Chapter 6: Jealousy

ᰔ Shen Suhui is smiling so happily in front of Jiang Shiluo. ᰔ

After dinner, the table was cleared, and a beautifully decorated 10-inch cake was placed in the center. Everyone gathered around to celebrate Jiang Shiluo’s birthday.

Shen Suhui was pushed to Jiang Shiluo’s side. Tang Yumei and Zhong Wanli stood on either side of the two girls, clearly eager to play matchmaker.

Yu Haowei laughed cheerfully, watching them joke around. Yu Ran stood at the farthest point, feeling annoyed, silently lighting a cigarette.

She never smoked indoors or in crowded places, but tonight was an exception.

“Ran, put out the cigarette.”

Before she could take a puff, Yu Haowei sternly warned her.

Yu Ran stubbed out the cigarette and crossed her arms, watching the birthday girl.

“Shen, can you put the birthday hat on Luo Luo?” Zhong Wanli’s gaze was fixed on Jiang Shiluo and Shen Suhui, not noticing her own daughter’s unusual mood.

“I…”

“I’ll do it.”

Yu Ran stepped between them, took the birthday hat from Zhong Wanli, and expressionlessly placed it on Jiang Shiluo’s head.

“You messed up my hair!” Jiang Shiluo exclaimed. “Are you trying to pull my hair out like it’s a bone?”

“You’re too tall, Princess, lower your proud head.”

“Fine.”

They were about the same height, so the birthday hat couldn’t be placed properly at this angle. Upon hearing Yu Ran call her “Princess,” Jiang Shiluo lowered her head, playing along.

Shen Suhui took a few steps back. Even so, after Yu Ran placed the hat on Jiang Shiluo, the space between them was just enough for their hands to slightly touch.

Shen Suhui’s heart skipped a beat. She felt like Yu Ran had deliberately made the distance small.

“All right, let’s sing the birthday song!”

As Zhong Wanli finished speaking, the lights were all turned off, and the huge hall was lit only by a few weak candle flames. Taking advantage of the darkness, Yu Ran stepped back a few more steps, then leaned closer to Shen Suhui, lightly poking her palm with her finger.

“…!!!”

Yu Ran felt the hairs on her skin stand up.

She teasingly drew circles in Shen Suhui’s palm.

After the birthday song, Yu Ran released Shen Suhui, and Jiang Shiluo pretended to make a wish, loudly declaring, “This year, I hope everyone stays healthy and safe, and that I can win over Shen Suhui and taste the bitterness of love!!!”

—-

After the brief joy, the birthday celebration came to an end.

It was getting late, so Yu Haowei invited everyone to stay overnight at the villa.

“Shen should stay too,” Zhong Wanli said. “We have many guest rooms; pick any room you like. Luo Luo and Yu Hauwei can stay in the old bedroom. Since you don’t come over often, I’ve had someone clean the room every day.”

Shen Suhui spoke, “Thank you for your hospitality, but I’d like to go back tonight…”

“Stay with us!” Yu Ran interrupted. “Everyone’s had a drink and can’t drive. It’s not safe for you to go home alone at this hour.”

Jiang Shiluo’s eyes sparkled, “Yeah! It’s fine, Shen Suhui, if you’re not used to it, you can sleep with me tonight.”

“Or… I’ll have Uncle Li drive you,” Yu Ran bit her lip and immediately changed her tone. “Since you’re not used to it, you might not sleep well tonight, which would affect your work tomorrow…”

At this moment, Yu Ran deeply regretted drinking that glass of champagne earlier!

“I think sleeping with Luo Luo is fine,” Zhong Wanli said cheerfully. “Her bed is large enough, and you two can chat tonight…”

“…”

Yu Ran glanced at Mrs. Zhong. This woman’s every gesture and manner was so similar to Jiang Shiluo’s that she even began to wonder if Jiang Shiluo was her real daughter.

“That’s right, and today is my birthday,” Jiang Shiluo said, leaning on Shen Suhui’s shoulder in a playful way, “Luo Luo, please agree!”

“…”

Shen Suhui glanced at Yu Ran for a moment, then quickly looked away. “…Fine.”

With so many elders present, it would seem rude if she insisted on leaving.

“You’re an adult now, how can you keep acting so spoiled?” Yu Ran said, frustrated, as she pulled Jiang Shiluo away from Shen Suhui. This wasn’t the usual calm and composed Yu Ran; Shen Suhui stared at her.

