Female Consort Modern Chapter 4

Qiu Che saw Li Qingwu leave.

But soon, as the crowd inside the shop thinned noticeably, Qiu Che noticed a brand-new takeout box placed in front of her.

She looked up and just caught sight of Li Qingwu standing at the counter, her smile gentle and light as she said, “Haven’t eaten yet, have you, Teacher Qiu?”

Qiu Che fell silent for a moment. The slight gloom that had been weighing on her suddenly lifted quite a bit.

“You made this?”

Li Qingwu gave her a somewhat puzzled look.

“What are you thinking? I don’t cook. This is from the restaurant just to the left as you go out, the famous pork knuckle rice.”

“I’ve heard it’s really good, but I’ve never tried it myself. Please, you eat first. Now that it’s quieter, hurry up and eat.”

Qiu Che: .

Well, it’s the thought that counts. She wouldn’t be picky.

Just then, a burly new employee sidled over, sniffing the aroma with mouth watering: “Sister Qiu, is she your little sister? So delicious... ah no, I mean, she’s so pretty.”

Qiu Che was about to reply when Li Qingwu smiled again and pulled out another bag of food boxes, saying, “Thanks, I knew you probably hadn’t eaten either. This one’s for you.”

Qiu Che: ...

Okay then, it’s not just one box.

The young employee was instantly touched, tears nearly welling up: “Sis, you’re so kind! What’s your name? Oh, my last name’s Wang. Next time you come for coffee, it’s on me...”

“Is the coffee for table 178 ready?” Qiu Che interrupted unexpectedly, cutting off the rambling.

The employee blinked, “Oh, not yet.”

“Then eat quickly.”

The young employee knew whose favor they were relying on to get this meal and hurriedly said, “Got it, got it!”

After Li Qingwu and the others left, she smiled at Qiu Che and teased, “What’s wrong? Teacher Qiu, are you jealous that I brought food for someone else?”

Qiu Che glanced reflexively behind her.

Yao Tai was still sitting there, quietly eating, completely unaware Li Qingwu had returned.

She pressed her tongue against the roof of her mouth, saying nothing.

Li Qingwu could bring food to whoever she wanted, it was none of her business.

But Li Qingwu leaned closer, voice light and playful as she whispered, “Don’t worry, Teacher Qiu, you’re my favorite. I added an extra big chicken drumstick just for you, eat up.”

Qiu Che: “...”

Li Qingwu stayed in the café sketching until dusk, then packed up and waited outside, surprisingly conscientious, 

Which made Qiu Che imagine her standing in the classroom, giving a public lecture.

“Do you always get off work this late?”

Qiu Che had already changed into her casual clothes, walking just ahead of Li Qingwu.

She replied, “Yeah, the shop is busy, but sometimes we get holidays during festivals.”

“That sounds so tough,” Li Qingwu said softly. “You’re a university professor now. Why do you still have to work a part-time job?”

A typical professor earns at least five or six thousand a month, especially someone young and well-known like Qiu Che.

Why would she need to work extra jobs?

“No money.”

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have agreed to tutor at Mrs. Xu’s request despite her busy schedule.

Li Qingwu asked gently, “Is your family having difficulties?”

Her question was tactful, but Qiu Che glanced at her with a flat tone: “Yeah, sort of. My cheap dad owes debts out there, I’m helping him pay it off.”

Li Qingwu didn’t know whether Qiu Che was joking or serious.

If it was true, how could she seem so calm?

She teased, “Then why don’t you consider letting me support you? I’m not short of money.”

Qiu Che said, “I’m afraid you’d lose your fortune and end up begging on the streets with me.”

Now she was joking back.

Li Qingwu took that as a good sign, Qiu Che was actually comfortable with her, or else she wouldn’t be so relaxed.

They walked for a while and arrived at the taxi stand.

Suddenly, Qiu Che asked, “That girl, your friend?”

Li Qingwu was a little slow to catch on. “Yeah, why?”

Qiu Che said nothing.

She thought she must be crazy, or why else would she have, for a moment, wanted Li Qingwu to keep her distance from that girl?

Never mind that they weren’t even a couple yet, Qiu Che had no right to interfere in her friendships. Even if something were going on, she couldn’t control who Li Qingwu chose to befriend.

She felt irritated.

She had always known what kind of person she was, because of her childhood, she had a somewhat unhealthy need for control over those around her. It was tolerable with friends and family, but when it came to “lovers,” she couldn’t give an inch and was fiercely possessive.

She knew it wasn’t a good habit and had always restrained herself. That was why in all these years, she hadn’t even dated once, afraid she’d end up holding someone back.

Her controlling nature was somewhat eased by her work as a teacher.

But now, seeing Li Qingwu frequently in front of her again, she felt that old feeling creeping back.

On the bus as it pulled away, Qiu Che calmly watched Li Qingwu waving goodbye, then lowered her head, hiding the expression behind her golden-rimmed glasses.

She slightly regretted letting Li Qingwu get close to her.

After that day, Qiu Che hadn’t seen the other girl for a long time.

When she asked at the university, all she got was that Li Qingwu had been feeling unwell recently and was on sick leave.

Messages of concern sent by Li Qingwu all went unanswered.

On October 2nd, during the National Day holiday, Li Qingwu’s high school classmates organized a reunion near J University. Everyone had specifically invited Li Qingwu, the class beauty back then.

She’d gotten along well with everyone in her teens and couldn’t refuse, so she went.

Inside the bar, wild dancing and flashing colored lights swirled overhead.

Most people were playing drinking games, the atmosphere heated, but Li Qingwu held her glass and walked alone to the bar.

