After the Breakup, the Possessive Heiress Regretted It - Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Can’t You Stay…? 1.2

Ji Wanmian didn’t think much of it and even joked, “How could I chase you out? By the way, you’re not still here to thank me, are you? If this were ancient times, I’d feel like you’re about to propose to me.”

At that time, Wen Su just lowered her head and chuckled when she heard Ji Wanmian’s words, not saying a word.

Now that Ji Wanmian thought about it properly, if Wen Su really had different feelings for her, then what she said before would be…

She shook her head, not daring to think further.

“Are you still thinking about the person we just met?” Wen Su saw the pensive look on Ji Wanmian’s face and asked with concern, “Does she make you that unhappy?”

“No, I was thinking about you…” Ji Wanmian hadn’t fully snapped back to reality and blurted out what was on her mind.

“Hmm?” Wen Su suppressed the joy and excitement in her heart, trying her best to make her tone sound normal.

“Ah, don’t misunderstand.” Ji Wanmian suddenly cleared her head, realizing she had said something nonsensical. She quickly explained, “I mean, I was thinking about why you came to find me today.”

Wen Su pursed her lips, pushing back the emotions that had just welled up in her heart, and explained, “I came to tell you that our high school class president is organizing another class reunion. She said that many classmates have returned to Nancheng in the past two years, so she thought of organizing another one, and said this might be the last one, so classmates who can make it should try their best to attend.”

“Another ‘last time.’ I bet she said that last time too,” Ji Wanmian chuckled, as if her memories were instantly drawn back to high school. “What’s the difference between this and what the teacher said in high school, ‘just five more minutes’?”

Wen Su also responded with a smile, “Yes, I thought the last class reunion was the last one too.”

“Speaking of high school, I remember a few times when I wasn’t paying attention in class and secretly drew in my rough notebook, and then I got caught. During that time, I listened to the homeroom teacher lecture me every day, so much so that I almost memorized it. I’ll imitate her tone for you.”

As Ji Wanmian spoke, she turned to Wen Su, cleared her throat, and with a slightly serious expression, said in a heartfelt tone, “Ahem, Ji Wanmian, even though you’re an art student, you still need to pay attention to your academic subjects. Look at Wen Su, your classmate in the class; you two used to be deskmates. She works so hard; you should also strive for progress.”

Wen Su was amused by Ji Wanmian’s imitation and said, “You remember that so clearly.”

Ji Wanmian returned to her normal self, saying helplessly, “After she said that, I might be good for a day or two, and then I’d get lectured again soon. After a few times, I memorized it no matter what, but to be honest, it was quite effective. During that time, because of my status as Wen Su’s former deskmate, I did make some progress.”

Wen Su was puzzled: “Why progress with that status?”

Ji Wanmian recalled her past thoughts and admitted, “Because you were too excellent. I thought that in many cases, excellent people are surrounded by excellent people, so I also started to work harder. That way, when my former deskmate Wen Su was mentioned again, I wouldn’t be seen as a slacker who didn’t pay attention in class.”

Wen Su lowered her head, her heart racing uncontrollably. Although Ji Wanmian might not have meant anything else by these words, in her mind, every single word was as melodious as a musical note. After listening to the whole sentence, her heart blossomed with joy, as if she had returned to many years ago, when she bent down to pick up a pen and unintentionally bumped into Ji Wanmian, who had also squatted down.

“Later, I indeed got into the university I wanted,” Ji Wanmian stretched her hand out from under the umbrella, feeling the raindrops fall on her palm, and sighed. “But I didn’t truly enjoy my university life.”

Wen Su temporarily set aside her own emotions and softly asked, “What’s wrong? Is it because you only focused on studying and regret not having time for relationships or travel?”

Ji Wanmian let out two bitter laughs and said with a melancholy expression, “I’m not like the diligent Little Wen Su. Actually, I just regret that I only thought about love and romance every day and didn’t spend more time enjoying campus life.”

Wen Su lowered her gaze, but then, afraid Ji Wanmian might notice something, she forced herself to appear unconcerned and comforted her, saying, “It’s alright, it’s all in the past.”

“If only it were truly in the past,” Ji Wanmian still spoke the true source of her sorrow today, “but this matter has never truly ended.”

Wen Su secretly clenched the corner of her clothes, mustering the courage to voice her suspicion: “Was it that person just now?”

“You’re so smart, you must have seen it already,” Ji Wanmian no longer wanted to hide it. Besides, Wen Su had clearly heard everything she and Pei Jinyue said just now. By thinking carefully, she could easily guess what their relationship truly was.

Wen Su replied, “I guessed, but I’m still more willing to believe what you said.”

Ji Wanmian asked in confusion, “What did I say?”

Wen Su said earnestly, “You said her family went bankrupt before, and she might be here to ask you for money.”

Ji Wanmian recalled her rambling in the hot pot restaurant in a moment of urgency, and laughed out loud, shaking raindrops off her umbrella. She said, “I just said that off the cuff. I thought you’d know it wasn’t true after thinking about it.”

But Wen Su didn’t respond for a long time.

Ji Wanmian curiously turned her head and found Wen Su standing behind her, staring intently at her.

