That “Bad” Woman Next Door – Chapter 40

Everyone Is Searching: Jie Ran Came Out!

Halfway through their congee, they ran into the couple Sun Wenya and Xu Kai again. Xu Kai spotted Yuan Yue and the others immediately and walked over excitedly, saying, “What a coincidence, so you guys came down for a late-night snack too?”

Sun Wenya had actually spotted them long ago, but unexpectedly, Xu Kai beat her to it. She had no choice but to face them; just looking at the four women by the table, she seemed even more at a loss.

With a stranger suddenly intruding, the assistant, Xiao Xia, with quick eyes and fast hands¹, handed Jie Ran her sunglasses. Jie Ran skillfully put them on, pulling her hair forward to try and cover her face, and said in a low voice, “You guys take your time eating, I’m heading back first.”

Yuan Yue and Yu Xi knew Jie Ran didn’t want to be recognized, so they tacitly didn’t ask any questions and watched her and Xiao Xia leave.

Watching the figures of the two people leaving in a hurry, Xu Kai said hesitantly, “I’m sorry, did we disturb you?”

Yu Xi wiped her mouth with a napkin and said, “Not at all, they just happened to be finished eating.” She pointed to the empty seats across from them. “Would you two like to sit down and eat with us? We can’t finish it all anyway.”

“No, thank you,” Sun Wenya, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke.

Yu Xi glanced at Sun Wenya’s unnatural complexion and said, “Miss Sun, are you not feeling well? You look terrible.”

Hearing this, Xu Kai quickly turned his head to scrutinize Sun Wenya’s face and found that she was exceptionally pale. He said anxiously, “Wenya, are you not feeling well?”

Sun Wenya’s eyes flickered. “No, I’m fine.”

Only then did Xu Kai breathe a sigh of relief. He asked her, “Didn’t you say you were hungry and wanted a late-night snack? Since Miss Yu and Miss Yuan are here, why don’t you sit down and have a bite.”

Sun Wenya glanced at Yuan Yue, who was still relishing her shrimp congee with her head down. She felt scorned, a pang of pain in her heart, and said in a heavy voice, “I’ve suddenly lost my appetite.”

Yuan Yue abruptly lifted her head, and their four eyes unexpectedly met².

Sun Wenya made no effort to hide the look in her eyes, staring straight at Yuan Yue and saying, “Yuan Yue, I need to speak with you alone.”

Yuan Yue’s heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously turned to look at Yu Xi.

Yu Xi met her gaze for a second and said without a change in expression, “You two talk. I’ll go back to the room and wait for you.”

Yu Xi stood up. Seeing that Xu Kai had no intention of leaving, she had to remind him, “Mr. Xu, you should go too.”

Xu Kai sensed the atmosphere was a bit stiff. He couldn’t put his finger on what was wrong, but he couldn’t very well ask more questions, so in the end, he could only follow Yu Xi out.

Xu Kai walked on, looking back three times with every step. His heart was filled with many doubts, so he took the opportunity to secretly ask Yu Xi, “Miss Yu, are Wenya and Miss Yuan really college classmates? Did they not get along in college?”

What Xu Kai didn’t understand was why Sun Wenya’s whole demeanor changed every time she saw Yuan Yue. When they got back to their room during the day, Xu Kai had wanted to ask what was going on, but as soon as he mentioned Yuan Yue’s name, Sun Wenya threw a tantrum at him.

The spot where they were standing happened to afford them a side view of Sun Wenya and Yuan Yue. Yu Xi glanced at the two people over there, who were looking at each other without a word, and said with a meaningful tone, “They were indeed college classmates, and from the same dorm room, too. They were especially close back then.”

As for how close they were, Yu Xi certainly couldn’t tell Xu Kai that. From the looks of Xu Kai, Sun Wenya must have hidden the fact that she and Yuan Yue had been together back then. Since the person involved didn’t want to say it herself, why should she be the one to potentially destroy someone else’s family?

Xu Kai was stunned. “But why do I feel like they look more like enemies? Did they have some kind of conflict before?”

The conflict between Sun Wenya and Yuan Yue originated from that car accident, a conflict that directly led to their breakup. This was also something that couldn’t be spoken of. Yu Xi smiled and said to Xu Kai, “Whether they’re enemies or friends, let them resolve the matter between them. You should stop guessing blindly.”

Actually, when Yu Xi had just heard Sun Wenya say she wanted to talk to Yuan Yue alone, she had been a little hesitant.

She had indeed once thought about giving Sun Wenya a harsh blow, to make her completely give up any ideas about Yuan Yue. But on second thought, she felt that would be too cruel. After all, she hadn’t been a part of their past; to forcefully interfere would make her seem too domineering.

Yu Xi believed that Yuan Yue could handle the relationship perfectly well, which was why she resolutely chose to leave.

Yu Xi had originally wanted to go back to the room to wait, but seeing that Xu Kai was even more anxious than she was, she suggested, “Why don’t we find a place to sit and wait for them?”

Xu Kai, of course, agreed. He casually found a place to sit, his eyes never leaving that direction for a moment.

