“Mom, I’m heading out.”
After changing clothes and picking up her bag, ready to leave, Chu Ruoyou called out. Her mother’s voice followed her as she reached the entryway and sat down to change shoes. “Going to see Yuhan?”
“Mm.” Her attitude was cool.
After returning home, she had single-mindedly handled some school work for the summer term and stayed cooped up in her room for two days. Ren Yuhan contacted her, and she remembered she had promised to visit her at her place once she was back.
She was reluctant to go out, but Chu Ruoyou knew she should.
After all, she couldn’t just not care about Ren Yuhan’s injury. No matter what, hoping everyone is safe and sound is best.
Most importantly, being cold and distant normally could be excused, but not even visiting when she was injured would be inhumane. Such pettiness would be excessive, practically a public confession.
Allowing others to mock her.
Chu Ruoyou deliberately chose a time when Ren Yuhan’s husband wasn’t home, to avoid awkwardness if they ran into each other.
Her mom stood beside her, nagging. “You go on a trip, stay for so many days, and come back without any local specialties. At least you could bring something for Yuhan.”
“What hasn’t she eaten? There were no real specialties. The food there can be bought anywhere these days. I don’t pay the ‘tourist tax.'”
After changing shoes, Chu Ruoyou sat there, looking up at her mother.
Xin Yu didn’t get angry. She scrutinized her daughter and chuckled. “You make it sound like there was nothing good about the place. If there’s nothing to eat, why stay so long?”
She was still a little suspicious that Chu Ruoyou had been up to something there. Maybe she had secretly started a relationship.
Because no one was there to nag.
It was only as her mother followed her out, ready to close the door, that she suddenly noticed something off.
“You didn’t put on makeup before going out today. Before, when you went to Yuhan’s, you’d practically douse yourself in half a bottle of perfume.”
Chu Ruoyou stiffened and stubbornly replied, “I forgot. It’s too hot; couldn’t be bothered to tidy up.”
She knew her mother well—quite the matriarch, utterly clueless about same-sex affection.
Her saying this today wasn’t because she’d noticed Chu Ruoyou once had special feelings for Ren Yuhan. It was just that seeing her bare-faced and less polished made her want to tease.
Because her mom always thought her effort to look glamorous in front of Ren Yuhan was just a form of rivalry between girls.
The older sister-like figure was so beautiful and outstanding; if she didn’t dress up nicely, she’d feel inferior, and Ren Yuhan wouldn’t want to hang out with her anymore.
Chu Ruoyou went down to the underground parking garage and sat in her car. For a moment, she did nothing, her mind also blank, just sitting there quietly.
The spot without direct sunlight let her breathe a sigh of relief. Only then did she steel herself, daring to face that ray of blazing sun stored in her heart.
Why had she left so hastily, leaving behind a few thousand yuan? Initially, her reason was very simple, and she had forced herself to only think that way.
But in truth, many things couldn’t bear close scrutiny.
She refused to think about it anymore.
These past two days, she’d been somewhat sleepless. Sometimes, sitting in bed for a while, unwilling to lie down, she realized she seemed to be waiting for something.
Waiting for what?
No one would come out after a shower, climb onto her bed, shamelessly scoot close, and chatter meaningless nonsense with her.
A car drove past in front, its headlights jolting her consciousness back.
She glanced sideways and saw the lucky bead hanging from her bag. Hesitantly, she untied it and then preciously tucked it inside her bag.
She regained her composure, drove to Ren Yuhan’s house, and brought some ordinary things upstairs.
As soon as she pressed the doorbell, Ren Yuhan opened the door. Seeing Chu Ruoyou, her face was full of joy.
Her delight and her delicate features made Chu Ruoyou pause. As before, she habitually averted her eyes.
Ren Yuhan was always radiant, rarely seen listless. Her warm and thoughtful hospitality was an innate ability.
So even though Chu Ruoyou had told herself countless times she had freed herself from the shackles of adolescent longing and dreaming, the moment she saw Ren Yuhan, all sorts of struggles resurfaced.
