Chapter 86: Missed

Several old friends came to find Wei Kejia; they had made an appointment with her beforehand, but no one told her that her ex-lover would also come.

Wei Kejia truthfully reported to Qi Xuexin and asked for her permission, then invited her to join the gathering to formally introduce her to the friends. Little did she know, the zombie-resurrected ex was mixed in among them, directly staging a Shura field confrontation between ex and current.

She had been miserably pitted by these well-intentioned but harmful friends, feeling bitter with nowhere to cry injustice.

The ex was two years older than Wei Kejia. They had dated for two years, but she ultimately went abroad for her career. It was Wei Kejia who proposed the breakup because she did not accept a long-distance relationship, and even less accepted the fact that the other had made the decision behind her back and only then notified her.

So in the eyes of their mutual friends, since the breakup was not because the love had faded, there was still room to turn things around—after all, they had only been apart for half a year.

“Your girlfriend seems to have misunderstood. Don’t you need me to explain personally?”

“No need.” Wei Kejia showed no good expression toward her ex. She wanted to shoo the person away but was afraid of getting physical in front of Qi Xuexin and upsetting her.

“Indeed, no need.” Qi Xuexin spoke the same words. “You have your friends, and I have mine. You’re back in the country after so long, so it’s only right for Wei Kejia and her friends to keep you company. I don’t mind.”

Before confirming their relationship, Wei Kejia had already laid all her cards on the table with Qi Xuexin about the reason for the breakup.

Qi Xuexin had dated a few times herself and had no requirement that it had to be a first love. Moreover, the first time they were intimate, she had asked Wei Kejia if she was single.

“Then do you mind if I sit here for a bit?”

“I do.”

Qi Xuexin was more direct than expected, so the ex backed off. “Then I won’t disturb Teacher Qi and your friends’ gathering.”

Qi Xuexin smiled. “Have fun, everyone.”

Wei Kejia turned her head and smiled at Qi Xuexin. “I’ll mix some drinks for you all.”

The ex felt sour inside and said to Qi Xuexin, “By the way, I’m not just staying in the country for a few days. The project on hand will take at least two or three months to wrap up. We might have a chance to meet again.”

Wei Kejia’s smile vanished completely.

Qi Xuexin’s smile did not fade. “Sorry, but we’re not friends. Besides, I have a girlfriend. If the Moon Elder randomly pulls strings and arranges for us to meet, that would be immoral and outrageous. Heaven would object first.”

Her insinuating words turned the ex’s face green. “Teacher Qi, see you around if fate allows.”

…

Once Wei Kejia and her ex had both left, Qi Xuexin instantly dropped her smile. She irritably wanted to light a cigarette to relieve her emotions, but looking at the empty table made her even more annoyed.

Yan Ningxi knew her mood was off and pulled two milk candies from her bag. She peeled one and gave it to her. “Eat a candy to sweeten up.” Then she peeled another and popped it into her own mouth.

Qi Xuexin sucked on the candy. “Not bad, Yan Huahua. You even carry candies around now to coax kids.”

She knew Yan Ningxi did not like sweets and that she had not brought them specifically to cheer her up. “You’ve got this awareness—you’ve fallen deep.”

“Wei Kejia’s attitude was very clear. What are you mad about?”

“Mad about what?” Qi Xuexin thought for a moment. “Possessiveness—do you understand it?”

“…”

“You don’t? That’s right. You and Little Pomelo are both dating for the first time. Many emotions between lovers still need developing.” She swallowed the half-chewed milk candy to give Yan Ningxi a lesson from experience.

“Let me give you an analogy. Suppose you accidentally picked up a stray puppy on the road, took it home, and raised it for a while, developing feelings. The puppy sees you as its whole world, and you’ve grown used to it belonging only to you. But suddenly, one day, its former owner shows up and says the puppy got lost by accident. She and the puppy shared several years of deeper bond and more memories. Though she doesn’t demand you return it and the puppy doesn’t ungratefully run off with her, you can tell she misses it a lot, and it still remembers her. Out of moral obligation, you can’t refuse her request to visit occasionally. So every time you see the puppy getting along harmoniously with her, you’re unhappy inside but have to pretend to be magnanimous and give them time and space. You even worry every day when you go out—will the puppy be gone when you get home after work?”

“…” Yan Ningxi fell silent after hearing this.

The example Qi Xuexin described applied perfectly to her and Ming You as well. However, she had already passed this stage.

Though she had worried, ever since Ming You started planning her future work back in Huai’an for her sake, she firmly believed Ming You would not go with He Huan. And He Huan seemed to have figured things out too.

—Yan Yan, what I missed, I hope you won’t miss too. She’s been hurt by me emotionally once—please don’t hurt her again. I can’t say blessings yet. But may we each find the light that illuminates us and head toward a better future.

These were He Huan’s words to Yan Ningxi after the abortion. That child’s “death” was also the death of her marriage.

In just two short years, she had witnessed too much sorrow in He Huan’s life. One wrong step led to endless mistakes—what she had missed was far more than just Ming You.

She had missed a sweet romance, a beautiful life.

“Yan Huahua,” Qi Xuexin said seriously as she took Yan Ningxi’s hand and placed it lightly over her own heart.

“Ask your heart: if Ming You were that little puppy, would you be willing to watch her go to someone else? Could you really not mind at all seeing her get intimate with another woman?”

Qi Xuexin let go of her hand and downed Yan Ningxi’s unfinished glass of wine. “You’re luckier than me—at least there’s no ex like this dead knot between you two. Little Pomelo has only you in her eyes and heart, so stop tormenting her. Just date openly and properly. Don’t say I didn’t warn you—if you actually drive her away in anger, you’ll regret it later.”

