Chapter 68, Third Playthrough Begins
◎Jiang Mingzhuo◎
Third playthrough
I think I had a nightmare. In complete darkness, I felt a suffocating sensation, as if I couldn't breathe, and tears welled up in my eyes. I instinctively cried out, wanting comfort from the person next to me...
Turning around, my hand instinctively reached out and hugged the fluffy brown bear plush toy.
I realized something was wrong, and slowly opened my eyes. I could distinguish between dreams and reality, but the dream I just had was so real that it sent chills down my spine. It was as if I had been locked up in a large and luxurious house, but I couldn't find a single person.
As if I had survived a disaster, I breathed slightly and picked up my phone from the bedside table.
It's 6:30 in the morning.
The temperature in the Empire State has dropped significantly these past few days, reaching below -10 degrees Celsius. I've always preferred the warmth of my room and never get up before eight in the morning.
I belatedly felt a chill and realized I was completely soaked. I quickly got up and went into the bathroom. After showering, I realized I hadn't brought a change of nightgown. I instinctively opened my mouth slightly and said, "Help me..."
No, that's not right. It suddenly dawned on me in the steamy bathroom.
I've lived in this apartment alone since I can remember, so why do I subconsciously wish there was someone there?
Whether it's having a nightmare and wanting to hug someone, or being clumsy in the shower and forgetting to bring my skirt, I seem to have gotten used to having someone with me.
Warm water continued to fall from above, soaking my back and slowly sliding down my body's curves. I felt a slight urge to heat up, but I was too ashamed to admit that I had any desires, so I quickly finished washing and went out.
I sat in front of the mirror, slowly drying my hair, and glanced at myself in the mirror.
To be honest, I don't think I'm bad-looking. My friends, including Lu Qixi, have all complimented me on how pretty I am. But I don't think I've ever had a boyfriend. My face started to burn uncontrollably.
I attribute all those habitual, dependent actions to the fact that I want to be in a relationship.
After changing into my shirt and casually clipping my hair back with a hair clip, I made myself a decent breakfast in the kitchen, tidied up the house a bit, put on my scarf, and left the apartment.
Outside, the snow wasn't falling heavily. A black Maybach was parked by the roadside. A thin layer of snow covered the roof, indicating the car had been parked there for a long time. The body was gleaming, and the four 8s on the black and yellow license plate were quite eye-catching.
I stopped in my tracks, and before I could even speak, the window of the Maybach slowly slid down.
A perfect profile, flawless and without any faults, appeared before my eyes.
The man sat comfortably, with a face that was exceptionally handsome and well-proportioned. His features were so beautiful that they perfectly complemented his exquisite eyes. His brows were slightly raised, and his eyes held a hint of a smile. He exuded an air of nobility that made it almost impossible to look away.
"I thought I'd have to wait for you a while longer, but you're out so early. Get in the car," the man said to me. He had a faint smile on his lips, and even his voice was elegant and pleasant, making my heart flutter slightly.
“Mr. Jiang…” My heart started pounding, as if it were being squeezed tightly.
"I saw the weather forecast last night, it said it would snow heavily today. I'm going to a meeting at the company, and I'll give you a ride to school on my way." The man interrupted me, nodded slightly, and gave me a polite smile.
The man in front of me was named Jiang Mingzhuo, and he was only two years older than me. However, he was no ordinary person; he was the richest young master I had ever known.
Despite his gentle and polite smile, he is actually the true heir to the conglomerate. He wore a gray cashmere sweater with no discernible brand, over which he wore an open-necked shirt, which was overly casual and overly arrogant.
The fact that he has complete freedom to dress as he pleases precisely demonstrates that he stands at the top of the privileged class, possessing ample rights and status.
Even though those elites at the investment banks on Financial Street may look impeccably dressed in suits, in the end, they are all serving young masters like him who were born with a silver spoon in their mouths.
While I was still lost in thought, Jiang Mingzhuo got out of the car, opened the door, and gentlemanly extended his hand to me, saying, "Come here."
His inherent arrogance was revealed without warning at this moment. Seeing that I was still standing there, Jiang Mingzhuo lowered his eyes slightly and apologized to me in a low voice, "I'm sorry, Xiao Fu, I'm used to speaking in this tone. Please get in the car first, okay?"