Wen Su slowly opened her mouth, her voice firm: “I will be willing to believe anything you say.”

Ji Wanmian froze.

Just then, the rain stopped.

Pedestrians coming and going put away their umbrellas, and even the sounds of people became louder.

Suddenly, Ji Wanmian tilted her head and smiled, saying, “Then you’d definitely lose if you played Werewolf with me.”

Wen Su also smiled, put down the umbrella in her hand, and said, “Next time, let’s try.”

Ji Wanmian closed her umbrella, walked in front of Wen Su, tugged on her sleeve, and continued walking forward: “Now that you know the truth, aren’t you mad at me for lying?”

“If I were mad, what would you plan to do?” Wen Su followed Ji Wanmian’s steps, asking with a smile.

“I’ll send you two paintings,” Ji Wanmian thought for a bit and could only come up with that. “That’s the only thing I have that’s somewhat presentable. Although I’m not a master and not at the level of needing to be framed, I’m genuinely sincere.”

Wen Su’s tone was gentle: “That works too, I won’t stand on ceremony.”

“Okay.” Ji Wanmian readily agreed.

As they reached the apartment building, Ji Wanmian remembered the class reunion Wen Su had mentioned and asked, “So when is this class reunion? I remember the last one was around these days too.”

Wen Su replied, “On New Year’s Eve. Because it’s a holiday, everyone is free.”

Hearing this familiar date, Ji Wanmian couldn’t help but recall an unpleasant memory, but since she was already in Nancheng, she couldn’t find an excuse not to go.

Wen Su pressed the elevator button and, while waiting, said, “You came back last time on New Year’s Eve, right? That time you spent New Year’s on the high-speed rail. This time you’ll have so many classmates and friends to accompany you.”

“You really know how to talk. I’m in a good mood today, so I’ll give you another painting,” Ji Wanmian patted Wen Su’s shoulder. “You’re a woman with three paintings from Master Ji now. Don’t get too proud, okay?”

Wen Su also cooperated with Ji Wanmian, saying earnestly, “Then I must treasure them well.”

Ji Wanmian was amused by Wen Su’s seriousness and continued to laugh even as they got into the elevator, saying, “I’m already very touched if you don’t take them back and use them as placemats.”

Wen Su just smiled and said nothing.

Upon arriving home, Ji Wanmian changed her shoes and headed straight to her room. She brought out several paintings she was quite satisfied with and presented them to Wen Su, generously saying, “Little Wen Su, pick any three you like.”

Wen Su looked at the brightly colored paintings, but her mind recalled a black and white sketch. She instinctively asked Ji Wanmian, “Do you still remember the first painting you gave me?”

“Let me see. It was when we were deskmates, you praised my drawing, so I tore it out of my scratchpad and gave it to you. But I don’t remember what it was,” Ji Wanmian recalled for a long time before remembering the events from years ago. Seeing Wen Su’s thoughtful expression, she asked in surprise, “You still have it, don’t you?”

Wen Su hesitated for two seconds, then shook her head and said, “I’m sorry, I can’t find it.”

“It’s fine, it was just a sketch.” Ji Wanmian didn’t mind, after all, she was someone who could even lose a ring.

Wen Su was drawn to one painting and asked, “This one is quite pretty. The fish are all pink, but why isn’t this fish in the sea? It’s on land?”

“Oh, sorry, that’s one I painted for my classmate Lu Yu before, based on my impression of her and her name. How did I accidentally take it out today?” Ji Wanmian quickly apologized and took the painting back. “I was in a hurry before and forgot to give it to her.”

“Do you give a painting to everyone you’re close with?” Wen Su drew her gaze from the painting and looked at Ji Wanmian, asking.

“Mhm, I guess so.” Ji Wanmian answered, then remembered she hadn’t painted a formal piece for Wen Su yet. She quickly added, “Don’t worry, I’ve thought about painting one for you very early on, but I just never knew how to paint such a perfect you, so I’ve been hesitating.”

Wen Su, however, shook her head and said, “It’s fine, I already have one.”

Ji Wanmian let out a confused “Ah.”

But Wen Su didn’t explain. Instead, she picked up three paintings and said with a beaming smile, “I just took three of your paintings at once. Master Ji, you won’t be reluctant, will you?”

Ji Wanmian didn’t press further, and went along with Wen Su’s words, “I’m such a generous person. How could I be reluctant to give a painting to a good friend?”

Wen Su still smiled faintly.

But a silent wound was quietly carved in her heart by that one phrase, “good friend.”

She couldn’t remember what they talked about afterward, only that the walk home that day was very cold, and the dampness after the rain felt uncomfortable.

Perhaps it was also because she was in a bad mood.

After all, just now, while sharing the umbrella with Ji Wanmian, even though it was raining, she felt happy.

Wen Su walked distractedly, accidentally bumping into someone’s shoulder, and quickly opened her mouth to apologize.

But the other person spoke first.

“Is that you?”

This voice…

Wen Su frowned and looked up.

It was her indeed.

The one who had made Xiaomian unhappy for a long time.

Pei Jinyue.