Twist of Fate (GL) - Chapter 22

When Xie Jing first began reading the letter, she couldn’t help but smile to herself. But the further she read, the more her smile began to fade.

Qin Ning had poured six years of her feelings onto the page, using every word to convey her emotions straight into Xie Jing’s heart.

When Xie Jing read that Qin Ning had changed her major because of her, her mouth fell open in shock.

Qin Ning had initially chosen the same university as Xie Jing, thinking it would be enough just to see her from afar. But after accidentally discovering Xie Jing’s sexual orientation, she couldn’t suppress the desire to get closer to her.

So, Qin Ning resolutely switched majors to join Xie Jing’s class.

Everything seemed to be going according to plan—smooth progress, just as she had hoped. Qin Ning thought this would be the perfect way to close the emotional gap between them. But before she could even step into Xie Jing’s life, Shen Xinghe had already come between them.

Xie Jing made no effort to hide her admiration for Shen Xinghe in front of Qin Ning. She even vowed with conviction that she would pursue her.

Xie Jing’s passionate and straightforward feelings for Shen Xinghe hit Qin Ning like a heavy blow. But watching Xie Jing beam with happiness, she couldn’t bring herself to confess her own feelings. She was afraid of ruining the bright, beautiful life Xie Jing deserved.

“Qin Ning.” Xie Jing suddenly put the letter down and walked toward her. “Your mouth is so good at kissing, but why is it so clumsy when it comes to talking?”

If Qin Ning had spoken her heart earlier, maybe they wouldn’t have missed out on so many years.

“What about you?” Qin Ning replied softly. “Why didn’t you say anything back then?”

Xie Jing’s bravado crumbled. She muttered sheepishly, “Because I was a coward.”

Back in middle school, she wasn’t as brave as she is now. Being gay was an enormous secret she kept hidden from everyone, and she didn’t dare let it slip. So, she never acted on her feelings for Qin Ning—never crossed the line of friendship.

“Mhm.” Qin Ning suddenly reached out and took her hand. “I was a coward too.”

Xie Jing held her hand back. “Then we really are a perfect match.”

—

After breakfast, Xie Jing got back to folding paper roses. She worked quickly and finally finished just in time for Monday.

When Qin Ning received the roses, she didn’t even hesitate—she pinned Xie Jing to the table and kissed her thoroughly for half an hour.

Xie Jing could only cry out in her heart:

Help! My girlfriend is a kissing maniac! She kisses me a million times a day.

Such a sweet kind of trouble.

Qin Ning didn’t understand why this was a problem. All she knew was that kissing Xie Jing made her happy, made her feel good—and she wanted to do it all the time.

When Xie Jing was talking, she wanted to kiss her. When she wasn’t talking, she still wanted to kiss her. No matter what, seeing Xie Jing made her want to be close to her.

Zhou Yan was puzzled by the suddenly intense bond between the two:

“We were only gone for a weekend, and now you two are glued together like conjoined twins?”

She clutched her chest and feigned heartbreak.

“Your Majesty, now that you have a new love, have you already forgotten your old flame?”

“No way,” Xie Jing coaxed. “You’ll always be my most beloved Consort Yan.”

Zhou Yan finally let out a satisfied hum.

Qin Ning: “……”

Xie Jing, the natural flirt.

“Wait, aren’t they dating now?” a guy from the back row suddenly chimed in.

“???” Zhou Yan’s eyes widened. “What do you mean dating? Who’s dating who?”

“Those two.” The guy pointed at Xie Jing and Qin Ning, a hint of disdain in his eyes. “They’re both lesbians. You didn’t know?”

He had heard it from someone else—a guy in their class had recently confessed to Qin Ning and was coldly rejected. The rumor was that she liked girls—and was already with Xie Jing.

“So, what if they’re lesbians?” Zhou Yan snapped. “And for your information, Xie Jing and Qin Ning aren’t dating. They’re just really close friends. Don’t taint their pure friendship with your dirty mind.”

Zhou Yan fumed. To her, their bond was clearly platonic. Whether they were queer or just best friends, it wasn’t up to some clueless guy to judge.

Xie Jing: “…”

Qin Ning: “……”

Xie Jing had originally planned to tell Zhou Yan about her relationship with Qin Ning after class. But now? Better not.

When it came to Zhou Yan, it was best to warm the frog in tepid water—not pour in boiling hot truth all at once. Otherwise, she might not handle it well.

And clearly, Zhou Yan couldn’t handle it. Even after class, she was still grumbling about the “romance-brained” guy who dared to twist Xie Jing and Qin Ning’s beautiful friendship into something it wasn’t.

“You two are awfully quiet,” she said, turning around suspiciously.

“Ah… yeah.” Xie Jing looped her arm around Qin Ning’s, putting on her best “sisters for life” face. “Qin Ning and I are just really close friends.”

Zhou Yan finally relaxed and turned back around.

