Return of the Antagonistic Lady Boss

Chapter 275 - 263: Hearts Drifted Apart

When Xuanzi left, Qian threw down the microphone and asked Shi Touyu.

"What’s up with you and your brother?" She wanted to change the subject now, as this lousy singing was making her feel terrible.

"It’s nothing, really. He—he has a girlfriend now."

After Shi Yu finished speaking, Qian immediately hugged her and patted her, "I knew this day would come, just try to move on."

"I’m fine, what’s the big deal? He’s already decided to be with her. I came all this way, and the girl even came to pick me up. It was as disgusting as swallowing a fly—Qian, I’m done pretending. I’m really hurting here!"

Shi Yu clutched her chest, tears streaming down her face.

Qian wanted to say that she too was heartbroken, and she too was hurting, but she had to keep a brave face because she’s the boss.

"It’s okay, if you’re sad just cry. When you’re with good friends, let it out, don’t bottle it up inside."

"How could he treat me like this? He said he’d take care of me for life. How could he be with another girl? Did he get my approval?"

Shi Yu noticed that even her childhood friend didn’t care about this, and although she couldn’t figure out why, she just felt that Xuanzi was different from when they were kids. Still, she was willing to talk to Qian about it.

"He was always just your brother. That’s how he saw himself too. All those things you imagine are just a parallel world to him. In your world it’s snowing heavily, while in his it’s spring all year round in the south. Wake up, grow up, and face reality."

Shi Yu hugged Xiaoyu, crying like a child. Qian, who had just been comforted by Zheng Xu, now transformed instantly into the one providing comfort. She patted Shi Yu, because that’s what friends are for.

But the friend standing outside the door, watching Qian and Shi Yu embrace, didn’t see it that way.

Some people drift apart as they walk on different paths. When identities change, friends who once played in the mud together don’t seem as close anymore.

Xiaoyu seemed to be aware of this, trying hard to change the topic, but she had just "lost her love," and Qian had just confronted Yu Minglang, making the overall atmosphere quite depressing. Xiaoyu couldn’t find a topic that resonated.

Qian has a strong personality. If she feels no connection with someone, she doesn’t even bother with formalities. She just wants to wait for the time to pass so that Zheng Xu can come and pick her and Shi Touyu up.

"Oh, right, Xuanzi, look what I brought you."

Shi Touyu opened her bag and took out a small package.

"I just came back from the south with my dad and thought this seemed quite suitable for you. Do you like it?"

When opened, it was a red silk bellyband with a hand-embroidered phoenix, very beautiful.

"I remember you said last time that you’re getting married after the New Year, thought this seemed festive. I drew this pattern myself and had an experienced craftsman embroider it. Didn’t we often play dress-up games in traditional costumes as kids? Do you still remember, draping bedsheets to pretend to be princesses?"

Xuanzi didn’t go to college and is already working. Her family found her a partner, and she’s supposed to get married after the New Year. Shi Touyu’s gift was well-intentioned, but when she took it out, Xuanzi’s expression changed.

Unexpectedly, she reached out and knocked Shi Touyu’s offering hand away.

"I don’t want it!"

Shi Touyu was stunned, and Xuanzi looked at her with an expression that she didn’t understand, but Qian did.

Was she...resenting Shi Touyu? Qian squinted.

"I got burned, and there’s a huge scar on my back. Are you giving me this to mock me as someone who can only attract a man with the lights off?"

"When did you get burned...oh, I’m sorry." Shi Yu, though not sure what was happening, realized she had offended someone and immediately apologized. Before she could bow her head, Qian lifted it with a finger.

"If she doesn’t want it, I’ll take it. Thank you, Xiaoyu, you put a lot of thought into this, didn’t you?"

Qian doesn’t accept her friends bowing down to this kind of person and quickly rescued the situation.

She cast a faint glance in Xuanzi’s direction, "A friend’s thoughtfulness is rare and valuable. The world doesn’t revolve around you. People aren’t mind readers to know what you don’t say. If you’re upset with someone, take it up with them, don’t hurt those who care about you."

Xuanzi’s face turned gloomy. Shi Yu tugged at Qian, now feeling even worse in her heart—heartbroken and having a fight with a childhood friend like this.

"It’s late, let’s head back." Qian said to Shi Touyu, who also felt drained.

There was still some time before Zheng Xu was supposed to come, so Qian borrowed Shi Touyu’s phone, only to find it out of battery.

"Xuanzi, may I borrow your phone?" Xiaoyu asked.

"I think you’ve forgotten, a poor person like me can’t afford a phone." Xuanzi’s words made Shi Yu even more awkward.

She could only awkwardly ask Qian, "Should we take a taxi back or use the karaoke’s phone to call your friend?"

"Let’s just take a taxi. Who knows where he might be off partying." Qian guessed Zheng Xu might have gone off drinking.

They came excitedly but left dejectedly, walking out in silence, Qian and Shi Touyu trying to hail a cab, but Xuanzi got ahead of them and flagged down a minivan.

These cars had been phased out years ago and didn’t have proper operation licenses—infamously known as illegal taxis—but they were a bit cheaper.

"Get in, we’re going the same way, it’ll be cheaper." Xuanzi sat first in the passenger seat and exchanged a glance with the driver.

Shi Touyu hesitated, but Qian pulled her back, shaking her head.

"Wait a moment."

She wasn’t too willing to get into this kind of vehicle.

"What’s the matter? Do you rich people have some frugality issues, looking down on us who take the cheap rides?" Xuanzi’s comment stabbed at Shi Yu further.

Her childhood friend, who once shielded her from difficulties and stood up for her, how did they become so distant as they grew up?

"Are you getting in or not? Hurry up," the driver urged impatiently.

Qian looked around, but there were no other cabs, and it was quite cold, so she decided to get in.

Xuanzi got off halfway, and before she did, she handed the driver ten yuan.

"Make sure to drop my friends where they need to go."

"No problem."

The driver exchanged a look with Xuanzi and drove off.

Yu Minglang had been looking all over but couldn’t find who had been badmouthing in front of his Qian.

But thinking that now an afternoon had passed, Qian would have calmed down a bit, he decided to go to her house and have a rational discussion again.

Breakups need both parties’ agreement to be real.

Her one-sided declaration didn’t count.

Yu Minglang took a cab, and by the time he reached Qian’s house, dusk was setting in.

Jia Xiufang was starting a fire and upon seeing him, eagerly welcomed him.

"Minglang, you’re here. Qian isn’t back yet. Wait for her and have dinner with us."

"She isn’t back yet?" Yu Minglang frowned.

She had left his place around noon, and now it’s quite late.