With a heart pounding with excitement, Su Shi gently pressed the doorbell. A crisp ring sounded, and shortly after, the door opened. But instead of the figure she expected, a girl with blonde hair appeared at the door.
Triangle Hatsune?
Su Shi's pupils contracted slightly, and a look of surprise instantly appeared on her face.
When Hatsune saw Su Shi at the door, she was also stunned. Beneath her golden hair, her eyes, which had been filled with worry, flashed with a hint of barely perceptible hostility.
Both were sharp-witted individuals, and similarly cunning "scheming women." Almost instantly, they sensed the hostility in each other's eyes and their possessiveness towards Xiangzi. The air seemed to freeze for a moment; the two stood there at the doorway, neither speaking first.
The eerie silence lasted only a moment before a familiar, tearful, and absurd voice suddenly came from inside the room: "Hanami, you bastard... Waaaaah... How could you do this to me..."
Upon hearing this voice, the hostility on Su Shi and Hatsune's faces instantly froze, replaced by unanimous worry.
Hatsune was the first to react, quickly stepping aside to make room, her tone urgent: "Nagasaki-kun, please come in quickly! Saki-chan is crying very sadly right now, and she's also drunk a lot of alcohol!"
Su Shi didn't have time to argue with Hatsune Miku and quickly went inside. As soon as she entered the room, a strong smell of alcohol hit her.
On the sofa in the living room, Xiangzi was curled up, clutching a wine bottle in his arms, crying and making a scene. His cheeks were as red as ripe apples, and his eyes were glazed over. He was obviously drunk.
Beside the sofa, Ruoye Mu stood quietly, staring blankly at the crying Xiangzi, her small hands slightly clenched into fists, unsure how to stop her. She wasn't good at handling such situations and could only silently stand by her side.
Su Shi's maternal instincts were instantly triggered. She quickly stepped forward and reached out to snatch the bottle of wine from Xiangzi's arms, her tone filled with concern and reproach: "SAKI-chan! How could you drink so much? It's bad for your health!"
"Ah... Su Shi?" Xiangzi heard the familiar voice, looked up in confusion, and his eyes lit up the moment he saw Su Shi. Then he pouted sadly and hugged the wine bottle tighter to his chest. "You're here too... That's great... Come on, Su Shi, you drink too... Let's drink together..."
As she spoke, she held the bottle to Su Shi's lips, sobbing intermittently, "That bastard, Banami... he actually divorced me... Waaah... He said he didn't want to be a live-in son-in-law and wanted freedom... but he just doesn't love me anymore... I knew it, he probably thought I wasn't feminine enough and preferred the gentle and virtuous type like Hatsune..."
It's...it's the bottle Saki drank from. Suze never expected that her first thought would be this.
"Huh?!" Hatsune was taken aback by being suddenly called out, then quickly walked to the sofa, squatted down, and gently patted Shoko's back to comfort her, "How could that be! There's no one in this world more charming than you, Saki-chan!"
At this point, Hatsune couldn't help but sniffle, her eyes fixed on Xiangzi's flushed cheeks, unconsciously making "hissing" sounds, completely unaware that her infatuated expression was being observed by Su Shi.
When Su Shi saw Hatsune Miku like this, the corner of her mouth twitched involuntarily, and a hint of disdain appeared on her face.
She subconsciously glanced around the small living room. The room was simply decorated, and although the furniture was simple, it was neatly arranged, exuding a sense of life.
However, the photo of the two of them that used to hang on the wall was gone, and the man's pillow was no longer on the sofa. Clearly, the things that belonged to Banami had been moved away beforehand.
Su Shi breathed a slight sigh of relief. Xiangzi would soon be returning to the Fengchuan family home, and that man would never appear in her life again. Although she was happy for Xiangzi's divorce, seeing Xiangzi crying so heartbreakingly, she couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.
Is that boy really worth SAKI being so sad for? Even though so much time has passed and the two have divorced, Su Shi still harbors resentment and jealousy towards that boy she doesn't know.
Su Shi had never actually met Banami in person; she had only seen photos of the two of them together in Xiangzi's occasional posts on social media. The boy in the photos looked quite ordinary, even a bit lazy, and she really couldn't understand what was so good about him that could make Xiangzi so infatuated.
"Hanami... have you fallen for another girl?" Shoko was still sobbing intermittently, her voice full of grievance. "Is our relationship of the past few years really so insignificant to you... sob sob sob..."
"Hmph, it's better that we're divorced! Grandpa didn't like him anyway, so now I don't have to make things difficult for him..." Xiangzi suddenly changed his tone, speaking with a hint of resentment, as if he had just thought of something.
