Scum A with a Sweet Black Lotus O – Chapter 119

【Side Couple】Don’t Be So Cheap.​¹

Message received.

Pei Xuezhi, harboring many doubts, returned to Rong City with Fu Chaoyun.

            

As mentioned before, relationships are between two people; no one else besides the parties involved can interfere.

Moreover, perhaps due to the reminder from her family this time, that “white moonlight” hadn’t been back for long. At least, according to Gu Huaiyi, there were only some conflicts; it hadn’t reached the point of needing a divorce.

This allowed Fu Chaoyun to relax slightly—after all, her sister’s stable relationship and busy work life meant good days for her~

            

Pei Xuezhi, however, fell into thought.

The memories from her past life were already quite different from this life. She knew that if she blindly followed the trajectory of her past life’s memories, it likely wouldn’t just be inconvenient, but she could easily suffer greatly for it.

There were too many memory fragments crammed in her head, seemingly real yet false; Pei Xuezhi could no longer distinguish them…

            

Fortunately, along with their return, Naonao and the little goldfish were picked up and handed over to the two of them to raise.

The TV drama crew hadn’t wrapped up filming yet, and there were some matters Pei Xuezhi needed to handle. Taking advantage of the tail end of the National Day holiday, Fu Chaoyun’s former classmates were also organizing a reunion, and Zhao Yujun had invited her.

“If you want to go, then go,” Pei Xuezhi said.

            

Partners could be brought to this gathering, but unfortunately, Pei Xuezhi had work during this period and couldn’t accompany her. Seeing Fu Chaoyun hesitating, she made the decision first.

Then, thinking about the relationship problems between Fu Lingfeng and Wen Wan, which also seemed to have arisen from a class reunion, Pei Xuezhi added, “If needed, I can pick you up later.”

“Okay~”

            

Fu Chaoyun agreed without hesitation.

Strictly speaking, Fu Chaoyun’s accident happened during her second year of high school. After waking up, her personality changed drastically, and some classmate relationships became unclear. However, Pei Xuezhi knew that the one who took over this body back then wasn’t the Fu Chaoyun she liked now, so she smartly skipped over this topic.

Besides, the previous “Fu Chaoyun,” scummy as she was, only looked around and checked people out; she never got handsy, still maintaining some Alpha ethics.

            

Pei Xuezhi decided not to dwell on it.

Fu Chaoyun also explained her intention, “I originally wanted to take this opportunity for you to meet my friends too.”

“It’s the same if I meet them when I pick you up.” Pei Xuezhi paused. “Do you have many friends?”

            

“They’re all fair-weather friends. The only one who can truly be called a friend is Zhao Yujun, also an Alpha. She took good care of me during that time when my head wasn’t clear.”

“Then thank her.” Pei Xuezhi nodded, then added, “I don’t have any friends.”

“Who says!”

            

Pei Xuezhi: “?”

Fu Chaoyun, looking perfectly serious, walked over and kissed her forehead, the corners of her lips curling up, her eyes dazzling, “You have a girlfriend.”

“…”

            

The touch on her skin was soft and warm.

Alright.

A “girlfriend” was indeed a level higher than a “friend.”

            

Pei Xuezhi was quickly persuaded by this statement, successfully placated.

---

The day of the class reunion was indeed very lively.

Everyone had graduated and started working or inherited family businesses. Their personalities and temperaments had changed to varying degrees, and the topics they discussed were no longer as superficial as during their school days.

            

Fu Chaoyun arrived rather late.

At any stage, she was the center of public attention. Her arrival instantly drew everyone’s gaze, even silencing the previously somewhat lively atmosphere for a moment.

Zhao Yujun was equally nonchalant. Seeing her, she smiled and greeted, “Miss Fu, quite the entrance.”

            

Fu Chaoyun ignored the others around and walked directly towards Zhao Yujun. “Don’t call me that.”

That was how Pei Xuezhi often addressed her.

Before Zhao Yujun could react, Fu Chaoyun asked again, “Came so early?”

