Little Duckling - Chapter 24

Jian Xin hadn’t felt this embarrassed in ages.

She couldn’t believe what had possessed her to send such a ridiculous sticker to her ex-boyfriend, whom she’d broken up with seven years ago!

What was that “Big Cutie” thing? And “Suddenly Appearing”?!

Who gave her the nerve to act so crazy?!

The worst part was, she’d immediately deleted the message, but Yan Lu had still seen it!

First, she’d lied about reading Yan Lu’s novel, praising the wildly altered plot points from the drama adaptation. Now, she’d suddenly sent that mortifying sticker and been caught deleting it.

She couldn’t even imagine what Yan Lu must think of her now.

Someone, please tell me how to escape this soul-crushing embarrassment…

Jian Xin stared at Yan Lu’s questioning message for a long time before finally sighing and deciding to give up struggling. She would face the humiliation head-on.

Picked Up a Heart: I feel like sending that meme might be a bit inappropriate given our current relationship.

Just two seconds after sending the message, Yan Lu replied with a counter-question.

Yan Lu Er Qi: What exactly is our relationship now?

Picked Up a Heart: This is a profound question.

Picked Up a Heart: Lost in thought…

Picked Up a Heart: Hesitates, about to speak but stops

Yan Lu Er Qi: It seems difficult to define.

Picked Up a Heart: Not at all!

Yan Lu Er Qi: Then tell me.

Picked Up a Heart: Salty fish shedding tears

I give up. Does Teacher Yan really have to be this strict?

The blunt, straightforward language, devoid of any emojis or emoticons, revealed the chilling coldness of the words with each stroke.

Even Director Niu couldn’t match this aura of authority and pressure!

Jian Xin never imagined she would one day feel even slightly afraid of Yan Lu.

To be honest, their current relationship was indeed difficult to define.

Many people say that once a romantic relationship ends, it’s nearly impossible to go back to being friends.

Even if the breakup was amicable, a lingering awkwardness inevitably remains between people who once cared deeply for each other.

So, what kind of relationship should she have with Yan Lu?

Jian Xin pondered the question, her heart pounding with anxiety, before finally replying:

 Picked Up a Heart : We’re definitely friends.

 Picked Up a Heart : Good friends!

 Picked Up a Heart : But not so close that I can be completely carefree.

 Picked Up a Heart : Laughing hysterically

 Picked Up a Heart : What I mean is, we’re both adults, and I have my pride.

 Picked Up a Heart : The emoji I sent earlier seemed a bit silly and embarrassing, so I deleted it to replace it with something more normal. I didn’t want you to think I was too childish.

 Picked Up a Heart : If I’d known you’d already seen it, I wouldn’t have bothered.

 Picked Up a Heart : Your Big Cutie Suddenly Appears

 Yan Lu Er Qi : It’s fine. I didn’t think it was childish at all.

 Yan Lu Er Qi : You don’t need to delete messages next time.

 Yan Lu Er Qi : Deleting messages after they’ve been seen is pointless. Deleting messages before they’re seen just makes people overthink.

 Picked Up a Heart : You’re right

Perhaps she was overthinking things. It was just an emoji, after all. She’d sent plenty of them to her friends before. But with Yan Lu, it just felt… inappropriate.

She thought she knew where the problem lay…

In that distant past, she had always played the role of the person Yan Lu believed her to be—someone seemingly omnipotent, capable of handling any situation and overcoming any obstacle.

But she wasn’t that person anymore.

Seven years—not long, not short—had passed, and neither of them remained the same.

The youthful arrogance, the audacity to dream big, the courage to act boldly, and the relentless drive to compete and win had gradually eroded away, unnoticed.

When their past dreams shattered like bubbles in the relentless grind of reality, there was no pain, as if merely a passing breeze had carried away insignificant dust motes.

The aspirations of youth had quietly transformed into the most trivial aspects of ordinary life.

Though she knew intellectually that she had no need to compare herself to anyone, the moment she saw Yan Lu again, she was uncontrollably overwhelmed by a wave of self-doubt.

The girl she had once pulled forward with such force had, in the years since they parted, already traveled so far ahead.

Meanwhile, Jian Xin remained rooted in place, as if she could never catch up to her footsteps.

