Chapter Thirty-Eight: Lifelong Friends

In truth, Ruiying never expected to form a deep bond with Han Ji-eun; after all, their relationship wasn’t particularly close to begin with. Friendship requires cultivation, and their encounter had been too brief to warrant heart-to-heart conversations.

Yet Han Ji-eun possessed an innate magnetism, a calming presence that made people want to confide in her. Ruiying found that only when she was with Han Ji-eun did she feel utterly at ease, wholly unburdened.

She had traveled extensively these past months—spending nearly three months wandering through Southeast Asia and Europe, and even staying over ten days in Nepal. She’d experienced different ways of living and came to realize that love was far from the sole pursuit in life.

Her previous existence had been so narrow. After university, she began working at a newspaper, focusing solely on marrying Zhu Wang. She lived a carefree life, lacking ambition or lofty ideals.

Looking back now, she felt somewhat embarrassed.

Han Ji-eun and Ruiying sat together in a café, chatting. The place was beautifully decorated for Christmas, the atmosphere festive and warm. Someone dressed as Santa was dancing behind the bar. Han Ji-eun tapped to the rhythm, all traces of her earlier gloom entirely dispelled.

Ruiying rested her chin in her hand, watching Han Ji-eun, thinking she seemed different from before, though she couldn’t pinpoint exactly how.

“Ji-eun, I never asked, how is Rachel doing?”

Rachel had mentioned she’d gone abroad to recover from a broken engagement, after her fiancé fell in love with someone else. Ruiying was genuinely concerned.

At the mention of Rachel, Han Ji-eun’s face blossomed into a radiant smile, and she spent fifteen minutes recounting, with vivid detail, the tangled love-hate story between Rachel and Kim Won.

Ruiying listened, both shocked and envious.

“It’s almost... too beautiful,” she thought. Back in university, she and Li Zhu Wang had been the perfect couple on campus. Zhu Wang wasn’t handsome, but he was gentle and talented, winning her heart. And she herself had been quite the campus beauty.

Now, recalling those days, it all seemed so distant.

Han Ji-eun noticed the change in Ruiying’s expression and asked, “Is everything alright since you came back?”

Ruiying sighed. How could it be? She hadn’t planned to return so soon, but her parents insisted.

“You know I broke up with my boyfriend, right?”

Han Ji-eun knew she’d actually been jilted. When Liu Minghe sent Rachel to check on her at the hospital, Han Ji-eun had gone as well. On the way, Rachel had told her everything, but Ruiying didn’t know that, so Han Ji-eun pretended ignorance, as if it was just a breakup.

“But my boyfriend’s father still wants us to reconcile, so he met with my parents.”

Ruiying found this hard to bear. She’d suffered for so long, finally resolved to move on, yet everyone seemed to think she was just putting on a brave face.

Did she really look so fragile?

Han Ji-eun was astonished. “So what will you do?”

Ruiying grew agitated. “My father wants me to move into their house.”

Han Ji-eun was so startled she stood up. “Move in?”

But her ex had already cheated—what was the point of moving in?

Han Ji-eun’s parents had died long ago, and she had lived alone so long she couldn’t fathom parental thinking.

“My mother believes I haven’t gotten over this relationship and wants to fight for me.”

Love is between two people, but life is broader than that, so Shen Xiuzhen wanted her to move into Li Zhu Wang’s house, starting with family ties. If it had been the old Ruiying, she might have gone, but now she truly didn’t want to see Li Zhu Wang again.

But...

“I agreed,” Ruiying said calmly.

Han Ji-eun was stunned. “Don’t do anything rash,” she tried to comfort her friend. “Even if it’s not this man, there are others out there.”

Ruiying’s smile was tinged with melancholy, but she seemed alright.

“I just want to find out who that woman really is.”

It was almost laughable—after all this, she still hadn’t even seen the face of the woman who’d replaced her.

Ruiying was full of questions she couldn’t share with Han Ji-eun. There was so much she wanted to know: who was the writer Yin E, who had recently upset her mother; who was the woman by Zhu Wang’s side—and why had all of this happened.

She wasn’t foolish. Though she’d once been spoiled and willful, her two-month journey had brought a great deal of self-reflection.

Han Ji-eun said, “Actually, is there really any need?”

She was gentle by nature and rarely troubled others, so she worried that Ruiying’s efforts might bring only heartache.

“Why not just let go and begin a new life?”

“A new life?” Ruiying gave a helpless laugh. “I haven’t found my direction yet.”

