Mixed Chapter 8
byNightmare
While Chi Nuan’s love life had made a small step forward, her good friend Chen Zhiyu had been experiencing nothing but bad luck these past two days, especially concerning romance.
As soon as the weekend evening arrived, she dragged Chi Nuan to a bar without a word.
“I don’t care, you have to stay with me today. I’m seriously going to die of anger!”
Her resentment soared, and she moved with furious speed. Chi Nuan kept her mouth shut, not daring to ask anything along the way.
Chen Zhiyu gulped down the Long Island Iced Tea in her hand, then slammed the glass back onto the table with a bang, wiping her mouth. “This is truly the most outrageous thing I’ve ever encountered! No exceptions!”
“Chi Nuan, you be the judge. Last week, when I first met him at the student union, I almost fell, and he caught me immediately, holding me in his arms. He even used a very gentle voice to tell me to be careful.”
“I was so excited then! I thought a sweet campus romance was finally going to be my turn!”
The more Chen Zhiyu spoke, the angrier she became. Seeing her glass empty, she ordered a Bloody Mary. She took another large, fierce gulp.
“Tell me, who wouldn’t be moved by that? Especially since his looks are totally my type. But who knew… he’s gay!”
As Chen Zhiyu spoke, tears started flowing uncontrollably. Chi Nuan comforted her verbally while clutching a tissue to wipe away her tears.
Perhaps it was the delayed effect of the two strong drinks, but Chen Zhiyu gradually started rambling incoherently.
Chi Nuan felt helpless. She had no choice but to pay the bill alone, then help Chen Zhiyu up and prepare to return to school.
Just as they reached the entrance, Chen Zhiyu pointed vaguely toward a window seat and mumbled, “Chi Nuannuan… look at that person… they look like Teacher Song.”
Chi Nuan was about to ask which Teacher Song, but Chen Zhiyu turned her head forcefully.
Chen Zhiyu truly lived up to her reputation as their love life security guard; even drunk, she had to create an opportunity for Chi Nuan and Song Shixue.
“It’s Song Shixue. Why is she drinking there alone? No, I need to send Zhiyu back first,” Chi Nuan thought.
Chi Nuan struggled to reach the roadside, freeing one hand to frantically wave down a taxi. “To the south gate of Hua Guo Academy of Fine Arts, please hurry, I’m in a rush.”
A drunk person’s body feels heavier than usual. From the south gate to the third floor of the dorm, Chi Nuan found it quite strenuous supporting Chen Zhiyu.
She stood in the dorm room, jacket open, hands on her hips, nostrils flaring as she caught her breath for a moment.
A thought popped into her mind: maybe I should try signing up for the 1500-meter run next semester. Perhaps it wouldn’t be this tiring.
After washing her face, Chi Nuan took the stairs two steps at a time, sprinting out of the school gate, her hair and clothes flying behind her.
She really could participate in a long-distance race now, and might even get a good ranking. But there was one condition—the prize at the finish line had to be Song Shixue.
Chi Nuan pushed open the bar’s glass door. The classic cologne scent rushed toward her. The environment was still bathed in red light; the loud, noisy music and cheers persisted; and Song Shixue was still sitting by the window, drinking alone.
She scanned the surroundings—a mixed crowd, full of hidden dangers. Beautiful women being hit on was commonplace, let alone someone of Song Shixue’s stunning caliber being here.
It was practically walking into a wolf’s den.
A closer look confirmed her fears. The way they looked at Song Shixue was highly predatory. They were whispering and egging each other on, pushing one another to go ask for her contact information.
Chi Nuan didn’t know how many people had harassed Song Shixue during the time she was gone. The thought made her clench her fists.
Chi Nuan walked closer to Song Shixue.
Song Shixue was resting her head on her hand, two or three strands of hair scattered messily across her forehead, her cheeks slightly flushed.
The dim lighting of the bar seemed to make her look even more alluring.
Song Shixue didn’t look up, assuming it was another person trying to hit on her. Her tone was impatient: “I’m not giving out my contact information!”
A hint of secret delight rose in Chi Nuan’s heart.
“Teacher Song, stop drinking. You’re already this drunk, and this place isn’t safe.”
Hearing the voice, Song Shixue thought she was hallucinating from drinking too much. “Little Black Dog?”
The bar was too noisy, making it difficult for Chi Nuan to hear clearly.
She continued her action, pulling out a chair and slowly sitting down beside Song Shixue.
Hearing the sound, the hand that was propping up her forehead slid down to her cheek, and her head tilted slightly toward Chi Nuan.
With hazy eyes, she stared intently at Chi Nuan, moving from her eyes to her nose, finally settling on her lips. “Are you worried about me, Student Chi?”
