After Failing To Tame The Scumbag - Chapter 36

“Is this your romantic encounter from last night?”

Cutting off an unhealthy relationship is like carving out a piece of rotted flesh, it hurts, but one day, it will eventually scab over.

Yun Chuxiu hung up the phone, habitually blacklisted the unfamiliar number, and lowered her head to finish the last bite of her breakfast.

She had been distracted for too long. As the temperature dropped, the warmth and freshness of the food faded, it didn’t taste very good anymore.

Perhaps things left for too long are always like this, tasteless to eat, yet a pity to discard.

The cold food was like that, and so were the problems she and Ji Jin had accumulated over the past seven years.

They kept saying they would resolve them, but they dragged their feet, and so those “leftovers” finally became utterly meaningless.

Knock, knock, knock.

There was a polite rapping at the door again.

Yun Chuxiu assumed it was hotel staff, but when she opened the door, she saw Chu Cheng’s excited face once more.

Chu Cheng stood properly by the door. Compared to her persistence in waking someone up early in the morning, this second knock was much more reserved, there was an indescribable sense of awe in her posture.

“Boss, you really are my ‘Big Sister’…” Chu Cheng gave a thumbs up. Thinking about how a certain someone might be having a total breakdown behind a screen, she swallowed hard and whispered like a thief, “I didn’t even notice you actually accepted an interview at the bar…”

“I am a bit older than you,” Yun Chuxiu let her in with a faint smile. “In that bar atmosphere last night, it’s a miracle you didn’t just get dead drunk. It’s normal you didn’t notice.”

She hadn’t intended to make a grand scene or disturb those enjoying themselves. It was just an accidental encounter, and she happened to need something direct, something so clear it couldn’t be misunderstood.

“I plan to walk around the neighborhood today,” Yun Chuxiu brought her a glass of cold water and pointed to the tissues nearby, saying helplessly, “Wipe your sweat first. Didn’t you just change clothes?”

Chu Cheng swallowed the water hurriedly and followed up with a vague question, “Then you’re not coming with me today?”

“Mhm,” Yun Chuxiu rubbed her brow. “I want to be alone for a bit and buy some souvenirs for people.”

Chu Cheng hesitated. “We’ve only played for one day. You’re not thinking of…”

“I have to go back and handle some things,” Yun Chuxiu frowned as she opened her phone. Many former business partners had sent inquiries. Some were genuinely concerned, while others… had already begun subtly probing into the relationship between her and Ji Jin.

It couldn’t be helped, in the eyes of most people, the name “Ji Jin” referred to more than just a single individual.

“What a hassle.” Yun Chuxiu didn’t enjoy dealing with such things. After skimming through the names, her remaining interest in the vacation evaporated.

“I’m going.”

She locked her phone. Wanting to escape the air inside the room, she dropped those words and turned to leave.

The seaside city was perfect for clearing one’s mind.

Yun Chuxiu walked amidst the scattered shadows of trees. Her elongated shadow was broken by the sound of the wind, flickering and hazy, as if her heavy thoughts were being completely shattered.

It wasn’t a bad feeling.

Following the sound of the waves, she walked into a uniquely decorated flower shop. There were quite a few people, but it wasn’t noisy. Everyone admired the flowers on display, occasionally whispering to their companions, maintaining a peaceful space free from loud volumes.

Further inside, the owner sat behind the counter, half-asleep while propping her head up to read. The rustling pages were pressed into her palm and then blown by the sea breeze. Whether she was actually absorbing the words was unknown, but her mood was undeniably pleasant.

The shop was aptly named “The Coast Flower Shop.”

Yun Chuxiu stopped to admire a pot of Phalaenopsis orchids. She accidentally brushed against a wind chime hanging on the side. A young girl nearby looked over curiously, her eyes immediately glued to Yun Chuxiu’s beautiful, melancholy face.

“Sister,” the little girl huddled closer. Yun Chuxiu bent down to be at eye level with her, about to ask if she needed help, when a candy was suddenly pressed into her palm.

Yun Chuxiu froze. The rainbow wrapper was exceptionally pretty under the sunlight, looking as though it had been fiddled with in a palm for a long time, every crease pressed just right.

“Eating candy makes you happy,” the little girl said with innocent, curving eyes. She then began introducing the orchids in the shop.

The crisp, peaceful voice of the child wasn’t annoying. Several customers were drawn over, standing quietly behind her to listen to the story of this specific orchid.

Unaware of the affectionate gazes of the adults behind her, the girl spoke seriously. Her skirt, as colorful as the candy wrapper, moved with a spirit given by the wind, mirroring the passion in her eyes as she looked at the flowers.

Single-minded and organized. She must really love these flowers to be able to talk about the care instructions so lightheartedly without a single mistake. It was just…

Yun Chuxiu thought helplessly: Was I just comforted by a little girl who barely reaches my thigh?

“A gift for a gift,” Yun Chuxiu waited for the girl to finish, then pulled a piece of chocolate she hadn’t had time to eat from her bag, tucked it into the girl’s hand, and smiled as she patted her head.

The shop owner had woken up and was standing outside the crowd, watching her daughter’s sudden shy expression. She covered her forehead, feeling both helpless and amused.

