After the Online Romance with the Campus Beauty Roommate Went Wrong - Chapter 48

Since they were taking the subway home in the afternoon, Ren Li arranged for a driver to take Sang Shi’an and the others back to school the next day.

With the driver present, they couldn’t talk freely.

Sang Shi’an rested her hand on the car window, her gaze drifting aimlessly over the blurring streetlights.

Her mouth still felt sour, and her limbs were numb.

She could practically smell Jian Chenyu all over her.

Though nearly an hour had passed, Jian Chenyu’s final words kept replaying in her mind, looping endlessly.

Sang Shi’an tried to recall every sad memory she could, but she still couldn’t suppress the damned, disobedient corners of her mouth from curving upward.

Jian Chenyu hadn’t seen her as a substitute for Cat Cat.

Jian Chenyu had rejected her brother’s marriage proposal because of her.

Jian Chenyu had kissed her because she couldn’t resist crossing the line.

Jian Chenyu had confessed to her tonight.

How could she ever have thought Jian Chenyu liked Cat Cat more than her?

This gentle Jian Chenyu—the one she alone had experienced—was far more human and tender than the Jian Chenyu Cat Cat had known.

Suddenly, Sang Shi’an realized she wasn’t jealous of Cat Cat at all. This wasn’t about possessiveness; it was about a lonely young adult craving affection.

Sang Shi’an had successfully brainwashed herself. The more she thought about it, the more unbelievable it seemed that Jian Chenyu had been secretly harboring feelings for her all along.

She had even deliberately sprained her ankle multiple times, throwing herself into his arms, and fabricated a “Brother” she supposedly liked. Could Jian Chenyu have known who “Brother” really was all along?

Thank goodness Jian Chenyu never called me out on it.

Sang Shi’an ducked her head, burying her face in her sweater collar, her cheeks flushing crimson with embarrassment.

Jian Chenyu had been hiding his feelings so deeply. How could she have missed the signs?

Lost in a whirlwind of confusion, Sang Shi’an didn’t snap out of her daze until the driver stopped the car at her apartment building. She grabbed her coat and bolted out of the car as if fleeing.

Behind her, Jian Chenyu’s footsteps were slow and deliberate. Just as the elevator doors closed, Sang Shi’an cut to the chase before he could speak: “You said you’d give me time to think.”

Jian Chenyu replied softly, “I haven’t said anything yet.”

Sang Shi’an covered her ears. “I’m deaf. I can’t hear you.”

Jian Chenyu took her hand. “Should I call a doctor to come check on you at home?”

Afraid Jian Chenyu would notice her burning temperature, Sang Shi’an immediately shook her off. “No, no!”

The elevator doors chimed open. As if being chased by a wolf, Sang Shi’an quickly opened the door, only to be caught up by Jian Chenyu while changing into slippers. “Are you going to study tonight?”

Sang Shi’an nodded. “Yes.”

Jian Chenyu bent down to hand her slippers. “Then after you finish studying, would you do me the honor of joining me for a late-night snack?”

Sang Shi’an let out a small “Ah,” then said dryly, “I… I don’t feel like studying anymore.”

Jian Chenyu: ……

Jian Chenyu couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “I need to study too. I just wanted to share a late-night snack with you. Give me a chance to increase my favorability points, okay?”

What more favorability points could there be? Sang Shi’an thought. I’m already head over heels for you.

She turned her face away and said, “You’re the one begging me to eat, not the other way around. It has nothing to do with… that thing.”

Jian Chenyu was utterly charmed by Sang Shi’an’s cuteness. Playing along, she said, “It’s just too lonely eating late-night snacks alone. I begged you to join me, but it has nothing to do with chasing you.”

Sang Shi’an’s palms were drenched in sweat behind her back, but she managed to maintain a composed expression. “Mm, good that you understand.”

“I’m so honored,” Jian Chenyu said, pulling out her phone and scrolling to Sang Shi’an’s favorite restaurants. She handed it over. “I’m not familiar with late-night portion sizes. Could you help me order, An’an?”

Sang Shi’an hesitated. “If you won’t eat late-night snacks alone, how did you survive those four years in Europe?”

“Barely managed not to starve,” Jian Chenyu replied, changing her shoes and straightening up. With a long stride, she moved closer to Sang Shi’an, handed her the phone, and began taking off her coat.

Sang Shi’an stood frozen, staring intently at her, especially when her gaze landed on Jian Chenyu’s unusually rumpled chest. She quickly averted her eyes in a panic.

Oh, right. I think she grabbed it when we were kissing at her place earlier.

Hopefully, no one noticed when we left.

Considering Jian Chenyu’s light palate, Sang Shi’an chose coconut chicken. She paused on the payment page, then shoved her phone back into her pocket. “I need to study now. Don’t bother me.”

Jian Chenyu’s eyes crinkled with amusement as he tapped on his phone. “Why not study in the study? It’s more spacious there.”

With so many seats in the study, what if Jian Chenyu decides to squeeze in too? Sang Shi’an firmly refused. “No need. My back aches today. I’ll just lie in bed and memorize my notes.”

