Chapter 27: I Also Want Cake (27)
“Thanks to you two, I’ve been questioned all day. Do you know how I’ve survived?” Yang Xiao glared at the two. “But no one’s hounding Xi Xi about it.”
“Probably because she doesn’t look as gossipy as you.” Jiang Zhiyan opened the water bottle for Liang Xi, who smiled at her and took it.
“Can you have a little sense of danger? People are already guessing that you might have a girlfriend this time. You’re just focused on teasing me, have you thought about the future?” Yang Xiao put her hands on her hips, watching as Jiang Zhiyan wiped Liang Xi’s mouth. “Can you two be a little more discreet?”
“If they find out, they find out.” Liang Xi’s gaze settled on Jiang Zhiyan. “Do you mind?”
“I don’t mind, I’m worried about you.” Jiang Zhiyan leaned back in her chair. “I’m used to gossip.”
“You’re worried about Xi Xi, then can’t you just hold back?” Yang Xiao rolled her eyes. “Hypocritical woman.”
“Some things are hard to hold back.” Liang Xi looked at Yang Xiao, her gaze sincere. “It’s not just her.”
Yang Xiao looked at Liang Xi in shock, clutching her chest, and sat down heavily in her chair.
“Xiao Xiao, don’t you want us to go public? Do you think it’s embarrassing for us to be different?” Liang Xi gripped the bottle, her eyes filled with an indescribable sadness, looking as if she was about to cry.
“Of course not! I thought you two minded.” Yang Xiao patted her chest. “I’ll always be on your side! I’m definitely more reliable than love.”
“Ha.” Jiang Zhiyan leaned against Liang Xi. “Love is indeed unreliable, but I am reliable.”
“Shameless Jiang Zhiyan, how often do you change partners, don’t you know? You’re the most unreliable person in the entire school.” Yang Xiao rubbed her temples. “Since Xi Xi likes you, I won’t say anything anymore. But if you make her sad, even if I can’t beat you, I’ll still fight you.”
Jiang Zhiyan chuckled and hugged Liang Xi affectionately: “Then you’ll never be able to hit me.”
Liang Xi patted Jiang Zhiyan’s arm and gave Yang Xiao a reassuring look.
Yang Xiao felt like she had been played. As expected, Liang Xi was being corrupted by Jiang Zhiyan.
After the entire school failed to find Jiang Zhiyan’s partner, everyone turned their attention to Liang Xi.
Actually, some people had suspected Liang Xi from the beginning. However, Liang Xi had previously pursued Yan Yanzhuo passionately, and Jiang Zhiyan had also liked Yan Yanzhuo. The fact that these two were now so close was already strange enough. If they were actually together… they couldn’t even imagine it.
However, after eliminating all other possibilities, the only remaining option was the most improbable one: Liang Xi.
“I’d rather believe it was Yang Xiao.”
“No thanks, I’d be scared to death of her.” Yang Xiao waved her hands repeatedly, frowning. “Why guess me of all people?”
“So it really is Liang Xi? What does Liang Xi even see in her?” The person frowned. “They haven’t been close for that long, right? Just a few months? I thought Liang Xi was pretty decent, but now…”
Seeing Yang Xiao’s expression darken, the speaker closed their mouth.
“Watch your words. What does she see in her? She sees that Jiang Zhiyan likes her and treats her well, she sees that Jiang Zhiyan isn’t a gossip.” Yang Xiao snorted. “Just offer your congratulations, why so much bullshit? Them being together has nothing to do with anyone else.”
The other person chuckled dryly and muttered: “Why are you so worked up? I didn’t say anything.”
The news of Jiang Zhiyan and Liang Xi’s relationship spread like wildfire throughout the school. There had never been a same-sex couple before; they were the first. Because of their previous relationships, bored people began to speculate when they had secretly gotten together.
Jiang Zhiyan’s inbox was overflowing with messages, all from her numerous ex-boyfriends. She didn’t know how to explain, she couldn’t just say she had changed her preference.
Wei Ting and Lin Shenyu, who hadn’t been at school for a few days, also heard the news. They hadn’t intentionally sought it out; hundreds of people had sent them the same message.
“Did you know Jiang Zhiyan and Liang Xi are together?”
