My Straight Childhood Friend Successfully Pursued Me After The Breakup - Chapter 26

After a thorough inspection by Zuo Zhimi…

After a thorough inspection, Zuo Zhimi confirmed that someone had indeed touched her computer and accessed one of her work files.

At the same time, Jiang Yuhai had vanished, neither replying to messages nor answering calls.

The truth of the matter was now clear.

He really was just putting on an act.

The mother and daughter sat on the sofa, both silent.

Zuo Zhimi blamed herself for actually believing him. If it weren’t for her daughter, the consequences might have been much more severe. Fortunately, the files he accessed weren’t anything crucial.

Zuo Xian remained quiet, not wanting to put any more pressure on her mother and giving her time to think.

A moment later, feeling that Zuo Zhimi had processed things enough, she scooted closer to her.

She whispered, “This is actually good. At least you realized the truth before we had to move. I actually lied just now; I’m still a bit reluctant to let go of the memories I have with Ranran.”

“Pffft.” The heavy atmosphere was instantly broken as Zuo Zhimi chuckled helplessly and slumped back on the sofa.

She gazed at her daughter, seeing Zuo Xian’s slightly embarrassed but self-assured expression, and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

She knew that half of what Zuo Xian said was to comfort her, but the other half was true.

Zuo Zhimi shook her head. “If you were a boy, I would be discussing an engagement with your Aunt Jiang right now. Your heart has clearly been stolen by Ranran.”

Zuo Xian couldn’t help but blush, muttering, “Girls can get engaged too, you know.”

“Hmm? What did you say?” Zuo Zhimi hadn’t heard clearly.

“Ah… I didn’t say anything,” Zuo Xian’s eyes darted away, quickly diverting the subject.

Seeing that Zuo Zhimi’s mood had improved significantly, Zuo Xian also let out a sigh of relief. She knew that the remaining issues needed to be handled by Zuo Zhimi. Although what Jiang Yuhai stole wasn’t too important, it was always best to take extra precautions.

So, she quietly slipped back into her room. Sitting down, Zuo Xian immediately began to miss Tao Ran again.

She missed her so much.

She had never been separated from Tao Ran for this long since they were children.

Zuo Xian used to think their lives were so intertwined they couldn’t be separated, but it wasn’t until now that she realized Tao Ran could have a world completely separate from her own.

If Tao Ran didn’t want to, Zuo Xian couldn’t even contact her.

Fortunately, Tao Ran was willing.

Thinking of this, Zuo Xian felt happy again. She rolled around a few times on the bed, buried her face in the quilt, and crossed her lower legs in the air.

Ding-dong—

Her phone chimed. Zuo Xian picked it up and saw it was a message from her good friend, Xue Shuangxi.

Great news! I have a new resource for you. Want to see it? It’s even more authoritative than the few I gave you before.

Zuo Xian’s thoughts immediately shifted, recalling the awkward panic she felt while watching the movie resources Xue Shuangxi had sent.

She hadn’t finished it that day. To be precise, she only watched a few seconds before she was overwhelmed by shyness and quit.

Upon seeing Xue Shuangxi’s message now, Zuo Xian bit her lip, her beautiful eyes shimmering with moisture.

Zuo Xian: Forget it. I haven’t even watched the last one yet.

Xue Shuangxi: You haven’t watched it?! Why not? I collected those painstakingly. Were they not good?

Zuo Xian: I was shy…

Xue Shuangxi: What’s there to be shy about? It’s human nature! Besides, if you don’t watch it now, what about when you start dating? Are you just going to stare at your partner and play Platonics?

Zuo Xian was stunned. She replied: Do you have to watch this to date?

This time, Xue Shuangxi’s reply was slower; she was probably deliberating how to word it elegantly so as not to corrupt her innocent little friend.

Xue Shuangxi: Of course you need to know, baby! What if your partner looks down on you for not knowing what to do?

Zuo Xian: Then I’ll break up with them and find someone who doesn’t look down on me.

Xue Shuangxi: What if it’s Tao Ran?

Zuo Xian: Tao Ran would never look down on me.

Xue Shuangxi tried to persuade her: But Tao Ran is straight, and you’re the one pursuing her, so in the future, you’ll definitely be serving her more. Even if it’s not for yourself, you should learn for Tao Ran’s sake, right?

