After the Online Romance with the Campus Beauty Roommate Went Wrong - Chapter 46

Out of consideration for her patient, Jian Chenyu refrained from arguing further with Sang Shi’an. She turned to the refrigerator, retrieved the ingredients, and placed them on the kitchen counter.

Dressed only in a silk pajama set, she had apparently changed out of her nightgown from the previous evening. She slowly rolled up her sleeves, revealing a stretch of smooth, pale forearm.

Sang Shi’an propped herself up higher, widening her view.

Even a mundane task like cooking took on an air of elegance when performed by Jian Chenyu. Each stir-fry seemed meticulously calculated, the ingredients scooped into the plate precisely a second before they began to scorch.

Perhaps her gaze lingered too long. After finishing the steak, Jian Chenyu turned to look at her, a subtle depth in her eyes.

Sang Shi’an grabbed her mug of hot water and pretended to be dead.

Soon, a bowl of beef noodles garnished with vibrant green vegetables was placed before Sang Shi’an. She tasted it, but the critical remarks she had prepared found no outlet. She could only murmur, “Not bad.”

Even after Jian Chenyu moved in, their kitchen showed almost no signs of use. The cleaning lady came every few days to tidy up and restock the ingredients, but the kitchen was rarely used.

The smile on Jian Chenyu’s lips flickered and vanished as she said softly, “Then eat a few more bites.”

Sang Shi’an casually replied and continued eating breakfast across from Jian Chenyu. The atmosphere at the table gradually softened, becoming almost cozy.

Encouraged by the warm atmosphere, Sang Shi’an’s courage grew. She tentatively brought up the matter again, “Did you understand what I said earlier?”

“I explained it clearly last night too. I only pretended to be Cat Cat to stop you from getting together with my brother. That wasn’t the real me. Besides, you don’t even like men, right? You deceived me first. If you’re still dissatisfied, I can offer you other compensation.”

Sang Shi’an paused, remembering the two kisses that had far exceeded her expectations. She hastily added, “Material compensation, like money.”

Jian Chenyu simply replied, “Mm.”

Sang Shi’an’s tense nerves relaxed. “So you can’t do that to me anymore. You and Cat Cat are over, and you and I never even started, understand?”

Especially since you were treating me like Cat Cat when you did that.

Jian Chenyu didn’t reply this time, her lashes drooping as the steam rising from the bowl of noodle soup blurred her features.

Sang Shi’an’s hard-won composure tightened again.

Could Jian Chenyu… really be so deeply attached to Cat Cat?

It made sense. Jian Chenyu was usually so proper, a perfect product of the Jian Family’s rigorous upbringing. Only when she was with Cat Cat did she show genuine emotion, like a living, breathing person.

That kiss last night, after Cat Cat was found, must have been a reaction to the fear of losing her again. And this recent kiss? Perhaps another manifestation of that same terror?

If Su Ningyue were sitting across from her right now, Sang Shi’an might have suggested therapy. But Jian Chenyu’s distress was her own fault. That would be too cruel.

Sang Shi’an took a step back, her voice tinged with irritation. “Just consider it a debt I owe you. I’m not irresponsible. If you can’t bear losing Cat Cat, you can look at me all you want. But you need to face reality: there’s no romantic relationship between us. We’re just friends, or maybe I’m your sister. Understand?”

Jian Chenyu showed no displeasure at these words. Instead, she asked, “Then, during this time, can you try to understand me better?”

The word “understand” immediately reminded Sang Shi’an of what Jian Chenyu had done the previous night to make her understand. She quickly averted her gaze and said dismissively, “What is there to understand?”

The light in Jian Chenyu’s eyes dimmed again. Sang Shi’an, feeling helpless, quickly added, “Alright, I’ll observe you more.”

Jian Chenyu nodded and lowered her head to continue eating her noodles.

Sang Shi’an couldn’t help but glance at Jian Chenyu, her bowl of noodles tasting like a mix of conflicting emotions.

