After the Online Romance with the Campus Beauty Roommate Went Wrong - Chapter 7

The next morning, Sang Shi’an received a message from her brother, Sang Shiyue, saying he would pick her up in an hour. She drew back the curtains and, as expected, the familiar Phantom was already parked downstairs.

After a quick wash, she hurried downstairs. The driver spotted her from afar, got out, and opened the car door for her.

“Why are you so slow?” Sang Shiyue closed his laptop, his gaze settling on Sang Shi’an’s face. “Why are you wearing a mask so early in the morning?”

Sang Shiyue was eight years older than Sang Shi’an. Having managed the family company for years, he had long cultivated the commanding presence of a leader. Dressed impeccably in a custom-tailored shirt and suit, he exuded an effortless air of authority even as he leaned casually against the seat.

“If you brought a cheaper car next time, I wouldn’t need to wear a mask,” Sang Shi’an said, leaning forward to address the driver. “Uncle Wang, let’s go.”

After a few perfunctory questions about her studies, Sang Shiyue began taking calls. He seemed swamped with work, the calls coming one after another. When his phone finally fell silent, he noticed Sang Shi’an’s lingering gaze. The wry smile playing on his lips was both helpless and knowing. “Still staring? What, did you realize none of the boys at your school are as handsome as your brother?”

Sang Shi’an immediately turned to look out the window. “Crazy.”

Sang Shiyue moved closer to her, as if suddenly intrigued. “Is it wrong for me to show some concern for my little sister’s love life?”

Sang Shi’an leaned back, her back pressed against the car door, with no way to retreat. “I-I-I came back this week for serious business.”

Sang Shiyue rested his left arm on the center console, revealing a sophisticated wristwatch. “Speak.”

“Could you… advance me some pocket money?” Sang Shi’an stammered, her voice lacking confidence. “And don’t tell Mom and Dad.”

“Reason?”

“It’s my friend’s birthday. I’ve already given several gifts, and when we go out, it’s my turn to pay…”

The Sang Family didn’t restrict Sang Shi’an’s normal spending, but she felt guilty about this request. At the end of summer vacation, Sang Shiyue had secretly transferred her a sum large enough to buy an apartment outside the Fifth Ring Road.

This explanation clearly wouldn’t pass muster.

Sang Shiyue’s deep, dark eyes scrutinized her, the earlier warmth replaced by the cold detachment and oppressive aura of a superior. Sang Shi’an barely dared to breathe, feeling suffocated.

Suddenly, Sang Shiyue chuckled softly and flicked Sang Shi’an’s forehead. “Money-burning fiend.”

“I don’t care how you spend your money,” he continued. “In a year or two, Mom and Dad won’t restrict your spending anymore. But stay away from shady people, especially—the kind with dyed hair and tattooed arms.” Sang Shiyue shot her a warning look. “Got it?”

“You’re the one who likes those cheap salon types,” Sang Shi’an retorted.

Having reached this point in the conversation, Sang Shi’an couldn’t resist adding, “Brother, when are you bringing home a sister-in-law?”

Sang Shiyue paused dramatically for two seconds. “Mind your own business, kid.”

Sang Shi’an persisted, “What about that older sister from last time? I thought she was pretty good.”

“Which one?” Sang Shiyue asked.

Sang Shi’an described her, but Sang Shiyue still didn’t recognize her. She then brought up someone he’d bumped into even earlier. Finally, at a loss for words, Sang Shi’an frowned and fell silent for a long moment. “Are you really…?”

Sang Shiyue crossed his arms and calmly finished her sentence.

“A scumbag?”

“Promiscuous?”

“Irresponsible?”

Finally, Sang Shiyue, his expression impassive and his tone icy, declared, “Sang Shi’an, your allowance is cut off.”

Sang Shi’an’s face registered disbelief, but she knew when to yield. She immediately lowered her posture and said, “I was wrong.”

Sang Shiyue chuckled, the deliberately maintained facade of formality vanishing, replaced by a hint of the carefree, cynical demeanor he’d worn before joining the company. He tapped a few commands on his phone, and moments later, Sang Shi’an’s screen lit up with a bank notification: funds had been deposited into her account.

