Chapter 59: So What If I’m Pretty? No One Likes Me.
“What’s wrong? Is there someone you like?” Ruan Yang asked curiously while she ate her hot and spicy soup. “Who has such poor taste? How could someone not like our loveable baby Changqing? Tell me his name and I’ll help you poke his eyes blind.”
Changqing’s pursed lips quivered for a while before asking, “Do you have alcohol?”
“I’ll open something up for you.” Ruan Yang opened a bottle of red wine immediately.
Changqing poured half a glass and became depressed. The astringent flavour reflected her mood, and her eyes became red and moist.
“Are you really upset?” Ruan Yang stopped teasing her and became serious.
“I…” Changqing opened her mouth but she couldn’t mention Guan Ying as they were all friends. “Ruan Yang, do you think all men like elegant and gentle women, mm, just like Guan Ying?”
“No, if I were to look for a girlfriend, I wouldn’t look for someone like Guan Ying. I would try to find someone cute like you.” Ruan Yang beamed and pinched her small face before continuing: “Changqing, among the four of us, I’m too rational, Duoyao’s too unconstrained, and Guan Ying’s especially realistic. You’re the only pure one, so men would probably like someone like you more. Sometimes, you’re just oblivious while in the moment. You’re actually very popular among men; you just haven’t noticed it yourself yet.”
Changqing sniffed distractedly and hugged her. “Ruan Yang, I know I’m your one true love. You’re the only one who knows how to appreciate me.”
“That’s a given; I’ve got you covered.” Ruan Yang lifted her glass and clinked with Changqing’s.
Changqing’s alcohol tolerance wasn’t bad, but she was in a bad mood and half a bottle of alcohol made her fall to sleep drowsily.
9.20 pm.
In front of a simple apartment door, Song Chuyi helped Guan Ying in and turned on the light switch on the wall.
The house lit up and Guan Ying looked up from his embrace with weak and grateful eyes. “Chuyi, thank you. If it wasn’t for you today, I wouldn’t have known what to do.”
“You already said this many times.” Song Chuyi placed her on the couch and stood up straight, continuing: “Sleep early, I have to go.”
“Chuyi…” Guan Ying suddenly grabbed onto his wrist, sounding as though she was about to cry.
Song Chuyi frowned and his eyes filled with gloom.
Guan Ying’s tears fell as she started: “I know you don’t think of me fondly but I can’t do anything about it. There are some things I never told you before—my dad was a gambler and an alcohol addict. My brother is also insensible, running into trouble every day. All our family expenses depend on my mother’s bit of hard work in the factory from day to night. A few days ago, my father borrowed money from loan sharks and the debtors came all the way to my house to collect the debt, smashing everything. My mother fell and had to stay in the hospital. I needed money at home so I had no choice but to go with Fu Yu…”
She choked with emotion as she recounted her story, and tears flowed down her face helplessly.
Song Chuyi took a deep breath and scoffed, “You didn’t come to me or tell me about such things but went to give yourself up to another man. Guan Ying, what do you take me for? Air? Or do you think Fu Yu is more capable than I am?”
“No, no.” Guan Ying sobbed and shook her head, “I was afraid you would despise me. You were so well brought-up, and I was afraid that you couldn’t tolerate me having this kind of family. Chuyi, the reality is too cruel. My first boyfriend left me because he found out about my family’s situation. I loved you too much and I was worried you wouldn’t want me. Besides, my family’s situation can’t be changed anytime soon, so I can only depend on myself. Even if you could help me, I wouldn’t want to keep depending on you like a parasite and bring you trouble, but I don’t want you to misunderstand me either. I’ve never loved anyone like this.”
