Volume Ten: Those Few Years After She and I Broke Up
Do You Love Me?
Zhai Yi took her seat with Wen Nuan. Everyone else found it hard to swallow the delicious food and fine dishes on the table, but Wen Nuan alone was eating happily.
Zhai Yi looked at the expressions around her, especially her Mom and Dad’s looks, which were practically as black as charcoal1.
Satisfied in her heart, she served a crab to Wen Nuan and said gently, “Eat slowly, Baby.”
“…” Wen Nuan’s hand holding the crab shook. She nudged Zhai Yi. “You disgusted me.”
“Don’t talk about you being disgusted; I’m a bit disgusted myself.” Zhai Yi shook off the chicken skin bumps2 on her body.
If it weren’t to make her parents believe in her relationship with Wen Nuan, she never would have been able to get that “Baby” out of her mouth.
Mother Zhai glared at Zhai Yi, then looked at Wen Nuan who was eating with gusto, and smiled politely, “Miss Wen, right?”
Wen Nuan, holding a crab leg in one hand and scissors in the other, returned the smile, “Mm, hello Aunt Zhai.”
“I heard Miss Wen is a teammate in our Zhai Yi’s orchestra, is that right?”
Aunt Zhai knew of Wen Nuan. When she first heard Zhai Yi say she liked women, her sixth sense told her it definitely had something to do with the most beautiful woman in that orchestra.
Now that Zhai Yi had brought Wen Nuan over, Aunt Zhai was mentally prepared to some extent.
Wen Nuan nodded. “Mm-hmm, Auntie knows me?”
She glanced at Zhai Yi and said shyly, “Did Xiao Yiyi tell you?”
Xiao Yiyi?!
Zhai Yi swallowed hard and whispered, “This form of address is even more disgusting than ‘Baby’ just now. Are you taking revenge on me?”
Wen Nuan raised an eyebrow, full of provocation.
Zhai Yi: “…”
If it weren’t for Wen Nuan’s pretty face, she absolutely wouldn’t suffer this grievance.
Mother Zhai’s forehead vein twitched at Wen Nuan’s “Xiao Yiyi.” She took a deep breath and said, “It seems Miss Wen and my family’s Zhai Yi’s relationship is really quite good.”
“Of course,” Wen Nuan grabbed Zhai Yi’s hand with her sauce-covered hand. “We are lovers who love each other deeply.”
Zhai Yi clenched her fist: “…”
Mother Zhai’s face stiffened. Father Zhai took over the conversation, “True, relationships between girls have always been intimate. The two sisters next door are also intimate without gaps, loving each other deeply3.”
These words were watertight, directly positioning Zhai Yi and Wen Nuan’s relationship as “biological sisters.”
Wen Xiuran’s parents nodded along with Father Zhai’s words, chiming in, “Right, young girls nowadays hug and hold hands at every turn; it’s just because their feelings are too good.”
Wen Xiuran looked at their clasped hands; he felt their relationship was definitely not as simple as his parents said.
But he also felt the two didn’t seem like lovers; the atmosphere between them was a bit strange.
“Yes, Uncle and Auntie are right, girls these days are indeed close, but my Baby and I are different,” Zhai Yi pulled up Wen Nuan’s hand and kissed the back of it.
Braving Wen Nuan’s murderous gaze, she said gently, “Wen Nuan and I are preparing to get married.”
In an instant, the private room seemed to freeze over.
“What?”
Before the elders could send an army to blame the crimes4, Wen Xiuran couldn’t sit still anymore.
“You’re getting married?!”
Zhai Yi looked over coldly: “Does Mr. Wen have an opinion?”
Wen Xiuran naturally had an opinion; he had liked Wen Nuan for a long time, even earlier than Zhai Yi.
He was clearly the first to meet Wen Nuan; why did Zhai Yi, the latecomer, take the upper hand5?
Wen Xiuran didn’t answer Zhai Yi but looked at Wen Nuan, saying excitedly, “Wen Nuan, I was the first to confess to you, I was the first to say I liked you, can’t you give me a chance?”
A trace of surprise flashed across Zhai Yi’s eyes.
Wen Nuan was just about to refuse when she heard Father Zhai say with Yin Yang strange airs6, “Always heard that Miss Wen’s beautiful name spreads far and wide7, radiating charm. Seeing you today, it seems the rumors online have some truth to them.”
