I'm Interested In Your Friend - Chapter 2
2
After hanging up Du Tanyu’s call, Yu Lili slumped listlessly over the desk.
Sleeping with her sister’s best friend.
No matter who it happened to, it would be an unsolvable mess.
She swiped open her phone and pulled up a map of Babaoshan Cemetery.
Zoomed in with her fingers.
Scouted for the most scenic spot to pick out a resting place in advance.
A peaceful, picturesque eternal resting place.
Perfect for burying Yu Lili.
Whatever. If she was going to die, she might as well finish the magazine feature summary for Huabao first.
The flag of a diligent worker must never fall.
Early the next morning, Yu Lili and Su Mianxin arrived at Huabao magazine’s office ten minutes ahead of the scheduled time.
The overall style of Huabao was quintessentially fashion-magazine-esque—bold color schemes, geometric clashes—while the staff walking around with folders all wore high heels and avant-garde earrings, each with their own distinctive fashion sense.
The person in charge of the editorial meeting was a short-haired woman with roughly eight different colors dyed into her hair. She was Huabao’s senior editor, He Yu.
This issue’s theme was modern retro, leaning toward 19th-century British aesthetics.
After introducing the content, He Yu asked for suggestions.
Just as Yu Lili was about to speak, Su Mianxin cut in first: “Wow, this theme is really eye-catching. I believe it’ll spark a retro fashion trend.”
Yu Lili pricked up her ears and listened for a while before realizing—it was just a stream of empty, flowery praise.
Once Su Mianxin finished, Yu Lili spoke up: “I think the theme is great, but maybe the accessories could incorporate some modern elements. Although we’re going for a Victorian-era style, we’re not actually in that period. Balancing retro with innovation might align better with contemporary tastes.”
He Yu paused, then said, “Teacher Yu’s suggestion is excellent. We’ll take it into consideration later. Thank you.”
Yu Lili nodded.
Su Mianxin smirked. He Yu’s response was textbook polite—translated into plain speech, “We’ll take it into consideration later” meant “I heard you, but I’m not changing anything.”
The meeting had been proceeding smoothly when suddenly, the door was pushed open. A middle-aged woman in a pink blazer with a shoulder drape and a bob haircut walked in, followed by five or six people.
He Yu froze, about to speak.
The woman in pink raised a hand: “Don’t mind me. Continue.”
Yu Lili could clearly sense that the atmosphere in the meeting room had turned tense and stiff the moment Pink Blazer entered.
After He Yu finished speaking, the room fell into complete silence.
Everyone’s gaze unconsciously shifted to the woman at the door.
Pink Blazer seemed oblivious. She turned to the person beside her and asked, “What was Fashion’s theme for their August issue last year?”
The person next to her remained expressionless, said “One moment,” and pulled out their phone to check.
Pink Blazer tapped her fingers idly against her shoulder as she waited.
“It was Victorian.” Yu Lili answered softly, having reviewed the materials the night before.
Pink Blazer glanced at her. The assistant had also finished checking and respectfully handed the phone over.
Pink Blazer didn’t take it, just tilted her chin for He Yu to see.
Then she asked coolly, “Are we reheating someone else’s leftovers from a year ago?”
He Yu stiffened. “Combining modern fashion with 19th-century British style, we’re creating a trendy aesthetic that caters to contemporary tastes.”
In the silence that followed, everyone waited for Pink Blazer’s verdict.
Pink Blazer gave a slight nod.
He Yu looked as though she had been granted a new lease on life.
Before leaving the meeting room, Pink Blazer turned to Yu Lili: “What’s your name?”
“Yu Lili.” She blinked, a little dazed.
Faced with Pink Blazer’s puzzled look, He Yu added, “She’s a photographer from our partner studio, Yehuo.”
Pink Blazer nodded. “Sela has good taste.” The entourage followed her out in a single file.
Only then did the atmosphere in the meeting room relax.
Listening to the chatter, Yu Lili realized that the woman in pink was the infamous “Devil Editor-in-Chief” Fiona.
He Yu walked over, bypassing Su Mianxin, who was trying to strike up a conversation, and said sincerely to Yu Lili, “Your idea was really great.”
Back at the studio, Sela called Yu Lili into her office alone.
“I heard you got praised?”
Yu Lili suppressed her delight and nodded.
“Proud?” Sela studied her reaction.
Yu Lili rolled her eyes, then pinched her thumb and forefinger together: “A little. Just a tiny bit.”
Sela laughed.
It was the first time Yu Lili had ever seen Sela smile.
“You can be a little prouder. After all, Fiona’s compliments aren’t something just anyone can get.”
“Do you know why I hired you?”
“Because I’m from the photography department? Top five in GPA? My portfolio? Potential?”
“You’re right, but the most important thing is that you have very clear eyes. In this world of Vanity Fair, it’s too easy to become frivolous and complicated.”
Yu Lili was a very low-key person.
So she only quickly shared the news of being praised by the big editor-in-chief and Sela with seven people: her father, mother, paternal grandparents, maternal grandparents, and Du Tanyu.
Why only Du Tanyu outside of family?
