The moment Jiang Fei touched Jiang Cuo's fingers, she had only one feeling.
cold.
It wasn't the coldness in the limbs, but a chilling, sickly feeling emanating from within.
Jiang Fei lowered her eyes and immediately noticed several scars on Jiang Cuo's slightly exposed wrist that meandered and disappeared into the cuff.
She raised an eyebrow, her grip tightening slightly without her noticing, and then looked up to meet Jiang Cuo's gaze.
He was also looking at her, seemingly unaware of the sudden increase in her strength. He casually let go of her hand, his bright, jewel-like eyes clear and shy.
"Alright, it's getting late. Auntie has already tidied up the room upstairs, right across from Jiang Jiang's room. Go and rest first." Jiang's father and Auntie Wen exchanged a glance, their earlier anxiety about the two children not getting along dissipating somewhat.
“Okay,” Jiang Fei smiled at Jiang Cuo, “I’ll take Xiao Cuo to his room.”
Father Jiang nodded.
Jiang Fei glanced at Jiang Cuo: "Let's go, little brother."
Jiang Cuo followed behind Jiang Fei, watching her back as she wore a long A-line dress, her slightly curled long hair cascading down her back, swaying gently, her slender waist, and her flawless, snow-white shoulders.
She seemed like a well-protected little princess, but the way she unconsciously tightened her grip on his hand just now betrayed that she wasn't as friendly to him as she appeared.
A wealthy young lady who is somewhat cunning but still foolish.
It's still the same as before.
When he was six years old, he traveled alone, covered in wounds, across most of the city, and found this place. What he saw was the woman he should have called "mother," holding the little princess's hand and tidying her messy long hair.
Then, the woman saw him, but she only looked at him with fear and her face turned pale, as if he were not her child.
After watching for a long time, she grabbed the little princess's hand and hurriedly left.
They didn't even recognize each other.
Only the little princess—as she was led away by the woman—turned back and smiled gently at him.
It's wonderful.
It makes you want to destroy it, to watch it fall apart.
“Your room is right here,” Jiang Fei stopped and turned to look at the silent boy behind her, then pointed to the side, “Mine is right across from your room.”
Jiang Cuo snapped out of her daze, nodded gently, and her fan-like eyelashes trembled slightly: "Thank you, sister."
"You're welcome." Jiang Fei smiled, turned around and went back to her room, but then suddenly remembered something, turned back and smiled brightly, "You can knock on my door anytime if you need anything."
Jiang Cuo nodded obediently as always.
Jiang Cuo smiled as he watched the door across the room close.
It's still so beautiful, but the more beautiful it is, the more one wants to see it shatter into pieces.
I wonder if this young lady, fallen to his former state and losing everything, would still be able to smile like she does now?
He really... couldn't wait to know the answer.
Jiang Cuo's favorability rating: -32.
It's dropped again.
Jiang Fei couldn't help but let out a soft hum as she listened to the system's report.
At such a young age, his mind has become so twisted.
But the best is yet to come.
Jiang Fei had originally taken two days off, but she still got up as usual the next morning.
Today is Ruan Tang's birthday, how could we forget her?
"Jiang Jiang?" Jiang's father was having breakfast in the dining room when he saw Jiang Fei and was surprised. "Didn't you say you were taking the day off?"
"I wasn't feeling well yesterday, but I feel much better this morning," Jiang Fei smiled.
"Remember to go to the hospital if you feel unwell again," Jiang's father instructed, then a second later he remembered something, "Jiang Jiang's final exams are coming up soon, right?"
"Um."
“I heard that most of the students in your class are high-achieving students, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself,” Jiang’s father paused, “Jiang Jiang, if all goes well, I would like to transfer Xiao Cuo to your school.”
After all, it's better for children with deep psychological trauma to have a completely new environment.
No sooner had he finished speaking than a faint noise came from upstairs.
Jiang Fei looked up and saw Jiang Cuo standing at the top of the stairs looking at her.
"Good morning, little brother." Jiang Fei greeted him with a smile, then put down the milk cup in front of her. "Dad, I'm going to school."
After saying that, Jiang Fei turned around and walked outside.
Jiang Cuo watched her retreating figure until she reached the door, then he said innocently, "Good morning, sister."
Jiang Fei turned back with a smile, closed the main hall door, and left.
Jiang Cuo stared at the tightly closed door.
It's that same kind of laugh again.
...
The weather is a bit gloomy today.
