I'm Interested In Your Friend - Chapter 61
61
Yu Lili bit her lip and sat up.
She patted her cheeks.
No matter what, she had to make Tan Suran forgive her.
Even if it meant being clingy and persistent.
Just as she was about to head out and do exactly that, her phone buzzed in her pocket.
It was a call from Li Qianman.
“Lili, I just remembered—I’ve seen Tan Suran before.”
Though it was strange for her to suddenly bring this up, Yu Lili responded, “Yeah, a few months ago, she stayed with us for a couple of days.”
“No, not recently. Seven years ago.”
“Seven years ago?” Yu Lili froze for a moment.
“Last night, after seeing her, it suddenly came back to me. That rainy day seven years ago, the girl who brought you here—it was her.”
The phone line crackled with static.
When Li Qianman said it, Yu Lili was completely stunned.
Her grip on the doorknob loosened.
“It was her. It was Tan Suran.”
“…”
—
The scene from yesterday’s meeting with Yu Mu replayed in her mind.
“Do you hate me that much?”
“Yu Lili.”
“You stole my life.”
“If it weren’t for you, our family of three would’ve been happy.”
After all these years.
Hearing Yu Mu say such things again.
Yu Lili was both stronger and more fragile than she’d imagined.
She clenched her fingers.
Silently listening to Yu Mu’s hysterical, endless ranting.
The clock seemed to turn back seven years.
To that gray day.
Before that day.
Yu Lili had thought she lived in the happiest family in the world.
With a wonderful, beloved older sister.
While fetching Yu Mu’s practice book from her room.
She accidentally spotted the carefully prepared card she’d made—crumpled and discarded in the trash like worthless garbage.
And the words carved deep in the drawer: “Why won’t my little sister just die already?”
And so, her world began to collapse.
The warm, loving home became a crumbling ruin.
Panicked, she ran to Yu Mu’s classroom.
Biting back the sting in her eyes, she asked, “Sis, do you hate me?”
“Hate you?”
“How could I? You’re my dearest little sister.”
Seventeen-year-old Yu Mu said to fifteen-year-old Yu Lili.
But in that moment, the flicker of disgust in Yu Mu’s eyes—something Yu Lili had never noticed before—pierced her heart.
Along with all the past instances of neglect and indifference she’d brushed aside.
Now festering.
No words were needed to explain.
Boom.
A stark flash of lightning illuminated the face before her.
It was as if she was seeing Yu Mu for who she truly was for the first time.
The fine drizzle turned into a downpour, streaming down the eaves.
Splashing onto the ground, gathering in puddles.
She ran aimlessly, without direction.
Trying to escape this distorted world.
She didn’t want to go home.
Didn’t want to return to that place built on lies.
Thud.
Her knees hit the pavement.
Water splashed up where she fell.
The pain from the scrapes was nothing compared to the ache in her heart.
Rain mixed with tears on her face.
Indistinguishable.
There was no one around.
Or maybe she just didn’t care anymore.
The last thread of her composure snapped with that fall.
Sobs wracked her body.
She didn’t know how long she cried.
Until the rain stopped.
As she rubbed her legs and tried to stand, she glanced up—
And realized.
A pale blue umbrella was tilted over her.
The raindrops bounced off the canopy, no longer touching her.
Oh.
The rain hadn’t stopped.
The umbrella had arrived.
And that blurry, faceless girl holding it.
Slowly morphed into the face of seventeen-year-old Tan Suran.
She’d held the umbrella for her.
Helped her up, disinfected her scrapes, and put on band-aids.
Comforted her as she cried, telling her that if someone disliked her, it was their problem.
And even indulged her unreasonable request, taking her to Li Qianman’s mountain retreat when she was too distraught to speak.
But Yu Lili never thanked her.
Never remembered her face.
Even mistook someone else for her later.
—
The truth unraveled.
Love blossomed.
Threads woven into a tapestry.
Yu Lili blinked, dazed.
Her hands trembled slightly.
Twenty-two-year-old Yu Lili.
Never imagined.
That a heart-wrenching encounter at fifteen.
Would bear such fruit in the future.
Her steps unsteady.
She pushed open the door to the pink room.
Found the hardcover diary.
Two identical ones sat side by side.
One was the one she’d discovered earlier in the bedroom—empty, leading her to the mirror.
The other.
The one she’d accidentally touched before.
The one Tan Suran had sharply stopped her from opening.
She took a deep breath.
Her fingertips brushed the diary’s edges.
Then, finally, she made up her mind.
The pages fell open.
Countless entries lay before her.
Words from the past, leaping off the page.
[I saw her again today… She called me ‘sis’ outside the window. Felt like a dream.]
[Not a dream. Her sister is in my class.]
[Didn’t see her today.]
[After P.E., she ran past me. Her hair brushed my arm—so close.]
[Why does she love ice pops so much?]
[I bought one too. Just okay. Fine, a little sweet.]
[She’s sick. Told her not to eat ice pops. Sneaked medicine into her desk. Hope she gets better soon.]
