Twist of Fate (GL) - Chapter 19

Qin Ning sat in the breeze, her eyes slightly red.

Xie Jing lifted her skirt slightly as she walked over and silently stood by her side.

“Why… are you here?” The swing swayed uncontrollably a few times, just like the turmoil in Qin Ning’s heart, only settling down after a long while.

“Qin Ning, you’ve actually known me for a long time, haven’t you?” Xie Jing’s voice was soft—so soft it floated away like a wisp of dry willow fluff in the wind.

Qin Ning turned to look at her, puzzled by the sudden question.

“Shen Xinghe told me—it was you all along. The person who accompanied me for those three years… was always you.” Xie Jing looked down at Qin Ning, trying to read something from her eyes. But no matter how hard she searched, there wasn’t even a hint of emotion on Qin Ning’s face.

Qin Ning had hidden it so well that even after all this time, Xie Jing hadn’t realized they weren’t kindred spirits meeting for the first time—they were long-lost friends reunited.

“You always thought I was Shen Xinghe… I…” Qin Ning couldn’t bring herself to tell Xie Jing that she wasn’t Shen Xinghe. She had accompanied Xie Jing for three whole years under a stolen identity. Those three years had been among the few happy moments in her entire life. She didn’t want to lose Xie Jing, her confidant and ‘online friend,’ so she’d never explained the truth.

When she found out not long ago that Xie Jing had fallen for her because of their time gaming together, Qin Ning couldn’t help but wonder—if Shen Xinghe had earned her affection by protecting her in-game, then didn’t she, who’d spent three years doing the same, deserve it too?

But in the end, Qin Ning never found the courage to confess.

Xie Jing had loved Shen Xinghe so much—she had painstakingly folded 99 roses for her, even handwritten a love letter. How could Qin Ning ruin everything by confessing at such a crucial moment?

Seeing Qin Ning remain silent, Xie Jing gently tugged at her sleeve and asked, “Qin Ning, do you think I’m stupid?”

“No.” Qin Ning stiffly took her hand and gently held her fingertips. “You’re smart. Not stupid at all.”

“Not as smart as you. You’re good at every game, and your grades are better than mine.” Xie Jing had always admired Qin Ning. Beside her, she often felt like a clumsy little cabbage.

Qin Ning looked at her quietly for a long time before speaking. “Do you remember what you said in our first year of middle school?”

Xie Jing blinked in confusion. “What?”

“Shortly after school started, I passed by Class 3’s hallway and saw a boy confessing to you. You were gripping your backpack straps tightly and blushing as you said you had to go home to play games—you had an appointment with an in-game friend and couldn’t ghost them.” Qin Ning paused, then added, “You even said, all conflicted, that you probably wouldn’t get along with someone who didn’t game.

That boy said he’d learn to play for you, and you seriously replied, ‘I don’t like playing with people who are worse than me.’”

Xie Jing looked uncertain. “Did I really say something that arrogant?”

God, was she really that cringey? She must’ve read too many novels back then.

Qin Ning nodded firmly. “You did. Not long after, you even went to a nearby internet café with that boy. You guys did everything—duo rollerblading, racing on the Akina map, even rhythm games. He tried again and again, but could never beat you. In the end, he left crying, while you strutted home with your backpack like a hero.”

Xie Jing facepalmed, thoroughly mortified. “I seriously don’t remember any of that…”

Qin Ning gave her a sideways glance and continued, “From that moment on, I started practicing. I wanted to be good enough to challenge you.”

Back then, Qin Ning had been so curious about Xie Jing. How good must she be to speak with such confidence? But the more time they spent together, the more Qin Ning realized that beneath that bravado, Xie

Jing was actually very pure. She just genuinely loved gaming and admired people who were good at it.

And unknowingly, Qin Ning fell for her—fell in love not only with the girl, but also with gaming, because she loved the girl.

After hearing this “glorious tale,” Xie Jing’s heart skipped a beat. She whispered with guilt, “I’m sorry. I led you astray.”

Xie Jing loved games, but she knew it wasn’t considered a “proper” pursuit. Because of one offhand comment, Qin Ning spent three years gaming—how much youth had that wasted?

“I did it willingly. Besides, those three years were some of the happiest of my life.” Qin Ning never once regretted her choice. Without those years, she wouldn’t be who she was now.

“Really? I was pretty happy too. I’ve never been very ambitious—gaming has always been what I love most.” Xie Jing looked down and couldn’t help but squeeze Qin Ning’s hand tighter. “Qin Ning, I’m sorry I only recognized you now.”

A little tipsy from the alcohol, her palm was warm. Qin Ning stared into her eyes and replied seriously, “It’s okay. It’s never too late.”