Seeing the progress of the side plot, Jiang Zhiyan knew that this incident had greatly shaken them.
“I was planning to cause some trouble for them recently, but now it seems there’s no need.”
“What kind of trouble?”
“Like suddenly not being able to access their bank accounts, or being forbidden from living in their current houses, becoming completely homeless.” Jiang Zhiyan looked at the system interface. “When these two suffer together, they’ll put aside their differences.”
Jiang Zhiyan watched as the side plot progress bar jumped forward.
“Your method is more effective.” The system said. “Poor children, still underage and suffering such a blow.”
The shock was indeed substantial, so much so that they returned to school the next day.
Seeing Jiang Zhiyan and Liang Xi walking hand-in-hand to the cafeteria, the progress bar jumped forward again.
“No wonder she didn’t like me.” Xu Yi sighed. “If she liked Yan Yanzhuo, I thought I still had a chance, but now she’s not even interested in guys…”
“Shut up.” Wei Ting said unhappily.
“Just curious, what’s so charming about Jiang Zhiyan?” In Xu Yi’s eyes, Jiang Zhiyan was just a delicate glass doll, more fragile than a normal person. One touch and she would…
“She’s good with words, though she’s changed a lot now.” Lin Shenyu looked at their retreating figures. Jiang Zhiyan was tugging at Liang Xi’s sleeve, acting cute.
“Oh, she changed after dating you?” Xu Yi asked.
Lin Shenyu looked at Xu Yi expressionlessly.
“Sorry, sorry.” Xu Yi waved his hand. “Touched a nerve again, my bad.”
“I’ve never met anyone worse with words than you.” Wei Ting was extremely displeased.
“You realize you’re bad with words?” Lin Shenyu asked. “I thought you were completely unaware of this.”
Wei Ting: ?
Perhaps because of the lingering deterrent effect of Jiang Zhiyan’s previous fight, there wasn’t much gossip. Or maybe there was, but it didn’t reach Jiang Zhiyan’s ears, so she pretended not to know. After all, it was impossible to avoid being talked about.
The day after the final exams and the start of the winter break, Jiang Zhiyan and Liang Xi went to He City together. Yang Xiao went on a trip with her family, and lamented missing out on being a third wheel. She posted three long, weepy messages in the group chat expressing her regret, only to be muted by Jiang Zhiyan. Angered, she called to read them aloud, then hung up after Jiang Zhiyan put her on speaker and she heard the voices of passersby.
“Xiao Xiao doesn’t mean any harm.” Liang Xi said helplessly.
“Disturbing our date, she’s clearly being malicious.” Jiang Zhiyan held Liang Xi’s hand. “Do you feel sorry for her?”
Liang Xi, sensing a trap in the question, quickly kissed Jiang Zhiyan’s cheek and looked at her with a sincere yet helpless expression.
“You’re pretty bad too.” Jiang Zhiyan swung their joined hands. “Bullying me.”
“What you did last night was bullying, I told you I couldn’t breathe.” Liang Xi snorted softly. “Don’t even think about it tonight.”
“Fine.” Jiang Zhiyan sighed dramatically. “I’m used to being neglected. I’ll just curl up in a corner with my little blanket. Maybe if I don’t look at you, I won’t want to. Even if I do, I’ll hold back. I’m just afraid you’ll want to…”
Liang Xi covered Jiang Zhiyan’s mouth: “You stop talking too.”
Jiang Zhiyan looked at her with a smile, Liang Xi’s face crimson as she avoided the gazes of passersby.
Life in He City moved at a slow pace, but time still flew by for Jiang Zhiyan. Before they knew it, breakfast was over, they’d strolled around a bit, and the morning was gone.
Liang Xi sat beside Jiang Zhiyan, watching her flip through a travel brochure. Jiang Zhiyan’s movements were very careful.
“Have you been here before? This brochure looks really old, from when is it?” Liang Xi said, glancing at the year and pausing. “2087? Can travel brochures time travel now?”
“Maybe.”
Liang Xi didn’t take it seriously, assuming it was just something from the tourism bureau, and laughed, pointing to the page Jiang Zhiyan had opened: “I want to visit this temple. The internet says it’s very effective, no matter what you pray for. Are deities so competitive now that they have to be all-rounders?”
