#10: Tail

As soon as Lu Zhou’s words fell, everyone went quiet.

They simply didn’t understand that in the relationship between the two, Lu Zhou was always in a vulnerable position. Most people, seeing them, would instinctively assume that the superior one had dumped the one holding them back.

The question had been asked simply to see Shen Yihuan embarrassed, and no one had expected this outcome.

Not even Shen Yihuan had expected it.

“Is that real...?” someone asked hesitantly.

Lu Zhou pulled out a cigarette pack, drew one out, and held it between his teeth. He seemed aloof, looking as if he didn’t want to be bothered.

He turned his head, staring at the girl beside him who was lowering her head and eating shrimp. He retracted his gaze, exhaling a puff of smoke.

“It’s real.”

Shen Yihuan’s chopsticks paused. She chewed the shrimp in her mouth, swallowed, then looked up, staring directly at the person who had asked the question, her expression unchanged: “Had enough questions?”

Gu Minghui saw her expression and knew that person was in for it.

Back in their rebellious teenage years, when they believed in solving everything with fists, Shen Yihuan always wore that expression when provoking someone before a fight.

Very calm and indifferent, without the slightest hint of a smile, with a fierce anger that couldn’t be suppressed, radiating from within.

It was exceptionally cool.

He had once thought this trick was very effective and wanted to learn it, but he could never master Shen Yihuan’s natural ruthlessness and aggression.

That girl wasn’t faking being a little delinquent; it was genuine defiance coming from her very core.

Later, as she grew up, Shen Yihuan seemed to change into a different person, and he rarely saw her like that anymore.

But the inherent nature of one’s disposition isn’t that easy to change.

“Cherry, reel it in!” Gu Minghui exaggeratedly raised his hand and waved it, making a fist gesture. Then he raised his wine glass and tapped it on the edge of the table, smiling at the person. “Say less, alright? If you piss this ancestor off, I won’t be able to stop her from flipping the table.”

Though his words carried a smile, they inexplicably felt cold.

Lu Zhou glanced at Gu Minghui.

The latter calmly met his gaze, then suddenly curved his lips, giving him a meaningful smile.

After Gu Minghui spoke, the dinner conversation had completely died, but he seemed oblivious, rotating the platter to bring the lobster in front of Shen Yihuan.

“Cherry, eat this. No need to peel it.”

Everyone’s gaze was fixed on Shen Yihuan. She nonchalantly picked up a piece and put it in her bowl, lowering her head and saying, “Gu Minghui, you’re making me a little awkward now.”

Gu Minghui smiled, seeing that the ancestor’s anger had mostly subsided. He then waved to everyone, “Eat, everyone, eat. Don’t be polite with me.”

Lu Zhou didn’t touch his chopsticks again, remaining leaned back in his chair, silent.

The awkward topic had passed, and everyone talked about other things as if nothing had happened.

Shen Yihuan ate for a while, then hesitated, turning her head. A noodle was still dangling from her mouth, directly meeting Lu Zhou’s dark, heavy gaze.

“...”

She quickly slurped the noodle into her mouth, chewing, not caring about her image.

Shen Yihuan really couldn’t understand why Lu Zhou had helped her just now, especially since he had said such resolute words to her yesterday. Yet, she also seemed to understand a little.

From second year of high school to third year of university, they were together for five years.

It was like two vibrant bodies being smashed and ground together, mixed into one. It was impossible to completely disentangle them; they could no longer distinguish what was themselves and what was the other.

The pain of separation would inevitably be bloody and gruesome.

Even if it had been Lu Zhou in that situation just now, she would have made the same choice.

“Um...”

She hesitated for a moment, still not wanting to be so awkwardly tense with Lu Zhou, so she decided to test the waters.

Lu Zhou looked at her, showing no other reaction.

“...Can you come a little closer?”

Lu Zhou crossed his arms and straightened up, leaning in.

