The Sour Plum Girl [Rebirth] - Chapter 8

After initially letting Mrs. Song see the true colors of the second uncle’s family, Song Yiran began to ponder how she could get Song Song to move into her home.

Although the relationship between the two of them was currently quite harmonious, they had only just met. To suddenly invite her to move in would be incredibly abrupt and presumptuous. Moreover, she suspected Song Song wouldn’t be willing anyway. She didn’t want the relationship she had just managed to soothe to collapse and fall apart.

It was truly a headache…

As usual, Song Yiran went to “First Encounter” early in the morning. Everything remained the same as always; Song Song was clearly no longer surprised by her appearance. Following their routine, she served her a macchiato.

Occasionally they would chat, but Song Song’s topics were mostly centered around their collaboration; clearly, she possessed more professional ambition than Song Yiran. Song Yiran hadn’t found a suitable brand yet, so nothing had been finalized, but mainly it was because her mind was entirely occupied with how to get Song Song to move in.

For a whole week, Song Yiran wore an expression of wanting to speak but hesitating. Song Song clearly noticed, but she didn’t pay it much mind. Song Yiran wasn’t the type who could hide things; if she were truly in trouble, she would likely speak up. Song Song didn’t want to look for trouble either; she possessed very little curiosity and didn’t like meddling in other people’s business. Her relationship with Song Yiran wasn’t close enough to warrant such interference.

To her, it was just a business partnership. Song Yiran was a decent partner mainly because she paid generously and caused little trouble. Now that Song Song wasn’t as busy as before and could sleep a bit more, she knew to be pleasant toward this “God of Wealth.”

Song Yiran was already a regular at First Encounter. Basically all the staff knew her; she looked sweet and had a kind personality, occasionally chatting with them. Because of her outstanding appearance, talent scouts would occasionally reach out to her, but Song Yiran rejected them all. The scouts expressed regret and mentioned they had also approached Song Song, only to be rejected as well.

This sentence served as a reminder to Song Yiran. When Song Song walked over, Yiran looked at her with a smile. As Song Song set the macchiato down, she asked, “Song Song, why did you reject the talent scouts?”

“With your appearance, you’re clearly very suited for it.”

Song Song countered, “Why did you reject them?”

Song Yiran tilted her head and blinked. “My family has money…”

Song Song froze for a moment. She had forgotten this was a young miss from a wealthy family, and had replied subconsciously. Finally, under Yiran’s expectant gaze, Song Song said, “The risk is too high. I don’t like it.”

“Oh…” Song Yiran nodded in realization, remembering what Song Tian had said about Song Song’s family being in the pharmaceutical business. Such a consideration was normal.

Initially, Yiran had also thought she was pretty and allowed herself to be coaxed into it, only to discover there were too many beautiful people and too many talented ones. She knew nothing and could only miserably play minor background roles. She had been lucky; there were too many unfortunates in that world, and those who managed to be seen were merely beneficiaries of survival bias. Thinking back, she felt her past self had been quite reckless.

There were many strange faces in the coffee shop today. It was crowded, so Song Song couldn’t stay to talk and went back to work. Song Yiran watched her work out of boredom, then turned her gaze toward the glass door. She saw a girl wearing a white spaghetti-strap dress and a face mask walking in casually. Her skin was very pale, and she was followed by a girl carrying a backpack.

Compared to her, the girl behind her had short hair and looked very efficient. Instinctively, Song Yiran felt she looked like an assistant. A celebrity assistant!

She watched the masked girl sit in a corner spot and say something to the short-haired girl, who then hurriedly left. The next second, the girl took off her mask, revealing a very pure face the kind that felt like a “first love.”

The moment their eyes met, the girl rolled her eyes at her. Song Yiran gave a soft huff and looked away. She knew the girl; this was An Yi, who would later be known as the “First Love Goddess” and was also Song Song’s friend within the industry.

