With you for thirteen years CH6

Chapter 6: The Sixth Year

"DongDong, come look, how's this place." Hai Ruo sat cross-legged on the sofa, poking at the tablet in her hands. This year she listened to a recommendation from one of her coworkers, and got a pair of radiation-proof glasses, the thin sliver rimmed glasses fitted atop her nose bridge, adding a part to her intellectual beauty.

Sometimes she would use hot rollers on her long hair making it curly, looking even more mature. DongDong heard her asking, lightly and gently jumping onto her knees, nesting on her crossed legs, then looked.

They were picking out this year's vacation spot.

This is also considered a reserved project at home, the schedule arranged for liberal arts professors are not the same as those in the science and engineering department, as soon as an experiment starts it would be without end.

Now it's the end of winter vacation, the new book has also started with few ideas, friends have also gathered quite a few times happily chatting about what the name of their future godson would be, auntie also took some time off this year, saying that she wants to find a spot to relax with them.

"So, how about we go to the hot springs." Looking at the recommendation on the forum, Hai Ruo stared at DongDong with a pair of shining eyes.

DongDong silently thought about how Hai Ruo would be wrapped in a big towel soaking in the hot springs, and that underneath the steam her face flushing up.

Silently swallowing.

It's a rare chance, where they would be alone during the afternoon, no one bothering them, they both wouldn't want to go out, just staying in the warmly heated room, listening to music, and planning their travels for days afterward.

There's nothing more perfect than this.

So at this time when the downstairs was a bit restless it was quite embarrassing, DongDong (Chu Chengyu) used so much energy to the point of feeling deathly in the toilet pushing it out, then rubbed on his own dedicated thick towel, rolled on it, cleaning the whole body.

These few years every time his impulses get to the better of him he always goes through with this routine, fortunately his self-discipline is still pretty good, his impulses only happening a few times.

Only that the times when facing Hai Ruo unconsciously the temptation, is a bit...hard to control.

He wasn't the only one who couldn't hold back, that woman named Xu Jing always has on a covetous look, making it that he can't help but be on alert. 

Time really flies by extremely fast, when Xu Jing just came back from exchange she was still just a graduate student, now its already almost time for her to graduate, revising her graduation thesis over and over all day, from time to time using this and that excuses pestering Hai Ruo, he watched this coldly from the side, could not be any more of an eyesore.

But, he is sure, that Hai Ruo still puts him as her first priority.

After being soaked by the heavy rain last year, he caught a small cold, almost contracting pneumonia, in the end it was Hai Ruo who felt the most distressed.

Since then she has almost never separated from him, even taking him to classes, mostly eating at home, or finding a restaurant where they allow pets inside, if she is forced to go herself, she would pledge:

I would never abandon you, I am only going out for a little while, I swear.

If this goes on, DongDong feels that he would get drowned in this feeling of steady security.

Lots of people have jokingly asked Hai Ruo, "If you spoil your pet like this, your future husband will get jealous."

Hai Ruo would always reply back smiling, "Having him is enough, not changing him even for a good man."

Even Xu Jing at times get jealous to the point of being mad, asking her in a not so nice tone, "Being so good to this cat for what, even if it's family, there's none that cling on together like that, not to mention," her voice afterward was lowered due to shyness, "You...aren't afraid of your future other half being jealous?"

At that time, DongDong was laying on its back docilely on Hai Ruo's lap, allowing her to draw circles after circles on his belly.

"I have said this before, he is except for my aunt my only family member, I want to always be with my family," After, Hai Ruo jokingly said, "If one-day DongDong poofs and becomes a human being, then I will just marry him, after all we have already lived together for six years, super comfortable."

At that moment Chu Chengyu felt as if a meteorite had abruptly smashed into his head, in a flash God realized that this meteorite was made of diamonds, the joy that fell from heaven blinding him.

That night, after Xu Jing's HP fell to negative and went back, DongDong jumped onto Hai Ruo's bed, taking the initiative to sleep with her, during winter, DongDong's body temperature was like that of a heater, Hai Ruo loved it.

That day, listening to Hai Ruo's gentle heartbeats, DongDong couldn't fall asleep no matter the time.

He was so excited that his whole body was shaking.

"Auntie, you can pick us up tomorrow...ok...yes, will arrive after three hours of driving, it was developed by a small town in the periphery, I have a coworker who went, said that the environment was really nice......ok, pay attention to safety, I will book rooms now, bye-bye auntie."

DongDong recovered his past memories, seeing Hai Ruo's shining eyes, and her cute OK hand gesture.

Hot springs, in his so-called life, this kind of pure relaxation being idle never happened even once.

Sometimes thinking back on it, he would always think how could his life have been so monotonous and poor.

Thankfully, although this life he became a cat, he still achieved redemption.

Packing up things, early morning on the third day, two humans one cat sat in the domineering SUV driven by auntie, happily rushed towards the dense milky white misted hot springs.