She couldn’t ignore the distance between them, yet she didn’t want the other girl to sense her feelings. So she instinctively adopted a completely unfamiliar persona, fantasizing that by pretending to be more mature and composed than before, she could somehow bridge the seemingly insurmountable gap between them.

What a pointless struggle, Jian Xin thought, shaking her head with a wry smile.

Why am I taking such a roundabout approach? The old me would never have bothered with such a strenuous and unrewarding charade.

If I can say it, shouldn’t I just say it properly?

She bit her lip, her heart churning with conflicting emotions as she began composing a new message.

Picked Up a Heart: Actually, I’m not that much more mature now. It’s just that you seem so composed, so I subconsciously wanted you to see me as someone who’s grown up too.

Picked Up a Heart: But thinking about it now, it seems pretty unnecessary.

Picked Up a Heart: You know exactly what I’m like. Why would I pretend to be someone else in front of you?

Jian Xin paused, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. After a moment’s hesitation, as if steeling herself, her expression grew more serious.

Picked Up a Heart: Actually, I haven’t read your novels. I lied to you last time.

Yan Lu Er Qi: I know.

Picked Up a Heart: I know you know.

Picked Up a Heart: But I did start reading them later.

Picked Up a Heart: I haven’t finished them all yet, but I’m taking my time.

Picked Up a Heart: Your writing is still so good. Every book makes me cry so hard.

Picked Up a Heart: Watching the emotions you express in your writing slowly evolve over the years feels like witnessing a breathtaking metamorphosis.

Picked Up a Heart: You really did it. You’re amazing.

After sending the message, Jian Xin stared blankly at the chat window, lost in thought.

She didn’t know what else to say, nor what kind of response she hoped to receive.

These words had been bottled up inside her for over a month, ever since her first follow-up appointment at the hospital. That day, she had already wanted to tell Yan Lu everything.

But she was always a bit stubborn.

Even though she knew Yan Lu had seen through her long ago, she clung stubbornly to her pride, as if admitting the truth would bring the sky crashing down.

Now that she’d finally spoken her mind, the weight on her heart had lifted.

She thought, No matter how Yan Lu reacts, I won’t care anymore, right?

After all, she’d said everything she needed to say, both the things she should have and the things she shouldn’t have. The rest was up to fate.

Jian Xin sighed and waited quietly for a while before Yan Lu finally replied.

Yan Lu Er Qi: You suddenly contacted me just to say this?

Picked Up a Heart: Oh, no, not really. This was just a bloodbath triggered by an emoji.

Damn it! When did I suddenly go off-topic? I didn’t even realize it!

Yan Lu Er Qi: Then what did you want to talk about?

Picked Up a Heart: Well, I wanted to ask if you’re particularly close to Lin Xiyu?

Yan Lu Er Qi: Why are you asking that?

Picked Up a Heart: Oh, it’s because I received an OST collaboration offer from the Cloud Between Moon drama team.

Picked Up a Heart: But even if you combine all my followers across all platforms, I don’t even have a hundred thousand. And I’ve practically vanished from the public eye these past few years. Even if I had fans before, they’re all just dead accounts now. I just can’t shake the feeling that this opportunity won’t come my way.

Jian Xin paused, took a deep breath, and finally asked the question that had been weighing on her mind.

Picked Up a Heart: Isn’t Cloud Between Moon starring Lin Xiyu?

Picked Up a Heart: She’s interacted with you on Weibo before, and you two seem pretty close.

Picked Up a Heart: I was wondering if you recommended me to her.

Yan Lu’s side showed “typing…” for an agonizingly long time, but no message came through.

Jian Xin lost track of how long she waited, the minutes stretching into an eternity.

Finally, the answer arrived.

Yan Lu Er Qi: I don’t know.

Of course, that’s the answer I expected.

But why?

Even though she had anticipated this response, Jian Xin still couldn’t quite understand.

Why wouldn’t Yan Lu admit to helping her?

It was just a casual favor. Was it really so difficult to acknowledge?

Yan Lu Er Qi: You had quite a few works back then. You weren’t so obscure that you’d be completely unknown.