“I still want shrimp. Can you peel it for me?” she whispered in his ear.

Lu Zhou leaned back again, his refusal clearly implied.

Shen Yihuan had no choice but to turn back, silently sighing as she looked at the two shrimp heads on the plate.

She quite liked eating shrimp, but she disliked peeling them herself because her hands would get a fishy smell that was difficult to wash off completely. So, in the past, Lu Zhou always peeled shelled foods for her. If Lu Zhou wasn’t around, she simply wouldn’t eat them.

Since you’re no longer willing to wag your tail at me.

Then I’ll wag mine at you.

Shen Yihuan picked up a shrimp, pinched its head with two fingers, and pouted her lips, looking very disgusted.

The girl’s fingers were slender and fair, with freshly done nails yesterday, a gradient of light pink. This blended with the slight blush on her face, her skin fair with a hint of redness, making one’s heart skip a beat.

She truly had a face that was captivating enough.

Lu Zhou watched her movements from the corner of his eye, raising an eyebrow slightly in surprise.

When did she start liking shrimp so much?

Although everyone was chatting, their attention was always drawn to Shen Yihuan and Lu Zhou.

Then they watched as she held the shrimp by its antennae and carefully placed the peeled shrimp meat into Lu Zhou’s bowl.

Everyone: ...

Qiu Ruru beside her: ...My god, my pig actually went for the cabbage on its own?!

Lu Zhou lowered his gaze, looking at the shrimp meat in his bowl.

She probably really didn’t want to get her fingers fishy. This small shrimp wasn’t even peeled cleanly; tiny remnants of shell could still be seen on its belly.

He suddenly felt incredibly irritated, a stifling restlessness bubbling up from his heart, caught in his chest.

Shen Yihuan was like this when she used to pursue him—pitifully trying to please, hiding her sharp edges, making him feel sorry for her.

But once her goal was achieved, the prey secured, she would reveal her true colors.

From a hunter, she became a dictator, swinging the blade, deciding his life or death.

Shen Yihuan was Lu Zhou’s addiction all these years; his obsession, his humility, all because of Shen Yihuan.

Of course, it was tiring, but she was Shen Yihuan.

Now, he had finally decided to painfully let go, to strip himself bare, and yet Shen Yihuan extended her cat’s paw to him again, lightly scratching his palm.

“Aren’t you going to eat?”

He hadn’t touched his chopsticks for a long time. Shen Yihuan couldn’t help but turn her head to urge him.

The girl’s voice was soft and gentle, as if she wasn’t the same person who had just been speaking coldly and defiantly.

“Eat.”

Because it was Shen Yihuan.

All of Lu Zhou’s actions seemed to have a hidden switch.

No matter how much time passed, no matter how she hurt him.

As long as it was what she wanted, Lu Zhou couldn’t help but fulfill it to make her happy.

This psychological pattern had become a habit; he couldn’t change it.

Like a knee-jerk reflex, the simplest reflex, requiring only two neurons to complete.

Shen Yihuan, having gotten her way, wanted to push her luck further. She picked up her chopsticks again, put another shrimp into her own bowl, and started peeling it.

Lu Zhou: “I’m not eating anymore.”

“...Oh.”

Shen Yihuan put it down and meticulously wiped her hands with a napkin.

After a few minutes, she sniffed her fingers, frowned, and quietly said to Qiu Ruru, “I’m going to the restroom.”

Cold water streamed down, forming white foam on the back of her hands, blending with her delicate skin.

She rested her hands on the sink. After a few minutes, she finally exhaled softly and took out a lipstick to reapply her makeup.

“Shen Yihuan, aren’t you shameless? You broke up with him and you’re still peeling shrimp for him?” Zhang Tongqi walked in, meeting her gaze through the mirror.

Shen Yihuan slowly pulled out a tissue to wipe her hands, looking down without meeting her eyes, leisurely saying, “It’s better than some people who peel shrimp and still get rejected, right?”

