Crossing the Clouds and Sky to Fall in Love with You - Chapter 45

Am I tolerant?

I don’t think so. I just completely cut the tie between you and me. Ever since I returned the guitar necklace to him, he and I have had nothing to do with each other. I don’t want his actions to affect my mood anymore, whether it’s sadness or schadenfreude over his setbacks—I don’t want to be affected.

We ate for a full two hours. Later, Senior Jack also came over to our table to chat. I took the opportunity to ask him about some ukulele techniques, but he modestly said he only knew a little and promised to find a better expert to ask and then tell me the answer.

The senior and the senior sister sat together like that, and I thought they were still a great match, which was a pity. The senior sister barely initiated conversation with the senior but expressed great surprise at my singing. “Xiao Xiao! How did I not realize you could sing so well?” This was the third time her eyes widened, and I finally burst into laughter.

“Not at all! I still feel like I was just showing off.”

“Not at all! It was wonderful! Your voice is bright and fresh. If you don’t believe me, ask Jack!”

The senior smiled, stroking his chin. “With a little polishing, you might even have the potential to perform on stage!” Really? Don’t exaggerate just to comfort me!

Because of my singing, even the “Losers” came over to peek. The senior sister shooed them back again. The dinner only got more joyous toward the end!

Afterward, they walked me back to the dorm. The senior sister even winked at me, saying she hoped to properly meet my “she” next time we had a chance. I agreed. I didn’t think Siqi would refuse… No, maybe she and Senior Saya could even get along?

After returning home, I first checked on Siqi, but her light was off. Never mind! I needed to organize my things anyway.

I organized some books, notes, and clothes, planning to “ant move house”—moving slowly by myself. After all, the destination was as close as can be! Not to mention, I could also order my “handsome girlfriend” to help me move! Ha! It’s great to have a girlfriend to command.

I felt lazy after only a small portion, so I didn’t force myself to continue. Instead, I turned on the computer to browse the internet.

‘Ah, no, you probably don’t know, that guy Lu Hanjun is releasing a record.’

The “Mermaid” band hadn’t reached this stage yet, but I didn’t expect him to achieve this milestone before them.

Out of curiosity, I quickly typed his name into the search bar. Sure enough, I found one or two promotional videos, but there were even more photos of him holding hands and embracing another unknown girl. This was near the school.

I looked at the photos, feeling a little complicated for a moment. This girl… she looked very simple and quiet in appearance, a completely different type from the glamorous and feisty Ivy. Yet, I had a feeling of déjà vu…

That’s right, this girl was a bit like—

Me.

Similar hairstyle, similar height, and even a little similar in her way of dressing.

Why would he find another girl who looked like me as his affair partner?

I thought for a while, and when I realized my mood was being affected, I decisively closed the window. I suddenly missed Siqi. Where on earth did she go? I picked up my phone, and before I could react, it rang—just like that!

It was an unfamiliar caller ID.

I slid the screen to answer. The caller heavily exhaled after connecting. ‘I thought you wouldn’t pick up.’

This person… Lu Hanjun.

I maintained my calmest voice possible. “I deleted your number a long time ago.” That’s why his name didn’t show up. I scratched my head, feeling somehow regretful. “I’m hanging up.”

‘Wait… Xiao Xiao, please don’t hang up, I beg you!’

His voice was so humble. I took a deep breath and felt a pain in my temple. “What do you want from me?”

‘I… I want to ask if you’re doing well.’

“Right after you were secretly photographed on a date with a girl other than Ivy?” I let out a nasty laugh, I don’t even know how I did it. “I’m doing great, thanks for your concern. We have nothing to say to each other. I hope you still have time to mend the rift between you and your current partner. Good night.” I smiled and decisively ended the call.

He probably wouldn’t call again, right? To be safe, I learned my lesson this time and added the number to my blacklist, hoping never to receive a call from it again. I grabbed my bag and luggage and went over to Siqi’s place. She finally came back while I was showering.

“Sorry! Brother Lin and another travel writer invited me to dinner today, saying it was a celebration!” She apologized for being late. Without a word, I plunged into her embrace. “What’s wrong? So passionate!”

I snuggled up to her, finding a comfortable position in her arms. “Just wanted to hug you.” And I still felt a little down.

She silently stroked my still-damp hair, and after a moment, she said, “Dry your hair first, you’ll get cold.”