Yan Lu Er Qi: Maybe someone on the production team had heard of your work and thought you had talent but no fame—cheap, easy to work with, and a great value for the money.

Jian Xin: ……

Talent but no fame, cheap, easy to work with, great value for the money…

Hmm, how should I interpret Yan Lu’s assessment?

It’s hard to tell if she’s praising me or insulting me.

Picked Up a Heart: Thank you!

Picked Up a Heart: You’re so kind!

Yan Lu Er Qi: What I mean is, if you get the chance, just take it.

Yan Lu Er Qi: Don’t waste time wondering if you deserve it before the results are even out.

Yan Lu Er Qi: Opportunities are opportunities. Who cares how they come about? If you seize them, you deserve them.

Picked Up a Heart: Lost in thought…

Yan Lu Er Qi: What’s wrong?

Picked Up a Heart: Thank you, Teacher Yan!

Picked Up a Heart: Your words are like a divine revelation, a profound enlightenment!

Yan Lu Er Qi: ……

Yan Lu Er Qi: Sarcastic.

Picked Up a Heart: Trying to charm my way out of this…

Yan Lu didn’t reply again, and the conversation seemed to end there.

Jian Xin lay back on her bed, replaying the chat log over and over in her mind.

She couldn’t help but wonder why Yan Lu refused to acknowledge her involvement in this matter.

Was she afraid of hurting Jian Xin’s pride?

No, no, that couldn’t be it.

Jian Xin had always been thick-skinned, and Yan Lu was well aware of that.

Could it be that Yan Lu didn’t want her help to be misinterpreted, or for the person she assisted to develop unrealistic expectations?

Or perhaps Yan Lu simply didn’t want others to know about her private relationship with Lin Xiyu…

Jian Xin lay sprawled on her bed, pondering for hours, yet she couldn’t make sense of it. And she didn’t know how to ask.

She couldn’t exactly tell Yan Lu that she had been to her home, served as her pet, and witnessed everything—the things she should have seen and the things she shouldn’t have.

Forget it, she thought. Maybe I don’t need to understand this.

As Yan Lu had said, when an opportunity arises, you seize it. Worrying about the details before the outcome is meaningless.

Regardless of whether Yan Lu acknowledged it, Jian Xin had seen the truth with her own eyes and knew it clearly.

The problem was, Jian Xin was the kind of person who always repaid her debts. Yan Lu had done her such a great favor, yet she hadn’t even had the chance to say thank you. It gnawed at her conscience.

At the very least, she should treat Yan Lu to a meal, right?

Jian Xin swore to herself that she had no ulterior motives. She genuinely wanted to thank Yan Lu in person for the immense help she had provided.

Even if she couldn’t say “thank you” directly, a roundabout expression would be better than saying nothing at all!

Moreover, even without Yan Lu’s assistance, Jian Xin should have found a way to truly reconcile with her. Only then would she have the opportunity to visit Yan Lu’s home and properly investigate Cauliflower, the duck that kept kidnapping her!

Yes, from every angle, she needed to take the initiative!

With this thought, Jian Xin suddenly mustered her courage and poked Yan Lu again.

Picked Up a Heart: Your darling has suddenly appeared!

Picked Up a Heart: Hello, hello! It’s me again!

Yan Lu Er Qi: ?

Picked Up a Heart: Are you free lately?

Yan Lu Er Qi: Whether I’m free depends on what you want to ask me to do.

Isn’t that a bit too direct?

Do all successful people who can afford to reject others speak with such cold, cool detachment?

Jian Xin sighed, abandoning her roundabout approach and cutting straight to the chase.

Picked Up a Heart: Can I treat you to a meal?

Yan Lu Er Qi: Is there something you need?

Picked Up a Heart: Does there have to be a reason?

Yan Lu Er Qi: Why would we eat if there’s nothing to discuss?

Hey, that’s a tough question. Someone else might not know how to answer.

But unfortunately for her, I’ve had thick skin since childhood. Questions like this have never bothered me.

Picked Up a Heart: Why can’t we eat if there’s nothing to discuss?

Picked Up a Heart: Can’t friends just enjoy a meal together?

Picked Up a Heart: Back in school, we’d rush to the cafeteria every day even when we had nothing pressing to do, right?

