As soon as these words were spoken, Xiao Ning raised an eyebrow. “Xiao Ji?”
Li Yunli bit her lip, her brows furrowed with worry and distress. “Yes.”
So Xiao Ning had actually figured it out long ago?
Everyone could see it.
“I think her words are understandable, but understanding doesn’t mean she won’t be angry. She tried so hard when you two were together, but you distanced yourself from her. When she moved out before, her face looked really awful.” Xiao Ning propped her chin on her hand.
That day, Li Yunli had made her breakfast, but she didn’t even eat it. She packed her things at lightning speed and left without saying a word.
Previously, Xiao Ning had thought that with Li Yunli’s personality, she’d suffer a lot being with her. But now, it seemed Li Yunli wasn’t that easy to bully after all—hadn’t she pissed off Ji Zhenshi so much that there’d been no word from her for half a year?
“I shouldn’t have done that,” Li Yunli murmured dejectedly.
It felt like she’d messed up, thinking she was doing it for Ji Zhenshi’s sake.
Seeing Li Yunli’s self-blaming expression, Xiao Ning added, “Actually, from your perspective, you didn’t do anything wrong. Your situation is just too unique. As an outsider, I can’t offer any advice. But Manager Li, you two are so perfect for each other, and you love each other so much—why go to such extremes? It’s okay to be a little selfish. And this isn’t even selfish; you’re just thinking too much about Xiao Ji. There’s really no need to go this far.”
“Besides, if you keep avoiding each other like this, even the deepest feelings won’t hold up.”
Hearing those same words again, Li Yunli could no longer stay calm. “She’ll fall for someone else—women of all types are possible.”
The novelty factor—they’d been together for seven years, and the term “seven-year itch” suddenly popped into her mind.
Xiao Ning responded, “Possible, yeah. I think Xiao Ji has this indescribable charm. If she pursued someone else, it’d be effortless. You’ve been with her for seven years, so you might be immune to her face, but honestly, I think her looks are really striking.”
The exact same words as Zhang Fenglan’s—alarm bells rang loudly in Li Yunli’s heart, but she still whispered, “I’m not immune to her face either.”
Ji Zhenshi’s face— no matter how long you looked, you never got immune.
“Maybe Xiao Ji’s the one who’s immune and seeking novelty,” Xiao Ning said half-jokingly.
Li Yunli lowered her gaze, as if taking it seriously.
…
Downstairs from Ji Zhenshi’s place.
Perhaps because she still owed Tang Xien a million, Ji Zhenshi rented in a rundown old neighborhood from last century—no elevator, no property management, terrible environment. Transportation and shopping were inconvenient; even takeout had to be picked up hundreds of meters away at the gate.
Each apartment was tiny. After moving out of the cozy coffee shop, she hadn’t gone back to her parents’ place—Zhang Fenglan said she hadn’t visited even once in half a year.
Her resentment toward her parents had clearly peaked, yet she hadn’t returned to the coffee shop either, stubborn like a sulky child, willing to suffer rather than compromise.
She’d left the coffee shop with everything, only to live alone in this dump. Who’d guess the violinist who appeared on shows with Tang Xien lived in such squalor?
Li Yunli had only learned yesterday that this was where she’d been the past half year.
Heartache and regret surged. Li Yunli’s firm principles crumbled under Zhang Fenglan’s words: “You’re hurting her too.” Maybe Zhang Fenglan was right—shielding her from harm and pressure wasn’t always good. Ji Zhenshi needed these to grow.
The shelter she offered could sometimes be another sharp blade, cutting deep into Ji Zhenshi’s heart and chilling it.
Carrying gifts, her long skirt fluttering gracefully, Li Yunli stood in the same spot as yesterday, waiting for Ji Zhenshi with an indescribable joy bubbling inside.
She wanted to talk properly with her, to apologize.
“Silly Rich Girl, can you stop being so cold to me every time we meet? We have such fate on our side—can’t we just be good friends? Look, you play violin, I play violin. Such a coincidence—doesn’t it deserve cherishing, this rare connection between us?”
“Not worth it. You’re too noisy—noisier than me—so no good friends. Also, I have a name: Ji Zhenshi. How many times have I told you? You can’t even remember my name, yet you keep clinging to me?”
“But I live nearby too—such a coincidence. How about we go to your place and discuss violin properly? You’re a rising star in the violin world now. That human duet with Senior Tang is so cool—the ultimate symmetrical beauty.”
