Top-Tier Ex-Girlfriend - Chapter 25
Chapter 25: Xiao Xing
Pei You hadn’t asked the question without reason.
While waiting for Huo Yichi, she’d realized she was getting used to having Huo Yichi around.
Huo Yichi had been driving her to and from work every day, but what would happen after this charade ended?
They couldn't keep this up forever.
The thought made Pei You anxious. Lost in thought, she'd voiced her concerns, wanting an answer.
Otherwise, she might end up depending on Huo Yichi again.
Just like two years ago.
They’d fallen into a comfortable routine in college, and after their “breakup,” it had taken Pei You a while to adjust.
For instance, she’d automatically reach for her phone to send Huo Yichi the taxi information in the evenings, only to realize Huo Yichi was no longer on her contact list.
The habit had persisted.
Huo Yichi looked tired, her forehead and nose beaded with sweat despite the cold weather.
Helping the collapsed person had taken a toll on her.
Hearing Pei You’s question, she paused, then asked, "Why do you ask?”
Pei You shook her head; she’d simply felt a surge of anxiety and blurted out the question.
But now she realized it wasn't the right time. Huo Yichi was exhausted; it wasn’t fair to burden her with this right now.
Pei You sighed, taking a tissue from her bag and handing it to Huo Yichi. "It’s nothing, I was just thinking…," she said.
Since they were alone, Pei You didn't have to be guarded. "We don’t have a written agreement; this isn't a contractual relationship. It's just a verbal understanding. So, if one of us wants out, we can just say so, right?”
As they walked, Huo Yichi wiped the sweat from her forehead. "What else would we do?”
Pei You pursed her lips. "I was thinking… we could draw up a contract."
Huo Yichi chuckled. "What would it say?”
"I haven't thought about it yet," Pei You admitted honestly. "But while you were gone today, I… I felt a little lost without you.”
Huo Yichi froze. "You… missed me?"
"Yes," Pei You said. "I used to take the bus, and I could still take the bus even if you weren’t driving me. But I wanted to wait for you.
"But eventually, you’ll meet someone you like, and they’ll be the one driving you, not me.”
They reached the car. Instead of opening the passenger door as usual, Pei You walked around to the driver’s side. "I’ll drive.”
"Okay," Huo Yichi didn’t object, getting into the passenger seat.
As Pei You fastened her seatbelt, she said, “I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, when exactly will this… arrangement end? Is it when one of us finds someone we like? Or when one of us just… doesn’t want to do this anymore?”
"Either is fine," Huo Yichi said, crumpling the tissue in her hand.
Pei You nodded, gripping the steering wheel. “I need some time to think about this. I suddenly realized today that we’re not kids anymore; this whole thing seems a bit…”
She searched for the right word: "Childish.”
Huo Yichi smiled faintly. "Yeah, a little.”
"I'll drive you home," Pei You said with a smile. "As a reward for your heroic act today.”
"Okay."
Silence fell between them.
Pei You’s lips were pressed together in a thin line, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts.
She didn’t look at Huo Yichi, oblivious to her expression.
Huo Yichi clutched the crumpled tissue, her grip tightening.
This wasn't how she'd envisioned things going.
She had anticipated that Pei You might miss her, but not so soon.
And she certainly hadn’t expected Pei You to be thinking about ending their arrangement already.
Huo Yichi closed her eyes, her thoughts in turmoil.
Only when Pei You stopped the car at her apartment complex did she open them again.
Pei You unbuckled her seatbelt. "I’ll get a taxi back. Get some rest when you get home.”
Huo Yichi grabbed Pei You's wrist, looking like she wanted to say something.
Pei You looked at her calmly. "What is it?"
"I…," Huo Yichi began, then hesitated. "Nothing. I just wanted to ask if you wanted to have dinner together tonight. Your grandma said you didn’t have to rush home, and it’s only a little past 6 pm."
Pei You looked into her eyes. "Are we still acting today?”
"Mm-hmm," Huo Yichi smiled, pushing aside her mixed emotions. "Of course we are. Since you’re already here, come to my place.”
Pei You thought for two seconds, then agreed. “Alright.”
She then asked, "Should we order takeout, or…? I don't know how to cook.”
"I'll cook. There are some groceries in the fridge. Home-cooked meals are more convincing," Huo Yichi said as she opened the car door.
She tossed the crumpled tissue in the trash.
They entered the apartment complex and walked towards the building, then took the elevator.
Pei You had never been here before. "What about the apartment you lived in during college?" she asked, curious.
"I gave it to a relative," Huo Yichi said, "like the car.”
Pei You: "...You have a lot of properties.”
"A few," Huo Yichi replied casually.