Song Shixue gently stroked Chi Nuan’s right cheek with her finger, as if confirming whether the person in front of her was real.
Chi Nuan’s eyelashes fluttered. She tried hard to control her unsteady breathing. Yet, her eyes were already filled with uncontrollable desire and anticipation.
Chi Nuan endured the feeling, her throat hoarse. “I’ll take you back.”
Song Shixue gently removed Chi Nuan’s glasses and placed them on the table. Her right hand ran through Chi Nuan’s hair, and she placed a kiss on the tear mole near her eye.
Chi Nuan felt a buzzing sound in her head, and a warm current flowed through her entire body. She had to dig her fingernails deep into her palms.
At this moment, Chi Nuan’s rationality and desire were fighting fiercely.
After a moment, a few words, laced with seduction, reached Chi Nuan’s ears: “May I kiss you?”
Before Chi Nuan could answer, a passionate kiss landed on her soft lips.
Chi Nuan had never been kissed before, and she clumsily followed Song Shixue’s rhythm. Their lips parted and closed, their breaths mingling.
A mix of alcohol and woody fragrance blended into Chi Nuan’s mouth.
Chi Nuan didn’t know why Song Shixue suddenly kissed her. During the kiss, Chi Nuan secretly opened her eyes.
She saw Song Shixue’s sadness again. Only this time, it was much more obvious, directly displayed on her face.
But she still didn’t understand the reason, only feeling a sudden pang in her heart.
Chi Nuan finally understood the scenes in TV dramas where seeing a loved one sad made the other person sad too.
If this could make Song Shixue feel better, then let her vent her feelings on me.
Song Shixue leaned on Chi Nuan’s shoulder, suppressing the sorrow in her heart. “Take me home…”
“Okay, Teacher Song, where do you live? I’ll call a taxi.”
“Jiangnan Bay.”
After getting into the car, Song Shixue leaned against the window. Chi Nuan could tell she hadn’t recovered from that inexplicable sadness.
She moved closer to Song Shixue and gently held her hand as a gesture of comfort.
So cold.
It was already May, and the weather in Hangcheng was gradually warming up, so why were Song Shixue’s hands still so cold? Was it due to a cold constitution?
While she was pondering, the taxi arrived at the entrance of the Jiangnan Bay residential area.
Chi Nuan helped Song Shixue input the door code. As soon as they entered, she smelled a very soothing orange scent.
There were two framed paintings of different sizes on the prominent wall, likely painted by Song Shixue herself, perfectly matching the home’s minimalist wooden style. Clean and sharp, they provided a visually comfortable experience.
“There are extra slippers in the shoe cabinet, you can use those for now,” Song Shixue said.
“Alright, Teacher Song, where is the kitchen? I’ll make you some hangover soup.” Chi Nuan put on the slippers and safely led Song Shixue to the sofa.
Then she walked toward the direction Song Shixue had indicated.
Song Shixue leaned her head back on the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling. Tears involuntarily slipped from the corners of her eyes.
Chi Nuan poured the hangover soup into a porcelain bowl. She happened to see Song Shixue wiping away tears, the redness around her eyes not yet faded.
Her heart ached for her. No matter what the reason for Song Shixue’s sadness, Chi Nuan felt deep sympathy.
She wanted so badly to go over and hug her, but what right did she have?
Only after Song Shixue composed herself did Chi Nuan call her over to the dining table.
“Teacher Song, the temperature of this hangover soup is just right now. If it gets too cold later, it won’t be as effective.”
“Mhm, okay,” Song Shixue replied softly.
Somehow, Chi Nuan suddenly wanted to understand Song Shixue more.
She wanted to make Song Shixue happier.
Song Shixue opened her phone. The time showed 1:00 AM. “It’s late. Why don’t you sleep here tonight? There’s a spare guest room.”
“Hehe, then thank you, Teacher Song, for taking me in!” She was overjoyed, the final syllable of her voice rising with excitement.
Song Shixue felt tired after drinking the hangover soup and stood up, preparing to go back to her bedroom.
As if remembering something, she paused, her tone turning cold again. “When you wake up today, just go back to school on your own. I have some matters to attend to.”
Chi Nuan’s heart sank. She nodded, her eyes dimming.
Her mood had swung wildly; the rising tone of a few seconds ago was now surprisingly flat.
She thought, we were fine just a second ago, why did she suddenly change like a different person?
Was it because of the kiss tonight? Disgust after sobering up?
Tonight, Chi Nuan was destined to be sleepless.
/
Song Shixue’s Dream –
Song Maoye, drunk, violently attacked the mother and daughter. Cheng Xue shielded Song Shixue in her arms. The leather belt in his hand “bit” Cheng Xue’s skin like a mad dog.
