After Becoming a Spare Tire, I Got Together with My White Moonlight - Chapter 36

The atmosphere suddenly froze.

Provocation.

The word inopportunely surfaced in Jiang Xuehe’s heart.

The faint malice from yesterday was indeed not her imagination her intuition might not have been wrong after all.

But Jiang Xuehe had no intention of getting angry with Gu Yuyin.

She is Yan Guiqiu’s friend, Jiang Xuehe thought to herself, and the flicker of anger that had been provoked was quickly suppressed.

Jiang Xuehe’s expression barely changed. After staring at Gu Yuyin for a long moment, she asked, “Do you like Guiqiu?”

“Of course I like her.” Gu Yuyin smiled, deliberately pausing for a moment before adding, “But not in the way you do.”

Jiang Xuehe replied indifferently, “Is that so?”

Gu Yuyin laughed and emphasized again, “I was just a little curious to see if you’d get angry.”

Jiang Xuehe, of course, did not get angry.

At the very least, there was no trace of anger on her face, and her attitude remained as aloof as ever.

Gu Yuyin knew when to stop. Although she found it amusing to see Yan Guiqiu angry, she certainly didn’t want her to actually lose her temper with her.

“I really don’t like women,” Gu Yuyin said, almost raising her hand to swear. “Guiqiu and I have known each other for so many years. If I really liked her, wouldn’t she have noticed even a little bit?”

If that were the case, forget about introducing her to Jiang Xuehe they probably wouldn’t even be friends anymore.

Yan Guiqiu was no fool.

“You can think of it as a test,” Gu Yuyin paused before continuing, “I didn’t expect Guiqiu to get angry.”

Jiang Xuehe was taken aback. “Guiqiu got angry?”

She had only sensed that Yan Guiqiu was particularly sensitive about the matter. After they returned, Yan Guiqiu had been trying to explain herself, but it wasn’t her fault to begin with, so Jiang Xuehe naturally didn’t blame her.

She had initially thought it was just playful banter between friends, never expecting Yan Guiqiu to actually get angry.

“At me,” Gu Yuyin added, “I went too far.”

Yan Guiqiu was well aware that Gu Yuyin was deliberately teasing her, which was why she had snapped at her in that moment.

The anger was just an instinctive reaction at the time.

But under normal circumstances, Yan Guiqiu wouldn’t even get angry.

Why?

Because Jiang Xuehe was there.

Before realizing she liked girls, physical closeness with other girls seemed commonplace, devoid of any ambiguous undertones. Even something as simple as touching cheeks, though slightly overly intimate, wouldn’t evoke disgust or anger.

Making a fuss about it would only seem like an overreaction.

But when there’s someone of the same gender you like, it becomes different.

An ordinary handhold suddenly takes on a special meaning, and the once-blurred boundaries are sharply defined in an instant.

Moreover, Gu Yuyin was intentionally testing those boundaries.

And Yan Guiqiu saw right through it.

That’s why she got angry.

Gu Yuyin’s test was successful. With one gesture, one glance, she realized just how much weight Jiang Xuehe carried in Yan Guiqiu’s heart.

But neither Jiang Xuehe nor even Yan Guiqiu herself seemed fully aware of it yet.

“Of course, I want her to be happy. If it’s someone she likes, I’ll naturally support her,” Gu Yuyin paused, knowing Jiang Xuehe probably wouldn’t fully believe her, and shifted the topic. “She probably hasn’t told you much about me, has she?”

Jiang Xuehe replied, “I heard you were high school classmates.”

Gu Yuyin twirled the cigarette in her hand and nodded. “It’s not exactly a pleasant story to tell, and she probably wouldn’t share all of it with you. Guiqiu is my benefactor.”

“I started working as an extra in film crews since middle school and got to know a few directors who took a liking to me.” Gu Yuyin paused briefly before continuing, “This industry is chaotic everyone knows that but in reality, it’s even dirtier. If I had continued down the path I was on initially, I wouldn’t be as carefree as I am now.”

Now, she had money, leisure, and fame, and could focus entirely on honing her acting skills.

She didn’t have to curry favor with the powerful, and whether or not she participated in events wasn’t dictated by her company, it was entirely up to her.

But with both her parents gone and no influential or wealthy relatives to rely on, a penniless girl like her would have found it difficult just to survive, let alone live as cleanly and easily as she did now.

“I’m now registered under the Luan family,” Gu Yuyin said. “Of course, it was Guiqiu who made the connection.”

