CHAPTER 16

Before leaving, the two girls packed several portions of desserts.

As soon as the new shop opened, it received a big order, boosting Shu Yanyan's confidence. She happily escorted the two girls to the entrance.

The taller girl, still savoring the taste on her lips, tried to get closer to her, "Miss owner, your food is really delicious. We'll come again next time~"

Shu Yanyan smiled, her eyes and eyebrows curved, "Welcome~"

The shorter girl, satisfied with indulging her taste buds, now shifted her attention back to Shu Yanyan. She asked, "When we come next time, will the beautiful sister still be here?"

Shu Yanyan paused for a moment, then firmly replied, "Uh... no."

The shorter girl stomped her foot, "But isn't she your friend? How about we become friends, and when she comes, you can message us, okay?"

Shu Yanyan's mouth twitched, and her expression couldn't hide her tension.

How could she agree to that? Wasn't the punishment she endured today enough?

"I, I'm really not familiar with her. Today was just a coincidence, and she probably won't come again in the future..."

The shorter girl pouted.

Shu Yanyan cautiously asked, "Will you still come in the future?"

The taller girl replied, "Of course!"

She grabbed her companion, "It's time to go back. If we delay any longer, the deliciousness of these treats will diminish."

The shorter girl widened her eyes, "Let's go back to the dorm!"

The two of them turned around and hurriedly left. Watching their retreating figures, Shu Yanyan let out a sigh of relief.

But as she turned back into the shop, she saw Chu Yu leisurely enjoying the desserts, and her heart tightened once again.

Chu Yu looked up and their eyes met. She smiled, as if all the tension from earlier had never happened.

Shu Yanyan pretended to be calm as she approached her.

"It's a good thing we weren't discovered."

Chu Yu asked, "Were you nervous?"

She explained proactively, "Actually, even members of the royal family have their own lives. Even if we were discovered earlier, it wouldn't have been a big deal."

Shu Yanyan wrinkled her nose and muttered under her breath, "How can it not be a big deal..."

Chu Yu looked at her with interest, "Unless you don't want me to be seen by others."

Shu Yanyan widened her eyes and raised her hands, "I don't. Why would I not want others to see you..."

"Really?" Chu Yu squinted her eyes as she observed her.

Shu Yanyan stiffened her neck, "Really!"

Chu Yu smiled, but it was unclear whether she believed her or not.

Having tasted the desserts herself and to avoid any similar incidents, Shu Yanyan tentatively asked, "Shouldn't you leave now?"

Chu Yu countered, "Is Yanyan trying to rush me away?"

Shu Yanyan clasped her hands behind her back, "No, I just thought... As the Emperor, shouldn't you be busy?"

Chu Yu rested her chin on her hand, tapping her index finger on her mask, "Indeed, I am quite busy, but there are always priorities and urgencies to be considered."

Shu Yanyan replied, "So you should focus on handling important matters..."

Chu Yu looked at her, "Aren't we handling it now?"

Shu Yanyan's breath caught in her throat.

Handling important matters now?

So... coming here to taste desserts with her, is that what Chu Yu considers to be... the most important matter?

She looked at Chu Yu, momentarily lost in thought.

After regaining her composure, she spoke with a hint of elusive hope, "I... have a lover. Although we are temporarily separated, I still love her very much..."

The smile disappeared from Chu Yu's face.

"I heard she has been missing for almost three years?"

Shu Yanyan suddenly raised her head, "You know?!"

Chu Yu lowered her head slightly, "...I encountered Yunmiao during the celebration day before, and for security reasons, I conducted an investigation on you."

She added, "It was only a basic investigation, without involving any privacy matters."

Shu Yanyan became somewhat agitated, "So..."

As the words lingered on her lips, she didn't know where to start.

So you know about me and Yunmiao?

So how do you perceive our current situation?

So... so did you actually forget that part of your memories, or have you always remembered but just refused to acknowledge it?

With too many thoughts swirling in her mind, Shu Yanyan couldn't make sense of them and could only force out a sentence, "What do you think?"

Chu Yu stood up and walked around the tables and chairs in the shop to stand beside Shu Yanyan.

"If you're asking for my opinion, I think the past doesn't matter. People live in the present and should focus on the present and the future, don't you think?"

Shu Yanyan's mind went blank for a moment.

"The past... doesn't matter?"

Chu Yu nodded. "Moreover... three years is neither long nor short. Can you truly confirm that the person is still the same as you remember? Can you be certain that your feelings haven't changed? And can you be sure that the other person hasn't moved on?"

Shu Yanyan: "..."

She had no idea how to respond to Chu Yu's questions.

These questions were too sharp and painfully real, confronting the confusion she had unconsciously avoided all this time.

And at this moment, Chu Yu laid it all bare in front of her.

Chu Yu held her shoulders, "Yanyan, the past experiences may indeed be worth remembering, but they should be your treasure, not your shackles. You should look forward."

Shu Yanyan's legs went weak, and she couldn't help but take two steps back.

After taking several deep breaths, she finally managed to slightly calm her emotions. She also took the opportunity to free herself from Chu Yu's touch, saying, "...Perhaps you're right."

She forced a smile, but it came out as a bitter one. "The lost time is an permanent regret, even if she and I can reunite, we won't be in the same situation or appearance as before...Everything can never go back to how it used to be."

Chu Yu looked at her bewildered expression, and a sudden sense of unfamiliar panic surged within her.

But she attributed it all to her fondness for Shu Yanyan and didn't pay attention to the hidden meaning behind her words: "You deserve someone better, a better beginning, a better future."

Shu Yanyan turned to look at her, remained silent for a while, and finally nodded, "Mm."

Chu Yu let out a sigh of relief.

With a bit of selfishness, she spoke, "As a starting point for your 'better future,' I think it's necessary for us to get to know each other again."

She reached out her hand towards Shu Yanyan while introducing herself, "My name is Chu Yu."

Shu Yanyan paused for a moment, but in the next moment, she genuinely smiled.

Taking a deep breath, she exhaled the built-up tension and reached out to shake Chu Yu's hand.

At the moment their skin touched, both of them felt a tingling sensation, as if an electric shock had passed through them, spreading a warm and fuzzy feeling throughout their bodies.

"I'm Chu Yu."

"Shu Yanyan, I'm glad to... get to know you again."

BACK | TABLE OF CONTENTS | NEXT