He looked at Zhai Yi and narrowed his eyes: “I just don’t know how much true heart Miss Wen has for Zhai Yi? Or perhaps she has her eyes on the Zhai family’s money?”
“Dad, don’t talk about her like that!” Zhai Yi retorted.
“Zhai Yi, have I indulged you too much?” Father Zhai shouted angrily, “Letting you act wildly without knowing proper measure?”
Wen Nuan pulled Zhai Yi closer and looked at Wen Xiuran first, “Mr. Wen, I have already said the words of rejection. I don’t want to repeat such meaningless words again. I hope you have some self-knowledge8.”
Wen Xiuran’s face went pale, and he froze in place, at a loss for what to do.
Wen Nuan turned to look at Father Zhai. “Uncle Zhai, I can understand you lightly believing online rumors. After all, my reputation is indeed not very good. It is only right for you to be worried about Zhai Yi being with me. But I want to tell you, Zhai Yi is a flesh-and-blood person. She has her own path to walk. She is not a puppet in yours and Aunt Zhai’s hands to be manipulated at will. She has her own thoughts, her own future, and her own preferences.”
“Even if you make me and Zhai Yi separate, aren’t you worried about a rift appearing in the father-daughter affection between you and Zhai Yi?”
Father Zhai gathered his brows. “On what basis does Miss Wen think that you, an outsider, can shake the feelings between me and Zhai Yi?”
“Just based on the fact that she brought me here today to meet you and Aunt Zhai,” Wen Nuan raised their clasped hands, “it shows she dares to fight for everything she wants. She is breaking free from your shackles and control. That is my bottom confidence9.”
Father Zhai looked at Wen Nuan with deep meaning. He glanced at Zhai Yi, then picked up the wine glass on the table and swirled it at Wen Nuan. “Miss Wen has good eloquence.”
Wen Nuan picked up her wine glass and clinked it with his. “I can’t compare to Uncle Zhai’s high capacity10.”
Uncle Zhai drank the red wine in his glass, looked at the others, and beckoned, “Come, the juniors’ little fights and squabbles, shouldn’t delay our drinking and eating.”
Wen Xiuran was pulled down into his seat by his parents.
Everyone in the private room clearly understood the meaning of Uncle Zhai’s words.
Obviously, Uncle Zhai was temporarily allowing the relationship between Zhai Yi and Wen Nuan to develop, and even had an attitude of tacit approval.
Wen Xiuran picked at his fingers, looking at Wen Nuan indignantly.
Zhai Yi noticed Wen Xiuran’s gaze and deliberately straightened up, blocking the line of sight Wen Xiuran was casting over.
Wen Xiuran rolled a white eye11.
Zhai Yi scoffed coldly.
The gazes of the two scorched and exploded across the dining table, while the parents on both sides talked and laughed with wind arising12.
Wen Nuan watched the exchange of cups and chips13 on the table, lamenting in her heart that her acting skills were becoming more and more exquisite.
She nudged Zhai Yi. “I’m going out to wash my hands.”
Her hands were covered in sauce.
Zhai Yi withdrew her glare from Wen Xiuran, feeling the stickiness in her palm. “I’ll go with you.”
“Good.”
The two left the private room and went to the restroom at the end of the corridor to clean up.
Wen Nuan heard Zhai Yi let out a sigh of relief and laughed, “How was it? I acted pretty well, right?”
Zhai Yi gave a thumbs up: “Awesome.”
She seemed to think of something and paused. “Those words you said to my dad…”
“What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?”
Zhai Yi shook her head. “No, my dad is indeed a bit domineering. Don’t take what he said just now to heart.”
Wen Nuan waved her hand. “It’s fine. What your dad said was much nicer than the people cursing me online.”
“However, looking at the situation today, you should be able to have some peace in the coming days.”
Zhai Yi nodded. “Mm-hmm, many thanks.”
“Saying thanks between friends, makes us estranged14.”
Although Wen Nuan hadn’t had many close friends or family, she knew that saying “thank you” between friends appeared estranged.
“This thank you isn’t just because you helped me, but also because of those words you said,” Zhai Yi shook the water off her hands, her tone difficult, “It poked my heart nest15.”
