The Tragic Life of Liu Qingyue

A certain city.

A flight slowly touched down.

Xuan Ying, Zhao Yan, and Li Guanqi stepped off the plane and walked together toward the baggage claim area. However, they kept glancing back frequently, as if burning with curiosity and anticipation about something behind them, yet too hesitant to show it openly.

"I mean, why would Su Cheng and Senior Gu come here together?" Xuan Ying finally couldn't hold back and spoke up.

"Yeah, even if they went to the same middle school and are in the same club now, there's no need to travel so closely, right?" Zhao Yan chimed in, her eyes flickering toward Li Guanqi with a probing look.

Both Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan had already learned from Wang Guancong that Gu Ruoxue and Su Cheng had attended the same middle school.

"Maybe their relationship isn't as simple as it seems on the surface," Li Guanqi said after a moment of silence, her voice measured.

At her words, Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan fell quiet, then simultaneously turned their gazes toward Li Guanqi.

After a pause, Xuan Ying couldn't resist asking, "Are you saying they might be dating?"

Zhao Yan narrowed her eyes skeptically. "Or… dated before? Rekindled an old flame?"

"I don't know for sure," Li Guanqi shook her head. "I'm just making an educated guess based on years of observing people."

She took a deep breath but didn't voice the worst-case scenario. Instead, she rephrased it with certainty: "If they're in a romantic relationship, then everything makes sense."

Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan exchanged glances, both feeling a wave of shock and disbelief.

Especially Xuan Ying—she had thought Li Guanqi was her biggest rival.

But now…

Had Su Cheng already become someone else's husband?

This outcome was too unbelievable, too sudden. Her mind could only conjure four words—

How is this possible?!

Zhao Yan wasn't any calmer. The feeling was like playing a game for over ten minutes, painstakingly saving up for one item, only to return home and find the enemy already fully geared, having steamrolled a lane and destroyed the base.

A crushing defeat slammed into her.

The sheer disparity left her momentarily speechless.

Li Guanqi spoke up again, suggesting, "Actually, this is easy to verify. If they go to a hotel—"

Before she could finish, Xuan Ying cut in, "I get it. If they check into one room, that proves they're a couple. Right?"

Li Guanqi nodded. "Exactly."

Zhao Yan frowned. "Then all we have to do is follow them discreetly and ask the front desk. That’ll clear things up."

"Later, we should explain this to Senior Liu. She’ll definitely agree. Ideally, we can stay at the same hotel as Su Cheng—that would be perfect!" Xuan Ying proposed.

"Mm."

After discussing for a while, the three headed to the baggage claim area to wait.

But before long, a commotion broke out as business-class passengers began filing in.

The three girls exchanged glances, instantly understanding each other’s thoughts. They quickly hid behind a nearby pillar, peeking out cautiously.

Soon, they saw Su Cheng and Gu Ruoxue walk over to the luggage carousel, retrieve their suitcases, and leave side by side.

The three emerged from their hiding spot.

"Senior Liu is waiting for us outside. What if they run into her?" Xuan Ying fretted.

Li Guanqi said bluntly, "Just call Senior Liu now and explain the situation."

"Oh, right."

Xuan Ying immediately pulled out her phone and dialed Liu Qingyue’s number.

Meanwhile, Li Guanqi gripped her own phone, but no messages came through. Her heart sank, a hidden panic creeping in.

Not contacting her after landing—something this important—could only mean one thing:

Su Cheng might have really regained his memories.

…………………………

At the arrivals gate, a large crowd had gathered.

Among them, two women in OL attire and face masks stood out strikingly. Their poised, elegant demeanor—especially with the masks adding an air of mystery—drew hushed murmurs and swallowed gulps from the surrounding onlookers.

"Who are those two ladies? Their presence is unreal!"

"Even flight attendants pale in comparison."

"They must be here to pick someone up."

"No kidding. You think they’re just standing around for fun?"

"Wonder who they’re waiting for?"

"Dressed like that, probably some big-shot executive."

Whispers spread as many male eyes remained glued to the pair.

Suddenly, the short-haired woman hung up her phone, exchanged a few words with the long-haired beauty beside her, and the two strode straight toward a nearby restroom.

