Campus Ace Girl

Clearly, even with Chu Ci and Zhao Mo Ran like this, they can still provoke Yan Yan. It’s really... She felt a bit of sympathy for Miss Zhao, seeing through it but pretending not to, feigning indifference.

Gu Anxi just watched Chu Ci.

Chu Ci said calmly, "I certainly won’t treat her badly."

Chu Yan tilted her head, her voice soft: "Anxi, I’ll go change out of the wedding dress."

Gu Anxi nodded, "That’s fine, I think it looks great. But are you really getting married?"

"It’s not finalized yet." Chu Yan smiled, then nodded to Chu Ci before dragging her dress out.

Chu Ci heard it clearly; she hasn’t finalized it, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t made up her mind.

His gaze was steady, and he heard Gu Anxi’s cool voice beside him: "About to get married, but still not figured it out?"

Chu Ci retracted his gaze and lowered his eyes, "You don’t understand this feeling."

Gu Anxi glanced at him, then sat on the sofa, Chu Ci followed.

Gu Anxi said, "Why wouldn’t I understand? I used to really like Qin Siyuan too, but look how well I am now. One must hold onto what they have."

She always had some friendship with Chu Ci, patting his arm, her voice gentle, "Let it go, Chu Ci."

He stared at her.

She smiled bitterly: "All these years she’s been abroad, you’ve been here, and I never blamed you for that incident. Do you know why? Because I know that you were even worse off in your heart than she was. I also thought that one day you could wait for her to come back, but I didn’t expect Yan Yan would meet someone else. Even if you don’t admit it, I must say, Bai Xun is very suitable for her."

Chu Ci’s expression was somewhat wooden.

Gu Anxi sighed deeply, "Maybe the truth is hard to hear, but it’s how I truly feel."

Chu Ci said hoarsely, "I won’t do anything to her. After all, the Bai Family and Chu Family are distant relatives."

"That’s for the best, anyway, Chu Yan wouldn’t agree either." Gu Anxi sighed softly.

Chu Ci said nothing more, reached into his pocket as if to smoke, but realizing it was a formal suit, he got up, "I’ll go change."

Gu Anxi said coolly, "Changing clothes is easy, changing a wife isn’t."

Chu Ci paused, then smiled faintly.

No, up till now he is quite satisfied with Zhao Mo Ran. Apart from her being obedient, he likes her appearance and figure, it wouldn’t be too much to say he’s smitten. He has no intention of changing her, mainly because it’s troublesome.

As Chu Ci went upstairs to change, Zhao Mo Ran was coming downstairs, wearing her original dress.

When she saw Gu Anxi, she nodded slightly.

Gu Anxi also smiled faintly, just then, Chu Yan also came down.

After the two women exchanged glances, the atmosphere was somewhat subtle... Gu Anxi broke the silence: "Yan Yan and I are going out for a meal later. Do you and Chu Ci want to join us?"

Zhao Mo Ran was a bit surprised; she pondered for a moment and spoke softly, "I’ll ask Chu Ci later."

Gu Anxi smiled lightly: Miss Zhao is actually quite smart; she neither agrees nor disagrees, leaving it to Chu Ci.

Afterwards, when Chu Ci came out, Zhao Mo Ran spoke softly, "Miss Gu and Yan Yan asked if we would like to join them for dinner."

She automatically called Chu Yan ’Yan Yan,’ subtly dissolving that delicate tension. Although she didn’t refer to herself as sister-in-law, the atmosphere improved significantly. Chu Ci looked at her more deeply and then turned to Gu Anxi and Chu Yan, "Let’s go together."

Finally, they chose a western restaurant for dinner. Gu Anxi wasn’t too fond of western food, poking listlessly at the steak on her plate, watching Chu Yan.

The meal Chu Yan was having was one she recently ate, ordered by Chu Ci.

As for Zhao Mo Ran, she clearly wasn’t fond of western food either, looking as bored as she was.

Gu Anxi propped her chin in her hand, watching Chu Yan.

Chu Yan was pretty calm, quietly eating her meal, occasionally chatting with the couple, though most of the talking was done by Chu Ci. Zhao Mo Ran appeared very quiet and gentle.

She thought, after marriage, Chu Ci would probably have the upper hand over Zhao Mo Ran!

Thinking so, her gaze fell on Zhao Mo Ran, their eyes met unintentionally—a subtle atmosphere again.

