You Are Not Allowed to Get a Girlfriend

She didn't know how long she stayed nestled in Lin Meng's arms.

Su Yutang suddenly felt as though she had returned to her childhood.

Back then she had still been a baby. Her mother held her, and she buried her head against her mother's chest.

Lin Meng comforted her just like her mother had back then, soothing away her fear, settling the trembling in her heart.

Why did she like Xiaobai so much?

Because Xiaobai would always recognize her as its master, would only eat food from her hand, and would never leave with anyone else.

From childhood onward, she had been fiercely possessive of anyone who could bring her warmth. When she was small, her mother was by her side, and she thought her mother would always protect her the way she did then. Whenever her mother saw her unhappy, saw her angry or sad, she would hold her close and gently soothe her.

But that wasn't how it was. That tenderness was limited to when she was too young to know better. As she slowly grew up and understood more, she realized that her dearest mother had only been raising her as an heir.

As the Su family's heir, she couldn't be afraid. She couldn't let a single kidnapping traumatize her. The Su family's heir had to be flawless.

But she was a living, breathing person. How could a person be flawless?

She had never encountered it. She didn't understand it. She couldn't learn it.

When the electric current meant to treat her psychological trauma passed through her brain, she suddenly felt her world was gradually collapsing.

It was true that she didn't need emotions, didn't need anyone who would hinder her from standing at the top. She was born this noble; even if she merely stood there, countless people would prostrate themselves at her feet and pledge allegiance.

But why did she still feel so lonely, from time to time?

Now she had finally found the answer. It wasn't that she didn't need emotions. It was just that her heart was too full of terror; because of a single psychological trauma, she had stopped believing in anyone's feelings.

She liked Lin Meng. Lin Meng brought her the purest emotions.

She knew all of Lin Meng's thoughts were written plainly on her face. She knew what Lin Meng wanted to do. She knew Lin Meng would never hurt her.

She liked Lin Meng. She wanted to be with Lin Meng, even if it meant giving up everything she currently possessed.

Su Yutang's cold arms gradually warmed. She reached out a still slightly trembling hand and hugged the person back: “Mm... Mengmeng, I love you too.”

Lin Meng's eyes flew open when she heard Su Yutang call her name.

And in that quiet instant, a sudden crackle of electricity came from above the elevator, followed by the lights overhead flickering with a few sharp pops before coming back on.

Lin Meng didn't know what had come over her, but when she saw light in the darkness, the fear and tension she had just felt eased considerably.

She looked up at Su Yutang, and Su Yutang, who had also lifted her head from Lin Meng's embrace at that moment, looked back at her. Their gazes collided, caught off guard.

When Su Yutang raised her head, her face was already streaked with tears.

Seeing her like that, Lin Meng's breath caught for an instant, and her heartbeat seemed to grow even faster than when the lights had suddenly gone out.

Thump-thump, thump-thump—

Lin Meng hurriedly averted her gaze from Su Yutang, then began unconsciously rubbing her own chest.

How could it be so fast?

In this quiet space with only the two of them, would Su Yutang hear her heartbeat, pounding so violently?

What was wrong with her? Was it because of the fright earlier, and she was about to drop dead?

Su Yutang saw her gradually growing flustered and at a loss, so she stepped forward, cupped Lin Meng's face, and made her look directly into her eyes: “Darling, I'm sorry... I was jealous because I saw you getting too intimate with Yun Huaizhu. I think I understand now why you said what you did the first time you met me. When you were reading that fanfiction, did you pair me with Yun Huaizhu?”

Hearing this, Lin Meng's eyes began to shift guiltily.

Actually, that wasn't fanfiction. That was your original world.

Su Yutang held Lin Meng's face and spoke with the utmost solemnity: “Then, darling... let me tell you. I have nothing to do with her! If there's any connection at all, it's that we're rivals in love.”

Rumble—

The skyscraper in Lin Meng's heart, already teetering on the edge, seemed to be given a gentle push by someone and collapsed in an instant.

The story of this world became a scene of utter wreckage, dust rising everywhere.