During college, Huo Yichi had her own apartment but only went back on weekends, staying in the dorms during the week.
Pei You had been to that apartment several times. While everyone assumed they spent their time together, they actually did their own thing once they got there.
Pei You studied, and Huo Yichi played video games.
They were both quiet, not disturbing each other, barely exchanging ten words the entire time.
That kind of environment would have been perfect for studying for graduate school entrance exams, but Pei You hadn't been interested in further studies.
But she had to admit, the quiet life had been nice.
Too bad she and Huo Yichi had been like strangers.
That was why she’d hesitated earlier when asked if they were friends.
Because, both now and before, their interactions hadn't exactly been those of friends.
Their harmony was superficial, nothing more.
Lost in thought, Pei You soon found herself standing in front of Huo Yichi’s apartment door.
Huo Yichi unlocked the door.
"Welcome," she said with a smile.
Pei You asked, “Do you live here now?”
"Yes," Huo Yichi placed her keys on the shoe cabinet. “My grandmother doesn’t like me. It’s better for both of us if I don’t live there.”
Pei You understood. "Right, living together can be a recipe for disaster if you don’t get along.”
As she stepped inside, she saw a tabby cat lounging on the sofa, lazily stretching.
Pei You paused. "Is that the cat from your profile picture?"
"Yes," Huo Yichi bent down to retrieve a pair of slippers from the cabinet.
Pei You changed her shoes, her eyes still on the cat. "It looks familiar."
"Does it?" Huo Yichi asked, already in her slippers. "Her name is Xiao Xing.”
Hearing the name, Pei You’s eyes widened in surprise. “Xiao Xing?!”
"Yes," Huo Yichi’s dimples appeared. "It’s her.”
Pei You stared at the cat, astonished. “I didn’t know you kept her! It’s been so long.”
"Almost three years," Huo Yichi said, her mood lifting slightly, pleased that Pei You remembered Xiao Xing.
Xiao Xing, seemingly unafraid of strangers, and perhaps recognizing Pei You, jumped off the sofa and rubbed against her legs, its tail swishing back and forth.
Pei You squatted down. "Aw, you’re so cute, Xiao Xing!"
She gently stroked the cat’s head, then looked up at Huo Yichi. “You’ve taken such good care of her. She was so tiny back then.”
"Well, it’s been three years. People change a lot in three years, let alone a cat.”
Xiao Xing, enjoying Pei You's petting, looked at her with wide, curious eyes.
Pei You saw her own reflection in its amber eyes.
It felt surreal.
Knowing Huo Yichi was a dog person, she had never imagined she would keep Xiao Xing.
"There’s hand soap by the sink," Huo Yichi said, emerging from the bathroom.
"Okay, I’ll wash my hands before I properly cuddle Xiao Xing.”
Huo Yichi watched her, hiding her surprise. "I thought you'd forgotten about her," she said casually.
Pei You stood up, her gaze still lingering on Xiao Xing.
She’d been smiling ever since she saw the cat. "How could I forget? We rescued her together."
She looked at Huo Yichi, her eyes crinkling with a smile. "I remember, it was a cold winter day, and we found her on campus.”
"You remember," Huo Yichi smiled. "Go wash your hands."
"Okay," Pei You said, then remembered something. "Where should I put my coat? It’s warm in here; I’m getting a little hot.”
"On the sofa, or there’s a coat rack over there.”
Huo Yichi pointed, and Pei You looked. "I’ll hang it on the rack."
"Alright."
Pei You hung up her coat and bag before going to the bathroom to wash her hands.
Huo Yichi went to the kitchen.
Pei You liked cats.
But only other people’s cats.
She didn't want the responsibility of owning a pet, worried she wouldn't be able to take care of it properly.
So, she’d never considered getting one.
And none of her close friends had cats, either; they all felt it was hard enough to take care of themselves, let alone another living being.
Pei You agreed with that sentiment, even though she had a stable job and no financial burdens.
That was another reason she’d been surprised that Huo Yichi had kept Xiao Xing.
But it didn't matter; she was here now, and she could play with the cat for a while.
She spotted a cat teaser under the coffee table and picked it up, attempting to entice Xiao Xing, which was still lying on the floor.
But perhaps because it was a mature cat now, Xiao Xing showed no interest in the toy, remaining motionless despite Pei You's best efforts.
Pei You: "..."
She squatted down in front of the cat, stroking its soft belly. "Xiao Xing, why are you like this now?"
Xiao Xing: "Meow~"
"Hey, I wasn't complimenting you! Why do you look so smug?"
Pei You chuckled, then patted Xiao Xing’s head. "But you are cute.”
