Chapter 22 "Baby, you've arrived."...
During the time he was not in contact with Song Wan, Lian Huaiyang was indeed busy.
Julie: [Photo]
Julie: [Photo]
Julie: [Which of these two looks better?]
Julie: [I can't choose/crying]
Julie: [Brother Huaiyang, can you help me choose?]
Angelina Jolie: [Mwah.jpg]
Lian Huaiyang met Julie on a rainy day by chance.
Affected by the cold air currents, Beijing has experienced a week of continuous rain and bad weather.
That Saturday happened to be the day he was having his private tutoring session.
His employer lives in a villa area on the outskirts of Beijing, where a trip used to require three subway transfers and one bus ride.
It's troublesome, but the reward is considerable.
When Lian Huaiyang met Julie, the girl was wearing a leather jacket and a short skirt, standing in the cold wind with her legs twisted in a very strange posture.
Lian Huaiyang glanced at it briefly; it seemed that her stiletto heels were stuck on the edge of the manhole cover, which was sticking out at one corner.
It's better to avoid trouble, so he quickly looked away.
He never expected that the girl would call out to him.
"Hello, can you help me? My high heels are stuck. My relative lives nearby. Please, please help me?"
Julie is very beautiful, but her beauty is different from Song Wan's.
Song Wan's beauty, like her personality, is understated and reserved, like a lotus bud about to bloom in a summer pond—a traditional Chinese, subtle beauty.
Angelina Jolie is different; she is more radiant and flamboyant, possessing an indescribable confidence and ease—an aura that money can only buy.
Due to a combination of factors, Lian Huaiyang extended a helping hand.
"Thank you." The girl thanked her and introduced herself, "My name is Julie, what's yours?"
"Lian Huaiyang".
Julie nodded slightly. "You live here too?"
“No, I’m here to tutor.” Lian Huaiyang had no desire to continue the conversation and simply ended the topic. “Since you’re alright now, I’ll be going.”
Lian Huaiyang never expected that he would meet his employer again at his home so soon after saying goodbye to someone else.
Julie also looked on with great interest, but the little boy next to her broke the silence first, cheerfully greeting, "Cousin, what brings you here?"
Coincidentally, Julie is the cousin of the boy Lian Huaiyang tutors.
Because of this, the two became acquainted over time.
Even during the winter break, Lian Huaiyang managed to snag a business class ticket from Julie because she planned to travel to Huaiqing.
During their conversation on the plane, Julie subtly revealed her frustration at not being able to find a local guide.
"Perhaps... does Brother Huaiyang have any friends who want to earn extra money part-time? They just need to eat, go shopping, and chat with me every day."
The girl tilted her head to look at him, her lips curving into a smile like a cunning little fox.
Lian Huaiyang pursed his lips slightly, and almost unconsciously blurted out, "What do you think of me?"
He was blinded by an unknown impulse, and when he came to his senses, he found that it was too late to take it back.
And so, Lian Huaiyang became Julie's local guide for nearly a month.
Julie: [Brother Huaiyang?]
While I was still in a daze, Julie's message popped up again.
Helpless, Lian Huaiyang closed the chat window with Song Wan and switched to the chat interface with Julie.
After carefully comparing the two pictures, he typed: "The first one suits you better."
Julie quickly replied: [Really? Huaiyang has great taste! I also think the first one is better /smirk]
We're truly on the same wavelength!
"Lily, how's this one for me?"
Julie turned off her phone screen and carefully examined her best friend's clothes. After a few seconds, she gave her assessment: "So-so."
"Right? It's like they changed designers for this season's new collection. It's not as good as last season's."
With that, the girl went into the fitting room to change back into her own clothes.
"Let's go check out other places."
Julie got up as well, but before leaving, she swiped her card to have the sales assistant wrap up a dress she had tried on.
Her best friend asked, puzzled, "Didn't you think that one was ugly?"
Julie raised an eyebrow, her foxy eyes giving a nonchalant smirk, and said with a smile, "Work clothes."
There's no such thing as good-looking or bad-looking; as long as it's useful, that's enough.
