Chapter 281 Try to be brave for yourself
When Cui Hao asked to add her on WeChat, Zhou Ruxuan was so nervous that her fingers trembled slightly. She felt a little excited in her heart and even secretly wondered if Cui Hao also had a good impression of her.
In the days that followed, Cui Hao sent her messages from time to time, his words full of concern, and he also asked her out for dinner many times.
During that time, Zhou Ruxuan's life was filled with happiness, and her face was always filled with an uncontrollable smile. Those were the rare happy days in her life.
However, good times are always short-lived.
Just one week later, Cui Hao's words made Zhou Ruxuan feel like she was falling into an ice cellar.
Cui Hao admitted that his favorite person was Mu Nanyan, and hoped that Zhou Ruxuan could help him pursue Mu Nanyan, and help him find out about Mu Nanyan and understand her preferences.
Zhou Ruxuan's heart sank to the bottom in an instant, but she still forced a smile on her face and agreed against her will.
From then on, whenever Cui Hao asked, Zhou Ruxuan would tell him everything she knew, including Mu Nanyan's schedule, preferences, and other information.
She silently hid this bitter secret love in her heart. On one side was her best friend, and on the other side was the man she loved deeply. After a painful struggle, she finally chose to fulfill them.
After all, Mu Nanyan is outstanding in appearance and talent, and is better than himself in every aspect. It seems natural for Cui Hao to like her. Who can resist such a beautiful and outstanding girl?
"Nan Yan, you don't understand. Some people are lucky just to meet each other. If you hadn't taken me to study and work in Country F, I might never have met him in my life. I'm already very happy that we can be friends now. I'm not greedy, really."
She looked up and tried to force a smile.
Mu Nanyan felt a pang of pain in her heart when she saw Zhou Ruxuan forcing a smile.
She looked at Zhou Ruxuan and said firmly:
"Ruxuan, listen to me, liking someone shouldn't be like this."
"But……"
Before Zhou Ruxuan could say anything, Mu Nanyan interrupted her directly:
"No buts. I know what you're worried about, but Ruxuan, are you really willing to be just friends with him? You always say you're not good enough, but in my eyes, you deserve to be loved more than anyone else."
Zhou Ruxuan stared at her blankly, her lips trembling slightly.
"When I was interning at Pinshang, everyone kept their distance from me. It was you who helped me the whole time, otherwise I wouldn't have achieved what I did. On my birthday, I had no one around, but I just called you and you came all the way from Beijing to Country F to take care of me, making me different kinds of soup every day. Later, you started a business with me, and that's how we established our current studio. Who in the company doesn't say you're my most reliable partner?"
Mu Nanyan paused and continued:
"Ruxuan, you are really, really good. You have to believe in yourself. You are worthy of being loved. You should tell him your feelings."
Zhou Ruxuan listened quietly, and those sincere words penetrated into her heart word by word, and her eyes couldn't help but turn slightly red.
This was the first time she listened to Mu Nanyan's inner thoughts at such a close distance, and she felt an indescribable emotion in her heart.
For a long time, Zhou Ruxuan had vaguely felt that there was an invisible barrier between her and Mu Nanyan.
Once, she accidentally heard Mu Nanyan and Tang Yutong talking on the phone. The intimacy and tacit understanding between the two made her certain that they were true friends.
In comparison, the relationship between her and Mu Nanyan seemed to remain more at the level of superior and subordinate. Although they cooperated happily, they lacked the intimacy between friends.
However, even with this realization, Zhou Ruxuan's gratitude towards Mu Nanyan never diminished in the slightest.
Looking back, if it weren't for Mu Nanyan, she would have no chance to step onto the stage of the fashion design competition. That was her dream a long time ago, and it finally came true because of her.
More importantly, if it weren't for Mu Nanyan's encouragement and support, she might have been trapped in the quagmire of her original family and unable to extricate herself.
Her gambling-addicted father was like a bottomless pit, squandering her hard-earned wages on the gambling table;
Her mother, who favored boys over girls, also treated her as an ATM, using her money to help her brother get a loan to buy a house and prepare for his wedding.
Ever since Mu Nanyan left Pinshang, Zhou Ruxuan's life in the design department has become increasingly difficult.
