I'm Interested In Your Friend - Chapter 47

47

Inside the house, Yu’s mother and Yu’s father exchanged glances. As amateur actors, they were most afraid of actors and directors who didn’t follow the script.

This…

This was suddenly moving the grand finale to the first episode.

No, not even the first episode—the opening scene of the first episode.

How were they supposed to act now?

The two inside the room stared at each other in dismay.

Meanwhile, the two on either side of the door were enveloped in a completely different atmosphere.

Timid.

Desperate.

After saying those words, Yu Lili placed a hand over her heart, feeling it race like a little rabbit.

Tan Suran lifted her eyes, blinking in disbelief.

Silence spread in that instant.

Tan Suran flexed her fingers slightly, her voice hoarse as she asked, “What did you say?”

A long time passed with no response.

So long that she thought Yu Lili wouldn’t answer.

Then, from behind the door, came a soft, stammering, yet resolute voice:

“Tan Suran, I… I want to marry you.”

Not an illusion.

Not a mishearing.

Yu Lili had really… proposed to her.

Tan Suran’s eyes suddenly stung.

Before she could speak, Yu Lili continued hesitantly, “But… could you come back in an hour? Or… half an hour would work too.”

Inside the house, Yu Lili, prodded relentlessly by her mother, was torn.

She hadn’t meant to ruin the script.

But the emotions had surged too fiercely—she couldn’t control herself.

“Would you like to open the door first?” The cool voice sounded again from outside.

Ah, that was a good question.

Inside, Yu’s mother’s expression grew even more frantic.

Yu Lili flailed to reassure her mother before calling out to the door, “No, no!”

“Why not?”

Yu Lili covered her face. “I’m shy.”

Sandwiched between her mother and Tan Suran, saying those words made Yu Lili’s shame skyrocket.

The shyness in her voice wasn’t faked.

Tan Suran let out a soft laugh. “I meant… why half an hour later?”

Yu Lili facepalmed.

What did Tan Suran mean?

Did she want to come in now?

“Because… because…” Yu Lili glanced at her parents behind her, scrambling for an excuse. When her mother pointed at the clock on the wall, she suddenly understood and nodded. “Because… time waits for no one.”

……

Yu’s mother slapped her forehead in exasperation, while Tan Suran outside fell silent again.

“No, no, no, I mean—” Yu Lili shot her mother a look. Just pointing at the clock wasn’t enough—she really didn’t get it. “It’s just… we can’t miss the auspicious hour. Half an hour later… that time is better. It’s lucky, full of blessings.”

……

Yu Lili bit her tongue as soon as the words left her mouth. What was she even saying?

Yu’s mother was stunned. She’d just wanted her daughter to say she suddenly had something to do—what was all this about auspicious hours?

Yu’s father sighed. All those days of acting practice… wasted.

“Alright,” Tan Suran said.

The three inside froze mid-expression…

She’d agreed.

Tan Suran had agreed?

Well then.

Yu’s father and Yu’s mother exchanged glances. The generation gap was truly a mysterious thing—they understood the younger generation’s thinking less and less.

—

Five minutes later.

Yu Lili quietly cracked the door open a sliver and peeked out.

The hallway was empty and silent.

Tan Suran was gone.

She exhaled in relief and turned back to her parents with a triumphant wave. “She’s gone, she’s gone.”

Yu’s father and Yu’s mother also relaxed.

“Who’s gone?” A fourth voice—not belonging to any of them—spoke up.

Yu Lili froze.

Her terrified gaze shifted forward.

Leaning against the wall by the hallway fire cabinet was a slender, pale-necked beauty with a cool demeanor. Oh no… why did she look so familiar?

Was this a hallucination?

Yu Lili closed her eyes.

Please, let this hallucination disappear when I open them again.

But Tan Suran didn’t vanish as Yu Lili had hoped.

When Yu Lili opened her eyes, she was even closer—more tangible than ever.

Yu Lili braced herself against the doorframe, using her body as a shield to block Tan Suran’s view. She forced a laugh. “Hahaha, you’re still here?”

“Mn.” Tan Suran gave a faint hum, her lips quirking in rare embarrassment. “I wanted to surprise you.”

The “joy” part was debatable, but it was definitely a surprise…

“Ha… ha… ha… ha… wuwuwu.” At this point, she had no choice but to force the act.

Yu Lili draped her slender wrist over her eyes, recalling every sad memory of her life in an instant.

Feigning tears, she choked out, “I just didn’t want you to know… about these shameful things…”

With a long sigh, she turned back into the room and launched straight into the climax.

