Chapter Eighty-Seven

Yuxingyue hadn’t expected Cai Haizi’s confidence to be so fragile. Why had he even entered show business? Perhaps their voices had woken Yu Li; as soon as Yu Li sat up on the bench and saw Cai Haizi, she immediately placed herself between Yuxingyue and Cai Haizi, her eyes full of disbelief, as if to say, “What are you doing here?”

Seeing Yu Li awake, Cai Haizi hurriedly spoke to her, “Yu Li, you’re just in time. I still have some questions to ask you. But you left all the trouble for me and went off on your own. You need to tell me why you left and dumped all the responsibility on me?” Previously, after Cai Haizi’s quarrel with the sleazy man, Yu Li had left, and by the time things were resolved, she was already gone—this infuriated him. But as soon as he saw Yu Li’s face, his anger vanished.

Yet he seemed to forget that Yu Li couldn’t hear, which irked Yuxingyue. Yuxingyue immediately pushed him aside and said, “Isn’t it obvious? Yu Li truly doesn’t like celebrities. So what if you really are one? To us, some stars are nothing but decorative vases, shattering at a touch. If Yu Li is willing to give you any guidance, you should consider it an honor. If you don’t mind, we could give you a bit of training ourselves, should we?”

Yuxingyue’s words didn’t sound like a joke. They’d let him stay long enough; it was time for him to leave. Yu Li hid behind Yuxingyue, watching Cai Haizi, who still showed no intention of leaving. Yuxingyue was at the end of their patience. If he wouldn’t leave, then they’d teach him a lesson themselves—or perhaps there was a less direct way.

Yuxingyue gestured to Yu Li, who understood and took out her phone to send a message to someone. Cai Haizi was curious, “Who are you texting? Can I see?” He really seemed to think he owned the place. Anyone else would have told him it was none of his business. This was her personal matter.

In fact, Yuxingyue wanted Yu Li to call the police to have Cai Haizi detained for a few hours. Since Yu Li couldn’t speak, Yuxingyue had her report it by text—a special option when calling wasn’t possible. By the time Cai Haizi saw her messaging, the report was already sent. The police would arrive soon.

“Who do you think you are? Why should we all listen to you? Don’t think a little fame gives you the right to push your luck,” Yuxingyue’s temper flared. How many times did they have to say it for him to understand? They’d already hinted enough for him to leave, but he just wouldn’t get it. No wonder Yuxingyue felt no need to be polite; there was nothing more to say to the man.

Cai Haizi protested, “I just want to ask Yu Li a few questions. Why won’t you let me? Am I really that annoying?”

Yuxingyue was speechless. Was Cai Haizi playing dumb or was he really clueless? She could only assume he was feigning ignorance and replied, “She already said she doesn’t want to answer you. If you want, ask her again yourself.” With that, she looked at Yu Li.

Yu Li shook her head at Cai Haizi, making it crystal clear she had no interest in answering him. Even so, Cai Haizi persisted, “Can I at least have your contact info? So we can chat again later?”

Just then, the sound of a car came from outside. Yu Li went to open the door, leaving Yuxingyue and Cai Haizi behind. Yuxingyue couldn’t be bothered to answer him—let him talk it out with the police instead, they’d be more than happy to listen.

Cai Haizi was immediately taken away by the police. Even as he was led off, a paparazzo who had been tailing him managed to snap a photo. The paparazzo was ecstatic, “Wow! This will be explosive news—a male celebrity arrested on suspicion of burglary!”

As the paparazzo left, he didn’t seem to notice Yuxingyue. Yuxingyue had overheard his words. Though it was absurd, she didn’t really mind. Perhaps something like burglary suited that man—at least it was a creative headline.

…

At home, with no toilet paper left, Xiao Jian had no choice but to go out and buy some. He happened to run into Huang Feifan and greeted her, “Hey, Huang Feifan, are you going shopping too? Want to go together?”

Huang Feifan greeted him with a smile. Hearing that he was also headed to the supermarket, she replied, “Sure, why not? It’s boring to go alone—having company feels safer.”

Xiao Jian detected a hint of sadness in her words. Earlier, Zhang Yi had called him to explain Huang Feifan’s recent situation, asking him not to mention Wang Tianqi, Chen Siyu, or Lin Zimo, so as not to upset her further. Knowing this, Xiao Jian was curious but held back for her sake, planning to ask Zhang Yi for more details later.

This was just an ordinary day, but since Huang Feifan’s relationship with the three girls was still tense, it was impossible for them all to meet up. At the supermarket, Xiao Jian grabbed a pack of toilet paper and went to check out, but Huang Feifan was nowhere in sight. He thought she might have a lot to buy, which was understandable, but still felt uneasy and went to look for her. He finally found her in the women’s daily necessities aisle.

Seeing she’d bought a lot of women’s products, Xiao Jian teased, “Why are you buying so many women’s things, Huang Feifan? Are they for you?”

Though he said it as a joke, Huang Feifan broke out in a cold sweat.

To deflect suspicion, she explained, “They’re for my mom. I’ll send them to her later.”

Huang Feifan had already prepared this line. She worried Zhang Yi might spill everything—he couldn’t keep a secret, and anything he knew was bound to come out. If someone like Xiao Jian asked, she could just say she was buying for her mother. In reality, the items were all for herself.

Xiao Jian looked at her with half-belief, but Huang Feifan showed no sign of nervousness. If he ever discovered her true gender, would anyone still want to be friends with her?

Huang Feifan was afraid her friends wouldn’t accept her as a girl, which was why she kept delaying telling them. She figured she’d wait for the right time, but the longer she waited, the more anxious and insecure she became—her former confidence was fading.

“Well, how about I help you pick some things for your mom too?” Xiao Jian offered.

Huang Feifan shook her head, “No need, this cart is already enough for her, it’ll last her two months.”

Xiao Jian said, “I’m just curious—now that the pandemic is long over (not related to reality), your mom still sends you out to shop? Has she gotten lazier from staying home too long?”

Huang Feifan laughed, “What can I say? I’m a good son. Everyone should respect their elders and care for the young. We can’t depend on our parents forever. It’s a kind of practice—when you start working, you’ll understand how much your parents have done for you.”

“You’re getting philosophical and off-topic. Anyway, we’re done shopping, let’s go check out,” Xiao Jian urged. Though Huang Feifan disliked being rushed, she was embarrassed to keep him waiting, so she went to pay.

At the checkout, a minor incident occurred—a girl cut in line right in front of them. They were about to reach the register when she jumped ahead, which was infuriating. Huang Feifan whispered to Xiao Jian about an internet-famous “despair moment” for queue jumpers.

It was simple: look for snacks like gum or chips nearby, grab a bunch, and quietly pile them with the queue jumper’s items. Xiao Jian did this a dozen times, and then they waited.

When it was the girl’s turn, she found her groceries had mysteriously multiplied—and all were snacks she hadn’t picked up. She looked back at Xiao Jian and Huang Feifan in confusion, but they feigned ignorance. Even if she suspected, what could she do? She’d cut the line first; this little punishment was already more than fair.