Chapter 10: Lover

Ji Pei sat on the back of Ye Wenzhu’s electric scooter, being driven home.

At the entrance to her apartment complex, she was about to scan her face to enter when she noticed a long-haired girl in a black hoodie following her inside.

Ji Pei didn’t think much of it, assuming she was a resident of the complex.

She opened her phone to message Dongri, sending a voice note while walking. The message instantly showed as “read.”

It was ten at night, so Dongri was still awake—perfect for a late-night phone call.

The hoodie girl kept trailing Ji Pei, turning every corner she did.

Ji Pei glanced at her out of the corner of her eye, sensing something off. Was this person following her?

Cold sweat trickled down her back. She quickened her pace, hoping to lose her at a turn.

It was too scary.

Before heading upstairs, Ji Pei pulled out her phone, ready to call the police.

At that moment, the girl followed her into the elevator.

The two stood in the bright, spacious elevator. Ji Pei turned and met her gaze, slightly startled.

How could such a good-looking girl be a creepy stalker?

The hoodie girl noticed Ji Pei’s scrutiny, shyly pulling her cap lower, clutching her bag tightly, pursing her lips, and looking away.

Ji Pei’s suspended heart finally settled, and she let out a breath.

When the elevator doors opened, Ji Pei stepped out, only for the girl to follow.

Her heart leapt again. She stared warily at the girl.

“You live on the ninth floor too?”

The girl shook her head, explaining,

“I’m here to see a friend.”

Ji Pei’s suspicions grew dense. If she was visiting a friend, why wasn’t her friend meeting her downstairs?

Her complex had access control—even the elevator required a keycard. If she was really visiting, her friend wouldn’t leave her stranded.

“Visiting a friend? They live on the ninth floor?”

“Yes, she gave me her address, so I came over.”

Ji Pei rubbed her chin, pressing further.

“If so, why not message her to come get you?”

The girl said softly,

“I don’t have her contact info…”

Suspicious, far too suspicious. This girl’s words couldn’t be trusted.

Ji Pei swore this was her last question.

“Then what are you here for? I live on the ninth floor—she’s probably my neighbor.”

“Her clothes got left at my place. I’m just dropping them off, no other intentions.”

The girl stared at her toes, missing the gossip-hungry glint flashing in Ji Pei’s eyes.

“…”

Black hoodie, red baseball cap, and delivering clothes—it made Ji Pei’s imagination run wild.

“What’s the name of the person you’re looking for? I might know her.”

At these words, the girl’s eyes instantly sparkled.

“She’s called Ji Fan.”

Ji Pei pursed her lips, nearly laughing, and coughed lightly twice.

“Ji Fan? I know her. Wait, I’ll message her.”

“No… no need!”

The girl stammered,

“I’m just returning her clothes. I’ll leave after. She doesn’t want to see me.”

Ji Pei feigned ignorance.

“Doesn’t want to see you? Why not?”

“Well… well…”

The girl hesitated a while, then handed Ji Pei her bag.

“Sis, could you give this to her for me?”

Ji Pei looked surprised.

“You came all this way and don’t want to see her?”

“I accidentally made her angry. I’ll wait until she calms down.”

Ji Pei took the girl’s bag, nodding.

“Alright, I’ll give it to her.”

The girl was immensely grateful.

“Good, thank you.”

She kept saying thanks as she pressed the elevator button, even before entering the elevator.

After the elevator doors closed, Ji Pei curved her lips, revealing a cryptic smile.

It seemed this girl was the online partner Ji Fan met yesterday.

Unintentionally, Ji Pei had already sized the girl up from head to toe.

Nice figure, slim waist, long legs, a face like a celebrity, answering every question, very polite and well-mannered—she seemed like a reliable person.

In short, Ji Pei’s first impression of this Gu Nian was quite good.

Carrying the bag, she entered her apartment’s password. Under the light, she saw the bag Gu Nian used for Ji Fan’s clothes was a Chanel bag, the kind worth several thousand.

Ji Pei sighed lightly. The moment she stepped into the living room, she was nearly startled by a massive bouquet of roses.

Ji Fan was sitting in front of the roses, playing a clapping game with Xue Meiniang.

Seeing Ji Pei return, she stood up.

“Sis, someone sent roses tonight. I signed for them.”

“Who sent them? Is there a name?”

Ji Fan shook her head. “Don’t know, probably a surprise for you. I was worried Meiqiu and the others would ruin the flowers, so I stayed here guarding them.”

“Why didn’t you call me?”