[She walked behind me.]
[Almost talked to her.]
[She cried. Wish I were her sister.]
[Got scolded for skipping class, but… Being there for her when she was sad. Worth it.]
[She doesn’t… remember me? Or doesn’t want to bring it up. That’s fine. Let’s pretend it never happened.]
……
……
The diary was sporadic.
Page after page.
Yu Lili bit her finger, overwhelmed.
She didn’t even know how to process this—it defied all known emotional responses.
The clear handwriting made the fact that [She was Little F] undeniable.
[Saw someone who looked like her today, but she was with another girl. Felt my heart drop.]
[Want to confess. Want to pursue her.]
[Next week, I’ll see her. Prepared a gift. Wonder which color she’d like.]
[Chose a blue box. Carved her name on the side. Will she like it? Will she find the secret inside?]
[Seeing her tomorrow. It’s midnight. Happy birthday, Little F.]
After this entry, Tan Suran didn’t write for a while.
The next entry was two weeks later.
[Turns out she… likes someone else.]
[Guess I’ve always been an extra in her life. She even gave the gift to someone else. Maybe it’s better this way—she’ll never know the secret inside the box.]
Another gap.
[They didn’t get together. I’m glad. A selfish kind of glad.]
Later entries were sparse.
Some long, some short.
But all about her.
Yu Lili clutched the diary.
Her heart felt like it was floating on a turquoise shore.
Rising and falling with the tide.
Wrapped in warm, sunlit seawater.
Basking in the glow of sunset.
She couldn’t wait.
To see Tan Suran.
To hug her.
Or to let Tan Suran.
Hug her.
But first.
There was one more thing she needed to confirm.
The blue box mentioned in the diary.
—
Her parents weren’t home when she arrived at the Yu residence.
Yu Lili pushed open the door to the storage room filled with gifts from her teenage years.
Dozens of boxes lined the shelves.
Blue boxes.
Blue boxes.
She searched top to bottom.
First one—no.
Second one—no.
She knew it might not even be here.
But she had to try.
To grasp at the tail of luck.
To see what she’d missed all these years.
She pulled out the last box.
……
Her heart pounded.
Her fingers traced the side, searching for carvings.
Smooth at first.
Then—
A distinct groove.
She froze.
Ran her fingers over it again.
And again.
Then turned the box toward her.
On the side of the pale blue gift box.
Carved into it.
Yll.
Her name.
And the secret inside?
Still there?
She sat right on the floor, placing the box on her lap.
Lifted the lid.
Empty.
Carefully, she felt along the edges, the sides, the bottom.
After a long search—
Click.
A tiny compartment opened.
Hidden inside.
A string of pale brown bodhi wood beads rested on red velvet.
Next to it.
A letter.
A pale blue letter.
With a small heart in the center.
Yu Lili held her breath.
And opened it.
…
When Yu Lili called, Tan Suran had already finished work.
But when asked, “Are you free now?”
She lied. “In a meeting.”
“Then I’ll wait for you downstairs. Call me when you’re done… okay?” The last word was added after a pause.
Hearing Yu Lili’s soft tone, Tan Suran hardened her voice. “Mm.”
She needed to teach Yu Lili a lesson.
So.
She sat in her office for exactly five seconds.
Brushed off her assistant, Lin, who came with documents.
Grabbed her coat and took the elevator down.
At the fountain in front of Huanyu’s headquarters.
Water arced into the air.
Droplets cascaded down.
Yu Lili stood there, holding a blue insulated lunchbox.
Legs together, perfectly still.
Tan Suran, who’d rushed down, slowed her pace as she approached.
Back straight, face slightly turned away.
Waiting for Yu Lili to speak first.
But Yu Lili didn’t.
She glanced over.
Yu Lili’s eyes sparkled as she stared at her.
Radiating joy.
Like a fluffy white puppy, wagging its invisible tail.
How can she be so happy?
Can’t she tell I’m angry?
Though… the moment they met, all her anger vanished.
But.
Tan Suran pressed her lips together.
“What is it?” She forced a cold, CEO-like tone.
Yu Lili didn’t answer. Instead, she curled a finger, beckoning her closer.
“What?”
Despite the question, Tan Suran leaned in.
Then—
A soft, wet mwah landed on her cheek.
Silence.
Employees walking by froze.
Did they just see—
The boss got kissed.
They collectively averted their eyes, turned around, pretended to be blind.
“Wow, suddenly everything went dark. Did you feel that?”
“Yeah, didn’t see a thing.”
“Must be sudden-onset blindness.”
“Gotta get my eyes checked ASAP.”
They wanted to look.
But who dared?
Tan Suran straightened slowly, arms crossed.
Watching Yu Lili’s attempt at looking innocent.
Her lips twitched.
Couldn’t stay mad.
But didn’t want to give in.
“No words? I’m leaving.”
“Wait, wait!” Yu Lili grabbed her sleeve, thrusting the lunchbox forward. “I made this for you. It’s delicious. Wanna try?”
