Unbearable - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: “I’m Still Sleeping With You Tonight.”

All morning, during every break between classes, Yu Wei would sneak a glance at her phone to check the delivery updates. From the third period onward, the status had stayed at “out for delivery.”

Every now and then, she’d glance back to see if Yu Wei had taken any calls.

By the time school ended and they walked out together, they arrived at the school gates just in time for Yu Wei to receive her cold, low-calorie meal, which she accepted with a rather indifferent expression.

Yu Wei pushed up her glasses, her eyes darting around until they spotted a small three-wheeler parked next to the parcel lockers, with a courier bent over scanning packages and making calls.

Her heart jumped to her throat. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted the screen in Yu Wei’s pocket lighting up and immediately blurted, “You’ve got a call.”

Only after saying it did she realize her tone had been too excited. She quickly averted her gaze.

Yu Wei didn’t bother avoiding it. She simply pulled out her phone and answered. The two of them stood very close, so every word from the call was clear.

“Reject it. I didn’t order anything.”

Yu Wei hung up in less than two seconds.

Yu Wei: “…”

Yu Wei slipped her phone back into her pocket and took a few steps forward, then turned around with a confused look at Yu Wei, who was still standing frozen in place.

“Aren’t you curious?” Yu Wei blurted out, quickly presenting her prepared excuse. “Maybe it’s from one of your ice fans. People know you go to school around here now.”

Yu Wei frowned. “Why would I be curious? I don’t accept things from unknown sources.”

Yu Wei was stunned. That wasn’t the reaction she’d expected at all.

As Yu Wei began to walk away, Yu Wei scrambled for a new excuse. “It—it could’ve been from your mom!”

“You really think that’s possible?” Yu Wei shot back, clearly displeased. “If it was from her, I’d be even less likely to accept it.”

Yu Wei didn’t understand why Yu Wei held such hostility toward Ding Qing. She stammered, lowering her head in disappointment as she followed Yu Wei into the alley.

This time, they didn’t loop around from the school’s west gate but walked straight down the sidewalk and turned into a side street.

Suddenly, Yu Wei had a spark of inspiration. If deliveries didn’t work, what if she gave it to her directly?

Their relationship had improved lately. Maybe they weren’t quite like sisters, but at least they were friends now, right? If she gave it, it wouldn’t be from an unknown source.

“I… I think I have a package too. I need to go pick it up.”

She slipped off her backpack and shoved it into Yu Wei’s arms. “There’s a thermal container inside. Can you give it to Grandma?”

Before Yu Wei could respond, she turned and sprinted off.

Yu Wei stared at the bag in her arms, frowning, her face going cold.

Luckily, Yu Wei knew what the package was and had the tracking info. She intercepted the departing courier just in time and took the box that had just been rejected.

That saved her from having to search for a brick-and-mortar store selling skating boots. But she couldn’t hand it directly to Yu Wei now.

A mystery package got rejected at noon, and suddenly a gift from her appeared? Too suspicious.

Frowning, she bit her lip, ran through scenarios in her head, then placed the parcel at the security room, saying she’d come back for it after school.

It hadn’t rained in almost a month, and the air felt like it had been baked dry, heavy and oppressive.

The trees in the courtyard didn’t sway at all. There was shade, but it wasn’t cool—more like a smothering blanket that made tempers rise.

Still, as usual, lunch was served on a little table under the tree. Yu Wei sat there chewing shrimp and lettuce leaves.

“Something happen at school today?” Grandma asked, leisurely waving her giant paper fan. The old fan creaked and groaned with each wave, merging with her chatter. “You look grumpy.”

“I’m not,” Yu Wei said.

Grandma rolled her eyes. “Your face says otherwise. You always come home like this when you didn’t perform well in practice. Sulking.”

Yu Wei put down her chopsticks. “No, really.”

Just then, the wooden courtyard door creaked open with a long groan that made everyone’s teeth hurt.

Yu Wei turned immediately and saw Yu Wei standing in the doorway, sweaty and out of breath. She looked through her thick glasses at Yu Wei and said shyly, “I—I read the wrong delivery info. There wasn’t a package.”

“It’s too hot. Don’t run around next time.”

Yu Wei’s tone was flat, but her actions were quick. Within a minute, she had returned with a damp towel and handed it over.

“Thanks,” Yu Wei said, wiping her face as she stepped into the courtyard.

Grandma tugged at a nearby chair and called out warmly, “Come sit here, sweetheart. Yu Wei said you weren’t coming. Turns out she lied to me.”

“I did?” Yu Wei handed a cup of water to Yu Wei, still sounding casual as she bantered, “I said I didn’t know.”

Yu Wei took a sip. The warm water soothed her parched throat immediately.

“You still lied.”

Grandma huffed but was clearly delighted, watching Yu Wei bustle around, fetching towels and water and then going to the kitchen to get her a meal. Her eyes squinted into slits as she chuckled.

Yu Wei slumped into a little chair, long legs stretched out. “You’re that happy just seeing her?”

“Yes, yes, yes.” Grandma laughed until she coughed. “Of course I am. Seeing her makes me happy.”

Yu Wei sat between them, unzipped her collar and listened to the pair of them bicker gently as she ate.

