I'm Interested In Your Friend - Chapter 55

55

The next day.

At the entrance of the International Finance Center.

“Sis, do you know what time it is now?” Du Tanyu tapped her wristwatch and showed it to Yu Lili.

“Sorry, sorry, I overslept.” Yu Lili, who arrived late, hugged Du Tanyu and Jian Sijia in turn.

“Hey, Lili, why did you come from that direction? That’s not the way from your house, is it?” Jian Sijia suddenly asked.

“Isn’t that the direction of Yulin Bay? Yulin Bay is the high-end villa area next to Huanyu, right? What’s going on? Living together already?” Du Tanyu and Jian Sijia teased in unison.

“They’re legally married, what’s wrong with living together?”

“No wonder she overslept. It’s different from us single folks.” Du Tanyu crossed her arms and coolly fanned herself.

Yu Lili clasped her hands together and bowed in apology. “I was wrong, my two elder sisters. Whatever you want to eat or drink today, it’s on me, okay?”

These two fairies weren’t as easy to placate as yesterday.

Knowing today wouldn’t be easy for her, Yu Lili mentally prepared herself.

“Come on, let me carry those heavy bags for you.” She eagerly took their bags.

Du Tanyu and Jian Sijia exchanged a glance and smiled. “Hmm, this attitude is acceptable. We’ll keep observing.”

Today’s main agenda was picking out a birthday gift for Du Tanyu’s mom.

“Auntie’s birthday is tomorrow, right? And you’re only picking a gift today? That’s so half-hearted.” Jian Sijia launched an indiscriminate attack.

“…”

“Who said I’m half-hearted? This gift is special and creative.”

With that, Du Tanyu led them to a store with a retro-style sign. “I’m not buying it—I’m making it myself.”

This was a handcrafted leather goods store on the second floor of the IFC, specializing in Italian imported leather.

The store was spacious, with many handmade leather products hanging on the walls.

There weren’t many people inside.

“I’m planning to make a bag for my mom.”

Du Tanyu had already arranged everything with the store manager in advance.

“Since you’re here, why not make something small too? Like a bag, a notebook, or a keychain.”

The staff laid out the leather and tools Du Tanyu had pre-selected on the table, then turned to Jian Sijia and Yu Lili. “Ladies, feel free to browse. You can make something for yourselves or as a gift for friends and family.”

Du Tanyu flipped through the design sketches.

“Lili, why not make something for your wife?”

Yu Lili’s gaze swept over the sample displays on the light brown walls. “She doesn’t really use bags in this style.”

“Then don’t make a bag.” Du Tanyu got up from her seat and leaned closer to Yu Lili. “Make that.”

“What?”

“A belt.” She lowered her voice.

“Huh? She doesn’t use those.”

Du Tanyu smirked mischievously. “Are you sure? Maybe she’s just too shy to admit it.”

“Her clothes are mostly custom-made.”

“Who said it’s for clothes?” Du Tanyu’s eyes lingered on Yu Lili’s fair wrists, raising an eyebrow.

“Then where…” Meeting her suggestive gaze, Yu Lili suddenly understood.

She was left speechless.

Massaging her temples, she distanced herself from Du Tanyu.

Jian Sijia caught on too.

“Tsk. You’re so perverted…”

“Really not considering it? You might open up a whole new world for her…” Du Tanyu pressed.

Yu Lili had had enough. She pushed Du Tanyu back to her seat to continue sewing her bag. “After all these years of cracking down on obscenity, how did they miss you?”

In the end, Jian Sijia picked a keychain, and Yu Lili chose an A6-sized notebook.

The three sewing ladies got to work.

As they crafted, they chatted.

Du Tanyu shared stories about her life abroad.

The juiciest parts were still her romantic escapades.

So much so that Yu Lili couldn’t help but ask, “Did you go there to study or to join a dating show?”

“Not as impressive as you. Yours is ‘Let’s Get Married.’ No—that doesn’t even cover it. More accurately, it’s ‘Let’s Get Married in Secret Without Telling Anyone.'”

Jian Sijia nearly laughed herself to the ground.

When the topic turned to relationships, Yu Lili thought of something she wanted to discuss with her two best friends.

“Actually… there’s something bothering me a little.”

“Du knows this. Tan Suran had a crush on someone in high school…”

After Yu Lili hesitantly finished speaking, the other two blinked and fell silent.

“Seriously, Lili,” Du Tanyu finally said after a few seconds, “you’re not hung up on this, are you?”

All three of them were generally open-minded and wouldn’t dwell on such things.

“Just a tiny, tiny bit, okay?”

Du Tanyu sighed. “True love really changes people. But that was so long ago. They probably wouldn’t even recognize each other now if they met.”

“But this crush of hers seems to still be around her.”

After much deliberation, Yu Lili felt the most likely candidate was Jiang Ruofu.

If that were the case…

Thinking about it carefully…

She and Tan Suran had even had crushes on the same person during their school days…

“And when I asked her about it, she avoided the topic.”

Yu Lili rested her chin on her hand, looking troubled.

