After Becoming a Spare Tire, I Got Together with My White Moonlight - Chapter 8

First and foremost, she definitely couldn’t let it be assumed that they were wearing “couple outfits.”

“It’s Anchen’s. I was in a hurry this morning and grabbed the wrong one,” Yan Guiqiu explained.

“Do you live together?” Jiang Xuehe asked.

“Not exactly. I just rented a place recently, and sometimes they come over to hang out. Some of their clothes end up staying at my place.”

It was common for girls to swap jackets, especially Yan Guiqiu and Song Anchen. They had grown up together, had similar builds, and since Song Anchen lived close by and visited often, she naturally left the most clothes behind.

As she spoke, Yan Guiqiu finally realized what the real point of the conversation was.

“When they come over, they stay in the guest room,” Yan Guiqiu clarified. “I just moved, and I haven’t finished unpacking yet. It won’t be like this in the future.”

She paused, then added, “And as far as I know, they’re both straight they’ve had more boyfriends than I can count on one hand.”

Jiang Xuehe asked, “What about you?”

Yan Guiqiu was practically raising her hand to swear an oath: “This is my first love!”

Jiang Xuehe chuckled and said, “I was just asking casually. No need to be so nervous.”

Yan Guiqiu nodded, flattering her as she replied, “It’s just that Sister Xuehe has such a good memory.”

That jacket was from several years ago she couldn’t even remember when she had casually stuffed it into her closet.

Jiang Xuehe coughed lightly, looking somewhat embarrassed for once. She touched her nose and changed the subject: “A friend recommended a few shops to me this morning, all in the west side of the city. One of them is near your school. I’m thinking of finalizing it next week, but I’m not too familiar with the area. Guiqiu, would you have time to go with me to take a look?”

Yan Guiqiu blinked and nodded without a second thought: “Sure!”

Jiang Xuehe smiled gently and said, “Then I’ll be counting on you.”

Yan Guiqiu nodded repeatedly, her mood soaring as if she had floated straight up to the clouds. Even her steps felt light as she got out of the car.

Jiang Xuehe parked the car downstairs, and Yan Guiqiu pointed out the floor of her rented apartment.

It was a relatively new residential complex with well-maintained greenery. The buildings weren’t too tall, but the exterior walls were quite attractive. Not far away was the sports field of the neighboring university, connected to a small park outside the complex.

It really was a great place for everyday living.

Jiang Xuehe noted the location, confirmed the time with Yan Guiqiu, and then said goodbye before driving off.

When Yan Guiqiu went back inside, Song Anchen was in the kitchen preparing her “masterpiece.” Hearing the door open, she pointed to the phone on the table and said, “Aunt Meng just called me.”

“My mom?” Yan Guiqiu asked. “What did she say?”

“She said she’s going on a business trip next week and was subtly asking about your schedule. It seemed like there was something else too you should call her back yourself. I didn’t really get the details, so I told her you’d call.”

Yan Guiqiu let out an “Oh,” finished taking off her shoes, and then picked up her phone to check the message history across various communication apps.

The most recent message was from two days ago, reminding her that the weather was turning cold and to remember to dress warmly.

“Your family is so awkward. Do you all have some kind of electronic communication disorder? You seem perfectly fine when you’re together at home,” Song Anchen complained as she turned off the stove.

“Maybe they’re just not keeping up with the times. After all, they spent so many years lying in a hospital bed.”

Yan Guiqiu called out to Song Anchen, “I’m going to the balcony to return the call.”

Song Anchen let out a soft “Mm” and waited until Yan Guiqiu had turned and crossed the room before sighing quietly to herself.

Compared to the simple and harmonious family of the Songs, Yan Guiqiu had a rather difficult life.

In her childhood, her father’s side of the family was embroiled in power struggles and constant scheming. As she grew older, her mother’s side was no more peaceful after a car accident, her mother lay in the hospital for years, nearly losing the last of her maternal family’s inheritance.

During that time, Song Anchen and Yan Guiqiu didn’t see each other as often, not because their relationship was strained, but because Yan Guiqiu was exceptionally busy.

Finding time to share a meal even once a month was a luxury. She frequently skipped classes and took long leaves from school, almost failing to graduate.

Perhaps because of this, when Yan Guiqiu chose to leave the Yan family to live an ordinary, stable life, the rest of her family generally avoided disturbing her.

On the rare occasions they needed to reach her, they would indirectly ask her friends first, making sure she wasn’t busy and was in a good mood before bringing anything up.

To Song Anchen, a “normal” person, this kind of interaction seemed strange, but since Yan Guiqiu didn’t seem bothered by it, she didn’t feel it was her place to comment.

After all, she was friends with Yan Guiqiu, not the Yan family, so as long as Yan Guiqiu was happy, that was what mattered most.

Song Anchen shook her head, pushing aside those tangled thoughts, and cracked two eggs into the frying pan.

On the balcony, Yan Guiqiu dialed her mother, Meng Xinglan’s number.

The call was answered after just two rings, and in the background, she could faintly hear her mother saying, “Meeting adjourned.”

After a moment, the sound became clearer, and the conversation began with the usual brief pleasantries.

Meng Xinglan mentioned that she would be on a business trip next week and would pass through Yunhua City. She wanted to arrange a meal with her daughter. Since Yan Guiqiu had no immediate travel plans, she agreed.

Then came the second matter.

“Your Uncle Gu’s second son has returned to the country. He said he’d like to see you probably has some interest in you. Would you like to meet him?”