“With so many rooms at home, how could you make a guest share a bed with you?”

“Shut up!” Jiang Shiluo laughed, “Shen Suhui agreed!”

“…”

“Yu Ran, why do you seem so irritable after coming back from the U.S.? Did some blonde girl break your heart? You’ll never find a girlfriend acting like this!”

The room burst into laughter. They had been bickering since childhood, and the parents had grown used to it. It showed that even after all those years apart, their bond was still strong, and the parents were pleased to see that.

—-

In the end, Shen Suihui did end up sleeping in the same room as Jiang Shiluo.

Jiang Shiluo’s room was large. During her senior year of high school, she often stayed here to reduce travel time for the college entrance exams, with the driver taking her and Yu Ran to school in the mornings.

Now, many years later, nothing in the room had changed. The extra-curricular books and the dolls on the bed were well-maintained, and even the arrangement had remained the same.

After taking a shower, Shen Suhui lay on the soft bed, unable to believe that she was now living in Yu Ran’s house.

On the other side, Yu Ran was pacing in the hallway. Jiang Shiluo’s room was on the third floor. She used to live on the third floor in high school, but after returning from the United States, she moved to the first floor for convenience.

“Dammit.”

Yu Ran had never behaved so poorly before, but she had actually sunk so low as to eavesdrop.

She leaned against the door. The soundproofing in the room was good, but she could still hear them having a mild argument inside.

“Alright, I won’t do this again, okay? I’ll definitely tell you in advance next time, is that alright?”

“Today is my birthday, are you going to stay angry at me?”

After a brief silence, Yu Ran heard Shen Suhui softly say, “It won’t happen again.”

After waiting a moment longer, the sound of a blow dryer and cheerful laughter came from the room.

Yu Ran knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight. The situation of “her first love sharing a bed with her childhood friend, and her childhood friend just announced that they were going to pursue her first love” was enough to overwhelm her. The strong caffeine from the plum-flavored sparkling American coffee she drank when she first met Shen Suhui earlier was nothing compared to the excitement she felt now. She felt like she could run five laps around the world!

Unable to resist anymore, Yu Ran pushed the door open.

Shen Suhui was drying Jiang Shiluo’s hair!!!

They had just been laughing, and now they looked at her with lingering smiles.

Shen Suohui was smiling happily in front of Jiang Shiluo.

“Is there something wrong, Ran Ran?” Jiang Shiluo asked, feeling smug.

“No,” Yu Ran said, forcing a straight face and gritting her teeth. “I just came to ask if you want some milk to help with sleep.”

“Sure! Thank you!”

Yu Ran shot a glance at Shen Suhui. “How about you, Shen? Do you want sugar?”

“Add more for her,” Jiang Shiluo answered for Shen Suhui. “She can’t handle bitterness.”

“Mm.”

Yu Ran’s mood sank to rock bottom.

“She can’t handle bitterness.”

Jiang Shiluo had clearly remembered that. Yu Ran also took it to heart.

The milk was ready, so she went upstairs. Shen Suhui’s hair hadn’t been fully dried yet. Yu Ran placed the milk on the table with a loud thud, disturbing their little world.

“What’s wrong, Yu Ran?”

“Don’t dry your hair anymore, it’s okay now. Otherwise, your hair will fall out.”

“It’s fine…” Jiang Shiluo rubbed her head. “I have a lot of hair. But, it’s been years since we last met, and you’ve actually learned to care about me.”

“Didn’t I care about you before?”

As she spoke, Shen Suhui had already turned off the blow dryer. It was clear that she agreed with Yu Ran’s opinion.

Yu Ran glanced at her. “Goodnight, sleep early.”

With that, she closed the door and left.

But she still couldn’t bring herself to leave. After wandering around for half an hour, Yu Ran went to clean up the room she used to live in during high school.

When she opened Jiang Shiluo’s room again, the two of them were sitting together on the bed, watching a movie. Before they had a chance to say anything, Yu Ran directly pulled the covers off them, grabbed a pillow, and pulled Shen Suhui off the bed.

Jiang Shiluo exclaimed, “Yu Ran, what are you doing?”

“We haven’t seen each other in years. I suddenly miss you a bit.” Yu Ran turned to Shen Suhui. “Sorry, Shen. I want to chat with my old friend tonight…”

Jiang Shiluo: “Ah?”

“Sit on the bed and don’t move. I’ll come over to find you soon.”

Jiang Shiluo: “…Ah?”