After arriving at school, Song Yan sat in his usual corner seat. His handsome eyebrows were slightly lowered, and his pale complexion made him appear even more indifferent and aloof. However, he looked tired and obviously hadn't rested well.
Jiang Fei also took the day off today.
Song Yan glanced at the empty seat next to him, then looked away for a moment before focusing on the thick books in front of him.
When Ruan Tang came in, she immediately saw Song Yan. Even though he was dressed simply, he had an aura that set him apart from the people around him. He was noble and, like a poppy, attracted people to get closer.
He promised yesterday that he would celebrate her birthday with her today, but Jiang Fei didn't come...
Ruan Tang bit her lower lip, stood up and walked to Song Yan's side: "Song Yan..."
Before she could finish speaking, Song Yan almost immediately turned to look at her.
Ruan Tang's heart skipped a beat, and her face flushed slightly: "May I sit here?"
Song Yan paused, looking at the girl before him, unsure where the fleeting sense of loss in his heart had come from: "You..."
Just as he was about to speak, a haughty female voice came from behind Ruan Tang: "Sorry, classmate, this place is already taken."
Ruan Tang was startled and jumped. She turned around and saw Jiang Fei standing behind her. Her beautiful eyes and bright appearance made her feel ashamed of herself.
Ruan Tang bit her lip, and with a surge of courage, she said, "I want to hear Song Yan's reply."
Jiang Fei raised an eyebrow and looked at Song Yan: "Will you say yes to her, Song?"
Her tone was calm, but the undercurrent of her words was a blatant threat.
The smugness that had just risen in Song Yan's heart gradually cooled, turning into a strange anger. He looked at Ruan Tang: "Sorry..."
Before she could finish speaking, Ruan Tang's eyes reddened, and she turned and went to the other side.
Jiang Fei sat down next to Song Yan and gave him a smug look.
Song Yan pursed her lips and ignored her, only looking at the books in front of her, and the confusion in her heart inexplicably disappeared.
Jiang Fei smiled faintly, glanced at Ruan Tang, then leaned closer to Song Yan and asked, "Did you miss me?" She didn't lower her voice intentionally, and her tone was particularly ambiguous.
Without the cover of books, these frank words and the intimate actions of the two easily attracted everyone's attention.
Song Yan stared at her blankly, a sudden panic rising in his heart, and she became even more unrestrained.
Jiang Fei chuckled softly, "Hmm?" As she spoke, she moved even closer to him, her voice rising at the end, alluring and charming.
Her lips were no more than a finger's width away from his.
Some people around them had already turned away, embarrassed.
—There was the sound of a chair scraping against the floor nearby.
Song Yan suddenly snapped back to reality, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ruan Tang looking in his direction. Annoyed, he quickly stepped back to avoid her approach.
"I've already chosen you, what more do you want?" he asked in a low voice, his voice somewhat bewildered.
She didn't need to deliberately get close to him just to spite Ruan Tang.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Fei raised an eyebrow slightly: "Are you willing?"
Song Yan's eyelashes trembled slightly as she looked down at her book without responding.
Jiang Fei smiled and didn't ask any further questions or make any excessive moves.
Lunchtime.
The two went to the artificial hill behind the school as usual.
Jiang Fei ate very quietly, so quietly that Song Yan looked up at her several times.
Just as Jiang Fei picked up a piece of sliced egg and put it in her mouth, her wrist was suddenly grabbed.
Jiang Fei looked up and met Song Yan's gaze: "What?"
Song Yan looked at her: "Don't you not eat eggs?"
Jiang Fei glanced at the egg in her hand and then placed it into Song Yan's bowl.
Watching her movements, Song Yan felt inexplicably relieved. After thinking for a moment, he picked up a peeled shrimp and put it into her bowl.
Jiang Fei looked at the shrimp in the bowl, narrowed her eyes, and then looked at Song Yan: "Do you need something from me?"
Song Yan frowned: "What?"
Jiang Fei picked up a piece of shrimp: "Otherwise, why would you suddenly be so kind?"
Song Yan paused, lowered his head, and silently ate his meal, ignoring her completely.
Jiang Fei watched his movements, then suddenly chuckled, pushed the lunchbox aside, and leaned over to rest her head on his lap.
Song Yan's body stiffened.
