Chapter 112: Guilt—Talking It Through
After Su Keke returned to Little Bridge and Flowing Stream, she greeted Aunt Lin and went back to her room. She lay facedown on the bed, staring blankly into space.
Aunt Lin muttered in confusion, “What’s wrong with her? She looks so listless.”
Su Keke suddenly felt unbearably stifled.
It was her fault. She shouldn’t have dragged Zhao Kexin and the others into it.
Whether they had protection charms or not, she never should have let them get involved in something like this.
Like tonight—because of her, Zhao Kexin ended up getting hurt.
If it weren’t for her self-righteousness, Zhao Kexin would’ve been like everyone else, eating and drinking happily in the villa hall, enjoying a night of wild celebration.
Her phone chimed once—a text from Uncle—but Su Keke didn’t feel like moving.
She just wanted to sit there and zone out, ignoring everyone.
Not long after, the other side called directly.
Su Keke steadied herself and answered. “Uncle?”
“Why didn’t you pick up?” Qin Mochen frowned on the other end. “Something’s off in your voice. What happened?”
“Uncle, I…” Her voice sounded nasal from sadness and self-blame.
“Whatever it is, you can tell me. Maybe I can think of a way to solve it.”
“If I tell you, can you keep it a secret for me?”
In the quiet bedroom, Qin Mochen’s voice sounded even deeper, as if it carried a power that could steady the heart. “Of course.”
In a low mood, Su Keke told him what happened at the masked ball. “Even if times have changed, that thing is still important to a girl, right? It must leave a shadow in her heart… and it’s all because I was self-righteous. I harmed her…”
After she finished, the man on the other end paused before replying, “Girl, since when do you like taking responsibility onto yourself like this?
Listen to me—this isn’t your fault.
If we analyze it rationally: first, your friend lied to you. She didn’t wear the protection charm you gave her. And because she lied, your formation failed to trap that mask spirit-creature.
Second, her own true heart was unstable. She was bewitched, and that’s why she encountered this. Otherwise, she could’ve simply yelled once, drawn people over, and the mask spirit-creature wouldn’t have succeeded.
Third, even if it wasn’t her, it would’ve been someone else. She just happened to bear the pain in place of another. If it happened to someone else instead, would you feel any less upset?”
Su Keke said, “But I… if it weren’t for me letting them—”
Qin Mochen cut her off. “Girl, accidents happen in everything. You’re not a god—you can’t think through every single detail perfectly. And besides, didn’t you say she didn’t blame you? Maybe she also feels this wasn’t your fault. If that’s the case, why torture yourself?”
Su Keke had to admit: after hearing what her uncle said, she felt a bit better.
Qin Mochen continued, “The harm has already been done. Blaming yourself now won’t fix anything. Instead, think about how to make it up. Maybe you can treat her even better in the future. Or maybe you can wait a couple days, then call her and have a proper talk.”
“Uncle, I understand. Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. No matter what, don’t bottle your worries up inside. Look—now that you told me, I can give you advice. Didn’t the problem get solved?”
The corners of Su Keke’s mouth lifted slightly. “Uncle, what did you eat today? Why do I feel like you’re speaking so gently?”
The man chuckled softly. “So I’m usually very strict?”
Su Keke said, “Mm… relatively.”
“Alright, little girl. It’s late. Go sleep.”
Su Keke gave a small “Mm.” “Then Uncle should sleep early too.”
“You’re sure you want me to sleep now? It’s twelve hours different here from where you are.”
Su Keke let out an “Ah,” then immediately corrected herself. “Then go work. Finish early and come back soon.”
“Okay.”
Su Keke hung up, then opened the unread text message.
Uncle Qin: You naughty little troublemaker. Woof, woof, woof.
Su Keke had only been smiling a little, but when she saw the message, the gloom in her eyes was instantly drowned by laughter.
That doesn’t count—she wanted to hear it out loud.
She stared at the message for a long time. The more she stared, the more her eyelids grew heavy.
She’d wash up tomorrow. Today was so tiring.
Uncle was right—regretting the past was useless now. If she felt sorry for Zhao Kexin, then she’d just treat her twice as well from now on…
Su Keke slept straight through until nine the next morning.
If Aunt Lin hadn’t knocked on the door, she probably could’ve slept another hour.
“My Keke girl, you can really sleep! You never used to sleep in—you always got up early with Fourth Master for morning exercise. What’s going on today… I thought something happened to you, you scared me to death.”
Under Aunt Lin’s nagging, Su Keke climbed out of bed and rubbed her eyes. “I’m fine, Aunt Lin. I was just tired from playing yesterday, and then I talked with Uncle until very late, so I’m sleepy.”
“I’ll heat up some milk for you and make you a jianbing guozi. Hurry and come down to eat.”
“Thank you, Aunt Lin. I’ll be right down.”
“Oh, you child—why are you thanking me? Don’t be so distant.”
After breakfast, Su Keke hurried to read. That way she wouldn’t think about those messy things.
She planned to listen to Uncle and talk to Zhao Kexin properly in a couple of days, but she didn’t expect Zhao Kexin to suddenly call her first.
“Keke, is there anyone near you?”
Su Keke hugged her phone and hurried to the balcony. “No. Y-you…”
She suddenly felt very nervous.
“Keke, about last night…”
Su Keke blurted out, “I’m sorry, I’m really sorry! I shouldn’t have dragged you into it. I’m the one who made you get hurt.”
But Zhao Kexin suddenly laughed on the other end. “Keke, I don’t blame you. You already know, right? I didn’t wear the protection charm you gave me, because I didn’t believe in demons and ghosts at all. I didn’t listen to you—so what right do I have to blame you?”
“You really… don’t blame me?” Su Keke asked softly.
Zhao Kexin gave a low “Mm.” “Don’t you know? People in our circle are very open about sex. Yesterday’s partner was a bit… disappointing, but what I saw in my eyes felt beautiful. Even if it was fake, the feeling wasn’t bad. It’s nothing major.”
Su Keke froze.
Is that how it was?
“But Keke, don’t tell anyone about this, okay? It’s not good for my reputation. This is our secret.”
Su Keke nodded hard. “Mm! I know. I definitely won’t tell anyone.”
Wait—last night she told Uncle. Does that count as “anyone”? But she hadn’t mentioned Zhao Kexin’s name.
Su Keke still wanted to say something, but Zhao Kexin had already ended the conversation. “I’m hanging up. We’re still good friends. Don’t overthink it.”
Su Keke stared at the hung-up phone in a daze, then her mouth slowly curved into a smile.
After hearing Uncle yesterday, she hadn’t felt as miserable—but the stone in her heart still hadn’t truly fallen. Only now, after hearing Zhao Kexin, did she finally relax completely.
Zhao Kexin was such a good friend. She was the one who got hurt, yet she turned around and comforted Su Keke instead.
But at this very moment, that “good friend” suddenly hurled her phone hard onto the ground.
Covering her face, she sobbed, “Yes—just like this. Pretend nothing happened. Nothing happened…”