Because Du Tanyu was her bestie, and also because…
[Lili, damn, you’re amazing]
[Lili, heard you got praised by the editor-in-chief]
[Wow, heard you’ve become Huabao’s muse]
The above three messages came from friends in three different circles.
Because—
Du Tanyu was a human megaphone.
Telling Du Tanyu was equivalent to telling the whole world.
To make up for it and celebrate, Du Tanyu invited Yu Lili out for dinner.
Yu Lili waited for her in the lobby on the first floor of the company.
Suddenly, a group of people in black suits emerged from the elevator.
In the middle of the crowd was a striking figure—long legs, slender waist, flawless face.
Tan Suran was surrounded by people, walking briskly, occasionally answering her assistant’s questions.
“Armani’s upcoming season haute couture.”
Amy, a colleague also waiting for a ride, whispered brand names into Yu Lili’s ear, identifying Tan Suran’s outfit with her eyes.
“That watch on her wrist is a vintage Patek Philippe.”
“Roughly equivalent to two big mansions in the Beijing suburbs.”
“Rich lady.”
Seeing Tan Suran, Yu Lili guiltily turned her face away. Dead memories came back to haunt her.
While Amy was still sighing, “I really want to marry a rich lady,” Yu Lili got a call from Du Tanyu and promptly fled the lobby to wait outside.
But upon answering, she learned Du Tanyu wasn’t there yet—she was just giving a heads-up: “I’ll be there in like five… six… seven… eight minutes.”
Yu Lili was speechless. Going back inside now wasn’t an option—what if she ran straight into Tan Suran?
At that moment, footsteps sounded at the entrance. Tan Suran had also come out.
She was surrounded by people, likely also waiting for a car.
Yu Lili quickly hid behind a potted plant about half her height.
Clasped her hands together and prayed: Tan Suran, go away! Please don’t see me.
Luckily, a black Maybach soon pulled up.
Yu Lili exhaled in relief. That car was definitely Tan Suran’s.
Thank heavens, she was finally leaving.
But at this life-or-death moment—
A loud engine roar cut through the air. A frosty pink Porsche Panamera aggressively cut in front of the Maybach, firmly claiming the prime spot in front of the company building.
A pink-haired girl with platinum pink Gucci sunglasses rested her slender arm on the car window and casually whistled.
The flashy car model and eye-catching hair color drew the attention of every office worker around.
The entrance fell silent.
In that silence—
“Lili! Yu Lili!”
Everyone watched as the pink-haired girl raised her arm and waved in a certain direction.
In the open space of the entrance, all eyes followed the direction of her wave.
Everyone wanted to see who this audacious girl had come to pick up.
Amy, who had also come out to wait for a ride, called out: “Lili, your friend’s calling you.”
Yu Lili wanted to cry.
The Maybach driver blocked behind the Porsche also wanted to cry.
Du Tanyu took off her sunglasses: “Yu Lili, come on, there are cars behind us.”
You know there are cars behind you?
Do you know whose car that is?
Du Tanyu didn’t understand why Yu Lili wasn’t moving. Could she not hear? She raised her voice even louder: “Yu Li—”
The third syllable died in her throat the moment she spotted Tan Suran standing on the other side of the entrance, arching an eyebrow.
Then, in one fluid motion, she raised the car roof and started the engine.
Holy sh1t.
Why is Tan Suran here?
Is she here to confront her already?
Big sister vs. the little sister who slept with her and fled.
So dramatic. So juicy.
But on second thought, self-preservation was more important.
Du Tanyu sent Yu Lili a quick text: I’ll pick you up after you settle things with Tan Suran, okay? Then she sped off without looking back.
The flashy frosty pink Porsche had made a grand entrance and an even grander exit, leaving the bewildered onlookers in the dust.
The Maybach driver, terrified another flashy sports car would cut in, quickly pulled forward.
The entourage ushered their boss toward the car.
But the boss didn’t move.
Instead, she looked toward a corner where a potted plant sat.
Caught off guard, a flustered Yu Lili met Tan Suran’s gaze.
Those eyes held curiosity, amusement, but upon closer inspection—maybe nothing at all.
Yu Lili nervously swallowed.
Her heart clenched.
But to her surprise, Tan Suran only gave her a cool glance before indifferently looking away and stepping into the Maybach.
For safety’s sake, Yu Lili walked outside the company building and furiously texted Du Tanyu, chastising her for abandoning her in the face of danger.
Du Tanyu sent two voice messages.
Several cars were parked along the roadside.
Yu Lili absently scanned them—
Maybach, Porsche 911, Bentley.
Seemed like there were plenty of wealthy people around here.
Yu Lili stood frozen in place as she tapped to play the messages.
The audio automatically played on speaker.
Du Tanyu’s mischievous voice rang out:
“But I’m kinda curious—what’s the famously ice-cold President Tan like in bed?”
“Was she wild?”
Yu Lili’s face burned as she hurriedly turned off the audio.
At the same time—
The window of the Maybach parked beside her slowly rolled down.
Tan Suran’s faintly amused gaze met hers.
Yu Lili turned to stone once more.
All she wanted was to flee to the Planet of Happiness overnight.