Chapter 28: A Stray Dog

◎ “I only want Shen Suihui.” ◎

~~~

A dead silence enveloped the surroundings. The passersby became mere background figures as the three of them stared at each other, none daring to speak first.

“Do you have anything to say?”

Finally, Jiang Shiluo broke the silence.

She had the day off tomorrow and, after a long day at work, had planned to go to Shen Suhui’s house to share a meal. After dinner, the two of them would take a walk and have a heart-to-heart conversation.

But after not seeing each other for so long, she had walked in to see this scene.

She couldn’t imagine what it would look like for Shen Suhui to fall for someone, nor could she imagine Yu Ran falling for anyone other than Du Qiuyan. But today, with no suspense, she had seen the two of them kissing, reluctant to part.

For a moment, Jiang Shiluo wondered if she was in some absurd dream.

“Nothing to say,” Yu Ran held Shen Suhui’s hand, “The truth is exactly as you see it.”

“We’re in a relationship.”

“……”

Jiang Shiluo moved her lips and took a long time to recover.

“When… when did this happen?”

“Just after the New Year,” Yu Ran said, “On February 18th.”

“Oh…”

Jiang Shiluo was completely stunned, looking lifeless, as if her soul had left her body. She didn’t question them or cause a scene; she simply hadn’t processed it yet, and her mind seemed to be in a shutdown state.

Shen Suhui squeezed Yu Ran’s fingers. “You go handle things with Uncle Yu. I’ll take care of this.”

“Okay.” Yu Ran glanced at Jiang Shiluo, confirming she wouldn’t do anything extreme. “I’ll be quick. If you need anything, call me.”

“Mm.”

As she passed Jiang Shiluo, Yu Ran stopped and looked at her for a few seconds, but Jiang Shiluo didn’t respond.

Shen Suhui said, “Come sit at my place.”

Jiang Shiluo silently followed Shen Suhui, watching as she inputted the password and opened the door. It was obvious the atmosphere and the smell inside the house had changed. Compared to the previous cold and lifeless vibe, now there was color and warmth.

“You two are living together?”

“Mm.” Shen Suhui looked at her, “Luo Luo, we didn’t mean to hide our relationship from you. We’ve been wanting to find a chance to tell you, but you and Yu Ran have both been so busy…”

“Why?” Jiang Shiluo asked. “I’ve been pursuing you.”

“You were pursuing me, but during that time, I wasn’t your girlfriend. I had the right to accept someone else! And when you were pursuing me… I didn’t say yes.”

“I always saw you as a good friend. If I had feelings for you, we would’ve already been together.”

“Then what about Yu Ran? You’ve only known her for a short time, how could you fall for her so quickly?”

The more Jiang Shiluo thought about it, the more it seemed impossible. “You two met in high school, but you didn’t even look at each other. How could this happen…?”

“And Yu Ran and Du Qiuyan— you know about them!”

“I know all about it.” Shen Suihui said, “I know everything about her.”

“…What do you mean?”

Shen Suhui met Jiang Shiluo’s eyes. Jiang Shiluo looked like a wounded little dog, and Shen Suhui couldn’t bring herself to say anything that would upset her. But some things had to be said.

So, she turned around, facing away from Jiang Shiluo, and looked out the window at the orange-red sky.

As the sun set, the sky gradually darkened. The orange-red clouds swirled irregularly, blending with the grey-blue. It was a perfect mix of beauty, as if a painter had knocked over their palette.

Shen Suhui spoke calmly, “I’ve liked Yu Ran since the first day of high school, and I’ve liked her ever since.”

“What? All these years…” Jiang Shiluo said, “Why have you never told me?”

“I never told anyone. This…” Shen Suhui lowered her head, “This has always been my little secret, something I’ve kept to myself until now.”

“But you clearly know how much she used to care about Du Qiuyan.”

“It was me who liked her first.” Shen Suhui looked at Jiang Shiluo, her eyes seemingly asking for her approval. “So, I don’t care about who she was before, I only care about who she is now, who she became later.”

“At least Yu Ran now… loves me.”

“……”

Jiang Shiluo stared blankly at the ground. This must be love. She had been with her for so many years, supporting each other through difficult times, yet those years didn’t compare to the few days she had with her first love, who had returned from abroad.

“Shen Suhui.”

Jiang Shiluo smiled bitterly. “Fourteen years, you really hid it well…”

She didn’t know what to say, or how to describe her feelings. Was she backstabbed by her good friend? It didn’t really count, they were just together, and she wasn’t anyone special to Shen Suhui.

But there was jealousy, after all. She had liked Shen Suhui for over ten years. Even though Shen Suhui hadn’t noticed it before, she knew at least a little now, yet she gave her love wholeheartedly to Yu Ran.

That Yu Ran who had been indifferent to everything around her, following Du Qiuyan since high school.

The cold, distant Yu Ran.

How did Shen Suhui survive those fourteen years?

Ah, suddenly Jiang Shiluo remembered how Shen Suhui had spent those fourteen years.

Melancholic, silent, losing interest in everything, suffering from depression, and even attempting suicide several times.

All of that ended at the end of last year… because she met Yu Ran?

Her mind was in turmoil. Jiang Shiluo turned and left, needing time to think and digest all of this.

When Yu Ran got home, her aunt had already prepared the meal. Yu Haowei wasn’t around, and when Zhong Wanli saw her, she suddenly smiled and waved at her.

