A Friend I've Loved for a Long Time - Chapter 13

“By the way, what were you drawing earlier?” As they walked out of the exhibition room, Yun Zhi remembered how serious Yu Mingxia had looked in the lounge.

“The person I like,” Yu Mingxia replied calmly as she locked the door.

“No wonder…” No wonder her expression had been so tender; she was drawing someone she loved.

“Have you two been together for a long time?” Perhaps because of that wedding dress in the hidden room, Yun Zhi felt a stir of curiosity regarding Yu Mingxia’s romantic life. She rarely pried into others’ business, but she was interested in that dress—and interested in the person who could capture Yu Mingxia’s heart.

“We aren’t together.”

Yu Mingxia’s voice was devoid of emotion, making Yun Zhi hesitate to ask further. This clearly sounded like a story with a lot of history. Though she wasn’t sure if they had been together and broken up, or if they had never been together at all, both possibilities felt rather sad.

As Yun Zhi mused, she heard Yu Mingxia ask airily: “What about you? Is there someone you like?”

While the question sounded casual to Yun Zhi, it had taken a mountain of courage for Yu Mingxia to voice it. Xiao Bai, sensing the shift in conversation, had already tactfully slowed her pace until she was completely out of earshot.

“There is,” Yun Zhi said with a smile. Since she had started the topic, it was only natural for Yu Mingxia to ask back.

Even though she had expected this answer, hearing it with her own ears felt like a knife to Yu Mingxia’s heart. She wasn’t as brave as she thought; she didn’t even have the courage to ask more. She was afraid Yun Zhi would say she didn’t regret it, and equally afraid she would say things weren’t going well.

“Is the President’s office on the top floor?”

The perfect moment for a follow-up was bypassed. Yu Mingxia felt a wave of relief instead and led her to the top floor.

By the time they finished touring the L&Y headquarters, it was nearly noon. According to her schedule, Yun Zhi had another appointment in two hours. As the elevator reached the lobby, Yu Mingxia stood to her right. Yun Zhi noticed that Yu Mingxia had been relatively quiet ever since showing her the wedding dress, as if deep in thought.

“Want to grab lunch together?” Yun Zhi suggested. She realized that in all the time she’d known Yu Mingxia, they hadn’t actually had a proper meal together. Moreover, it felt like she had been constantly bothering Yu Mingxia lately—from the initial photo in the suburbs to accompanying her at the mountain, and now helping with work.

Yun Zhi suddenly thought of something, stopped in her tracks, and her expression turned strange.

Yu Mingxia’s answer came: “Sure.”

Yun Zhi bit her lip. Thinking back on everything that had happened recently, she felt a very subtle sensation. She glanced at Xiao Bai, who was looking around, then leaned half a step closer to Yu Mingxia, even lightly tugging on her sleeve.

Yu Mingxia felt her body stiffen slightly at the touch. She leaned in closer as Yun Zhi wished, listening to her quiet whisper:

“Do you… think I’m doing this on purpose?”

“Hmm?” Yu Mingxia was confused.

“I mean, all these ‘coincidental’ encounters and me bothering you,” Yun Zhi said, her voice tinged with embarrassment.

She’d run into her in the suburbs and took a “secret” photo. She’d run into her at the base of the mountain and took another “secret” photo. Now, she’d followed her all the way to her company for another “coincidence,” and just now she was prying into her love life. To an outsider, it looked exactly like she had ulterior motives.

“Are you doing it on purpose?” Yu Mingxia asked seriously.

Yun Zhi shook her head immediately. “Of course not. I had no idea I’d see you.”

She hadn’t thought much of it before, but reflecting on it now felt bizarre. Who runs into the same person every few days? If she hadn’t taken that first photo, they wouldn’t even know each other. If she hadn’t said hello at the mountain, they wouldn’t have hiked together. Even with this contract… if she hadn’t chosen L&Y, they wouldn’t have met again. It looked as though she had meticulously arranged everything.

“Just think of it as fate,” Yu Mingxia chuckled, telling her not to overthink it.

Yun Zhi had never run into anyone this many times in her life, and “fate” was the only word she could find to describe it. She wasn’t doing it on purpose, and it was even less likely that Yu Mingxia was doing it on purpose. So, it had to be fate.

The three of them exited the L&Y building. Yu Mingxia stopped suddenly. Yun Zhi followed her gaze and saw a woman standing by a car, twirling a set of keys. Standing next to her was Qu Lan, whom she’d met that morning.

Clearly, this was Yu Chuxue.

Yun Zhi had read up on Yu Chuxue before coming. Despite their similar names, Yun Zhi hadn’t linked her to Yu Mingxia because the two didn’t look alike at all. Yu Chuxue saw them and, guessing Mingxia’s intent, tossed the keys to Qu Lan and walked over.

Before Yu Mingxia could speak, Yu Chuxue’s voice rang out: “Hello, Miss Yun Zhi. I’m Yu Chuxue. Please forgive our lack of hospitality.”