Jiang Fei squinted at his chin and the Adam's apple bobbing up and down. She thought for a moment, then reached out and touched his Adam's apple, gently stroking it. Song Yan noticed her playful gesture, which was entirely for teasing. His hand holding the chopsticks paused, feeling humiliated yet somehow used to it. He said in a hoarse voice, "Stop it."
"Hmm?" Jiang Fei ignored him and changed her stroking to light tapping, tapping him with her fingertips in rhythm with the movement of his Adam's apple.
"Jiang Fei." Song Yan's voice was low and husky as he looked down at her, his gaze unconsciously falling on her red lips.
Jiang Fei chuckled softly, and, taking advantage of the angle at which he was looking down, reached out and put her arm around the back of his neck: "Are you going to work tonight?"
Song Yan paused for a moment before responding softly, "...Mm."
Jiang Fei curved her lips into a smile, tightened her grip, and forced him to lower his head.
Song Yan leaned down slightly, his breath ragged as he entwined with hers. Her delicate fragrance filled his nostrils, and her warm breath brushed against his lips, causing his heart to flutter slightly. This made him increasingly confused, his eyelashes trembling as he awaited her next move.
Jiang Fei chuckled, then released him, sat up, and said seriously, "This is not a good thing."
Song Yan's tense body stiffened, and he froze, a sense of loss and grievance suddenly welling up in his heart.
Why didn't she ever notice the "negative impact" before, but now...
What made Song Yan feel awkward was that in the afternoon, Jiang Fei did not do anything out of line to him, but instead listened to the lesson quietly.
—The weather grew increasingly gloomy until school ended.
Song Yan rode his bicycle with Jiang Fei on the back. She sat quietly on the back, gently holding his waist—they were silent the whole way.
Upon reaching the foot of the Song family's building, Song Yan couldn't help but ask, "How could you..."
"Huh?" Jiang Fei looked at him, puzzled, then laughed. "What, want to give me a goodbye kiss?"
Song Yan was suddenly brought back to his senses by her words.
Yes, what is he doing? Isn't it better for Jiang Fei not to force him to do anything?
After pursing his lips, Song Yan rode his bicycle and disappeared at the intersection ahead.
Jiang Fei watched his retreating figure, smiled slightly, and went upstairs.
The old man remained as warm and friendly as ever. After Jiang Fei went through the motions of examining the old man's eyes, he also checked the old man's legs. The legs, which had atrophied due to old age, were not an illness and were difficult to cure; the old man could only move around frequently.
After the old man rested, Jiang Fei realized that it had started raining outside. The rain was light, but it easily wetted the ground.
Jiang Fei hesitated for a moment, then picked up his umbrella and went outside.
...
Dining room.
Ruan Tang waited anxiously, and after a while she finally saw that familiar figure. She quickly stood up.
Song Yan walked in and handed over the velvet box in her hand: "Happy birthday."
Ruan Tang opened the brocade box, her eyes wide with surprise: "It's a star ring necklace!" she exclaimed, looking at her excitedly, "I knew it, Song Yan, I knew you still remembered that I said I liked this..."
"Don't waste your time on me anymore." Song Yan's voice rang out in the quiet restaurant, cutting off Ruan Tang's words.
Ruan Tang's voice stopped abruptly, and the joy that had just risen in her eyes froze: "What are you saying, Song Yan?"
“I’m not the person you imagine me to be,” Song Yan said, lowering his eyes. “I can never reciprocate your feelings, and besides, I’m with Jiang Fei now…”
"Did Jiang Fei say something to you?" Ruan Tang walked up to him, looked up at him, and said, "I saw everything that happened today, Song Yan. Did Jiang Fei make some demands on you...?"
"Ruan Tang!"
"I can wait for you!" Ruan Tang suddenly choked up. "Song Yan, you don't like her, do you?"
Song Yan paused and looked down at her.
Ruan Tang cautiously reached out and hugged him: "Song Yan, I can wait for you..."
Song Yan's body stiffened, feeling as if he were covered in thorns.
Just then, a waiter at the restaurant entrance politely asked, "Miss, are you looking for someone?"
Song Yan was stunned for a moment, a strange unease rising in his heart. He turned his head to look, but when he saw the girl at the door, his face turned pale and he took a step back.
Jiang Fei.
She was standing there, her long hair wet with rain, holding that familiar umbrella in her hand.
Jiang Fei looked at him quietly for a long time, then nodded gently, placed the umbrella in her hand against the wall at the restaurant entrance, and turned to walk into the rain.
Just like when the two first met.
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