The White Moonlight Is Back

Chapter 6: She was right there

Yuzhen's smile froze, and after a brief pause, she unwillingly let go of his trousers. As she exited the private booth, her legs almost crumbled beneath her, taken aback by Xu Yanbai's lack of etiquette.

Yuzhen had been able to easily navigate Lin Qingmiao's social circles over the years due to her likeness to the popular actress. Yuzhen benefited much from mimicking Lin Qingmiao's haircuts, wearing similar attire, and quietly adopting her mannerisms.

Yuzhen had become accustomed to expecting Xu Yanbai to behave in the same way. To her amazement, it resulted in complete humiliation. However, from another perspective, Xu Yanbai's apathy indicated that he had no interest in Lin Qingmiao at all. It made sense; Xu Yanbai and Jiang Qianyu were close friends, but he rarely spoke with Lin Qingmiao.

Yuzhen didn't bother greeting Wang Xi, either, and left without saying anything.

Inside the private room, Xu Yanbai poured himself another glass of water and sipped slowly. How could he not see through Yuzhen's objectives, given his keen perception? Furthermore, having had a secret infatuation with Lin Qingmiao for years, her expressions were profoundly imprinted on his mind. When Yuzhen replicated those gestures, he knew exactly what she was doing. While Jiang Qianyu may succumb to such mimicry, Xu Yanbai is unlikely to.

After the dinner, Xu Yanbai did not immediately return home. Instead, he instructed his helper to drive him to Hongnan Street. It was already 11 p.m.; the businesses were closed, and the streets were bare, with only a few drunk individuals passing by. The car was parked outside the mall, across from a park, and Lin Qingmiao's residence was immediately to the right of that park.

Hongnan Street had altered dramatically since his schooldays. The roads broadened, the banyan trees in the park grew thicker, and the lamps became brighter than before.

He remembered several nights about this time, after evening study sessions had completed, when he would follow her from a distance down this street. He'd often light a cigarette in the same area and silently watch her walk home.

She spent the majority of her time with friends, and Jiang Qianyu occasionally joined her. In those moments, Xu Yanbai trailed after them, calmly observing the couple laughing and speaking ahead of him.

He recently frequented this neighborhood, even wandering around the mall, but he never saw her. He brought out the printed photos, and the girl's partially visible face looked just like Lin Qingmiao's. Officer Li was correct—holding onto an unrealistic hope is a painful experience. Perhaps it is time to embrace reality. Even Jiang Qianyu, who genuinely loved her, has given up on her.

Jiang Qianyu had known her since childhood, had been in a long-term relationship with her, and had even married her once. Yet, what about Xu Yanbai? The closest they ever got was during a high school basketball game. During halftime, while taking a break, she happened to stop by their school to cheer on Jiang Qianyu. Standing behind her, he observed as she heartily supported Jiang Qianyu. A light breeze blew, lifting strands of her hair that touched his nose.

He never envisaged his rebellious and cynical young self falling for a girl, especially one who lived in an entirely different world than him.

To make matters worse, after falling for her, he realized she was dating his closest friend, a childhood sweetheart they both held dear. He could only see their love as a bystander. They were each other's first loves, growing together from school uniforms to wedding gowns. Both remarkable individuals are at the summit of accomplishment, shining brightly side by side. Even he had to admit that they seemed ideally matched.

Even such passionately in love couples experienced a temporary breakup once. Lin Qingmiao stayed in An City during their freshman year of college, but Jiang Qianyu went elsewhere to study. Lin Qingmiao unexpectedly offered a break, which saddened Jiang Qianyu. Because Xu Yanbai also lived in An City, Jiang Qianyu urged him to carefully inquire about the reason for it.