Chapter 77: The Scenery

Gan Xun absolutely refused to admit that she was the kind of lesbian who couldn’t judge people clearly.

Compared to many lesbians who accidentally fell for straight women, married women, or mothers, or who ended up with weird partners and had terrible dating experiences, her taste was definitely pretty good.

—That was how she comforted herself.

Although she had never been in a relationship, she always had plenty of choices.

She knew what was good and what wasn’t, and she knew the line between being moved and not.

Sure, she had hit a few bumps along the way. In Cui Can’s eyes, she had been tricked by a scumbag and should have blown it up online or called the cops.

But she always took a milder view of people’s flaws. She didn’t think it had reached that point, and she didn’t want to waste energy destroying a past she no longer cared about or amplifying her disgust.

Maybe she was too close to it to see straight, but she wasn’t worried about Cui Can teasing her.

It was hard to say which was worse—being scammed for money or for love. Anyway, their pasts were about even.

But things were good now. Cui Can had met a great partner, and she had someone she liked.

She lay in bed with Zhao Chiyun for a while and felt that Zhao Chiyun’s spirits had improved a lot, and her mood wasn’t bad.

Only then did she ask Zhao Chiyun why she had suddenly brought up the white moonlight.

After waking up, Zhao Chiyun’s expression was lazy. She suspected she didn’t smell great after sweating, but Gan Xun was still pressed close to her with no sign of discomfort. She felt a bit shy but didn’t point it out, afraid Gan Xun would get too bold.

She studied the color of Gan Xun’s eyes. “It just came to mind unexpectedly.”

Gan Xun didn’t buy it. “That unexpected?”

She guessed that her going to dinner with someone Zhao Chiyun didn’t know might have left Zhao Chiyun feeling a little insecure, even if she supported it. She probably wanted to probe a bit.

Out of the blue, Zhao Chiyun asked, “What does she do?”

Gan Xun didn’t really want to talk about it, and not just for privacy reasons. She knew that the more details she shared, the more there would be to mind.

Just like how she sometimes secretly got jealous of that prime minister’s daughter.

But Zhao Chiyun’s gaze held a curiosity she couldn’t ignore, and she was afraid too much secrecy would breed suspicion. “She’s a print model.”

Zhao Chiyun immediately picked up her phone and typed it out word for word, searching right then and there.

Gan Xun watched with a smile, finding her serious typing—refusing to just ask—especially cute.

After reading the description, Zhao Chiyun calmly put her phone away. “Now I know why your place has so many fashion magazines.”

The thing that had once puzzled her now had an answer, but she didn’t feel any sudden joy of realization.

“Have you lived with her?”

Zhao Chiyun’s voice sounded very flat, as if the question was no big deal.

Gan Xun jumped in surprise and quickly denied it. “No, we never lived together. I just bought them to check out.”

She had just wanted a common topic. It was all a long time ago, Gan Xun thought. Though counting the days, it wasn’t that long.

Zhao Chiyun gave a half-smile. “So it’s love me, love my dog. Is she on those covers?”

“Of course not. She wasn’t that famous back then.”

“And now?”

Gan Xun thought of the occasional news she scrolled past and deliberately ignored. “I don’t know their circle, but she’s somewhat known?”

She chose her words carefully. They were in different worlds, so she really didn’t know much, and she was afraid of being too specific and causing misunderstandings.

Sure enough, Zhao Chiyun misunderstood anyway. “Sounds like you’ve been keeping tabs on her.”

“No, just hearsay now and then.”

Gan Xun thought to herself that even if she was keeping tabs, it wasn’t for feelings anymore. She was just counting the days until she became famous enough to pay her back.

Zhao Chiyun recalled the print media bio. “Since she makes a living at it, her looks and figure must be exceptional?”

Gan Xun lay on her side and suddenly said in the tone of someone who had thought of something fun, “Chiyun, are you hungry? What do you want to eat? I’ll make it for you. I can eat a little too. The dinner is at seven-thirty, so I probably won’t eat much.”

Zhao Chiyun chuckled, not falling for it. “You think changing the subject means I won’t ask?”

Gan Xun started acting spoiled. “Aww, I’m afraid you’ll dig too deep, and then you’ll feel bad after hearing it.”

“But you’ve asked me about it in detail before.”

“So I know. Every time I think about it afterward, I feel a little unhappy.”

Zhao Chiyun seemed to realize this for the first time. She looked surprised, then amused. “You’re such a fool.”

“How am I foolish? Can’t I get jealous?”

