Chapter 25: Loved for Many Years

◎ “You are the benefactor of my life.” ◎

Du Qiuyan was frozen in place, her face pale and filled with disbelief.

She stared at Yu Ran in shock, then looked at Shen Suhui with a hostile gaze.

“You actually came back…”

Zhong Wanli descended the stairs with a serious expression, draped in a silk shawl, her steps elegant, giving off the aura of a distinguished lady.

” Shen, you’re here too?” Upon seeing Shen Suhui, Mrs. Zhong quickened her pace and became more polite, “Did you come with Yu Ran? Where’s Luo Luo?”

“Hello, Auntie, Luo Luo… is very busy at the police station and couldn’t come along.”

“Oh…” Mrs. Zhong nodded, then started scolding Yu Ran, “You really, leaving Xiao Du here unattended and not even greeting Shen when she arrives, I’ll ask Auntie to add more dishes.”

“No need to trouble yourself, Auntie. I can’t eat much.”

“How can that be? You go sit on the sofa for a while and have some fruit. Xiao Du is also Xiao Ran’s good friend, and you’re about the same age, so you must have a lot to talk about.”

After chattering a bit, Mrs. Zhong turned to give orders, while Yu Ran led Shen Suhui to the sofa.

Du Qiuyan reluctantly sat across from them.

“Xiao Ran, I know you hate me, but why do you have to bring some random woman here to pretend in front of me?”

“She’s not just any random woman. If you have something to say, just say it now. Let’s clear everything up in front of my girlfriend. I don’t want to endure your harassment any longer.”

“Enough, Xiao Ran.” Du Qiuyan’s face showed pain as she glared at Shen Suhui, “How much did Yu Ran pay you? I’ll pay you double. Please leave.”

“You’re the one who should leave!”

“Xiao Ran, do you really have to speak to me like this?”

“How’s the argument going?” Mrs. Zhong came over with a plate of fruit.

Shen Suhui stood up and took the plate from her.

“Thank you, Auntie.”

Mrs. Zhong smiled gently, “Xiao Shen is so thoughtful.”

She then looked at Yu Ran, “You should speak nicely to the guest.”

“It’s fine, Auntie…” Du Qiuyan’s face immediately softened, and she smiled brightly, “We have some misunderstandings, and we need to talk. Please rest, it’s really nothing.”

“Alright then. If anything happens, call me.”

“Mm.”

Soon, the large living room was left with just the three of them.

Yu Haowei was currently in Switzerland for an international project and wouldn’t be back until next month.

“Mrs. Du, hello. I’m Shen Suhui, Yu Ran’s girlfriend,” Shen Suhui extended her hand.

“……”

Du Qiuyan glared coldly, refusing to respond, and Shen Suhui’s hand hung awkwardly in mid-air.

Just as Shen Suhui was about to retract her hand, Yu Ran reached up and intertwined her fingers with Shen Suhui’s, right in front of Du Qiuyan’s eyes.

Shen Suhui smiled, “I’ve seen some of your films. Your acting is very good.”

“Thank you…” Du Qiuyan narrowed her eyes, “But what did you just say? Your name is Shen Suhui?”

“Yes.”

“I know you. You’re the one from high school, right? Jiang Shiluo’s little follower…”

“If you don’t start speaking properly, I’ll post this recording online.”

Yu Ran raised her phone, showing the recording interface, “Just won an award as a new best actress. I’m sure it would cause quite a stir.”

“……”

Du Qiuyan’s face darkened even more.

The Yu Ran in front of her seemed so unfamiliar, as though she had never known her.

Du Qiuyan repeatedly doubted whether she had really found the right person. Was the person in front of her, who had treated her like trash, really the same Yu Ran who was once clingy, passionate, and inseparable from her?

“Does it have to be like this? Xiao Ran?”

“Does it have to be like this?” Yu Ran retorted, “We’ve clearly moved on with our lives, haven’t we?”

“Why are you two together? I don’t believe it.”

Jiang Shiluo said incredulously, “You were so inconspicuous, and you didn’t have any connection with her in high school…”

“Constantly dwelling on this issue is pointless. I don’t want to say harsh things. I don’t deny the past, but the one who let go first was you, Du Qiuyan. People should be able to move on,” Yu Ran said.

“I was wrong, Xiao Ran. I know you’re just angry with me. You used to… love me so much.”

“People change…” Yu Ran said calmly. “Reconciliation is good for both of us.”

“…” Du Qiuyan lowered her head, unable to breathe under Yu Ran’s words.

The dishes had been brought to the table, and Aunt Zhong Wanli had come down from upstairs.

“Did you two clear things up?”

The three of them stood up together. Du Qiuyan smiled and stepped forward, linking her arm with Yu Ran’s. “Of course, we cleared things up. Xiao Ran loves me the most, right Xiao Ran?”

Yu Ran remained expressionless and pried her fingers away.

“Since that’s the case, let’s eat. You must both be hungry,” Aunt Zhong Wanli said.