            

“Nah.” Zhao Yujun was languid, not particularly interested in the whole event. “Just arrived not long ago myself.”

As she spoke, she glanced behind Fu Chaoyun a couple of times. “Where’s your family member?”

Mentioning Pei Xuezhi, the Alpha’s eyes couldn’t help but soften. “She has something on today, couldn’t make it.”

            

“Tsk~”

Zhao Yujun looked quite disdainful, instantly losing interest. Just as Fu Chaoyun was about to speak, someone else nearby asked.

“Fu Chaoyun, I saw the trending topics the other day. Are you two really together? And you even took her to meet your parents?”

            

Fu Chaoyun looked up.

She was a somewhat lazy person, but at this moment, her amber eyes reflected the light, showing a rare focus and seriousness, neither avoiding nor dodging, “Yes.”

“So… it’s settled?”

            

The people gathered here were all graduates from private high schools with excellent family backgrounds. The venue chosen for the reunion was also very high-end. Soon, someone presented drinks. The sight of alcohol on the tray gave Fu Chaoyun a headache.

Although the aftermath of getting drunk had been quite nice—allowing her to get intimate with Zhizhi—she really didn’t want to make a fool of herself in front of so many people.

A thought crossed her mind.

            

“A glass of milk instead, thank you.”

Only after getting her drink did she look at the person who had asked the question earlier. “Not yet.”

This statement piqued considerable interest. Some vaguely guessed that Fu Chaoyun might just be playing around again. Although it seemed serious this time, she had a history of this kind of behavior. Besides, the difference in family background between Pei Xuezhi and Fu Chaoyun was too vast.

            

But Fu Chaoyun’s next sentence shut them down completely—

“Mainly waiting for my girlfriend to nod yes, you know.” Fu Chaoyun smiled, her previously somewhat cold amber eyes finally suffused with genuine warmth. “She’s a bit young.”

“I can afford to wait.”

            

“…”

This statement gave ample face to the absent Pei Xuezhi and also silenced all remaining questioning voices.

They were all wealthy, but if you looked closely, you could still distinguish different ranks and levels. Undoubtedly, the Fu family was at the very top of the pyramid.

            

Without even needing Zhao Yujun to step in, all the previous speculations and discussions turned into praise.

“True, she hasn’t even graduated from university yet, it really is a bit early.”

“If an Omega has children too early, it’s not good for their body…”

            

“Waiting longer is good too…”

The circle was only so big. This time, it wasn’t just Fu Chaoyun’s class having a reunion; several adjacent private rooms hosted other classes, all scheduled for today.

Among them was her former Omega girlfriend.

            

However, with Fu Chaoyun’s attitude being so clear, no one tactlessly brought it up. Occasionally, someone would come over to toast. Fu Chaoyun stayed with Zhao Yujun the whole time. No matter what others said, she would at most lazily raise her glass, her mind clearly elsewhere. After seeing they weren’t getting anywhere, those people also tactfully left.

No one else approached.

Fu Chaoyun chatted desultorily with Zhao Yujun.

            

“How are things with your sister and sister-in-law?” Zhao Yujun asked.

Fu Chaoyun looked up slightly.

“Don’t look at me like that.” Zhao Yujun threw up her hands. “We’re all in the same circle, everyone knows each other. This kind of thing spread long ago.”

            

“So what are they saying outside?”

Now that the matter was out, trying to cover it up was unrealistic. After all, the world wasn’t solely dictated by the Fu family.

“What else could they say? All sorts of opinions, of course~” Zhao Yujun didn’t hide the outside situation from her friend; knowing more would make it easier to handle things if something really happened in the future.

            

Fu Chaoyun was still pondering when she heard her continue, “Your sister is already married. For her white moonlight who disappeared for years to suddenly return, it’s obvious she doesn’t have good intentions, deliberately showing up in front of them…”

Clear resentment could be heard in Zhao Yujun’s words, making Fu Chaoyun turn to look at her.