Thud! Yu Lili dropped to her knees right there, hunching over. “Dad, Mom, I really don’t want to marry someone I don’t know. You can’t sacrifice my happiness for the sake of the family business. You know how I feel—how could you arrange a marriage alliance with just anyone? Am I nothing more than a commodity in your eyes? All these years of love… was it all a lie? Wuwu… wuwu…”

Yu’s father was still dazed, but Yu’s mother coughed lightly to cue him.

Yu’s father cleared his throat. “Let me make this clear—this marriage is happening whether you like it or not.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Yu’s father realized—oops, that was a slip of the tongue.

What nonsense was he spouting?

Yu Lili’s crying act paused for a second.

She steeled herself and continued, “H-how could you… be so cruel? Aren’t you afraid… afraid—” Afraid of what? She’d forgotten her line.

“Aren’t you afraid… afraid no one will burn paper money for you after you die?!”

Pfft— Yu’s mother nearly laughed but quickly covered it with a cold glare. “Lili, we’re not forcing you. Your sister has gone too far. She’s going to ruin this family.”

“Three production lines have already shut down. The capital chain is broken. All the investors who promised funding have pulled out.” Here, Yu’s father’s voice grew emotional. Who could calmly curse their own company like this? “We’re truly out of options. Public outrage is overwhelming. The stock price keeps plummeting. If we don’t find a way to stop the losses, our family’s century-old business will be destroyed.”

“But do I really have to marry whoever you choose? Look at the people you’ve picked—some are dragging kids along, some are alcoholics, some even have criminal records. Can’t I… can’t I marry someone I actually want?” Yu Lili said pitifully.

She then pursed her lips and subtly gestured for her mother to toss her the onion nearby.

Yu’s father clasped his hands behind his back. “Of course you can choose. But can you find someone who can save our family and is willing to marry you under these circumstances?”

“I’ve found someone! I’ve found her! She’s right—” Under the onion’s influence, Yu Lili’s tears flowed freely as she turned and pointed at the doorway.

Yu’s father and Yu’s mother followed her gaze.

Tears clung to Yu Lili’s lashes as she prepared to continue the act and reel Tan Suran in.

Wait…

Where was everyone?

Why was the doorway empty?

Where was Tan Suran?

Had she really been scared off?

Ahhh?!

This time, Yu Lili didn’t need the onion—she was already crying.

As Tiny Times had said, love without material foundation was like a handful of sand.

With nothing left to say, she sighed and braced her hands against the floor to stand.

Seeing her daughter kneel for so long, Yu’s mother’s heart ached. She reached out to help her up—

Just then, footsteps sounded at the door again.

Halfway up, Yu Lili froze before dropping back to her knees with another thud.

The sound alone made knees ache.

Yu’s mother, caught mid-motion, had no choice but to commit. To make it convincing, she pushed Yu Lili the rest of the way down.

Bang!

This time, it was full-body pain.

Yu’s mother turned away, delivering her line coldly: “We’ve raised you all these years. It’s time to repay us.”

Yu Lili curled up on the floor, covering her face as she sobbed.

“Enough. What do you want?”

Finally, for the first time, a line not in the script was spoken.

Tan Suran, making her entrance like a protagonist with her own BGM, strode to Yu Lili’s side and pulled her up into her arms.

“Don’t be afraid,” she said gently. “I’m here.”

After comforting Yu Lili, Tan Suran lifted her gaze, coldly sweeping it over Yu’s father and Yu’s mother.

“I’ll marry her. State your conditions.”

Little did Tan Suran know, her words made all three of them want to cry tears of joy.

After a week of hard work, they’d finally reached the grand finale.

The male antagonist, too caught up in excitement, momentarily forgot his lines.

The female antagonist fared slightly better, letting out a cold laugh. “Don’t go back on your word.” Once you’re on this pirate ship, there’s no getting off.

“Conditions,” Tan Suran repeated.

Yu Lili trembled in her arms. Tan Suran tenderly stroked her hair. She’s shaking so much… she must be terrified.

Overnight, her world has collapsed. She’s seen the cruelty of human hearts, the falseness of emotions.

Tan Suran patted her back soothingly, as if calming a little cat.

Meanwhile, nestled in Tan Suran’s embrace, Yu Lili breathed in her lovely scent, happily nuzzling closer while desperately clamping a hand over her mouth to stifle her giggles.

Yu’s mother also turned away, struggling to keep her lips from twitching upward as she pinched Yu’s father’s arm to remind him to keep acting.

Yu’s father snapped back to attention. Sitting upright in his chair, he adopted the demeanor of a business negotiator.

“Conditions? Whatever I say?”

“Yes. I’d prefer not to waste time on pointless dialogue.”

