Rose in No-Man's Land

37 999 Star Candies

When Tao Ye said "I like you," Xia Xingmian's heart skipped a beat.

It felt like all the blood in her body rushed to her head, her right ear started ringing, and after her heart restarted, it began racing at an intense pace. Her face, along with her ears, turned flushed red.

Only the heavens knew how happy she was at that moment, a happiness that far surpassed all the joys she'd experienced in her 21 years of life combined.

"Sister... you... don't need to take it so seriously..." she forced herself to say something against her true feelings.

But Tao Ye just laughed softly, "I was just playing along with you."

Xia Xingmian's heart hadn't yet calmed down before she was thrown into confusion. "What?"

"Playing along with you, pretending to be your girlfriend."

"I-I see..." Xia Xingmian forced a smile, struggling to hide her disappointment.

Life's ups and downs—other than the devastation of her family three years ago—this fleeting moment of false joy in the last three seconds was probably the next biggest emotional rollercoaster.

Tang Li called, saying that dinner at the hotel had started and they could go down to the first floor to eat.

Tao Ye invited Xia Xingmian to join her for dinner, but Xia Xingmian said she wasn't feeling particularly hungry. She was feeling a little down, still unable to shake off the earlier emotions.

Tao Ye noticed her unhappiness and went downstairs alone to bring up a tray of food. "Want to eat together?"

Only then did Xia Xingmian cheer up a bit. She set the food on the balcony and sat close to Tao Ye.

Whenever Tao Ye found something tasty, she would place it in Xia Xingmian's bowl. As they ate, she shared funny stories from her past.

This was always her way—when she noticed Xia Xingmian was in a bad mood, she wouldn't abruptly ask for the reason or directly try to comfort her. Instead, she'd subtly guide her back to happiness with careful consideration.

Unfortunately, before Xia Xingmian's mood could fully recover, Tang Li called again, informing her she had to go meet Lu Qiurui. "President Lu changed venues for drinks and asked you to accompany her."

Xia Xingmian asked, "She didn't ask for you, sis?"

Tang Li replied, "No, it seems she wants to talk to you about something privately."

Even though Xia Xingmian was reluctant, she had no choice. Better for her to go than for Tao Ye to go.

Before she left, Tao Ye comforted her, "It's okay, if anything happens, call me. I'll help you."

Xia Xingmian joked, "Would you be jealous, sis?"

Tao Ye looked at her gently, a light smile on her face. "Of course..."

Xia Xingmian teasingly asked, "Why?"

Tao Ye patted her head, "Because you're my little girlfriend now."

"Mm..."

A wave of warmth spread through Xia Xingmian's heart. Satisfied, she let go of Tao Ye.

— —

Lu Qiurui's new venue was at a bar. The people she was meeting had changed again, still for business.

It was clear she was extremely busy with work, hopping from one drinking party to another. Her exhaustion was barely concealed in her eyes.