"Nini, I heard everything. You just confessed to Lin Ran. I never thought you'd be this kind of person."
Huo Haini.
"Liu Ruxue, don’t make it sound so ugly. I’ve always tolerated you, given in to you, and even helped you scheme—all because I genuinely considered you a sister. But you lost Lin Ran because of your own stupidity."
"Nini, you—"
"What? You won’t even let me speak now? Who else can you blame for your own foolishness? You’re such a two-faced flirt, always stringing guys along, and now you expect me to help you win Lin Ran back?"
Liu Ruxue’s chest heaved with anger.
"Why? Why are you doing this to me? I treated you like a sister, and yet you like Lin Ran?"
Huo Haini scoffed. "So what if I like Lin Ran? Does he have your name written on him? Why can’t I compete for him?"
"Do you really think everything you want automatically belongs to you, Liu Ruxue? You self-righteous bitch."
At that moment, Huo Haini snapped.She couldn’t keep pretending anymore. Every time she was with Liu Ruxue, all the guys would orbit around her.
It had been eating at her for a long time.
She’d held it in again and again, but now she couldn’t take it anymore. She might as well lay it all out today. That way, the next time she saw Lin Ran, she could compete openly.
But what she didn’t realize was that she was about to face the harsest punishment of her life.
Liu Ruxue was stunned. This was the first time Huo Haini had ever spoken to her like this.
She had always considered Huo Haini her closest friend, someone she trusted with everything—including her feelings for Lin Ran. Because she once believed that sisterhood far outweighed any man.
Men could be replaced, but true friends were rare.
But now—
Liu Ruxue screamed, "Huo Haini, what have I ever done to wrong you? Why would you betray me and steal my man behind my back?"
Huo Haini laughed coldly.
"Ha! You’re hilarious. ‘Your man’? Liu Ruxue, get a grip. Lin Ran was never yours. In the past, he was your simp. Now, you’re his."
"You—!" Liu Ruxue felt like her lungs were about to explode from rage.
Huo Haini: "From today on, we’re done."
With that, Huo Haini shot Lin Ran a coy smile and walked away without another glance. She didn’t want to stay and watch Liu Ruxue’s pitiful act—as if she were the victim here.
Liu Ruxue collapsed to the ground, sobbing.
Seeing that the catfight was over and there was nothing left to spectate, Lin Ran turned to leave.
Liu Ruxue suddenly cried out, "Lin Ran, I’m sorry! I’m really sorry! I was wrong—this time, I truly know I was wrong!"
But Lin Ran ignored her. Liu Ruxue couldn’t even push past his bodyguards.
Desperate, she pulled out her phone and tapped on Lin Ran’s profile.
[I’m sorry. I always thought Huo Haini was my best friend. I never imagined she’d betray me like this. I regret everything—I shouldn’t have listened to her. Lin Ran, please stay with me. I’m in so much pain.]
She hit send.
A red exclamation mark appeared.
Liu Ruxue broke down completely.
In that moment, she suddenly remembered all the times Lin Ran had been good to her.
Every time she needed help, he was there, standing in front of her like a hero. But what had she done in return?
She took it all for granted.
Back then, she really had been the most important person in Lin Ran’s life.
She was so sure of it—even his own family couldn’t compare.
That’s why she refused to believe he didn’t love her anymore.
But his indifference now crushed her.
"I really lost him… wu wu wu!"
After crying for a while, Liu Ruxue suddenly felt an urge to return to their old campus.
So she disguised herself and went back.
Luckily, the chilly weather made masks and hats normal, so no one recognized her. Otherwise, she’d have been swarmed again.
Walking across the school grounds, memories flooded back.
That time Lin Ran confessed to her right here on this field.
And the basketball court where he used to play.
Outside the dormitory, where he once told her, "I’ll make you the happiest woman in the world."
Her response back then? "I don’t want to date before graduation, Lin Ran. Don’t pressure me."
Remembering the warmth in his eyes that day, Liu Ruxue smiled.
But staring at the empty dormitory now, her smile twisted into tears.
They fell like broken strings of pearls.
The man who loved her most was gone. Her best friend had betrayed her.
Lin Ran used to be so pure, so devoted to her—and she had thrown him away?
This time, she truly understood her mistake.
"Wu wu wu! Lin Ran, I know I was wrong! Please forgive me! Why won’t you look back at me? Didn’t you love me the most?"
Just as Liu Ruxue was drowning in despair, a girl approached her.
"Liu Ruxue!"
"No, I’m not—" Liu Ruxue quickly denied.
The girl sighed.
"I get it. I know how you feel about Lin Ran."
Liu Ruxue stared at her in shock—had she finally found someone who understood?
"Who are you?"
"Just a junior. I’ve liked someone for a long time too, so I know what you’re going through."
Liu Ruxue frowned, confused. Why was this stranger telling her this?
"I had a crush on a senior, but my best friend kept manipulating me into testing him. But I was luckier than you—now, we’re together."
Liu Ruxue’s eyes lit up.
"Really? Then can I—? Why won’t Lin Ran forgive me? I was just manipulated by Huo Haini too! And that thing with Lin Jian—he tricked me! I was just a victim! I’ve always loved Lin Ran the most. Why doesn’t he get that?"
The girl’s eyes filled with pity, but inside, she was screaming.
Oh my god, what kind of delusional princess is this?
"Do you know why Lin Ran won’t take you back?"
"Why?"
"Because of Huo Haini. He resents her. Every time he sees you, he remembers how you neglected him—and Huo Haini was the one who orchestrated it all."
Liu Ruxue’s gaze sharpened.
"I bet Huo Haini repeatedly told you not to commit to Lin Ran but also not to let him go, right? It was that push-and-pull that made him give up on you completely."
She was right. This was all Huo Haini’s fault.
Liu Ruxue remembered clearly—there was a time she had been so moved by Lin Ran, ready to say yes, but Huo Haini intervened, convincing her to "test him for a few more years."