When he sobered up, his mind was blank and he was full of regret. He quickly sent another message: "Sorry, I drank too much just now."
Susu never replied. The more she ignored him, the harder it was for him to control his longing. It repeatedly broke through the defenses of his reason, tearing and churning in his chest, making him restless.
Two months later in Shenzhen, Susu was at a gathering with some university classmates. During the meal, a classmate casually asked her, "I heard Tang Xiaofei and Han Yicheng are together?"
At that moment, she suddenly understood. Chen Ming had told her long ago, but she hadn't believed him at all. She felt like laughing at herself for being so foolish. When she calmed down, the more she thought about it, the sadder she became. She couldn't understand why Xiaofei had kept it from her. Amidst the sadness, there was also a sense of relief; she was no longer confused.
In Beijing in early April, the night still carried a biting chill. It was past ten when Xin Che arrived home. Ji Xiaoran, dressed in a light yellow pajamas, her hair casually tied up, was sitting on the sofa in the living room. She glanced at him, closed her computer, and smiled, "You're back. How much did you drink today?"
"Not much." Xin Che changed his shoes, walked over, and placed a kiss on her forehead, softly uttering two words: "I love you."
Ji Xiaoran handed him the cup of water from the coffee table. "You're so mushy after you drink." Xin Che took the water, sat down beside her, and rested his head on her shoulder. Ji Xiaoran leaned into him and said softly, "My parents keep asking when we're getting married. They say I'm not getting any younger."
Xin Che sat up, took a sip of water, and then casually brushed it off, "Your career is on the rise. Who has time for marriage?"
Ji Xiaoran smiled helplessly. "So, is it that you don't want to get married, or that you think I shouldn't?"
Xin Che was silent for a moment, then replied evasively, "When it comes to marriage, don't let your parents rush you. Think it through before we talk about it."
Ji Xiaoran didn't push it further. She curled up sideways on the sofa, a hint of coldness in her eyes.
On the other side, Susu received a call from Xiaofei. Xiaofei's voice was a little hoarse, saying she wanted to visit Susu in Shenzhen. Susu paused for a moment before sending her the address.
The day Xiaofei arrived, Susu took her to a restaurant near her home for dinner. Xiaofei finally confessed her relationship with Han Yicheng to Susu. However, she wasn't happy – Han Yicheng was always distant, leaving her caught in an endless tug-of-war.
Susu listened quietly, her heart unmoved. She had never seen Xiaofei so pained and helpless over a man, nor had she ever seen a woman's tears fall so torrentially from her eye sockets.
In the past, she would have hugged Xiaofei with concern. She had once believed their bond, forged through their journey together, was unbreakable. She relied on Xiaofei as if she were her older sister. Let alone Xiaofei loving Han Yicheng, even if Xiaofei had wanted Chen Ming, she would have blessed them. Susu couldn't help but feel regret – Xiaofei didn't realize how much she cared about her.
She had resented Xiaofei's distance and secrecy, but the moment Xiaofei left Shenzhen, she forgave everything.
Even after a long time, Susu was still unsure why Xiaofei had come to Shenzhen to see her that time. Perhaps Xiaofei was afraid that Susu, having lost both Chen Ming and Xin Che, would go to Han Yicheng. Perhaps Xiaofei just wanted to beg Susu to let her go and not do that.
But she preferred to believe that Xiaofei went to Shenzhen simply to salvage their friendship. Some people drift apart in the years without notice. Only those with great open-mindedness can find that past connection again.
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