I Quit Being This Female Lead (GL) - Chapter 89

Driving towards the old city during rush hour, Mang Ke watched the traffic jam under the overpass outside the window and couldn’t help but point into the distance to Si Nan: “Look, that’s where I went to high school.”

Si Nan glanced over and said, “We often walked across that footbridge. I remember having to wait for you to finish school every day, and then we’d go home together.”

“Mhm,” Mang Ke smiled. “At that time, time felt so slow. It’s nothing like now, where time slips away in the blink of an eye.”

“Tell me about it,” Si Nan kept up with the traffic flow. “You’re already engaged. If I hadn’t pushed you, you probably would have forgotten about me completely.”

Mang Ke scratched her head: “This time was truly my mistake. I figured you were all busy, so I didn’t call you. I’ll definitely invite Uncle and Auntie to the official wedding next time.”

“You’ll have to give them the corsages for the bride’s side of the family.”

“Pff, definitely next time~”

The two talked and laughed, making the traffic jam not feel boring at all. Upbeat music was playing on the car’s Bluetooth speaker. Mang Ke rested her head against the window, watching the sunset slowly descend, feeling that there was probably no more relaxed time than this.

The car crawled forward in the bustling traffic. The old city was always crowded with people and cars, and the roads were narrow. Some places didn’t even have traffic lights, so people and cars had to jostle to get through, or they’d have to wait for several minutes.

Finally, they managed to drive into the residential area, and Si Nan found a parking spot, letting out a sigh of relief.

Mang Ke opened the door and got out to help Si Nan carry the groceries. The two had stopped to buy some fruit on the way. It wouldn’t look good to arrive empty-handed after being gone for so long.

Climbing the stairs to the third floor, Si Nan opened the door and called into the room, “Dad, Mom! Your second daughter is here!”

A woman with a ponytail peeked her head out and was happy to see Mang Ke, calling out, “Xiao Ke is here! Come in quickly! Why so late? Was the traffic jammed again?”

“Yes, Mom,” Si Nan complained. “It took us over ten minutes just to get through our entrance, and then there was no parking spot. It was really hard.”

Si Nan’s mother didn’t hear her daughter’s complaints. Instead, she pulled Mang Ke to sit on the sofa and immediately started asking about the engagement.

“What happened?” Si Nan’s mother asked, puzzled. “Why the sudden engagement? You didn’t tell us anything about it.”

Mang Ke was a little embarrassed, her face flushed: “Actually, we haven’t known each other for a particularly long time…”

Counting it up, they had only been together in real life for about three or four months, but if you counted the brainwave communication, it would probably be around two years.

But she couldn’t tell Auntie and Uncle that. What if she scared the ordinary, common people?

“Time isn’t the issue,” Auntie pulled Mang Ke closer. “The main thing is, who is the other person? Why did I hear she was disabled and mute?”

Si Nan interjected: “No, Mom, she was a vegetable.”

Auntie: “Ah?????”

Si Nan added: “She was a vegetable for several years and only woke up a few months ago. As soon as she woke up, she got engaged to Xiao Ke. I heard this is trendy among rich families, called ‘Good Luck Marriage’.”

Auntie: “Ah?????????????”

Mang Ke quickly waved her hands and explained: “No, it’s not entirely what Si Nan said. She has recovered now, and she’s a very good person!”

Auntie turned and grasped Mang Ke’s hand firmly, saying to her, “Girl, don’t put yourself through hardship just because the other person is rich! Rich people are very scheming, and you’re not the type to play games. They wouldn’t be using you, would they?”

Just like in TV dramas.

Mang Ke forced a smile: “No, she treats me quite well.”

“No way,” Auntie said to Mang Ke with righteous indignation. “You don’t have family, so we have to take responsibility for this marriage. Bring that girl over to see us another day. Auntie will check her out for you.”

Mang Ke smiled and tried to stop Auntie: “Maybe not. You’ll scare her.”

Si Nan chimed in: “What’s there to be afraid of? If she’s capable of marrying you, she should be capable of meeting the family, right?”

Auntie nodded in agreement: “Exactly, exactly.”

Mang Ke: “…Ha, then I’ll ask her another day.”

Just as the three women were sitting in the living room chatting, Uncle Si, wearing an apron, poked his head out of the kitchen and said to the three people in the living room: “Xiao Ke is here! Wife, come take the pot out. Everything is ready.”