Yan Ningxi leaned back against the sofa, lifted her forearm to cover her eyes, and said melancholily, “I’d rather she had no feelings for me at all.”

“???” Qi Xuexin was truly baffled by her smitten best friend. “Hey, are you trying to play the heartless one? You clearly like her—why not admit it? Just because your family has debts, you have to sacrifice your own happiness?”

“If you were me, what would you do?” Yan Ningxi moved her arm aside and tilted her head toward Qi Xuexin. “Let her start sharing your hardships before she even graduates, working part-time to help you pay off debts? Or have her ask her parents for money to help you repay them?”

Qi Xuexin was stumped.

Yeah, she was not Yan Ningxi. Even if she tried to put herself in her shoes, she could not fully empathize with Yan Ningxi’s experiences and feelings.

But if she were in the same situation as Yan Ningxi, she would probably shoulder the debt alone rather than find some sucker to pay it off for her.

Especially if that sucker was someone she liked.

“Yan Huahua, exactly how much does your family still owe? Be honest with me—we’ll figure it out together.”

Qi Xuexin gripped Yan Ningxi’s shoulders with a half-smile. “She’s your precious treasure, and you don’t want her suffering with you at such a young age—I get it, and I support it. I’m your wife-forgotten friend, but for my most important sister, I’ll pick up some side gigs to help you pay it off, okay? Anyway, you won’t mind if I suffer a bit.”

“What do you mean ‘wife-forgotten friend has to help pay debts’?” Yan Ningxi pushed her away annoyedly. “It’s not do-or-die yet. If it really comes to that day…”

“If it really comes to that day, Yan Ningxi, if you dare hide it from me, our friendship ends. Unforgivable—got it?”

“It won’t happen.”

A server brought a tray of drinks—six glasses in total. “Sister Xin, these are all personally mixed by Sister Jia for you and your friend. Enjoy while you chat.”

Another server brought a tray of snacks. “Sister Xin, these are from Sister Jia too. Eat up while you chat.”

“Thanks to her.”

The two servers exchanged smiles and said in unison, “Boss Lady, enjoy.”

The people around heard and all turned to look at their table, leaving Qi Xuexin speechless.

Yan Ningxi picked up two glasses and handed one to Qi Xuexin, teasing, “Boss Lady, Boss Wei has only you in her eyes and heart too.”

She truly admired Wei Kejia’s bold move.

…

One hour later.

【Qi Xuexin: Are you fighting with Yan Huahua?】

【Qi Xuexin: Look what she’s like now.】

【Qi Xuexin: Photo.jpg】

【Qi Xuexin: Sneak shot—don’t let her see.】

Voice: “You coming to pick her up? If not, I’ll have the staff toss her to a nearby hotel. I’m drunk too—can’t handle her.”

Voice: “Wei Kejia’s no use either. She’s entertaining her ex tonight—no time for me, let alone your Yan sister.”

Voice: “Hey, if you’re coming, say something. I’m super annoyed today—no patience.”

【Ming You: Chirp】

Ming You had just finished showering when she received Qi Xuexin’s messages. Seeing the photo of Yan Ningxi with messy hair sprawled on the table made her heart ache like it was being scraped by a knife.

She had used this trick before, with Qi Xuexin’s help.

School was on break, so even more young people crowded the bar. As soon as Ming You walked in, a not-too-old butch T blocked her path.

“Hi, miss. Here alone, or looking for a friend?”

“Looking for my partner.”

The blocker awkwardly stepped aside.

Ming You sat down across from Qi Xuexin and Yan Ningxi with a cold face. Qi Xuexin leisurely shook her glass and took a sip. “You came quick. No speeding, right? If you get a ticket, your Yan sister will blame herself.”

Yan Ningxi propped her forehead with one hand; hair draped over her shoulders hid most of her face. Her hair tie was on the wrist of the hand she propped herself up with, while her other hand held a glass.

“Is it good?” Seeing no reaction from Yan Ningxi, Ming You raised her voice and called her name. “Yan Ningxi, is the drink good?”

The person called did not know if she felt aggrieved or angry. She tilted her head back and drained the glass without leaving a drop. Even after finishing, she kept her head down, did not let go of the glass, and just held it while her thumb slid back and forth along the rim.

It pissed Ming You off to no end.

She had driven here with the goal of picking someone up, so she could not drink. Otherwise, she would have matched Yan Ningxi drink for drink, ten or eight glasses at least.

The butch T from the door did not give up and dragged a friend over for courage. The friend looked a bit older, with a neutral style that was not particularly butch.

“Ladies, want to join tables?” The woman in black leather draped her arm over the sofa back on Ming You’s side. Seeing cigarette butts in the ashtray on the table, she pulled out her own pack and offered. “Want to try this one?”

Qi Xuexin was always friendly to flirts. Though she had a partner and should restrain herself, tonight was a special situation, right?

Her girlfriend and best friend—one after the other—gave her headaches.

At least she could have a smoke?

She reached out and took one. The black-clad woman hurriedly offered a lighter. “Do you come here often, sis?”

Ming You: “The boss is her partner. Think she should come often?”

The black-clad woman was visibly stunned but quickly shifted her target back to Ming You. “What about you, little sis? I heard you’re here for your partner? Yours isn’t the boss here too, is she?”

It was such a perfect question that Ming You, Yan Ningxi, and Qi Xuexin all fell silent.

Sensing the tension, the butch T sidled up with flattery. “Miss, if you’re in a bad mood, come to our table? Play some games with everyone— it’ll be fun.”

Yan Ningxi was annoyed and distracted. She set down her glass, haphazardly gathered her hair with both hands, and pushed herself up from the sofa. She did not look at Ming You or grab the bag on the sofa. She simply stepped over Qi Xuexin’s legs and walked out.