I Stole the Male Lead's White Moonlight [Transmigration] - Chapter 41

Zhu Xinya and Que Hanfu enjoyed a sweet period after their marriage. Before the summer break, the filming of “Fangting’s Forgotten Dream,” in which both had starred, was completed, and the production officially wrapped up. Qi Zhou, on behalf of the director, came to invite them to the wrap party.

Qi Zhou called Que Hanfu first. At the time, Que Hanfu was tenderly kissing Zhu Xinya while holding her waist. Hearing the phone ring, Que Hanfu pulled back slightly, stroked Zhu Xinya’s hair, and picked up the phone to answer.

Zhu Xinya, blushing, leaned in to listen.

Qi Zhou: “Hanfu, long time no see.”

Que Hanfu: “Hmm, what’s up?”

Qi Zhou: “Well, ‘Fangting’s Forgotten Dream’ has wrapped up. The director asked me to invite you to the wrap party. I was wondering if you have time.”

Que Hanfu: “When is it?”

Qi Zhou: “Tomorrow night!”

Que Hanfu glanced at Zhu Xinya, who gave an “okay” gesture. Que Hanfu said, “Send me the time and location.”

After hanging up, Zhu Xinya wrapped her arms around Que Hanfu’s waist and said, “Why did Qi Zhou only call you?”

Before she could finish, Zhu Xinya’s phone rang.

Zhu Xinya answered, and Qi Zhou repeated the same invitation. After agreeing, just as she was about to hang up, Qi Zhou suddenly added, “Could you ask Mengrou? If she wants to come, she’s welcome too.”

Zhu Xinya blinked. “Don’t you have Mengrou’s contact info?”

Qi Zhou paused briefly. “Could you ask her for me? I’ll owe you one.”

Zhu Xinya sat up on the bed, puzzled. “Sis, I feel like something’s going on between Qi Zhou and Mengrou. But in the past two months, I’ve been attending classes with Mengrou and haven’t noticed anything unusual.”

Zhu Xinya had put the call on speaker, so Que Hanfu heard Qi Zhou’s words as well.

“Why not just ask Mengrou directly?” Que Hanfu dialed Lu Mengrou’s number for her.

“Hey, Yaya,” Lu Mengrou’s voice came through quickly after the call connected.

Zhu Xinya tentatively asked, “Mengrou, have you been in touch with Qi Zhou lately?”

Instead of answering directly, Lu Mengrou said, “Yaya, he’s a big star, and I’m just an ordinary student. How could we be in regular contact?”

Lu Mengrou didn’t notice her tone had turned a bit stiff.

Zhu Xinya immediately knew there was indeed something between them.

Since it was hard to explain over the phone and she couldn’t see Lu Mengrou’s expression, Zhu Xinya decided to invite her out for some shopping and a chat.

Que Hanfu’s contract with Longcheng University was nearing its end, and she needed to wrap up her work in advance, so she had been quite busy lately. After getting up, Que Hanfu dropped Zhu Xinya off at a café in Sheng Luoya Square before driving to Longcheng University.

Zhu Xinya ordered two cappuccinos and waited by the window for Lu Mengrou.

“Yaya, I think I just saw Professor Que’s car. Did she drop you off?” Lu Mengrou walked in just as Zhu Xinya finished ordering.

Apart from Zhu Yin and Fang Fang, Zhu Xinya hadn’t told anyone about her marriage to Que Hanfu. Knowing that Lu Mengrou had Qi Zhou’s contact info and worried she might accidentally let it slip, Zhu Xinya had kept it from her.

“Yeah, sis and I were heading the same way,” Zhu Xinya said, standing up to pull Lu Mengrou into a seat. “I ordered cappuccinos. Let’s have a drink and then go shopping.”

Lu Mengrou had put on makeup, but the exhaustion in her eyes was impossible to hide. Zhu Xinya worriedly took her hand and asked, “Mengrou, have you been unhappy about something lately?”

Lu Mengrou smiled faintly. “You noticed, huh? You really are my best friend.”

“Is it related to Qi Zhou?”

Lu Mengrou nodded and sighed. “I messed up what should have been a simple fan-celebrity relationship.”

