I'm Interested In Your Friend - Chapter 10
10
The pale yellow champagne had a hint of pineapple sweetness, which slipped past Yu Lili’s lips sip by sip.
The asymmetrical chandelier hanging high in the hall reflected cold light into Tan Suran’s distant gaze.
Her figure, wrapped in a racing suit, was shapely and curvy, with a slim waist and long legs.
Yu Lili’s fair fingers tapped cautiously on the wine glass, using it to shield her glances as she stole quick looks at Tan Suran—once, twice, then looked away, and peeked again.
Like a thief.
In her mind, she replayed the image of Tan Suran at the racetrack—hair flying in the wind, gaze sharp like fire—completely different from her usual calm and composed demeanor. Yet, from the bones outward, she radiated an undeniable sense of command.
The moment the engine revved, the crowd roared—that was the moment she was crowned queen.
Without realizing it, Yu Lili had finished a glass of fruit-flavored champagne.
Some alcohol is like that—it tastes like juice, but is deceptively strong.
If Du Tanyu were here, she would’ve definitely stopped her, because Yu Lili couldn’t hold her liquor—and her behavior after drinking was even worse.
Once drunk, she liked to climb onto the DJ stage, cry, and sing thirty classic children’s songs in a row.
But Du Tanyu wasn’t here.
Only Tan Suran—who had brought her here and was now completely ignoring her.
She picked up another drink.
Strawberry flavored.
Yu Lili was in a chaotic emotional state, feeling a bit wronged. She thought about how she had thrown up in front of so many people earlier. Shame and frustration surged up to her face in waves.
Her cheeks turned bright red.
“Are you okay?” came a fresh female voice beside her.
Yu Lili wiped her eyes and shook her head. Her eyes were misty from the alcohol, lips puffed up. Then, she suddenly threw an arm around the girl who had kindly shown concern.
With no trace of social anxiety, she hugged the girl—who she had just met—and blurted out, “I just got dumped.”
That kind of confession really puts one’s kindness to the test.
Faced with someone clearly using alcohol to drown her sorrows, could the girl just heartlessly walk away?
The girl bit her lip, hesitated for a long time, then decided to believe that Yu Lili wasn’t just taking advantage. She didn’t push her away.
Yu Lili, already quite friendly, clinked glasses with the girl and sighed woefully.
The girl comforted her: “It’s okay, don’t be sad. Breakups happen. Trust me, you’ll get over it soon.”
Yu Lili took another sip and sighed again, continuing her previous thought: “And I had a one-night stand with someone.”
The girl’s comforting words halted abruptly.
Breakups are one thing—but that was quite the dramatic leap.
“And you know who it was?” Yu Lili lowered her voice mysteriously, like she was about to spill a huge secret.
Sensing danger, the girl nervously shook her head, itching to escape.
“It was… Tan Suran.” Yu Lili enunciated each word slowly, tongue almost twisted from the alcohol.
The girl was stunned. Tan Suran? That famously celibate, top-tier VIP of the club? The universally aloof, seemingly ascetic CEO of Huanyu?
She felt like she had just overheard something explosive.
Yu Lili hiccupped drunkenly and slurred, “She really has good taste. Just one look at me and she fell head over heels, couldn’t help herself.”
“Who couldn’t help themselves?” came a cool voice from above.
“Tan Suran!” Yu Lili replied cheerfully.
Her alcohol-fogged brain was slow to react. She looked in the direction of the voice.
After several tries, her vision finally focused on the person’s face.
Yu Lili blinked her long lashes, furrowed her brows in confusion, and slowly reached out a finger. “You…”
She finally let go of the girl she had been hugging, stepped in front of the new arrival, and pointed her finger, tracing it freely across the person’s face.
She even pinched her nose, completely unreserved: “Wow, you really look like Tan Suran!”
The poor girl who had overheard everything was petrified.
Like, is there a chance… this is Tan Suran?
“Hm?”
Still not satisfied, Yu Lili turned to the girl and asked, “Doesn’t she look like Tan Suran?!”
The girl didn’t dare nod or shake her head.
Yu Lili shook her head with eyes closed, then turned back—but the person who was just in front of her was gone.
Yu Lili let out a soft, confused “Huh? Magic disappearing act?”
Tan Suran had already walked around behind her, preparing to help her back to her room. She gave the girl a look, who tactfully made herself scarce.
Yu Lili, feeling someone steady her wrist, tilted her head. “Why are you here?”
Tan Suran: “Where else should I be?”
Yu Lili solemnly pushed her hand away, then pulled Tan Suran by the arm back to where she had just been standing.
She positioned her there, stepped back to her own previous spot, and spread her arms wide in a pose that looked ready for a hug: “Ta-da! That’s better.”
