“Since it’s to thank me, why not go in?” Su Yue, having calmed herself somewhat, asked with a hint of confusion.
“I’m afraid it would cause misunderstandings, and Officer Chen doesn’t like me showing up at his workplace,” Chi Yi Ran replied with a smile.
Her smile was warm, and her words sounded sincere. If one didn’t know her, they might feel an unwarranted trust.
Su Yue vaguely felt this way of conducting herself was familiar.
“Alright, I’ll go in then.” She stopped pondering, didn't engage in further pleasantries with the other person, offered a smile, and walked around her to leave.
Chi Yi Ran never imagined that Su Yue would still have this attitude towards her.
“Wait a moment.” She quickly reached out and tugged at Su Yue’s arm.
Su Yue paused, “Is there something else?”
“Yes, can we talk privately?” After saying this, she gestured towards a nearby milk tea shop.
Seeing Chi Yi Ran’s hesitant expression, Su Yue remembered she had plenty of time and finally decided to hear her out.
After the two arrived at the milk tea shop, Chi Yi Ran placed the gift in her hand on the stool beside her.
The conspicuous “tomyLove” on the gift bag caught Su Yue’s attention.
She remained silent, taking a sip from her milk tea.
“Don’t overthink this matter,” Chi Yi Ran said, looking at her with a smile. “I was at a gathering with friends I hadn’t seen in a long time that day and stayed out a bit late. Who knew I’d run into Officer Chen on duty? My mind was a mess then, and all I could think was that I couldn’t let him get hurt, which is why I rushed over.”
Su Yue didn’t know how to respond, especially since she hadn’t suspected any other scenario later on.
So, she could only hum in acknowledgment.
Chi Yi Ran’s heart became uneasy again, realizing their conversation was about to return to its previous state.
She took a deep breath and organized her thoughts.
Then she continued, “You say fate is truly wondrous. Perhaps our families owed Officer Chen in a past life, which is why my father saved him, and I shielded him with my body from a knife.”
As she spoke, a look of happiness actually appeared on her face.
Su Yue suddenly recalled the fate mentioned by Chen Zi Ming and couldn’t help but frown, finally speaking:
“What exactly do you want to talk to me about?”
Chi Yi Ran blinked, then quickly displayed her joy.
Finally, she was willing to answer directly.
It seemed Director Su understood her stepdaughter well.
“Since you asked, then… I’ll be frank with you.” She turned up the corners of her mouth, her voice no longer as affected as before.
“I like Officer Chen, but I know I can’t compete with you, nor do I intend to. In fact, I had already decided to fade from his life on my own.”
“But fate has bound us together again. I don’t seek to replace you, I just wish… to be by his side as a good friend.”
“But he’s afraid you’ll be angry, so he’s always avoiding me. That’s why I wanted to tell you in advance. I will absolutely not do anything improper. As long as I can see him, I’ll be satisfied.”
Her words were earnest, and she stated this intention with such righteous conviction that it sounded like noble admiration.
Su Yue’s heart began to beat faster with her words. She couldn’t believe what she had just heard.
She knew Chen Zi Ming was popular.
It wasn’t as if she hadn’t spoken to girls who liked him before.
But none of them had the confidence and, seemingly, the composure that Chi Yi Ran possessed.
Making it impossible for you to do anything about her.
She looked at the seemingly gentle and demure girl before her, her gaze gradually becoming cold. She picked up her milk tea and took a large sip.
Only then did she reply to Chi Yi Ran, “These matters have nothing to do with me. If Chen Zi Ming agrees, you can do as you wish.”
She thought her words were clear enough, but to her surprise, Chi Yi Ran smiled again.
“That’s good. As long as you don’t object and don’t express dissatisfaction behind my back, Officer Chen won’t refuse me.”
Having said that, she lowered her eyelids, her voice softening slightly. “Please don’t blame me. I will be mindful of my boundaries and won’t interfere in your relationship.”
Su Yue’s eyes dimmed. She didn’t reply. Instead, she picked up her milk tea cup, said to Chi Yi Ran, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving now,” and stood up to leave.
Chi Yi Ran didn’t leave, nor did she look back at Su Yue. She picked up her phone, gazing at a candid photo of Chen Zi Ming on the screen, and smiled faintly.