Auntie Hai Xiang is a very beautiful woman, more than fifty years old but still having charm that only gets more polished throughout the years. An obvious difference from Hai Ruo's ancient and scholarly style, auntie's appearance is quite westernized, wine-red curled hair, flamboyant big red lips, delicate eyeliner wing, and carefully trimmed eyebrows, but it's still not showing all of the woman's domineering aura.

Sometimes DongDong even feels that auntie exhibits a very familiar feeling, he credits this to the similarity between the two women.

There was no talk during the hot springs, the two humans one cat enjoyed the rare happy time, even Hai Ruo who doesn't really drink drank to her heart's content, after getting drunk she hugged DongDong and said all types of silly things being super cute.

"DongDong, you really are too handsome. From the moment I first saw you I already thought you were too handsome."

"According to the sayings now, it would be something like so handsome that people can't approach or handsome to the point of people losing face?"

"It's unfortunate, after the founding of the People's Republic of China animals are not allowed to come out to play, this is a big loss, don't you agree, yes?"

The three-day vacation ended, each returning back, that evening, as Hai Ruo was dragging her small suitcase upstairs along with DongDong, they found a person in a big black down jacket sitting in front of their house.

That person lifted their head——it was Xu Jing.

"What is this, did something happen?" Hai Ruo quickly stepped forward, pulling Xu Jing up, it might have been because the legs were numbed, Xu Jing held onto Hai Ruo's hand with one hand, while the other hand held onto the door frame, trembling as she stood up.

"Where did you go." When she spoke, her voice was somewhat hoarse.

"I went on vacation." Hai Ruo said without rushing, "Shouldn't you be at home right now, there's still a week until school starts, what are you doing here so early?"

Came to find you, Xu Jing opened her mouth, but didn't say anything.

She also didn't say, that she came yesterday afternoon already; She also didn't say, that she called her many times; She also didn't say, that she waited here yesterday until the lights became dim, after almost falling asleep here then went back, coming back when it was just a little past six in the morning.

She's really dumb right, but people in love are usually this dumb.

Xu Jing opened her mouth again, sillily letting out a laugh.

After entering the house, Hai Ruo made the best use of time creating something for Xu Jing to eat, mixing a bowl of batter with scallion making pancakes, along with a few ready-made side dishes, soon the spicy scent of ginger flowed out from the kitchen.

It was ginger soup made to suppress her cold, thinking about this, Xu Jing was sniffing while laughing a bit.

DongDong per usual was lying on the far side of the sofa away from her, ears fluttering about. What was different from usual was, that there wasn't the aura of sparks flying out between the human and cat being love rivals.

Xu Jing felt that there was something unusual, but at the same time couldn't figure out what was unusual, happily eating her last bite of scallion pancakes, sticking out her tongue to lick her fingertips.

Today Xu Jing was staying here, there is a single bed in the study, she has slept here many times, along with a pair of slippers, pajamas, and other washing utensils were all available, every time she sees her items occupying space in Hai Ruo's room, she would get strangely excited.

"Oh right, according to your scores, you should be able to pledge for early graduation right." Wearing pajamas, Hai Ruo asked her.

"Uh, should be so." Sitting on the bed, Xu Jing replied without much thought, "This thing doesn't matter now, talk about it when its June."

"It can't be like this." Hai Ruo took out a document from her drawer, "It's like this, there's a professor that knows your circumstances, really appreciates you, in two months there will be an exchange meeting at T city, this was arranged especially for graduate students......"

Listening on and on, Xu Jing starts to get sleepy, rubbing her eyes, seeing this, Hai Ruo stopped talking, "Sleep first, talk more about it tomorrow."

Xu Jing saw Hai Ruo's black cat seemingly greeting her at the door meowing a few times, unhappily squinting the eyes.

Seems, that stinky cat and Hai Ruo sleeps on the same bed.

Ah, so unhappy, tonight......let's intrude in.

Don't know if it was Hai Ruo's meticulous care that gave her courage, but after midnight, she hugged her pillow, and went to the master bedroom, just happening to see DongDong lying next to Hai Ruo's cheek, seemingly looking at her thoughtfully.

The moonlight shining down, highlighting his round eyes...having an ominous feeling.

Xu Jing gave courage to herself in her heart, no matter how smart he is he can't become human, not afraid not afraid ha, how could you admit defeat to your love rival.

To her surprise, DongDong actually took initiative to jump off the bed, the silhouette being laid out by the faint pale white light, after arriving at the front of the room's door, they stood on both sides, staring at each other for a while.

Don't know if it was a misconception, but Xu Jing felt that she saw in his eyes......melancholy...and pity.

After, DongDong went out, and jumped onto the living room's sofa.

Xu Jing didn't think too much, at this point she was full of thoughts containing Hai Ruo's lovely sleeping posture. Carefully rolling herself into Hai Ruo's blanket, silently picking up Hai Ruo's loosely hanging long hair.

Loosely squeezing it in her own hands, not suppressing her smile.

She has thought countless times about sharing a bed with Hai Ruo, thought countless times about their future lives living together, even thinking about if she wants to adopt a child, thinking about how they would look growing old together.

Thinking over and over, she fell into sweet dreamland.

