Pursuing Her Best Friend after Confession Failed

Once she learned to drive, she could quickly take the test and get her license.

Xia Zhijin touched her chin and said, somewhat uncertainly, "I suppose I’m ready. I’ve already passed Subject One and Subject Two, so only Subject Three is left."

Li Yuan smiled. "After school, I’ll practice with you again. Once you get your license, I’ll buy you a car. It’ll be much more convenient for you to visit Yanyan."

Upon hearing Li Yuan was going to buy her a car, Xia Zhijin quickly waved her hands. "There’s no need to waste money. Taking a taxi is quite convenient."

Li Yuan decisively took Xia Zhijin’s small hand, placing it in his palm and giving it a gentle scratch. "Just listen to me about the car. Little Moon and Bai both have sports cars, so of course, you can’t be without one."

Xia Zhijin opened her mouth to say something more, but Li Yuan covered it with his hand. "If you’re free these next few days, you can look at some cars and see which model you like. You can ask your roommate and cousin for their opinions, understand?"

"Oh, and don’t worry about the price. Just decide on whichever car you like."

Xia Zhijin looked at Li Yuan and gave a soft, obedient hum. "Mhm, I know."

...

At noon, Li Yuan took Xia Zhijin home to meet his parents. His father, Li Heng, had already heard from Xia Qin that Li Yuan was dating a few girls and had even seen photos of the three of them, so he wasn’t too surprised. He simply advised Li Yuan to treat them well and not let Xia Zhijin and the others down.

Li Yuan naturally agreed without hesitation. Besides being busy with his company and finding time to write his novel, he did his best to spend his free time with them, taking them to experience everything a couple does together—like shopping, watching movies, attending concerts, and visiting zoos and amusement parks. They would have everything other girls had, and even some things they didn’t.

...

That evening, Li Yuan accompanied Zhong Tingyue to meet her mother, Gu Lanxin. Li Yuan had a good impression of her. If it weren’t for Gu Lanxin repeatedly helping him out, Zhong Tingyue wouldn’t have forgiven him so quickly.

At the dinner table, Gu Lanxin listened as Li Yuan and Zhong Tingyue discussed the renovations for the new Tea Color Moonlight store.

Gu Lanxin asked curiously, "Little Li, did you and Little Moon really open this Tea Color Moonlight milk tea shop together?"

Li Yuan nodded with a smile and explained, "Yes, Little Moon and I opened it together. It’s been in business for over a month now. Little Moon is mainly responsible for the day-to-day management, while I just occasionally offer ideas and steer the general direction.

"Auntie, you’ve truly raised a wonderful daughter. Little Moon has a real talent for business. She’s made Tea Color Moonlight thrive, and its profits are excellent.

"In the future, Little Moon might even become a business tycoon!"

Hearing Li Yuan praise her, Zhong Tingyue snickered, her eyes curving into crescents. She couldn’t help but purse her lips in a stifled laugh. "Mom, don’t listen to his nonsense. I’m not as amazing as he says. The success of Tea Color Moonlight is all his doing. I just help him out with odd jobs on the side..."

Hearing Zhong Tingyue’s modest words, Li Yuan immediately countered with a laugh, "Little Moon, you chose the name for our milk tea shop, right?"

"Yeah!" Zhong Tingyue replied.

Li Yuan continued, "And the product packaging, hiring staff, naming the products, sourcing the raw materials... You were personally in charge of all that, weren’t you?"

As Li Yuan listed her "great achievements" one by one, the smile on Zhong Tingyue’s face grew wider.

Li Yuan joked, "I just provided an idea and some money. If our Tea Color Moonlight really goes public one day and becomes the number one milk tea brand in Huaxia, it’ll all be thanks to you."

Zhong Tingyue smiled gracefully, her beautiful eyes twinkling at Li Yuan as she said playfully, "Senior, you have such grand ambitions. But you also have such high expectations of me. What if I can’t live up to them?"

Li Yuan smiled slightly. "Be more confident. You can do it. Trust my judgment."

Zhong Tingyue huffed softly. "I don’t even have that much confidence in myself."

Watching Li Yuan and her daughter bicker, Gu Lanxin’s worries were finally put to rest.

...

「In the evening, at Jinxiu Villas.」

Gu Lanxin took Zhong Tingyue’s hand, her expression serious as she spoke. "Little Moon, I have to tell you something. I think your dad knows you’re dating someone."

Hearing this, Zhong Tingyue’s body trembled as a flood of unpleasant memories flashed through her mind. After a long moment, she regained her composure and answered, her voice cold, "If he knows, he knows. Is he really going to come to Modu and drag me back?"

Seeing Zhong Tingyue’s defiant gaze and hearing her icy words, Gu Lanxin sighed internally. She took Zhong Tingyue’s small hand in her own, comforting her. "Little Moon, you don’t need to worry too much. This is Modu; he wouldn’t dare go too far.

"And if he does, we’ll just sever all ties with him. Then the two of us will live in Modu and never return to Sucheng."

Zhong Tingyue was momentarily stunned, her gaze complex as she stared at her mother. This was the first time her mother had ever so clearly stated her willingness to stand by her and offer support.

Zhong Tingyue called out softly, tears already glistening in the corners of her eyes. "Mom!"

Seeing Zhong Tingyue so moved she was on the verge of crying, Gu Lanxin smiled at her and spoke from the heart. "Little Moon, in the past, we had to depend on your father, but we don’t need to anymore. That’s what gives me the courage to say these things now."