What exactly are you trying to say?
Zhuang Fuyao silently recited, “I hope the person who reported me forgets to bring toilet paper when they go to the bathroom, loses every game they play, and never manages to make it in time for ‘the second cup at half price.’”
After taking a look, Shu Run let out a snort of laughter. “They’re probably talking about your avatar.”
Zhuang Fuyao fumed, “Did the person who reported me do it because they don’t have abs themselves and can’t stand seeing someone else have abs!”
“It might also have something to do with your ID. It’s way too abstract.” Shu Run laughed so hard that tears came out, then @-mentioned Song Qing in the group chat. “When are you coming back to Jiang City?”
There was no immediate reply, probably because she was still busy. Song Qing’s recent performance schedule had been very dense, and she was often busy until late at night.
Shu Run took a photo of the report page and sent it to the group chat. “《On a Friend Getting Reported for Being Too Abstract》.”
Zhuang Fuyao: “……”
Zhuang Fuyao: “[helpless.jpg]”
With her account banned, Zhuang Fuyao could not play anymore, so she could only sit to the side and watch Shu Run play.
At that moment, a call from Liang Chaoluo came in.
“Mom, are you busy?”
His voice had already changed. It was clear and bright, like a mountain stream, completely different from the soft, childish tone he used to have.
Zhuang Fuyao was momentarily dazed. “No. I’m out playing.”
Liang Chaoluo gave a soft “mm” and did not ask further. Zhuang Fuyao sensed that something was off with his mood. “What’s wrong? Feeling down?”
Liang Chaoluo did not expect Madam Zhuang to be so perceptive. He hesitated, unsure whether to say anything.
His low spirits also stemmed from Old Liang’s attitude.
And on Madam Zhuang’s side…
Although she had never directly expressed opposition to his relationship with Shu Run, she had, after already knowing that he had a girlfriend, subtly tried to match him with Yi Han.
Liang Chaoluo felt that this was also a roundabout form of opposition. Moreover, in recent years, Madam Zhuang’s personality had become increasingly decisive. Even after the divorce, she still held absolute decision-making power over all major and minor matters in the household.
He brushed it off lightly. “It’s just some small things,” and did not want to say more.
He might not be willing to say it, but that did not mean Zhuang Fuyao could not guess. After all, he was the male lead of the novel, someone whose life had gone smoothly. The only thing that could make him this downcast was something related to the female lead.
Zhuang Fuyao said, “Is it because of your girlfriend?”
Liang Chaoluo froze. “Are you also against it?”
“I haven’t even met her. How could I be against it?” Zhuang Fuyao lifted the corner of her lips. “When are you bringing her for me to meet?”
Even after hanging up, Liang Chaoluo still found it hard to believe.
Madam Zhuang actually said she wanted to meet Shu Run? And in such an easygoing tone. It was completely different from her usual style.
Before hanging up, he had probed indirectly. Madam Zhuang seemed not to know that Old Liang had found someone new.
Thinking of this, Liang Chaoluo could not help but feel worried.
……
Beside Zhuang Fuyao, Shu Run asked curiously, “Whose call was that?”
Zhuang Fuyao curved her lips into a smile. “My son’s.”
Shu Run was shocked. “Then what you just said about his girlfriend…” She had always known that Sister was older than her, but she had not expected her to be that much older. Her son already had a girlfriend?
Zhuang Fuyao gave a simple explanation. “He’s actually my ex-husband’s elder brother’s child. Later, he was adopted by my ex-husband and me.”
Shu Run suddenly understood. That made much more sense. She asked curiously, “But Sister, can I ask how old you are?”
A trace of subtle emotion flickered in Zhuang Fuyao’s eyes.
Although she had already accepted the whole soul-transmigration thing, saying that she was already thirty-eight still felt a little awkward in front of friends.
“A bit older than you,” Zhuang Fuyao replied vaguely.
Shu Run nodded. That was about what she had guessed. Sister gave off a very special feeling, with the depth and charm brought by time, as well as the vitality of youth, and overall, a very relaxed aura.
She was probably a few years older than her, but definitely not over thirty.
Shu Run really admired her state and also looked forward to what she herself would be like at that age.
Two days later, someone Zhuang Fuyao had previously sent to inquire about Cheng Beibei sent back news.
The other party sent over a data file. Inside were several photos. One of them showed Cheng Beibei’s tombstone.
Zhuang Fuyao could not believe it. Her eyes reddened, yet she forced herself to finish reading the entire file. When she was done, she completely broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.
So Cheng Beibei had passed away five years ago…
Zhuang Fuyao cried the entire night. Her consciousness was muddled, and she only fell asleep close to dawn. When she woke up, her face was deathly pale, dark circles hanging beneath her eyes, as if she had just experienced a tremendous upheaval.
This frightened Aunt Yuan badly, and she immediately called her Master.
Liang Huaixu’s expression turned grave. He promptly called Ji Lan and Zhuang Shaoping to check on them.
After confirming that the two elders were safe and well, a murky, complicated emotion flickered through his eyes.
Aunt Yuan’s description had sounded serious. She said Miss Zhuang had become haggard overnight, her eyes swollen from crying and her voice hoarse.
He could not imagine what could make her this distraught, other than something happening to the two elders.
After thinking it over, he still called her.
“I heard from Aunt Yuan that you haven’t been well. Are you feeling unwell physically?”
“No.”
Her voice sounded weak and drained.
Liang Huaixu frowned. “What happened?”
Zhuang Fuyao was dazed for a moment. She wanted to talk about it, but did not know where to begin.
She and her best friend had missed ten irretrievable years.
This was also the first time she had experienced life and death since transmigrating into the future.
Cheng Beibei’s death had happened five years ago. Zhuang Fuyao did not have the emotional energy to explain why she was suddenly grieving over something from five years earlier. She shook her head.
“It’s nothing.”
That single “it’s nothing” made Liang Huaixu worry for several days.
Finally, when the weekend came, he made time to take Zhuang Fuyao hiking to help her relax.
While hiking, Zhuang Fuyao barely spoke. Fortunately, her complexion looked slightly better than it had a couple of days earlier.
If it was not a family emergency, and not a serious illness, then it could only be something related to feelings.
As her ex-husband, he had no position from which to judge anything. He could only offer comfort in a roundabout way.
Zhuang Fuyao could hear that he was trying to imply something.
She was exhausted and panting, with no energy to guess at his meaning. She tugged hard on his sleeve.
“What exactly are you trying to say?”