Chapter 2 Need a man? Contact me.

"We're more than just acquaintances! We're old classmates." Lin Shuangyu smiled, looking at Si Yuan meaningfully, "Right?"

Si Yuan felt that everyone's eyes were on her, waiting for her reaction.

She swallowed the bitterness in her throat, picked up a glass of champagne from the waiter, and smiled: "Congratulations, sister-in-law."

Song Yan heard the last three words.

His expression darkened, then he nodded.

"Xiao Yuan has always been very well-behaved."

Si Yuan looked away, finding the word "obedient" jarring for the first time.

A few chuckles and whispers rang out around them, seemingly mocking Si Yuan for finally recognizing reality and giving up her delusions.

Liking one's adopted brother is already a despicable thought.

Moreover, she was in love with Song Yan, who was the center of attention.

Si Yuan took a sip of wine and didn't look at Song Yan again, as if she didn't want to look at him any longer.

Song Yan noticed the unfamiliar indifference and deliberate avoidance, and his expression changed for a moment.

Halfway through the party, Si Yuan excused himself to take a phone call and left the banquet hall.

She needs to catch her breath, even if it's just for a few minutes.

Being in the same room with your former bullies and being tested and scrutinized by them is a double torment for both body and mind.

She messaged her therapist, saying she had succeeded.

The psychologist said, "I know it will be painful, but desensitization is painful in itself."

Si Yuan said, "I understand."

As soon as she entered the elevator, Si Yuan closed her eyes, let out a long sigh of relief, and felt a great weight lifted off her shoulders.

Desensitization is painful, but compared to being morally blackmailed and bullied by everyone, it's nothing. Today marks the end of her ordeal; she has finally said goodbye to all the shadows of the past.

The elevator doors slowly closed.

Just as Si Yuan thought the night was over, a long, strong hand suddenly reached in.

The door opened again, and a tall figure strode in.

Si Yuan opened her eyes, looked up, and glanced upwards.

Black Doc Martens boots, cargo pants, a black leather jacket, and that face...

Her breath hitched.

Jiang Wang.

Si Yuan didn't actually see it clearly, but she immediately lowered her head.

Compared to Song Yan, the person she actually least wanted to see was Jiang Wang.

It's not just that I don't want to, it's that I'm afraid.

The man seemed taller than eighteen years old, and his presence next to her was quite imposing. However, he probably didn't recognize her, and Si Yuan breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Is he here today also for a class reunion?

After all these years, he's actually... become sociable?

After all, he used to look down on these people in his class.

The next second, Jiang Wang's phone suddenly rang.

It was a short buzzing sound, but it still startled Si Yuan.

Jiang Wang answered the call, and a man's voice came through. He didn't know what the man said, but Jiang Wang only replied, "We've arrived."

It was still the same voice—lazy, nonchalant, and carefree.

He chuckled. "I didn't see anyone else, but... there was someone I recognized standing by the wall."

Si Yuan gripped the bag strap tightly with her hand.

He... recognized her a long time ago?

Si Yuan then slowly raised her head and looked at Jiang Wang.

Jiang Wang was also looking at her, raising an eyebrow slightly.

The elevator lights outlined Jiang Wang's features sharply and clearly.

He was born with a striking appearance that was impossible to look away from. His brow bones were high and sharp, beneath which lay a pair of dark, phoenix-shaped eyes with slightly upturned corners. His aggressive gaze was imbued with a sexual tension due to his face.

There was always a half-smile playing at the corners of his mouth, as if he were ready to utter some sarcastic remark at any moment.

He hung up the phone before the person on the other end could finish speaking.

"Hey classmate, are you still going to pretend you don't know me?"

Jiang Wang's voice was like a key, instantly unlocking the gates of the past.

Some memories come flooding out like a torrent.

Those dark nights flashed before Si Yuan's eyes—

Jiang Wang's long, slender fingers were always entwined around her hair.

His tobacco-scented breath brushed against her neck, and his deep laughter echoed in her ear.

You're so sweet, I like you.

Those images, both blurry and clear, burned Si Yuan's heart.

But she quickly regained her senses.

It was just... a ridiculous deal from the past.

At the time, she needed protection, and he happened to need an obedient plaything.

That's all.

Even if things were crazy, unrestrained, and spectacular back then, five years have passed, and he may have long forgotten them.

"Hello."

"Hello."

Si Yuan lowered her head, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

Jiang Wang chuckled softly, his laughter carrying a hint of something unreadable.

The elevator numbers slowly changed, and Si Yuan stared at the floor display screen, wishing she could escape this cramped space immediately.

"bite--"

The elevator finally arrived at the first floor.

Si Yuan practically fled, but felt a sudden tightness on her scalp the moment she turned around.

Damn it, his hair had somehow gotten tangled in the decorative iron chain of Jiang Wang's leather jacket.

"Ah!" she exclaimed softly, frantically trying to untie herself, "I'm so sorry..."

Jiang Wang calmly backed away until he leaned against the elevator wall, letting her frantically pull at him.

He lowered his eyes, his gaze roaming unabashedly over her body, from her reddened earlobes to her shoulders heaving with nervousness.

"Don't move." He said in a low voice, and suddenly grabbed her wrist.

Si Yuan stood frozen in place, only to see Jiang Wang's slender fingers deftly playing with her hair.

"Still so clumsy."

His breath brushed against the back of her neck, causing a slight shiver.

The scent of mint mixed with cedar enveloped her; it was a fragrance unique to Jiang Wang.

Si Yuan never expected that, though she had forgotten many things from the past, she would still remember his scent.

It's probably because it's too close.

He was so close that he could see the shadow cast by her eyelashes, and she could feel the rhythm of his breathing.

"Have you had a boyfriend abroad all these years?"

Jiang Wang's sudden question made Si Yuan look up abruptly, meeting his unfathomable black eyes.

He stared straight at her, silent and still, yet it felt as if he could burn a hole in her.

She opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

Si Yuan felt that she didn't need to give Jiang Wang an answer.

“If you’re still short of men,” Jiang Wang slowly untied the last strand of hair from the chain, but instead of letting it go, he twirled it around his fingertip, “you’re welcome to keep looking for me.”

As he spoke, he smiled at Si Yuan.

Si Yuan's heart skipped a beat, and fear gripped her.

"I...I have to go."

She took a step back in a panic, a strand of hair slipping from his fingers.

Jiang Wang paused, his hand still hanging in mid-air, and suddenly felt a sense of... emptiness and desolation.

They really showed no mercy, not even a hint of reminiscing.