21. Together
Qi Ming felt he had never studied as if his life depended on it as he did in the second term of his sophomore year, but thought it was all worth it when he saw his results in the first mock exam – 10th place – and Tang Miao’s extraordinarily joyful smile.
He evaluated his score and concluded that admission to A university would not be a problem, but it would be tough to pursue the same major as Tang ShuiShui.
He decided to keep a close eye on Tang ShuiShui when the time came to fill in the application form and assure him that not being in the same major will not prevent them from being together everyday.
As for why they should be together every day…
Qi Ming, who had never thought of this topic in depth, rolled his eyes. What was all this nonsense? Looking for a fight?
22. Inexperienced
“Qi Ming, it’s February 14 next week.” Tang Miao poked Qi Ming, who was solving a question.
“Yeah, we’ll take the final mock exam.” Tang Miao’s persistence surprised Qi Ming. Last Valentine’s Day, he forgot about the love letter. Fortunately, it coincided with Chinese New Year, so Tang Miao did not create a ruckus, but New Year was early this year, and as a result, school started early as well.
“Qi Qiming.” Tang Miao looked at him.
Tang Miao’s ‘about to cry’ expression was the one that frightened Qi Ming the most. He had the impression that his temper was growing better and better. He swiftly lifted his hands in surrender: “Aren’t I inexperienced? I haven’t read any of the other people’s love letters. I’ll have to think about it, okay?”
Tang Miao’s eyelids were droopy, but he wasn’t sad. He stated sweetly, “Oh, I had completely forgotten about it. I simply wanted to remind you of the mock exam and tell you to study hard.”
Tang Miao added another sentence as Qi Ming was grinding his teeth, “But since you still remember, don’t forget to give it to me after the exam.”
Qi Ming: “…” I. Want. To. Hit. Someone!
However, he couldn’t beat up the instigator. Qi Ming was unhappy.
23. Who do you like?
Tang Miao went to Qi Ming’s examination room to review on the second exams day. As a result, the grade’s top performer was surrounded by a slew of challenging questions as soon as he entered the room.
Qi Ming snorted unhappily as he looked on in detachment. He met Qu Yao, who was in the same class as them, memorizing lessons when he went to rage in the corridor.
Qu Yao pushed up her glasses, “Did you not prepare a gift for him for the festival tomorrow?”
“I bought handmade chocolates, this boy is tricky…” Qi Ming abruptly stopped and stared at Qu Yao wide-eyed, “Why should I prepare a gift for him?!”
“But aren’t you planning it?”
As heat surged to his ears, Qi Ming was unable to argue, “Tang Miao and I are not…”
“Not what?” Qu Yao was not convinced. She was short-sighted, not blind.
Qi Ming kept trying to make an excuse but suddenly couldn’t. He was well aware that he and Tang Miao were not lovers, but he found himself feeling quite unwilling.
Why weren’t they in a relationship?
Qu Yao displayed an unusual curiosity: “My roommate, forget it… When I spoke to Tang Miao last time, I asked him and he stated that he liked someone. I really can’t guess who he likes if it’s not you.”
“Tang Miao likes…”
Qi Ming was stuck once more, and a sea of vinegar churned at the bottom of his heart. Why should Tang Miao like anyone but me?!
“Tang! Shui! Shui!”
Tang Miao looked up, puzzled. He knew Qi Ming was fuming again when he saw his expression. He hastily tossed all the textbooks aside and ran out the door.
Tang Miao was brought to the ‘Third Nothing Zone’ by Qi Ming as Qu Yao looked on with an evident smile. It was a holy area for lovers because there was no surveillance, patrols, or street lights. It was just that all of the students were in class revising that day, so there was not a soul in sight at the area.
“What’s the matter?”
Qi Ming was blunt as always, “Tang ShuiShui, do you have someone you like?!”
Tang Miao was flustered and reflexively uttered, “Yes…Yes.”
Qi Ming clenched his teeth, convinced that Tang Miao had infected him. His eyes were sore and acrid, “Who do you like?!”
“Not… Not telling you.” Tang Miao lowered his gaze to his toes.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Pr rtf fnfc kbgats? Qtja vb sbe ilxf jybea tfg?!”
