Chapter 50 Part 2

Zhu You turned to Yun Chun. “That was the first time I met Qingxue. She held the umbrella like a savior.”

And to her savior, she had said, “As long as I can interview you, it’s worth it.”

Later.

Zhu You’s eyes lit up. “Qingxue agreed to the interview. It was her first time speaking to the media. Do you know what that meant for a fresh-out-of-school intern like me? Because of that piece, I not only got made permanent but also received a bonus. That bonus money let me, who had been crashing on a classmate’s sofa because I couldn’t afford rent, move into my very first place after graduation.”

To her, Lu Qingxue was a benefactor in her life.

Like… a white moonlight.

As Zhu You shared all this, Yun Chun sat quietly beside her, listening without interrupting. She knew such memories were precious—something that belonged to Zhu You and Lu Qingxue alone.

Zhu You looked at Yun Chun, not hiding her feelings at all, and said to her, “I like Qingxue.”

Yun Chun lowered her gaze. “Mm.”

She thought she could play it cool with that simple acknowledgment, but in the end, a surge of possessiveness she didn’t know the source of made her add, “A lot of people like her.”

But those people probably didn’t share such wonderful memories with Lu Qingxue. Maybe it was just a fleeting beautiful encounter for them. Whatever it was, it only proved one thing: Lu Qingxue was a truly wonderful person.

Zhu You smiled. “Even three years after she passed away, I still can’t forget her. Every year on the anniversary of her death, I fly back home to pay my respects at the intersection where the accident happened.”

Yun Chun’s heart suddenly ached. “You…”

Zhu You said, “Isn’t that ridiculous?”

Yun Chun shook her head and said softly, “You’re amazing.”

To hold onto feelings like that with nothing but bare hands for so long.

Zhu You hadn’t expected a compliment. At first, she couldn’t understand why someone like Lu Qingxue would like Yun Chun so fiercely, consequences be damned.

Now, she thought she understood a little.

None of her friends respected her persistence. They all thought it was laughable and often urged her to move on. But was letting go of someone that easy?

Yet now, someone who respected her had appeared—and it was the very person she’d seen as a rival in her mind for the past three years.

Zhu You’s throat burned. In a hoarse voice, she said, “Actually, the reason I knew about you wasn’t because I’d seen you in the magazine, but…”

