I'm Interested In Your Friend - Chapter 24

24

Almost fleeing back home, Yu Lili forced herself to stay awake and opened her computer to organize the key points for tomorrow’s shoot.

This was her first time shooting a cover, and she had been busy preparing for it over the past period. She had spent a long time brainstorming ideas with Qin Zhuyu’s team, finally landing on a concept that resonated with both sides.

After finishing her notes, the moment she lay down on the bed, Yu Lili felt purified from soul to body by the soft mattress.

She thought she would fall asleep quickly, but she didn’t.

A figure involuntarily surfaced in her mind—calm, strikingly beautiful, confident, and powerful.

Later, Yu Lili couldn’t tell whether it was a dream or her own imagination.

In the car, after Tan Suran said, “Your ears are red,” she didn’t just watch Yu Lili flee in a panic with that composed gaze in reality. Instead…

She grabbed Yu Lili’s arm, pressed her back into the seat, reached out with icy, slender fingers, and pinched her earlobes. Leaning over the center console, she loomed over Yu Lili, lips curving as she said, “Let me check for myself how red they are.”

With Tan Suran’s typically aloof face saying such seductive words, Yu Lili felt like she was about to explode.

Her toes curled, her head ducked, her lashes fluttered uncontrollably, and her entire body turned pink like a peach. “H-have you touched enough?”

“One more place left.”

“Ah? Where?”

Tan Suran let out a soft laugh but didn’t answer.

Her cool fingers left Yu Lili’s ears, trailed down her jaw, and pressed against her pale pink lips, the cupid’s bow plump.

Yu Lili instinctively parted her lips, the tingling sensation sending shivers down her scalp, stirring a deep, itching desire in her bones.

The mischievous fingers finally left her lips, gripping her fair, delicate chin and tilting her face upward.

At the same time, Tan Suran’s face drew closer and closer, as if she were about to kiss her—

The next second, Yu Lili opened her eyes.

Dawn had broken.

Pale light filtered through the curtains into the room.

Yu Lili clutched the blanket with her slender fingers and let out a long breath.

She… she had actually had such a dream.

And with Tan Suran, no less.

Facing her flushed, dripping-red face in the bathroom mirror, Yu Lili splashed cold water on it, silently reciting, “Prosperity, democracy, civility, harmony…”

By the time she arrived at the shoot location, her heart was as calm as Lake Panama on a windless day—professional enough to crank out an SCI paper at any moment.

“Hello, Teacher Qin, I’m Yu Lili, the photographer for this shoot,” Yu Lili greeted the artist first.

The makeup artist was touching up Qin Zhuyu’s makeup. Qin Zhuyu smiled, neither overly familiar nor too distant.

The manager beside her was scrolling through her phone. When she saw Yu Lili, she gave a cold nod, clearly not very satisfied with the photographer her artist had chosen.

Yu Lili didn’t say much either. No amount of pretty words could compare to delivering real skill during the shoot.

After the first set, “Jungle Green,” was shot—

When Yu Lili creatively suggested using green leaves as ear accessories to blend the artist with the environment, the previously cold-faced manager’s eyes lit up.

When she saw the raw photos in the camera, she nodded in satisfaction. “The younger generation surpasses the old. Teacher Yu will surely go far in the future.”

The outdoor shoot went more smoothly than expected.

The lighting was perfect, and the artist was cooperative.

The indoor shoot originally scheduled for tomorrow was moved to the afternoon of the same day.

But who would have thought that problems would arise during the indoor shoot?

“Sister Qin, Level-D’s PR says the jewelry set was loaned to another celebrity,” the assistant in charge of jewelry coordination rushed in to report.

For magazine shoots, let’s be honest, the most important things are the brands—clothing brands, jewelry brands, watch brands.

After all, in the fashion world, these capital brands hold the most weight. Unless an artist reaches the status of a top-tier celebrity or a supermodel opening or closing Fashion Week, they don’t have much say.

Qin Zhuyu was the Asia-Pacific ambassador for the luxury brand Channel, so her clothing and handbags were all ultra-seasonal pieces from the brand. However, the jewelry was sponsored by the Chinese division of the internationally renowned brand Level-D. The pieces to be worn were finalized two weeks in advance, and the artist and shooting team would then select the two or three that best matched the theme.

Level-D was a top-tier jewelry brand from Norway. Yu Lili owned quite a few necklaces and earrings from this brand.

