Even though nothing had actually happened, rumors about Su Yirao and Guan Qingtong had been swirling lately.
First, it was the TV host's misunderstanding, then Lin Youqi's suspicion that Guan Qingtong was a rival in love, and now Su Yirao's mother directly questioning her.
If there had been something between her and Guan Qingtong, Su Yirao might have accepted it.
The problem was, they were the villainess and the female lead!
If such a relationship sparked rumors, who wouldn't find it laughable?
A simple friendship was being blown out of proportion, and Su Yirao found it both amusing and frustrating.
With a wry smile, she tried to explain, "There's nothing going on. Guan Qingtong and I are just friends. There's nothing ambiguous between us."
However, Su Yirao's mother didn't look convinced.
She suspiciously asked, "Then why are you two living together?"
A moment ago, Su Yirao had just finished explaining that her burn had healed, so she couldn't use that excuse again.
After a brief pause, her mother sighed in resignation, "I understand that Yu Xingye hurt you, and I'm okay with you liking girls, but..."
Before her mother could finish, Su Yirao felt her temples throbbing and quickly interrupted.
"Mom, I'm really single right now. I'm not involved with anyone."
"Anyway, I need to go check on Guan Qingtong, my... um, close friend, who's still at the hospital."
Not waiting for her mother to say more, Su Yirao grabbed her bag and hurried out, fleeing the loving but suffocating confines of home.
Once she was far enough, her parents couldn't reach her.
...
Arriving at the hospital in record time, Su Yirao slammed on the brakes, leaning back against the soft seat with a deep sigh of relief.
As she sat there, she began to reflect.
Why were so many people misunderstanding their relationship?
Could it be that she and Guan Qingtong really did seem too close?
She thought about it for a while but couldn't come up with anything concrete.
At most, there was that moment when she had flipped over onto Guan Qingtong in the car...
Her gaze drifted to the rearview mirror as she recalled that tight, confined space where they had been so close.
It almost felt like she could still feel Guan Qingtong's warmth on her legs from that night.
It was true, they had gotten a bit too close.
But then again, only she and Guan Qingtong knew about that moment.
Everyone else was just overthinking things.
Unbuckling her seatbelt, Su Yirao called Guan Qingtong to ask where she was in the hospital.
Following the directions given over the phone, she soon arrived at her destination, only to be greeted by the sight of a long-lost acquaintance—Yu Xingye, the male lead.
"Su Yirao, long time no see."
Su Yirao's lips curled downward as she sneered, "I really didn't want to see you."
Yu Xingye had already noticed her change in attitude long ago, so he remained unfazed.
"I heard from Guan Qingtong that you and Zhou Huiying recently opened a café?"
"Yes," Su Yirao replied with a slight smile, skipping the pleasantries. "But, Yu Xingye, you're not welcome to visit."
Yu Xingye's expression turned cold as he calmly replied, "I didn't expect an invitation. That's why I accepted Guan Qingtong's invitation to have coffee."
"I have a meeting to attend, so I'll leave it at that. We'll see each other again."
Su Yirao frowned and said, "Why bother when you'll only be turned away?"
"Su Yirao, I think you misunderstand," Yu Xingye said, raising an eyebrow. "I didn't like you before, and I still don't. I agreed to Guan Qingtong's invitation because of her, and nothing more."
His words implied that she, Su Yirao, was being self-indulgent.
Su Yirao did feel a bit hurt—not by Yu Xingye's blunt words but by the fact that Guan Qingtong had taken the initiative to invite him.
It felt as if someone she had considered her own had stabbed her in the back.
"So, it seems you've set your sights on someone new. Well, let me wish you in advance... that your love and career both remain unsuccessful." Su Yirao's red lips curved into a charming smile, her eyes full of genuine well-wishing.
Yu Xingye's smug expression instantly froze, and he retorted with a cold sneer, "Even if you were the last woman on earth, I still wouldn't like you."
"Hmph..." Su Yirao narrowed her eyes slightly. "You're quite confident, Yu Xingye. Why do you think I'm still hung up on you? Oh, I forgot, you're just a typical self-centered man. I guess that kind of thinking is normal for you."
"Sharp-tongued as ever," Yu Xingye said. "Compared to you, Guan Qingtong is much more endearing."
With that, he turned and left.
The smile Su Yirao had been forcing vanished in an instant.
Inviting Yu Xingye...
Was it the system's doing, or was it Guan Qingtong's own decision?
Her expression turned cold, and her lips pressed into a thin line.
...
When Guan Qingtong saw her, she greeted her cheerfully, "Sister!"
"You seem full of energy, so I guess your injury isn't too serious," Su Yirao said as she looked her over, her expression unreadable.