“Mama…” Like a little peacock whose display had been seen by too many people, the girl got bashful and ducked behind the counter.

The crowd let out friendly laughter.

Yun Chuxiu laughed too. Before leaving, she asked if the shop provided delivery. Leaving her hotel address, she bought the orchid that was so full of stories.

The owner felt a bit embarrassed, fearing Yun Chuxiu had been pressured by her daughter. She sent the happy girl away and explained, “She just likes sticking to pretty sisters. You don’t have to worry about what she thinks.”

“The orchid itself is very beautiful,” Yun Chuxiu countered seriously, her voice soft. “Your daughter’s good mood made it even more beautiful.”

Being open with praise had always been one of Yun Chuxiu’s virtues. She wouldn’t deny the joy the little girl’s words had brought her. Thus, paying for that happiness felt only right.

By the time she left the flower shop, it was midday. The sun poured out its heat recklessly, as if it would never tire, snaking into every dark crevice between the leaves.

Avoiding the trendy “influencer” restaurants, Yun Chuxiu found a decent-looking local eatery. Her morning of wandering hadn’t brought much of an appetite. She sat quietly, poking the meat on her plate with a fork and taking bites, as if chewing through resilient cotton candy.

“Do you mind if I share the table?” A clean-cut face popped up from the side.

It was the center of the dance troupe she had met last night. With her makeup removed, the sharp heroism on her face had softened. Holding her tray and standing by the table, she didn’t look like a spotlight grabbing dancer, but rather a university student out for a meal.

Yun Chuxiu nodded. Seeing only the surprise of a chance encounter in the girl’s eyes, she offered a polite smile so as not to leave the other person awkward.

“Bai Tiya. I believe I remembered your name correctly?”

“Miss Yun has a good memory,” Bai Tiya’s smile widened as she took the initiative to continue the conversation. “It was dark last night and I had makeup on. I was really worried you wouldn’t recognize me; that would have been truly embarrassing.”

“Hmm… is this what they call ‘dying upon meeting’?” Bai Tiya curled her tongue slightly, intentionally raising the tone of her voice.

“You’re very pretty,” Yun Chuxiu smiled. “Looking closely, there isn’t much difference from how you looked last night.”

It was merely a difference in style.

Bai Tiya swirled her sea blue sparkling water, posing as if she were drinking wine. “I should be the one saying that to Miss Yun. You are actually more attractive without makeup.”

“How about it? Want me to take you around the area?” she asked. “There are many hidden shops here that locals frequent. You’re planning to buy souvenirs, right?”

“Would that be too much trouble for you?” Yun Chuxiu wasn’t used to such sudden enthusiasm, but the sincerity in the other woman’s eyes was remarkably prominent.

Bai Tiya smiled like a cat showing off its poise. “It’s no trouble at all. In fact… it’s my honor to be able to travel with a beauty like Miss Yun.”

“Then I’ll…”

“Then we won’t trouble you.”

Yun Chuxiu turned around in shock. A step away, Ji Jin, who shouldn’t have been there, was frowning deeply. The words were directed at Bai Tiya, but her gaze remained fixed on Yun Chuxiu, full of grievance and reproach.

“Is this your romantic encounter from last night?”

Ji Jin sat down beside her uninvited. Her words were quiet, but when she glanced at the other woman, her eyes were filled with pure murderous intent. “I heard you’re a frequent guest invited by bars. Looking at it this way, you’re quite skilled at coaxing people.”

“Ji Jin,” Yun Chuxiu’s voice dropped as she gave a low warning. “I don’t care why you came here. For now, hold your tongue.”

“A-Xiu…” Ji Jin realized her emotions had gone too far and tried to act spoiled.

However, she had barely started when she was interrupted by Yun Chuxiu, whose mood had plummeted. “Don’t call me that.”

Ji Jin’s hand on the table curled and then released. She seemed stung by those words, and her expression turned dejected. “I’ve used this name for seven years. I really can’t change it overnight. A-Xiu, I didn’t mean to make you angry.”

She lowered her head, her gaze slowly moving upward from below. Coupled with her eyes, which were red and swollen, she looked like a dog that knew it had done wrong and was pawing at its owner’s sleeve.

“Sorry,” seeing that Yun Chuxiu remained silent, Ji Jin took the initiative to explain to Bai Tiya: “A-Xiu never used to go to those kinds of places. I thought she had been deceived by you. I was a bit over-emotional.”

Bai Tiya raised her eyebrows in surprise.

With her years of experience reading people, Ji Jin was definitely not the type to sincerely bow her head, especially since there were still “daggers” of displeasure hidden deep in her eyes.

So she’s forcing herself to apologize because she thinks Yun Chuxiu is unhappy? This is getting interesting.

Bai Tiya waved it off magnanimously. She had originally intended to continue her “work” from last night, ensuring that this Miss Yun, who people cared about, felt a bit better. And, of course, it would be great to make a friend.

Who wouldn’t want to be friends with a beauty?

She hadn’t expected to run into such “tea” (drama) head-on. The post about the “CEO troubled by love” was still trending, now that she could see the live version, she’d be losing out if she didn’t find a chance to follow along.

Bai Tiya honestly faced her own desire for gossip. After the two opposite her had calmed down, she asked slowly:

“So, was Miss Yun about to agree to my offer just now?”