After the Early-Deceased White Moonlight of a Wealthy Family Returns (GL) - Chapter 61

“Xiao Yu!” Meng Dongdong pulled Shen You’an to the backstage area, excitedly greeting a girl who had just stepped off the stage. “Xiao Yu! Xiao Yu!”

The girl who responded had shoulder-length curly hair and four shimmering silver studs at her brow bone. When she spoke, a silver stud gleamed on the tip of her tongue as well. She walked over with her bass slung across her body, her joy unconcealed. “Dongdong.”

Meng Dongdong grinned. “I came to watch you perform.”

Yu Shuyan lowered her head slightly. “How was it?”

“Incredible,” Meng Dongdong praised, gesturing animatedly. “I absolutely love your style this time; the jazz influence is so strong. Oh, Xiao Yu, let me introduce you. This is my best friend, An-jie. An-jie, this is Xiao Yu.”

“Yu Shuyan.” The bassist girl waved at Shen You’an.

“You An,” Shen You’an replied.

Yu Shuyan glanced at her teammates packing up and said to Meng Dongdong, “Dongdong, wait for me a bit. I’ll pack my gear first. We’re having a celebration dinner in a while—want to join?”

Meng Dongdong turned to Shen You’an and winked.

Shen You’an: “Sure.”

Meng Dongdong giggled. “Count us in!”

Yu Shuyan nodded. “Wait for me.”

She carried her bass quickly toward the band’s dressing room. From a short distance away, Shen You’an heard Yu Shuyan’s teammates teasing her: “Xiao Yu, another fan?”

Yu Shuyan replied helplessly, “No, Sister Xie, she’s a friend.”

Taking advantage of the gap, Meng Dongdong told Shen You’an about Yu Shuyan’s “legendary” life.

“Xiao Yu is actually my childhood friend; our parents are close. Don’t be fooled by her look now; her parents are actually professors. Xiao Yu was always brilliant. We started first grade together, but she skipped grades so fast while I was stuck there practicing calligraphy and basic addition.”

“An-jie, she’s around our age, so don’t feel pressured. Just have fun in a bit.”

Shen You’an didn’t feel any pressure. In her current situation, she felt that aside from Su Wu, very few things could actually pressure her.

Yu Shuyan moved fast. Twenty minutes later, the three of them were sitting in a bar next to the live house.

Though called a “celebration dinner,” it was mostly drinking and late-night snacks with band members, friends, and staff. Meng Dongdong was in her element, flitting around like a social butterfly. Shen You’an stayed quiet by her side, her aura somewhat disconnected from the surrounding revelry.

Meng Dongdong kept a constant eye on her mood.

“An-jie, shall I get you a sparkling water? I remember you don’t drink.” Meng Dongdong recalled that You’an hadn’t touched alcohol on the cruise.

“No need.” Shen You’an caught Meng Dongdong’s hand as she went to order on the iPad. “I want to try some alcohol. Can you recommend something? Not too strong.”

Meng Dongdong: “No problem. How about a Baileys Milk? It’s basically like a juice drink. With Baileys as the base, there’s hardly any alcohol content.”

“…Pick another one.”

“Why? Didn’t you used to love milk?”

“How about a Piña Colada? No milk, just pure coconut cream with rum and liqueur.”

“Mhm.” Shen You’an added the drink to the order. She remarked, “Dongdong, you know so much.”

Meng Dongdong gave a smug hum. “Of course.”

“An-jie, let me tell you, my old dream was to open my own little bar—the kind only for girls. Selling coffee and desserts during the day. My latte art is actually amazing; I’ll show you next time.”

“Your bread and desserts are delicious too,” Shen You’an said.

Meng Dongdong blushed. “Don’t be so direct; I’m getting embarrassed.”

“Why is it an ‘old’ dream?” Shen You’an caught the phrasing.

“Sigh, my parents think it’s not a ‘proper’ career. They’re forcing me to study Business so I can come back and inherit the company. Honestly, I’m interested in buying jewelry, but I have zero interest in selling it,” Meng Dongdong complained gloomily. “Let’s not mention that crap during our good times. Mentioning it just makes me think of my pathetic IELTS score.”

