Misaligned Love - Chapter 9

For the next two days, Xiao Huai didn’t leave his house. Even Chen Wu was turned away at the door.

Xiao Huai’s mother came to ask me about his situation again, and I gave her Chen Qi’s phone number, saying, “This is your son’s girlfriend.”

Half an hour later, there was a knock on my door. I opened it to find Xiao Huai standing there, his face dark, holding up his phone to question me, “Why did you give my mom Chen Qi’s number?”

I calmly replied, “I just directed her to the person she should be looking for.”

Xiao Huai’s throat moved slightly.

…

After that night, Jiang Lin asked me if Xiao Huai had done anything to me after he left.

I said, “He wouldn’t do anything. He’s just a bit worried about me. After all, we grew up together, so I’m like half a sister to him.”

Jiang Lin asked, “Do you really believe he only sees you as a sister?”

I fell silent. But if not, then what have all these years meant for me?

“You live so close to him, I’m not very comfortable with it,” Jiang Lin said bluntly. “The house next to mine belongs to a friend of mine and has been vacant for some time. They’re looking for a tenant.”

He continued, “The rent would be much cheaper than where you’re living now. If you’re interested, would you consider it?”

A year ago, another girl was pursuing Xiao Huai. She found out where he lived and tried everything to snatch the apartment opposite his from me. At the time, the contract hadn’t been signed yet, and for Xiao Huai’s sake, I gritted my teeth and agreed to the landlord’s demand for a 20% rent increase.

Later, that girl didn’t give up and harassed me several times, mocking me by saying Xiao Huai would never like me and that I shouldn’t occupy a spot without doing anything.

I thought for a moment and sent a message: Do you still want the apartment? I’m planning to sublet it.

The other side was surprised: Really? Didn’t you say you’d rather die than leave that apartment?

No wonder she was shocked. Back then, I was so broke I couldn’t even afford new underwear and never thought about moving to a cheaper place.

As I typed on the computer, I replied via voice message, “Really, this place is small and expensive. I want a change of environment.”

She hesitated for a long time before agreeing, “Just don’t regret it!”

“But I have to tell you, Xiao Huai already has a girlfriend. If you’re moving in for him, it might not mean much.”

“Who said I was going to live alone?” She chuckled, “I know the girlfriend of Xiao Huai you mentioned.”

I was stunned for a moment, then realized something.

Was it Chen Qi who wanted to move in?

The next day, Xiao Huai knocked on my door again. I had to admit, he had been seeking me out more frequently lately than in an entire month before.

When the door opened, his expression was dark and brooding, as if he wanted to say something. But then he saw the packed luggage inside my apartment and paused, “You’re moving out?”

I nodded.

Xiao Huai didn’t speak for a long time. I turned around, intending to continue packing, but in the next moment, my hand was grabbed.

“Where are you moving to?” His voice was low, “Jiang Lin’s?”

I took a deep breath, “That’s none of your business, is it?”

Xiao Huai almost crushed my wrist, his tone chilling, “Yao Jin, do you know what it means to live with a man?”

I winced in pain, “I’m already twenty-four. I can take responsibility for myself.”