The four of them sat down. Du Qiuyan said, “I want to sit with Xiao Ran.”

Zhong Wanli hesitated. She looked at Shen Suhui.

“I want to sit with Shen Suhui,” Yu Ran said.

“…” Shen Suhui glanced at Zhong Wanli and then at Du Qiuyan. Yu Ran hadn’t publicly acknowledged their relationship yet, so she felt like an extra here. If she sat with Yu Ran, it would certainly make things awkward for Zhong Wanli.

“It’s fine. After all, you two have been good friends for many years. I’ll sit across from you,” Du Qiuyan said.

She thanked them and sat beside Yu Ran.

Zhong Wanli smiled again and served Du Qiuyan some food.

“You female celebrities have to control your diet, right?”

“Yes, but the food Aunt made is too delicious. I’ve been craving it for years. You can’t find such good food in the entertainment industry…” Du Qiuyan said.

“You won the Best Actress award this year, that’s really impressive. I feel like our family has been honored,” Zhong Wanli said.

Though Zhong Wanli didn’t deal with business matters, she had been accompanying Yu Haowei to important occasions for years, so she had become quite skilled at social niceties. Yu Ran found it annoying and kept serving food onto Shen Suihui’s plate.

Zhong Wanli glared at her, probably remembering that Shen Suihui was someone Jiang Shiluo liked, and giving her a warning.

“So, Xiao Du, what are your plans for the future?” Zhong Wanli asked.

“I plan to withdraw from the industry,” Du Qiuyan replied.

“Withdraw from the industry?” Zhong Wanli asked in disbelief. “At such a critical time?”

“Yes,” Du Qiuyan said, glancing at Yu Ran with regret. “I lost so much in the past trying to make a name for myself. Winning Best Actress was my childhood obsession, but now that I’ve achieved it, I need to find my true self again. There are also many people or things I’ve lost along the way.”

“I think, I’m not getting any younger, and I should consider starting my own family.”

Zhong Wanli nodded in agreement.

Only the three of them knew what this really meant.

Shen Suhui stirred her chopsticks, feeling conflicted.

Du Qiuyan was beautiful, confident, and accomplished, with good education and achievements. She had been Yu Ran’s long-time “white moonlight,” the one she had always thought about. If Du Qiuyan turned back, made more effort to regain the lost relationship, would Yu Ran consider it?

“Why aren’t you eating? Is it because the food doesn’t suit your taste?”

Shen Suihui looked up, realizing that Yu Ran was speaking to her.

“No, the food is delicious,” she smiled and shook her head.

The meal felt awkward. Yu Ran had wanted to leave, but since Shen Suhui was there, she stayed with her until the end.

“Xiao Ran, it’s late. Will you drive the two girls back?”

“Can I stay, Auntie?” Du Qiuyan asked, looking troubled. “I haven’t seen Xiao Ran in a long time, and I want to sleep with her. We can catch up on some things.”

“Sure, you can sleep with Xiao Ran,” Zhong Wanli said.

“No,” Yu Ran frowned. “I grind my teeth, snore, have nightmares, and sleepwalk. I also like to wrap myself in blankets…”

“It’s fine, I can give you another blanket…” Du Qiuyan said.

Yu Ran stared at her, then lowered her head and typed something on her phone. Soon, Du Qiuyan’s pocket vibrated.

[-yr: Do you really not care about the entertainment industry anymore? Maybe I should expose what you’ve done in the past.]

“…” This message clearly worked on Du Qiuyan.

“I… I can sleep in the next room,” Du Qiuyan said.

“Good. Xiao Ran, you take Xiao Shen back,” Zhong Wanli said.

“I’m tired tonight. I don’t want to drive,” Yu Ran replied.

“Then let the driver…”

“She’ll sleep with me,” Yu Ran said.

Zhong Wanli was stunned. “What?”

“You heard me right,” Yu Ran said.

“…” Shen Suihui clenched her fists. She wanted to say something, but Zhong Wanli, who had always been friendly and affectionate, suddenly had a serious expression. It was clear she was angry.

“Yu Ran, come here,” Zhong Wanli said coldly, leading her upstairs.

Mother and daughter entered the study, and Zhong Wanli locked the door behind them.

“What exactly do you mean? You, Xiao Du, and Xiao Shen—what is going on between you three?”

“I am in a relationship with Shen Suhui.”

“What!”

“Don’t you know that Luoluo is pursuing Xiao Shen?”

“So what?”

“Yu Ran,” Zhong Wanli said seriously, “Do you remember how your father and I raised you? As long as it’s something Luoluo wants…”

“As long as Jiang Shiluo likes it, I must unconditionally step back.”

“You still know that.”

“Yes, you know it’s a thing, but Shen Suhui is a person.”

“What’s the difference?”

“Mom, I’ve given way for almost twenty years, it should be enough. I’ll talk to Jiang Shiluo, I can give everything to her, but Shen Suhui is different.”

“No.”

“Mom, I’m just informing you, not here to argue with you.”

