The phone rang twice before she picked up.
“I just went to take a shower,” Qiao Mengdi said naturally, not realizing that saying such a thing late at night carried an obvious air of intimacy.
Yao Chiyue didn’t respond immediately; there was a brief, stagnant silence on both ends of the line.
“Sister Yao, did you call me for something specific?” Qiao Mengdi asked again.
“Mm,” Yao Chiyue hummed in response, followed by another brief pause.
Is it something hard to talk about? Qiao Mengdi waited patiently for her to continue.
“Last night, didn’t you tell me that if I had something to say, I should just say it?”
Last night… last night—
Qiao Mengdi remembered. Last night at the old lady’s house, when Yao Chiyue called her, she had indeed said those words.
Her reaction time was certainly long. How much time had passed? The words she was told to say last night were only being brought up now?
“That’s right,” she initially wanted to tease her, asking why she had said there was nothing to say back then. But remembering Yao Chiyue’s serious personality, she immediately dropped the idea. “I’m all ears, Sister Yao. Go ahead.”
“After we finish the wedding photos, will you accompany me to meet someone?”
Yao Chiyue’s voice lacked warmth; her emotions were unreadable.
“Meet who? That person must be very important to you, Sister.”
“Yes. You will know when the time comes.”
Why is it always ‘you’ll know when the time comes’? Qiao Mengdi felt frustrated. “But I want to know now!”
“No.”
“Sister Yao, please understand the situation. You are the one asking me to accompany you! How can you be like this?”
“Do you agree or not?”
So annoying! How can she be so forceful?
She really wanted to be strong-willed and refuse her.
But she only had herself to blame for thinking the woman was so beautiful that she wanted to be stuck to her side every day.
So, did it matter who they were meeting? No.
What mattered was being with her.
Rather than being a person of strong character, Qiao Mengdi ultimately chose to be a person who lost her integrity to beauty. “Since it’s the first time Sister has asked me for something, it would be bad to refuse, wouldn’t it?”
Yao Chiyue paused for two or three seconds longer than before. “…Is it a deal?”
“Okay.” Although Qiao Mengdi wanted to hear Yao Chiyue speak more—after all, her voice was so sexy—there was plenty of time in the future. She couldn’t act too impatient right at the start. “Aren’t you going to sleep yet, Sister?”
“I have three days before the middle of the month. Think about it: do you want to take the wedding photos in France, New Zealand, Northern Europe, or Tahiti? Tell me tomorrow, and I’ll make the arrangements.”
Hearing the dial tone, Qiao Mengdi realized Yao Chiyue had hung up.
Just as she gave someone a bit of joy, as expected, a suffocating end followed in the blink of an eye.
Qiao Mengdi sat on the bed in a daze for a while. During her university years, the “original” owner of this body had been to France. In her memory, it was a country worth visiting again and again. New Zealand was suitable, but she wanted to save that for the honeymoon; at that time, it would be winter in China and summer there. Northern Europe was beautiful, but the scope was too broad and more suited for traveling. Comparing them all, she wanted to go to Tahiti the most; the natural scenery was incomparable, and the romance of blue seas and clear skies held a natural temptation for someone about to get married.
But if they went to Tahiti, they would have to transfer flights, and the round trip would take too long.
Since Yao Chiyue only had three days, France was undoubtedly the most suitable.
Moreover, remembering Yao Chiyue’s fluent and pleasant French during their first dinner together, Qiao Mengdi had made her decision before going to sleep.
“You’re about to get married, yet you have no sense of decorum! You’ve left footprints on my newly bought sofa cushions! Do you know how much I spent on those?!”
The next morning, Qiao Mengdi returned from a run and collapsed on the sofa because she was too tired. Just as she lifted her feet onto the cushions, Lin Linfeng appeared.
She silently stood up, preparing to leave the living room.
Seeing that Qiao Mengdi ignored her, Lin Linfeng’s anger flared up. “I’m telling you, why is your room getting messier? The quilt isn’t folded, the laundry isn’t put away, and you leave towels on the table? Are you—are you doing this on purpose to spite me? I’m telling you, as long as you’re in this house, you have to follow my rules. Anyone who isn’t hygienic can get out!”
“Mrs. Lin, you are too bored. Go find some fun for yourself.”
Facing Lin Linfeng’s vulgarity, Qiao Mengdi indifferently threw back a sentence and walked toward the stairs. Her room wasn’t messy at all.
“Fine! Now that you have a rich partner, your wings have grown strong, haven’t they? You don’t even call me ‘Mom’ anymore, and your lazy habits are showing. When your father comes back tonight, we’ll ask him to judge. I may not have given birth to you, but I’ve raised you for over ten years. How can you treat me like—”
Qiao Mengdi stopped and turned around. “Mr. Qiao doesn’t have time to deal with this nonsense! I’m saying—” she emphasized the words “I’m saying,” “—can’t you just keep the peace? You know I have a rich partner now, which means I won’t be staying in this house for much longer.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to leave each other some room? That way, if I have money in the future, maybe I’ll remember the ‘drops of kindness’ you’ve shown over the years and repay you with a ‘fountain of gratitude.’ If you continue to be so aggressive, who knows if I’ll even recognize you later.”