"I'm really fine. I told you, Sister, you didn't need to come all the way here," Guan Qingtong said, clearly happy that Su Yirao had left to be by her side.
Did she not want her to come because it would interfere with her time with someone else?
The pain of betrayal seemed to cut even deeper.
The male and female leads were gradually getting closer again, just as the system wanted. She should be satisfied with the outcome, but why did it feel so wrong?
It must have been because of Yu Xingye's disgusting attitude!
"Let's go home."
Su Yirao was eager to avoid any more troubling thoughts, so she suggested leaving, though the moment the words left her mouth, she recalled her mother's comments about "living together."
Annoying.
Today had been full of annoyances.
"Alright." Guan Qingtong raised her hand weakly. "Sister, could you help me a little? My right leg still hurts a bit."
"Sure."
Maybe it was because they had grown closer over the past few days, but Guan Qingtong leaned fully on Su Yirao, transferring most of her weight to her as they walked.
As she had hoped, this made it much easier to walk without straining her bruised leg.
However, as they continued walking arm in arm, Su Yirao's delicate face showed a hint of displeasure, and her frown deepened.
Su Yirao asked, "Was Yu Xingye the one who helped you to the hospital like this?"
"Men and women shouldn't be that close. How could I lean on him?" Guan Qingtong replied confidently. "Only with you, Sister, do I feel comfortable being this close!"
That response did much to soothe Su Yirao's mood.
"Guan Qingtong."
"Yes? What's up?"
"Why are you so willing to be close to me?"
Guan Qingtong paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "I just think you're a great person, Sister. Being close to you makes me happy."
"Your closeness to me has sparked rumors about us," Su Yirao said, her mind spinning with an odd idea.
"I know Xiao Lin misunderstood," Guan Qingtong said hesitantly. "Sister, if it bothers you that she misunderstood, I'll find a chance to explain it to her."
"It's not just her," Su Yirao thought of someone much harder to deal with—her mother.
"Really? Who else?"
Seeing that Su Yirao wasn't responding and realizing she had just come from her parents' house, Guan Qingtong started to piece things together.
The misunderstanding with Xiao Lin was only known to a few people at the café, so it couldn't have reached her parents yet.
So, it must have something to do with the couple's event on the 520 day...
"Sister Su, I think I understand who misunderstood," Guan Qingtong said with a wry smile. "What do you want to do? Whether it's clarifying things or something else, I'll go along with whatever you decide."
Hearing this, Su Yirao stopped walking and turned to meet Guan Qingtong's unwavering gaze.
After a long moment of eye contact, Su Yirao, deep in thought, felt like she was losing ground.
She looked away, organizing her thoughts as she continued walking. Her voice was calm and steady as she spoke.
"I have an idea, but... it might severely damage your love life."
Was this the same topic they had briefly touched upon earlier?
Guan Qingtong held her breath, trying to contain the excitement bubbling up inside her.
"My parents have been pushing me to get married lately, but I'm not planning on dating anyone."
"Since people already think there's something between us, why not play along? At least that way, the misunderstanding won't be for nothing."
"At the café, it could also help Xiao Lin give up on her feelings for me."
"For me, it's a win-win. For you, there's no benefit. It'll only kill your love life," Su Yirao said slowly. "You can refuse, but since I'm bringing it up, I secretly hope you'll agree."
Actually, Su Yirao was hiding something.
She would also gain another advantage—disrupting the male and female leads' relationship.
Not only would she get to see Yu Xingye humbled, but she would also avoid continuing down the path of the villainess.
Given how the system kept falling asleep and leaving her as the so-called "plot overseer," it was clear the system was more bark than bite.
Either way, her ending as a villainess couldn't get much worse.
It was worth the risk.
At the same time, she was testing Guan Qingtong's attitude.
If Guan Qingtong refused, it would likely mean the male and female leads had indeed had their fated encounter.
And she would need to reevaluate her relationship with Guan Qingtong.
She didn't want to be backstabbed again.
"I agree! I agree!" Guan Qingtong's face lit up with a smile as she bit her lip, trying to suppress her unexpected excitement.
Her eagerness surprised Su Yirao a little.
Su Yirao couldn't help but confirm, "For the foreseeable future, you can't have any romantic interests, and you can't date anyone. Are you sure you're okay with that?"
For Guan Qingtong, at least for now, this was a thrilling and happy prospect.
She was confident she wouldn't develop feelings for anyone else.
And she certainly wouldn't suddenly want to start dating someone.
"I'm sure!"
Guan Qingtong beamed as she shifted her grip on Su Yirao's arm.
"Sister Su, now that you're my official girlfriend, can I hold onto your arm?"
When she had first leaned on Su Yirao, she had wanted to hold onto her arm.
She always felt that holding an arm was more intimate and comfortable than just leaning.
Now, she finally had a reason to do so!