“She can’t do anything about it. She’s far away, and you’re jealous? And you say you’re not foolish.”

People were just like that.

Who could control themselves?

“Don’t worry. The person you asked about isn’t far away either, but there’s no need to fret over her.”

She thought for a moment and said seriously, “Some things can’t be compared. My tastes and pursuits were different back then. We shouldn’t rank past and present.

“But if you have to ask, I can tell you clearly: her looks and figure aren’t as good as yours. Of course, her job means she’s taller and slimmer than average.”

Gan Xun wasn’t the type to badmouth her ex. This was just the truth, and it was necessary to put Zhao Chiyun at ease.

She didn’t want her making the same mistake—idealizing a nonexistent rival into a goddess in her imagination.

Zhao Chiyun asked, “Is there anything else about her you need to tell me?”

Gan Xun said lightly, “Nope.”

She didn’t like bringing up the past anyway. Telling Zhao Chiyun wouldn’t mean much. She might get mad, or maybe one day the woman would pay her back, and Zhao Chiyun wouldn’t even be around anymore.

Zhao Chiyun looked at her quietly for a moment. “Something light, then. Don’t cook. Just order some.”

Gan Xun obediently ordered fish congee and dishes from a Cantonese restaurant. During the meal, she took a call.

After hanging up, she told Zhao Chiyun, “Next month, I have a long vacation. Let’s go to my aunt’s for dinner.”

“Looks like your aunt misses you.”

They had talked about going last time but never followed through. Gan Xun had been busy, and Zhao Chiyun hadn’t thought much of it.

Gan Xun sighed helplessly. “I hope it’s that and not her trying to set me up. If it is, I’ll never go again.”

Zhao Chiyun paused at that. “Has Gan Hua been in touch lately?”

“No, I blocked him. It’s been quiet.”

“Good.”

Before heading out, Gan Xun kissed Zhao Chiyun in the room. They were reluctant to part and nearly reignited last night’s passion.

Worried about Zhao Chiyun’s health, Gan Xun held back, painfully tore herself away, and left on time.

She had become the kind of person who hated going out.

Love made people indulgent.

She took a cab to the restaurant. It was a bit out of the way, but the timing matched her commute to work.

When she arrived, she realized it was a private garden-style place. The ambiance and vibe were classier than she had expected. Good thing she had dressed up a little.

As she walked in, she remembered hearing about this spot. It was super popular, required reservations, and was pricey per person.

She had thought a casual coworker dinner would be low-key.

She never knew what her colleagues’ families did for a living. Sometimes it hit her that she might be the only one working for the paycheck.

The receptionist led her to the private room. Outside the window, the night scenery unfolded: the city park’s dense tree shadows towered across the way, lake lights twinkled, and silent moonlight poured in.

Gan Xun immediately decided that on a day off after Zhao Chiyun recovered, she would bring her to the park.

She sent her location as a check-in and shared the plan.

Her new coworkers got along purely and created a great vibe. The couple hosting the dinner even shared their love-at-first-sight story amid the group’s teasing.

At the mushy parts, Gan Xun’s face heated up. She felt awkward listening, but the others, emboldened by their rapport, probed deeper, drawing laughter from everyone.

The new couple was so sweet. Plans in the honeymoon phase always seemed more complete.

They even decided to meet parents this year, do this next year, that the year after.

It was all mixed with impulsiveness, and everyone knew grand plans didn’t always pan out. Still, they couldn’t help it.

Gan Xun listened enviously. She envied lovers who could endlessly plan their future together after getting together.

Honeymoon phase, but no plans.

Gan Xun didn’t touch the alcohol at first. Half the table wasn’t drinking, so she didn’t stand out. But as she listened more, she suddenly wanted a drink.

She wasn’t a heavy drinker—just wanted a slight buzz.

To loosen up, stop being so sensitive, stubbornly clinging to that lonely romanticism in a lively crowd, like someone owed her something.

She didn’t want to carry that mood too long and let it affect Zhao Chiyun. She knew full well this was her happiest time.

Getting insecure when happy was stupid.

Once things warmed up, a bold coworker asked, “Don’t make us guess. Just say it straight: do you have someone or not?”

“Does it matter if I do or don’t? Let’s hear it first, then I’ll decide how to answer.”

Gan Xun joked with a smile, though she hesitated inside.

She didn’t like sharing personal stuff with near-strangers, especially coworkers—they weren’t friends.

Her lunch buddy said, “Say you do, and it’s fine—you can date in peace. Say you don’t, and even better. Whoever has a crush on you will know they have a shot and can offer to drive you home tonight.”

