Chapter 111: Severing the Tail to Survive Part 1

A sudden wave of goosebumps broke out across Ming Li’s arm. She rubbed her skin, feigning indifference, and lowered her gaze to hide her embarrassment. Picking the nearest seat, she said softly, “Let’s just sit here.”

“Alright,” Luo Chaoxue sat down opposite her. “Whatever you say.”

Ming Li had little appetite and ordered a simple vegetable porridge. Luo Chaoxue recommended several of the restaurant’s signature dishes, but Ming Li declined them all, looking somewhat drained.

After placing the order, Luo Chaoxue poured her a cup of warm water. “Still haven’t quite woken up?”

“Mhm.” Ming Li sniffled. “My head is spinning.”

“It’s definitely from that bump earlier,” Luo Chaoxue insisted. “We should go to the hospital after we eat.”

Ming Li shook her head. “I drank too much at lunch. It has nothing to do with the bump.”

She was reluctant to go to the hospital for two reasons: she knew the hit to her head wasn’t serious, and she was simply too exhausted. She wanted nothing more than to go home and rest.

Luo Chaoxue clearly disagreed, but she didn’t push the issue.

After a short silence, Luo Chaoxue changed the subject to the script meeting from earlier that afternoon. She mentioned that the people at Ming Li’s company were very interesting and full of ideas that aligned with her own philosophy. When talking about screenwriting, Luo Chaoxue spoke with eloquence, her eyes sparkling with passion.

Ming Li chimed in occasionally, feeling genuinely happy for the collaboration, but her heart was heavy with other matters, and she couldn’t maintain a cheerful expression for long.

Fortunately, the porridge arrived soon after.

The vegetable porridge was light, the rice simmered until it was soft and velvety. Even the side dishes were quite appetizing. Despite this, Ming Li only managed a few bites.

In contrast, Luo Chaoxue finished her entire bowl and even cleared out the side dishes.

When she finished, Ming Li asked if she was full. Luo Chaoxue immediately replied, “I’m stuffed.”

“It was quite a large portion.” Ming Li smiled and moved to settle the bill, only to find that Luo Chaoxue had already paid.

“I thought I was paying,” Ming Li said.

Luo Chaoxue laughed, revealing a row of neat, white teeth. “I never agreed to that.”

She picked up her coat and scarf from the side. “I like treating you to dinner.”

Ming Li let out a soft sigh. She wasn’t used to letting others pay for her; she and Zhu Hanxing usually took turns. In the past, the only person who always paid when they ate together was Gu Qingshuang.

Of course, their private dinners had been few and far between back then.

But back then, there had been a legitimate reason to let Gu Qingshuang pay. Now, she wasn’t in a relationship with Luo Chaoxue, yet she was accepting her gifts. It felt unsettling.

The wind was howling outside. The moment they stepped out, Ming Li tucked her chin into her collar. The warmth she had gained from the porridge vanished instantly, leaving her chilled from head to toe. Noticing this, Luo Chaoxue offered her scarf. “Here, use mine.”

“It’s fine.” Ming Li pulled her collar tighter. “The car is right there.”

She jogged a few steps toward the car just as Luo Chaoxue unlocked it. Ming Li quickly pulled the door open and hopped inside.

Luo Chaoxue stood frozen for a few seconds before slowly getting into the driver’s seat. The atmosphere in the car felt a bit chilly.

She had originally wanted to ask Ming Li if she wanted to go for a walk. It was a rare opportunity for them to spend time together and build their connection; going back now felt like a wasted chance.

After a moment of hesitation, Luo Chaoxue asked, “Do you want to stop by the mall nearby?”

“Do you need to buy something?” Ming Li asked.

Luo Chaoxue paused. “Not really.”

Ming Li started to say, “Then why…”

She trailed off, noticing Luo Chaoxue’s slightly awkward expression. She quickly pivoted. “If you want to go, we can look around.”

Though she had agreed, her tone lacked any enthusiasm. Luo Chaoxue looked at her pale face. “Actually, let’s just go home. You’re not feeling well.”

Ming Li lowered her eyes and took the out. “Let’s do it another day.”

Luo Chaoxue’s eyes crinkled into a gentle smile. “Alright.”

Traffic was heavy, and they hit several long red lights, but there were no major jams.

Once they reached the apartment complex’s garage, Luo Chaoxue parked the car smoothly. As the engine died, the music cut off, and the dome light flickered on. Ming Li said softly, “Thanks for the ride.”

“We’re here already,” Luo Chaoxue said with a hint of regret. “Usually, this drive feels much longer.”

Ming Li pretended not to catch the underlying meaning. She said plainly, “There wasn’t any traffic today.”

Luo Chaoxue laughed. “Yeah, quite lucky.”

As they walked toward the elevator together, Ming Li’s phone rang. Luo Chaoxue had been discussing the casting for the upcoming short drama, but Ming Li pulled out her phone and whispered, “I need to take this.”

She stepped a few paces away.

Luo Chaoxue stayed where she was, watching her silhouette.

Ming Li’s permed hair looked even more voluminous now, dark and thick. Over her light-colored professional suit, she wore a beige down jacket that wrapped her up tightly. Despite her thin frame, the jacket didn’t make her look bloated. Her skin was so fair and delicate it looked like it would bruise at a touch. She spoke with a calm, unhurried air, occasionally bowing her head in thought.

Luo Chaoxue stared for a long time before looking down and smiling to herself.

She had never realized a person could be so beautiful that she’d forget to check her phone, finding joy just by watching their every little movement.

I’m acting like an obsessed fan, Luo Chaoxue thought.

But being obsessed wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Maybe she’d write her next protagonist with that personality.

Luo Chaoxue’s gaze never left Ming Li, even as stories began to bloom in her mind. It was rare for her to feel such a surge of creative inspiration just by looking at someone.

A short distance away, Ming Li didn’t notice the gaze. The caller was Gu Xueqiang.

Gu Xueqiang had just finished an international meeting and only had ten minutes before she had to rush to a business dinner. When the call connected, Ming Li asked immediately, “Are you doing okay?”

Gu Xueqiang was stunned for a few seconds, her composure nearly breaking.