——
"You're Lian Huaiyang?"
Lian Huaiyang, who had just submitted his study abroad application materials and left the college, was blocked downstairs by a girl who crossed her arms and asked him arrogantly.
Lian Huaiyang hated this kind of condescending attitude the most, so he ignored it and left.
Did I let you leave?
Jiao Qian stepped to the side, blocking his path.
Lian Huaiyang gave him a cold look. "Excuse me, I don't think I know you."
He couldn't be bothered to waste time talking to strangers who weren't relevant to him.
However, after taking only a few steps, the girl's voice rang out again from behind: "You don't know me, but I know you, Lian Huaiyang, Electrical Engineering Class 1. You've been busy with your application to study abroad lately, haven't you?"
Lian Huaiyang stopped in his tracks, turned his head suspiciously, and frowned: "Who are you? How do you know about me?"
Jiao Qian stood on the steps, her long, upturned eyelashes drooping slightly as she glanced at the boy with a mocking smile: "Not only that, I also know who is sponsoring you."
As she walked down the steps, she said in a cool voice, "Don't you find it strange? Regardless of your grades or the extent of your family's financial difficulties, this kind of good thing shouldn't have happened to you. How did it happen to fall into your lap by chance?"
Lian Huaiyang was slightly taken aback, but Jiao Qian's voice continued: "Haven't you thought about it? Why have so many inexplicable good things been happening to you lately?"
"Academics... Peach Blossoms..."
Mentioning this, Jiao Qian couldn't help but chuckle, "Do you know what Julie hates the most? She hates shoes that get muddy when it rains, and she hates anything cheap. I'm really curious, what kind of confidence makes you think that the kind of plot that only a rich girl would think of would fall for a poor, sleazy nerd would actually happen in real life?"
The smile on her lips was provocative and arrogant.
Lian Huaiyang felt his dignity had been insulted, and his fists clenched involuntarily at his sides.
However, Jiao Qian continued to tease her with a smile, "Oh, I forgot, you and that bitch Song Wan are from the same place."
"Lian Huaiyang, how long has it been since you last contacted her?"
Lian Huaiyang's eyes flickered slightly, and a bold and absurd idea surfaced in his mind.
"By now, can't you still guess who is willing to sponsor your studies abroad?"
Everything he was so proud of was shattered. Even though the seeds of doubt had already sprouted and grown in his heart, Lian Huaiyang still refused to admit it. He gritted his teeth and looked at the girl, "Why should I believe you?"
"Because I am Chen Jianjin's fiancée, because your girlfriend shamelessly seduced my fiancé, and because we are allies, you have no choice but to believe me."
As she spoke, Jiao Qian stuffed a card with her contact information into the breast pocket of Lian Huaiyang's coat, saying, "Contact me when you've thought it through."
——
“Wanwan”.
With the start of the new semester, the roommates discussed having a meal together. Xiaoling mentioned that a new private restaurant had opened near the school and was receiving good feedback. It was also the opening discount period, so the four girls quickly decided on an evening when none of them had classes.
Song Wan didn't expect to run into Lian Huaiyang as soon as she went downstairs.
He jogged a few steps forward and called out to her, "Wanwan."
Song Wan hadn't seen Lian Huaiyang for a long time. It was strange, though, since the two families lived in the same neighborhood and weren't far apart, they hadn't run into each other even once during the entire holiday.
"What's the matter with you looking for me?"
Song Wan looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"Can't I contact you if there's nothing wrong?" Lian Huaiyang's smile was a little unnatural. "I suddenly realized that we haven't had a meal together in a long time."
As he spoke, he extended an invitation, "Would you like to have dinner together?"
Song Wan turned her head and glanced at her roommates waiting not far behind her, and declined, saying, "Maybe next time. I have plans to have dinner with my roommates today."
Lian Huaiyang exclaimed "Ah!" and smiled nonchalantly, "Let's all go together, it's on me."
After saying that, he walked towards the place Song Wan had just looked at and greeted them, "You must be Wanwan's roommates, right? My name is Lian Huaiyang, Wanwan's childhood friend."