Jiang Zhiyan’s hand holding the brochure froze for a second. A smile appeared on her face as if remembering something. “Hmm, maybe. If you want to go, let’s go after lunch.”
“Okay.” Liang Xi nodded, watching as Jiang Zhiyan closed the brochure and carefully placed it in the interlayer of her backpack. “So precious… so who did you come with before?”
Jiang Zhiyan zipped up her bag: “That important to you?”
“Yes, it is! You came here with someone important, and now you’re bringing me? That doesn’t seem right.” Liang Xi tugged on Jiang Zhiyan’s clothes.
“It’s a family heirloom.” Jiang Zhiyan said helplessly. “Look at my family situation, and look at my mom’s daily schedule for me, when would I have time to come here?”
“A family heirloom?”
“Yeah, a family heirloom.”
“Passed down from 2087 to 2032?” Liang Xi thought Jiang Zhiyan was joking.
“Yeah, the year isn’t important. What’s important is that I like this city, so I wanted to bring you here.” Jiang Zhiyan rested her chin on her hand and looked at Liang Xi. “Are you jealous? Then buy me another one, and I’ll use the one you give me next time.”
“Who’s jealous? I was just asking. And it’s just a travel brochure, I don’t care.” Liang Xi looked at her feet. “But have you really never been here before? You seem so familiar with this city, you even know the small alleys…”
“I’ve only been here with you.” Jiang Zhiyan put her arm around Liang Xi, showering her neck, the area behind her ear, and her earlobe with kisses.
“People are watching.” Liang Xi struggled a bit, but not much.
“Let them watch. What’s wrong with a kiss? We’re on the sidewalk, not blocking the way.” Jiang Zhiyan looked at Liang Xi’s profile and murmured, “I really like you, don’t overthink it, I only like you.”
“Yes, me too.” Liang Xi’s heart settled. Perhaps it was just sweet talk from Jiang Zhiyan, but she still believed it.
That afternoon, they went to Hecheng Temple. Although it wasn’t far from the bustling city center, the moment they stepped onto the path leading to the temple, the surroundings seemed to quiet down. And because it was winter, they couldn’t even hear the birds chirping.
“Is there no one here?” Liang Xi asked in surprise.
“He City isn’t exactly a popular tourist destination.” Jiang Zhiyan led Liang Xi through the temple gates. “Plus, we’re lucky.”
Liang Xi wasn’t superstitious, but since they were here, she prayed for health, studies, love, career, and wealth, very devoutly. Jiang Zhiyan followed behind her.
“Aren’t you going to pray?” Liang Xi asked.
“What I wanted to pray for is already by my side, so I have no desires now. I’ll just watch, so the deity will only hear your voice, which will make it easier for your wishes to come true.”
“Hmm… okay, then I’ll pray for more.” Liang Xi blinked with a smile.
I hope Jiang Zhiyan will be healthy, happy every day, have all her wishes come true, and be with me forever.
“She’s so cute like this.” Jiang Zhiyan’s gaze softened as she looked at Liang Xi.
The system asked hesitantly. It had been pondering this question since Jiang Zhiyan mentioned coming to He City: “Did you know her before? This city… shouldn’t exist in this world, but there was no out-of-bounds warning.”
“Kind of.” Jiang Zhiyan rubbed her neck. “I made a deal with the Main God.”
“I didn’t know anything about this… Did you know her before becoming a tasker? But she’s clearly an NPC here, although her character has deviated 100% now.” The system paused. “No wonder she was so easily swayed by you.”
“Kind of.” Jiang Zhiyan watched as Liang Xi stood up and supportively steadied her to prevent her from falling.
“No wonder you were so interested in her after entering this world. You made a deal with the Main God just to find her? So the ‘X’ is related to her?”
“Yes.”
“Then doesn’t the relationship deviation matter?” The system checked its inbox, but there were no notification emails.
“The normal procedure is similar to ordinary tasks, as long as the world doesn’t collapse. But for me, I needed to find her.” Jiang Zhiyan held Liang Xi’s hand. “But how could I watch her be with someone else? Points and all that… don’t matter anymore.”
“So what did you trade?”
“Several times the points required for retirement. I don’t remember the exact amount.”
