I'm Interested In Your Friend - Chapter 13

13

The opulent, palace-style banquet hall shimmered under the glow of crystal chandeliers, with delicate chains of glass droplets dangling from above. Towers of glass cups were filled halfway with imported Polish liquor.

Yu Lili reached out, took a glass, and handed it to Du Tanyu beside her.

Du Tanyu grinned. “Thanks, gorgeous.”

Dressed in a champagne-colored ES haute couture fishtail gown that cinched at the waist, Yu Lili’s fair skin appeared even more flawless, her slender legs accentuated by the elegant silhouette.

Du Tanyu playfully flicked the Cartier pink diamond necklace around Yu Lili’s neck. “Why aren’t you wearing the one I gave you?”

Yu Lili tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “It doesn’t suit today’s hairstyle. Next time, I’ll wear it on my head.”

Understanding her implication, Du Tanyu burst out laughing. “You like wearing green on your head that much? Too bad you’re single now—no chance for that.”

“Are you two together now?”

Yu Lili and Du Tanyu turned simultaneously to see Zhu Jingxiang, her expression dark.

Du Tanyu wrapped her arm around Yu Lili’s, pressing closer. “None of your business, is it?”

“No…” Yu Lili shot Du Tanyu a look—she was always stirring up trouble. “It’s not like that.”

Zhu Jingxiang’s striking features were marred by the glistening tears in her eyes. “Then who is it? Tell me, who?”

“Does it matter?”

“Of course it matters! You’re my girlfriend.”

“We already broke up.”

“No, you said we needed time apart, time to cool off. What does ‘cooling off’ mean? It means there’s still a later, still an after. We still have a future.”

Du Tanyu had no patience for emotional blackmail. “Stop pretending to be heartbroken, Zhu Jingxiang. It’s disgusting. Instead of interrogating her, why don’t you explain what was going on with that woman in your hotel room?”

Zhu Jingxiang stiffened, her voice turning sharp. “What’s it to you? How many people have you slept with? Talking to you feels dirty.”

“Zhu Jingxiang—” Before Du Tanyu could finish, Yu Lili cut her off angrily.

A glass of wine splashed onto Zhu Jingxiang’s face. Du Tanyu clapped her hands, smirking. “You’re the dirty one. Wash up properly.”

The commotion had drawn the attention of the guests. Under the watchful eyes of their elders, Yu Lili and Qi Luo each pulled one of the two apart, separating them.

Inside the spacious, lavishly furnished lounge—

“If that’s how you see it, you must think I’m dirty too. After all, we never even went that far.” Yu Lili said coldly.

Zhu Jingxiang ran a hand through her hair in frustration. “I didn’t—that’s not what I meant.”

“Lili, I was just upset.”

Yu Lili stood by the door, arms crossed, her expression indifferent. “You don’t need to explain to me. If you want to apologize, it should be to Tanyu.”

She gripped the door handle. “And if anything I said before made you think otherwise, I’m sorry. We’re not just ‘taking a break.’ We’re completely over. There’s no ‘after’ for us.”

The door slammed shut behind her. Zhu Jingxiang’s heart sank.

For the first time, it truly hit her—there was no future for her and Yu Lili.

And the thought of that possibility shattered her.

A soft knock sounded at the door, followed by the click of the handle turning.

Zhu Jingxiang looked up, hope flaring—only for it to die instantly when she saw who it was.

Yu Mu smiled, stepping inside in her high heels. “I brought you a change of clothes.”

Zhu Jingxiang didn’t respond.

Yu Mu studied her expression. “Did you and Lili fight again?”

“Still because of that night?”

She took a step closer. “Should I go explain to her? It was just a cast dinner. Everyone was drunk and rowdy. It didn’t mean anything.”

Zhu Jingxiang’s hands rested limply on her knees, her disinterest palpable.

Yu Mu bent down slowly, leaning in close. “If I clear things up, she’ll probably forgive you.”

“No.”

“Hmm?”

“Never.” Zhu Jingxiang’s half-lidded eyes snapped open as she gripped Yu Mu’s chin, her voice laced with threat. “Never mention anything about you and me in front of her. There’s nothing between us.”

Yu Mu’s eyes widened innocently. “You know she hates me?”

Zhu Jingxiang scoffed, shoving Yu Mu’s face away and slumping back into her seat, scrolling through her phone in silence.

Yu Mu knelt beside her, a delicate hand resting on Zhu Jingxiang’s knee. “On set, we had so much fun together.”

“You even stood up for me in front of the crew. I haven’t forgotten any of it.”

Zhu Jingxiang lifted her gaze, expressionless. “If you haven’t forgotten, why bring it up?”

She pushed Yu Mu’s hand away and stood. “And you’ve misunderstood. I just don’t like gossip. It didn’t matter who the victim was.”

Yu Mu’s face fell. “Jingxiang, I really like you. I thought you liked me too.”

