were quite open-minded. Her mother was a shrewd businesswoman in her youth, constantly thinking about how to make money. Later, a severe illness almost took her life, and she completely changed after that. All the authority in the family lay with Liu Yanfen. Ji Guoping didn’t interfere and didn’t dare say much.

Ji Pei hadn’t realized that Shen Yuan was also a person with many stories, but she had never heard her mention her partner. Shen Yuan always came alone when visiting her family for holidays. Ji Pei stared at the two rings on Shen Yuan’s left and right ring fingers, her doubts growing. Why wear one on each hand? Could it be…

Shen Yuan had noticed Ji Pei’s gaze long ago. She held the steering wheel with one hand and raised her left hand. “You’re asking about my partner, aren’t you? She’s no longer in this world.”

Ji Pei’s eyes widened suddenly. She opened her mouth but didn’t know what to say.

Shen Yuan smiled and glanced at the knitted rabbit ornament that Ji Pei had been looking at. “That rabbit was made by her. She was very skillful, wasn’t she?”

“I’m sorry, Aunt Shen…”

Shen Yuan smiled with relief. “I should thank you for allowing me to speak these words. Death isn’t scary. As long as I remember her, she will always live in my heart.”

Shen Yuan took Ji Pei to a Sichuan restaurant. Ji Pei’s whole family loved spicy food. The chefs they hired for holidays were also from the Sichuan-Chongqing region, so she knew the preferences of the Ji sisters. Shen Yuan asked about Ji Fan again. “What is Xiao Fan doing now? Should we call her to join us?”

Ji Pei nodded. “Let’s call her. I’ll phone her.”

She called, but Ji Fan stammered that she was busy and couldn’t come. Ji Pei put down her phone and shrugged. “She can’t make it. She’s probably playing with her friends somewhere.”

Thinking about the art exhibition tomorrow, Ji Pei hesitantly spoke up.

“Aunt Shen, about the art exhibition tomorrow, can I… not come?”

Shen Yuan immediately guessed that she likely had a date. She nodded. “A date, right? If your girlfriend also likes art, remember to bring her over for a visit. Show your Aunt Shen some support.”

Ji Pei leaned back in her seat. “Okay, we’ll definitely come tomorrow!”

After dinner, Shen Yuan drove Ji Pei home. Ji Pei intended to invite her in for a sit, but she smiled and declined, telling her to get some rest.

The moment Ji Pei opened the door, Ye Wenzhu, holding her dog, pounced on the floor, muttering under her breath.

“Little Jimao won’t let me touch her, huh? Let me see who’s back?”

She looked up. Ji Pei walked in through the door, the door frame nearly hitting Ye Wenzhu’s head. Ye Wenzhu saw it was Ji Pei, held onto Egg Yolk Pie, who was thrashing around, and said, “Why are you so late? Who were you on a date with?”

“My mom’s good friend, Aunt Shen, who I told you about. I was helping her move things today, and she treated me to dinner.” Ji Pei held Egg Yolk Pie and bumped the dog’s head against Ye Wenzhu’s thigh. “Why are you like this? You’re getting more and more inappropriate.”

Ye Wenzhu crossed her legs on the sofa, randomly grabbing Snow Mochi and forcibly hugging her. “Why did you ask me to come over? Don’t tell me your discarded girlfriend, whom you heartlessly abandoned, has come knocking on your door.”

Ji Pei kicked her shin. “I’m meeting someone in person tomorrow. Help me think of some ideas.”

Ye Wenzhu’s smile gradually froze. “Meeting in person tomorrow? I thought you and your dear girlfriend were already together ages ago.”

Ji Pei shook her head. “Not yet. She said she was busy and had time next month. I didn’t expect it to be tomorrow.”

Ye Wenzhu revealed a sly smile. “I’m going too, to vet her for you.”

Ji Pei’s face flushed slightly, feeling a bit warm. “Why would you go? It’s not your online dating partner.”

Ye Wenzhu said matter-of-factly, “So what? Am I not your best friend anymore? If the person turns out to be an ugly freak, I’ll grab you and run.”

“Don’t think of her like that…”

“You’re too naive. I heard that people who have great voices in online dating are usually ugly. If they were truly good-looking, why only use their voice and not show their face? That’s too bizarre.”

Ji Pei thought about it, and what Ye Wenzhu said made sense. “Then you can come with me, but if she’s not good-looking, don’t say anything to hurt her feelings. Don’t talk nonsense, okay?”

Ye Wenzhu grumbled, “I must see who this online dating partner of yours is tomorrow, who is worthy of you.”

“Actually, I asked you to come to help me figure out what gift to give her when we meet tomorrow.”

“I own a flower shop, so of course, you should send flowers.”

This was finally Ye Wenzhu’s area of expertise. “Send white roses. Red roses are too ambiguous for your first meeting.”

“Then you’ll help me pick the freshest and most beautiful bouquet tomorrow.”

Ye Wenzhu usually seemed unreliable and didn’t say many serious things, but when it came to important matters, she never let Ji Pei down. Ji Pei trusted her.

“The freshest and most beautiful, oh my, oh my.” Ye Wenzhu spoke with a forced, affected voice. “In all the years we’ve known each other, when have you ever sent me flowers?”

“You own a flower shop. Do you still need me to send you flowers? Just self-produce and self-sell.”

The gift was settled, but what should she wear for the meeting tomorrow? This was a headache.

“What do you think I should wear to meet her?”

Ye Wenzhu shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m straight. Logically, since you’re gay, you should know the preferences of your own gender.”

“I’ve never dated before. This is my first girlfriend. Of course, I need to be cautious. You know I haven’t even kissed anyone.”

