Chapter 37: Returning the Cup to Gu Yuchen

“Mom, Dad, don’t be upset,” Wen Zhixian comforted them.

“We’re fine, you cheer up,” Shen Ling replied. Still, the one most affected by her relationship with Gu Yuchen was undoubtedly Zhixian.

Zhixian changed the subject. “What brings you two here?”

“I’m off today, and your dad and I were out shopping. We thought we’d stop by and see you.” They hadn’t expected to run into Gu Yuchen.

The three of them found a place to sit. Since her parents weren’t used to coffee, they made themselves some tea instead.

“How’s Yanjing treating you these days?”

Zhixian nodded. “Pretty well.”

“There’s a difference between treating you well for a moment and consistently being good to you. Keep an eye on things—you’re the one living with him,” her mother advised.

“I know,” she replied.

Wen Xingzhi asked, “Has Gu Yuchen been trying to see you recently?”

“He has, but he only says meaningless things.”

Shen Ling snorted. “I don’t know what he’s thinking. Before, we barely saw him once a month. Now he’s showing up all the time.”

“Just ignore him.” He might stop acting crazy after some time.

After sitting with her for a bit and offering a few words of advice, her parents left.

When Zhixian turned to go back to her shop, she noticed Yue Qi watching her. She raised her eyebrows at him.

He had likely overheard her conversation with Gu Yuchen outside the shop.

“Boss, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop,” Yue Qi said hastily. Gu Yuchen’s presence had been too eye-catching earlier, and while standing outside for a bit, he unintentionally heard fragments of their exchange. Piecing it together, he had a rough idea of what happened.

Zhixian waved it off. “It’s nothing important.”

“I can’t believe he’s that kind of person,” Yue Qi said indignantly.

Zhixian smiled faintly and let her gaze fall on the display of mugs in the window.

Oh, Gu Yuchen had brought up the cup again today. It was time to return those mugs.

“Yue Qi, could you pack up these mugs for me? I’ll take them later.”

Yue Qi fetched a box and packed them all.

“Do you want one?” Zhixian asked.

Yue Qi glanced at the pink, white, and green lily-of-the-valley mugs and clicked his tongue. “What kind of macho man uses cups in those colors? It’d ruin my image. No thanks.”

Zhixian picked up a pink mug and examined it closely. Gu Yuchen had used this one for years.

Yue Qi placed the box aside and went back to work. Zhixian put the pink mug on top and took out her phone, sending a message to Song Kairui: [Kairui, I have something I’d like to return to Gu Yuchen. Could you help me deliver it?]

Song Kairui replied with enthusiasm: [Are you at your shop? I’ll swing by and grab it. I’m having lunch with Gu Yuchen anyway.]

Zhixian: [I’m here.]

She had initially planned to deliver the items herself, but since Kairui was coming, it saved her the trouble.

Song Kairui arrived in less than half an hour. After entering the shop, he sat across from Zhixian and gave her a once-over. “Did Gu Yuchen come to see you this morning?”

Zhixian looked at him and nodded slowly.

“He dragged me into his car, locked the doors, and acted like a lunatic.”

Song Kairui frowned slightly. “He didn’t do anything to you, did he?”

Gu Yuchen probably wouldn’t do anything too outrageous—otherwise, she wouldn’t be sitting here calmly now.

“My parents showed up and saw everything.”

Song Kairui burst into laughter. “Wow.”

He knew Gu Yuchen had been trying to apologize to Uncle Wen and Aunt Shen for ages, but they had refused to see him. For them to meet under such circumstances—essentially a kidnapping attempt of their daughter—there was no way they’d give him a warm reception.

“What do you want me to give him?” Kairui asked, eager to tease Gu Yuchen over lunch.

Zhixian pulled out the lily-of-the-valley mug and placed it on the table.

Kairui blinked in surprise, looking at Zhixian. “You actually put it back together?”

He had no idea what the mug had looked like when it was broken, but when she suddenly pulled out an identical one, it was hard not to think she had pieced it together herself.

“Piece it together? It was shattered into pieces. He smashed it again himself. Of course, I bought it. It’s $59.90 each.”

Song Kairui’s laughter grew louder, clapping his hands and giving a thumbs-up. “This is amazing.”

“He kept making a big deal out of this cup, so I’m just replacing it with an identical one. He doesn’t like substitutes, right? This cup is exactly the same, except it wasn’t produced in the same batch.”

Song Kairui paused for a moment, hearing a significant word—substitute.

He looked at Zhixian, who spoke slowly. “Earlier, you said you’d tell me something that might upset me later. Was this it?”

Song Kairui sighed and gave a faint “Mm.”

“Thank you, Kairui.”

Song Kairui lifted his eyes. “Aren’t you mad that I didn’t tell you?”

“You thought it through very well. If I had stayed with him, you would’ve kept it to yourself. If we’re not together, telling me wouldn’t make me sad. You’ve considered everything carefully.”

Song Kairui crossed his legs, resting his hands on his knees, and quietly listened to her. “Now, I hope you and Qi Yanjing are doing well.”

“We will be.”

He changed the subject. “I’ll bring this cup to him at noon. Hmm…”

He paused and smiled at Zhixian. “But I think he might smash it.”

Wen Zhixian moved a box from the floor and placed it on the table. “Let him smash it.”

Song Kairui curiously opened the box and widened his eyes. “Are you wholesaling these?”

“Nineteen of them for him to smash slowly. Anyway, I’ve returned his stuff. Don’t bring up the cup next time.”

Song Kairui looked at the mugs and thought, for something so trivial, could he really bring himself to hit his childhood friend over it?

“Why nineteen?” he asked.

“Originally twenty, but Zhaoli took one. So now, there are only nineteen left.”

Wen Zhixian looked at him with a glint in her eyes. “Do you want one? I’ll give you one.”

Song Kairui hesitated. These pink cups really didn’t suit him…

But since Zhaoli had taken one…

“Alright, I’ll take one,” he said, smiling. “The remaining eighteen are for Gu Yuchen to smash.”

Wen Zhixian picked up the box. “I’ll take it to your car.”

“No need. I’ll take it,” Song Kairui said, taking the box from her.

She followed him outside. Song Kairui got into the car, lowered the window, and looked at her, laughing softly. “Don’t be upset. I’ll yell at him a bit when I see him. See you.”

Wen Zhixian waved as he drove off.

Just as she was heading back inside, a familiar voice called from behind.

“Zhixian.”

She turned around and saw Qi Yanjing getting out of his car. She ran over and threw herself into his arms, calling out softly and a bit sadly, “Yanjing.”

Her voice was like a soft meow, and it melted his heart.

“What’s wrong?” He wrapped his arms around her waist and gently asked.

“Oh, I came at the wrong time.”

Zhou Chuyu, who had just parked his car and was getting out, saw the couple in an embrace and nearly had a heart attack.

Zhixian stuck her head out to look around and froze. There were people watching them!

“Don’t mind him. He’s just being obnoxious.”