After the Online Romance with the Campus Beauty Roommate Went Wrong - Chapter 24

After a brief pause, Jian Chenyu continued, “As for the Jian Clan’s collaboration with your family’s company, let things take their natural course. You have much to learn at the company, and the projects your brother has assigned you are undoubtedly well-considered. Starting with those projects will be the most suitable approach.”

Sang Shi’an slowly chewed her sturgeon roe custard, feeling somewhat awkward as Jian Chenyu earnestly responded to her earlier jest.

“Maybe my brother is just taking advantage of my ignorance to bully me?” she teased.

“Then you can come to me,” Jian Chenyu replied.

Sang Shi’an couldn’t help but laugh. “Come to you? You’d help me fight my own brother?”

She reminded him, “Don’t forget, you’re still my parents’ top candidate for their daughter-in-law.”

“I know,” Jian Chenyu chuckled. “But I’m more familiar with you. Wouldn’t it be better to help you?”

Sang Shi’an was now at a loss for words. Even if she and her brother were embroiled in the kind of cutthroat competition typical of wealthy families—which they weren’t—why would Jian Chenyu offer to help her?

Feeling slightly uneasy, she noticed the restaurant music had stopped. The opening notes of a new song began slowly, creating an atmosphere that was quiet and subtly charged.

Sang Shi’an fell silent, then suddenly a possibility occurred to her. “You don’t actually like my brother at all, do you? You’re only marrying him to steal his money and team up with me to undermine him, right?”

Jian Chenyu replied slowly, “Is that what you really think?”

Sang Shi’an nudged her foot against Jian Chenyu’s. “Jian Chenyu, tell me you don’t have such intentions.”

“Hmm, I don’t,” Jian Chenyu said, sounding both serious and teasing.

Sang Shi’an couldn’t tell if she was being serious or joking. It was only then that she belatedly realized Jian Chenyu didn’t need her concern at all. Beneath that student facade was clearly a cunning old fox.

Perhaps Sang Shi’an’s suspicious gaze was too obvious, because Jian Chenyu asked, “Do I need to write you a formal guarantee in black and white to stop your mind from wandering all day?”

Sang Shi’an didn’t believe Jian Chenyu would actually bother with such nonsense, so she deliberately provoked her. “Then write it!”

The next morning, when Sang Shi’an woke up, she found a guarantee posted on her bedroom door. The document essentially stated that Jian Chenyu would not maliciously harm Sang Shi’an’s interests during their interactions.

It was signed with Jian Chenyu’s own handwriting.

Sang Shi’an: ……

Sang Shi’an stared at the guarantee, reading it over and over. Finally, she realized where that strange feeling was coming from—

Last night, Sang Shi’an had accused Jian Chenyu of harming her brother’s interests and her family’s wealth. Yet today, Sang Shi’an herself was listed as the guarantor in Jian Chenyu’s written pledge.

Could it be that Jian Chenyu genuinely harbored a one-percent chance of coveting her family’s assets?

Disturbed by this thought, Sang Shi’an deliberately avoided Jian Chenyu at school the next day, even turning away when she spotted her from afar. She even pretended not to hear Su Ningyue’s gossip about a new boy hanging around Jian Chenyu.

That evening, when Sang Shi’an logged into her Cat Cat Account, she was surprised to find a message from Jian Chenyu sent at 3:00 PM: What are you up to?

After plugging in her phone to charge, Sang Shi’an took a deep breath and, with a blank expression, began to play the role of a docile Cat Cat.

She sent a screenshot of her phone’s low battery warning: I forgot my power bank today and just charged my phone. I missed your message, Older Sister! Is it too late to reply?

Jian Chenyu responded five minutes later: No, I’m helping a professor translate a thesis due tomorrow morning.

She sent a screenshot of the manuscript. The English version was only just started, clearly needing translation. The handwriting was elegant, the logic impeccable, and every word seemed essential.

Sang Shi’an: Wow, Older Sister, you’re so amazing and knowledgeable! I can’t even understand half these technical terms. I’m starting to think I wasted my time taking the CET-6 exam.

