Chapter Sixty-Three: Are You Showing Off to Me

Ten o’clock at night.

Ruan Mianmian was dropped off at the entrance of her apartment building by Jian Yanzhi.

“All right, thanks for bringing me back. You can head home now.”

Jian Yanzhi remained standing where he was, a restless look flickering in his eyes, one Ruan Mianmian couldn’t quite decipher.

But in the end, Jian Yanzhi only glanced at her twice, as if he wanted to say something but didn’t, and kept silent.

“Okay, I’ll watch you go up before I leave.”

Ruan Mianmian frowned. For some reason, Jian Yanzhi seemed odd tonight, but she didn’t press the matter. She nodded and turned to walk inside.

Jian Yanzhi stood behind her, his gaze fixed on her back, his expression inscrutable.

“Whew—”

Jian Yanzhi let out an annoyed sigh. He wasn’t sure what had gotten into him lately; it was as if he’d been bewitched.

Clearly, Song Chenxi was now his girlfriend, yet he found himself entirely uninterested.

The Ruan Mianmian who used to irritate him to no end had somehow become the haunting presence in his heart, impossible to erase.

What was happening to him?

Frustrated, Jian Yanzhi turned away and got into his car, driving off into the night.

After his car had left, two figures hiding behind the fountain sculpture near the entrance finally stepped out.

Guan Lin stared at Jian Yanzhi’s car as it disappeared into the distance, momentarily lost in confusion.

“Wasn’t that Ruan Mianmian who just got out of Jian’s car?”

Cheng Wan bit her lip, equally astonished, but said nothing.

Guan Lin couldn’t hide her shock. “What’s going on here? The way Jian Yanzhi was acting, I thought it was Song Chenxi who just left. He looked so reluctant to part.”

Cheng Wan was also baffled. Last time Jian Yanzhi had asked her to reach out to Ruan Mianmian, she’d already thought it was odd.

She hadn’t expected tonight’s events to be even stranger.

So late, and they were together? Jian Yanzhi personally brought Ruan Mianmian back, and he looked so unsettled—it all seemed suspicious.

Guan Lin boldly speculated, “Do you think Jian Yanzhi might actually like Ruan Mianmian?”

“How is that possible?” Cheng Wan bit her lip, her gaze sharp.

How could someone like her be worthy?

What was Ruan Mianmian, anyway?

Guan Lin shook her head. “You never know. I’ve noticed Jian Yanzhi hasn’t been in touch with Song Chenxi lately, but he’s been spending a lot of time with Ruan Mianmian. There’s definitely something going on between them!”

Cheng Wan gripped her phone so tightly her fingertips turned white, jealousy simmering inside her, unable to find release.

Guan Lin added, “By the way, don’t you have Song Chenxi’s WeChat? Why not ask her?”

Guan Lin’s face was full of anticipation for drama.

Cheng Wan shot her a look. “Forget it. Best not to invite trouble.”

Guan Lin rolled her eyes. “Why didn’t you say that when you were taking pictures earlier? Or were you planning to keep those photos just for yourself?”

Cheng Wan was stung, her expression sour.

“I don’t have time for this. I’m leaving.”

With that, Cheng Wan strode quickly into the apartment, Guan Lin rolling her eyes behind her before following.

...

Ruan Mianmian returned to her apartment and collapsed onto the sofa fully clothed.

For some reason, whenever she found herself alone and at peace, a wave of melancholy and confusion would wash over her, leaving her unsure of which direction to take.

Her phone rang. Ruan Mianmian reached for it, only to find a single message.

She opened it. The screen displayed a terse “Good night,” sent by Jian Yanzhi.

Ruan Mianmian sat up, staring vacantly at her phone.

Lately, Jian Yanzhi was acting very strange!

Ruan Mianmian sensed trouble brewing.

The next moment, before she could react, her phone rang again.

This time it was a call, and the caller was Song Chenxi, much to Ruan Mianmian’s surprise.

“Hello?”

She answered, unsure why Song Chenxi would call her at this hour. She hadn’t wanted to pick up, but politeness prevailed.

“It’s me, Song Chenxi.”

Ruan Mianmian: “I saw, the notification popped up.”

“Heh—”

Song Chenxi let out a cold laugh. “How have you been lately?”

Ruan Mianmian raised an eyebrow. “If you have something to say, just say it. I don’t think we’re close enough to be exchanging pleasantries this late at night.”

“You’re quite direct, so I won’t beat around the bush. Tell me, what’s going on between you and Jian Yanzhi?”

Song Chenxi’s interrogative tone grated on Ruan Mianmian’s nerves.

“What could there possibly be between us? We used to be childhood friends, now we’re colleagues. Aren’t you aware of that?”

Song Chenxi exhaled angrily. “Of course I know that, but I want to know what game you’re playing lately. Don’t you realize Jian Yanzhi hates it when you pull these tricks?”

“What do you mean by that, Song Chenxi?”

Ruan Mianmian couldn’t understand what had happened to provoke Song Chenxi’s fury.

She’d noticed before that Jian Yanzhi and Song Chenxi must have had an argument, but judging from this exchange, it seemed more complicated than a mere quarrel.

Ruan Mianmian’s patience was wearing thin. “Can you just get to the point?”

Song Chenxi fell silent, but Ruan Mianmian could hear her stomping angrily on the other end—she was clearly livid.

“Did you two break up?” Ruan Mianmian asked.

“No! I suppose you’re hoping we did, aren’t you?”

Song Chenxi sneered, “Let me tell you, Ruan Mianmian, you won’t get your way. If you know what’s good for you, stay away from Jian Yanzhi!”

“Stay away from him?”

Ruan Mianmian scoffed. “I’ll be honest with you. Maybe the old Ruan Mianmian had feelings for Jian Yanzhi, but now, rest assured, I don’t like him at all. You can keep an eye on him if you want. My affairs are none of your concern.”

Song Chenxi retorted, “Do you think I’ll believe you?”

“Believe it or not, that’s up to you. But it’s the truth. If you have nothing else to say, I’m going to hang up.”

Song Chenxi refused to let go. “No, you need to explain. What did you and Jian Yanzhi do today? Where did you go?”

Ruan Mianmian frowned, puzzled by Song Chenxi’s questions. Could it be that Song Chenxi knew about their trip to the bar?

Well, even if she did, Ruan Mianmian had nothing to hide.

“We went to Sunflower Bar. The owner is a friend of Jian Yanzhi’s. We just chatted for a bit.”

Ruan Mianmian told the truth, but Song Chenxi only grew more agitated.

Song Chenxi demanded, “Are you bragging to me?”

...

Bragging? About what?

What was there to brag about?

Ruan Mianmian replied helplessly, “Song Chenxi, could you use your brain for once? If I really wanted to brag, would I recount it so blandly?

Rest assured, I guarantee I have no interest in Jian Yanzhi. We’re just friends, at most old acquaintances. I actually have someone I like now. If you don’t believe me, I’ll introduce him next time, all right?”