“Come wash your hands and eat. Tonight, I asked Auntie to prepare all your favorite dishes.”

Yu Ran walked over and sat down. She wasn’t the type to hold grudges—just a slap wasn’t a big deal.

“Where’s my dad?”

“He’s in the study, he’ll be down soon.”

“Okay.”

Yu Ran glanced at the table. Tonight’s dishes were all home-style—sweet and sour ribs, braised pork with preserved vegetables, stir-fried prawns… simpler than usual.

“Mom didn’t know if your taste has changed over the years, but these are all your favorites from when you were little.”

Yu Ran picked up her chopsticks and took a piece of rib, eating seriously.

Yu Haowei came downstairs. He first glared at Yu Ran and scolded, “You started eating before everyone was here? How were you taught as a child?”

“Aiyo!” Zhong Wanli coquettishly said, “The child is hungry, what’s wrong with eating first? There’s no outsider!”

“It’s not about outsiders, it’s about manners.”

The three of them sat down, and Yu Ran put down her chopsticks.

“Good evening, Dad, Mom. I’m hungry, may I start eating?”

“…” Yu Haowei knew she was doing it on purpose and his face darkened.

“Yes, yes.” Zhong Wanli said, “I’m hungry too, let’s eat!”

They all ate in silence, avoiding any further unpleasantness. Yu Haowei held his silence throughout the meal.

When Yu Ran saw that her parents had almost finished, she politely said, “Dad, Mom, I’m done eating. May I leave the table?”

Yu Haowei frowned, “I just said that, you don’t have to be so nervous.”

“Isn’t that exactly what you meant?” Yu Ran asked again. “I’m full, may I leave the table?”

Yu Haowei put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth with a wet towel, and said, “You both come to the study with me.”

What was meant to happen, would finally happen. Yu Ran didn’t say anything else and walked straight to the study.

Yu Haowei’s study was designed to be solemn, old-fashioned with a European style. Every time Yu Ran entered, she couldn’t help but think of the countless times she had seen the movie “Harry Potter.”

As a child, she had a strong desire to enter and play, imagining herself casting spells there. But now, it just felt unfamiliar and oppressive.

Of course, whenever Yu Haowei worked in there, she would go in to disturb him, asking him to play with her, and Yu Haowei would scold her for being unreasonable, asking the servants or Zhong Wanli to take her away.

But when Jiang Shiluo came in, it was different. No matter what her purpose was, she was always met with a warm, friendly smile.

Yu Ran sighed and stood across from the desk. Yu Haowei and Zhong Wanli soon came in, one standing, the other sitting.

It felt like a small interrogation room, with her parents questioning a criminal.

“Break up with her.”

Straight to the point, Yu Haowei never minced his words.

“Shen Suhui likes me,” Yu Ran sneered, “You can control me, but you can’t control her. The person she wants to be with for life is me.”

“Anyone would do, why does it have to be the one your first love liked?”

“…Did she like me?”

Yu Ran was too tired to argue. This had been debated countless times since childhood.

“If you called me back tonight to ask me to give up, then I don’t think this discussion needs to continue.”

“Shen Suhui is my girlfriend, I only want her. I need her.”

“Stop!!”

Yu Ran stopped, and Yu Haowei slowly stood up behind her.

“Give it one more try, Xiao Ran.” Yu Haowei’s tone softened, as if pleading. “Dad owes her family a life.”

“……”

“How long do I have to keep giving in?” Yu Ran turned her head. “You’ve been playing the role of the good person for almost twenty years, and I? I’ve always been giving up my share.”

“Actually, I could give up everything—fatherly love, motherly love, or even the money and inheritance of the Yu family. But can’t I just have Shen Suhui?”

“Yu Ran…”

“I’ve already given up so much. Why do you keep pushing me? Go love Jiang Shiluo; I have no complaints. But is it wrong to want one person’s wholehearted love? Do you have to take away my only chance at love?”

“…”

Yu Haowei lowered his head in silence, while Zhong Wanli looked guilty and sorrowful. They were biased toward Jiang Shiluo, but how could they not know that, for over twenty years, they had been cruel to their own biological daughter?

Even though the Yu family was wealthy and powerful, Yu Ran didn’t need to give up too many material things to Jiang Shiluo, but she had always received the least of her parents’ love.

For example, when she scored high on exams as a child, she was never praised, only sternly scolded not to be proud. But Jiang Shiluo was different. If she improved even by one rank, Yu Haowei and Zhong Wanli would take time out of their busy schedules to take her to the amusement park.

As for Yu Ran, she merely basked in Jiang Shiluo’s light, gaining a little benefit in the process.

What had Yu Haowei said back then? “This is what a child with parents should have. Since Shiluo’s father is gone, I’ll step in and fulfill his wish.”

But what he didn’t know was that everything Jiang Shiluo needed, Yu Ran didn’t. Despite her parents being present, she couldn’t get decent companionship or praise.

Yu Ran’s voice was hoarse. “You can give the entire Yu family to Jiang Shiluo, or take her and Aunt Tang in and adopt her as your daughter. I won’t blame you, and I’m not interested. I just want Shen Suhui.”

After speaking, Yu Ran left. She tried to act nonchalant, but deep down, she felt like a stray dog.

“Yu Ran!!!”

The couple slammed the table, calling her name several times.

But Yu Ran could no longer hear them, or perhaps she did hear them, but it felt like a curse from a demon. She suddenly ran forward, throwing away all her pride and strength.

She ran, trying to escape everything here.