Chapter 103, Episode 103: I'll come find you tomorrow night.
The three of them went downstairs one after the other.
Shen Mi walked at the back with her head down, her heart filled with unease as she wondered how much of what Jing Yuan had seen. Had he just arrived, or had he been watching for a long time? The thought of this possibility sent a chill down her spine.
The wooden steps beneath her feet creaked, each step like a warning bell ringing in her heart.
Dan Heng, walking ahead, remained calm and steady, occasionally glancing back at Shen Mi, who was walking at the back. He noticed that Shen Mi looked dazed, as if she had not yet recovered from her previous state.
Danheng assumed she was embarrassed after being caught.
A subtle ripple stirred within him at this thought. In that instant of close proximity, he clearly caught her flustered breathing and burning body temperature, like a reflection of the moon in water, lingering in his heart. Had they not been interrupted, they might have already naturally crossed the line of friendship.
Dan Heng pulled himself out of his turbulent thoughts, a faint smile playing on his lips, a stark contrast to Jing Yuan walking ahead.
Jing Yuan walked at the front, his back straight, a faint smile still on his lips, but his heart felt as if it were being slowly cut open by a dull knife, aching terribly.
Ever since I witnessed Shen Mi and Dan Heng's intimate behavior, my heart felt like it had been squeezed tightly, and I felt as cold and desolate as if I had fallen into a bottomless abyss.
He had always prided himself on being open-minded, never fearing loss, and not caring about gains or losses or honors in the eyes of others. But at this moment, he clearly felt an emotion called "jealousy," which grew in his heart like frost, cold and bone-chilling.
He had thought he could ignore it, ignore the special bond between them, ignore the fact that they were closer than he was. A smile and composure were always his best masks, allowing him to remain steadfast amidst the turbulent outside world. But the scene before him easily shattered his presumption. He saw her panic, saw her tightly held in Dan Heng's arms—an intimacy that no one else could easily offer.
He knew he had no right to question or stop them. But the more he tried to restrain himself, the more intense his resentment and bitterness became.
It turns out, she needed more than just one person...
Jing Yuan gently closed his eyes, concealing his hidden emotions. The corners of his lips still held a smile, but it was no longer as warm as before. Instead, it was more like a thin mask, completely concealing the storm in his heart.
If one day, fate cruelly presents you with a choice between two options...
What will happen to Chen Mi?
He dared not think further, yet he couldn't suppress the growing thought. Would she walk towards Danheng without hesitation? Would she not even spare a glance when he reached out his hand?
He didn't want to know the answer, and he was afraid to know it.
But this unknown turned into a sharp thorn in his heart, reminding him with every breath that if he didn't take the initiative, he might not even be able to hold onto the sand in his hand.
As he stepped down the last step, Jing Yuan put on a carefree smile again, his eyebrows curving upwards, and his voice as relaxed as ever.
"Danheng, could you help me wash the vegetables in a bit? Chenmi, could you sign for the package at the gate for me?"
Shen Mi was standing on the steps when she paused slightly. She had been pondering how to probe Jing Yuan's attitude, but unexpectedly, the next moment, she heard him call her name. His tone was gentle, as usual and natural, as if the scene from just moments ago had never happened.
She stared at him blankly, a moment of astonishment flashing in her eyes.
Seeing this, Jing Yuan's smile faded. He thought he had been presumptuous, so he lowered his head and said in a softer voice, "If it's inconvenient, I'll go by myself in a bit."
Shen Mi's heart tightened, and he quickly waved his hand, his tone urgent: "No, no! It's not that I'm unwilling."
She was a little flustered, afraid that he would misunderstand, and hadn't yet organized her explanation.
Jing Yuan then looked up, a hint of sadness flashing across his eyes, which was quickly concealed by a renewed smile. He nodded, feigning ease: "That's good. I thought you found it troublesome."
Shen Mi met his gaze, and her heart warmed slightly at that smile. Perhaps because she was already feeling guilty, she didn't have the energy to delve into the deeper meaning behind that smile, and simply assumed in her heart that Jing Yuan hadn't seen that scene.
Having reached this conclusion, she breathed a sigh of relief, put her smile back on her face, and acted as if nothing had happened.
The air at the stairwell seemed to lighten slightly because of their conversation, but only Jingyuan knew how much emotion he suppressed, showing her only his gentlest side. The more genuine his smile, the more intense the bitterness in his heart.
"Then I'll just put on my shoes and go out," Shen Mi said softly with a smile, pointing towards the entrance.
Jing Yuan smiled slightly, his eyes following her figure, and nodded as if casually: "Slow down, no need to rush."
Chen Mi squatted down to change his shoes, and as he pushed open the door, he turned around and waved to the two people inside: "Then I'll go first."
Her gaze swept over Jing Yuan briefly, but lingered on Dan Heng for a moment, then she gave him a light, solitary wave, as if bidding him farewell.
Jing Yuan saw this and his chest tightened suddenly, but the smile on his lips remained unchanged. However, there was an invisible chill in that smile.
Dan Heng met her gaze quietly and nodded almost imperceptibly, as if responding to her gesture with such a simple action.
The moment the door closed, the air inside the room instantly became still, leaving only the two of them standing silently.
"Alright, Danheng, let's go inside. We need to prepare dinner quickly. Shenmi seemed very tired when we came out of the prison this afternoon." Jingyuan gently placed his hand on Danheng's shoulder, seemingly unintentionally, yet carrying a subtle hint.
Dan Heng slightly raised his eyes, meeting Jing Yuan's calm yet profound gaze. Hearing his words, an indescribable emotion welled up within him. He nodded gently, remaining silent, then turned and walked into the house, each step suppressing the quietly surging ripples within him.
Jing Yuan withdrew his hand from Dan Heng's shoulder, a gentle smile still on his face, but a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.
——
Shen Mi stood at the door, waiting for the delivery bird to return, and the sky had already begun to darken. Just as she was about to go back and ask Jing Yuan about the situation, the tranquil and peaceful atmosphere was suddenly shattered by a familiar voice—
"Is this what you've been waiting for?"
In a corner where darkness and greenery intertwined, a figure stood silently for a long time. In her hands she held a package, presumably a delivery Jing Yuan had asked her to sign for.
Shen Mi took a few steps back, cautiously observing the figure that had appeared.
Ren noticed her retreating movement and scrutinizing gaze. He frowned unhappily and slowly emerged from among the weeping willows: "It's only been a day, and you can't even recognize my voice?"
Shen Mi was stunned for a moment, then realized it was Ren. Her heart tightened slightly, but she quickly managed to calm herself down and said softly, "Ren... what are you doing here?"
"Didn't I tell you? I would come back to find you."
Ren's gaze lingered on her for a moment, the seriousness and displeasure in his eyes seeming to soften slightly, but still carrying an undeniable sense of pressure. He handed her the package, his voice low and calm: "I didn't expect Jingyuan to be so good to you, even willing to give you something so valuable."
"What?" Shen Mi asked in confusion.
But Ren didn't intend to answer. He walked up to Shen Mi, looked at her wary expression, and gently stroked the dimple on her cheek, playfully pressing the indentation.
Seeing the surprised expression on Shen Mi's face, he chuckled softly and turned to leave, saying, "I'll come find you tomorrow night."
-----------------------
Author's Note: Shen Mi: Don't come any closer! (Bu Jingyun's terrified face) [Evil grin][Evil grin][Evil grin]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
