The Female Leads Truly Loves You - Chapter 269

Chapter 269: I’m just retreating to advance
Is Sophie a gentle girl?

Perhaps she is, but she definitely doesn’t show it, or rather, she isn’t ready to reveal those tenderest corners of her heart just yet.

Instead, to mask these vulnerabilities, she turns them into sharper spikes.

Like a hedgehog, its back bristling with spines, all to protect its soft belly.

So when Sam tries to say something, she cuts him off, leaving him no room to maneuver.

It’s not that she wants to be cruel to Sam specifically, but rather, she wants to be more decisive herself. She always hopes to be firm, indestructible.

Uncontrolled by any emotion.

The wind blew through her hair, and Sam clearly saw Sophie’s eyes trying to remain calm, trying to be peaceful, but they betrayed her struggle.

Sam stood still, just watching her. “Do you want me to know?”

Sophie’s gaze shifted for a moment, just a moment, then quickly returned to Sam’s face.

Like the hesitant tip of a pencil on a multiple-choice test.

Marking one option could lead to a completely different score.

“It doesn’t matter what I want… You don’t need to say anything about this, because it’s something between you guys.”

Her voice was soft, but within that softness, there was a sensation as if ice were scraping across skin.

Cold and painfully sharp.

As if trying to sever and tear something apart.

Sam’s expression was gentle, showing no disappointment.

“I’m sorry for bothering you,” he said.

Sophie looked at Sam, then turned away stiffly.

“Don’t worry, this won’t happen again.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m not from the same world as you guys.”

She uttered those words, then took a step forward.

Not even the wind could hold back her stride; it swirled around her toes and quickly dispersed.

She didn’t know why she had to say such things, but… perhaps it was necessary.

Yes, it was necessary.

They were one kind of people, and she was not.

Sophie’s world was filled with too many steadfast commitments, too many boundaries and principles, too many things she was unwilling to admit.

And Angel?

She had limitless wealth, unmatched power, the envy and flattery of others, and more importantly, she had him.

Perhaps when they kissed, Sophie wouldn’t feel it.

Perhaps when they talked, she wouldn’t feel it either.

But last night, when she saw them making love, Sophie truly felt it.

It wasn’t as if a piece was forcibly torn from her world, right? Because Sam was never really in her world; he just briefly passed through.

Leaving some traces.

Compared to her own small, self-enclosed, unattractive, even cold world.

Angel’s world was a bit more splendid, wasn’t it?

Besides… Sam and she were just friends.

Facing the wind, blowing her hair, her beautiful face showed a stubbornness that Sam couldn’t see.

So, it’s not the same world, just a brief stay.

There was no need to continue.

Realizing that everyone just flashes through one’s life, realizing that she is someone whose true nature everyone would hate, and who would equally hate everyone else.

Sophie’s world remained the same, unchanged.

It was the harsh reality.

Sam was smart enough to understand her words, he should disappear soon… before more stories developed.

But the next moment, Sophie heard footsteps catching up.

She was startled but didn’t stop, until she heard a voice from behind.

“I admit you’re right, but everyone is a world.”

She controlled her body, resisting the urge to look back, forcefully moving forward. Why did the wind this season hurt so much on her face?

“You know that’s not what I meant… never mind, if you want to play dumb, that’s up to you.”

She didn’t plan to echo this boy’s usual tactics anymore. In fact, she didn’t want to let herself drown in a seemingly beautiful fairy tale.

Because this story might not be written for her at all; she just happened to pass by and heard about it.

Sam walked calmly behind her, matching her pace no matter how much she quickened her steps.

“I’m not playing dumb; this is genuinely what I think. Of course, I know you’re probably very angry right now, but that’s okay. Just think of me as someone passing by. I’ll disappear once we reach your apartment door.”

Sophie bit her lip.

“Why should I be angry? No, of course I can be angry. Making love to another woman right in front of me is an affront, anyone would think so.”

“I can apologize for that, but as you know, it wasn’t really my choice to make.”

“So you’re planning to shirk all responsibility?”

“What is my responsibility, and why is it mine? Can you tell me that, Sophie?”

Hearing Sam’s words, Sophie felt a surge of anger.

Her steps quickened, so much so that she almost couldn’t keep up with herself.

“Why should I tell you? It won’t matter after this; I won’t appear before you again.”

“Are you planning to transfer schools?”

“Transfer schools because of you? Impossible.”

“Then there’s still a chance we’ll meet.”

“But I can choose not to interact at all. Sam, stop the nonsense, I’m home now.”

She finally could stop walking, as she had reached the entrance of her apartment.

It seemed that no matter how much she tried to avoid everything, there was an endpoint waiting for everyone.

She looked at Sam, her eyes filled with considerable dissatisfaction and accumulated anger.

Sam just looked at her, flashing a relaxed smile.

“Then go rest, I’m heading back too.”

Sophie thought Sam would say more, that he would use his nearly rogue-like eloquence to stir her emotions further.

But he didn’t.

He just stood there in the wind, smiling easily.

Smiling handsomely, still the charming, one-of-a-kind Sam.

Sam simply waved at Sophie.

Then he turned and walked towards the street that belonged to him.

He didn’t offer any excuses, didn’t distort the truth, and didn’t try to convince himself of anything.

He just left.

Sophie quickly thought.

