Giving You Dawn and Dusk - Chapter 7

After speaking, Liang Shi awkwardly rubbed the tip of her nose and silently apologized to Xu Qingya in her heart.

She didn’t want to lie to Xu Qingzhu.

Especially facing eyes like those, deceit would give her a huge feeling of guilt.

Cheng Ran, standing behind Liang Shi, waved at Xu Qingzhu. “Long time no see, Miss Xu.”

“Yes.” Xu Qingzhu didn’t want to make Liang Shi lose face, so she nodded slightly, greeting her with a weak voice, “Hello.”

Cheng Ran’s smile widened. She started walking forward in her high heels, but Liang Shi grabbed her arm as she passed by.

Cheng Ran frowned and whispered, “You don’t have to guard her this closely, do you? Can’t I even go up and say hello? Liang Shi, that’s enough.”

Liang Shi pressed her lips together, her voice heavy. “You come with me.”

She looked back at Xu Qingzhu. “You go back to your room first. I’ll talk to Cheng Ran and then come find you.”

“It’s fine,” Xu Qingzhu said. Her face was pale, and her figure was thin, looking somewhat malnourished. She stood in the doorway, like a painting of absolute solitude. “Just tell me where Ya Ya is.”

“Wait a moment.” Liang Shi looked at her sincerely. “I just need to talk to her for a few words. Can I accompany you to find Ya Ya afterward?”

“I don’t need your company,” Xu Qingzhu refused. “I can go myself.”

Liang Shi frowned slightly. “I’ll go with you.”

“No need,” Xu Qingzhu insisted on refusing.

She didn’t believe that Liang Shi could completely change her ways and truly become another person in just one day.

She was more inclined to believe that Liang Shi’s current actions were motivated by some hidden agenda.

As for what the agenda was, she hadn’t figured it out yet.

But their relationship wasn’t close enough for this kind of behavior.

It was only by chance that Xu Qingzhu, on her way to the restroom, heard Liang Shi making a call in the hallway. She then called both Liang Shi and Xu Qingya, finding both lines busy, which led to her current suspicion.

She hadn’t even figured out why Xu Qingya would contact Liang Shi.

Since when were Xu Qingya and Liang Shi so close?

After speaking, Xu Qingzhu didn’t argue further. She sent a message to Zhao Xuning, informing her that she planned to leave the room briefly and asking her to come and give her a blocker shot.

An Omega who has just completed their heat will still emit pheromones outside, which is dangerous if strong Alphas detect them. Having just gone through such a mentally exhausting night, Xu Qingzhu didn’t want to experience it a second time.

So, caution was necessary.

Zhao Xuning only replied with “Okay” after receiving the message.

Meanwhile, Liang Shi pulled Cheng Ran aside in the corridor.

Cheng Ran crossed her arms, a disdainful expression on her face. “Liang Shi, you were really just now…”

She clicked her tongue, saying carelessly, “Don’t tell me you’ve actually fallen for that Omega.”

“Cheng Ran.” Liang Shi was considering what words to use to remind Cheng Ran to maintain a normal social distance.

She had lived in her original world for twenty-five years.

She had spent a lot of time alone, so she was very good at maintaining distance in relationships.

Never overly intimate, nor overly distant.

She had never even had a falling-out with a friend.

But she and Cheng Ran truly were not suited to be friends.

The original host and Cheng Ran were friends because they were involved in debauchery together, but Liang Shi had always despised such behavior.

She preferred the state of having one partner for life.

Finding a girl she liked, whether they married or not, working diligently during work hours, and occasionally sending a message to the other person when tired.

After work, they would go watch a movie, or cook together and watch a show at home, doing intimate things.

She didn’t mind bringing the other person into her world, and she hoped to become a part of their life too.

However, in her original world, this thought was nothing more than wishful thinking.

No one accepted her sexual orientation.

She was also afraid of hurting other girls due to the nature of her profession, so she had never dated.

