There’re Always Paranoid Thoughts to Monopolize Me - Extra 16

After Qin Ke completed her undergraduate degree, she spent three years as a graduate student at A University, then went abroad for a year and a half of further studies before finally setting out to return home.

Qiao Xiaoyun was the only friend who had consistently kept in touch with her during her time abroad, so she was also the first to receive Qin Ke’s flight information.

Qin Ke had just come out of the airport terminal and hadn’t even steadied herself when she saw a shadow lunge towards her—

“You heartless person! Not coming back to the country even once in a year and a half! Were you trying to kill me with worry?”

Qin Ke was caught off guard. She smiled wryly as she caught the person in her arms, taking half a step back to steady herself.

“Alright, alright, it’s my fault— Miss Qiao, there are so many people at this airport, you should mind your ladylike image a bit.”

“Who cares about the crowd? Is a ladylike image more important than you?”

Qiao Xiaoyun jumped down from her, ruffled her playful short hair, and lifted her chin haughtily.

Reuniting with a long-lost friend naturally made Qin Ke happy too, and a smile leaked from the corners of her downturned eyes.

“It’s my honor that Miss Qiao personally came to pick me up from the airport.”

Qin Ke thought for a moment, then reached out to link arms with Qiao Xiaoyun. “How about this, I’ll treat you to dinner tonight to show my gratitude?”

“That’s more like it!”

Qiao Xiaoyun pretended to keep a straight face, but after taking two steps, she couldn’t help but break into a wide grin, revealing her true feelings.

…

Qin Ke and Qiao Xiaoyun took a car from the airport back to the city center.

Fortunately, it wasn’t the weekend, so it wasn’t too crowded. They chose a rather upscale Western restaurant for their dinner spot. The restaurant was located on the top floor of a building over thirty stories tall, with floor-to-ceiling windows. Sitting by the window, one could take in nearly half of the city center at a glance.

Looking at the hustle and bustle that seemed unchanged year after year, Qin Ke became slightly lost in thought.

A moment later, Qiao Xiaoyun, who had gone to the restroom, returned to her seat. As she pulled out her chair, Qiao Xiaoyun casually asked with a smile, “So, after not seeing it for a year and a half, do you feel like the Sijiu City has changed much?”

“It seems… there hasn’t been much change,” Qin Ke said with a faint smile, turning her face back.

“The landmark buildings are still the same, traffic jams are still unsolved, and everyone’s still rushing about— it doesn’t feel like I’ve been gone for a year and a half, more like a day and a half.”

Qiao Xiaoyun joked, “Tsk, only a high-tech, high-salary talent like you who doesn’t live in the real world would say something like that.”

Qin Ke rested her chin on her hand, appraisingly looking at Qiao Xiaoyun for two seconds. “But seeing you, I do feel it.”

“Feel what?”

“I feel that I’ve indeed been away for a year and a half.”

“……”

Qiao Xiaoyun was immediately on guard, raising her hands to cover her face.

“If you dare say I’ve become weathered, I’ll have to fight you.”

“Haha, no,” Qin Ke smiled. “It’s just different from before.”

Qiao Xiaoyun was stunned for a moment. Whether it was due to the long separation or her own state of mind, she felt that Qin Ke’s words carried a hint of melancholy.

Just then, a waiter nearby, seeing that both were seated properly, brought over two cups of red tea and two drink menus.

After receiving hers, Qiao Xiaoyun hesitantly looked up, glancing across the table.

Qin Ke seemed to have nothing else to say.

The table fell silent for a few seconds.

Sitting across, lowering her eyes to look at the menu, Qin Ke chuckled softly.

“Just say what’s on your mind. Holding it in isn’t your style. Or is it…”

She looked up, her eyes curving playfully.

“After a year and a half, have you become distant from me?”

“… Stop trying to provoke me. I’ve been working for five years now. I’m not the same clueless Qiao Xiaoyun as before!”

Qiao Xiaoyun pretended to threaten her by shaking her fist.

Qin Ke rested her face on her hand, “Alright, alright, you’re not.”

“And stop giving me that indulgent smile to anesthetize me— I’m not falling for that anymore.”

Qin Ke smiled, choosing not to speak and just looked at her.