Her colleagues always targeted her intentionally or unintentionally. They would throw all the odd jobs to her without exception, and sarcastically said that she was destined to be a handyman and these jobs were most suitable for her.
Some even mocked mercilessly:
"If Zhou Ruxuan hadn't clung to Mu Nanyan's thigh, she wouldn't have had the chance to participate in such a large-scale competition. She wouldn't have been able to do that on her own!"
These hurtful words were like needles, piercing Zhou Ruxuan's heart.
In the company, she was marginalized and her life was miserable.
But even so, she didn't dare to resign easily, because the financial burden of the family fell on her shoulders alone, and the family was waiting for her salary to repay the loan.
In this way, Zhou Ruxuan suffered another half a year in Pinshang.
Until one day, she suddenly received a call from Mu Nanyan. On the other end of the phone, Mu Nanyan's voice was kind and firm:
"Ruxuan, how are you doing recently? I'm planning to start a business, and I want you to come and help me. Are you willing?"
Zhou Ruxuan was very excited when she heard this, but after a while, she fell into deep hesitation. She had never been abroad and knew nothing about the outside world. Her heart was filled with anxiety and fear.
Moreover, when she thought about the situation at home, she became even more hesitant. She knew that her family would definitely not agree to her leaving. After all, she was the family's "cash cow."
Zhou Ruxuan briefly talked about the situation at home to politely reject Mu Nanyan's proposal.
But after hearing this, Mu Nanyan was furious. She never expected that Zhou Ruxuan would live in such a suffocating family.
After that, Mu Nanyan kept persuading Zhou Ruxuan to bravely break free from the shackles of her family:
"Ruxuan, you shouldn't live your life just for your parents and brother. You have to live for yourself and pursue your own happiness and dreams!"
With Mu Nanyan's constant encouragement, Zhou Ruxuan finally made up her mind and resolutely embarked on the journey to Country F to find Mu Nanyan.
It was not until Zhou Ruxuan arrived in Country F that she learned that Mu Nanyan was pregnant and was about to give birth.
…
Zhou Ruxuan knew clearly that if it weren't for Mu Nanyan, she would probably still be struggling in the dark quagmire and would never have such a new life and bright future.
To her, Mu Nanyan is not just a friend, but more like a reborn parent who gave her a second life.
It was Mu Nanyan who extended a warm and powerful helping hand to her when she was trapped in the painful quagmire of her original family and tortured by her vampire family to the point of losing hope. She gradually pulled her out of the abyss of despair, cared for her carefully, and guided her patiently, as if she had raised her all over again, allowing her to reshape herself and shine with her own light.
Even though later, the person she loved deeply cast his admiring gaze on Mu Nanyan, and even though at certain moments she could vaguely sense the vague sense of distance between herself and Mu Nanyan, she never had the slightest resentment towards Mu Nanyan in her heart.
In her opinion, this precious friendship that has been accumulated over five years is like a bright gem, shining with warm and firm light, which is far beyond the reach of momentary love.
How could she easily give up this deep friendship that has supported her through countless storms for a love that does not belong to her?
Gradually regaining consciousness, Zhou Ruxuan looked at Mu Nanyan and said with a choked voice:
"But he likes you..."
Mu Nanyan looked at Zhou Ruxuan and said seriously, "So what? Are you worried that I like him too?"
Zhou Ruxuan nodded: "Well, Cui Hao is handsome, has a good personality, and is so nice to you. Do you really have no feelings for him?"
"I swear, I really don't like Cui Hao. Relationships are all about feelings. If I'm moved just because someone treats me well, then that's too cheap. I really don't have that kind of heart-warming feeling towards him. He's more like a friend and a brother to me."
Mu Nanyan paused and continued:
"So you don't have to consider my feelings at all. Feelings can change. What if he likes me today but not tomorrow? I'm not RMB. I can't like everyone."
Mu Nanyan suddenly came closer, blinked, and said in a low voice:
"Besides, I even asked Chenchen to recognize him as his godfather, just to discourage him."
Zhou Ruxuan was stunned when she heard this. She had never thought about it in this direction. She thought Mu Nanyan asked Chenchen to recognize Cui Hao as his godfather just because they had a good relationship. She didn't expect there was another meaning.
Zhou Ruxuan asked again uncertainly, "Do you really not like Cui Hao?"