I walked over and was led to the back seat of the car.
The car door slowly closed, and I suddenly tensed up, as if it were a conditioned reflex of fear. However, I didn't know why this feeling suddenly appeared. I turned my head slightly, and Jiang Mingzhuo was taking out a tissue to wipe the snowflakes that had fallen on my hair.
"Look, you've been standing outside for so long, your hair is all wet." Jiang Mingzhuo's fingers were long and beautiful, but his movements only went as far as a gentlemanly service to a woman, without any hint of ambiguity. He wiped his hair and then restrained himself from using his hand.
In that instant, his fingertips seemed to brush against my cheek unintentionally.
The moment our skin touched, when I realized what was happening, Jiang Mingzhuo slightly curled his lips.
I felt a little itchy on my cheek, and when I looked down at my scarf, I felt a bit embarrassed.
Actually, Jiang Mingzhuo and I can't really be considered friends... Our acquaintance was quite simple.
Before the final exams, the professor held a small art exhibition for the entire major at his private gallery.
On the first day of the exhibition, I was a little nervous and went to the gallery alone.
The space here isn't very large, but the decor is very modern. The snow-white walls are covered with paintings of different themes and styles, while the spiral staircase features architectural designs and sculptures.
The gallery's design is quite artistic, with high-end and textured materials used for the decorations next to the paintings. Large glass windows above allow the gentle winter sunlight to stream in, making the gallery bright and easy to immerse oneself in.
I found my own landscape painting at the corner of the corridor.
To my surprise, there was already a tall, perfectly proportioned young man standing there. He was wearing a light gray coat, and his broad shoulders and narrow waist made the coat look both relaxed and stylish. At the cuffs, a deep sea blue Richard Mille logo was faintly visible.
I was a little curious, so I went closer.
A faint smile played on the man's lips. His appearance was strikingly superior and handsome. Sunlight streamed directly into his eyes through the glass overhead window.
He seemed somewhat nonchalant, with a cold sharpness, but at this moment he smiled, suddenly turned his head, and looked at me standing not far away.
That arrogance vanished instantly.
Instead, there is a very charming gentleness and politeness.
Did you draw this?
The man spoke in a low voice, enunciating clearly, giving him the air of an elegant young nobleman.
Although there are many handsome and tall guys at school, none of them gave me this feeling. I instinctively sensed a bit of danger. I think it was the undisguised sense of superiority and haughty arrogance that came from the man.
He and I are clearly from two different worlds.
I nodded hesitantly.
“It’s beautiful,” he said, a slight smile playing on his lips. His eyes and brows seemed to take your breath away under the light. “The colors are clean, and the composition is unique.”
Hearing him say that, I looked at my own painting. Actually, it wasn't anything special. It was a painting that often appeared in my dreams, filled with light pink roses, blooming delicately and beautifully, but about to be swallowed up by the darkness behind them.
My professor once commented that although my paintings looked clear in brushstrokes and clean in color, she always felt they were too oppressive. Paintings can always reflect the creator's state of mind to a certain extent. She earnestly advised me that if the pressure was too much, I should learn to see a psychologist.
I was a little frustrated until the man in front of me praised me in a very gentle tone.
"Jiang Mingzhuo." He extended his hand to me, introducing himself with a charming smile.
I stood there stunned, not knowing why, but I felt a strange sense of panic in front of him. At first, I attributed it all to the fact that he was obviously a rich man.
Unlike the rich kids at school who fawned over me and were still using their parents' credit cards, I could sense that the man in front of me possessed not only money, but also top-tier power that allowed him to be so composed and patient.
He was like a hunter who had the upper hand in a game of hunter and prey, never panicking.
"My name is... Jiang Fu."
"What a coincidence, we even have the same last name."
Even so, I didn't seem to detect the slightest hint of surprise in his eyes. This led me to conclude that he was different from the other men who pursued me; perhaps he simply appreciated my paintings.
I smiled gently and said, "Thank you for appreciating this painting. I haven't graduated yet... and I don't have any works that have been formally exhibited. I'm very happy to hear you say that."