Early morning the next day, sunlight pierced through the curtain's gap, Xu Jing rubbed her eyes and woke up, seeing an extra stack of papers on at the head of the bed, the handwriting was very familiar, it was Hai Ruo's elegant and resolute script............

Hai Ruo and DongDong went and bought back breakfast, opening the door they found Xu Jing sitting on the sofa, sniffling, eyes a bit red, after seeing Hai Ruo, even exerting strength using her sleeves to wipe away the tears that formed.

"Why, why don't you want me." Xu Jing sobbed out.

Hai Ruo frowned, thinking for a while.

"Are you talking about my recommendation for you to go to Professor Wu's? He is a recognized master of Sinology, consistent with the research direction you are interested in, didn't you say before that you wanted to continue your studies......yes, you don't want to go to him?"

"I...want to be with you." Xu Jing doesn't know how much courage she had gathered up herself to say this line, only knowing that it's starting to become difficult for her to breathe, the face feeling hot, it's probably red beyond imagination.

"But there is still no way for doctoral students to come under me right now," Hai Ruo seemed to let out a sigh, "I recognize Professor Wu a bit, his academic character is first-class, following him you will definitely be able to learn many things......"

"No," Xu Jing raised her eyes, already experiencing cerebral congestion, "I am saying that I want to be with you together, always together, together for a lifetime that kind of thing."

............

Hai Ruo was so stunned she couldn't say anything.

"I like you, especially like you, already liking you at first sight. I want to live with you, want to become the person who's most close to you, becoming the most loved that no one can compare to, the closest person to you. I......I love you." The more she talked the more excited she got, getting over-excited.

"You...are you joking?" Hai Ruo subconsciously put down the porridge in her hands, hugging DongDong, seeming as if he could give her support and comfort.

"No." Xu Jing replied resolutely and decisively.

Hai Ruo took a deep breath, how would she know that something so unexpected could happen.

She is a student, a female student! Liking her a teacher on the side!

"If this is considered a confession, I won't accept." After a long time, so long that the imposing air in the room was about to precipitate, Hai Ruo finally opened her mouth, her voice sounding dry, "You are still young, feeling temporary confusion is also normal, after a few more years, after you mature emotionally, you will look back, and it probably won't be this feeling anymore."

"But, no matter what, this...I still have no way of accepting, and it's not discrimination or anything......in fact I know a couple like this, they get along very well and I support it very much." Speaking and speaking, the incomparably tamed words that seemed controlled before became so flat and weak, she started speaking incoherently.

"This, I just want to say," Hai Ruo thought a bit, lifting her head and looking at Xu Jing's that was about to cry out, "I clearly know, that I see you as a student, a junior, a friend, but, within this there definitely isn't any other kind of feelings."

Hai Ruo's expression was gentle but firm, looking at Xu Jing's big teardrops falling down, but didn't step forward to comfort her.

She knew, that doing this was for the best.

"It's truly unfortunate, but I don't love you."

She continued to talk, firmly refusing.

DongDong hugged her arms tightly whilst being in her arms, giving her all the support and comfort he could give.

Xu Jing looked at the women and her cat opposite of her, clinging onto each other in the way she was most familiar with, suddenly feeling that it was never as offending to the eye.

She once imagined the so-called happy moments' thousands of times over, at this moment though only broken up fragments remain, among them the most vivid ones, was last summer, on the bicycle, Hai Ruo tightly holding onto her waist, the wheels turning with the breeze, heading towards a place with no destination.

The other one, being the taste of last night's dinner......will never be able to taste it again, right.

Xu Jing left, sorrowful and torn apart, even the smile that was shown to Hai Ruo was forced out. She smoothly completed her reply, following the recommendation from Hai Ruo going to Professor Wu's to continue research.

Before leaving, she sat in front of DongDong, carefully observing this inconceivable black cat for the first time.

"Take good care of her, accompany her, love her." She said this, turned around and left.

After, Hai Ruo seemed to be talking to DongDong, but also seemed to be mumbling to herself.

"Really, the words spoken seemed to be dissuading a senior high school student's premature love......but, I really don't think her feelings cast onto me is appropriate, she has scanty experience in life, there will definitely be someone for her that shows up. But, that person won't be me, do you think so, DongDong."

At this moment, Chu Chengyu finally knew what that blue feeling of melancholy in his heart was.

The feeling of sadness for the loss of one's own kind, all beings grieve for their fellow beings.

Not seriously.

Hai Ruo regards Xu Jing's feelings as a risk she took during her journey as a youth, and persists that she would end up traveling back the right way. However, the fork on the road that Xu Jing saw with flowers covering the entire way, will for a lifetime, be a scenery that is hard to come across again, and for her, it would also become hard to enjoy picking the flowers again.

Hai Ruo also can't understand, what is love.

If he went in front of a mirror right now, he would definitely know how a black cat's melancholy expression looks like.

But at this moment, he thought, if he really forgets the past, being a cat is good.

Unfortunately, at the same time that he is DongDong.

He is Chu Chengyu.

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