I Fell In Love With My Rival (GL) - Chapter 14
The notoriously “difficult” Fu Erqiu had no idea what was going through Su Chunyin’s mind. She was only mildly surprised to see the other girl storm off angrily, unable to guess what this pampered princess was scheming this time. Su Chunyin had claimed she was bringing in a big order, but Fu Erqiu didn’t buy it. Still, since the girl hadn’t made a fuss, she quickly put the matter out of her mind.
To her surprise, Su Chunyin showed up again the next day—this time with what could indeed be called a “big order.” She directed her family’s chauffeur to unload a car full of clothes at the modest little laundry shop. Marching inside triumphantly, she declared to Fu Erqiu, “Told you I was bringing a big order. I wasn’t lying, was I?”
She crossed her arms and took a slow stroll around the shop, like a CEO inspecting her factory. “Yesterday I dropped by and noticed your shop does a decent job—clean and professional. So, I’ve decided all my clothes will be washed here from now on.”
After saying that, Su Chunyin stood in place, waiting for Fu Erqiu to say something—an apology, a flattering compliment, anything. But Fu Erqiu simply walked over to inspect the clothes, her expression devoid of any joy. She looked at Su Chunyin and asked bluntly, “Miss Su, are you trying to mess with me?”
If Su Chunyin had come here just to stir trouble, Fu Erqiu would’ve accepted it. But the truth was, she hadn’t come with that intention at all. Now being accused of it made her bristle. “You’re the one stirring trouble! Your whole family is—… I came to support your business!”
Fu Erqiu pointed to the clothes delivered to their shop. “Miss Su, you’ve seen the clothes that come into our dry cleaners—each piece visibly soiled, clearly in need of washing. But the ones you brought in are spotless—no stains, no odors, not even a crease. I honestly don’t see the point of cleaning them.”
Su Chunyin lifted her chin and replied righteously, “So what if they’re not dirty? Can’t I wash clean clothes? Not everyone waits until their clothes are filthy before sending them in.”
Fu Erqiu raised an eyebrow. “You might be better off at a higher-end service—those that cater to office towers or upscale neighborhoods. We’re just a neighborhood shop focused on cleaning things that actually need cleaning.”
Su Chunyin brazenly stepped over the counter, looking completely at ease. “Well, I want to come to your shop. Who says I can’t?”
Fu Erqiu gave her a calm glance. “No one said you can’t. But it’s peak season for our little laundry shop right now. It’s just my mother and me, and we’re already overwhelmed. You bringing in a pile of perfectly clean clothes only adds to our burden.
We run a local business, so we have to prioritize nearby customers. Please take your things elsewhere. Even if it wasn’t you—if anyone brought in clothes that didn’t need cleaning, we wouldn’t accept the order.”
“You—!” Su Chunyin fumed. She had already swallowed her pride to try befriending Fu Erqiu and even went out of her way to support her business. Yet this girl remained cold and unmoved, leaving her with a sharp sense of failure.
Glancing around the store, Su Chunyin boldly plopped herself onto a front-loading washing machine and refused to leave. If she had no other virtues, she certainly had stubborn determination. She had made up her mind to be friends with Fu Erqiu, and she wouldn’t give up until she succeeded.
And so, a strange sight emerged in the little laundry shop: Fu Erqiu busily working while Su Chunyin sat on a washing machine, sipping tea and nibbling on cookies.
At one point, Fu Ying came in to check if Su Chunyin needed anything, but the girl brushed her off with a sweet smile.
“I’m here to review schoolwork with Qiuqiu. Forgot my books today, but it’s fine—she’s busy, and I’m just here to keep her company,” she said cheerfully. She even took the liberty of giving Fu Erqiu a nickname
—“Qiuqiu”—which made Fu Ying laugh and bring out more snacks.
“Our Erqiu is wonderful—well-behaved and obedient, but she’s always been a bit aloof. She’s never had any close friends, really. You’re the first classmate to ever come visit her,” Fu Ying said warmly.
Su Chunyin, in the middle of unwrapping a strawberry lollipop, looked genuinely surprised. Has Fu Erqiu really never gotten close to anyone else?
Curious, she asked, “Isn’t she friends with Lin Zhizhi? Didn’t Lin ever visit her?”
“Lin Zhizhi? Who’s that?” Fu Ying asked, puzzled.
Su Chunyin glanced at Fu Erqiu, who was still focused on her work, seemingly not paying attention. She quickly shoved the lollipop into her mouth and mumbled, “No one—just a classmate. I thought they were friends.”
When the shop was finally winding down and nearing midnight, Fu Ying began urging the girls to head home. “Go rest, girls. You’ve got class tomorrow.”
Su Chunyin, barely able to keep her eyes open, still put on a brave face. “It’s fine, Auntie. I usually study till midnight. I’m not tired at all.”
And so, the girl who claimed to study till midnight every day walked out of the laundry shop alongside Fu Erqiu. The night air was chilly, and Su Chunyin instinctively wrapped her coat tighter around her. Then she heard Fu Erqiu say, “That’s enough for tonight, Miss Su. It’s late. Head back this way.”
She pointed in the opposite direction of her own route home.
Su Chunyin stared. “I stayed with you this whole time, and you’re not even going to thank me—let alone walk me home?!”
In her mind, spending time with Fu Erqiu meant they’d leave together, at least. But apparently, Fu Erqiu didn’t see it that way.