Tan Suran took Yu Lili back to her office.
“Sorry for disappearing yesterday.”
“I was upset after talking to Yu Mu and wanted to be alone.”
“But I ignored how you’d feel.”
“Won’t happen again.”
As soon as they entered, Yu Lili stood like a scolded student, apologizing.
Tan Suran flexed her fingers.
“I was just worried about you—” She swallowed the excuse, opting for honesty. “And I thought you didn’t care about me.”
“How could I not? I just didn’t want to burden you with my bad mood. Isn’t that caring? If I didn’t care, why would I cook this amazing meal for you?” Yu Lili emphasized amazing, opening the lunchbox to prove it.
Tan Suran looked down.
At the burnt scallions and charred meat.
Smiled.
Fine.
Whatever she said.
They picked at the edible bits.
Yu Lili, mouth full, mumbled, “But I’ll tell you everything from now on.”
Tan Suran pinched her nose. “Good.”
Yu Lili beamed. “You’re the best.”
“And this is how you repay me?” She gestured at the food.
“Are you looking down on me?”
Yu Lili puffed her cheeks, playing up her indignation.
“I ate all the food you made yesterday. Every bite.”
Tan Suran: “It went bad.”
“Only one night. I wasn’t wasting your first home-cooked meal for me.”
Yu Lili’s cooking had… room for improvement.
They barely ate half, putting down their chopsticks.
Yu Lili grinned sheepishly, wandering around the office.
Tan Suran sat at her desk, reviewing documents.
Serious and focused.
Yu Lili approached.
Mischief brewing.
“You made me wait so long today.” She plopped onto Tan Suran’s lap, looping her arms around her neck, swinging her legs.
“Won’t happen again.”
Tan Suran smirked, tossing the files aside. “You know, this position is perfect for kissing.”
Yu Lili blinked rapidly, caught off guard.
Tan Suran tilted her chin up.
Cupped the back of her head.
And captured Yu Lili’s lips.
A soft nip.
Then deeper.
The rustle of fabric.
The sound of their breaths mingling.
When they parted, Yu Lili buried her face in Tan Suran’s neck, panting.
Eyes wet, cheeks flushed.
Before she could recover—
“Want to continue?” Tan Suran’s voice was low, husky.
“Continue what?”
Tan Suran’s hand slid down Yu Lili’s waist.
A firm grip.
Sending shivers down her spine.
“How about the office?”
“No cameras?” Yu Lili whispered.
“It’s my office.”
Yu Lili swallowed.
Tempted, her face burning.
Then she suddenly remembered something and jumped up.
“No, no.” She waved her hands. “Something more important.”
“What’s more important than this?”
“Be serious.” Yu Lili sighed, glancing around.
“This isn’t the right place. Let’s go somewhere else.”
…
Hand in hand, they left the company without driving.
Just walked aimlessly.
Under the starry sky.
Until Yu Lili found the perfect spot.
A park path lined with neon lights.
Pink lanterns illuminated the stone pavement.
At the end of the path—a lake and hills.
The water rippled gently.
The grass was lush.
Yu Lili had Tan Suran stand still.
She stepped forward, then turned to face her squarely.
Nervously, she wiped her hands with a tissue.
Clenched her fists, psyching herself up.
Then pulled out—
Under the lantern light, Tan Suran saw it.
A letter.
A pale blue love letter.
One glance, and Tan Suran recognized it.
After all, it was the first—and only—love letter she’d ever written.
Back then, she hadn’t even had the courage to deliver it in person.
Instead, she’d hidden it in Yu Lili’s seventeenth birthday gift.
Tan Suran was stunned.
She’d clearly seen Yu Mu take that gift.
And spent years trading resources to get it back.
This letter, containing all her youthful feelings.
Written painstakingly, sealed away.
Too afraid to even address it properly.
Yet somehow, after all this time.
It had found its way.
To the person it was meant for.
Tan Suran was speechless.
“You… read it?”
“Yeah.” Yu Lili smiled.
“It’s a little late, but…” She rummaged in her bag, pulling out another letter—this one lavender.
Holding it carefully with both hands.
She offered it to Tan Suran.
Biting her lip shyly, she said,
“This is my reply.”
“Tan Suran.”
“Will you accept it?”
Tan Suran’s hand trembled as she reached out.
But before she could take it—
Yu Lili pulled it back.
“Actually.”
“I’ll just say it.”
She changed her mind, tucking the letter away.
The wind rustled.
Spring whispered in the air.
Yu Lili clenched her fists, gazing at Tan Suran with shining eyes.
“Tan Suran, I—I like you too.”
“Let’s be together.”
“If you agree, just breathe.”
……
The moonlight bathed the surreal world.
This era was vulgar and absurd.
Where profit ruled and emotions were fleeting.
But some still chose to stand in the echo of the wind.
Waiting for a reply that might never come.
And then.
Ding.
A message arrived.
(The End)