Jiang Mingzhuo changed his expression. He stopped forcing a smile and stared intently at me, making me feel a little uneasy. I had heard my professor say that wealthy people are often moody, their emotions fluctuating between good and bad. Had I said something that angered him?
Perhaps it was because I subconsciously showed a look of fear, but Jiang Mingzhuo simply relaxed his features and slightly curled his lips, "No, there are many works hanging here, and yours is still the most eye-catching."
I was a little embarrassed by such a straightforward compliment, so Jiang Mingzhuo took the opportunity to start chatting with me.
His views on art were entirely based on the beautiful and noble aesthetics that the old Qian family had built with money. In front of me, he always appeared as an elegant and refined young nobleman, gentle, considerate, and polite, which enveloped me gently.
Before parting, I politely thanked him for his praise earlier that day. As I turned to leave, I glanced casually at the clean, bright glass outside the gallery, where Jiang Mingzhuo's image was reflected. His gaze was fixed on me, and after the last trace of gentleness faded from his eyes, all that remained was sharpness and indifference, carrying the natural oppressive aura of a superior, and an emotion that... I couldn't quite place.
I felt a little panicked.
But when I blinked, Jiang Mingzhuo seemed to sense my gaze, and his expression returned to calm, as if it had just been my imagination.
"What's wrong?" he asked me from behind, his tone full of concern. "You don't look well."
"...Maybe I forgot to eat this morning." I lied, but Jiang Mingzhuo didn't notice. He patiently walked up to me, displaying his gentlemanly manners. "I'll treat you to something to eat, and then I'll take you back to school."
And just like that, naturally, and as if I had no right to refuse at all, I got into the car with him.
After the art exhibition ended, I learned from the professor that all the works of our group of students had been bought by an unknown wealthy man. I was happy, but at the same time, I had a vague feeling that this person might be Jiang Mingzhuo.
The car suddenly stopped abruptly!
My body trembled, and my thoughts were immediately pulled back to the present moment. Seeing my panicked appearance, Jiang Mingzhuo put down the tablet in his hand and looked at the driver with sharp and arrogance.
"What happened?"
"Young master, I'm sorry..." The driver turned his head, his face apologetic, "There seems to be a stray cat lying in the middle of the road ahead, and I was afraid of hitting it."
"Cat?" Jiang Mingzhuo raised his voice slightly at the end, and his voice suddenly sent a chill down my spine for no reason.
What exactly happened? Could it be the effect of the nightmare? I looked at Jiang Mingzhuo's expressionless face, biting my lip. He frowned slightly, and I hurriedly looked away.
Jiang Mingzhuo opened the car door. I waited in the car for a while, but then I got a little worried, so I got out of the car with him.
The road ahead was gradually covered with snow and frost. Jiang Mingzhuo picked up a dirty little cat and took off his coat to cover the shivering stray cat. The cat was still breathing, but it was very weak. Jiang Mingzhuo carefully held it tight, and I saw something soft in his eyes.
“Mr. Jiang…” I said.
He looked at me and said, "Xiao Fu, this kitten seems to be sick and hungry. I'd like to take it to the vet. Can you go to school first?"
I was a little dazed. Jiang Mingzhuo simply walked over, and I saw the kitten in his arms. It was extremely fragile, and even its meows were weak and feeble. I really like cute little pets like kittens and puppies, and seeing such a pitiful kitten made me feel even worse.
I quickly spoke up, "Mr. Jiang, I'd like to go with you."
Jiang Mingzhuo blinked.
He curled the corners of his lips into a smile, seemingly quite satisfied with my answer.
Following Jiang Mingzhuo's instructions, the driver drove to the nearest pet clinic. As soon as the car stopped, he eagerly took the kitten inside. I followed closely behind him. The veterinarian carefully took the kitten and placed it on the bed.
After a simple physical examination, the doctor told us that the kitten was just malnourished. He had already fed it some prepared goat milk powder, dewormed it, and given it a vaccination.
After a while, once the medical examination report comes out, we can leave with it.
Jiang Mingzhuo visibly relaxed. I had been observing him silently, even somewhat stunned. It was quite unexpected that a gentle and kind man like him, especially one from a wealthy family who had grown up in the upper echelons of society, would worry about the safety of a stray cat.