"Really? I swore, and you still don't believe me. I never gave him a chance, okay?"
Then Mu Nanyan suddenly became serious, looked at Zhou Ruxuan seriously and said:
"Ruxuan, life is short. Don't always sacrifice yourself for others' sake. Try to be brave for yourself for once, okay?"
Seeing Zhou Ruxuan still hesitating, Mu Nanyan took out her phone:
"How about this? I'll organize a party this weekend and invite Cui Hao and a few other colleagues from our studio. You should dress up nicely and wear that red dress we bought when we went shopping together. I guarantee he'll spot you right away."
Zhou Ruxuan's eyes turned red again when she heard this, but this time the corners of her mouth slightly raised.
"Nan Yan...thank you."
Zhou Ruxuan lowered her eyes, her mind churning with thoughts. After a long time, a look of determination quietly crept into her eyes.
She secretly clenched her fists, and the slight pain of her nails digging into her palms seemed to further strengthen her inner thoughts.
This time, she didn't want to back down or give up her happiness.
She wanted to fight for herself bravely, even if the final result was not what she wanted. At least when she looked back on the past, she could tell herself calmly that she had tried her best and had no regrets at all.
Moreover, the future is full of countless possibilities. What if this time, the god of luck really favors her and lets her get what she wants?
Thinking of this, Zhou Ruxuan took a deep breath, straightened her back, and her eyes were full of determination to fight to the death.
Seeing that Zhou Ruxuan had figured it out, Mu Nanyan was happy for her. She glanced at the time and saw that she had been out for more than half an hour. Lu Yiran should have finished eating, right?
At this moment, Lu Yiran stood quietly behind the balcony door, listening to every word of the conversation between Mu Nanyan and Zhou Ruxuan, and his mood suddenly became extremely happy.
After all, Mu Nanyan made it clear that she had no good feelings for Cui Hao, and even planned to match Cui Hao with the woman who ruined his plans. This was simply the best news.
Lu Yiran couldn't help but wonder what Cui Hao's reaction would be if he heard what Mu Nanyan said?
As he thought about it, Lu Yiran couldn't suppress the joy in his heart, and the corners of his mouth rose unconsciously.
Seeing that their conversation was coming to an end, he turned around quietly, pretending nothing had happened, and walked towards Mu Nanyan's office, as if he had never appeared here.
However, every move that Lu Yiran thought was secret was seen clearly by a girl sitting in the corner.
Seeing Lu Yiran step into Mu Nanyan's office, the girl immediately walked straight to the balcony.
As she approached the balcony door, she saw Mu Nanyan and Zhou Ruxuan about to come out.
She quickly called out to Mu Nanyan, then, with a smile on her face, she turned to Zhou Ruxuan and said:
"Sherry, please go first. I have something to do with Grace."
Zhou Ruxuan looked her up and down, then said, "Then I'll go to work first. You two can chat slowly."
After Zhou Ruxuan left, Mu Nanyan turned her gaze to Mia and asked:
"Mia, what do you want to talk to me about? Is there something wrong with the design?"
Mia is a Ukrainian girl with blonde hair, blue eyes, tall figure and outstanding appearance.
She is a newly hired designer in Mu Nanyan's studio, but she has known Mu Nanyan for almost a year.
The two had met once before in a design competition, and Mu Nanyan admired her very much.
"It's not about design. I have something important to tell you."
As she spoke, Mia pulled Mu Nanyan out to the balcony.
When she reached the door, she even glanced at the balcony entrance, her whole appearance showing a highly alert look.
Mu Nanyan looked at her like this and couldn't help but chuckle:
"What are you doing? Someone who doesn't know would think we are doing some underground deal."
Mia ignored Mu Nanyan's teasing, with a cunning light flashing in her blue eyes, and said in a low voice:
"There was a man with shifty eyes standing there, eavesdropping on your conversation."
Mia said as she pointed to the balcony door.
Hearing this, Mu Nanyan's face instantly turned serious. Someone was eavesdropping? And it was a man? She quickly asked:
"Do you know him? Who is he?"
"No, I saw him enter your office."
When she heard the word "office", Mu Nanyan subconsciously thought of Lu Yiran.
The corners of her mouth twitched slightly. Lu Yiran? Shifty eyes? That couldn't be him, could it?
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