Lin'an

To be honest, Xu Luoluo's situation wasn't exactly terrible. Through this experience, she went from an insignificant administrative staff member at T Company to a screenwriter for a wildly popular drama, and even established subtle connections with bigwigs in the film and television industry through Tang Yizhuo's introduction. Her experience as a game designer also revealed that this role was completely different from what she had imagined a screenwriter to be—not what she truly wanted to do. Even if she hadn't been fired, she probably wouldn't have continued in that role anyway.

So she not only didn't lose anything, but she was even more determined and had more opportunities than before.

However, Tang Yizhuo's actions were different from what was promised, making her feel like she had been tricked.

There's a kind of unpleasant feeling of being treated like a fool.

Tang Yizhuo was certainly unkind, but ultimately, she herself lacked the ability. Even if opportunities were presented to her, she might not have been able to seize them. Xu Luoluo tugged at her hair, determined to learn from her mistake. Her future motto flashed through her mind like a barrage of comments: Opportunity favors the prepared mind. One must be strong oneself to succeed. Everything still depends on oneself!

While Xu Luoluo was determined to work hard and improve her business, someone else was on the verge of tears.

At the apartment door, Su Ze glanced back at the opposite door before opening it; that door was tightly shut, just like that day. Su Ze couldn't help but sigh. He had originally wanted to bring her under his protection as soon as possible, but he hadn't expected her to be so stubborn. Now, with this happening at the company, she had also been affected. He thought of the way her bright eyes looked at him that day, pulling him to eat hotpot together. He also thought of how her tears welled up in her eyes, yet she stubbornly held them back, lowering her head so he wouldn't see. Thinking that he too had been a force in this storm, he felt a pang of guilt. She must be feeling terrible right now.

Thinking this, Su Ze couldn't help but turn and walk towards the other side. Whether by coincidence or not, the door opposite opened at that moment, revealing a face as beautiful as a flower. Seeing him walking towards her, a smile of surprise and delight instantly bloomed on her pretty face.

Su Ze was taken aback; this wasn't the person he had thought he was talking about.

What are you doing here?

When Deng Lingling saw the other person stop and look at her coldly as usual, her eyes suddenly reddened, and she explained with a wronged expression, "This is the apartment the company arranged for me."

Seeing that Su Ze was silent, she softened her tone and said, "I didn't expect you to live here too. What a coincidence."

The lyrics to "What a coincidence" made Su Ze look up and stare at Deng Lingling. A girl's forced smile and a casual "What a coincidence" had once made him feel guilty for misunderstanding her; now he felt guilty again, but she had already moved away.

Su Ze's expression softened as he recalled the past. He hadn't expected that he could hold onto such a stubborn girl so tightly. Su Ze thought he should go back and contact her, and perhaps also put in a good word for her with his friend's company. So he nodded to Deng Lingling as a greeting, then turned to go home.

Seeing Su Ze turn around, Deng Lingling couldn't help but step forward and grab his sleeve: "Senior, we'll be neighbors from now on, why don't you come in and sit down?"

For so many days after moving in, no one had entered or left Su Ze's house. Now that he had finally come home, how could Deng Lingling be willing to let go of the opportunity to get close to him?

Su Ze paused. He was always a germaphobe and disliked being touched by strangers. Looking at the hand that was grabbing his sleeve, a strong sense of unease churned in his stomach. He coldly pulled his sleeve away: "It's so late, it's inconvenient." Without looking back, he opened the door, went inside, closed the door, and took off his coat, throwing it into the laundry basket.

Deng Lingling's hand remained frozen in mid-air, her face pale as she stared at the empty corridor and the cold security door, tears welling in her eyes. She had always been a rose pursued by many, the center of attention, the one who always rejected others, never the one who invited and was rejected. She had never suffered such humiliation with a man before.

Deng Lingling returned to her apartment and glared resentfully at her room. She'd moved in too hastily, and having been constantly monitoring Su Ze's movements, she hadn't had time to tidy up or decorate; everything remained exactly as Xu Luoluo had left it. She couldn't help but pull up a photo she'd received recently on her phone. In the photo, Su Ze was protecting Xu Luoluo, a gentle smile on his usually aloof face. Why? Since their student days, Su Ze had always maintained a cool and aloof demeanor, never showing any excessive intimacy with any girl. Yet here he was, in front of everyone downstairs at the company, being all lovey-dovey with Xu Luoluo. Deng Lingling glared at their intimate display, her eyes practically spitting fire. She couldn't fathom what underhanded tricks that woman had used. These two were from completely different worlds back in university; Su Ze was the aloof, admired god, while Xu Luoluo was nothing more than her defeated foe.

