IRWTBWY Chapter 4.2

 

Translator: Coral
Editor: Alam
Proofreader: Diya

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The door to the closet was wide open, and clothes were spread all over the bed. 

Qi Nian was frowning while trying on various pieces of clothing. 

However, all were either lacking in color or out of style. 

Why was there always something missing from a woman's closet? It didn’t matter what she usually wore, yet somehow, everything seemed inappropriate now.

Most of Qi Nian’s clothes were kept in her apartment, and she didn’t have many articles in her family home. 

Most of the time, she would only bring home a few clothes from her apartment, even if it was for the weekend or a holiday...

But due to the fact that Ji Yanxin had taken her home personally, it meant that she wasn’t able to bring anything back.

Oh no…

She seemed to have forgotten something!

Qi Nian was confused and foraged around the bed. 

During class on Friday, in addition to her notebook, she also brought a bag, which held her keys, wallets, and the likes.

But…the bag!

Qi Nian tried racking her brain.

When she was at Ji Yanxin’s office, she still had it. So it must have been left in his car when he had given her a ride. 

Ten minutes later, Qi Nian was stretching her toes and drawing circles on the floor tiles of the balcony. The phone in her ear was busily beeping, waiting to be connected.

The wind on the balcony was a bit strong, but it helped calm down Qi Nian. 

Ever since she realized she left her bag with Ji Yanxin, dizziness overwhelmed her. 

After ringing for a while, the phone was finally picked up. 

Qi Nian’s heart was beating fast, anticipating his deep voice from the other end. 

“Hello?” A crisp female voice rang out, “Who are you looking for?”

The warmth of Qi Nain’s heart chilled. The chilly wind finally got to her and felt as if someone had suddenly poured cold water on her.

“Hello?” The voice from the other end asked in confusion, “Are you there? Who are you looking for?”

“Hello, I’m looking for Professor Ji.” Although Qi Nian spoke, her voice lacked confidence. 

“Oh, wait a minute.” The female voice paused, and she could hear the sound of slippers walking on floorboards. 

Qi Nain’s breathing gradually tightened with every footstep.

Eventually, a groggy male voice sounded as if the owner had just woken up asked, “Who is it?”

The female voice replied, “Don’t know.”

After a brief silence, Ji Yanxin’s voice became clear, “Hello? I am Ji Yanxin.”

“Um…” Her hand on the phone tightened, “Mr. Ji, I am Qi Nain.”

“Qi Bao.” He stood up and walked to a different place to talk with her.

Qi Nian was at a loss. Just when she was about to hang up, he seemed to have settled down. “Qi Nian?”

Qi Nian was thankful he had heard her. If not, she would have hung up out of embarrassment in order to avoid saying her name again. 

Sullenly, Qi Nian asked, “Professor Ji, it seems like I left my bag with you.”

Ji Yanxin glanced at Qi Bao, who was next to the wall. Qi Nian’s bag was being bitten, and he pinched his nose in a headache. 

“Well, it’s here.”

“Oh...”

“Qi Nian.” He said a bit helplessly, “Is there dog food in there again?”

“Uh,” she replied, somewhat confused, “What dog food?”

Ji Yanxin opened the curtains to look out at the bustling street. In an apologetic tone, he said, “I guess there isn’t any then.”

Qi Nian finally understood his meaning. Surprised, she asked, “Qi Bao…again...he…”

“Sorry, I-”

“Wait!” Rubbing her nose, frozen by the wind, “Teacher Ji...don’t punish Qi Bao, alright?”

Hanging up the phone, Qi Nian held it close to her chest. 

After a long time, she laughed out loud. Running back into her room, she flopped onto her bed and rolled around a few times. 

Ji Yanxin looked at the unfamiliar number for a long time before dropping his phone onto his desk as the screen turned dark. 

Qi Bao, who was lying on the ground, immediately sat up straight. Hanging his head down, he seemed as if he was seriously reflecting his actions. 

