A L*st at First Sight (Lily Futa) - Chapter 17

In the gallery office.

While Liu Yuelan was checking information on the computer, there was a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

She continued working without lifting her head. The visitor first poked their head in. When she looked over, they grinned, closed the door, and walked in.

“Finished with work?”

“Sigh, these meetings are still so boring. I almost fell asleep.”

“Where’s Mom?”

“She made plans with a few people for dinner and asked me to come pick you up.” Liu’s dad took off his glasses and wiped them with the hem of his shirt.

Liu Yuelan glanced at her watch. “What time?”

“Now. Why, do you have no time?” Liu’s dad put his glasses back on and tidied his hairstyle in front of the glass desktop.

Liu Yuelan put away the documents and started shutting down the computer. “I have time.” Since Mom specially sent someone to pick her up, she must want to introduce someone to her. Even if she didn’t have time, she had to make time.

She picked up her bag to pack her things. Seeing the man in front of her still fiddling with the bangs on his forehead, she grabbed an empty folder from the side and tapped him with it. “Stop fixing it. No matter how much you fix it, it still looks ugly.”

Liu’s dad made a pained face. “Really? Does my haircut really look that bad?”

“It does,” Liu Yuelan said as she stood up with her bag on her back. “Even if I cut it, it would look better than this.”

Liu’s dad combed his bangs back, but a few unruly strands still fell onto his forehead. In the end, he gave up in discomfort. “Forget it. As long as your dad’s face looks good, it’s fine.”

Liu Yuelan made a retching motion and reached out to ask for the car keys.

“Ah, I still wanted to be your driver.” Liu’s dad reluctantly handed over the keys.

After taking them, Liu Yuelan glared at him. “You still dare to say that? Who would dare ride in a car you drive?”

Liu’s dad awkwardly shifted his gaze. “Sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose. I just came back and wasn’t used to driving a left-hand drive car.”

“You still dare to make excuses?”

Liu Yuelan still felt angry whenever she thought about it.

A few days ago, when she went to pick up her parents from the airport, everything had been going smoothly at first. Everyone was happy and harmonious. After arriving at her parents’ place, the man in front of her volunteered to show off the drifting parking technique he had just learned.

The two of them stood to the side to give him face. The beginning was very smooth and indeed quite cool, but before their applause even stopped, there was a loud bang, followed by the sound of things shattering and falling.

Liu Yuelan still felt heartache whenever she remembered how badly her car had been damaged at the time. Although Liu’s dad had promised a lot of compensation with all kinds of explanations, Liu Yuelan had still given him the cold shoulder for several days.

Thinking of this, she didn’t want to see the man in front of her anymore. When she opened the door to leave, she happened to run into a colleague who was walking this way.

“Boss, I was just about to look for you. Your car has been repaired. I parked it downstairs. Here are the keys.”

“What?” Liu Yuelan took the keys, extremely shocked. “So fast?”

“I thought it was too fast too, but the car is really fine now. They also did a maintenance and wash for you. That shop is really good. Next time I need something, I’ll go there too.”

Liu Yuelan forced a smile at him. “Mm, their service is pretty good.”

Liu’s dad came over and put an arm around her shoulders. “So, which car are we taking?”

Liu Yuelan slapped his hand away. After going downstairs, she walked around to the rear of the car and took a look. It was indeed exactly the same as before. She touched the area above the taillight, and her eyes darkened.

Liu’s dad rubbed his hands eagerly. “Ah Lan, how about giving me another chance? I definitely won’t mess up this time.”

Liu Yuelan tucked her hair behind her ear, ignored him, and went straight to the driver’s seat. Seeing this, Liu’s dad could only dejectedly run to the passenger seat and sit down.

On the way back after the dinner with her parents, Liu’s dad still got to drive. Liu Yuelan leaned in her mother’s arms and chatted casually. A message came in on her phone. After seeing it, she frowned and sat up straight.

: Ah Lan, Little E asked me for your contact information again today. Should I give it to her?

Liu Yuelan let out an irritated breath.

: No. How many times do I have to say it?

: I know, but she asks every time she sees me. She looks so pitiful.

: You’re so soft-hearted toward beauties. Why did you suddenly think to ask me?

