After the Online Romance with the Campus Beauty Roommate Went Wrong - Chapter 33

As a narcissistic little peacock, Sang Shi’an spent her adolescence fantasizing about how much more beautiful she was becoming each day, rather than dreaming about her future partner. She never considered what kind of person she might fall for.

When her brother, Sang Shiyue, strictly forbade her from dating “trashy” boys, she casually brushed him off, feigning disinterest. When her close friends started getting girlfriends, she offered perfunctory congratulations, treating it all as irrelevant to her own life.

The only time she ever cared about homosexuality was when Jian Chenyu, who liked girls, was set to marry her older brother. It wasn’t prejudice; she simply found it unethical.

This led to her series of manipulative schemes, pretending to be “Cat Cat” to stir up trouble.

If Jian Chenyu were just a friend, would Sang Shi’an repeatedly compare the person confessing to her with Jian Chenyu as a standard? If she were just a younger sister, would her heart pound so hard it felt like it would burst from her throat when her older sister helped adjust her makeup?

Considering her impulsive actions toward Jian Chenyu in the past, even when they were close as children, Sang Shi’an had never interfered in her life to this extent.

There are boundaries in human relationships, and Sang Shi’an seemed to have crossed that line with Jian Chenyu.

So, was this love? The kind of melodramatic love where people would donate kidneys, slit their wrists, or jump off cliffs for each other?

Then she remembered how she had gone to confront Jian Zhenyang on Jian Chenyu’s behalf… Sang Shi’an suddenly realized that this kind of love wasn’t worth pursuing. It was enough for her to know; there was no need to embarrass herself by confessing it.

Since this was her secret alone, Sang Shi’an, having resolved her inner turmoil, immediately called over a waiter and cheerfully ordered, “Three chocolate soufflés to go, and she’s paying.”

Anything Jian Chenyu paid for just tasted better.

Jian Chenyu watched Sang Shi’an’s expression shift rapidly. She had braced herself for a furious outburst after her earlier words, but instead, Sang Shi’an had returned to her usual obsession with food.

Fine by me.

At least her appetite had improved.

She was willing to eat again.

To test this theory, Sang Shi’an dragged Jian Chenyu shopping after their meal, buying every piece of jewelry and clothing Jian Chenyu nodded at approvingly.

For the past two weeks, Sang Shi’an had been plagued by paranoia, a heavy weight pressing on her heart whenever she saw Jian Chenyu. Now that she finally understood the reason for her strange behavior, her good mood doubled, and she experienced for the first time the liberating joy of giving up and letting go.

What was there to fear, anyway?

So she had a crush on Jian Chenyu?

Turning from disliking someone to liking them wasn’t such a big deal, was it?

Climbing into Jian Chenyu’s car, Sang Shi’an clutched her phone and texted Su Ningyue.

Su Su, my little Su Su! I’ve finally figured out why I’ve been acting so weird! That doctor was right—the answer really was with Jian Chenyu all along! That doctor is a miracle worker, a modern-day Hua Tuo!

Su Ningyue took a while to reply. Are you sure you’ve found the answer?

Sang Shi’an replied smugly, What’s so hard about it? I like her, duh.

Across the screen, Su Ningyue spat out her water. Wait, is this the kind of “like” I think it is? Didn’t we say there was no such thing as love in this world?

Su Ningyue knew Sang Shi’an all too well. The fact that Sang Shi’an had proactively confessed this meant she had definitely developed feelings for Jian Chenyu.

However, the extent of these feelings—whether they fell within the realm of true love—remained to be seen.

Su Ningyue could sense the underlying joy in Sang Shi’an’s words. After a moment’s hesitation, she decided to dampen her enthusiasm: Are you being influenced by online romance? Are you sure it’s love? Have you considered your brother’s arranged marriage with her?

Sang Shi’an frowned, glancing at Jian Chenyu who was swiping her card to pay.

Cat Cat is just borrowing my body. How could I be influenced by it?

What does my brother’s arranged marriage have to do with me? If I like her, I’ll just stay with her. For example, I’ve noticed that the things she buys for me make me happier than the things I buy myself. So from now on, I’ll just let her handle the spending.

As for my brother, I’m not even dating Jian Chenyu. I’ve simply gone from disliking her to liking her. Do you think I’d be stupid enough to get involved in some melodramatic romance involving wrist-slitting and suicidal leaps?

Su Ningyue froze for a moment, belatedly realizing something was amiss.

Sang Shi’an had always exhibited symptoms of emotional detachment due to her excessive narcissism, coupled with her ingrained aversion to melodramatic romance. Su Ningyue finally understood that Sang Shi’an seemed unaware that liking someone implied a desire for possession, and that possessing someone was an intensely private matter.

Su Ningyue had deliberately avoided labeling Sang Shi’an’s behavior as “love” earlier. Now, she felt compelled to offer Sang Shi’an some guidance.

Sang Baobao, Senior Jian won’t keep spending money on you forever. Right now, you’re just her temporarily acknowledged younger sister. In the future, she’ll have her own romantic partner, and even if she cares about you, she’ll have to consider her partner’s feelings. Remember when we watched that movie and you called the second male lead a “white lotus”?

Senior Jian already has Cat Cat as her girlfriend. If you like Senior Jian and still act like this, are you planning to expose Cat Cat’s identity or become a third wheel in their relationship?

You’re clinging to someone else’s girlfriend while insisting you don’t want a relationship. Listen to yourself—what does that even mean?

Sang Shi’an’s face instantly darkened.

Setting aside the fact that Cat Cat was actually herself, Sang Shi’an felt she was even more of a white lotus and a faker than the second male lead in a movie.

She glanced at the shopping bags her new assistant was carrying. Though this hadn’t been her original intention, she was undeniably benefiting from the situation.

But if asked to expose Cat Cat’s true identity, Sang Shi’an would never be able to do it.

No, I can’t admit Cat Cat is me. Jian Chenyu would definitely realize I was teasing her. What if she marries my brother out of revenge?

Su Ningyue: But you already have the chat logs where Senior Jian agreed to date Cat Cat. Why not just show them to your parents?

Sang Shi’an: That won’t work either. It would be so awkward for Jian Chenyu. What if she doesn’t want to reveal her secret about liking girls? I think it’s best if Jian Chenyu rejects my brother herself.

Moreover, she would absolutely, positively never admit to Jian Chenyu that she was Cat Cat. Even if Jian Chenyu didn’t suspect her ulterior motives, Sang Shi’an still had her pride. The idea of actively seducing Jian Chenyu and even offering herself to her—that would never happen!

She couldn’t bear the humiliation.

She had no choice but to continue playing the innocent, oblivious white lotus. After all, Cat Cat was just another part of herself, so there was no moral dilemma. What if she grew tired of the act along the way?

Having made up her mind, Sang Shi’an sent Su Ningyue one last message: Don’t rush to define the “like” I mentioned. Let me first test whether my feelings for Jian Chenyu are genuine. Maybe it’s just a bit stronger than friendship?

Su Ningyue: ……

As she wiped the table with a napkin, Su Ningyue lingered over her phone keyboard, unsure what to type. After a long silence, she asked Su Ning Shang, who had just finished showering, “What’s the quickest way to know if you truly like someone?”

Su Ning Shang set down his towel, his dripping hair brushing against Su Ningyue’s shoulder. He lowered his head and kissed her.

Your heartbeat will give you the most honest answer.