Chapter 2
Spoiled? Ran away with someone else?
Those words, like ice-hardened needles, pierced Xia Wan's eardrums, bringing a sharp sting and an indescribable chill. She subconsciously clenched her fingers, her well-manicured nails digging deep into the soft flesh of her palms, leaving several distinct crescent-shaped marks, yet strangely, they masked the sudden surge of bitterness in her heart. Could there be anyone who wouldn't cherish the love he gave her?
She quickly lowered her eyes, her thick eyelashes trembling slightly like injured butterfly wings, staring intently at the golden beer in front of her that Wang had just forced into her. The clear beer reflected the distorted light of the crystal chandelier, as well as her own pale, blood-depleted reflection.
"Tsk... this..." Wang Qiang obviously hadn't expected Jiang Yu to respond so bluntly and coldly. He was speechless for a moment, and the smile on his face froze there, looking a little embarrassed. He opened his mouth, as if trying to smooth things over, but he didn't know what to say.
The atmosphere was so tense that it was almost suffocating.
"Ahem," squad leader Liu Jianhong, who was accustomed to such situations, immediately broke the silence with a light cough, put a smile on his face again, and tried to change the subject, "Let's not talk about the past, let's not talk about it! Come on, it's a rare occasion for us to get together, let's raise our glasses! Let's drink to our ten years of friendship!" He was the first to raise his glass high.
"Yes, yes, yes! Cheers!" Lin Wei reacted immediately and quickly raised her glass, while gently nudging Xia Wan, who was standing stiffly, with her elbow.
"Cheers!" "Ten years!"
Several students around him responded, and the awkward atmosphere was temporarily alleviated. The glasses clinked together, making a crisp and pleasant tinkling sound.
Xia Wan, as if awakened by the crisp sound, mechanically raised the beer in front of her. The cold glass stung her burning palm. Without even glancing up to see Jiang Yu's expression, she tilted her head back and gulped down the golden liquid, bubbling with bitterness. The icy liquid slid down her throat, like a line of ice, sinking straight to the bottom of her stomach. It caused a slight spasm, but strangely, it suppressed the inexplicable sob in her throat.
The pungent liquid churned in his stomach, quickly emitting a wave of heat that flowed through his bloodstream and into his limbs. Xia Wan set down the empty cup, feeling the burning sensation intensify in his cheeks and ears. A faint halo even began to appear at the edge of his vision.
"Xia Wan has a huge drink!" Wang Qiang seemed to have found a new outlet for his anger and immediately started shouting. He took the bottle and filled it up for her without saying anything. "Come on, come on, another glass! We haven't seen each other for ten years, we must drink to our heart's content!"
"That's right, Xia Wan, you can't avoid drinking!" Another male classmate also laughed and cheered.
Xia Wan didn't refuse. She even felt the cool liquid and the burning sensation in her throat was a relief, a temporary antidote to numb her nerves and save her from having to face that gaze. She practically accepted everything, downing cup after cup. Lin Wei tried to stop her several times, but she gently brushed her hand away.
"It's okay, Vivi, be happy." She heard her own voice with a strange, light smile.
She deliberately avoided Jiang Yu's direction, her gaze wandering aimlessly through the bustling crowd. The lights, the figures, the laughter, the clinking of glasses... everything seemed hazy and unreal, as if separated by a layer of swaying waves. Only the burning fire in her stomach reminded her that she was still in this unsettling situation.
Yet, no matter how her gaze drifted, that dark gray, tall figure remained, like a magnet, stubbornly occupying the corner of her vision. He held a wine glass, occasionally clinking glasses with others, a distant and appropriate smile on his lips, calmly responding to the various greetings. His posture was so effortless, as if the previous conversation about "spoiling" and "running off with someone" was just an insignificant speck of dust that he had already gently brushed away.
This complete, indifferent indifference, more than any drastic reaction, filled Xia Wan with a chilling despair. Ten years had truly been a one-man show for her. Her heartbeat, her embarrassment, her bitterness… in his eyes, they were probably less interesting than the swaying wine in his glass.
The alcohol in her stomach churned even more violently, and a strong feeling of nausea surged up. Xia Wan suddenly covered her mouth, her face turning pale in an instant.
"Weiwei..." She grabbed Lin Wei's arm, her voice trembling with pain, "I...I'm going to the bathroom."
