After the Online Romance with the Campus Beauty Roommate Went Wrong - Chapter 32

The shopping mall had assigned assistants to carry Sang Shi’an’s purchases. While waiting for Jian Chenyu to arrive, Sang Shi’an browsed several high-end boutiques, skimming through the displays. Though she didn’t find anything she particularly loved, she still bought quite a bit.

She reasoned that she had brought Jian Chenyu meals several times during his hospital stay and even helped with his discharge paperwork. Yesterday, she had also retaliated against Jian Zhenyang. Even if Jian Zhenyang’s injuries weren’t worth much, the business deals he had lost far exceeded this million yuan. So, spending this money was justified.

Having successfully convinced herself, Sang Shi’an’s mood brightened considerably for the rest of the hour. She tried on any clothes that caught her eye, recklessly depleting her credit card balance like a spendthrift.

When Jian Chenyu called again, Sang Shi’an, accompanied by her male assistant carrying the shopping bags, headed to the parking garage.

As the elevator doors opened, a blast of cold air rushed in from outside. Sang Shi’an shivered, urging her assistant to hurry up as she searched for the parking space number Jian Chenyu had given her.

She had a terrible sense of direction, and it took her seven or eight minutes to find parking space C-203. Jian Chenyu was waiting at the front of the car, dressed in a creamy white cashmere coat. The overhead parking lot lights seemed to bathe her in a soft-focus glow.

Sang Shi’an exhaled a misty breath, suddenly realizing that the people at their school really did have good taste.

Hearing footsteps approaching, Jian Chenyu slowly turned her head. Her ethereal face, untouched by worldly concerns, darkened with displeasure when she noticed Sang Shi’an’s thin jacket. Frowning slightly, she hurried toward them.

“Where’s your coat?” Jian Chenyu touched the back of Sang Shi’an’s hand, her expression growing even colder. “You came out dressed like this today?”

Sang Shi’an shivered violently, too cold to speak.

Is Jian Chenyu going to take off her coat and give it to me, like in those dramas? she wondered.

The very next moment, her thought became reality.

Sang Shi’an quickly grabbed Jian Chenyu’s hand to stop her from removing her coat. “It’s in one of the shopping bags,” she blurted out. “I just bought this dress—don’t you think it looks good?”

“It looks nice,” Jian Chenyu said without sincerity, barely glancing at Sang Shi’an before rummaging through the dozen shopping bags.

The mall’s male assistant delivered the items, declined a tip, and promptly left.

Jian Chenyu pulled out a thick coat and draped it over Sang Shi’an’s thin shoulders. “Let’s put everything in the car. Where do you want to have dinner?”

“A-anywhere is fine. How about we find a restaurant in the mall?” After moving the bags, Sang Shi’an secretly tossed the coat back into the car when Jian Chenyu wasn’t looking, just a second before Jian Chenyu locked the door.

Jian Chenyu turned to see the missing coat and gave Sang Shi’an a look as if she were a rebellious teenager, hesitating for several seconds before speaking.

Sang Shi’an turned away and walked ahead. Jian Chenyu relented. “Then let’s hurry. The mall has heating.”

Sang Shi’an’s lips curved into a smile, and her steps visibly quickened. As the elevator ascended, bringing them back to the mall’s heated floors, Sang Shi’an’s nearly frozen body finally began to warm up.

The two entered a Hong Kong-style restaurant. It was past seven o’clock, so there was no need to wait in line, and they could order immediately.

After ordering, the waiter brought them two glasses of classic silk stocking milk tea. Sang Shi’an casually mentioned, “I’ve already spent most of the money you transferred me earlier. I’ll transfer the remaining bit back to you now, and the rest in a few—”

“Don’t bother,” Jian Chenyu interrupted. “Just consider it a belated birthday gift for the past four years.”

During those four years, Sang Shi’an had deliberately avoided any gatherings where Jian Chenyu might be present. Yet every birthday, she still received gifts from Jian Chenyu, though she never opened a single one, instead having Sang Shiyue return them all.

