Was Lu Wei's words harsh?

Extremely harsh.

She meant they weren't on the same level at all—their thoughts worlds apart.

Su Xiaoyue could hang out with whoever she liked; it was none of their damn business.

Most importantly, if someone with her standards found him worthy, who were they to judge?

Lu Wei's words tore off the mask, leaving their faces flushed red and pale.

She'd been angry before. These people were all alike.

They hadn't directly harmed Yun Mingxin, but they gave him the cold shoulder.

How they made friends was their own choice.

Losing Yun Mingxin as a friend? That was their stupidity.

All they had was a false sense of superiority.

Though Su Xiaoyue stayed silent, a trace of feeling stirred inside her.

A very special feeling—a desire to feel it again.

This might be called satisfaction.

Hard to imagine someone with her innate emotional deficiency experiencing this.

The doctor said her brain received less than a tenth of normal emotional stimuli.

So this feeling was utterly new to her.

Lu Wei wasn't wrong.

Su Xiaoyue was one of only two third-generation Su heirs.

Unlike her pawn-like cousin, she'd been showered with love since childhood.

Raised under countless protective eyes.

Truth was, this tied to a peculiar life phenomenon.

To fathers, daughters were true treasures, cherished carefully.

Sons seemed like street finds—worth nothing.

Males were born with protective instincts.

Even though Su Xiaoyue never gave family a kind look, her status meant harming a single hair on her head would get her father whipped by Grandpa.

So even if she disliked competing, her aura remained formidable.

Su Xiaoyue stayed silent, but the air grew heavier.

The three girls besides Lu Wei exchanged glances, sinking deeper into awkwardness.

"You. Leave."

After an eternity of agony, Su Xiaoyue finally spoke.

Her voice flowed like clear spring water—beautiful, yet demonic whispers to their ears.

From now on, they'd never step here again.

They opened their mouths but choked on unsaid words.

They'd looked down on Yun Mingxin. Even when he dated Su Xiaoyue, the gap felt too wide.

Hearing of their breakup today, they couldn't resist gossiping.

This comfort gathering was Lu Wei's idea alone.

The three came uninvited. Out of elder respect, Lu Wei held her tongue.

They just wanted to flatter Su Xiaoyue, hoping to befriend her.

But they miscalculated—they knew nothing of Su Xiaoyue.

Now it was ruined. Su Xiaoyue's hatred meant the Su family would make them suffer.

With nothing left, the three slunk away.

They knew Su Xiaoyue's decisions were unchangeable; apologies useless.

Truth was, Su Xiaoyue didn't even know their names...

"Xiaoyue, you okay?"

Lu Wei stared at her, worry etched deep.

She knew Su Xiaoyue's condition. This first display of anger—would it trigger problems?

Seeing Lu Wei's face, Su Xiaoyue shook her head slightly.

They sat together. Lu Wei talked; Su Xiaoyue listened.

They attended different colleges—Lu Wei went to a sports university.

She shared campus stories.

Like some guy throwing shot put with wild swings, overstepping, and doubling over in groin pain.

Lu Wei described it vividly, laughing at her own tale.

She wanted Su Xiaoyue to forget the discomfort.

Su Xiaoyue rarely felt emotions, but when she did, they lingered.

She didn't know if the breakup hurt Su Xiaoyue, but those three's gossip definitely did.

Seeing Su Xiaoyue unmoved, Lu Wei sighed inwardly.

Damn it—why break up such a perfect couple?

Suddenly, she remembered her true purpose.

"Xiaoyue, look! Look!"

Lu Wei pulled a small box from her sweatpants pocket.

Su Xiaoyue glanced over.

Opening it, sandalwood scent drifted out, calming the mind.

Inside lay a red string bracelet, tied with a sliver of fine Hetian jade.

The jade was top-grade, micro-carved with twin lotus blossoms and mandarin ducks playing in water.

Lu Wei grinned proudly. "I sincerely spent a fortune for this at our famous ancient temple."

"They say it's Yue Lao's red string of fate. The jade symbolizes eternal youth and white hair together. Wear it on your right hand—it'll help you regain love."

"I bet any version of Yun Mingxin would grovel at your feet!"

Ignoring the crude joke, Su Xiaoyue stared at the bracelet. A rare ripple stirred in her bright eyes.

Unbidden, she pictured twin lotuses floating on water, mandarin ducks nestled close.

That scene seemed beautiful.

Did she yearn for it too?

Su Xiaoyue softened unusually, whispering, "Xiaolu, thank you."

"Aw, no thanks needed!" Lu Wei patted her flat chest—it thumped dully. "I'm your best friend."

"Just put it on!"

Su Xiaoyue quietly rolled up her left sleeve, revealing a snow-white wrist like polished jade.

As she reached to wear it, Lu Wei yelped, "Ah! Ah!"

"Xiaoyue, it goes on the right hand! Maximum effect that way."

Before Su Xiaoyue could reply, Lu Wei grabbed her right wrist and tugged the sleeve up.

It lifted slightly—then Lu Wei froze.

Su Xiaoyue's right wrist already held a bracelet.

A rough red string with three round beads—not quite jade.

Crookedly carved on the outer beads: "Gao Zhong."

The middle bead was a tiny heart.

Lu Wei frowned. Su Xiaoyue could afford anything—why wear this?

The threads were fraying; clearly worn for years.

Lu Wei even suspected she never removed it, not even while bathing.

"Xiaoyue, what is this? Take it off. Wear my Yue Lao string instead."

"Can't remove it."

Su Xiaoyue replied softly, sliding the new bracelet onto her left wrist.

"Huh?"

"So what's its story?"

"I'm curious!"

Lu Wei bobbed her head, eyes wide, leaning closer.

Su Xiaoyue smiled gently.

That red string was Yun Mingxin's first gift—bought with his first month's writing earnings.

A deeply special gift, its meaning profound.

Yun Mingxin had hidden it, too shy to explain.

But Su Xiaoyue never told him she'd discovered its meaning through his carelessness.