After a few seconds of eye contact, Qiao Xiaoyun gave in.

“I really can’t handle you…”

“Okay, just say what’s on your mind.”

Qiao Xiaoyun stared at Qin Ke, her expression conflicted for a few seconds before she finally spoke. “Keke, what’s the situation between you and Director Huo now?”

Qiao Xiaoyun’s voice became increasingly cautious towards the end.

After hearing this, Qin Ke couldn’t help but laugh, “Director Huo?”

Qiao Xiaoyun pouted, “I’m now considered a mid-level employee at Huo Corporation, right? Even though I’m not at headquarters, I have to call him Director Huo. Otherwise, if I get used to calling him by name and someone at the company overhears, what if my boss fires me?”

Qin Ke nodded, “Mm, that makes sense. You have a strong sense of workplace etiquette.”

Qiao Xiaoyun: “Stop changing the subject and answer my question— don’t you consider me a friend anymore?”

Qin Ke smiled, “Actually, I answered this question for you over a year ago. You just forgot.”

Qiao Xiaoyun was confused, unconsciously scratching her temple as she tried to remember, “When did you tell me this over a year ago…”

Her voice suddenly stopped.

Then, Qiao Xiaoyun’s expression twisted—

“You don’t mean the fight and cold war with Director Huo over your going abroad for further studies a year and a half ago, do you?”

Qin Ke had picked up her cup earlier and was now taking a sip of red tea, looking carefree. She nodded lightly.

Qiao Xiaoyun: “……”

Qiao Xiaoyun: “Don’t tell me— you two haven’t been in contact since then!”

Qin Ke thought for a moment, then put down her cup.

“We probably haven’t had direct contact. After all, I was ‘running away from home’ at that time. Except for my passport and a little cash, I took almost nothing with me.”

Qiao Xiaoyun: “…………”

Qin Ke smiled, “Why are you making that face?”

“Why am I making this face? Sister! I want to call you mother!”

Qiao Xiaoyun finally came to her senses, her expression exaggeratedly distorted:

“No wonder— since a year and a half ago, there have been all sorts of rumors in the company saying that Director Huo and his wife’s relationship had broken down, that they had secretly divorced, that he had become the number one diamond bachelor again… So many single women in the company have gone crazy, sharpening their claws every day wanting to go to headquarters to create some chance encounters, not seeking a long-term relationship but just hoping for a brief fling with Director Huo!”

After saying all this in one breath, Qiao Xiaoyun’s face was flushed red. She took a long, deep breath, then took a sip of red tea before continuing. “I originally thought that Huo Zhonglou was being a jerk, trying to stir up some scandalous news while you were abroad. But! Who would have thought! It turns out you’re the one who broke the chain!?”

Qin Ke: “I… broke the chain?”

“Yes! You must know how many people have their eyes on Huo Zhonglou, right? And yet you— you… you’re not holding on tight enough??”

Qiao Xiaoyun looked like she was about to roll her eyes in frustration.

Qin Ke finally understood.

She curved her eyes, laughing softly, “Then what do you think I should have done?”

“Huh?”

“Hmm, let me think. Do you think I should have given up my future, my career, given up the opportunity to study abroad and then successfully retain a position at A University, just to stay at the Huo family, contentedly trying to please Huo Zhonglou, cautiously guarding against any woman who might appear around him, obediently being the young mistress of the Huo family, the woman behind Director Huo?”

It was rare for Qin Ke to say such a long paragraph, and Qiao Xiaoyun was a bit stunned listening to it.

But stunned as she was, her basic sense of right and wrong was still intact. So after listening, Qiao Xiaoyun couldn’t help but scratch her temple awkwardly, “That’s not what I meant…”

“Hmm…” Qin Ke slightly curled her lips, half-jokingly saying, “But from your earlier admonition, isn’t that the path you want me to take to ‘hold on’?”

Qiao Xiaoyun choked on her words, feeling guilty.

After a few seconds, she slumped onto the table dejectedly.

“I’ve known you for so many years, don’t I know what kind of person you are, what your personality is like? If you could compromise to that kind of caged bird life, that would be truly bizarre.”

Qin Ke reached out, smiling as she patted her head.

“It’s good that you know.”

“But I just—”

“Just what?”

“I just… feel it’s unfair for you.”

