“Thank you, Yaoyao. I have money. I’ll go resign tonight and pay the agency tomorrow to move out,” Zhang Beilu said, deeply moved. Her best friend hadn’t distanced herself just because her status had changed—she still treated her as a friend. Zhang Beilu was truly touched.
“Alright, we’ll meet at school then. I’ll help you find another part-time job,” Xu Yueyao said, holding her hand.
“Okay. Let me help you pack your things now. By the way, how did you get here?” Zhang Beilu asked casually as she opened the wardrobe.
“My driver brought me. He’s waiting outside the alley,” Xu Yueyao replied, walking to the desk to organize the books on it. She only picked out the important things to take, leaving behind clothes, blankets, and other items she didn’t plan to keep.
Hearing this, Zhang Beilu nudged her playfully with her hip and said teasingly, “You’ve really made it, my girl. Tell me, is Zhan Shao handsome?”
Xu Yueyao smiled and nodded. “Handsome, very handsome.”
“Even more handsome than Fu Xiao Si?”
“Of course, girl. There’s no comparison!” Although Xu Yueyao hadn’t met Fu Xiao Si in this life, in the book, he had tormented her in every possible way, so her impression of him was terrible.
“I really want to see him. This is the famous Zhan Rong Xuan, after all!” He never allowed photos, and even when he was photographed, it was only from the back. So, people at their level rarely had the chance to see him.
Xu Yueyao forced an awkward smile. She had no way of asking Zhan Shao to meet her friend, so she quickly changed the subject. “Lulu, pick out anything useful from these things. I won’t be taking them with me.”
“You’re not keeping these clothes?”
“No, I’m not.”
Xu Yueyao packed all her books and documents into two storage boxes.
“Let me help you carry them out,” Zhang Beilu offered, picking up one box while Xu Yueyao took the other. The two walked out of the room.
As if fate had a twisted sense of humor, they ran into An Zhiyi and Xia Nuannuan again on their way out. Their hair was wet, likely from a trip to the bathhouse.
This time, Zhang Beilu didn’t immediately start cursing, but her eyes sparkled with pride as she looked down at them with a triumphant expression.
Seeing this, Xia Nuannuan confirmed her suspicions. “Xu Yueyao, is it true? Are you really moving out?”
Xu Yueyao had initially intended to greet them and try to mend their relationship, but when she looked up and saw An Zhiyi’s slightly furrowed brow, the disdain in her eyes, and her contemptuous expression, it extinguished what little enthusiasm Xu Yueyao had left. It seemed they were truly incompatible, destined to clash.
Xu Yueyao raised her chin, straightened her back, and said gracefully, “Please move aside, thank you!” Xu Yueyao never forced friendships. She walked between the two of them, her high ponytail swaying with each step. Zhang Beilu, equally unwilling to argue with them, also straightened her back and walked past them gracefully.
The two soon reached the end of the alley. Zhang Shu, seeing Xu Yueyao emerge, quickly got out of the car and took the storage box from her hands, placing it in the trunk. He then took the box from Zhang Beilu and placed it inside as well.
Zhang Beilu stared at the luxury car, winking repeatedly at Xu Yueyao. Xu Yueyao suppressed a laugh and said, “Don’t forget what we agreed on. I’m leaving now. See you at school.”
“Don’t worry, see you at school,” Zhang Beilu waved goodbye, watching the car drive farther and farther away. She felt as if her own status had risen along with it, filled with newfound confidence.On the way back, I ran into Xia Nuannuan. She didn’t seem as annoying as before, so I generously gave her a smile.
Xia Nuannuan, as if startled, ran back to her room and said to An Zhiyi, who was lost in thought, “Are the two people next door crazy? Zhiyi, Zhiyi, what are you daydreaming about?”
An Zhiyi snapped back to reality. “Don’t bother with them.”
“Hmph! I bet the rumors are true. Xu Yueyao must be someone’s mistress. I don’t know who started the rumors, but that person definitely knows more.” Xia Nuannuan analyzed, pinching her chin.
An Zhiyi’s expression shifted slightly. She remembered that day at school when Gao Yuyan, who had a huge crush on Fu Xiao Si, asked her if she knew where Xu Yueyao had gone. At the time, she had only said, “I haven’t seen her for days, and she hasn’t been staying at home either.” Who would have thought that rumors would start spreading the very next day? She wasn’t sure if the rumors had anything to do with her.
“Zhiyi, Zhiyi, what’s wrong with you? Why are you always daydreaming? Are you thinking about Fu Xiao Si’s brother, Fu Zheng?” Xia Nuannuan teased mischievously.
“What are you talking about?” An Zhiyi was startled, her face flushing slightly. She recalled the way Fu Zheng looked at her—that intense, almost invasive gaze that made her heart race and left her feeling flustered.
“Honestly, I think you should just go for it. I’ve heard that although Fu Zheng and Fu Xiao Si are half-brothers, they’re completely different. Fu Xiao Si is a playboy, but Fu Zheng is said to be very principled. Even though he’s a few years older than us, he’s mature, steady, and incredibly handsome. I really think he’s great. You’ll regret it if you miss out.” Xia Nuannuan worked with An Zhiyi at a café and had witnessed firsthand how the two met. Fu Zheng had always been exceptionally caring toward her.
Deep down, An Zhiyi was clear-headed. She knew he was outstanding, but the gap between them was too vast—they were like people from two different worlds. There was no possibility for them. An Zhiyi sometimes hated her own excessive rationality, but she simply couldn’t bring herself to embark on a risky romance. She couldn’t do it. She was afraid of getting hurt, afraid of falling into an abyss from which there was no return.
In the capital’s largest nightclub, dazzling lights illuminated the night, music and revelry filled the air, and the vibrant atmosphere kept the crowd awake and energized. “Tonight, I’ll burn with passion, forget all restraints, and set my soul free”—this was the belief held by everyone in the nightclub.
Amidst the interplay of light and shadow, Zhang Beilu told her supervisor, Sister Xin, that she would quit after tonight. Sister Xin didn’t make things difficult for her—there were plenty of girls willing to work here—and readily agreed.
Motivated to finish her last night, Zhang Beilu wore a genuine smile for everyone. Just as she was raking in tips left and right, a drunk Mr. Qian in one of the private rooms grabbed her hand and started groping her. She wasn’t new to this job, and such incidents happened often. She had always managed to slip away skillfully, but today’s customer was particularly persistent. He had been harassing her for nearly half an hour, and her patience was wearing thin. She cast pleading glances at the people around her, but they all turned a blind eye. When he grabbed her butt again, she couldn’t take it anymore and stomped hard on his foot. Mr. Qian cried out in pain and let go of her. Seizing the opportunity, she dashed out of the room. Unexpectedly, this angered Mr. Qian. With a shout, several people from the private room chased after her.
“You bitch, get back here! How dare you stomp on me? Tonight, I’ll make you wish you were dead.”Zhang Beilu was terrified by the cursing from behind. Crying, she stumbled forward and, at the corner of the hallway, collided with a man’s chest. He carried a faint scent of wood. Zhang Beilu looked up and saw a handsome face—his hair neatly combed back, each strand distinct, and the gold-rimmed glasses added to his composed and capable demeanor. Tall and wearing a dark suit, he appeared even more upright and handsome.
The man also looked down at the woman who had crashed into his arms. Her eyes brimmed with tears, making her look so fragile and helpless, reminding him of another equally stubborn girl.
“Bitch, don’t run!” Manager Qian cursed as he ran over.