Top-Tier Ex-Girlfriend - Chapter 14
Chapter 14: The Bench
Hearing this, Pei You lost her composure. She blinked, trying to keep her voice steady. "Huo Yichi," she asked, "since when did you become so scheming?"
"Haven't I always been like this in your eyes?" Huo Yichi asked innocently. "Besides," she added, "didn't you walk right into this yourself?"
Not a question, but a statement.
A statement of the fact that Pei You had tried to hire a fake girlfriend and ended up with her ex.
Pei You put the milk tea aside, closing her eyes, her hands supporting her on either side of her body.
Her mind raced.
Getting back together was out of the question. Besides, what would that even mean? It was just another act, another performance for everyone to believe they were a happy couple.
But letting Huo Yichi spread the news about her hiring a fake girlfriend…
Pei You frowned.
Then, a thought struck her. She opened her eyes, looking at the relaxed Huo Yichi beside her.
Pei You narrowed her eyes, a smile spreading across her face. "And you don’t think I’ll tell everyone about your current job?”
"Go ahead," Huo Yichi said nonchalantly, meeting Pei You's gaze, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "I’m not like you; I don’t care about my reputation or saving face. Besides, there’s nothing shameful about my job.”
A classic "nothing to lose" attitude.
Her indifference rendered Pei You speechless once more.
In all their covert battles, Pei You felt like she was often the one on the losing side.
This thought silenced her.
Her mind was still a mess.
Huo Yichi, ex-girlfriend.
Yi Yi, fake girlfriend.
Huo Yichi was Yi Yi.
The information swirled in her head, making it ache.
Huo Yichi’s expression turned serious. After five minutes of silence, she called Pei You’s name. Waiting for Pei You's acknowledgement, she said, “I know you don’t want a relationship.”
The same words as before.
Before Huo Yichi could continue, Pei You interrupted. "Who says I don’t?"
Another group of laughing passersby walked past, their cheerful voices echoing in the night.
It was as if she and Huo Yichi were in a world of their own, only seeing each other.
Pei You clenched her fists, staring at Huo Yichi. "You’re always so presumptuous. You were like this before, and you’re still like this now.”
Huo Yichi remained silent, her expression neutral.
Pei You took a breath and continued, “You said I don’t want a relationship, but you’re not me; how would you know? Aside from our fake relationship, I haven’t been with anyone else. Does that mean I don’t want a relationship? Don’t you think that’s a flimsy excuse?" she paused. "Do you think it’s easy to find someone you like?"
The barrage of questions made Huo Yichi’s eyelashes flutter.
Pei You didn't want to continue. She stood up, adjusting her scarf. "I need some time to think."
"Okay," Huo Yichi remained seated, not looking up, taking another sip of her milk tea.
Only after someone else sat down on the bench beside her did Huo Yichi exhale slowly.
She looked in the direction Pei You had gone. Though Pei You was out of sight, she could almost see a blurry figure in the crowd.
A self-deprecating smile touched Huo Yichi’s lips.
She hadn’t planned this; she’d just run into Pei You. Even Huo Yichi herself didn’t know whether to call it fate or coincidence.
Because Pei You really didn't like her.
Really, really didn’t like her.
This painful truth made Huo Yichi's chest tighten.
She sat on the bench, the wind caressing her face.
She hadn’t touched her milk tea; it was slowly getting cold. Pei You’s milk tea sat untouched beside her, also losing its warmth.
Pei You didn't go straight home; she decided to do some shopping.
She’d forgotten to buy clothes for herself last time.
But last time, she had Tian Jia with her. This time, she was alone. It was the first time Pei You had gone shopping by herself.
The fact that Huo Yichi was Yi Yi had been quite a shock.
As she browsed through clothes, Pei You kept thinking about Huo Yichi, and how, this time, it wasn’t Huo Yichi’s fault; she had brought this upon herself.
But being threatened by Huo Yichi had made her react impulsively, like a cat whose fur had been rubbed the wrong way.
Pei You bought two outfits without much thought, paid, and left, heading to a restaurant she'd never been to before.
The waiter asked if she was dining with anyone. She shook her head, saying she was alone.
It could have been two people.
If Huo Yichi wasn’t Yi Yi.
Pei You chose a table by the window. While waiting for her food, she looked at her phone but didn't open WeChat.
She was still logged into her secondary account, and she didn’t want to see the only chat listed there: her conversation with Huo Yichi.
After finishing her meal and paying, Pei You finally decided to head home.
Going home now wouldn’t worry her grandmother too much.
Too early, and she’d be asked if something unpleasant had happened. Too late, and her grandmother would be worried.
Pei You picked up her shopping bags and left the restaurant.
The night deepened, the air growing colder.
The city center was famous for its night views, which Pei You enjoyed.
A couple walked past, hand in hand. The woman pointed to a beautiful lamp in the distance. "That lamp is so pretty!"
Hearing her, Pei You stopped and followed her gaze. The lamp hung from a tree, its bright glow a stark contrast to the bare branches around it.
But Pei You's attention quickly shifted to the person sitting beneath the tree.
She seemed to blend into the night. Surrounded by the flow of people, she leaned against the back of a bench, her beret pulled low, obscuring her face.
Pei You’s breath caught in her throat.
She was back near the milk tea shop.
And Huo Yichi was still sitting there.
Pei You glanced at the time on her phone.
9:10 pm.
Tightening her grip on the shopping bags, Pei You wanted to pretend she hadn't seen Huo Yichi and walk past.
But as she took a step, her feet seemed to have a mind of their own, leading her towards the bench where Huo Yichi sat.
Within a minute, perhaps less, Pei You was standing in front of Huo Yichi again.
But Huo Yichi didn’t seem to notice her. Her beret still covered her eyes, only her nose, lips, and chin exposed to the night air.
Pei You watched her for several seconds before turning and heading to the milk tea shop. She joined the queue and scanned the QR code to order.
The shop was less crowded now. After about five minutes, two cups of milk tea were ready.
One was Pei You's favorite, and the other was Huo Yichi’s.
Carrying the milk teas, Pei You sat down beside Huo Yichi.
She didn’t speak, silently piercing the plastic lid with a straw, the muffled pop echoing in the quiet night.
Hot milk tea in winter was like a lifeline.
Pei You took a sip, the sweetness lingering in her mouth. Then, she looked at Huo Yichi, hesitantly asking, "Huo Yichi," she paused, "do you still want me to play along?"
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