After Being Targeted By A Sweet Girl With Big Eyes - Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Friends

Jiang Ruyi stepped out of the shower and unwrapped her black hair. She absentmindedly used oil to condition it, her eyes constantly darting to her phone, whose screen was dark.

She was waiting—waiting for Fu Tian to text her.

She was naturally impatient. After leaving Fu Tian’s room earlier, admitting she was in the wrong, she kept thinking the other woman was angry. Since she couldn’t ask the reason, she only hoped Fu Tian would quickly forgive her and talk, or else she wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.

The phone screen lit up, showing several messages.

She happily tapped the screen with her knuckle. It wasn’t Fu Tian at all, but a barrage of group messages from her childhood friends. Her disappointment was palpable.

Liu Pinglan: @JiangRuyi You came home and didn’t tell your big sisters?

Ke Ziyu: This group hasn’t had a message in ages. I almost thought you were all too busy inheriting fortunes. Who understands the salvation of someone actually speaking up? [laugh]

Xu Shuangying: Save me, I’m really busy, help me

Ke Ziyu: Serves you right. Why couldn’t you just sit in the company and make money? You had to be stubborn and start your own business. Hahahahahaha, what a laugh.

The messages were still blinking when Jiang Ruyi opened the chat. She quietly typed: What do you all want, suddenly swarming like this?

Liu Pinglan initiated a video call. Her small phone screen was packed with six people. After a moment of background noise, Liu Pinglan said, “Hua Qi, Ningmeng, Hua’er, and Fengyuan, Xiong Hui—we’re all at the bar. Of course, we miss you! I saw you changed your blinding couple’s avatar, so I figured you broke up again. We thought we’d comfort you.”

Comfort my foot. There wasn’t an ounce of comfort in their expressions, only ridicule at her return to single life. But a long bench or a short bench, they were all benches; no one was in a position to laugh at anyone else.

Jiang Ruyi placed her phone on the table, letting them see her stubborn chin, and slowly combed her hair. “Alright, tell me, how are you planning to comfort me?”

Before she could distinguish a single serious answer from the cacophony, she saw Ke Ziyu, Xu Shuangying, Liang Cheng, and Gao Fang—the ones who’d been dragged back to the office to work diligently, or were exhausted from finally escaping, or were still trapped—all join the video call, one after another.

As soon as Ke Ziyu connected, she was startled by the crowded screen and angrily scolded, “You’re having a party and didn’t invite me? You heartless lot! Are you ostracizing me? Little cliques, isolating me!”

Xu Shuangying was equally shocked upon joining and immediately followed up with a torrent of curses, “You despicable bunch! Why are you isolating me, the big brother? Is there something Big Brother did wrong to anger his little brothers and sisters? Don’t you know I love a crowd? Not inviting me is simply, simply outrageous!”

“Outrageous.”

“Heart-wrenching.”

“Too numerous to mention.”

The six people at the bar couldn’t compete with the four working friends’ rapid-fire criticism. Liu Pinglan quickly called for order, “Quiet, quiet! You’re drowning out our Little Er, Jiang Ruyi! We’re planning to take advantage of the remaining grazing season and go to Inner Mongolia in a few days. First, to comfort the heartbroken Ruyi, and second, for all of us to gather—a team-building trip, if you will. How about it? You can argue all you want under the vast sky and sea; if you disagree, confront each other face-to-face. What do you say?”

Liu Pinglan and the other five were financially secure and idle, having already decided on this trip. The question was for the four toiling slaves stuck at the company. They couldn’t reach the two friends currently in relationships, but it didn’t matter if they missed out; those two were always ditching friends for lovers anyway.

Jiang Ruyi: “Did anyone ask for my opinion?”

Ma Fengyuan: “Hehe, no one asked for your opinion. Just stay home, don’t run around, and wait for your older and younger siblings to come play with you, okay?”

Xu Shuangying immediately chimed in, “Exactly! Jiang Ruyi, do you think it’s easy for me to work every day? I’m in! I’ll immediately ask my sister for time off. I’ve been waiting for this chance for hundreds of years! It’s so rare; I’ve been going crazy stuck in the company for months.”

Liang Cheng: You’re pathetic, Big Brother. Everyone else takes leave via the OA system, and you still have to report to your sister? Bring Xu Weiyu along; then you won’t have to report.

