After reconciling with Yuchi Yishu, Tang Yuanyuan’s mood went back to normal. She was eager to share her good mood with Meng Kefei. However, it was too late by the time she got back—Meng Kefei had gone to bed.
After getting into bed, she couldn’t help feeling as if the incidents that occurred during the day were a dream—it felt unreal, especially since things developed just as she wanted them to. She lay there in the dark with her eyes wide open; she was unable to fall asleep. Unfortunately, there was nobody she could talk to. Moreover, she was worried that if she used her phone, the sound of her typing on her phone would disturb the others. For that reason, she didn’t dare to toss and turn either, and could only lay there quietly.
She did not know how long she lay there before she finally fell asleep.
When she woke up the next day, the room was empty. She got up and checked Meng Kefei’s bed, then she found that the blankets and everything else was neatly folded. It was obvious that Meng Kefei had already left. Rubbing her eyes, she wondered, Did I oversleep?
Getting out of bed, Tang Yuanyuan prepared to go and wash up in the bathroom. Coincidentally, she ran into Yuan Yuehan, who was coming out from inside. Since the revelation the other day, they had not talked to each other and treated each other like strangers when they met. Due to Tang Yuanyuan’s family background, Yuan Yuehan and Zhang Xiaolu did not dare to do anything to her.
Seeing that Tang Yuanyuan was heading to the bathroom, Yuan Yuehan walked out of the restroom, then couldn’t resist turning back and glancing at her. “Yuanyuan.”
Tang Yuanyuan ignored her.
“Regarding the previous incident, we were in the wrong.”
She was about to squeeze out her toothpaste. However, when she heard those words, her hands paused mid-motion.
“It’s true that we like your brother. Even so, we shouldn’t have tried to use you to help us deliver the gifts to him, nor talked badly about you behind your back.” At this point, Yuan Yuehan showed a regretful expression. “I’m very sorry.”
Her apology sounded sincere, so Tang Yuanyuan glanced over at her.
“During this time, Zhang Xiaolu and I have both witnessed the changes in you. Perhaps these changes were due to the hurt we caused you through our words. I believe that girls don’t need to be slim to be beautiful. It’s a personal choice. More importantly, it’s your life. We shouldn’t have made any comments about your life or your appearance.” Yuan Yuehan noticed that Tang Yuanyuan’s expression seemed to have softened. Thus, she stepped forward and held her hand. “I’m earnestly apologizing to you. Please don’t be angry at us anymore, okay? I have reflected on it. Can you please forgive me, Yuanyuan?”
Due to the events from the night before, Tang Yuanyuan was currently in a good mood. Combined with Yuan Yuehan’s sincere attitude while apologizing, her wariness toward Yuan Yuehan died down considerably. Even so, she maintained a relatively cold attitude toward her. “Let me think about it. After all, I have yet to get over the words you said about me behind my back.”
Listening to somebody else talking about her was very hard for her to accept, more so since it wasn’t praise but hurtful slander instead. Most of the time, she could put it out of her head. However, every time she recalled it, it felt like she was having a heart attack. To her, this feeling was the worst. I don’t like it. Still, she apologized to me. She felt that people made mistakes all the time, and she should forgive and forget whenever possible. Although she could not forgive her immediately, her attitude became slightly softer.
Yuan Yuehan was originally just trying her luck; she wanted to see how Tang Yuanyuan felt about it. If Tang Yuanyuan’s attitude continued to be unyielding, she would wait for a while before trying again. Unexpectedly, Tang Yuanyuan had managed to figure out her emotions so soon, so it was quite a pleasant surprise for Yuan Yuehan.
“Don’t worry; it was our fault after all. No matter how angry you are, it’s only to be expected. I won’t force you. You can take your time to think about whether or not you can forgive us. I won’t disturb you anymore then. Oh, right! I saw your toothpaste was running out, so I bought a new one for you. I also got a new toothbrush and towel. I’ve placed them by the side for you.”
Tang Yuanyuan glanced over. Sure enough, she found a pair of new towels and toothbrushes. Wait a minute; a pair? “Who is the other set for?”
“It’s for Meng Kefei. Aren’t you best friends with her?” Yuan Yuehan smiled sweetly. “That’s why I prepared them for both of you. I’m sorry.”
Yuan Yuehan’s voice was light, and she even prepared gifts. Although it wasn’t anything big, Tang Yuanyuan’s heart had softened up considerably. At that moment, she did not say anything cold anymore and just thanked Yuan Yuehan uncomfortably.
“You’re welcome. I hope we can all get along well in the future. I’m going to get ready for class. Should I wait for you?”
“That won’t be necessary.”
After Yuan Yuehan left, she looked at the new towels and toothbrushes. The toothbrushes were a pale pink and had cute patterns printed on them. On the other hand, her towel was strawberry-printed while Meng Kefei’s towel was cherry-blossom printed. Placing them next to each other, they looked like best friends. For some reason, she felt as if the world itself was smiling at her.
Ah! I can’t daydream any longer! I need to wash up and hurry to class! Afterward, she rushed to class.
At the cafeteria at noon, Tang Yuanyuan finally managed to catch Meng Kefei. Then, she told Meng Kefei about the incident at the bathroom this morning where she met Yuan Yuehan as well as the matter involving the towels and toothbrushes.
“Fei, do you think I was being too aggressive in the previous incident? She is trying to offer me an olive branch. Should we reconcile with them?”
Meng Kefei recalled how terrifying they looked and she was about to spurn her suggestion. However, she changed what she said at the last minute. “It’s up to you. If you think they are being sincere, it’s fine if you want to reconcile with them.”
It’s not as if the two of them will do anything to Tang Yuanyuan anyway.
Tang Yuanyuan detected Meng Kefei’s misery from her words. “Fei, let’s just forget it. After all, they bullied you before. Reconciling with them just because they asked for it is not fair to you.”
Meng Kefei was moved, and she glanced at Tang Yuanyuan gratefully. It’s embarrassing for her to think of me. Unfortunately… She broke out into a nonchalant smile. “It doesn’t matter. There’s nothing fair or unfair about it. I don’t mind.”
If she wants to reconcile with them, then so be it. I don’t care anyway.
Her words and her expression felt extremely dissociated from the matter. Thus, Tang Yuanyuan glanced at her in bewilderment. “What’s wrong with you?”
Meng Kefei shook her head. “It’s nothing.” Then, she took a deep breath and continued, “I just think that everything is in the past anyway. If I continue being bothered by it, then it will turn very awkward in the future since we all live in the same dormitory.”
“Is that so?”
“If not, then what?” Subsequently, she seemed to recall something. “That’s right. Where did you go with Chufeng yesterday?”
When Tang Yuanyuan heard Zhong Chufeng’s name, she was stunned. At first, she wanted to share her story with Meng Kefei. However, she felt embarrassed to talk about it when she was questioned like that.
She was not in a proper state of mind yesterday, so she didn’t mention that she was going to meet Yishu. If she suddenly changed her story and told Meng Kefei that she actually went to meet Yishu, would Meng Kefei think that she lied to her?
When that thought crossed her mind, Tang Yuanyuan replied, “I-It was okay.”
Hearing her confession, a flash of coldness flitted across Meng Kefei’s eyes, but it vanished swiftly as if nothing had happened. Then, she gently said, “As long as you are happy.”
