My Straight Childhood Friend Successfully Pursued Me After The Breakup - Chapter 3

Xue Shuangxi stared at Zuo Xian, staring until she felt…

Xue Shuangxi stared at Zuo Xian until the latter felt uneasy, then she suddenly started counting Tao Ran’s good points on her fingers.

“Good looks and great body on the outside, gentle and considerate on the inside. Her work ability is one in a million, and her family background is perfectly matched with yours. Aside from the falling out you two had as kids, isn’t CEO Tao worthy of a chance from Miss Zuo?”

“If she’s so good, you can give her your chance.”

Xue Shuangxi flopped onto the sofa and started throwing a tantrum, a kind of childish ploy she had been using since childhood.

No one ever fell for it, but she persisted in using it.

Zuo Xian raised her hand to check the time, then stood up and said to the still-pouting Xue Shuangxi: “I have work tonight, I don’t have time to mess around with you here. I’m leaving.”

Xue Shuangxi, who was sprawled on the sofa, flipped over to lie diagonally and sighed deeply: “The flower has intentions, but the stream is indifferent.”A Chinese idiom meaning unrequited love.

While changing her shoes, Zuo Xian replied: “Zero people have intentions. You believe everything she says?”

“The way you say that, how do you know Tao Ran is lying?”

Zuo Xian opened the door, turned her head at the question, and gave a fake smile, “I just know, but I won’t tell you. I’ll let you worry about it.”

“Ah—Zuo Xian!” Xue Shuangxi, who failed to get any answers, roared in impotent rage, but the sound was contained within the door by the excellent soundproofing as Zuo Xian closed it.

Ding, the elevator door opened, and Zuo Xian stepped inside, the smile on her face vanishing.

The polished elevator door reflected Zuo Xian’s face. Her makeup was exquisite, her features distinct. She had long shed the youthful awkwardness of a girl, becoming a fully mature adult.

An adult capable of letting go and moving on, able to face the past with composure.

Yet, the moment she encountered Tao Ran, the growth brought by time seemed to reverse itself in Zuo Xian.

She absolutely didn’t want to face it, didn’t want to let go, and couldn’t forget or move on.

Zuo Xian didn’t even dare to ask why Xue Shuangxi suddenly set up the meeting between her and Tao Ran.

Nor did she dare to ask why Tao Ran agreed.

Not asking meant not thinking, and not thinking meant avoiding the daily anxiety and struggle.

Zuo Xian sighed, shook her head to clear away the bothersome thoughts, stepped out of the elevator, and headed straight for her car.

She genuinely had work—an artist she had worked with many times was attending a gala tonight and had asked her to be in charge of the makeup.

She drove to the artist’s studio. Since it was still early, despite a slight traffic jam, she arrived much earlier than the appointed time.

As she got out of the car, the rain had stopped. Zuo Xian took her professional makeup kit and walked into the building.

Upon entering the lobby, the artist’s assistant happened to be talking to the receptionist. The assistant glanced back and saw Zuo Xian, quickly putting on a friendly smile.

“Teacher Zuo, Wenwen is already in the makeup room. Should I take you in?”

Zuo Xian raised her hand, “No need, you go back to your work, I can go in myself.”

“Alright, thank you for your hard work.”

The rhythmic tap-tap-tap of her thick-soled boots on the tiled floor was not loud, but noticeable.

So, before Zuo Xian even stepped into the makeup room, the woman inside turned her head and smiled at her, “I knew it was you.”

Guan Wen, a rising star in the entertainment industry, was known for her cool and highly recognizable appearance, which made her a frequent success on the red carpet. She was one of Zuo Xian’s long-term collaborators.

“Ears so sharp?” Zuo Xian put her makeup kit down, playfully winking and wrinkling her nose at Guan Wen as if coaxing a child. “Wenwen, how are you planning to stun everyone tonight? Tell your sister, and she’ll help you.”

“Sister Xianxian, stop teasing me,” Guan Wen’s ears were slightly red, and her voice was a little softer.

Despite being shy, Guan Wen was a child with her own ideas. She earnestly described the look she wanted to Zuo Xian.

They discussed it for a while, and when the time was right, Zuo Xian started applying Guan Wen’s makeup.

A little later, the assistant returned and chatted casually with Zuo Xian, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

Zuo Xian remarked casually, “There are quite a few big names at this charity gala tonight, so a simple look is good.”

The assistant laughed, “Absolutely. I heard many business tycoons are coming too. There’s an auction after the dinner, so we might even get close to some big shots.”

Guan Wen, however, looked at her disapprovingly, “For small fry like us, it’s better to avoid those upper echelons.”

There were quite a few powerful figures in the industry who kept “pets.” Many times, the “pets” didn’t willingly become one from the start but were coerced or tempted, having no other choice.

