Chapter 2

The two women’s faces paled.

“By the way, does Wei Jingbo know you’re out here sticking up for him?” Ji Changyin smiled. “Actually, he probably doesn’t even know who you are.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Who I like and how I choose to pursue them are none of your business. Got it? No matter how I behave, I’m still better than worms like you, who only dare to talk behind people’s backs.”

She tucked her hair behind her ear, the corners of her mouth lifting. “Don’t let me hear you two running your mouths again. I didn’t bother with you before because I couldn’t be bothered. Understand?”

Ji Changyin strode toward her reserved table in her heels. Then she spotted someone entering through the door and paused.

Xu Chaomu.

What a coincidence.

She vaguely remembered this part of the story.

The original Ji Changyin had eventually called Wei Jingbo over. But when he spotted Xu Chaomu, he abandoned Ji Changyin and went after her instead. Xu Chaomu, of course, turned down his invitation to dinner.

Ji Changyin hesitated, then walked over to Xu Chaomu.

“Are you alone?” she asked with a warm smile.

Xu Chaomu looked at her and nodded.

“So am I. Want to join me?”

Xu Chaomu studied her for a moment.

“It’s just dinner. I’m not going to do anything to you.” Ji Changyin smiled sweetly.

The original Ji Changyin usually avoided Xu Chaomu. She never went to the same events, so the two of them had barely ever been seen together.

“All right.” Xu Chaomu nodded.

Ji Changyin had expected to be turned down. She hadn’t expected Xu Chaomu to agree so readily.

Now it was Ji Changyin’s turn to stare.

Xu Chaomu didn’t have much page time in the book. Most of what readers learned about her came secondhand. She was devoted to her career, and as far as Ji Changyin could remember, she hadn’t had a romantic relationship by the end of the story.

They sat down at Ji Changyin’s table. Neither of them said a word.

Ji Changyin rested her chin on her hand and looked at Xu Chaomu. Honestly, they didn’t look all that much alike. She had no idea how those people could be so blind as to think they did.

“Miss Ji, is there something you want to say to me?”

Ji Changyin thought about it. She shook her head, then nodded, and took out her phone. “Could I add you on WeChat?”

Xu Chaomu looked surprised. After a moment, she said, “We’re already friends.”

An awkward silence settled between them. Ji Changyin had no memory of that, but when she searched WeChat, Xu Chaomu’s account was right there.

Fortunately, Ji Changyin had thick skin. She could still smile through this.

“Miss Xu, don’t be nervous. I just didn’t want to eat alone, and I saw you were by yourself.” Ji Changyin picked up the glass of red wine beside her. “So I invited you. I’ve always liked you, actually. I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time, but never had the chance.”

Xu Chaomu glanced at her, looking thoroughly puzzled, but still thanked her.

They’d said they would chat, but there wasn’t much to talk about. The conversation remained awkward.

Ji Changyin had invited Xu Chaomu mostly out of curiosity.

After two glasses of red wine, Xu Chaomu’s cheeks had turned faintly pink. Her eyes had grown unfocused, too. Ji Changyin didn’t notice until it was too late.

“Miss Xu, are you okay?”

“Huh?” Xu Chaomu’s response was sluggish. She looked up at Ji Changyin. “I’m fine.”

Ji Changyin: Sure you are.

She put down her knife and fork and asked the staff to take away the red wine. Xu Chaomu frowned at her, visibly displeased.

“We’ve eaten enough. How are you getting home, Miss Xu?”

Xu Chaomu covered her mouth and burped softly. She looked at Ji Changyin but didn’t answer.

“Should I drive you? I came by car.” Ji Changyin hadn’t touched the wine, only a little juice. She never drank when she was with people she didn’t know well.

Ji Changyin picked up her bag and stood. Xu Chaomu still hadn’t moved.

“Miss Xu?”

Xu Chaomu held out her hand and lifted her chin slightly.

Ji Changyin hesitated for a few seconds, then took her hand and pulled her up.

Xu Chaomu seemed satisfied. She nodded at Ji Changyin.

Ji Changyin: …

What kind of scene was this young lady acting out?

They went to the parking garage together. Xu Chaomu was unsteady on her feet and leaned almost all her weight on Ji Changyin as they walked.

“Good thing this place has decent privacy. Otherwise, we’d definitely be trending.” Ji Changyin helped Xu Chaomu into the car.

Xu Chaomu sat in the passenger seat and tilted her head to look at Ji Changyin.

“Where do you live?” Ji Changyin asked.

Xu Chaomu shook her head.

“Huh?”

“I don’t know.” Xu Chaomu yawned. “I’m sleepy.”

Ji Changyin: ???

“Miss Xu? Should I call your manager?”

Xu Chaomu’s eyes flew open. Shock and disbelief filled them, and her voice brimmed with indignation. “You’d actually tell on me? How could you do that?”

“I just want her to come pick you up.” Ji Changyin was sure of it now. Xu Chaomu was drunk.

What kind of person got drunk after two glasses of red wine?

Xu Chaomu shook her head decisively. “I don’t want that.”

“Then do you want to sleep at my place?”

Xu Chaomu thought for a moment and studied Ji Changyin. “Okay.”

Ji Changyin couldn’t decide whether Xu Chaomu was unusually trusting or whether the original Ji Changyin had such a good reputation that even her supposed rival trusted her.

“You’re not worried I’ll sell you off?” Ji Changyin asked casually.

“You wouldn’t,” Xu Chaomu said.

Ji Changyin raised an eyebrow.

“You look pretty stupid.”

Even though she wasn’t the original Ji Changyin, she still felt a little offended.

“Look in a mirror.”

“Hm?”

“See if you look a little stupid right now.”

Xu Chaomu frowned and smacked Ji Changyin’s arm.

“We’re here. Get out.” Ji Changyin parked in the garage, got out, and came around to open the passenger door. She held out her hand.

Xu Chaomu stepped out and leaned against her. Ji Changyin’s foot wobbled, which seemed to bother her.

“I’m not heavy.”

“You’re not. You’re short, after all.”

Xu Chaomu narrowed her eyes. “I’m five foot six. That’s not short.”

“Oh, I’m five foot eight.” Ji Changyin supported her. “You’re shorter than me.”

“Do you always drink like this?”

“No.” Xu Chaomu tugged at Ji Changyin’s clothes. “Just tonight.”

Ji Changyin settled Xu Chaomu on the couch.

“I’ll make you some honey water.”

“I don’t want honey water. I want to sleep.”

“What a little tyrant.”

Ji Changyin’s house had only one bedroom. The other rooms had no bedding, and she had no idea where any of it was kept.

“I want to shower.” Xu Chaomu grabbed Ji Changyin’s clothes again.