“You!” Lin Linfeng gnashed her teeth, jumping with rage. She didn’t understand how Qiao Mengdi had completely changed after a hunger strike.
In the past, she was so conscious of her image, so docile and obedient, even dressing in a ladylike style.
Now? She changed in the blink of an eye, turning from a pure little jasmine into a showy big peony, wearing whatever caught the eye as if she were afraid people wouldn’t notice her figure. She was a living temptress, ruining the family reputation!
“Fine! Everything you said today, I will tell Qiao Chengrong exactly as it is. Let’s see what kind of person his precious daughter has become—”
“Pillow talk? Do whatever you want.”
Qiao Mengdi really couldn’t be bothered to deal with her anymore and quickly went upstairs.
Even after she finished her shower, she could still hear Lin Linfeng cursing and complaining downstairs.
One moment, she was counting how much money and effort she had spent raising Qiao Mengdi; the next, she was cursing her for looking down on her family before she had even left home; then she was lamenting her disobedient daughter, her troublesome son, and her husband who no longer cared for her. She was the most miserable woman in the world; blah, blah, blah, it went on forever…
She was only in her early forties; she shouldn’t be in menopause yet, right? Qiao Mengdi wondered if she was experiencing early menopause. When Lin Linfeng started cursing, she always seemed vulgar and petty. She was supposed to be a highly educated daughter of a wealthy family, wasn’t she? It seemed that an empty life as a housewife had turned her into a woman with an ugly soul.
Qiao Mengdi couldn’t stand it. She changed her clothes and prepared to go out to hide.
As she crossed the living room, she was pointed at and cursed several more times.
Qiao Mengdi didn’t want to waste her breath provoking her further. The woman was probably upset about something else and was taking it out on her.
Once she left the house, the air felt much fresher.
It was a cloudy day, but it didn’t look like it would rain, and the air was cool.
Qiao Mengdi walked aimlessly around the neighborhood. When she passed the subway station, she stepped in as if possessed and boarded a train heading toward the West District. Finally, she arrived at Qiao Xiangfeng—no, it was now Jiao Xiangfeng.
But she didn’t go in. She just stood outside the shop, watching silently.
Today was Tuesday; Jiao Leyuan and Jiao Mengtian shouldn’t be in the shop.
On Tuesdays, Ms. Shi should be making vanilla and matcha cupcakes.
Qiao Mengdi was immersed in her memories, standing still as if she were frozen by a spell.
“Little Qiao!”
It was Lian Tongwei. She was walking out of Jiao Xiangfeng, carrying a paper bag in her left hand and a coffee and breakfast bag in her right.
“Sister Weiwei.” Qiao Mengdi was also surprised, not expecting to bump into her here.
“Have you not had breakfast yet?”
It was already past 10 AM; breakfast time was over. Qiao Mengdi shook her head, then nodded. Standing in a place so familiar yet no longer related to her, she was inevitably dazed.
“I still have a bit of time. Shall we sit inside the shop for a while?” Lian Tongwei asked, her speaking speed still quite fast.
Qiao Mengdi felt that she probably had something to say, and since she had nowhere else to go, she agreed.
Thinking she might see Ms. Shi soon, Qiao Mengdi’s chest tightened involuntarily. She wondered if the woman still remembered her recent visit.
“No problem,” she replied.
Lian Tongwei smiled and turned around first. Qiao Mengdi followed her into Jiao Xiangfeng.
Once inside, Lian Tongwei said, “Go ahead and choose. I’ll wait for you inside.”
Qiao Mengdi nodded, picked up a tray, and chose a sandwich and a bag of fresh milk.
The clerk at the counter was a girl she had never seen before.
“That will be thirty-two yuan total.” The girl skillfully bagged the items and pointed toward the scanner.
Qiao Mengdi, who was peering behind the counter, snapped back to reality. She didn’t see Ms. Shi and felt a slight sense of loss. Even though the woman didn’t remember her, she still wanted to know how she was doing after their separation.
After the payment was successful, she glanced back one last time before leaving the counter. She thought that Ms. Shi must be busy in the workshop at this time. On weekday mornings, she always made cupcakes; they were the snacks supplied to the shop from 3 PM Monday to Friday, all handmade by Ms. Shi.
By the time she brought her breakfast to Lian Tongwei, Qiao Mengdi had already composed her emotions.
Lian Tongwei’s studio was in the southwest district of Luzhou, not too far from Jiao Xiangfeng.
“Sister Weiwei, do you live nearby?” she asked as she sat down across from her.
After having dinner at the top floor of the mall, Qiao Mengdi and Yao Chiyue had met Lian Tongwei at her studio once more when the wedding dress sketches were finished.
On the day of the engagement, Yao Chiyue told her that Lian Tongwei wanted to meet them again. However, two days had passed and a time hadn’t been set, yet she had run into her here first.
” I do live nearby,” Lian Tongwei nodded and took a sip of her coffee. “You didn’t travel all this way just for this shop, did you?”