“They sent roses—it’s a surprise! Calling you would’ve ruined the surprise.”

Ji Pei pointed at Ji Fan.

“You little…”

She handed the bag to Ji Fan.

“For you. A girl asked me to give this to you. Open it and see what’s inside.”

Ji Fan took it, puzzled. Seeing the familiar jacket, she bit her lower lip, her tone stiff.

“This is from that person.”

Ji Pei stood behind her.

“What do you mean ‘that person’? She has a name—Gu Nian.”

Ji Fan took out the clothes, tossing the bag to Ji Pei.

Ji Pei looked inside, spotting a letter, and quickly took it out.

“There’s this too. Don’t forget, open it quick.”

Ji Fan snatched the letter, turned, and walked away, muttering softly,

“What era is this, still writing letters? Such a bumpkin…”

“…”

Truly spoiled rotten by her from childhood.

Ji Pei couldn’t be bothered with her. She walked to the roses, noticing several had been damaged, probably bitten by some naughty little creature.

The two cats and one dog sat quietly nearby. Ji Pei could tell these three had been “disciplined” by Ji Fan.

The roses were arranged in a heart shape, with a card in the center, signed by Dongri.

Ji Pei had received many such flowers before, with all sorts of names, but this was the first time she’d seen such beautiful handwriting.

Many of her past suitors would buy flowers from Ye Wenzhu’s shop, most asking Ye Wenzhu to write the cards for them.

Every time, Ye Wenzhu would call to secretly inform her, letting her prepare mentally.

But this time…

Ji Pei, as if receiving roses for the first time, revealed a slightly shy smile.

She sat in front of the bouquet, her cheeks faintly red, as if illuminated by the fiery red of the roses.

Touching her face, it was hot and burning.

She took out her phone to message Dongri, intending to type, but soon received a call from her.

“Hello.”

Ji Pei opened the fridge, took out a bottle of whiskey, sat at the mini bar, and mixed herself a deep blue cocktail.

“Did you receive the roses?”

At Dongri’s voice, Ji Pei’s whole body tingled.

She leaned on the bar, staring at the mixed cocktail, her voice sounding hoarse.

Perhaps it was from over-singing at karaoke, or perhaps it was the roses and Dongri on the phone.

“I received them.”

Ji Pei took a sip of the slightly sweet liquor, propping her chin with one hand, puzzled.

“But, why did you send me roses?”

Dongri’s tone carried a pleasant lightness.

“Can’t I send roses to my lover?”

Lover.

Goosebumps erupted all over Ji Pei. She swallowed unnaturally, her breathing somewhat out of control.

Her current state was like she’d drunk too much fake liquor.

Rapid breathing, racing heartbeat, numb hands and feet.

Could it be alcohol poisoning?

Ji Pei gritted her teeth—damn whiskey!

Her alcohol tolerance was never great; a little liquor left her slightly drunk.

Ji Fan came out to get milk, seeing Ji Pei with her phone glowing, leaning on the bar drinking sullenly, and couldn’t help but approach.

“Sis? What’s wrong? Someone sent flowers, and you look like you’ve been dumped?”

The corners of Ji Pei’s eyes were as if brushed with rouge, red and vibrant.

Her eyes, misty, glanced slantingly at Ji Fan, threateningly gritting her teeth.

“Adult matters—kids don’t meddle. Go back to your room.”

Dongri heard their conversation.

“Who was talking to you just now?”

“My sister, the one I told you about yesterday, who insisted I take her class and got me failed.”

Ji Pei’s voice carried a hint of amusement.

“Darling, listen.”

Dongri gave a soft “mm.”

“So, my sister’s elective professor, I ate with her today, and found out this person…”

Ji Pei paused, struggling to find appropriate words in her alcohol-fogged brain.

Dongri: “What’s she like?”

Her tone seemed to carry a hint of eagerness and expectation, but Ji Pei, slightly drunk, didn’t catch it.

“I didn’t have a card, and she swiped for me. She’s pretty nice.”

Dongri: “She swiped for you?”

“Yeah, and before I left, I bought her ice cream. Her assistant said she doesn’t eat ice cream, but I didn’t believe it.”

“Then when will you buy me ice cream?”

Ji Pei squinted at the glowing phone screen. “When can I finally meet you?”

“I’ve been busy lately. I’ll come find you next month.”

“That’s a promise. If you don’t come next month, I might fall for someone else.”

Dongri said earnestly,

“You’re a taken person now. Don’t get too close to other women outside, and definitely not men.”