Even if she met a girl she felt a little favorable towards, she only dared to watch from afar.

She never thought of possessing them.

But now, it was as if she had a second chance at life, and she wanted to be herself.

She had lived too constrained by moral shackles, living for a livelihood and for others, which was exhausting.

Now, she wanted to be lighter.

Make easygoing friends and fall in love with someone she liked.

However, dealing with the original host’s issues was a major problem.

She thought about it and decided she had no choice but to be blunt. “I don’t think we are suited to be friends.”

Cheng Ran was stunned. “Huh?”

Liang Shi said very seriously, “I won’t be attending those parties and gatherings with you anymore. Life should have infinite possibilities, not waste time on meaningless, time-killing activities.”

Cheng Ran was bewildered for a few seconds, then laughed in anger. “Liang Shi, are you out of your mind? What on earth are you talking about? Did Xu Qingzhu cast some sort of spell on you?”

“It has nothing to do with Xu Qingzhu,” Liang Shi said. “It’s just that I’ve figured things out. I’m going to start fresh and be myself.”

She meant these words both for the original Liang Shi and the current Liang Shi.

Cheng Ran’s eyebrows furrowed into a tight knot. “Are you saying you want to break up with me?”

“You could understand it that way,” Liang Shi said firmly.

“I can’t believe this.” Cheng Ran cursed in anger. “You motherf*cker.”

With that, she swung a punch.

Liang Shi narrowed her eyes. She could have easily dodged, but after a moment of hesitation, she took the hit.

An Alpha’s strength was great, and the punch made her stagger.

Liang Shi took half a step back. “That’s it then. I’m leaving.”

“Holy shit,” Cheng Ran yelled behind her. “Liang Shi, you’re absolutely insane.”

Liang Shi walked away decisively without looking back.

In truth, Liang Shi had many ways to break up with Cheng Ran gracefully.

She could have avoided her when Cheng Ran sought her out, or picked a minor issue to argue with Cheng Ran about and break off the relationship then.

But Liang Shi chose the most direct approach.

She didn’t want to waste too much time on this kind of social relationship.

Thinking pessimistically, if she couldn’t gain 80 points of Luck Value within three months, this would be the last three months of her life. How much time did she have to deal with them?

It was too tiring.

Better to keep it simple.

She stood outside Xu Qingzhu’s room, raising the back of her hand to wipe her mouth. Blood smeared on her skin.

She frowned slightly, not wanting Xu Qingzhu to see it.

But this scene fell into Zhao Xuning’s eyes.

Zhao Xuning said coolly, “Move aside.”

Liang Shi stepped to the side, giving her space.

Zhao Xuning was usually a woman of few words, but as she passed by, she couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity, “Did you fight with Cheng Ran?”

Liang Shi tiredly acknowledged with a “Mm.”

Zhao Xuning curled her lips into a half-smile, laced with a hint of sarcasm. “That’s a rarity.”

With that, she entered the room.

Xu Qingzhu had already changed into new clothes that Bai Weiwei had brought when she visited.

She wore a bright yellow, knee-length, fitted dress. Her slender forearms and beautiful collarbone were exposed. She was already thin, and wearing this dress made her waist look tiny and graspable.

She was very striking.

If this were Liang Shi’s original world, Xu Qingzhu would definitely be a top star in the entertainment industry, crushing the competition in the annual Goddess poll.

A needle pierced Xu Qingzhu’s slender, pale forearm. Her veins were visible under the sunlight.

Liang Shi’s heart tightened at the sight.

Arms like those didn’t seem suited for injections.

It looked very unsettling.

So, Liang Shi looked away.

After giving Xu Qingzhu the blocker shot, Zhao Xuning asked, “How long will you be out?”

“About half a day, I estimate,” Xu Qingzhu said. “I’ll be back tonight.”

“What are you going to do? Is it convenient to say?” Zhao Xuning asked.