Qiao Xiaoyun slumped back into her seat even more dejectedly. “You’re the one who has been by his side the longest. I’ve seen with my own eyes how… enviable you two were in college. If you two end up having problems, I’ll really never believe in love again.”

Hearing this, Qin Ke burst into laughter.

“Oh my, our Xiaoyun is already 26 or 27, and still believes in love?”

“……”

That completely nonchalant and playful tone irritated Qiao Xiaoyun so much that she gritted her teeth while glaring at her.

After glaring for a few seconds, Qiao Xiaoyun deflated like a punctured balloon. After a while, she asked in a small voice.

“Keke, what if… I’m just saying what if.”

“Hmm?”

“What if… that person… really wants to break up with you… what then? After all, you two haven’t been in contact for a year and a half… He’s a normal man, and most importantly, he has power, status, and looks… There are countless women who want to sleep with him just for the sake of it, not wanting anything else. If a few more women cause trouble…”

Qin Ke was stunned.

Suddenly, Qiao Xiaoyun came to her senses, wishing she could slap herself twice. She quickly sat up straight, laughing dryly. “Don’t, don’t overthink it! There’s no ‘what if’! It’s impossible, haha, how could it be possible, right…”

Qin Ke smiled gently.

“You’re not someone who’s good at lying, so don’t force yourself. If we still need to put on a facade between us, that would really break my heart.”

Qiao Xiaoyun’s face turned pale.

A few seconds later, she lowered her head, “I’m sorry, Keke. I didn’t want to tell you these things originally…”

“It’s okay.”

Qin Ke picked up her cup and took another sip of the now slightly cool red tea. She smiled faintly.

“You’re in the country, and in Huo Corporation’s branch company, so you must have heard something, that’s why you’re asking me like this, right?”

“…”

Qiao Xiaoyun lowered her head, her fingers intertwined tightly.

“I trust him very much, but I’m not without some mental preparation in this aspect.”

Qin Ke smiled gently.

“So just tell me, what have you heard?”

Qiao Xiaoyun’s brows were furrowed so tightly they could hold a piece of paper.

“Actually… it’s nothing much. Just that from over a year ago, there have been all kinds of… newspapers or news, or among employees… rumors and speculation.”

Qiao Xiaoyun carefully observed Qin Ke’s expression, and seeing no obvious emotional change, she finally gathered the courage to say the rest.

“Those rumors say… Huo Zhonglou has been… ambiguous with many female models and celebrities outside.”

Qin Ke paused for a moment.

After a while, she lowered her eyes slightly, her lips curled in a faint smile that seemed almost imperceptible.

“If it were just rumors, you wouldn’t react like this.”

“…”

Qiao Xiaoyun closed her eyes and gritted her teeth.

“There are also photos. Very blurry, but it does look like Huo Zhonglou with other women.”

Qin Ke’s eyes froze for a moment.

A few seconds later, she asked. “Are there many?”

“Ah… do you mean women or photos…” Qiao Xiaoyun had a terrible headache, and finally gave up struggling, mumbling, “Both are… quite numerous.”

“Hmm.”

Qin Ke nodded.

Qiao Xiaoyun: “……”

Qiao Xiaoyun was almost breaking down, “Hmm?? What kind of reaction is that, sister? How can you accept it so calmly??”

“Then, what do you want me to do?”

Qin Ke smiled gently.

“Cry, make a scene, and threaten suicide?”

“That’s not… not what I mean…” Qiao Xiaoyun was overwhelmed, “But even if not that, you’re still too calm…”

“Didn’t I tell you I was mentally prepared?”

Qin Ke smiled.

Qiao Xiaoyun suddenly shuddered.

—

Whether it was her imagination or not, she felt that this smile suddenly dropped from the equator to the Antarctic in temperature.

For the rest of the afternoon tea, everything Qiao Xiaoyun ate tasted like chewing wax.

As the meal was coming to an end, she finally couldn’t hold back the words she had been suppressing all afternoon.

“Keke, do you… even a little bit, regret going abroad at that time?”

Qin Ke, who was wiping the corners of her mouth with a napkin, looked up upon hearing this and smiled lightly, “Regret what?”

