The Female Leads Truly Loves You - Chapter 257

Chapter 257: Life is a long movie, and we are all actors
“I can tell by the look in your eyes what you’re thinking… But I’m used to it. A girl trying to make her own money while she’s young always faces some baseless speculations, hmph.”

Isabella gave Sam a pointed look.

It was as if she was automatically explaining the doubts in his mind.

But Sam was puzzled again.

How did she know what he was thinking? Were his expressions really that obvious?

Still, Sam felt the need to clarify.

“It’s okay, I certainly wouldn’t misunderstand you. It’s just hard to imagine you investing in a game; it seems incredible to me.”

Isabella smiled again, her earlier anger seemingly vanished without a trace.

“So, are you starting to admire me now? Would you consider switching from being under Angel’s wing to joining my ranks?”

Sam chuckled as they walked.

“What’s all this about ranks and subordinates, are you guys part of the mafia or something?”

“It doesn’t matter what it is, what matters is what you think~”

“Cut it out, if I really did that, you’d probably point at my nose and call me a womanizer who loves ’em and leaves ’em, then kick me to the curb. I wouldn’t do that.”

Sam was used to Isabella’s jokes by now. Was this flirting? Sam wasn’t sure, but he tried to steer clear of such topics.

Through their interactions over time, he had begun to notice more and more oddities about this girl.

Logically, she shouldn’t possess the ability to read minds or hear someone’s inner thoughts, right?

Isabella otherwise acted quite normally and hadn’t done anything to make things difficult for Sam, aside from these jokes. She didn’t show any possessiveness or covetousness towards him.

Her actions didn’t seem like those of a typical female lead; sometimes, her presence even felt somewhat subdued.

Could she also possess some kind of mind-reading superpower?

Sam and Isabella reached the curb, where Isabella hailed a taxi.

Sam looked at her curiously. “Where are we headed now?”

Isabella ushered Sam into the cab and sat close by, her faint fragrance enveloping him. Her scent was peculiar, elusive, barely there yet indescribable when noticed—somewhat woody, yet tinged with a cool detachment.

Isabella spoke the destination to the driver, a place Sam had never visited before. Then she turned to Sam. “Didn’t I promise to take you out for a meal?”

Sam chuckled. “Isn’t it your own birthday dinner? How did it turn into a promise to me? Am I that important?”

Isabella sighed in feigned helplessness. “Well, there’s nothing I can do about it. Who makes Sam such a busy bee, practically a celebrity? To get Sam to lend a hand, one must queue up… if this isn’t an invitation, what is?”

Isabella teased Sam again with her sarcastic tone, but fortunately, Sam was used to her way of speaking by now.

“Since it’s a birthday… you must have invited others too, right?”

Although there had been a discussion like this before, Sam still felt that birthdays generally hoped to be lively occasions. Besides, he and Isabella weren’t that close.

At the end of the day, they were just classmates, friends at best, perhaps good friends.

If she had really invited only him, Sam wouldn’t feel flattered but rather… puzzled and incredulous.

Isabella’s response was, “Just the two of us, no one else. How does that feel? Honored?”

Isabella said this with a smile, not seeming the least bit disappointed.

Sam even felt that offering consolation at this moment would be an affront.

It seemed she needed no sympathy, nor did she require understanding from others. This girl had her reasons for everything she did.

“It’s indeed an honor… But doesn’t celebrating your birthday like this feel a bit lonely? Or is it not really your birthday, and you’re just pulling my leg?”

Isabella looked at Sam with amusement. “Why would I lie about something like that?”

“I guess I am a bit honored then.” Sam turned to look out the window.

The dappled light and shadows under the falling night sky were vibrant and colorful. The entire city had a cyberpunk beauty to it.

Perhaps in the future, when reflecting on life, one might feel this way too. It’s said that life is a long river, and the memories are like colorful pebbles lying quietly on the riverbed. Recalling them is like picking up those stones from the river, seeing different colors and shapes, and remembering the joys or sorrows of those times.

Isabella looked out the other side of the window, sitting next to Sam but looking in different directions under the alternating streetlights.

