Chapter 38: Standing Unconditionally on Qiuqiu's Side

Zhou Yan’s gaze dimmed in an instant.

Qiuqiu still did not want to see him.

This realization shattered all his preparations into dust. His eyes suddenly grew achingly sore. He rubbed his face, struggled for a moment, and then turned to walk down the stairs.

Yu Ling, who had watched the entire scene, thought: Huh? Just like that? He’s leaving?

She didn't get it.

Just then, Chu Ming poked her arm and whispered, "Sis, someone was watching us just now. Do you think it was a paparazzo?"

Yu Ling patted her shoulder. "No, let's keep playing."

"Yuyu, what do you want to drink?" Cheng Suqiu handed her a tablet.

Yu Ling glanced at her, words hovering on the tip of her tongue. But she swallowed them back and said, "I'll just have fruit wine."

Forget it. Qiuqiu’s love life was for her to handle. It wasn't right for an outsider to interfere in matters of the heart.

***

It was already ten o’clock when they left the bar.

Both Cheng Suqiu and Chu Ming were drunk, so Yu Ling and Zhang Yue helped them along. Yu Ling had only had one bottle of fruit wine; she drank sparingly and kept her wits about her. It was clear that Cheng Suqiu had been deeply affected by Zhou Yan, as she had consumed quite a bit. As for Chu Ming, that girl was simply acting out; it was her first time at a bar and everything was a novelty. She had matched Cheng Suqiu drink for drink, and if not for Zhang Yue holding her back, she would likely still be clutching a bottle and refusing to leave.

Although it was summer, the night breeze was quite chilly.

Zhang Yue took off his jacket. He initially intended to drape it over Chu Ming, but noticing Yu Ling nearby, he felt it might be inappropriate. He changed direction and said, "Yu-jie, it’s a bit cold, you should wear this."

Yu Ling saw through his intention and shook her head, refusing. "It’s alright, give it to Xiao Ming. I’m not cold." She had specifically worn long sleeves and trousers when she left home, keeping herself well-covered.

Zhang Yue gave her a grateful look and draped the jacket over Chu Ming. Yu Ling watched them and couldn't help but smile.

Secret, mutual affection—how beautiful. Hazy, yet lovely.

"Yuyu, let's go home."

Hit by the cold wind, Cheng Suqiu regained a moment of clarity. She hugged Yu Ling and murmured.

"Alright, let's go home."

Yu Ling was half-carrying and half-supporting her as they walked forward, but someone blocked their path.

"Wait a moment." Zhou Yan emerged from the corner.

Yu Ling blinked, pretending not to recognize him. She shielded Cheng Suqiu, asking with a guarded expression, "Who are you?"

Zhang Yue, following behind, also watched him with nervous tension.

Zhou Yan paused, then realized the situation immediately. Yu Ling didn't know who he was.

He introduced himself: "Hello, I am Chi Ran’s manager, Zhou Yan."

Chi Ran—surely Yu Ling would know that name?

Sure enough, upon hearing the name "Chi Ran," the expression on Yu Ling's face shifted slightly. However, she remained guarded and asked intentionally, "How can you prove that?"

Zhou Yan was silent for two seconds before pulling out his phone to find his chat history with Li Wan. "Look, this is my chat record with your manager. You should be able to understand it, right?"

Yu Ling secretly rolled her eyes at him. What did he mean by "you should be able to understand it"? Who was he looking down on?

She had only pretended not to know him; now that he had provided proof of his identity, she decided to follow the flow and let the matter drop. "Oh, Brother Zhou, what are you doing here?"

Zhou Yan didn't answer directly, only saying, "I have some business." His gaze remained locked on Cheng Suqiu, who was in Yu Ling’s arms.

Yu Ling nodded. "Well, Brother Zhou, you must be busy. We’ll be going now."

She said this deliberately, wanting to see how Zhou Yan would react. As she finished speaking, she gave Zhang Yue a look, and they started to walk away with Cheng Suqiu.

Zhou Yan spoke up suddenly: "Wait, let me drive you home."

Yu Ling looked at him with suspicion.

Sensing he had been too forward, Zhou Yan smiled and explained, "I noticed you’ve all been drinking. It’s not safe to drive at night. You should let me take you back."

Yu Ling was about to agree, but Zhang Yue spoke up: "Yu-jie, I haven't been drinking."

The atmosphere turned awkward instantly, and Yu Ling didn't know what to do. If Qiuqiu were sober, she would surely refuse to let Zhou Yan drive them, right?

But the barrage of comments online insisted that Qiuqiu only loved Zhou Yan. They were clearly two people who cared for each other...

Yu Ling was in a bind. Refusing wouldn't work, and agreeing wouldn't work.

Just then, Chu Ming, held by Zhang Yue, began to stir. "Wine... I want more wine..."

She didn't know where she found the strength; she thrashed in Zhang Yue’s arms, struggling to break free. Zhang Yue had to scramble to restrain her.

This gave Zhou Yan an opening. He smiled gently and suggested, "Let me drive you. This young man..." He pointed to Zhang Yue and said to Yu Ling, "If he drives, you won't be able to handle two drunk people on your own."

The words sounded like he was considering Yu Ling's needs, and they sounded quite reasonable.

Yu Ling went with the flow and agreed.

Zhou Yan glanced at Cheng Suqiu’s exposed arms. She was wearing a spaghetti-strap dress today, and her exposed skin was dazzlingly fair. Yu Ling was wearing a hoodie and couldn't take it off, so she simply pulled her closer, using her own body to block the wind for her.

Zhou Yan took off his suit jacket and handed it to Yu Ling. "Put this on her. It’s windy out."

He used the pronoun "her" rather than Cheng Suqiu’s name, making the sentence sound a bit aimless. But fortunately, Yu Ling understood what he meant. "Then thank you, Brother Zhou."

She reached out, took the garment, and draped it over Cheng Suqiu.

Yu Ling’s car was spacious, so they climbed in. Inside, Yu Ling and Cheng Suqiu sat in the second row, while Zhang Yue and Chu Ming took the back row. The two drunks didn't bother anyone.

Cheng Suqiu held her liquor well; she didn't fuss or make a scene when drunk, simply leaning obediently against Yu Ling’s shoulder to sleep.

Zhou Yan was driving in the front, and Yu Ling knew without having to think about it that his state of mind must be complicated. But that had little to do with her.

She took this time to look at the comments scrolling by:

[Wuwu, love is the hand that wants to reach out but retracts. Zhou Yan thinks Qiuqiu doesn't want others to know about their relationship, so he has to painfully pretend not to know her in front of Yu Ling. He wishes so much that the person Qiuqiu is leaning on was him...]

Yu Ling: ...

Ah, this... how about you lot put a sober Zhang Yue to sleep, I'll drive, and let Zhou Yan lend his shoulder to Qiuqiu? Besides, what’s wrong with a best friend’s shoulder? Isn't it nice? Ugh, hmph!

[Who let Zhou Yan break Qiuqiu’s heart three years ago? Sigh, it’s normal that Qiuqiu doesn't forgive him now...]

Seeing this, Yu Ling nodded in agreement.

Although she wasn't entirely clear on what had happened between the two of them three years ago, she stood unconditionally on Qiuqiu’s side. Since Qiuqiu was the one who had been hurt, Zhou Yan must have done something to damage her.

The cold shoulder Qiuqiu was giving him now was exactly what he deserved.

He wasn't worth pitying.