“The taste isn’t bad. After I left, you’ve learned to take care of yourself. Not bad at all.”
Xu Qingzhou took a sip of the porridge. The taste was pretty good.
She remembered that when they had first gotten together, Xie An couldn’t even cook porridge without burning it.
It had even tasted a bit bitter.
With no other choice, Xu Qingzhou had to cook for her every day after work.
The longer they were together, the more Xu Qingzhou felt like she was the bad one in the relationship.
She tried even harder to treat her well.
But now that they had been broken up for so many years, Xie An could take care of herself.
And her cooking had gotten pretty good too.
It was quite gratifying.
Holding the little orange cat in her arms, Xu Qingzhou figured Xie An’s life wasn’t too bad.
Since she was doing well, that was good. At least Xu Qingzhou wouldn’t feel guilty toward her anymore.
Though it was just simple rice porridge with some light side dishes, Xu Qingzhou ate it with relish.
She rarely ate breakfast.
First, she was always rushed for time, and second, she wasn’t hungry.
She often got so busy that she forgot.
“Thanks for the treat. I’ll treat you to a meal sometime. I have something to do today—there’s a dubbing project on Second Brother’s side that needs my supervision—so I’ll head out first. I scheduled your recording session with Fu Yanxi for around one in the afternoon. Does that work? If there’s anything unsatisfactory, just let me know directly.”
Xu Qingzhou yawned.
She had slept so soundly at Xie An’s place.
It felt like Xie An had some kind of magic about her.
It was just so reassuring and relaxing.
No need to be on guard, no need to act tough.
But they were exes now, so it was better to minimize private one-on-one meetings.
It was too awkward, especially since she’d even dated a guy afterward.
In the lesbian circle, that was taboo. Besides, she had no intention of dating anyone right now.
Being single was pretty good.
“Mm, no problem.”
Xu Qingzhou was a bit taken aback. Did this woman not have to go to work?
Even if she had money, she couldn’t just slack off like that, right?
When they’d been dating, Xie An had never taken time off.
What was going on now?
Don’t tell her Xie An actually had feelings for her?
That was scarier than a nightmare.
It had been over nine years—nearly ten. That was enough time to date several people.
Acting this devoted made it feel like she’d wasted Xie An’s time.
“Alright, then I’ll head out.”
Xu Qingzhou had wanted to ask why she wasn’t going to work.
But she thought better of it—what right did she have to ask?
Better to drop it, lest she come off as annoying.
She straightened her clothes and made a quick trip to the bathroom.
The toiletries were all her favorite brand, and even the toothbrush cup was the couple’s matching color they’d used before. She hadn’t realized Xie An was so nostalgic?
Or maybe it was pure resentment.
After packing up, she grabbed her bag and left.
She was all too familiar with this neighborhood.
She didn’t need Xie An’s help to know everything about it.
In fact, these past years, every time she passed by this place, she’d speed away. Because here were the happiest, most relaxing times of her adulthood—and one of the few such periods. She had a strong sense of pride too.
Even before the breakup, they’d been arguing.
Her family still had some debts unpaid at the time, and Xie An had secretly helped out behind her back.
But Xu Qingzhou hated having her weaknesses exposed.
Young and hot-headed back then, she’d felt pitied.
In a fit of anger, she’d taken out a bank loan and paid back every cent Xie An had given her.
Only after doing all that did she break up with her.
She could earn the money slowly, but she didn’t need anyone’s charity.
Not even from a girlfriend.
Because those were her debts, not Xie An’s.
Most importantly, she had nothing to repay her with.
Owing too much in favors made it harder to leave.
Xie An beckoned to the little orange cat, and it immediately jumped into her arms.
“Do you think… she’ll give me a chance?”
Xie An seemed to be asking herself. If Xu Qingzhou knew she’d been scheming from the very start…
Would she be scared?
Unclear, but this was her only shot.
She could only succeed—no room for failure.
If only she were as obedient as the little orange cat…
But she was who she was, not anyone else.
If she were obedient, she wouldn’t be Xu Qingzhou.
Spending nearly ten years loving one girl—as long as it was Xu Qingzhou, it was worth it.
She was precious, different from everyone else.
It was her, this person, that Xie An loved.
She wanted to give their love one more try.
…
“Buzz buzz buzz~”
“Buzz buzz buzz~~”
The phone on the nightstand kept vibrating.
Fu Yanxi irritably grabbed her phone and glanced at the caller ID.
Then she picked up.
“You little brat, you’ve got the nerve to scheme against me now?”
“I’m asking you, how many benefits did Xie An give you? Not only did you not help me, you helped her instead? That’s straight-up betrayal! And she didn’t even send me home last night! She took me to her place! You know that? And you’re laughing! What’s so funny? I already told you, even if I were dating, it wouldn’t be her!”
Xu Qingzhou exploded at the light chuckle on the other end. If Fu Yanxi dared show up in front of her, she’d fight her three hundred rounds, win or lose be damned.
She had the guts, at least.
“Whose side are you on, exactly? I carried you for four years, didn’t I? Even when you were dating Chengzi, you came to me for advice sometimes. What, now it’s my turn and you’re sabotaging me? Is that how this works?”
Fu Yanxi set the phone on the pillow.
Listening to the tirade.
Lin Ruocheng was woken up too.
She was still a bit dazed, her brain clearly not fully online yet.
“Director Xu?”
Her voice was soft, full of that fresh orange scent.
A little husky too, like it had been tossed into the Sahara Desert.
Xu Qingzhou heard Lin Ruocheng’s voice.
She liked Lin Ruocheng a lot. After all, she was a sugar mommy—sometimes you had to show respect.
Fu Yanxi was just a business partner.
Even if her family had more money, Xu Qingzhou only cared about their current relationship.
“Tsk tsk tsk, young people these days—such stamina. Fu Yanxi, are you listening to me?”
“Mm, I heard you. I’m absolutely on your side.”
Fu Yanxi had picked her side long ago.
Out of care, she wanted to introduce her to someone better.
She’d even privately investigated Xie An—decent character.
“I’m telling you, put it down. If you were really on my side… you wouldn’t have done this…”
“A Western restaurant meal, your pick.”
Fu Yanxi offered a solution.
Xu Qingzhou caved without an ounce of backbone.
“You think money can get you anything? …At least three meals, or I won’t forgive you!”
“Fine, three it is.”
“Then you two get back to sleep. I’m hanging up. Oh, right—recording at the studio at one this afternoon.”
“Mm.”
What was backbone anyway? Could you eat it?
