I Woke Up And Found Myself Married - Chapter 37

Yan Shu froze.

 

She stood at the doorway, her gaze slowly moving from the floor to Song Zhilin’s face, watching her carefully.

 

She looked just the same as before.

 

Soft, seaweed-like dark brown hair cascaded over her slender shoulders. A thin strap held up her deep V-neck dress, exposing her beautifully shaped collarbone and a patch of fair skin.

 

She tilted her head slightly, her hair falling to one side. Her smooth, full forehead was strikingly attractive, and her lips curled with a faint smile—it was hard to tell if it was real or fake.

 

With long, elegant fingers, Song Zhilin held a wine glass and asked casually, “This is Miss Yan, right?”

 

“Yes, you two know each other?” Yu Wei glanced at her, then at the stiff Yan Shu frozen at the doorway. A faint memory flickered in her mind. She clapped lightly and said, “Senior, weren’t you the student council president of the school next to ours back in high school? Shu-shu was very active then too. Did you meet back then?”

 

“Mhm,” Song Zhilin set the wine glass down and said softly, “We only met a few times.”

 

Just a few times?

 

Yan Shu’s heart sank. A faint, bitter smile curled on her lips.

 

Just a few times?

 

What about those nights they snuck out of evening classes to wander the alleys near school, sharing a single ice cream, timidly holding hands under the starlit summer sky?

 

What about those moments in the dark cinema, brushing fingers by accident, or catching each other’s smile in the flickering light?

 

And even…

 

Those shy, fleeting kisses… those clumsy, tender touches…

 

All of that—was just “a few times”?

 

Standing at the doorway, Yan Shu felt like the room had fallen silent.

 

She could no longer hear the chatter—only a dull roar buzzing in her ears.

 

Her heart pounded, and a sense of humiliation surged through her, curling her fingers into fists.

 

“Shu-shu, why aren’t you coming in?” Yu Wei called out from inside, “It’s hot just standing there. We’ve got a seat over here. Come sit.”

 

“Mm.” Yan Shu took a deep breath, telling herself not to show weakness, and walked over to the couch by Yu Wei, sitting down. “Got any sunflower seeds left? Hand me some.”

 

Without saying a word, Ji Fuyi pushed the bowl of seeds toward her. Seeing how pale she looked, she poured a glass of lemon water and handed it to her.

 

Yan Shu nodded her thanks, and Ji Fuyi gave her a slight smile before turning her attention back to the band downstairs.

 

Yan Shu, holding the lemon water, felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.

 

Song Zhilin was seated so close to her—so close that if she moved even a little, their arms would touch.

 

Yet, the woman hadn’t spared her a single glance.

 

Across from them, Yu Wei and Ji Fuyi were munching on sunflower seeds and chatting casually while watching the live band.

 

“Hard to believe,” Yu Wei said, cracking a seed, “we’re only in our early twenties, and our gatherings already feel like retirement parties.”

 

“Early twenties?” Ji Fuyi turned to look at her.

 

“What?!” Yu Wei looked even more shocked. She stared at Ji Fuyi in disbelief. “You don’t even know how old your wife is?”

 

“Uh… I do.” Ji Fuyi lowered her head, resting her cheek on her hand. “I just keep thinking you’re about the same age as me. I forget you’re barely in your twenties.”

 

“Really? Means I’m mature, huh?” Yu Wei clung to her arm, playfully rubbing her head against her shoulder, grinning brightly. “But I’m still your little kitty, you know—seven years younger.”

 

Ji Fuyi: “…”

 

She looked helpless but didn’t shake Yu Wei’s hand off.

 

Across from them, watching the couple being so lovey-dovey and sweet made Yan Shu feel incredibly out of place.

 

What was supposed to be a casual friend gathering had turned into her sitting on the same couch as her ex, shoulder to shoulder, unable to even see the band because Song Zhilin was blocking her view.

 

“You two seem really close,” Song Zhilin said with a calm smile, completely ignoring Yan Shu as she turned to Yu Wei. “I heard it was an arranged marriage? Doesn’t seem like it at all.”

 

“They knew each other before,” Yan Shu suddenly interjected. “It wasn’t a blind setup.”

 

Yu Wei and Ji Fuyi exchanged glances. Only the two of them knew the full truth.

 

But their smiles remained sweet, without revealing a thing.

 

That unspoken secret between them only made the bond tighter—like an invisible thread tying their hearts together.

 

Unbreakable.

 

“Flying to Xia Island tomorrow?” Song Zhilin sipped her wine, smiling. “It’s hot there. Be sure to pack sun protection. No matter how good your sunscreen is, it won’t hold up against that sun. It’s famous for giving people that golden tan, you know.”

 

She had changed the subject completely.

 

Normally, Yan Shu was smooth and confident in social settings. No matter how awkward the room or how difficult the conversation, she could handle it with ease. But now, facing a simple sentence from Song Zhilin, she found herself at a complete loss for words.

 

She lowered her head and silently cracked sunflower seeds.

 

The conversation continued around her—about vacation plans, beach colors, clothing choices, and even local foods on Xia Island. Song Zhilin knew everything, even recommending a must-visit ice cream shop.

 

Of course she would know.

 

Yan Shu sat there, growing more and more bored.

 

What used to interest her now felt like background noise.

 

She finally stood up and said, “I’m going to get some air.”

 

“Feeling stifled again?” Yu Wei asked, a little concerned. “Shu-shu, are you feeling alright today?”

 

Yan Shu shook her head, forcing a smile as she walked out.

