Chapter 263: The Heart Wanders Away (Birthday + Update)

Translator: 549690339

Xiao Xuanzi left, and Xiao Qian threw down the microphone, asking Shi Touyu. “What’s going on between you and your brother?” She wanted to change the subject now, as the broken singing made her feel very uncomfortable.

“Nothing much, he—he has a girlfriend now.”

After Shi Yu finished speaking, Xiao Qian hugged her and patted her gently, “I knew this day would come eventually. Just try to accept it.”

“I’m fine, I don’t have any issues, now that they’ve decided to be together. I came all the way here, and that woman came to pick me up. I felt as disgusted as if I had swallowed a fly—Boss Qian, I can’t pretend anymore, I’m really upset, my heart hurts!”

Shi Yu patted the position of her heart, tears pouring down her face.

Xiao Qian wanted to say that Boss Qian was also heartbroken right now, but she had to pretend not to be, because she was the boss.

“It’s okay, cry if you feel sad. When you’re with good friends, just say what you want and don’t keep it bottled up.”

“How could he do this to me? He said he would take care of me for a lifetime, how could he be with another girl? Did they ask for my permission?”

Seeing that her childhood friend didn’t care about these things anymore, Shi Yu didn’t know why, but she felt that Xiao Xuanzi wasn’t the same anymore. However, she was willing to talk to Boss Qian about it.

“He is originally your elder brother, and that’s how he sees himself, too. What you’ve been thinking is just a parallel world to him. You’re in a world of snowstorms, while he’s enjoying the south’s eternal spring. Wake up, grow up, and accept reality.”

Shi Yu hugged Xiao Yu, crying like a child. Xiao Qian had just been comforted by Zheng Xu and now immediately switched roles to become the comforter. That’s what friends were for, after all.

However, the friend who saw Xiao Qian and Shi Yu holding each other from the doorway didn’t think of it like this.

Some people just drift apart as they walk through life. Once their status changes, their childhood friends they used to play with in the mud don’t seem so close anymore.

Xiao Yu probably realized this too, trying hard to find topics to discuss. However, she had just experienced a “breakup,” and Xiao Qian had just laid her cards on the table about Ming Lang, so the overall atmosphere was quite depressing. Xiao Yu tried to start several conversations, but none resonated with the group.

As a person of strong character, Boss Qian didn’t even bother to save face if she felt that she couldn’t “click” with someone. Now, she just wanted to wait for Zheng Xu to come and pick her and Shi Yu up.

“Speaking of which, Xiao Xuanzi, look what I brought for you.”

Shi Touyu opened her bag and took out a small package from it.

After returning from a trip to the south with her dad, she felt that the gift suited Xiao Xuanzi very well; she hoped she would like it.”

As she opened the package, a small, red silkbcllyband embroidered with phoenixes appeared; it was really beautiful.

“I remember you mentioned that you were getting married after the New Year, and I thought this would be very festive. 1 designed the pattern myself and had a master embroider it on. Do you remember when we used to play dress-up games when we were young, draping bedsheets around ourselves to pretend to be princesses?”

Xiao Xuanzi didn’t go to university and was already working. Her family had found her a fiance, and they were getting married after the New Year. Shi Touyu’s gift was well-intended. However, when she took it out, Xiao Xuanzi’s face changed completely.

She even pushed away Shi Touyu’s gift-bearing hand.

“I don’t want it!”

Seeing Xiao Xuanzi’s glance, Shi Touyu hesitated, but Xiao Qian understood what was happening.

She was…hating Shi Touyu? Xiao Qian squinted her eyes.

“I have a burn scar on my back. Are you giving me this to mock me, a woman who can only attract a man with the lights off?”

“I didn’t know you got burned… um, I’m sorry.”

Although Shi Yu didn’t know what was going on, she realized that she had offended someone and quickly apologized. However, Xiao Qian lifted her head with one finger before she could bow.

“If she doesn’t want it, give it to me. Thank you, Xiao Yu. You put a lot of effort into this, didn’t you?”

Boss Qian would not accept her friend lowering their head for someone like that, so she stepped in to save the moment.

She also glanced at Xiao Xuanzi, “A friend’s kindness is rare and precious. The world doesn’t just revolve around you. People can’t read your mind, so if you’re mad at someone, take it out on them. Don’t hurt someone who cares about you.”

Xiao Xuanzi’s face turned ugly, and Shi Yu tugged at Boss Qian’s sleeve. She felt even worse now after her heartbreak and the situation with her childhood friend.

“It’s getting late; let’s head back.”

Xiao Qian said to Shi Tou, who was also heartbroken.

There was still some time before Zheng Xu was supposed to pick them up. Xiao Qian wanted to borrow Shi Yu’s phone, but it had just run out of battery.

“Xiao Xuanzi, can I borrow your phone?” Xiao Yu asked.

“I guess you’ve forgotten by now that I, a poor person, can’t afford a cell phone.” Xiao Xuanzi’s words made Shi Yu even more embarrassed.

With an apologetic smile, she asked Xiao Qian, “Shall we take a taxi back or borrow the karaoke hall’s phone to call your friend?”

“Let’s take a taxi, he might have gone somewhere else by now.” Xiao Qian guessed that Zheng Xu might have gone out to drink.

The three left in low spirits, and Xiao Qian and Shi Yu reached out to hail a cab. However, Xiao Xuanzi beat them to it, flagging down a van.

This type of vehicle was phased out a few years ago and didn’t have an official operating license. It was the rumored illegal taxi, but it was cheaper.

“Get in, we’re going the same way, and it’ll be cheaper.” Xiao Xuanzi took the co-pilot’s seat first and exchanged glances with the driver.

Shi Touyu hesitated for a moment before Xiao Qian shook her head and held her back.

“Wait a bit.”

She wasn’t too keen on taking such a vehicle.

“What, are you rich people too poor to be picky? Do you look down on us poor people for taking such cars?” Xiao Xuanzi’s words made Shi Touyu’s heart ache even more.

How did her great childhood friend, who used to shield her from difficulties and help her fight bullies, grow up to be so alienated?

“Are you two getting in or not? Let’s go!” The driver urged impatiently.

Xiao Qian looked around, but there were no other cars. Plus, it was rather cold, so she got in.

Xiao Xuanzi got off the car halfway and handed the driver ten yuan before leaving.

“Take them, my friends, to where they should be.”

“Don’t worry..”