: I just learned something. Do you know why she’s so reluctant to let go?

: Say it.

: Because nothing happened between you two that day. Haha, she originally thought there would be plenty of opportunities later, but she didn’t expect she wouldn’t see you again.

: ? What do you mean?

: She’s a heavy masochist and wanted you to dominate her. But after you took off your clothes, you fell asleep. She didn’t feel anything by herself, so you two just slept under the quilt without doing anything.

Liu Yuelan felt inexplicably relieved, but she quickly despised herself for thinking this way. Why should she keep her chastity for a ridiculous crush? Her sense of morality was so high — Liu Yuelan, this doesn’t sound like you at all.

While lost in thought, a new message came in.

: But I don’t know if you two kissed or touched before taking off your clothes, haha.

: Shut up. Don’t mention this to me again.

Liu Yuelan put her phone away and hugged her mother’s arm, leaning against her.

“Finished with work?” her mother asked gently.

“Mm.” Liu Yuelan closed her eyes and replied softly.

In the evening, after shaking off the fatigue of the day, the family had dinner and chatted for a while before each returning to their rooms to rest.

In the middle of the night, Liu Yuelan came out of her bedroom again. Using the dim wall lamp, she went downstairs, took a can of beer from the fridge, placed it on the coffee table, and curled up on the sofa with her arms around her knees.

She had clearly been asleep, but for some unknown reason she suddenly woke up, and then she couldn’t fall back asleep. She buried her head in her knees, trying to empty her mind. A few minutes later, she helplessly raised her head and reached for the beer. Before she could pull the tab, a gentle voice came from behind.

“Lanlan? You’re still not asleep at this hour.”

Liu Yuelan turned her head and saw her mother walking over in a nightgown. She opened her arms. Liu’s mother smiled, sat down, and pulled her into her embrace.

“What’s wrong?” Liu’s mother put the ice-cold beer back and patted her hand as she asked.

“Nothing. Why aren’t you asleep either?”

“I’m leaving in a couple of days. There are some things I want to handle quickly, so I’ve been busy until now.”

“Aren’t there still two days left? Why the rush?”

“Have you forgotten that I’m most energetic at night?”

Liu Yuelan chuckled softly. She hugged her mother’s waist tightly and closed her eyes.

Liu’s mother patted her back and asked tentatively, “What about you? You seem to be in a bad mood. Can you tell Mom?”

The person in her arms remained silent for a while. Liu’s mother wasn’t in a hurry and waited for her to speak first.

Liu Yuelan opened her eyes and murmured, “Mom, what should you do if the person you like doesn’t like you back?”

Liu’s mother’s hand paused. She raised an eyebrow and looked down at Liu Yuelan. She hadn’t expected her daughter to be troubled by romantic feelings. From childhood, Liu Yuelan had always been independent, strong-willed, and decisive. This was also related to their parenting philosophy. When their daughter was in elementary school, the two of them often weren’t home, traveling outside to sketch and paint. By the time she entered junior high, the couple had settled abroad. The relationship between the three of them was not like a traditional Chinese family — more like friends, caring for each other but each having their own living space.

After learning that Liu Yuelan liked girls, the two of them didn’t make any particular comments. They only suggested she should have a correct view of love. To outsiders, it seemed Liu Yuelan had dated many girlfriends, and none of the relationships lasted very long, but only they knew that Liu Yuelan had been very serious in every relationship.

To be honest, the number of girlfriends Liu Yuelan had actively introduced to them could be counted on one hand. Even then, Liu’s dad couldn’t match the names to the faces.

Liu’s mother’s thoughts swirled. Seeing that she didn’t speak, Liu Yuelan sat up from her arms. “Mom…” Her voice was aggrieved and helpless. Liu’s mother touched her face and smiled at her. “Come on, let’s drink and talk.”

Liu’s mother picked a bottle of red wine that Liu’s dad had treasured, casually grabbed two mugs, and took Liu Yuelan to the rooftop while holding her arm.

After half a glass of red wine, Liu Yuelan didn’t need her mother to ask anymore and poured out all her worries.

“Mom, even after so much time has passed, I still really like her… This is the first time I’ve felt this way about someone. The first time I’ve been so humble. Even though the things she said that day were very hurtful, I still miss her now.”