Fu Erqiu stepped back slightly, her face illuminated by the shop’s glowing sign, giving her a faintly cold appearance. “You insisted on waiting for me. Your home is in the south part of town, I live in the north. We’re going in opposite directions. Your chauffeur has been waiting across the street long enough—go on.”
Su Chunyin looked between her chauffeur and Fu Erqiu, who was now pushing her bike away. She quickly rushed over and grabbed her arm. “Who says we’re going different ways? I’m taking Ning Street—I can have my driver drop you off.”
If they took Ning Street, it would indeed be possible to drop Fu Erqiu at her doorstep, though it would mean a major detour for Su Chunyin. Fu Erqiu didn’t respond at first. Seeing that, Su Chunyin continued, “It’d take you at least thirty or forty minutes to bike home. But if I drive you, it’ll only take ten. You’ll get more sleep or have more time to memorize vocab—doesn’t that sound better?”
Fu Erqiu blinked slowly, seeming to consider this. After a pause, she nodded. “Alright.”
Su Chunyin beamed, grabbing her bike and trotting across the street.
The folding bike was quickly stashed in the trunk, and soon Su Chunyin was dragging Fu Erqiu into the back seat with her.
Once inside, Fu Erqiu assumed Su Chunyin would start chatting. But when she turned to look, Su Chunyin had already closed her eyes.
After a ten-minute drive, they reached the north district. The driver asked where to stop, and Fu Erqiu pointed to a spot a bit away from her home. “Just let me off there.”
She pushed the door open and began to leave when a sleepy Su Chunyin, head resting on her shoulder, suddenly sat up. “You’re leaving?”
Fu Erqiu nodded. “I’m home now,” she said, stepping out.
Su Chunyin leaned over to the window, gazing after her. “Okay then, see you tomorrow!”
Fu Erqiu didn’t answer. She figured this was just a whim of Su Chunyin’s. There wouldn’t be a “tomorrow.”
But the next day, Su Chunyin showed up at the laundry shop right on time.
Pouting as she walked in, she grumbled, “Why’d you walk off so fast? You didn’t even wait for me!”
This time she came fully prepared. She marched straight to the little table by the counter, pulling out her workbook and monthly exam papers, ready to carry out the “review schoolwork with Qiuqiu” story to the end.
At first, she managed to get through a few questions. But as Fu Erqiu stayed focused on her tasks, ignoring her entirely, she started getting restless. She recognized the questions, but clearly the questions didn’t recognize her.
Wriggling in her seat, Su Chunyan eventually pulled out her phone and secretly sent some messages.
The first one came from the “Niaoniao Support Squad” group chat, which had been buzzing lately. Ever since she set her sights on befriending Fu Erqiu, Yang Yuxia and Xu Chang had turned into full-blown gossip hounds, checking in daily on her progress.
No way she was going to let them know she had nearly been turned away two days in a row and was still bothering Fu Erqiu with no progress. So, she brazenly lied:
[My relationship with Fu Erqiu is developing rapidly. She’s so sweet to me now—cares about me, looks after me, and her mom absolutely adores me too! I’m always welcome there.]
Yang Yuxia, ever clueless, replied:
[Then can you ask Study Queen Fu to explain question 3 from section 4 of the monthly exam? I messed it up too, and Niaoniao’s explanation didn’t help.]
But Su Chunyin hadn’t gotten anywhere near that level of closeness, so she pretended not to see the message and went to her private chat with “Qiu Ye.”
Ever since she set her mind on becoming Fu Erqiu’s friend, she’d actually talked the most with Qiu Ye, pouring out the kind of thoughts and feelings she couldn’t post in the group chat.
She tapped on Qiu Ye’s profile picture and, seeing no response, sent:
[So frustrating. She still won’t talk to me!]
Just then, Fu Erqiu’s phone on the counter buzzed. Su Chunyin noticed her glance at it briefly, then ignore it.
Looks like Qiu Ye wasn’t free. Su Chunyin sent a few more messages, venting about Study Queen Fu’s coldness and unreasonable attitude, then sighed and slumped over her desk.
Meanwhile, Fu Erqiu’s phone buzzed a few more times. She read the messages slowly but didn’t reply.
Poor soul, thought Su Chunyin. Whoever’s texting her is getting the same treatment I am. Cold-hearted iceberg!
At that moment, the laundry shop door opened, its bell jingling brightly.
Fu Erqiu looked up, but Su Chunyin darted forward first, acting like the store owner: “Hello! Welcome to Little Laundry—”
But the newcomer ignored her entirely, trotting over on short legs with a bundle of clothes.
“Good evening, Sister Fu!” the little child said sweetly. “These are from my grandma—can we pick them up the day after tomorrow?”
Maybe it was the soft baby voice, but even the icy Fu Erqiu’s face seemed to thaw a little. She accepted the clothes and pulled a lollipop from a drawer. “Sure.”
The child took the lollipop and bounced away happily.
Su Chunyin copied the voice, putting on an exaggeratedly sweet tone: “Fu classmate~ Great Study Queen~ Could you help me with question three in section four of the monthly exam~?”
Fu Erqiu acted like she hadn’t heard her, continuing to sort clothes silently.
Su Chunyin deflated, slumping over her test paper.
Where did I go wrong? she wondered. Why does that little brat get the royal treatment and not me?