While drying my hair, I listened to her share the good news from her dinner—the first printing’s sales rate was close to 90%! That meant there was a chance for a reprint, no wonder they celebrated! And the book fair hadn’t even started yet! It was still more than a week away.

She took off her sweater. “What about you? Who did you have dinner with tonight?”

I mentioned the “Mermaid” band and also that they complimented my singing. She raised an eyebrow and took a big step toward me. I just noticed she was wearing tight bell-bottom pants, the wide legs swaying gracefully. “That’s great! So why did you look troubled when you just finished showering?”

I put down the hairdryer. She gently caressed my face, and I kissed her palm. “I just received an unexpected call.”

“Tao Yian?”

I smiled bitterly and shook my head. “I haven’t even told you that his eyes only met mine twice today.” I wrapped my arms around her waist. She chuckled softly, sat back on the edge of the bed, and let me sit on her lap—only she could do this to her girlfriend.

“It was my ex-boyfriend.” I pouted, and her gaze instantly turned cold.

“Why did he call you?”

I shook my head. “Nothing much. Don’t get angry; he’s not worth getting angry over.”

She quickly curled her lip. “I was just thinking, if he’s shameless enough to pester you, I’ll definitely chase him away. He’s shorter than me!” She meaningfully clenched her fist.

“I heard today that he’s releasing a record for promotion, but he got photographed by the paparazzi cheating.”

“Oh! Not surprised!” She bounced me gently and laughed softly. “You’re not unhappy because of this, are you?”

“I think I’m overthinking it, but… I searched for the photos of them being photographed, and the girl he was having an affair with looks a bit like me.”

She narrowed her eyes. “What does that mean? Giving up a good and pure girl like you, and then cheating with someone who looks similar.”

“Can I say that precisely because of this thought, my mood was complicated, so I was especially happy to see you come back?”

“Silly Xiaoning!” She pursed her lips, looking at me with a playful and gentle gaze. She turned, letting me lie flat on the bed. “I can understand your thoughts. Let me put it this way: Even if he really wasn’t happy with his current girlfriend—that feisty and glamorous girl—remembered your kindness, and knew he couldn’t come back to you, so he found a girl who looked like you to replace you—that only proves that sacrificing you for his career was a huge, grave mistake.”

She leaned down to kiss me. I clung to her neck, deepening the kiss. Her lips slightly held my tongue, gently sucking. A large hand touched my shoulder line, sliding to the center of my collarbone—then touching the amethyst.

“He’s an idiot, an idiot who didn’t know how to cherish you. Now he regrets it, and being photographed and having his career affected is just what he deserves. You don’t need to feel any sadness or complication because of him, understand? You were never the one who was wrong.”

I smiled. Hearing her say that, I immediately felt much better. “Mm, I know.”

“Don’t answer his calls anymore. If he dares to bother you, tell me, and I’ll handle it.”

“I don’t want you to beat him up. You’re a public figure, too, especially since you have a book signing event, right? You need to start considering your image.”

“Oh! If I made the news for defending my girlfriend, I’d be incredibly proud!” She put one hand on her hip, striking a smug pose. I laughed and patted her shoulder. “But you’re right! Don’t make a big deal out of it. Do you know what I’m starting to worry about now?”

“What?”

“Worrying that the paparazzi will deem him newsworthy, start investigating his relationship history, and finally loop around to you.”

“They wouldn’t, would they?” My eyes widened, not because I was scared, but purely because I hated trouble. I never thought I would one day need to hide from cameras.

She shrugged. “Probably not. Ah, okay, I’m going to take a shower and then update my work.” She left me and began to take off those white jeans.

I stared at her wide pant cuffs. “You only seem to wear jeans?”

She smiled, her voice rising with a teasing tone. “Or do you want to see me wear a skirt? I have one!”

“You do!” I want to see!

“But it’s only wedding-limited!” She seemed to read my mind and winked playfully. “We’ll talk about it when one of our friends gets married.”

“Stingy! Then at least let me see the style?”

“It’s just a regular dark purple maxi dress. My legs are too long, and skirts don’t look very good on me, so I advise you not to expect too much! I’m going to take a shower now.”

I was mesmerized, looking at her fair, slender long legs. She took off her clothes as she walked, and when she reached the bathroom door, she threw the clothes over. I froze for a moment; it perfectly landed over my head!

“Tao Siqi!” That was too accurate!

She laughed heartily. I pulled the clothes off and, not to be outdone, threw them back, but unfortunately, she had already slipped into the bathroom!

Darn it! Bully!