Seeing him so devoted, Yu Xi suddenly felt a bit of pity for Xu Kai. From the look in his eyes, you could tell he really cared about and liked Sun Wenya, but Sun Wenya’s attitude…

Yu Xi sighed almost inaudibly and also turned her gaze in that direction.

When only the two of them were left at the table, Yuan Yue finally couldn’t withstand the assault of Sun Wenya’s gaze. She pushed her bowl aside and was the first to compromise, “Didn’t you say you had something to tell me?”

Sun Wenya said emotionally, “The way you treat me versus the way you treat her is really so different.”

This “her” must be referring to Yu Xi, right?

The moment Yuan Yue thought of Yu Xi, her expression softened, and she admitted openly, “That’s right. I like her a lot. I’ve never liked someone this much in my entire life, since I was a child.”

This sentence was no different from stabbing Sun Wenya in the heart. Her eyes were sorrowful as she said grievously, “What about me? Didn’t you once like me, too?”

Yuan Yue gave a faint smile. “You said it yourself, that was in the past. So many years have gone by, I’ve long forgotten the feeling I once had for you.”

“But I haven’t forgotten, I can’t forget at all!” Sun Wenya said urgently.

Yuan Yue was very calm, saying unhurriedly, “Wenya, let it go. It’s just because you’re unwilling to accept it.”

Sun Wenya was taken aback, shaking her head in a daze. “No, it’s not that I’m unwilling to accept it. I still can’t forget you, I still love you!”

Yuan Yue chuckled lightly. “Is that really so? Why must you deceive yourself and others?”

“What?” Sun Wenya was shocked, looking at her in astonishment.

Yuan Yue’s expression grew serious. “You don’t love me. You didn’t love me in the past, and you love me even less now. If you had loved me back then, you wouldn’t have left when I was at my most difficult and painful time. If you loved me now, you wouldn’t keep disturbing my life without any regard for my feelings.”

Yuan Yue didn’t give her a chance to speak, continuing in one breath, “You’re just unwilling to accept that I’ve forgotten you. You even hate me a little. You can’t stand to see me doing well now. You’re really selfish.”

Sun Wenya shook her head nonstop, her eyes quietly growing moist as she cried out, “It’s not like that, I just want to be with you!”

“Do you think that’s still possible?” Yuan Yue had to make her see the reality. “You’re already married. Your husband is sitting right over there. You can see him if you turn your head.”

Following her direction, Sun Wenya slowly turned her head. She saw Xu Kai sitting not far away, waiting quietly for her.

Xu Kai saw her too and gave her a reassuring smile.

Sun Wenya hastily turned her head back and flatly denied, “I don’t love him at all!”

Yuan Yue couldn’t help but frown. “If you don’t love him, why did you agree to marry him in the first place? Don’t you think that’s very unfair to him, don’t you think what you’re doing is outrageous?”

Sun Wenya stared at her blankly, at a loss for how to answer for a moment.

Normally, this was someone else’s family matter, and Yuan Yue shouldn’t have said so much, but she really didn’t want to drag mud and bring water³. She took a deep breath and said, “Wenya, you’re not a child anymore. You can’t be so willful. You have to be responsible for your words and actions. Actually, you’re not averse to Xu Kai at all; on the contrary, you really enjoy his unconditional tolerance for you. We can all see that Xu Kai is very good to you. Don’t hurt him anymore, just live a good life with him. I sincerely wish you both the best.”

Having said everything that should and shouldn’t be said, Yuan Yue didn’t want to waste any more time. She stood up, but as she turned to leave, Sun Wenya grabbed her hand.

Yuan Yue pried her hand off without mercy and said cruelly, “Don’t pester me anymore. There’s no need for us to see each other again in the future.”

Unwilling to give up, Sun Wenya tried to grab her other hand. This time, before she could even touch it, Yuan Yue dodged to the side. She said warningly, “Stop all this pulling and grabbing. It wouldn’t be good if my girl saw this.”

Yuan Yue didn’t delay any longer, leaving Sun Wenya behind as she turned and walked away without looking back.

Before Yuan Yue had even gotten close, Yu Xi and Xu Kai stood up. Yuan Yue walked straight over and said to Xu Kai, “Your wife seems to be crying. You should hurry and comfort her.”

Xu Kai’s expression changed abruptly, and he ran toward Sun Wenya.

Yuan Yue let out a long sigh of relief, grabbed Yu Xi’s hand, and said hurriedly, “Let’s scram! We can’t afford to mess with a crybaby!”

Yu Xi couldn’t help but laugh, squeezing her hand back as they ran back to their room together.

Yu Xi didn’t say a word the whole way. Yuan Yue was puzzled. “Why aren’t you asking me anything?”

Yu Xi raised an eyebrow and said, “There’s nothing to ask. I trust you.”

For this trust, Yuan Yue immediately rewarded her with a passionate kiss.

Perhaps because of the hot spring, Yuan Yue slept especially soundly that night.

But when she opened her eyes, she didn’t see Yu Xi beside her on the pillow. Yuan Yue groggily got up and called out a few times in the room but got no response. She was about to call Yu Xi when she noticed Yu Xi’s phone was placed right next to hers on the headboard.