“An-jie, they’re going to play a game. Want in?”

“What kind of game?”

“I don’t know yet, hehe. They haven’t said, but let’s join the fun?”

Shen You’an nodded.

As it turned out, “joining the fun” resulted in her losing the game. According to the rules, she had to either accept a dare or drink three shots. The dare? She had to kiss a person of her choice.

The person chosen for the dare was a woman—the lead singer of Yu Shuyan’s band. She was exceptionally charming, wearing a leopard-print camisole and fur coat despite the season, her lips a fiery red. She smiled at Shen You’an.

“Don’t be nervous. Anywhere is fine,” the singer said.

Shen You’an looked at her tilted face. She could see the blood vessels in the woman’s neck; for a moment, every scent in the room was captured clearly. She smelled the singer’s scent—it was completely different from Su Wu’s.

Shen You’an said, “Thank you, but I’ll take the penalty.”

The singer let out an “aiyah”: “Really? Little sister, from the look of you, three shots isn’t something you can handle. Don’t push yourself.”

“I’m fine.” Shen You’an accepted her loss and reached for the glasses.

Meng Dongdong, worried, tried to drink for her, but the game host interjected: “Substitution penalties are double!”

Shen You’an patted Dongdong’s hand and downed the glasses one by one. Her chest immediately began to burn.

Meng Dongdong was terrified. “An-jie, your face is red.”

Shen You’an blinked. “Is it?” She reached out to touch her face, but it didn’t feel that hot.

Meng Dongdong: “…You’re touching my face.”

Shen You’an looked blank. “Huh?”

Meng Dongdong realized things were going south. She called Yu Shuyan over and together they supported You’an as they walked out.

“An-jie, I’m taking you home,” Meng Dongdong said.

Shen You’an waved her hands. “No, no. You haven’t seen your friend in so long; you should have fun. I… I can go back myself.”

How could Meng Dongdong be at ease? She immediately hailed a taxi.

“I’ll drop you off first, then come back out. It’s the same,” Meng Dongdong said, steadying her. “Xiao Yu, give me a hand.”

Yu Shuyan and Meng Dongdong each took a side, supporting Shen You’an firmly. Shen You’an felt like a duck on a roasting rack. She was helped into the car and sandwiched in the middle, sitting perfectly upright.

Ring, ring, ring.

Meng Dongdong’s phone rang. She answered in a low voice, and after hanging up, she couldn’t hide her grin.

Shen You’an tilted her head toward her.

Meng Dongdong explained, “It was my Auntie.”

Shen You’an immediately reached out and covered her mouth. “Shhh, it’s a secret.”

Meng Dongdong didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “It’s fine, An-jie. Xiao Yu knows.”

Shen You’an turned to look at Yu Shuyan, who nodded. Only then did she release Dongdong’s mouth.

Yu Shuyan asked, “What did she say to you?”

Meng Dongdong: “Nothing much. It’s just that the bar we were at is owned by her. The manager knows me and messaged her saying I was there. she just called to ask what was up.”

Yu Shuyan: “Mhm.”

Shen You’an commented: “She keeps a very tight leash on you.”

Meng Dongdong smiled smugly. “That’s exactly the effect I’m going for.”

“Never mind me, Xiao Yu, what about you? How’s your progress?” Meng Dongdong asked.

Yu Shuyan froze. “What progress?”

Meng Dongdong looked frustrated. “With the lead singer! Didn’t you tell me last time that you liked her!”

Yu Shuyan realized. “Ah, yes.”

“It’s just… as it is,” she said flatly.

Meng Dongdong was anxious for her. “Stupid. You too—how long have you been in a band together? Don’t you know the saying about the ‘vantage point’?”

Yu Shuyan gave an “mhm”: “I know it now.”

Meng Dongdong looked at the two friends squeezed into the back seat with her—one stupid, one dazed. She really had to do everything herself.

“An-jie, do you want to call Sister Su Wu and let her know you’re safe?” Meng Dongdong reminded her. “Tell her we’re heading back now.”

Shen You’an hesitated. “Is it necessary?”