After the meal, she washed the dishes and then sat in the courtyard fiddling with her phone. She scrolled through blank WeChat messages, responded to some client messages on her commission app, and finally confirmed the delivery on the shopping platform.

But she never looked up. Or got up.

Yu Wei checked the time. Enough time had passed since eating. She stood and looked at Yu Wei.

Yu Wei said quietly, “I’m not sleepy.”

No way she’d let that awkward thing from the other day happen again!

“You sure?” Yu Wei raised an eyebrow. She’d been catching up on naps every day after school lately—how could she not be tired?

Was she embarrassed again?

Yu Wei nodded. Very sure.

No more sharing a bed. What if she had another weird dream? She’d never be able to face Yu Wei again.

“Alright,” Yu Wei sighed. Her eyes drifted aside and she pursed her lips for a few seconds before saying, “I’m still sleeping with you today.”

After speaking, her face didn’t change, but her ears flushed bright red.

Huh?

Yu Wei curled her toes. Something felt off.

Why did that sound like coaxing a child?

Don’t overthink it. She forced herself to stay calm but couldn’t speak.

After a few seconds of silence, Yu Wei glanced over, frowning slightly at Yu Wei who was still staring at her phone.

She began to second-guess herself.

Did she misread the situation…? No, couldn’t be.

Expression stiffening, Yu Wei turned and walked toward the room. She was so rattled that her arms and legs moved awkwardly and she didn’t even notice.

At the doorway, she looked back and asked, “You sure you’re not coming?”

Yu Wei nodded quickly.

Absolutely sure. Please stop asking.

The bead curtain clattered shut.

The courtyard went quiet. From somewhere nearby came the muffled sound of a TV and a parent urging a child to nap.

Yu Wei scrolled through every app on her phone, opened a mini-game, and started playing.

After two rounds, the bead curtain rustled again. Yu Wei stood there, holding the curtain aside. “Come in and play. It’s hot out.”

She added, eyes drifting involuntarily over Yu Wei, “It’s really hot.”

Yu Wei replied, “It’s fine.”

But it really was hot—not just muggy like before, but damp and stifling, like being in a steamer. Her clothes clung uncomfortably.

She thought for a moment, then stood, grabbed her chair, and followed Yu Wei inside.

Their eyes met at the threshold.

Yu Wei quickly looked away, her gaze falling on the chair Yu Wei was holding. She pressed her lips together, turned, and walked in.

Learning from her last mistake, Yu Wei brought a chair with her this time. She settled into it and continued playing her game.

Yu Wei didn’t say a word, sitting at her desk reading.

A while passed. Just as Yu Wei made her little game character leap to a table, she heard Yu Wei murmur, “If you’re tired, go ahead and sleep. Don’t mind me.”

Yu Wei replied, “Mm.” Her character landed clumsily, barely standing upright.

She was about to make the next jump when she looked up at Yu Wei.

Yu Wei sat with her head slightly bowed, her jacket draped over her chair, revealing her neck and scarred arm.

From this angle, it wasn’t clear what book she was reading.

Yu Wei thought for a second. A little odd.

Wasn’t Yu Wei going to sleep either?

But she already said not to worry…

Yu Wei bit her lip, stood up, and climbed onto the bed.

Just like before, she lay inside against the wall and closed her eyes.

Not long after, the bed dipped slightly.

Yu Wei lay down along the edge, hands folded on her stomach.

Her lips twitched into a satisfied smile.

Knew she’d cave. Thin-skinned.

Lying stiffly against the wall, Yu Wei dared not even swallow. Don’t tell me… Yu Wei can’t fall asleep alone?

Both girls lay there pretending to sleep. Eventually, one of them dozed off for real.

And when they woke, they were once again huddled close.

At least there were no weird dreams this time. Yu Wei sighed in relief.

Definitely that dumb drawing’s fault. She’d finish it tonight, submit it, and delete the base sketch.

That nap resolved her worries. She was fine again!

In the afternoon, Yu Wei lowered her head and texted Yu Wei.

Yu Wei: “I’m helping Cheng Miao pick out some books. I’ll be back a little later.”

They were both sitting in class. Students passed through the aisle between them.

Yu Wei glanced sideways at her, then looked down and began typing: Me too…

Yu Wei: “You go ahead first.”

Yu Wei: “( ^_^ )/~~”

Yu Wei pressed her lips together and deleted what she’d typed.

Yu Wei, after sending the message, tapped Cheng Miao and quietly went over the weekly test questions with her, asking what she wanted to do tomorrow.

She glanced over at Yu Wei once she saw her leave.

“I’m making a banner tomorrow!” Cheng Miao said excitedly. “I’ll give you one when it’s done!”

Yu Wei nodded absentmindedly. After a few minutes, when she was sure Yu Wei had gotten in the car, she slowly walked out, picked up the parcel, and headed to a little store across the street.

She bought a pretty gift bag, squatted beside a trash bin, tore open the shipping box, and placed the shoebox inside the decorative bag.

If she got home and ran into Yu Wei, she’d give her the shoes and say she just bought them.

Yu Wei didn’t talk much. She probably wouldn’t ask why the bag had changed.

And if she didn’t run into her, she could just switch it out for the official brand bag Yu Wei had used when giving her skates.

Perfect.