She had also reviewed the pieces for this shoot five days ago and confirmed them. How could they suddenly say they’d been loaned to someone else?

Qin Zhuyu’s manager was furious. “Let me ask what’s going on.”

After making a call, the manager hurried back. “Some star went to Florence for Fashion Week and picked out the black pearl necklace with cherry-red gemstones designed by Master Kae.”

“Let’s switch to another piece.”

Qin Zhuyu, sitting on a plush chair in Channel’s ultra-high-end hand-embroidered pearl dress, crossed her legs and casually smoothed her hair. “You can’t expect me to wear secondhand jewelry, can you?”

“But they said they only have some limited-edition high-end jewelry left, nothing from the antique or master-level collections.”

“Does it have to be from Level-D?” Yu Lili, adjusting her lens, suddenly looked up.

“I might be able to help.”

There was no one like Su Mianxin in the studio to jump out with sarcastic remarks like, “Oh, really?” or “Don’t boast.”

But even unspoken, everyone couldn’t help thinking, what qualifications did this young photographer have to claim she could help with top-tier jewelry arrangements?

So when the one-of-a-kind Black Creek gemstone necklace—once worn by a British royal princess and sold for a sky-high price at a Munich auction house years ago—arrived in a secure, specially escorted vehicle, everyone’s attitude subtly shifted.

The artist’s team became more polite to Yu Lili, her colleagues at Frontier looked at her with newfound respect, and the previously haughty manager immediately turned warm and friendly, addressing her as “Lili” instead of the distant “Teacher.”

Even Qin Zhuyu, who had initially maintained a polite but detached demeanor, became much more enthusiastic. “Lili, can I add you on WeChat?”

Li Mi covered her mouth and whispered to Yu Lili, “I finally understand what ‘the power of money’ means.”

“By the way, how did you get that jewelry?” After the shoot, Yu Lili declined Qin Zhuyu’s dinner invitation and returned to the office to pack up. Li Mi sidled over to ask.

Others had asked the same question on set, but Yu Lili had brushed them off.

As she carefully packed her lens, Yu Lili mysteriously said, “Actually… my family owns a gold mine.”

She held up two fingers. “Solid gold.”

Li Mi, though skeptical, was still stunned by the necklace Yu Lili had produced. Hesitantly, she asked, “Really?”

“Of course… not.” Yu Lili laughed. “I’m heading out. I have dinner plans tonight.”

“Oh? Something going on?” Li Mi asked.

Yu Lili sighed. “A friend.”

“Alright, but you’re smiling kinda… dreamily.”

Was she?

In the elevator, Yu Lili caught her reflection in the mirrored walls.

She did look… happy.

While waiting for the necklace earlier that afternoon, Yu Lili had already texted Tan Suran the address of the restaurant—a private little place she loved.

Tucked away in the heart of Lihe City, the restaurant had a serene, elegant courtyard.

The red plum blossoms in the yard were fragrant and enchanting. Past the lush greenery and exquisite carved railings, white magnolias stood in blue-and-white porcelain vases.

Yu Lili finished late and had to go home to freshen up, so they agreed to meet directly at the restaurant.

Outside “Bie Guan,” an ancient weeping banyan tree stood.

Beneath it, Tan Suran waited, hands tucked into her light misty-brown coat, poised and graceful.

Yu Lili instinctively quickened her steps. “Why didn’t you go inside to wait?”

Tan Suran glanced at her. “It’s fine.”

Then she raised a slender finger toward Yu Lili’s face.

The motion…

Instantly reminded Yu Lili of last night’s dream.

Her face flushed, and she reflexively leaned back.

Tan Suran’s finger followed unhurriedly.

Finally, it landed on the top of her head, lightly brushing. “There’s a hair.”

Then she tilted her head slightly, her gaze reflecting the soft light. “So shy.”

Yu Lili’s face burned even hotter.

As soon as they entered the lobby, a clamor of voices reached them.

“Old Du, haven’t seen you with Lili lately.”

“Ugh, she’s busy being a model corporate slave. Can’t get her out.”

“Oho, looks like your bestie status isn’t secure.”

“Definitely not.”

The blue-haired girl in front turned, revealing a familiar pale profile.

When had Du Tanyu dyed her hair blue again?

Yu Lili averted her face. It was Du Tanyu and her usual crew.

