I'm Interested In Your Friend - Chapter 51
51
Yu Lili propped her chin on her hand and sighed in frustration.
She had miscalculated.
Starting from that night.
Tan Suran had clearly been restraining herself.
Tonight, after dinner, in the car.
She leaned over to kiss her.
One hand clasped around her waist.
Even though she clearly wanted to take things further.
The moment Yu Lili responded.
She abruptly pulled back.
“It’s getting late, time to go back.”
Yu Lili bit her lip, wanting her to stay.
But the psychological shadow left by that night’s nose hair incident wasn’t something only Tan Suran had to bear.
Yu Lili, too, had been thoroughly traumatized by the phrase “my nose hair isn’t very nice to look at,” left utterly stunned.
She was terrified that Tan Suran might think everything she did was just because she coveted her nose hair.
Ah, Yu Lili sighed.
Lying on the living room sofa, she held her forehead.
If it were purely platonic, of course, she’d have no problem.
But the key issue was that their sticky, sweet kisses hadn’t stopped.
Kissing like this every day…
It was truly tormenting.
What was Tan Suran made of?
How could she possibly endure it?
Yu Lili nibbled on her finger, lightly rubbing her long, fair legs together.
Forget it, she should go take a shower first.
After showering and coming out, she was drying her hair with a towel.
Her phone on the table rang.
It was a call from Du Tanyu.
“Lili, what’s going on with your family? I haven’t been online domestically for a few days, and now the public opinion has blown up so much… Do you need me to talk to my dad?”
“It’s fine, don’t worry about it.”
Du Tanyu sighed helplessly: “Yu Mu even posted on international social media saying she has a domestic schedule next month. Her fans are going wild in the comments.”
Yu Lili rubbed her hair, a faint smile curling her lips: “She won’t be coming back. The more she jumps around now, the harder she’ll fall later.”
“As long as you know what you’re doing, fine. Anyway, enough about her, just mentioning her name makes me feel unlucky.” Du Tanyu’s voice suddenly turned melancholic. “Lili, I think I’ve fallen hard.”
“What’s going on?”
“That person I mentioned last time when I called you. It was her birthday last week. I went to her place to give her flowers, and she walked toward me arm in arm with another woman, even casually greeting me before brushing past my shoulder and leaving. The roses in my hands seemed to mock me mercilessly. After all these years of ruling the scene, this is the first time I’ve encountered something like this.”
Du Tanyu lamented endlessly on the other end, but Yu Lili laughed: “What’s this called? What goes around comes around. Who told you to break so many young girls’ hearts before?”
Du Tanyu: “I ended things peacefully with every single one of them, okay?”
Yu Lili nodded leisurely, hanging the towel back up: “Mm, if you ignore the five, six, seven, eight sisters who came to yell at me, thinking I was the other woman, then yeah, it was all very peaceful.”
Knowing she was in the wrong, Du Tanyu chuckled sheepishly: “That’s what best friends are for, taking the heat for each other.”
Yu Lili didn’t respond, lying on the sofa and using a beauty device to hydrate her skin, the machine humming softly.
Suddenly, an unfamiliar woman’s voice came through Du Tanyu’s end.
Followed by Du Tanyu’s: “Yeah, coming.”
“Lili, gotta go, talk later.”
Yu Lili let out a meaningful “Wow”: “Just now you were heartbroken, and now you’ve got a new sister?”
Du Tanyu covered the phone’s microphone: “Not new, still the same one.”
Yu Lili froze.
Du Tanyu whispered: “No woman born on this earth can make me admit defeat. Just watch me turn the tables.”
“But she already has someone new, and she’s still willing to keep you around?”
“Your sister Tanyu is clever, okay? I told her my room was flooded and I had nowhere to stay. Just crashing at her place for a few days. Seriously, can’t talk now. My mom’s birthday is in a few days, I’ll be back home, we’ll chat properly then.”
After hanging up, Yu Lili tossed her phone aside and went to blow-dry her hair.
The hairdryer buzzed noisily.
Warm air blasted out.
Strands of hair danced in the air.
Unconsciously thinking of Du Tanyu’s words.