Qtb kbeiv tjnf uefrrfv atja Kjcu Zljb kbeiv ibrf tlr mbbi? Lf gjlrfv tlr tfjv jcv sfiifv: “Qtja’r kgbcu klat tlw?! Lf’r ojcajralm! Lf lr tjcvrbwf, ajii, mjc oluta, jcv fzmfir lc rmtbbi jcv rqbgar. Lf jirb ulnfr wf rkffar. Lf mbjzfr wf ktfc P mgs. Lf tjr jikjsr tfiqfv wf ktfc P tjnf yffc yeiilfv rlcmf P kjr j mtliv. Cqjga ogbw cba ybatfglcu jybea tlwrfio jcv yflcu rieuulrt jcv olfgmf, Lf! Pr! Cyrbieafis! Ufgofma!”
This roar made Qi Ming’s ears ring. He held Tang Miao foolishly to keep him from becoming overly excited, and asked in a trembling voice: “Tang ShuiShui, who… Who do you like?”
Tang Miao snorted, causing his tears to flow. “I want to leave.”
Qi Ming was dull, not stupid. He soon understood what Tang Miao meant. He reddened unexpectedly and was at a loss for words. He pulled a sweet from his pocket and shoved it into Tang Miao’s mouth. Before Tang Miao could say anything, he kissed him on the lips with lightning speed, “Ahem, I just wanted to taste the candy I bought.”
Tang Miao helplessly watched Qi Ming flee, then suddenly laughed and yelled at him, “Uncle Qi said you guys are the criminal underworld, not hooligans.” He noticed Qi Ming stumbling in delight.
Tang Miao smiled as he tasted the sugar on the tip of his tongue. It was truly sweet.
24. To MiaoMiao
Qi Ming returned to the examination room. Everyone was studying independently. He took out a blank paper. He’d finally found inspiration for the love letter he’d been unable to compose.
He seriously planned to make a draft—
To Miaomiao:
I like
The pen nib came to a halt, and Qi Ming couldn’t help but pull his hair. Wasn’t this overly romantic for him? But no other words could describe his current state of mind.
Qi Ming’s phone rang just as he was ready to start writing again.
When Qi Ming realized it was his old man, he blocked the draft with a book and crept into the corridor to answer the phone.
“Hello? What did you say?… Mom fainted unexpectedly? Okay, I’ll be right back,” Qi Ming said, his face changing. He didn’t bother bringing anything. He leaped over the wall and caught a taxi home. He’d never heard his father sound so worried in his life.
He remembered to inform Tang Miao once he was in the automobile. Otherwise, that guy would be anxious.
He finally sent this message after deleting and editing it many times—
“MiaoMiao, my mother has a fever. There is no one at home. I have to rush back and go straight to the exam tomorrow morning. You can revise at your leisure. You will definitely receive the love letter tomorrow.”
That kid will feel embarrassed when he sees the words ‘MiaoMiao’. Qi Ming hoped he didn’t cry. He couldn’t coax him from afar.
25. Wait for me…
Tang Miao called Qi Ming when he had finally finished his self-study. He was shy, but he was also concerned about Aunt Qi’s situation. With so many servants in the Qi household, how could Qi Ming be summoned at this vital juncture? It couldn’t be anything serious, could it?
Qi Ming took a long time to answer the phone.
“Hello?”
“Is Aunt okay, Qi Ming?”
“Nothing major. It’s a chronic issue. Do you want to speak with her?”
“Okay.”
Qi Ming passed the phone to his mother and listened as she advised Tang Miao to take care of his health, make more friends, and eat more. He was far too thin…
Qi Ming took the phone back and said, “…MiaoMiao.”
“Yes?” If it weren’t for Tang Miao’s surroundings being chaotic, he would have heard Qi Ming’s voice trembling.
“Nothing much, I…” Qi Ming bowed his head in embarrassment to hide his red eyes from his parents. “Wait for my return.”
“You’re acting weird… Qi Ming, you’re really not hiding anything from me?” Tang Miao had the impression that something was awry.
“How am I being strange? It’s… it’s because the candy was too sweet.” He was afraid he’d never be able to eat such a sweet candy again.
Mother Qi’s eyes grew red as he hung up the phone, and she patted his hand, saying, “Xiao Miao is such a sweet child, but it’s a shame…”
“Have you decided?” Father Qi inquired solemnly.
