Chapter 101

Ever since that incident, Lu Chenyu and her mother had fallen into an awkward standoff.

Ms. Song rarely acknowledged Lu Chenyu anymore. Every weekend when Lu Chenyu returned home, her attitude remained icy cold.

She was waiting for Lu Chenyu to apologize and yield.

Lu Chenyu knew her mother was angry, but she hadn’t figured out how to broach the subject with Ms. Song. She had tried talking a few times, only to be met with cold indifference. Ms. Song had one clear goal: to force Lu Chenyu to back down.

Lu Chenyu confided in Wen Feixi about the matter.

Wen Feixi fell silent for a long moment. “This is between you and your mom. I don’t have much to say about it.”

“Lulu,” Wen Feixi continued, “no matter what decision you make, I hope you’ll think about your own feelings first.”

Ms. Song was her mother, after all. Lu Chenyu chose a way to ease the tension and temporarily called a truce in their silent war.

In the end, Lu Chenyu handed over her phone for Ms. Song to keep.

As expected, Ms. Song’s attitude toward her softened a bit.

Lu Chenyu knew her mother was an uneducated woman. Compared to Wen Feixi’s father, Wen Yanxiu, she was the easygoing type.

She couldn’t expect Ms. Song’s views to change overnight. It would take time, step by step.

Fortunately, Ms. Song didn’t cause her any other trouble.

It was Saturday.

The house was eerily quiet.

This had become the norm since that day. Ms. Song sat in the living room, silently watching TV without turning on the lights, while Lu Chenyu studied alone in her room.

Suddenly, her phone rang.

“Sister, sorry to bother you,” came Xue Yi’s voice. The woman chuckled on the other end. “There’s a perfume event happening here. Are you interested in joining?”

Her voice sliced through the heavy, gloomy atmosphere of the house, brightening Lu Chenyu’s mood a little.

Lu Chenyu’s tone lifted. “What kind of event?”

Xue Yi explained, “It’s a Perfume Conference this Sunday morning. Want to come out and relax a bit?”

The Perfume Conference was an event led by the renowned perfume company Atelier. In simple terms, it brought together fragrance tasting, blending, selling, and chatting, complete with on-site blending competitions and experiential booths open to the public.

Just listening to Xue Yi’s description made Lu Chenyu extremely interested.

“Thanks, Xue Sister. I’ll be there on time tomorrow,” Lu Chenyu said.

Xue Yi smiled. “Sure.”

From then on, the Perfume Conference became Lu Chenyu’s brief escape.

She still went to the gym every Saturday night, but on Sunday mornings, she got up at five-thirty, finished her homework and reviewed her lessons, then spent two hours at the perfume event.

There, she met many local university students from River City, tried fragrances from various brands, and learned about perfume-making techniques.

Lu Chenyu shared everything that happened at the conference with Wen Feixi every day and even gifted her several bottles of perfume.

Perhaps it was the balance of work and rest that boosted her studies. Her grades not only held steady but improved. In the latest weekly exam, she reclaimed first place.

That day, Lu Chenyu was having a meal with Xue Yi.

Xue Yi wore a casual women’s blazer paired with a hip-hugging skirt. Her sleeves were rolled up slightly, her earrings gleamed under the lights, and her wavy mid-length hair draped over her shoulders—elegant yet capable.

By now, they were completely at ease with each other. Xue Yi always dropped her off on the way or bought her snacks.

Lu Chenyu really liked her.

Xue Yi was curious about Lu Chenyu’s school life and chatted idly with her. “Lulu, do you have any really close friends at school?”

Lu Chenyu instinctively thought of Wen Feixi and curved her lips with a nod.

The usually cool girl’s eyes softened suddenly, radiating genuine joy from within.

Xue Yi gossiped, “Boy or girl?”

Lu Chenyu paused, then said, “Girl.”

Xue Yi’s eyes crinkled with a mischievous smile. “Judging by your expression, you two must be pretty close, huh?”