“What star lives in a dump like this? In other words, what’s a rising star living here worth discussing? Ye Wuzhi, friendly reminder: don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. I’m really not interested in you. Why are you still sticking to me?”
“But I’m interested in you. We’re so compatible. Wanna go see a movie? My treat?” Ye Wuzhi directly hooked her arm around Ji Zhenshi’s, forcibly holding hands.
Li Yunli’s eager anticipation was doused like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing all her hopes from head to toe. The temperature plummeted; her long skirt hem seemed to sense its owner’s tremble, dancing wildly in the wind without rhythm.
The summer night was actually quite warm—at least, not this bone-chilling cold.
Li Yunli could no longer maintain the smile on her face. Her gentle brows darkened, her hand gripping the bag tightly, unable to force even a grin.
Ji Zhenshi spotted Li Yunli at a glance, stunned that she’d appear here—and clearly waiting for a while.
In her shock, Ji Zhenshi even forgot to shake off Ye Wuzhi’s hand, staring at the long-absent Li Yunli.
Still so elegantly captivating, long hair cascading softly over her shoulders, endless gentleness enveloping her entirely, radiating an alluring aura from within.
Her attitude had been so nasty on the phone last night, but seeing Li Yunli in person quieted many emotions.
Ye Wuzhi spoke first. “What’s up? You two know each other? A friend?”
Ji Zhenshi subtly withdrew her hand, but Ye Wuzhi gripped it tightly. Glaring at the opportunist, Ji Zhenshi gritted out, “Yeah, we know each other.”
Was Ye Wuzhi made of glue?
Stuck to her like that, impossible to peel off.
Li Yunli’s gaze fixed deadly on Ye Wuzhi’s arm around Ji Zhenshi’s. Hearing Ji Zhenshi’s indifferent tone made the dull ache in her chest unbearable.
Her lips, even glossed, looked pale. Maintaining her composure was exhausting; a huge stone pressed on her chest, leaving her unable to calm for a long time.
Xiao Zhen, turns out Grandma was right. I really can’t stay unmoved inside.
She’d have to pay a painful price for her mistakes.
“Xiao Zhen, can we talk? I have something for you.” Swallowing heartache, Li Yunli humbled herself, even offering the gift as incentive, fearing Ji Zhenshi wouldn’t want to talk.
Cause and effect—she couldn’t escape the cycle either.
Ji Zhenshi had once begged so humbly to talk, but she’d feared softening, feared being persuaded, so she’d rejected without hesitation.
And now, would Ji Zhenshi reject her?
Ji Zhenshi glanced at Li Yunli—especially the bag she carried—silently cursing Grandma in her mind before replying, “Sure. Talk about what?”
No refusal, but no easy way out for Li Yunli either.
Li Yunli felt a second of relief, unable to stomach them standing there arm-in-arm. Lowering her gaze, she tried to keep her voice as warm and measured as before. “Can we go upstairs to talk?”
Li Yunli was in a tough spot. She wanted to talk alone with Ji Zhenshi, but she was arm-in-arm with another woman.
Unsure how far their relationship had progressed, she didn’t dare outright exclude the third wheel, so she phrased it tactfully.
They seemed so intimate—were they together?
Ji Zhenshi hadn’t told her the address, but this woman knew. Had they been to Ji Zhenshi’s place many times, like they’d mentioned at the bar last time?
She was asking her to movies—had they done other things before?
Countless questions swallowed Li Yunli like a tide, her heart aching, bitterness flooding until her nose tingled red.
But she had no right to ask, only carefully and tactfully request a private talk.
Back when they were together, Ji Zhenshi had eyes only for her, wrapped in unabashed love, making her forget Ji Zhenshi had many suitors. It was Ji Zhenshi’s security that made her so bold.
Ji Zhenshi withdrew her warning glare at Ye Wuzhi, leaning back slightly, voice flat. “Mm. Wait a sec. I need to say something to her.”
With that, following Ye Wuzhi’s grip on her arm, Ji Zhenshi barely pulled and Ye Wuzhi followed to the side. Glancing at the soft, gentle Li Yunli, her voice grew even colder than when facing her. “Ye Wuzhi, go home if you have nothing to do. I really don’t have time to hang out. I’m busy today, and heading out of town for work tomorrow.”