Strictly speaking, Jian Chenyu did indeed owe her four years’ worth of birthday gifts. Sang Shi’an pursed her lips, the tips of her ears flushing crimson. “Oh.”

Jian Chenyu chuckled at Sang Shi’an’s reaction. “What’s with you today? Did you freeze in the parking lot earlier? You’re so quiet.”

Sang Shi’an touched the newly purchased sapphire necklace on her wrist and glanced at Jian Chenyu. “Is this how you make up for birthday gifts? Don’t you know the birthday girl is always right? Whatever I say or do is correct!”

Jian Chenyu let out a meaningful “Oh,” then followed up on Sang Shi’an’s words: “So, should I order you a small cake and ask the waiter for some candles?”

A grown adult asking for candles at a Hong Kong-style restaurant?

The waiter would probably laugh at her.

Sang Shi’an was speechless. “Jian Chenyu, it’s not that I talk less—you’re the one who’s been talking more lately.”

Speaking of which, Sang Shi’an found it strange. “Do you even know why they voted you School Belle? It’s because of your aloof, unapproachable aura, like you’re radiating holy light. If they knew what you’re really like in private, you definitely wouldn’t get elected next semester. You’d be crying in secret.”

Jian Chenyu noticed the barely suppressed smirk on Sang Shi’an’s face and realized, “So, when you didn’t get elected this semester, you cried in secret?”

Sang Shi’an: Ah—!

Sang Shi’an maintained a poker face. “I’m giving you one more chance to speak properly.”

She deliberately emphasized the word “properly.” Jian Chenyu suppressed a laugh and said, “I’d be heartbroken.”

But she didn’t look heartbroken at all.

Sang Shi’an didn’t want to talk to Jian Chenyu anymore. She picked up her cup of silk stocking milk tea and started drinking.

Worried that Sang Shi’an would be too full to eat dinner later, Jian Chenyu proactively picked up the conversation again. “So, do you think I was better off the way I used to be?”

Not really.

Ever since their reunion, Sang Shi’an had harbored a deep-seated prejudice against Jian Chenyu, interpreting everything she said or did as having ulterior motives. As a result, their relationship had been truly strained for the first two months.

Now, even when Jian Chenyu spoke more, Sang Shi’an could calmly listen to her finish.

She even offered a few responses.

But Sang Shi’an refused to acknowledge that her attitude had changed. Her face remained cold as she retorted, “What does how you speak or act have to do with me?”

Jian Chenyu smiled. “As long as you don’t mind.”

Sang Shi’an frowned. “Why would I mind? That’s a strange thing to say.”

The waiter began serving the dishes. Jian Chenyu didn’t offer any further explanation, picking up her chopsticks and starting to eat.

Remembering her psychologist’s advice, Sang Shi’an unconsciously tilted her head upward each time she reached for a dish, letting her gaze sweep over Jian Chenyu before landing on the food. She was trying to find answers in Jian Chenyu’s expression.

But this wasn’t something she could discover with a mere glance.

Sang Shi’an was consumed by self-doubt, feeling utterly miserable. Her heart felt like it was at war with itself. She no longer believed this was some unknown fear.

This was clearly the unknown dangling a carrot in front of her, making her desperate to glue her eyes to Jian Chenyu in search of a definitive answer.

Jian Chenyu, ever perceptive, noticed Sang Shi’an’s distress. She set down her chopsticks and asked, “What’s making you uncomfortable?”

Sang Shi’an nodded, then quickly shook her head. “No, no, it’s probably just from being so cold in the parking lot earlier. I haven’t warmed up yet.”

Jian Chenyu reached across the table and touched the back of Sang Shi’an’s hand. “Your hand isn’t cold anymore. I’ll go check on the soup. Something warm might help settle your stomach.”

The restaurant was short-staffed, so Jian Chenyu left her seat to find a waiter.