She pulled Xie Jing down to sit beside her.

Xie Jing leaned into her, light-headed and hazy. Not long after, she heard Qin Ning’s voice whisper beside her ear:

“Xie Jing, I like you.”

“Huh?” Xie Jing looked shocked, pointing at herself. “Qin Ning, did you just say you like me?”

Qin Ning nodded. “Yes. The person I’ve liked for six years… is you, Xie Jing.”

Xie Jing froze. It took her a long while before the realization hit her like a bolt of lightning.

“I like you too, Qin Ning. I always have—it was just that I mistook someone else for you.” She fumbled for the envelope in her pocket. “It’s a shame I wrote the wrong name on my love letter. And the roses are still at the bar—I didn’t bring them back.”

Because of her earlier mistake, Xie Jing hadn’t dared to rush into another confession. She’d been holding back this whole time. Who would’ve thought Qin Ning would just blurt it out like that?

If Qin Ning could be so brave, how could she keep shrinking away?

Xie Jing breathed in Qin Ning’s lemony scent, feeling as if she were floating in heaven.

Was this the sweet reward after the slap of heartbreak? Was she finally getting her happy ending?

“I don’t mind,” Qin Ning said, reaching for the letter. But before she could touch it, Xie Jing quickly snatched it back.

“I can’t give you a letter with the wrong name. I’ll write you a new one when I get back to the dorm.” She stuffed it back into her jacket, then reached out to hold Qin Ning’s hand again.

“Hehe.” Xie Jing grinned as her delicate fingers slid between Qin Ning’s, and she lifted her head to meet her gaze.

Qin Ning looked at her through the golden light—mysterious, unreadable.

Silence settled over them. The moonlight traced along Qin Ning’s figure, softening her presence. Xie Jing parted her lips, about to speak—but just then, Qin Ning suddenly leaned in.

Xie Jing felt a sudden warmth on her lips, and Qin Ning’s breath brushed across her face. Her cheeks flushed. Her breathing quickened. “Mmm…”

“Just sealing the deal,” Qin Ning whispered after the kiss, cupping Xie Jing’s face and gazing at her tenderly. Her fingertips brushed over her earlobe, and she couldn’t resist leaning in again.

Xie Jing’s lashes fluttered nervously, and at the last moment, she shut her eyes.

But Qin Ning didn’t kiss her lips this time. Instead, she placed a kiss on the tip of her nose.

There was a tiny mole there. Earlier, Zhou Yan had smeared some cream on it. Qin Ning could still taste the sweetness.

“Xie Jing… do you really like me?”

Xie Jing, already drunk and now thoroughly dazed from Qin Ning’s kisses, nodded blankly and instinctively licked her lips. “I do.”

Qin Ning’s gaze darkened at the sight.

“Then kiss me again.” Before the words were fully spoken, she pressed her lips to Xie Jing’s in a deep kiss. This time, she tasted alcohol—a fresh, forbidden flavor for girls who’d just come of age.

Her whole body buzzed. She tightened her grip around Xie Jing’s waist, wishing she could pull her closer, make her part of her own flesh and bl00d.

“Hss…” Xie Jing felt like her waist might snap. Their chests pressed together so tightly that she could hardly breathe.

Qin Ning finally eased up, the corner of her lips glistening. “What’s wrong?”

“No… no more kissing,” Xie Jing panted, pushing lightly on Qin Ning’s shoulders. “I’m getting dizzy…”

“Then let’s go back to the dorm.” Qin Ning swallowed and took her hand.

“Mm.” Xie Jing draped herself over her, sleepily breathing in her scent.

Once back in the dorm, she fell asleep quickly—no letter written, no flowers delivered.

Qin Ning brought her warm water and gently wiped her face clean, watching as she crawled into the sealed cocoon of her bed curtain.

“Good night, Qin Ning~”

“Good night.”

Qin Ning lay awake all night, listening to Xie Jing’s soft, steady breathing until dawn, when she finally drifted off.

Luckily, it was Saturday. She slept until noon.

When she got up, her eyes caught a glimpse of a pink envelope on the desk. She leapt from the top bunk in three strides, staring at it in disbelief.

Xie Jing was nowhere to be found. Even after washing up, she still hadn’t returned. Qin Ning pulled out her phone to call her—just as someone knocked on the door.

From outside, Xie Jing’s voice came through: “Qin Ning, I forgot my key. Are you awake?”

Qin Ning flung open the door.

Xie Jing stood there, face glowing with vitality. In one hand she held a lunchbox, in the other another one, a stack of colorful craft paper tucked under her arm, and a lollipop in her mouth.

She radiated pure, youthful joy.