“Mr. Jiang, thanks to you, the kitten is alright.” I said to him. I noticed that his long, slender fingers, which could be described as works of art, were covered in mud and water from the kitten because he was holding it. I took out a handkerchief from my bag. “Mr. Jiang, let me wipe it for you.”
Jiang Mingzhuo lowered his raven-feather-like eyelashes and stared intently at me, his gaze seemingly fixed solely on me. The aggression in his eyes was quickly replaced by a smile. He smiled and moved closer to me, saying, "Thank you, Xiao Fu."
Instantly, his faint fragrance swept over us from all around.
My hand trembled slightly, and even my eyelashes shook uncontrollably. I attributed it all to the obvious class difference between Jiang Mingzhuo and me, and the fact that I rarely spent time alone with such a privileged person. I tried my best not to arouse suspicion and slowly wiped his fingers clean.
"Xiao Fu".
"Mr. Jiang?"
Jiang Mingzhuo's voice grew darker: "Call me by my name, okay?"
Before I could utter a sound, he took the initiative and gripped my hand tightly, forcing me to stand before him. The cool, silvery scent of mountain spring emanating from Jiang Mingzhuo made my already tense heart beat even faster.
Jiang Mingzhuo looked at me and I vaguely heard a soft laugh. His dark eyes were fixed on me, and my throat felt dry. I wasn't sure if this was proof that I had feelings for him, but deep down I knew that I was a little afraid of him.
I had no choice but to go along with his wishes, "...Mingzhuo".
His smile deepened. "Xiao Fu, call me that from now on too. Our relationship..."
As he finished speaking, Jiang Mingzhuo's tone rose slightly, "I hope we can be friends. I have a very cute Siamese cat at home, and I'd like to bring this one home today to keep it company. Would you like to come and play with them?"
I don't seem to know how to handle Jiang Mingzhuo's kindness. I'm so awkward and don't know how to respond, but Jiang Mingzhuo is still holding my hand. He's not using any force, but I can't break free, as if I'm being held in his palm.
"I know, but I have to work part-time at the store these few days. I'll accept your invitation in a few days when the kitten is feeling better, okay?"
“Of course.” Jiang Mingzhuo easily released his hand.
He always realizes his forceful actions just a second before I'm about to resist out of fear, and then subtly reverts to his elegant and dignified demeanor. I rarely assume malice in others, and besides, Jiang Mingzhuo is the only person who has ever praised my talent for drawing, so I have some subtle feelings for him.
I think it's because someone as privileged as him rarely lowers his pride to interact with others, which is why he felt so uncomfortable being alone with me.
“I want to see your cat,” I said to him.
Jiang Mingzhuo calmly took out his phone. His photo album was almost entirely filled with pictures of the beautiful Siamese cat. He had even set a picture of the cat sleeping as his screensaver. I couldn't help but wonder if I was making a mountain out of a molehill.
He's clearly a gentle, polite man who upholds gentlemanly manners, so why do I subconsciously feel that he's difficult to get along with?
As I watched the videos and photos of the cat, I completely forgot I was still in the clinic. I would occasionally laugh out loud at the adorable cat in the photos. Jiang Mingzhuo patiently explained to me that the cat was only six months old, but very mischievous and always liked to steal food...
Ah, eating.
I thought of the little stray cat still lying in the hospital bed. Strangely, when I looked up, I noticed that the few nurses in the clinic all turned their heads and shifted their gazes at the same time. I glanced around sensitively and sensed something a little scary.
No one came to tell us how the kitten was recovering or whether it had woken up. These nurses seemed to be waiting for Jiang Mingzhuo and me, like background figures in a movie, quietly waiting for our next move.
The doctor also tacitly avoided showing up.
When I left my "two-person world" with Jiang Mingzhuo, they all returned to normal as if nothing had happened.
[Author's Note]
In reality, Jiang Mingzhuo was always creating a facade of gentleness for Xiao Fu. He understood Xiao Fu's personality, knew her vulnerability, and knew that Xiao Fu had lived under someone else's roof since childhood. She would automatically adjust and adapt to things that made her uncomfortable. So, if Jiang Mingzhuo hadn't gone mad, Xiao Fu would have lived her whole life in the warm haven he created. But when this illusion was shattered, she would suffer immensely.
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