Cynical Romantics - Chapter 25 I Like You
The next day was the celebration of Song Jinyi and Song Jun’s birthday. During the week, the twins had already celebrated with their friends after school, and today was their celebration with the family.
Since their parent’s weren’t home, they decided to celebrate amongst their small group.
Qian Meigui barely slept when she woke up early to cook an breakfast, as well as a cake for the twins.
Qian Mei felt that cooking would keep her mind occupied from thinking about the night before, with Song Sheng in her room. She did not know what to do the next time she would see him. They kissed, and although she enjoyed it, there was some regret lingering on her heart. The look of horror on his face never left her mind.
Qian Meigui spent an hour baking a cake in the oven, while she used the stove to cook up a breakfast. She also brewed coffee and cut up some fruit.
It was 10 A.M, when Song Ren entered the kitchen. Qian Mei was stunned when she noticed that her sister left the master bedroom of the first floor, instead of her own room from the second level. She was also wearing nothing but a red long men’s shirt over her underwear.
She appeared to be dazed, when she yawned and greeted Qian Mei a ‘hello,’ before pouring two cups of coffee. Qian Mei paused her stirring of fried eggs, before she lifted a brow.
Song Ren poured milk and sugar in one of the cups and took a sip of black coffee from the other before she glanced at Qian Mei who looked at her like she was guilty of something. Song Ren furrowed her brows before she glanced at herself and realized what she was wearing.
Feeling flushed, she grabbed the two cups of coffee and said, “We’ll talk about this later,” as she scurried back into the room.
Qian Meigui smiled before she continued to prepare the meals by the sink. When she turned around, she was startled by Song Sheng when suddenly appeared, already seated and reading over some papers written by his student’s. He did not glance at her, and her heart stirred erratically, trying to figure out her next move.
She placed food on the kitchen table, pretending nothing happened. The air was then filled with awkward silence and unspoken thoughts.
Qian Mei sat down on the table as she began to eat, without waiting for the twins, knowing they would not be up until noon.
As she ate, she occasionally glanced up at Song Sheng who maintained focused as he read his student’s papers. When he was done, he grabbed an empty plate and began placing the food Qian Mei made. He then poured himself a cup of black coffee, and placed sugar cubes in them. He drank and ate, without speaking a word.
Qian Meigui felt uncomfortable and wished that the twins would wake soon, or hoped that Song Ren would come into the kitchen again, although it seemed hopeless if she reconciled with Su Feng.
Qian Mei was battling with herself in her mind. Trying to compose a scenario that might lighten the burden between them.
“Song Sheng?” she called out.
Without looking up, he grunted, “Hm?”
“If you furrow your brows that intensely while reading, you will get wrinkles,” she said.
Song Sheng shot her a cold glance. The air felt frosty, for a day of fall. He stared at her, as if he was peering through her. She bit her lower lip in fear and felt the chill coming from his formidable ambience.
His cold glance slowly began to dissipate into a slight smile.
Song Sheng picked up his cup of coffee, “You’re the one to talk, if you keep eating sweets, then I’m going to call you toothless, because eventually you’ll lose your teeth,” he said before taking a sip and glancing all the desserts she made.
“I made those for everyone!” she said angrily.
Song Sheng chuckled, “Do you not steal some of Ren’s stash when she’s not looking?” He asked.
“How did you know?” she exclaimed.
“Because she always thinks it’s Jinyi, and then I take the blame because even though it’s a Jinyi thing to do, she would not take Ren’s chocolates. Jinyi has her own stash.”
Qian Mei pouted in defeat.
It was Song Sheng that stopped what they were doing the night before and she was afraid that their encounters would be awkward. But Song Sheng always knew how to make her feel at ease.
At that, Song Jinyi and Song Jun both rubbed their eyes dazed from waking, and entered the room.
“You guys are so noisy,” said Jinyi with annoyance.
Song Sheng and Qian Mei locked eyes, and chuckled.
Soon after, Song Ren and Su Feng joined the table, fully dressed and ate a round of late breakfastbrunch as they say.
They then ate the strawberry cake, Qian Mei made.
In the early afternoon, they all went to visit local shops that sold souvenirs for tourists. They also went to see a better view of the lake where there was more activities to do.