At the same time, a flood of passengers emerged from the exit, carrying all sorts of luggage—small carry-ons, large suitcases, you name it.

Su Cheng and Gu Ruoxue were among the last to exit.

"President, are we heading straight back to the county tonight or staying here?" Su Cheng suddenly asked.

He desperately needed to charge his phone.

His off-brand device had died.

Even though he’d brought a power bank, it was dead too.

This trip home had been too rushed, and with Valentine’s Day in the mix, he’d forgotten to prepare properly.

Gu Ruoxue no longer carried the fragile demeanor from the plane. Instead, she had reverted to her usual independent, cool, and assertive self.

At Su Cheng’s question, she glanced around, her brow furrowing slightly before she replied indifferently, "Straight back."

"Got it."

Su Cheng had no objections. After all, Gu Ruoxue was covering all expenses for this trip.

A few minutes later, the two walked out of the airport with the crowd.

The moment they stepped beyond the terminal’s bounds, a swarm of elderly men and women holding lodging signs rushed over, spotting them immediately and calling out eagerly:

"Need a room?"

"Where ya headed?!"

"Super cheap! Hot water, A/C, private bathroom, Wi-Fi! Free shuttle service too!"

"Only a hundred a night! We’ll drive you back tomorrow—meals included!"

"Young man, your girlfriend’s real pretty! Studying abroad? My daughter’s overseas too—maybe consider…?"

Su Cheng ignored them outright. Engaging at all would only invite more aggressive pitches.

Gu Ruoxue, however, had no patience for their spiel. She strode ahead without a word.

Though the touts swarmed, none physically blocked their path, so they broke free of the crowd easily.

The time was 8:30 PM.

This city was a remote, no-name town in a province few could place on a map. Aside from one ancient town, there was nothing noteworthy about it.

Gu Ruoxue called for a car, and the two headed straight for the county town.

……………………

At the same time.

At the airport arrival gate.

Liu Qingyue and Ji Qingyi met up with the trio of Xuan Ying.

"Senior Liu!"

Xuan Ying spotted the short-haired Liu Qingyue at once and waved enthusiastically while dragging her luggage behind her.

Zhao Yan and Li Guanqi followed close behind.

However, Zhao Yan cast a puzzled glance at the woman of extraordinary bearing standing beside Liu Qingyue.

Somehow, that aura felt vaguely familiar.

Li Guanqi, on the other hand, recognized the masked woman as Ji Qingyi immediately but chose to remain inconspicuous in the background.

"Xuan Ying, you’re here."

Liu Qingyue removed her mask, revealing delicate and striking features. She offered Xuan Ying a warm smile before gesturing to Ji Qingyi beside her and introducing, "This is my colleague and senior, who also grew up in the same orphanage as Su Cheng. To be precise, she’s like an elder sister to him. That’s why she came along to welcome you."

"What?"

Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan widened their eyes in astonishment, their gazes locking onto Ji Qingyi with a mix of shock and delight.

"Hello, you can call me Sister Wang. My surname is Wang, and my given name is Yu."

Ji Qingyi removed her mask and extended a hand to shake Xuan Ying’s.

Xuan Ying eagerly clasped Ji Qingyi’s hands in both of hers, her voice brimming with excitement. "Hello, Sister Wang! I’m Xuan Ying, a good friend of Su Cheng’s. You’re so beautiful!"

Zhao Yan, though unable to place the unfamiliar face beneath the mask, quickly reached out as well, her tone gentle. "Hello, Sister Wang. I’m Zhao Yan."

"I’m Li Guanqi." The quiet Li Guanqi, tucked in the corner, also extended a hand in greeting.

"Mhm."

Ji Qingyi gave a slight nod, exchanged a few pleasantries with the three, and then Liu Qingyue led the group out of the airport to a waiting business van.

Upon learning that Su Cheng had returned with a female companion and had bypassed the city in favor of the highway, the group collectively decided to follow them back to the county town.

"Senior Liu, we actually came to invite you back to continue your studies. Someone as outstanding as you shouldn’t be wasting your talents here," Xuan Ying said earnestly, her voice laced with concern.

"Thank you for your kindness, but I’m already married," Liu Qingyue replied nonchalantly from the front passenger seat.