But a few seconds later, she burst into tears again, feeling wronged: "How could a commoner like him... a commoner like him... be worthy of me... sob..."
By the end, Xiangzi's words had become incoherent and unintelligible, as he mumbled incoherently, "Waaah... Yanzi... you must be happy... Yanzi..."
The silent Wakaba Mutsu gently reached out and stroked Shoko's sweaty forehead, saying in a calm but unwavering tone, "SAKI-chan loves him very much."
A simple sentence, yet like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirred vigilance in both Su Shi and Hatsune. They exchanged a glance, both seeing the same worry in each other's eyes—
Although Xiangzi and that man have divorced, given Xiangzi's personality, if he still can't let go of the past, they might very well remarry in the future.
This is something they absolutely will not allow! They will never let this ended marriage reignite, and they will never give that man any chance to get close to Xiangzi again!
Just as the two were silently making up their minds, their phones vibrated almost simultaneously. Su Shi and Hatsune exchanged a glance and each pulled out their phones. Upon seeing the caller ID on the screen, they instinctively showed the same impatient expression.
Su Shi pressed the answer button, trying to sound calm: "Hello? I have to have dinner with a client right now, I won't be back until later, don't wait for me." After saying that, she hung up the phone without waiting for a response.
Meanwhile, Miku Miku, standing next to her, lowered her voice and said into the phone, "Sorry, Mana, I'm out socializing with my manager right now and can't come back for the time being. You should rest first." She also hung up the phone quickly.
After hanging up the phone, the two looked at each other again. This time, the hostility on their faces lessened, replaced by a complex and indescribable mutual understanding.
The two men turned their attention back to Xiangzi, who was already dozing off on the sofa.
At this moment, Xiangzi shed all his pride and strength, becoming like a vulnerable child, his brows slightly furrowed, and tear stains still clinging to the corners of his eyes.
Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing her in a soft glow.
They were clearly looking at the female drunkard in front of them, but their eyes seemed to be looking at a white moonlight.
Ah, Toyokawa Shoko, the light of my life, the fire of my desire.
SAKI-chan, if you hadn't gotten married back then... my life wouldn't be like this now.
But this time, we will definitely not miss it again.
Chapter Seven: The Seven-Year Itch
When Su Shi and Hatsune carried their packed suitcases downstairs, the Toyokawa family's convoy was already waiting at the apartment building entrance.
A row of black sedans stood in a line, exuding an air of composure. Several bodyguards in black suits, with upright postures, stood respectfully beside the cars. Upon seeing Xiangzi, they immediately bowed in unison.
"Young Miss, the four-year period has come to an end. Welcome home." The head bodyguard's voice was loud and clear, his tone full of respect.
At this moment, Xiangzi was completely sober. The blush on his face had faded, replaced by a calm and dignified demeanor.
She was no longer the divorced college student who curled up on the sofa crying and reeking of alcohol, but had transformed back into the eldest daughter of the Toyokawa family, who stood at the top of the Japanese aristocracy.
It was as if the pride and nobility in his bloodline had been fully awakened at this moment, and even his posture became upright and proper, with a calm and firm look in his eyes.
She turned to look at Su Shi and Hatsune, her tone softening slightly but still carrying a hint of nobility: "Once I'm settled back at the Toyokawa family home, let's all play together often from now on."
Perhaps in order to get over her failed marriage as soon as possible, or perhaps because she was particularly nostalgic for the past, Xiangzi took the initiative to think of these old friends she hadn't seen in a long time.
After saying that, she gently patted Su Shi's shoulder, nodded to Hatsune, and then turned around and got into the lead black car with Ruoye Mutsu, who had been quietly following beside her.
The moment the car door closed, Su Shi felt her heart leap, and an indescribable sense of excitement instantly swept through her body.
She could clearly sense that the Misaki standing next to her also had the same excitement and anticipation in her eyes.
Despite the lingering animosity between them, they temporarily reached a subtle consensus on the point of "being able to get closer to Xiangzi again."
Only when the Toyokawa family's convoy slowly drove away and disappeared at the end of the street did Su Shi reluctantly turn his gaze away.
She subconsciously raised her hand and brought it to her nose to sniff—her fingertips seemed to still carry the faint scent of Xiangzi's perfume, mixed with a hint of shampoo.
"Oh no... I can't take a shower tonight." Su Shi muttered to herself, wanting to preserve this scent for a little longer, even if only for a brief moment.
With this joyful feeling, Su Shi hurried back to her home.
The moment she pushed open the door, the warm yellow light from the living room caught her eye, causing her to pause slightly in surprise. At the dining table, a girl with long pink hair was slumped over, seemingly asleep. In front of her were several dishes carefully sealed with plastic wrap, clearly prepared especially for her.