Huo Yichi, who had left the kitchen door open, had been watching from the kitchen, amused by Pei You’s one-sided conversation with the cat.
Sensing her gaze, Pei You turned, their eyes meeting.
Pei You cleared her throat. "How much does Xiao Xing weigh now?"
She remembered it was a female cat.
"About eight jin,[1] I think. I haven’t weighed her recently. She’s not fat or thin.”
"Right," Pei You agreed.
Huo Yichi, for the sake of convenience while cooking, had tied her hair in a high ponytail, making her look like a high school student.
Pei You looked at her, then remarked, “I rarely see you with your hair tied up.”
"Really?" Huo Yichi asked, walking over.
Pei You sat down on the floor. "Yeah, you usually wear it down.”
"I always wore a ponytail in high school. My homeroom teacher wouldn't allow us to wear our hair down," Huo Yichi said as she went to the TV cabinet, retrieved a laser pointer, and handed it to Pei You. "She likes this more than the teaser.”
Pei You's eyes lit up. "Really?"
It wasn't a question.
Huo Yichi, handing her the laser pointer, still replied, "Yes."
Pei You hadn't forgotten their previous conversation. "Which high school did you go to? Yours sounds strict.”
"No. 2 High School," Huo Yichi replied. "You went to No. 1, right?"
"I know," Huo Yichi said, then stood up. "Play with her for a while. She gets bored when I’m at work. It’s nice that she has a visitor.”
Huo Yichi’s gaze lingered on Pei You. "Especially since you're an old friend of hers.”
"Okay," Pei You said.
After Huo Yichi closed the kitchen door, Pei You turned on the laser pointer.
It worked like a charm on Xiao Xing, who instantly perked up.
Wherever Pei You pointed the laser, the cat pounced.
Agile and energetic, a stark contrast to her previous laziness.
Pei You enjoyed playing with Xiao Xing, losing track of time. Soon, the aroma of food wafted from the kitchen.
Xiao Xing, seemingly tired, went to the sofa to groom itself.
Pei You put the laser pointer away, washed her hands, and knocked on the kitchen door.
Huo Yichi opened the door, spatula in hand. "What is it?"
Pei You held up her phone. "Do you want me to take a picture of you cooking?”
She was dedicated to the act, too.
Many loving couples documented such everyday moments.
Huo Yichi paused. "Sure," she said, then added, "but I don’t want a photo of me with a ponytail posted online.”
Pei You understood.
Even though she thought Huo Yichi looked good regardless of her hairstyle.
"Got it. I won’t post it then," Pei You put away her phone.
Huo Yichi raised an eyebrow. "But I don't mind if you keep it for yourself.”
"You're so full of yourself," Pei You said, clutching her phone.
Huo Yichi retorted, "What? Is that not allowed?"
"Fine," Pei You conceded, "I'll take some. I’ll send them to you; you can keep them for your own narcissistic enjoyment.”
Huo Yichi didn't refuse. "Okay."
Pei You was a decent photographer. She took several photos from different angles, satisfied with the results, and sent them all to Huo Yichi.
But then, disaster struck—Huo Yichi's ponytail came undone.
"Why are you using a disposable hair tie?" Pei You asked, a little panicked as Huo Yichi’s hair cascaded down.
Huo Yichi, busy stir-frying, didn't have a free hand to fix her hair. "I don’t usually cook.”
"If you don’t usually cook, why do you have groceries in your fridge?" Pei You asked, her eyes fixed anxiously on Huo Yichi’s hair.
She was worried a stray strand would fall into the food.
Wouldn't that ruin all of Huo Yichi’s hard work?
"My sister bought them," Huo Yichi said, still ignoring her hair.
Pei You couldn’t stand it any longer; she was a bit of a neat freak. "I…," she hesitated. "Can I tie your hair back for you?”
Huo Yichi glanced at her, then hummed in agreement.
The kitchen was spacious; Pei You stood behind Huo Yichi without feeling cramped.
They were about the same height. Pei You always wore a hair tie around her wrist. She took it off.
Huo Yichi, her back to Pei You, struggled to contain her smile upon hearing Pei You's offer.
"Bend down a little," Pei You said from behind her.
Huo Yichi schooled her features. "Okay."
She spread her legs slightly, lowering herself a little.
Pei You exhaled, gathering Huo Yichi's soft hair in her hands.
She wasn't used to tying other people’s hair; it was a bit clumsy.
The result wasn’t ideal.
The ponytail looked messy, like a clump of weeds.
Pei You cringed inwardly, coughing awkwardly.
"All done?" Huo Yichi asked softly.
"Yes.”
Huo Yichi immediately straightened up. "How does it look?"
