Being "Crushed" - Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Zhou Su still vividly recalled how heartbroken Song Yuhan was after Lu Sifang left a brief message and quietly went abroad.

Despite finally achieving her long-held dream of being admitted to Chung King University and seemingly having the whole world cheering her on with pride, she secluded herself in a dark room, expression numb, eyes swollen and red, and the deep bite marks on her arms were a painful sight. Yet, she continued to cry, tears falling onto those marks, over and over.

Such a sensible person, even when breaking down, did so quietly.

She had never seen her cry like that before, and certainly never over a man. It was so out of character for her.

Luckily, with the full support and comfort from Zhou Su and Song’s brother, she didn’t stay in that state for long. Song Yuhan threw herself into a busy, routine college life, leaving no space for those feelings.

After that, Zhou Su never heard her mention that name again, as if she had erased him from her life entirely.

When she just now mentioned accidentally provoking someone, Zhou Su assumed Song Yuhan had finally moved on and was ready to embrace a new chapter filled with love and hope.

But then she heard what was said—and she was stunned beyond belief.

“How could it be him?!” Zhou Su exclaimed in disbelief, anger and confusion written all over her face. “He’s just gone on a business trip to China and Hong Kong. How could he suddenly appear like a ghost?”

Song Yuhan was hesitant to speak, seeing how upset Zhou Su had become. She only mentioned the name and couldn’t add more.

After studying Song Yuhan’s face for a moment, Zhou Su cleared her throat and asked cautiously, “To what extent?”

Taking a sip of her steak, Song Yuhan quietly replied, “Well… he actually—”

Before she could finish, Zhou Su interrupted loudly, “What?! Kissed you?!” Her shout was loud enough to disturb the neighbors again, and Song Yuhan quickly covered her mouth.

Zhou Su struggled to contain herself, taking deep breaths to calm down, then leaned back in her chair, her expression cold and bitter. “You weren’t around for a while, and this devil took advantage of you? What kind of cruel plot is this?”

She suddenly stood up, scrunching her nose in frustration. “You silly girl! Why do you have such a bad memory? I told you not to get close to him or let him near you. A player like him is dangerous! You didn’t listen, and look what happened—you got hurt! It took you five years to recover, so why make the same mistake now?”

Zhou Su’s words came out fast and sharp, her finger pointed squarely at the source of all trouble in her mind. “That Lu Sifang is a disaster personified. When he was at school, he destroyed you. Not content with that, he left the country without a word, then came back quietly and still dared to bother you! You shouldn’t have let him near you in the first place!”

Seeing her fierce expression and harsh words, it was clear she was scolding herself as much as anyone else. Song Yuhan’s elegant brows twitched slightly as she poured a glass of water and handed it over. “Calm down…”

Calm down? Ha! Zhou Su’s best friend was a top student, someone so perfect and elegant, and yet she had to get tangled up with a cruel, irresponsible man. How could she even ask her to calm down with such a serene face?

Maybe Song Yuhan had forgotten the pain he caused her. But as an outsider who witnessed all her vulnerabilities and heartbreak, who walked with her through that pain, and saw her begin to embrace a new future full of hope, this news was crushing.

Now, to tell her the man who caused all her suffering was back—and had taken things even further!

Zhou Su just wanted to find someone to vent her anger on.

Song Yuhan lowered her eyes, lashes casting shadows over her troubled gaze. “You think I don’t deserve your anger… I feel the same,” she said with a bitter smile, silent after that.

Hearing the self-blame in her voice, Zhou Su paled and immediately regretted her harshness. “I didn’t mean that—I just don’t want to see you hurt again… by him.”

After a pause, she reluctantly closed and opened her eyes, softening her tone. “If you’re going to try again, you have to be certain—absolutely sure—that he won’t leave you or hurt you again.”

After a long silence, Song Yuhan nodded seriously and smiled lightly. “Enough about me. What about you? What have you been up to?”

Relieved by her friend’s compliance, Zhou Su thought for a moment. “Me? Same old. But lately the cases I’m handling have been tough… An arrogant and domineering client came in, got angry before I even asked a question, accusing me of invading his privacy and having no conscience! Just doing routine inquiries!” She deliberately left out the part where she got splashed with water.