So she knows I live in the East District. Qiao Mengdi replied, “I guess so.” Ms. Shi’s shop was often recommended by bloggers, and it wasn’t uncommon for people to come from far away.
“A-Yue seems very busy; the meeting we agreed on keeps getting pushed back. How was it? Was your engagement successful? It’s a pity I didn’t have the chance to attend. If I didn’t understand A-Yue’s temper, I would have wanted to pick a fight with her.”
“It was successful. Look.” Qiao Mengdi held out her left hand. She hadn’t taken the ring off since the engagement.
Lian Tongwei smiled triumphantly. “To be honest, I helped A-Yue choose that ring.”
“I see. You have great taste, Sister Weiwei. I especially like this ruby.”
“No, no, Little Qiao, you misunderstood. Although I was with her, A-Yue chose the ring herself. She said red suits you, and looking at you now, it certainly does.”
“Is that so?” Qiao Mengdi remembered that in front of the window at Lian Tongwei’s studio, Yao Chiyue had also indirectly said that red suited her better. “I like red.”
“Mm. There aren’t many people who can pull off pure red. Intense colors, when pulled off, result in a beauty that could topple kingdoms.”
“Sister Weiwei, are you complimenting me?”
Lian Tongwei laughed. “Little Qiao is already beautiful! Did you know? Everyone says A-Yue is being led around by the nose by you.”
“??” Qiao Mengdi thought to herself, is there some misunderstanding about what it means to be led around by the nose? “Do you think so too, Sister Weiwei?”
But then again, they were playing out a script of mutual love for the public.
“Of course I think so!” Lian Tongwei’s tone was very certain. “You have no idea how much she has changed in such a short time for you. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she’s head over heels.”
Too much, too much. ‘Head over heels’ is really too much!
Qiao Mengdi involuntarily rubbed her arms. Hadn’t Yao Chiyue said that Lian Tongwei was her only good friend? Had she not even told her best friend the truth?
“It’s not that exaggerated!” Qiao Mengdi considered herself thick-skinned, but she still couldn’t handle such an unrealistic claim. Even the tabloid reporters wouldn’t dare write that. Could it have been spread by Lin Linfeng?
“You might not believe it, but you’ll understand later.”
Lian Tongwei had already finished her breakfast, while Qiao Mengdi hadn’t even taken a bite of her sandwich.
“Maybe.” Qiao Mengdi expressed her doubt. If anyone was head over heels, it would only be her. She couldn’t imagine Yao Chiyue being head over heels for anyone.
Lian Tongwei was afraid others wouldn’t believe her or would doubt her observation skills. In her urgency, she said, “Little Qiao, did you know? A-Yue has always been a steadfast believer in being single. I’ve known her since junior high, and she’s twenty-eight now—I’ve never seen her waver for anyone. Think about it: how long have you two known each other? Now you’re engaged, and the big day is near. Being head over heels is the only thing that explains her behavior!”
“Is that so? I didn’t know she was a committed single.”
Seeing Qiao Mengdi’s reaction, Lian Tongwei regretted speaking too quickly.
“A-Yue’s so-called ‘singleism’ was only because she hadn’t met Little Qiao yet.”
Qiao Mengdi quite liked this flattery. Even though she knew it wasn’t true, she still smiled happily.
“Sister Weiwei, what about you?”
“Me?” Lian Tongwei froze for a few seconds. “I just need my career.”
Thinking about how Yao Chiyue, who had agreed to stay single with her, had changed her mind, she felt a bit dejected, but she quickly hid her emotions.
“Sister Weiwei, when the time comes, I will definitely throw the bouquet to you, the head bridesmaid.”
“What a waste that would be. To be honest, I am the one who is truly committed to being single!”
“Hey! You just said it yourself—people are single because they haven’t met ‘the one.’ I think when you meet them, you’ll change your mind too.”
“Maybe.” The “maybe” in her own mouth pained Lian Tongwei. She was clearly smiling, but her smile was somewhat sad. “Little Qiao, I really envy you.”
“Sister Weiwei, I envy you too. So young, yet so successful and famous.”
Only after they parted did Qiao Mengdi realize that during the nearly thirty minutes they sat in Jiao Xiangfeng, Lian Tongwei hadn’t mentioned a single word about the wedding dress.
It wasn’t until much later that she understood the true meaning of “Little Qiao, I really envy you.”
As she left the cake shop, Qiao Mengdi looked behind the checkout counter one last time, but still didn’t see Ms. Shi.
She suddenly realized that maybe even if she made a special trip here in the future, she might never see this family again.
In the taxi back, Qiao Mengdi sent a message to Yao Chiyue: “For the wedding photos, shall we go to France?”
“Come to my office. Let’s have lunch together,” Yao Chiyue replied quickly and sent her location.
Is that so?
It seems like things are really starting to feel ‘head over heels’!
Qiao Mengdi began to let herself lose her grip on reality. It was a beautiful dream, after all—she might as well make it a bold one.
“Driver, change of plans. Let’s go to the Blue Heron Biopharmaceutical Group.”