When Ruan Chutang went to the dinner party to pick up Gu Zechuan, she paused at the sound of the conversation coming from inside.
“Zechuan, Chen Wan is back in the country. What are you going to do about Ruan Chutang?”
Gu Zechuan’s voice was indifferent. “What do you mean ‘what am I going to do’?”
“Haven’t you and Ruan Chutang been together for three years? Now that Chen Wan is back, how will you choose?”
Through the crack in the door, Ruan Chutang saw Gu Zechuan light a cigarette.
Amidst the swirling white smoke, he fell silent for a moment before speaking in a low, heavy voice, “I don’t know. I don’t want to hurt Ruan Chutang, but I can’t let go of Chen Wan either.”
A friend sighed. “Chen Wan is your first love, your ‘white moonlight.’ That relationship back then was so intense; it’s only normal that you can’t forget her.”
Another friend cut in, “But wait, Ruan Chutang has been with you for three years, and she’s so beautiful. You still haven’t moved on from Chen Wan?”
Gu Zechuan rubbed his temples, his voice carrying a hint of exhaustion. “Ruan Chutang is very beautiful. When I first pursued her, it was because she looked a bit like Chen Wan. All these years, I’ve been looking for Chen Wan’s shadow in her.”
“So you just found a replacement?” The friend sighed. “I actually feel a bit sorry for Ruan Chutang.”
The other friend asked again, “Then when do you plan to bring up a breakup with Ruan Chutang?”
Gu Zechuan gently flicked away his cigarette ash. “We’ll see. Chutang is obedient and sensible; I’m actually a bit reluctant to part with her.”
The man beside him patted Gu Zechuan on the shoulder. “Zechuan, you can’t have your cake and eat it too. You need to think this through.”
“Hey, it’s no big deal. Just date both,” another friend said nonchalantly. “If you feel guilty toward Ruan Chutang, just buy her more gifts to coax her. Women are very easy to appease.”
Gu Zechuan let out a cold laugh. “You think everyone is like you, dating three or four at once? I’m not that decadent.”
Outside the door, Ruan Chutang curled her lips in a self-mocking smile and turned to leave.
Leaving the restaurant, Ruan Chutang walked along the riverbank, reminiscing about every little detail of her time with Gu Zechuan over the past few years.
Three years of affection—she had thought their love was mutual.
But as it turned out, she was merely a substitute for Gu Zechuan’s first love.
Ruan Chutang stood by the river. To her left was the bustling street with its heavy traffic; to her right was the ceaseless flow of the river.
A tear rolled down from the corner of her eye.
The fierce river wind whipped her hair around her face.
Ruan Chutang made a decision.
She took out her phone and dialed a number.
“Hello, Dad. I agree to come home for the arranged marriage.”
The night made the dim yellow streetlights appear even more faded, with small insects fluttering around the glow.
Standing under the streetlight, Ruan Chutang gazed at the boundless night sky, her voice faint. “It’s nothing. I’ve just had my fun and want to get married and settle down.”
“I was wrong back then. I was immature and shouldn’t have argued with you and run away from home. I’ve come to my senses now.”
“I’ll return to Jiangcheng as soon as I finish handling things here.”
Ruan Chutang walked alone outside for a long time. It was already past ten in the evening by the time she returned to the Jinghe Villa.
Seeing her return, Aunt Zhang, the housekeeper, handed her a bowl of stomach-nourishing porridge.
“Miss Ruan, you’re back. This is the porridge you brewed for the Master, right? I saw it had gone cold just now and heated it up. I was just about to bring it up when you walked in. Why don’t you take it up to him?”
Ruan Chutang said nothing. She took the porridge and walked toward the upstairs bedroom.
Pushing open the bedroom door, she found the desk empty. The computer screen was glowing, but Gu Zechuan was not in front of it.
The sound of running water came from the bathroom, and the light was on.
Did he shower this early today?
Ruan Chutang set down the porridge.
The constant notification pings from WeChat on the computer caught her attention.
She moved the mouse and clicked on the window.
It was a message from Chen Wan.
[Zechuan, I’m back. I’ll arrive at Haicheng Airport tonight at 11:30. Can you come pick me up?]
This message was sent ten minutes ago.
So, he was showering to go pick up his “white moonlight” from the airport.
[Zechuan, during these years apart, I’ve missed you constantly. I can’t forget you. I really regret breaking up with you back then to go abroad for my career.]
[We were both too proud and didn’t know how to bow our heads. I know you still have a place for me in your heart, right?]
