Chapter 56
Jin Chuwan hadn't returned yet after quite a while, so Jin Chaoyang, who was hiding in the room, peeked out.
On the long corridor of the old-fashioned low building, the two stood facing each other, one in black and one in white, clearly distinct. Because they were quite far apart, Jin Chaoyang couldn't hear what they were saying, only a few low, hoarse laughs that he could hear intermittently.
As the author, she naturally loves the characters she created, but along with that love comes a sense of fear, probably because the timeline she created has already ended.
Although in reality, she probably never really controlled anything.
Jin Chuwan had her back to Jin Chaoyang, so she didn't see the gesture of encouragement that Jin Chuwan secretly made to Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen noticed this, so he chuckled softly. He patiently waited for Jin Chuwan to finish her porridge, and then subconsciously raised his hand.
But Kim Cho-wan suddenly took a half step back.
She looked at Jiang Chen, his well-defined fingertips hovering in front of her, but then quickly turning to point at the top of his head.
"Your hair is sticking up here."
Jin Chuwan paused for a moment, then reached out and tidied herself up haphazardly. But since she didn't have a mirror, she couldn't see the effect. All she could see was Jiang Chen suddenly turning his head and chuckling.
It was obvious that he was making fun of her.
Jin Chuwan was somewhat exasperated, but she maintained her principles and composure as an adult.
She suppressed her laughter and instead praised him with the satisfaction and approval of an elder.
"You are much more cheerful now than before."
Jin Chuwan placed the empty thermos lid on the railing, and Jiang Chen readily refilled it for her, his smile undiminished.
"Really? So you think I wasn't outgoing enough before?"
Jiang Chen's question prompted Jin Chuwan to recall seriously, but she soon regretfully discovered that although Jiang Chen in her memory was cold and indifferent, he had many friends, and probably no one would think he was a gloomy person.
The one with the gloomy expression is her.
The two looked at each other, and Jiang Chen gladly accepted Jin Chuwan's silence once again.
The red date porridge that had just been poured was still steaming. Jin Chuwan didn't touch it, but Jiang Chen picked it up and took a sip. He pretended not to see Jin Chuwan's expectant look as she suddenly glanced over, and casually draped one arm over the brick railing.
How much do you know about Yin Zhihua's family affairs?
When Jiang Chen brought up serious matters, Jin Chuwan also became serious.
"I don't know, I just know that he seems to be running away from his wedding."
Jiang Chen finished the small cup of hot porridge in two gulps. As he screwed the thermos back on, he looked at Jin Chuwan.
Her eyes didn't show much curiosity; she was clearly not interested in what Yin Zhihua was like.
He knew that Kim Cho-wan was always like this, but he still felt relaxed.
"It's better if you don't know. Just know that you should try to mind your own business as little as possible. His relationship with his family is very strained, and as far as I know, the two families have already finalized this marriage. Whether Zhihua likes it or not, he won't be able to get rid of this so easily. So if you continue to help her, you may be misunderstood by their elders."
Having lived in this world for so long, this was the first time Jin Chuwan had encountered such a plot, and she showed an interested expression.
"If I'm misunderstood, will their elders try to force me out with money?"
In the romantic movies and TV shows of this world, there are many scenes where people test each other's character with money. Jiang Chen used to watch one or two of these scenes with Jin Chuwan, so he quickly understood Jin Chuwan's teasing.
But he sighed.
"Stop dreaming. Instead of fantasizing about these things, why don't you try to coax me?"
As Jiang Chen spoke, he suddenly moved a few inches closer to Jin Chuwan, his dark, narrow eyes revealing neither a mockery nor a serious expression.
"If you lie to me, or pretend to like me for a while, you'll get more than what's shown on TV."
Jin Chuwan was stunned for a moment, looking at the boy in front of her with confusion and speechlessness.
This time, she couldn't maintain her composure; she pushed Jiang Chen away, keeping the two at a proper distance.
"What you're saying sounds like the kind of thing that involves someone who's using their money to support college students... a middle-aged pervert."
Jin Chuwan was serious, but her words seemed to amuse Jiang Chen.
He narrowed his eyes, raised the corners of his lips, and let out a soft chuckle.
"Then you can just consider me a pervert."
Jin Chu also smiled, but her smile was so stiff that it had no beauty whatsoever.
The boy before her was tall and handsome. He was so much younger than her, yet he was often more mature and rational. Jin Chuwan didn't know if this was because he was the protagonist, or if she was just naturally slow-witted.
In fact, when Jiang Chen confessed his feelings to her, Jin Chuwan was initially shocked but also somewhat flattered.
There's nothing wrong with him; he's handsome, elegant, aloof and arrogant yet handles things with ease.
But she simply couldn't bring herself to fall for him.
Jin Chuwan sighed. She knew this wasn't Jiang Chen's problem; it was hers. She might have some kind of heart or brain problem.
She can maintain a basic friendly relationship with anyone, but if the other person gets too close, she just wants to run away.
That kind of overly deep emotional relationship was something she couldn't handle.
A casual, not-too-close, but not-too-distant friendship is fine.
So she spoke up again to persuade Jiang Chen: "We grew up together. I think it was good the way we were before. You were in your circle, and I was in mine. I don't know when you developed feelings for me, but have you ever thought that it might just be your illusion? Because you feel grateful that I saved you, you have some goodwill towards me. It's also possible that we spent a lot of time together, so after we separated, you mistook temporary discomfort for love."