She didn’t want to say more to Zhang Tongqi, leaving her with that remark and walking out, not caring how bad the other person’s expression was.

Gu Minghui stood in the hallway outside the restroom, leaning against the wall, one long leg slightly bent. The light falling on him dyed his hair a reddish-brown.

“What are you doing standing here?”

Shen Yihuan walked over with her hands in her shirt pockets, lightly kicking his calf.

“Are you alright?”

“Hm?”

“I saw Zhang Tongqi come out, so I came to check on you.” He gestured towards the restroom with his chin.

Shen Yihuan smiled. “What can she do to me?”

“True.” Gu Minghui curved his lips. “Everyone’s changed venues. Heading downstairs to the KTV to continue the party.”

Shen Yihuan wondered, “It’s already so awkward, and they still have the mood for KTV?”

“Yeah, we’re adults now. You have to endure what you have to endure. A class reunion is a good opportunity to expand your network.” Gu Minghui was destined to inherit the family business. He studied finance and management during his two years of overseas study, making him a future domineering CEO.

“Alright,” Shen Yihuan nodded indifferently. “I won’t go. Having you as a connection is enough.”

“Then I’ll drive you home.”

“You’re the host; I can get back by myself.”

“That doesn’t matter. Wait, I’ll go get my car keys.”

“Seriously, no need.” Shen Yihuan stomped her foot. “Isn’t Ruru still there? Can you tell her I left first? She’s been drinking, so remember to drive her home later.”

“Alright,” Gu Minghui didn’t insist further. “Then text me when you get home.”

“Got it.”

After saying that, she turned around. The girl’s figure was impossibly thin, her shoulder blades protruding through her shirt, looking empty.

Gu Minghui stood behind her for a while, watching her back. The corners of his lips slowly curved, finally forming a cold, cynical arc.

Shen Yihuan guessed Lu Zhou definitely wouldn’t go to a place like a KTV. He disliked commotion and didn’t like mixing in such environments.

Sure enough, as she exited the elevator, she saw him. Beside him was a drunk... man?

Lu Zhou was holding a heavily intoxicated Yu Jiache, his expression unpleasant, seemingly contemplating whether to take on this drunkard.

“Where are the car keys?” he asked.

Yu Jiache slurred his words, rambling incoherently.

Lu Zhou frowned, finally finding the car keys in his coat pocket.

“Lu Zhou.”

He turned, seeing Shen Yihuan.

She pursed her lips, which were a vibrant red even at night, her makeup still impeccable. She looked at Yu Jiache, who was hanging onto Lu Zhou, with an unreadable expression, while Lu Zhou looked completely resistant.

She paused, her gaze settling on Lu Zhou. “Why is he here too?”

Yu Jiache was from Class Two, the class next door.

“His class also had a reunion here,” Lu Zhou replied, his voice cold.

Shen Yihuan felt a little disheartened.

“...Can you drive me back?” she asked tentatively, then added, “I didn’t drive.”

“I didn’t drive either.”

Shen Yihuan looked at the car keys in his hand.

“They’re Yu Jiache’s.”

“...Oh.”

When he was a teenager, he was shamelessly persistent in pursuing people. Give him a little sunshine, and he’d flourish. Give him a little encouragement, and he’d take advantage, never knowing when to stop, getting on your nerves.

Shen Yihuan pinched her palm with the hand in her pocket, slowly saying, “...Then can you drop him off and then drop me off?”

His face gradually darkened.

It looked a little scary.

Shen Yihuan quickly glanced at him, whispering, “The security where I live isn’t very good...”

Her voice was weak, not as self-assured as before.

Shen Yihuan thought, Actually, what they said was pretty accurate. I am quite bad.

I even use Lu Zhou’s weaknesses.

But she just couldn’t help doing it, unable to explain the reason even to herself.

“Let’s go.”

Lu Zhou finally compromised.

Yu Jiache’s car was parked right at the parking lot entrance, easy to find.