Song Yuhan grew anxious and grabbed her hand. “Are you okay? Did he do anything extreme to hurt you?”

Zhou Su gave a small smile, shaking her head. “Don’t worry about me. I’ve got a temper—no one dares to mess with me!”

Song Yuhan breathed a sigh of relief. “Good.”

Feeling a bit more at ease, Zhou Su continued, “I thought that would be the end, but the next day two more clients came—a mother and daughter in simple clothes. The girl was only 14! After talking, I found out they were connected to the previous unreasonable client!”

Anger flared up again. “That Lu guy is basically a criminal! No wonder he’s so unpleasant!”

Song Yuhan frowned. “What crime?”

“He had a relationship with that girl… Although he argued she agreed and that it was a normal relationship, what does a 14-year-old even understand? It’s heartbreaking. The mother and daughter were hesitant to press charges, probably embarrassed by the situation. The man’s family background is strong, so they gave up pursuing it. Most likely, the case just ended there,” Zhou Su said with a mix of frustration and regret.

Song Yuhan lowered her head, saddened.

“Thankfully, this guy graduated from Chukyo University! What a scumbag!” Zhou Su kept her anger to familiar ears.

Song Yuhan’s eyebrows twitched, a strange thought crossing her mind. “Our school? Also a Lu?”

Zhou Su suddenly recalled the man’s face and noticed a slight resemblance… “No way… Could he be connected to the Little Overlord?”

Song Yuhan shook her head, confused. If Zhou Su’s Lu was who she thought, then how was he connected to Lu Sifang? How did such a man even get admitted to Chung King University?

“Su Su, can you contact the girl’s mother for me? Someone wants to offer financial support. Hopefully, they’ll reconsider legal action, but don’t reveal anything else—just assure them help is available,” Song Yuhan requested.

What she hadn’t told anyone was that since graduation she’d been part of the “Lucky” Foundation, which helps women escape poverty. Unlike many foundations, “Lucky” was started by survivors of trafficking like Lin Xiaoyun herself. She believed that only women who had truly experienced hardship could effectively support those in need.

Zhou Su’s eyes welled with tears as she gripped Song Yuhan’s hand, speechless.

When the girl’s mother had said, “It’s too much trouble; we can’t afford it, let it go,” Zhou Su had thought about helping them, but finances held her back. Kindness, she realized, came with limits and conditions.

Unexpectedly, Song Yuhan volunteered to help. Zhou Su felt both envious and moved. She truly hadn’t picked the wrong best friend.

Their Song Song was the kindest, most beautiful soul in the world.

Thinking that such a wonderful person could still be trapped by love made her ache inside.

“What’s wrong?” Song Yuhan asked, noticing her friend’s troubled expression. “Is something bothering you?”

Zhou Su waved it off, but inside she felt as if her gentle white rabbit had been snatched by a wolf. How did Song Yuhan come into contact with Lu Sifang? How long had this been going on? Was he back in China temporarily, using her as a balm for his loneliness?

Knowing Song Yuhan’s naïveté, Zhou Su worried she might be deceived.

Song Yuhan hadn’t expected that her friend would still be concerned about this. Her own confidence was weakening. She wasn’t even sure herself. Everything had happened so fast and unexpectedly, she didn’t understand how it came to this.

In her mind, she heard his voice again:

“It’s okay if you like me, or want to play with me like a dog, I’m fine with that…”

And that kiss.

Her cheeks flushed deeply, and she immediately covered her face with her hands. When that failed, she let them fall and sighed, “I don’t know. Maybe…”

He had broken his promise, left everything behind to go abroad, without explanation. She feared history might repeat itself.

She was fully aware, fully clear-headed—but why did she feel powerless to stop herself from falling again?

Every time she faced him, it was the same.

Unable to watch her suffer, Zhou Su muttered while searching on her phone, “I heard he’s taken up skateboarding. Let me look for any bad news about him!” She knew Song Yuhan wouldn’t want to dig for dirt herself.

It was one thing not to search, but another to be confronted with all the ugly truths. Zhou Su gasped, “Oh my God! What’s wrong with Lu Sifang?…”