 

Standing by the smoking area in the hallway, Yan Shu lit a cigarette.

 

It had been a long time since she last smoked.

 

Back in college, when she relied on inspiration for projects and the pressure got too much, she’d occasionally smoke to relieve stress. After graduation, she rarely touched cigarettes again.

 

Surrounded by swirling smoke, she let out a long breath.

 

Her scattered thoughts finally began to settle.

 

Song Zhilin was back in B City. And judging by how close she was with Yu Wei, she’d probably show up at future gatherings.

 

Yan Shu wasn’t the type to get dramatic or ruin a friend’s opportunity because of her own issues.

 

What else could she do? At most, just stay away.

 

She never wanted to be close to Song Zhilin again. Not ever.

 

The scar on her heart, even if scabbed over, still ached like hell when touched—like it was still festering underneath, impossible to heal.

 

When she finished the cigarette, Yan Shu stubbed it out, planning to clean up the smell before going back inside.

 

“You’ve picked up smoking now?”

 

She looked up and saw Song Zhilin standing at the entrance, frowning at her.

 

“What?” Yan Shu glared back, struggling to suppress the emotions boiling in her throat. She said coldly, “Is this your business too, Miss Song?”

 

Song Zhilin let out what might have been a sigh—or maybe not.

 

She stepped into the smoking area, frowning as if bothered by the smell clinging to her.

 

When she was close, she finally said, “It’s bad for your health.”

 

“I’m an adult.” Yan Shu gave her a faint smile and brushed aside the hand that had reached toward her. “I know what I’m doing.”

 

“You…” Song Zhilin chuckled, genuinely this time. She suddenly grabbed Yan Shu’s hand and leaned in close, whispering by her ear, “Still as stubborn as ever.”

 

“Who asked you?” Yan Shu jerked her hand away violently. That familiar warmth brought back a flood of memories. “Stay away from me.”

 

“Stay away from you?” Song Zhilin folded her arms and stepped back, her beautiful face showing a cold smirk.

 

Her voice turned icy.

 

“Same old line, even after all these years.”

 

She took another step back, her eyes sharp as knives.

 

“Who am I to even come near Miss Yan, right? The darling of this city, perfect grades, beautiful, charming, and now—oh no—already an accomplished Alpha.”

 

“Sorry for the offense,” Song Zhilin said mockingly, polite to a fault. “From now on, I’ll make sure to stay far, far away. I won’t disturb your perfect life again.”

 

With that, she turned and left the smoking room.

 

Yan Shu stared after her, her heart roiling with emotion—anger, pain, longing, love and hate all crashing in at once. She wanted to rush after her and bite her shoulder just to feel something.

 

How dare she say those things?

 

Every word was dripping with sarcasm. Who did she think she was?

 

Yan Shu nearly screamed. She was the one who left without a word, who vanished overseas and gave her no way to reach her. And now she got to act like the wounded one?

 

Yan Shu pushed open the door to the private room, determined to drag Song Zhilin out and demand an explanation.

 

But when she looked around—she was already gone.

 

“Weiwei, where’s Miss Song?” she asked, trying to mask her emotions as she sank into the sofa.

 

“Huh?” Yu Wei looked around. “No idea. She left a while ago and never came back.”

 

“I see…” Yan Shu said absentmindedly, eyes back on the stage. “I thought maybe she went home.”

 

“What’s up?” Ji Fuyi asked suddenly, her calm amber eyes locking onto her. “Didn’t you say you weren’t close?”

 

“We’re not,” Yan Shu said with a shake of her head, forcing a smile. “You two are flying to Xia Island tomorrow, right? When are you coming back?”

 

“Next month. Whole month off,” Yu Wei chirped, showing off their travel itinerary. “Just in time to avoid all those nosy relatives too.”

 

“Nice. Tomorrow morning flight?” Yan Shu said. “Have a great time.”

 

“Hey, why does that sound so half-hearted?” Yu Wei frowned, waving her hand in front of her face. “Shu-shu, you’re not usually like this. You love vacations. You’re always the one rambling on about the best places to go. You got something on your mind?”

 

“What could I possibly have on my mind?” Yan Shu tried to brush it off.

 

“It’s that Song lady, isn’t it?” Ji Fuyi smiled lightly and slid a business card toward her. “Got her number for you. Interested?”

 

“Hey, what is this?” Yu Wei gasped. “You two are way too skilled at setting each other up with girls. Wait—didn’t you say you knew her already? If you like her, go for it! Song-jie was super popular in school. All the girls were obsessed with her—AOs and Alphas alike. Total heartbreaker. Look at her—still is.”

 

Yan Shu forced a bitter smile.

 

How could she not know how popular Song Zhilin was?

 

Back in her high school—obsessed with academic prestige and clawing to the top—Song Zhilin still received love letters by the dozen.

 

Her signature seaweed hair was the style every girl copied.

 

But no one else had that lazy, seductive beauty she carried so effortlessly.

 

“Shu-shu, listen. If you like her, go get her.”

 

Yu Wei held up a fist in encouragement.

 

Like her?

 

Like her ex?

 

Like the girl who dumped her and vanished abroad, never to be heard from again?

 

Yan Shu shook her head and said disdainfully:

 

“Why would I ever like her?”

 

Just then, Song Zhilin pushed open the door.

 

And that sentence, loud and clear, reached her ears.

 

Song Zhilin walked over, sat down next to Yan Shu, picked up the business card on the table and slipped it away.

 

With a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, she said:

 

“Perfect. I feel the same.”

 

“I wouldn’t be interested in you even if I were dying.”