She’d lost her job too—being jilted had made her the butt of jokes in the office, so she neither dared nor wanted to return. Having just come back from Nepal, she had no plans for work. Since Zhu Wang’s father had invited her to stay, she couldn’t simply accept defeat—not without understanding why.

She had to at least uncover the truth.

Han Ji-eun sighed. “You’re such a fool.”

She didn’t want Ruiying to take risks, but she didn’t know the full story. Most of Ruiying’s motivation was her mother.

She felt there was more to all this.

Han Ji-eun watched as Ruiying’s slender fingers traced the rim of her wine glass, feeling an odd pang of envy. She took a sip, and emboldened by the wine, spoke up. “Actually, there are problems between me and Lee Young-jae as well.”

Ruiying was surprised but soon nodded, realizing it almost seemed inevitable that Han Ji-eun and Lee Young-jae would be together.

Han Ji-eun continued, “The girl he likes returned home. They went on a date today.”

This morning, Han Ji-eun had suggested they dine out. Lee Young-jae, with no pressing work, agreed. But by afternoon, when she was dressed and ready, he canceled.

It left her cold. Lately, this kept happening—their plans always fell through, and even her wedding ring was lost.

Ruiying sighed. She didn’t know Han Ji-eun’s situation and couldn’t offer advice. Besides, she felt her own emotional intelligence had plummeted; she was in no position to help.

She’d even lost faith in herself.

“It’s getting late, let’s go,” Ruiying said.

She was worried Han Ji-eun had drunk too much. As Han Ji-eun stood, she stumbled and nearly fell.

This couldn’t go on. Ruiying fished out Han Ji-eun’s phone and tried calling Lee Young-jae.

But he didn’t answer.

In fact, Lee Young-jae was less than three hundred meters away.

It was all such a coincidence—Han Ji-eun had asked him to spend Christmas together, but Jiang Huiyuan also wanted to meet him.

He’d always liked Jiang Huiyuan, so he naturally canceled with Han Ji-eun.

If you could call it a date—it was just a meal, just a holiday.

They’d agreed from the start on a sham marriage. The arrangement was that once his grandmother’s health improved and she was reassured, Han Ji-eun would receive the apartment. She’d agreed without hesitation.

It was a fair trade. When he bought the apartment, he’d spent half his savings. Once the agreed period ended, it would be hers for free.

Lee Young-jae thought it was a good deal, but now it felt increasingly strange.

He’d grown used to someone at the table cracking cold, deadly jokes, making him laugh hysterically even though he didn’t find them funny at all. Yet those memories seemed rather beautiful—she was muddled, but endearingly so.

“Young-jae,” Jiang Huiyuan said, holding a glass of whiskey. In the dim, ambiguous light, she gazed at him tenderly. The man she’d always treated as a younger brother was now married.

“What’s wrong? You seem distracted today.”

Jiang Huiyuan didn’t know their marriage was fake; she only felt uneasy that someone who had always admired her now had a wife.

Meanwhile, the one she admired gave her no hope at all. Always outstanding since childhood, she suddenly felt defeated.

Lee Young-jae couldn’t make sense of his own feelings. He took a drink and muttered, “I don’t know. I’m just bothered.”

“Tell me about it,” Jiang Huiyuan smiled. “Maybe I can help.”

She had never been so gentle with Lee Young-jae before. He was a little surprised, and a bit moved.

But for some reason, something felt off.

He took out his phone to check the time, only to see several missed calls.

When he called back, the line was busy.

He frowned. “That silly bird, what on earth does she want?”

Jiang Huiyuan’s expression changed slightly. She was still holding Lee Young-jae’s wedding ring—the one he’d taken off when trying on clothes last time. She’d planned to return it, but seeing his gentle expression now, she slipped it into her pocket instead.

“Don’t bother calling. I’m not drunk!” Han Ji-eun protested when she realized Ruiying was making calls. She’d been half hopeful, but watching Ruiying dial again and again with no answer, her heart sank.

Ruiying grew vexed. She’d always thought Lee Young-jae was a bit frivolous, and Han Ji-eun too naive—likely to be hurt. Now she noticed Han Ji-eun’s missing wedding ring...

Fine, she took a deep breath. The world wasn’t just filled with mistresses—scoundrels were everywhere!

Ruiying saw Han Ji-eun on the verge of tears and couldn’t help but hug her. Han Ji-eun broke down, sobbing at last. She’d held it in for so long, with no one to confide in. Her love life was a mess, her career in shambles—everything was going wrong.

Even the lively Christmas music in the café couldn’t lift their spirits.

Han Ji-eun felt guilty; she hadn’t wanted to ruin the holiday, but the grievance was simply too much to bear.

