Half a month later, Ye Shuya returned from the United States. When she went to school, Song Xiao looked at her strangely and spoke hesitantly. Ye Shuya just gave her a cold glance and then buried herself in her work.
Song Xiao had no ill will towards her; she was clear-sighted about that. However, for some reason, she just didn't want to get too close to her and preferred to maintain a distant relationship. Perhaps because of her bad temper, she didn't have a single friend in City C.
During office chatter, Tang Dan suddenly brought up Su Yao, saying that her daughter had suddenly signed up for an abstract painting class during the winter vacation, for which Su Yao was largely responsible.
Upon hearing this, Song Xiao, unusually, did not speak. She just stealthily glanced at Ye Shuya and, seeing her indifferent expression, quietly steered the conversation away from Su Yao. In just a short winter vacation, she felt that Ye Shuya's coldness had increased. But it didn't matter; one day, the beautiful iceberg that was Shuya would melt in her hands.
During lunch break, Song Xiao finally got the chance to chat with Ye Shuya alone. She smiled and leaned in, "Shuya, you know what? Dai Ni and I are together now."
Ye Shuya was slightly taken aback.
"When I went back during the winter vacation, I was waiting for a ride at the school gate, and I didn't expect to wait for Dai Ni. He said he knew you and that I was your friend, so he gave me a ride. Then..." Song Xiao didn't continue, but everyone could guess what happened next.
Ye Shuya looked at Song Xiao from head to toe. Honestly, it was quite surprising to her that Song Xiao would end up with Dai Ni. Song Xiao, with her delicate features and the gentleness of a classical Chinese beauty, was indeed a bit odd with a man who seemed to have stepped out of a medieval English manor. However, it was their business, and it wasn't her place to judge.
Song Xiao added, "Shuya, Dai Ni and I would like to invite you for dinner tonight, okay?"
Ye Shuya declined.
Undeterred, Song Xiao persisted, "How about we also invite Su Yao?"
Ye Shuya's breathing quickened, and she feigned calmness as she said, "I have plans tonight."
As if thinking of something, Song Xiao gave her a somewhat suggestive look, "I get it, let's make it another day."
When Lin Yu came back for teaching materials and saw Song Xiao and Ye Shuya chatting, she spoke with a hint of sarcasm, "Xiaoxiao, what kind of flowers did your boyfriend send you today?"
Song Xiao smiled sweetly and said, "Still roses."
Lin Yu, as if she had received the flowers herself, raised her chin triumphantly and glanced at Ye Shuya's desk, "It's such a pity. If Teacher Ye's boyfriend also continued as before, we would have two bouquets of roses in our office every day."
Song Xiao was quite embarrassed, but Ye Shuya didn't react at all.
Seeing that she hadn't ruffled Ye Shuya, Lin Yu felt somewhat discontented but didn't say anything more. She left the office, her high heels clicking away.
In the evening, when Ye Shuya went to Angie's house, Angie kept mentioning Su Yao. Ye Shuya listened expressionlessly, but in her heart, she thought of the text messages from Su Yao on her phone.
— Ya Ya, where are you?
— Ya Ya, what does sorry mean?
— Ya Ya, what do you really want?
She had only turned on her phone after returning to the country. Seeing the dates of the messages, all from half a month ago, she felt some regret. Why hadn't she turned it on earlier? However, the days spent with Ah Qin in the United States were still vivid in her mind, and she hardened her heart, deciding not to have any more entanglements with Su Yao.
Look, she had caused Su Yao to be hospitalized. Being with her would surely drive Su Yao to his death. In this world, only Ah Qin could tolerate her capricious temper; only Ah Qin could endure her torment.
Su Yao was not suitable for her, and she was not suitable for Su Yao.
But despite thinking this way, one day after work, she found herself involuntarily driving to the Cantonese restaurant where Su Yao had first taken her.
The lobby was still filled with people waiting in line, and the manager was the same one from before. The only difference was that this time, she was alone. She took a number and stood in the corner to wait.
Somehow, whether by coincidence or something else, she soon saw Song Xiao and Dai Ni as they entered the restaurant. At the same moment, Song Xiao also spotted Ye Shuya in the corner with her keen eyes.
Her eyes lit up, and she waved to greet her, "Shuya."
Dai Ni and Song Xiao walked over, and Song Xiao said with a smile, "What a coincidence." Dai Ni smiled and said, "Miss Ye, are you here for dinner too?"
She vaguely nodded her head.
She always felt that coming to this restaurant and then being seen by acquaintances was like her sordid thoughts being exposed, which made her very embarrassed. She forced herself to put on an aloof expression.
"Shuya, join us?"
Just as Ye Shuya was about to say something, Dai Ni suddenly looked at her deeply, "Su is also here. If Miss Ye has anything to say to him, it's best to clarify everything at once."
