The Other Side.
Chi Qingya sat frozen on the couch, caught in a daze, unable to snap out of her shock.
Impossible.
How dare Su Li delete her?
It had to be one of her little tricks—playing hard to get, that kind of game.
She’d come crawling back in a few days, surely.
But… what if she didn’t?
Her phone had been stuck on the chat screen between her and Su Li for ages now.
Even though hunger gnawed at her, she hadn’t ordered anything to eat.
She just kept staring at her phone, waiting for a friend request notification to pop up.
Maybe Su Li tapped the wrong button by accident?
That thought had taken root and wouldn’t let go.
Chi Qingya gasped for air in heavy breaths, feeling the heat rising in her chest.
Even when she’d clashed with toxic players in games—when their poor gameplay drove her up the wall—she hadn’t felt this agitated.
She got up more than once, pacing back and forth across the room, glancing at the door as if expecting a knock. But none came.
She even walked up to the door and peered out through the peephole, only to find no trace of Su Li sitting on the stairs, fiddling with her phone and waiting to be invited back in, like she had the night before.
Su Li was really gone…
And she’d left with such cold, unwavering finality.
Chi Qingya stared at the 50,000 yuan transfer displayed on her screen.
Su Li hadn’t even tried to talk to her—just sent the money, clean and silent.
Fifty thousand yuan…
Chi Qingya couldn’t imagine where she had gotten that kind of money.
She checked the amount over and over again, confirming that it was indeed 50,000 yuan.
She hadn’t miscounted.
Su Li hadn’t shorted her.
She’d paid exactly what was asked.
Not a cent less.
Chi Qingya took deep breaths, patting her heaving chest in an attempt to calm herself.
Su Li hadn’t refused. She hadn’t bargained. She’d just… paid.
Maybe… that meant she still cared?
Maybe this rebellious tantrum was just her childish way of proving herself.
If that were the case, then of course she would come back.
She couldn’t seriously think Chi Qingya needed that money.
Maybe she only deleted her to avoid showing how much it had hurt.
Even for her, earning 50,000 in a short amount of time would be near impossible. So how did Su Li do it?
And if she really had that much money, why had she stayed? Why hadn’t she just left sooner?
Because she loved her, obviously.
That was it—this dramatic display was just Su Li’s way of expressing her love.
With that comforting thought, Chi Qingya felt her mind begin to clear. A faint smile curled her lips.
She felt reborn.
Looking at the time, she noted it had been one hour, twenty minutes, and thirty-five seconds since Su Li had left.
And in that short time, it felt like she had lived an entire lifetime.
From confusion and disbelief, to racing heartbeats and pale cheeks, to finally finding clarity and welcoming this new self.
It was her experience and the books she’d read—that had helped her see through everything.
If she hadn’t been so seasoned, maybe she really would’ve fallen for Su Li’s little ploy.
At one hour, thirty minutes, and forty-six seconds, Chi Qingya stood up slowly and looked toward the balcony where some clothes hung.
The sunlight couldn’t reach inside properly through the hanging fabric.
Those ragged clothes were the ones she had discarded—left for Su Li.
Only Su Li would treat them like treasures, stuffing them carefully into her backpack.
And didn’t she obediently wash them clean in the end, just like she was told?
Did she really think Chi Qingya would wear them again?
Chi Qingya’s lips twisted into a sneer.
The very existence of those clothes screamed that Su Li would be back.
Only she knew how much Su Li adored the clothes she had given her.
And now even her loyal little puppy dared to delete her?
Heh. Delete me?
What an uncultured mutt—doesn’t even know how to love someone.
Did Su Li really not understand that by doing this, she had ruined any future they might’ve had?
Did she really think she could walk away from this life?
Where did she get the nerve?
Was it that pathetic little sixty-one-hour rental fee that gave her such courage?
The money could very well have been borrowed.
But once she calmed down, she’d come crawling back again—crying, begging to stay—just like before.
Chi Qingya’s stomach growled loudly again, reminding her she still hadn’t eaten a bite.
Realizing she’d wasted over an hour on something so trivial, she couldn’t help but laugh at herself—“Heh”—a low chuckle.
The transfer notification and the bright red exclamation mark beside the deleted chat mocked her, highlighting just how ridiculous she’d been.
The longer she looked, the angrier she got.
So she opened up the group chat and tagged everyone, planning to host a party at her place.
[No Cilantro (Exam Prep Mode)]: Yaya, are you sure it’s okay to come to your place? Isn’t Su Li still living with you? I don’t mean to badmouth anyone, but honestly, just seeing her face ruins the vibe.
[Refined and Wild]: Don’t worry. You don’t have to care about Su Li anymore. She’s been properly dealt with. She won’t come back before we’re done partying.
[Strawberry Milkshake (Diet Version)]: Good job, Yaya baby! You should’ve done this long ago. It’s your place—why should you have to tiptoe around her? People who don’t know their place need a hard lesson.
[Refined and Wild]: Everyone comes hungry! Bring whatever you want—I’ll pay for everything. No arguing! Tonight’s on me!
[No Cilantro (Exam Prep Mode)]: Thanks, boss!
[Strawberry Milkshake (Diet Version)]: Thanks, boss!
[Gummy Bear]: Thanks, boss!
[…]
Chi Qingya smiled as the stream of “Thanks, boss!” messages rolled in.
Leaning back into the sofa, she began to enjoy herself.
But her eyes soon fell on the clothes hanging by the balcony—suddenly they felt like an eyesore.
What, was she going to let her friends see that pile of trash and laugh at her?
Without a second thought, Chi Qingya tore the clothes down and tossed them all in the trash bin.
People had to bear the consequences of their actions.
And Su Li was no exception.
Even if she loved her—that wasn’t an excuse.
That wasn’t a reason to let her act out however she pleased.
About half an hour later, there was a knock on the door.
Chi Qingya’s girlfriends strutted in, dressed to the nines, chatting and laughing as they filled her apartment.
All present. All smiling.
“…Uh, Yaya? Where’s the food?”