Wen Nuan laughed involuntarily. “As a friend, I just want what’s best for you.”
Zhai Yi smiled. “En.”
She pulled out a few paper towels and handed them to Wen Nuan. “Let’s go, go back and eat. After eating, I’ll take you back to the hotel.”
“Good.”
The meal was eaten happily—this was Wen Nuan’s opinion. As for the others, they probably didn’t eat very happily.
The group continued chatting from the private room all the way to the restaurant lobby, looking reluctant to part.
Actually, this dinner was ostensibly a blind date but primarily for the Han Wen Group to cooperate with the Zhai Clan to open up the North American market.
Although there were some small episodes during the meal, the cooperation between the two families proceeded amicably.
Just as they were about to walk out of the restaurant’s main entrance, they heard Wen Xiuran shout to the right: “Sister-in-law!”
In an instant, everyone’s expressions varied.
Wen Xiuran’s parents’ faces immediately looked much worse, while Zhai Yi’s parents were surprised and delighted, not expecting to meet the President of the Feili Group here.
Zhai Yi felt nothing, while Wen Nuan looked at Yi Jing with pleasant surprise.
Yi Jing saw Wen Xiuran’s parents, automatically ignored Wen Xiuran’s form of address, walked forward, and greeted them one by one: “Aunt Wen, Uncle Wen, Xiuran-didi16.”
Aunt Wen didn’t speak. Uncle Wen spoke up, “Why come to Jinghai City?”
Yi Jing said, “Business trip.”
“Oh.” Uncle Wen didn’t know what else to say.
An awkward atmosphere arose spontaneously.
Wen Xiuran had no heart, no lungs17, “Sister-in-law, how long are you staying in Jinghai City? I’ll ask you out to play tomorrow?”
Yi Jing said coldly, “Sorry, no time.”
Wen Xiuran knew Yi Jing’s nature was cold, so he didn’t care too much about her attitude, only expressing regret: “Alright then.”
Yi Jing looked straight ahead, looking at Zhai Yi’s parents. “This must be Zhai Qudao, President Zhai, right?”
Zhai Qudao extended his hand and laughed, “President Yi, hello, long heard your big name.”
“Speaking of fame, this junior naturally cannot compare to President Zhai,” Yi Jing’s gaze landed on Zhai Yi. “This must be President Zhai’s beloved daughter?”
“En,” Zhai Qudao introduced them one by one. “This is my spouse, this is my beloved daughter Zhai Yi, and this is…”
When he introduced Wen Nuan, he paused for a moment, sighed, and said, “This is my little daughter’s girlfriend, Wen Nuan.”
Wen Nuan: “!!”
We’re done for!
Zhai Yi suddenly felt the person beside her stiffen. She lowered her head and asked worriedly, “What’s wrong?”
What else could be wrong?
Naturally, she was going to die!
Wen Nuan didn’t have time to pay attention to Zhai Yi. Just as she was about to open her mouth to explain.
Yi Jing’s face went cold and sunken, the corners of her mouth drawn straight: “So it’s Miss Zhai’s girlfriend?”
“You really look like a match.”
“I have some work left, so I’ll be going first.”
Zhai Qudao smiled. “Alright, walk slowly, President Yi.”
“Xiao Jing…?” Wen Nuan called out softly.
Seeing Wen Nuan’s expression, Zhai Yi frowned slightly.
Yi Jing didn’t give Wen Nuan a glance, turned coldly, and walked away dashingly.
“You know President Yi?” Zhai Yi asked in a whisper.
The disappointment on Wen Nuan’s face was too obvious.
“Mm, I know her,” Wen Nuan informed her truthfully.
Zhai Yi thought for a moment, suddenly her eyes widened, and she said in disbelief, “Your ex-girlfriend wouldn’t happen to be President Yi, right?”
Wen Nuan’s expression had suddenly become abnormal, and President Yi also looked very cold just now, looking at her with an inexplicable hostility.
Most importantly, the Feili Group’s limited edition haute couture gown was being worn by a newcomer who had just entered the entertainment industry; it was truly baffling.
So Zhai Yi combined these strange ideas and deduced this earth-shattering “guess.”
Wen Nuan nodded.
She wasn’t surprised Zhai Yi could guess it; after all, she guessed very accurately every time.