Back in her room, Sang Shi’an lowered the thermostat a few degrees before collapsing onto the bed. She rolled around several times, barely managing to calm herself down.

Jian Chenyu had confessed his feelings for her.

This is absolutely amazing!

New lovers often develop a peculiar habit: thinking of their partner no matter what they’re doing. After memorizing for over half an hour, Sang Shi’an realized her practice paper was covered in Jian Chenyu’s name. Glancing at the specialized terms she was supposed to be memorizing, she saw she was still stuck on the very first line.

Just after midnight, Jian Chenyu knocked on her door.

The coconut chicken, served with a portable stove, began to simmer, filling the dining room with its sweet, savory aroma. Across the bubbling pot, Jian Chenyu handed her a bowl of steaming broth.

The flavor was perfectly authentic, and Sang Shi’an closed her eyes in contentment.

After finishing half the bowl, she noticed Jian Chenyu hadn’t touched her chopsticks, sitting across from her and quietly watching her.

Her low ponytail softened her features, and those pale eyes were so gentle they seemed to drown her in warmth. Sang Shi’an froze slightly, recalling Su Ningyue’s words when she’d urged her to pursue an online romance with Jian Chenyu:

Someone like Senior Jian, who seems so detached from worldly desires, would become a raging inferno when she falls in love—a peak romance addict.

At the time, Sang Shi’an had dismissed it as hyperbole. But now, as those words suddenly resurfaced in her mind, she felt a rare moment of confusion.

Jian Chenyu’s passion did burn fiercely. Their kisses had been more erotic than any yuri adult films she’d secretly watched, forcing her to change her innerwear as soon as she returned.

Could Su Ningyue have been right all along?

Better observe her a little longer, Sang Shi’an thought.

Jian Chenyu opened the remaining packages. “I added some side dishes. See if there’s anything you like.”

Sang Shi’an lazily waved her hand. “Anything is fine. I’m not picky.”

Jian Chenyu picked up the top box. “Black tiger prawns and tiger prawns? They’re all fresh.”

Sang Shi’an frowned. “Peeling shrimp is such a hassle.”

Jian Chenyu: ……

Jian Chenyu picked up another box. “How about baby abalone and scallops? They’re already cleaned and ready to eat.”

Sang Shi’an shook her head. “Huh? I heard shellfish from coastal waters have tested for excessive heavy metal contamination.”

Jian Chenyu: ……

Jian Chenyu had deliberately avoided vegetables Sang Shi’an disliked, but she hadn’t realized how many rules came with Sang Shi’an’s claim of “not being picky.”

As Jian Chenyu gradually went through all the side dishes, she realized Sang Shi’an only wanted foods she could eat directly. After processing all the ingredients with gloves, she finally earned a nod from Miss Sang.

If she were dealing with a picky child during the Lunar New Year, Jian Chenyu would have lost her patience long ago. But with Sang Shi’an sitting obediently before her, even her finicky habits seemed like an endearing quirk.

Sang Shi’an had been taught excellent manners from a young age, eating in small, dainty bites with remarkable refinement.

As Jian Chenyu finished peeling the shrimp, Sang Shi’an asked in her usual refined manner, “Did you learn how to kiss from those foreign videos? People don’t kiss like that in real relationships. You should watch more domestic idol dramas that can actually be broadcast on TV. You kiss so aggressively—my tongue still feels sore.”

Jian Chenyu paused mid-motion, setting down the ingredients.

Fortunately, she had weathered many storms before. She glanced casually at Sang Shi’an and said, “I haven’t practiced with anyone before. If you have preferences, teach me next time.”

Sang Shi’an: ……

I can’t afford to teach you that.

Sang Shi’an had only meant to make a casual remark during dinner, but she belatedly realized she had dug herself into a hole. Her cheeks, which had finally regained their pale complexion, flushed crimson again. “I haven’t even agreed to be your girlfriend yet! Don’t say such things!”

Jian Chenyu nodded. “I’ll make sure to learn properly from my future girlfriend.”

Sang Shi’an glared fiercely at her and refused to speak further. After enjoying the free meal and drinks to her satisfaction, she stood up. “This coconut chicken wasn’t as good as the last place we went. I’ll send you the name of another restaurant later—you can save it.”

Jian Chenyu propped his hand on the table, smiling as he asked, “So, when do you want to have coconut chicken again?”

Sang Shi’an replied, “Not anytime soon.”

Jian Chenyu’s smile deepened, his eyes narrowing. “Alright, then we can try something else tomorrow night.”

The next day, Monday, Sang Shi’an took Su Ningyue to the library early. As expected, Su Ningyue’s textbooks were still pristine white. Sang Shi’an pulled out milk tea and several boxes of light desserts from her bag, offering them with a placating look.

Sang Shi’an dutifully helped Su Ningyue highlight key points, typing on her phone: It’s not too late to change your major.

Su Ningyue immediately rejected the suggestion: Isn’t every major just about memorizing a ton of books? I’d rather go into journalism. With all the gossip about the entertainment industry, I’d never have to worry about meeting my quota as a paparazzi.

Sang Shi’an was speechless. Just wait until they start hunting you down.