Qi Ming choked up and made a painful sound from his throat. His fingernails gripped the palms of his hands tightly. At this point, only pain could keep him relatively sober.
“I know that your relationship… is very good, so that’s why I recommend…” Father Qi did not, in the end, cruelly define their relationship at this time.
“I’ve considered it.” Qi Ming abruptly raised his head, then closed his red eyes again, “…I will go with you.”
26. Trust me
Tang Miao had a restless night’s sleep. He awoke shortly before five o’clock in the morning. On his phone, Qi Ming had sent a text message. There were only two words – MiaoMiao.
Tang Miao dialed Qi Ming’s number, but his phone was turned off.
His phone vibrated after he inattentively completed answering a major question. Tang Miao never imagined he’d do something so out of the ordinary one day. He not only brought his phone into the examining room, but he also set it to vibrate. Tang Miao surreptitiously took it out as it vibrated and found it was merely a short text message – Trust me.
Qi Ming clenched his teeth and broke the SIM card. He was scared that if he kept texting, he would text something he shouldn’t. He was both sorry and relieved that the love letter had not been completed.
For the first time in his life, Qi Ming hoped for the efficacy of the gods. He hoped that his MiaoMiao would get admitted to A university and be able to live the life he desired in a safe and smooth manner.
Tang Miao’s heart palpitated, and he didn’t even bother to turn in the test paper. He dashed out the front door. The teacher called him from behind, saying that there were still ten minutes to turn in the test paper, but he didn’t give a damn about it.
He received a text message from his mother just as he sat in the taxi – Xiao Miao? Mom prepared soup for you. Return at noon.
Wrong, it was too wrong. Just as Qi Ming’s mother would not call him back if she had a minor cold, it was even more impossible for his mother to call him home when she knew very well he had another test in the afternoon, just for a bowl of soup.
“Change the address, driver.”
Tang Miao noticed police cars driving towards the Qi residence as he approached it. He had a flashback to the police officer who had passed him as he exited the school gate. He felt it was to keep order in the examining room at the time, but now that he thought about it, it was not the real college entrance examination. How was it possible to have police for a mock exam?!
Tang Miao’s heart was thumping rapidly as he gritted his teeth and refused to cry. What was the point of crying at this point?
“Mom…”
“Why are you here so quickly?” Mother Tang exclaimed when she saw him. She was obviously flustered.
Tang Miao forced out a smile, “I turned in my paper ahead of time.”
Mother Tang was understandably confident about her son’s grades. “That’s fine, uh… Mom is going to check on the soup in the kitchen.” She felt a little self-conscious. In truth, she had no idea why Tang Zhan wanted their son to return home immediately.
“Is dad home?” Tang Miao asked, looking at the briefcase on the sofa.
“Yes, he is changing on the second floor.”
The phone in the briefcase rang at this point, and Tang Miao yelled, “Dad, you have a call!” and took out the phone to answer it. As a result, he noticed a scrap of paper in the briefcase.
Tang Miao’s eyes were bloodshot as he clutched the paper and examined it over and over again.
Qi Tian. It was a common name, but Tang Miao understood that it was too much of a coincidence that Qi Ming’s father bore the same name. It was most likely the man he’s called “Uncle Qi” countless times. The photo appeared to overlap with the person who patted his head the last time they met, saying, “In truth, uncle is quite open-minded.”
Tang Zhan. His father’s name was signed on the red seal in the lower right corner.
“Xiao Miao.” Tang Zhan raced downstairs, knowing it was too late.
“Is this true?” Tang Miao bit his lower lip and inquired.
“It’s true. It was given to me just this morning.”
Tang Miao knew his father had always been as good as his word, so it had to be genuine.
It was an arrest warrant.
27. For you.
Tang Miao was sitting at the dining table with his father three days later.
“Your friend…” Tang Zhan hesitated to begin.
Tang Zhan’s heart twisted in a mess as he looked at Tang Miao’s red and swollen eyes, “… did it for your own good.”
“… I know.” Tang Miao said quietly as he nodded. Just like his father summoned him home for his own good, worrying that he would act erratically if questioned by the police.