Du Tanyu was fine, but if others recognized her, it’d be trouble.

“What’s wrong?” Tan Suran noticed Yu Lili suddenly pressing close to her arm.

Yu Lili hunched slightly, hiding behind Tan Suran. “Ah, just suddenly feeling a bit dizzy.”

“Dizzy? Then we should—” Tan Suran’s words halted almost imperceptibly as her eyes flicked forward. “Let me ask if the restaurant has any soothing medicine.”

Then she raised her voice. “Waiter—”

Yu Lili’s heart sank.

Sure enough, Du Tanyu and her friends turned toward the sound.

Du Tanyu lazily twirled a flower stem she’d plucked from the front desk, her gaze sweeping past Tan Suran without pause. But—

Wait, who was that next to Tan Suran?

Looked familiar.

Jian Sijia from the group piped up. “Damn, isn’t that Tan Suran? Who’s that clinging to her? Girlfriend or side piece?”

Du Tanyu smirked. “Say it louder.”

Jian Sijia hesitated. “Louder?” What if Tan Suran heard?

Du Tanyu shrugged. “Then Tan Suran could answer you directly.”

Jian Sijia shook her head. She didn’t have the guts.

The waiter approached Tan Suran. “Ma’am, how may I assist you?”

“Do you have—”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. I’m better now. Probably just hungry. Let’s head to the private room.” Yu Lili cut in, eager to escape.

The waiter looked apologetic. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but we only have one private room left, and it’s been reserved by those ladies over there.”

Yu Lili almost said she’d already made a reservation, but then realized this was perfect—they could switch restaurants and avoid Du Tanyu entirely.

Why hadn’t she remembered? This place was her and Du Tanyu’s shared favorite.

Just as she was about to leave, Tan Suran spoke up. “What’s the owner’s surname?”

Then she patted Yu Lili’s hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry. We’re eating here tonight.”

No… I don’t want to eat here!

Yu Lili wanted to cry.

—

Hearing they had to switch rooms, Du Tanyu’s group wasn’t easy to dismiss.

Jian Sijia, especially, didn’t dare vent at Tan Suran, so she took it out on the manager.

Du Tanyu, meanwhile, alternated between watching Yu Lili shrink into herself and Jian Sijia’s theatrics, thoroughly amused.

Yu Lili grew increasingly frantic. Tan Suran had her assistant call the restaurant owner, and the manager practically flew over to escort them—straight to the private room Du Tanyu’s group had booked.

Yu Lili figured they might as well go in first.

But Jian Sijia and the others, while not directly blocking Tan Suran, clustered around the door, demanding answers from the manager.

Caught between two forces he couldn’t afford to offend, the manager was at his wit’s end.

Yu Lili shot Du Tanyu several pointed looks, urging her to rein in her friends, but Du Tanyu pretended not to notice.

In desperation, Yu Lili excused herself to the restroom and called Du Tanyu.

“DuDuDu!”

“Who is this?”

Yu Lili cupped the phone, paranoid about someone walking in. “Du Tanyu.”

Du Tanyu played dumb. “You are…?”

Yu Lili hissed, “Keep pretending, and I’ll add your ex and Lao Qi to a group chat to reminisce about your love-hate saga.”

Du Tanyu instantly caved. “Sis, sis, whatever you say—”

“Go somewhere else. My treat tonight. Hurry!”

“Fine.”

Yu Lili exhaled in relief, only emerging after Du Tanyu texted that they’d left.

Crisis averted.

But when she returned to the lobby, her eyes nearly popped out.

Tan Suran was still there, but now Du Tanyu and Jian Sijia were across from her.

What fresh chaos was this?

From behind Tan Suran, Yu Lili gestured frantically at Du Tanyu: Leave!

Leaning against the counter, Du Tanyu nodded.

She coaxed her friends toward the exit.

Yu Lili relaxed slightly.

Since Yu Lili and Tan Suran were near the exit, Du Tanyu’s group had to pass them.

Three meters, two meters, one meter…

Go, go, go!

Yu Lili clung to Tan Suran, determined not to let them catch even a glimpse of her face.

Jian Sijia scoffed.

Definitely a side piece, hiding like this.

Yu Lili’s heart pounded wildly.

Then, the footsteps stopped.

“How about we share a table? President Tan.”

Du Tanyu’s voice, brimming with mischief, was delightfully playful.