Sang Shi’an counted the zeros and finally smiled. “Thank you, Brother.”

“Take the money and do something for me,” Sang Shiyue said.

He who eats another’s food is beholden to them; he who takes another’s money is indebted to them.

Thus, when Sang Shi’an returned home and faced her parents’ questions, she calmly explained, “Our school has a study abroad exchange program, so I asked Brother to come to campus and help me look into it.”

“He won’t be back for lunch?”

“Probably not,” Sang Shi’an replied, affectionately linking arms with her mother. “Mom, did you need to see Brother about something?”

“Nothing urgent. We had invited someone over for lunch today, and I wanted him to meet them, but they had an important matter come up and couldn’t make it.”

“A blind date, huh?” Sang Shi’an asked curiously. “Which family’s older sister is it?”

Madam Ren stroked her hair, her tone mysterious. “Someone you know quite well. You’ll find out soon enough.”

After spending two days at home, Sang Shi’an called her brother to update him on her project progress. To her surprise, he had already boarded a plane for an international business trip.

Whether he’s genuinely busy or just pretending is anyone’s guess, she thought.

After being pampered by her parents for two comfortable days, Sang Shi’an took the bus back to school on Sunday afternoon.

Dinner was reserved at a newly opened Omakase restaurant downtown, a Japanese dining experience costing two thousand yuan per person. The invitees had all arrived early.

When Sang Shi’an arrived, Xu Taotao was already gossiping with Su Ningyue. She greeted them warmly before checking her phone and texting Jian Chenyu:

When will you be here?

Half a minute later, Jian Chenyu replied: Stuck in traffic. Ten minutes.

Sang Shi’an raised an eyebrow. Su Ningyue’s fluffy head leaned closer. “Is that Senior Jian? No rush—Jiang Jiang and her boyfriend aren’t here yet either.”

Two newly purchased magazines lay on the table. Sang Shi’an leaned closer and realized they were recent weekly issues.

Xu Taotao raised her hand. “I just opened the package! No one touch them!”

Sang Shi’an: I’ll never understand you fangirls.

Finally remembering her other roommate amidst the excitement, Xu Taotao slapped the table and stood up. “Jiang Jiang said she was almost here ten minutes ago. Did she get lost? I’ll go check outside.”

Sang Shi’an stopped her. “I know this area well. I’ll go.”

Xu Taotao clearly didn’t want to leave, but she sat back down with a sigh. “That’s so embarrassing.”

Sang Shi’an chuckled and teased her for a moment before leaving the private room.

The restaurant wasn’t crowded, perhaps because the staff were all attending to their assigned private rooms. Sang Shi’an sent Jiang Xinqi a message and glanced around while waiting. Just as she was about to head toward the parking lot, she heard faint voices around the corner.

The familiar voice made her freeze.

Could that be Jiang Xinqi?

The distance made it impossible to confirm. Sang Shi’an moved closer and saw Jiang Xinqi cornered against the wall by someone.

Across from them stood another woman.

Their conversation drifted over: “You’ve already broken up with him, so why can’t you introduce me to your roommates? Are you lying about the breakup? Was it all a lie?”

Jiang Xinqi, always the most reserved of her roommates, replied softly, “If I’m with you, it means I’ve ended things completely. But suddenly bringing a girlfriend to meet my friends would be a bit… sudden, don’t you think?”

“Just tell your roommates what you told him about breaking up.”

“Huh? Tell them I suddenly realized I don’t like men? Wouldn’t that be a little… mmph!”

The voices abruptly stopped. Confused, Sang Shi’an peeked around the corner and saw Jiang Xinqi’s roommate, her eyes glistening, pinned against the wall by the other woman, their lips locked in a kiss.

Sang Shi’an froze, the sudden shock flushing her face crimson. She stumbled backward, her arm colliding with a sharp corner. A gasp threatened to escape her lips, but a hand suddenly clamped over her mouth from behind, accompanied by a low warning: “Careful.”

Sang Shi’an turned her head.

It was Jian Chenyu.

