Don't Mind Me, I'm Just Moody - Chapter 6 - Male Best Friend

“Sorry for disturbing you.”

Song Xiaoni’s voice trembled as she turned around, softly closing the door behind her.

Shi Zijun stood motionless, his back rigid, his expression unreadable.

Once again, they slept in separate rooms. Song Xiaoni tossed and turned all night, unable to even drift into a light sleep. She lay wide-eyed, watching as the sky transitioned from dim gray to soft light and finally to bright daylight. A piercing headache set in as she clearly heard Shi Zijun emerge from the study, go downstairs, leave the house, and start his car.

Every sound reached her ears.

A single tear slid down her cheek, unstoppable.

She didn’t sob, but her silent tears flowed endlessly. The pain was consuming, yet all she could do was sit there quietly, wiping them away.

She had waited for him all night, trying to comfort herself with all sorts of thoughts. Several times, she contemplated going back to the study to hug him, but her tear-stained pride held her back. She didn’t ask for much-just for his steps to pause outside her door, even if only for a moment. But no, he walked resolutely past, without the slightest hesitation.

As if she didn’t exist.

Silent tears continued to stream down her face-relentless and unstoppable.

After crying by herself for what felt like an eternity, she angrily wiped her eyes, annoyed at her own gloomy, self-pitying mood. Frustrated, she jumped out of bed barefoot and yanked open the curtains. Bright sunlight flooded in instantly, so dazzling that it hurt her eyes.

Yet, tears still fell.

Staring out at the tranquil garden, Song Xiaoni watched as flowers continued to bloom vibrantly, and the lush green grass thrived with life. But her heart felt clouded, heavy, and out of sync with the cheerful scene before her.

The tears stopped. She wiped her chilled cheeks and once again laid back on the bed, pulling the blanket over her head.

Curled up under the covers, her posture mirrored her somber mood.

She didn’t want to think about anything anymore; she just wanted to sleep. Maybe after a good sleep, things would somehow return to the way they used to be.

Blurry and half-asleep, an unwelcome ringtone dragged her back to reality. Irritated, she groggily reached for her phone.

“Naughty girl!”

“…Hmm? Who’s this?”

“You disloyal little troublemaker! Can’t recognize my voice anymore? Say you don’t know who I am, and I swear I’ll slap some sense into you! Wait-what’s with your voice? Don’t tell me you were, uh, practicing all night again? Exhausted, huh?”

The voice on the other end came in hard and fast, first delivering an aggressive scolding before diving into relentless teasing. But as they caught the odd tone in Song Xiaoni’s voice, they paused briefly, as if piecing together what was really going on, and continued with a mocking tone that suggested they already knew everything.

Their laughter came loud and uninhibited-the kind you’d want to strangle someone over.

Without even needing to think, Song Xiaoni knew instantly who it was. She let out a long sigh.

“You big jerk… I miss you.”

She didn’t explain, didn’t elaborate. She just said she missed him. It was a sentiment born of loneliness-a need for someone familiar in the midst of her doubts and uncertainty.

“If you miss me, come to the shop! Actually, I have something to talk to you about.”

The voice on the other end didn’t pry or press further. Sensing something in Song Xiaoni’s uncharacteristically quiet tone, he cut the conversation short. He knew her far too well for that.

Though Song Xiaoni’s mind was clouded with exhaustion and sadness, the warmth sparked by that phone call lingered. After a quick and simple wash-up, she went downstairs bare-faced. Skipping breakfast, she declined her follower’s offer to drive her and hurried out the door.

“Whoa! What happened to you? Overindulged, huh? With that fragile little frame of yours, how are you not pacing yourself? Or is President Shi still unsatisfied?”

Song Xiaoni looked pale with heavy dark circles under her eyes. She wobbled as she stepped out of the taxi, catching the attention of Li Te, who was standing at the shop entrance. He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of worry. It also struck him as odd-why would she show up alone in a taxi, instead of being surrounded by her usual entourage that treated her outings like security operations?

Li Te was well aware of how indulgent Shi Zijun was with Song Xiaoni, spoiling her to the point of being completely unreasonable. This kind of depleted expression wasn’t unusual for her. Based on past experience, Song Xiaoni only looked this drained for one reason: her and Shi Zijun’s excessively “active” nightlife. And the fact that she’d ditched her follower and come here alone likely meant she had thrown one of her childlike tantrums again.

