Chapter 6: Will You Still Be Here Tomorrow?

Even if two close friends had been estranged for two years, there would be no barriers between them; Shen Qingli only felt a slight awkwardness at first.

Over the past six years, Shen Qingli had been doing well, shining in the industry she loved. The comic she drew in college had been adapted into a film and television series. Recently, she married a big shot in A City, Huo Jinnian, but she seemed reluctant to talk about her married life.

Xu Chunian had heard of Huo Jinnian, known as the stoic, iceberg man.

They chatted about their high school lives and their brief time in sophomore year since Xu Chunian had only attended college for two years before arriving here.

It was until the afternoon that Shen Qingli drove Xu Chunian back home, and from a distance, they could see the outline of the villa.

“Ali, it feels like a dream. I still can’t believe that I’ve become a wealthy lady too.”

Shen Qingli rolled her eyes dramatically, “How unambitious.”

The car came to a stop. “We’ve arrived.”

Xu Chunian unbuckled her seatbelt. After feeling lost and awkward when she first woke up that morning, she felt more at ease upon seeing Shen Qingli.

Holding the small items she bought during their afternoon shopping, she smiled, “See you tomorrow, Ali.”

She squinted her eyes as she smiled, and Shen Qingli felt a moment of daze, as if she were really seeing the 18-year-old Xu Chunian across time.

“Ali?” Xu Chunian waved her hand in front of Shen Qingli.

Shen Qingli snapped back to reality, managing a small smile in return, “Okay.”

Xu Chunian grinned, partially closing the car door.

“Xu Chunian.”

Just as the door was nearly shut, Shen Qingli suddenly spoke up.

“What is it, Ali?” Xu Chunian opened the door again. “Is there something else?”

Shen Qingli’s gaze deepened, her red lips parting slightly, “Will you… still be here tomorrow?”

She added, “What I mean is, will I still see the 18-year-old Xu Chunian tomorrow?”

The smile on Xu Chunian’s face froze.

Tomorrow…

Would she still be here? She had no idea. Would she wake up and find herself back where she started?

“Ali.” Xu Chunian’s expression turned serious. “Even though I don’t know how the 24-year-old me lost you, the 18-year-old Xu Chunian must not be without Shen Qingli. If she really did something terrible to you, don’t forgive her, but please don’t hate me, okay?”

Don’t forgive the 24-year-old Xu Chunian, but don’t hate the 18-year-old Xu Chunian.

Shen Qingli averted her gaze. “I don’t hate you.”

“Ali, we are lifelong friends!”

“Ali, we are lifelong friends…”

Xu Chunian had said this at every stage of her life.

Suddenly, Shen Qingli choked up. “Oh, you should go inside. It’s getting late.”

“Okay, I’m leaving.” Xu Chunian helped her close the car door and walked toward the villa, glancing back three times, waving at her.

Shen Qingli rested her hand on the steering wheel, her gaze through the car window fixed on the charming figure walking away.

*

As night fell, the sky was painted a shade of orange-red.

Xu Chunian put down her pen and let out a long breath.

The page she had opened was filled with words, and at the end, she wrote: “To the 24-year-old Xu Chunian, no matter what crazy things you’re doing, you absolutely must not lose Ali again! Ali is the most important person to you besides Mom and Dad! Otherwise, you’ll regret it!”

Unable to think of any threatening words, she paused for a long time after writing “otherwise.” When she picked up the pen again, a deep ink stain remained where she had paused.

She placed the notebook on the most prominent spot on the vanity, where it would be immediately noticeable. This way, she would see it the moment she woke up tomorrow.