Lin Sang, Zhou Zhou, and Xiao Ling looked at each other, and finally the outgoing Xiao Ling broke the silence, "Hello."
"Wanwan said you guys are going out to eat, want to come along? It's on me, I know a pretty good place."
He was so enthusiastic from the start that even Xiaoling, who is usually the most lively person, couldn't keep up.
Not all of her roommates were very sociable, especially Lin Sang. Song Wan didn't want her friends to feel uncomfortable, so she frowned slightly and declined again, saying, "Maybe next time, maybe next time. We've already made reservations at the restaurant today."
After these words were spoken, the atmosphere fell silent for a moment.
Lian Huaiyang looked at Song Wan without saying a word, but in his heart he thought that she had really changed a lot. The Song Wan of the past would never have refused his request.
Lian Huaiyang blamed all of this on Chen Jianjin. If it weren't for his interference, he and Song Wan wouldn't have become so estranged.
A subtle awkwardness hung in the air.
The three people standing nearby looked at each other, and finally Zhou Zhou nudged Xiaoling, who then reluctantly said, "How about... we go together?"
Lin Sang reluctantly agreed, "Yes, the more people there are, the more lively it will be."
Song Wan knew that her roommates were understanding and considerate, and didn't want things to get too ugly.
This made her even more uncomfortable.
The store Xiaoling chose was very popular, with a long line of people waiting to have their numbers called.
As soon as they entered, the group looked a little disappointed and dejected. A large number of people meant that while the food was delicious, they would also have to wait in line for a long time.
Unexpectedly, a waiter approached and asked, "Are you Ms. Song Wan?"
Song Wan paused for a moment, then nodded: "Yes, that's me."
The waiter smiled and said, "Ms. Song, please follow me. Your private room is over here."
For a moment, Xiaoling, Zhouzhou, and Lin Sang all looked at her, while only Lian Huaiyang, unaware of the undercurrents, followed behind the waiter.
Xiaoling, a few steps behind, asked Song Wan, "When did you book the private room? Don't they require reservations a week in advance?"
They only finalized the time and place for the get-together at noon today.
Song Wan was also confused. "I didn't book a private room."
As soon as she finished speaking, she guessed the whole story.
Chen Jianjin had asked her to have dinner with him at noon, but she declined, saying she was having dinner with her roommates.
He asked about the location of the gathering.
Song Wan only told him.
Therefore, it goes without saying who is behind this move.
Xiaoling looked like she'd seen a ghost and started making wild guesses, "We didn't take up a reservation from someone with the same name as you, did we?"
Song Wan told her, "Don't worry, it's definitely our order."
Thanks to Chen Jianjin, they had less time to wait in line.
The waiter was quick; the food was served shortly after we took the order.
There was a moment of silence at the table, so Xiaoling took the initiative to liven things up by asking, "Have you guys seen that 30-second piece of literature that was really popular on Huhuzi a while ago?"
Lin Sang asked, "You mean that man who had an emotional affair?"
Xiaoling nodded as she ate, "Yes, yes, yes."
Song Wan had never heard of this before and asked suspiciously, "What kind of emotionally cheating man?"
Xiaoling patiently explained: "There was a guy who had been in a relationship with his girlfriend for a long time, but they were in a long-distance relationship. So the guy started having an affair with a female classmate, playing the game of having one at home and one outside."
As she spoke, Xiaoling held up a piece of meat with her chopsticks and clicked her tongue in dismay: "Men, not one of them is any good."
Lian Huaiyang's face instantly darkened.
Zhou Zhou, who was next to Xiao Ling, nudged her with his elbow.
Realizing something a beat too late, Xiaoling coughed a few times and quickly tried to salvage the situation, saying, "What I meant was that some, some men are really awful, and they've dragged down the reputation of all men in general."
Lian Huaiyang forced a slightly strained smile, took a sip of his drink, and said, "People all like novelty, it doesn't matter if it's a man or a woman, right, Wanwan?"
He seemed to be implying something.