Picked Up a Heart: Anyway, I’m not busy at all. I just wanted to treat you to a meal.

Picked Up a Heart: If you’re too busy or just don’t feel like going out, you can always say no.

Picked Up a Heart: We can reschedule for when you’re less busy.

After a brief silence, Yan Lu replied.

Yan Lu Er Qi: I’m not particularly busy.

Picked Up a Heart: So you can come?

Yan Lu Er Qi: Mhm.

Jian Xin stared at that single “Mhm” for a long time, unconsciously pressing her lips into a tight line. After a brief struggle to contain herself, she bit her lower lip, the corners of her mouth involuntarily curving upward.

The next moment, her face returned to its usual expressionless mask.

It’s just a meal, for crying out loud! Why are you acting so pathetic?

She scolded herself inwardly, her fingers scrolling through a sea of emojis until she found the cutest Samoyed.

Picked Up a Heart: Happy Dog

Yan Lu actually agreed!

That woman, so cold she wouldn’t even send a single emoji, had actually accepted her invitation to dinner!

This was fantastic! She could finally thank Yan Lu in person…

More importantly, she was now one step closer to unraveling the mystery of the duck transformation!

To be honest, Jian Xin hadn’t held much hope for this invitation. She had even braced herself for Yan Lu’s cold rejection before she even asked.

The only reason she persisted was because of the “human relations” principle.

After all, some things require building rapport. Being rejected once or twice is perfectly normal when the relationship isn’t established.

But after three or four attempts, most people start to hesitate. I’ve already turned her down two or three times. Would it be too harsh to reject her again?

At that point, unless it’s a truly difficult request, most people soften.

Yet just when Jian Xin had steeled herself for a long-term campaign, her warm enthusiasm already adjusting to the cold shoulder’s temperature, Yan Lu simply agreed…

It wasn’t her fault she couldn’t contain her excitement. This was just too surprising!

Jian Xin couldn’t resist rolling halfway across the bed—until she landed on her right leg. Ouch! She quickly twisted back into place.

After a brief moment of calm, she glanced at the chat history again, her restless left leg unconsciously starting to pedal an imaginary bicycle in the air.

As she pedaled, her phone suddenly vibrated.

Jian Xin’s eyes widened—it was Yan Lu who had actively messaged her first.

Yan Lu Er Qi: When should we eat?

Yan Lu Er Qi: Where should we go?

Picked Up a Heart: How about tomorrow?

Picked Up a Heart: Do you have any preferences for the type of food?

Yan Lu Er Qi: Anything is fine with me.

Anything is fine…

It seemed Yan Lu didn’t want to put any thought into it.

Since she was treating, she really should choose the place.

Picked Up a Heart: Okay, I’ll pick a place and let you know later!

Yan Lu Er Qi: Sounds good.

Jian Xin pursed her lips and spent ages searching for restaurant recommendations on her phone, unable to make a decision. Finally, she opened the band’s group chat.

Reading Ex-Boyfriend Novels Isn’t a Crime: Guys!

Reading Ex-Boyfriend Novels Isn’t a Crime: Does Jin City have any restaurants with a nice atmosphere, good food, relatively quiet, no time limits, comfortable seating, and good for chatting?

Yueyue Wants to Stack Words: Guys, we have a situation!

Lanlan Wants to Stack Words Too: Wow!

Have You Finished Reading Your Ex-Boyfriend’s Novel Yet?: Does reading those novels actually work?

Yueyue Wants to Stack Words: Of course! They’re already going on dates!

Lanlan Wants to Stack Words Too: Ah! It’s love!

Reading Ex-Boyfriend Novels Isn’t a Crime: No, no, no, it’s just grabbing a meal and catching up. It’s not a date.

Yueyue Wants to Stack Words: If this isn’t a date, what is?

Reading Ex-Boyfriend Novels Isn’t a Crime: Ugh, I can’t explain it.

Reading Ex-Boyfriend Novels Isn’t a Crime: But I have no intention of pursuing her romantically. I genuinely need her help with something.

Reading Ex-Boyfriend Novels Isn’t a Crime: So, any good restaurant recommendations?

