The Substitute Bride: Indulged by the Obsessive CEO

Chapter 172: Hope Is Better Than Despair

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Zheng Tong’s sudden apology surprised Tang Beibei, but not Ruan Qi.

Tang Beibei didn’t like to socialize in school, so she didn’t understand many of her classmates.

Ruan Qi assumed that Zheng Tong was one of those people who wanted to suck up to Tang Beibei in return for some benefits because Tang Beibei married a rich second-generation heir and was doted on by him.

Ruan Qi said, “Why was there no misunderstanding when you were mocking her? Zheng Tong, we’re very busy. Please don’t waste our time.”

Zheng Tong retorted angrily, “I wasn’t even talking to you. Ruan Qi, why are you being so aggressive? 1 just want to make up with Beibei, be friends with her and study together.”

Tang Beibei frowned slightly. “Zheng Tong, we’re going to the library. Please make way.”

Zheng Tong asked nervously, “Beibei, why don’t 1 join you?”

Ruan Qi was annoyed at Zheng Tong’s fawning face.

“We don’t need you, Zheng Tong. Whatever tricks you have up your sleeve, keep them.”

Zheng Tong was also very annoyed. “Ruan Qi, why are you so nervous? Don’t tell me you want Tang Beibei to be friends with you exclusively? You won’t let her know other people?”

Ruan Qi laughed in frustration. There was no such thing as exclusivity in friendship.

“Zheng Tong, don’t impose your nasty thoughts on others. Please make way!”

Ruan Qi pushed her away and Zheng Tong was furious and pushed her back. “I’m talking to Beibei. Why are you trying to make your presence felt like an annoying clown?”

Tang Beibei couldn’t take it anymore and stood in front of Ruan Qi. “Zheng Tong, please show some respect!”

Zheng Tong said, “Beibei, I’m just letting you see her true colors. Ruan Qi doesn’t want me to be friends with you so you are only nice to her.”

Tang Beibei found Zheng Tong’s behavior strange. Ruan Qi was nice to her, so why couldn’t she be nice to Ruan Qi?

“Zheng Tong, 1 don’t know you well and 1 don’t want to be friends with you. Please don’t slander my friend!”

Ignoring Zheng Tong’s contorted face, Tang Beibei led Ruan Qi into the library.

When they sat down to study, Ruan Qi couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “We’re already twenty. Why did we still have conversations that three-year-olds have?”

“This Zheng Tong is really funny. She used to mock you, but now she’s clamoring to be friends with you. Does she think that being friends is child’s play?”

Tang Beibei shrugged helplessly. “We don’t have the same values so we can’t hang out.”

Ruan Qi chuckled. “You have time to hang out?”

“… No, I don’t.” Tang Beibei scratched her head and continued, “Professor Chen said that at our age, we should study more and play less.”

Ruan Qi sighed softly. How obedient and honest of Tang Beibei to believe Professor Chen’s words…

The two of them finished their homework and were about to go into the dance studio for dance practice when Tang Beibei received a call from Song Kai, asking her where she was.

Tang Beibei told Song Kai that she was at the school dance studio and Song Kai hung up.

He then brought two drinks into the dance studio and sat quietly in a corner without disturbing them. His eyes followed Tang Beibei as she danced.

Tang Beibei walked up to him and asked worriedly, “Senior Song Kai, are you okay?”

Song Kai looked at her small face and smiled weakly. “I’m okay. 1 just came here to sit and watch you practice. I also brought both of you drinks.”

Tang Beibei took a drink from him and said, “You seem down. Did you have an argument with your family?”

Song Kai chuckled, his expression somewhat bleak.

“Is it that obvious?”

“Yeah. You have dark circles under your eyes. Senior Song Kai, have you been chain smoking? If you’re unhappy about something, you can tell me. I’ll keep it a secret. Don’t keep it to yourself.”

Tang Beibei noticed the pungent cigarette smell on him, and his haggard appearance.

Song Kai looked into her eyes. She was the first person to notice the dark circles under his eyes and worry that he was feeling down.

“The dark circles under my eyes are from writing my thesis. The cigarette smell on me are from the smokers in my dormitory. Don’t worry about me.”

There were some things that he didn’t want to tell.

Because some sadness was indescribable.

However, there was still one person who cared about him. Song Kai’s mood improved quite a bit.

He stood up and patted the dust off his body.

“Beibei, you guys continue with your dance practice. I’ve got to go deal with some stuff now. Bye.”

Tang Beibei frowned as she watched his desolate back about to walk away.

“Senior Song Kai.”

“Hmm?”

Song Kai really loved hearing this girl call his name. Her crisp and sweet voice was like a sweet beckoning.

The girl walked up to him and said seriously, “Senior Song Kai, although I don’t know what has happened to you, don’t feel discouraged. We sometimes encounter difficult roads in life. They’re rugged, winding, and often filled with obstacles that will make us fall and get hurt.”

“As long as you don’t give up, just like how you stood up just now and patted the dust off your body, everything will be cleared away and you will continue to move forward.”

“You must also believe that you are not the only person on the road. There are many, many people who are moving forward.”

Song Kai was stunned. He looked at the woman with a burning gaze and suddenly smiled.

“Beibei, you’re also moving forward, right?”

“Yes, I’m working hard too. Although 1 don’t come from a good family and don’t have any special talent, 1 want to work hard on the things that 1 believe is right.”

“Everyone has their moments of depression. I’m always upset that I haven’t done my best. However, after feeling depressed, I still had to continue moving forward because 1 can’t go backwards.”

Tang Beibei balled her hands into fists to encourage him.

Song Kai thought to himself that he indeed couldn’t go backwards.

He stretched out his hand to touch her, but he chuckled self-deprecatingly and put it down.

His hands were dirty, and he couldn’t dirty her.

“Beibei, you’re right. 1 will work hard.”

“Okay, good luck!”

Tang Beibei sighed as she watched Song Kai walk away. She turned around and was shocked when she saw Ruan Qi staring at her with her hands on her hips. “What are you and Song Kai whispering about?”

Tang Beibei patted her heart. “Senior Song Kai’s mood seemed off. He’s usually smiling and teasing me, but he was very quiet today and just sat there. His eyes looked sad and his face was gloomy, so 1 gave him a few words of encouragement.”

Ruan Qi sighed softly. “Actually, Song Kai is quite a pitiful person.”

Tang Beibei nodded, but she said, “Actually, the situation isn’t that bad. Although he doesn’t have parents, he’s healthy and has a bright future.”

Ruan Qi laughed in amusement. “You’re such an optimist.”

“It’s good to be an optimist when you have nothing. Hope is better than despair.” Tang Beibei smiled.

She had once lived in a dark world for years. The only thing she could do then was to face life with optimism.

Tang Beibei continued, “Speaking of such sad things make me think of my husband. If all the suffering I’ve gone through in the past was a prelude to meeting my husband, I don’t feel bitter anymore. Hehe.”

Tang Beibei’s affection for her husband amid such dark thoughts tasted a little sour to Ruan Qi. She just looked at Tang Beibei and laughed..