“Uncle Gu?” Yan Guiqiu narrowed her eyes, thinking for a moment before recalling who he was. “The second son. Is he that classmate from middle school?”

Meng Xinglan confirmed it.

That young master Gu had confessed to Yan Guiqiu back then, only to be rejected without hesitation, which became a source of amusement at school for a while.

Later, he went abroad and disappeared from the radar. Yan Guiqiu had long forgotten about him.

She hadn’t expected him to still hold a torch for her, and upon returning, his first move was to try and win over her mother.

Nowadays, Yan Guiqiu was no longer the glamorous young lady she once was. In many people’s eyes, she was labeled as “estranged from her family” or a “stray failure.” That he still remembered her despite this showed a certain sincerity.

Unfortunately, Yan Guiqiu remained unmoved. Out of curiosity, she asked a few more questions before firmly declining, “No, I could never develop feelings for him. It’s better not to lead him on.”

Meng Xinglan replied, “Alright, I’ll find a way to turn him down for you.”

Then came a brief silence.

Madam Meng was never one skilled at expressing affection. With Yan Guiqiu quiet on the line, she struggled to find the right words.

There were many things she wanted to ask, how her health was, how her studies were going, whether she was in good spirits, if she was eating on time, if anything unpleasant had happened recently.

But the words stuck in her throat, and not a single one made it out.

Yan Guiqiu had always been a person with strong opinions since childhood. Because she was too assertive, her family found it difficult to intervene in her affairs. Over time, even words of concern began to feel childish.

In the end, it was Yan Guiqiu who snapped out of the silence. Leaning her head back against the balcony windowsill, she looked up and saw birds gliding across the clear, azure sky.

Her mind wandered to trivial matters, but her heart was tangled and hesitant about something else.

Was this moving too fast?

She hesitated for just a moment before making up her mind. She was not one to leave herself room for regret.

If she wanted something, she would reach out and seize it immediately.

Even if it meant stepping into an abyss and shattering into pieces, it was better than a lifetime of regret from inaction.

Having lived through this world once more, there were very few things that could stir her heart.

The clouds in the sky drifted slowly, and the soft, elusive edges of her vision seemed to blur into Jiang Xuehe’s face with just a glance.

Even when she closed her eyes, it was the same.

Grass, trees, and the spring breeze became the entirety of her world.

“Mom,” Yan Guiqiu sighed silently, straightening up as if she were a student giving a report, even though no one could see her. “There’s something I want to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“I’ve fallen for a girl.”

“…”

The sound of the wind lingered for a long time. Yan Guiqiu felt her clenched palms drenched in sweat. Just as she thought the other end would hang up, a faint voice came through,

“Oh.”

Then, the voice became clearer.

“Once things are settled, bring her home to meet us.”

“Okay.” Yan Guiqiu’s throat felt dry. She cleared it before saying, “She’s a wonderful person. I really like her.”

“Then you must treat her well,” Meng Xinglan said.

“Mm!” Yan Guiqiu smiled again.

Song Anchen, standing by the doorway with a plate in hand, trembled slightly and let out a slow sigh of relief.

As Yan Guiqiu turned to walk back, Song Anchen’s expression suddenly changed, and she dashed into the kitchen, screaming, “My fried eggs!”

While forcing herself to eat the burnt, hard, bitter, and occasionally flaming fried eggs, Song Anchen jolted awake from the nightmare.

A knocking sound came from outside the room. Peeking through the gap in the curtains, she guessed it was already late. Rubbing her bird’s nest-like hair and yawning, she opened the door to find Yan Guiqiu, already washed and refreshed, standing energetically with her hands on her hips, knocking.

Song Anchen glanced past her at the digital clock on the wall: 9:56 a.m., Monday.

“Didn’t you make plans with Jiang Xuehe for tomorrow? Why are you so energetic today?”

“Go brush your teeth and wash your face first. I’ve called a carpenter to measure for a cabinet,” Yan Guiqiu said, checking her watch. “They’re coming at 10:30. We should have enough time.”

“What do you need a cabinet for?” Song Anchen glanced back at the wardrobe in the room, which had been provided by the landlord. It wasn’t very large, but it was more than enough for one person, especially since Yan Guiqiu usually stayed in the master bedroom.

Yan Guiqiu turned and dragged over two suitcases. Song Anchen took a quick look and noticed they seemed to be filled with clothes that others had intentionally or unintentionally left at Yan Guiqiu’s place.

“For storing clothes. The wardrobe here is too small. There’s not enough space for all these, and with sorting them out, it’s even more insufficient.”

“……” Suddenly, I didn’t really want to ask why anymore.

“For you people who are always fond of visiting others, it’s perfect for each of you to have a custom-made cabinet. Later, we’ll attach labels for convenience and efficiency. Oh, and by the way, try to minimize physical contact in public it’s best to avoid it in private too.”

As if they were all touch-obsessed maniacs.

Song Anchen rolled her eyes, mechanically putting the toothpaste in her mouth, and mumbled, “You only need to say that to A Luan. After all, she’s the only one who’s always jumping on people.”

While brushing her teeth, she glanced again at the dark circles under Yan Guiqiu’s eyes.

Though not as obvious as before, they were clearly still there most likely from staying up late again.

Song Anchen paused mid-brush: “You didn’t come up with something like ‘100 Rules for Dating’ again, did you?”

Yan Guiqiu didn’t deny it and even spoke with full confidence: “Well, since I’m about to have a partner, of course I need to start being mindful of avoiding misunderstandings!”

Song Anchen: “…” That’s so you.

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