Chapter 51: Shackles of Growth Part 4

Just like the countless times she had buffered and handled annoying interpersonal relationships at home.

Ming Li’s positioning of herself was very precise.

She had done such things so many times that she was already a master at it.

In the car, Ming Li closed her eyes to rest, not particularly wanting to talk.

Gu Qingshuang felt the car was a bit too quiet. It wasn’t the kind of atmosphere she had imagined.

In fact, she couldn’t even say what kind of atmosphere it was. In any case, it wasn’t this heavy when she usually rode with Ming Li.

Usually, Ming Li would take the initiative to start a conversation, chatting about work or life, or at the very least, she would play some music.

But today, Ming Li did nothing. She looked so exhausted it seemed she might faint at any moment.

Gu Qingshuang was the one who felt out of place. After a moment of silence, she took the initiative to ask, “Why was your phone off?”

“It died,” Ming Li answered perfunctorily.

Gu Qingshuang reached into the compartment beside her and pulled out a charger. “Charge it for a bit.”

Ming Li didn’t want to charge it, nor did she expect Gu Qingshuang to be so warm today. She looked at her with some curiosity and asked, “Does your friend know about the contract between us? Will I need to act ‘devoted’ later?”

If so, it would be quite mentally taxing.

Gu Qingshuang was slightly stunned. For some reason, those words made her feel uncomfortable.

It was as if there was nothing between them except the contract.

Gu Qingshuang had shared the past she had with Chun Liuyi and Liu Siwang. In Gu Qingshuang’s world, she had already categorized Ming Li as “one of her own.”

Someone with a very close relationship.

Realizing this, Gu Qingshuang frowned slightly. Her relationship with Ming Li seemed to have become too close.

A bit “over the line.”

This wasn’t something she wanted to see.

Gu Qingshuang could only fall silent again.

A long time passed. When the car pulled up to the restaurant entrance, Gu Qingshuang parked with ease. Before getting out, she said in a low voice, “No need to act intentionally. Just let nature take its course.”

Let nature take its course.

That was the best method Gu Qingshuang could think of.

Gu Qingshuang wanted to maintain her current stable life. She didn’t even mind Ming Li entering her world.

To Gu Qingshuang, her life and her world were two completely different concepts.

Her life was the current mess of tangles that desperately needed Ming Li to help untangle. Ming Li had been doing this for three years, and she had done it well.

But now, Ming Li was beginning to enter her world, seeping in bit by bit.

Unknowingly, it had made her start caring about Ming Li’s attitude.

Because if Ming Li was unhappy, it was unlikely her life would remain stable.

So, she had to let nature take its course.

Of course, Gu Qingshuang was unwilling to enter into any more intimate relationships. Her long, ten-year intimate relationship with Shen Lideng and witnessing the collapse and arguments of her parents were enough to strip any glamour from intimacy.

She didn’t possess the ability to love, nor did she deserve to be loved.

Gu Qingshuang was well aware of the flaws in her character, which was why she had always maintained a good “cooperative” relationship with Ming Li.

She had never thought of taking it a step further.

But now, she felt that being friends was actually quite good.

Her old friend was back. Though it was impossible to return to how they were before, her unchanging life was slowly shifting. Her stagnant, dead-water life was beginning to show signs of vitality. The feeling of confiding in someone was also very pleasant, so… could she try to take a step forward?

Let nature take its course and become friends.

She would give one hundred percent of her sincerity to a friend.

As long as that friend never betrayed her.

Gu Qingshuang smiled at the thought. It was as if she could see a better life waving at her.

Thus, she reached out toward Ming Li beside her. “Will you hold my hand?”

Ming Li looked over. Seeing the smile on her face, she wanted to ask what she was smiling about. Was it because she was about to see Liu Siwang?

But the question took a turn in her mind, and in the end, she didn’t bother to ask. She reached out and took her hand, feeling the temperature of her palm.

It was cold, even colder than the night breeze.

“Are you nervous?” Ming Li asked without any emotion.

Gu Qingshuang led her into the shop. She felt that just holding Ming Li’s hand like this meant she could be shaken off at any time, which wasn’t enough to give her the courage she needed. So, at the moment they walked through the door, her fingers slid along Ming Li’s until they interlocked, gripping tightly.

Ming Li felt the force of her grip. She looked at her figure in shock, only to see her joyful profile.

For some reason, Ming Li felt a heavy shackle drop onto her.

Someone stood up from the table in the furthest corner. Gu Qingshuang pulled Ming Li over to her. For a moment, they stood in silence.

Almost mechanically, the corners of Ming Li’s lips curled up. Wearing a smile, she stepped forward to greet the other woman: “Is this Siwang?”

Liu Siwang looked at her. The girl, who was dressed very coolly, now showed a hint of introverted shyness. “Hello. Ming Li?”

“That’s me.” Ming Li’s smile was gentle, like a perfectly functioning program that wasn’t allowed to make a mistake. She naturally led Gu Qingshuang to their seats. “Have you ordered?”

“Not yet,” Liu Siwang said with a smile. “I was waiting for you to come and order.”

“You’ve just returned to the country; you must miss authentic Chinese food,” Ming Li said. “You order. I’m not a picky eater.”

As she spoke, she handed over the menu, but Liu Siwang looked at Gu Qingshuang with a beaming smile. “Your taste has improved, Shuangshuang.”