Qiao Xiaoyun: “Just… if you hadn’t gone abroad, maybe you two wouldn’t be…”

Qin Ke laughed, but her eyes were serious.

“Of course not.”

“Even if Huo Zhonglou really did cheat, I wouldn’t regret my decision— if given another chance, I would still choose the same.”

Qiao Xiaoyun was stunned.

Qin Ke looked at her seriously. “Xiaoyun, because we’re friends, I don’t want to hide or conceal anything. I want to tell you, whether in marriage or in love, don’t put yourself in the position you’re unconsciously asking me to be in now— it’s too demeaning. If he really chose to cheat, it’s not because of me, but because of himself— and if he really would cheat in this year and a half, then even without this year and a half, he would eventually find another opportunity.”

After Qin Ke finished speaking, the serious emotion slightly faded, and she smiled faintly.

“Would you choose to live on tenterhooks for decades? Constantly worrying that your partner might abandon you? — If so, I’d rather live on my own. I believe I’m excellent enough, and I’ve never felt that I need to rely on anyone to survive— I won’t lose myself for the sake of a love that can only last through begging.”

“…”

It took Qiao Xiaoyun a long time to come back to her senses.

When she did, she suddenly smiled, “You’re right, Keke. Now I declare, you’re officially my goddess.”

Qin Ke looked at her helplessly.

Qiao Xiaoyun clenched her fist and gritted her teeth, “Huo Zhonglou, I misjudged him! — Keke, if he can betray a woman like you, he must be blind! We have money, looks, and status, we have breasts, legs, and a nice butt! Why should we settle for less? We can live happily as independent women of the new era!”

Qin Ke couldn’t help but laugh at Qiao Xiaoyun’s demeanor, shaking her head while chuckling.

Qiao Xiaoyun became more and more excited as she spoke, slapping the table and standing up–

“Keke, tell me! What do you want to do next? I’ll support you all the way!”

Qin Ke was stunned for a moment, looking up at Qiao Xiaoyun for a few seconds before smiling and saying, “That’s good, I don’t have a car to get around in the country yet — why don’t you trouble yourself to take me to the Huo family’s old house?”

“The Huo family?” Qiao Xiaoyun’s expression was one of shock, “Are you, you, you planning to go back…?”

“Well, let’s see what he wants.”

Qin Ke smiled faintly, her eyes as cold as water.

“… Allowing so many scandalous news stories and photos to circulate, he probably doesn’t want to continue this.”

Looking at the smile on the girl’s face, Qiao Xiaoyun instinctively felt her hair stand on end. “Uh… do you want to…”

“If he doesn’t want to continue, then let’s divorce.”

As the light trailing words fell, Qin Ke smiled slightly, grabbed her bag, and left.

****

When Qiao Xiaoyun drove Qin Ke to the outside of the Huo family’s old mansion, the sky had already begun to darken.

The metal security gate of the estate was closed, and someone quickly ran out from the security room.

Qiao Xiaoyun, in the driver’s seat, lowered the window, and the person bent down slightly. “Please show your invitation.”

“… Invitation?”

Qiao Xiaoyun was stunned and looked at Qin Ke in the passenger seat.

Qin Ke thought for a moment, seeming to realize something, and looked at the security guard, “Does the Huo family have some kind of banquet today?”

This time it was the security guard’s turn to be confused.

“If you two aren’t here for the banquet, then what are you here for–”

His words suddenly stopped as his gaze fell on Qin Ke’s face for a few seconds.

After another two or three seconds, the security guard’s pupils suddenly contracted, and he exclaimed in disbelief. “Miss, Miss Qin!?”

“…”

Startled by that shout, Qin Ke looked at Qiao Xiaoyun with a complex expression.

“What exactly are the rumors in your company saying? That Huo Zhonglou’s relationship has broken down, or that he lost his young wife? Is that why he’s looking at me like he’s seen a ghost?”

“Pfft– Hahaha, ‘lost his young wife’, Keke, are you trying to make me laugh to death…”

Qiao Xiaoyun in the driver’s seat almost choked on her laughter.

“…”

Ignoring this person’s oddly low threshold for humor, Qin Ke turned her gaze helplessly towards the security guard standing outside the car.

“I’m Qin Ke, I’m a person, not a ghost, so now–can I go in?”