She thought she was dreaming, so she pinched her arm as usual—it hurt, it really hurt!
She suddenly remembered what Xinyu had just whispered in her ear: "A man might be up to something at night? Be careful!" Then she couldn't help but feel how ironic the scene before her was.
Chapter Sixty-One
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The woman's hands clung tightly to Han Haoxuan's neck like vines, while Han Haoxuan's hands were around her waist. The two kissed so passionately in that secluded corner that they forgot everything else, as if they were the only two people in the world. Neither of them noticed Ruolin's presence.
Ruolin also considered stepping forward to separate the couple who were locked in a fierce struggle, but she told herself to stay calm. She had always trusted Han Haoxuan. He said it was for social obligations, but maybe it was a "handsome man trap" he had set up for work.
Ruolin tiptoed into the restroom and peered at the couple through the door. She didn't mean to peep or eavesdrop, but curiosity drove her to do it.
"Haoxuan, I love you so much, I miss you so much, I really miss you! Over the years, I've often lost sleep thinking about you." Lines even more outrageous than those in Qiong Yao's dramas slipped from the mouth of the spied heroine.
"Don't act like a child." Han Haoxuan's lines were relatively better. "But if you loved me, why did you leave me in the first place?!" With a near-hysterical question, Han Haoxuan seemed to have reverted to his roaring self.
“Because of your mother…” The female protagonist’s voice choked up, and crystal tears were about to spill from her eyes, “Your mother came to me and forced me to leave you.”
Then Han Haoxuan sighed deeply and tenderly hugged the female lead into his arms.
Ruolin had already guessed the female lead's identity; she must be Han Haoxuan's ex-girlfriend, right? The woman who dumped Han Haoxuan for the opportunity to study abroad?
But didn't she go abroad? Why is she back? Did she come specifically to find her first love? Isn't this the kind of story that popular romance novels always start with? Lovers reunited after many years apart, still unable to forget each other, then a heart-wrenching and touching story unfolds. Ruolin had been moved when she read these books before, but she never imagined that she would never become the female lead in a novel. She seemed to be the typical third party character in novels, at most a supporting character.
Ruolin remembered reading in a book that men always think their first love is the best woman in the world, and that men like to take "the unattainable is always the best" as a golden rule. Doesn't that mean that she has no competitiveness in front of this woman?
"Do you know? You're just a substitute for his ex-girlfriend." Xu Ling's words suddenly echoed in Ruolin's mind, like a bomb that shattered her heart.
Ruolin leaned forward, trying to get a better look at the woman, but the light was too dim and she was almost facing away from Ruolin, so she couldn't see her face at all. She could only see that the woman had a cascade of straight hair, was wearing a tight short skirt, and had long legs exposed.
"You little brat, you'll freeze to death when the wind blows!" Ruolin cursed in her heart.
When Ruolin came out of the restroom, the male and female leads who had been kissing had disappeared, and the corridor was silent, as if nothing had happened.
Ruolin didn't know how she got back to the private room. She felt as if she had suddenly lost her soul, and her steps were unsteady.
Inside the private room, Xin Yu was still "holding her own concert," while Mu Jingyan sat on the sofa, twirling his wine glass, looking rather bored.
Seeing Ruolin walk in looking dazed, Mu Jingyan asked, "Are you alright? Why do you look so unhappy?"
"It's okay, can I lean on your shoulder for a bit?" Ruolin plopped down next to Mu Jingyan and rested her head on his shoulder before he could agree.
Mu Jingyan sensed that Ruolin was acting strangely, but she said she was fine, so he didn't press her for details. He then reached out and put his arm around Ruolin's slender shoulder as if he were embracing a brother who had shared hardships with him.
Suddenly, Mu Jingyan felt something damp dripping onto his neck, one drop, two drops, three drops…
"You cried?" Mu Jingyan asked softly. "What's wrong? Tell me, maybe I can help you."
"It's nothing, I'm just sad, my heart aches so much it feels like it's being torn apart." Yes, what could feel worse than being deceived? If what Han Haoxuan's mother said is true, and she was just a substitute for Han Haoxuan's ex-girlfriend, she would never forgive Han Haoxuan, never!
"I feel much better, thank you." Ruolin wiped away her tears, raised her head, moved away from Mu Jingyan's shoulder, and smiled as if nothing had happened.
Even in the most difficult times, she could still smile. What was what had just happened? Ruolin comforted herself.
"Ruolin, who bullied you? Tell me, and I'll make sure they get what's coming to them!" Xinyu also noticed that Ruolin was acting strangely after returning, and immediately patted her chest to say this.