She felt like her whole body was being torn apart, flesh splitting open, blood constantly gushing out. Yet, she still comforted her daughter in a weak voice, gently patting her back.
Song Shixue peered through the gaps and saw Song Maoye’s face, more terrifying and hideous than a demon—veins bulging on his forehead, his neck, face, and even his eyes turning crimson.
What made him hate so much, wishing he could put this woman to death?
Finally, he got his wish, leaving Cheng Xue collapsed in a pool of blood.
An almost pathological voice came from above her head: “Next, it’s your turn…”
Song Shixue woke up from the nightmare, the terror in her eyes not yet dissipated.
The surrounding darkness mercilessly enveloped her. Trembling, she reached out to touch the bedside lamp.
She got up and went to the bathroom to wash the lingering tear stains from her face.
Looking in the mirror, a few strands of hair on the woman’s forehead were still dripping water, and her exquisite face looked significantly more haggard.
She returned to the bedside and mechanically lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag. The nicotine provided temporary relief from her pain.
“Mom, I’ll come see you soon.”
At seven in the morning, Song Shixue drove to Hangcheng Airport.
Meanwhile, Chi Nuan groggily answered the phone at Song Shixue’s house. “Hello…”
“Chi Nuannuan! Where are you? I woke up today and found you weren’t in the dorm! I asked the others, and they all said you didn’t come back all night!”
“I’m at Teacher Song’s house.”
A sudden burst of noise erupted from the other end of the phone: “Aaaah! Are you two moving that fast?!”
Chi Nuan sighed helplessly. “It’s not what you think. I’ll tell you when I get back to school. I have to hang up now.”
After hanging up, Chi Nuan subconsciously opened WeChat. No messages from her.
She walked out of the bedroom and saw the master bedroom door open, but no one was inside.
“She must really have had something urgent to deal with,” Chi Nuan comforted herself internally.
/
11:00 AM, outside Rongcheng Airport.
“Driver, please take me to Chuanlian Cemetery.”
The sky gradually darkened, creating a sense of oppression.
Song Shixue held a bouquet of white roses and walked to Cheng Xue’s grave. “Mom, do you blame me for not being able to see you one last time the day you left?”
Five years ago, Cheng Xue was beaten to the brink of death by Song Maoye and was rushed to the hospital after being discovered by a neighbor. Although her life was saved, she became a vegetable.
At that time, Song Shixue was 23, studying for her master’s degree in oil painting at Hua Guo Academy of Fine Arts.
Upon hearing the news, she immediately booked the nearest flight back to Rongcheng.
At the hospital, she heard from the neighbor that Song Maoye had fled after venting his rage and regaining a bit of sanity. They had reported it to the police immediately, and he was eventually arrested in a park.
Looking at Cheng Xue lying in the hospital bed, Song Shixue vowed in her heart to succeed, to become strong enough to protect her.
So, after returning, she studied maniacally. She eventually stayed on to teach at the school, having maintained the top rank in both professional scores and comprehensive evaluation for three consecutive years.
She had worked tirelessly all these years, constantly striving to climb higher.
Now, Song Shixue was fully capable of standing on her own.
She possessed considerable strength, both within the school and the entire Art Circle.
She could protect her mother now.
However, we can never predict which will arrive first: tomorrow or an accident.
Cheng Xue had held on for four years in the hospital bed, perhaps just to see the Song Shixue of today.
Only then could she leave in peace.
It started to rain.
This rain felt like Cheng Xue’s final farewell to Song Shixue.
Song Shixue crouched beside the tombstone. The rain soaked her dark hair, and the sound coming from her throat was hoarse. “Mom, I met someone recently. You know, I’ve never seen such a beautiful smile.”
“I originally thought I was just an empty shell. But in that moment, I felt my heart beat again, felt the blood flowing through my body.”
“I didn’t want to admit it, but this feeling of attraction just happened.”
“Last night, after the hospital called to tell me you were gone, I went drinking. I’m sorry, Mom, please forgive me this time. I truly didn’t know what else to do.”
The rain intensified. She could no longer distinguish between the tears and the raindrops on her face.
“Later, I ran into her again. It was like she came specifically for me, she seemed so worried. She said she wanted to take me home, but she didn’t even know where I lived. She’s really quite silly.”
“I’m not sure if it was because I was sad and wanted to vent my desires, or if it was the alcohol taking effect. I suddenly, really wanted to kiss her.”
Song Shixue paused for a few seconds, choking up. “How could I not feel her intentions? Her restraint, her gaze. But, once my rationality returned, I became afraid again.”
“I don’t dare to like her. I just don’t deserve to fall for someone.” She cried harder, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably.
Song Shixue understood her own personality too well.
“Liking me will be exhausting.”