As I sat in the car beside Ruxue, she looked out the window for a while before suddenly asking, "Chen Yu… do you like Lei Meiyun?"
I glanced at her, surprised by the question, but replied calmly, "Yeah… I do like her. But that doesn't mean I don't like you."
She turned to face me, eyes wide.
"I like you too, Ruxue," I said, my voice gentle. "So, don't overthink it, alright?"
There was a brief silence. Then she gave a small nod, her expression softening.
I started the engine, and while keeping my eyes on the road, I added, "By the way, I'm heading out with my friends tonight. Might be home a bit late."
She hesitated, then asked, "Chen Yu… is it okay if I invite a few of my friends over to the villa tonight?"
I chuckled. "Of course. Do whatever you want. This villa isn't just mine—it's yours too."
The moment I said that, a bright smile lit up her face. She looked out the window again, her mind clearly elsewhere.
I'll show them… she thought to herself. I'll show them how happy I am now. Especially Li Yuxin. Let her see what she lost.
She was already planning to show off the villa tonight—and maybe, just maybe, invite Yuxin too… just to see her reaction.
As we reached the villa, I pulled over to drop her off.
"Have fun tonight," I said.
She nodded sweetly, "You too. Don't drink too much."
I smiled, then drove off, the night just beginning.
After dropping Ruxue off, I drove straight to our usual hangout spot. It was a modest bar tucked away in the backstreets of Tianxu City—nothing fancy, but it held memories.
As I walked in, Zhang Qiang, Li Wei, and Liu Feng were already there, waving me over with beers in hand.
"Chen Yu! Finally!" Zhang Qiang grinned. "We've been waiting for our rich bro!"
"Haha, now don't start that again," I laughed, taking a seat. "I'm still the same guy."
"Yeah right," Li Wei rolled his eyes. "Same guy who owns a luxury LMW, lives in a villa, and dates Bai Ruxue."
"Bro, you gotta teach me how to level up in life like that," Liu Feng joked, nudging me.
I smirked. "It's just luck, I guess."
We clinked our glasses together, laughing, teasing, and letting the tension of the week melt away. For the first time in a while, I felt at ease. These guys—no matter how much changed—were still my real friends.
But as we talked, my mind drifted slightly… to business, to Meiyun's contract, and to what I needed to do next.
Meanwhile at the Villa
Back at the villa, Ruxue had already cleaned up and changed into a cute dress. She paced around the massive living room, texting her friends excitedly.
One by one, three of her closest girlfriends arrived—each one stunned the moment they stepped into the villa.
"Ruxue?! You live here now?!"
"Holy crap, this place looks like something out of a movie!"
"You weren't kidding when you said your boyfriend is rich!"
Ruxue beamed, loving every second of their reactions. She led them to the plush couch and offered drinks. Then, with a mischievous glint in her eye, she said casually, "Oh, by the way… I was thinking of inviting Li Yuxin too."
Her friends froze.
"Wait, your boyfriend's ex? Why?"
"I just want her to see how things are now," Ruxue said, smiling calmly. "I want her to see what she threw away."
The others exchanged looks, but none said anything.
I know I shouldn't care about her, Ruxue thought, but I can't help it. I want her to know she lost something good.
And so, the message was sent.
Whether Yuxin would come or not, the night had only just begun.
It was already late evening, the villa glowing warmly under the ceiling lights. Ruxue and her friends were laughing, enjoying snacks, and taking pictures for social media. Just as she was about to pour another drink—
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang.
Ruxue's heart skipped a beat.
"She came," she whispered.
One of her friends opened the door, and in stepped Li Yuxin.
She looked stunning, as always—styled hair, perfect makeup, dressed like she was walking a red carpet. But her expression was unreadable. Her eyes scanned the room, then locked onto Ruxue.
"Nice place," Yuxin said flatly. "So this is how you celebrate stealing someone's man?"
Ruxue stood up, smiling coolly. "Funny. I don't recall stealing anyone. From what I know, you were the one cheating behind his back."
Yuxin's eyes narrowed. "You think you've won, huh? You think just because he's rich now, he'll stick with a nobody like you forever?"
Ruxue's smile faded. "Maybe I am a nobody… but he chose me. Not you."
"Only because he doesn't know the real you yet," Yuxin snapped. "Let me guess—clinging to him every second, trying to act innocent while showing off to everyone?"
Ruxue clenched her fists. "At least I'm not fake like you, Yuxin. Always acting like a goddess at school while playing around in private."
That was the final straw.
In one swift motion, Yuxin stormed forward and pushed Ruxue hard.
Crash!
Ruxue stumbled, tripping on the edge of the carpet—and fell into the glass table behind her. The glass cracked with a sharp sound, and a deep cut opened on her arm. Blood spilled down as she let out a sharp cry.
Her friends rushed to her.
"Ruxue!!"
Yuxin stood frozen, realizing what she had done—but still too prideful to show regret.
Just Then — Chen Yu Returns
Outside, headlights lit up the driveway.
The doors swung open.
Chen Yu walked in.
He had just come back to check on Ruxue, sensing something wasn't sitting right with him—and the moment he entered, he saw her on the floor, bleeding, surrounded by her friends.
"RUXUE!" he shouted, running to her side. He grabbed her, lifting her gently off the broken glass.
"What the hell happened here?!"
One of the girls stammered, "Y-Yuxin… she pushed her."
Chen Yu's gaze turned cold—colder than ever before. He slowly stood up, his eyes locked on Yuxin like daggers.
"You did this?" His voice was quiet but terrifying.
Yuxin tried to speak. "She was provoking me—"
"Shut your mouth." Chen Yu stepped closer, voice calm but lethal. "I let you go once. I watched you lie, cheat, and pretend like nothing happened. But now—you laid your hands on her."
"I… I didn't mean to…" Yuxin whispered.
"You're not welcome here. Ever again," he said. "Get out, before I really lose control."
Yuxin looked at him, stunned by the hatred in his eyes. For the first time, she realized—she had truly lost him.
Without another word, she turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
Aftermath
Chen Yu carried Ruxue to the couch, quickly wrapping her arm with a towel. "We're going to the hospital," he said, gently brushing the hair from her face.
Despite the pain, Ruxue smiled weakly. "You came back…"
"I always will," he said softly. "I won't let anyone hurt you again."
She closed her eyes, resting her head against his chest.
Outside, the night was quiet again.