[Zechuan, I’ve had a few boyfriends over the last few years, but we always broke up quickly. Dating them always felt like something was missing. I only realized later that the person I’ve always loved is you.]
[I didn’t dare return to Haicheng before because I was afraid you still hated me and wouldn’t want to see me. I was afraid to see another woman by your side, afraid you didn’t love me anymore.]
[I was wrong back then, Zechuan. Can you forgive me?]
Ruan Chutang watched in silence, her heart feeling heavy and stifled.
She was just about to close the dialogue box and leave when she saw Gu Zechuan reply.
[Chen Wan, I only want to ask one thing: Do you still love me?]
He had WeChat open on his computer, yet he was using his phone to reply while in the shower.
Ruan Chutang’s heart trembled slightly.
Gu Zechuan was always busy with work and often didn’t have time to reply to her messages.
She had grown used to it. To avoid disturbing his work, she rarely messaged him anymore.
Yet, Gu Zechuan would find the time to reply to Chen Wan even while showering.
The difference between loving someone and not was far too obvious.
On the other end, Chen Wan replied almost instantly.
[I love you. I only love you.]
[Fine. I’ll come pick you up.]
In that moment, she felt like her three-year relationship was a joke.
Ruan Chutang silently closed the dialogue box and returned the mouse to its original position, acting as if nothing had happened.
She went downstairs to the kitchen, scooped a bowl of the stomach-nourishing porridge for herself, and began to eat it spoonful by spoonful.
Gu Zechuan had a weak stomach, so she had specifically learned to make this porridge for him. She would soak lily bulbs, Job’s tears, and red beans, add them to boiling water with millet, simmer it over a low flame, and then add freshly diced yam just before it was done.
Making this porridge was time-consuming and laborious, but because he had once said he “liked” it, she had made it for him for two years.
By the time she finished her bowl, Gu Zechuan came downstairs.
He had finished showering and drying his hair, and had changed into a set of clean, fresh clothes.
“Where were you? I didn’t see you when I first got out.”
Ruan Chutang replied in a flat voice, “I went out for a walk.”
Gu Zechuan walked toward the door. “I have to head out for a bit. If you’re tired, go to sleep first. Don’t wait up for me.”
Ruan Chutang lowered her eyes and gave a soft “Mm.”
“Are you coming back tonight?” Ruan Chutang asked.
Gu Zechuan paused while putting on his shoes. He remained silent for a few seconds before replying, “There’s an emergency at the company. If it’s too late by the time I’m done, I probably won’t come back.”
“Oh, okay.” The girl didn’t make a scene or argue.
Ruan Chutang had always been very sensible.
Gu Zechuan didn’t think much of it. Once he had his shoes on, he left without looking back.
Ruan Chutang went upstairs and entered Gu Zechuan’s bedroom. Sure enough, the bowl of porridge by the computer was untouched.
On WeChat, her arranged marriage partner, Jiang Shixu, sent a message.
Jiang Shixu: [Tangtang, when do you plan to return to Jiangcheng?]
In Ruan Chutang’s eyes, Jiang Shixu was the kind older brother next door who treated her very well. When he called her “Tangtang,” she didn’t feel it was an intimate nickname between a betrothed couple, but more like a brother addressing a sister.
[I’ll wait until I finish handling things here.]
Jiang Shixu: [Alright. If you need my help with anything, just let me know.]
[Mm, thank you, Brother Shixu.]
Jiang Shixu: [Get some rest early. Goodnight.]
That night, Gu Zechuan did not return.
The next morning, Ruan Chutang was awakened by the ringing of her phone.
“Hello?”
“Chutang, it’s my birthday the day after tomorrow. Remember to come to my birthday party!”
Ruan Chutang pulled the phone away and looked at the contact name with bleary eyes.
Su Qiuyi, a friend from Gu Zechuan’s social circle who got along quite well with her.
“Alright. Send me the location.”
After hanging up, Ruan Chutang got up, got ready, and went to the mall to choose a gift for Su Qiuyi.
She picked out a necklace—the latest model from a well-known brand—that suited Su Qiuyi’s style perfectly.
On the day of Su Qiuyi’s birthday, Ruan Chutang arrived at the venue early.
“Qiuyi, happy birthday.” She handed over the gift.
Su Qiuyi took the gift and thanked her politely.
As they were exchanging pleasantries, Gu Zechuan arrived late, with an unfamiliar woman on his arm.
The moment their eyes met, Gu Zechuan froze. “Chutang, what are you doing here?”