Zhang Beilu suddenly snapped back to her senses and instinctively hid behind the man, seeking his protection.
Perhaps her actions pleased him, or perhaps it was for some other reason, but the man gazed coldly at the Mr. Qian before him.
Mr. Qian, stumbling drunk, tried to reach for Zhang Beilu behind him, cursing under his breath, “Who the hell is this meddling fool?”
The people behind Mr. Qian recognized the man and hurriedly stepped forward, bowing apologetically. “Mr. Fu, please forgive him. He’s drunk.”
Fu Zheng said coldly, “Get lost!”
The group quickly dragged Mr. Qian away, disappearing from sight.
Zhang Beilu looked at the man before her, filled with gratitude. “Thank you for saving me. My name is Zhang Beilu. What’s your name? I’ll repay you.”
Fu Zheng turned to look at her. The same age, the same innocence, but she was ultimately not her. “No need,” he replied before continuing forward and entering a private room.
Zhang Beilu’s gaze followed him until a waitress selling drinks approached her and said, “You’re quite lucky. Mr. Fu never talks to the women here when he comes, but today he actually helped you.”
“Mr. Fu? Who is he?” Zhang Beilu asked.
“You don’t even know him? There are only a few Fu families in the entire capital. He’s Fu Zheng, Mr. Fu.” The waitress was surprised she didn’t recognize Mr. Fu, yet he had still helped her. Shaking her head, she walked away.
Zhang Beilu murmured to herself, “The Fu family… Fu Xiao Si… Fu Xiao Si’s brother, Fu Zheng. So that’s him.” A shy yet expectant look flickered in her eyes. If Xu Yueyao were here, she would surely beat her chest and cry out, “What a cursed fate! What a cursed fate!”
At that moment, Xu Yueyao had no idea that the very thing she wanted to prevent had already happened. After a refreshing shower, she changed into comfortable home clothes and went to the study to sort through the two boxes of belongings she had moved in that day.
Flipping through the original owner’s notes, she noticed the handwriting was lively and elegant, neat and graceful. It seemed she had loved reading, as every book contained her insights and annotations.
Xu Yueyao still didn’t understand why she had transmigrated into this book or where the original owner had gone. She carefully examined each book and eventually found a diary tucked inside one of them. Inside the diary was a faded family photo of three people—likely the original owner and her parents. The photo was worn, either from age or from being handled often. In the picture, her parents looked kind and gentle, and the family of three smiled happily.
Since the original owner was a cannon fodder character, her background was only briefly mentioned in the book: her parents died early, and she grew up in her uncle’s household. The diary contained only a few sparse entries:
“I’m so hungry today. My aunt was criticizing me again for eating too much. I’ve decided not to eat dinner anymore. As long as they let me study, I can skip dinner.”
“My aunt and uncle argued again today. I don’t know if it’s because of me, but I’m sure it is. I’m so afraid they won’t let me study anymore. Please, heavens, let me keep studying!”
“My aunt lost some money today and started cursing again. I know she was cursing for me to hear. I even wonder if she really lost the money or if she just wanted an excuse to scold me. I wish I could grow up quickly and leave this place. Anywhere would be better.”I didn’t eat anything all day yesterday. On my way to school, my uncle was waiting for me at the intersection and gave me ten yuan. I saw that his hair had turned white, and I wanted to cry. He might be my only family left in this world. I hope he stays healthy!
Today, my teacher talked to me, saying that if I keep up my performance, I might get accepted into the Imperial Capital University. I was so happy, but also so afraid—afraid this might just be a beautiful dream.
I got accepted into the Imperial Capital University, and there’s also a scholarship. I secretly gave half of it to my uncle. My aunt scolded me on the side, calling me an ungrateful wretch. Let her scold me. From now on, I’ll just be that ungrateful wretch and never come back.
I argued with An Zhiyi again today. I don’t even know why. It seems like I don’t like her at all. Every time I see her, I can’t help but argue with her. My current state is a lot like my aunt’s. In the end, I’ve become the person I hate.
Xu Yueyao shook her head as she read this. It’s not that you want to argue with her—it’s that you have to argue with her. You can’t escape your own fate.
Xu Yueyao actually has her memories, but those memories feel more like watching a drama, not the real her. So, she can’t fully understand her true feelings. Through this diary, she roughly understands what kind of girl she was and why she later became so obsessed with Zhan Rong Xuan and so determined to become the young madam. Maybe she had already fallen in love with Zhan Rong Xuan. Maybe Zhan Rong Xuan was a ray of light in her life. How could such a stubborn girl easily give up the light that belonged to her?
Xu Yueyao tidied up the things and placed them on the bookshelf. After returning to the bedroom, she lay comfortably on the bed. The plot had already shifted slightly. She didn’t know how things would develop in the future. Would it really turn out as she hoped? Could she change their fates? Xu Yueyao fell asleep with an uneasy heart.
The next day, after noon, Xu Yueyao received a call from Zhang Beilu, who asked to meet at a dessert shop near the school. This time, Xu Yueyao didn’t ask Zhang Shu to drive her. Relying on a bit of memory, she found the dessert shop. Zhang Beilu was already waiting there and waved cheerfully when she saw Xu Yueyao.
“You seem so happy today?” Xu Yueyao asked as she sat down, noticing the bright smile on Zhang Beilu’s face and the joy in her eyes.
Zhang Beilu thought for a moment and said, “I quit my part-time job and moved.”
“So fast?” Xu Yueyao was surprised by her efficiency.
“I had already picked out the apartment a long time ago. I didn’t move earlier because I wanted to keep you company and save a bit more money. Now that you’re gone, and I’m not short on money, I just moved,” Zhang Beilu said casually.
“Thank you for keeping me company, and congratulations on your move,” Xu Yueyao said, raising her glass of orange juice. Zhang Beilu picked up hers as well, and the two clinked glasses happily.
“But when you went to quit yesterday, did anyone give you a hard time?” Xu Yueyao asked.
“No, Xin Jie agreed right away.” Thinking of the person she met last night, Zhang Beilu’s face flushed with a shy smile. She wondered when they would meet again.
“That’s good.” Xu Yueyao ate her small cake while observing the surroundings.
Zhang Beilu looked at Xu Yueyao with a sweet smile, thinking that maybe Xu Yueyao had passed some of her good luck onto her, allowing her to meet such a wonderful man. She had specifically inquired about him today—Fu Zheng was outstanding, not only handsome and charming but also highly capable at work and with a clean personal life. Thinking about how he had helped her yesterday, she wondered if he felt differently about her.Zhang Beilu suddenly felt shy again and hurriedly found something to distract herself: “Yao Yao, there’s a strawberry cake here that’s also delicious. Let me treat you to it.”
“Sure!” Xu Yueyao didn’t notice her difference, thinking she was so happy because she had moved.