Where did Yu Xi go so early in the morning?

In the hotel lobby on the first floor, Yu Xi was dressed in casual clothes, her long hair down, looking fresh and energetic. She said to the person opposite her with a blank expression, “It’s not convenient for me to take you to the airport, so let’s say our goodbyes here.”

Jie Ran was still in disguise. She tugged at her sunglasses, her eyes searching around as she said suspiciously, “How come Xiao Yueyue didn’t come to see me off?”

“She’s still sleeping. I couldn’t bear to wake her up.”

Jie Ran said with an exaggerated expression, “I’m leaving and you didn’t tell her. She’ll definitely be angry with you later.”

Yu Xi twitched the corner of her mouth and said with a smug look, “She wouldn’t dare.”

Jie Ran pouted, readjusted her sunglasses, and said, “Xiao Yueyue isn’t here now, so you don’t have to be so hostile towards me, right? I’m about to leave, aren’t you going to give me some kind of send-off?”

“What kind of send-off?”

Seeing that she wasn’t getting the hint, Jie Ran, without another word, reached out and pulled her into a full embrace, saying sincerely, “Who knows when we’ll see each other again after this. I’ll miss you guys.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Jie Ran tactfully let go before she could be pushed away. Sure enough, she saw Yu Xi say with a look of disgust, “You don’t need to miss her.”

Jie Ran scoffed and muttered, “For a person like you who ditches their friends once they have a wife, I must have been truly blind to have met you back then.”

Yu Xi wasn’t annoyed at all, saying her final farewell with a cold expression, “Have a safe trip. Goodbye!”

When Yu Xi returned to the room, Yuan Yue was already up. She was sitting on the bed, not wearing any clothes, just staring into space. Yu Xi was taken aback. She walked over and said, “When did you wake up?”

Yuan Yue didn’t answer, asking her back with a long face, “Where did you go?”

Yu Xi didn’t hide it. “I just went downstairs to see Jie Ran off. She’s gone to the airport.”

Yuan Yue had heard Jie Ran say she had to catch an early flight today, so she didn’t ask any more questions. Still not fully awake, she just gave a faint “oh.”

Yu Xi sat down on the edge of the bed and, while dressing her, said, “Let’s head back too after we eat breakfast.”

Yuan Yue had no objection to this.

When they went down for breakfast, they once again ran into Sun Wenya and Xu Kai. The four of them shared a table. Xu Kai said, “We’re heading back today. What about you two?”

Yu Xi said, “Same for us.”

Yuan Yue noticed that Sun Wenya’s eyes were red and swollen; she had no idea how long she had cried yesterday.

Sun Wenya suddenly looked up, her eyes, swollen like walnuts, looking right at Yuan Yue. Yuan Yue hastily looked away and said to Yu Xi, “I’m done eating.”

Yu Xi immediately understood her meaning and said tacitly, “I’m done too. You two take your time, we’ll be on our way.”

On the last day of the weekend, traffic jams were to be expected. It was already afternoon by the time they got home.

The moment Yuan Yue walked through the door, she started yawning nonstop. Yu Xi’s heart ached for her,⁴ and she told her to go take a nap. While she was sleeping soundly, Yu Xi woke her up.

Yuan Yue’s heart was unwilling and her feelings were reluctant⁵, but as soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Yu Xi’s stunningly beautiful face right in front of her⁶, and her mood instantly improved.

Yu Xi looked at her with a beaming smile, gently stroking her face. “Don’t sleep anymore. If you keep sleeping, it’ll get dark.”

“What time is it?” Yuan Yue asked casually.

“Five o’clock.”

Yuan Yue was startled. No matter how sleepy she was, she didn’t dare to sleep any longer.

Seeing her not moving, Yu Xi patted her little perked-up butt and said dotingly, “Lazy cat. I’m going to make you a fruit salad. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”

Yu Xi turned and went out. Yuan Yue stretched, then picked up her phone to play with.

She first scrolled through her social feed for a while. Finding it boring, she then opened Weibo. Her eyes inadvertently fell on the search bar at the very top, and they instantly widened.

Written there clearly in small gray words was “Everyone is searching⁷: Jie Ran came out⁸.” Yuan Yue’s heart sank, and she quickly clicked on the trending topics.

The number one trending topic was about Jie Ran. Yuan Yue hurriedly clicked on a Weibo post, and this time, she was completely wide awake.

The title of that Weibo post was exceptionally eye-catching. Yuan Yue unconsciously recited it to herself: Thirty-Year-Old Film Empress Jie Ran’s Sexual Orientation Exposed, Mysterious Girlfriend is Actually Her Private Female Fitness Coach.

When she saw the last few words of the title, Yuan Yue skipped right past the text of the post, her fingers quickly swiping down to the accompanying pictures at the bottom. In one of the photos, a disguised Jie Ran was affectionately embracing a woman. Yuan Yue looked closely and couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath⁹.

The mysterious woman embracing Jie Ran was actually Yu Xi!

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