“Qi Ming is a good boy, but there are some things…” Tang Zhan was helpless. Of course, Qi Ming was innocent, but if Qi Tian fled without Qi Ming, everyone would simply question him. The stakes were too high, and involved assassinating a senior official. If Qi Ming had stayed behind, it would have just made things more difficult for him. And, if Qi Ming was having difficulties, could Tang Miao possibly relax? The Tang family would also have been implicated, given Tang Miao’s sensitive identity…
Naturally, Tang Zhan knew Qi Ming quite well. Despite the fact that the two seniors avoided meeting due to their differing positions, Qi Ming was someone he had watched grow up. How could Tang Zhan be unaware of what he’s seen in Qi Ming’s and his son’s eyes.
Tang Zhan had previously assumed that he would take it one step at a time. But when they investigated Qi Ming’s and Tang Miao’s calls and messages yesterday, he felt for the first time that Qi Ming was a man, and he also faced Qi Ming and Tang Miao’s friendship head-on for the first time.
Sometimes the best way to help each other achieve their aim was to leave.
If Qi Ming had revealed even the tiniest bit to Tang Miao that day, Tang Miao would not be able to sit at home comfortably right now.
“I’d like to return to school.” Tang Miao stood up after a few bites of the meal.
“Tang Miao.”
“I’m not going to do anything dumb. I have to take his portion of the college admission exam. Besides, Qi Ming isn’t dead, is he?”
Tang Miao later noted that he was arguably the most calm and direct guy who came out of the closet.
‘Qi Ming’ – these two words had since become taboo in the Tang family.
28. Big liar
“Drink some water.”
Tang Miao was in a trance. He looked up, but it wasn’t the person he was obsessed with. It was Qu Yao.
Qu Yao thought for a moment and said, “He wouldn’t want you to be like this.”
Tang Miao was silent. What he was doing now was not his own exercise book, but Qi Ming’s. There was a draft paper at the back, which read – To MiaoMiao: I like…
Qi Ming, you liar, you clearly promised to give me a love letter…
Tang Miao took a sip of the warm water, swallowed all the grievances, sad thoughts, joys and sorrows in his stomach, glanced at Qu Yao, and whispered, “Thank you.”
Tang Miao waited until Qu Yao left and sent a text message to his father—
Dad, I’m fine. You can work with peace of mind.
Tang Miao addressed his father as “Dad” for the first time since Qi Ming’s incident.
And Tang Zhan, who received the short message, stood in the office in a trance. His Xiao Miao had matured, but the cost was too high.
“Chief Tang?”
“Continue to look for Qi Tian’s whereabouts and alert the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as soon as he is located.”
“Yes, I will make the necessary arrangements right away.”
“… Hold on! Re-interrogate Yao Lin to see if there are any inconsistencies in his testimony.”
“Yes.”
29. Coming to an end
Class 3-1 of senior high school was unusually silent around the college entrance examination since one student was absent.
Tang Miao used to be a bright Study God, but now he had become a Study God who neglected sleep and forgot about food.
Qu Yao, who had risen to second place, sighed. She probably had no expectations she’d be the first in her life. Unless, as in the previous mock exam, Tang Miao fell off the top 100 list for the first time. Others, though, were dissatisfied. What could they be proud of in comparison to an individual who attempted one subject less in the test?
“Tang Miao, Happy Birthday!” someone exclaimed briskly three days before the college entrance exam.
“Thank you,” Tang Miao replied quickly.
Qu Yao watched Tang Miao become more and more calm, smiling but not crying, and she suddenly found herself reminiscing the former scene of one person crying endlessly and one person’s hair exploding violently.
She wished she could relive those days.
However, their senior year had come to an end.
Translator:
That was an unexpected turn of events. I hope they get back together soon. Qu Yao is such a darling! She’s almost like a witness to ShuiShui and MingMing’s love story.
My heart 😭🥺🥺
I miss that little water tank..
obv tang shuishui cant cry anymore! his water supplier is gone…
Thanks for the chapter <333
What is the point of crying if there is noone to coax him.
Poor babies😞😞😞😞. Nice story. This is my second time reading. Thanks for the translation.
Dang… in order to have more sweet aftertaste, one must first eat bitterness i guess QAQ
UNEXPECTED ANGST???? WHAT