Su Yutang looked at Lin Meng with absolute sincerity: “I can swear on my life that I could never be with Yun Huaizhu in this lifetime. If I truly fall in love with someone in this life, I will only ever love that one person until the end. Otherwise, I'll die by my own hand. Darling—I've fallen in love with you.”

The worldview Lin Meng had constructed over so long shattered into a pile of fragments in an instant. She even felt more terrified now than she had before.

What had she just heard?

Su Yutang said she had fallen in love with her?

Was this a joke? How could that be!?

In the novel, Su Yutang was supposed to love Yun Huaizhu. How could she fall in love with her?

If that were really the case, then what did the novel's story even amount to?

Now that there was light, Su Yutang noticed a neatly wrapped sandwich lying beside Lin Meng.

She picked it up. The sandwich had gone cold. Actually, on the way here she had kept seeing Lin Meng put her hand into her coat pocket, as if feeling for something. Now that she thought about it, it was probably this sandwich.

Lin Meng had felt sorry for her not having eaten all day. So even though the two of them were in a cold war, Lin Meng had instinctively tucked the sandwich into her pocket, wanting to give it to her.

At this thought, Su Yutang opened the wrapper of the cold sandwich and began eating it in large bites, her face still streaked with undried tears, the rims of her eyes red: “Darling, thank you... it's delicious.”

Just as she was about to finish the sandwich, voices suddenly came from outside the elevator: “Young Miss, are you in there?”

Hearing this, Su Yutang was briefly startled, then she quickly put away the unfinished sandwich: “I'm in here, hurry and get us out—”

“Found them, over here, quickly!”

Su Yutang no longer cared why the people outside had found her so quickly. All she wanted now was for Lin Meng to be rescued.

Hearing the voices outside growing more and more chaotic, Su Yutang happily moved over to Lin Meng: “Mengmeng, the people outside will have us out very soon.”

But Su Yutang's happiness didn't last long. She touched Lin Meng's ice-cold hand, and Lin Meng's face had already begun to turn frighteningly pale. She quickly reached out to feel Lin Meng's forehead...

No fever.

At that moment, Lin Meng felt her touch and quickly shrank back.

Seeing that look of fear and distance on her face again, the blood that had just been boiling in Su Yutang's veins ran cold.

She looked at Lin Meng anxiously and uneasily: “Darling, it's me...”

Hearing her words, Lin Meng seemed to trigger some self-protective mechanism, curling up and clutching her head: “I know, I know... so please don't come near me right now. Let me be alone for a while.”

Seeing her suddenly become like this, Su Yutang felt as though ten thousand needles were piercing into her heart.

They had just been fine moments ago. Why was Lin Meng afraid of her again?

Why was this happening?

Just as she was drowning in sorrow and confusion, the elevator doors were opened—though the elevator was now stuck between the sixteenth and seventeenth floors.

The gap only allowed one person through at a time.

Outside were all the rescue workers Su Yurong had frantically summoned after getting the news. Naturally, they prioritized Su Yutang's safety above all.

“Young Miss, the doors are open. Please come out quickly.”

Because the elevator had stopped due to aging circuits, no one knew when it might drop again, so every extra minute Su Yutang spent inside was another minute of danger.

Su Yutang saw the light from the outside world streaming in. She quickly went to Lin Meng's side: “Mengmeng, you go out first.”

Hearing this, Lin Meng snapped back to her senses and looked at Su Yutang coldly: “You are the Su family's eldest daughter. Your life is more valuable than mine. Besides, this rescue team came specifically for you. You should go out first.”

Su Yutang's tears fell instantly at these words. Frantic, she stepped forward and grabbed Lin Meng by the collar, shouting: “What time do you think this is? What do you mean, whose life is more valuable? All I know is that you have to go out first! If you die in front of me, even as a vengeful ghost I'll come find you, and I'll haunt you for every lifetime to come! Get out!”

Though the ordeal had drained far more of Su Yutang's strength than before, she dragged Lin Meng to the elevator doors. Using every ounce of her remaining power, she hoisted Lin Meng up: “If you still want me to live, then get out right now, don't hesitate!”