Meng Dongdong: “Of course! What if Sister Su Wu thinks you’re still at the bar and gets worried?”

Shen You’an’s finger, touching the phone in her pocket, wavered. Seeing this, Meng Dongdong simply pulled out her own phone and dialed Su Wu’s number.

“Dongdong?” Su Wu answered. “Why the sudden call? Did something happen to Xiao An?”

Meng Dongdong: “No, no! Her phone died! She wanted to borrow mine to let you know she’s safe!”

Having said that, Meng Dongdong decisively shoved the phone into Shen You’an’s palm.

Shen You’an stared blankly for a second before saying into the phone, “A-jie.”

Su Wu: “Have you been drinking?”

Meng Dongdong clicked her tongue inwardly. What kind of ears does Su Wu have? She can tell she’s been drinking just from two words?

“A tiny, tiny bit,” Shen You’an reported obediently into the receiver. “One big glass, three little ones.”

“Does your head hurt? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?” Su Wu asked.

“It doesn’t hurt; everything is fine,” Shen You’an whispered, clutching the phone. “It’s just—”

“Just what?”

“A-jie, I miss you a little.” The girl was cautiously honest. “When are you coming home?”

“A-jie?”

The other end went silent for a moment. Shen You’an looked at Meng Dongdong in a panic. Meng Dongdong leaned in to check. The call was still active, and the signal was fine.

“I can’t make it back today,” Su Wu said. “Xiao An, if you get home in a bit, remember to charge your phone first. Once it’s charged, call me again.”

Shen You’an seriously memorized every word Su Wu said.

“Are you home yet?” Su Wu asked.

Shen You’an looked outside; her blurred consciousness made it hard to tell where they were.

Meng Dongdong glanced at the driver’s navigation display. “Sister Su Wu, ten minutes more. Almost there.”

“Good,” Su Wu said. “Dongdong, can I trouble you to keep the line open until she’s inside? I’m a bit worried.”

“No problem at all!” Meng Dongdong was proactive. “Don’t worry, Sister Su Wu. I’ll bet my sister’s head on it—mission accomplished!”

Yu Shuyan looked at her silently. Meng Dongdong stuck out her tongue.

For the next ten minutes, Su Wu heard every sound clearly on the other end. Shen You’an called her name every now and then, and she would respond whenever she heard it. She heard Meng Dongdong’s exclamations as she looked around, and a girl’s voice she had never heard before.

“Careful!” Yu Shuyan said.

THUD.

“An-jie!” Meng Dongdong screamed in panic.

Su Wu’s heart leaped. “What happened?”

Shen You’an had reacted quickly to steady herself, while also firmly gripping the phone that had almost flown out of her hand.

Meng Dongdong breathed a massive sigh of relief. “Nothing, nothing! Sister Su Wu! There was a car accident ahead, and our car braked suddenly.”

Shen You’an nodded in agreement. “Minor issue, minor issue.”

The driver was shouting curses, arguing with the owner of the car in front. “Holy crap, what an idiot! Can you even drive?!”

The other owner had a short fuse too and came over to settle the score. “What did you say?!”

Meng Dongdong was startled. “Oh boy, are they going to fight?”

Shen You’an straightened her back instantly. “Where? Who are they fighting? I’ll go.”

Thinking of Shen You’an’s performance at the boxing ring, Meng Dongdong immediately said, “Xiao Yu! Hold her back!”

Yu Shuyan obeyed, grabbing onto Shen You’an.

Seeing the driver and the other owner arguing heatedly and realizing they were only a few minutes away, Meng Dongdong decided they would walk the rest of the way.

“An-jie! An-jie! This way! Aaah! Xiao Yu, Xiao Yu! Quick, hold her!”

“Wait, let me check the map first.”

“Whew, whew, finally here.”

Meng Dongdong picked up the phone. “Sister Su Wu, I’ve brought An-jie home.”

“Thank you,” Su Wu sounded visibly relieved. “You worked hard today.”

“No trouble at all,” Meng Dongdong waved her hand. “I didn’t do much; I just guided and made the call. It was all Xiao Yu—my friend—who carried her back.”