As soon as Dai Ni finished speaking, she saw Su Yao standing not far away.
He was still as handsome as ever, his white shirt making him look refined and scholarly, like an elegant and well-mannered scholar. He didn't look at her, as if treating her as if she were invisible, and simply said, "The room is on the second floor."
After that, Su Yao turned and walked up alone. Dai Ni, with Song Xiao in tow, followed suit. She hesitated for a moment, feeling very flustered, and whenever she thought of Su Yao's face just now, she didn't know what to do.
Song Xiao suddenly called out, "Shuya, aren't you coming with us?"
Her voice was not low, and many people looked over. Su Yao's steps paused. Ye Shuya lowered her eyes, and in the end, she gritted her teeth and followed.
When she was seated, Ye Shuya felt a bit of a headache. She was the last one to come in, and the only seat left was next to Su Yao on his right. She had no choice but to sit down with a stiff smile.
To her left was Song Xiao, who noticed that Ye Shuya looked a bit uncomfortable and asked with concern, "Shuya, are you not feeling well?"
Ye Shuya shook her head.
Su Yao did not look well; he was silent the whole time, playing with the watch on his wrist. When he heard Song Xiao's words, his fingertips trembled slightly.
Out of curiosity, Song Xiao asked, "Shuya, what did you do in the United States?"
She didn't know why her heart skipped a beat, and then she glanced at Su Yao furtively before answering softly, "Just relaxing."
Dai Ni coughed and ordered the dishes to be served.
The atmosphere at the dinner table was very subtle. Su Yao kept a cold face, and Ye Shuya also kept her head down, eating silently. Song Xiao tried to say a few words to liven up the atmosphere but was stopped by Dai Ni, who pinched her palm under the table.
Ye Shuya didn't really taste the meal. Su Yao's indifferent attitude reminded her of their previous intimacy in bed, but in just a short while, they became strangers... She felt unspeakably uncomfortable, eating mechanically, taking whatever was in front of her.
Suddenly, Su Yao stood up abruptly, said "excuse me," and walked outside.
Su Yao's departure instantly made Ye Shuya feel relaxed.
Dai Ni put down his spoon, looked at her deeply, and said, "Miss Ye, I would like to apologize for what happened last time. I was anxious and spoke a bit harshly. I'm sorry."
She was taken aback, remembering Dai Ni's words from before, and she quickly waved her hand, "It's okay, it's not important." She knew how fake her words sounded. Heaven knows that when she rushed to the United States, Dai Ni's words were one of the reasons.
The shadows of her childhood always occasionally surfaced in her mind: her uncle's scolding, her parents' early death, as if she were a natural sinner, born into this world only to bring misfortune to others.
Because of the scolding, because of Su Yao's unconsciousness, she fled in panic.
When Su Yao returned, the waiter was just opening the wine for Song Xiao. After receiving it, understanding the camaraderie among colleagues, Song Xiao offered the wine to Ye Shuya. Ye Shuya did not refuse and was about to take a sip when Su Yao's face darkened. He strode over and snatched the wine from Ye Shuya's hand.
Ye Shuya was startled and, upon seeing it was Su Yao, pursed her lips and said nothing.
Everyone was taken aback by this situation.
Su Yao's eyes were only on Ye Shuya. He said coldly, "How can you drink this?"
Ye Shuya looked at him in confusion, "Why can't I drink this?"
"The wine is chilled," Su Yao threw the glass aside, "You got your period today, didn't you?"
Ye Shuya was taken aback, then remembered that these days were indeed when she usually had her period, but because she had been in a bad mood lately, her menstrual cycle was very irregular, and it hadn't come yet.
Her face turned a little red, "No, I haven't, you're talking nonsense."
Su Yao glared at her, "Impossible, I couldn't have remembered it wrong. It's clearly these days for you."
"Su Yao, how would you know if it has come or not?" Ye Shuya looked at his certainty and felt annoyed.
Su Yao pushed the glass of wine in front of Ye Shuya, "Go ahead and take a sip if you dare."
Ye Shuya, under Su Yao's cold gaze, felt a chill in her heart, and without a second thought, she grabbed the glass and began to drink it heartily.
Su Yao's eyes nearly popped out, but recalling how she had looked pale with pain that one time, he couldn't bear it. He snatched the glass from her lips and forcefully threw it onto the table. Then he grabbed her hand, "Let's go buy medicine."
Ye Shuya tried to shake off his hand, but his touch was cool and comfortable. After a brief moment of hesitation, Ye Shuya found herself being pulled outside by Su Yao, and the two quickly disappeared.
The remaining Dai Ni and Song Xiao looked at each other. Dai Ni quickly recovered and put his arm around Song Xiao's waist, "Xiaoxiao, it's better that they're gone. We can have our own world now."