“Even though we haven’t even started, I’ve already endured and retreated again and again. I never thought I would be at a disadvantage in a relationship.”

Liu Yuelan felt warm liquid flowing down her face. She didn’t try to wipe it and took another sip of wine.

Liu’s mother stroked the mug, watching her cry silently, and smiled. “Ah Lan, love isn’t a competition where you have to determine a winner and loser. I’m very glad you’re having this experience. In the past, your relationships always went smoothly and looked perfect, but when they ended, you never lingered. I think this one will definitely be very special.”

“Mom…” Liu Yuelan said with a choked voice, “but we haven’t even started yet.”

“From what you just told me, that girl doesn’t have zero feelings for you either. I don’t know if it’s because your narration carried subjective color — let’s set that aside for now. But the fact that she’s hot and cold without pursuing other relationships suggests she might be repeatedly struggling and hesitating about something inside. It’s just that you don’t know.”

Liu Yuelan looked at her with teary eyes, then lowered her head to think. After thinking it over, she pouted unhappily and said, “Anyway, there have been quite a few times. Later, every time I saw her, I would guess how she would treat me that day. It was like drawing a blind box. I really wanted to hit someone.”

Liu’s mother laughed out loud. “Take it easy. Don’t scare the person away.”

Liu Yuelan held her forehead. “Right now, she’s the one who drove me away.”

Liu’s mother poured her another glass of wine. “In short, you have to trust what you feel. Words can lie, eyes can lie, but the heart cannot. And then,” Liu’s mother clinked her mug against hers, “don’t regret it.”

Liu Yuelan looked at the red wine in her mug, placed her right hand over her heart, felt its beating, and blinked.

At the airport.

After hugging her parents, Liu Yuelan said goodbye to them.

Liu’s mother touched her head. “Come visit us when you have time. Changing the environment might help you think more clearly.”

“Mm.”

Liu’s dad looked back and forth between the two of them. “Think more clearly about what? What secret are you two hiding from me again?”

The mother and daughter smiled at each other and ignored him.

“Take care of yourself and take care of DD. When he comes back from out of town, remember to give him the gift.”

“Okay. You two take care of your health too.”

After her parents left, Liu Yuelan moved back to her own apartment and returned to her normal life.

One day she received a package. Seeing the sender, she knew what it was about. She placed the item on the table, stared at it for a while, then used scissors to open it.

It was a fountain pen. The entire body was deep blue and felt cool to the touch. The brand was also familiar to her. Unlike before, when it would have the shop’s logo, this time it retained its original appearance. Liu Yuelan opened and closed the cap several times, then put the item back in the box and stuffed it into the drawer in the study.

When she left the house again, Liu Yuelan changed into light, comfortable clothes, drove to a quiet bar, ordered a glass of wine, and sat in a corner sipping slowly. Occasionally someone came to hit on her, but she shook her head and refused them all.

She rested her head on one hand, turning the glass, listening to the bar play one sentimental song after another. Her mood grew even lower. She checked the time, finished the last bit of wine, and stood up to leave.

There was no parking on this street, so she put her hands in her pockets and slowly walked toward the main road. As she passed a certain alley, she heard a familiar voice.

“I’m not going! If you keep doing this, I’ll call the police!”

“Yo, you little punk have grown bold, huh? Go ahead and call. Let’s see who ends up inside in the end.”

“Get away from me! I want to go home!”

“Sure, how about we give you a little gift to take home?”

Xiao C saw the other person raise a fist and swing at him. He quickly hugged his head to dodge. A few seconds later, the expected pain didn’t come. He secretly peeked and broke out in another cold sweat.

Liu Yuelan was holding the person’s wrist with one hand, making his entire arm go numb and powerless. The pain made him grimace, and he could only steady himself by leaning on his companion beside him.

Xiao C shouted anxiously, “Sister Liu, run quickly! There are too many of them. We can’t fight them!”

Liu Yuelan didn’t speak. She just watched the few delinquents in front of her with cold eyes.

The person being restrained cursed. “What are you standing there for? Beat her up!”