In that moment, Lin Meng's cold, stiff hands moved. She didn't know what was wrong with her; a tangle of complex feelings twisted together in her heart. Her mind was a complete mess, and tears streamed endlessly down her face.

She didn't want Su Yutang to die.

With that thought, Lin Meng pushed her hand out with force, and the rescue team waiting outside immediately pulled her up.

When the people Su Yurong had sent saw this unfamiliar face, they all froze for a moment.

Why wasn't it the Young Miss they had rescued?

At that moment, Huo Yi, who had been anxiously waiting nearby, hurried forward. She took off her woolen shawl and wrapped it around Lin Meng: “Mengmeng, are you all right?”

Lin Meng looked up and saw Huo Yi's face filled with worry. She shook her head stiffly: “I'm fine...”

Crack—

When Lin Meng heard that unusual sound, her nerves snapped taut instantly. Her heart felt as though it had been struck by a heavy hammer; for no reason at all, she couldn't breathe.

“Damn, get the rescue rope, quickly!”

Lin Meng tried several times to stand, but failed each time. It was only with Huo Yi beside her, supporting her, that she managed to get to her feet. She staggered to the elevator gap, which was growing smaller and smaller: “No... don't, don't die. I don't want you to die...”

I'm sorry. It's my fault for barging into your world without permission. If I hadn't been here, your story would still be going. If not for my stupid interference, not a single one of you would die.

“It's my fault...”

Lin Meng knelt on the ground, overwhelmed by terror, helplessness, and a flood of guilt.

She even began to feel that if Su Yutang really died, she would go down and apologize to her.

Just as she felt frozen solid inside a block of ice, unable to move, a warm embrace encircled her. A familiar voice sounded above her head: “Don't be afraid... I'm here. I won't leave you again.”

Hearing that voice, Lin Meng felt as though time had stopped for an instant. She slowly raised her head and looked at Su Yutang's face.

At that moment, Su Yutang was completely different from how the novel had portrayed her. She seemed to radiate a kind of light.

In the next instant, Lin Meng's defenses crumbled completely. She threw her arms around Su Yutang's neck and burst into tears.

She didn't know why—she just felt so terribly sad, yet also relieved that Su Yutang was safe.

At that moment, the sound of high heels clicked urgently toward them, and a sharp voice rang out: “Tangtang, Tangtang... are you all right?”

Lin Meng heard the voice and looked up, but before she could react, she was yanked to the side by the woman who had just arrived.

Huo Yi quickly stepped forward to steady Lin Meng. She felt the scene about to unfold might not be suitable for Lin Meng to witness.

Su Yurong's face was streaked with worried tears. Just as she was about to embrace Su Yutang—disheveled and barely rescued—Su Yutang pushed her away with intense resistance: “As you can see, I'm perfectly fine.”

Su Yurong had rushed over the moment she received news of Su Yutang's accident, but she never expected her anxiety and worry to be met with such distance from her own daughter.

Su Yutang now stood and moved toward Lin Meng's direction. At that moment, having been publicly embarrassed by Su Yutang in front of so many people, Su Yurong clenched her fists. She rose and stared at the figure: “Someone, take the Young Miss home. Without my orders, no one is to open the door for her!”

Su Yutang's eyes widened in surprise. She turned back, looking at Su Yurong with a trace of resentment: “You dare!”

“I'm your mother. What wouldn't I dare? You're the one who couldn't stay home and reflect, who ran around everywhere and caused this disaster. From today on, you won't set foot outside the house. Only when you've properly reflected will you see the sunlight again!”

As soon as the words fell, bodyguards surrounded them, intending to forcibly take Su Yutang away.

Su Yutang saw so many people surrounding her, and she had already expended too much energy—she had no way to fight them off.

The bodyguards restrained Su Yutang. She struggled with all her remaining strength, staring desperately at Lin Meng: “While I'm gone, you are not allowed to get a new girlfriend! You are not allowed to get into a relationship with anyone else, or when I get out I will kill her! I will! I'm not joking, did you hear me? Lin Meng—”

Lin Meng, having just learned that the woman who pushed her aside was Su Yutang's mother—the vicious mother-in-law from the novel—was already dazed.