She smiled politely at everyone’s attention but seemed distracted, sipping her drink little by little.

Her phone in her pocket suddenly buzzed. She immediately pulled it out and glanced at the screen.

After days of silence, Qiu Che had replied to her string of messages with just one sentence: Where are you?

Li Qingwu’s eyes lit up.

Actually, she was a bit upset, after all, Qiu Che hadn’t responded to her for so many days.

But what if something had happened?

Following her heart, Li Qingwu quickly replied: At xx bar.

She was about to ask more when someone well-known in their class, a guy who had openly pursued her back in high school, came over and sat beside her.

“Qingwu, what’s wrong? Ever since you came in, you’ve been staring at your phone. Are you feeling unwell?”

He used to look decent in high school, but now his face was covered in acne scars, his hair thinning early, and he was as skinny as a stick.

Who knows where he got the nerve to still try talking to Li Qingwu.

Li Qingwu wasn’t shallow, but this guy had a history. Once, in front of a crowd, he had read her a love letter, pressuring her to agree or else he’d tell her family she was already dating someone.

If her damn father hadn’t died back then, and if her stepmother, Mrs. Xu, hadn’t taken charge and firmly declared there was no way Li Qingwu was involved in any romance, demanding an apology and forcing the guy to transfer schools, Li Qingwu might have been drowned in gossip and slander.

She never expected someone had invited him to this reunion.

As soon as he approached, Li Qingwu’s expression immediately grew cold.

She put away her phone and said, “Thanks for your concern, but this doesn’t concern you.”

The man’s face shifted slightly, but he held back, raising his glass in a toast.

“...We’re classmates after all. Don’t be so unfriendly. I heard you’re doing your master’s degree now?”

Li Qingwu glanced around; there were no open seats nearby, so she reluctantly stopped herself from leaving the bar counter.

“...Yeah.”

“Oh, come on. College is enough for a woman. Why bother with a master’s? Careful you don’t end up unmarried. I heard you still don’t have a boyfriend. What about me?”

Trying hard not to gag at his acne-covered face, Li Qingwu replied coldly, “You’re not my type, better keep your distance. You disgust me.”

The man got angry. “Why won’t you drink the toast? Women like you are just too domineering, that’s why you’re still single. I’m just trying to be nice. I’m poor, sure, but I don’t look down on you. You know I’ve always liked you. If you’re with me, you won’t lose out…”

He reached out to grab her.

Li Qingwu sprang up suddenly, but before she could react further, a figure flashed past like the wind and grabbed her wrist.

Startled, she saw the newcomer lift a leg and kick the man hard.

The kick was precise and swift. The man let out a painful howl, unable to speak.

Outside, rain was falling. Qiu Che’s trench coat was soaked, rainwater flicking off as she lifted her leg, tracing a graceful arc in the air before falling to the ground.

Her face was a little paler than usual, her expression cold and sharp.

“She told you to get lost. Can’t you hear her?”

As the bar descended into chaos, Qiu Che took Li Qingwu by the hand and led her straight through the crowd to the exit.

As soon as they stepped outside, both stopped and spoke at once.

Qiu Che: “Are you okay?”

Li Qingwu: “Why did you suddenly come here?”

They both fell silent for a moment. Li Qingwu finally said, “I’m fine. I’m more worried about him inside.”

Qiu Che was so poor, what if the guy needed medical expenses?

Qiu Che seemed almost amused, tugging at the corner of her mouth but not quite smiling.

“You’re worried about him... I only kicked him once. It hurts, but nothing serious. You better explain why you’re here alone.”

Li Qingwu frowned, rare anger flashing.

“I should be asking you, why haven’t you replied to my messages these past few days?”

Qiu Che looked at her, tone a little complicated.

“Isn’t it normal for the one being chased to ignore the pursuer?”

Li Qingwu froze.

She bit her lip, clenched her fists tightly, then relaxed them, no comeback came to mind.

Soon, Qiu Che released her hand and leaned slightly against the wall.

Rain drifted softly by the bar’s entrance, just a few drops landing on Li Qingwu’s shoulder, but her chest inexplicably felt cold.

Then, Qiu Che’s faint, chilly smile faded as she looked down and said quietly, “I’m sorry.”

Li Qingwu froze again.

What was going on?

Qiu Che said, “I regretted it, that’s why I didn’t reply.”

Li Qingwu glanced at her shoulder, noticing a slight tremor.

Looking closer... there was a bit of blood.

Her black coat hid it well, but it was definitely there.

Her expression changed drastically.

“What’s this? What happened... why are you hurt?”

Qiu Che grabbed Li Qingwu’s hand again as she reached to check her shoulder.

She smiled bitterly.

“It’s nothing serious. My useless dad gambled away everything and ran off, selling me to loan sharks. I fought my way out but got cut by a glass bottle on my shoulder.”

Li Qingwu paled.

“That’s nothing serious? Come with me to the hospital now!”

“Wait,” Qiu Che said slowly.

“As you can see, I’m a person without a home now.”

“If the lawsuit doesn’t go well, I might even have to pay off my dad’s debts.”

“Are you sure you still want to chase after me?”

Li Qingwu thought for a moment.

She shook her head.

Qiu Che’s body stiffened.

Her already pale face drained even more.

Though prepared, hearing that answer still brought an ache to her heart.

No one would choose her.

It was as simple as no one choosing a mature, unpredictable wolf.

Especially since she had nothing left.

But Li Qingwu didn’t walk away.

She stood in front of Qiu Che, looking at her seriously.

“I’ve made up my mind. I won’t chase you.”

“I’m going to take care of you instead.”