Yue Lingling took the hair tie and phone case, and said with a smile, "I was thinking of going to pick them up later. Zifan, have you eaten yet? Are you going out hungry?"
"Let's grab something to eat together when we meet Xiaoxin later," Xu Zifan hesitated for a moment before saying, "Actually, I've been thinking, it's not appropriate for you to move so far away by yourself, you shouldn't move."
Yue Lingling waved her hand, "I'm almost thirty, it's not suitable for me to stay anywhere, so don't worry about me. The most important thing is that everyone is happy. I'll probably come over less often when I get busy in the future. You and Xiaoxin should take good care of yourselves and try to propose to each other as soon as possible and marry her. Xu's parents will definitely be overjoyed then."
These seemingly ordinary words, while appearing to be for Xu Zifan's sake, subtly hinted that she moved because someone was unhappy, and that she was compromising herself to accommodate them.
Xu Zifan said solemnly, "I'm serious. If you go through all this trouble because of me, people will say I'm bullying you. Actually, I've wanted to move out and live on my own for a while now. It's my business, and it's more appropriate for me to move out. You can cancel the lease on that house. I'll make up the deposit for you. To be honest, I didn't handle this well, and I have to apologize to you. Don't take it to heart."
Yue Lingling asked in surprise, "You're moving out? Do Mr. and Mrs. Xu agree to this?"
"Of course they agree. I'm not a kid anymore. It'll be easier for me if they don't have to worry about me. Besides, I want to be free and independent out there. Let's just leave it at that. If you move out for me and Xiaoxin, we'll feel guilty and won't be able to get along anymore."
Xu Zifan had put it this way, so Yue Lingling had no reason to move out. If she insisted on moving, it would seem rather strange.
She breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "That's great! I was thinking about it last night when I was packing. I don't know anyone there, and it was a little scary. But you can move then. Don't worry, I treat Mr. and Mrs. Xu like my own parents. Even if you're not home, I'll take care of them. I'll make sure they're happy."
If this were the original owner of this body, she would definitely feel guilty, as she almost scared a girl like her into moving to an unfamiliar place. She would also think that she cared about Xu's father and mother, which was very heartwarming.
However, Xu Zifan naturally understood all the unspoken meanings in her words. He remained unmoved, glanced at his watch, and smiled with delight. "Xiao Xin is almost here. I have to hurry to the subway station to pick her up. I have to talk to you now."
Yue Lingling teased him with a laugh, "You're such a womanizer, you'd better hurry up and go, or you'll be kneeling on a washboard if you're late."
Xu Zifan laughed and said, "You're right. If we're late, we'll really be kneeling on a washboard. I can't afford to upset my girlfriend. I'm off."
He took a few steps and then turned back, saying, "By the way, don't cook lunch, come to my house for dinner. It's Xiaoxin's first time here, my mom will definitely cook a delicious meal."
"Okay, then drive carefully." Yue Lingling waved her hand, smiled and closed the door, without standing there to see him off.
Xu Zifan walked home with his hands in his pockets, giving Yue Lingling's acting a perfect score of 100. If she were in the entertainment industry, she could definitely be a movie queen. Her demeanor and smile were flawless. Only her eyes lost their smile when he handed her back the hair tie and phone case.
It's no wonder the original owner couldn't see it. Who would suspect that someone they've known for thirty years was hiding a trap in their words? Judging from Yue Lingling's behavior just now, no one could tell that she liked him.
As soon as he got home, he told Xu's parents about moving. They not only didn't object, but also thought it was the right thing to do. It was Xu Zifan's girlfriend who was jealous; there was no reason to force Yue Lingling to move.
Xu's mother urged, "Go pick up Xin Xin right away and explain things clearly to her. Don't make a scene. There was nothing wrong to begin with. Don't let this misunderstanding ruin things. If Xin Xin is unhappy, just coax her. Don't argue with her."
Xu Zifan responded, and before leaving, he gave them a heads-up, "I'll definitely give in to her, but Xiaoxin and I don't see eye to eye, and our personalities aren't compatible, so it might not last. We'll just have to see how things go. Mom, please don't tell Lingling about my affairs anymore. She knows less about me, and that will reduce any misunderstandings my girlfriend might have."
"Okay, got it."
The original owner's parents were very open-minded, but because they had watched Yue Lingling grow up and gotten used to being with her, they were blinded by their own perspective and never realized Yue Lingling's feelings for the original owner.
Now that Xu Zifan has his own ideas and has instructed them to do so, they naturally fully support their son and do not want him and his girlfriend to quarrel again.
The original owner's second girlfriend was named Zhao Xin. Her home was a bit far from the Xu family's, so she came by subway. Xu Zifan drove to the subway station to pick her up.
As soon as they met, Zhao Xin asked him, "Is your neighbor really moving today? Hopefully nothing's going to cause a delay?"
Xu Zifan led her to the parking space. "Get in the car first. I told her not to move. That's her house, her home. What would it be like for her to move because of us? I'd rather move..."
"I knew she wouldn't be able to move today!" Zhao Xin stopped in her tracks, interrupting him, her face grim as she looked at him. "Xu Zifan, what did she say to you? Wasn't it all decided? Nobody forced her to move; she said she wanted to move over there, didn't she?"