Everyone laughed, asking who wanted to take Gan Xun home.

Gan Xun jumped in right away. “With that logic, yeah, I do. We’re dating. I’ll head home myself tonight.”

The room erupted in mock groans. Her lunch buddy yelled, “I don’t buy it. You’re lying. Fine, no ride then.”

Gan Xun feigned shock. “Why don’t you believe me?”

Straight girls with partners.

She scanned the room and didn’t spot anyone truly into her. No one even sighed disappointedly.

Liang Yue said, “The beauty has a girlfriend—or boyfriend, whatever. Like it or not, a moment of silence is normal.”

“No wonder she rushes home every day.”

Gan Xun didn’t say more, embarrassed. It was true, just not a boyfriend.

The alcohol hit just as she wanted to leave.

Zhao Chiyun hadn’t replied since she arrived at the restaurant.

She figured she had taken meds and fallen asleep.

Her heart pulled her home to care for her.

Noticing the booze making her thoughts floaty and her body sluggish, she excused herself to the bathroom.

It was inside the room, so she splashed her face to sober up fast.

Then, while no one noticed, she slipped out, walked the flower-lined corridor to the end, and stepped onto the terrace for the night breeze.

The wind came from the park, carrying the lake’s dark scent and the whisper of leaves at night.

She wanted to clear her head, not go home reeking of alcohol or blurt something stupid.

She messaged Zhao Chiyun again, asking if she was asleep and what she wanted to eat.

Halfway through typing, sharp heels clicked behind her. A woman approached.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket nonstop, but she ignored it.

Gan Xun glanced casually and froze. She had to sigh—beautiful people were everywhere these days.

Had she ignored entertainment news so much that she didn’t recognize this star? That face had to be famous.

The woman noticed her gaze and asked indifferently, “Miss, mind if I light a smoke?”

She was already pulling out her cigarette and lighter.

Gan Xun wasn’t staying long and didn’t want to meddle. “Not at all. Go ahead.”

As the woman lit up and elegantly puffed away, Gan Xun couldn’t ignore it. “Your phone keeps ringing.”

“I know. Someone’s calling.”

She leaned on the railing, the cigarette’s glow lighting a patch of night, smoke curling around her ethereal, cold beauty.

Gan Xun realized she just didn’t want to answer—probably some troubles that weren’t her business. She headed back to the room.

A suited man brushed past her in the corridor, hurrying toward the terrace.

Gan Xun barely caught a muffled male voice: “Shu Tang, why aren’t you picking up?”

Back in the room, she was still a bit dazed.

She felt like she had heard that name somewhere, more than once maybe.

They chatted a bit more before deciding to call it.

A coworker suggested hitting a bar. Gan Xun refused outright, saying family was sick and she needed to go care for them.

“Your boyfriend, right?”

Gan Xun just smiled and insisted on leaving.

As she brushed them off, her phone vibrated— a voice call from Zhao Chiyun. She answered quickly.

“Did you wake up? I’m heading back now.”

The voice was still a bit hoarse but much better than morning.

She said, “Have you eaten? I just got to your location. I’m waiting by the road.”

Gan Xun didn’t ask why she was there or waste words. “I’m coming down right now.”

She said goodbye to her colleagues and spotted Zhao Chiyun waiting gracefully by the roadside from afar.

Gan Xun ran over and saw Zhao Chiyun standing elegantly before her.

She wore an outfit with a touch of ancient charm, her hair pinned up in a bun with a silver hairpin tucked discreetly within.

Her sickly pallor was concealed by makeup, and under the night sky, she resembled a clear moon—noble and pristine, untouched by dust, yet carrying a subtle allure.

Gan Xun immediately reflected on herself. That woman from earlier might not have been a celebrity after all. Who said that just because someone was beautiful, they had to show off to the world?

Beautiful women had the freedom to pursue any profession.

“Why didn’t you rest properly at home if you weren’t feeling well?”

Zhao Chiyun had a keen sense of smell. “Gan Xun, did you drink?”

Gan Xun immediately grew nervous and guilty. “Just a few sips.”

Zhao Chiyun scrutinized her expression and posture, verifying her words, but offered no rebuke.

“My illness has already improved. I saw the location you sent me—you said the park scenery here was nice, so I came.”

“But you can’t see much scenery at night.” Gan Xun worried she would be disappointed. “How about I take you there now to have a look?”

Zhao Chiyun smiled. “Who says you can’t see any? You’re very beautiful.”