Chapter 10: Su Qinghan’s WeChat Moments

The communication with the landlord went smoother than expected.

The woman, surnamed Li, was in her fifties, slightly plump, with kind eyes that crinkled when she smiled.

After hearing about Yan Yu’s situation, far from being put off, she sighed repeatedly.

“Poor girl… out here all alone, and in this condition too.”

She readily agreed to install handrails in the bathroom and even proactively suggested sawing off a small section of the door threshold to make it easier for the wheelchair to pass through.

“My son once injured his leg playing ball and was in a wheelchair for a few months. I know how it feels,” Aunt Li said while signing the contract.

“If you need any help, just say the word. A good neighbor is better than a distant relative!”

By the time the contract was signed, the deposit and first month’s rent were paid, the sky had completely darkened.

The streetlights in the old residential area flickered on one by one, casting a dim, yellowish glow on the concrete path.

The evening breeze carried a hint of early spring chill.

“Finally done!”

Ruo Xiaozhen let out a long sigh of relief, pushing Yan Yu’s wheelchair out of the building entrance, a relieved smile on her face.

“That landlady is really nice. Yan Yu, we got lucky!”

Yan Yu gave a soft “Mm,” her gaze falling on the blurred tree shadows in the distance.

Lucky?

Perhaps.

At least, she had a place to live in peace now.

No more worrying about being kicked out at the end of the month, no more struggling to climb those old stairs in her wheelchair.

It was just that the faint, dull ache in her chest, like a lingering dark cloud, constantly reminded her—this body wouldn’t last much longer.

“Come on, I’ll treat you to milk tea!”

Ruo Xiaozhen’s voice pulled her back from her thoughts.

“To celebrate finding our new home! I know a new place nearby, I hear it’s really good!”

Without waiting for Yan Yu’s reply, she was already pushing the wheelchair briskly toward the neighborhood entrance.

The milk tea shop wasn’t big, decorated in the currently popular ‘ins’ style with warm yellow lighting and wooden tables and chairs.

The shop was mostly empty, with only two staff members busy behind the counter.

“One cheese strawberry, full sugar, no ice,” Ruo Xiaozhen leaned toward the counter, her voice cheerful.

“Yan Yu, what do you want? Their signature is taro paste boba, want to try it?”

Yan Yu didn’t have much preference for sweets, but looking at Ruo Xiaozhen’s sparkling eyes, she nodded.

“Okay, that one. Half sugar, hot.”

“Coming right up!”

Ruo Xiaozhen paid and pushed Yan Yu to a seat by the window.

Outside the window was the street by the neighborhood entrance, with occasional pedestrians passing by.

Across the street was a convenience store, lit with stark white light.

The milk tea was quickly made.

Ruo Xiaozhen pushed the hot cup toward Yan Yu and held her own pink cheese strawberry, taking a big, satisfied sip.

“Mmm—so good!”

She squinted her eyes, her cheeks puffing out slightly with satisfaction.

“So much strawberry pulp, and the cheese is so rich! Yan Yu, try yours quickly!”

Yan Yu took the warm cup of taro paste boba.

The paper cup felt warm in her hands.

She lowered her head and carefully took a sip.

The taro paste was smooth and dense, the boba chewy, the half sugar sweetness just right, not too cloying.

The warm liquid slid down her throat, temporarily dispelling the chill in her chest.

“Is it good?”

Ruo Xiaozhen leaned over, watching her intently.

“Yes, it’s good.”

Yan Yu nodded, a small, unconscious curve forming at the corner of her mouth.

Seeing this smile, Ruo Xiaozhen was stunned for a moment, then a huge grin spread across her face.

“See! I told you this place was good! We should come here often from now on!”

She sat back in her chair, cradling her milk tea, taking small sips while chattering about the moving plans for tomorrow—what needed to be packed, how to box things, whether to call a van…

Yan Yu listened quietly, occasionally offering an “Mm,” her gaze drifting to the flowing night outside the window.

For a moment, she almost forgot all the troubles.

Forgot Su Qinghan’s icy gaze, Jiang Muyun’s condescending pity, and this body that could collapse at any moment.

Just sitting here, drinking a cup of hot milk tea with her only friend, listening to her talk about trivial, warm plans.

It felt nice.

If only it could always be like this.

“Oh, Yan Yu,” Ruo Xiaozhen suddenly remembered something, pulling her phone from her pocket.

“Let me show you the reviews for this place, they’re super high! So many people recommend it…”

As she spoke, she unlocked the screen, her finger swiping.

The next second, her movements froze.

The smile on her face stiffened bit by bit, then slowly faded.

It was replaced by an expression mixed with shock, anger, and disbelief.

Her eyes were glued to the phone screen, her lips pressed tightly together, her fingers gripping the phone so hard they turned slightly white.

“What’s wrong?”

Yan Yu sensed something was off and asked softly.

Ruo Xiaozhen didn’t speak, just turned the phone screen toward her.

On the screen was the WeChat Moments interface.

The latest post was from Su Qinghan.

Posted ten minutes ago.

No caption, just a photo.

In the photo, Su Qinghan and Jiang Muyun stood side by side in front of a floor-to-ceiling window of a high-end restaurant.

Outside the window was the city’s dazzling nightscape, neon lights flowing brilliantly.

Su Qinghan in the photo seemed less stern than usual, a bit more casual.

She was slightly turned, her arm loosely encircling behind Jiang Muyun in a protective gesture.

And Jiang Muyun, wearing a beige silk maxi dress, her long hair cascading softly over her shoulders.

She was slightly tilting her face up, smiling gently and sweetly at the camera, her eyes seemingly filled with starlight.

The two were standing very close.

So close, you could almost feel each other’s warmth.

The photo was taken extremely well.

The lighting, composition, and atmosphere were all perfect.

Anyone seeing it would think they were a perfectly matched, flawless pair.

Below the photo was already a long string of likes and comments.

“Wow! Senior Su and Senior Jiang in the same frame! So beautiful!”

“Now this is what you call a match made in heaven!”

“Congratulations! Are you two dating already? So fast!”

…

Those comments were like needles, piercing Yan Yu’s eyes.

No, not piercing her eyes.

They were piercing the remnants of the shattered heart left behind by this body’s original host.

Yan Yu’s fingers holding the milk tea cup tightened slightly.

The paper cup let out a faint, strained creak.

The familiar dull ache in her chest returned.

“What does she mean by this! She and Jiang Muyun aren’t even officially dating yet, right!”

Ruo Xiaozhen finally found her voice, trembling with anger.

“It’s only been a few days! Three days! She dumps you and immediately flaunts someone else? And posts it on Moments? Is she doing this on purpose? Is she deliberately posting this for you to see?!”

The more she spoke, the angrier she got, her face flushed red.

She snatched the phone back, jabbing at the screen with her finger as if trying to poke a hole through the photo.

“What a scumbag! Too much! Yan Yu, don’t look! We’re not looking!”

As she said this, she was about to exit the Moments.

“Zhenzhen,” Yan Yu suddenly spoke, her voice very soft, very calm.

Ruo Xiaozhen’s movements halted, and she looked up at her.

There was no expression on Yan Yu’s face.

No anger, no sorrow, not even a trace of sadness.

She just quietly looked out the window, her gaze empty, as if looking through the night at somewhere very, very far away.

“I’m fine,” she said.

“How can you possibly be fine!”

Ruo Xiaozhen’s eyes reddened with urgency.

“She treated you like this, you…”