Yes. Deng Lingling's eyes suddenly lit up. As long as Su Ze understood her better, he would definitely discover that she was far superior to Xu Luoluo. Hadn't Xu Luoluo always been her defeated opponent? In the past, now, and in the future.

********

Xu Luoluo attended the class reunion on Saturday feeling apologetic towards Wang Haoran, only to be comforted by him in a spirit of shared indignation.

“These days, investors are like fathers. They can withdraw their investment whenever they want, and we can’t find anyone to reason with.” Wang Haoran greeted her at the door and led her inside as he spoke. “I can let it go, but you, senior, already have a body of work and you still encounter this kind of thing. It’s really too hard for us screenwriters.”

These words made Xu Luoluo feel embarrassed. She knew her own limitations, but she couldn't clarify them at the moment, so she could only nod awkwardly: "Sigh, we're having such a hard time."

Then she remembered the important matter. Her savings wouldn't even last a few months in S City, let alone enough for a hotel. Fortunately, in her line of work, all she needed was a computer, so location didn't matter much. Given the current situation, she didn't plan to take on an unrelated job to support herself. Rather than being indecisive, she'd rather make a decisive move to a smaller city with cheaper rent, dedicating all her energy to studying and creating. While her savings wouldn't last a few months in S City, they could provide a comfortable life for a year and a half in a typical small city. She just hadn't decided where to go yet.

"If you're free next Wednesday, I'll go pick up my luggage." Now that their employment relationship was over, she felt bad leaving her luggage at Wang Haoran's house indefinitely. Xu Luoluo planned to give herself a few days to decide where to go first, and then send her luggage there.

Wang Haoran didn't think too much about it: "Sure, I'm free lately. Just let me know whenever you need to pick it up. Where is your new home? I can deliver it to you directly."

They obviously assumed she had found a new place. Xu Luoluo smiled and nodded, saying no need, she could just go and pick it up herself. Before everything was settled, Xu Luoluo didn't plan to say too much, nor did she know what to say. Should she say she was going to find a small place to "retreat and cultivate" and "make a name for herself"? Setting a goal is the easiest way to backfire; she'd better keep a low profile.

"What do you mean you don't need it?" Judging from the voice, the person speaking was smiling at them. Xu Luoluo looked up and was surprised and delighted to see her college roommate Xia Ning, whom she hadn't seen in a long time. She couldn't help but quicken her pace and hug Xia Ning, who came up to her at the same time. With red eyes, she muttered, "Where have you been all these years? We haven't seen each other in so long."

Seeing that she had been perfectly fine just moments before, but had reverted to her childlike self from college, Xia Ning couldn't help but smile and pat her back to comfort her, saying, "It's a long story, I'll tell you slowly later. You're all grown up now, don't cry like that. Can't we see each other more often in the future?"

The warmth in her words was as constant as ever, and Xu Luoluo suddenly felt much more at ease. The anxiety and trepidation she had felt for so long, having to face the world as a mature adult, were instantly calmed down by Xia Ning's gentle pat.

"Waaaaah, I want to go home with you." Xu Luoluo hugged Xia Ning tightly and refused to let go.

Xia Ning smiled and said, "Okay, I'll take you home."

Xu Luoluo then released her with satisfaction, greeted everyone present, and behaved politely and gracefully, as if the whiny girl from just now was not herself.

Everyone: "..." Was that yuri-esque scene something I should have been watching?

Suddenly a commotion broke out, and the people facing the door became noticeably agitated.

"Is it him? No way, he actually came to the class reunion?"

"Didn't they say he never comes to these events? What's going on?"

"Finally, I can see my idol up close! I made the right choice coming here!"

"After all these years, you're still as infatuated as ever. I'm impressed."

Xu Luoluo was startled, and had some vague guesses in her mind. She turned her head hesitantly and saw a cold yet familiar figure.

Su Ze. He's here too.

She was somewhat surprised, because Su Ze certainly didn't seem like the type to attend a class reunion. However, she wasn't as excited as the others present; she just watched and moved on, turning back to chat with Xia Ning, asking why she had suddenly lost contact with everyone over the years and what she was doing now.

Su Ze, much to everyone's surprise, didn't greet anyone and was simply surrounded by the crowd as usual. Naturally, the people present had plenty to talk about with their former campus heartthrob, now a popular game planner at T Company.

Xu Luoluo didn't pay much attention because her attention was drawn to other things.

"Is rent in Lin'an really that cheap?" Xu Luoluo's eyes widened. "But I've heard that the cultural environment there is quite good."

“Yes, people there have adapted to a slower pace of life. The technological development of the city can’t keep up with that here, but the natural scenery is beautiful,” Xia Ning looked up and smiled, adding, “There are also many freelancers, and various arts and culture events and salons are constantly emerging, which is why I chose to live there.”

"I've decided." Xu Luoluo clenched her fist longingly. "I want to go too!"