Jian Chenyu: You haven’t studied this before, don’t worry about it.

Jian Chenyu seemed unusually patient tonight, her replies on WeChat more frequent and detailed than usual, almost to the point of answering every question. This made Sang Shi’an’s mind race with possibilities, and she couldn’t resist trying to pry a little.

Older Sister, can I ask you another personal question?

Ask.

Actually, when I first added you on WeChat, it was partly because I liked you, but also because I was worried you might already have a girlfriend… I’ve been holding this in for so long. I want to ask—is it true about you and Sang Shiyue from the sophomore class?

Typing…

Sang Shi’an stared at that line for a full seven minutes. Just when she thought Jian Chenyu was about to send a lengthy explanation, only one sentence appeared on the screen: Can we switch to voice call?

Jian Chenyu was at home. Sang Shi’an quickly locked her bedroom door before replying: If Older Sister wants to talk, of course I’m available.

As soon as the call connected, Jian Chenyu cut straight to the point: “No, she’s just a younger sister I’ve known since childhood.”

Sang Shi’an hurriedly gulped down several mouthfuls of water and cleared her throat. “I knew what they were saying was false! Even if you haven’t agreed to be with me yet, Older Sister would never be the type to play two sides at once.”

Jian Chenyu’s response was calm: “Since you’re asking, you’ve probably already learned about my family background from the forum.”

Sang Shi’an continued to play along, straining her voice: “I only found out later, Older Sister. Your family is so impressive! But I liked you long before I knew about your money. You have to believe me, I’m not after your money.”

Jian Chenyu cut to the chase: “I’m not doubting you. I just wanted to tell you something else.”

“What is it?”

“You might have gotten the wrong impression earlier. Sang Shi’an and I aren’t dating. But I might marry her older brother in the future.”

“Cough—” Sang Shi’an nearly choked on her own saliva. Though she had deliberately altered her voice, she consciously suppressed the cough after the initial sound.

The voice on the other end of the call continued: “I thought you should know.”

Sang Shi’an was genuinely surprised that Jian Chenyu would reveal such a sensitive matter to a forum acquaintance of less than a month. Even their families, who were eager for the match, had been discreet about it, fearing that premature disclosure could damage Sang Shiyue and Jian Chenyu’s reputations if the engagement fell through.

Yet Jian Chenyu had just casually announced it herself?

According to both families’ wishes, the engagement wasn’t meant to be taken too seriously. They even allowed Sang Shiyue and Jian Chenyu to pursue their own romantic interests separately.

Could it be that Jian Chenyu genuinely believed there was a high probability of this happening, which is why she could so calmly tell Cat Cat about it?

Sang Shi’an, refusing to give up, probed further: “Older Sister really respects me so much, telling me even about things that are highly unlikely to happen in the future. You’re completely different from those scum who play with people’s feelings. You make me feel so secure. I really like you, Older Sister.”

Jian Chenyu replied slowly, “It’s not highly unlikely.”

Sang Shi’an choked, a sudden realization dawning on her.

This was different from her daily one-sided fantasies; it was practically Jian Chenyu’s tacit acknowledgment.

So Jian Chenyu really was considering a marriage alliance? And doing so despite not liking men?

Was she just after her family’s wealth?

Sang Shi’an didn’t want to face this truth. “I… I have something urgent right now. Older Sister, let’s talk later! I’ll call you back!”

But Jian Chenyu didn’t give her the chance. Her voice, carried by the night wind, drifted out: “Perhaps… a marriage alliance with the Sang Family will happen after all.”

The moment those words faded, Sang Shi’an hung up the call. She immediately regretted trying to pry into Jian Chenyu’s thoughts.

Now she was even more unsure how to face Jian Chenyu.

She opened the door, intending to get a glass of cold water to calm her nerves.

After gulping down most of the glass, she was about to leave the refreshment area when Jian Chenyu’s voice came from the balcony: “When did you get here? Come over.”

Sang Shi’an: ……

She set down the remaining water and realized Jian Chenyu had been translating in the open-plan study in the living room.