They bickered for a long time, and after setting a time, Mei Yi and Qi Fei—who were on a four-person trip abroad with their girlfriends—finally sent messages:

Why didn’t you invite us!!! We’re coming too!!!

We want to come too! Wait for us to return to the country, please, big sisters cry

Wei Ning: It’s Ruyi’s breakup party. How can the two of you with girlfriends have the nerve to come? Don’t bother coming back! Just be happy and sweet with your girlfriends abroad.

Qi Fei: @JiangRuyi Ruyi, you don’t mind if I bring my girlfriend, right? pout

Jiang Ruyi felt helpless. This was just an excuse to tease the two friends who were dating and call it her “breakup party.” She’d been truly heartbroken a while ago, and these people had been silent then. Clearly, they just wanted a reason to gather. Although they frequently talked on their phones, the thirteen of them hadn’t met in person for a very long time.

Qi Fei: Why are you ignoring me? Are you still sad about the breakup?

Jiang Ruyi: Come ahead death smile

This bunch was so annoying. It was just a breakup; acting like the world was ending wasn’t her style.

…

The sudden storm of the night subsided, and everything was silent. Jiang Ruyi strained her ears, listening for any sound from Fu Tian downstairs, but all she heard was the dull thump of her own pulse in her ears, beating against her eardrums.

She recalled Fu Tian’s final, seemingly angry words, and couldn’t help but overthink before falling asleep: If she’s truly furious, will she pack her bags and leave tomorrow morning?

The thought just surfaced before she suppressed it, but an unknown flame of irritation still flared up in her heart. So impatient. She doesn’t act like she’s trying to pursue someone.

She was never like this when she was the one pursuing.

What was she like back then?

Drowsiness washed over her like a tide, and her memories gradually blurred.

In the moment she fell asleep, a pink figure suddenly became clear. In the dream, she couldn’t tell if it was real or an illusion—they were intertwined in bed, embracing in the bathroom, and chasing each other on the wild grassland…

…

The next day, the rain outside the window still hadn’t stopped.

When Jiang Ruyi woke up, the sky was still a gloomy, water-soaked gray. She reached for her phone. It was 6:48 AM. The message interface was clean; there were no messages from Fu Tian, or rather, no one had messaged her at all.

She crept barefoot downstairs. Fu Tian’s door was tightly shut, exactly as it had been last night, with no sign of movement.

She crouched on the stairs, resting her chin in her hand, daydreaming. She suddenly remembered the chaotic, sensual dream from the night before, and her cheeks flushed slightly. She actually dreamt that.

Wide awake now, she went upstairs to the game room to play games. On the screen, a motorcycle frantically weaved through traffic in the wind and rain, only to crash violently again and again.

It’s all Fu Tian’s fault. Jiang Ruyi irritably turned off the screen. She did have feelings for Fu Tian, but not to the extent of willingly starting a relationship. Continuing this unclear situation would likely only lead to mutual harm.

Being friends with benefits would be so much better. While they weren’t too close yet. Once they got too familiar, it would only be awkward. She grabbed her hair in frustration. She should have kissed her last night while the atmosphere was right! Thinking about this now is just so annoying!

In a haze, she fell asleep on the game table. In her dream, the motorcycle’s speedometer needle soared madly, the piercing alarm of brake failure shrieked, and the tires screeched on the wet ground. She was about to hit an obstacle—

“Ruyi… Jiang Ruyi, wake up.”

Jiang Ruyi woke up with a start, her head throbbing as if it would explode. She raised her head, her vision slowly focusing on Fu Tian’s face. Her voice was hoarse from sleep. “What is it?”

“You don’t look good. Did you play games all night?” Fu Tian reached out to check her forehead, her fingertips cool. “You feel a little warm.”

When Fu Tian helped her up, her steps were unsteady, like walking on cotton. At the top of the stairs, she suddenly remembered something. She reached back and grabbed Fu Tian’s wrist, asking pitifully, “Last night… were you angry? Are you still angry now?”

She’s still worrying about that at a time like this.

Fu Tian was both annoyed and amused. She placed her other hand over Jiang Ruyi’s, her tone exceptionally gentle. “I was angry, but I soothed myself. I’m not angry anymore.”