As Jin Chuwan spoke, she glanced at Jiang Chen, but his reaction was indifferent, and it was unclear whether he had listened attentively.
“Besides, now that you’ve started taking over the family affairs, you’re so busy. Those impulsive feelings will be forgotten quickly.” Jin Chuwan continued to observe Jiang Chen’s expression. “Jiang Chen, listen to me, I really don’t understand what there is to like about me. You know I’m cold and gloomy, and even when I said I liked you before, it was just toying with you—”
Jin Chuwan suddenly fell silent as she spoke.
Because she made a slip of the tongue, she broke her principle of not angering the protagonist in order to persuade someone.
She felt her heart suddenly pounding, but she still bravely looked at Jiang Chen.
The boy had a calm expression, and when he wasn't smiling, he always gave people an invisible sense of pressure, which Jin Chuwan was now experiencing.
Those dark eyes were somewhat unfocused, as if they were deep in thought.
She waited, and she guessed. She guessed he would walk away with a cold laugh, or angrily accuse her of being ungrateful.
Before long, Jiang Chen nodded in agreement.
Jin Chuwan breathed a sigh of relief as her heartbeat gradually calmed down, and then she heard a lighthearted voice reply.
"Then let's continue to play around."
As Jiang Chen spoke, he looked up at the scenery beyond the fence, his tall stature and relaxed, languid demeanor suggesting he was in a relaxed state.
For a moment, Jin Chuwan was unsure whether the other person was talking to her.
"What?"
Jiang Chen finally turned around and answered Jin Chuwan: "I told you to keep toying with me, why did you stop? You said it's fine to stay the same, but you used to be by my side. If I said we could go back to the past, would you come back to me immediately?"
Jin Chuwan was truly stunned this time. She couldn't quite process what Jiang Chen was saying. She recognized every single word he said, but when they were put together, it was like a poem in modern literature that she couldn't understand.
But he didn't seem to have any intention of letting her go. Jiang Chen raised his hand and this time he successfully smoothed out the stray strand of hair on Jin Chuwan's head.
"You say my feelings are just my illusion, but what exactly constitutes an illusion? I don't understand either. Why don't you stay by my side and let me figure it out?"
The boy's eyes held an emotion that was hard to tell whether it was laughter or anger.
"Well, Jin Chuwan, since you're so sure of yourself, then stop trying to run away. Instead of telling me to get lost with a few words, why don't you try to wake me up with your teasing?"
"If my feelings for you are truly just an illusion, I promise I will leave you forever and never bother you in the slightest—"
Jin Chuwan opened her mouth, and when Jiang Chen uttered his last sentence, she subconsciously wanted to agree.
She didn't really doubt Jiang Chen's feelings; she just rationally believed that his feelings weren't deep.
Youth is always impulsive, and she believed that with more time, he would gradually forget, and after a few years he would even think that what he liked or disliked was nothing to be mentioned.
There is no such thing as being irreplaceable in this world. No matter how deep the marks are, they will be erased by time. Someday in the future, he may accidentally think of her for some reason, and then forget those scattered images of her because of something else he is doing.
"you……"
Jin Chuwan sighed, looked up at Jiang Chen, her gaze both confused and scrutinizing.
"are you sure?"
Let her toy with his feelings?
Jin Chuwan gave a ridiculous laugh; she was not truly a kind and gentle person.
She simply didn't dare to confront the protagonist of this world.
--
When Jin Chuwan returned home, Jin Chaoyang was obediently packing his suitcase in his room.
Her sweet fiancé came looking for her, so she decisively chose the man and, incidentally, dumped Kim Cho-wan.
When Jin Chuwan heard her stammering explanation, she didn't ask any further questions, but simply inquired whether her parents knew about it.
Seeing Jin Chaoyang nod, she felt relieved.
She is not Jin Chaoyang's guardian, so there's no reason for her to meddle.
Do you want me to give you a ride?
Upon hearing Jin Chuwan's question, Jin Chaoyang was once again lost in confusion about who her older sister was. However, she quickly snapped out of it and shyly waved her phone beside her.
"He will come to pick me up."
Okay, I understand.
Jin Chuwan nodded and then began to tidy up the messy sofa.
Half an hour later, Jin Chaoyang left with her suitcase. Before leaving, she thoughtfully told Jin Chuwan to call her if anything happened, and also continued to urge her to find a boyfriend and settle down as soon as possible.
That tone made Jin Chuwan feel like a playboy who was living a carefree life.
Everyone had left, and the room was unusually quiet. Jin Chuwan turned her head and saw one of Yin Zhihua's shoes lying next to the sofa.
She picked up her shoelaces, hesitated for a moment, and then threw the shoes onto the shoe cabinet.
She thought that the day was over and she could enjoy some quiet personal time.
But around noon, she received another phone call.
On the other end of the line was Ran Min, whom I hadn't contacted in a long time. She seemed to be chatting enthusiastically with a friend. When she realized the call had been connected, she quickly spoke into the phone.
Are you free today?
Jin Chuwan frowned and hesitated for a moment.
"There should be."
"That's great!" Ran Min exclaimed excitedly into her phone. "I was worried about disturbing your class, you bookworm! Anyway, I'm here to hang out with you. Where are you? I'll send our little slave to pick you up~~"
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