Yu Lili’s eyes suddenly lit up.
She had a brilliant idea.
—
“What happened?”
Tan Suran didn’t see Yu Lili’s message until after an international meeting ended.
She rushed over in her car.
The entrance to Yu Lili’s home was a mess.
The smell of fresh red paint was pungent.
Shards of glass were scattered chaotically across the floor.
Seeing Tan Suran.
Yu Lili tearfully threw herself into her arms.
“I—I think my address got leaked. Earlier, when I was sleeping, I heard someone banging on the door. When I came out, it was like this.”
“I’m so scared, wuwu.”
Tan Suran patted the back of her head: “I’m here, it’s okay. I’ll call the police first.”
“Wait!” Yu Lili grabbed her hand.
“What’s wrong?”
“I—I don’t want to call the police.”
“Why not?”
“Even if the police come, they didn’t really do anything, right? They’d just get a warning or something. But what if they do something even worse afterward?” Yu Lili tried to persuade Tan Suran.
She couldn’t possibly call the police.
If they found out she was the one who scattered the glass shards.
It’d be so awkward.
Filing a false police report would probably get her arrested, right?
“Don’t worry, they won’t.” Tan Suran said firmly.
Yu Lili bit her tongue. No way she could win an argument against Tan Suran with logic.
So she started playing dumb, steering the conversation in the direction she wanted. “What could they do to me?”
“I—I don’t dare stay home alone anymore.”
“Being here all by myself is really dangerous.”
She lifted her big, affectionate eyes.
Gazing at Tan Suran.
Tan Suran clenched her hand: “You’re right, you can’t stay here alone anymore.”
“Mm, mm, mm.”
So right.
Absolutely right.
⊙
Yu Lili nodded eagerly.
Her face was full of innocent confusion, but her heart was smug.
Hehehe.
If you’re not proactive about sleeping together, there’s something wrong with your mindset.
Tan Suran, hurry up and get into my bed.
“How about this… if you don’t mind…” Tan Suran continued.
“I—I don’t mind.” Yu Lili shyly lowered her head.
Not only did she not mind, she practically wrote “I’m willing” in her sparkling eyes.
“Then you should… stay with your parents for now.” Tan Suran’s voice had warmed considerably, but Yu Lili only felt a chill of indifference.
Thud.
The little deer in Yu Lili’s arms shattered.
Ha. Ha. Ha… wuwu.
A bitter laugh.
“What’s wrong?”
Yu Lili bit her lip, on the verge of tears.
“Ah… mm. Okay… oh.”
What could she use to prove she was already a grown woman?
That she didn’t want to live with her parents.
But wanted to sleep with her instead?
After much effort, she managed to dissuade Tan Suran from calling the police.
But she couldn’t change the decision to send her to live with her parents.
Not only that, Tan Suran thoughtfully drove Yu Lili to the Yu family’s old residence herself.
She even brought along a few expensive gifts.
The moment she saw her parents.
Yu Lili started crying.
She tearfully recounted what happened that morning and brought up the idea of moving back home.
“No, Lili.” Mother Yu said hesitantly.
Yu Lili covered her mouth, disbelieving: “Why? Why, Mom? Don’t you want me anymore?”
Father Yu was off to the side, picking tea leaves.
He wanted no part in this dramatic mother-daughter act.
Ten minutes ago, they’d already received Yu Lili’s message.
Telling them to do everything possible to reject her later.
“Of course not.”
Tan Suran, who had been staying out of it, now glanced over.
Mother Yu began fabricating: “Your dad and I are going on a trip. No one’s home.”
Yu Lili pouted in disappointment.
“Is that so? Then I guess…” She looked helplessly at Tan Suran. “I’ll have to…”
Tan Suran picked up on her plea for help.
And said exactly what Yu Lili wanted to hear.
“If you and Uncle aren’t home, then it’s perfect. Lili can come back without disturbing you.”
……
Signal reception failed.
Yu Lili silently cried in frustration.
That wasn’t what she wanted Tan Suran to say.
“Then it still won’t work.” Mother Yu firmly refused.
