The One I Love is Your Girlfriend - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Zhuang Nanxing Looks At Ge Mingwei, “You Want A Star Too.”

Inside the KTV private room, where multi-colored lights rotated lazily, a man’s deep, weathered voice rang out, singing each word with intoxicated devotion.

“…Promise me you won’t wander in the deep of the night anymore, Don’t easily try the taste of indulgence, Don’t you know this will break my heart…”

As the last note faded, the singer instantly snapped out of the melancholy mood, full of energy. “Let’s see, the next one is… ‘The Whole World Likes You’. Oh wow, a sweet little love song! Is this Chen Linwan’s pick? Singing it with your Mingwei? Come on, come on, get up here!”

The eyes of everyone in the room landed on a couple.

Chen Linwan was handsome, his gaze resting tenderly on Ge Mingwei beside him. Ge Mingwei wore her long hair down, her profile delicate and graceful. Dressed in a mint-green maxi dress, she reminded anyone who looked at her of the fresh comfort of a summer morning breeze.

Microphones were handed to both of them. As the gentle intro played, Ge Mingwei cleared her throat and sang the first line.

“If the wind were a little stronger, I could be a little closer to you…”

She finished her line and looked at Chen Linwan. It was his turn.

Just as Chen Linwan brought the mic to his lips, the door to the suite swung open. A silhouette stepped in, backlit by the hallway lights. She had ear-length bobbed hair and stunningly beautiful features. Wearing a mint-green shirt and white trousers, her aura was crisp and capable. Her entrance was like a sun-drenched breeze on a summer afternoon.

Looking at the crowd whose attention she had instantly captured, she smiled apologetically. “Did I come at a bad time? Am I interrupting your song?”

Chen Linwan hurried to his feet, ushering her over to sit. “Not at all, Nanxing! You came at just the right time. Come, sit here.”

Ge Mingwei stared blankly at Chen Linwan, watching his enthusiastic smile toward Zhuang Nanxing. She gripped her microphone tightly. Why? Zhuang Nanxing, why did you have to show up exactly now?

The lyrics circling the room seemed to mock her.

“…You are the scenery of the world, a single flower, All beautiful things surround you…”

There was no beauty here—not for her. Whenever Zhuang Nanxing appeared, Chen Linwan’s eyes followed her relentlessly. Ge Mingwei looked at Zhuang Nanxing’s beautiful face and bright smile. She thought: I should resent her. But why is it that the moment I see her, I can’t bring myself to feel any malice?

Zhuang Nanxing spotted Ge Mingwei, her eyes lighting up as she walked toward them. “Can I sit with Mingwei?”

Without even looking at Ge Mingwei, Chen Linwan nodded instantly. “Of course.” He stepped aside, giving up his spot to Zhuang Nanxing.

Before Ge Mingwei could react, Zhuang Nanxing’s soft arm brushed against hers through the thin summer fabric. The scent of tart green citrus flooded Mingwei’s nose.

Zhuang Nanxing picked up the microphone Chen Linwan had left on the table. Watching the screen, she continued the song:

“The whole world likes a girl like you, Pure, kind, gentle, and lovely. Can I start a romance with you? The term is ‘forever,’ never to part…”

As she sang, Zhuang Nanxing seemed to memorize the lyrics, looking away from the screen and turning her gentle gaze directly toward Ge Mingwei. Her voice was exquisite and ethereal, like a layer of soft gauze brushing against everyone’s ears. Listening to her, Ge Mingwei felt a sense of comfort so deep her ears tingled.

Zhuang Nanxing finished her part and waited for Ge Mingwei to take over. Ge Mingwei instinctively followed:

“The whole world likes a girl like you, Dignified, virtuous, and full of talent. Graceful in the parlor, a great cook in the kitchen, You are my future…”

Ge Mingwei wasn’t sure if it was an illusion, but as she sang the last line, she saw Zhuang Nanxing break into a wide, joyful smile. Zhuang Nanxing leaned her weight against Ge Mingwei, the citrus scent growing even stronger, almost enveloping her. Ge Mingwei felt she had sung quite well and allowed a small smile to touch her lips.

As the song ended, the room erupted in applause and cheers. “Nanxing sounds so good! And Mingwei… Mingwei did great too.”

A jokester nudged Chen Linwan, teasing him. “Linwan, who do you think sang better? Our Nanxing, or your Mingwei?”

Ge Mingwei looked up at Chen Linwan nervously, only to see him staring fixedly at Zhuang Nanxing. She bit her lip, already guessing his answer, yet she couldn’t help but hope. What if? What if he chooses me?

Chen Linwan spoke. “Mingwei sang very well, but…” He shifted his tone. “While I personally prefer Mingwei, looking at everyone’s reaction, Nanxing clearly sang better. I’ll go with the majority.”

He had chosen Zhuang Nanxing.

Amidst the laughter, Ge Mingwei lowered her eyes in disappointment. As expected. No one chooses me.

Suddenly, Zhuang Nanxing threw an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. Ge Mingwei heard Zhuang Nanxing say seriously, “What do you mean ‘our Nanxing’ and ‘your Mingwei’? We are our own people—we don’t belong to him or anyone else! And another thing!”

Zhuang Nanxing continued solemnly, “I think Mingwei sang wonderfully! She was so gentle and full of emotion. The only reason I sang well is that I specifically took lessons and practiced my technique. Unless I were a total idiot who learned nothing, I couldn’t possibly sing poorly today.”