Their faces caught different shadows, fleeting scenes passing by, as if they were in the same picture but in different movies.

“Sam, do you ever feel a bit pitiful, even desolate?”

“Why?”

“If only you are with me on my birthday, doesn’t it seem like I have no friends? Whether it’s because I’m not likable or all my friendships are superficial, it all seems quite tragic, doesn’t it?”

Sam smiled. “Do you feel desolate about it yourself?”

“I don’t.”

“Then that’s something to be envied.”

“Envied? Why?”

“Because not everyone has the power to choose whether their celebrations are bustling or quiet—most people compromise. If you really wanted a lively celebration, you certainly wouldn’t lack for company. Not to mention, your friends from the comic con would surely be eager to join.”

“And where’s the envy in that?”

Isabella looked at Sam curiously. She enjoyed talking to him not because he was exceptionally handsome or because standing by his side was enough to make others jealous. It was because he was genuinely interesting to talk to, witty without being condescending due to his own circumstances.

He was like the sunshine, equally warming everyone around him.

Sam turned to Isabella. “I envy you for having such a strong inner self. Many people can’t overcome loneliness, so they establish all sorts of strange or chaotic relationships. They claim they want companionship, but in the end, they can’t keep anyone who truly stays. I think, rather than that, it’s more admirable to be like you, not feeling lonely on any holiday but instead quietly enjoying your solitude. Isn’t that a kind of enviable freedom?”

Isabella’s eyes twinkled slightly. “I didn’t expect you to say something like that.”

“Why wouldn’t you think I could say that? Too mature?”

Isabella smiled and shook her head. “No, it’s just that I don’t see you as someone who lacks companionship, especially with all the beauties around you. Do you really understand what loneliness means?”

Sam looked ahead as the car seemed to be slowing down, ready to stop. Just before getting out, he said calmly, “I might not fully understand, but I spend more time alone than you might think.”

Isabella smiled and got out of the car with Sam. Their destination was a Mexican barbecue restaurant.

“Fancy some barbecue?” Sam remembered that Isabella often enjoyed barbecue.

Isabella nodded vigorously. “Having barbecue on my birthday is my biggest ritual! Don’t you think eating barbecue is blissful?”

Sam thought for a moment. “It’s true that eating barbecue can make you gain weight. Would you still feel blissful if you gained weight?”

Isabella frowned. “Don’t make me slap you on such a happy occasion.”

“OK OK.” Sam wisely shut his mouth.

The two entered the barbecue restaurant together.

Isabella ordered a lot, much more than what seemed like a portion for two. Sam was taken aback. “Can we really finish all this?”

As the waiter brought in the ingredients one after another—beef ribs, short ribs, and more—the variety was dazzling.

Unlike Angel, who preferred to order the most expensive items, Isabella opted for a mix of meat and vegetables, including dishes like potatoes, making the meal look much more balanced and less greasy.

Of course, Sam was in charge of grilling the meat, opting not to have the waiter assist so they could chat without the awkward presence of a stranger.

Eating the meat grilled by Sam, Isabella’s face was filled with happiness. The scene was somewhat peculiar, like a boyfriend taking his girlfriend out, seemingly the kind of romance typical for ordinary people.

However, the problem was, Sam and Isabella were not in that kind of relationship; they were just friends, and their actions could not cross into intimacy. Yet, this dissonance wasn’t awkward at all; in fact, it didn’t give Sam a chance to feel awkward.

Isabella was great at making conversation, able to talk about anything, including relishing the little gossips from school.

Sam wished he could be an emotionless grilling machine, but that seemed impossible with Isabella around.

“Want to have some drinks?” Isabella blinked at Sam.

Sam looked at her curiously. “Do you really like drinking that much?”

He only knew two people who were fond of drinking, Alice and Mia.

Isabella thought for a moment and said, “It’s not that I like it so much, but doesn’t the atmosphere call for a drink? Wouldn’t it be boring otherwise?”

“Let’s not. I’m rather wary of women who drink too much.”

“Just a little bit~~” Isabella held up her pinky finger.