“You probably didn’t mess it up,” Zhu Xinya said. “Do you know how I found out? Qi Zhou called and invited me to the wrap party for ‘Fangting’s Lingering Dream.’ He specifically asked me to check if you’re going. He has your contact information but didn’t dare to reach out himself clearly, something’s up. But the fact that he asked me to invite you means he wants you there. That doesn’t sound like a messed-up situation. Mengrou, what exactly happened between you two?”

Lu Mengrou withdrew her hand, propped her chin gloomily, and said, “It’s a long story. You know I used to be Qi Zhou’s ‘mom fan,’ right? Back then, I just adored him like a baby. Later, I often visited him on set, and we grew closer. By chance, I helped him trend on social media and gain a lot of popularity. To thank me, Qi Zhou bought me a necklace this one.” She pulled out a silver necklace from under her collar.

“It happened to be a new release from a brand I like, and it wasn’t too expensive, so I accepted it. For some reason, Qi Zhou was really bothered by the fact that I was his ‘mom fan’ and kept trying to make me his ‘little sister fan.’ Not long after giving me the necklace, he gave me a matching bracelet from the same brand.” Lu Mengrou shook her wrist.

Zhu Xinya: “…” This development was definitely problematic.

“Of course, I was thrilled to receive gifts from Qi Zhou, but after I accepted the bracelet, he told me I had to be his ‘little sister fan’ or else return it. How could I give back a gift I’d already received? I reluctantly agreed to be his ‘little sister fan,’ and my nickname for him changed from ‘Qi Zhou, my baby’ to ‘Qi Zhou, big brother.'”

“And then?” Zhu Xinya asked.

Lu Mengrou continued, “Calling each other ‘big brother’ and ‘little sister’ when we’re not even related, it started feeling more and more ambiguous. I’m not the type to keep things bottled up, so yesterday, when I visited him on set, I confessed directly. I told him I wanted to be his ‘girlfriend fan,’ not his ‘little sister fan.’ But Qi Zhou turned me down, and I ended up leaving in tears.”

“Last night, he sent me a WeChat message saying he already likes someone has liked her for years and that he’ll always see me as a little sister. It’s so frustrating. I didn’t reply. I stayed up late last night, tossing and turning, thinking about everything. These dark circles are impossible to hide.”

Lu Mengrou sighed. “I won’t go to the wrap party. I don’t want to see Qi Zhou right now, it’ll just make me feel worse.”

After hearing the whole story, Zhu Xinya found it hard to judge who was at fault.

Having read the novel, she knew about Qi Zhou’s feelings for Que Hanfu. It would be difficult for him to change his affections. Because of this, Zhu Xinya didn’t encourage Lu Mengrou to keep pursuing him. If Qi Zhou truly remained devoted to Que Hanfu, Lu Mengrou would only be wasting her time and emotions.

“My dad gave me a black card, and I haven’t used it yet. Come on, bestie. To soothe your fragile heart, whatever you want to buy today, it’s on me!” Zhu Xinya declared.

Lu Mengrou was feeling down when Zhu Xinya’s words instantly brightened her dim eyes. “Good sis, I love you so much, Yaya!”

After finishing their cappuccinos, the two excitedly left the café and headed to the mall for a shopping spree. When they finally left, each was carrying seven or eight shopping bags.

Que Hanfu came to pick up Zhu Xinya after work.

Seeing Que Hanfu waiting outside the mall, Lu Mengrou’s shopping-fueled excitement suddenly cooled. Having experienced “brother-sister” relationships herself, she couldn’t help but overthink when she saw how attentively Que Hanfu was taking care of Zhu Xinya.

If “brother-sister” relationships were possible, why not “sister-sister” relationships?

Zhu Xinya always called Que Hanfu “sister”!

Originally planning to take a taxi home, Lu Mengrou immediately agreed when Zhu Xinya offered her a ride, her suspicions now aroused.

Lu Mengrou watched as Que Hanfu opened the passenger door for Zhu Xinya, thoughtfully placing a hand on the doorframe to prevent her from bumping her head. After Zhu Xinya was seated, Que Hanfu closed the door and returned to the driver’s seat.

Lu Mengrou, who had been completely ignored the entire time: “…”

Fine, no one’s opening the door for me. I’ll do it myself.

As Lu Mengrou got in the car, she noticed Que Hanfu intimately helping Zhu Xinya fasten her seatbelt.

This was getting more and more suspicious.

When they arrived home, Lu Mengrou got out with her shopping bags and went to the passenger side to say goodbye to Zhu Xinya. “Yaya, thank Professor Que for me. Send me a WeChat when you get home. I have something important to tell you.”