Sang Shi’an watched Jian Chenyu’s retreating figure, biting her chopsticks in frustration. As Jian Chenyu returned, she finally blurted out, “Jian Chenyu, have you noticed I’ve been acting really strange lately?”

Jian Chenyu paused, surprised. “Strange? How so?”

“Like… I’ve become so violent, beating people up like some delinquent. And I dragged you out here on such a cold day to pay for dinner and keep me company, even though you already gave me a birthday gift. I’m basically taking advantage of your money.”

Sang Shi’an analyzed each instance with Jian Chenyu: “I interrupted someone confessing to you, and I stopped you from hiring a lawyer to deal with the school rumors all at once. I’m not the obedient little sister you used to know. Shouldn’t you find this strange and annoying?”

Just like how Jian Chenyu liked Cat Cat because she was always responsive and obedient to the extreme, right?

Hadn’t Jian Chenyu noticed anything strange about her recent behavior?

Jian Chenyu: ……

Jian Chenyu chuckled. “An’an, people have many facets. After years apart, neither of us is the same as we were back then. I can’t even live up to my past self, so I certainly wouldn’t hold you to that standard.”

But that wasn’t what Sang Shi’an wanted to hear. “But I feel like I’m acting really weird!”

If her therapist couldn’t give her answers, could Jian Chenyu, the person directly involved, provide them?

“If you really want to talk about change, maybe it’s because you’ve grown up, developed your own ideas, and started taking care of your older sister?” Jian Chenyu studied Sang Shi’an intently. “You’re very assertive now, and that’s not a bad thing.”

Sang Shi’an blinked, her heart easing slightly. “You’re right. After all, you’re so grown up and still can’t protect yourself. We’ve known each other for so long—I can’t just stand by and watch.”

Jian Chenyu: ……

Seeing that Sang Shi’an finally had some appetite, Jian Chenyu didn’t argue. “Let’s eat first,” she said.

Sang Shi’an nodded, finally stopping her furtive glances at Jian Chenyu and eating properly.

As they were finishing their meal, Jian Chenyu went to the restroom. Sang Shi’an pulled out her lipstick to touch up her makeup, but before she could even blend the edges, a young man approached her.

She repeatedly turned him down, but he was more persistent than the boys at school. Acting as if they were old friends, he brazenly sat in Jian Chenyu’s seat, insisting on adding her WeChat before he’d leave.

Sang Shi’an pressed the service bell several times, but the busy staff didn’t respond.

Jian Chenyu’s bag was still on the seat next to the man, so Sang Shi’an couldn’t just leave. She could only numbly listen until Jian Chenyu returned. Sang Shi’an waved to her like she’d found a savior.

Jian Chenyu’s gaze swept between the two of them, instantly understanding the situation. She addressed the man politely but firmly: “I’m sorry, sir, but she has a girlfriend.”

Sang Shi’an: ……

The man paused mid-compliment, staring at Jian Chenyu in disbelief. “What? You two are…?”

Before he could finish, Jian Chenyu interrupted politely, “That’s right, sir. You may leave now.”

Jian Chenyu leaned down, his fingertip brushing the edge of Sang Shi’an’s freshly lipsticked lower lip, gently wiping away excess color with practiced patience, as if he’d done this countless times.

The man grumbled as he left.

Sang Shi’an caught the lingering scent of lemon hand sanitizer on Jian Chenyu’s fingertip. She closed her eyes, struggling to control her breathing, afraid Jian Chenyu would notice her reaction.

This wasn’t the first time Jian Chenyu had used this excuse to fend off persistent men who approached Sang Shi’an.

But this time, Sang Shi’an could clearly hear her own heart pounding.

Girlfriend.

It was surprisingly effective, and strangely pleasing to hear.

That familiar, unsettling thought resurfaced, finally setting Sang Shi’an’s mind—dormant for twenty years—into rapid motion.

She thought she finally understood the reason for her unusual behavior.