She knew it was humiliating, but habits and mental patterns formed over a decade couldn’t be changed instantly, nor completely.
Chu Ruoyou keenly sensed that her actions and her resolve were out of step.
She mentally logged this.
Ren Yuhan said, “Braving this heat to come over, and you even brought things.”
She glanced at the fruit in Chu Ruoyou’s hand. Her smile didn’t change, but she knew something was different.
In the past, when Chu Ruoyou visited, she would bring small, distinctive, meaningful things. Even if just a book, it was chosen with thought.
“How could I freeload a meal?”
Ren Yuhan tried to take the items from her, but Chu Ruoyou dodged. “Go sit down and rest. I’ll carry these in.”
She noticed Ren Yuhan’s leg was injured, and she still walked with a limp.
“I thought you said it wasn’t serious?”
Ren Yuhan smiled, reassuring her. “However not serious, the skin was broken. It’s only been a few days; it’s normal it hasn’t healed completely. Don’t worry.”
“From now on, you must be careful. Safety first. You’re prone to scarring. If it leaves a scar, don’t get upset. As long as the person is okay, that’s what matters.”
Chu Ruoyou said.
“Okay, I know.”
Hearing Chu Ruoyou’s concern, as attentive as before, Ren Yuhan’s smile deepened, her voice turning light. “Ruoyou, didn’t you bring me any local specialties or souvenirs?”
Chu Ruoyou replied bluntly, “You know me. I don’t like buying those things. I only bought a fridge magnet. You wouldn’t like it anyway.”
Ren Yuhan would never keep such worthless little trinkets at home.
“Who says I wouldn’t?”
Chu Ruoyou responded coolly, “I’ll help you order the same one online.”
“Forget it. That wouldn’t have the same meaning.”
Ren Yuhan tactfully changed the subject.
The housekeeper was cooking; the aroma of food drifted over. Chu Ruoyou could identify what dishes were being made.
The same dishes, but the smell of Yun Huizhi’s cooking was different—but still very delicious.
She wondered, after she left, whether Yun Huizhi had seriously cooked a good meal for Shen Jiajia.
She also wondered if Yun Huizhi had played the fool again and casually lent out that money.
At the dining table, Chu Ruoyou declined Ren Yuhan’s afternoon plans. “I have something this afternoon. I won’t stay. You rest well at home.”
“It’s summer break, and our Teacher Chu is such a busy person. You don’t even have time to watch a movie with me?”
Ren Yuhan looked at her with teasing reproach.
Chu Ruoyou ignored her. She quickly thought of what it was like watching movies with Yun Huizhi. Yun Huizhi had so many commentaries, so engaged, as if she were inside the world of the film.
So watching anything with her was always fun.
Her mind wandered for an instant before she pulled it back. She said, “No time. Maybe next time.”
Ren Yuhan finally couldn’t hold back. “Ruoyou, I was busy a while back and neglected you. Are you angry with me?”
Chu Ruoyou remained unruffled. “We were both busy, mutually neglecting each other. I’m not angry. Have you done something to make me angry?”
“But I feel like you’re dissatisfied with me. Look, from the moment you walked in until now, you haven’t really smiled.”
Ren Yuhan’s words prompted Chu Ruoyou to smile.
It seemed bright, but her eyes held a coldness. “Sister Yuhan, you’re overthinking it.”
“Good. See, you look best smiling like that.”
She then casually added, “You’re back now. What about that new friend you met? Did she leave too, or is she still there?”
Chu Ruoyou’s smile froze briefly. She couldn’t read the emotion behind Ren Yuhan’s expression; she just instinctively felt uncomfortable. She said slowly, “Still there.”
“Next time, you could invite her to visit Xiacheng.”
“Depends on her schedule.”
Chu Ruoyou shut down the topic. “I’m not a child who can’t make friends anymore. Sister Yuhan, don’t worry about my affairs.”
After the meal, Chu Ruoyou received a phone call and said she had to go attend to something.