And now, before being taken away, Su Yutang had actually said such terrifying things to her. She stood frozen in place, feeling as though the whole world had begun to spin.

She really wanted to just faint right now.

Su Yutang repeated her “warning” to Lin Meng over and over, until her voice grew smaller and finally disappeared.

Su Yurong had just been wounded by her own daughter. As she was about to gather her people and return home, she noticed the girl supported by Huo Yi, crying so pitifully.

Earlier, when Su Yutang had been rescued, she had been in such a frenzy—it was probably because of this girl.

Su Yurong composed herself and walked toward the girl with an imposing air: “Grace is a Su family property, yet an accident like this occurred. I offer you my deepest apologies. Compensation for the psychological distress following the incident will be transferred to your card. As for everything else...”

Huo Yi, having spent years in the business world, understood the implication behind Su Yurong's words.

Lin Meng had just suffered a great fright. If Su Yurong frightened her further, Lin Meng might truly break down. So Huo Yi spoke up before Lin Meng could: “Aunt Su, you've misunderstood... Mengmeng is my friend. I invited her to Grace today to get together. I don't know how she ended up on that elevator with Tangtang. What happened today was purely an accident.”

Huo Yi's voice dispelled some of Su Yurong's hostility, but she still stared with deep suspicion at the girl Huo Yi kept hiding behind her.

This person was nothing but an ordinary beta. What charm did she possess that could drive her lofty daughter to such madness?

Not only that—even the famously money-grubbing little miser spoke up for her.

No matter. Su Yutang likely wouldn't have the chance to come into contact with her again for a long time.

Su Yurong faced Huo Yi on the surface, but her words were aimed at the person beside her: “Our Tangtang is a bit willful. She's never been in a relationship, and she knows nothing about matters of the heart. But one thing I can confirm: for a family of our standing, when it comes to marriage, we naturally choose someone of equal status. Huo Yi, wouldn't you agree?”

Hearing this, Huo Yi quickly put on an awkward smile: “Of course.”

Lin Meng now looked at the noble, refined woman standing before her, and a complicated expression surfaced on her face. According to the novel's plot, after Yun Huaizhu and Su Yutang cleared up their misunderstandings, Yun Huaizhu was also tormented—much of it stemming from this feudal-minded vicious mother-in-law.

If Su Yutang's methods could be considered those of an outlaw, then this Madam Su before her could be considered the poster child for a criminal law educational program.

Her methods were naturally far more ruthless and efficient than her daughter's.

Lin Meng truly didn't want to provoke such a person. She quickly broke free of Huo Yi's hand and stepped forward, bowing to the woman whose aura was so similar to Yun Huaizhu's when angry: “Madam, rest assured. I have absolutely no relationship with Eldest Miss Su.”

Su Yurong let out a cold laugh: “I should hope not.”

After all, Bai Li had said the same thing before. And not long ago, hadn't she come scurrying back to the country, wanting to rekindle things with her foolish daughter?

Fortunately, her daughter wasn't so muddled as to fall for it. That day, Su Yutang had drawn a clear line with that vain, money-grubbing woman.

What Su Yutang said to this beta today was nothing more than a rebellious phase, going against her mother.

It was all just a passing whim.

Once Su Yutang finished reflecting, she would arrange for her to marry immediately and cut off all those messy thoughts for good.

After Su Yurong left, Lin Meng felt the world begin to spin. The last thing she heard was Huo Yi's anxious cry: “Mengmeng, Mengmeng, what's wrong?”

...

Lin Meng felt as though she had fallen into a washing machine, the world spinning endlessly, flipping, turning upside down without stop.

She didn't know how much time had passed before the chaotic world before her eyes gradually steadied, and a fresh scent of mint and green citrus drifted into her nostrils.

Once things quieted down, Lin Meng stayed there alone...

She was thinking. Had she been wrong, forcing her way into someone else's story with her self-righteous good intentions?

If she hadn't barged into Su Yutang and Yun Huaizhu's world, Su Yutang wouldn't have become like this—wouldn't have nearly lost her life for her. And Yun Huaizhu wouldn't have felt nothing at all for Su Yutang.