Sometimes, getting too close to people who held money and power was not a good thing.

The assistant said nonchalantly, “It’s a society ruled by law, what could happen? Teacher Zuo, don’t you agree?”

Zuo Xian chuckled twice, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Instead, she patted Guan Wen’s shoulder.

“If something really happens, don’t be afraid. Call me. Your sister has connections, I can cover for you.”

The assistant joked that Guan Wen had found a good backer, and the atmosphere in the makeup room was cheerful.

Although Guan Wen’s makeup was relatively simple, it still took a considerable amount of time. Coupled with the hair and outfit styling, they just managed to finish before the gala began.

To prevent any surprises, Zuo Xian and Guan Wen’s team traveled to the event venue together, and Zuo Xian would stay with their team for the entire night.

As they arrived at the venue, before the car even fully stopped, Zuo Xian’s gaze swept over the entrance and suddenly froze.

A familiar figure was not far away, tall and graceful.

The well-tailored, off-white women’s suit lessened the feeling of softness, and a hint of indifference lingered in her eyes. Aside from the same brown-strapped watch on her wrist, she looked very different from the woman Zuo Xian had met recently.

She was completely different from the smiling girl in her memories.

Tao Ran was surrounded and admired by people with fawning smiles, confidently stepping into the venue.

This is unbelievable, Zuo Xian withdrew her gaze, secretly grumbling.

She wanted to run but couldn’t, as she had work to do.

Zuo Xian followed the team into the venue, where elegantly dressed men and women were mingling with smiles.

Guan Wen and her manager entered the crowd, while Zuo Xian was pulled to the outer area by the assistant.

The outer area also had refreshments prepared for the staff. While they couldn’t compare to the main hall, they were still quite luxurious for ordinary staff.

The assistant happily munched on a small piece of cake, then noticed Zuo Xian sitting on a small sofa, propping her cheek with her hand, seemingly lost in thought.

She enthusiastically offered, “Teacher Zuo, would you like some?”

“No, thank you. I’m trying to cut back on sugar lately,” Zuo Xian politely declined.

After sitting for a while longer, Zuo Xian felt restless knowing she was in the same space as Tao Ran; the chair felt like it had thorns.

She stood up, “I’m going to the restroom.”

“Then come back quickly, I’m worried Wenwen won’t be able to find you later.”

“Okay.”

As she walked further in, the crowd thinned. The carpet on the event floor absorbed all the subtle sounds of her footsteps.

Zuo Xian quickly entered the restroom and washed her hands at the sink. She looked up at her reflection and took a deep breath.

“Steady yourself, Zuo Xian. It’s been ten years; you should have made some progress.”

Zuo Xian patted her cheeks and nodded with a determined look.

Even if she saw Tao Ran the next second, she absolutely would not flee in embarrassment like last time!

“CEO Tao, long time no see…” A light female voice drifted into the restroom from afar.

Before Zuo Xian’s brain could react, her body had already slipped into a stall.

The voices grew closer. The two people talking entered the restroom and stood right where Zuo Xian had been moments ago.

“CEO Tao, it’s rare for you to come back from abroad. How long are you staying this time, and when are you going back?” The cheerful female voice sounded very familiar with Tao Ran, and she seemed to know a lot about her situation.

Tao Ran’s voice was faint, mixed with the rushing sound of water from the faucet, making it somewhat unclear.

“I’m not going back.”

“You’ve finally seen the light. Our motherland is so vast and beautiful, and you insisted on running off. You really don’t know how to enjoy yourself.”

Tao Ran didn’t speak. It was the unfamiliar female voice that continued to chatter, “I went to your place before, it looked so empty and pitiful. How about this, since you’re back, and being alone is lonely, do you want to get a little pet? Hmm?”

“No,” Tao Ran chuckled softly.

“A lot of people are keeping them now, really not going to try?”

“No,” Tao Ran’s tone was gentle and indulgent, “Ranran came back with me.”

“I’ve met Ranran. It’s so cold, why not get another one that’s livelier and more outgoing? I know your reserved personality well; you love that type the most. You’re not short on money anyway, one more wouldn’t hurt.”

Tao Ran seemed to hesitate but ultimately refused.

“Having it is already enough trouble. I was cleaning up for it this afternoon, and it might not have been happy about it, so it bit my finger.”

Hiding in the stall, Zuo Xian’s eyebrows furrowed tighter and tighter as she listened.

The girl laughed twice, “Fine, fine. Don’t let the little thing get jealous and bite you again. That would be a major offense on my part.”

The two walked away, chatting and laughing, their voices gradually fading.

Zuo Xian slowly pushed open the stall door, staring in the direction they had gone.

A moment later, a cold, mocking laugh softly echoed in the air.