Little Sweetheart

Xiang Li looked at Lu Jiaye, momentarily speechless.

Perhaps she had always known, he only appeared frivolous…

After a while, she asked in a low voice, "What if, my heart can never truly hold you?"

Lu Jiaye chuckled and said, "It doesn't matter. I don't have any must-have mentality. Just accompanying you through these difficult days is enough. If you meet someone you truly love in the future, I will still give you my blessings. Liking you is my business; I never expected anything in return. Let's both keep it light and happy."

"Doesn't it hurt?" Xiang Li looked at him and asked, "Don't you care about your own feelings?"

"No, I think this is good." Lu Jiaye smiled easily, his handsome and carefree face showing no trace of forced cheerfulness.

Xiang Li felt even worse, especially bad.

Lu Jiaye stood up and said, "Let's go, I'll walk you back."

Xiang Li followed Lu Jiaye, the two strolling along the perimeter of the hotel.

Lu Jiaye said, "Don't tell Peipei, okay? And don't tell Little Xingxing and Little Jiuwu. I know your kids, they're extremely gossipy. Once you tell them, it will definitely reach Peipei's ears."

Xiang Li swallowed her sadness and smiled, "Are you that afraid of her knowing?"

"Avoiding trouble. Our current friendship is very balanced, very good. Once she finds out, she might start avoiding me, and then wouldn't I even lose a friend? That would be very unpleasant."

"Oh…" Xiang Li nodded slightly.

Looking up at the vast night sky, she sighed, "The night is so beautiful."

"Yes, it is!"

"So, don't be sad. Such a beautiful night is not suitable for sadness." She used his own words to comfort him.

Lu Jiaye laughed, "That makes sense."

"…" Xiang Li smiled. She shouldn't be sad either.

Fortunately, he had spoken his mind frankly. Otherwise, if she had confessed, how could they remain friends? This way, everyone saved face.

Downstairs at the hotel, Xiang Li said, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

Lu Jiaye smiled, "I've always been very reassured by the discretion of student Xiao Li."

"Also, whether you care or not, I hope you get what you wish for." Xiang Li looked into his eyes and said sincerely, "I wish you happiness."

"Thank you." Lu Jiaye nodded in acknowledgment. His expression, no longer carefree, looked particularly earnest.

Xiang Li's nose tingled, "Then, goodbye." She turned and walked towards the elevator.

She was most afraid of Lu Jiaye's sudden seriousness, that kind of sincerity and genuineness made him exceptionally rare and exceptionally difficult to resist.

Out of all those boys, she had always favored him. He wasn't as outstanding as Xia Zhijun, not as calm and reserved as Zhou Xiao, not as gentle and meticulous as Su Han. He seemed the most frivolous, always casual and seemingly unserious. But wherever he was, it was always lively and full of laughter. He seemed sharp-tongued and liked to tease people, but when he was loyal, he was exceptionally loyal, making people feel safe.

She firmly believed that beneath his rough exterior was a kind heart.

But… ultimately, it had nothing to do with her. She could only be a bystander.

Back in her room, Zhang Xinyi curiously asked about the outcome.

Xiang Li collapsed onto the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling light fixture, and said, "He doesn't like me, he rejected me."

"…" Zhang Xinyi mourned for her for a while.

After a moment, she couldn't help but say, "Then why don't you try pursuing him?"

"Forget it, I can see that he will never like me. I've given up." Xiang Li raised her arm and covered her eyes.

"Just because he doesn't like you now doesn't mean he won't like you in the future."

"No…" Xiang Li shook her head in denial, "My feelings for him aren't as deep as yours for Zhou Xiao. It ends here. I'll get over him soon."

It could only end here. It had to end here.

"Then don't be sad…" Zhang Xinyi didn't know what else to say.

"What's there to be sad about?" Xiang Li sat up, a smile returning to her face. "I'm giving up gracefully. There's no shortage of handsome young men at our school; the resources are abundant."

