I'm Interested In Your Friend - Chapter 37

37

Yu Lili’s face turned red.
“You’re… You’re talking nonsense!”

Tan Suran set her phone on the table, her lips curling up with an unreadable expression.

Du Tanyu chimed in, “Exactly! Don’t just say random stuff.”

Li Qianman knocked on the table, eyes sparkling as she glanced back and forth between Tan Suran and Yu Lili.
Chi Qinxue said, “Go. Back to your room. Do your homework.”

Du Tanyu folded her arms and rolled her eyes.
“Seriously, there’s a limit to talking nonsense…”

A limit…

After crossing that limit.

Du Tanyu suddenly remembered.
A few months ago—after Yu Lili got drunk the day she broke up with her ex—she’d called her.
What did she say again?

“Dudu, I slept with Tan Suran,” or “I woke up and Tan Suran was next to me…”

Damn.

Tan Suran really was the oppressive capitalist archetype.

Du Tanyu had even forgotten that these two had literally fought in bed once.

No wonder Yu Lili’s ears turned so red the moment Tan Suran showed up—and she suddenly turned all shy.

These days Du Tanyu had been busy preparing for her trip abroad and hadn’t had the chance to check in with Yu Lili.
Last time they talked about Tan Suran, Yu Lili had been excited—planning to “lay all the cards on the table.”

Well… judging by the current scene—

The cards were definitely on the table.

That silly girl must’ve already been wrapped around Tan Suran’s little finger.

Du Tanyu began tapping her foot, trying to think of a way to turn things around and help Yu Lili draw the line between her and Tan Suran.

It was just one night, right?

She stepped in front of Yu Lili protectively.
“Tan Suran, it’s 3022. So they slept together—big deal. Is it really necessary to make such a fuss about it? Relationships are mutual—you can’t just emotionally blackmail someone. Let it be known: love isn’t sexually transmitted!”

Behind her, Yu Lili was practically bubbling over in embarrassment: What’s with this sudden emotional education class? Dudu, what are you even saying?!

Tan Suran chuckled lightly.
“I was just joking. Why are you taking it seriously?”

…

You were joking?

Really?!

“Ha…” Yu Lili hurriedly pulled Du Tanyu aside.
“She’s just messing around. Just kidding.”

Du Tanyu pouted.
Fine. So she was the one overreacting.

Buzz buzz buzz.

Du Tanyu glanced at her phone and walked off to take a call.

Yu Lili looked at the shattered mess on the floor. She pulled over a plastic bag and crouched down to start cleaning up.

“Don’t move.”
Tan Suran, who had just finished replying to a message, noticed and spoke up.

Yu Lili ignored her, continuing to carefully pick up the shards.

Tan Suran sighed and crouched down beside her.
“You’ll hurt your hands.”

“Piu~”
Yu Lili tossed a shard into the bag and, with her back turned, held out her hand.
“See? Not hurt.”

She even gave it a little shake.

After a while, with no response from Tan Suran, Yu Lili quietly pulled her hand back and continued cleaning, head lowered.

She vaguely heard footsteps approaching.

Didn’t think much of it.

But then—

Two slender arms slipped under her back and legs.

A shiver shot up her spine.

Tan Suran had picked her up?

Yu Lili froze in her arms.

The moment she was lifted…

Her long-dormant heart thudded violently.

At the same time, she heard Tan Suran let out a quiet, pained “hiss.”

Before she could figure out what that meant, she was already placed gently on the soft window seat.

She looked up—

And locked eyes with Tan Suran’s intense gaze.

Yu Lili’s lashes trembled.

Tan Suran braced one hand on the cushion under her, the other on the windowpane behind.
Her elegant chin tilted upward, phoenix eyes full of undeniable dominance.
“Be good. Don’t move.”

Yu Lili’s face flushed red, and she shrank back slightly, nodding.

Tan Suran fetched cleaning tools from the bathroom and began tidying up the mess piece by piece.

Yu Lili watched her, heart pounding louder and louder in her chest.

The sensation of Tan Suran’s hair brushing her neck still lingered—ticklish, and… warm.

How can she always appear so suddenly… then disappear without a word?

By the time Du Tanyu returned from her call—

Yu Lili was sitting by the window, flushed and dazed.

Du Tanyu shook her phone.
“Lili, let’s go. I’ve got some stuff to do.”

“Mm.” Yu Lili responded, picked up her bag, said goodbye to the owner, then stole a glance in Tan Suran’s direction.

Tan Suran was leaning on the counter, tall and poised, eyes light.

She was looking back at her.

Their gazes met—seemingly by chance.

And something wild stirred in her heart.

Yu Lili quickly looked away, flustered.

As they left, Yu Mu’s assistant came in.

Their conversation echoed behind them—

“President Tan, your injury…”

Tan Suran cut her off.
“No need to worry.”

At the door, Yu Lili’s eyes widened in realization.

She suddenly remembered the day Tan Suran had shielded her from the chair.

And that faint “hiss” from earlier when she picked her up…

She’s still injured… isn’t she?

Du Tanyu, walking ahead while replying to a voice message on her phone, looked up—

Yu Lili was gone.

What the heck? She’s walking that fast now?

Du Tanyu looked around—no sign of her.

When did her legs get this long?

She turned back—

And burst out laughing.

Yu Lili was five or six steps behind, not ahead.

Hands on her hips, totally zoning out.

Du Tanyu walked back and waved her hand in front of her face.
“What are you thinking about?”

Yu Lili: “I’m not going back.”

“Huh?”

Yu Lili repeated herself:
“I’m not going back.” Her voice full of resolve.