“Have you lost your mind, Yu Dog!” Jiang Shiluo yelled her old nickname. “Didn’t you used to really dislike me in high school? I begged you so many times to sleep with me, but you refused!”

“Now I want to…”

With a loud “thud,” the door was slammed shut, and Yu Ran’s voice was blocked out.

—–

It was already 12:30 AM, and the entire villa was dark. Only the motion-sensing lights in the hallway flickered as the two walked by.

Yu Ran led Shen Suhui to the room she used to live in. Inside, there were many old items.

Photos from high school, her desk, stationery…

“This is the room I lived in during high school. I cleaned it up just now. You’ll stay here tonight.”

As she was about to leave, Shen Suhui suddenly grabbed her wrist.

Yu Ran was a little surprised, but also excited. She looked down at Shen Suhui.

“Are you angry?”

Yu Ran smiled. “Why would I be angry?”

“Because I didn’t tell you in advance that I’m staying at your house…”

Shen Suhui lowered her lashes, her voice getting softer.

“There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

Yu Ran grabbed Shen Suhui’s hand and led her out of the room.

She took Shen Suohui downstairs to the piano room on the second floor. The piano room was spacious, with only one piano in the center. After she went abroad, the room had been left unused.

Shen Suhui’s gaze landed on the grand Steinway piano in the center. Her expression was obscure, and it seemed like she was lost in thought.

“No one will come here.”

Yu Ran followed her gaze and then spoke.

“Do you like that piano?”

“No…” Shen Suhui shook her head. “I think it’s very beautiful.”

“Oh, really?” Yu Ran smiled openly. “This piano was bought for me by my father when I was in high school. I thought it was beautiful back then, and I wanted to play it for you sometime, but I haven’t played it in many years. I might be a little rusty…”

“Play it for me?” Shen Suhui smiled faintly, her tone doubtful. “If you really do, then I’ll look forward to it.”

“Sure.”

Yu Ran walked over to the piano, wiped the lid with a tissue, and then unexpectedly pulled Shen Suhui onto the piano. Shen Suhui couldn’t hold back a startled cry.

“Yu Ran! You’ll break the piano!”

“It’s fine, don’t worry. Even if it breaks, it doesn’t matter.”

Yu Ran looked up at her face and suddenly asked seriously, “Will you agree to Jiang Shiluo?”

“……”

She went straight to the point, leaving Shen Suhui a bit uncertain. She didn’t know how to answer and asked in return, “Do you want me to agree to her?”

Yu Ran furrowed her brows. “Why are you asking me?”

“……”

“Shen Suhui, I like you and am pursuing you. I have to follow your rhythm, but sometimes you can’t be too passive, or people will take advantage of you.”

“…… Hmm.” Shen Suhui listened vaguely.

“My liking you and pursuing you is my business. I don’t interfere with your life or happiness. If you like Jiang Shiluo…”

“I don’t like her.” Shen Suhui seemed to only hear that sentence and hurriedly explained, “Actually, Shiluo’s personality is very straightforward. She’s said similar things and made similar gestures before, it’s just that this time, others found out.”

“Was it a secret between you two before? Does she like you and have feelings for you?”

“Kind of…” Shen Suhui said, “But I probably won’t agree to her, because I…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Jiang Shiluo called to hurry her, and Yu Ran slid her finger on the green button. “Hello?”

“What’s the rush?” Yu Ran’s tone was a bit anxious, while Shen Suhui quietly listened.

“I’ll be back soon. Help me warm up the bed, thank you, Officer Jiang.”

After hanging up, Shen Suhui couldn’t help but ask, “You’ve saved Jiang Shiluo as ‘Officer Jiang’? That’s so unfamiliar.”

“Just teasing.” Yu Ran said, “She’s wanted to be a police officer since she was a child, so I used to save her as ‘Officer Jiang.’ Now her dream has come true.”

“Then did she save you as ‘Dr. Yu’?”

“No, it’s the nickname she liked calling me in high school.”

“What is it?”

“Yu Dog. She just called me that.”

Shen Suhui found this topic quite interesting and even laughed. “Why did she call you that?”

“Because I…”

Yu Ran paused.

Because she used to always revolve around Du Qiuyan in high school and often stood up Jiang Shiluo. Jiang Shiluo said she valued romance over friendship.

“Don’t change the subject…” Yu Ran pretended to be serious. “Back to the earlier question, why won’t you agree to Jiang Shiluo?”