Ji Qiu, who was eavesdropping outside of the door, couldn’t help herself. Sticking her head into his room, she cast her gaze at Ji Yanxin, who was standing by the window. She smiled ambiguously, “I heard it. It was a woman’s voice.”

Ji Yanxin glanced at her, “Come in.”

There was no emotion in his voice. Ji Qiu’s expression fell, and she walked in obediently. 

Qi Bao flicked his tail to silently express his welcome. 

After Ji Yanxin sat back down, he tapped his fingers on the desk twice. Seeing Ji Qiu’s head down, he asked, “Did you finish your homework?”

Ji Qiu nodded, handing the homework over to him, “I finished it all, and I’m just waiting for you to go over it. 

Ji Qiu was the daughter of Ji Yanxin’s uncle and was the only daughter within their family.

Due to family reasons, Ji Qiu has always been with Ji Yanxin and his family since she was a child. From elementary school to her current status as a grade 11 student, she had never stepped out of Z city. 

Ever since Ji Yanxin had returned to China, Senior Ji had sent Ji Qiu to him on Friday, as it was more convenient at his house for her to attend her Saturday tutoring lessons. 

According to Senior Ji, “This girl has been spoiled by my side – only you can hold her down. Teach her well, she must pass her exams and go to college.”

Watching Ji Yanxin’s expression, Ji Qiu didn’t speak, but her brows furrowed. Her heart started pounding fast, “Did I make a lot of mistakes?”

Ji Yanxin marked an area where she made a mistake, handed it back to her, and said, “Edit it yourself first. If you don’t understand, come back and ask me later.”

“Oh.” Turning to look at Qi Bao, she asked with a pitiful look, “How long will Qi Bao’s punishment last?”

Ji Yanxin looked at Qi Bao, and while picking a book, he replied, “It’s still too early.”

Looking at Qi Bao sympathetically and at the chewed-up bag, she pleaded in a begging tone, “Qi Bao has always been sensible. Since this is his first time-”

“It’s not the first time.” 

“So there was a first time...” Ji Qiu murmured. She rolled her eyes and questioned in a sly voice, “So was that the victim just now?”

Ji Yanxin’s patience was exhausted. Glancing at her, he responded, “Do you want to be punished too?”

Ji Qiu quickly shook her head. “I’m going to head out first.”

“Wait.” Ji Yanxin put the cap back on the pen. “Someone will come by in the morning. When it’s time, go to your tutoring session.”

Ji Qiu nodded her head obediently, indicating that she understood. 

“Also,” Ji Yanxin slowly said, “I won’t be here for the next half of the month. I'll be going abroad.”

Ji Qiu pointed at Qi Bao, “What about Qi Bao? Are you going to let grandpa take care of him?”

Although Senior Ji didn’t like animals with long fur, he was more amiable towards cute and clingy pets. 

“Don’t worry about it.”

~~~

Qi Nian eventually fell off the bed after rolling around for a while. Clutching the sheets, she crawled back up. 

The shock of having to go over to Ji Yanxin’s house tomorrow had finally died down. 

Suddenly, she sat up abruptly. 

Wait a second!

Who was the girl that answered the phone?

~~~

Ji Yanxin’s home was a few subway stops away from her own. 

Qi Nian woke up early and bought breakfast along the way. 

His address was texted to her last night. Qi Nian got off the subway and arrived without any problems.  

Standing in front of his door, Qi Nian still couldn’t believe she was about to enter his house. 

Out of excitement, Qi Nian stood still in the corridor for a while. Eventually, after mustering up enough courage, she finally rang the doorbell.

It was Ji Qiu who opened the door. She had woken up late and was still brushing her teeth. When she heard the doorbell rang, she rushed to open it with her toothbrush still in her mouth. 

When the door opened, Ji Qiu saw it was a girl standing outside, and greeted her enthusiastically, “Hello!”

