A sleek, black Rolls Royce came to a graceful stop at the front doors of Heritage Estate.
The vehicle exuded an air of mystery, its glossy exterior reflecting the late afternoon sunlight.
From within, a young woman stepped out with quiet elegance.
She looked to be in her early twenties, her simple white cotton dress adorned with intricate embroidery. Loose curls framed her face, cascading down her shoulders, and though her attire was understated, it was enough to draw attention.
Her makeup was subtle, enhancing her natural beauty, and she carried a white handbag with a matching pair of plain black heels. There was nothing ostentatious about her appearance, yet she radiated an undeniable charm—a beauty so unassuming it felt otherworldly.
Ren Yuxin was the kind of woman whose presence silenced rooms. She didn't need elaborate gestures or grand statements; her serene smile and quiet demeanor captivated effortlessly. Her aura was soft yet profound, like a gentle spring breeze brushing against one's skin.
The sound of hurried footsteps broke the tranquil atmosphere as Jian Ai, an old friend from high school, rushed toward her with a wide grin.
"Oh my, Yuxin, you're here! Let's hurry upstairs! Everyone's waiting for you. They were thrilled when they heard you were coming back!"
Jian Ai wasted no time grabbing her wrist, tugging her toward the elevator.
Ren Yuxin allowed herself to be led, though an inexplicable unease settled in her chest. It was a feeling she hadn't experienced in years, one she couldn't quite place.
As the elevator ascended to the 8th floor, Ren Yuxin glanced at her friend. "Is Mianmian already here?"
Jian Ai nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, she just arrived. Though, she's probably sulking right now."
Ren Yuxin tilted her head in confusion. "Sulking? Why would she be sulking?"
Jian Ai smirked knowingly but said nothing, leaving Ren Yuxin to ponder.
When they reached their destination, Jian Ai pushed the door open to reveal a cozy yet lively living room. Inside, three familiar figures sat chatting, but their conversation halted the moment the door swung wide.
The air shifted as all eyes turned toward Ren Yuxin. Her warm smile lit up the room.
"Hi, everyone. It's been a while," she greeted softly.
Before anyone could respond, Shi Meng leaped from the couch and engulfed Yuxin in a tight embrace.
"Yuxin! Why didn't you tell us five years ago that you were leaving?" Shi Meng's voice trembled, tears pooling in her eyes.
Ren Yuxin froze momentarily, guilt prickling at her heart. She wanted to offer an explanation, but no excuse felt adequate. What could she possibly say to justify her sudden departure?
"I'm sorry, Mengmeng," she whispered sincerely.
Shi Meng pulled back, wiping her eyes. "Since you apologized so earnestly, I guess I'll forgive you... reluctantly."
Ren Yuxin chuckled softly, her gaze shifting to the girl with the fishtail braid seated on the couch.
Jiang Mian was staring at her, a myriad of emotions flickering in her eyes. The moment their gazes met, Jiang Mian quickly looked away, her lips pressed into a tight line.
Ren Yuxin approached her cautiously, lowering herself onto the couch beside her. "Mianmian, I'm sorry for not saying anything back then."
Her voice was gentle, and her expression softened as she gave Jiang Mian a pleading look—the same look that always melted Mian's resolve.
"You... You..." Jiang Mian stammered, trying to resist. "Don't give me that look. It's not going to work this time."
But her words betrayed her as she threw her arms around Yuxin, holding her tightly.
Ren Yuxin pouted playfully as she returned the embrace. For a moment, the tension dissolved, replaced by the warmth of old friendships rekindled.
After what felt like an eternity, Jian Ai emerged with a tray of freshly baked snacks, setting them down on the intricately designed glass coffee table.
Ren Yuxin glanced around, taking in the opulence of the space.
The expansive living room boasted floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a panoramic view of the city below, the lights twinkling like a sea of stars. The high ceilings were pristine white, contrasting elegantly with the subtle gray walls. In the center of the room, a chandelier cast a soft, warm glow, illuminating the plush sofas arranged in a semi-circle.
"It's a nice house," Ren Yuxin remarked, her voice filled with admiration.
"Right? Too bad it's not mine," Xie Yan replied nonchalantly, sprawled across one of the sofas with an air of ownership.
"...Huh?" Ren Yuxin raised a brow, momentarily confused.
"It's Shi Meng's," Xie Yan clarified with a lazy grin.
"T-thank you," Shi Meng stammered, peeling an apple with delicate precision. She sat primly at the edge of a sofa, her posture contrasting sharply with Xie Yan's relaxed demeanor.
Ren Yuxin blinked, briefly struck by the peculiar role reversal. It felt more like Xie Yan was the host, while Shi Meng was a guest in her own home. Shaking off the thought, she reached for a slice of peach from the tray.
"Oh, by the way, I heard you went straight to a shoot after arriving back in the country," Shi Meng chimed in from her seat, nibbling on a cookie.
Ren Yuxin nodded, chewing thoughtfully. "Yeah, but it was a short one. Nothing too tiring."
"What was it for?"
"An advertisement. I was shooting with him."
"Him? Who?"
Before Ren Yuxin could answer, she pulled out an iPad encased in a white cover adorned with red floral designs. "Actually, I have something to show you."
"An iPad?" Xie Yan asked, intrigued.
"Yeah, I found it in my old room earlier. It has all our pictures from high school."
At that, the room buzzed with excitement. Everyone shuffled closer as Ren Yuxin handed the device to Jian Ai, who eagerly began scrolling through the photos.
Laughter erupted as they reminisced about their younger selves.
Jian Ai paused on a picture of the five of them at Ren Yuxin's house during their secon year.
"Look, it's the time Mengmeng got so nervous she puked!" Xie Yan exclaimed, pointing at the screen.
"Hey! Don't bring that up!" Shi Meng protested, her cheeks puffing out indignantly, much to everyone's amusement.
Ren Yuxin's gaze lingered on a group photo taken during their first-year graduation. A bittersweet smile touched her lips. "It's a shame some people are missing."
"Who?" Jian Ai asked, sipping her wine.
"Chiyuan," Ren Yuxin replied softly.
"Lin Chiyuan? The model you just shot with?"Jiang Mian asked.
"No, not him," Ren Yuxin corrected. "I meant Su Yuanzhou."
The name hung in the air for a moment, drawing knowing looks from the group.
"Oh, that guy," Jian Ai said, leaning back.
"Didn't people call him Chiyuan because of his red hair?" Shi Meng recalled, chuckling.
"Yeah, and he used to ride around on motorcycles, acting like a total badass," Xie Yan added with a dramatic eye roll.
"Wait! So you thought of Su Yuanzhou first after looking at the pictures? Even though he doesn't have a single picture here?" Xie Yan's eyes sparkled as she kept poking Ren Yuxin's side while teasing her.
"What's with that look and tone? It's kind of pissing me off." She said as her ears reddened slightly.
Xie Yan, who has eyes akin to those of an eagle, noticed it immediately. "What? Did you really like him back then?"
"What? No!" Ren Yuxin's denial came too quickly, the slight upward twitch of her lips betraying her embarrassment.
"You used to like Su Yuanzhou? He was a total asshole. He would even go around riding motorcycles," Shi Meng said.
"Oh, Yuxin's into bad guys, ha?" Xie Yan said teasingly.
"It's not like that." Ren Yuxin covered her face in embarrassment.