Since when did Jian Chenyu become so fond of Cat Cat? she wondered. Wasn’t I the one who was supposed to be heartbroken? How did I end up comforting Jian Chenyu over her lost love?

After breakfast, when Jian Chenyu offered to help clear the dishes, Sang Shi’an quickly took them first. “I’m fine, I’m fine! I can handle this myself.”

She hurriedly placed the dishes in the dishwasher and then proactively wiped down the table, as if doing so would prevent her from owing Jian Chenyu any further.

Sang Shi’an went straight back to her room to catch up on sleep. When she woke up, it was already two in the afternoon.

People can’t stay idle for too long. Once they do, their minds start wandering, like Sang Shi’an’s thoughts about her strange relationship with Jian Chenyu.

Or about the box of clothes she’d dropped in the living room that morning.

Sang Shi’an hurried out of her room, unsurprised to find the box already opened. She couldn’t tell if the clothes had been taken out. Jian Chenyu sat upright at the desk in the study, typing on the keyboard, her long hair neatly pinned up with a claw clip, looking both refreshed and professional.

As Sang Shi’an approached, she noticed Jian Chenyu had changed into a formal white shirt.

It looked a bit like the one she’d worn last night when she changed in front of me.

But the next moment, Jian Chenyu began speaking a string of English words Sang Shi’an didn’t understand, her voice clear and precise.

Sang Shi’an stopped, guessing Jian Chenyu was on a video call. She peeked around the screen, revealing half her head, and saw Jian Chenyu gesturing for her to wait.

Understanding the signal, Sang Shi’an quietly retreated to her room, turned on her phone (which she’d switched off the night before), and saw a WeChat message from Sang Shiyue sent two hours earlier: Jian Chenyu and her parents are coming for dinner tonight. Come home too.

Sang Shi’an pondered. Perhaps it was because Jian Chenyu had told Sang Shiyue last night that they would no longer proceed with the arranged marriage. Since it was her birthday yesterday, Sang Shiyue likely waited until today to break the news to their parents.

Now that the two families wouldn’t become in-laws, they needed to meet as soon as possible to demonstrate that their friendship remained intact.

This wasn’t some Hongmen Banquet after all. Sang Shi’an replied with a simple “Okay,” adding a cute emoji for good measure.

Remembering the Lamborghini from last night, Sang Shi’an felt a pang of unease. She immediately called Sang Shiyue, showering him with effusive praise—”Best brother ever! You’re the greatest!”—giving him a generous dose of emotional validation.

As they hung up, Sang Shiyue asked about her school’s final exam schedule.

Sang Shi’an counted on her fingers. “Three exams next week, then two the week after. But the dates for Financial Management and Marxist Theory haven’t been announced yet.”

Sang Shiyue: “I was hoping you could come to the company when you have time. Mom and Dad have already agreed to let you start managing the funds and stocks. The dividends from these past years have been kept untouched for you. There’s quite a bit of paperwork, so let’s wait until your winter break starts.”

Sang Shiyue had mentioned this before. With guests at home yesterday, Sang Shi’an hadn’t asked about it. She hadn’t expected him to actually follow through so quickly.

As a college student, it made little difference whether she received these items now or after graduation. Her family certainly didn’t need her money.

But thinking back to her recent collaboration with Wen Yansheng, she realized it was better to act sooner rather than later. She called out to Sang Shiyue, “Wait, after next week’s three exams, we’ll have five days without exams. I’ll take one day to come see you, okay?”

Sang Shiyue didn’t suspect anything. “That works. The company lawyers are all here right now. By the time winter break comes, I might have to send them out on assignment.”

Sang Shi’an teased him a bit about sending people out on assignment so close to the Lunar New Year before hanging up.

Jian Chenyu, who had just finished his work, knocked on her door. “An’an?”

Sang Shi’an passed by the walk-in closet, tugged at her clothes to make sure she was properly covered, and calmly opened the door. “You’re done working?”

Jian Chenyu nodded, gesturing for her to follow him. “You were looking for those clothes earlier, right? When your suitcase fell this morning, the tape came undone. It might not be good to leave them piled on the floor, so I took the liberty of putting them on the sofa.”