What she was busy with, Ren Yuhan didn’t ask, and Chu Ruoyou couldn’t be bothered to fabricate something on the spot.
The call she’d just taken was from the telecom company, promoting a new plan. She listened patiently.
Anyway, she didn’t want to stay by Ren Yuhan’s side.
She couldn’t help but open the social media platform where she and Yun Huizhi had met. She hadn’t blocked her there, and Yun Huizhi hadn’t sent her any private messages over the past few days.
Their conversation history stopped over half a month ago.
Yun Huizhi had posted a new update.
Blue skies, white clouds, trees, a lake. No different from before on the surface.
But there was no caption.
After looking, Chu Ruoyou expressionlessly logged out.
–
“Has Sister Chu just left like that?”
Zhang Cai came to the inn to hang out, grabbed Yun Huizhi, and looked utterly crestfallen.
“Of course. Did you think?” Yun Huizhi couldn’t be bothered with her.
Zhang Cai looked for sweet moments. “Do you miss her?”
Yun Huizhi hugged her water cup, drinking sip by sip. Today’s hydration goal only had this cup left.
She said lazily, “Not really. We parted on good terms, no hard feelings. What’s there to miss?”
Zhang Cai bemoaned her indifference. “So the ship I shipped has just… sunk?”
“Stop shipping nonsense.”
Yeah, it was over, not that anyone ever wanted it to work out.
Zhang Cai said shamelessly, “Fine. Then I’ll keep chasing you.”
The premier weirdo of Jianjia Town. Yun Huizhi nearly wanted to shut the door on her guest. “Do not disturb. Don’t feel like dating. Too troublesome.”
She had seen Shen Jiajia off yesterday. They hadn’t parted on great terms.
But Shen Jiajia wasn’t the type to explode at the slightest spark. They hadn’t completely torn into each other; she packed her things and left obediently.
Yun Huizhi continued drifting around alone, cycling through the town. A ride could last half a day.
She chased the setting sun, watching the rosy clouds, and tried whistling. No one was there to scold her, so she didn’t feel like doing it anymore.
She’d been living earnestly these past couple of days. She had standards for herself; she had to live for her own sake.
But she couldn’t possibly not think about Chu Ruoyou. It was just that she’d stopped crying. She had no more tears to shed.
Her aunt, accompanied by her mom and sister, was on her way back. Yun Huizhi waited for them idly.
She still shared everything about Jianjia Town, and many people consulted her, leaving comments about coming to visit her.
But she wasn’t in the mood to host anymore.
One day, she really couldn’t hold back.
That evening’s sunset clouds were too beautiful, the whole sky covered in brilliantly colored clouds.
That night’s moonlight was so bright it spilled over the whole courtyard. Coming back from outside, Yun Huizhi almost couldn’t bear to step on it.
She couldn’t resist taking pictures: the setting sun and evening clouds, the moonlight on the terrace. Her caption read: “The sun and moon we watched together.”
She and Chu Ruoyou had never watched a sunrise. Sunrises were too early; getting up was agony.
They had tried once. The alarm rang at five. She stumbled up, opened the window, and found it was overcast outside.
She went back to bed and said, “Weather’s no good.”
Chu Ruoyou was sleeping with her back to her and didn’t reply a single word.
After Yun Huizhi posted it, she opened her private chat with Chu Ruoyou. She had so many things to say but didn’t know where to start.
She chose to remain invisible, letting some matters settle temporarily, so she could see more clearly.
And more easily prune them.
Days passed after the post. No response at all.
Well, fair enough. Chu Ruoyou was probably sick of her. She’d be lucky if the sight of sunsets and moonrises didn’t outright annoy her.
One day, a family of three arrived at the inn. While they were checking in, Yun Huizhi idly played with the little girl.
Children worship their parents, and a few words can make them burst with pride. Through this, Yun Huizhi learned one thing: the girl’s father was a teacher at Chu Ruoyou’s school.
Yun Huizhi’s heart suddenly raced.
It was as if a planet she had nothing to do with anymore suddenly emerged from the darkness, allowing her a distant, stolen glance.