Liu Yuelan flung the person to the ground, then proactively went forward and beat up the remaining few who wanted to retreat. She hit all the tricky spots — just one strike was enough to make a person ache unbearably and lose the ability to resist. Plus, she showed no mercy and used full force. In an instant, the alley was filled with nothing but wails.

She walked over to the leader. He was now one of the least injured among them. Liu Yuelan looked down at him from above, raised her foot as if to stomp on his crotch. The man let out a ghostly wail and rolled on the ground clutching his groin. A few seconds later, when he didn’t feel any pain, he looked at his own crotch, then looked up at Liu Yuelan.

“If you dare bully anyone again in the future, this foot won’t be held back. Get lost.”

After the group fled in panic, Liu Yuelan flexed her wrists. It had been a long time since she had fought anyone. Occasionally doing it once still felt pretty satisfying. The low mood that had plagued her all evening was finally relieved a little.

She turned back to look at the dumbfounded Xiao C and said sternly, “Do you want to get kicked out again?”

Xiao C hurriedly waved his hands to explain. “No, no, Sister Liu. I was walking on the road when they dragged me in. After that time, I really didn’t contact them again.”

Liu Yuelan glanced at him and didn’t speak.

Seeing that she didn’t believe him, Xiao C said anxiously, “It’s true. You have to believe me. When they asked me for money earlier, I refused even if it meant dying. They also told me to help them steal something tomorrow and I refused that too. They can hit me, but they can’t make me do bad things again!”

Liu Yuelan knocked him on the head. “What do you mean ‘they can hit you’? Can’t you fight back?”

Xiao C rubbed his head in pain. “Ah, Sister Liu, you’re really strong.” He suddenly became excited. “Sister Liu, you’re so awesome! You knocked them all down with just a few ‘pa pa’ strikes! I never knew before that you could fight!”

Liu Yuelan had already reached the entrance of the alley. She let him bounce around excitedly behind her. “You can too.”

“Me? With my thin arms and legs, one punch from them could send me flying.” Xiao C said disappointedly as he pinched his own arm.

“Fighting isn’t just about brute strength. As long as you master scientific training methods and techniques, body size isn’t the most important factor.”

Xiao C’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Mm. Actually, I only learned a bit out of interest before, but I can still use it now.”

“Okay. I’ll sign up for a class tomorrow. Then I’ll see if they still dare to hit me!”

Liu Yuelan saw his childish look and smiled as she continued walking out.

Xiao C looked at her back and only then noticed that what she was wearing today was different from before — flat shoes, jeans, a T-shirt. The simple summer three-piece set still looked beautiful on her.

After a moment of infatuation, Xiao C suddenly thought of something and quickly caught up.

“Sister Liu, can you promise me one thing?”

“What is it?”

“Can you not tell my Master about what happened today? Although I had a legitimate reason, I’m afraid she’ll get angry and not listen to my explanation. Then I’d be wrongly accused.”

Liu Yuelan stopped in her tracks upon hearing this. She nodded with an unnatural expression and glanced at him. “About what happened today, you also have to keep it a secret for me.”

“Ah? What happened to you? Keep it a secret from whom?”

Liu Yuelan rolled her eyes at how stupid he was. “The fighting. Don’t tell anyone.”

“Why? You were so cool just now! If everyone knew, they would definitely admire you even more. And my Master — haha, she definitely wouldn’t dare argue with you anymore. You could make her cry with one punch, right?”

Liu Yuelan felt a little embarrassed by what he said. She frowned. “If I tell you to keep it a secret, then keep it a secret. If you say anything, I’ll tell everyone about your matter too.”

“Don’t, don’t, don’t. I promise you.”

The two of them walked onto the main road. Liu Yuelan glanced at him. “Did you drink?”

Xiao C shook his head. “No.”

“Really no?”

“Really no. I was walking properly on the road when they dragged me in.”

Liu Yuelan tossed him the car keys. “Be my driver for once.”

Xiao C looked at the car keys he had long coveted and jumped up in excitement. Once in the car, he was so nervous he didn’t dare touch anything. Only under Liu Yuelan’s impatient urging did he slowly start driving.

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Liu Yuelan (looking at Yu Qianlin): So cute. If I punch her, she should cry for a long time, right?