Chapter 34: Piercing Through Part 1

Shi Sui was coming to dinner.

Jiang Ruoning was bringing a new friend.

The two messages hit the group chat at the same time, both sent by the same person: Qu Lele.

Qin Zheng immediately called Jiang Ruoning. “A new friend?”

Jiang Ruoning giggled. “Yeah, you know her.”

Qin Zheng frowned. “Who?”

Jiang Ruoning said, “Lawyer Zou.”

Qin Zheng remembered. “Zou Nian?”

Jiang Ruoning said, “Yeah.”

Qin Zheng was puzzled. “How did you and her…”

Jiang Ruoning said, “My mom set me up on a blind date with her.”

Qin Zheng’s phone nearly slipped from her hand. “Huh?”

She suspected her ears had failed her. “A blind date?”

With Zou Nian?

With a girl?

Earlier, she had considered that Jiang Qin might not be so opposed to same-sex relationships, but she never imagined her mom would go so far as to introduce someone—especially someone she’d been ambiguous with before.

On the day they ate at Zhou Man’s home, Qin Zheng hadn’t gone, but Jiang Ruoning had told her about it. She said the person was great—tall, pretty, good personality. Sister Xiao Man knew her too, and vouched for her character. Back then, Qin Zheng hadn’t met her but had a good impression. Later, when she met Jiang Ruoning, Zou Nian had dropped her off, saying they’d just finished dinner and it was convenient.

That was when Qin Zheng saw her. She really was as Jiang Ruoning described—flawless in every way.

Impeccable, without a single fault.

But not long after that meeting, when she asked Jiang Ruoning again, Jiang Ruoning had said, “Oh, Lawyer Zou? Haven’t talked in ages.”

She never expected they’d reconnect.

Let alone turn into blind date material.

Jiang Ruoning explained, “My mom went on that trip a while back, right? Zou Nian’s mom was in the same tour group. They hit it off, so…”

Qin Zheng wanted to laugh but held it back.

Of all times, Jiang Qin had come around.

Introducing her daughter to a girl.

But of all times…

Shi Sui had returned.

What a mess.

Qin Zheng hung up. The small group chat fell into dead silence. No one knew if they’d seen the messages or if they were afraid of stirring trouble like with Zhou Yueqing last time—no replies came in. Jiang Ruoning set down her phone and smiled at Zou Nian, who was driving beside her. “Qin Zheng—you remember her?”

Zou Nian said, “The one who works at the TV station?”

Jiang Ruoning praised, “Your memory is amazing.”

Zou Nian said, “Maybe outstanding people leave a deeper impression.”

And everyone around Jiang Ruoning was like that—exceptional.

Qin Zheng at the TV station, Yun An as a police consultant, and Ye Yu needed no introduction—a superstar.

Jiang Ruoning said, “You’re pretty outstanding too.”

Zou Nian smiled faintly. “For real?”

“For real!” Jiang Ruoning said. “Sister Xiao Man told me—you’re the youngest partner at your firm. People line up forever to hire you!”

Zou Nian deepened her smile at Jiang Ruoning’s exaggerated tone. She said, “Ruoning.”

Jiang Ruoning turned. “Hm?”

Zou Nian said, “When we first met, I actually felt a bit inferior.”

Jiang Ruoning’s smile froze on her face, turning comical.

She blinked, staring in disbelief. Now it was her turn: “For real?”

Zou Nian mimicked her exaggerated tone. “For real!”

She nailed the imitation.

Jiang Ruoning blushed.

Zou Nian stopped teasing. “It’s true. I never thought I’d feel this way.”

From childhood, she’d excelled in school, picked up anything with ease. She chose law out of interest and smoothly became a partner. Apart from one unfulfilling romance, she felt like the ultimate female lead in her own life story.

Then she met Jiang Ruoning.

It wasn’t that Jiang Ruoning stimulated her or anything—it was just that she always felt unworthy.

Especially seeing her on the T-stage, confident, flamboyant, radiantly beautiful.

So when Jiang Ruoning apologized back then, she wasn’t surprised and didn’t try to hold on.

Friends were great.

