Chapter 43: A Meal in the Rain Part 3

Gu Qingshuang replied heavily, “Neither good nor bad.”

But that was already the best possible outcome.

Seeing that she was in a decent mood, Ming Li asked, “Did you offend her in the past? Why does she hate you so much?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, the temperature in the car seemed to drop several degrees.

“If you don’t want to say, you don’t have to,” Ming Li amended quickly. “I was just asking.”

Gu Qingshuang let out a small, bitter laugh. “I ruined her life. She has every right to hate me.”

Ming Li didn’t push any further. She put on some music to mask the melancholy atmosphere in the car.

As they neared home, Ming Li said softly, “What’s in the past is in the past. Look forward, keep moving, and it will all pass eventually.”

Gu Qingshuang suddenly turned to look at her, the steering wheel jerking slightly. Ming Li gasped, “What’s wrong?”

Gu Qingshuang immediately refocused on the road, but her grip on the wheel was tight. “Those words…”

She wanted to ask who had taught her to say that. But then she realized the sentiment was quite common. What wasn’t common was Ming Li’s tone. Yet, Ming Li always spoke in that manner.

“Mhm?” Ming Li was confused. “Is there something wrong with saying that?”

Gu Qingshuang calmed herself. “No.”

She was overthinking. The person who had walked out of those woods with her all those years ago was Shen Lideng. Ming Li couldn’t possibly know about the brutal kidnapping and massacre that had occurred in Jing’an City back then.

–

Ming Li didn’t know what Gu Qingshuang was thinking, but over the next few days, her interactions with her wife became increasingly comfortable and natural. Gu Qingshuang’s cold, rigid personality had softened considerably, and Ming Li found herself happy to share the little things that happened in her day.

Zhu Hanxing soon learned that Auntie Jin’s son had been fired. she sent a message to Ming Li to thank her, but Ming Li didn’t take the credit, saying it was all Gu Qingshuang’s doing.

Zhu Hanxing sighed over text: [That woman is too rich. My heart aches just trying to think of a gift for her.]

If she bought something cheap, it would be embarrassing. If she bought something expensive, she didn’t have enough money, and it would likely just be an insignificant trinket to Gu Qingshuang anyway. Like the watch she had sent before—Ming Li had later told her that Gu Qingshuang already owned that exact model.

However, Gu Qingshuang wasn’t one to look down on others. She was well-bred; even if a gift wasn’t perfect, she wouldn’t throw it away or give it away. Instead, she had placed the watch in her display case and marked it as a gift from Zhu Hanxing.

To prove it to the skeptical Zhu Hanxing, Ming Li snapped a photo of Gu Qingshuang’s watch collection.

Zhu Hanxing’s eyes turned green with envy. [There’s a watch in there I’ve wanted for ages.]

Ming Li: [Which one?]

Zhu Hanxing circled a specific watch in the photo and sent it back. It was one of Gu Qingshuang’s collectibles, though she rarely wore it.

Zhu Hanxing: [Do you know how much that costs?]

Ming Li: […] [I don’t.]

Zhu Hanxing: [Twenty million.]

Ming Li: […]

Ming Li suggested that since Gu Qingshuang was already so wealthy, she probably wouldn’t care for expensive items anyway. Small, thoughtful things might actually please her more.

Zhu Hanxing: [I can’t exactly go to a dollar store and buy her something.]

Ming Li: [You’re being extreme.]

The two debated for a long time without reaching a conclusion. Ming Li eventually got tired of the mental gymnastics and told her to just send whatever she wanted without overthinking it.

Zhu Hanxing thought it over and said seriously: [No! I’m your friend. I represent your reputation. If I send her something cheap, won’t it make your friends look destitute?]

Ming Li: […] [I’m the one who’s destitute.]

Zhu Hanxing realized she had a point. She had seen a nice bag at a brand event recently—it wasn’t a major luxury name, but the craftsmanship was excellent and it was perfect for commuting. She bought it and sent it to Gu Qingshuang as a thank-you gift. She also invited her to dinner, but Gu Qingshuang politely declined, citing her busy schedule. This was exactly what Zhu Hanxing had expected.

Soon, the day arrived for Mingyue’s next appointment. Zhu Hanxing was truly determined to see Mingyue recover. She hadn’t gone out for work in over half a month, staying home to write songs and accompany the girl.

Ming Li had also been busy during those two weeks, but Zhu Hanxing invited her to come along to the hospital. Ming Li happened to have the morning free. After giving Assistant Lin a heads-up, she went to the hospital the next day to wait for Zhu Hanxing and Mingyue.

Zhu Hanxing couldn’t easily appear in crowded places, so she often needed Ming Li’s company. Zhu Hanxing had booked the appointment in advance, so Ming Li had no trouble getting Mingyue into the specialist’s treatment room.

Then, they waited.

Zhu Hanxing and Ming Li found a quiet corner. Zhu Hanxing handed an earbud to Ming Li, letting her listen to her new song. Ming Li had a bit of an artistic streak when it came to music, though not much. After listening, she gave her evaluation: “It’s good.”

Zhu Hanxing: “…”

Since she was at the hospital, Ming Li also took the opportunity to give a gift to Lu Shuang. She owed Lu Shuang a favor for when Ming Xi had come for her check-up, and this was the perfect time to repay it.

Lu Shuang noticed the mysterious woman with Ming Li, wearing a hat and a mask. She did a double-take. “Zhu Hanxing?”

“The one and only,” Ming Li said, introducing them.

Lu Shuang was a fan of celebrities from all over—domestic, Korean, Western—which was why she and Ming Xi got along so well. Her first question to Zhu Hanxing was: “Are you and Chun Liuyi for real? The internet says you caught feelings while filming together.”

Ming Li wanted to give her a thumbs-up. As expected of Lu Shuang—forever innocent, forever blunt.

Zhu Hanxing’s expression was unreadable behind the mask, but she joked her way out of it. “Is that something I can even say?”

“Just asking,” Lu Shuang said. “I’m a fan of Chun Liuyi’s face. As long as she doesn’t get ugly, she can say whatever she wants and date whoever she wants.”

Zhu Hanxing: “…”