Tan Suran turned her face away coldly, allowing a faint smirk to play at her lips before quickly reverting to her usual blank expression. “Can we go now?”
“Go where?” Even drunk, Yu Lili was safety-conscious. “I’m not supposed to go anywhere with strangers.”
“To your room. To sleep.”
Tan Suran’s five simple words.
Yu Lili blinked blankly and stammered, “S-sleep?”
Tan Suran nodded.
“Aha! I knew it!” Yu Lili suddenly jumped up on the platform by the bar, “You just want to sleep with me!”
Silence fell like a pin drop.
All eyes subtly turned to the pair.
Tan Suran raised an eyebrow coolly: “You’re overthinking it.”
Yu Lili was usually shorter than Tan Suran.
But with the help of the small platform, she now had a height advantage.
She waddled closer like a duckling, bent over, and brought her face up close to Tan Suran’s—studying her intently.
From this angle, she could see her long, curled lashes.
Though honestly, being so close, she couldn’t see much clearly.
That didn’t stop her from drawing a brilliant conclusion: “You totally want to sleep with me.”
Tan Suran: “I don’t.”
“Liar!” Yu Lili frowned, then, without warning, lightly kicked Tan Suran.
Well, “kicked” was generous—it was more like a nudge.
But given her current awkward stance—and the dulling effects of alcohol—when she tried to pull back her leg…
She lost her balance and began to fall.
But she didn’t hit the cold floor.
She landed in warm arms.
Slowly, Yu Lili looked up, her gaze meeting Tan Suran’s cool face. She smiled faintly: “See? I knew you wanted to sleep with me!”
“I don’t.”
“Then why catch me?”
Tan Suran didn’t reply. Instead, she let her actions speak.
“Ah…”
She dropped her.
Yu Lili, now sprawled on the ground, was completely stunned.
So were the bystanders.
Tan Suran looked down and said, “See? If I hadn’t caught you just now, this would’ve been the result.”
Yu Lili sat there with her chin propped up on her hands, looking up, her fair face flushed from the alcohol.
She hiccupped slowly: “Tan Suran, do you really like me that much?!”
“If you’re trying to get my attention, there are better ways.”
People nearby were stunned. Someone with a low threshold for humor couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“I know you had fun that night, but can we just call it quits?”
Still seated on the floor, Yu Lili started preaching like a Buddhist monk: “There are so many pretty girls in the world. If you look carefully, you’ll find someone just slightly less amazing than me. Why are you so hung up on me? Am I really that irresistible?”
Everyone: ???
Eyes were gleaming with gossip. From this, it was obvious something happened between the two.
Tan Suran was known for her cold aloofness, rejecting all suitors—male or female.
Turns out… she had a thing for this type?
The bold kind?
“Yes, yes, I know I’m amazing. But love takes two, you know.”
Why did it sound like Tan Suran was the one chasing after someone out of her league?
People tried to act like they were just chatting casually, but all ears were on Tan Suran.
Tan Suran tried to help Yu Lili up: “You’ve had too much.”
“You can’t just use money to brush me off.”
Money?
“I know what you were thinking when you brought me here.” Yu Lili said slyly, poking Tan Suran’s chin with one finger and tugging on her collar with the other. “I won’t let you have your way!”
“I’m a good socialist girl, red roots, pure soul! I’d rather die than give in!”
Failing to drag Yu Lili away, Tan Suran had no choice but to clear the room.
Soon, everyone—reluctant though they were—dispersed.
Yu Lili hugged her wine glass, muttering drunken nonsense.
Tan Suran sat with a cigarette and a mix of drinks—white and clear liquors—tapping ash and watching the girl’s drunken antics.
Yu Lili had clearly showered. Her soft black hair hung loosely down her back.
Her petite, innocent face, now tinged red with alcohol, radiated flirtatious charm.
Her pale, slender legs extended, ankle bones delicately defined.
She drank one glass after another.
Eventually, the girl on the floor slumped backward, eyelids fluttering, nearly asleep.
Tan Suran, also tipsy, slowly walked over: “Go sleep in bed.”
The scent of bitter lemon filled Yu Lili’s nose. She opened her eyes.
Tan Suran’s signature silver-framed glasses were nowhere to be seen.
The usually distant, unapproachable face was now touched with a rosy flush.
Her eyes—rimmed in red.
Undeniably seductive.
She held the glass delicately by the stem, swirling the deep red liquid.
Yu Lili, still dizzy, swallowed hard: “W-what are you trying to do?”
Tan Suran leaned in, breathing by her ear: “What we did the first time we met.”
“Okay?”
“Ah…”
Yu Lili was dazed for a long, long moment. Ultimately, tempted by beauty and wine, her eyes glassy, she muttered: “O-okay then…”