My 'White Moonlight' First Love Came Back, but I Don't Love her Anymore - Chapter 6

“Qingqing, you still can’t forget me, can you?”

In the early hours of the morning, Zhou Wanyan woke from her sleep only to find the space beside her empty. She got up to look for Yan Jiuqing and, just as she stepped out of the bedroom, she heard the faint sound of whispering coming from the balcony.

She couldn’t quite make out the words. Following the sound, she looked toward the balcony. A bright moon hung high in the ink-black sky, casting a cold, silver light over Yan Jiuqing. Jiuqing was draped only in a white wool shawl, her long hair falling over her back in slight disarray.

Fearing that Jiuqing might catch a cold, Wanyan grabbed a coat from the rack and walked toward the balcony.

Yan Jiuqing held the black railing with one hand while clutching her phone in the other. Her face was clouded with annoyance, and her voice carried a sharp chill, as if she were confronting the person on the other end.

“Can you please stop messaging me?”

A voice on the other end laughed dismissively. “Qingqing, you still cannot forget me, can you?”

“I forgot you a long time ago. Do not flatter yourself.”

“Then why have you not blacklisted my number? And why did you add me back?”

Faced with those two direct questions, Yan Jiuqing found herself unable to offer a rebuttal.

“Qingqing, you still haven’t moved on from me. So, why don’t we…”

“There is no ‘us’ anymore,” Yan Jiuqing interrupted firmly. “I have fallen in love with Zhou Wanyan.”

“Qingqing, are you joking? Zhou Wanyan is a boring person; she is not worth your love.”

Hearing those words, Yan Jiuqing felt a surge of irritation. “Whether I love her or not has nothing to do with you. When you left the country without a word, you should have known our relationship was over.”

“Qingqing, I truly had no choice. Now that I am back, I came looking for you immediately. Zhou Wanyan is the intruder in our relationship. You still love me, right?”

Yan Jiuqing neither denied nor confirmed it. When news of this person’s engagement had first broken out, she had felt an indescribable pain. It was because of that pain that she had spent several nights at Shangxitang, neglecting Zhou Wanyan in the process.

“Does it even matter if I love you? Du Shangwei, you are already engaged. Stop bothering me, please.”

“Qingqing, that is a family alliance. It was not my choice.”

“I do not care. Do not message me again.”

With that, Yan Jiuqing hung up. Her hair veiled her profile, and she stood there looking despondent and lonely.

Du Shangwei had been a central figure throughout her youth. Back then, her father had been unfaithful and kept a mistress, scandals that her mother knew about but ignored, continuing to treat her father as if nothing were wrong. Eventually, her father even brought the mistress home, and her mother still looked the other way.

She couldn’t understand why a happy family had to become so shattered. Later, her father began bringing home his illegitimate children one by one. Her mother spent her days in tears; whenever Jiuqing tried to speak up, her father would hit her, and her mother would only scold her for meddling.

In those dark days, she was drowning in sadness until Du Shangwei noticed and provided the warmth she desperately needed. But Du Shangwei was also the one who hurt her most, leaving her abruptly when Jiuqing loved her the most.

Fortunately, at the university they had once planned to attend together, she met Zhou Wanyan. Wanyan’s appearance stopped her from being trapped in a world defined by the loss of Du Shangwei.

But now, Du Shangwei had returned, and Jiuqing knew her heart hadn’t been completely cleared. She wanted Wanyan to stay by her side, yet her heart was no longer calm. It was a mess.

As she struggled with her dilemma, a voice came from behind her. “Why are you out here?”

The gentle concern and the coat placed over her shoulders were proof of Wanyan’s warmth. Yan Jiuqing quickly composed herself and forced a smile. “Yanyan, why are you up?”

If one listened closely, they could hear the slight tremor in her voice. Wanyan caught it. “I didn’t see you when I woke up. When I came out, I saw you on the balcony. It’s windy out here; why didn’t you put on more clothes?”

Yan Jiuqing turned and pressed herself into Wanyan’s arms. “Because I knew you would appear and give me warmth when I was cold.”

Wanyan’s voice was soft, a smile hiding in the corners of her eyes. “Stop being silly.” Despite her words, she felt a small surge of happiness. She liked being needed.

“Jiuqing, you seem very down.”

“Mhm…”

“Did something happen?”

“Nothing. I just feel like I have treated you poorly lately.”

“You certainly have.”

“…”

Luo Yuening lay in bed, her slender, pale arm resting atop the covers. Her wine-red wavy hair was scattered across the pillow, and the usual intensity of her features was softened by her morning languor. Beside her pillow, the little sheep keychain was particularly striking.

A ringing phone woke her. She sat halfway up, her silk nightgown slipping slightly to reveal her collarbone.

“Hello…” she answered, her voice heavy with fatigue.

“Did you not sleep well last night?”

“No, I worked through the night.”

“With your status, do you really need to work that hard?”

A look of obscurity flashed in her eyes. “I do not want to let myself stop,” she said calmly. If she stopped, her mind would wander to things she shouldn’t think about.

“Fine, but take care of your body, Yuening. By the way, how are the concert preparations?”

“Everything is ready; I am just waiting for you.”

“Do not worry, I will not be late tonight. I am not calling to rush you, though. Did your mother ask you to go on another blind date?”

“Mhm…”

“If you ask me, you should go. You might actually like them. I heard the person your mother found is the youngest professor at Capital University. Very talented. And this time, it will be hard to escape. Your mother followed your criteria perfectly: female, gentle, good family, no bad habits. A perfect partner.”

“Sister Yue Qi, if you like her that much, you can have her.”

Yue Qi was speechless for a moment. “I can tell your mother sent you.”

“Yes and no. Yuening, you have been alone for so many years. Do you still have feelings for her?”

“Who said that?” Luo Yuening denied it immediately. After a pause, she added, “I have a partner now. How could I go on a blind date?”

“You can fool others, but you know your mother’s methods. She already looked into your so-called little girlfriend. Your girlfriend sold you out the moment she was offered enough money.”

“What?” Luo Yuening was stunned. She hadn’t heard a word of this. No wonder her mother was still pushing the date even though she thought Luo Yuening was taken. This feeling of being controlled was something she detested.

“I understand your heart, but as your sister, I have to warn you. They have been together for six years. You know what that means? It means they will eventually marry. It is only a matter of time.”

“Sister Yue Qi, do not talk about her. She is no longer my friend. I do not want to know anything about her, and I do not care who she marries. She is the person I hate most in this world. You should know that.”

On the other end, Yue Qi gave an unconvinced laugh. The sound seemed to sting Luo Yuening in her sensitive state. In a moment of impulsive resolve, she said, “Sister Yue Qi, tell my mother I agree to the blind date.”

With that, she fell silent. After a moment, Yue Qi replied, “I’m glad you’ve made up your mind. Get some rest. See you tonight.”

The call ended, but Luo Yuening’s heart was a tangled mess of emotions she couldn’t unravel. She stared blankly at the wall, a slow-rising sense of regret pulling her down.

Support My ‘White Moonlight’ First Love Came Back, but I Don’t Love her Anymore