In the past, she had seen her interact with Song Song. At that time, because Song Yiran’s “type” was similar to hers, Yiran had been mocked for allegedly imitating An Yi. She absolutely loathed her; she was a woman who was one way on the surface and another underneath. Back then, Yiran hadn’t understood why Song Song was friends with her.

Looking at her like this, was she also here to find Song Song?

She took a sip of her milk tea, glancing toward her intentionally or unintentionally. The girl didn’t seem to be looking at Song Song, but was busy taking photos of herself.

Amidst her thoughts, a sudden exclamation erupted from the front counter. She snapped her head around to see Song Song’s black uniform covered in tea and milkshake. Song Song had her head turned halfway; there was a mess on her left cheek as well, and her fair skin instantly flushed red.

A nearby staff member saw this and quickly grabbed a towel for her, pulling her aside. “Ma’am, if you have any dissatisfaction, tell me and I’ll remake it for you. Why are you doing this?”

“Who do you think you are? If it tastes bad, am I not allowed to say so? I want her to make it. Don’t you know the customer is God? Watch out or I’ll complain about you…” Yu Mo scolded the staff member arrogantly.

She was already angry, and seeing Song Song’s face made her even angrier. If it weren’t for her, she wouldn’t have come here to take photos for the sake of her reputation, only to be cheated out of money by that “vile person.” Every time First Encounter posted promotions online, they used Song Song as the face of the shop; consequently, many people were attracted by her “cool girl” vibe and came to check in.

Yu Mo just happened to have nowhere to vent her anger, and the taste of the drink Song Song made was too different from before, so she splashed it on her instantly. Although the milk tea wasn’t scalding, it was still at a high temperature. Song Song immediately felt a slight stinging pain on her cheek.

In an instant, everyone cried out and scrambled away, fearing they would get splashed themselves. Song Song acted as if nothing had happened, her expression as calm as ever. After casually wiping herself with a cloth, she said, “I’m sorry. I’ll make another cup for you.”

“You better. Hurry up, I’m busy.” Yu Mo looked triumphant, drawing sighs from the bystanders. The staff member beside her looked on with dissatisfaction but could only continue with their work.

Song Yiran witnessed this entire scene. Taking a deep breath, she slowly stood up and approached the crowd, silently standing behind Yu Mo. When she saw the milk tea Song Song handed over, she grabbed it faster than Yu Mo. Just as Yu Mo was about to turn around and curse in a rage, a cup of warm milk tea was splashed directly onto her face.

The next second, Yu Mo shrieked, “Are you crazy?! Ahhh, my face is disfigured! Give me a towel, give me a towel!”

She screamed like a madwoman. Since she was wearing a sleeveless short dress, she could only wipe herself frantically with her hands. There were spots all over her pink dress and tea stains on her legs; her skin turned red instantly, making her look incredibly wretched. After a while, a towel was finally handed to her. She hurriedly wiped herself and looked at the perpetrator with a face full of fury.

One look made her even angrier. “Song Yiran, are you looking for death…”

“Ah… I didn’t do it on purpose. I thought it was mine…” Song Yiran feigned alarm, raising her hand to cover her lips.

The diamonds embedded in her nails were exceptionally dazzling. She was wearing a halter-neck dress in a very elegant style, with her long hair draped smoothly down her back. She looked exquisite, her entire being radiating an aura of wealth. It formed a stark contrast with Yu Mo’s wretched state.

The next second, Song Yiran saw jealousy in her eyes. In the past, she always dressed very low-key because Mrs. Song said she shouldn’t make Yu Mo feel inferior. Later, Yu Mo went around telling everyone she was “poor and dowdy.”

Having been reborn, she dressed extravagantly every single time she wanted Yu Mo to see exactly who was the “poor” one!

Looking at her pathetic state, then looking at the red mark on Song Song’s cheek, Song Yiran stepped forward even more angrily. Seeing this, Yu Mo retreated quickly, her previous arrogance long gone. “What do you want to do? Song Yiran, if you dare hit me, I’ll tell my aunt and you’ll be finished…”

“Oh…” Song Yiran nonchalantly picked up a pitcher of warm water from the side and poured it over her head. “How exactly are you going to make me ‘finished’?”