Later, after they finished eating, on the way back, Gu Anxi gave Chu Yan a ride home. In the car, she smiled and spoke to Chu Yan, "Yan Yan, it seems like Zhao Mo Ran is quite accommodating to you."

"There’s no need." Chu Yan leaned back in the seat, her voice gentle, "In the future, she will be Chu Ci’s wife, no lesser in status than anyone."

Gu Anxi was driving, smiling, "She accommodates for Chu Ci, it’s merely for survival."

After speaking, she sighed softly.

She didn’t know what role that girl, who seemed so good-natured, would play in Chu Ci’s life later, but she hoped she would be well, so did Chu Yan. It seemed she had let it all go, just like Anxi said, holding on to what you have now is the right thing.

The two of them tacitly said no more until Gu Anxi changed the topic: "By the way, when is Bai Xun coming back?"

"Probably in ten days, he will return for Chu Ci’s wedding." Chu Yan said, wrinkling her nose, "He said he would retire from the entertainment industry after finishing this movie."

Gu Anxi laughed, "Teaming with Song Duoduo for roles, a ten-year gap, but they do have some CP chemistry."

She now called Song Jia ’Song Duoduo,’ which always infuriated her whenever she called her Song Jia, but she couldn’t do anything about it.

Her own brother wasn’t entirely on her side, always smoothing things over, coaxing her with "both the palm and the back of the hand are flesh," and her husband Chen Ming feared Gu Anxi. Every time this subject was brought up, he would dodge it by going outside, leaving Song Duoduo with no solution against Gu Anxi.

As Gu Anxi spoke, Chu Yan laughed, "If he dared do anything while filming, Chen Ming would probably hold a gun to his head, quite reassuring."

Gu Anxi found it amusing, though she felt Bai Xun probably wasn’t that interested in anyone else either. Could a person who spent years meticulously planning possibly have feelings for someone else?

She was driving while Chu Yan leaned back listening to her talk, inadvertently thinking about Bai Xun.

Before, she didn’t have such feelings, thinking he was outside, she was reassured and seldom felt longing. But now she genuinely missed him a bit.

Gu Anxi, a master of reading people’s hearts, noticed her long silence and chuckled softly, "Thinking of Bai Xun."

"No." Chu Yan naturally denied.

But how could she escape Gu Anxi’s observant eyes, who smiled with deep implication.

When she sent Chu Yan to her apartment, Gu Anxi drove herself home. Chu Yan stood in the entrance waving to her.

Gu Anxi lowered the car window, smiling, "Get in soon, you’re dressed too lightly."

Chu Yan waved again before turning to enter the elevator.

But as soon as she entered, her body froze.

Chu Ci was inside the elevator.

Her instinct was to open the elevator, but he stopped her.

His hand covered the back of hers, his voice short and hurried, "Just a few words."

Chu Yan withdrew her hand, then leaned against the elevator wall, speaking softly, "I don’t think there’s anything left for us to say."

She paused, then called out, ’Brother.’

Chu Ci’s body trembled, his face almost distorted.

Chu Yan remained calm. She blinked and lowered her voice, "Brother, be a little kinder to yourself, and also to Zhao Mo Ran. I can tell she’s a good woman."

Chu Ci stared at her, and she continued, "We... it’s all such a long time ago, I don’t want to go back to the past anymore. Doesn’t everyone have the right to pursue happiness?"

Chu Ci placed his hand on her shoulder and asked with difficulty, "Being with me, you weren’t happy?"

She shook her head, keeping it down, and after a while she continued, "I don’t want to remember that period because recalling it brings pain."

She finally lifted her head and pleaded in her eyes, "Brother, let me go, and consider it letting yourself go too, okay?"

Chu Ci was greatly shocked.

He stepped back.

Because Chu Yan wanted him to let her go, she had never said such words.

He closed his eyes slightly, and after a moment, smiled bitterly, "Alright, I’ll let you go."

But he didn’t know if he could let himself go.

As he was about to leave, she tugged at his sleeve, urgently saying, "Be kind to her."

She had tasted that bitterness and knew how hard it was in the Chu Family, so she sincerely hoped Zhao Mo Ran could have a better life, otherwise she would feel she had wronged the girl.

Chu Ci looked down at the little hand pulling him; she wanted him to let her go but also be kinder to Zhao Mo Ran. He thought, she truly neither loved nor hated anymore, so magnanimous that it pricked his heart like needles.