The two figures around the corner seemed to have resumed their argument. The sounds of their kisses grew frantic and breathless, leaving Sang Shi’an flushed crimson as Jian Chenyu tugged her arm, pulling her back to the second corner.

When they finally stopped, Sang Shi’an whispered, “When did you get here?”

“Just parked,” Jian Chenyu replied, nodding toward the car beside them.

Sang Shi’an followed her gaze. It was still that Aston Martin. Amused by their slightly clandestine behavior, she chuckled. “How many James Bond movies have you watched?”

Jian Chenyu: “James Bond?”

“Yeah,” Sang Shi’an explained. “The Aston Martin DB10 became iconic because of him, right? Sales have dropped a lot in recent years. Your car looks so similar—isn’t it because of the movies?”

Jian Chenyu shook her head. “No.”

Sang Shi’an let out an “Oh.” “Well, it’s still really beautiful.”

Footsteps approached from nearby. Sang Shi’an spotted Jiang Xinqi first and pulled Jian Chenyu behind the car to hide.

The cars were parked so close together that the sudden proximity made the air feel thin.

The car had only just been turned off, and Sang Shi’an could still feel the lingering warmth from the engine. Jian Chenyu lowered her gaze, her eyes gently skimming over Sang Shi’an’s rapidly fluttering eyelashes. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“My roommates just walked by,” Sang Shi’an replied, unsure how to explain homosexuality to Jian Chenyu. Until Jiang Xinqi explicitly introduced them, she had to pretend she was unaware.

She leaned forward to check on the pair, only relaxing when they had exited the parking lot. “Okay, let’s go out now…”

A strand of Jian Chenyu’s hair brushed across her lips, the last syllable of her sentence vanishing against her mouth.

Having finished watching the scene unfold, Sang Shi’an suddenly realized how close they were, almost frozen like statues.

Jian Chenyu spoke first. “Ready to go out?”

Seeming oblivious to the awkwardness, Sang Shi’an seized the opportunity to stand up. “Yes, yes, let’s go. Everyone’s waiting for us to start dinner.”

During the walk from the parking lot to the restaurant, Sang Shi’an remained unusually quiet. Jian Chenyu wasn’t much of a talker either, and Sang Shi’an found herself glancing at her every few steps.

Finally, just before entering the restaurant, she couldn’t resist probing, “You don’t seem… surprised by my roommates?”

Jian Chenyu: “Surprised?”

Sang Shi’an rephrased, “I mean… not repulsed?”

Although same-s3x relationships were becoming increasingly common, same-s3x marriage remained illegal, and prejudice persisted.

Dreading the upcoming dinner with Jiang Xinqi and her girlfriend, Sang Shi’an tried to preemptively warn Jian Chenyu: “This is perfectly normal. Sexual orientation is fluid; heterosexuality and homosexuality are personal choices. If you’re uncomfortable, just sit further away from them during dinner. But please, don’t show any—”

“Sang Shi’an,” Jian Chenyu interrupted, stopping and turning to face her.

“Hmm?”

Twilight had deepened, the last rays of sunset fading from the eaves. Standing in shadow, Jian Chenyu’s pale eyes held a hint of scrutiny.

After a pause, she asked, “Do you think I would discriminate against them?”

Sang Shi’an: ……

You didn’t have to be so blunt.

Sang Shi’an coughed awkwardly, her eyes darting nervously around the room. “Of course I don’t think you’re prejudiced against same-s3x relationships. I was just worried you might react strangely after seeing them kiss. My friend is easily embarrassed, so please don’t call them out, okay?”

Jian Chenyu seemed to listen intently, responding slowly after Sang Shi’an finished, “Alright.”

Sang Shi’an’s tense nerves relaxed. “Then let’s go inside.”

Jian Chenyu withdrew her gaze and walked into the restaurant.

A waiter recognized Sang Shi’an and approached to guide them to their table.

As they crossed the lobby, Jian Chenyu suddenly said, “However…”

Sang Shi’an stopped in her tracks. “Huh?”

Jian Chenyu: “I don’t think I’ve ever said I disapprove of same-s3x intimacy.”