Du Tanyu spoke up. “She might genuinely not want to talk about it. It’s in the past, and there’s no need to bring it up again.”

“I don’t know. But her reaction felt a bit off to me. Maybe I’m overthinking it.”

Du Tanyu set down her work and patted Yu Lili’s shoulder. “Stop worrying about it. Let me ask you this: how does she treat you? Are you happy with her?”

Yu Lili nodded. “She’s good to me. I’m happy.”

“Then that’s all that matters. Who cares about the rest? As long as you’re happy together, stay together. If it doesn’t work out, cross that bridge when you get there. There’s always a way out.”

Yu Lili pondered Du Tanyu’s words.

There was some truth to them.

“Wait, hold on…” Du Tanyu frowned and looked up. Her expression turned serious as she asked, “The crush you’re talking about—it’s not Jiang Ruofu, is it?”

Yu Lili paused for two seconds. “Why bring her up all of a sudden?”

Du Tanyu tilted her chin, signaling her to look outside.

The second-floor atrium was open, so from their position, they could see the scene on the first floor.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for an international luxury brand was underway.

A section of the floor had been cordoned off with red carpets and potted plants in the corners.

A crowd of fans surrounded the area.

Jiang Ruofu, radiant in a black dress, stood out with her star quality.

She was there to support the brand, holding a pair of scissors and smiling, ready to cut the ribbon.

And beside her stood a woman—tall, poised, and exuding the dignity of someone long accustomed to power.

It was Tan Suran.

“Why is Tan Suran here? Is this brand part of her company too?” Du Tanyu asked.

Yu Lili shook her head. She had no idea.

Jian Sijia, ever the well-informed one, chimed in. “I heard from my brother that the fashion group Tan Suran acquired has close ties with this brand. She invested in it and became a shareholder.”

“Then why is Jiang Ruofu cutting the ribbon for this brand?” Du Tanyu pressed.

Jian Sijia shrugged. “She must be the brand ambassador or spokesperson. They probably have a partnership.”

“Since when did she endorse this brand?” Du Tanyu recalled passing by the store earlier and seeing posters of another celebrity.

“Newly announced.” Jian Sijia added, “But honestly, her title as a brand collaborator would need your wife’s approval.”

“Oh? Not necessarily. And even if she did approve, it’s just business. Commerce is commerce.” Du Tanyu shot Jian Sijia a look, urging her to check Yu Lili’s murderous expression.

Jian Sijia caught on. “Right, right. Business decisions have nothing to do with personal feelings. And honestly, they don’t even seem that close…”

Her voice trailed off because, just as she was trying to salvage the situation, Jiang Ruofu, adjusting the banner as instructed by the host, wobbled slightly in her high heels.

Tan Suran, standing beside her, swiftly reached out to steady her.

And then… she didn’t let go.

The two exchanged a glance and nodded.

From an outsider’s perspective, it almost looked tender.

“Oh my god, why isn’t she letting go?”

“Divorce. Right now.”

“…”

At that moment, Tan Suran seemed to sense their gaze.

She lifted her chin slightly and looked their way.

Their eyes met across the distance.

Yu Lili’s face remained impassive.

After a moment, she turned away first.

Pouting.

“Nothing worth seeing here. Check out my keychain—isn’t it cute?” Jian Sijia tried to change the subject.

Du Tanyu joined in.

“Putting everything else aside, Tan Suran doesn’t seem like the type to mess around. She was just politely helping a lady in need.”

“Hey! You can’t be sure about that!” Jian Sijia suddenly grew animated.

“Remember what I told you guys before?”

“That seductress-style mistress.”

“Though this was ages ago, and before you two got married. But since I remembered, I feel like I should warn you, Lili.”

Yu Lili hesitated. “What?”

“Last year, or whenever, there was always this woman around her. Her makeup was terrifying, and she seemed a bit unhinged. She even accused me of staring at her chest in public.”

If the first part of Jian Sijia’s rant was vague, the “staring at her chest” bit made it crystal clear.

Yu Lili wiped her sweat.

Anna, you’ve really left a trail of destruction.

Jian Sijia rambled on. “I was so shocked. I thought Tan Suran’s taste was seriously questionable.”

“That woman’s makeup was insane—like she dumped an entire eyeshadow palette on her face. How did she not scare herself when she looked in the mirror?”

Well… she did scare herself once.

The air grew increasingly awkward.

Past memories came flooding back to Yu Lili.

She and Du Tanyu exchanged a glance.

She knew the past was embarrassing, but not this embarrassing…

Jian Sijia finally noticed the silence. “Why aren’t you guys saying anything?”

We literally have nothing to say.

Yu Lili forced a smile. “We were just listening to you.”

“Oh, I thought I said something wrong.”

Jian Sijia belatedly asked, “Lili, does this upset you? If you don’t want to hear it, I’ll stop.”

Yu Lili blinked.

She really wanted to say, “Yes, please stop.”

But she held back.

As someone who’d just been hung up on her wife’s high school crush, hearing her best friend talk about Tan Suran’s past flings…

She should at least pretend to be interested.

