After I Let Go, She Regretted It Deeply

Chapter 9: So It’s Her:

For a moment, I was completely stunned by her question.

Who was she? Did I really know her?

I glanced at my friends for help, hoping someone would step in and clear the situation for me.

Finally, Fu Ze couldn’t hold back his amusement any longer and said with a smile, “Well, you’re just too pretty now. It’s no wonder your Brother Shiyue doesn’t recognize you.”

“Tch, I don’t believe it! There’s no way Brother Shiyue would forget me. Move aside, make some space for me.”

With that, she sat down right next to me, our arms almost touching.

Feeling slightly uncomfortable, I instinctively tried to shift away, but she grabbed my arm, leaned in close, and stared at me with her bright, watery eyes.

“You really don’t remember me, Brother Shiyue? That makes me sad.”

She even blinked dramatically, as if waiting for me to recognize her.

As I looked into her eyes, a wave of memories suddenly rushed into my mind.

The little girl who used to follow me everywhere when we were kids—Gu Nianchu.

“Nianchu?” I asked hesitantly.

“I knew it! I knew you wouldn’t forget me! How could Brother Shiyue ever forget me? Hehe, it’s been so long, Brother Shiyue.”

Gu Nianchu visibly brightened, her excitement apparent as she unconsciously shook my arm.

“Yeah, yeah, your Brother Shiyue is the best, huh? You never stop talking about him. A true lifelong fan.”

“Exactly! Out in public, she’s this aloof ice queen, barely speaks to anyone. But in front of Brother Shiyue? She turns into a talkative, sweet little princess.”

“Enough already! Stop teasing me!”

Gu Nianchu waved her delicate fingers at them, pointing around the group. Immediately, everyone fell silent, no longer daring to joke.

It was amusing—she was just like when she was a child.

Back then, Gu Nianchu had been the only little princess in our neighborhood. Everyone spoiled her, letting her have her way. She had been headstrong and bossy, keeping others at a distance.

Except for me.

She had loved following me around, always calling, “Brother Shiyue, carry me! Brother Shiyue, play with me!”

Thinking back now, the chubby little girl from back then was truly adorable.

Now, the mature and elegant woman before me was nothing like that little dumpling.

No wonder I hadn’t recognized her right away.

Gu Nianchu had gone abroad when she was thirteen. By the time she returned, I had already left for university in Beijing.

Years had passed, and so much had changed.

Yet, somehow, we had all gathered here again in North City.

“Tonight is a rare occasion—we finally have everyone here. No more missing people! So we’re drinking until we drop!”

Everyone cheered, raising their glasses with enthusiasm.

Of course, I had no objections. Sitting here, drinking and chatting with my old friends, I felt truly at ease.

This was the life I was meant to have.

We spent the night reminiscing, talking about the past, sharing our highs and lows, and discussing our plans for the future.

It was a great night.

When I returned to the Ban Shan Villa, I was surprised to find that Grandpa was still awake.

I rubbed my eyes, thinking I was seeing things.

It was already past midnight—why was Grandpa still up?

Didn’t he know he needed to take care of his health?

“Grandpa, why aren’t you asleep yet?”

I walked over, picked up a cup from the tea table, and poured myself some tea to sober up.

“I was waiting for you. There’s something important I need to tell you.”

Grandpa’s tone was mysteriously serious.

“Huh? What’s so important that it couldn’t wait until tomorrow?”

“It would be too late by then. You have a blind date tomorrow—I need to tell you about it now.”

Half my drunkenness vanished instantly.

A blind date? Tomorrow?

I knew Grandpa had been arranging these things, but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon.

I wasn’t prepared at all.

Honestly, I hadn’t even taken the idea seriously.

I tried to talk him out of it.

“Grandpa, I just got back. There’s no rush for blind dates.”

“No rush? You don’t understand. You need to meet different people first so you can figure out what you like. If you meet someone you like, then you can develop a relationship. Since you’re not taking over the company yet, I need to find something to keep you occupied.”

“But—”

“No buts! Here, take a look. This is your blind date for tomorrow.”

Grandpa cut me off, handing me a file.

I sighed in defeat and took it, intending to skim through and make up an excuse.

But when I saw the photo, my eyes widened.

This…

“Grandpa, this… this…”

“This is the daughter of the Gu family. You two used to play together as kids. You probably don’t remember, but that’s fine. That just means you can get to know each other all over again.”

“She’s a beautiful girl. I know her parents well—the Gu family is one of North City’s elite families. She’s a great match for you. As for her career, after returning from studying abroad, she founded her own jewelry brand and is now one of the top designers in the industry. She’s not just some ordinary rich girl.”

There was obvious admiration in Grandpa’s voice.

It was clear—he had already set his sights on Gu Nianchu as his ideal granddaughter-in-law.

Meanwhile, I felt like I had a headache coming on.

Going on a blind date with someone I had always treated like a younger sister?

What kind of situation was this?

Although, admittedly, she had changed a lot. She no longer looked like a little sister.

But still—going on a blind date?

“Grandpa, can I just—”

“No, you can’t.”

Grandpa cut me off before I could even finish.

“Anyway, I’m old and tired now. I need to sleep. If you have any complaints, we’ll talk tomorrow. The reservation is set—Golden Luxury Hotel, Western restaurant, 3 PM. The Gu family has already been informed. If you don’t go, it’ll make our Song family look bad.”

And with that, Grandpa turned and walked upstairs to his bedroom, completely ignoring my protests.

No matter how much I called after him, he didn’t look back.

“…Sigh.”

I looked down at the blind date file in my hands and let out a helpless sigh.

I had no choice.

That crafty old man had completely trapped me.

I could only go along with it.

I decided not to dwell on it any longer and went to my room to sleep.

I slept soundly until I was rudely awakened by my ringing phone.

Groggily, I picked it up without checking the caller ID.

“…Hello?”

“Shiyue, it’s me. I just arrived in North City.”

Hearing that voice, my headache worsened.

I didn’t even have the energy to speak.

“…Mm.”

My response was nothing more than a breathy grunt.

“Are you still in bed? Where are you? I’ll come find you, okay?”

Her voice was soft, as if carefully testing my mood.

I let out a cold chuckle.

There was no way I was letting her come here.

That would just add to Grandpa’s frustration.

Besides, I had no intention of letting her know my real identity.