“That’s good.” Jiang Ruyi sighed in relief and turned toward her bedroom. “Hurry up and call the doctor for me. My head hurts so much, it’s getting worse.”

Her temperature read 37.8∘C (100.04∘F), not a high fever, but enough to be debilitating. She probably caught a chill because she hadn’t dried her hair after chatting half the night, coupled with the continuous rain and the cold air at night.

When Fu Tian brought in the white porridge, Jiang Ruyi was weakly leaning against the headboard. Fu Tian spooned up some porridge and picked up the cold medicine. “Eat something first, or taking medicine on an empty stomach will hurt your stomach.”

Jiang Ruyi initially wanted to refuse, but Fu Tian coaxed her with a few gentle words, and she obediently finished half a bowl of porridge. The pill was bitter on her tongue, and Fu Tian immediately offered a piece of candy. Her fingertip accidentally brushed Jiang Ruyi’s lip, making Jiang Ruyi flinch.

Grandma and Grandpa came up to check on her twice but were persuaded to leave by Fu Tian. “Your immunity is weak. Don’t catch the sickness. I’ll take care of her here.”

Jiang Ruyi watched Fu Tian bustling around. A strange feeling swelled in her heart. She had said such ridiculous things and made Fu Tian angry, yet Fu Tian wasn’t holding a grudge and was instead taking meticulous care of her. This person was truly… too virtuous.

For the next few days, she was dizzy with sickness, and Fu Tian was constantly by her side. Their conflict from that night seemed to have been forgotten by both of them.

After she recovered, it was hard to tell if Fu Tian was clinging to her or if she was clinging to Fu Tian.

For instance, after dinner, while watching a drama with everyone in the living room, Jiang Ruyi’s leg would unconsciously rest and swing on Fu Tian’s lap. Sometimes it was just one, and sometimes both.

I am but a servant. There is a gulf between us, like clouds and mud. I am unworthy of the princess.

Jiang Ruyi grew increasingly dissatisfied watching the male actor. “He’s not wrong! He is unworthy, and he knows it. Please tell me you two don’t end up together.”

“Hehe, you’ll find out if you keep watching,” Fu Tian didn’t answer directly.

“Ah—” Jiang Ruyi let out a long sigh. “It’s so annoying! Then he must be your CP! With these dramas nowadays, I know the trope with my eyes closed. Anyone given this much screen time is definitely the one! When will dual-female-lead dramas finally rise to power?!”

Another example: When Jiang Ruyi learned that Fu Tian also rode horses, she would invite her to ride every day, using the excuse of “exercising.” In reality, Fu Tian ran with Duonong four days out of seven, which was far more disciplined than the completely spoiled Jiang Ruyi.

Another example: Jiang Ruyi would tell everyone at dinner that she had no appetite, only to quietly knock on Fu Tian’s door late at night, whisking her away in the car for a two-hour drive to the city for street barbecue, and then face Grandma and Grandpa’s disapproval together the next afternoon.

…

Time flew by. By the time she and Fu Tian picked up the puppy at the airport, she had completely forgotten that her friends were scheduled to arrive today.

Huh, that’s weird. Why are my friends in the sky?

Jiang Ruyi took off her sunglasses and leaned down to examine the little creature in Fu Tian’s arms, her tone carrying a hint of disdain. “It’s so tiny. It’ll have to rest every two steps at home. How can it run wild in the pasture? We’ll have to keep a close eye on it back home, so no one accidentally steps on it.”

She reached out and poked the Chihuahua’s tiny head, then complained, “You’re so young. Why did you decide to get a Chihuahua? I always thought these were dogs old ladies take out for a walk.”

She was being stereotypical again.

“Ruyi?”

Fu Tian didn’t have a chance to respond before her heart jumped at the sight of the group that had materialized before them.

Several people, hauling large and small bags, had swarmed over. Fu Tian subconsciously tightened her grip on the dog with one hand and quickly pulled Jiang Ruyi behind her with the other, protecting her. She thought they had run into some overly emotional anti-fans.

Jiang Ruyi was truly stunned. The sound of “Ruyi” was like a needle, sharply piercing her hazy memory.

Her gaze moved away from Fu Tian’s hand holding hers. She slowly began to explain to Fu Tian, with a hint of belated embarrassment, “My friends. I told you about them. They’re here to visit… I… I forgot they were coming today.”