Her friend still had her neat short hair, holding a glass of red wine that swirled gently as she spoke.

            

The lighting where they were was slightly dim, making Zhao Yujun’s face flicker between light and shadow. When darkness fell, her gaze was almost invisible, but her tone was filled with gritted teeth and resentment.

“In her dreams!”

“Left without a word back then, and now wants to rekindle old flames immediately upon returning? What does she take others for? A public toilet?! Coming and going as she pleases!!”

            

Hearing these words, one might mistakenly think Zhao Yujun was the one entangled with an old lover.

This reaction was too intense!

Another thought instantly popped into Fu Chaoyun’s head. “That person is back?”

            

Zhao Yujun’s movements abruptly froze. After a long moment, her eyes were terrifyingly silent, much like the atmosphere between the two of them.

“Yes.”

Fu Chaoyun was at a loss for words.

            

Were old lovers and white moonlights being wholesaled? Suddenly arriving in batches.

As her friend, having inherited the original owner’s memories, Fu Chaoyun knew Zhao Yujun had a first love, an ex-girlfriend.

Perhaps the “ex” could be removed.

            

In her memory, the two had been extremely sweet on campus, but suddenly one day, the other person’s family encountered an accident, and she was sent abroad directly, cutting off all contact. Zhao Yujun’s mood also changed drastically, turning into the person she was now.

But even up until now, it seemed they hadn’t explicitly broken up, at least she hadn’t heard about it from Zhao Yujun.

“She’s in the country now? Did she also come to the class reunion today?” Fu Chaoyun looked around.

            

This ex-girlfriend of Zhao Yujun’s was completely different from her sister Fu Lingfeng’s situation.

Fu Lingfeng was already married to Wen Wan. And Fu Chaoyun knew that although Zhao Yujun didn’t say it, her actions, using recklessness to cover her pain, showed she still held that person in her heart and had never done anything out of line.

It would have been better if she hadn’t mentioned it. Now that she did, Zhao Yujun’s face darkened further, and she directly downed a large gulp of wine.

            

“No.”

It was precisely because the other person hadn’t come at all, didn’t even care to come, that she was particularly angry.

Knowing how her friend had been these past years, Fu Chaoyun still offered a few words of comfort, “If you still can’t let go, you could take the initiative to find her.”

            

Zhao Yujun sneered, “Me? Go find her?”

“Relax.” Fu Chaoyun patted her shoulder, speaking like someone with experience, “Your partner is more important than face.”

“Forget it.” The mockery on Zhao Yujun’s face became more pronounced. “I wasn’t the one who ran off without a word back then. Why should I be the one to coax her now? I’m not that cheap!”

            

Looking up and seeing Fu Chaoyun’s somewhat worried gaze, Zhao Yujun finished the wine in her glass, grabbed a new one, and clinked it against the milk in Fu Chaoyun’s hand. “Boring. Let’s not talk about this.”

Then she tilted her head back and finished it in one go.

Turning back, seeing Fu Chaoyun hadn’t moved, she raised an eyebrow. “What about you?”

            

Fu Chaoyun raised the glass to her lips and took a small sip. “You finished yours, I’ll drink as I please.”

“…”

Zhao Yujun: “That’s it? Just that?”

            

“I’m an Alpha with someone managing me now. Can’t mess around outside.”

“Mess around with what?” Zhao Yujun looked disgusted, glancing at her. “Afraid you’ll get drunk on milk out here?”

Fu Chaoyun wore an expression of profound mystery: “…You loners wouldn’t understand.”

            

Zhao Yujun clicked her tongue but drank even more fiercely. If one looked closely, beneath the disdainful gaze, there was clearly a hint of envy.

---

These two huddled in a corner, doing their own thing. Though it was a class reunion, they didn’t interact much with others.

It wasn’t until past nine in the evening when Pei Xuezhi came to pick her up.

            

Fu Chaoyun didn’t want Pei Xuezhi to come to such a messy place, so she directly gave Zhao Yujun a heads-up, “Coming out?”

