Three People at Home

“My place is quieter and doesn’t cost money.”

Su Cheng glanced down at her canvas shoes and subconsciously retorted.

“Then let’s go to your place.”

Upon hearing Li Guanqi suggest going to her home, Su Cheng looked up at her.

They stared at each other, neither speaking nor changing their expressions. Eventually, Su Cheng nodded, and the two walked toward the bus stop.

When boarding the bus, they got on one after the other. Su Cheng swiped her card twice but was stopped by the bus driver.

“Young man, why did you accidentally swipe your card twice? We don’t do refunds. I suggest you collect a dollar from the next passenger.”

The driver kindly reminded her.

Su Cheng had no choice but to take Li Guanqi’s hand, but the driver’s eyes widened as he stared at Li Guanqi.

“How did you suddenly appear, little girl?”

He rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

Li Guanqi: “…”

Su Cheng: “…”

The two of them stared at him with blank expressions, making the driver feel a chill run down his spine.

He felt like he was seeing ghosts in broad daylight, and his lips began to tremble.

“It’s a ghost!!”

“I just noticed this girl appeared out of thin air!”

“Yes, I clearly remember only one person getting on at first!”

A few passengers exclaimed, some even climbing onto their seats.

Su Cheng and Li Guanqi exchanged glances and silently got off the bus. The driver hurriedly closed the doors and sped away.

As they watched the bus disappear in the distance, their expressions remained unchanged, but their hearts were in turmoil.

“I’m sorry.”

Li Guanqi lowered his head and said softly, his tone filled with self-blame.

This was her first time using public transportation, and this situation was beyond her expectations.

Su Cheng didn’t say anything, her face expressionless, but she reached out and took Li Guanqi’s hand for the first time, speaking calmly: “It’s okay, we can just wait for the next bus.”

Their palms met, fingers intertwined, and a warm current spread through her body.

She looked up at Su Cheng and nodded, and the two stood silently, not speaking.

Soon, another bus arrived. They held hands and boarded, swiping their cards twice, but this time, they received no response and simply walked to their seats.

Li Guanqi’s hand remained in Su Cheng’s.

Su Cheng didn’t let go. She turned her head to look at Li Guanqi, just in time to meet her gaze, and Su Cheng instinctively looked out the window.

They rode in silence, holding hands, until they reached the station near Su Cheng’s apartment complex.

Though they didn’t speak, Li Guanqi carefully observed and memorized every route and landmark, so she could find her way to Su Cheng’s place more easily in the future.

They entered the stairwell, and Su Cheng unlocked the door with her key. After opening it, they stepped inside.

“Excuse me.”

Li Guanqi politely said.

Su Cheng took out a new pair of slippers from the cabinet and placed them in front of Li Guanqi.

Li Guanqi first noted that the cabinet was where shoes were stored. She thanked Su Cheng and put on the slippers.

As she did, she noticed another pair of slippers in the cabinet, clearly for a woman, and a few small insects were on them, which made her frown.

But she didn’t think much of it and followed Su Cheng after a glance.

Su Cheng went to the refrigerator and asked, “Why don’t you sit down and rest for a bit? What would you like to drink?”

“Just a cup of hot water, please.”

Li Guanqi stood by the sofa.

“Alright, sit down, and I’ll boil some water.”

Su Cheng said and started to busy herself.

Li Guanqi sat on the sofa, observing the home. The decor was simple, with only the essentials, nothing extra.

The style was similar to hers.

“How about we eat at my place for lunch today?”

Su Cheng placed a cup of hot water in front of her and continued, “If you don’t mind, I’ll go buy some groceries.”

Li Guanqi shook her head and stood up: “I’ll come with you. It’s only right that I pay for this meal.”

“No need, it’s just an extra set of chopsticks. It’s fine.”

Su Cheng said and was about to head out the door. Li Guanqi didn’t insist further and looked toward the kitchen: “Is there anything I can help with?”

“No, just sit and rest for a while.”

Su Cheng refused and then closed the door, leaving.

Li Guanqi sat on the sofa, watching Su Cheng’s retreating figure. A few seconds later, she stood up and walked to the shoe cabinet, taking out the pair of women’s slippers.

She noticed a milk-like stain on them, which made her frown.

If left unattended, it would likely attract more insects in a few days.

So she took the slippers to the bathroom, where there was a brush and laundry detergent.

She began to carefully wash the slippers. Since it was a semi-dry wash, she soon finished and hung them to dry on the balcony.

“Knock knock knock~”

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.

………………………………………

Su Cheng was currently at the fresh produce market, selecting ingredients.

Since she had lunch and dinner plans with others, she needed to buy more and better quality ingredients.

She bought a variety of vegetables and then went to the butcher’s, purchasing a lot of meat. After paying, she left the shop and began to think about her time management on the way home.

She decided to review with Li Guanqi for three hours after lunch and then see her off.

Next, she would invite Cornelia over for dinner and finally earn an A-grade reward.

Today's schedule was very fulfilling!

Su Cheng couldn’t help but think.

But when she saw the scene on the living room sofa, she was momentarily stunned.

Li Guanqi and Cornelia were sitting together on the sofa. As soon as she entered, Cornelia immediately stood up, her face filled with extreme displeasure.

“Su Cheng, weren’t you inviting me to lunch? Who is this woman?!”

Cornelia puffed out her cheeks and glared at Su Cheng, demanding an explanation.

But the next second, she froze. She noticed that Su Cheng was wearing glasses and had an unusually cold expression.

This made her shrink back, thinking Su Cheng was angry, and she sat down again.

Su Cheng’s face didn’t change, but her mind was in complete confusion. She couldn’t figure out how Cornelia had ended up here.

Meanwhile, Li Guanqi remained calm and collected. She stood up and walked over to Su Cheng, taking the groceries from her hands and explained, “I heard a knock and opened the door, and then your friend arrived.”

“I see.”

Su Cheng handed the groceries to her, and Li Guanqi headed straight to the kitchen, giving the two some space to talk.

“I messaged you again.”

Su Cheng looked at Cornelia, her face still cold, but she was thinking hard.

After thinking, she figured out why Cornelia was here. The only possibility was that Cornelia hadn’t seen the message.

Yes, the problem was on her end. She had suddenly changed her plans.

“I… I see.”

Seeing Su Cheng’s serious expression, Cornelia, already feeling guilty, didn’t dare to meet her eyes and instead played with her fingers like a child.

“She’s my classmate. She’s here to study together.”

Su Cheng explained.

Hearing this, Cornelia immediately looked up at Su Cheng: “Even if she’s a classmate, she’s still a girl! A girl alone at a boy’s house is just not right!!”

She said and then met Su Cheng’s cold, serious face again. She shrank back once more, burying her face in her chest.

Hearing this, Su Cheng was a bit speechless.

Because Cornelia had essentially disowned her own gender.

It was as if she wasn’t a girl herself.

Didn’t she often come to his place alone?