Perhaps this was the endpoint of their story. A dramatic farewell often isn’t the final ending.

Most goodbyes between two people in the world happen in such a simple atmosphere, where it seems the parties involved never realize it’s their last conversation, their last meeting.

And then later, they regret not saying more.

Yes… that’s normal.

After all, in Sam’s eyes, Angel was definitely more important than herself.

So, this was probably the end of the story.

It ended uneventfully, with no further intersections. When graduation day came, even their faces would gradually blur in memory.

She should have seen it coming.

Everyone is the same, everyone…

But why.

Why do the eyes hurt so much with the wind?

Sophie blinked against the wind.

Resolute, not looking back, even if stubborn… she walked towards the stairwell without a second thought.

This time, Sam wouldn’t burst in again.

And she truly didn’t look back.

…

The next two days were very calm, eerily calm.

Sam went about his business, attending classes with his usual tranquility, working part-time to earn some pocket money. But in fact, because of Angel, he almost never had the chance to pay.

He would still encounter Louis greeting him at the shoe cabinet.

And he would still occasionally see Sophie’s face, but there was no exchange of glances between them, as if they were brief currents in a long river rushing in different directions.

Of course, Sam continued to complete his dubbing work in this bland routine.

Even as the scenarios became more clichéd and the plots increasingly embarrassing towards the end.

“It’s finally over…”

Sam put down the script and let out a long sigh.

Moonlit quickly reverted back to being the socially anxious and timid girl.

“Sam has improved so much… it’s amazing.”

“It’s all thanks to Moonlit’s teaching.”

Calliope immediately took charge, suggesting that the group go out for a celebratory meal.

At the dinner table, she was brimming with excitement, proclaiming that this game would become a bestseller within the month of its release.

She even downed two large glasses of beer.

But seeing her spirited demeanor, Sam could only sincerely wish her well, though believing it would make money… that was hard.

But perhaps this is the passion and fervor of creation.

You have to believe in its success from the start, otherwise, there’s no motivation to keep going.

So many people in this world believe in beauty, not because the world is truly beautiful.

But because they need to believe in it to create beauty.

“Alright, the share I promised Sam won’t be short, just don’t expect too much depending on the results,” Calliope said with a smile as they left the Starlight Bar.

Sam shook his head.

“I’ve learned a lot too. If the results are really bad, don’t give me my share, consider it my tuition fee.”

Calliope’s eyes widened.

“Who curses their own work like that?”

Sam said curiously, “How is it my work? It’s yours.”

Calliope laughed and shook her head, then ruffled Sam’s hair affectionately, like an adult treating a child.

“Once you’re involved, it becomes your work. You have a talent for voice acting, and your voice is quite good. If one day you enter this industry, don’t forget this was your debut.”

Sam nodded with a smile.

“I’ll also remember that you guys were my guides.”

“Hahaha, well, we’re off then, goodbye, contact us anytime you need.”

“Goodbye.”

Watching Calliope and Moonlit disappear at the end of the road.

It was just him and Isabella left.

The girl walked alongside Sam on the dark street, illuminated by bright streetlights.

Hands clasped behind her back, her steps light, exuding a youthful charm.

She turned her head and said with a smile, “Sophie hasn’t been to the club these past few days either.”

Sam was somewhat surprised. “Why bring that up all of a sudden?”

Isabella blinked. “I thought you wanted to talk about these things.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Looking at Sam’s resigned smile, Isabella curiously observed him.

“Just going to leave it at that?”

“…”

Sam didn’t respond, but instead looked at Isabella quizzically.

The girl touched her cheek.

“Is there something on my face? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Sam shook his head.

“I’m just curious, senior, what exactly do you know?”

“I don’t know anything.”

Still playing the innocent.

Sam smiled helplessly.

“Never mind, senior is always like this. Seems to know everything and yet knows nothing, but loves to meddle.”

“Pfft… Sam, you’re quite harsh, aren’t you?” she looked up at the sky, where only a lonely moon hung in the clear, cold expanse, then spoke, “Because I like to study and observe.”

“Observe us?”

“No, my youth. Haven’t you realized, Sam? You people are part of my youth. Because of you, I will firmly remember this time, no matter how long it’s been. Just like how you will remember me when you look back on your life.”

Sam glanced at her, then averted his eyes.

“That’s a suddenly heavy topic.”

“It’s not heavy, you’re just used to running away.”

“Running away?”

Sam asked, puzzled.

Isabella nodded.

“Yes, ignoring things is a form of running away. This isn’t an idle game; many things, if left unattended, only get worse and fade away. Things you can’t talk about now will only become harder to mention later.”

Sam felt she was alluding to something, but he was used to it; this girl always had a way of saying ambiguous things that could touch a nerve.

Only this time… she had touched the wrong nerve.

Sam suddenly stopped in his tracks.

“Senior.”

“Hmm?”

Isabella looked at Sam curiously, only to see a relaxed and radiant smile suddenly appear on his face. On this starless night, he seemed like a brilliant galaxy, shimmering and twinkling.

“I’m not running away.”

“Really?”

Isabella looked skeptical.

Watching Sam walk to the edge of the street, he reached out to hail a taxi for Isabella. It wasn’t until he saw Isabella settle into the back seat of the taxi that he leaned on the car door, bent down, and said with a smile,

“I’m just retreating to advance.”