"I'm really sorry for leaving without saying goodbye back then. I had my own hardships. As compensation, I'll treat you all to a big meal when I'm free. You can order whatever you like."
Naturally, she remembered that midsummer ten years ago when her friends had hidden behind a large white curtain, secretly peeping at Su Qinian's confession.
They'd been waiting for him to succeed, ready to rush out and cheer in celebration the moment he did.
This celebration had been postponed for ten years because of her sudden departure.
"Wow, so you've really become a big star. We friends can finally benefit from you," Tao Wan said with a playful smile. "I've been watching your dating show with Su Qinian every day. It's so sweet."
"Hey, what dating show? Jinran and the class monitor participated in a dating show?" Xie Wanyu, who had been out of touch with the internet, was completely lost. "When did this happen? How come I didn't know?"
Jiang Xiubin chimed in, "I didn't know either."
"I didn't know either! What on earth did I miss!" Lu Youchuan let out a heart - wrenching cry from the other end of the phone. "Why didn't anyone tell me? Is there a replay?"
"You're always busy chasing your future girlfriend. How could you know?" Tao Wan said, shaking her head.
"Yes, but it will be a bit late. The program team needs to edit all the footage before releasing it again," Lin Jinran explained awkwardly.
She looked at the four avatars closely grouped on her phone. Jiang Xiubin and Xie Wanyu were sharing one voice call, while the others were Tao Wan and Lu Youchuan. One person was missing.
Maybe he or she was busy, she thought.
As if connected by a mysterious bond, another avatar popped into the voice call. It was Su Qinian's. Lin Jinran's eyes sparkled.
Su Qinian: "I'll just listen. You guys continue chatting."
"Are you busy with company matters? Will we disturb you?" Lin Jinran asked.
"It's okay. It's nice to hear your voice."
His voice, tinged with a smile, was deep and sexy. It seemed to slip out of the phone screen and gently land in Lin Jinran's ear, like a soft and delicate kiss that sent ripples through her heart.
Lin Jinran touched her face. It was burning hot, and her earlobes turned red too. She softly replied, "Okay."
Lu Youchuan said seriously, "You're killing this single dog. Go show your love somewhere else."
"Very well, Lu Youchuan. You've offended me. If you don't give me a big red envelope at my wedding, don't blame me for being rude!" Xie Wanyu said coquettishly.
Jiang Xiubin said in a tone that seemed to say 'you can't do anything about me', "Lu Youchuan, you'd better watch out."
Lu Youchuan: "..."
Lu Youchuan quickly begged for mercy, "I'm sorry, sisters."
Tao Wan, full of curiosity, asked excitedly, "Jinran, so you're together with the class monitor now?"
"Yes, we just got together."
It had been less than five hours since they'd officially gotten together, right after the show ended.
"Wow, the CP I've been shipping is finally together. 'Seven - year Jinran' is always the best! Guys, go search for 'Crazy Crush' on Weibo. It's so addictive."
Tao Wan fanned the flames, telling the others where to find the clips.
The once - lively group voice call gradually quieted down, and from time to time, there were bursts of auntie - like giggles.
"These guys," Lin Jinran murmured softly, shaking her head helplessly.
The avatar that rarely spoke kept making the sound of typing. Lin Jinran asked curiously, "Su Qinian, are you very busy?"
"Not too bad. I'll be done soon," Su Qinian replied quickly, his tone gentle.
In fact, he was extremely busy. He'd put off a lot of work during the seven - day shooting of the dating show. But for Lin Jinran's peace of mind, he said so deliberately.
"Are you free for lunch tomorrow? Let's have a meal together," Su Qinian formally invited. "I'll drive to pick you up then."
"Yes, I'm free," Lin Jinran said, her eyes filled with sweetness.
Later, as the night grew deeper, everyone said goodbye to each other and hung up the voice call to rest.
Lin Jinran looked at the friend list that had been restored. Her heart was filled with a sense of satisfaction and happiness.
[Su Qinian]: "Go to bed early. I'll pick you up tomorrow evening. Good night."
[Lin Jinran]: "Night night night."
Putting down her phone, Lin Jinran went to wash up. It was already one o'clock in the morning when she finished.
Maybe it was because of Su Qinian's confession and their official relationship that night, or perhaps it was the reunion with her old friends online. She slept very soundly that night.
She had no dreams all night.
When she woke up, it was almost eleven o'clock. Lin Jinran was shocked by the time. She had an appointment with Su Qinian at half - past eleven. She was supposed to wait for him downstairs in her apartment building.
She quickly washed up, put on makeup, and put on her sunglasses and mask. It was already twenty past eleven when she stood downstairs.
The late - spring sun was not glaring. Instead, it was warm, shining obliquely and casting a mottled pattern of light on the ground.
Bathing in this gentle and warm sunlight, Lin Jinran was in a good mood as she quietly waited for Su Qinian to arrive.
"Sister, it's really been a long time. As expected, those who participate in dating shows are different. Look at how radiant you are. It's much better than any skincare product," a somewhat harsh and familiar voice came from afar. Lin Jinran looked up and saw Lin Tingnian, dressed flamboyantly, walking towards her with a smiling face.
Her face instantly darkened, and she stared at her coldly.
Lin Tingnian let out a disdainful laugh and raised her chin arrogantly. "You're just an actress. You think you've become famous after participating in a dating show. Who do you think you are?"
"The daughter of a mistress. You think that just because you and your mother entered the Lin family, you'll enjoy endless wealth and glory. Who do you think you are?"
Lin Jinran retorted with the same sarcastic tone, her eyes full of disdain.
Lin Tingnian's face changed. She glared at Lin Jinran angrily. "Lin Jinran, now it's me who is favored in the Lin family, not you. You think you're still that high - and - mighty young mistress? You're not anymore."
"Oh, so what?" Lin Jinran sneered.
"You!" Lin Tingnian clenched her fists and took a step forward. Unfortunately, she was a bit shorter than Lin Jinran. Even with her five - centimeter high heels on, she still had to look up at Lin Jinran when speaking.
She said angrily, "Don't think you're so great just because you're with Su Qinian. You're just an average actress in the entertainment industry now, and you'll always be like that. No one will dare to give you any good resources!"
So it was because of Su Qinian. She'd come here deliberately to cause trouble.
Lin Jinran sneered inwardly and looked at her indifferently.
"You're such a pitiful person. You're right. I'm with Su Qinian, but I'm much better than someone. I still remember who pestered him in senior high school but got nothing. Now it's even worse. You don't even have the chance to pester him anymore."
"Coming here to act like a young mistress. Don't you think it's ridiculous, Lin Tingnian? I'm almost laughing out loud. Does Lin Cheng know how shameless you are?"
"You!" Lin Tingnian was extremely angry. Her whole body was shaking. She raised her hand high, about to strike.
Suddenly, that raised hand was grabbed by another hand.