After hanging up the phone, Li Yue embraced Feng Feng again and leaned down to kiss her ear, "I'll turn off my phone next time."
Feng Feng: "Mm, let's go to the bedroom."
Feng Feng was never one to be jealous, and this was not in line with her usual demeanor.
Moreover, Li Yue had already made his stance clear. He certainly had no intention of getting back together with Zhang Shuang, and it wasn't worth arguing over such a trivial matter.
In the following days, Li Yue received no further messages from Zhang Shuang. He figured she must have understood.
The day before flying to California, Li Yue received another call from Zhang Shuang. She said she planned to be discharged from the hospital.
Although Zhang Shuang didn't state the reason, Li Yue suddenly remembered that he had only paid for five days. "Is it about the money? How much do you need? I can lend it to you."
Zhang Shuang refused directly, "No need. I've bought crutches, and I can manage with one leg. I owe you too much, and it's difficult to repay."
Li Yue: "You can repay me slowly."
Zhang Shuang: "...We don't have any relationship, so you don't need to help me like this, lest your girlfriend misunderstand."
Li Yue was speechless for a moment by Zhang Shuang's words. Seeing how persistent she was, he didn't try to persuade her further. "Then take care of yourself."
Zhang Shuang: "Are you going back to America for your graduation ceremony?"
Li Yue: "Yes, I'm flying tomorrow."
Zhang Shuang: "Mm, then I won't disturb you. Have a safe trip."
This time, she was very considerate. After saying goodbye, she hung up the phone.
Since Zhang Shuang was unwilling to accept help, Li Yue did not force his assistance.
That evening, Li Yue stayed over at Feng Feng's place. The next morning, they took a taxi to the airport and flew to California.
The hotel had been booked in advance, and the hotel driver picked them up at the airport. Feng Feng traveled frequently, so adjusting to the time difference was not a major issue.
After resting briefly at the hotel, they went to the beach in the afternoon.
Feng Feng changed into a swimsuit, wore a black sheer cover-up, and a sun hat. Her skin shone with a reflective whiteness under the sun.
Feng Feng was in a very good mood. The ocean seemed to possess a magical power that could calm people down. She felt much more relaxed than when she was in Nanjiang.
As Feng Feng stood on the beach, gazing out at the sea, Li Yue secretly took a photo and posted it to his Moments.
Li Yue rarely showed off his affection on Moments, or rather, he hardly posted anything at all. However, this time he was unusually public, not blocking anyone.
The photo Li Yue took was of Feng Feng's profile, at a forty-five-degree angle, the most perfect angle, showcasing her superb figure to perfection. The contrast between the black sheer fabric and her skin, which was as white as light, was striking. After posting, Li Yue showed Feng Feng the photo he had taken. Feng Feng quite liked it and asked Li Yue to send her the original file, which she saved in her album. Li Yue did not have Shen Su added on WeChat, but he did have Zhang Shuang added. It was the first time Zhang Shuang saw a photo of Feng Feng. She tapped on it and zoomed in, looking at it for a long time.
Although it was only a profile view, it was enough to see how exquisite Feng Feng's features were. She didn't have a delicate and intense look; she possessed a reserved and aloof aura, making her seem unapproachable.
Yet, her figure was exceptionally good, with proportions and lines that were close to perfection, enough to captivate any man.
Men liked contrast, like the saying goes, to make the pure fall, to make the abstinent climax. Perhaps Li Yue sought such excitement from her.
Zhang Shuang liked the photo. Objectively speaking, after seeing Feng Feng's photo, she had little confidence in the task arranged by Gu Song.
She was well aware of her own strengths. While she had good looks, she couldn't compete with Feng Feng, and Feng Feng's career was even more successful than hers. Li Yue had no reason to give up Feng Feng for her.
After some consideration, Zhang Shuang sent a WeChat message to Gu Song, explaining her thoughts.
Gu Song, on the other hand, did not seem to be reading her message carefully, his attention entirely elsewhere.
Gu Song: "Where did you see a photo of Li Yue's girlfriend?"
Zhang Shuang sent Gu Song a screenshot of Li Yue's Moment. Gu Song received this message just as he was with Shen Su.
Upon seeing the message, Gu Song's expression immediately turned very unpleasant. Shen Su, thinking something had happened, instinctively glanced at his phone screen and saw the screenshot.
Shen Su's expression also turned grim. He directly snatched Gu Song's phone.
On the screen was a screenshot of Li Yue's Moment.
Li Yue: "You are the scenery [heart emoji]"
The most glaring thing was the photo below.
Even as a small image, one could clearly see her graceful figure and relaxed demeanor, a state that would only be shown when one was completely unguarded.
Gu Song had originally planned to show Shen Su this screenshot, so he didn't react to Shen Su snatching his phone.
Shen Su needed some stimulation, otherwise, he wouldn't take direct action. If he didn't act, how would Feng Feng break up with Li Yue?
Shen Su almost crushed his phone. After a long while, he turned to ask Gu Song, "Where did you get the screenshot from?"
Gu Song thought for a moment and gave him a preemptive warning, "I'm telling you, don't blame me."
Shen Su's brow twitched, and a sense of foreboding washed over him. "What did you do?"
Gu Song cleared his throat and began recounting the time he inadvertently encountered Feng Feng and Ji Tong dining together, and how he had been unable to find an opportunity to confess about revealing his relationship with Feng Feng in front of Ji Tong.
As Gu Song narrated the incident, he observed Shen Su's expression. Fortunately, he didn't have a strong reaction, merely asking, "What happened to them afterward?"
Gu Song: "This is also strange. The two of them were very harmonious, and Ji Tong didn't seem particularly angry."
Shen Su rubbed his temples. "It's not strange."
Feng Feng herself disdained to compete in such matters. As for Ji Tong, when she proposed the breakup, Shen Su's perception of her had changed. She was never a naive young girl; in terms of handling affairs and career development, she had her own theories and ideas.
When they broke up, she had said that she didn't regret being with him, nor did she regret parting ways. She had let go completely, so it was natural that she wouldn't argue with Feng Feng.
Moreover, she genuinely admired Feng Feng and had praised her frequently before.
Gu Song: "After this, I had someone investigate Li Yue again."
Shen Su: "What did you find out?"
Judging by Gu Song's expression, it was evident that there was some hidden inside story.
Gu Song: "Li Yue has an ex-girlfriend. They dated for over two years in college, and then broke up because she went abroad to study. Her family's conditions were not as good as his, so she couldn't go with him."
At first glance, this sounded somewhat heartless, but there was no way to assign blame. Li Yue's choice was understandable, and even from an opposing standpoint, Shen Su couldn't fault him.
"Coincidentally, this ex-girlfriend is pursuing her master's degree at Nanjiang University and is currently interning at a friend's company."