Qi Nian looked at the house number and hesitantly asked, “Hello…uh, excuse me, is this Professor Ji’s house?

Before Ji Qiu could nod, a furry head squeezed from between her feet. 

Qi Bao came out from Ji Qiu’s feet. Giving a grin, he circled Qi Nian happily. 

Qi Nian, who was initially frightened by Qi Bao at the parking lot, now gave her hand for him to sniff. 

Confirming Qi Nian’s familiar scent, Qi Bao licked her ankle as his tail wagged like a fan. 

His breathing became louder, and he enthusiastically extended his paw and patted Qi Nian’s calf. 

Ji Qiu couldn’t contain the foam from her mouth, hurrying back to the bathroom after greeting Qi Nian.

Ji Qiu came out after she finished, “My brother seems to still be in his study, I’ll go call him.” [t/n: They are cousins, but in Asian countries, they tend to refer to their cousins as sisters/brothers to be more close.]

Qi Nian nodded, and as she sat down she realized...

Brother?

She was Ji Yanxin’s younger sister? 

Before she could compose herself, she heard the innocent voice of his sister say, “Brother, your girlfriend is here.”

Qi Nian could not sit still at all. Getting up from the sofa, she looked behind her. 

Ji Yanxin stood a few steps away. His hair was wet from a shower and was wearing casual clothes. 

Startled by Ji Qiu’s words, he looked up. 

The light shining from behind him darkened his eyes. 

Qi Nian was growing hot under Ji Yanxin’s gaze. She couldn’t help but look away, pretending to look out the window. 

“She’s not my girlfriend.” He patted Ji Qiu’s head and casually warned, “Don’t speak nonsense.”

Ji Qiu quivered at his voice, nodding obediently.

‘Who are you lying to, Qi Bao clearly took the bag from your car and you say she isn’t your girlfriend? If she isn’t then she’s about to be!’

But she couldn’t say that to his face. She looked back at Qi Nian, pointing to her room, “Then I’ll go back to my room first.”

Ji Yanxin nodded, walking into the living room.

Upon seeing this, Ji Qiu, who was about to close her door, smiled and beckoned at Qi Nian. 

Qi Nian was amused and laughed. 

When Ji Yanxin turned his head, Ji Qiu made a serious expression and closed the door. With the soft click of the door, the room fell silent.

Ji Yanxin became the only one in the room with her. Unable to look directly at him, she cleared her throat and handed him the breakfast she bought. “Professor Ji, I brought breakfast along the way.”

Qi Bao, who had been lying by Qi Nian’s feet, suddenly stood up. Sticking out his tongue, he set his sights on the food in Qi Nian’s hands. 

His posture was adorably cute. 

Ji Yanxin watched as she went over to Qi Bao, her eyes softening and a smile overtaking her face. “I already ate.”

“Oh.”

“But Ji Qiu hasn’t eaten yet.” He sat down and left his towel on the table. 

“I have gathered the things that were in your bag.” Ji Yanxin pulled out a box from under the table and revealed a bag that was bitten beyond recognition by Qi Bao.

Qi Nian bit her lip, “It was due to my carelessness. If I hadn’t forgotten my bag, then this wouldn't have happened. You don’t have to blame Qi Bao.”

Qi Bao, who was punished the night before, with his snacks suspended, toys confiscated, and petting denied, whimpered. He went back to lying on the floor, only raising his eyes to look at Qi Nian. 

“Sit here for a while, we will be going out later.” Ji Yanxin didn’t explain anything, but raised his wrist to look at the time. “Probably in about 40 minutes.”

Qi Nian nodded. As soon as he left, Qi Bao followed. 

That left only Qi Nian in the living room. 

Fortunately, Ji Qiu came out for breakfast. 

Seeing the breakfast Qi Nian brought, her eyes widened. “This much?”

Qi Nian did not know how big of an appetite Ji Yanxin had, so she bought a few of everything, along with some xiaolongbao for Qi Bao. The breakfast was exceptionally abundant. 