Chu Ci bitterly smiled, said nothing, and gently withdrew his hand.

The last entanglement.

He couldn’t find any lingering attachment in her eyes, not even pain...

He completely let go, and Chu Yan stood alone in the elevator, dazed for a long time. When she came to, she had reached the floor she lived on, just as she was about to open the door, her phone rang, showing Bai Xun’s call.

She answered while opening the door, "Finished with filming?"

Bai Xun jokingly, "Just mingling, there are several pretty girls, ah, so enthusiastic."

Chu Yan closed the door, swapped her high heels for slippers, and sat on the couch, "Did you accept anyone’s gestures?"

"How dare I! There’s a tigress at home." Bai Xun teased her.

Chu Yan knew him well, not the least bit angered, "Boring."

"It is quite boring." Bai Xun’s voice elongated, "I’m alone in a hotel now, and honestly, home is more fun, isn’t it?"

Chu Yan’s face warmed, "Shameless."

His tone softened, suddenly serious, "I really miss you."

She hummed, though lightly, her heart softened.

Bai Xun was displeased with her response, urging her again, "Quick, say you miss me too."

Chu Yan retorted, "I’m clearly two years older than you."

Bai Xun disagreed, "In my eyes, you’re like a little kid. Tell me, who takes care of everything at home?"

Chu Yan protested, "I wash dishes too?"

"Oh, besides washing dishes, what else can you do?" Bai Xun lounged on the couch, long-limbed, clutching a crystal pear, nibbling while questioning her.

Chu Yan was speechless, soon getting a bit flustered, "I manage fine alone at home."

Bai Xun chuckled lightly, "But when I’m home, I can take better care of you. You yourself said you eat more when I’m home, and... I can accompany you in many activities, like shopping, playing video games, exercising, and so on..."

Chu Yan felt he was going overboard, hastily stopping him, "Is this why you called?"

Bai Xun stayed silent.

Chu Yan suddenly asked, "Did you have someone follow me?"

"Of course not!" He coughed lightly, "For protection."

Chu Yan didn’t press further, instead confessed, "So, did you know Chu Ci followed me back?"

She said coolly, "Hey, if I’d known you cared so much, I should’ve invited him up, see if it would make you sour."

"You wouldn’t dare." Bai Xun gritted his teeth, "Don’t think because I treat you well you can just act up. I’m telling you, my jealousy is immense; we agreed that you’re mine in the future."

"I’m my own." Chu Yan made a face over the phone.

Bai Xun seemed to sense her mood; he remained silent for quite a while, feeling soft inside... He finally regained a part of her back. While it might not be the youthful 20s anymore, she was noticeably happier.

Bai Xun wanted her happy; if he couldn’t bring her happiness, he’d rather not be together.

His mind swirled with thoughts, so he stayed quiet for quite a while, and Chu Yan softly asked, "Why aren’t you speaking, mad?"

"No." He returned to his shameless self, "Then I’m yours too. However the owner torments me is fine."

Chu Yan rolled her eyes, "Bai Xun, if you’re this shameless, your fans know about it?"

Bai Xun proudly said, "They think I’m a cold male god."

Chu Yan paused before softly asking, "Will they accept you getting married?"

"Of course." Bai Xun finished the crystal pear, then smiled, "I’ve told them to live their lives; I’ll get married and have a dozen kids in the future."

Chu Yan heard him talking increasingly recklessly, casually chatted a few words before hanging up, but Bai Xun didn’t let it go, "What did you and Chu Ci talk about?"

"Won’t tell you." Chu Yan felt unusually cheerful, warmly told him, "I’m going to shower."

After speaking, she hung up the phone.

On the other side, Bai Xun held the phone, itching with annoyance, gritting his teeth.

This little girl was truly too hateful.

Chu Yan, in high spirits, took a bath in the bathroom, coming out wrapped in rosy warmth, applying her skincare, only thinking about Bai Xun sulking made her extraordinarily happy.

With him being so bad, it was time he tasted his own medicine.

Her world was rosy while Chu Ci’s villa felt a bit oppressive.

Zhao Mo Ran was brought back by a driver. She knew Chu Ci had gone to meet Chu Yan, although he hadn’t said so, she just knew.

Leaving his fiancée in the street to chase another, she had long considered this marriage over.

Just muddle through, guard her own heart; that way life might be a bit better.

She lowered her eyes, holding a bottle of contraceptive pills.

Perhaps, without children, it might be better.