Runyan sat in front of Su Lin, with the steaming hot cup of tea in her hands untouched. Su Lin had specially brewed that tea for her. She said it relieved stress.
But Runyan couldn't be bothered to taste it and feel that sweet relief. She was more concerned about her friend sitting in front of her.
She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but there was something different about the Su Lin casually sitting opposite to her.
Confidence... No, she had an air of arrogance and nobility about her that did not stem from her attire or her features.
"Can you please stop looking at me like that? No one died. I am perfectly fine now. I am not lying just to make you feel better."
Su Lin chuckled and repeated the same words to her baffled friend for the tenth time.
Runyan sighed in relief. "If you say so, Lin Lin. It still feels surreal."
"Sorry. I am very happy for you."
"But if there is something, please don't hesitate to tell me. I may not be able to help you, but I can at least be a shoulder to cry for you."
"I hope you won't hide your pain and suffering from me."
"Don't worry, Yan Yan. See I am perfectly healthy and I even managed to shake loose from that toxic family."
Su Lin stood up and jumped like a teenager on sugar high in order to prove to her friend that she was healthy, not that a good jump translated to a healthy body.
"Ok. Ok. Stop it." Runyan chuckled. The two women chatted for a while like they hadn't done so in a long time.
As time ticked away, Su Lin surprisingly found herself enjoying the company of this sweet innocent girl.
She could understand why this woman and the previous Su Lin had been best friends. Both were sweet and innocent like lost little lambs.
Su Lin being a wolf herself thought she might find this woman's company boring, but she was rather taken aback by how much she enjoyed this casual chit chat.
After a life full of blood, gore, betrayal, and violence, it was comforting to have someone who could possibly never betray you no matter what.
"Yan Yan, can I ask you a small favor?" Su Lin smiled at Runyan whilst sipping her tea.
"Of course. You know you can ask me anything." Runyan smiled and instantly replied.
There was a tinge of sadness in her face, knowing that she probably wouldn't be able to help her with much.
"Can you stay with me in this house, please? You know just how scared I am to live alone." Su Lin put on an exaggerated pitiful face and pouted.
"Ha Ha. You... Since when did you get so cheeky? You can just directly come out and ask me to be your roommate! I won't stand on formalities with you, not anymore."
"God gave us a second chance to be together in this life. I am not going to waste it again by standing on ceremony." Runyan smiled with her eyes tearing up.
"But Lin Lin, what are you going to do now? Are you planning to apply for jobs?"
Runyan knew that Su Lin's educational background was as pathetic as hers, so she wondered about her future plans.
"Don't worry about that. I have a plan." Su Lin grinned. She had an explanation, perfectly tailor-made for Runyan and for anyone else who asks.
"These past few months I met an old man in the library, who taught me a lot about traditional herbal medicine. I have also studied a lot on my own."
"I am thinking we both can start a small herbal cosmetic company. What do you say?"
Su Lin asked her friend, knowing full well that the gullible little sweetheart would fully trust her and believe her words. Well, she was not exactly lying. So no harm was done.
"Ah. Are you sure, Lin Lin?" Runyan hesitantly asked. But eventually, the woman ended up agreeing.
Since her current job was a nightmare, she decided she might as well take a chance and support her best friend in her new endeavor.
The two chatted for a bit more and Runyan went back to her apartment for the night.
She still had to notify her landlord and clear her things, so decided to wait until tomorrow to move in with Su Lin officially.
Su Lin walked out to the gates and sent off her friend with a silly little smile on her face.
Everything was proceeding smoothly according to her plan, and she even somehow managed to find a friend in the new world.
Under the melodious moonlight dancing in the darkness of the night, Su Lin lazily yawned and stretched her arms as she walked back to the condo when suddenly...
Su Lin could clearly sense a human presence inside the guest house. Her heart started racing and all her senses became alert.
She wondered if the intruder was a friend or a foe...