"With a friend like you who always stands up for me, who would dare bully me? Don't you think so, Amu?" Ruolin laughed. Xinyu was still the same Xinyu; whenever Ruolin was unhappy, she would always step forward to help.
Ruolin's nose suddenly felt a little sore again, not because of Han Haoxuan, but because she had a good friend like Xinyu.
At the same time, Ruolin felt fortunate that Xinyu had broken up with Han Haoxuan, otherwise Xinyu would be the one who was heartbroken right now.
Chapter Sixty-Two
Chapter Sixty-Two
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After the event, Mu Jingyan wanted to take Ruolin home, but Xinyu said he couldn't drive after drinking and insisted that Mu Jingyan take a taxi home while she took Ruolin home.
"No need, I can take a taxi myself." Ruolin declined both of their offers of help. Tonight, she didn't really want to go back to Han Haoxuan's place, but she had to go, she had to hear his explanation, otherwise she really wouldn't be able to sleep all night.
Xinyu suddenly realized that Ruolin was going back to Han Haoxuan's house, and she didn't want to see that person, as he would only bring back painful memories. So, she stopped insisting and instead hailed a taxi for Ruolin: "Then I'll take Mu Jingyan home. You go home by yourself, and send me a text message when you get home."
"Okay, I'm not a three-year-old anymore, I won't get lost. Bye-bye, I'm off." Ruolin got into the car and waved goodbye to Mu Jingyan and Xinyu.
Mu Jingyan only came to his senses when the taxi carrying Ruolin completely disappeared from sight.
"Hey, what are you daydreaming about? Get in the car." Xinyu had already driven the car from the parking lot and parked it next to Mu Jingyan.
"Mu, would you mind if I asked you a question?" After getting on the bus, Xinyu began her private interview.
"What?"
"Do you like Ruolin?" Judging from the way Mu Jingyan looked at Ruolin, Xinyu felt that he probably did.
"No." Mu Jingyan denied it without even thinking. Ruolin already has a boyfriend, so what if he likes her? He might as well not admit it.
“You’re lying! There’s nothing shameful about liking someone, so why won’t you admit it? I’ll tell you for sure, the person I like is Han Haoxuan,” Xinyu said frankly.
"Huh?" Mu Jingyan was startled upon hearing this. "Isn't your boyfriend Shen Yang?"
"That's a lie, a fake. I don't actually have a boyfriend. Shen Yang is just my good buddy. I dragged him into this charade, that's all."
"Why did you do this?" Mu Jingyan was very puzzled.
"Because it's better for one person to get hurt than for both to get hurt, I just want Ruolin to fall in love without any worries. You know, she's always been the kind of person who likes to restrain herself, especially when it comes to relationships. She used to have a crush on you, but she never told you, right?"
"What? Ruolin had a crush on me?" Mu Jingyan was surprised again.
"Yeah. How come you two are both so slow to realize things? But you two are really... how should I put it? To use a cliché, you two just never met at the right time. When she had a crush on you, you weren't interested in her, and when she fell in love with someone else, you started having a crush on her. Love is really interesting sometimes, isn't it?" Xin Yu sighed with emotion.
Love is not fun, but cruel. No wonder Eileen Chang's words have become a classic: "To meet the person you are meant to meet among millions of people, in the boundless wilderness of time, neither a step too early nor a step too late, but just at the right moment, there is nothing else to say but to gently ask: 'Oh, you are here too?'"
But Mu Jingyan and Ruolin were either too early or too late, and in the end, they missed each other.
Mu Jingyan sighed inwardly.
“If you truly love someone, you'd be willing to let go, right? As long as she's happy, you'd be willing to let go. So since the past is gone, what's the point of bringing it up again? Even if I told Ruolin I liked her now, it would only become a burden for her,” Mu Jingyan said.
“That’s right. I’ve come to terms with it now. Loving someone isn’t about possession or getting them; it’s about enjoying the feeling of loving someone. But, if… I mean, if Ruolin isn’t happy in the future, would you try to win her back?” Xinyu asked.
"Why not?" Mu Jingyan countered.
"Great! You're a good man worth loving! Ruolin's years of secretly admiring you weren't in vain!" Xinyu gave Mu Jingyan a thumbs up.
"Ruolin is acting strangely today. Do you suspect she's unhappy? Is Han Haoxuan treating her badly?" Mu Jingyan thought of Ruolin's tears.