"Married?!" Xuan Ying and the others gaped in disbelief.

Liu Qingyue chuckled. "Yes, the ceremony was just held recently."

"But… you…" Xuan Ying shook her head, at a loss for words.

Liu Qingyue sighed softly. "There’s no need for ‘buts.’ My husband and I respect each other. Though he’s often away on business trips, I enjoy the peace and quiet."

As she spoke, she turned to gaze out the window.

A cool breeze drifted into the car, tousling her hair and revealing a face etched with the weight of untold stories, as if time itself had settled upon her.

Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan were spellbound, rendered speechless for a long moment.

Their rival in love… had suddenly gotten married?

The news left Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan with mixed emotions, a pang of melancholy lingering in their hearts.

Xuan Ying’s earlier hopes of recruiting Liu Qingyue vanished like smoke.

And it wasn’t just them.

Even the silent Li Guanqi and Ji Qingyi were momentarily taken aback—though neither bought a single word of it.

"But you… didn’t you used to… have feelings for Su Cheng?"

Xuan Ying lowered her head, hesitating before voicing the half-formed question.

"Back then?" Liu Qingyue cast her a faintly amused glance before smiling self-deprecatingly. "Su Cheng and I were actually quite close. At one point, I even thought about marrying him after graduation."

"Then… what about now?" Xuan Ying couldn’t help but press further.

A trace of bitterness surfaced on Liu Qingyue’s lips as she spoke slowly. "My family circumstances… My father is seriously ill, my mother is frail, and I have younger siblings to care for. I… I… So…"

Her voice cracked, and a tear slid down her cheek. "Yes, my dreams were beautiful… but reality is harsh. I didn’t have the luxury of time to wait, nor the privileges you all enjoy. That’s why I chose to leave…"

Her words struck Zhao Yan and Xuan Ying like a thunderclap.

How tragic was Senior Liu Qingyue’s life?

A young woman forced to shoulder the burdens of her ailing parents and younger siblings, compelled to marry someone she didn’t love.

What kind of courage did that take?

"Senior, I’m sorry, I…"

Guilt gnawed at Xuan Ying’s heart. She hadn’t meant to reopen old wounds.

"No need to console me. I’m fine."

Liu Qingyue shook her head with a smile before adding, "But I truly envy you all. This—this is what youth should be: spirited and full of vigor, right?"

Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan exchanged glances and managed faint smiles, though their moods had dimmed.

"Still, since you’ve sought me out this time, I won’t stand idly by."

Liu Qingyue’s tone turned serious. "Consider this my way of making up for past regrets."

Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan blinked in surprise.

"Really? Thank you, Sister Qingyue!" Xuan Ying bolted upright, gripping the back of Liu Qingyue’s seat excitedly.

Liu Qingyue chuckled. "You came to me to figure out his relationship with Gu Ruoxue, didn’t you?"

Xuan Ying coughed awkwardly. "Well… we did want to clarify that, but more than anything, we wanted to visit Su Cheng’s orphanage and see if we could help."

"I see. In that case, you can ask Sister Wang about the orphanage."

Liu Qingyue nodded before turning to Ji Qingyi with a smile. "Sister Wang, I told you before—Su Cheng was always popular with girls at school. Now you see I wasn’t exaggerating, right?"

"Indeed, Su Cheng has done well for himself." Ji Qingyi glanced at the girls and gave a slight nod.

Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan smiled bashfully.

"Sister Wang, you’re so beautiful," Xuan Ying gushed, sidling up to Ji Qingyi and looping an arm through hers.

"I think so too," Zhao Yan agreed softly, her gaze lingering on Ji Qingyi with an unreadable glint in her eyes.

"Thank you for the compliments." Ji Qingyi responded politely, though a flicker of cool detachment passed through her eyes before she glanced at Li Guanqi in the corner.

Li Guanqi had remained silent since boarding the van, head bowed, maintaining an air of quiet detachment.

To her, Ji Qingyi’s acting was downright clumsy—every gesture and expression betrayed her usual demeanor. Yet Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan remained utterly oblivious.

And then there was Liu Qingyue’s fabricated backstory of a poverty-stricken life and a forced marriage, which nearly made Li Guanqi scoff aloud.