“Sister Su Wu, we’re heading off then?”

“Alright, thank you,” Su Wu said. “Wait a moment; I’ll have someone come pick you up.”

“No need!” Meng Dongdong felt a bit shy.

“It’s too late,” Su Wu said. “Wait for me.”

Meng Dongdong stared at her phone, looked at Shen You’an curled up on the sofa with her eyes closed, and then looked at Yu Shuyan. “Are you in a rush to get back?”

Yu Shuyan shook her head.

Fine then.

Meng Dongdong hung up, plugged You’an’s phone in to charge, checked the time, and led Yu Shuyan downstairs.

Shen You’an had collapsed onto the sofa the moment she got home. Her head was heavy, and her consciousness was blurred. In her half-dreaming state, she heard the door close. She opened her eyes but saw no one. Remembering Meng Dongdong, she called her and asked, “Are you guys gone?”

Meng Dongdong: “An-jie, are you that drunk? We’ve been gone for half an hour; we’re almost back at the bar. Sister Su Wu sent someone to pick us up. Don’t worry, we’re fine. Get some rest at home.”

Shen You’an cautioned, “You be careful too.”

Meng Dongdong chirped, “Don’t worry, Xiao Yu is here; nothing will happen.”

Hanging up, Shen You’an looked at the 48% battery charge. Su Wu’s words in the car echoed in her head. She pulled the phone to the edge of the sofa and dialed. It was answered quickly.

“You’an? Awake?”

Shen You’an felt a bit embarrassed. “A-jie, I was a bit dizzy when I got home. I think I drifted off for a bit; I don’t know.”

“Dizzy?”

“Much better now,” Shen You’an said.

Su Wu: “Probably the wind when you walked home. I checked the cloud maps; Chens City is very windy today.”

“Can you stand up? Get some warm water.”

Shen You’an pulled the blanket over herself. “Mhm, I’ll go in a bit.”

“Good.”

The other end was very quiet. Shen You’an couldn’t hear any background noise.

“A-jie, where are you?”

“The lab,” Su Wu said.

“Still busy?”

“No.” Su Wu gestured for the researchers to wait before reporting. “Just checking data.”

“Because of me?”

“Because of us,” Su Wu corrected her gently. “I want to uncover the secrets behind the Shen family too.”

Shen You’an went quiet for a bit. Then she called out, “A-jie.”

“Mhm?”

“I miss you a little.” She curled up on the sofa, burying her head in the blanket, letting Su Wu’s residual scent envelop her completely. “When are you coming home?”

“When I’m finished,” Su Wu replied.

“Oh—” Shen You’an tugged the blanket closer. She held back for a moment, then couldn’t help asking in a tiny voice, “Does A-jie… does A-jie not miss me?”

“Why would you say that?” Su Wu hadn’t expected You’an to say such a thing.

Shen You’an muttered, “Just… asking.”

She heard Su Wu sigh, then heard her say, “Did I make you feel insecure?” It was the familiar gentle tone.

Shen You’an wanted to say no—it was just her own brain being uncontrollable lately, her thoughts running wild. Security didn’t matter. But her mouth opened and no words came out; it felt like her throat was glued shut.

“You’an.”

“Mhm?”

“You wear the watch 24 hours a day; I can check your GPS at any time.” Su Wu’s voice paused for two seconds. “It’s not that I don’t miss you. It’s just that I know you’re doing fine.”

Does your face get this hot after being drunk? Shen You’an pressed her cheek against the pillow, letting out a small whimper.

“What is it?” Su Wu asked. “Feeling unwell?”

Shen You’an murmured, “A-jie, miss you.” She felt like a broken record today. She reflected on it, but didn’t want to change.

Su Wu looked at the brightly lit lab in the night. She finally couldn’t help but let out an “mhm” and replied, “I miss you too.”

Shen You’an’s heart bubbled with joy; tiny butterflies flew out. Her voice took on a lilting tone. “A-jie, I miss you more.”

Su Wu chuckled. “Little drunkard, you have to compete even over this?”

Shen You’an said with full reasoning, “This is a pure fact. Because, first, I think of A-jie every day during class. Meng Dongdong says I’m doomed. Although she doesn’t know I’m thinking of you; she’s just worried about my already failing math scores.”