Learn for Tao Ran’s sake?

Zuo Xian couldn’t help but picture it, and her face flushed instantly.

Xue Shuangxi didn’t say anything more on the other side, instead sending several website links very directly.

Zuo Xian bit her lower lip, the slight pain easing a touch of her internal struggle. Her beautiful eyebrows furrowed.

After a long time, she got up, locked the door, took out her tablet, sat at her desk, hugged a cushion to her chest, and clicked on the movie she hadn’t finished last time.

Where she fell, she would stand up.

Her gaze gradually became resolute.

For Tao Ran, she would brave it all.

It was four o’clock in the afternoon, D City time. Tao Ran had spent the entire day “bonding” with those brothers and sisters and felt genuinely exhausted.

Each of them was formidable, and their ability to set traps for others was superb.

Now that she was off work, Tao Ran returned to the apartment she had bought.

Since she had no intention of staying in Country D for long, Tao Ran wasn’t invested in her living arrangements. The apartment had a minimal domestic feel, resembling a hotel.

As soon as she arrived, she couldn’t wait to check her phone to see if Zuo Xian had messaged her.

She always did, and today was no exception.

Ranran—I miss you so much—

I talked to Mom today and convinced her to kick Jiang Yuhai out. Right after we finished talking, we found out Jiang Yuhai stole files from my mom’s computer. Fortunately, the stolen things weren’t important.

I knew that old guy was up to no good. I should have kicked him out earlier! I was too patient.

Ranran—when are you coming back I miss you, miss you, miss you

Tao Ran read every word. Her heart felt full and achy, an indescribable feeling. She couldn’t stop the corners of her mouth from turning up, and the fatigue of the whole day vanished instantly with those few messages.

The sheer curtain in the living room was pulled open, and the golden sunlight streamed into the room, warming up the cold apartment slightly.

Tao Ran sat on the sofa and dialed Zuo Xian’s number.

Unlike previous times when the call was answered almost immediately, today it rang several times before being picked up.

“Hello, Ranran.”

Whether it was her imagination or not, Tao Ran thought Zuo Xian’s voice sounded a little shaky.

She asked, “A Xian, were you sleeping?”

“No.” Zuo Xian glanced at the two women entwined on the tablet screen, her eyes bouncing away as if burned. She slapped the tablet shut, rubbing her sweaty hands on her knees.

She swallowed, her mind still a mess. “Ranran, are you done with work?”

“Yeah, I just got home.”

Tao Ran seemed extremely tired today. Her voice carried a faint fatigue that wasn’t usually there, with more breath than sound, like…

…like a low whisper right next to Zuo Xian’s ear, gently plucking at Zuo Xian’s already tremulous heartstrings.

There was no mirror in the room, or Zuo Xian would have seen her eyes brimming with moisture and her cheeks flushed, looking completely like an infatuated girl.

Although a large part of that was thanks to those few movies.

When Tao Ran’s call came, Zuo Xian had just reached the most exciting part.

The two female leads sought energy by physically closeness in their plight. That high degree of emotional and physical intimacy had raised Zuo Xian’s feelings to the highest point.

Now that Tao Ran had called, she still couldn’t help but steal a glance or two at the tablet, preoccupied with the unfinished plot and… ahem… that.

“A-Xian?” Tao Ran chatted for a bit, noticing Zuo Xian’s distraction.

She pursed her lips and paused. “A-Xian, are you sleepy?”

Her tone was unusually laced with a hint of grievance, combined with today’s limited-edition weariness, creating a sense of fragility that made one willing to give everything for her.

“No, I’m not tired.” Zuo Xian’s heart lurched, and she instantly snapped back to attention, resolutely tossing the tablet far onto the bed.

“Not tired at all, Ranran. I’ve missed you so much.”

“But you’ve been distracted several times.”

Zuo Xian was sweating profusely, her eyes darting around for an excuse.

“That’s… that’s because I had something I hadn’t finished just now, but it doesn’t matter now. Talking to you is more important, yes.”

“Oh?” Tao Ran’s voice rose in pitch. “What was it?”

“Just…” Zuo Xian closed her eyes, carefully letting out a long breath, and vaguely said, “Learning to do some handicrafts online.”

“Like knitting?”

“Something… similar.”

Tao Ran gave an ‘oh.’ “When I get back, I’ll do them with you.”