Yu’s father raised a brow, glancing at his daughter, who was hiding in someone else’s arms and secretly rejoicing. With a sour taste in his mouth, he said, “You’re young, but you’ve got quite the tone.”

“Go ahead. I hope your demands are half as bold as my tone.”

Oh-ho.

Yu’s father frowned, calculating. “Right now, we’re short 200 million in the capital chain.”

Yu Lili’s brows furrowed.

200 million? Wasn’t it supposed to be 20 million?

Since when did Old Yu become so greedy?

“Done.”

Tan Suran’s agreement came faster than anyone expected.

Yu Lili exhaled in relief, counting on her fingers. Good, despite the bumps, we’re almost at the “take Yu Lili away” part.

Her plan was sound, but she’d overlooked one thing: some actors weren’t professional enough and forgot their roles mid-performance.

Flushed with sudden gains, Yu’s father got carried away and pressed further. “For the land in the east district, we’re short 500 million in bids. I want…” A 500 million interest-free loan.

“Done.”

…Done?

500 million, plus 500 million in interest?

Even battle-hardened Yu’s father couldn’t help widening his eyes, reassessing the young woman before him. No wonder she’s the new generation’s leader—such boldness.

Unable to resist, Yu’s father tested her limits again. “Since we’re talking marriage, we want half of Huanyu’s shares.”

“Cough—” Yu’s mother began coughing violently.

Yu Lili, still in Tan Suran’s arms, jerked her head up. Turning her face away, she glared at her father, mouthing curses and making frantic expressions.

Half the shares?

Old Yu, have you lost your mind?

Do you even know your role?

Are you trying to ruin this marriage? Still mad I was one minute late wishing you happy birthday?

Half the shares? You’ve got some nerve.

Might as well ask for everything! How generous of you.

Yu’s mother kept coughing while discreetly pinching the flesh of Yu’s father’s inner arm, snapping him out of his business frenzy.

Yu’s father came to his senses and opened his mouth to steer the conversation back—

“Done.”

Tan Suran spoke again.

Everyone fell silent.

This she’d agree to?

Had Tan Suran been possessed…?

“Anything else?” Tan Suran lifted her eyes.

“N-no, nothing,” Yu’s father and Yu’s mother answered mechanically.

“The contracts will be delivered this afternoon. I’m taking her with me now.”

By the time Tan Suran led her out, Yu Lili’s mind was still in a daze.

Back in Yu Lili’s room, Yu’s father and Yu’s mother were equally bewildered, sinking into deep doubt.

“…Is our daughter really worth that much?”

—

In the quiet car, Tan Suran fiddled with a metal pendant, her voice cool.

“When should we get the marriage certificate?”

Marriage certificate.

Right, marriage = certificate.

A natural process.

But when Tan Suran said it, Yu Lili’s heart raced.

Her ears turned red as she lowered her head shyly. “Tomorrow?”

As soon as the word left her mouth, regret set in.

What if Tan Suran woke up overnight and changed her mind?

Tan Suran, sitting in the driver’s seat, half-lidded her eyes, debating whether to say she was busy tomorrow and only free today. But she didn’t want to push too hard—

Yu Lili spoke again. “Ah, no, no.”

Tan Suran’s lashes drooped sadly. Was she having second thoughts?

“I have a shoot tomorrow. How about… now?” Yu Lili said nervously.

Tan Suran looked up.

Yu Lili’s eyes were still slightly red from crying, glistening with unshed tears.

Her nose was pink too.

Her soft, fair features were utterly heart-stopping.

Would that face belong to her now?

“So eager?” Tan Suran’s usually cool voice held clear amusement.

Yu Lili’s cheeks burned. “Ah, no, it’s just that I’ll be busy later. If you’re free today, then…”

“Do you have your household register?”

Yu Lili’s eyes lit up. She pulled a brown booklet from her pocket, grinning triumphantly. “Right here!”

Tan Suran’s gaze flickered. She’d only been teasing, never expecting Yu Lili to actually have it on her.

Without another word, she started the car and drove off.

The scenery outside the window blurred past.

Yu Lili suddenly spoke up. “This isn’t the way to the civil affairs office.”

Tan Suran paused, curious. “You know the way there?”

Hah. She’d not only mapped out the civil affairs office but also planned honeymoon destinations.

“Mm… Du Tanyu wanted to get married. I went with her to scout the place.”

“Mn.”

But Tan Suran didn’t change direction. Yu Lili glanced at her, puzzled.

Tan Suran smirked. “We’re stopping by my place first.”

“After all, I haven’t yet developed my wife’s habit of carrying my household register everywhere.”