“Why not?” Tan Suran’s gaze sharpened.
“The housekeepers are all on leave. It’s inconvenient and unsafe for her to stay here alone.”
“I can arrange for that.”
“Actually, it’s not about the people… it’s… it’s…” Mother Yu poked Father Yu from behind.
Father Yu took over: “It’s about money. Actually, ah, sigh, Xiao Tan, to raise funds, I mortgaged this villa too. We can’t even stay here anymore, so your mom and I are going away to relax.”
“How much?” Tan Suran’s voice was calm, as if she could whip out a check and casually write a few hundred million at any moment.
The three of them froze.
They’d forgotten this woman was loaded.
Mother Yu cut in before Father Yu could speak: “Actually, when you get down to it, it’s not about money.”
She was afraid Father Yu’s business instincts would kick in again.
And he’d keep scamming the poor girl.
“Then what is it?”
“What is it… hard to say, hard to say. It’s complicated. But… you two are married. Why can’t you live together?”
Mother Yu delivered the soul-crushing question.
This time, even Tan Suran was stunned.
Mother Yu winked at Lili, signaling her to push harder.
Yu Lili shooed her nosy parents back into their room.
And began her solo performance.
She slowly shuffled over to Tan Suran.
Hanging her head with a sigh: “Do you dislike me?”
Tan Suran quickly denied it: “How could I?”
Yu Lili hunched over, covering her face: “It’s okay if you do. My family’s on the brink of bankruptcy anyway. When you think about it, I’m just an ordinary person now. Aside from my exceptional beauty, talent, personality, and moral character, I don’t have anything else.”
Tan Suran initially wanted to comfort her, but by the end, she was fighting a smile.
But afraid of hurting the girl’s self-esteem.
So she coaxed her: “You do. You have me.”
Yu Lili lifted her eyes, lashes fluttering, gaze soft and pleading: “You really don’t dislike me?”
“Of course not.”
“Then can we… live together?” She looked at her nervously.
Two seconds later, Tan Suran looked at her and slowly said, “Mm.”
This was Yu Lili’s first time visiting Tan Suran’s home.
A row of townhouses close to寰宇.
Shielded by tall greenery.
Not very lively.
A minimalist black-and-white style with strong industrial design elements.
Fully integrated smart home system.
The moment she stepped through the door.
A mechanized voice rang out.
“Su Su, welcome home.”
The cold white lights in the hall flickered on.
Yu Lili turned her head, mimicking the machine’s voice.
In a robotic tone, she called out: “Su Su, welcome home.”
Tan Suran didn’t respond.
The door shut with a bang behind them.
She stood still, staring at Yu Lili.
Her gaze contemplative.
Yu Lili grew uneasy under her scrutiny: “What’s wrong?”
Tan Suran suddenly stepped forward.
Pinning Yu Lili against the wall.
She lowered her pale neck.
And asked quietly: “Did you do this on purpose?”
“Do what on purpose?”
Yu Lili lifted her face, almond eyes bright as she looked at her.
Waiting for Tan Suran to continue.
Then she’d say without hesitation.
Yes, it was on purpose.
And kiss her lips.
Eagerly pounce on her.
But there was no “then.”
Tan Suran fell silent again.
She averted her gaze, lips parting slightly: “Never mind.”
She took Yu Lili to the bedroom to drop off her things, then said softly, “Get some rest.”
Hearing the word “rest,” Yu Lili’s ears perked up, whispering, “Where do I sleep tonight?”
“Here.”
From the small bookshelf near the window to the folders in front of it, and the charger still plugged in by the bed.
Yu Lili could confirm this was Tan Suran’s usual bedroom.
She feigned shyness and demurred: “Ah, is that okay?”
Tan Suran undid a button, her pale fingers resting sexily on the metallic clasp: “Where else would you want to sleep?”
“Here it is.” One refusal was enough—Yu Lili quickly agreed.
Afraid of another unexpected twist, like Tan Suran suddenly producing a guest room.
“Then I’ll go shower first.”
Without another word, Yu Lili dashed into the bathroom.
After emerging fragrant and clean.
Tan Suran was no longer in the room.