“Although I dated Han Haoxuan for a while, we were very polite to each other, not like a couple deeply in love at all. However, based on what I know of him, I think he's an indecisive person. He clearly likes Ruolin, yet he managed to keep her in his heart while dating me. Although I like him, I was very unhappy with his behavior. In the end, I was the one who initiated the breakup, and only then did he break up with me. Before that, he had never mentioned breaking up with me. Can you men really be so good at two things at once?” Xinyu's tone suddenly became somewhat melancholic.
"Don't generalize about all men. The man beside you is a devoted one."
"Yeah, you're top-notch! Let me shout out a slogan: If you're looking for a man, look for someone like Mu Jingyan!"
"You're exaggerating," Mu Jingyan laughed. "Has anyone ever told you you're a ray of sunshine?"
"Yes, didn't you just say that?"
Mu Jingyan laughed loudly: "You're quite the talker!"
"Just kidding, wouldn't a teacher who can't joke be misleading students? By the way, Mu Jingyan, if you and I are both single in two years, how about we just get together?" Xin Yu said these words without the slightest bit of shyness.
"Why would you have such an idea?" Mu Jingyan thought Xinyu's idea was quite bold.
"Because ever since I broke up with Han Haoxuan, I've embarked on a long journey of blind dates. To rescue me from this hell of blind dates, you have to do the same. Besides, didn't I just say that you're a rare, devoted man, and quite handsome too, which is good for having children. Also, I'm Ruolin's good friend, so if you're with me, you won't bully me, right?"
"If I were really with you, you'd be the one bullying me!" Mu Jingyan thought to himself. But he still had to put on a show: "Okay, if we're still single by then, we might consider your suggestion."
“YE! It’s a deal!” Xin Yu reached out her hand and gave Mu Jingyan a high five, like a child with an innocent heart.
When Ruolin got home, she rang the doorbell, but no one answered. Han Haoxuan probably hadn't returned yet. She took out her own key and opened the door to go inside.
Usually, Han Haoxuan would pick Ruolin up from get off work and the two of them would go home together. Unless Han Haoxuan had something to do, Ruolin was rarely left alone at home.
Looking at the empty room and recalling the scene she witnessed in the KTV corridor, Ruolin felt her heart grow colder and colder.
As soon as she opened the living room window, a chilly wind rushed in, and Ruolin couldn't help but shiver.
It was late at night, the time when the city lights were at their most dazzling.
Previously, Ruolin always felt that the lights at night were the warmest, believing that the lights at night symbolized a cozy home.
So, does every light represent a warm home? Perhaps not, because it's possible that someone is waiting for their loved one to return, like her.
The autumn wind was a bit chilly, so Ruolin closed the window and stood quietly in front of it.
Cars passed by downstairs, but Han Haoxuan's familiar car was nowhere to be seen.
Ruolin didn't know how long she stood by the window; her legs were getting numb before she finally left and sat down on the sofa.
The wall clock ticked away, and the hour hand had already pointed to 12.
Ruolin had never felt time pass so slowly. Her feelings at this moment were no different from those of Meng Jiangnu, who wept at the Great Wall.
She couldn't hold back any longer and took out her phone to dial Han Haoxuan's number, but a stiff female voice came from the other end of the line: "Sorry, the number you dialed is currently switched off."
A disturbing image flashed through Ruolin's mind: lovers separated for many years, no longer satisfied with the warmth of each other's lips, began to crave the warmth of each other's bodies. They turned off their phones, abandoned all the world's troubles, eloped to a secluded hotel, and were now locked in passionate lovemaking, entangled in a desperate struggle...
Ruolin forced herself not to think about it anymore, otherwise her head would explode.
Chapter Sixty-Three
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As night deepened, Ruolin could no longer stay awake, so she simply took a thin blanket to cover herself and sat on the sofa to wait for Han Haoxuan.
The sound of an incoming text message broke the silence of the night, instantly banishing Ruolin's drowsiness. It must be a text from Han Haoxuan, right? She quickly grabbed her phone and opened it to read.
"I'm home. I don't want to ask you why you cried, and you probably won't tell me anyway. But I felt a little sad when you cried. I was worried about you. Are you okay now?" It was a message from Mu Jingyan.
That's true, Han Haoxuan doesn't usually send text messages.
Mu Jingyan's text message brought Ruolin some comfort; friendship was indeed more reliable than love! However, she didn't want Mu Jingyan to get involved in this matter, so she replied with a few simple words: "Don't worry, I'm fine. Thank you, Mu."
"If you have any unpleasant things, you can dump them out like garbage, and you'll feel much better that way. I'm willing to be your garbage can forever."
A moment later, Xinyu's text message arrived: "If Han Haoxuan dares to bully you, you must tell me! I'll stand up for you!"