Xu Zifan glanced at her, swallowing the words he was about to say. "Yes, she offered to move in, saying it was because she wanted to, but everyone knows she moved out to avoid suspicion after our argument, right? Let's talk about this, isn't it inappropriate? We're dating, what we do is our own business, there's no reason for her to do anything, that's the logic."
Zhao Xin didn't want to hear any reasoning. She just felt that all her predictions had come true. That woman was indeed cunning. She said she would move out but then didn't, and even made Xu Zifan feel guilty. She said angrily, "So you think she's alright? Then I'm the one with the problem? I told you she likes you, but you didn't believe me. I also said she definitely wouldn't move out, and you said I was petty and suspicious. And what happened? She hasn't moved out yet."
She's a mature woman, not a child. Shouldn't she be the one to avoid suspicion when you're dating? If I had a childhood sweetheart, I'd definitely avoid suspicion when I grew up. I only wish him happiness and don't want his wife to misunderstand. I don't know what Yue Lingling is thinking; there's no such thing as pure friendship between men and women.
Zhao Xin turned to leave, saying, "If she doesn't move, there's no need for me to go. I'm going back."
"Xiao Xin," Xu Zifan called out to her, frowning slightly, "You have too quick a temper. You rattled off a whole bunch of things before I even finished. I told her not to move, but I will. I'll move further away from home and try not to see or contact her. I haven't found a place yet, but I'll move within a week."
Zhao Xin turned around in surprise, "Are you serious? You're moving? You're not contacting her anymore?"
Xu Zifan's expression was indifferent. "Well, you haven't had breakfast yet, have you? Have some breakfast first, then come to my house. My parents know you're going today, and if you suddenly don't come, I won't be able to explain it to them. Just treat it as a casual meal. Yue Lingling will be there too, so just bear with it. You two probably won't have many chances to see each other again."
Zhao Xin laughed and said, "You should have said so earlier. If you had told me you were moving first, I wouldn't have been angry. Let's go, let's go. I want to drink porridge. Let's find a porridge shop."
Xu Zifan drove her to a congee shop for breakfast, and then they returned to the Xu family home. Zhao Xin noticed that Yue Lingling was also there, helping Xu's mother prepare vegetables in the kitchen like family. Her smile faded a little, and after politely greeting them, she gave them the health supplements she had bought.
Xu's mother held Zhao Xin's hand and chatted on the sofa for a while, while Yue Lingling smiled and chimed in, showing no sign of being a rival.
Xu's mother checked the time, got up and said she was going to the kitchen to make soup. Zhao Xin quickly said, "Auntie, let me help you."
Xu's mother waved her hand with a smile, "No need, it's your first time here. Let Zifan show you around his room and the surrounding area. I'll be done in a bit."
Yue Lingling laughed and said, "Xiaoxin, Aunt Xu has prepared a sumptuous feast for you today. Just relax and enjoy the meal. I'm only able to eat this thanks to you; I'm the one who's freeloading, so I should be helping out. You and Brother Zifan play for a while." She took Aunt Xu's hand and said, "Aunt Xu, I'll help you out and maybe even learn a trick to cook for myself later."
Yue Lingling would always help Xu's mother cook whenever she came to the Xu family for dinner. Xu's mother didn't notice anything amiss, patted her hand, made a joke, and followed her into the kitchen.
Xu Zifan noticed that Zhao Xin's expression was a bit stiff, so he called her to the bedroom, "I have some games on my computer, do you want to play for a while? There are also books on the bookshelf."
Zhao Xin, sitting in a chair, said unhappily, "Does she often eat at your house? And why does she always call Aunt Xu 'Mom'?"
Xu Zifan downplayed the issue, saying, "I'll go look at apartments this afternoon, and if all goes well, I'll move out in the next couple of days."
Zhao Xin still felt uncomfortable. "I'm really not being unreasonable. I'm not that bored. I'm telling you, a woman's intuition is the most accurate. If you don't believe me, you can observe more in the future."
Xu Zifan finally understood why Zhao Xin and the original owner of this body broke up during Yue Lingling's surgery. It was because Zhao Xin felt extremely threatened. She was a very jealous person with a quick temper, and she would vent her anger on the spot.
As for the original owner, because Zhao Xin asserted that Yue Lingling wouldn't move out, but in fact Yue Lingling did move out, Zhao Xin asserted that Yue Lingling liked him, but in fact Yue Lingling never contacted him again after moving out, he would naturally believe Yue Lingling more. So much so that when Yue Lingling had surgery a few months later and Zhao Xin asked him to make a choice, he no longer wanted to continue with Zhao Xin.
These two were never on the same page from the start, and their personalities clashed, sowing the seeds of future problems. However, even so, a large part of their breakup was due to Yue Lingling's provocations and strategic retreats, not because the girlfriend was petty.
Xu Zifan thought for a moment and said reassuringly, "I believe you, so I've decided to move out and reduce contact with her. That way, nothing will happen. I almost made her move, so I'll definitely treat her to a meal today. Don't be upset about this. We'll go out and have some fun after we finish eating."
Zhao Xin nodded. "Then I'll believe you this once. Remember what you said today."
"I remember." Xu Zifan smiled at her.
Only then did Zhao Xin have the mood to take a good look at his room. She found that there were no feminine items in the room and no long hair on the bed, and a smile appeared on her face.