"Then go for it! Find another teacher, then you'll both have lots of holidays, how great would that be!"

"Mm." Xiang Li smiled.

…

The week-long island vacation ended. Lu Jiaye left early due to a business project he needed to discuss.

On the return trip, Zheng Peipei happened to be on the same flight as Su Han.

Both were in first class. Su Han switched seats with the person next to Zheng Peipei and sat beside her.

He turned his head and whispered, "How about we grab a drink somewhere after we land?"

"Sure." Zheng Peipei readily agreed.

It wasn't like before; she didn't need to avoid him and could face him calmly.

Su Han took Zheng Peipei to a private wine cellar. They sat at the bar, slowly savoring vintage red wine under the dim lights.

After a few glasses, their conversation drifted from the married couple Xia Zhijun and Gu Siyi, to their high school days, and then to the entertainment industry…

The atmosphere grew increasingly harmonious, and the chat became more casual.

Seeing the opportune moment, Su Han asked, "If I switch to behind-the-scenes work, would we have a chance?"

Slightly tipsy from the wine, Zheng Peipei pondered the question for a few seconds, then smiled and shook her head.

"Why?" Su Han asked, "Didn't you break up with me because my work was too busy and I didn't have time for you?"

He still remembered the night they broke up, walking along the street, as she recounted her past feelings…

All the dreams and expectations of a young actress, shattered and scarred by reality. Her eyes held no sweet happiness, only weary bitterness…

As a man, seeing his girlfriend suffer so much, he felt guilty and blamed himself.

But at that time, he was powerless, unable to give her what she wanted.

He could only end her torment by breaking up…

Zheng Peipei clinked glasses with him, took a small sip of wine, and said, "Because I enjoy my current life…"

Looking at him with a bright smile, staring at his handsome face and slightly upturned peach blossom eyes, she felt no ripples in her heart, and chuckled softly, "I like striving for my career, I like not being insecure, I like this freedom, I like this relaxed confidence… It's very relaxing, very comfortable…"

"Even if you were with me, you could still have all that." Su Han looked at her shining eyes, clearly sensing that they weren't shining for him.

Zheng Peipei shook her head, "…I really don't dwell on the past. What's past is past; I look forward. Whether or not I'll fall into the same trap twice, I don't like repeating things. And,"

Zheng Peipei's slightly intoxicated eyes looked at him frankly. He was truly different. Clearly the same person, yet different from before.

She smiled gently and said, "That feeling is gone. You no longer shine in my eyes. I now think you're no different from other idol stars. You're good, but not rare enough for me to want to keep you all to myself."

"Oh…" Su Han responded with difficulty, then forced a relaxed smile, "I understand."

No one would stand still and wait for him, wait until he was capable enough to shield them from the wind and rain, wait until he was strong enough to cherish them properly…

Where was there anything unchanging? The only constant in this world was probably change itself.

No wonder Lu Jiaye had laughed at him for being conceited? Heh…

Su Han raised his glass and gently clinked it with Zheng Peipei's, "Then, I wish you happiness."

Zheng Peipei smiled, "You too, be happy."

Su Han nodded.

Zheng Peipei added, "For the sake of our friendship, let me give you some advice. In the future, when you have a girlfriend, maintain boundaries with others. Being so good to everyone in the world, what happiness is left for the person with you?"

Su Han froze, digested her words for a moment, then smiled wryly.

"We girls don't like central air conditioning, we only like our own personal heater."

"Central air conditioning?" Su Han laughed, "It's a good thing you didn't call me everyone's best friend."

"Everyone's best friend, hahaha, that's too lowbrow. No matter what, my Han is a heartthrob!"

Su Han laughed along, and as he laughed, his voice became hoarse, "I will learn slowly. Learn how to love one person."

They clinked glasses and drained the remaining wine.

When they left the wine cellar, Zheng Peipei felt a little dizzy.

Su Han said, "Let me take you home."

Zheng Peipei shook her head, "It's okay, I'll call a cab."