Auntie happily stood up and said to Mang Ke, “After thinking it over, we decided we have to have hot pot tonight. It’s lively, and we prepared all your favorite ingredients!”

Uncle Si was an old teacher, and his favorite thing to do was cook. He was an excellent cook, too.

The two parents brought out the hot pot, and Si Nan followed to fetch some vegetables and meat. Mang Ke watched as a small mountain of food was piled up in front of her, and the pot was gurgling with white steam.

The news was playing on the television, and the four of them sat around the table and opened a bottle of soft drink.

“We’ll have Xiao Nan drive you back later, so don’t drink any alcohol,” Auntie poured Mang Ke a glass of juice. “Xiao Ke, eat more. Your uncle prepared all this for you.”

Mang Ke was touched: “Thank you, Uncle.”

“What’s there to be polite about?” Uncle smiled. “Come back often when you have time. Uncle will cook your favorite dishes for you.”

Mang Ke nodded. Even though she hadn’t visited for half a year, the two still treated her like family. She truly loved this harmonious scene; it felt like she was back in her childhood.

Back then, Mang Ke was alone and often couldn’t get a hot meal. Auntie initially sent food to her, but later found it troublesome, so she simply invited her to eat at their home directly, saving the hassle of packing and ensuring she ate well.

Later, the Si Nan family took good care of the neighbor, who was similar in age. Si Nan was slightly older than Mang Ke, so they had a companion going to and from school every day.

In the blink of an eye, it had been nearly ten years since she moved here.

Sometimes, life just passes by so quickly. The time that once felt endless disperses in an instant, leaving only the memories of the past.

The meal lasted over two hours. Uncle Si went back to the kitchen to prepare two more substantial dishes. The four of them ate and chatted, bringing up all the trivial old stories, and joked that Mang Ke was all grown up now, so those anecdotes shouldn’t be mentioned anymore.

Around 9 PM, the group moved from the dining table to the living room, chatting while eating fruit.

“Xiao Ke,” Auntie peeled an apple for her. “It’s too late tonight. Don’t leave. Stay here for the night and go back tomorrow morning.”

Mang Ke was hesitant, but seeing Auntie’s concerned look, she thought about it and agreed.

Changing into Si Nan’s pajamas, Mang Ke finished her washing up and watched Auntie prepare the bedding. Auntie asked Mang Ke and Si Nan: “Are you two going to squeeze together, or will one sleep in the bedroom and the other on the sofa?”

Si Nan still slept on the single bed from her school days. Older generations often said it was bad luck to change a girl’s bed before marriage, so Si Nan’s bed had been knocked together and patched up, lasting for over ten years.

It was the typical bed that was large for one person but too small for two.

Si Nan looked at Mang Ke, rubbed her head, and said, “Let Mang Ke sleep in my room. I’ll sleep on the sofa.”

“Alright. You’re both grown now. One bed isn’t big enough for two. I’ll get you an extra quilt.”

Watching Auntie leave, Si Nan asked Mang Ke, “Did you tell Xun Fangyun you’re staying here tonight?”

“I called and told her,” Mang Ke said. “She said she’d come pick me up tomorrow.”

“She’s a cripple, she shouldn’t be running around,” Si Nan yawned, stretching. “Anyway, I’m off tomorrow. Let’s sleep in and then go back. I feel like I haven’t had a proper sleep in ages.”

“Mhm,” Mang Ke nodded. “I’ll let her know.”

Later that night, Mang Ke lay alone in bed, hugging Si Nan’s pillow. She hadn’t slept well the night before, so she was very sleepy, but she was still thinking about Xun Fangyun. Even though she had told her she was staying out for the night, she still wanted to talk to her again.

Mang Ke: [I’m about to go to sleep. What are you doing?]

Hearing the phone buzz, Xun Fangyun took it from the nightstand and looked. Seeing it was from Mang Ke, the corner of her lips curved up.

She thought for a moment and replied: [Reading a book. Get some rest. I’ll come pick you up tomorrow.]

Mang Ke: [Si Nan said she would take me back, so you don’t need to come. It’s not very convenient for you in the old city.]

Xun Fangyun: [Why not? Picking you up is what I should be doing. Don’t make Si Nan drive you. Doesn’t she have work?]

Mang Ke: [But she said she’s off tomorrow.]