“You’re my only friend. I told Zhizhi I came to see you.”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I go?”

            

Zhao Yujun still maintained her nonchalant demeanor; how could she not understand Fu Chaoyun’s intention?

Her alcohol tolerance was much better than Fu Chaoyun’s, but today, even with people watching and advising her, her gloomy mood led her to drink quite a lot. She was already tipsy, her gaze no longer as clear as before.

The three met in the corridor outside the private room.

            

Zhao Yujun had always known of Pei Xuezhi’s existence, but this was their first time meeting like this. In front of her friend’s Omega, she appeared much more proper.

The two essentially just met face-to-face. Fu Chaoyun introduced them, they exchanged greetings, and then there wasn’t much else to say.

“Then we’ll be leaving?” Fu Chaoyun said. “You’ve had a bit too much to drink. Don’t drive yourself later. Call someone to pick you up or find a designated driver…”

            

Zhao Yujun waved her hand dismissively, looking very impatient. “So much nonsense. Get lost!”

She paused.

“Don’t forget to send me an invitation when you get married. I’ll remember to prepare a big gift for you in advance.”

            

Pei Xuezhi knew about Zhao Yujun and Fu Chaoyun’s relationship, so she didn’t mind the other’s casual attitude.

After Fu Chaoyun finished speaking with her, Pei Xuezhi added, “You smell strongly of alcohol. It might be troublesome if you run into a drunk driving checkpoint. The restroom is down the end of the corridor.”

“Thanks.”

            

Although Zhao Yujun acknowledged it, she didn’t seem to take it seriously or pay it much mind. Instead, Pei Xuezhi emphasized, “It’s best to go wash up.”

Fu Chaoyun blinked.

She didn’t say anything, maintaining a well-behaved and obedient appearance as Pei Xuezhi led her away.

            

Once they were a bit further away, Fu Chaoyun asked, “Why did you tell Ah Yu to go to the restroom?”

Pei Xuezhi patted her head. “You might be quite busy during this period.”

Fu Chaoyun: ?

            

But Pei Xuezhi said no more, playing the riddler to the end.

—As the only one whose relationship was developing smoothly, she might be pulled in for relationship advice… quite busy.

---

These two left sweetly, leaving the solitary Zhao Yujun watching from behind.

            

She stood there watching for a while.

Zhao Yujun didn’t actually mind the smell of alcohol on her. It was all red wine; how strong could it be?

But, perhaps to give her friend face, she still went to the restroom Pei Xuezhi had indicated.

            

Her head felt somewhat heavy and drowsy as she walked over. But as she neared it and saw the person coming out from inside, it felt as if her heart was squeezed hard, suddenly bringing clarity.

Or perhaps she became even dizzier, her head even starting to burn up. Before her consciousness could react, her body had already moved to block the person’s path.

“Why are you here?!” The Alpha’s tone was completely accusatory, extremely cold.

            

The person blocked in front of her seemed intent on avoiding her, head lowered, revealing only a section of her slender, snow-white neck, incredibly beautiful under the dim light.

Like a midnight rose that could snap with a single fold.

The next second, she looked up, her gaze meeting Zhao Yujun’s, her beautiful eyes devoid of waves or ripples.

            

Her mouth opened, finally offering a greeting.

“Long time no see.”

“Indeed, long time no see.” Zhao Yujun tugged at the corner of her mouth, the curve barely qualifying as a smile. “You’re back in the country? When? How long have you been back?”

            

“Just this National Day holiday, maybe three or four days.”

Zhao Yujun’s tone was somewhat aggressive, but the Omega before her deflected everything with an understated manner.

Back for three or four days, yet she hadn’t received any news. If it weren’t for Fu Chaoyun’s Omega reminding her just now…

            

A surge of anger suddenly rushed into Zhao Yujun’s chest, compounded by Fu Lingfeng’s drama beforehand.

