Chapter Thirty-One: Friends

I stared in astonishment at Luo Qing, who suddenly appeared to stand up for me. Even though I knew she was acting out of friendship, a warm current welled up in my heart.

“Miss Luo, mind your own business!” Qi Tian’s face, fleshy and flushed, was tinged with purple from anger, but his tone lacked the arrogance he’d shown when speaking to me.

Luo Qing walked to my side, climbed up onto the counter, and looked directly at Qi Tian, who seemed both angry and embarrassed. She maintained her beautiful, provocative smile and said, “He’s my boyfriend. His affairs are my affairs. If you insult him, you insult me. Is that what you call meddling?”

“You’re his girlfriend?” Zhang Jiaxin, who hadn’t spoken until now, glared coldly at Luo Qing, dropped her things on the floor, and strode over.

Luo Qing smiled sweetly at Zhang Jiaxin, nodded, and said nothing more.

Zhang Jiaxin stopped only when she was quite close to Luo Qing, her icy gaze sweeping over Luo Qing as if scrutinizing this woman who had appeared so suddenly.

“Xiaoxin, let’s go. Don’t waste your time arguing with this crazy woman,” Qi Tian said, pulling the silent Zhang Jiaxin toward the exit.

“Say that again?” Luo Qing’s smile vanished, her pretty face covered in a frosty sheen, a prelude to fury.

“Don’t leave yet. Let’s have a proper talk today,” I gently took Luo Qing’s hand resting on the counter. If her defense earlier was out of friendship, then hearing Qi Tian insult Luo Qing now filled me with genuine anger. I swore, if Qi Tian dared utter another word against Luo Qing, I’d be the first to charge at him—regardless of his status as a boss, I’d teach him a lesson before anything else.

She could stand up for me, an ordinary friend; if I backed down now, I’d be worthless.

Luo Qing seemed to sense my intention and hopped off the counter. Her first act… was to bend down and slip off her shoe.

Qi Tian seemed to realize I meant business. Without hesitation, he grabbed Zhang Jiaxin, who had been silently staring at Luo Qing, and hurried toward the door, not forgetting to snatch up the belongings Zhang Jiaxin had just thrown down.

“Are you the ‘Xin’ who loves you, never changing?” Luo Qing, holding a red high heel in her hand, pointed it at the pair, emphasizing the word “never.”

Zhang Jiaxin trembled at those words, and as Qi Tian pulled her away, she turned, dazed, to look at me.

In her eyes, I saw helplessness and panic, and faintly, a glimmer of tears.

Seeing Zhang Jiaxin like this, my heart twisted again, but I had no strength left to fight or strive for anything. The outcome of love was right there; none of us could explain away the lies any longer.

Luo Qing seemed to notice my pain. She bent down and put her shoe back on, not forgetting to sneer, “What’s wrong? Seeing your former sweetheart upset makes your heart ache, doesn’t it?”

Looking at Luo Qing, who had just finished putting on her shoes, I felt deeply moved. Without thinking, I leaned across the counter and hugged her.

I could feel her warmth, her softness, even the quickening of her heartbeat. At this moment, I didn’t know what to say or do to express myself—I could only hold her tightly.

Luo Qing seemed embarrassed by my gesture and gently pushed me, whispering, “Yang Chen, don’t do this… so many people are watching!”

Only then did I notice that, since the commotion began, a crowd of shoppers had gathered around the counter—adults and children alike, some pointing, some nodding and smiling. Their presence made the situation even more awkward.

I released Luo Qing, freeing her from my embrace. Her face was flushed, and she didn’t dare look at me or anyone else. She simply leaned against the counter, head bowed, standing silently.

I stepped out from behind the counter, took a thousand yuan from my wallet, and handed it to the cashier, who was also watching the spectacle. “Could you give this to Brother Yang for me? Tell him I’m sorry, and that I’ll return the money I borrowed tomorrow.”

After instructing the cashier, I returned to Luo Qing’s side. Somehow I found the courage to grab her hand, pulling the bewildered Luo Qing toward the exit of the supermarket.

Feeling the warmth in my hand, Luo Qing didn’t resist and followed me out the door.

Once we reached the street outside, Luo Qing seemed to return to her usual self. She gently withdrew her hand and said, a little urgently, “Yang Chen, don’t overthink it. I helped you because you’re my friend.”

“I know. Thank you. Truly worthy of the title Lady Luo—the heroine who draws her sword to help the oppressed,” I joked to lighten the mood, but my heart felt heavier, an indescribable tightness and irritation.

Luo Qing nodded, glanced at me, then put her hands behind her back and walked along the road. I hurried to catch up.

“Yang Chen, do you hate her?” Luo Qing asked after a moment’s silence, turning to look at me.

I knew exactly whom she meant. I shook my head.

“Oh.”

“And you?” I suddenly wanted to know more about this strange girl’s love life.

Luo Qing didn’t reply, taking small steps along the road. Just as I thought she wouldn’t answer, she suddenly spoke: “Anyone who betrays me—I’ll make sure they suffer for the rest of their life.”

Her words stunned me. Luo Qing spoke with a calm, distant voice, but there was a resolute bitterness in it. I could sense she meant every word—there was no hint of jest.

“That Qi Tian seems to know you?” I tried to change the subject.

“Yes, he’s a business associate of my father,” Luo Qing replied, her tone still subdued, unaffected by the change in topic.

I hurried to catch up, puzzled. “Won’t this make things difficult for your father?”

“He’s my father’s friend, not mine. And you—you are my friend.” Luo Qing stopped, looking at me, dissatisfied that I’d even ask.

I smiled and nodded. Her words warmed my heart—sometimes, being called a friend is a feeling beyond words.

“The day after tomorrow is my birthday,” Luo Qing said, watching the traffic jam ahead, sounding unconcerned.

“Really? Then let me wish you a happy birthday in advance!” I sincerely wished her happiness, hoping this stubborn, fiery girl could always be happy.

“Imperial KTV, the night after tomorrow. Will you come?” Luo Qing turned her head, gazing at the pedestrians across the street, and asked softly.

“Since Lady Luo has invited me, of course I’ll be there!” I answered without hesitation. Just as I’d wished her happiness earlier, I wanted to see her happy—and if this would make her happy, then so be it.