Seeing this, Su Shi's excitement was instantly replaced by a strong sense of guilt.
She tiptoed inside, careful not to disturb the other person. Perhaps hearing the door open, the girl who was lying on the table stirred and slowly raised her head.
"Ah, Soyorin, you're back!" Chihaya Aine rubbed her sleepy eyes, and the moment she saw Sose, her eyes lit up and a bright smile appeared on her face. "The food has gotten cold, let me heat it up for you!"
"No...no need, I'll do it." Su Shi quickly stepped forward and stopped Ai Yin, who was about to get up, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible panic. "You can sit there, I'll go heat it up in the kitchen."
Unable to face Aine's pure smile, she turned and hurried into the kitchen with the dishes to conceal the complex expression on her face. Behind her, Aine watched her hurried figure, a happy smile on her face, completely unaware of her unusual behavior.
As the microwave started to chime, Su Shi washed the dishes while trying to calm herself down.
But the image of Xiangzi, drunk and asleep, uncontrollably surfaced in her mind—his cheeks flushed, his brows slightly furrowed, fragile yet endearing. Thinking of this, her heart began to race again, her emotions surging.
“By the way, Soyorin,” Ai’s voice came from the living room, tinged with curiosity, “you said you were going to meet a client this afternoon? But we’re still university students, meeting clients sounds really strange.”
Su Shi paused for a moment, then replied casually, "It's my mother's arrangement. She wants me to get used to things beforehand. After I graduate, she'll let me take over her job and run the family business."
When she lies, her tone is as natural as breathing.
Even she herself was surprised by this composure. Perhaps her obsession with Xiangzi had made her subconsciously ignore her guilt towards Aiyin.
"Oh, I see." Aine suddenly understood, without the slightest doubt, her tone even carrying a hint of admiration, "Soyorin is amazing!"
Su Shi didn't respond again, silently bringing out the heated dishes one by one and placing them on the dining table. Just then, a "gurgling" sound broke the silence of the living room.
Ai Yin's cheeks flushed instantly, and she lowered her head shyly. Su Shi then realized what was happening and asked in surprise, "You...you haven't eaten yet? Didn't I tell you to eat first and not wait for me?"
"Hehe, because today is a special day!" Aine looked up with a sly smile. "I want to have dinner with Soyorin, it's okay if it's a little late. And, I want to sleep here with you tonight."
Actually, she stayed on purpose. She had been waiting there since the afternoon, and even when she fell asleep, she refused to leave first.
"A special day?" Su Shi frowned, pondering in confusion. Today was neither her birthday nor any holiday; she couldn't recall anything special about it.
Seeing her confused expression, Aine's smile faded slightly, revealing a hint of disappointment.
However, she was already used to Su Shi's bad memory, and quickly put on a smile again, reminding him, "Today is the fourth anniversary of our meeting! Soyorin, have you forgotten?"
"Ah..." Su Shi exclaimed softly, her pupils contracting slightly, a hint of panic on her face. "Of, of course I remember! How could I forget?"
"Hmph, I don't believe it." Aine snorted softly, but there was no blame in her tone. She just looked at her with expectant eyes. "But it's okay, I'll remember."
Su Shi looked at the steaming dishes before her, each one a flavor she loved, clearly prepared with care by Ai Yin. A lump formed in her throat, a bittersweet feeling welling up inside her.
She clearly remembered that Aine had been very good to her for the past four years.
No matter how cold or rejecting she was, Ai-yin always stayed by her side.
If... if she hadn't reunited with Xiangzi today, hadn't felt that excitement and longing of something lost and found again, perhaps she would have truly been moved by Aine's deep affection, allowing their relationship to progress further.
But now, everything is different.
Su Shi suddenly felt like one of those middle-aged men who had reunited with their childhood sweethearts, and faced with a gentle and considerate wife, they experienced an indescribable "seven-year itch."
On one side is Ain, who is with you day and night and treats you gently; on the other side is Xiangzi, whom you long for and have a chance to get close to again.
Two conflicting emotions raged within her, causing her immense suffering.
"Pursuing your own happiness is absolutely not wrong, right?" she silently asked herself, but she didn't know what answer she would get.
After much internal struggle, the image that surfaced in her mind was still that of her first meeting with Xiangzi. That proud, dazzling girl, as radiant as a rose, instantly filled all her thoughts.
Su Shi took a deep breath, clenched her fists, as if making a final decision. She raised her head and said to Aine in a tense tone, "Um, Aine, there's something I need to tell you."