“You thought wrong.” Zhu Jingxiang grabbed the clothes and walked past her coldly. “I hope you’re gone by the time I’m done showering. Otherwise, your next director might have a headache.”

Yu Mu froze. “What do you mean?”

Zhu Jingxiang’s voice was icy. “Because… he’ll need to find a new leading lady.”

Yu Mu clenched her fists, took a deep breath, and left.

Her legs trembled slightly as she stepped into the hallway—only to see Yu Lili handing a dress to a staff member further down the corridor.

Yu Mu adjusted her expression and sauntered over, smiling. “I already gave Jingxiang her clothes.”

Yu Lili barely glanced at her before turning away.

“Got a minute? Let’s talk.”

Yu Lili ignored her, walking off.

“Lili, I want to apologize.”

Yu Lili glanced around—the staff member had already left, and no one else was nearby. Given that Yu Mu had never once sincerely apologized to her in their lives, Yu Lili couldn’t help but ask, “Who are you performing for?”

Yu Mu blinked. “You, of course. I know the photos caused you a lot of trouble, but that wasn’t my doing. My team acted behind my back. And honestly, I’m a victim too. But I know many people used my name to attack you, causing misunderstandings. So I wanted to apologize.”

Yu Lili laughed. “Yu Mu, this is getting boring.”

Yu Mu gave a self-deprecating smile. “I know you’ll never believe me, no matter what I say. You’ve always hated me, ever since we were kids. I just wanted to say my piece.”

Yu Lili suddenly smiled.

Yu Mu tried to read her expression, but the usual sharp disdain and hatred were gone, replaced by detached indifference.

Yu Lili tilted her head, waving her phone. “Here’s a gift for you.”

She pressed play on a recording—the conversation from that day in the One Entertainment office.

“Ms. Yu… fan engagement… controversy… delay the apology… pleasure working with you.”

Yu Lili pocketed her phone, meeting Yu Mu’s gaze. “What do you think your fans would say if they found out they were just tools for their ‘gentle, kind-hearted’ idol’s manipulation?”

Yu Mu’s face paled. “Yu Lili, you wouldn’t dare.”

Yu Lili turned away, tossing over her shoulder lightly, “Wanna bet?”

Back in the banquet hall, Du Tanyu swirled her wine glass, unimpressed. “That’s it? You’re just letting her off?”

Yu Lili smirked. “Posting it would be letting her off.”

At Du Tanyu’s confused look, she explained, “This recording is easy for her to spin. As long as I don’t release it, she’ll always be living on edge.”

Du Tanyu gave an approving nod. “Respect.”

A commotion erupted at the entrance as Tan Suran made her way in, surrounded by admirers, her poise effortless as she mingled.

“The Tan family’s empire keeps growing. Their stock skyrocketed after yesterday’s market debut. Soon, all of Lihuo City will revolve around Tan Suran.” Du Tanyu remarked dryly.

“Still, ugh, why is Tan Suran so annoyingly perfect? Top grades in school, and now she’s even more untouchable. Successful career, stunning looks, killer body—total overachiever. If I could marry her into the Du family…”

“You’d probably end up penniless.” Qi Luo interjected flatly.

Du Tanyu scowled. “Hey—who do you think you’re underestimating here?”

Yu Lili patted her shoulder sympathetically. “She’s telling the truth.”

“Pfft—wait, who’s that going over there? Never mind, I take it back. Tan Suran’s taste in friends is terrible. What does Yu Mu even have going for her?”

Yu Lili stared through her wine glass at Tan Suran and Yu Mu standing side by side in the crowd, then turned away with a frown. “I need some air.”

Past the banquet hall’s grand doors lay a garden. Late September, the air was thick with the scent of osmanthus and fiery red canna lilies in full bloom, towering plane trees stretching lush green overhead.

A white swing, adorned with wind chimes, nestled behind a hedge of boxwood. Yu Lili sat down, pushing off the ground with her feet, swaying gently back and forth.

The swing was hidden enough that passersby wouldn’t notice her.

So when footsteps approached, she paid no mind—until the familiar scent of bitter lemon and fresh mint hit her.

Yu Lili slowed her swinging, glancing back.

The night was still, the moonlight faint.

Amid the vibrant canna lilies stood a tall, elegant figure.

Phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, lips painted a striking red, a black gown trailing behind her.

Between her slender, pale fingers rested a cigarette, its ember glowing faintly.

Smoke curled around her like a fallen immortal.

Tan Suran rarely dressed so extravagantly, yet her beauty was effortless, transcendent.

As if sensing eyes on her, she lifted her chin, her gaze meeting Yu Lili’s.

Their eyes locked—cold, indifferent, neither willing to acknowledge the other.

They looked away simultaneously, as though they’d seen nothing but the wind.

This was the real Yu Lili and Tan Suran.

Separated by Yu Mu, forever distant, forever cold.

But no matter what, even that absurd pretense between them had to end now.