Chapter 18: Don’t Deceive Yourself

“The meat buns your brother brought the other day were delicious. I have two movie tickets here, and I heard you’re on leave from the troupe. You can take a friend to watch a movie.”

With the performance approaching, the team leader, likely concerned about Xiao Qingru’s mood, had given her some time off. Though Qingru felt fine, who wouldn’t enjoy a break?

She planned to use the time to perfect her solo dance for the New Year’s performance. Since her leaders had given her a chance, she didn’t want to let them down.

She’d briefly mentioned her solo practice at the dinner table the other day, and it seemed Xu Muzhou had heard about it from his brother.

She thought to herself, He really can’t keep a secret!

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Xiao Huaishu sneezed, wondering who was bad mouthing him.

Seeing Qingru hesitate to take the tickets, Xu Muzhou held them out, insisting, “I’m not much of a movie person, and if you’re not interested, you could always give them to someone else.”

With so many treats still left to finish, Qingru felt embarrassed to accept more from him. “Why not ask your comrades? Maybe someone would like to go.”

“I did. No one’s interested.”

Under Xu Muzhou’s intense gaze, Qingru felt a strange nervousness, and somehow, without thinking, she accepted the tickets.

After gathering herself, she said, “Thank you for the tickets, Xu. How about I treat you to a meal at the cafeteria sometime?”

Xu Muzhou hid his excitement, wanting to say he was free today. But he didn’t want to use up the opportunity too quickly if he did, what would he do the next time he wanted to see her?

Patience, he told himself. No need to rush.

“I have plans today, but if you insist, I’d be happy to take you up on that.”

Qingru felt something odd in his response but didn’t question it.

“Let me know when you’re free,” she replied. “You can decide when. I’m usually free after work.”

Xu thought for a moment. “Let’s go to the cafeteria together after your leave ends. I can meet you at the troupe, if that’s alright.”

“That works.”

She thought eating at the cafeteria would be best since inviting Xu to her home might make him feel obligated to bring something along.

She put the tickets in her green military canvas bag. “Well, Xu, I’ll head home now.”

Xu lifted a hand in farewell. “Take care.”

She smiled politely, “You should get going, too.”

“Alright,” he replied.

Without looking back, Qingru didn’t see Xu standing there, watching her leave with joy, admiration, and deep affection in his eyes.

“Xu Muzhou, leave Qingru alone!”

The tall man turned around, his soft expression vanishing as he saw Jiang Chuan. He wasn’t surprised to see him step in, and he replied with a hint of sarcasm, “Finally decided not to hide in the shadows?”

Jiang Chuan’s face darkened, stung by the reminder of his earlier hesitation.

“Qingru is a good girl. Don’t hurt her.”

Xu Muzhou scoffed, as though he’d heard a bad joke. “I don’t need you to tell me that. And besides, haven’t you been the one hurting her all along?”

Jiang Chuan flared up, struck to the core. “I haven’t hurt her. Qingru just misunderstood because of those rumors.”

Xu’s gaze turned cold, sharp as a blade. “So you don’t think you’ve done anything wrong. You don’t think abandoning her halfway would hurt her? You’re not even worthy of being my rival.”

Rival? Xu Muzhou really did have feelings for Qingru!

Jiang Chuan’s eyes flashed with anger, feeling as though something precious was slipping away from him. His knuckles cracked from gripping his fists too tightly.

“My relationship with Qingru is none of your business. Stay away from her, Xu Muzhou!”

“You don’t get to control my relationship with her,” came a soft but determined voice from behind him.

Xu Muzhou turned, smiling gently. “Forgot something at the rehearsal room?”

Qingru walked over and stood next to Xu, her gaze sharp as she looked at Jiang Chuan. “I told you not to come looking for me again.”

Jiang Chuan, deflated, lost all the intensity he’d shown with Xu. Like a chastised child, he mumbled, “I didn’t mean to…”

Qingru wasn’t interested in sparing his feelings. “I regret ever dating you. If I could choose, I’d rather have never met you.”

With those words, she erased their past completely, as though their relationship had never existed. Her words cut through Jiang Chuan, each one more painful than the last.

It hurt truly hurt.

He forced himself to look her in the eyes. “Is there really no chance for us?”

“Jiang Chuan, stop deceiving yourself. It’s over.”

He gave a bitter smile. “Alright. If that’s what you want, I won’t show up again.”

With heavy steps, he walked away, his eyes reddening as he fought the urge to look back. Qingru already saw him as detestable he couldn’t bear to tarnish any remaining memories of their past.

As Jiang Chuan walked, he finally understood Qingru would never come back to him. For them, there was no future.