The rationality and composure she had managed to maintain moments ago were instantly ignited by the alcohol. Although the red wine wasn’t strong, she began to gradually lose control, becoming unbalanced.

After a brief silence came utter madness.

            

“Lu Ningyan—”​²

She lowered her head to call the Omega’s name, a sneer pulling at her lips, her eyes deepening into a dark, obscure sea, staring fixedly into the other person’s eyes.

“Suddenly leaving the country without a word, then suddenly returning without telling anyone, do you really think I’m that cheap?! Cheap like some dog that’ll come running back whenever you casually beckon?!”

            

The last few words were incredibly hoarse, like a low growl.

Debasing herself while also debasing the other.

But the Omega looked at Zhao Yujun, Lu Ningyan’s gaze meeting hers, never dodging or flinching, her expression indifferent.

            

The lively, playful girl from memory, who would hold her arm, laughing and acting cute, had grown up and suddenly vanished, suddenly ceased to exist entirely.

“You misunderstood,” Lu Ningyan said.

Zhao Yujun just stared at her coldly, the two locked in a confrontation, demanding the other say something.

            

Lu Ningyan spoke unhurriedly, “I didn’t come here for the class reunion.”

“My new company happens to be holding a colleague gathering here tonight. I only realized you all were here too when I saw some former classmates… Sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude.”

Her words were clear and logical. Zhao Yujun couldn’t help taking two steps closer.

            

The Alpha’s stature was much taller than the Omega’s. Looking down from above, her eyes were a deep pool of ink.

“You didn’t come to see me?”

Lu Ningyan lowered her head. “No.”

            

—How ridiculous.

Just like when the other person left back then, she had stubbornly refused to give up, flying abroad overnight, begging and pleading to get her back, only to receive the other’s “Let’s formally break up now” and “We’ve already broken up, please stop disturbing my current life.” Just as ridiculous.

She hadn’t told anyone about this, including her best friend Fu Chaoyun.

            

As long as she didn’t mention it to anyone, it felt as if their relationship hadn’t completely fractured, as if there was still a chance to return to how things were before.

The other’s coldness added a touch of desolation to this long-awaited reunion. Zhao Yujun finally conceded defeat. “You can go.”

Lu Ningyan only glanced at her once, showing no reluctance to leave.

            

The former campus couple brushed past each other just like that. But in the instant they were about to pass, Zhao Yujun’s body, controlled by instinct, grabbed the other’s wrist.

Firmly and tightly.

“Lu Ningyan,” Zhao Yujun called out, her voice raspy as she asked, “When you left without saying goodbye back then, did you ever regret it during all those days and nights abroad?”

            

Zhao Yujun thought, perhaps she really was that cheap.

If only she said “I regretted it,” she could forgive her without holding any grudges.

Being alone for so long was too bitter.

            

The dim yellow light shone down from above, casting circles upon circles on them, as if trying to entangle them, or perhaps reminiscing about the beauty of the past.

But Lu Ningyan’s voice was clear and ethereal, “Never.”

A wave of bitterness rose in her throat, even the scene before her eyes dimmed. In the end, Zhao Yujun only heard her own voice, equally ice-cold and bone-chilling, “—Get the hell out!”

            

Along with the release, the shackle on the wrist fell away.

Lu Ningyan, regaining her freedom, walked a few steps before hearing a loud “thump” from behind—someone seemed to be hitting the wall. She stopped, internally conflicted, then heard a delicate, gentle voice.

“Oh my, Yu-jiejie, how did you get hurt?”

            

Concerned and anxious.

The lights flickered, indistinct and shadowy, yet at this moment, they sharply divided the two. Lu Ningyan closed her eyes, then opened them again, walking forward without a backward glance.

—No one can live in the past forever. Not her, and not Zhao Yujun either.

            

So, move forward.

Even if… it hurts.

---

The author has something to say:

            

Just writing a little about Xiao Zhao’s relationship line in this chapter, same for the sister’s line earlier, there won’t be more later~ Maybe in an extra chapter if fate allows.

Good night, good night w

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