Ji Zhenshi couldn’t handle Ye Wuzhi’s overfamiliarity, especially in front of Li Yunli—it made her feel prickled all over, uncomfortable.
Whether Li Yunli reacted or not, it’d either make her sulkier given their situation or leave Ji Zhenshi more frustrated. Either way, she didn’t want to seem too close to others in front of Li Yunli.
Even now, Ji Zhenshi was still thinking only of Li Yunli having her.
“Okay, no going out today. Busy with your stuff, but when you get back, can we have dinner together?” Ye Wuzhi persisted, intent on a meal date.
Ji Zhenshi couldn’t fathom her obsession. Though Ye Wuzhi claimed instant rapport since they both played violin and took a liking, it felt off. Narrowing her eyes, “No, no time when I get back either. Lots going on. Anyway, I’m not interested in you. Don’t waste time on me.”
“What? So she’s an ex? Why ignore me just ’cause she’s here? Not like she’s your current girlfriend.” Ye Wuzhi frowned discontentedly, glancing sidelong at the poised, moonlit figure meters away. So Ji Zhenshi liked this type?
And from her attitude earlier, she was here to reconcile?
Ye Wuzhi’s voice rose noticeably, perfectly carrying to Li Yunli’s ears.
Energetic voice—piercingly so.
Li Yunli’s brow furrowed imperceptibly; her soft gaze gained a sharp edge, landing on Ye Wuzhi like tangible harm.
Why did it sound so jealous from Ye Wuzhi’s mouth, like coquetry to Ji Zhenshi? Li Yunli bowed her head dispiritedly, heart tangled and restless, yet unwilling to miss Ji Zhenshi’s reaction, enduring the pain to watch their entanglement.
Ji Zhenshi stepped back slightly, putting distance between them, eyes always on the slender, bamboo-like Li Yunli.
She’d been waiting, standing there, warm as a spring breeze.
Still sulking, but Ji Zhenshi wasn’t petty enough to deliberately make her jealous. Clearing her throat, “Lower your voice. I don’t want her misunderstanding. And it has nothing to do with her—don’t meddle in my affairs. Let me stress again: not interested in you. Don’t waste time on me. I’m awful; probably only she can tolerate my temper.”
To distance herself, Ji Zhenshi even trashed her own image.
But she wasn’t wrong—her temper was bad, quick to flare. Only Li Yunli had such patience, never clashing head-on, always coaxing her calmly before explaining the pros and cons.
Yeah, she was so good, unrealistically so—that’s what made it infuriating.
Ye Wuzhi pouted. “I think you’re great. Why badmouth yourself? If she was as perfect as you say, would you have broken up?”
“You’re persistent,” Ji Zhenshi gritted. “Our thing is complicated—can’t explain in a sentence. Just go home.”
Bluntly chasing her off.
Ye Wuzhi was reluctant, but in the standoff, her eyes darted slyly. “Fine, no more questions, I’ll go. But for being so obedient, promise me one thing?”
Ji Zhenshi just wanted to escape, nodding hastily. “What?”
Ye Wuzhi blurted eagerly, “Get me Teacher Tang’s autograph. I love her—she’s my idol.”
“…”
It felt like the long wind-up was all for this line.
Ji Zhenshi felt led by the nose, but with Li Yunli waiting, she couldn’t care less. “Fine, I’ll try. But she never does that stuff. I’ll try.”
“Deal. When you get back, I’ll pick you up and grab the signed photo.” Ye Wuzhi ignored the reluctance, taking it as a yes.
Batting her eyes, a thrill of success.
“Hey…” Ji Zhenshi hadn’t finished.
Afraid she’d back out, Ye Wuzhi bolted, waving as she ran. “Thanks! Text when you’re back; I’ll be there on time.”
Ji Zhenshi rubbed her forehead, frowning irritably.
Ye Wuzhi’s enthusiasm was overwhelming. Their “coincidences” felt beyond normal—something off, but she couldn’t pinpoint it.
Had her charm really grown to make Ye Wuzhi smitten at first sight?
Ji Zhenshi found it ridiculously unlikely, but didn’t want to dwell. Turning, her gaze met Li Yunli’s.
They’d talked long, yet Li Yunli hadn’t rushed her—just stood quietly waiting.
Li Yunli looked at her, gentle ripples stirring in her calm eyes.
Her aura soft as water, watching her get close to someone else without a care?