Ye Wenzhu heard this, leaned over, grabbed Ji Pei’s chin, and tried to kiss her, only to receive a slap. She covered her face and crouched on the floor, looking tearful. “I just wanted to help you break your first kiss.”

Ji Pei pointed at the door with an expressionless face. “Get out.”

At nine in the evening, Ji Pei came out after a shower. Ye Wenzhu was lying on the sofa, playing on her phone. Ji Pei motioned to her, lifting her chin. “Come here, help me pick out an outfit for tomorrow.”

Ye Wenzhu went to Ji Pei’s walk-in closet, which was solely hers, filled with the clothes she usually wore. Ji Pei’s dressing style was relatively simple and elegant. Ye Wenzhu looked at the long-sleeved tops and trousers and shook her head. “No, these are too cheap-looking…” She randomly picked up a white shirt, saw the Chanel label, and quickly put it back.

“I’m telling you, why don’t you have a single dress? You should wear something a little sexier to meet your girlfriend.” Ye Wenzhu opened a cabinet door and her eyes lit up when she saw a low-cut long dress inside. She took it out and held it against herself for comparison. “This one is nice. I thought you were all about the ascetic look. I didn’t expect you to have something this good.”

Ji Pei saw that the red dress Ye Wenzhu was holding was the one Winter Sun had sent her, and her cheeks immediately flushed.

“I didn’t buy that. She sent it to me.”

Ye Wenzhu’s eyes widened, and a knowing smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. “Ahem. Then I know what you should wear.”

Ji Pei was looking for clothes, asking without lifting her head, “What should I wear?”

“You should wear a coat with nothing underneath, or wear some alluring lingerie. That’s guaranteed to make her head spin.”

Predictably, Ye Wenzhu received another slap.

Ji Pei was looking at dresses on the other side. She saw Ye Wenzhu’s hand preparing to open the innermost cabinet door, her pupils contracted, and she quickly rushed over with the dress she was holding to stop her.

“Wait a moment!”

Ye Wenzhu retracted her hand, looking surprised. “What? Did a snake bite you? You jumped so high.”

Ji Pei grabbed Ye Wenzhu’s arm, pulled her over to the full-length mirror, and said, “I want you to tell me what you think of this dress.”

Ye Wenzhu stumbled, nearly falling. “Okay, okay, let me stabilize myself first.”

Ji Pei unbuttoned the dress with one hand. Seeing Ye Wenzhu staring at her without blinking, she couldn’t help but say, “Turn around. Don’t look at me.”

“It’s not like I haven’t seen it before. We even took baths together when we were in school.”

“That’s different now. I’m a person with a family now.”

“Fine, fine, I won’t look.”

Ji Pei stood in front of the mirror, changing clothes and pulling up the straps. Ye Wenzhu rubbed her chin, meticulously assessing. “Your butt is really perky.”

Ji Pei: “…”

I knew her perverted nature couldn’t be changed.

Ji Pei gave Ye Wenzhu the middle finger. “You just found that out today?”

Ye Wenzhu sat on the chair, looking at Ji Pei’s hands. Ji Pei’s hands were slender, long, and beautiful, even better looking than those in comics. They were pale and delicate, with a faint pink hue on her knuckles.

“Why did I only notice today how long your fingers are? Your girlfriend is lucky.”

Ji Pei changed into the white dress, tying the belt as she spoke. “You should clear those dirty thoughts out of your head.”

Ye Wenzhu argued fiercely. “Did I say anything wrong? Your hands are beautiful and useful. Even wiping your butt would have a unique aesthetic.”

Ji Pei: “…”

“Aren’t you straight? How do you know more than I do, a lesbian?”

Ye Wenzhu explained awkwardly, “I was just worried about you. I thought since you’re gay, and your social group has it tough, I researched a bit more and watched some… well… films…”

Ji Pei was touched by the first half of the sentence, but after hearing the second half, she pursed her lips, expressionless, and rolled her eyes behind her back.

“Do they look good?”

Ye Wenzhu nodded honestly. “They look good. Nice figures, big chests, but their butts aren’t as perky as yours. Want to see? I’ll send it to you.”

“I was asking if I look good in this dress.”

Ye Wenzhu opened her camera and snapped a few pictures of Ji Pei. “You look good. Wait, I’ll send them to you right away.”

Ji Pei shook her head. “I don’t look at that stuff.”

Ye Wenzhu looked at her serious demeanor with disdain and directly shared the link.

“It’s useful to watch more. Do you know how women interact with each other? You haven’t accumulated any practical experience. What I’m sending you is useful stuff. You should save it.”

Ji Pei: “…”

I must be out of my mind. Ji Pei actually saved the link.

She stood in front of the mirror, pulling the hem of the dress and turning around twice. She felt something was awkward. “Do you think I’m not suited for dresses?”

“You’re too tall. You’re not suited for this type of dress. You’re better suited for custom-made gowns.”

Ji Pei shook her head. “Wearing a gown for a meet-up? That’s not appropriate. Maybe I’ll just wear a coat. Forget the dress.”

Ye Wenzhu pondered for a moment, then nodded. “That works too. You have a good figure. Everything looks good on you. Maybe she prefers the ascetic style.”

At past eleven in the evening, Ji Pei couldn’t contain her excitement and messaged Winter Sun.

Seasonal Wind: “My love, where are we meeting tomorrow?”

Winter Sun: “Nanjiang Bridge.”

Ji Pei was slightly stunned that Winter Sun replied instantly. Her partner’s schedule was usually very regular. She normally went to sleep before 10 p.m. Why was she still on her phone close to midnight today? Is Winter Sun also nervous about the meet-up tomorrow?

Seasonal Wind: “What will you be wearing tomorrow?”