“Of course not. This has nothing to do with me. Why would I be upset?”

“Exactly! Other people’s business is none of our concern. Don’t internalize it.”

“Right, right. Sijia, your analysis is spot-on. That woman was so weird.” After delivering this sarcastic remark, Du Tanyu covered her mouth and snickered.

Yu Lili kicked her under the table, signaling her to help steer the conversation away.

But Anna had left too deep an impression on Jian Sijia.

Her grudge ran too deep.

Once she started, she couldn’t stop.

“People used to say Tan Suran was asexual, married to her work. Then that bizarre, narcissistic woman showed up. If she’s into that type… well, it says a lot about her.”

“Thinking about it now, Tan Suran might seem cold, but she probably plays around a lot in private. Or maybe I’m wrong. Just a heads-up. Protect yourself. If things don’t work out, Du and I can introduce you to plenty of gorgeous women—any type you want.”

“That’s… probably not…” Thanks to her alter ego, Tan Suran’s reputation seemed beyond saving. Yu Lili wanted to defend her a little.

But before she could finish—

“Hi… what are you doing here?” She abruptly stood up, flustered like a kid caught misbehaving, and greeted the person at the door.

“Who’s here?” Jian Sijia asked casually, turning to look.

And then… silence.

“Holy crap.”

Jian Sijia muttered under her breath.

“She didn’t hear what I just said, right?”

“No.” Tan Suran walked over, raising an eyebrow.

She gave Jian Sijia a faint smile.

“If that makes you feel slightly less awkward.”

“…”

“…”

Jian Sijia: Thanks, I hate it.

“Haha, just kidding. Lili, you two have fun. Du and I will get going.” Jian Sijia pointed at the door, eager to escape.

But she couldn’t leave yet.

The staff still needed to pack their handmade items.

The group gathered at the checkout counter.

Someone was definitely embarrassed.

But… Tan Suran wasn’t.

“That’s fine, just wrap it simply.” Jian Sijia stopped the clerk from elaborately packaging her keychain, wishing she could teleport out of this awkward situation.

“Pack my bag properly…” Under Jian Sijia’s frantic gaze, Du Tanyu changed her mind. “Never mind. Just give me the packaging materials. I’ll do it at home.”

Tan Suran, one hand in her pocket, leisurely flipped through Yu Lili’s handmade notebook. “It’s lovely.”

Just ten minutes ago, this crooked notebook had been mocked by Jian Sijia and Du Tanyu as the ugliest of the three creations.

Yu Lili’s lips curled slightly, and she nodded.

Du Tanyu felt like she was being shown up and didn’t want to engage.

So the situation became:

Jian Sijia, thinking no one was responding to Tan Suran, grew nervous. When she was nervous, she hated silence and couldn’t stop talking.

So she chimed in, “Lovely, lovely.”

This drew Tan Suran’s gaze back to her.

Her carefully concealed presence resurfaced.

She regretted speaking.

Jian Sijia crossed her arms, avoiding Tan Suran’s eyes.

But the gaze lingered.

Jian Sijia started fidgeting.

Still no reprieve.

Jian Sijia shrank behind Du Tanyu.

Finally, the intense stare shifted away.

But before Jian Sijia could sigh in relief—

A cool, composed voice spoke again.

“By the way.”

“I should probably clarify something.”

“Regarding what Miss Jian just said.”

Jian Sijia, now addressed, waved her hands awkwardly. “Oh, I was totally joking. Don’t take it seriously.”

Tan Suran ignored her and looked straight at Yu Lili. “It wasn’t a joke.”

“What she said is true.”

“There was someone like that around me before. Quite adorable. You’d probably like her too.”

Yu Lili: …?

Du Tanyu: ?.?

Jian Sijia: What the hell is Tan Suran saying?

Tan Suran, still facing away from Jian Sijia, continued, “If you don’t mind, I’d like the two of you to get along.”

Du Tanyu blinked rapidly.

Yu Lili remained stunned.

“Do you mind?” Tan Suran pressed.

“Huh?”

“Her name is Anna. She’s very gentle and sincere. Never lies.”

……

Du Tanyu: You city folks really know how to play…

Yu Lili pressed her hand to her forehead, not wanting to engage but afraid Tan Suran would escalate. She was caught between a rock and a hard place. “I… don’t really mind. But I’m… kind of introverted. I don’t like making new friends, so it’s fine.”

Tan Suran said calmly, “Oh? You don’t want to meet her? But I quite like her.”

Yu Lili covered her face.

“…”

“Tan Suran, you’re going too far! You’re a married woman.” The only uninformed person in the group, Jian Sijia, finally pieced together Tan Suran’s meaning and stood up for her friend.

“And?” Tan Suran lifted her eyes, her tone indifferent.

Jian Sijia was indignant. “So either treat her right or get a divorce and be with whoever you want!”

“Is that so…” Tan Suran reached out with her slender, pale fingers and casually tucked a stray lock of Yu Lili’s hair behind her ear.

Her fingertips brushed Yu Lili’s ear, sending a tingling sensation through her.

“Then what if I want both?”