Song Wan found it puzzling and didn't respond.
Even Lian Huaiyang belatedly realized he had said the wrong thing, and touched his nose and fell silent.
For the rest of the meal, Xiaoling was afraid of accidentally killing the conversation, so she didn't dare to speak up. Eating became the best way to cover up her embarrassment.
Therefore, the dinner ended particularly quickly.
Song Wan felt guilty. What should have been a tea party for the four of them in the dormitory had turned into this awkward situation.
So when Lian Huaiyang asked the waiter for the bill, she picked up her phone and offered to pay.
Lian Huaiyang pressed her hand down, "I promised to treat you, otherwise wouldn't I be the one freeloading?"
"But..." the waiter interjected at the right moment, "Your bill has already been settled."
The girl politely explained, "Mr. Chen instructed in advance when he booked the table that tonight's expenses would be deducted from his account."
Mr. Chen?
Chen Jianjin?!
The waiter politely left with this remark, nodded in acknowledgment, and then closed the door and departed.
Xiaoling and the others exchanged glances, then simultaneously stole glances at the stunned boy in front of them.
Lian Huaiyang's face turned ashen.
For a moment, Song Wan couldn't help but hold her breath and didn't dare to look at him.
"I'm going to the restroom."
Only after Lian Huaiyang made a move did the others slowly get up, saying, "Well... let's go too."
Springtime brings warmer weather, but the nights still retain a chill.
At the restaurant entrance, Song Wan fiddled with a ride-hailing app.
The five people were to split into two cars, and Xiaoling also took out her phone.
Before the car had even finished hailing, a familiar voice could be heard—
“Wanwan”.
Chen Jianjin approached carrying a bunch of sunflowers. After stopping, he nodded and greeted the girls next to Song Wan: "Did you enjoy your meal?"
"I'm so happy!" After holding it in all night, Xiaoling's personality finally came out: "I'm just a little embarrassed that you had to spend so much money, senior."
Chen Jianjin smiled politely, "I'm glad you enjoyed your meal."
As he spoke, he handed over the three paper bags he was carrying. "I've prepared some small gifts. I don't know what you'd like, so please don't be offended."
"This...this is so embarrassing."
Xiaoling happily accepted it, opened it, and took a look.
Wow, it's a set of skincare products that she's had in her shopping cart for a long time, but hasn't placed an order because of the price.
A big shot is a big shot; he always makes a big move.
Lin Sang suppressed the upturned corners of her lips and secretly tugged at Xiao Ling's sleeve, while Zhou Zhou, standing to the side, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"Are there any more activities planned? Would you like me to take you back to school?"
When Chen Jianjin asked this question, his eyes were smiling as he looked at Song Wan.
Song Wan opened her mouth, about to say no, when Lian Huaiyang's voice came from behind her: "Wanwan".
Their eyes met, and the smoke of battle died down.
With a light touch of his tongue against his back teeth, Chen Jianjin's smile changed, and he slowly turned his gaze back to Song Wan.
Without asking or saying anything, Song Wan felt a heavy sense of pressure emanating from his gaze.
Finally, it was the ride-hailing driver that Lian Huaiyang called who broke the stalemate.
A car horn sounded from the roadside.
The three girls were the first to react, hurriedly said goodbye, and rushed to get into the car.
Not wanting to keep the driver waiting, Song Wan said tentatively, "Dinner... thank you, I... I... I'll be going now?"
After saying that, she didn't even dare to look at Chen Jianjin, and ran to find her roommates.
With Song Wan gone, Lian Huaiyang, who didn't want to get entangled with her in the first place, had no reason to confront her anymore. He coldly said, "I'll have Wanwan transfer the money to you for tonight's expenses," and then got into the car as well.
It was a bit cramped for five people to share a car, but having just witnessed a dramatic scene, each of them was preoccupied with their own thoughts and didn't pay attention to these small details.
Song Wan was filled with anxiety the whole way back to her dormitory, and she was still unable to calm down for a long time.
The roommates began to busy themselves with their own chores, but Song Wan's phone, which was in her coat pocket, vibrated at that moment.