Sometimes she really felt she was trying to do good, but the result was a complete mess.

She really was a terrible person.

She thought of a certain summer again. She had run home cheerfully, only to be met with a storm.

Her most beloved parents had started fighting without warning. The television, the refrigerator, even the pots and pans were smashed and scattered across the floor. After that day, her father never came home again.

Her mother said he had abandoned them both. From then on, she only had her mother.

Because she only had her mother, she had to learn to protect her mother. She tried not to ask for toys, not to buy new clothes, and unlike other children, not to buy snacks after school.

She sat quietly in the house cleaning, and after finishing her homework she would lie in bed waiting for her mother to come home. But she waited until dawn, and her mother still hadn't returned.

She had always gone to school alone, eaten alone, stayed at home alone.

She knew her mother was out making money so she would have to be alone, but she was truly very sad.

Because even though she had tried her best at everything, she still couldn't make her family whole. That was why she didn't particularly like reading BE novels.

In a melodramatic, heart-wrenching story, even if the two people went through countless irreversible things, they could still end up together happily in the end.

Yes, it didn't matter how difficult the process was—at least they could be together.

Lin Meng didn't know why she thought this way. Maybe it was because she wanted so badly to have a complete home.

With many, many people—ideally so many that on a cold winter night, the family could huddle together and not feel the cold.

Had she projected her own fantasies onto the novel's characters?

She always fantasized about having a little two-story house, with her most beloved family living in it, where there would be no quarrels every day, only the clatter of pots and pans and the aroma of food.

Whenever she dreamed of that scene, she would smile.

Even though she knew it was fake, a fantasy, she was still willing to indulge in it.

...

In the morning, when Lin Meng woke again, she found herself in yet another unfamiliar place.

Even the wallpaper in this room was warm yellow, as if sunlight filled the entire space. Lin Meng scratched her head. This didn't seem to be Su Yutang's home, nor Yun Huaizhu's...

Just as she thought she might be dreaming within a dream, the bedroom door handle suddenly turned. Hearing the sound, Lin Meng perked up her ears and looked warily toward the door.

Huo Yi walked in wearing a bright red slip dress. When she saw Lin Meng was awake, her face lit up with pleasant surprise: “Oh, Mengmeng, you're awake!”

Lin Meng was a bit startled to see Huo Yi. “I'm at...?”

Huo Yi walked over and sat on the edge of Lin Meng's bed. The red strap slipped carelessly from her round, fair shoulder: “This is my home. You got such a fright yesterday. After you were rescued, your nerves were too tense and you fainted. I had the family doctor prepare a soothing nerve-calming incense for you. You slept, and you should be fine now.”

Lin Meng quickly said to Huo Yi: “Thank you so much.”

Huo Yi turned toward her then, half her body leaning in Lin Meng's direction. Her red dress in that warmly decorated room was like a flame of heat.

She narrowed her eyes and smiled radiantly: “Don't mention it. We're friends, aren't we? I thought the message asking me to come was from you, but it turns out Tangtang wanted to ask me for help. Unfortunately her plan fell through. She was taken away by her mother—I'm afraid she won't be out for at least a year or so.”

Huo Yi's words were telling Lin Meng that everything that had happened yesterday was real.

But when had she ever sent a message asking Huo Yi to come out?

Could it have been that day when Su Yutang borrowed her phone and went to the bathroom? She hadn't expected the person to delete the chat history after sending the message.

What was there to hide?

Wait—had Su Yutang discovered that she had transferred money to Huo Yi?

Just as Lin Meng fell into thought again, Huo Yi lay on the bed like a fire fox, gazing up at Lin Meng from below with a seductive look: “Mengmeng, why do you always love to space out?”

Didn't Lin Meng like beautiful women?

With such a stunning beauty right in front of her, why wouldn't this person even look at her?

Hearing this, Lin Meng snapped back to attention. Huo Yi had now fully sprawled on the bed, her well-proportioned, jade-smooth feet raised behind her, swinging and bumping together.