Giving You Dawn and Dusk (GL) - Chapter 7
After speaking, Liang Shi awkwardly touched the tip of her nose, silently apologizing to Xu Qinya in her heart.
She didn’t want to lie to Xu Qingzhu.
Especially facing such eyes, deception would make her feel guilty.
Cheng Ran waved behind Liang Shi and greeted Xu Qingzhu, “Long time no see, Miss Xu.”
“Mhm.” Xu Qingzhu didn’t make Liang Shi lose face either; she nodded slightly towards Cheng Ran and greeted her in a weak voice, “Hello.”
Cheng Ran’s smile widened at this. She walked forward in her high heels, but was pulled by the arm by Liang Shi as she passed by.
Cheng Ran frowned and whispered, “Isn’t that a bit too protective? I can’t even go say hello? Liang Shi, that’s enough.”
Liang Shi pursed her lips, her voice deep. “Come with me.”
She turned back to Xu Qingzhu, “You go back to the ward first. I’ll talk to Cheng Ran and then come find you.”
“It’s fine.” Xu Qingzhu was pale and slender, looking a bit malnourished. She stood at the doorway like a uniquely beautiful painting. “Just tell me where Ya Ya is.”
“Please wait,” Liang Shi looked at her sincerely. “I’ll just say a few words to her. Can I go with you to find Ya Ya later?”
“You don’t need to accompany me,” Xu Qingzhu refused. “I can go by myself.”
Liang Shi frowned slightly. “I’ll go with you.”
“No need,” Xu Qingzhu continued to refuse.
She didn’t believe Liang Shi could completely transform and truly become another person in just one day.
She was more inclined to believe that Liang Shi’s current actions were all part of some scheme.
As for what the scheme was, she hadn’t figured it out yet.
However, their relationship wasn’t good enough for this level of concern.
It was just a coincidence that Xu Qingzhu was going to the restroom, heard Liang Shi on the phone in the hallway, and then dialed both Liang Shi and Xu Qinya, finding both lines busy, which led to her suspicion.
She hadn’t even fully understood why Xu Qinya would contact Liang Shi.
When did Xu Qinya and Liang Shi become so close?
After speaking, Xu Qingzhu didn’t entangle with her any further. She first sent a message to Zhao Xuning, saying she planned to leave the ward for a while and asking her to come give her a blocking agent injection.
An Omega’s scent, right after estrus, would linger, and it was dangerous for a powerful Alpha to smell it. Xu Qingzhu had just gone through such an exhausting night and didn’t want to experience it a second time.
So, it was better to be careful.
Zhao Xuning received the message and simply replied “Okay.”
Meanwhile, Liang Shi pulled Cheng Ran aside in the corridor.
Cheng Ran crossed her arms, an expression of disdain on her face. “Liang Shi, you really just…”
She tutted, idly, “Don’t tell me you’ve actually fallen for this Omega.”
“Cheng Ran,” Liang Shi was thinking about what to say to remind Cheng Ran to maintain a normal social distance.
In that world, she had lived for twenty-five years.
She had spent a lot of time alone, so she was good at maintaining personal boundaries.
Never overly intimate, nor overly distant.
She had never even had a falling out with friends.
But she and Cheng Ran truly weren’t suited to be friends.
The original owner and Cheng Ran were friends because they could fool around together, but Liang Shi always disdained such behavior.
She preferred the state of having one person for a lifetime.
Finding a girl she liked, whether they married or not, working diligently during work hours, and occasionally, when tired, slacking off to send a message to the other person.
After work, the two would go see a movie, or cook and watch a show together at home, doing intimate things.
She didn’t mind bringing the other person into her world and hoped to be a part of their life.
However, in her original world, this idea was just wishful thinking.
No one accepted her sexual orientation.
She was also afraid of harming other girls because of her profession, so she had never been in a relationship.
Even if she met a girl she had a slight crush on, she only dared to watch from afar.
Never once thought of having them.
But now, it was as if she had lived a second life, and she wanted to be herself.
Previously, she had too many moral shackles, living too tiringly for her livelihood and for others.
Now, she wanted to be more relaxed.
Making easy-going friends and falling in love with someone she liked.
But how to deal with the original owner’s problems was a big headache.
She thought for a moment and could only say bluntly, “I don’t think we’re suited to be friends.”
Cheng Ran froze. “Huh?”
Liang Shi said very seriously, “I will no longer participate in those parties and gatherings with you. Life should have infinite possibilities, not waste time on meaningless, unproductive things.”
Cheng Ran was stunned for a few seconds, then laughed in anger. “Liang Shi, are you crazy? What are you talking about? Did Xu Qingzhu cast some spell on you?”
“It has nothing to do with Xu Qingzhu,” Liang Shi said. “It’s that I’ve understood things now. I will start fresh and truly be myself.”
These words were meant for both the original Liang Shi and the current Liang Shi.
Cheng Ran’s brows furrowed like a small mountain. “Are you saying you’re breaking up with me?”
“You could interpret it that way,” Liang Shi said firmly.
“Damn it.” Cheng Ran cursed in anger. “You fucking…”
Saying that, she threw a punch.
Liang Shi’s eyes narrowed slightly. She could have easily dodged, but she hesitated for a moment and took the hit.
An Alpha’s strength was considerable; the punch made her stumble.
Liang Shi took half a step back. “Then that’s that. I’m leaving first.”
“My God!” Cheng Ran shouted behind her. “Liang Shi, you’re fucking crazy.”
Liang Shi walked away determinedly, without looking back.
••••
Actually, Liang Shi had many ways to break up with Cheng Ran gracefully.
She could have avoided Cheng Ran when she sought her out, or had a big fight with Cheng Ran over a minor issue and broken off their friendship then.