She slowly approached, immediately launching into a reprimand: “Why were you lurking on the balcony like a ghost? I almost called the police, thinking there was a burglar!”

“I was on a call with a friend,” Jian Chenyu replied.

The fully enclosed balcony, heated against the cold, was comfortable. Sang Shi’an stepped closer and noticed a few sparse stars.

This place really was perfect for romantic chats with Cat Cat.

Jian Chenyu tucked her phone into her pocket, rolled up her sleeves to reveal a stretch of delicate white wrist, and asked, “How long have you been eavesdropping?”

Sang Shi’an’s gaze lingered on Jian Chenyu’s rolled-up sleeves for two seconds before she instinctively took a half-step back, wary. “You’re not going to hit me, are you?”

Jian Chenyu chuckled. “What kind of person do you think I am?”

“Fine,” Sang Shi’an conceded. She had indeed taken a rather long time to get a glass of water, making it difficult to explain. Since Jian Chenyu didn’t know she was Cat Cat, she might as well pretend she had been eavesdropping on purpose.

But she refused to admit to eavesdropping.

After all, Jian Chenyu had been the one talking loudly on the phone, making it impossible not to overhear.

“W-was that eavesdropping? This is a common area of the house. I was forced to hear your private conversation with your friend. I should be the one scolding you!”

Jian Chenyu countered, “Why would you scold me?”

Sang Shi’an smirked. “You’re telling your friend about your thing with my brother when nothing’s even official yet. What if people take it seriously?”

She had almost said it would ruin her brother’s reputation, but then realized he was twenty-seven years old—such a statement would sound overly dramatic.

Jian Chenyu corrected her. “I’m just stating the truth. A marriage alliance with the Sang Family isn’t as unlikely as you think. Our parents aren’t the type to joke about such matters. If they’ve proposed this marriage, it’s with their genuine expectations.”

The more Sang Shi’an listened, the more feudal it sounded, irritating her. “And what about you? Are you just going to do whatever they want? They want you to do this, so you’ll just do it? Jian Chenyu, you spent four years studying in Europe, a place known for its openness. Don’t you have any thoughts of your own?”

“My thought is,” Jian Chenyu said calmly, her gaze steady in the night, “I believe a marriage alliance with the Sang Family is viable.”

Sang Shi’an felt uneasy under Jian Chenyu’s intense gaze, her heart racing. It wasn’t the kind of quickened heartbeat that comes from heightened emotions, but rather an erratic, uncomfortable pounding. “…Even if I agreed, my brother would still need to approve.”

In the ensuing silence, Jian Chenyu chuckled softly. “Of course, it all depends on your brother’s approval. An’an, why are you so nervous then?”

“I—!” Sang Shi’an raised her voice, glaring fiercely. “My brother and I share a deep bond. Is it wrong for me to care about him?”

Jian Chenyu nodded gracefully. “Of course not. I know how close you two are. That’s why I wanted to express my position to you first. When you go to your brother’s office for your internship this weekend, if he’s not too busy, could you let me know?”

Should she just tell Jian Chenyu and let her run off on a date with her brother?

What about her Cat Cat?

Had all those nights spent dressing up in little skirts been for nothing?

No, absolutely not.

“Who said I’d secretly tell you? If you want to ask him out, just do it yourself! And stop spreading rumors about this imaginary engagement between my brother and you. What if everyone starts to believe—”

Without warning, Jian Chenyu leaned in close, pressing her thumb against Sang Shi’an’s lips and gently stroking them. “Quiet down. I need to finish translating my thesis. If I keep getting distracted, I won’t finish tonight.”

As they drew near, their shadows on the floor intertwined intimately, mirroring their mingled breaths. Sang Shi’an froze, then jerked her head aside and bit down on Jian Chenyu’s index finger.

The bite wasn’t hard, but the gesture was fierce.

“What are you, a little kitten?” Jian Chenyu chuckled, wiggling her bitten finger.

Sang Shi’an’s face flushed inexplicably at that smile, and she felt the urge to scratch.

Hearing Jian Chenyu’s comparison, she forcibly restrained herself, released the finger, and pointed toward the study. “Just get out.”