Top-Tier Ex-Girlfriend - Chapter 15
Chapter 15: Xiao You
Pei You’s question was serious, in both tone and expression.
She looked at Huo Yichi, taking in every detail, from the tip of her nose to her chin.
Not with any ulterior motive, simply appreciating her beauty.
Thinking Huo Yichi might not have heard, Pei You was about to repeat the question when Huo Yichi's lips moved. "Why are you back?”
"You haven't answered my question," Pei You said, her gaze fixed on Huo Yichi’s lips. She suddenly felt thirsty, looking away and taking a sip of milk tea.
It was so cold.
Thankfully, the milk tea was warm.
Enough to warm her up.
Pei You focused on her drink, looking at her phone, waiting for Huo Yichi to “wake up.”
If it weren’t so cold, she would have thought Huo Yichi had fallen asleep.
But Huo Yichi was far from asleep; she was very much awake.
She pushed her beret back slightly, revealing her eyes.
When she’d seen Pei You earlier, she'd noticed her makeup, fresh and spring-like, reminiscent of cherries in bloom.
Now, two hours later, as darkness deepened, from this angle, she couldn't see Pei You’s makeup, only her profile.
Pei You was drinking her milk tea, her cheeks puffing out slightly as she chewed on the tapioca pearls.
Like a hamster.
Perhaps Huo Yichi’s gaze lingered for too long, because Pei You turned, looking at her quizzically. "Why are you staring at me? Answer the question." But before Huo Yichi could reply, Pei You picked up the other milk tea. "Drink it while it’s hot. Don't want you catching a cold.”
Huo Yichi’s lips curved into a smile. “Thank you.”
She took the milk tea Pei You offered.
Before drinking it, she asked casually, "Why do you suddenly ask?"
About the acting, that is.
"I…," Pei You paused, her gaze fixed on the ground, her voice barely audible above the surrounding noise. "I just… figured things out."
"Figured things out?" Huo Yichi glanced at her.
"Yeah. Everyone at work keeps trying to set me up.”
"I’m tired of it."
Huo Yichi paused, then heard Pei You continue, her voice laced with resignation, “Maybe if I have a girlfriend, they’ll give up. So, I need you.”
Pei You said, "I need you, like before.”
Huo Yichi was undeniably an excellent girlfriend, at least a 9 out of 10—in the eyes of others.
When Huo Yichi had suggested they date, Pei You was being relentlessly pursued by a guy from the sports department.
How relentless? He would show up uninvited, constantly sending her random gifts online, overwhelming her with deliveries.
He believed his passionate pursuit was something to be proud of.
Pei You had repeatedly rejected him, but it was useless; he was convinced she was meant to be with him.
It wasn't until Huo Yichi declared herself Pei You's girlfriend that he finally gave up, even retrieving the unwanted gifts he’d sent.
Huo Yichi's proposal had been a rescue mission, plain and simple.
Now, years later, Pei You still believed that. If she got back together with Huo Yichi, maybe she wouldn’t be bothered with setups anymore.
Huo Yichi paused mid-sip, her eyes meeting Pei You’s. After a long moment, she swallowed, then softly agreed. "Okay.”
Pei You offered her milk tea. "A toast to our fake relationship.”
Huo Yichi smiled, clinking her cup against Pei You’s.
But as she drank, the milk tea didn't taste sweet; it was bitter.
Like her mood.
They agreed on a time to meet the next evening and parted ways.
Huo Yichi had offered Pei You a ride home; she had driven.
But Pei You had declined. "No, thanks," she said with a smile. "Let's save it for tomorrow. Tonight doesn’t count.”
Pei You went home, her milk tea unfinished. She tossed it in the trash.
Grandma Pei had gone to bed early; she wasn’t watching TV in the living room.
Pei You removed her makeup, showered, and dried her hair.
Then she climbed into bed.
Whether it was the milk tea or her troubled thoughts, Pei You couldn't sleep.
Exhaustion finally claimed her.
She woke up at noon; Grandma Pei had just finished making lunch.
Pei You lay in bed for a while before getting up.
Tian Jia had sent her several messages, which Pei You only saw after lunch.
Tian Jia: 【Youzi! Have you decided what to wear tonight?】
Tian Jia: 【Is your girlfriend coming?】
Tian Jia: 【I'm so curious about your new girlfriend!】
…
Pei You rubbed her temples, replying to each message.
Tian Jia replied instantly: 【You’re finally awake!】
Grandma Pei handed her an orange. Pei You took it, then typed, 【You’ll find out tonight.】
Besides Tian Jia, Cai Xianyu had also messaged her, also about her girlfriend.
After replying, Pei You noticed a red dot on the Contacts icon.
A new friend request.
It was Huo Yichi's main WeChat account.
The message read: 【It’s me.】
Two simple words that needed no further explanation.
They were in the same department group chat, after all.
They were working together again; she had to accept.
The system notification confirmed they were now friends.
Pei You put her phone on the coffee table and started peeling the orange.
"Grandma, is this orange sour?" she asked, sniffing it uncertainly.
Grandma Pei, wearing her reading glasses and reading the newspaper, replied, "How would I know? I’m not the orange.”
Pei You smiled. "True.”
She popped a segment into her mouth. Luckily, it was sweet.
She ate the orange, keeping an eye on her phone.
Just as she finished, Huo Yichi sent a message: 【5:30 pm, I’ll be there to pick you up.】
They had agreed on the time last night.
Pei You’s eye twitched. She wiped her hands before replying with a simple "okay.”
The gathering officially started at 6:30 pm, but they needed time to get there, and the drive from her house was about half an hour. 5:30 pm was the perfect time to leave.
Just as she sent the message, Huo Yichi sent another one. 【So, from now on, I should call you Xiao You again.】
【Xiao You~】
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