The night sky over County S was a canvas of dark clouds, illuminated faintly by the glow of the moon. A sleek, black Mercedes sped past the streetlights, its polished exterior gleaming under the dim glow. Behind the wheel sat a young woman, her delicate hands gripping the steering tightly.
Dressed in black pencil jeans and a fitted black turtleneck, Guo Min exuded a sharp, effortless elegance. Black ankle boots clicked against the car's floor as she adjusted her seat, a dark windbreaker draped over her shoulders to brace against the cool spring air.
Beside her, lounging in the passenger seat, was her best friend, Wang Ruoxi. Unlike Guo Min's understated look, Ruoxi was a vision of striking contrast, clad in a royal blue, off-shoulder knee-length gown. She paired it with wedge heels and topped off her outfit with a black windbreaker to fend off the chill.
Ruoxi sighed dramatically, her compact mirror in one hand and a lipstick in the other. "Darn, this week has been everything but relaxing. I'm just so annoyed." She continued applying her makeup, lips pursed in concentration.
Guo Min scoffed, rolling her eyes. "If it weren't for you, I would've spent my weekend cleaning, sleeping, eating, and being lazy. But guess what? My dear best friend just had to ruin it."
Ruoxi clicked her tongue, pretending to be offended. "We haven't seen each other all week! Tsk, I missed you, you know. Show some love sometimes, at least."
Guo Min smirked. "You act like a clingy girlfriend sometimes."
Before Ruoxi could reply, the car jerked to a sudden stop as Guo Min slammed on the brakes. Ruoxi shrieked, her lipstick smearing across her cheek.
"SERIOUSLY?!" Ruoxi glared, reaching for tissues. "You brat of a friend, now I have to start again!"
Guo Min, unfazed, covered her ears in mock defense. "So what? Even with all that makeup, you still haven't landed a boyfriend."
"You—!" Ruoxi huffed, wiping off the mess. "Forget it. Let's go watch the movie first. After that, I'll deal with you!" She stomped forward toward the cinema, her cute pout making Guo Min chuckle as she followed behind.
---
At the Cinema
The theater was packed, the air filled with the scent of buttered popcorn and excitement. Ruoxi, with a bucket of caramel popcorn in hand, squealed the moment the male lead appeared on screen.
"Darn, I wish I could kiss this actor right now. He's just too handsome."
Guo Min arched a brow, unimpressed. "You fall for every actor as long as they're handsome, don't you?"
Ruoxi pouted. "But they are all handsome."
Guo Min smirked, sipping on her strawberry milkshake. "Yeah, right. Most of them use makeup to cover up their faces."
The movie wrapped up with a predictable romantic ending—the boy and girl finally confessing their love under the twinkling city lights.
Guo Min scoffed. "Every movie just conveniently ends with a foolish happy ending."
Ruoxi turned to her. "You don't believe in happy endings?"
Guo Min raised a brow as they exited the theater. "If you believe in it, then tell me a year where you didn't struggle, even once. No matter how rich or powerful someone is, they still end up facing problems."
Ruoxi stayed silent, knowing Guo Min had a point.
---
As they drove out of the parking lot, Guo Min casually asked, "Remind me again what your mom wanted us to buy for dinner?"
"Vegetables, chicken, and beef." Ruoxi answered absentmindedly, her eyes glued to her phone. But something on the screen made her expression shift. She threw Guo Min a hesitant glance.
Noticing Ruoxi's discomfort, Guo Min frowned. "What?"
Ruoxi hesitated before speaking. "Luo Shuchang is back in the city."
The name hit Guo Min like a thunderclap. Her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles whitening. For a moment, the world around her blurred.
Luo Shuchang. The man who had once brought her happiness—only to shatter her into pieces. The same man who had held her heart and then discarded her as if she never existed. He had left her for another woman, breaking her like she was nothing more than a disposable mistake.
The pain had been unbearable. She had lost herself in the aftermath, spiraling into emotional, physical, and mental wreckage. At one point, she had even wanted to disappear entirely. But with the unwavering support of those who loved her, she had survived.
Forcing herself to snap out of the painful memories, she turned to Ruoxi and mustered a small smile. Without another word, she started the car and drove to the grocery store.
---
Wang Mansion
By the time they arrived at the Wang mansion, it was already evening. They parked in the underground garage, carrying the groceries inside.
"Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad."
"Hi, Aunty. Hi, Uncle."
Ruoxi's parents were sitting on the couch, warmly greeting them as they walked in. Mrs. Wang, Yun Ai, stood up and gestured for them to follow her into the kitchen.
Dinner was served at 6:40 PM—chicken soup, fragrant and steaming. As they ate, Yun Ai suddenly set her cutlery down, her eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint.
Ruoxi and Guo Min exchanged wary glances. They knew that look. Danger ahead.
Before they could make excuses to escape, Yun Ai dropped the first bombshell.
"Your brother is back already. He's visiting tomorrow."
The two girls blinked in confusion. "Which brother?" Guo Min asked.
Yun Ai looked stunned. "You two don't remember him?"
Ruoxi tilted her head. "Mom, do I have a lost-and-found brother? Or was he just hiding this whole time?"
Yun Ai sighed, rubbing her temples. "Poor boy missed you both so much, and you can't even remember Yufan. I should tell him how much you love him."
Realizing their mistake, Guo Min quickly nudged Ruoxi. "No, no, Aunty! We were just joking. Right, Ruoxi?"
Ruoxi yelped at the sudden pinch under the table. "Y-Yes! Of course, we remember him."
Satisfied, Yun Ai nodded. Just as the girls thought they were free, she delivered the second bombshell.
"Ruoxi, you have a blind date tomorrow evening."
Ruoxi choked on her soup. "What?!"
"And Minmin," Yun Ai turned to Guo Min with a softer expression, "you are to attend the Guo family gathering tomorrow evening. Your grandfather specifically requested your presence. I know it will be hard, but for the sake of your family's reputation… please go."
Guo Min forced a smile, her heart sinking.
Ruoxi, more worried for Guo Min than for herself, chewed her lip anxiously.
As they got up to leave, Guo Min hesitated before turning back. "What exactly are they celebrating?"
Yun Ai sighed, the weight of her daughter's pain evident in her eyes. "Guo Ji and Luo Shuchang are announcing their relationship. They're also celebrating Shuchang officially taking over the company."
Guo Min felt her breath hitch.
Luo Shuchang. Again.
Her past was about to collide with her present. And she wasn't sure if she was ready.