That’s what she’d thought.

But now there was an opportunity.

A chance to get to know each other more deeply.

Zou Nian didn’t want to miss it.

So even sensing Jiang Ruoning’s awkwardness, she still came along to this gathering that wasn’t hers.

For the first time, Zou Nian realized how thick-skinned she could be.

Jiang Ruoning’s voice dropped low. “I didn’t know.”

Zou Nian said, “It’s fine. I’m not saying this to fish for sympathy. Would pity make you like me?”

Jiang Ruoning shook her head.

Zou Nian said, “Exactly. So relax a bit.”

Jiang Ruoning forced a smile.

She wanted to relax.

But it felt weird. Most friends who’d confessed to her before could stay friends afterward because they hadn’t known each other deeply. The confessions were straightforward, no one took them too seriously, so they kept hanging out.

With Zou Nian, she didn’t know how to handle it.

Their bond wasn’t superficial, but not profound either.

In that moment, Jiang Ruoning suddenly felt grateful none of her close friends had confessed—or she’d die of embarrassment just thinking about it!

Even more embarrassing was having that thought—she was so full of herself.

Jiang Ruoning felt like a fish frying in a pan, dying over and over.

Her mom had approved of her dating girls.

Why was she still so agitated?

Jiang Ruoning wanted to cry.

When they reached the restaurant entrance, Jiang Ruoning glanced at the sign for Qu Lele’s family shop, then at the time: 6:10. The drive from downtown had traffic, so it was nearly dark by the time they arrived. Zou Nian parked and asked, “Go in now?”

Jiang Ruoning looked around—no familiar cars. “Wait a sec.”

The sky hadn’t fully darkened; orange hues blanketed the horizon, tinting everything red. Jiang Ruoning sat in the car, not checking her phone, just watching passing vehicles.

Until a dark gray car pulled slowly into another spot. Then Jiang Ruoning’s expression changed.

She stared intently.

Fixated on that car.

Zou Nian followed her gaze. The windows were heavily tinted—no one visible inside. Soon, the door opened, and a woman with slightly wavy long hair stepped out. The sunset glow bathed her, adding a hazy halo.

Shi Sui had rushed over straight from her meeting, without time to change. She didn’t know why she was so anxious. She’d wanted to meet everyone looking her best but had no idea what “best” even was. She hadn’t even retouched her makeup, still in her professional suit—like she was negotiating, not joining friends for dinner.

She walked slowly, every step deliberate.

Had they all arrived?

Was she late or early?

Would it be that familiar private room?

Just two steps away, but Shi Sui moved with unusual difficulty. She lowered her head and entered the shop.

Qu Lele spotted her figure from the cash register and stood, intending to greet her as usual. But her voice caught in her throat, silent for a long moment. Shi Sui reached her and nodded. “Which room?”

Qu Lele stared, as if Shi Sui were marching to her execution, and was speechless.

Finally, she said, “Upstairs, usual spot.”

Shi Sui asked, “Anyone here yet?”

“Not…” Before the word finished, Qu Lele saw two more people at the door and corrected herself. “Someone is.”

Shi Sui turned to follow her gaze.

Jiang Ruoning walked in with a woman.

The woman from last night.

Jiang Ruoning was holding her hand.

Shi Sui’s gaze dropped slightly to their joined hands. Jiang Ruoning felt a stinging pain from the back of her hand to her palm, like a thousand needles pricking her. It hurt so much she shrank back, wanting to pull away, but Zou Nian gripped tight.

The dampness in their palms made it even more uncomfortable, but Zou Nian didn’t let go.

Jiang Ruoning looked down.

Qu Lele went to greet them. “Ruoning.”

She glanced at the woman beside Jiang Ruoning. “And this is?”

Jiang Ruoning said, “My friend, Zou Nian.”

“Hello.” Qu Lele extended her hand.

Jiang Ruoning watched the gesture, inexplicably relieved, like she’d been rescued. But clearly, asking Zou Nian to hold hands on the way in had been her idea.

She was so fickle.

Irritation creased Jiang Ruoning’s brow.

Zou Nian shook Qu Lele’s hand, her tone gentle. “Hello.”