“Second, I’m currently under A-jie’s blanket, and it smells like you. Actually, I’ve been secretly using this blanket these past few days. A-jie, you won’t mind, right?”

“A-jie?”

“I’m here.”

“…Why aren’t you talking? Are you unhappy because I used your blanket? Okay, I’m sorry. I’ll put it back in your bedroom in a bit.”

“No need,” Su Wu said. “If that blanket can accompany you for me, I’m happy. It’s a good use of it.”

Shen You’an giggled. “I think so too.”

The blanket surrounded her softly, without a single sharp edge. Just like Su Wu—in front of her, Su Wu was always open, wholehearted, without any sharpness. She pulled the blanket tight, bunching it in her arms. Her body began to miss the feeling of hugging Su Wu in the basement the other day.

“A-jie.”

“Mhm?”

“I think I might be sick.”

Su Wu’s voice turned audibly worried. “What’s wrong?”

“I went to see Dongdong’s friend perform today. Afterward, I went to their celebration dinner. I lost a game, and the penalty was to kiss the lead singer.” Shen You’an shared her story in a rambling way. “But I found that even when her neck was right in front of me and the blood vessels were so close, I had zero appetite. Her lips were close too, so red, but I still didn’t feel anything.”

“A-jie, am I developing an eating disorder?”

In those few sentences, Su Wu’s heart went on an extreme roller-coaster ride. When it finally landed, all that was left was a sense of helplessness and a faint sadness.

“It might just be that your personalities are incompatible,” she said. “If needed, you can try with a different person next time.”

The butterflies in Shen You’an’s heart flew a bit erratically. “I don’t want anyone else,” she said. “I only want A-jie.”

The rambling continued fitfully, then finally stopped. Only the girl’s breathing remained on the line.

Slowly, Su Wu leaned her head against the wall and let out a long breath. When she straightened up again, her expression was once more cold and intellectual.

“President Su, going back to the hotel?” a fellow researcher asked.

Su Wu shook her head. “You guys go ahead.”

The researcher was puzzled. “President Su, it’s this late. Are you going back to the lab?”

“I’ll wrap things up and go home later.”

The grad student assumed her “home” was nearby, but Su Wu spent forty minutes finishing the work and then took the night highway back to Chens City.

Three hours.

She arrived home and opened the door just as the sky was beginning to lighten. The girl was curled up on the sofa under the quilt; the call hadn’t been disconnected for a second until Su Wu walked up and hung it up for her.

The girl was holding the blanket from Su Wu’s bedroom very, very tightly.

Su Wu watched her for a long time, then reached out to touch her forehead. Good. Not hot. No fever.

What was she to do with Shen You’an? After the second “feeding,” You’an’s sudden surge of attachment and longing made it almost impossible for Su Wu to handle.

This was what she had longed for, for so long. The only difference was that her emotional starting point and You’an’s had never been the same.

Su Wu knew very well that You’an’s current emotions and reactions were likely caused by the intense intimacy of the feedings in the short term. She shamefully enjoyed it, yet firmly loathed herself for it. She reached out to smooth the girl’s slightly squashed cheek—soft, the result of her careful nurturing lately.

Actually, these so-called struggles were just her own ways of self-comfort. Su Wu analyzed herself coldly again, questioning herself with the sharpest words:

Su Wu, can you really do it? Can you lead Shen You’an and help her find a way to stand in this world as a monster, instead of keeping her by your side and letting her develop an unseemly infatuation with you?

The answer was just three words: I can’t.

But Su Wu still wanted to try and restrain that “I can’t.”

She knew she was a very pathological person, but You’an was different. What she wanted to give her was the best of everything in the world. You’an always said she was the one who “wanted it all,” but wasn’t Su Wu the same?

Because of this, Su Wu was always extra cautious, constantly pulling herself in different directions. Her reason was a line stretched tight, yet it still crumbled every time You’an called her “A-jie.”

“Shen You’an, tell me, what exactly is the best way to do right by you?”

The night wind blew her whisper away silently.