After the performance ended, Xiao Anlan, Wanru and Xiaoman waited outside the auditorium for Anya and Anhui to join them for dinner.

“What would you like to eat?” he asked Yu Wanru and Su Xiaoman.

“I’m okay with anything. How about you, Xiaoman?” Yu Wanru replied.

Su Xiaoman smiled. “I’ll leave it to Young Master Xiao. Wanru and I aren’t very familiar with the restaurants here, so we don’t know what to suggest.”

Xiao Anlan said, “Then let’s go to Yunhai Tower. Their desserts are great, and the saltwater duck is especially famous.”

He actually wanted to take Yu Wanru to a Western restaurant, but he wasn’t sure if she and Su Xiaoman were familiar with Western dining etiquette. Worried that it might make them feel uncomfortable, he put the idea aside, deciding to take her to a Western restaurant another time when it was just the two of them.

Naturally, Yu Wanru and Su Xiaoman had no objections to this decision.

As they were talking, Anya and Anhui finally came out, with Anhui holding hands with another female student.

“Ge, Wanru, Xiaoman Jie, let me introduce you to my classmate, Lin Xueyi. She played the female lead in the play.”

Lin Xueyi shyly greeted, “Hello, Young Master Xiao, and hello to the two sisters.”

She was a petite girl, appearing even shorter than Yu Wanru, with a slender and graceful figure—perfect for playing the tragic heroine role.

They smiled and nodded, returning her greeting.

Anya asked Anhui, “We’re going to dinner with Ge. Where is your classmate going?”

Anhui replied, “Ge, Xueyi lives on the west side of town, far from here. Can we give her a ride?”

Before Xiao Anlan could answer, Su Xiaoman smiled and said, “Aren’t there too many of us for the car? Why don’t Wanru and I take a rickshaw instead? What do you think, Wanru?”

Xiao Anlan quickly stopped them, saying, “No need.”

Anya then said, “We can’t let Wanru take a rickshaw. Anhui, why don’t we go with your classmate? Ge can drive Wanru and Xiaoman Jie.”

Anhui touched her face—on such a hot day, she didn’t want to be out in the sun in a rickshaw. But since she had invited her classmate, she reluctantly agreed. “Alright, Ge, just let us know where you’re eating, and Anya and I will join you later. Xueyi, let’s go.”

Lin Xueyi, looking embarrassed, quickly waved her hand. “No need, Anhui. I’ll take a rickshaw on my own. You and Young Master Xiao can go enjoy dinner.”

Anhui, not too eager to face the hot sun, asked, “Are you sure you’ll be alright on your own?”

Anya teased, “Anhui, do you think everyone is as lost as you? Your friend travels across town from the west side every day. She’ll be fine.”

Lin Xueyi nodded shyly, “Yes, I’ll be fine, Anhui. Goodbye, Young Master Xiao, and goodbye, everyone.”

Anhui waved to her, “Take care.”

After Lin Xueyi left, Anya asked Anhui, “Since when did you become so close with her?”

Anhui replied, “Just these past few months. Xueyi is a nice person—pretty, gentle. She was feeling hot after the play, and I was worried she might get heatstroke, so I thought of giving her a ride.”

Anya smiled but said nothing further.

Xiao Anlan drove the four ladies toward Yunhai Restaurant. Along the way, the four young women quickly warmed up to each other.

By the time they arrived, they had already planned a future outing together.

During the meal, Xiao Anlan felt entirely sidelined. The ladies enthusiastically chatted about clothing, shoes, books, and cameras, hardly acknowledging his presence. Left only with small opportunities to talk to his fiancée, he decided that next time he’d bring her out alone.

After dinner, they strolled along the street for a while, and Xiao Anlan suggested a movie. However, Yu Wanru and Su Xiaoman declined, saying it was getting late.

Xiao Anlan then drove the two of them back to Yu family residence.

Su Xiaoman asked the family worker to send a message to her home that she’d be staying the night at Yu Wanru’s.

The two close friends, often sharing heartfelt talks late into the night, retired to bed after washing up.

Lying in bed, Yu Wanru sighed, “Xiaoman, the last time we stayed up talking like this was, what, two years ago?”

