"What the hell?! What is Zhou Yu thinking?!" Lu Chuchu's righteous indignation nearly pierced through the phone. She was shaking with anger. "Does he really not get it, or is he pretending? Taking Su Yan there—is he out of his mind?!"
Jian Ran didn't respond. What Zhou Yu was thinking didn't matter anymore.
Lu Chuchu cursed Zhou Yu thoroughly, growing angrier with each word. "So you just let them off easy? You didn't go in and expose those two dogs for what they are?"
Jian Ran pursed her lips but didn't deny it.
Lu Chuchu slapped her forehead in exasperation. "With a face that looks so sharp and shrewd, you're such a waste! You're just a natural airhead, a sweet idiot!!"
But then again, it was good not to dwell on such trash. Not worth it.
However, Lu Chuchu had seen all of Jian Ran's dedication and persistence over the years. She was afraid Jian Ran would regret it later. "Ranran, have you really thought this through? Is breaking up really not a spur-of-the-moment decision?"
A shadow passed over Jian Ran's eyes. She understood Lu Chuchu's concern. "Chuchu, you've always said that Zhou Yu deliberately strung me along by not committing all these years. But have you ever considered that maybe there was someone else in his heart?"
Someone else?
Lu Chuchu's heart trembled. Not what she thought.
"Exactly what you're thinking," Jian Ran said bitterly. "Su Yan is Zhou Yu's ex-girlfriend." And the white moonlight he had never let go of all these years.
She paused for a few seconds before continuing, "So, you know, I won't regret this."
Lu Chuchu opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words. She paced anxiously around the room, one hand on her chest, so angry she could kill. That bastard Zhou Yu! All these years, if there was someone in his heart, he should have just said so! Instead, he pulled this stunt with his first love white moonlight—it was like stabbing Jian Ran right in the heart.
After all, Jian Ran's parents divorced because her father, years into marriage, reunited with the first love white moonlight he could never have. Her mother died of depression not long after the divorce. Not many people knew this—Lu Chuchu had only found out by chance, and she wasn't clear on all the details. But one thing was certain: the concept of "white moonlight" was an absolute taboo for Jian Ran. So no matter how much Jian Ran had liked Zhou Yu before, she would never go back.
"Ranran, are you okay?" Lu Chuchu asked with concern.
Jian Ran shook her head, putting on a nonchalant tone. "Don't worry, I'm fine. It's just a breakup. No big deal."
Lu Chuchu knew it couldn't be that simple, but she was never good at comfort, so she went along with Jian Ran's words. "Exactly. Toads with three legs are hard to find, but two-legged men are everywhere. So what if he was the aloof, distant type? Don't worry, sis, I'll help you build a whole new harem!"
Jian Ran was amused by Lu Chuchu's words. To keep her from worrying, she continued the banter. "No, no. I've already decided—next time I want someone gentle and obedient."
"Right, right! Gentle is good. Those aloof types are all fake. Next one should be obedient." Lu Chuchu slapped her thigh in excitement. "Also, why settle for an old man when we're still in our bloom? Find a young and handsome younger guy, preferably a college student."
Just to spite someone.
Jian Ran helplessly rubbed her forehead. She wasn't stupid—she could tell Lu Chuchu was mocking Zhou Yu. But to be fair, Zhou Yu was only three years older than her—hardly an old man. Of course, she wouldn't argue with her bestie at a time like this.
"A younger college guy—they're innocent and obedient, full of youthful sunshine. But the question is, where do I find one now?" Jian Ran said, forcing herself to stay cheerful and banter with her friend.
That really stumped Lu Chuchu. They had graduated so long ago; their current social circles didn't include any college students. Plus, it was summer break. Otherwise, she could drive over to the university town and take a look. The only college student she could think of was her own little brother.
"Sigh, if only my brother wasn't the polar opposite of innocent and obedient, I'd reluctantly give him up for you."
Jian Ran: "..."
What a touching bestie friendship—even willing to sacrifice her own brother.
But then... "Am I really that bad? That I'd be doing your brother such a disservice?"
"What are you talking about?" Lu Chuchu said disdainfully. "I'm afraid of doing you wrong!"
Jian Ran: "???"
True bestie!!
The two of them were used to bantering like this, so Jian Ran naturally didn't take it seriously. She and Lu Chuchu had been college roommates and had known each other for years. Although she had never met her brother, she had heard of him—apparently, he got into A University at a young age and was a proper academic prodigy.
As they chatted, a sudden clatter came from Lu Chuchu's side, as if something had fallen.
"What's going on?" Jian Ran asked with concern.
Lu Chuchu was equally confused. "No idea. Hang on, let me check."
After a few minutes, she returned. "It's nothing. A vase on the hallway cabinet somehow fell and broke. Probably one of my mom's new cats did it."
Jian Ran hummed in acknowledgment. As long as it was nothing serious. "Aren't you on set filming? Why are you home?" she asked curiously.
Lu Chuchu had become an actress after graduation and was currently shooting a historical drama as the second female lead. The director was notoriously strict in the industry and rarely allowed actors time off during filming—she had complained about it before.
"Don't even mention it. One of the elders in the family is having a birthday today, and I had to come back. I had to beg the director for three days off." Lu Chuchu said.
Jian Ran nodded. She knew Lu Chuchu's family was prominent in their area—large and traditional. For an elder's birthday, it was indeed necessary to go back. "You still have a day off. I'll fly back to Jing City tomorrow morning to keep you company."
Jian Ran quickly stopped her. "Please don't. You've been filming for months, and you finally got a chance to go home. Stay with your elders longer. I'm really fine—it's just a breakup. How big a deal is it?"
Lu Chuchu knew Jian Ran was just being stubborn and wouldn't listen. She immediately had her assistant book a ticket before continuing their earlier topic.
"Oh, speaking of college guys, I just remembered. On my last drama, there was a senior actress. She was almost forty and had a young boyfriend who was a college student. He even came to the set once. Never mind anything else, but in terms of emotional support, that young boyfriend was top-notch."
Jian Ran raised an eyebrow, her gossip curiosity piqued. "Tell me more?"
Lu Chuchu didn't disappoint. She recounted the gossip with great flair, finally concluding: "Why don't you also get yourself a college boy? To hell with love. In today's society, carpe diem is the way to go."
Jian Ran laughed and declined. "Not a chance. My current job can't support a college boy."
Lu Chuchu clicked her tongue. "Oh, come on. With your background, you're basically a half-rich girl. What college boy can't you afford?" She patted her chest and said grandly, "If it really doesn't work, I'll pay for it. It's just a matter of taking on a few more acting projects. And if that still doesn't work, I'll give you my dad's black card!"
Jian Ran: "..."
That's really not necessary.
The two chatted on for a while longer. Jian Ran knew Lu Chuchu was worried she'd be alone with her thoughts, so she was trying to find topics to cheer her up. But they couldn't talk all night. Eventually, the call ended.
The surroundings instantly fell silent. The spacious room felt oppressively stuffy.
Rain had started falling outside at some point. Summer rain was always capricious—sudden and violent, pounding against the windows and stirring up restlessness.
Jian Ran slowly let her smile fade. She stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, silently watching the scene outside. The bustling city was shrouded in a thin mist. The crawling traffic moved slowly, as if the whole world had suddenly become sad.
After a long moment, Jian Ran curled up and crouched down, letting her tears fall one by one.
Author's note:
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