Du Tanyu looked at her, then glanced at the elegant tea house behind them.

She nodded decisively and patted Yu Lili on the shoulder.
“Do what you want. As long as you know what you’re doing.”

—

Assistant Lin felt uneasy.

She’d just accidentally mentioned her boss’s injury in front of Miss Yu.

But President Tan had spent countless sleepless nights compiling evidence on the Su family in South City—rushing to deliver it to the business bureau and the police—all to make it back in time to see Miss Yu.

She was so busy she barely had time to dress her wound. Just slapped on some iodine before diving back into a mountain of documents.

And now, to let Miss Yu leave like that…

Would President Tan regret it?

After following Tan Suran for years, Assistant Lin still couldn’t figure her out.

Cold. Rational. Ordered.

It was like all emotional instincts had been surgically removed from her life.

Ranked #1 on a company-wide poll for “Most Likely to Die Without Ever Having s3x” — and she earned that title.

But ever since Miss Yu showed up…

Everything changed.

Assistant Lin stood nearby, debating whether to reschedule the meetings she’d previously pushed back.

Sure, it might seem overstepping—but if anyone would appreciate the initiative, it’d be President Tan.

But…

Seeing her hunched at the tea table, lost in thought…

Assistant Lin decided to stay silent.

Then—pat pat pat—a rush of footsteps.

She looked up and instantly recognized the returning figure.

Silently, she slipped away.

Click.

A lighter flicked.

Mint-scented smoke curled from Tan Suran’s fingers.

She took a drag.

Deep inhale.

Heavy exhale.

Assistant Lin waited silently behind her.

Tan Suran picked up her phone, tapped her chin.
“Move the finance meeting to half an hour later. I’ll attend.”

“Attend what?”
A soft, clear voice rang out—not Lin’s.

Surprise flashed in Tan Suran’s eyes.

She turned.

And met the wide, confused black eyes of that same girl.

Two seconds later—

A smile bloomed from deep within Tan Suran’s heart.

Just seeing her…

Was sweeter than any candy.

“What meeting?”
Still being stared at with unreadable intent, Yu Lili pouted and asked again.

“Nothing important.” Tan Suran replied coolly.

Yu Lili thought she was brushing her off and sighed softly.
“You leaving?”

Shouldn’t have come running back so eagerly…

“No.”

Yu Lili raised a brow.
“Weren’t you going to a meeting?”

“Not anymore.”

“Why?”

“My assistant ditched work.”

Yu Lili tapped her phone against her palm.
“Oh, you’re so kind.”

“Hmm?”

“You’re not even mad your assistant skipped work.”

“Yeah, I’m just that nice.”

Yu Lili didn’t respond. She pulled out a chair and sat beside Tan Suran.

She fiddled with a tea tin, trying to sound casual.
“Your back… still hurt?”

A reflexive “no” almost slipped out, but Tan Suran caught it and changed course.

“Yes.”

To be convincing, she even pressed her back and let out a hiss of pain.

Yu Lili panicked.
“If it hurts, why are you pressing on it?!”

The tea house was technically part of a resort—main lobby out front, tea and chat.

Further back were bamboo cottages for guests.

And a few natural hot springs.

Yu Lili and Li Qianman had found the place by accident and loved it so much they booked a private room long-term.

They’d come to unwind, soak in the springs, and do photosynthesis with the plants.

Li Qianman was currently chasing Chi Qinxue in the courtyard, forcing her to copy English words. When she saw Yu Lili and Tan Suran walking by, Chi Qinxue blushed and hid behind her, curious.

Under Li Qianman’s teasing gaze—

Yu Lili, blushing hard, asked for a first aid kit and led Tan Suran to her room.

The room was large—a small suite. Elegant and peaceful, with a bamboo grove outside the window.

They changed into slippers.

Yu Lili folded her arms and pointed at the bed with her chin.
“Lie down.”

Tan Suran, obedient as a robot, followed her directions precisely.

Yu Lili coughed.

Next command:
“Take it off.”

“What?”

Not clear whether Tan Suran was being difficult or really didn’t hear.

Yu Lili’s face flushed even more.

She repeated:
“Take off your clothes.”

This time her voice was softer, almost a pout.

Tan Suran leaned on the bed.
“No curtains?”

“Oh—” Yu Lili hurried to close them.

When she turned back, Tan Suran was right there.

Yu Lili jumped.

The blackout curtains were excellent.

The room was now dim and hazy.

Yu Lili pressed her lips together.
“Why are you so close?”

Tan Suran turned around and swept her hair over her chest.
“Zipper.”

She was wearing a suit dress with a zipper down the back.

Clearly asking Yu Lili for help.

Which, in theory, wasn’t a big deal.

But because it was Tan Suran—

Yu Lili hesitated.
“Do you always need help getting undressed?”

Tan Suran smiled.
“Are you jealous?”

Before Yu Lili could protest, Tan Suran explained:
“It’s not just my back—my arm can’t lift either.”

The injury from that day.

That shut Yu Lili up real quick.

She obediently helped unzip her dress.

She kept a light grip, not getting too close. Tugged on the zipper.

But the expensive dress didn’t have a good zipper. It snagged early on.

She had no choice but to step closer.

Tan Suran’s bitter-citrus scent was stronger now.

Her pale nape and the exposed curves of her back…

Yu Lili took a deep breath and continued pulling.

Zzzzzip—

The zipper slid down.

A flawless back was slowly revealed before her eyes.

After two deep breaths—

Yu Lili stepped back.
“Done.”

Tan Suran slowly slipped the dress off.

The scene burned into Yu Lili’s mind.

And set her heart a flame.