Chapter 48 — He Has Someone He Likes

In the world of film and television, replacing cast members, even the leads, is hardly uncommon. That was why the assistant director whispered a warning in Cheng Yishu’s ear. Even Da Lingzi could tell; how could Cheng Yishu himself not understand?

So, while Da Lingzi fretted and paced, Cheng Yishu simply replied, cool and detached, “Don’t worry. Stop fussing... It won’t happen.” As he uttered those words, Director Lu had already called for filming to resume. Cheng Yishu shot Da Lingzi another glance and added, “I want cola chicken wings for lunch. Go buy them.”

His elegant, slender figure returned to the camera’s view, but his whole demeanor had changed drastically...

Da Lingzi finally realized—her worry had been for nothing!

Tonight, there would be no bar...

It had been so long since Lin Xiaowen had let herself go, relaxed so thoroughly, and enjoyed life without restraint. Even when working part-time at the bar, she never drank—let alone got herself this drunk.

“Just for tonight,” she consoled herself, her head swimming. She glanced at Xu Ningning beside her, who was already deep in her cups, dazed and spaced out.

Lin Xiaowen leaned in, blurry-eyed, and patted Xu Ningning’s flushed cheek, mumbling, “Ningning, are you alright? It’s getting late—let’s go home...”

Lin Xiaowen was drunk herself, so her words came out thick-tongued.

Soft music drifted through the air, filling the space with a strange, defenseless sense of belonging.

Xu Ningning closed her eyes, feeling her heart sway with the music—like warm tides gently enveloping her, then exposing her again to the cool air.

“Xiaowen, imagine—finally, I find a man I like, and as luck would have it, he’s from the Si family...”

Xu Ningning rambled, her tongue heavy, head resting on Lin Xiaowen’s shoulder. But Lin Xiaowen was so thin, there was hardly any softness, so Xu Ningning rubbed against her, uncomfortable.

Lin Xiaowen was lost for half a minute—Si family... Si Dong.

The man who changed her life, who gave her all his love, unforgettable memories.

The man whose eyes held such tenderness that, no matter how much hardship she endured in this life, she would accept it gladly...

“Xiaowen, do you think we owe the Si family from a past life? You suffered for years because of Si Dong, and I’ve fallen ill with longing because of Si Nan... Xiaowen, should we find a master to help us forget them? Or maybe we should go to the River of Forgetfulness, dive right in... If that little Feng can forget that scoundrel Li, we can forget them, too. Start! Over! Again!”

Xu Ningning babbled incoherently, then sat up, swaying, catching Lin Xiaowen’s vacant gaze in the dim light.

After a while, Lin Xiaowen’s eyes finally focused. She lowered her gaze, took Xu Ningning’s hand and said quietly, “Ningning... I’m sorry. If it weren’t for me, maybe you could have liked Si Nan with no worries, no hesitation.”

Xu Ningning blinked, stunned. Yes, her best friend Lin Xiaowen was right in front of her, but this tone?

She frowned, recalling what she’d just said—

Ah, this silly girl...

“Ugh...” Xu Ningning poked Lin Xiaowen’s forehead hard, and Lin Xiaowen winced and pulled away, bringing them both back to their senses.

“Are you stupid? Apologizing to me, over a man?”

Seeing Lin Xiaowen still looking at her apologetically, Xu Ningning feigned annoyance and pulled her into a hug, the scent of wine filling the air. Lin Xiaowen heard Xu Ningning murmur again,

“Xiaowen, you don’t need to apologize—it’s got nothing to do with you. Sure, I like him, but I know he and I are worlds apart. Even without you, he’d never notice me... Don’t forget, he’s a Si—crown prince of the Randong Group, sole heir. That’s like... like a royal successor in ancient times. And me? At best, I’m the daughter of a local magistrate... Ever seen ‘Empresses in the Palace’? Yeah, like An Lingrong—how tragic was she? No way I’d do that.”

Xu Ningning shook her head, pulling a mock-terrified face. Lin Xiaowen burst out laughing—partly at the comparison, partly at how seriously Xu Ningning followed those dramas.

“Sure, I’m attracted to him, but I care about you more! Men are just clothes—girlfriends are my arms and legs.”

Xu Ningning pouted, clinging to Lin Xiaowen’s neck.

“I know, it’s just that...”

Lin Xiaowen sighed inwardly, feeling she owed Ningning so much in this life.

“If you really feel you owe me, then find me a boyfriend cooler than Si Nan, how about that?”

Xu Ningning grinned at Lin Xiaowen, who understood this was just to make her feel better.

Lin Xiaowen played along, pulling a mock-serious face, “I don’t even have one myself—where am I supposed to find one for you? Get in line!”

She picked a lychee from the fruit plate, smiling softly.

“Oho, Lin Xiaowen... I was just about to ask you about that!” Xu Ningning suddenly turned Lin Xiaowen to face her, and Lin Xiaowen paused, confused.

“Come on, what’s going on between you and Cheng Yishu?”

Xu Ningning must have been pretending to be drunk. How else could she suddenly look so sly and clear-eyed?

“What... going on?” Lin Xiaowen turned away, finishing peeling the lychee but not eating it, simply staring at the translucent, plump fruit in her fingers.

“I swear, you really are stubborn. Cheng Yishu’s made it so obvious—he clearly likes you! Are you pretending not to notice, or do you really not feel anything for him?”

Xu Ningning rattled on, “With his status, looks, personality—my god, what are you hesitating for?”

She looked at Lin Xiaowen as if she were some odd creature. She’d thought her friend would have already taken the next step, but here Lin Xiaowen was, still playing coy—enough to drive anyone mad!

“Stop talking nonsense!” Lin Xiaowen finally managed to say. Xu Ningning was about to scold her further when Lin Xiaowen spoke again, softly,

“You’re right. He’s a superstar idol adored by thousands, the perfect lover in countless dreams... But me? An unwed mother, no impressive education, no notable job... Not pretty, no special talents—we’re from two different worlds! You say you and Si Nan are worlds apart, but it’s the same with me and Cheng Yishu...”

Lin Xiaowen lowered her eyes, her whole being shrouded in invisible helplessness and sorrow. Xu Ningning felt a pang in her chest.

“Oh, why worry so much?” Xu Ningning shook Lin Xiaowen’s arm gently. “If he likes you, and you like him, and he’s sincere with you and Ranran, then nothing’s impossible! So what if he’s a celebrity? Celebrities are people, too—they need love and to be loved...”

Xu Ningning felt her words were perfectly reasonable, so she nodded emphatically.

“But... he already has someone he likes.”

When Lin Xiaowen whispered this, Xu Ningning’s nodding abruptly stopped. She looked up at Lin Xiaowen’s forlorn face.

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