Chapter 65: Hindsight and the Hearts Burden Part 2

Ming Li suspected Gu Qingshuang was more likely to call the family driver, but Ming Li’s own habit was to use a designated driver service. It was more convenient when out, though usually, Ming Li was the one acting as the “designated driver” for others.

Gu Qingshuang didn’t reply this time. Ming Li grew worried, fearing she might pass out in the car. Designated drivers weren’t always a hundred percent safe. Ming Li finally called the family driver to ask if he’d heard from Gu Qingshuang, but he said the Young Miss hadn’t contacted him.

Ming Li then called Gu Qingshuang directly. When she picked up, her voice was hazy, carrying a hint of drunken silliness that made her seem less cold than usual. “Hello?”

“Are you on your way back?” Ming Li heard the whistling of the wind. Fearing she would wake Little Xi, she stepped out onto the balcony and curled up in a bamboo chair. The gentle swaying made her feel a bit sleepy herself.

Gu Qingshuang hummed in affirmation and rolled up the car window. The wind noise died down instantly.

Silence stretched between them.

After a moment, Gu Qingshuang took the initiative to ask, “Are you having fun?”

“It’s alright,” Ming Li said. “And you?”

Gu Qingshuang paused. “It was okay.”

If only an uninvited guest hadn’t crashed the party.

Gu Qingshuang rarely attended gatherings with her fellow students. She was usually quiet and reserved, often described by others as stiff or dull. But since the person returning had provided her with significant academic help in the past, she felt obligated to show up.

The dinner was at an old, established restaurant in Jingan, followed by KTV. She hadn’t expected to run into Shen Lideng on the way.

Shen Lideng had been discharged from the hospital. For some reason, she had cut bangs, permed her hair into curls, and wore a bright red dress. Before Gu Qingshuang could even react, Shen Lideng had already slipped into their group.

During their student days, Shen Lideng had frequently mingled within Gu Qingshuang’s social circles. She knew everyone at the gathering.

While Shen Lideng was often spoiled and willful in front of Gu Qingshuang, she was a social butterfly to the rest of the world. She knew exactly what to say to whom—a skill likely honed from a childhood spent reading people’s moods. When she wanted to charm someone, she could make them beam with joy until they didn’t know which way was up.

Consequently, Gu Qingshuang’s classmates liked Shen Lideng very much. They liked her so much that they didn’t even bother to ask if the two had broken up before inviting her to join them.

Some even started teasing the two of them. Gu Qingshuang wanted to explain with a cold face, but Shen Lideng whispered in her ear: “Sister Gu, give me some face.”

Shen Lideng added, “I won’t be seeing them again anyway. Just consider it acting out a scene with me.”

Shen Lideng maintained her social butterfly persona, showing none of the depression from a few days ago. Her smile was as bright as peach blossoms.

For a moment, Gu Qingshuang felt as though they had returned to the years before Shen Lideng went abroad. It wasn’t exactly a fond memory. Shen Lideng had always stolen the spotlight, and everyone would praise Gu Qingshuang for having such a wonderful girlfriend. But Gu Qingshuang had always loathed being the topic of conversation at parties. She never wanted to be the center of attention.

But as long as Shen Lideng was there, they would always be the focus.

Fortunately, the group’s attention didn’t stay on them for long. After a while, Shen Lideng made an excuse to leave, and the gathering wrapped up soon after.

Once the unpleasant socializing was over, Gu Qingshuang finally felt she could breathe. Now, chatting with Ming Li, she didn’t feel exhausted.

However, Gu Qingshuang preferred the way they had been recently—chatting before bed, even about meaningless topics. Ming Li would usually play along, but tonight, she seemed somewhat distant.

Gu Qingshuang thought about the missed performance abroad and, after a moment of reflection, apologized. “I’m sorry.”

Ming Li didn’t follow. “For what?”

“I ruined your chance to perform abroad,” Gu Qingshuang said. “I will do my best to compensate you in the future.”

Compensate. Such a business-like word. It perfectly suited Gu Qingshuang’s style.