My Straight Childhood Friend Successfully Pursued Me After The Breakup - Chapter 17

As soon as school was out on Friday, Xue Shuangxi couldn’t wait to rush home to prepare. Before leaving, she repeatedly cautioned Zuo Xian:

You must come, and Tao Ran must come too.

Class 1 of Grade 1 was running late, so Zuo Xian simply waited in the outside corridor. She leaned against the railing, staring blankly outside.

It was a bright, sunny day. The sky was very blue, and the setting sun cast a beautiful glow on the horizon, but that didn’t stop the temperature from being genuinely low.

The wind felt like it hid knives, stinging her face like a slow, agonizing punishment.

Zuo Xian had forgotten to bring a scarf today. She pulled the zipper of her school uniform all the way up, burying the lower half of her face, letting wisps of white breath escape through the clothing seams.

A soft, warm piece of fabric descended from above, wrapping around her neck from the back to the front. Zuo Xian turned around and met Tao Ran’s gaze.

Tao Ran was securing her scarf around Zuo Xian—a creamy white one that looked incredibly soft just by looking at it.

“You’re being silly. You could have waited in your classroom, or waited in the car first,” Tao Ran frowned slightly, the concern in her voice outweighing the reproach.

Zuo Xian stood on her tiptoes and smiled, “It’s fine, I’m not cold.”

“Not cold?” Tao Ran reached out, her fingertips touching Zuo Xian’s earlobe and giving it a little pinch. “Your ears are clearly turning to ice.”

An unfamiliar sensation traveled from her earlobe to her brain, like being struck by a weak electric current—a pleasant tingling. Zuo Xian stiffened instantly.

Her eyes held a mix of surprise and shyness. She glanced at Tao Ran, then quickly looked away in confusion.

Tao Ran clearly liked her, so why was she able to act so naturally?

It was rare to see Tao Ran’s shy expression. She was always calm and composed, confidently planning everything without showing off.

Zuo Xian felt Tao Ran was a little excessive. She parted her lips, intending to give a reminder… or perhaps a warning?

In any case, it was to tell Tao Ran to stop treating her that way.

If she didn’t even dare to sign the confession letter, she shouldn’t constantly flirt with her.

Zuo Xian thought for a long time, and when she snapped back to reality, she realized Tao Ran was focused on tying the scarf for her.

Forget it, no warning.

The creamy white scarf suited Zuo Xian well, covering half her face and exposing her bright eyes and full forehead, making her look like a cream daifuku from a dessert shop.

Tao Ran nodded, satisfied, “All right, let’s go home.”

Zuo Xian reminded her, “Xue Shuangxi asked us to go to her house tonight. You didn’t forget, did you?”

Only then did Tao Ran recall the matter. She was stunned, “Did she invite me too?”

Xue Shuangxi’s invitation that day was casual, and Tao Ran hadn’t clearly heard if it was “you” or “you all”. She had always assumed only Zuo Xian was invited.

After all, she and Xue Shuangxi weren’t close, truthfully, they had barely spoken more than a few sentences.

Zuo Xian confirmed, “She invited you too.”

“I see,” Tao Ran furrowed her brow slightly.

“Is it inconvenient for you?”

Tao Ran looked at Zuo Xian, gazing into her bright eyes, and her knitted brows gradually relaxed, “No, it’s not inconvenient.”

“Shall we go then? Stop by home first to change?”

“Okay.”

Since they were just going to a friend’s house, Zuo Xian and Tao Ran simply changed out of their school uniforms and didn’t dress up formally.

Tao Ran changed into a long, light beige coat, a slightly lighter-colored turtleneck sweater, and put on the creamy white scarf she had just taken off Zuo Xian’s neck—fresh and appropriate.

Zuo Xian originally planned to wear a trendy, loose-fitting designer sweater, pair it with some pants, and head out.

However, before she could even step out the door, Tao Ran dragged her back and, after much persuasion, made her change into a thick sheepskin and fur cotton jacket.

