Chapter Forty-Four: All Friends

When it comes to spending money, women are truly skilled at it.

After finishing their hotpot meal, Dust and Chu Xingran shopped nonstop, with Mo Han and Chi Zhou trailing behind, their hands laden with bags. The fighting power of these two women—if only they were as fierce in a brawl as they were in shopping, instead of simply buying things endlessly.

“Still shopping? Can’t we send these back before buying more? My hands are full,” Chi Zhou said, looking somewhat troubled at Dust. He had truly underestimated her.

She used to be so frugal, never spending extravagantly, but this was the first time he’d seen her like this. Perhaps it was because he hadn’t had money for her to spend before, making her endure hardship alongside him for quite some time. Now that he could provide her with a good life, he wasn’t afraid of her spending, but as her assistant, he truly needed a break.

“You two can head back. The two of us still want to shop around some more. That’s settled!” Dust paid no mind to their exhaustion; all she cared about was how happy she and her sister were today.

Any bad mood could be dispelled by eating and shopping. A bit of time spent, and joy was theirs—why not indulge? This time, their business concluded early, leaving them a few days to rest, so of course they should seize the moment and enjoy themselves to the fullest.

Once busy days return, even sleeping and eating will become luxuries, so one must learn to savor life. No matter the time, you must balance work and leisure.

Ignoring Mo Han and Chi Zhou, Chu Xingran and Dust continued shopping in the mall. As long as they were happy, nothing else mattered.

Men, after all—sometimes a little coaxing is enough, since that’s how they treat women. So treat them as they treat you; fairness, after all.

“Ran, this necklace suits you well. Let me buy it for you!” The design was simple, but perfect for Chu Xingran.

“Then I’ll buy you this bracelet. It fits you, and we can exchange gifts as sisters.” They were close friends; naturally, matching accessories were a must.

A necklace and a bracelet, together costing eight hundred fifty thousand. These two women were quite formidable spenders. Yet they cared for none of that—if they liked it and could afford it, why deny themselves? Earning money is for spending; why bind oneself?

“Let’s go home and rest. Tomorrow, let’s go riding at the horse farm!” Chu Xingran couldn’t sit still either.

When free, it’s best to wander about, lest the mind gets tangled in chaotic thoughts.

The two left the mall, arms full, strolling leisurely down the street. Amid the bustling crowds, they truly bid farewell to the past. Both had embarked on new lives.

Chu Xingran eventually agreed to be with Mo Han, although it was merely being together.

Even if her heart was always and only for that man, Mo Han accepted all of her, everything she was.

“Boss, two vanilla ice creams and a strawberry cake!” At the entrance to a nearby dessert shop, a man stood holding a little boy’s hand, waiting.

The voice was familiar, and the figure even more so.

“Ah Heng?” Chu Xingran called tentatively.

Gu Zhiheng shouldn’t be so thin, but that person resembled him so much! And the child, it seemed, was Jing Hua.

Weren’t they supposed to be at Mistbrow Mountain?

Why were they here, when did they arrive, and what for? This was Flame City’s border, far from Mistbrow Mountain.

“Sis, Dust?” Why were they here, what brought them? Would they be angry that he left the mountain suddenly?

He was simply bored, taking Jing Hua out for a stroll, planning to return by evening.

“Ah... Ah Heng, how did you become so thin?” Deep-set eyes, prominent cheekbones, gaunt and bony.

“It’s nothing, just been too tired lately. A bit of rest will fix it.” With days so exhausting, who wouldn’t lose weight?

“I have to hurry back, so I won’t join you. Goodbye!” He and Jing Hua had snuck down the mountain and needed to return before the old monster discovered their absence.

He was glad to see them, but now wasn’t the time to reunite. There was still something he hadn’t figured out—once all was clear, perhaps he would join them.

The old monsters of Mistbrow Mountain had taught him all they could. He had learned enough; it was time for other pursuits.

He said his farewells to Chu Xingran and Dust, took the things he’d bought for Jing Hua, and left without looking back, heading toward the place he’d come from.

He seemed to have grown more mature and steady, yet nothing had really changed. The biggest change was his weight—he was thinner, quieter.

“Let’s go. Ninth Master has gone far. He must have come down for something,” Dust tugged at Chu Xingran, and they headed toward the hotel.

From now on, everyone would truly be friends.

Since Chu Xingran chose Mo Han, there was no longer any possibility between her and Gu Zhiheng.

Gu Zhiheng and Chu Xingran were destined for no result. Their paths diverged; though they shared a stretch, it was only that brief segment.

Gu Zhiheng had too much to do, leaving him no time for Chu Xingran. Even together, things would not end well.

Given that, why should Chu Xingran cling to him? Wouldn’t it be better to choose someone with potential?

Friends, siblings—it didn’t matter, as long as they remained family.

“Yes, I am now Mo Han’s girlfriend, and Ah Heng’s sister.” Sister—perhaps that was all she had ever been in his heart.

He was himself, and Ye Zheng was Ye Zheng.

Even if they were the same person, their feelings for her had always been different.

She need not force anything further. It was Gu Zhiheng who did not love her, not Ye Zheng.

“Come on, tonight I’ll treat you to drinks. Tomorrow, when we wake, everything will be beautiful!” True sisters understand each other, knowing exactly what is in the other’s heart.

Dust linked arms with Chu Xingran, slowly vanishing into the crowd.

What they didn’t know was that Gu Zhiheng watched from a distance for a long time, only leaving after they had gone.

Friends, at least, could remain the same for a lifetime.

“Sir, do you like her?” Jing Hua stared at Gu Zhiheng, asking quietly.

Like—what did liking really mean?

What was love? Was it the same as liking?

“We’re all friends, like family. You’re just a child, what would you know!” He ruffled Jing Hua’s hair and led him back to Mistbrow Mountain.

Yet Jing Hua sensed Gu Zhiheng was brushing him off. He saw a different expression in Gu Zhiheng’s eyes, one he hadn’t seen in this period.

A new feeling, as if it was the emotion Gu Zhiheng ought to have had all along.

Deep in his mind, Ye Zheng suddenly awoke, sighed, and sat cross-legged in dejection.

He had missed it—this time, truly missed it.

Friends; from now on, just friends.

When introducing her to others, she would become, from lover, simply a friend.