Song Ren and Su Feng kept falling behind because Song Ren was excited about visiting the shops and Su Feng would stand behind her and watch over her affectionately. Qian Mei did not want to press on them to hurry up, so she let them be.
Song Jinyi and Song Jun would participate in activities, playing games and talking to the locals.
Qian Mei walked next to Song Sheng in silence. She occasionally glanced at Song Sheng and he towered next to her, viewing straight ahead. She still felt uneasy. She understood her feelings for him, and although they shared a kiss, he had pretended nothing happened.
Qian Mei walked next to him absent-mindedly, without realizing where she was going. They then reached a trail that took them to a nice view of the lake.
He then said suddenly, “Take off your shoes,” he said toneless.
“What?” she asked.
“Take off your shoes, we are going to walk along the lake.”
Song Sheng began taking off his shoes and socks and placed it on the side. They were alone, while other tourists were further away.
Qian Mei took off her shoes quickly before plunging her feet into the cold water. They stood over rocks that were slippery with green moss.
Qian Mei walked slowly fearing she would fall. When she stepped onto another boulder, she slipped before grabbing onto Song Sheng.
Song Sheng grabbed her tightly, and slowly raised her up.
They locked eyes for a moment, before they turned their faces away.
They then continued to walk along the path, until they were further away from people and they found a small cascade that poured into a river.
The view was beautiful as the cascade spilled water harshlybecoming white. The river looked calm whereas the cascade was fierce. The green scenery surrounding the river looked beautiful, as ducks flew across the lake, skidding their webbed feet on the surface of the water.
They found a spot to sit down on the grass and they abandoned their shoes over at the river entrance. They then sat in silence, viewing the scenery.
She crossed her arms over her knees, in deep thought. She felt conscious with him sitting next to her. She remembered that when he helped her transition in the family, he never left her side. He encouraged her to do well in her studies, and he was there for her when she thought of her parent’s.
“Xiao Mei,” he called out to her.
She glanced at him slightly before she said, “Yes?”
“Who taught you to play the Violin?” he asked curiously.
She smiled sadly, “My mother. She knew how to play, as well as the piano, flute and guitar and many others I have forgotten. She was a musical prodigy.”
“I dedicated myself to the Violin. I played several other instruments before, but I was more in love with the sound of the Violin.”
“You are talented,” he said.
“I am not as good as my mother,” she replied feeling dejected.
It was silent again, when she felt him ruffling her hair, as he also lay back lazily.
The large trees shadowed them, and although it was shady, Song Sheng managed to look handsome under any lighting. His Jet-black hair spilled over his closed eyes, feeling the breeze as it glided over some strands.
Qian Mei stared at him in a daze. Her eyes lingered over to his soft lips, the ones that kissed her desperately the night before. She wondered how he felt, even though he was the one that stopped them before it progressed.
“Why are you staring so hard?” he asked with his eyes still closed.
Qian Meigui looked away quickly and blushed.
“I wasn’t,” she said.
Raising a brow and opening his eyes, he called out, “Xiao Mei,”
She turned to him without answering, and waited for him to say something.
“Let’s pretend that nothing happened,” he said seriously.
Qian Meigui stilled. She clenched her fists tightly before saying, “No, I won’t pretend anymore, you must know that” before she finished her sentence, Song Sheng sat up and covered her mouth.
He gazed into her eyes with a heavy look in his. “Stop, don’t say anymore,” he said.
She opened her mouth and bit his hands, trying to let go of his grip. He cringed slightly in pain, but his hands did not bulge.
She then licked his hands slowly, and after a few moments, she began kissing his palms gently. He then quickly moved his hands away.
He stood up and began to walk back. Qian Mei reacted by standing up and jumping onto him. They then suddenly fell flat on the ground.
She was on top of him, and she gazed into his eyes, as hers glistened with tears.
Song Sheng felt helpless and held onto her shoulders tightly. Qian Mei leaned into his chest, and she whispered in his ears, “I like you.” The way she repeated in her mind whenever she saw him.
Song Sheng stilled. He did not expect that the girl that was always worried about him, that stayed up late nights with him and always made sure he was all right, would confess to him. He already suspected, but he did not want to believe it.
What could he do? His father made it clear they had to be apart. Not for his own sake, but for hers as well. He would not make her happy and she loved the others like they were her real family. He would only ruin that image for her. The image he vowed to protect and that was to provide her a family that would be there for her like if they were blood related.