No way Xie Jing would get together with Qin Ning that fast, she thought. She was just rejected by Shen Xinghe last week. And they’re roommates—no one dates someone they live with. What if they break up? It’d be so awkward!

That guy really had no sense.

She was especially tense earlier when she said that. Luckily, Xie Jing didn’t seem too affected by the reminder of her failed confession.

Zhou Yan stole another glance at Qin Ning.

Long hair, beautiful face, cold to other girls—clearly straight as an arrow. How could she possibly be with Xie Jing?

Even if Xie Jing were desperate, she wouldn’t go after a straight girl, right?

Her thoughts drifted further and further, never once linking “Xie Jing + Qin Ning” with the word “dating.” She just figured their friendship was too deep, hence the misunderstanding.

This misunderstanding lasted for several more days, until Zhou Yan scrolled past the university confession wall and saw dozens of anonymous love posts—all featuring photos of Xie Jing.

When she looked closely, Xie Jing realized the photos had all been taken from the university’s official WeChat, Weibo, and Douyin accounts.

She downloaded the apps and checked out the trending videos. Sure enough, her face was front and center.

“Holy crap, Xie Jing—you’re famous!” Zhou Yan shouted from the dorm chair, typing furiously and sending voice messages. “Your promo video got reposted by the school’s official WeChat, Douyin, and Bilibili accounts! Everyone on campus knows there’s a beautiful girl in the CS department named Xie Jing!”

She didn’t get a reply—but the dorm door opened.

Xie Jing and Qin Ning walked in, one after the other.

Xie Jing had just come from a skateboarding club event. Her bangs were slightly damp, her cheeks were flushed, and a skateboard rolled under her feet.

Qin Ning followed closely behind. After nodding politely at Zhou Yan, her gaze returned immediately to Xie Jing.

Something’s off.

Why are they together all the time now?

And wasn’t Qin Ning in the dance club? Why is she skateboarding too?

“I’m back! Brought you milk tea,” Xie Jing said, kicking her skateboard under the stairs and walking over.

“Wait—was it Qin Ning’s treat or yours?”

How was Xie Jing so smooth pulling milk tea from Qin Ning’s bag? Were they… sharing money now?

“Of course it’s mine!”

Xie Jing had been feeling guilty for hiding her relationship from Zhou Yan, so she often brought back snacks and gifts, hoping when the truth came out, it would soften the blow.

Zhou Yan jabbed a straw into the milk tea and mumbled, “Xie Jing, did you see the messages I sent you?”

“I couldn’t check on the way back.” Xie Jing rummaged through Qin Ning’s coat pocket and pulled out her phone. “I’ll read them now.”

Zhou Yan: “…”

Nope. Definitely not normal.

These two were way too close.

While sipping her milk tea, Zhou Yan discreetly observed them. Meanwhile, Xie Jing scrolled through the messages and opened the school’s official account. The comment section was full of people asking for her contact info.

Xie Jing: “Whoa… it’s real.”

Qin Ning leaned in to look at her phone.

Just then, a message popped up—from Shen Xinghe.

[Xie Jing, there’s something I want to talk to you about. Can we have dinner tonight?]

Even though the message disappeared after a few seconds, the words burned themselves into Qin Ning’s memory.

Xie Jing looked a little embarrassed. “Shen Xinghe asked me to dinner. It’s probably about the school’s promo video.”

Qin Ning: “Mm.”

“Shen Xinghe???” Zhou Yan froze. Wasn’t she the one who rejected Xie Jing at the bar last time? Why was she still messaging her—and even asking her out? Was she trying to keep her on the hook?

Zhou Yan slammed her milk tea down and sprang from her chair. “I’m coming with you.”

Afraid the truth might slip out if Shen Xinghe met Zhou Yan, Xie Jing gently turned her down and decided to go alone.

“You’re really going by yourself?” Zhou Yan asked, skeptical. Was her roommate still hung up on Shen Xinghe?

Xie Jing nodded solemnly. “Yeah.”

Half an hour later, in the school cafeteria, Xie Jing sat across from Shen Xinghe.

“Xie Jing, your video went viral!” Shen Xinghe said excitedly. “Our photography club president asked me to see if you’d be interested in joining us as a model.”

“I don’t think I can,” Xie Jing smiled awkwardly. “I’ve already joined two clubs and need to focus on school… and my social life. I really don’t have the time.”

“I understand,” Shen Xinghe said. “I respect your decision.”

Xie Jing nodded and started eating.

“…Xie Jing, about your birthday… I’m sorry.”

“Are you and Qin Ning doing okay?” Shen Xinghe hadn’t been able to eat or sleep properly in days, worried that she had cost Xie Jing a chance at love.

Looking at Xie Jing’s puffed cheeks, Shen Xinghe thought—if that person weren’t Qin Ning, maybe… just maybe… she’d want to pursue Xie Jing herself.

She had never dated before and didn’t even fully understand her own orientation.

But someone like Xie Jing… she wouldn’t mind falling for her.

“I’m with Qin Ning now.” Xie Jing’s eyes curved naturally into a smile.