Zhu Xinya nodded. “Okay.”

On the way home, Zhu Xinya told Que Hanfu about Qi Zhou and Lu Mengrou, sighing, “This is the first time Mengrou has liked someone.”

Que Hanfu focused on driving but suddenly asked at a red light, “Who does Qi Zhou like?”

Zhu Xinya blinked innocently. “I don’t know either. I’ll call and ask him later.”

“Mm.”

When they got home, Que Hanfu went to prepare dinner while Zhu Xinya sat on the sofa and sent Lu Mengrou a WeChat message.

Zhu Xinya: Mengrou, I’m home~

Lu Mengrou: Yaya, how’s your relationship with Professor Que lately?

Zhu Xinya: Me and sister? It’s fine.

Lu Mengrou: Do you feel like Que Hanfu is too good to you? I mean, picking you up and dropping you off for shopping even boyfriends are rarely this attentive.

Zhu Xinya: To me, men can’t compare to sister. I’m good to her, she’s good to me. It’s normal.

Lu Mengrou: That’s not what I meant. Ah, you’re so clueless. Never mind, maybe I’m overthinking it. Yaya, call Qi Zhou now and reject him, so he doesn’t come bothering me again if he changes his mind.

Zhu Xinya: Okay, rest early today. Don’t look as haggard as you did earlier.

Lu Mengrou: Mm, I’ll sleep at eight.

Zhu Xinya called Qi Zhou, and he answered after just one ring.

Qi Zhou’s anxious voice came through the phone: “What did Mengrou say?”

Zhu Xinya replied, “Mengrou said she doesn’t have time and won’t be attending the wrap party.”

“Did she say why?” Qi Zhou’s tone was somber.

Zhu Xinya frowned, hugging her legs and resting her chin on her knees. “Qi Zhou, what are your true feelings for Mengrou? If you don’t like her, it’s better not to give her false hope.”

“Mengrou told you everything?”

Zhu Xinya said, “Yes, she said you already like someone else, so there’s no chance for you two. Mengrou has decided to give up.”

“How could she give up so quickly?!” Qi Zhou exclaimed anxiously.

Zhu Xinya: “What else should she do?”

Qi Zhou fell silent for a long moment. After falling for Que Hanfu, he had spent years chasing after that seemingly unattainable figure. Though he knew there was no possibility between him and Que Hanfu, he had never given up.

He thought everyone’s feelings were like this constant from beginning to end, steadfast, giving unconditionally without expecting anything in return. But Lu Mengrou was different. Within less than a day after his rejection, she had already decided to move on.

Qi Zhou felt somewhat panicked deep down, sensing an emptiness inside.

After hanging up, Zhu Xinya reflected on her conversation with Qi Zhou. From his tone, she could tell he cared about Lu Mengrou she just wasn’t sure whether it was the concern of an older brother for a younger sister, or the kind of “brotherly” concern that had other implications.

The next day, Que Hanfu and Zhu Xinya set off for the Dragon Soar Restaurant in the city. After the wrap-up of “Fangting’s Lost Dream,” the actors had returned to their respective homes and were no longer staying at the Fengruo Film Studio. The director had scheduled the wrap-up party in the city for everyone’s convenience in traveling.

Before leaving, Zhu Xinya called Lu Mengrou again. As soon as Lu Mengrou answered, she said without waiting to be asked, “Yaya, I’m not going. Indecision invites trouble. If I want to completely forget Qi Zhou, I can’t see him again.”

Zhu Xinya replied, “Alright, alright,” and promptly ended the call.

When it came to matters of the heart, only the person involved truly understood their own feelings. Mengrou wasn’t a child anymore, she surely knew what she was doing.

Arriving at Dragon Soar Restaurant, Que Hanfu parked the car. Zhu Xinya unbuckled her seatbelt but didn’t rush to get out. Instead, she turned and, with some difficulty, hugged Que Hanfu.

Que Hanfu stroked her black hair. “You’ve been acting more and more spoiled lately.”

Zhu Xinya lifted her head and kissed Que Hanfu. “Every night before bed, I tell myself: Sister loves me, I love Sister, we’re the best in the world.”

Que Hanfu’s usually cool expression shifted slightly. “Before bed? You still have time to think about other things at a time like that?”

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