Chapter 49: I Know He’s Not Right

During the meal, Ding’s mother even carefully asked for Su Ning’s address. When she learned Su Ning rented a place alone, she was overjoyed and said she’d drop by sometime. Su Ning wanted to slap herself—why couldn’t she just lie a little? Being too honest was so inconvenient.

Clenching her teeth inwardly, Su Ning still showed a welcoming attitude toward Ding’s mother, silently scolding herself again: “You’re so fake!”

Ding Guangyu, clearly surprised that his mother disliked Li Huanran so much and had immediately taken a liking to Su Ning, tried to promote himself a few times and help Su Ning out of awkward situations—but each time, his mother shot him a look, and he didn’t dare say more.

Qiao Duoduo and Huo Yang couldn’t really interject either. They couldn’t speak ill of Su Ning in front of Ding’s mother—it would be rude. So they could only awkwardly watch Su Ning struggle alone.

As evening approached, despite her reluctance, Ding’s mother arranged to have breakfast with Su Ning the next day. Su Ning reluctantly agreed.

To avoid being sent home by Ding Guangyu, Su Ning took a detour to the stables to check on her steed.

That night, after finishing her kitchen duties at the restaurant, Qiao Duoduo finally lay in bed and teased Su Ning.

Qiao Duoduo: “Su Ge, do you think Ding Guangyu’s mother has a thing for you? How does it feel? Even Li Huanran couldn’t get her attention.”

Su Ning, reading the playful teasing in Qiao Duoduo’s words, felt a bit troubled and replied in a pouty tone.

Su Ning: “Yeah… I feel kind of proud. Li Huanran, such a beauty, couldn’t get her approval. Could it be she admires my talent?”

Qiao Duoduo: “Have you considered this—Ding Guangyu’s a single-parent kid. If his mother is this pleased with you, he’ll give in sooner or later.”

Through the system chat window, Su Ning could feel Qiao Duoduo’s mischievous delight. Taking a deep breath, she replied nonchalantly.

Su Ning: “Consider what? Marrying Ding’s mother?”

Qiao Duoduo laughed loudly under the covers, leaving Huo Yang confused.

Qiao Duoduo: “Just know this—don’t do anything foolish. That kind of family isn’t for you. Don’t repeat Zhu Chen’s tragedy.”

Seeing the name Zhu Chen, Su Ning’s expression darkened. She quickly replied with a simple “Never” and closed the chat.

Across the room, Qiao Duoduo looked worried and turned to Huo Yang.

Qiao Duoduo: “Honey, I mentioned Zhu Chen… did I say something wrong?”

Huo Yang: “It’s fine. It’ll pass eventually. It’s late, let’s sleep.” He ruffled her hair and got up to turn off the light.

Su Ning, meanwhile, buried herself deep under the covers, feeling her eyes grow wet. She silently scolded herself for being so pathetic—how long had it been, and she was still hurting?

Su Ning and Zhu Chen’s story was just an ordinary college romance: they fell in love in their first year and broke up in their fourth.

She still remembered meeting Zhu Chen for the first time, in the library. He was accompanying Huo Yang to meet Qiao Duoduo, and the sunlight on his white shirt made him look incredibly handsome. Su Ning thought, “This guy is really something—handsome, pure, truly wonderful.”

Zhu Chen’s first words to her were, “Su Ge.” Seeing how Huo Yang and Su Ning greeted each other, he thought it was interesting and followed along.

Their next meeting was on Christmas Eve. Huo Yang and Qiao Duoduo were on a date, but didn’t want Su Ning to be left alone in the dorm, so they invited her along. Su Ning felt like a third wheel, but Huo Yang brought Zhu Chen too.

At that time, Su Ning had a huge appetite, eating nonstop, while Huo Yang and Zhu Chen finished first. When they stepped out for a smoke, Su Ning was still eating.

Knowing she’d been eating a long time, Su Ning shamelessly said, “Why aren’t you eating anymore? It makes me look like I can eat a lot.”

Qiao Duoduo: “Does it need to be shown? Isn’t it obvious?”

Zhu Chen laughed beside her: “Keep eating, eat more.”

Su Ning initially thought Zhu Chen was being polite, but later realized he was just curious—how could a girl eat so much?

As they grew closer, Su Ning learned that girls from other departments ardently pursued Zhu Chen. From Huo Yang, Zhu Chen learned that Su Ning was stubborn and had never been won over.

Eventually, whether driven by conquest or rivalry, Zhu Chen and Su Ning gradually became a couple. Despite rumors, Su Ning refused to admit Zhu Chen was her boyfriend—he hadn’t confessed yet. Zhu Chen just smiled without responding.

In the end, Su Ning won. Zhu Chen confessed: “I’ve never met a girl so stubborn. I lost. I like you.”

Su Ning happily agreed, and they were openly together.

Qiao Duoduo warned Su Ning that Zhu Chen wasn’t reliable—he flirted outside school, dangling many girls. Huo Yang advised the same: Zhu Chen was talented but scheming, no girlfriend lasted over a month, and Su Ning was too naive to avoid being deceived.

But since they were already together, they didn’t press harshly, just stated the facts to protect Su Ning.

Su Ning remembered how confident she had been, ignoring their warnings. She promised herself: “Don’t worry. I know he’s not right. I don’t love him that much, but we’re together now. I’ll be careful and protect myself.”

That’s the danger of youth—no matter how obvious the red flags, you tell yourself, “Just try.”

For three years, Zhu Chen cut off all others; everyone thought he had found his true love.

But a short-distance internship and half a year of long-distance completely destroyed three years of love.

• First month: Su Ning video-called daily.
• Second month: every three days.
• Third month: once a week.

Zhu Chen never took the initiative. At first, Su Ning did all the talking; by the end, they just sat silently on video.

• Fourth month: a full month without contact. Su Ning wondered if he even remembered she was his girlfriend.
• Fifth month: Su Ning said, “If you want something else, let’s break up.” Zhu Chen said no, “We’re fine.”
• Sixth month: Su Ning begged, “Give me a clear answer. Don’t string me along.” Zhu Chen was silent.

Finally, Su Ning said, “Seven days. If no contact, we’re over.”

Seven days later, she sent the last message: “I wish you happiness. I’ve given up. You’re free.”

She deleted his contact, disappeared to Jiangnan, hoping never to meet him again.

A tear slipped from her eye. Su Ning closed them and whispered to herself: “Good night.”