“My dad tore up Ya Ya’s idol posters and threw away her merchandise. She ran away from home,” Xu Qingzhu stood up. “I’m leaving now. Don’t tell Weiwei about this.”

If Weiwei found out she had checked herself out of the hospital because of her sister’s troubles, she would definitely be upset.

“Understood,” Zhao Xuning said. “Are you going with her?”

Her gaze was fixed on Liang Shi.

Xu Qingzhu thought for a moment and nodded lightly. “She knows where Ya Ya is.”

In fact, only she knew.

“Be careful on your way,” Zhao Xuning said. “Call me if anything happens.”

Leaving the hospital room, they took the elevator straight down to the underground parking lot.

After Liang Shi was hospitalized, the housekeeper had driven her car over.

In the black-and-white striped underground parking lot, the garish green car stood out prominently.

Although Liang Shi really didn’t want to admit it, she had no choice but to lead Xu Qingzhu to the car.

She pressed the unlock button, and the car’s headlights and taillights flashed.

Liang Shi: “…”

How many more aesthetic surprises did the original host have that she didn’t know about?

She first opened the passenger door and, under Xu Qingzhu’s slightly contemptuous gaze, pretended to be calm as she said, “Get in.”

After Xu Qingzhu got in, she got into the driver’s seat herself.

But she noticed Xu Qingzhu was looking at her very intently.

Her eyes were filled with scrutiny and curiosity. As the car pulled out of the parking lot, she suddenly spoke. “Why did you fight with Cheng Ran?”

“Huh?” The engine sound was too loud as the car started. Liang Shi hadn’t heard clearly. “What did you say?”

“Nothing.” Xu Qingzhu dropped the topic and closed her eyes in the passenger seat, feigning sleep.

She maintained a very cold demeanor throughout.

Once the car was driving smoothly, Liang Shi consulted with her. “Can you wait a bit before showing yourself later?”

“What do you mean?” Xu Qingzhu opened her eyes, looking at her coldly.

“I promised your sister I wouldn’t tell you,” Liang Shi said. “But I feel I shouldn’t lie to you.”

“You’ve lied to me more than once,” Xu Qingzhu said coldly.

“But I’m not lying to you this time,” Liang Shi explained. “Your sister came to me first, definitely because there was something she wasn’t comfortable telling you. So, if I go first, I can try to get some information from her, and then talk to you, okay?”

“What if I say no?” Xu Qingzhu said.

Liang Shi: “…”

She pulled the car over to the side of the road. “Then I won’t be able to take you there.”

Xu Qingzhu sneered. “Finally showing your true colors.”

“No,” Liang Shi sighed helplessly. “I told you I wouldn’t hurt you, and correspondingly, I won’t lie to you. Your sister ran away from home after fighting with your parents and didn’t call you, so she must still be angry and emotional. What if she reacts aggressively if you show up in front of her right now?”

“You don’t need to worry about my family, Miss Liang,” Xu Qingzhu drew a line between them, addressing her directly as “Miss Liang.”

Liang Shi pressed her lips together, her voice carrying a sense of helplessness. “I’m afraid she’ll say something bad that will hurt your feelings.”

Xu Qingzhu looked at her, somewhat incredulously.

Is this really Liang Shi?

Liang Shi gently placed her hand on Xu Qingzhu’s shoulder, her gaze sincere and warm. “Xu Qingzhu, will you try to trust me this once, please?”

Liang Shi’s eyes, without makeup, were very beautiful, possessing a warmth that could melt a person. Under her intense gaze, Xu Qingzhu’s heart actually skipped a beat.

But quickly, she looked away.

Liang Shi’s tone became even more sincere, even carrying a hint of humble pleading.

If listened to closely, it sounded almost like coquetry. “This is the last time, okay?”

Xu Qingzhu lightly nodded.

She thought, I’ll try to trust Liang Shi one last time.