Qu Lele smiled. “Oh, upstairs. Come on, I’ll take you.”

She brushed past Shi Sui. Jiang Ruoning followed behind, Zou Nian on her right. As Jiang Ruoning passed Shi Sui with her head down, someone tugged her arm—fleeting, but the warm touch unmistakable.

If not for that clear sensation, Jiang Ruoning would’ve thought it a hallucination.

She whipped her head toward Shi Sui.

Shi Sui stood there with a cold face, unmoving.

Zou Nian called, “Ruoning.”

Jiang Ruoning turned. “Coming.”

She walked past Shi Sui.

Shi Sui slowly curled her fingers into a fist, gripping tight, her arm tensing. She didn’t enter the room—instead, she headed to the bathroom first.

This wasn’t the first time she’d seen Jiang Ruoning holding someone else’s hand.

Last time, it was online.

She opened the web and saw exposed photos of Ye Yu dining with friends. Everyone’s faces were mosaicked, but she recognized Jiang Ruoning at a glance—hand in hand with another woman at the entrance.

Who was she?

Shi Sui didn’t know, didn’t recognize her.

She didn’t even dare think about it.

Had Jiang Ruoning forgotten her long ago? Six years ago? Even if she remembered, what then? Should she expect Jiang Ruoning to wait, forbid her from dating?

No right to that.

But she still hated it! Still jealous!

She’d sat by her bed all night, watching that trending topic fade, fans move to the next discussion.

Everyone saw it as just a casual life photo, ordinary.

But it became Shi Sui’s nightmare, replaying night after night—a thorn in her heart.

She wished for wings, to fly to Jiang Ruoning, to demand who it was.

But on what grounds?

What qualification? What standing?

To Jiang Ruoning, she was nothing.

Just playing out a one-woman melodrama of self-pity.

Like now.

Shi Sui reached the private room door.

Laughter and chatter spilled out.

Zhou Yueqing said, “Zhengzheng, your mom said she had headaches a while back—better now?”

Qin Zheng sipped warm water. “She’s fine. Yun An took her to City People’s Hospital. Nothing serious.”

Jiang Ruoning: “She came to Shangjing?”

Qin Zheng said, “A couple weeks ago. You weren’t in town.”

“You didn’t tell me, and neither did Godmother.” After Jiang Ruoning spoke, Zhou Yueqing eyed her. “Don’t blame Zhengzheng—you didn’t tell us either.”

Jiang Ruoning: “Tell you what?”

Zhou Yueqing nodded toward Zou Nian, who was on the phone by the window. “You didn’t introduce her before.”

“You weren’t who she introduced last time,” Zhou Yueqing said heartlessly. The room went quiet instantly. Qu Lele smoothed things over. “I’ll check if Ye Yu’s here.”

She flung open the door—and there stood Shi Sui.

Everyone inside and out stared blankly.

Zhou Yueqing glanced at Jiang Ruoning, at Zou Nian, then at Shi Sui.

She hadn’t eaten yet, but let out a huge belch.

Loud and clear. Zou Nian, on the phone by the window, heard it, turned, and saw Shi Sui at the door—and Jiang Ruoning looking at her.

She told the caller, “Got it. Send detailed files to my email. I’ll message after review.”

She hung up but didn’t return to her seat.

Shi Sui entered. Everyone stared—familiar faces, aged six years, now somehow strangers.

They knew each other’s recent lives.

Intertwined in each other’s worlds.

While she was the utter outsider.

First meeting in six years.

She couldn’t even say “long time no see.”

The atmosphere froze. Someone patted Shi Sui’s shoulder. She turned—Ye Yu smiled at her. “What’re you doing standing there? Come sit.”

That familiar greeting.

No trace of awkwardness.

Like any ordinary gathering.

On Ye Yu’s face, Shi Sui even saw the smile from six years ago.

Her eyes stung and swelled. To avoid losing composure, Shi Sui took a deep breath and asked Ye Yu, “Work wrapped up?”

She didn’t know if Ye Yu had work today either.

In the six-year gap, there were nothing but densely packed blanks.