Su Xiaoman nodded, “Yes, two years and five months ago. The more I think about it, the more I realize it was a mistake to follow Zhou Junsheng to the provincial capital alone. No family or friends around, just a man I couldn’t rely on.”

Yu Wanru suggested, “Then, don’t leave again. Stay here in Liucheng.”

Su Xiaoman smiled faintly, “I won’t leave. Where else would I go?”

Yu Wanru nodded, “Good.”

Turning to face her friend, Su Xiaoman asked, “Aren’t you curious about my opinion on Young Master Xiao?”

Feeling shy, Yu Wanru averted her gaze, asking quietly, “What do you think of him?”

Su Xiaoman said, “Before I met him, I had plenty of doubts. Men who study abroad often preach about free love and oppose arranged marriages. Many of them, even those already married, would get involved with so-called modern women. I saw no morality or integrity, only hypocrisy under the guise of reform.

“But meeting Young Master Xiao today, I think he’s different. He was attentive to you and kind to me as your friend, yet not overbearing. He carries himself with a sense of propriety.

“I heard rumors that he was an idle young master, but his conversations today showed he’s not lacking in education.

“A man with a good background, good character, and who treats you well—that’s enough.

“Wanru, you’re a good girl, blessed with luck. I believe you’ll be happy.”

Yu Wanru smiled shyly, slightly embarrassed by her friend’s words.

Su Xiaoman continued, “Still, Young Master Xiao is an outstanding man, and that may attract admirers. Be cautious.”

Surprised, Yu Wanru asked, “Xiaoman, what do you mean?”

Su Xiaoman brushed Yu Wanru’s bangs aside, saying, “Silly girl, did you really think Anhui’s classmate just wanted a ride home because it was far and hot?”

Yu Wanru hesitated, “I did wonder about it. She usually manages the journey by herself, so why today… But maybe she had a particular reason?”

Su Xiaoman tapped her forehead, “It’s good you’re a bit suspicious; it shows you’re not entirely naïve, just inexperienced. I suspect she’s interested in Young Master Xiao.”

Yu Wanru’s eyes widened, “But… we’re officially engaged; it’s even been in the newspaper. Everyone in Liucheng knows. Wouldn’t Miss Lin know as well?”

Su Xiaoman shook her head, sighing with a smile, “Even I, a married woman, have faced men who preach love as an excuse to undermine my marriage. And you two are only engaged. Besides, Miss Lin might not aspire to be the proper lady of the Xiao family. Perhaps she’d be content to be a mistress, living a life of comfort.”

Yu Wanru’s mouth fell open in shock.

“Wanru, let me tell you, the most seemingly harmless people are often the ones to guard against.

“My experience with Zhou Junsheng’s affair with a young reporter was similar. She was a new hire at his paper, fresh out of school—young, innocent-looking, with a strong and determined personality. She idolized her mentors and leaned on him. Tell me, what man could resist that?

“Zhou Junsheng and I may have had an arranged marriage, but we grew up together with genuine affection. And yet, even that couldn’t withstand a few tears from his ‘true love.’”

“With even someone like Zhou Junsheng having people interested in him, don’t you think it’s only natural for someone like Young Master Xiao to be noticed by others? That’s why, Wanru, you need to be careful.”

Yu Wanru frowned, took her hand, and softly said, “Xiaoman, don’t be upset.”

Su Xiaoman shook her head with a faint smile. “I’m not upset. If I were, it would imply that Zhou Junsheng still has a high place in my heart. Is he worth my sadness? I only feel that our relationship of more than a decade seems like a joke—ridiculous.”

“Wanru, remember what I just said. Don’t underestimate the women around you. Some of them might not have good intentions.”

Yu Wanru tightly knitted her eyebrows, pondering for a long time, and then slowly replied, “But Xiaoman, if I am constantly on guard, placing all my energy on my future husband, afraid he might find someone else, then am I still myself? Wouldn’t I lose my own opinions and thoughts?”

Su Xiaoman listened, stunned for a moment, then slowly smiled, sighing softly. “You’re right; I was overthinking. It’s just a man, not someone to make our whole world. Wanru, you’re right. We should never entrust our entire lives to another person.”

Sadly, she realized this too late…