After Transmigrating, I Became The Heroine’s First Love! - Chapter 17

Pei Xiangwan smiled. “That’s wonderful! See you tonight.” Noticing Qiao Yanxin trying to sneak away, she added, “Yanxin said she wants to come too. Would that be okay? The more the merrier.”

Suddenly called out, Qiao Yanxin froze and shouted, “What?! When did I say that?! You’re making things up, Pei Xiangwan!”

Just as Qiao Yanxin was about to defend herself, her eyes met Pei Xiangwan’s. Instantly, she became docile and obedient. “Y-yes, yes, I do want to go! I really, really want to go! Is that okay?”

Damn it! If it weren’t for Pei Xiangwan, I wouldn’t say a word to Chen Zui!

“Of course. See you tonight, then.”

After their conversation, Chen Zui left first. Qiao Yanxin stayed behind to update Pei Xiangwan on the progress of finding the cat. Pei Xiangwan told Jiang Shiyuan to go wait in the car, promising to join her shortly. Though reluctant, Jiang Shiyuan agreed.

Once Jiang Shiyuan was gone, Qiao Yanxin said, “We found two cats that match the photos. Both were in critical condition when we found them.”

She glanced at Pei Xiangwan before continuing, “They both had injuries. My cousin said they were definitely inflicted by humans.”

Pei Xiangwan, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. “So they were abused.”

Qiao Yanxin nodded. “Exactly. They were abused. One of them even had a tooth pulled out. But overall, they were lucky. Compared to the ones my cousin used to rescue, those were beyond saving. By the time they were found, their skin and flesh had already separated…” Qiao Yanxin couldn’t help but gag, the vivid image rising in her mind.

Pei Xiangwan’s brow remained furrowed throughout the conversation. “Has the cat abuser ever been caught? Jiang Jiang said they’ve never found them.”

Qiao Yanxin exhaled a heavy breath. “No. Either the security cameras were broken, or they didn’t capture the person.”

Qiao Yanxin suddenly felt like someone was watching her, sending shivers down her spine. She glanced around, spotting only scattered students and Jiang Shiyuan in the car ahead. But the car windows were tinted black, making it impossible to see inside.

Contrary to appearances, Jiang Shiyuan was tapping his fingers against the window, the rhythmic taps like a countdown, calculating how much longer Pei Xiangwan would take…

“Okay, okay, let’s stop talking about this. I feel like someone’s watching us—it’s creepy. I’m going now. Oh, Xiang Wan, remember I’m taking you to my cousin’s pet hospital tomorrow to see the cats. Don’t forget!”

“Okay.”

“Wanwan, are you done chatting?”

It was just a casual inquiry, yet it felt like more, as if Jiang Shiyuan was displeased that Pei Xiangwan had chatted with Qiao Yanxin for so long.

But Jiang Shiyuan’s expression was so pure, especially those dewy eyes—she looked every bit the harmless Little Fox. Pei Xiangwan cursed herself inwardly, wondering if she was becoming paranoid, suspecting even the Little Fox!

Damn it!

“Yeah, we talked a bit longer than expected. I’m sorry for making you wait so long. I won’t do it again.”

“It’s okay.”

As the car glided down the road, Jiang Shiyuan’s voice echoed in the enclosed space, lingering in Pei Xiangwan’s ears like a continuous loop. The tone carried both her hurt and her fear.

Pei Xiangwan turned to Jiang Shiyuan, her voice resolute. “Really, Jiang Jiang, I promise I’ll never make you wait again. Never, ever.”

A faint smile touched Jiang Shiyuan’s lips, her dimples deepening slightly. “Words like that can be dangerous if you don’t follow through, Wanwan. You know that, right?”

Jiang Shiyuan met Pei Xiangwan’s gaze. This person before her was the only one she couldn’t decipher, the one she desired most. Yet this lustrous black pearl could speak, could conceal, and even attract swarms of moths with her smile, all desperately crashing toward the light.

Jiang Shiyuan’s eyes darkened as she recalled the photo she had seen earlier that day.

Pei Xiangwan sensed Jiang Shiyuan’s low mood. Looks like the Little Fox still doesn’t trust me, she thought.

“Of course I know. I made a promise, and I’ll definitely keep it.”

Jiang Shiyuan scoffed softly, her fingertip tapping Pei Xiangwan’s cheek as she leaned closer. Just as I imagined—it feels wonderful.

“What if you can’t keep it? Anyone can say that,” Jiang Shiyuan said, her finger slowly gliding across Pei Xiangwan’s jelly-smooth skin, brushing casually against the corner of her mouth before withdrawing with practiced nonchalance.

“That’s easy. If I fail, Jiang Jiang, whatever you say, I’ll do.”

“Really?”

Pei Xiangwan nodded eagerly, her hand gripping Jiang Shiyuan’s in excitement. “Really, really! More real than pearls!”

Jiang Shiyuan chuckled at Pei Xiangwan’s earnest expression, reminded of the Maltese puppy she had seen earlier.

Their gazes were identical, and both loved to press their paws against the back of her hand.

The only difference was the puppy’s curly fur. Jiang Shiyuan withdrew her hand from Pei Xiangwan’s tight grip.

“Remember your words. Failure will be punished.”