Though Xue Yi was much older, she never acted superior. In Lu Chenyu’s heart, she was already like an older sister. After a moment’s thought, Lu Chenyu answered honestly, “She’s my girlfriend.”

Xue Yi froze, clearly not expecting someone so young to have a girlfriend.

“Is she pretty?” Xue Yi teased with a grin. “Can I see a photo?”

Lu Chenyu thought for a second and pulled out her watch.

The screen showed a selfie of her and Wen Feixi.

She felt it wasn’t right to show just Wen Feixi’s photo alone, so she chose their joint selfie instead.

It was taken by the river in Serene River Ancient City during the New Year holidays, with one girl affectionately pressing her cheek to the other’s.

Wen Feixi’s features were refined and striking, her narrow phoenix eyes tilted slightly upward as she gazed lazily at the camera. Her jet-black hair was tousled by the wind, and her skin glowed translucently pale under the lights.

Xue Yi’s smile stiffened upon seeing the photo.

Lu Chenyu’s ears grew hot, but she asked casually, “Sister, what do you think? Is she pretty?”

“Very pretty.” Xue Yi was silent for a long while before asking, “Lulu, can I ask your friend’s name?”

Lu Chenyu said, “Her name’s Wen Feixi. She’s a study tyrant with top grades at school. She was the Student Council vice president in her first and second years of high school, and tons of people like her there.”

Xue Yi replied, “Really? She’s that outstanding?”

Her voice trembled, and her eyes were already turning slightly red.

Talking about Wen Feixi, Lu Chenyu could go on forever. She eagerly wanted to share every wonderful thing about her with Xue Yi.

“She’s the goddess of the whole school.”

Seeing Xue Yi stay quiet for so long, Lu Chenyu glanced at her curiously. “What’s wrong?”

Xue Yi said, “Nothing.”

They continued eating, but in greater silence. Afterward, Xue Yi stood. “Let’s go.”

This time, Lu Chenyu insisted on paying. Xue Yi watched her with a helpless, indulgent smile. After settling the bill, Lu Chenyu walked out of the restaurant with Xue Yi.

Outside, a low-key gray Mercedes-Benz was already parked by the roadside.

“Get in,” Xue Yi opened the door. “I’m heading toward River City Fourth High School for some business. I can drop you at school.”

“Thanks, Sister, but no need,” Lu Chenyu said politely. “My friend will pick me up soon.”

Xue Yi paused.

Her throat felt dry. “Your friend? The girl from the photo you showed me?”

“Yeah.” Lu Chenyu was in high spirits.

They were at the convention center, where a spice exhibition was underway. After lunch, people were leaving bit by bit, and the street was getting crowded.

Xue Yi said, “Lulu, wait a sec. I have something for you.”

Lu Chenyu blinked in surprise.

Xue Yi murmured something to her assistant nearby. The assistant got into the car and emerged with a bag.

Xue Yi handed the bag to Lu Chenyu. “I bought some stationery. Saw these cute pens at the mall last time and picked them up. Take them.”

Lu Chenyu smiled and thanked her.

Xue Yi frowned slightly, hesitating. “Your friend… when’s she coming?”

Lu Chenyu checked her watch. “Should be soon.”

Just then, she spotted a familiar figure on the nearby street.

Wen Feixi had just stepped out of a car, a white canvas backpack slung over her shoulder. She glanced toward the convention center entrance, then pulled out her phone.

Light sparked in Lu Chenyu’s eyes. She hurried to call out, “Sister…”

Turning back to introduce her to Xue Yi, Lu Chenyu said, “This is my girlfriend.”

Wen Feixi heard her call and looked up. Spotting her, she smiled and waved.

As Lu Chenyu introduced her, Wen Feixi nodded politely with a smile, turning courteously toward Xue Yi.

The air seemed to freeze in an instant.