"I'll go with you!" Lin Wei saw that her face looked bad and immediately supported her.
Xia Wan shook her head, suppressing the discomfort. "No need... I know the way. Just some fresh air will be fine." She broke free from Lin Wei's hand and, almost stumbling, hurried towards the bathroom in her memory. She needed to escape from here, from the suffocating light, from the pervasive, unsettling presence.
She walked through the bustling crowd, past the massive champagne tower and long tables laden with exquisite snacks. The restrooms were in a relatively quiet corridor at the end of the banquet hall. Xia Wan held onto the cold wall, feeling a sense of lightness with each step, the world spinning slightly before her eyes.
Finally, she saw the door with the golden handle. She pushed it open and rushed in with a wavering step. It was empty, lit only by soft lighting and the faint scent of incense. She rushed to the sink, turned on the ice-cold faucet, scooped up a handful of cool water, and slapped it hard on her burning face. The cold water dripped down her cheeks, bringing a moment of clarity.
She looked up at herself in the mirror. Her eye makeup was a little smudged, the mascara smudged a little on her lower eyelid, leaving a faint black mark. Her cheeks were unusually red, and her eyes were hazy and watery. She looked disheveled and vulnerable.
She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. The churning in her stomach seemed to be subsided a little by the cold water, but her head felt even more dizzy. She needed to find a place to sit and relax.
Lounge. She vaguely remembered there was a lounge at the other end of the corridor. It seemed empty and quiet.
Xia Wan took out a few tissues and wiped the water droplets off her face. She pushed open the bathroom door with unsteady steps and walked towards the half-open door with a "Lounge" sign hanging on it at the end of the corridor.
She just wanted to find a quiet place, be alone for a while, let the chaotic heartbeat and dizziness subside. She didn't even have the energy to think about why the door of the lounge was ajar.
However, just as she reached out to push open the half-closed door, the door was pulled open from the inside.
A figure appeared at the door.
A dark grey suit, an open white shirt collar, and a familiar scent of cold aftershave wafted over him.
Xia Wan was caught off guard. His body had already lost balance due to the alcohol, and the sudden force of the door opening caused him to fall forward uncontrollably.
The expected impact with hard ground did not come.
Her forehead slammed hard against something warm and solid. It was a human chest. At the same time, a dry, strong hand grabbed her wrist, stopping her from falling completely.
The force was so strong that it hurt her wrist bones.
Xia Wan looked up, startled. The alcohol had blurred her vision, and the figure before her seemed to be through a layer of frosted glass. But she still recognized the sharp lines of the jaw and the prominent Adam's apple beneath the slightly open shirt collar.
It’s Jiangyu.
He obviously didn't expect to run into her here. A trace of clear surprise flashed across his dark brown eyes, and then his brows habitually frowned, with a look of displeasure at being disturbed.
"You..." He just uttered one word.
"I'm sorry!" Xia Wan jerked her hand away as if burned, taking a frantic step back, trying to distance herself. Alcohol and shock had left her mind blank, leaving only an instinctive apology. However, her steps were weak, and as she stepped back, her lower back slammed hard against the cold corridor wall. The pain made her gasp, and the impact and dizziness completely lost her support, causing her to slide softly down the wall.
She slumped onto the smooth, cold marble floor, her off-white skirt unfurling. Her forehead ached where it had hit his chest, and the dull ache of her lower back where it had slammed against the wall spread. Her wrist still clung to the warmth and strength of his grip. The pain, the alcohol-induced dizziness, and the overwhelming embarrassment instantly overwhelmed her.
She lowered her head, her scattered hair hiding her flushed cheeks and the moisture that might have welled up in her eyes. Her ears were buzzing, and all she could hear was the rapid and chaotic beating of her own heart, which beat against her eardrums like a drum.
The corridor was deathly silent. The soft light from overhead cast a shadow on her curled-up figure, making it appear elongated and lonely. She could feel the condescending gaze, weighing down on her with scrutiny and perhaps even impatience.
Time seemed to freeze. Xia Wan bit her lower lip tightly, tasting a hint of rusty sweetness. She didn't dare look up, didn't dare see Jiang Yu's expression. She just wanted to curl up into a ball, shrink into the cracks in the floor tiles, and disappear into this suffocating embarrassment.
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