Chapter 74

Li Xing'en's voice drifted on the wind, carrying a hint of ambiguity, but his expression remained calm, showing no sign of offense or inappropriateness.

Ran Xian's smile became unpredictable as he looked down at Jin Chuwan.

“Don’t go…” Ran Xian coaxed gently, “If you really want to get rid of him, then don’t go.”

Jin Chuwan was embraced by Ran Xian, and she even forgot about this. She just stared blankly at Li Xing'en who was walking towards her. His gaze seemed calm, but she felt that was not the case.

The neon lights on the roadside flashed and suddenly became bright, the dazzling light falling into Jin Chuwan's eyes, causing her pupils to sway involuntarily.

“Xing En…”

At this moment, Li Xing'en walked up to the two of them. His gaze swept over Jin Chuwan, but one hand was lightly placed on Ran Xian's shoulder.

"Won't it get annoying if my boyfriend is too clingy?"

He asked the question lightly, but his gaze was so empty and unfocused that it was impossible to tell who he was asking.

Ran Xian smiled upon hearing this, and instead hugged Jin Chuwan even tighter.

"You may not understand, but that's how relationships are."

Li Xingen smiled again upon hearing this. He ignored Ran Xian and instead looked gently at Jin Chuwan: "So... you're not planning to leave?"

Jin Chuwan was somewhat dazed. The unfamiliarity and coldness she felt just a moment ago seemed to be her imagination. The boy in front of her looked gentle and frail, as if she would betray all his feelings if she refused him.

She eventually pushed Ran Xian away.

But at the same time, Kim Cho-man explained, "We're just going out for a meal. I'll call you when I get back."

Her voice lacked confidence because she also felt that Ran Xian was right. If she wanted Li Xingen to give up, she should cruelly reject him.

But she really couldn't be so cold to Xing En.

In her eyes, Li Xingen was ultimately different. After all, they had known each other for so many years, and she knew everything about him. Even if she really didn't like him, she could have explained it clearly; she didn't want to hurt him.

Ran Xian snorted. He didn't actually think Jin Chuwan could deal with Li Xingen so decisively.

If it were that easy, she wouldn't have pretended to be his girlfriend.

"Alright then, I'll lend him my girlfriend for today, but call me right after you finish eating and I'll come pick you up."

Ran Xian felt that he was an extremely gentle and considerate boyfriend, but Jin Chuwan seemed to be a wicked woman who attracted many suitors and had women on both sides.

"good."

If Jin Chuwan knew that Ran Xian was making fun of her like this, she would definitely pinch him hard again, but she didn't know that now, so she just nodded obediently.

There weren't many people outside the school gate. Although some people noticed this area, they were at a distance, and even those who occasionally passed by would only glance at it before hurrying on.

--

Before leaving, Ran Xian kissed Jin Chuwan on the cheek again, while Jin Chuwan subtly pinched the back of his hand.

The two fought to a draw where Li Xing'en couldn't see them, and then pretended to say goodbye as if they had a deep bond.

Lee Sung-eun remained silent throughout. He even accompanied Kim Cho-wan as Ran Hyun's sports car drove off in a flamboyant manner before opening the car door and inviting Kim Cho-wan to get in.

The two first went to the supermarket, and then carried the food they bought to Li Xing'en's villa.

Kim Cho-wan has not visited Lee Sung-eun's house since she left last time, but it looks the same as before.

Apart from Lee Sung-eun herself, there was absolutely no trace of anyone else's existence.

The huge house seemed quiet and empty; apart from Li Xing'en's voice, there was nothing else.

"Is there no one here to take care of you?"

Jin Chuwan stood at the kitchen doorway watching Li Xingen prepare dinner. As she quietly watched him, she noticed that he seemed to have lost a lot of weight.

Li Xingen smiled upon hearing this: "I can take care of myself." As he spoke, he brandished the knife in his hand, "Besides, you know how good my cooking skills are."

Jin Chuwan frowned. "I wasn't talking about cooking; I was talking about whether I've taken care of you."

The soup in the pot gradually boiled. Li Xing'en lowered her head and said, "Don't worry, an auntie will come to clean the room every afternoon."

Hearing this, Jin Chuwan frowned even more deeply. Although she wasn't born with a silver spoon in her mouth, she knew that young masters like Jiang Chen and Ran Xian always had servants to take care of them. Li Xing'en was even more so; the Li family had more butlers and servants than the Jiang family. In her memory, if this guy had a minor bump or bruise as a child, it was like the end of the world.

But now he lives here alone.

It wasn't that she felt sorry for him, but she just doubted whether he was really capable of taking care of himself.

He was clearly a pampered young master who was waited on hand and foot all his life...

"You should hire a nanny," Jin Chuwan advised. "You look so thin. Lily will definitely worry if she sees you like that."

Lee Sung-eun was setting the table when he heard Kim Cho-wan say that, and he paused in his work.

"And what about you?"

The boy's voice was calm; he didn't look up, but spoke quietly.

Are you worried about me?

Jin Chuwan looked at the boy in front of her. There was no need for her to deny it: "Of course I'm worried too."

However, this concern was merely out of mutual care between friends, so she continued to explain.

"It's only natural that your other friends would be worried if they saw this."

Hearing this, Li Xingen finally raised his head. He looked over, his eyes seemingly filled with mockery: "How can this be taken for granted..."

The kitchen was filled with delicious aromas, but the atmosphere was anything but warm and peaceful.

Jin Chuwan heard Li Xing'en's voice drifting over: "The number of people I hold dear in my heart is very small, and my heart only cares about this small number. Those so-called friendships that are praised by others, even if they are not worthless to me, are not worth much either. They are just people I can chat with to relieve boredom when we meet. If we are useful to each other, it will last a little longer; if we are not, it will soon be nothing. That's how others are to me, and that's how I am to others..."

He chuckled as he spoke.

“Actually, I know that we are similar in some ways, but we have known each other for so long, so I naturally feel that I have a place in your heart. I thought I should be different from others…”

"But now I'm not sure anymore..."

The boy's voice was broken and slightly hoarse.

Can you tell me, am I really important to you?

When Jin Chuwan looked over, his eyes seemed to be a little red.

"I'm often insincere with people, and I know that someone like me doesn't deserve genuine affection, but I still want to know, am I just someone you casually pass around when you're bored...?"