The stylish fashionista instantly transformed into a round, rolling mascot. Zuo Xian started sulking the moment they left the house.

But by the time they reached Xue Shuangxi’s house, her anger had dissipated.

It was almost 8:30 PM, the sky was dark, and the streetlights along the road were all lit up.

Xue Shuangxi’s house was a small villa in a slightly secluded part of the city. Zuo Xian guessed she probably didn’t live here normally, otherwise, she’d have a huge effort to make it on time every day.

The two got out of the car and rang the doorbell at the gate. A maid opened the door and ushered them inside.

Upon entering the hall, it was warm as spring. The view was filled with Christmas decorations that Xue Shuangxi had arranged for the party.

A Christmas tree taller than a person stood in the center of the hall, with beautifully wrapped gifts piled beside it. The small decorative lights in the house twinkled, creating a lively atmosphere.

“Zuo Xian, Tao Ran.” A familiar voice came from the second floor. The two looked up and saw Xue Shuangxi, dressed like Santa Claus.

She ran down, holding her hood, “How did you two get here so fast?”

“We were afraid you’d wait too long,” Zuo Xian curiously examined her outfit and tugged at her beard. “Why are you dressed like this?”

“I have to give gifts to everyone! Oh, right, tonight, is it okay to have a little wine?”

“It’s fine.”

Given Zuo Xian and Tao Ran’s family backgrounds, they had attended many banquets with their families before and often drank champagne or similar beverages.

After exchanging greetings, Tao Ran walked inside first. Zuo Xian was pulled aside by Xue Shuangxi.

“What are you doing?”

Xue Shuangxi winked at her and whispered, “The third brilliant plan—take her to meet new people to distract her from you. I invited lots of friends to this party tonight. How about that, am I thoughtful enough?”

Zuo Xian’s smile immediately fell, but Xue Shuangxi didn’t notice and kept talking eagerly.

Zuo Xian pushed her away, telling her to hurry up and entertain the guests, while she followed closely behind Tao Ran.

As time passed, the party guests invited by Xue Shuangxi arrived one after another, and the hall gradually grew lively.

Zuo Xian and Tao Ran sat by the countertop, each with a glass of cocktail, and Zuo Xian also had a small plate of cake beside her.

Miss Xue was very generous. The villa was equipped not only with many games and amusements but also with a wide variety of food and drinks.

Tao Ran preferred quiet, but she knew Zuo Xian was restless. She asked, “Aren’t you going to play with them?”

Zuo Xian held her cup and shook her head, “No, I’ll just stay here.”

Seeing her reluctance, Tao Ran didn’t say anything more.

After sitting for a while, Zuo Xian noticed a girl in the corner of the hall who kept secretly glancing in their direction.

Zuo Xian frowned slightly. She turned her head to look at Tao Ran.

The heating in the villa was high, and it was a bit warm inside. Tao Ran had taken off her coat, wearing only a light-colored turtleneck sweater with a necklace dangling around her neck.

Her shoulders and back were thin, her profile was clear, and her loose long hair had an elaborate braid woven into the strands—delicate yet dignified. A few strands of hair hung down her front, rising and falling with the gentle curves unique to a woman as she breathed.

She took a sip, her expression calm and gentle, which was very attractive.

Tao Ran possessed a maturity beyond her years, yet not so much that it created a barrier with her peers. It was hard for her not to attract attention.

Zuo Xian silently gritted her teeth, looking down and poking at the small cake.

“A Xian, did you see that girl?” Tao Ran said to Zuo Xian, “She seems to be looking at you all the time.”

Zuo Xian followed her direction and locked eyes with the girl, who quickly turned her head away in panic.

Zuo Xian: ?

What’s that about? Was she really that annoying?

“I think she’s looking at you,” Zuo Xian said glumly. “Maybe she knows you.”

Tao Ran narrowed her eyes, “Now that you mention it, she does look a little familiar.”