“Is it because of Xiao Du?” Zhong Wanli asked, “Actually, you two must have been in a relationship in college, right? Even though you never said anything, I know. Your breakup must have been due to unavoidable external reasons. I heard Xiao Du is coming, so you two are acting.”

“Mom, why can’t you admit reality like Du Qiuyan? No matter what happened in the past, we can’t start over.”

“Yes, but you have good conditions. Forget about Xiao Du, there are so many good boys and girls in the world for you to choose from, why not Shen Suhui?”

“No!” Yu Ran said firmly, “I like her, I love her, I can’t live without her.”

“Mom, this time I don’t want to give in anymore. Happiness isn’t given, it’s fought for. Besides my will, isn’t Shen Suhui’s will also important? She doesn’t belong to anyone between us, why should we keep letting her go back and forth?”

“Jiang wouldn’t be worse than you for her…”

“I said, I won’t give in.”

Yu Ran turned and prepared to leave.

“Yu Ran, just consider this as a request from your mom. Luoluo has been without a father since she was young. Her father died saving your father.”

“What does that have to do with me?” Yu Ran turned around, her tone growing fierce. “Since we were young, you’ve always morally blackmailed me with this. Did I ask her father to sacrifice his life? Haven’t we, the Yu family, done enough? Why is it every time Jiang Shiluo is concerned, it becomes so sensitive? Do you secretly think Jiang Shiluo is your real daughter?”

Slap—

Before she finished speaking, a harsh slap echoed through the entire study. Zhong Wanli froze, her hand still suspended in the air, unable to move forward or retreat.

“Xiao Yu Ran…”

Yu Ran didn’t speak. She just touched her burning cheek, then carelessly turned and left.

Du Qiuyan was standing outside the door.

“Xiao Yu Ran.”

“Where’s Shen Suhui?”

“No, I don’t know…” Du Qiuyan’s voice was awkward. “Did you have a good chat with Auntie? Or…”

Yu Ran brushed past her.

Shen Suhui was taken by Auntie to a guest room far from Yu Ran’s. It was very remote, poorly lit, and had almost no one staying there.

Yu Ran followed and grabbed Shen Suhui’s wrist, looking at Auntie, “Why did you bring the guest here?”

“It was Miss Du’s order.”

“Is she the mistress of this house?”

“…”

“Don’t listen to outsiders.”

“Okay.”

Yu Ran took Shen Suhui’s hand and walked to her own room.

As soon as the door closed, a passionate kiss fell. Shen Suhui held Yu Ran’s neck, sinking into her embrace for a moment.

“The door, the door isn’t locked.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Yu Ran touched Shen Suhui’s hair. “I’m sorry you had to go through this tonight.”

“…” Shen Suhui’s eyes reddened as she shook her head and smiled.

“I… I’m not strong enough. I want to stand by your side… fight alongside you.”

Yu Ran smiled. “It’s not a battlefield.”

They gazed into each other’s eyes, with an ambiguous look. Yu Ran’s eyes were filled with sadness, and even the fiery kiss was tinged with sorrow.

They lost themselves in a passionate embrace. Shen Suhui’s face touched Yu Ran’s cheek, suddenly waking her up.

“Auntie hit you?”

Yu Ran touched Shen Suhui’s hand and said, “Don’t worry.”

“It’s swollen! Let me apply some medicine, it’ll reduce the swelling…”

“Don’t worry,” Yu Ran murmured. “It doesn’t hurt.”

She kissed Shen Suhui, holding her captive. Shen Suhui kissed her back, and tears uncontrollably fell, making Yu Ran taste the salty bitterness.

“Yu Ran…”

“Mm.”

Shen Suhui embraced her head and turned her face away. Yu Ran kissed her tears, slowly trailing down to her neck.

“You love me, right?”

“…” Shen Suhui nodded solemnly.

“I love you very much.”

“I love you so much.”

“I’ve loved you for so many years.”

She held Yu Ran tighter. “I love you the most.”

“Don’t leave me.”

“I won’t leave you.”

“…”

Yu Ran smiled, very content, as if she had reconciled with the obsession that had grown in her heart all these years. She now had someone who loved her unconditionally, the one who loved her the most, and only her.

It was Shen Suhui’s first realization that Yu Ran, who had always been strong, mature, sensible, stable, and gave others a sense of security, also had a fragile side—craving warmth, craving love.

Yu Ran hugged Shen Suhui tightly. “If this is real, you are the greatest blessing in my life.”

Their kisses grew more intense and passionate. Yu Ran pressed Shen Suhui down onto the soft carpet, lowering her head to kiss her collarbone.

The door to the room suddenly opened, but those immersed in love and sadness didn’t notice. By the time they reacted, Du Qiuyan had been standing at the door for a long time.

Shen Suhui didn’t look at Du Qiuyan, and Yu Ran could tell from her eyes that she was uneasy. She straightened Shen Suhui’s collar and turned her head.

“What’s wrong? Do you want to keep watching?”