Chapter 182: Seeking Reconciliation
Perhaps due to the lack of recent interaction, Huo Ningning had become unusually proactive, constantly inviting Yu Linna to hang out. This introverted girl, usually so reserved, was surprisingly forward with Yu Linna, making her wonder if she had ulterior motives.
Senior year was demanding, their free time limited, and with the gaokao only a month away, few students were thinking about leisure activities, their focus on graduation plans, travel, and perhaps even getting their driver’s licenses.
But Huo Ningning, defying the trend, persisted in her invitations.
“We’re graduating soon! Who knows when we’ll see each other again? Let’s have some fun while we still can!”
Yu Linna finally understood her intentions: to spend time together before graduation, to mend their broken friendship.
Huo Ningning, aware of their different academic abilities, their paths likely diverging after graduation, wanted to create lasting memories while they were still classmates.
Their relationship had thawed slightly; she didn’t want to waste this opportunity.
“Fine, how about this weekend? We have one day off every week. But no overnight stays. I don’t want to go too far.”
“Okay!”
Huo Ningning was ecstatic.
Yu Linna had agreed!
This was a significant change; Yu Linna’s coldness towards her had softened, a testament to Huo Ningning’s persistence.
The weekend arrived, and Huo Ningning, excitedly, dressed in a pretty outfit, a white sunhat, and a small bag, even applying light makeup, her appearance transformed, though her introverted nature remained.
Yu Linna, however, hadn’t bothered to dress up, simply wearing jeans, a T-shirt, and cheap canvas shoes.
Passersby, seeing her, thought, Such a cute girl, her blonde hair is so pretty… but her clothes… so unfashionable, such a waste of her beauty… but then again, pretty girls look good in anything.
“Your outfit is… not very flattering.”
Huo Ningning, disapproving of Yu Linna’s casual attire, worried she would never find a boyfriend if she continued dressing like this.
“What’s wrong with it? I’ve always dressed like this. It’s fine.”
“But you’re a successful author now! You can afford better clothes! Why treat yourself so poorly?”
“New clothes are expensive! I’ll just wear my old clothes. I’ll buy new ones for special occasions.”
“Are you some kind of country bumpkin?”
Despite her newfound wealth, her million-yuan income, Yu Linna remained frugal, unwilling to spend money on clothes.
Years of poverty, of scrimping and saving, of wearing the same clothes for years, her wardrobe still containing clothes from when she was eleven or twelve… her frugal habits were deeply ingrained.
Becoming a spendthrift overnight was impossible.
Only time and gradual change could alter her spending habits.
“You’re a famous author now! You have so much money, and royalties too! Why dress so shabbily?”
Huo Ningning couldn’t understand.
Yu Linna was the most successful among them, her fame even exceeding Fang Jiangning’s, though only a few people knew her true identity.
Why wouldn’t she spend some of her money on herself? Look at Fang Jiangning, buying figurines, clothes, designer bags, and cosmetics with her earnings.
“Let’s not talk about that. Where are we going? It’s a rare day off; I want to go somewhere… inexpensive.”
“Fine, we can watch a movie, and then… have fast food.”
Though Huo Ningning had other plans, she relented, letting Yu Linna decide.
They spent the day together, a rare treat for Huo Ningning. Her persistence seemed to be working; Yu Linna wasn’t as resistant as before, her heart softening after Huo Ningning’s thoughtful gesture at the cinema, giving her her jacket. Though Yu Linna enjoyed taking advantage of others, she was also grateful for their kindness, remembering those who treated her well.
Huo Ningning recalled their shared past, the faded memories, the lost time, longing to return to those carefree days.
They had been so happy together, and she had believed they could be a family.
But she had made a mistake, uttering those cruel words, inflicting a deep wound. Her family’s struggles had been a valid concern, her parents’ illness a source of anxiety, but she shouldn’t have taken it out on Yu Linna.
Yu Linna had nothing, no one.
After leaving the Huo family, she had practically become homeless, a consequence Huo Ningning couldn’t deny.
“Little Linna.”
“What?”
“I’m sorry.”
“…Not this again.”
Yu Linna, licking her ice cream, rolled her eyes.
Why bring up the past? It only brought pain. It was better to forget.
“I apologized before, but you don’t seem to have forgiven me.”
“…I told you, I don’t care about that anymore.”
It was true. Dwelling on it was pointless. It was in the past.
She wanted to move on, to live a simple, peaceful life.
Nangong Ying’s betrayal had been a harsh lesson, making her wary of placing her hopes and trust in others.
She had, in a way, become emotionally withdrawn, unwilling to open up to anyone.
“Little Linna, can you really not forgive me?”
“…Come on, the movie’s starting.”
Yu Linna avoided the question, changing the subject, her reluctance evident.
Huo Ningning’s expression fell. So, it was still a no.
Looking at Yu Linna’s back, she told herself not to give up, to keep trying.
That’s what she told herself.
That weekend, instead of relaxing at home or hanging out with Dai Wenqian, Ye Zhiyun hired a tutor. Though confident in her academic abilities, not needing to attend a top university like Tsinghua or Peking University, she still wanted to do well on the gaokao.
After all, even Yu Linna was studying hard; she had to make an effort.
She had decided to stay in the country for university, defying her father’s suggestion to study abroad. As long as Nana was here, nothing else mattered.
“Miss Ye, I don’t think I can teach you anything else. The exams are approaching, and you’re already well-prepared. You’ll do fine.”
Despite her tutor’s reassurance, Ye Zhiyun still wanted to study harder.
She was stubborn, always striving for excellence, never settling for less, a trait inherited from her mother.
Lost in thought, she realized she hadn’t spoken to her father in a while. She wondered what he was up to, deciding to call him.
“I’m taking a break. I’m going to make a call.”
“Yes, Miss Ye.”
Ye Zhiyun stepped onto the balcony, dialing her father’s number.
“Hello? My dear daughter, decided to call your old man?”
“Oh, please. How many times have you tricked me, Dad? Are you busy?”
“Not really. You, however, are supposed to be taking a break from work. Why are you asking?”
Ye Siyuan, chatting with his daughter from his office, chuckled. His daughter was becoming more and more interesting.
He had once thought she would be as stubborn and uncompromising as her mother. Now, it seemed she was different, more level-headed, at least.
“By the way, Dad, how did you… woo Mom?”
“Why are you asking?”
“Just curious. My mom is so… strong-willed. How did you tame her? I’m impressed. What kind of magic did you use?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
Ye Siyuan leaned back in his chair, thinking about his wife, his daughter’s mother, a wave of nostalgia washing over him.
His wife, in her youth, had been a force to be reckoned with, a younger version of Ye Zhiyun: competitive, proud, arrogant, but with the skills to back it up. He had often clashed with her in the business world, wondering how she always managed to outmaneuver him.
Now, she was much gentler, her competitive spirit replaced by a maternal warmth, her focus on her children, her gaze softening whenever she looked at them, a tenderness he hadn’t seen in her youth.
“Your mother… she’s a wonderful woman. I never thought I would marry my rival, but… fate works in mysterious ways.”
“So, how did you win her over?”
“I don’t have time to explain now. I’ll tell you later. But Zhiyun, why are you asking? Is there someone… special?”
“No! Get lost!”
Ye Zhiyun hung up, annoyed. How dare he tease her like that? She would tell her mother.
But…
Why had she asked him that?
She didn’t know. Perhaps it was just a whim.
She was genuinely curious how two rivals could become lovers. She wanted to know, desperately.