My dearest darling: [Come out.]
This time, Song Wan dared not delay and hurriedly went downstairs.
Upon seeing her, Chen Jianjin grabbed her and headed towards the parking lot.
Song Wan got back into the back seat of his car.
She was a little uneasy.
Chen Jianjin looked unwell. Before Song Wan could find the right words to explain, his question rang out, "He ate with your roommates before?"
Song Wan was surprised that his first question was this. She was taken aback for a moment before shaking her head. "No, this is the first time today."
It felt like he'd swallowed a whole half-ripe plum and then downed a whole bottle of vinegar; Chen Jianjin's mouth and stomach were filled with a sour and bitter taste. He asked rather irritably, "Why did you eat with him behind my back? And why did you introduce him to your friends?"
"I didn't." Song Wanlu's round eyes widened slightly. She placed her hands on the chair cushion, leaned forward slightly, and stared intently at his face as she explained, "Tonight was an accident. I'm not lying to you. My roommates did have plans to have dinner together. Lian Huaiyang came suddenly, and my roommates couldn't refuse, so they brought him along. I really am not lying to you."
Her expression was solemn and tense.
Song Wan rarely offered explanations, and this time even Chen Jianjin was confused.
He scratched his brow, but then heard Song Wan ask timidly, "Are you... are you angry?"
Chen Jianjin was indeed very angry at first. He was angry that Song Wan still secretly met with Lian Huaiyang behind his back despite his repeated orders, and he was even angrier that Song Wan was biased and willing to bring Lian Huaiyang into her social circle, a privilege that he himself did not receive.
But all that vexing jealousy vanished inexplicably the moment she asked that question.
Because Song Wan has also started to care about his feelings.
In her eyes, he was finally no longer invisible.
She finally...is willing to see him!
His heart pounded wildly, and when Chen Jianjin looked up again, his eyes burned with intensity. He asked earnestly, "Why do you think I'll be angry?"
Why?
His question was very strange.
"Don't you dislike Lian Huaiyang?" Song Wan asked, puzzled. "He ate your meal today."
Chen Jianjin paid for tonight's dinner, and Song Wan thought he would blame her for taking it upon herself to let someone she disliked get a free meal.
Chen Jianjin obviously didn't want to hear this answer, but it didn't stop him from laughing at her slow-witted thinking. "He should be the one feeling bad now."
Song Wan was stunned for a moment, and then, as if just realizing what had happened, she remembered Lian Huaiyang's extremely bad expression before leaving the hotel that night.
As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Jianjin was so annoyed that he wanted to slap himself twice. Song Wan clearly didn't realize this, and his words were tantamount to reminding her.
"You are not allowed to comfort him, and you are not allowed to talk to him anymore."
He pinched her face with two fingers as a warning.
Song Wan didn't think that way. She was still angry because Lian Huaiyang's presumptuous actions had made her roommates feel uncomfortable, and she didn't know how to apologize yet.
Fortunately, Chen Jianjin didn't get angry.
Song Wan patted the back of his hand and mumbled a reminder, "Chen Jianjin, I'm leaving."
He pinched the girl's cheek, causing her rosy lips to pout.
Her Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and Chen Jianjin's heart fluttered. His upper eyelids drooped halfway, and his lustful gaze fell on her beautiful lips.
Song Wan's heart skipped a beat, and she gripped his hard wrist with both hands.
He lowered his head, and she turned her face away.
The kiss fell through.
His breathing was a little heavy as Chen Jianjin pressed his forehead against the girl's and coaxed her gently, "Baby, can you give me a kiss?"
The last time they kissed was when they just rubbed against each other.
He's been like this for a long time.
"I feel so bad, baby."
Chen Jianjin took her hand and placed it against her neck.
The burning heat of her fingertips and the boy's yearning gaze softened Song Wan's heart.
But that's not right.
“Chen Jianjin…” Her eyelashes fluttered as she tried to reason with him, “You can go exercise; when you’re tired, you won’t think about these things anymore.”
The boy chuckled softly, cupped her left cheek with one hand, and deliberately rubbed his nose against her earlobe.
