"Heh, these days, isn't everyone calling girls wifey? Calling Ji Yu my girlfriend is already being reserved."
Yu Yuan was still as shameless and carefree as ever.
But almost immediately, he felt a burning gaze searing into his back. Turning around, he forced a sheepish grin at Ji Yu.
"Haha, come on, Xiao-shimei, don't be mad—it's just a habit."
Ji Yu stared at him for a long while before sighing softly. The ache Tang Li had stirred in her chest slowly settled. Seeing that she wasn't angry anymore, Yu Yuan took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. His usual teasing smile softened into something surprisingly gentle—without a hint of flirtation.
"Look at you. I told you this wasn't some big festival, and I was the one who asked you out. Why'd you dress up so nicely? Sure, it's lively tonight, but what if you catch a chill? You're still as careless as back when we first met… so silly."
His jacket was thin, but far warmer than her light summer dress. He tugged the fabric snug around her shoulders, then finally glanced over at Tang Li, who had just, belatedly, begun loosening his own collar.
Tang Li's fingers finally slipped free of Gu Yu's hand. For the first time that night, he truly looked at Ji Yu. She was still as beautiful as ever—but gone was the shadow of the girl he used to know.
At first, Ji Yu's emotions had been in turmoil from Yu Yuan's sudden appearance. But when she noticed Tang Li studying her dress, her carefully styled hair, she couldn't help but fidget shyly, rising slightly on her toes.
"Well… now that we're all here, shall we walk around together tonight?"
Her voice sounded calm—too calm. As a broadcasting student, she knew how to mask her real feelings with practiced tone.
Yu Yuan reached over and tugged lightly at the ribbon in her hair. Ji Yu flinched at the touch, but didn't stop him as he straightened the bow, shifting it so the bright red butterfly perched neatly against her braid.
"Come on, Tang Li. You moved to Shanghai without even telling me? If Ji Yu hadn't mentioned it, I probably would've gone my whole life not knowing you were here."
For some reason, Yu Yuan always seemed to read Ji Yu's moods. Seeing her gaze fall, he patted her shoulder.
"Why don't you lead the way tonight? Show us all the fun spots around here."
Tang Li looked once more at Ji Yu in her pale blue dress, then at Yu Yuan's expectant grin. Finally, he nodded. Ji Yu, receiving his unspoken agreement, simply stood quietly at Yu Yuan's side, her eyes lingering on Tang Li.
Maybe it doesn't matter who he dates. As long as I can still be by his side for a while…
"Alright, let's go! Time won't wait for us."
Yu Yuan's words were bold, but he first steered everyone into a chic outdoor café. He ordered two drinks smoothly, then turned to ask:
"One macchiato. Gu Yu, what about you?"
Tang Li's smile never left his face. His eyes, however, remained fixed on Ji Yu—as if no matter how much he looked, it would never be enough. Gu Yu, meanwhile, was too busy admiring the décor and scanning the menu to notice.
"If you're not sure what to order," Yu Yuan suggested lightly, "how about I come with you to the counter?"
With that, he beckoned Gu Yu away—and just before leaving, shot Tang Li a deliberate wink.
The table fell into silence.
Neither Ji Yu nor Tang Li knew how to begin. Ji Yu's thoughts were in chaos. Yesterday she might still have told herself Tang Li wasn't dating anyone. But now, after seeing their hands laced so tightly, how could she?
She wasn't happy. Not at all.
Tang Li, on the other hand, seemed content simply to look at her in silence.
"Tang Li, are you and—"
"I'll take a macchiato too."
Ji Yu's words faltered as Gu Yu hurried back, sliding into her seat beside Tang Li. Yu Yuan followed, sighing at Ji Yu's dazed expression.
After a while, Tang Li stood.
"Why don't we take a walk?"
"…Alright."
They strolled through the bustling festival streets. Gu Yu skipped ahead, enthusiastically pointing out Shanghai's sights and snacks, while Ji Yu trailed quietly behind, as if in another world entirely.
Yu Yuan tried slowing down, hoping Ji Yu would walk beside him. But the slower he went, the more she lagged behind, until there was always a meter's distance between them.
Finally, he stopped outright. Ji Yu, head bowed, bumped into his back.
"Ah! S-sorry…"
"How do you feel right now?"
His voice was low, serious.
Ji Yu froze, lifting her eyes slowly.
"Seeing Tang Li like this—holding hands with someone else—how does it make you feel? Don't lie. I'll know."
"Yu Yuan…"
"I even gave you two a chance to be alone just now. Did you talk? Or did you just stay quiet, not daring to ask about his relationship?"
Her fingers twisted the hem of her dress, knuckles pale.
"Yesterday, I told you: the one who stays by your side the longest is the one who truly understands you. But it seems to me Tang Li is deliberately keeping his distance. If he were only a friend to you, your face wouldn't look like this."
He turned, looking down at her crumbling expression. She bit her lip, torn by his words.
"I…"
"Don't lie to me. I'm not your boyfriend, and I'm not your ex. But you skipped out on me tonight just to meet Tang Li, dressed like this in clothes you wouldn't normally wear."
Ji Yu's shoulders trembled. In the distance, Tang Li and Gu Yu were still laughing, snapping selfies—completely unaware.
"If I hadn't shown up, what were you planning to do? Dress up like this, then trail after a couple by yourself? Didn't you think people would talk?"
Yu Yuan's blunt words struck hard. Ji Yu stiffened, her hands clutching tighter.
"I… I just broke up with Mo Yachen… I can't… I can't already like someone else, I… I…"
Her fingers dug crescent marks into her palms.
"Otherwise… it'll look like… like I only broke up with him for Tang Li…"
"So you do like him, don't you?"
His voice was unexpectedly gentle, like an older brother comforting a wounded sister.
But faced with that gentleness, Ji Yu could only hang her head lower. Her red bow trembled before settling against her hair.
"…But he already has a girlfriend. So… that's fine. It has to be."
"Then confess to him. See if he says yes. After all, he used to like you. If he still does, you'll win."
Ji Yu's head shot up, her eyes wide.
He… used to like me?
She could hardly believe her ears.