Yu Lili’s hand trailed over the soft blankets.
The edge of the quilt seemed to carry a faint hint of Tan Suran’s bitter lemon scent.
Just then, footsteps sounded at the door.
Hearing the noise.
Yu Lili immediately threw back the covers and burrowed under them.
Only her flushed face peeking out.
Strike while the iron is hot, the early bird catches the worm.
She was already like this.
Surely Tan Suran wouldn’t throw her out now.
The bedroom door opened, and Tan Suran entered with a glass of warm water in a frosty tumbler.
Seeing the scene on the bed.
Her eyes flickered slightly.
Fresh from the shower, Yu Lili was pink and soft all over.
Thin white straps draped over her shoulders.
Her skin glowing.
Her expression sweetly naive.
Though she’d burrowed under the covers.
Her delicate feet and slender ankles remained exposed.
Her damp hair, wrapped in a towel, had a few stray strands escaping.
Drops of water gathered at the ends.
Growing heavier.
Until they could no longer cling.
Plop.
They fell into the innocent hollow of Yu Lili’s collarbone.
Like drops landing in Tan Suran’s heart.
Expressionlessly, she walked over.
Held the glass to Yu Lili’s lips: “Drink some water.”
Yu Lili obediently opened her mouth.
But she drank too quickly.
Some water spilled from the corner of her lips.
Tan Suran moved the glass away and said, “Wipe your mouth.”
Yu Lili glanced at her and mumbled, “Oh.”
But the next second, she froze.
The face before her suddenly loomed closer.
A wave of heat rushed over her.
Tan Suran… licked the water from Yu Lili’s lips with her mouth.
Then, without pulling away, she lazily trailed from her chin to the bow of her lips.
She seemed thirsty.
Licking and nipping lightly.
Stealing sips of water from Yu Lili’s mouth.
She’d said to wipe her mouth.
But only made it wetter.
Yu Lili tilted her head back, gasping as she gripped Tan Suran’s shoulders.
The white shirt wrinkled under her fingers.
Lips and tongues pressed together.
The wet sounds of their kisses filled the air.
Yu Lili’s lashes fluttered, her hand slipping under Tan Suran’s shirt.
Fingers trembling, eager to explore further.
But before she could make a move.
Tan Suran abruptly pushed her away.
Though her eyes still glazed with desire.
Her words were calm, her actions restrained and unyielding.
“Dry your hair.”
Watching Tan Suran walk out the door.
Yu Lili sighed.
Fine, drying her hair it was.
Once the lights were off at night.
No one would escape.
Hehe.
But after drying her hair.
Yu Lili waited under the covers for a long time, but Tan Suran never returned.
What was going on?
Had Tan Suran gotten shy again?
She slipped on her slippers and went to look for her.
Only to see Tan Suran opening the door to another room.
“You’re not asleep yet?”
Tan Suran raised an eyebrow.
Yu Lili smiled shyly: “Mm. Aren’t you sleeping?”
“About to. Goodnight.” With that, Tan Suran pushed open the door in front of her.
Goodnight?
Good what night?
Why was she going in there?
Wasn’t she going to sleep in the same room as her?
“Where are you sleeping?” Yu Lili asked bluntly.
Tan Suran tapped the doorknob in front of her, then pointed with her chin.
Her meaning was clear.
Yu Lili trudged back to the room in defeat.
Well, Tan Suran was generous—giving up her own room for Yu Lili and taking the guest room instead.
Grumpily, she picked up the glass and took a sip of water.
Her hands were unsteady, and she spilled a little on the bed.
Slowly, she rubbed at the wet spot, her frustration growing.
But the next moment.
Staring at the water stain, a thought occurred to her.
Once she figured it out.
The corners of Yu Lili’s lips, which had been downturned, suddenly lifted.
She took three steps in one stride.
Grabbed the glass and filled it to the brim with tap water in the bathroom.
Then, carefully covering the rim, she hurried back.
Splash.
She poured it all over the bed.
Yu Lili clapped her hands in triumph.
Like a little fox, she trotted lightly.
To knock on Tan Suran’s door.