"It's not safe."

"Then I'll call my assistant to pick me up."

"I'll take you to the entrance of your complex; you can walk back slowly."

"Alright…"

Su Han's driver drove, and the two got into the car. The car passed through the bustling downtown area towards Zheng Peipei's residential complex.

Zheng Peipei joked, "It's really better to be friends. I even get the VIP treatment of being driven home."

"…" Su Han smiled wryly, "When I gradually retreat behind the scenes, I'll have more and more time and freedom, and then we'll have more opportunities to hang out together."

"Great, so you won't always coincidentally be unable to make it to our gatherings."

"Mm."

The car stopped outside the complex. Su Han got out with her and asked, "Do you want me to walk you in?"

"No need, I'll walk by myself, a stroll is just what I need."

"Okay."

Su Han watched her figure disappear into the complex, stood there for a while longer, then turned and left.

Zheng Peipei walked through the complex and saw the lights on in the floor-to-ceiling windows of her apartment from afar.

Lu Jiaye was home too? That was good; she wouldn't be lonely going back.

Zheng Peipei smiled for no reason. With that idiot around, she wouldn't have time to feel sentimental, only wanting to bicker with him endlessly.

Looking at the lights, walking towards the building, a warm feeling she couldn't quite explain welled up in Zheng Peipei's heart.

Lu Jiaye was sitting on the living room sofa, typing away on his laptop, looking very seriously engaged in making a plan.

When Zheng Peipei entered, he immediately looked up. Seeing her flushed face, he frowned, a look of disgust on his face, "Drunkard! Didn't I tell you not to drink at business engagements? Daddy doesn't need you to get resources through drinking!"

"Screw you! I went drinking with Su Han." Zheng Peipei kicked off her shoes, walked into the living room, sat opposite Lu Jiaye, grabbed a pillow, and nestled lazily on the sofa.

Lu Jiaye leaned closer, sniffed, his expression becoming even more disgusted as he recoiled.

Seeing his exaggerated reaction, Zheng Peipei felt mischievous. She grabbed his collar, pulled him closer, and breathed heavily in his face. Lu Jiaye's expression turned even more sour, and the triumphant Zheng Peipei burst into laughter.

Lu Jiaye struggled free from her clutches, taking a deep breath as if he had been reborn. "You win! Daddy gives up! Daddy will go see what's left to eat in the kitchen!"

Zheng Peipei slumped back on the sofa, closing her eyes for a nap.

Soon, the aroma drifted from the kitchen, tantalizing Zheng Peipei.

She sat up and shouted towards the kitchen, "What are you making?"

"Porridge! Leftovers from Daddy's dinner, you can make do with it!" Lu Jiaye's voice floated out.

"Fine by me, I'm not picky." Zheng Peipei said with a grin.

Lu Jiaye busied himself in the kitchen. These were no leftovers. He knew she was coming back, and since she hadn't arrived home so late, he knew, based on his understanding of her, that she must have gone to a meeting and been drinking. He simmered the porridge over low heat, waiting for her return.

Lu Jiaye brought the porridge to the dining table. Without even needing to be called, Zheng Peipei pounced like a wolf, plopped onto a chair, picked up a spoon, and was about to dig in when Lu Jiaye grabbed her hand. "Silly! Slow down! It's hot!"

Zheng Peipei grumbled, "So impressive, picking up your leftover porridge to drink, and still getting scolded by you!"

Lu Jiaye chuckled, "Then don't eat it?"

"…" Zheng Peipei paused, "I want to eat."

"Am I being fierce?"

Zheng Peipei suppressed the urge to punch him in the nose. For the sake of this fragrant bowl of porridge, she swallowed her pride and put on a smiling face, "No… not at all…"

"That's more like it." Lu Jiaye pulled out a chair, sat down leisurely opposite her, crossed one leg over the other, took out his phone, and said lazily, "Blow on it yourself and eat slowly. Don't rush, Daddy's here with you."

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