With that understanding, Li Te playfully teased her, hoping to lift her spirits.

But today, Song Xiaoni didn’t fight back, didn’t fire off a snarky retort, or threaten to tackle him. Instead, she simply dropped her head and trudged into the shop. Without asking, she flopped onto the white sofa by the window.

“Te, come here and hold me,” she murmured weakly.

Her face was lifeless, and her expression was utterly drained. Li Te, whom she always praised as the ultimate good guy and best friend, followed her into the shop. Seeing her like this, his heart inexplicably skipped a beat. Still, he sat down beside her, pulled her up so she wasn’t slumping, and hugged her gently. Compared to his not-so-broad frame, the fragile person in his arms felt practically weightless, almost translucent, as if she might fade away.

“Did you fight with Shi Zijun?” he asked softly.

The little head in his arms shook silently.

“You’re not feeling well?”

“Te, I want to find a job,” she muttered.

“Why? Aren’t you comfortable at home? Why put yourself through the misery of working for other people?”

“What am I, some kind of pet dog? Do I need someone to take care of me?”

She raised her face, still pale but now twisted with frustration. Her voice brimmed with irritation as she shoved Li Te’s arms away and flopped back into the sofa, turning her head to one side.

“You naughty girl,” Li Te sighed. “You don’t realize how lucky you are.”

“Lucky? That’s crap! If you think it’s so great, go find a rich lady to keep you!”

“I’d love to. Too bad no wealthy woman wants me! How about you, then-why don’t you sponsor me?”

“You shameless dog!”

Song Xiaoni ferociously pinched Li Te’s arm, causing him to wail in pain. He jerked upright so suddenly that he almost pulled Song Xiaoni off the couch.

“You troublemaker! You only pick on me! What did I ever do to you to deserve this?”

“Got a problem with it?”

“Of course, I’ve got a problem! Why take it out on me? Go bother that Shi Zijun of yours!”

There was a sudden, awkward pause. She lowered her head, sniffled softly, and when she looked up again, there was a misty sheen in her eyes. The moisture made her gaze glisten slightly. Seeing Song Xiaoni like this, Li Te’s playful expression quickly disappeared. He walked over, scooped her up, and hugged her close.

“Naughty girl, what’s wrong? Feeling down?”

“Te, help me find a job. Anything will do.”

“What’s going on?”

“Nothing. I just feel like working. Will you help me?”

“How about helping me out at the shop?”

The small accessory shop was a modest space merged with Li Te’s living quarters. The couch where Song Xiaoni was sitting doubled as Li Te’s bed at night. The shop glittered with dazzling displays-shelves and walls adorned with trendy accessories hanging everywhere, leaving almost no free space to spare.

Song Xiaoni had loved shiny little trinkets since childhood. She had once dreamed of owning a small shop of her own, filled with all sorts of fashionable and quirky items. She envisioned young, energetic students bustling in and out of her shop every day, and the thought of it brought her joy.

But in reality, her modest little dream had never been fulfilled. Instead, her childhood friend and male best friend, Te now ran this small yet incredibly cozy shop.

“Forget it,” Song Xiaoni muttered with a pout. “It’s hard enough for you to keep yourself afloat.”

“By the way, girl, here, take this.”

Li Te reached into the cash register and pulled out a heavy envelope.

“What is this?”

Song Xiaoni blinked, momentarily stunned.

“It’s your money. When I started the shop, I couldn’t have done it without you stepping in to help. Without you, there wouldn’t be this shop at all.”

“Ugh, it wasn’t even my money-it was Shi Zijun’s.”

“Isn’t what’s his also yours?”

“Te, you dog!”

“Alright, alright, my bad. You give it back to him for me, and tell him thank you while you’re at it.”

“Do it yourself. I don’t want to talk to him.”

“You’re such a naughty girl.”

“Don’t bother me. I’m irritated right now!”

Song Xiaoni tossed the envelope back at Li Te, shut her eyes, and curled up on the couch with a tired, apathetic expression.

Li Te didn’t push her further. When the sound of the door opening reached his ears, his demeanor changed instantly. His face lit up as he turned to greet a customer.