After eating, Ji Qiu went to her tutoring class. 

She would be there the whole day until 5 o’clock when Ji Yanxin would take her home and bring her back next Friday. 

Before she left, she saved her number on Qi Nian’s phone, claiming it would be convenient when they needed to contact. Then, with a skip to her step, she departed. 

After she had left, Ji Yanxin took the car keys, preparing to go out. 

Qi Nian looked at the time and noticed that it had only been half an hour. She had guessed vaguely what he wanted to do, but when she saw that he put a leash on Qi Bao, she asked with a confused tone, “Is Qi Bao going too?”

“Yeah, I am going to the United States for the next half of the month in the afternoon, so I’ll be taking him to foster care now.”

“Foster care?” She glanced at Qi Bao. 

He was wagging his tail next to a container that contained dog food, toys, and other daily necessities. 

When they went downstairs, Ji Yanxin let him into the back of the car. 

The pet shop was not that far away, and it was located in a decent environment. Ji Yanxin wanted to complete the paperwork, and Qi Nian took Qi Bao to introduce him to the environment. 

The pet shop owner knew about Qi Bao and his situation well. This was not the first time Qi Bao was left in the pet shop. 

Until that moment, Qi Bao hadn’t realized that he would be parting ways with his owner. 

Qi Bao whimpered in a low voice. It was quiet and unbearable to Qi Nian. 

Ji Yanxin squatted down, and while rubbing his fingers on Qi Bao’s head he calmly said, “Qi Bao, I’ll come to pick you up when I come back.”

His voice was soft and gentle. It was a side of him Qi Nian had never expected. 

Qi Bao stretched out his front paw and patted Ji Yanxin’s hand. Lowering his cute head, he licked his owner’s fingers. After licking enough, he left with the pet shop owner. 

Qi Nian didn’t know why but she suddenly felt a bit sad.

After settling arrangements for Qi Bao, Ji Yanxin took Qi Nian to the mall. 

Although Qi Nian expected it, when she and Ji Yanxin walked through the door, she became nervous. 

“Can you not buy it...” Qi Nian asked weakly, staring at the price. 

“I don’t have any other contact information I can give you.” Ji Yanxin replied. [t/n: Remember, the first time they met she did not want compensation, she just asked for his number. He is making an indication that he can’t give her his contacts anymore since she already has it.]

Qi Nian went silent. Turning back, she continued to look around. 

She knew that the first time they met, she must have left a bad impression as a “prodigal son,” and caused Ji Yanxin to dislike her!

Qi Nian listened to the recommendation of the clerk, turned her head, and saw Ji Yanxin on the sofa with a magazine in his hand. 

His posture was particularly lazy and comfortable. 

As if he felt her gaze, Ji Yanxin raised his head and accurately captured Qi Nian’s eyes through the mirror. 

Looking at each other, he stood up and walked towards her. 

The sound of his footsteps caused her heart to pound. The closer he got, the more suffocated she felt. 

She couldn't hear what the clerk was saying. Ji Yanxin locked onto her eyes, and she could only watch him walk in front of her in a daze. She was so flustered that she didn't even know where to put her hands and feet.

"You don’t like it?" he asked.

Qi Nian nodded, "I always feel that the price is too high..."

Ji Yanxin glanced at her, raised his hand, and flipped the price tag, "It's okay."

Qi Nian wrung his fingers and struggled for a while before asking, "Can you…pay me back with another method? Although, I really don’t...I don't need compensation from Teacher Ji."

How could Qi Nian fail to understand how she needed to draw clear boundaries?

Ji Yanxin frowned, and spoke impatiently, "Another method?"

Qi Nian raised her head, glancing at him, and then quickly lowered her head. In a low voice, she muttered, “Can it be...that when I send you a message, you will respond?”

As soon as she finished, her surroundings became quiet.