Ruiying, not knowing what else to do, ran out and bought two roses, giving one to Han Ji-eun.

“It’s not as if we can’t live without men. The one who truly loves us will appear someday!”

Han Ji-eun wiped her tears and, holding the flower, managed a smile.

In the end, Han Ji-eun did get drunk. Ruiying, knowing she was upset, didn’t stop her. Even if Lee Young-jae wouldn’t pick her up, so what? She could always let Ji-eun stay at her place!

But when Han Ji-eun began to drink cup after cup and couldn’t be dissuaded, someone approached and took the glass from her hand.

Ruiying looked up in astonishment.

“Rachel!” She exclaimed, and then, “Mr. Kim Won.”

Indeed, it wasn’t Lee Young-jae, but Liu Rachel and Kim Won.

It was another coincidence: earlier, Rachel and Kim Won had spotted a little girl selling roses. Kim Won wanted to buy Rachel a flower and noticed Ruiying nearby—less than ten meters away, though Ruiying hadn’t seen them.

Rachel intended to greet her, but Ruiying disappeared quickly into the café.

Rachel remembered Ruiying mentioning her fiancé’s betrayal; now, seeing her buying roses, she was curious, but nothing more. As they passed the café entrance, they saw the two women by the window—Han Ji-eun already slumped over, drunk.

And not long ago, Han Ji-eun had complained to Rachel about Lee Young-jae’s first love returning. Rachel guessed this was all because of that man.

Ugh, if only all scumbags would drop dead!

Rachel took the glass from Han Ji-eun, who squinted at her. Kim Won said, “I’ll call Young-jae.”

He pulled out his phone, but Ruiying protested, “I’ve already called—no answer.”

Kim Won froze. Rachel stopped him. “Forget it, let Ji-eun stay with us.”

Ruiying took the opportunity to ask Rachel for a ride, and Rachel, wanting to chat, turned to Kim Won. “Oppa~~”

She was getting better at acting cute, and Kim Won felt a twinge of—left out, as if sisters no longer needed boyfriends.

“I’ll go, then.” He handed Rachel his car keys. “No more going out tonight. I’ll call you.”

Rachel nodded earnestly. “Don’t worry, oppa!”

She’d never done anything outrageous, and Kim Won felt reassured. He just wanted to remind her—it wasn’t safe for a group of girls to be out late.

Ruiying, who’d only had two drinks, was fine except for her weak stomach. She’d eaten little and the alcohol made her uncomfortable.

Han Ji-eun, meanwhile, collapsed in the back seat, asleep as if she hadn’t been heartbroken moments ago.

The relationship between Ruiying and Rachel was strange. Both were rather strong-willed. Han Ji-eun was the peacemaker, while the other two got along by happenstance.

On the way home, Ruiying confided her plans to Rachel.

There was no overlap in their lives—nothing to be embarrassed about. Rachel might only be a high schooler, but Ruiying had long since stopped caring about that.

Rachel thought a moment and advised, “As long as you’re not hurt by seeing him, there’s no harm in moving in.”

Because Ruiying had a purpose—it wasn’t just about a man.

Han Ji-eun had objected to her living in Zhu Wang’s house, but Ruiying hadn’t listened; Han Ji-eun was too gentle, never direct. Rachel, however, was just right—Ruiying had been planning to contact her anyway.

“How about your ex-fiancé?” Ruiying asked, seeking a reference.

Rachel smiled, “As you can see—I’ve replaced him.”

She parked in front of Ruiying’s house and sincerely advised, “So I suggest you find someone new, too.”

Ruiying shot her a glare.

“Speaking of which, what does that scumbag look like? Show me.”

Rachel was curious about the man who’d caused so much trouble.

After seeing his photo from Ruiying’s wallet, she fell silent.

Really, cheating men aren’t necessarily handsome—so long as they’re men, they can cheat.

Ruiying fumed, “What’s with that look?” As if he were so beneath her standards!

But Rachel really did mean that.

“You’re just... making things hard for yourself.”

With that, she drove off, leaving Ruiying fuming for a good while.

That girl—such a sharp tongue!

But her anger soon turned to laughter. Exactly—how could her taste have been so poor?

Cheered, she went to her room. Under the astonished gaze of Shen Xiuzhen and Yin Zhengkui, she began packing her bags.

Tomorrow, her war would begin!

Author’s note: No anti-theft chapter today—feeling shy, won’t be coming. By the way, for readers who bought the anti-theft chapter ahead of time, isn’t it a great deal, 23333.