Yu Mo realized what was happening and tried to dodge, but Song Yiran threatened, “If you dare dodge, don’t even think about getting any money.”

“Don’t forget, you still have to rely on my family’s money.”

Instantly, Yu Mo looked up with a face full of humiliation, yet her body remained motionless. Song Yiran sneered, feeling immensely gratified.

Yu Mo, you finally have a day like this. From now on, your life won’t be very easy.

Before her rebirth, when she was at her wits’ end trying to pay for Mrs. Song’s medical bills and sought her out, Yu Mo had publicly humiliated her in the same way. Back then, she had made Yiran kneel in humiliation; right now, Song Yiran was actually giving her face. Mrs. Song still had feelings for them, so she couldn’t take things too far yet.

This scene clearly startled the crowd; some were secretly filming with their phones. Song Song looked at Song Yiran in a bit of a daze. On the other side, An Yi watched everything calmly, her gaze passing through Song Yiran to look at Song Song. The moment their eyes met, Song Song’s face immediately darkened.

Ultimately, Yu Mo left First Encounter in a wretched state, and Song Yiran also left with her bag. The moment Song Song looked up, she happened to catch the sight of her departing back. The movements of her hands paused for a moment.

After work, a weary Song Song changed her clothes. When she reached her front door and stepped onto the stairs, she saw a figure crouching there. In the dim light, she could vaguely see the girl’s fair skin. The moment the figure sensed her presence, she looked up, her eyes seemingly filled with stars.

“Song Song, do you want to eat cake?”

As she spoke, Song Yiran pulled out an exquisitely decorated cake box from behind her; a strawberry cake was settled inside. Song Song didn’t understand what Song Yiran was doing, but she sat down with her anyway.

Seeing this, Song Yiran smiled. She quickly took out the strawberry cake, sliced it, and held it out to her. “If you’re in a bad mood, eating cake will make it better. Hurry and try it, it’s delicious.” She looked very enthusiastic, so Song Song had no choice but to take it.

Under Yiran’s watchful gaze, she took a small bite. The sweet taste wasn’t bad; she didn’t dislike it.

“I’m not in a bad mood,” she said in a low voice.

Song Yiran just looked at her with a silly smile while eating her own cake. While Song Song wasn’t paying attention, Yiran’s fingertip touched the red mark on her left cheek. She asked, “Does it hurt? Surely no one is more excessive than Yu Mo.”

Song Song’s expression was always indifferent, but Song Yiran just felt it was unfair she felt aggrieved on her behalf, taking it for granted that she must be in a bad mood. She didn’t believe what Song Song said; the heartache in her eyes seemed ready to overflow.

The warmth from Song Song’s cheek caused her hand, which was holding the spoon, to pause. She looked up at Song Yiran. What kind of feeling was this? Song Song didn’t understand. Grievances and sadness had long been forgotten by her, yet now, Yiran’s concern unearthed those memories.

She looked at her intently and shook her head. “I’ve seen many people like her.”

“But…” Her gaze caught the cream at the corner of Song Yiran’s mouth, and she gently wiped it away with her thumb. “You… why are you so good to me?”

Song Yiran’s gaze was inexplicably drawn to her thumb. Following her habits, she subconsciously stuck out her tongue and licked the cream off. At the same time, Song Song’s voice rang out again: “I’ve never met anyone as strange as you.”

Are you this good to everyone?

The words remained at the edge of Song Song’s lips, halted by the other’s action. Her eyes trembled slightly…

Ahhh…

As their gazes locked, Song Yiran felt as if the sky was falling. What was she doing? Why did she do that subconsciously? To make matters worse, Song Song had just called her strange, making her feel even more ashamed. Her cheeks turned red at a visible speed.

Support The Sour Plum Girl [Rebirth]