Chapter 866: I misjudged Her
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Upon hearing Murong Yumeng’s words, Zhou Cui’an was deeply moved. Especially when she considered the strikingly different attitudes of Ye Leng’an and Murong Yumeng, her admiration for Murong Yumeng soared.
“Senior Sister, you’re truly kind-hearted,” Zhou Cui’an couldn’t help but exclaim. “Meeting you is undoubtedly the luckiest thing in my life.”
However, Murong Yumeng shook her head with a smile. “You’re too polite. Since I’m your senior sister, it’s only natural for me to lend a helping hand where I can.”
At this point, Murong Yumeng paused and then lifted the bag beside her, passing it to Zhou Cui’an. “Junior Sister Zhou, since you insist on repaying me, consider this dress yours. I can’t let you pay without receiving anything in return!”
Naturally, Murong Yumeng could discern what had happened with Zhou Cui’an earlier that day. The fact that Zhou Cui’an wanted to see the dress now indicated the impending banquet she had mentioned before.
However, Zhou Cui’an had clearly overestimated herself. Without the status to justify it, she still dared to try on the dress in such a place. She deserved what she got.
Nevertheless, it was opportune for Murong Yumeng to go along with it now. Presumably, Zhou Cui’an also needed the dress. Although it was slightly stained, it was not too noticeable. However, the dress couldn’t be washed. What Zhou Cui’an did with it was not her concern. She was merely doing a favor.
As Zhou Cui’an’s eyes brightened upon receiving the bag from Murong Yumeng, it was evident she was deeply moved by her words. However, a hint of hesitation lingered on her face. “There’s no need, Senior sister. You’ve helped me today; I can’t be so ungrateful.”
Despite her words, Zhou Cui’an’s gaze remained fixed on the bag in Murong Yumeng’s hands.
After today’s events, Zhou Cui’an was well aware that buying a suitable dress for the banquet was nearly impossible. Although the dress in Murong Yumeng’s bag was slightly dirty, she could still wear it with some cleaning.
With this dress, she could confidently attend the banquet.
Yet, despite her intention to repay the money, she was just a student now. 300,000 yuan was a significant sum for her. Therefore, she naturally couldn’t ask for the dress back.
Now that Murong Yumeng had offered, Zhou Cui’an was tempted. However, she felt taking it would appear too greedy.
“It’s alright.” Murong Yumeng pushed the dress towards Zhou Cui’an, smiling. “It’s just a dress. It’s of no use to me. Besides, you’ve paid for it. How can I take it back?”
After Murong Yumeng’s repeated persuasion, Zhou Cui’an was ultimately moved. She nodded. “Thank you, Senior Sister Murong. It would be impolite of me to refuse. I’ll remember your kindness and repay you in the future.”
“Hehe, there’s no need for that.” Murong Yumeng smiled and shook her head. “It’s nothing. You don’t have to take it to heart. Besides, we’ve met so many times; we should be considered friends! Helping each other as friends is only natural.”
Observing Murong Yumeng’s sincere expression, Zhou Cui’an was touched. “Senior Sister Murong, it’s an honor to have you as a friend.”
Watching Zhou Cui’an’s touching expression, Murong Yumeng wore a smile on her face, but the occasional flashes of disdain and disgust in her eyes revealed her true feelings.
While Zhou Cui’an was completely taken in by Murong Yumeng’s kindness and didn’t sense her true feelings, Ye Leng’an’s mood was affected by Zhou Cui’an, prompting her to end her shopping trip and return home.
Upon her return, she found Huangfu Ruiling in the living room, her expression slightly surprised.
“Have you settled everything? I thought this matter might be a bit tricky!”
“Everything’s been taken care of.”
Huangfu Ruiling rose and joined Ye Leng’an on the sofa, asking casually, “And you? Weren’t you supposed to go shopping today? Why are you back so soon?”
Ye Leng’an recounted her encounter with Zhou Cui’an at the mall without hiding anything.
The more Huangfu Ruiling listened, the colder his expression became, emitting an icy aura.
Seeing his change, Ye Leng’an reached out and held his arm, smiling. “Don’t be angry. She was just talking nonsense. Even I, the one directly involved, am not angry. What’s there for you to be angry about?”
“Her life must be too smooth, so she has plenty of time to meddle in other people’s affairs!” Huangfu Ruiling maintained his composure, but each word seemed to freeze. “So, in the end, she’s just too comfortable.”
Ye Leng’an shook her head and then smiled. “Zhou Cui’an’s words shouldn’t be taken lightly. Someone must have been poisoning her mind in front of her. Otherwise, her attitude wouldn’t have changed so drastically.”
Thinking about it, Zhou Cui’an’s change wasn’t sudden. She had noticed Zhou Cui’an’s odd behavior before. However, she hadn’t thought much of it at the time.
Now it seemed someone had been speaking ill of her in front of Zhou Cui’an for a while, leading to her change in attitude.
If Zhou Cui’an hadn’t been pushed to her limit today and her psychological defenses hadn’t been shattered, she wouldn’t have spoken so recklessly.
Huangfu Ruiling furrowed his brow. “So you’re saying Zhou Cui’an was just being manipulated?”
“I don’t know if she was manipulated.” Ye Leng’an’s lips curled into a sarcastic smile. “But she’s not innocent. I initially thought she was a simple and honest person. After all, she came from a small place, and besides studying, she didn’t have many other interests in life. She should’ve been quite innocent. Now I realize my judgment wasn’t so good! I completely misjudged her.”