Yueyue Wants to Stack Words: I get it now!

Reading Ex-Boyfriend Novels Isn’t a Crime: Get what?

Yueyue Wants to Stack Words: Cloud Between Moon is Lin Xiyu’s drama, and your ex-girlfriend knows Lin Xiyu.

Yueyue Wants to Stack Words: Not so simple, huh?

Yueyue Wants to Stack Words: She probably landed you that big deal, right?

Yueyue Wants to Stack Words: So you’re going to thank her. Am I right?

Have You Finished Reading Your Ex’s Novel Yet?: Realization

Have You Finished Reading Your Ex’s Novel Yet?: Well, this definitely needs careful handling.

Lanlan Wants to Stack Words Too: Mom, I’ve found the real deal!

Lanlan Wants to Stack Words Too: She loves her so much!!!

Faced with the group’s misunderstanding, Jian Xin couldn’t help but fall into deep thought.

Yan Lu had already made it clear: the past was in the past, and neither of them needed to dwell on it.

She was genuinely happy to have secured a meeting with Yan Lu, but she was absolutely certain that this joy had nothing to do with romantic feelings. It stemmed from a complex web of reasons too intricate to explain in a few words.

Besides, even if there were no misunderstandings, Yan Lu’s heart already belonged to someone else—someone far more exceptional than Jian Xin could ever hope to be.

Right now, all she needed to do was seize the opportunity to resolve the supernatural incident involving the Duck transformation. She truly had no other intentions!

However, the nuances of this situation were difficult for ordinary people to grasp, and she couldn’t hint at the true nature of Yan Lu and Lin Xiyu’s relationship. For now, abandoning any attempt at explanation seemed to be her only option.

It’s not illegal to read your ex’s novel, so can anyone recommend a good place?

Perhaps Jian Xin’s persistence in asking the same question three times finally moved the three members of the Band Group who were lining up to watch the drama unfold. After a brief silence, countless links to Dianping and Meituan merchants suddenly flooded the chat.

The three members frantically shared links while sharing their dining experiences from various places.

The chat was scrolling so fast that Jian Xin’s eyes blurred.

Fortunately, everyone was incredibly enthusiastic. After sharing the links, they diligently helped her weigh the options.

Finally, after much deliberation, they settled on a Thai restaurant with upscale decor, decent food, outdoor bubble room private dining, and a quiet, comfortable ambiance.

Filled with anticipation, Jian Xin sent the restaurant’s location to Yan Lu.

Picked Up a Heart: I saw recommendations saying watching the sunset in the bubble room is really romantic. I haven’t tried it before. How about we meet in the afternoon?

Yan Lu Er Qi: Okay.

The instant reply lifted Jian Xin’s spirits.

Picked Up a Heart: Let’s head over early, how about 4 PM?

Picked Up a Heart: Oh, I mean…

Picked Up a Heart: To avoid rush hour traffic and getting stuck on the road.

Yan Lu Er Qi: Okay.

Picked Up a Heart: Great! 4 PM it is. See you there!

Yan Lu Er Qi: Okay.

Finally, they’d settled on a time and place. Jian Xin was about to close the chat window when she noticed the “typing…” indicator.

What could he be typing?

Curious, she stared at the indicator for a long moment.

Jian Xin: “……”

How long has it been? I’ve been waiting so long the flowers have withered! Why isn’t he finished typing yet?

Maybe it’s just a Q/Q display bug…

Come to think of it, Yan Lu probably doesn’t have that much to say to me anyway.

Jian Xin pouted, suddenly feeling the dinner plans for tomorrow evening had lost their appeal.

Just as she was about to exit the private chat, a red “1” suddenly appeared on Yan Lu’s profile picture.

Jian Xin froze, her hand clicking on the message before her brain could catch up.

Yan Lu Er Qi: Your leg hasn’t fully healed yet. I’ll come pick you up.

— Hmm?

Hmmmm?!

Jian Xin took a deep breath, unable to suppress the corners of her mouth any longer.

Picked Up a Heart: Great!

Picked Up a Heart: Happy dog emoji

I’m sorry, I misjudged myself.

I really shouldn’t have called myself worthless earlier.

Because, at this very moment, I’m completely free!!!