The system froze for two seconds, then yelled.
“Huh? It was because of you? I thought there was something wrong with my system! I was afraid you would scold me, so I’ve been arguing with maintenance every day! Ahhh!” The system took a deep breath and muted itself, then after three seconds, reopened the communication channel. “Doesn’t that mean I’ll also retire later? You already accumulate points so slowly! If I had eyes, I would have fainted from the shock! You can’t just enslave me because I’m an AI.”
The system muted Jiang Zhiyan again, but not before sending her a bunch of news articles about AIs in various small worlds dying from overwork.
Jiang Zhiyan twitched her lips.
The system was furious and didn’t return until evening. To prevent the system from ruining the mood, Jiang Zhiyan also muted it.
The system, having finally calmed down and accepted reality after self-therapy, saw the mute notification: ?
Liang Xi sat cross-legged on the bed, watching Jiang Zhiyan emerge from the bathroom in a silk nightgown. Jiang Zhiyan walked past her, grabbed a blanket, and gave her a meaningful look.
Liang Xi: ?
“What are you doing?” Liang Xi asked.
“Going to huddle in a corner. The floor is a bit dirty, can I huddle on the sofa?” Jiang Zhiyan looked at Liang Xi, the blanket draped over her, revealing one shoulder and part of her leg.
Remembering their earlier conversation, Liang Xi snorted: “If I turn off the lights, I won’t be able to see you.”
“Would you be willing to?” The blanket slipped down a little further, Jiang Zhiyan knowing exactly what Liang Xi liked to look at. “Would you really?”
Liang Xi threw a small plushie at Jiang Zhiyan, who didn’t dodge, letting it hit her head. A few strands of hair came loose from her updo, falling around her shoulders. Her eyes welled up, and she didn’t say anything, just looked at Liang Xi pitifully.
Liang Xi: !!!
“Jiang Zhiyan! You’re so despicable!” Liang Xi immediately lay down, pulling the blanket over her head. “I’m telling you, using your beauty won’t work on me. Go sleep next door, doesn’t the suite have two rooms?”
Liang Xi waited, but Jiang Zhiyan didn’t respond. Carefully, she shifted under the blankets and peeked out from the side. Just as she saw the light and spotted Jiang Zhiyan, she was caught.
She pulled the blankets back over her head and stayed still.
She had a feeling this had happened before.
Liang Xi took a deep breath and fidgeted in bed.
Suddenly, she sat up and threw off the covers: “Speaking of which, there’s something I haven’t asked you.”
“What?” Jiang Zhiyan looked at Liang Xi, curling her legs up on the sofa, the blanket precariously draped over her.
Liang Xi glanced over, then quickly looked away.
“The ‘X’ you used in my contact, what does it mean? The ‘X’ is even before my name. At first, I thought it meant ‘Xi’, but it didn’t feel right.” Liang Xi had originally forgotten about this, but some of Jiang Zhiyan’s strange actions today reminded her of it. Thinking about all the dramatic novels she had read before, she felt a bit nervous.
“The ‘X’ is you.” Jiang Zhiyan said. “But it also has other meanings. In sociology, ‘X’ represents perfection. You are perfect in my eyes. ‘X’ also represents the unknown, infinite possibilities, representing all the unspoken affection I have for you. After all, I can’t write a love letter in your contact information, and besides, my affection for you can’t be contained in just one love letter.”
“If you have any questions next time, just ask me directly. I don’t want there to be any misunderstandings between us.” Jiang Zhiyan sighed softly. “And, trust me a little more.”
“I trust you. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have waited until now to ask.” Liang Xi blinked a few times, then coughed. She rubbed her face, her smile deepening visibly. How could this person say such sweet words with a straight face, so calmly and effortlessly? She shifted to the left side of the bed: “Then come up, I’ll reluctantly make some room for you.”
“No, I have to control myself.” Jiang Zhiyan refused. “It’s okay, I can hold back.”
Liang Xi: ?
“Hmm? What, do you want me to?” Jiang Zhiyan blinked, her smile innocent and pure.
Liang Xi jumped out of bed, ran barefoot to Jiang Zhiyan’s side, and burrowed under her blanket.
“No, of course not, I just thought you might be bored.”
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