Wen Feixi’s gaze slowly swept over the woman’s meticulously made-up face. In that moment, she caught a faint scent—one that had lingered in her memory all these years.

Her pupils trembled. A rush of complex emotions surged up immediately: shock, disbelief, anger.

These turbulent feelings twisted inside her, but Wen Feixi merely glanced at Xue Yi before looking away.

How could it be?

How could it possibly be that woman?

Lately, Lu Chenyu had been sharing photos from the Perfume Conference, and while Wen Feixi had suspected the identity of this woman Lu Chenyu spent so much time with, she hadn’t fully believed it. Instead, she had deluded herself into denial.

It couldn’t be her!

But now, seeing the woman in person, Wen Feixi knew for certain.

“Hello,” Wen Feixi said evenly, walking over to take Lu Chenyu’s hand. “Lulu, let’s go.”

Lu Chenyu glanced puzzledly between them. She told Xue Yi, “Xue Sister, I’m heading out.”

She took two steps with Wen Feixi, only to see Xue Yi snap out of a daze and reach out to grab Wen Feixi’s arm.

Xue Yi’s voice shook. “Sui Sui, is that you?”

Wen Feixi’s steps halted abruptly.

Lu Chenyu froze.

Wen Feixi turned to look at Xue Yi, her gaze cold as still water.

She said coolly, “Sorry, you’ve got the wrong person.”

Xue Yi insisted, “I know it’s you. You’ve grown up over these years, and we haven’t seen each other in so long, but I’d never mistake you. Sui Sui, Mom has missed you so much.”

Lu Chenyu had never once connected Wen Feixi with Xue Yi.

Xue Yi’s words hit her like a thunderbolt. Lu Chenyu frowned and looked toward Wen Feixi.

Suddenly, she noticed how similar Wen Feixi’s eyes were to Xue Yi’s. She recalled Xue Yi once asking if she knew a girl named Xue Niansui, and thought of Wen Feixi’s father being divorced.

Sui Sui?

Could it be…

Her hand was gripped again. Wen Feixi pulled Lu Chenyu away expressionlessly. Lu Chenyu sensed her steps were quicker than usual—uncharacteristically hurried, almost panicked.

In the car, Lu Chenyu sat stunned.

Through the window, she saw Xue Yi still standing in the entrance hall. Hesitantly, she asked, “Do you know Xue Sister?”

Wen Feixi snapped irritably, “Don’t call her sister.”

Lu Chenyu blinked in shock.

Wen Feixi said, “She’s my mom.”

Dead silence filled the car.

Waves of shock crashed through Lu Chenyu’s heart.

After a long pause, she said, “That’s great…”

“Great how?” Wen Feixi asked, puzzled.

Because Wen Feixi had always been with Wen Yanxiu, Lu Chenyu had never met her mother. But at first thought, it seemed simple to Lu Chenyu: Wen Feixi had found her mom and could finally escape Wen Yanxiu.

Xue Sister seemed far better than Wen Yanxiu in every way.

Lu Chenyu added, “Last year in Sea City, I met your mom. She asked if I knew a girl named Xue Niansui. Is that you? Or…”

Wen Feixi’s expression grew even colder. “I’m not going anywhere with her.”

She hadn’t seen her mother in many years.

She had sworn long ago that even if they met again, she would have nothing more to do with this woman.

Lu Chenyu began, “But she…”

“She doesn’t deserve it.” Wen Feixi said coldly to the driver, “To the school.”

The car started smoothly and glided along the road.

Lu Chenyu frowned slightly.

Since they had gotten together, Wen Feixi had always been gentle and soft-spoken with her. This was the first time she had spoken so curtly.

Lu Chenyu had never imagined Xue Yi shared such a history with Wen Feixi.

She had vaguely felt Xue Yi’s features resembled someone else’s.

But she couldn’t be sure.

A faint joy unexpectedly welled up in Lu Chenyu’s heart. She hadn’t realized it was all true.