Pei You cringed at her own handiwork. "It looks good because you’re beautiful.”
"You just called me full of myself, and now you’re saying I'm beautiful," Huo Yichi chuckled.
"They’re not mutually exclusive statements. Now, take some pictures for me; I want to see.”
Pei You hesitated. "Are you sure?"
She really thought she’d done a terrible job.
"I’m sure.”
"Fine.”
Pei You took a few more photos and sent them to Huo Yichi. "Is the food almost ready?"
"Almost. You can go out now. Play with Xiao Xing for a bit; dinner will be ready soon.”
"Okay."
Pei You left the kitchen, no longer causing trouble.
She didn’t use the laser pointer again, just sat on the sofa, quietly petting the cat.
Actually, she was also on her phone.
Admiring the photos she’d just taken of Huo Yichi.
She suddenly remembered that Huo Yichi had worked part-time as a Taobao model in college.
A clothing store owner had been impressed by Huo Yichi’s looks and figure and had invited her to model for them.
Huo Yichi had done a few photoshoots, then stopped.
Pei You had always meant to ask why.
She’d been curious, but their relationship at the time had been awkward, so she hadn't asked.
Now that she remembered, she wouldn’t miss this opportunity.
When Huo Yichi emerged from the kitchen with the food, Pei You looked at her. "I just remembered something.”
"What is it?" Huo Yichi asked as she set the table.
"You worked as a Taobao model in college, right?" Pei You narrowed her eyes, recalling the memory. "It was a clothing store, and I went to the studio with you.”
Huo Yichi sat down across from her. "Yes. Why do you ask?”
Pei You hesitated. "I just remembered while looking at the photos I took of you. I always wondered why you stopped working with them.”
"The owner was creepy," Huo Yichi said flatly.
Pei You immediately understood.
He had probably made unwanted advances towards the young and beautiful Huo Yichi.
She wouldn't have continued working with him either.
Even if the pay had been good.
Huo Yichi also prepared Xiao Xing’s dinner: a can of wet food.
Xiao Xing, smelling the food, started purring excitedly, circling Huo Yichi’s legs.
Pei You, eating her dinner, watched them with amusement.
Once Huo Yichi put down the bowl, Xiao Xing started gobbling down the food, while Huo Yichi squatted beside it, her expression gentle.
Pei You hesitated, then took out her phone and snapped a photo.
It was a lovely scene, worth capturing.
She didn’t know how long Huo Yichi had lived here, but the apartment seemed a little… sterile.
Everything was neat and organized, almost too perfect, lacking a lived-in warmth.
After dinner, Pei You offered to wash the dishes.
Huo Yichi didn’t stop her, sitting on the sofa and looking at her phone.
The photos Pei You had taken of her with the ponytail were actually quite nice.
She saved one.
"It's getting late; I should get going," Pei You said as she emerged from the kitchen. "My grandma was serious about not making me dinner; how cruel.”
"Your grandma is lovely," Huo Yichi said, a hint of envy in her eyes.
Pei You: "Ah… sorry, I didn't mean it like that.”
Compared to Huo Yichi’s grandmother, Grandma Pei was a saint.
Huo Yichi waved her hand dismissively. "It’s fine."
Just then, her phone rang.
Huo Yichi excused herself and went to the study to answer the call.
Pei You played with Xiao Xing for a while longer. Seeing that Huo Yichi wasn’t coming out, she went to the entrance to put on her shoes, intending to leave.
She felt like she was intruding.
But just as she finished putting on her shoes, Huo Yichi emerged from the study. Seeing Pei You about to leave, she said, her tone casual, "That was the daughter of the woman I helped this afternoon. She called to thank me.”
Pei You smiled. "Good deeds are always rewarded.”
"I’ll walk you out," Huo Yichi said, heading towards the door.
Pei You shook her head. "No need, I remember the way. I’ll get a taxi.”
"Be careful then," Huo Yichi didn't insist.
"I will. I'll send you the driver’s information once I’m in the car.”
Their exchange was strangely formal.
A strange feeling washed over Pei You.
"Okay. Merry Christmas," Huo Yichi said.
Pei You clutched her bag, standing before Huo Yichi.
Xiao Xing's shadow stretched across the floor behind Huo Yichi.
Pei You hesitated for two seconds, then asked, "Can you… bend down a little, Huo Yichi?”
Huo Yichi, though puzzled, did as she was asked.
Pei You reached out and placed her hand on Huo Yichi’s head.
Her hair tie was back on her wrist; Huo Yichi’s hair was down.
Pei You gently ruffled her hair, her eyes crinkling with a smile. "I wanted to do that this morning. Merry Christmas.”
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