“Back in middle school, my mother fell ill. Even with treatment, she might not have had many years left. My father quit his job as a low-level office clerk and went to work at a construction site. But during my second year of high school, he fell and died on the spot. Although we received compensation afterward, it wasn’t even enough to cover the cost of medicine.”

Gu Yuyin paused for a long moment, and Jiang Xuehe remained silent alongside her.

She didn’t know how to comfort someone about such things.

Gu Yuyin looked calm, as if she had long since moved on.

“At the time, my uncle even suggested we stop the treatment. My mother tried to secretly take sleeping pills, but fortunately, a nurse found her in time. I don’t know why, but I was stubbornly determined to get her treated. Looking back now, I feel like I was unfilial for making her suffer so much in the end.”

“If it weren’t for my mother nearly crying her eyes out, begging me to go to school, I might not have even finished high school. Later, I realized how supportive the school was they organized donations for me, waived my tuition and fees, and I received various scholarships and relief funds. That’s how I managed to get by.”

“Back then, Guiqiu and I weren’t close. I only remember that some classmates donated quite a bit of money.”

Initially, Gu Yuyin and Yan Guiqiu weren’t particularly close, they were just ordinary classmates.

Gu Yuyin was busy with part-time jobs to earn money, and in her spare time, she had to take care of her mother and keep up with her studies. She was so busy she barely had time to catch her breath. Even after transferring to the school for a year, she still hadn’t gotten to know everyone in her class.

“In the end, it wasn’t just about the money anymore. But I kept thinking that if I could save up enough, maybe treatment abroad could cure her. I was obsessed with the idea as long as I could earn money, I’d do anything.”

“Later, during the summer before my third year of high school, a director approached me. He said an investor thought I had talent and wanted to promote me as the female lead in a new series, set to start filming in late autumn. The pay would start at a million, and he invited me to a dinner that evening.”

“Deep down, I knew what it was really about. In the end, I gritted my teeth and went. When I got there and saw a room full of middle-aged men, I instantly regretted it. After sitting down and taking a few sips of alcohol, I got so scared that I ran to the restroom to hide. The director came out to look for me, and as luck would have it, he ran into Guiqiu.”

That day, someone happened to have invited Yan Guiqiu to a meal at the same hotel. She had sat through some boring discussions at the table and excused herself after a short while. As she was leaving, she overheard someone calling Gu Yuyin’s name.

Gu Yuyin emerged from the restroom with her head lowered and saw the man waiting by the door, her expression tinged with fear.

Yan Guiqiu glanced over and quickly surmised what was happening.

Without exposing the situation, she paused briefly before stepping forward to greet Gu Yuyin, linking arms with her in a show of familiarity. She warmly invited Gu Yuyin to join her for a meal.

The person who had followed Gu Yuyin out happened to recognize Yan Guiqiu. His anger and displeasure vanished instantly upon seeing her, and he greeted her politely, addressing her as “Miss Yan.”

It was only then that Gu Yuyin realized this seemingly unfamiliar classmate came from an influential family.

Yan Guiqiu repeated her invitation, and Gu Yuyin, snapping out of her daze, gritted her teeth and nodded, saying, “Okay.”

With that, the man who had followed them could say nothing more. Yan Guiqiu led Gu Yuyin to the private room entrance, exchanged a brief greeting, and then whisked her away.

Once they reached the bustling street outside, Gu Yuyin’s legs grew so weak she could hardly walk. She crouched by the roadside, covering her face as she wept silently.

Yan Guiqiu stayed by her side, asking no questions. When Gu Yuyin finally regained her composure, Yan Guiqiu treated her to a meal and even arranged for a car to take her all the way to the hospital entrance.

It took Gu Yuyin a while to gather the courage to go upstairs and visit her mother.

After the semester began, Gu Yuyin made a point of bringing homemade pastries to Yan Guiqiu for several months as a token of gratitude. She had learned to make them herself after hearing that Yan Guiqiu had a sweet tooth.

The matter seemed to be over, and Gu Yuyin assumed her path in that circle had come to an end. Though anxious for a while, she eventually accepted her fate and began looking for other part-time opportunities.

But by late autumn, her mother suffered an accidental fall and, despite efforts to save her, did not survive.

After the funeral, a director approached Gu Yuyin again, this time about the same drama as before, asking if she would be willing to play the female lead.

He also subtly inquired about her relationship with the Yan family.

Upon further questioning, Gu Yuyin learned that the production had faced funding issues, causing repeated delays in filming and even changes in directors. Recently, someone from the Yan family had expressed willingness to invest, on the condition that Gu Yuyin be cast as the female lead citing her image and temperament as the perfect fit.