Su Ningyue stuck her tongue out at her, completely unfazed.

While in the library, Su Ningyue resisted the urge to use her phone. But on the way to the cafeteria for lunch, she kept her head down, her newly manicured nails tapping lightly against the screen with a pleasant click-clack sound.

Sang Shi’an glanced casually at Su Ningyue’s phone and noticed the contact was saved as “Older Sister.”

Amused, she asked, “Chatting with which ‘good older sister’?”

“Who else would I call ‘Older Sister’ without a prefix? My sister, Su Ning Shang, of course,” Su Ningyue replied candidly. “She said she wants to take me on vacation during winter break, but I told her Yan City is too cold. I suggested she find a warm little island instead.”

Sang Shi’an said calmly, “The seaside sounds lovely. The sunshine and lively atmosphere would definitely lift your spirits.”

Su Ningyue put down her phone, her smile relaxed. “Little Sangsang, do we really need to beat around the bush like this? We’re going on a secret date, so of course we’d choose a secluded spot.”

Sang Shi’an had long suspected their relationship. Anyone else might have asked directly, but she had stubbornly refrained from mentioning it, pretending to know nothing.

Su Ningyue was far more direct. “You’re starting to sound more and more like Senior Jian. Sometimes you don’t need to be so polite. Isn’t it exhausting to keep everything bottled up?”

Ever since Su Ningyue discovered the bite mark on Sang Shi’an’s lip that night, she had tacitly accepted the relationship between Sang Shi’an and Jian Chenyu. She rattled off a litany of examples she’d long suspected hinted at their connection, dominating the entire meal with her theories. Sang Shi’an’s heart fluttered, yet she stubbornly insisted Su Ningyue was overthinking things.

After dinner, while strolling on the campus track to digest, they unexpectedly ran into Jian Chenyu.

A welcome sign for visiting professors from other universities had been displayed near the school gate since morning. The Department of Chemistry’s symposium was underway, and a group of faculty members was emerging from the Laboratory Building. Jian Chenyu, likely due to her recently published thesis, had been brought along as a showcase for the department.

When Sang Shi’an woke up that morning, Jian Chenyu was already gone, leaving a steaming breakfast in the microwave. This thoughtful gesture had sent Sang Shi’an to the window early, where she stood in the cold wind for a long time to calm down.

Today, Jian Chenyu wore a Hepburn-esque black coat, exuding elegance and intellect. Her half-up, half-down hairstyle added to her composed and reserved demeanor, making her look every bit the rising research star. Amidst the crowd of older professors, she stood out immediately.

As they passed a signboard showcasing research achievements, Jian Chenyu continued to explain the accomplishments of Yanjing University’s prominent figures, radiating an air of mature command.

The lunchtime crowd of students buzzed with whispers, drawing attention to their group.

Su Ningyue exclaimed dramatically, “Hey, isn’t that the campus heartthrob from the art department? Is he trying to switch majors for graduate studies and waiting for a chance to network with professors?”

Sang Shi’an: ?

The young man was pale and slender, estimated to be around 185 cm tall, with a sunny smile that perfectly matched mainstream beauty standards. Sang Shi’an paused, taking a deliberate second glance.

Su Ningyue draped her arm around Sang Shi’an’s shoulder, resting her chin on her back to watch the scene unfold. “No, no, he doesn’t seem to be looking at the professors. Could it be Senior Jian? I heard younger guys are really into older women these days. Senior Jian is practically the ideal type!”

Sure enough, as the professors moved ahead, the art department heartthrob seized his chance and called out to Jian Chenyu.

Sang Shi’an’s heart leaped into her throat.

But she was still on the track field, the nearest exit fifty meters away. She could only stand by the green fence and watch from afar. Unexpectedly, as Jian Chenyu spoke to the young man, she suddenly glanced in Sang Shi’an’s direction.

The glance was fleeting, barely there, yet Sang Shi’an alone caught the hint of amusement in Jian Chenyu’s eyes, as if saying, You’re sneaking peeks at me, aren’t you?

Sang Shi’an turned her back, leaned against the green fence, and took several deep breaths, still unable to calm her racing heart.

Only after the professor and his group had gradually moved away, and Jian Chenyu had disappeared from sight, did Sang Shi’an dare to turn around again. The art department’s campus heartthrob was now playing basketball with his friends, looking to be in quite a good mood.

So, why is he in such a good mood?

Sang Shi’an shook her head, feeling utterly pathetic. She hadn’t even started dating yet, and she’d already caught every symptom of lovesickness.

Back at the library, Sang Shi’an received a WeChat message from Jian Chenyu, asking her to wait for him at the laboratory.

Without even asking why, Sang Shi’an pulled her makeup bag from her bag and hurried to the restroom to touch up her makeup.

In a flurry of activity, despite having already checked her appearance a thousand times, she rushed back to Su Ningyue to ask if anything looked off.

Su Ningyue, puzzled, scrutinized her carefully before reluctantly pointing out, “Your collar’s a bit crooked.”

Sang Shi’an dragged Su Ningyue over to help adjust it, then used the excuse of forgetting a textbook to sneak out of the library.