Sensing that Zhuang Nanxing was genuinely annoyed, the others quickly tried to placate her. “Yes, yes, Ge Mingwei sang great too.”

“Alright, alright, skip it! Next song!”

Seeing their dismissive, perfunctory attitude, Zhuang Nanxing wanted to say more, but Ge Mingwei pressed her hand down, shaking her head slightly. Zhuang Nanxing deflated. She reached for the fruit platter on the table and turned the side with the blueberries toward Ge Mingwei. “Mingwei, I remember you like blueberries.”

Her eyes were sparkling. At such close range, Zhuang Nanxing’s eyes seemed to be filled with nothing but Ge Mingwei. Mingwei didn’t have much of an appetite, but she couldn’t bear to refuse, so she took two berries.

She couldn’t help but wonder: What does Zhuang Nanxing mean by all this? To Ge Mingwei, Zhuang Nanxing was the kind of person she had always wanted to be. Yet, because of her, Chen Linwan’s eyes never stayed on Mingwei. Zhuang Nanxing was, in Mingwei’s mind, a “love rival.”

Usually, Ge Mingwei wouldn’t hesitate to assume the worst about a rival. She wondered if Zhuang Nanxing said those things because she looked down on her—thinking she was timid and unable to stand up for herself when her boyfriend showed no favoritism.

But what can I do? Mingwei thought. Zhuang Nanxing, the moment you appear, I’m like a star meeting the moon—I lose my light instantly. I’ve always been someone who isn’t brave enough.

A wave of inexplicable grievance washed over her. She hated her tendency to cry easily. She didn’t want to weep, but her eyes clouded with a shimmering film. She lowered her head to hide her sudden emotion.

Suddenly, the hand on her lap was covered by another, softer hand. It was Zhuang Nanxing’s. Zhuang Nanxing tilted her head down to peer at her, whispering softly, “Mingwei, what’s wrong? Is it uncomfortable in here? Do you want me to go out for some fresh air with you?”

In that moment of gentle concern, Ge Mingwei completely forgot that this woman was her “rival.” She nodded hungrily.

Zhuang Nanxing led the head-bowed Ge Mingwei toward the exit. Chen Linwan asked, “Where are you two going?”

Zhuang Nanxing answered for her. “It’s too stuffy in here. We’re going out for some air.”

Chen Linwan’s gaze lingered on Zhuang Nanxing for a moment before he glanced at Ge Mingwei and nodded. “Go ahead, then.” From start to finish, not a single word of concern for his girlfriend. The tears Ge Mingwei had suppressed threatened to spill over again.

However, the fresh night air was a good cure. Whatever grievance or worry she felt was swept away by the cool breeze. Ge Mingwei exhaled deeply, trying to let go of her stifled emotions.

Outside the KTV, a small stall was selling ice cream. The sweet scent of fruit jam wafted over. Ge Mingwei felt her last bit of melancholy being pushed aside by a sudden appetite. She couldn’t help but look at the stall.

Zhuang Nanxing, still holding her hand, gave it a little tug. “I want ice cream. Let’s go look.”

Ge Mingwei nodded. “Since you helped me, let me treat you.”

Zhuang Nanxing laughed, her eyes bright with “stars.” Her name really suited her—Nanxing (Southern Star).

Every time Ge Mingwei tried to think the worst of her, she would meet that sincere gaze, and her malice would dissolve before it could even form. There was no denying it: Zhuang Nanxing was a wonderful person. No wonder everyone loved her.

The “wonderful” Zhuang Nanxing pulled her to the stall. “I want the strawberry one with the star sprinkles,” she said. She turned to Mingwei. “Mingwei, what do you want?”

Ge Mingwei was too embarrassed to admit she wanted some too, so she just pointed randomly. “I’ll have that one.”

Zhuang Nanxing leaned in close to the hesitant Ge Mingwei. Her long, curled lashes fluttered like little fans. In a low, soothing voice—as if coaxing a child—she said, “You want a star, too.”

Ge Mingwei nodded automatically.

Zhuang Nanxing told the vendor, “She’ll have the blueberry star.”

The vendor was a young woman in her twenties wearing a pink baseball cap. She smiled at them. “My best friend and I are just like you—we always go out holding hands.”

Zhuang Nanxing chatted back, “Then do you go find her when you aren’t working?”

The vendor pouted playfully. “No, I rest during the day and open the stall at night—business is better then. She works during the day and rests at night. She always complains I’m too busy to spend time with her.” She laughed despite her complaining. “I can’t go to her, but she always comes to me after work. Look, here she comes now.”

They followed the vendor’s gaze to see a woman in office attire riding a small electric scooter toward them.

“Your ice creams are ready.” Ge Mingwei paid the bill while Zhuang Nanxing stood by, smiling at the scene.

The two of them sat on small stools provided by the vendor, one with strawberry-star ice cream, the other with blueberry-star. They watched the vendor and her friend chat about their days, laughing and complaining together.

Zhuang Nanxing turned to Ge Mingwei. “They seem so happy together. They can share the good things and the worries.”

Ge Mingwei felt a pang of envy. “Yes, they do.”

Zhuang Nanxing looked at her. “Then… can we be best friends too? The kind of friends who share both the good moods and the bad?”

Looking at Zhuang Nanxing, Ge Mingwei almost couldn’t stop herself from nodding. Zhuang Nanxing waited, her eyes full of expectation.

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