Lu Ling, was he following her?
Meeting at the bus stop and boarding the same bus—wasn’t that too much of a coincidence?
Bai Xiaotong really wanted to confront him haughtily and ask whether he was following her and whether he regretted it.
But then she thought again: this bus route didn’t just go to the cultural center; it also passed by the park and the large shopping mall. Perhaps it really was just a coincidence.
If it weren’t for those past events, she would have gone over to him. But if she ended up making a fool of herself, that would be truly awkward.
Bai Xiaotong held back and didn’t say a word, following the crowd to stand at the back of the bus.
In the drab, grayish bus compartment, the sudden appearance of a beautiful young woman in a red-checkered coat with a small leather bag slung over her shoulder caught the attention of all the young men in the bus. Several of them stirred, eager to offer their seats to the pretty girl, hoping to strike up a conversation and see if there was any chance of something developing.
Unfortunately, as soon as they had such thoughts, they were met with a fierce, piercing gaze.
A few young men instinctively looked over and saw a cold, intimidating yet strikingly handsome young man who made them feel ashamed of their own appearance.
Although the handsome man was standing two steps away from the beautiful young woman, making it unclear whether they were related, the young men silently lowered their heads and suppressed their thoughts.
The beautiful young woman was like a fairy, and only a handsome man like him was worthy of her. They, with their ordinary looks, had no right to even dream of her.
Bai Xiaotong stood for two stops without anyone offering her a seat, which struck her as odd. Usually, whenever she took the bus, people would rush to give up their seats for her!
What was going on today?
Bai Xiaotong was in a bad mood, her delicate, distant-mountain-like eyebrows furrowed.
Fortunately, the weather was cold, and standing for a while was bearable. When she reached her stop, she quickly got off the bus.
Away from the crowded bus stop, Bai Xiaotong adjusted her clothes and hair. Looking back, she saw that Lu Ling had also gotten off and was following a few steps behind, seemingly heading toward the cinema as well.
Now Bai Xiaotong was certain: he was following her.
Well, well!
The day before yesterday, when I offered to marry you, you thought you were so handsome, held your head high, and weren’t interested.
Now that I’m setting my sights on someone else, you’re shamelessly tagging along.
Too bad, Bai Xiaotong isn’t the kind of woman you can summon and dismiss at will. Opportunities come only once, and once missed, they’re gone forever. Even if you’re handsome, I won’t make an exception for you.
So, go ahead and follow if you want. It’s the perfect chance for you to witness the charm of the factory’s flower.
Bai Xiaotong gave a faint glance, lifted her chin, and headed toward the cinema.
It was almost noon now. When she met Du Yun later, she would first observe his behavior. If the conversation went well, she might give him a chance.
As for that Fang Zhiyong, she hadn’t responded to him at all last time. She didn’t like self-important people like him one bit. If he showed up, she would simply reject him outright. No big deal.
Bai Xiaotong wasn’t worried at all. When it came to men, she knew exactly how to handle them.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go as she had imagined.
Du Yun did show up, holding a flower, but he was tugging and pulling with a woman in a peach-red coat and two thick braids.
Bai Xiaotong frowned, wondering if he had bought the flower but hadn’t paid the girl.
Confused, she wanted to go over and ask for an explanation when Lu Ling, standing a few steps away, spoke up: “That’s his girlfriend.”
Girlfriend?
Bai Xiaotong’s heart skipped a beat. She instinctively turned around and asked, “What?”
Lu Ling, with his hands in his pockets, took a few steps forward, looking at the faint anger and ruthlessness in Du Yun’s delicate phoenix eyes.
“This is the woman he was introduced to at the end of last year, arranged by his aunt from the Du family. She’s from Baofeng Town, and it takes over half an hour by bus to get to the city. Since she doesn’t come here often, aside from the Du family’s courtyard, not many people in the neighborhood know about this.”
Du Yun was the second child in his family and indeed wasn’t highly regarded at home. To save on betrothal gifts, his family set him up with someone from a town.
Although the woman had a job in the town, there was still a gap between town and city life.
So, as soon as she heard that Du Yun had invited another woman to the movies, she immediately took the bus over.
Du Yun had a girlfriend, yet he still asked me out to the movies!
Was this still the simple, honest man she had imagined?
Bai Xiaotong was bewildered. Just then, Du Yun saw her too, his face full of shame and reluctance, but in the end, he was dragged away by the woman who was making a scene and crying.
Bai Xiaotong let out a cold “Hah,” seeing the unknown red flower that had been thrown on the ground and trampled to pieces. Anger surged within her, and her hands trembled with rage.
That shameless man, having a girlfriend and still asking me out—what did he take me for!
If those two hadn’t left, Bai Xiaotong would have gone up and slapped him twice.
No rush, no rush. It’s owed, it’s owed. Tomorrow at work, he’ll get what’s coming to him!
Bai Xiaotong took deep breaths, gently patting her agitated little heart.
Two minutes later, her thoughts started working again, and her mood finally calmed down.
Well, her first proper attempt at asking someone out not only failed but also gave Lu Ling a good laugh.
What to do? This is so embarrassing!
Bai Xiaotong felt utterly humiliated, her face flushed red.
But soon, she thought again: Du Yun was gone, but there was still Fang Zhiyong!
That guy had said he would wait for her too.
Although she wasn’t interested in Fang Zhiyong, she could still salvage a bit of face in this critical moment.
Bai Xiaotong didn’t need to watch a movie with Fang Zhiyong; she just needed to reject him in front of Lu Ling to show how popular she was.
Bai Xiaotong didn’t know why, but she was determined to compete with Lu Ling.
Unfortunately, she looked around a few times but couldn’t see any sign of Fang Zhiyong.
No way, that guy who usually fawned over her like a lapdog turned out to be a scumbag too?
Bai Xiaotong’s heart sank halfway.
Lu Ling’s voice sounded beside her again, “Fang Zhiyong’s mother found out he was going to the movies with you and beat him up. He didn’t dare come.”
Bai Xiaotong froze for a moment, then laughed.
How utterly ridiculous.
Two men who usually acted like dogs around her both dropped the ball at the critical moment.
Was it because she was a vicious female supporting character?
That’s my character archetype, but I don’t want it either!
Or was it just bad luck? Finding a man who could wholeheartedly accept her seemed impossible.
Or perhaps, even though she had awakened, she couldn’t escape the plot and would ultimately die in a plot collapse!
At the thought of this possibility, Bai Xiaotong’s face turned pale, and she nearly collapsed. Luckily, Lu Ling caught her, saving her from embarrassment.
But Bai Xiaotong was beyond caring about that now. With a pale face, tears began to fall, one after another.
What should she do?
She didn’t want to die!
With such a beautiful face, dying young would be such a waste, wouldn’t it?
Wah wah…
A beauty in tears, looking utterly pitiful.
Lu Ling frowned tightly. “Why are you crying?”
Knowing their true nature in advance to avoid being deceived—isn’t that a good thing?
And you’re still crying!