One gentle kiss after another landed on her right cheek.
Song Wan grasped his strong arm, "Chen... um."
Their hot, moist breaths mingled, and Chen Jianjin cut off her unfinished words.
Unlike before, this time he wasn't in a hurry to conquer, but instead gently pecked her crimson lips one after another.
He gently and patiently rubbed and polished until the girl relaxed and her jaw loosened.
He gently pried open the slit and fed it in with the tip of his tongue.
The girl's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and Chen Jianjin quickly withdrew.
Once Song Wan's expression had eased slightly, he used the same trick again.
In this way, the frequency gradually increased until the girl was fully accustomed to it.
His fingers, which were resting on her waist, slipped under the hem of her coat.
The moment their skin touched, Song Wan showed signs of struggling to regain her senses, but the next second, Chen Jianjin deliberately intensified the kiss between them.
She quickly fell for him again.
The boy's fingertips rubbed along her underwear, and finally his palm covered her breasts.
He gently rubbed it.
Song Wan felt a little uncomfortable, like a drowning fish, and she couldn't help but hook her arms around Chen Jianjin's neck.
He let her catch her breath, his burning kisses traveling downwards.
The air was sticky and intoxicating.
By the time Song Wan realized something was wrong, it was already too late.
She didn't know how to describe that feeling, like being suddenly thrown into the air while riding a roller coaster. She felt powerless, wanting to grab onto something but not knowing how, and her heart was pounding wildly.
Chen Jianjin, panting, lifted his head from the girl's neck, his tea-brown eyes, brimming with a lustful light, now gleaming with an unusual glint.
His chest pounded so hard it felt like it was about to burst out of his body. In a hoarse yet delighted voice, he said, "Baby, you've done it."
As soon as he finished speaking, Song Wan covered her face and burst into tears.
She cried very sadly, as if she had suffered a great injustice.
Chen Jianjin was at a loss. He pulled down the girl's wrist, frowned, and asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Song Wan didn't speak, she just kept crying.
Chen Jianjin was heartbroken by her crying. He cupped her face and tried to kiss away her tears, but she dodged him.
Chen Jianjin didn't dare to force him, so he hugged the person and comforted him gently.
"I'm leaving."
After an unknown amount of time, Song Wan finally spoke.
She cried so hard that her eyes were red and her nose was also red, and her voice was hoarse and nasal.
"I send you."
Chen Jianjin unlocked the car.
He carefully observed her expression.
The soft moonlight fell on her brows and eyes, which remained as serene and aloof as ever.
Chen Jianjin couldn't tell if Song Wan was angry.
She wasn't angry, but she didn't hit or scold him; yet her expression didn't suggest she wasn't angry.
After safely returning the person to their home, Chen Jianjin stood in the cold wind, feeling utterly bewildered.
He pondered for a long time but couldn't come up with anything.
Thinking of something, he took out his phone and found Qi Yan's chat box.
Chen Jianjin: [I have a question for you.]
Qi Yan, seemingly unsure of what he was doing, replied instantly: [?]
Chen Jianjin: [Why did you cry after Chen Qinghe slept with you?]
Qi Yan: [?]
Qi Yan: [Get lost.]
Chen Jianjin frowned and quickly typed: [I'm not joking, I'm seriously asking for your advice.]
However, all he received in response was a bright red exclamation mark and a system message that read, "The message has been sent, but was rejected by the recipient."
So, why did Song Wan cry?
-----------------------
Author's note: Deleted, deleted, all deleted [chin resting on hand]
Qi Yan is another male protagonist in this column. It's roughly a story about a guy who hooks up with beautiful women and plays with dogs, featuring a broken mirror mended and an atypical substitute trope. If you're interested, you can click to add it to your favorites~ (I'll revise the synopsis later, but the plot remains the same). Also, just wanted to shout it out: my drafts have surpassed 100,000! I've realized that after all this time, I still prefer writing to publishing. So happy! The dawn of victory is just around the corner! Hehehe [cheering][cheering][cheering]
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