"What is it?" Ai Yin looked at her serious expression and felt a sudden tightness in her heart. Her smile gradually froze, and she had a bad feeling.
A thought flashed through Su Shi's mind: she absolutely could not involve Xiangzi, and she could not cause trouble for Xiangzi because of her own choice.
She composed herself, lowered her head to avoid Aine's gaze, and said in as calm a tone as possible, "I have someone I like. And he confessed to me today."
After a pause, she uttered the words that shattered all of Aine's expectations: "I... I agreed to be with him."
"Huh?" Ai Yin's brain felt like it had been hit by a heavy hammer, and with a "buzz", it went completely blank for a moment.
She stared blankly at Su Shi, opened her mouth, but no sound came out. The words of the familiar girl before her were like a cold knife, piercing her heart.
The warm lights in the living room were still bright, and the aroma of food filled the air, but the atmosphere instantly plummeted to freezing point.
The smile on Ai Yin's face vanished completely, and the light in her eyes dimmed little by little, leaving only disbelief, shock, and bewilderment.
Chapter Eight Renting a Boyfriend
The amusement park entrance was bustling with people, and colorful balloons swayed gently in the breeze, but the cheerful background music could not dispel the anxiety in Su Shi's heart.
She gripped her phone tightly, her fingertips turning slightly white, her eyes scanning the crowd as she muttered to herself, "Why aren't they here yet? Did they stand me up...?"
The way she kept checking her phone and lightly tapping her toes on the ground made her look exactly like a young girl waiting for her lover to come on a date, both afraid that he wouldn't come and afraid that he would do something wrong.
And that was indeed the case. At this moment, Su Shi was waiting for the "fake boyfriend" she had found from a boyfriend rental website to appease Aine.
This story begins with the "confession" I had with Aine that night.
She fabricated a fictional boyfriend who confessed his love to her, thinking it would make Ai Yin give up completely. However, after Ai Yin came to her senses, she said in a somewhat reluctant tone, "In that case, Su Shi, why don't you ask him out? Let's go out and have some fun together."
The stubbornness in her eyes clearly showed that she wouldn't give up until she was completely convinced, and there was also a hint of suspicion in Aine's eyes, obviously thinking that she was lying.
Left with no other choice, Su Shi had to bite the bullet and click on the rent-a-boyfriend website she had stumbled upon earlier.
Nagasaki Motoyo disliked contact with men from the bottom of her heart. Her father's long-term indifference had left a deep shadow in her heart, and she had never felt any attraction to any man. The only time she felt a similar flutter of the heart was when she first met Shoko.
Therefore, she particularly dislikes handsome or tall men who appear aggressive, as they only make her more disgusted.
That's right, just like Xiangzi's ex-husband!
As for why he said this to Aine even though he hated men, it was naturally to prevent Aine from realizing that the problem lay with Xiangzi and to avoid causing Xiangzi unnecessary trouble.
She really made me cry my eyes out.
After searching for a while, she finally chose a boy labeled "youthful and innocent younger man". Anyway, it was just to let Aine meet him once and put an end to her thoughts. Who he was and what he looked like didn't really matter.
"Excuse me, are you Ms. Nagasaki?"
A slightly deep male voice suddenly sounded beside her, breaking Su Shi's thoughts. She turned her head sharply, and the moment she saw the person's face, her pupils contracted sharply, and she froze on the spot.
The man before her was tall and imposing, exuding an inexplicable sense of oppression. What startled her even more was the face she recognized so intimately—wasn't this…?
Su Shi spoke instinctively, her tone filled with disbelief: "You're Xi?"
The man nodded slightly, a hint of embarrassment on his face: "That's right, I'm the boyfriend you booked on the website."
You'll Also Like
-
Douluo Continent: Transmigrating into Huo Yuhao's world and inheriting the Angel of Time
Chapter 113 2 hours ago -
American Comics: Today's Big News
Chapter 469 2 hours ago -
Hogwarts: The Witch Education Handbook
Chapter 616 2 hours ago -
Battle Through the Heavens: Even without the Burning Flame Technique, I, Xiao Yan, still became an e
Chapter 146 2 hours ago -
Starting from the two realms, cultivating immortality by taming beasts
Chapter 621 2 hours ago -
In an American comic book world, you start with a horse charm.
Chapter 75 2 hours ago -
Swallowing the Stars: The Rise of Emperor Wei
Chapter 170 2 hours ago -
Doomsday Mechanic: My Train Can Be Modified Infinitely
Chapter 95 2 hours ago -
Zhu Xian: They've all been reborn
Chapter 206 2 hours ago -
Pirate: I'm about to do something big!
Chapter 69 2 hours ago