She paused, then continued, “Because I heard your name from Qingxue herself.”

~~~

After seeing Zhu You off, Yun Chun sat in the living room for a while. She stared at the willow leaf in the photo frame, her thoughts drifting to Lu Qingxue.

But Lu Qingxue didn’t appear. She’d told Yun Chun that morning that she had something to do today and wouldn’t be keeping her company.

The corners of Yun Chun’s mouth curved up. She set down the photo frame and headed to the bathroom.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Yun Chun flashed a smile at her reflection.

The heavy makeup on her face made Yun Chun frown slightly, though. She wasn’t used to it being so thick. Maybe it was because she hadn’t worn much makeup in the past three years, but lately, every time she saw her made-up face, Yun Chun felt a twinge of unfamiliarity.

She blinked, picked up the makeup remover oil, and planned to wipe it off first.

But just as she squeezed some into her palm, her phone rang.

Assuming it was work, she hurriedly pulled it out to check. It turned out to be a message from Zhu You.

Zhu You had added Yun Chun on WeChat before leaving.

At that moment, Yun Chun held one hand open with the makeup remover oil pooling in her palm. With the other, she set the phone on the rack and opened the chat with Zhu You.

Zhu You: [I mentioned earlier that I interviewed Qingxue. It was a few months before her accident—the last time she ever spoke to the media.]

Zhu You: [And when I said I heard your name from Qingxue’s mouth, that was during that interview.]

Zhu You: [I promised her I wouldn’t tell anyone, but I think…]

Zhu You: [To her, you’re not just anyone.]

The next message was a several-megabyte audio file.

Putting together what Zhu You had said, Yun Chun guessed it was the recording of their interview. She replied with a smiley emoji and tapped play on the audio.

The makeup remover oil in her palm was about to drip away, so Yun Chun started wiping it on while listening.

First came a burst of garbled electronic noise, like a channel glitch during editing—or perhaps the editor’s chaotic emotions.

Then Zhu You’s voice rang out, clear and crisp like an autumn morning breeze. When it filled the bathroom, the temperature seemed to drop.

“Qingxue, I heard you’re heading back to China to develop your career?”

There was a two-second pause before the voice Yun Chun knew so well came through—Lu Qingxue’s, like summer rain or a winter hearth, warming her ears.

Lu Qingxue replied, “Mm.”

Zhu You asked, “How long will you stay there? When are you coming back to Milan?”

Lu Qingxue’s laughter echoed like wind in a secluded valley, carrying a hidden softness. “If things go smoothly, I might stay for good. But because of work, I’ll have to come back occasionally.”

Another two seconds of silence. Zhu You’s voice was no longer as steady. She repeated, “You… you’re not coming back?”

Lu Qingxue: “Mm.”

A long silence followed. The remaining makeup on Yun Chun’s face had melted away by now. She turned on the faucet, planning to rinse her face during the lull.

But the moment the water roared to life, Lu Qingxue’s voice followed. “If there are no more questions, that’s all for today. I have work to handle.”

Yun Chun had the phone volume up high, so the water didn’t drown it out. She washed her face while listening.

Next came the sound of a chair scraping against the floor—Lu Qingxue must have stood up. The next instant, Zhu You called out anxiously, “Qingxue!”

“I have something I want to tell you.”

Lu Qingxue’s tone was natural. “Go ahead.”

Zhu You let out a nervous laugh. “I wasn’t planning to say it, but since we might not see each other much after this, I don’t want to leave any regrets… I like you.”

Hearing Zhu You’s confession to Lu Qingxue made Yun Chun’s heart skip a beat. She hadn’t expected Zhu You to be so bold.

Spurred by the news that Lu Qingxue was leaving, she’d blurted it out with no preparation.

Naturally, it came across like a joke.

The next second, Lu Qingxue said, “Little You, don’t joke around.”

Zhu You: “I’m not joking. I liked you from the first moment I saw you.”

Lu Qingxue seemed taken aback. After a pause, she said, “Little You, thank you for your feelings, but I’m sorry—I already like someone.”

“You’re messing with me, right? I’ve never seen anyone around you.”

“She’s back in China. That’s why I’m going home.” Lu Qingxue’s voice was gentle. “What I meant by ‘smoothly’ is being able to be with her.”

“And if it’s not smooth? If it’s not, will you come back?”

“I haven’t considered it not being smooth, Little You.”

“Before I act, I don’t dwell on possibilities that might disappoint me. Even if there are bumps, it’s just a matter of time. In other words, aside from work, I have no plans to return for now.”

“…”

Zhu You let out a breath. “Can I ask who she is? So I know where I lost.”

Lu Qingxue’s expression softened, but her words were like ice and snow. “Is love something you measure in wins and losses? And don’t wins and losses come from games?”

Zhu You endured the pain in her chest. “So I didn’t lose—I didn’t even get to play.”

“I’m sorry if my question sounds harsh, but it’s what I really think. I don’t want to leave you any room for fantasies or misunderstandings.”

To drive the point home completely, Lu Qingxue paused before continuing. “Eyes see many things and many people, but few make it into the heart. Little You, as a friend, you’re in my heart. But for anything more… I’m sorry. My heart is full of her alone. All my feelings go to her completely. There’s no room left for anyone else.”

Lu Qingxue’s words not only silenced Zhu You—they made even Yun Chun hold her breath.

She had finished washing her face and now stood quietly before the mirror, listening to the voice from the phone.

“She…” Zhu You asked. “You met her in China?”

“Yes. To be precise, I knew her the year she was born. She was just a tiny bundle back then. I didn’t even dare touch her. I had no idea she’d grow so tall.”

“So you’ve liked her for a long time?”

“No, I used to only see her as a little sister. It’s only recently that I’ve started to like her. Though it might also be because we’ve known each other for a while, which let those feelings stay hidden deep inside.”

Zhu You fell silent for a moment. “Qingxue, with your personality, you wouldn’t share your feelings in such detail with someone else. Is it because… you want me to give up?”

Lu Qingxue smiled. “A little, yeah. But mostly, besides Mo Yue, no one else knows I like her. I figured as friends, it wouldn’t hurt to share it with you. Just promise to keep it secret—at least until I confess to her. My feelings can’t go public before then.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t share this recording.”

After giving her assurance, Zhu You pressed again. “So… who is she?”

Lu Qingxue hesitated for a moment but decided to tell Zhu You the name. “She’s an outstanding model. Her name is—”

Yun Chun stared blankly at her phone. The audio ticked down to its final two seconds, and a name slipped from Lu Qingxue’s lips: “Yun Chun.”

The two hollow syllables lingered like a murmur on the wind.

Her phone buzzed again, snapping Yun Chun out of her daze.

She glanced at the screen.

Zhu You: [Although Qingxue has passed away, as someone who knows, I can’t let her feelings fade away with her.]

Zhu You: [It might not change anything for you to know, but I think you should.]

Zhu You: [Because…]

Zhu You: [Liking you was the last thing she did.]

Zhu You: [And also because you deserve it.]

After sending the messages, Zhu You pocketed her phone and gazed at the moon framed by the car window. In her heart, she silently recited Lu Qingxue’s name and whispered to herself: Did you hear it? Her answer.

The scene flashed back to just before Zhu You’s departure—the final question she’d put to Yun Chun.

“And you?”

Zhu You brushed the stray hairs from her forehead. “This is the last thing I want to ask: Do you like her?”

“I did ask you before, but you never answered. So before you leave Milan—before you leave here for good—can you give me one now?”

Zhu You’s voice softened. “Even if you’ve forgotten her. Even if you don’t like her. Even if it was just friendship. Please tell me: Do you like her?”

At the same moment, Yun Chun stared into the mirror. She couldn’t tell if the wetness on her face was from tears or stray droplets, if her eyes were red from crying or irritated by the makeup remover…

All she saw were her own lips parting, her eyelashes quivering as she voiced her answer.

Yun Chun heard her own voice. She said, “I like her.”