Yu Chuxue extended her right hand. Yun Zhi was about to shake it politely when Yu Mingxia spoke up: “Are you finished with your work?”

Yu Chuxue seemed taken aback. She wanted to say something but, mindful of Yun Zhi’s presence, she ignored the question and asked instead, “Are you heading to lunch? Can we join?”

She was looking at Yun Zhi. Yun Zhi didn’t answer immediately but turned to Yu Mingxia: “Mingxia, what do you think?”

Yu Mingxia dazed for a moment; her heart skipped a beat at the casual way Yun Zhi used her given name. Yun Zhi didn’t think it was ambiguous; they were friends now, and using the full name felt too formal, especially in front of her sister. She was also thinking about the “nudge” incident—this sister was the “culprit” who had caused her that embarrassment.

“You’re so busy, we won’t trouble you.”

Yu Mingxia’s rejection only confirmed Yun Zhi’s internal theory: the two sisters must have a strained relationship.

Before Yu Mingxia led her away, Yun Zhi had already staged a grand drama in her head involving a sisterly feud for control of the company. After all, Yu Chuxue had seemed aggressive, while Yu Mingxia was clearly on the defensive. Yun Zhi was loyal to a fault; since she was friends with Yu Mingxia, she was unconditionally on Yu Mingxia’s side.

After lunch, the two parted ways. At the foot of the L&Y building, Yu Chuxue had been waiting for a long time.

Guessing what she wanted to say, Yu Mingxia tried to walk past her. Yu Chuxue didn’t call out but followed her into the elevator.

Yu Mingxia went to the lounge. On the coffee table lay her half-finished drawing. She opened a drawer, took out a sketchbook, and silently tucked the drawing inside. This was her private lounge; usually, no one entered. Yu Chuxue watched the movement and let out a chuckle.

“Is she the Yun Zhi from Class 7 in high school?”

Yu Mingxia’s hand paused. She realized Yu Chuxue had finally remembered. She didn’t answer, instead clutching the sketchbook and leaving the lounge to head to her office.

Yu Chuxue had spent all morning piecing it together with the help of Yun Li Wu Zhi’s files. Others might not know, but Yu Chuxue knew her sister. Mingxia, who usually never touched company affairs, had suddenly fooled her into believing the company needed a “rebranding” through a famous photographer and was incredibly proactive in helping select one. At the time, Chuxue was just happy Mingxia was finally interested in the business.

Now she saw it was all a setup. And judging by how Yu Mingxia didn’t want them mentioning the mountain encounter, Yun Zhi was likely completely in the dark.

What a master plan.

But what Yu Chuxue cared about more was: “All these years, you still like her?”

They were in the hallway now. Yu Mingxia didn’t answer. The reason Chuxue hadn’t immediately recognized Yun Zhi was because she hadn’t heard the name from Mingxia’s lips since they graduated high school. Even back then, Mingxia had only mentioned her twice after Chuxue had pried.

Yu Mingxia kept her feelings buried deep. Even as her sister, Chuxue could never quite read her. All these years, she thought Mingxia wasn’t dating because she was focused on design; she never imagined it was because her heart was already occupied.

For ten years.

“It’s been at least ten years. You still like her? Does she know?”

Chuxue was no longer just curious; she was heartbroken for her sister. For Mingxia to plan this so carefully meant her feelings were still unresolved. And from Yun Zhi’s attitude earlier, she clearly only saw Mingxia as a friend.

Still receiving no answer, Chuxue called her name sharply.

Yu Mingxia sighed. “Can you not be so impatient?”

Her office was right there; why the rush? Yu Mingxia glanced toward the corner. She saw a shadow flash by and stopped, looking at Yu Chuxue. Chuxue stopped too, having clearly seen the person as well.

“I… didn’t say anything just now, did I?” Chuxue’s aggressive tone vanished instantly.

Yu Mingxia sighed, shot her a look, and entered her office. “Ask whatever you want,” Mingxia said, standing at her bookshelf and finding a spot for her sketchbook.

“Does she know you like her?”

“No.”

“All these years, you’ve always liked her?”

“Mm.”

Yu Mingxia never intended to hide it from her sister once they were in private. Chuxue was speechless. She knew Mingxia was persistent, but she hadn’t realized she was this tenacious regarding her feelings—especially in total secrecy.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Chuxue bit her lip.

“If I told you, would she like me?” Yu Mingxia chuckled.

“At least you wouldn’t be so lonely.”

“I don’t feel lonely. To me, it’s a motivation. I should be thankful,” Yu Mingxia said, organizing the shelf. Her voice was quiet, almost a whisper. “You know… without her, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”

Something caught in Yu Chuxue’s throat. She could only manage to whisper her sister’s name.

“Don’t let your imagination run wild, Sister,” Yu Mingxia said, seeing her expression.

Hearing the word “Sister,” Chuxue calmed down. After a long silence, she asked: “Am I the only one who knows you like her?”

Yu Mingxia smiled. “Not exactly.”