Sam laughed. “I never trust the so-called ‘just a little bit.'”

“But it’s my birthday today~ Have a drink with me~” Isabella pouted, putting on a cute act to persuade Sam. And truth be told, she did look quite adorable. After all, she was a girl who loved cosplay, and her expressions and gestures were always spot on.

“Alright, just a little then. But if you drink too much, I’m leaving you here on your own.”

“Okay, got it~~~”

“Excuse me, could we get some beer over here, please? Thank you.”

Soon, the waiter brought over some beers, not too many, which somewhat relieved Sam.

With a bit of alcohol, Sam and Isabella seemed to open up more in their conversation, laughing and chatting away.

As the heat rose and the aroma of the grilled meat filled the air, Sam took off his jacket, revealing a short-sleeved T-shirt that showed off his well-defined muscles. It wasn’t intentional, just a simple act due to the heat.

Isabella had already shed her long-sleeved jacket, and her figure was quite impressive too. Although she didn’t have breasts as large as Zoe’s, she was a solid C cup.

As Sam’s mind wandered to trivial matters, Isabella picked up her glass and clinked it against Sam’s for another round.

Watching her down her drink in one go, Sam couldn’t help but say, “Even though it’s just beer, could you slow down a bit?”

Isabella squinted her eyes, her cheeks slightly flushed. “It’s fun, and when I’m happy, I like to drink heartily. I really dislike sipping slowly.”

“That happy, huh?”

Isabella nodded. “Of course! I’ve accomplished what I needed to do, and it’s my birthday today. Plus, I’ve got Sam grilling meat for me. Why wouldn’t I be happy?”

“Your happiness is quite simple, isn’t it?”

Sam chuckled, but Isabella shifted closer to him, sat beside him, and playfully pinched his cheeks, tugging the corners of his mouth into a smile.

Sam blinked in surprise, looking at her curiously, not quite sure what to make of her actions.

She looked at Sam, smiling as she spoke. “Happiness is simple, isn’t it? Why complicate things? Even if there’s a storm raging outside, at least in this moment, we can be carefree and happy, right?”

Her twinkling eyes were beautiful, like talking stars.

At that moment, Sam found it hard to articulate her allure; it wasn’t just her pretty face that captivated him. It was also the way she spoke those words, allowing him to let go of all his worries about tomorrow.

Sam spoke with some effort, but a smile crept up to the corners of his eyes. “Could you let go of my face first…”

“Hehe.” Isabella released her hands.

Sam rubbed his face, then said with a sense of wonder, “Senior, you really are a remarkable person.”

Isabella placed a piece of meat into Sam’s bowl and said with a smile, “I’m just an ordinary person, we all are. It’s just that we happen to create a bit of magic in this world.”

“Talking like this makes me feel like we’re in a movie.”

Isabella blinked. “Life is a long movie, and we are all actors.”

“Then who are the audience? God?”

Sam looked up, only to see the indifferent ceiling that couldn’t speak.

Isabella shook her head, taking a sip of her beer. “We are also the audience.”

“Both actors and audience?”

“Of course, because by seeing each other’s existence, we’ve already witnessed each other’s lives. Maybe in the future, we’ll part ways and never see each other again, but we’ll always keep the memories of each other. Isn’t that the best kind of audience?”

Moved, Sam raised his glass. This was a rare moment of him initiating a toast. “Senior, this is the most philosophical you’ve ever been. Cheers.”

Isabella, excited, raised her glass. “Cheers!!”

…

“Bang.”

The door of the barbecue restaurant swung open, and two figures, a boy and a girl both with slightly flushed cheeks, stepped out into the thick night air.

The cool autumn breeze tousled their hair, bringing a slight soberness. Sam and Isabella hadn’t drunk much, but the effects of the alcohol made them feel a bit tipsy, a sensation that was quite pleasant.

It made them feel free, genuinely happy, without needing any particular reason.

“So… should we head home?” Sam looked at Isabella beside him.

The girl turned to face Sam. “Do you want to go home?”

Sam thought for a moment. “What else can we do if we don’t go home?”

“How about… we go to a hotel?”