But Liang Shi chose the most direct method.
She didn’t want to waste too much time on such interpersonal relationships.
Thinking pessimistically, if she couldn’t gain 80 luck points within three months, this would be her last three months alive. How much time did she have to deal with them?
It was too tiring.
Better to be simple.
She stood at Xu Qingzhu’s ward door, reaching up to wipe her mouth with the back of her hand. A smear of bl00d landed on her skin.
She frowned slightly, not wanting Xu Qingzhu to see it.
But this scene fell into Zhao Xuning’s eyes.
Zhao Xuning said coldly, “Excuse me.”
Liang Shi stepped aside, making way for her.
Zhao Xuning usually spoke very little, but as she passed by, she couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Did you argue with Cheng Ran?”
Liang Shi responded with a tired “Mhm.”
Zhao Xuning curled her lips, a sarcastic smile playing on them. “How unusual.”
With that, she entered the ward.
Xu Qingzhu had already changed into new clothes, brought by Bai Weiwei during her visit.
A bright yellow, knee-length, cinched-waist dress. Her slender forearms and beautiful collarbones were exposed. She was already thin, and in this dress, her waist seemed incredibly delicate.
She was particularly striking.
If this were Liang Shi’s original world, Xu Qingzhu would definitely become a top celebrity in the entertainment industry, easily winning the annual “Goddess” poll and overshadowing everyone else.
The needle pierced Xu Qingzhu’s slender, pale forearm, her veins exposed in the sunlight.
Liang Shi’s heart tightened at the sight.
Such an arm seemed unsuitable for an injection.
It looked quite alarming.
So Liang Shi looked away.
Zhao Xuning finished giving Xu Qingzhu the blocking agent and asked her, “How long will you be out?”
“About half a day,” Xu Qingzhu said. “I’ll be back tonight.”
“What are you going to do? Can you tell me?” Zhao Xuning asked.
“My dad tore up Ya Ya’s idol posters and threw away her merchandise; she ran away from home,” Xu Qingzhu stood up. “I’m leaving now. Don’t tell Weiwei about this.”
If Weiwei knew she left the hospital without permission because of her sister, she would definitely be upset.
“Understood,” Zhao Xuning asked, “Are you going with her?”
Her gaze was on Liang Shi.
Xu Qingzhu thought for a moment, then nodded slightly. “She knows where Ya Ya is.”
In fact, only she knew.
“Then be careful on your way,” Zhao Xuning said. “Call me if anything happens.”
••••
Leaving the ward, they took the direct elevator down to the underground parking lot.
After Liang Shi was hospitalized, the housekeeper had already driven her car over.
In the black and white underground parking lot, the flashy green car was very conspicuous.
Although Liang Shi reluctantly admitted it, she had no choice but to lead Xu Qingzhu to that car.
She pressed the unlock button again, and the car’s front and rear lights illuminated.
Liang Shi: “…”
How many more aesthetic surprises did the original owner have that she didn’t know about?
She first opened the passenger door and, feigning composure under Xu Qingzhu’s slightly disdainful gaze, said, “Get in.”
After Xu Qingzhu got in, she got into the driver’s seat herself.
But then she noticed Xu Qingzhu seriously watching her.
Those eyes held scrutiny and curiosity. As the car drove out of the parking lot, Xu Qingzhu suddenly spoke, “Why did you argue with Cheng Ran?”
“Huh?” The engine noise was too loud the moment the car started; Liang Shi didn’t hear clearly. “What did you say?”
“Nothing,” Xu Qingzhu dropped the topic and closed her eyes in the passenger seat, feigning sleep.
She maintained a very indifferent demeanor throughout.
Once the car was driving smoothly, Liang Shi discussed with her, “Could you please not show up for a while when we get there?”
“What do you mean?” Xu Qingzhu opened her eyes, looking at her coldly.
“I promised your sister I wouldn’t tell you,” Liang Shi said. “But I don’t think I should lie to you.”
“You’ve lied to me more than once,” Xu Qingzhu said coldly.
“But I’m not lying to you this time,” Liang Shi explained. “Your sister came to me first, probably because it’s something she’s uncomfortable telling you. So if I go first, try to get her to talk, and then tell you, would that be okay?”
“What if I say no?” Xu Qingzhu said.
Liang Shi: “…”
She pulled the car over to the side of the road. “Then I can’t take you there.”
Xu Qingzhu sneered, “Finally showing your true colors.”
“No,” Liang Shi sighed helplessly. “I told you I wouldn’t hurt you, and correspondingly, I won’t lie to you. Your sister is currently arguing with your parents and has run away from home, and she hasn’t called you, so she must still be angry and emotional. What if she has an extreme reaction if you appear in front of her right now?”
“Our family affairs, Miss Liang needn’t worry about,” Xu Qingzhu drew a clear line between them, directly calling her “Miss Liang.”
Liang Shi pursed her lips, her voice tinged with helplessness. “I’m afraid she’ll say something bad that will upset you.”
Xu Qingzhu looked at her, somewhat incredulous.
Was this really Liang Shi?
Liang Shi’s hand gently rested on her shoulder, her gaze sincere and warm. “Xu Qingzhu, please believe me just this once, okay?”
Liang Shi, without makeup, had very beautiful eyes with a warmth that could melt people. Being stared at so intensely by her, Xu Qingzhu’s heart actually skipped a beat.
But quickly, she looked away.
Liang Shi’s tone became even more sincere, even carrying a hint of humble pleading.
Listening closely, it even sounded like coaxing, “This is the last time, okay?”
Xu Qingzhu nodded slightly.
She thought, she’d try to believe Liang Shi one last time.