As they passed the cardboard box, Sang Shi’an glanced at it and saw the cracked bottom. She couldn’t say anything more.

“Should I find another box to pack these up for you? Or would a shopping bag do?” Jian Chenyu asked, picking up one of the vampire cosplay outfits and turning to the side.

Sang Shi’an remembered the scene of herself wearing that outfit, coquettishly begging Jian Chenyu to bite her for the camera, and the tips of her ears flushed crimson.

She shook her head, forcibly banishing the memory, and said calmly, “Just put them in any opaque bag. I’ll throw them out later.”

Jian Chenyu: “You’re going to throw these away?”

Sang Shi’an’s face burned even hotter, her voice tinged with exasperation. “I already told you I’m not like Cat Cat! What are you guessing now?”

Jian Chenyu’s gaze shifted from Sang Shi’an’s expressive face to the pile of clothes, his tone softening further. “But these clothes were worn close to your skin, and they’re clearly women’s garments. If someone with ill intentions were to find them, it would be unsettling.”

Sang Shi’an was skeptical. “What are the chances of that happening? Don’t other women throw away their clothes like this too?”

Jian Chenyu unfolded the outfit, his hand gliding inch by inch across the gold-dusted tulle, as if caressing Sang Shi’an’s skin.

Sang Shi’an’s pupils constricted, and she immediately changed her tune. “Okay, I get it. I’ll just keep them at home then.”

Jian Chenyu nodded in satisfaction. “I’ll get someone to cut them into strips and dispose of them properly. No need to donate them.”

Sang Shi’an nodded. “Okay.”

“Or…” Jian Chenyu paused, her tone suddenly taking on a deeper meaning, “remember what I said last night about wanting you to understand me better?”

Sang Shi’an let out an “Ah.” “What does that have to do with the clothes?”

Jian Chenyu replied, “I’ve learned so much about you. Don’t you want to understand me better too?”

Sang Shi’an: “That’s not necessary.”

Jian Chenyu reached out and pulled Sang Shi’an closer, her voice dropping to a low murmur. “Didn’t you say you wanted to turn me into a Bl00d Clan member? I could probably wear this outfit too. It’s quite beautiful, after all.”

Her voice, already captivating, became even more alluring when she slowed down, leaving Sang Shi’an’s heart itching with anticipation. Pulled onto the sofa by Jian Chenyu, Sang Shi’an nearly jumped up again.

“I only said I wanted to see it to fit the mood! Even if I wanted to understand you better, I wouldn’t need to start with your clothes. I don’t want to see it!”

“But wearing this outfit would reveal a side of me you’ve never seen before. Just like how your mood changes completely when you switch from cosplay to pajamas, it would expose emotions I usually keep hidden—a part of me you don’t know.”

Sang Shi’an pressed down firmly on the vampire costume, refusing to be swayed by Jian Chenyu’s words. “This is completely different! Don’t try to trick me, Jian Chenyu.”

Jian Chenyu smiled. “Alright, alright. Our An’an is so clever.”

Sang Shi’an: ……

Ignoring the deliberately coaxing tone, Sang Shi’an said, “Fine, fine. I’ll pretend you’re just trying to comfort me. I really don’t mind anymore. I promise I’ll never care about these worn clothes again, okay?”

She turned her face away, her lips pouting slightly in displeasure.

“Okay, then I won’t change,” Jian Chenyu said, knowing when to stop.

Sang Shi’an nodded. “I’ll put these back in the room first.”

“But…” Jian Chenyu spoke again as Sang Shi’an reached for the clothes, her gaze focused and her voice gentle.

“I’ve always forgotten to tell you, you looked absolutely stunning when you wore these clothes back then.”

“That’s why I fell for you at first sight.”

Sang Shi’an: ……

Ahhhh!!!

Sang Shi’an suddenly tackled Jian Chenyu, clamping a hand over her mouth. “You’re not allowed to say another word!”