Lu Zhou tossed the drunkard into the back seat, then got into the driver’s seat himself. Shen Yihuan pulled open the passenger door and got in.

He smelled a faint, sweet creamy scent from the girl. It hadn’t been very noticeable during the day, masked by her perfume, but now, with the perfume diffused by the wind, her natural scent wafted out in waves.

Her denim shorts only covered her upper thighs. When she sat down, her hips pulled, forming a diagonal line, her skin snow-white, like a gleaming piece of satin.

Lu Zhou’s gaze shifted downwards. Her breath was near his ear, and his palms holding the steering wheel were sweating.

“Get in the back.”

“...Huh?” Shen Yihuan was stunned.

“Get in the back!” he snapped.

Shen Yihuan felt wronged, slamming the door and moving to the back seat. The reeking Yu Jiache was right beside her, already incoherent.

She suddenly remembered that Lu Zhou seemed to have seen her in this state many times.

Drunk, acting wildly, and when she drank too much, she loved to make trouble, hitting and pinching people.

Lu Zhou took a bottle of mineral water from the cup holder and handed it to Yu Jiache. “Sober up.”

Yu Jiache took it, squinting and smiling. “I’m not drunk!”

Shen Yihuan: ...

He was quite like her when she was drunk.

Lu Zhou couldn’t be bothered with him and stepped on the gas, driving off.

Yu Jiache swayed with the car’s motion, about to fall onto Shen Yihuan, but Lu Zhou took another turn, throwing him against the window.

Yu Jiache rubbed the back of his head, grimacing as he opened his eyes. He widened them in surprise when he saw a woman sitting beside him.

Shen Yihuan looked at him expressionlessly.

“Hey, you... why do you look so much like Shen Yihuan?”

“...” She paused slightly. “I am her.”

“Why are you here? I’m telling you! Women like you should go find another man to mess with, don’t come bothering Grandpa Lu anymore! You, you damn it, you’ve had your fun, but everyone else is already dead from your games.”

Shen Yihuan frowned, looking sideways at Lu Zhou’s expression. His jaw was clenched, his lips pressed into a thin line.

“You’re drunk,” Lu Zhou’s voice was deep. “Shut up.”

Yu Jiache shrank his neck, saying to him, “It’s not like I haven’t seen you drunk before.”

Shen Yihuan turned her head in surprise. She had never actually seen Lu Zhou drunk.

Yu Jiache slumped back in the car seat. “Couldn’t stop vomiting, completely out of it, and kept pulling me to talk. I took one look at you then... Ow! It scared me to death!”

Lu Zhou’s face completely darkened. He warned, “Yu Jiache.”

The latter seemed to sober up slightly, glanced at Shen Yihuan, and obediently shut up.

Shen Yihuan was left feeling utterly frustrated and stuck in the middle of it all.

Lu Zhou quickly drove the car to Yu Jiache’s home. After dropping him off, he came out.

He tapped on the car window. “I left the car with him. The subway station is right next to it. I’ll take you back.”

The summer night was somewhat noisy, with the loud chirping of cicadas. The night sky was deep, devoid of stars.

They walked side by side towards the subway station.

Shen Yihuan hesitated, asking, “When did you get drunk?”

“After I received your message.”

She took a moment to realize he must be referring to that breakup text, and her heart felt even more uneasy.

“What happened after... after you got drunk?”

She remembered Yu Jiache’s unfinished words.

Lu Zhou didn’t answer, continuing to walk forward.

He was tall with long legs, taking large strides. Shen Yihuan, wearing heels, had to jog to keep up. She couldn’t help but call out to him, “Lu Zhou.”

He turned around. Shen Yihuan couldn’t brake in time and nearly crashed into his chest.

The streetlight gathered in his eyes, a deep, heavy light.

His voice was faint, scattered by the wind.

“I cried.”

Shen Yihuan felt as if she had been struck by a club; her mind went blank.