It was only later that Gu Yuyin discovered that after the dinner incident, someone had taken an interest in her looks and had come to the school to find her, only to encounter Yan Guiqiu first.

Yan Guiqiu had a “thorough discussion” with the man, which landed him in the hospital for two days. He withdrew his funding upon release, and from then on, no one dared to bother Gu Yuyin again.

However, the script was excellent, and it would have been a shame to abandon the project or produce a subpar version due to lack of funds.

Somehow, an uninformed party approached Yan Guiqiu for help. After reading the script, she agreed to invest, with the stipulation that Gu Yuyin remain the female lead.

The previous director hadn’t been blind, despite his ulterior motives, he had recognized Gu Yuyin’s suitability for the role from the start.

As it turned out, Gu Yuyin won her first award for her performance in that drama.

At the time, still bewildered by it all, she went to Yan Guiqiu and nervously asked what she wanted in return. Yan Guiqiu looked her over and laughed, saying, “Don’t worry, I’m not into women, and my family isn’t rushing me to find a partner.”

Then, more seriously, she explained that she had seen Gu Yuyin’s previous roles and felt she had a natural talent. It would be a shame to let it go to waste, and she considered it a repayment for the months of sweet treats.

Yan Guiqiu told her to focus on acting and not worry about anything else. She had already spoken with the crew, so generally, no one would be foolish enough to cause her trouble again.

If anyone bothered her, she could call Yan Guiqiu for help.

Gu Yuyin thought it over and realized there was nothing about her worth coveting, which eased her mind a little.

Later, when Yan Guiqiu left the Yan family, those in the know within their circle assumed Gu Yuyin had lost her backing. Some came forward with offers, but Gu Yuyin didn’t accept any of them. Instead, she diligently studied for another year and was admitted to a drama academy.

By the time others caught on, she had already gained recognition from the Luan family.

The Luan family had interests in the film and television industry, but with their vast enterprises, they didn’t rely on peripheral fame or fleeting popularity. Investing a bit of resources to nurture a genuine, talented actor was hardly a loss. Most people in the industry were willing to give them face, and coupled with Gu Yuyin’s own determination, the collaboration proved quite harmonious.

But ultimately, without Yan Guiqiu’s influence, no matter how capable Gu Yuyin was, the Luan family might not have taken notice of her.

From any perspective, calling Yan Guiqiu Gu Yuyin’s benefactor was entirely accurate.

“Back then, in my eyes, Yan Guiqiu was practically a saint reborn,” Gu Yuyin said with a smile to Jiang Xuehe after recounting those memories. “When I told her that later, she seemed quite surprised because she felt it was just a small favor she’d done.”

It was merely helping a classmate in need and putting in a good word for someone with talent.

She hadn’t lost anything, nor had it cost her much effort. Favors and connections were just part of life.

Moreover, it was mainly Gu Yuyin’s own resilience not letting the glamorous world cloud her judgment that secured her stable future.

If Gu Yuyin had willingly succumbed to the hidden rules, Yan Guiqiu wouldn’t have bothered to rescue her, let alone become her friend.

“And now?” Jiang Xuehe asked.

“She’s my benefactor, my mentor, and my most important friend,” Gu Yuyin replied, glancing at Jiang Xuehe. “Do you know why I’m telling you all this?”

“To let me know that Guiqiu is a genuinely good person, fair and consistent with everyone?”

“You could say that, but thank you for not getting impatient with my rambling.”

Gu Yuyin raised her hand, asked the shop owner for a bag to pack the buns, and checked the time, indicating it was time for them to head back.

While they’d been sitting there, the shop owner had glanced their way several times.

Yan Guiqiu would probably be back soon.

As they walked back to the Yan residence, Gu Yuyin continued, “You’ve met Song Anchen and A-Luan, right?”

Jiang Xuehe nodded.

Gu Yuyin said, “Don’t be fooled by how long we’ve known Guiqiu. I bet even Song Anchen would envy you.”

Jiang Xuehe asked, “Why?”

“Guiqiu isn’t someone who takes the initiative,” Gu Yuyin explained. “Whether it’s her family’s inheritance or friendships, she can give away what she has without batting an eye, but she never actively seeks anything.”

This was something Jiang Xuehe had also observed clearly.

“Even A-Luan and I had to put in years of effort to become her friends,” Gu Yuyin paused, looking seriously at Jiang Xuehe. “You are the first and so far, the only, person she has ever actively pursued.”

To Yan Guiqiu, Jiang Xuehe was the most special one.

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