Xun Fangyun: [Silly girl, even if she’s off, you shouldn’t really let her drive you. What good am I then?]

Mang Ke turned over and thought about it. That seemed reasonable.

Xun Fangyun: [I’ll pick you up a little later tomorrow, so you can sleep in.]

Mang Ke: [Got it. Goodnight.]

Xun Fangyun gently curved her lips, pressed the voice note button, and said into the phone, “Goodnight.”

The thin morning mist had dissipated. The sun at eight or nine in the morning was exceptionally bright. Today was a good day.

Uncle and Auntie had to go to work, so they left early, leaving only Si Nan, who was sleeping in the living room, and Mang Ke, who had just woken up.

After washing up, Mang Ke looked at the small steamed buns Uncle had left and decided to heat them up so Si Nan could eat breakfast right after waking up.

The person still asleep didn’t sleep soundly. Si Nan woke up vaguely hearing noise. She looked up at Mang Ke, who was holding bowls and chopsticks, and couldn’t help but ask, “What time is it?”

“It’s almost 9 o’clock,” Mang Ke smiled. “Wanna get up and eat?”

Si Nan lay on the sofa, hugging her pillow. Looking at the light-footed Mang Ke, she couldn’t help but smile and say, “You seem very happy.”

“Do I?” Mang Ke smiled. “Probably because the weather is nice.”

After breakfast, Si Nan said, “Is Xun Fangyun coming to pick you up later?”

Mang Ke bit her chopsticks: “How did you know?”

“Because you keep looking at your phone,” Si Nan said, sipping her porridge. “I’m not stupid.”

Mang Ke smiled, admitting it.

“What time is she coming?”

“She said she would arrive a little later.”

“Oh.”

Leaning against the kitchen door frame, Si Nan watched Mang Ke skillfully finish washing the bowls and chopsticks. She couldn’t help but be silent for a while before saying, “Xiao Ke, I…”

Before she could finish her sentence, the doorbell rang at the entrance.

Si Nan glanced at the door, guessing who it was. She said to Mang Ke, who was still washing dishes, “I’ll go open the door for her.”

Sure enough, as soon as she opened the door, she saw Xun Fangyun standing there. Si Nan, wearing her pajamas, couldn’t help but smile and say, “It’s quite early, Miss Xun.”

Xun Fangyun glanced into the room and asked, “Where’s Mang Ke?”

“She’s washing the dishes,” Si Nan called towards the kitchen. “Xiao Ke, Xun Fangyun is here to pick you up~”

Mang Ke poked her head out. When she saw Xun Fangyun, her eyes curved with a happy smile: “Yunyun, I’ll be done in a minute. Wait for me!”

After tidying up the kitchen, Mang Ke grabbed her things and turned to Si Nan, saying, “Then we’ll be going now. I’ll come back to hang out next time.”

Si Nan smiled warmly and waved her hand goodbye.

Xun Fangyun and Mang Ke went downstairs. Xun Fangyun looked back at the old residential area, reaching out and holding Mang Ke’s hand. “Were you happy at her place?”

“I was happy,” Mang Ke squeezed Xun Fangyun’s hand and smiled. “I had so many dreams last night. It felt like I was back in my school days, when the sky felt completely blue.”

Xun Fangyun couldn’t help but chuckle: “The sky is blue right now, too.”

Mang Ke knew she was being difficult again and smiled brightly: “Yes, yes, yes. Now that you’re here, the sky is blue.”

She squeezed Xun Fangyun’s hand tighter, cleared her throat, and said, “Si Nan’s parents treat me like their own daughter. I want them to sit on the family side during our wedding…”

“That’s no problem,” Xun Fangyun lowered her head and pressed her forehead against Mang Ke’s. She whispered, “As long as you’re willing, they can sit wherever they want.”

Mang Ke blushed but couldn’t help but smile, holding Xun Fangyun’s hand and saying, “Okay, then I’ll listen to you.”

Xun Fangyun also smiled: “From now on, I’ll listen to everything you say.”

“You said that. Don’t go back on your word.”

“Of course. But as a condition, you have to tell me all about your past. I don’t want your past world to only have others in it.”

“Alright, but that will take a long time…”

“As long as it’s about you, I’m willing to listen for as long as it takes.”

After all, their life together was just beginning.

—-The End of the Main Story—-