“Then let’s go.” Zhai Yi pulled Wen Nuan in the direction Yi Jing had just left.
“What are we doing?” Wen Nuan was startled by the pull.
“Going to explain!” Zhai Yi looked around. “Don’t let people misunderstand the relationship between you and me. You acted well for me; I can’t let you carry a black pot18 again.”
Yi Jing had actually finished her work for the day long ago; she returned to the hotel mainly because she had left her bag in the private room.
But she didn’t expect to see this scene today that made her burn with anger.
She sat blankly in the empty private room, thinking of that news headline.
Female lover?
So it was talking about Zhai Yi.
Yi Jing felt she was utterly ridiculous, that she actually shamelessly tried to crown herself with this unwarranted title.
Zhai Yi was Wen Nuan’s teammate; she naturally knew the relationship between the two, so feelings growing over time was also only natural.
Thinking of this, Yi Jing’s eyes soured, and she lowered her head, unable to stop the tears from falling.
She thought she could endure a world without Wen Nuan’s existence, but the instant she saw Wen Nuan again, that originally black and white world suddenly became colorful.
It was like a ray of light suddenly penetrating a room where the lights had been off—dazzlingly bright, scorching and warm.
The door to the private room was suddenly opened. Yi Jing thought it was a waiter and stood up, saying, “I’m leaving immedi…”
She looked at the two people, her expression turning cold: “Is there something you need?”
Zhai Yi raised her hand: “I’ll just say one sentence and then I’m leaving.”
Yi Jing didn’t understand Zhai Yi’s actions.
“Wen Nuan and I are just teammates and friends, absolutely not the couple relationship my dad spoke of. Because my dad set up a blind date for me today and I didn’t want to go on a blind date, I begged Wen Nuan to play the role of my girlfriend to make my dad retreat in the face of difficulty19.”
“President Yi, don’t overthink it. Wen Nuan and I are just good friends, nothing else.”
Zhai Yi saw Yi Jing looking surprised and was very satisfied with her performance.
She patted Wen Nuan on the back. “I’ve finished explaining, the rest is up to you. I’m leaving first.”
After saying that, Zhai Yi turned and left.
Yi Jing hadn’t expected the truth to be like this. Zhai Yi’s words sounded very real, and since it was her first time meeting her today, there was indeed no reason for her to lie.
And Wen Nuan had no reason to explain to her; after all, counting it up, they were just strangers.
Yi Jing avoided Wen Nuan’s gaze, clutching her bag until it wrinkled.
She couldn’t stand this suffocating atmosphere and lifted her foot to walk out.
Wen Nuan blocked Yi Jing, forcing her back into the private room and closing the door. “Where are you going?”
Yi Jing’s eyes darted away. “Where I go has nothing to do with you.”
“Xiao Jing, I know you won’t believe anything I say right now. It’s my problem. It’s because I am too terrible, too rotten, too trashy, disappointing you time and time again.”
“Enough…” Yi Jing interrupted her abruptly. “I don’t have time to hear your self-condemnation.”
She was afraid she would soften her heart.
A look of injury flashed across Wen Nuan’s face. “Xiao Jing, I’m just telling you, can you believe me one last time?”
“I really like you.”
Yi Jing’s expression was moved, but it was fleeting. Her gaze turned mocking as she laughed, “What? Did you run out of money?”
“Starting the deep affection routine?”
Wen Nuan’s face stiffened.
“Do you think… just because you show weakness to me, I will soften?”
“Do you think… just because you show kindness to me, I will be delighted?”
“Do you think a single ‘I’m sorry’ from you can make up for the previous damage?”
Yi Jing stared down Wen Nuan, at that face that made her heart rejoice every time she looked at it, and gritted her teeth. “Do you think I’m still that dog from three years ago that you called to come and waved to go20?”
Wen Nuan’s eyes reddened, looking at Yi Jing helplessly.
Yi Jing avoided those eyes that made her heart ache. “I admit, keeping you by force in the beginning was because I couldn’t let you go. But I discovered that from beginning to end, you have never changed, so…”
“We gather well and scatter well21, can’t we?”
The earnestness in her tone was too heavy, crushing Wen Nuan so she couldn’t breathe.
Yi Jing took a deep look at Wen Nuan and turned sideways to walk out.
Her wrist was tightly grabbed by Wen Nuan.
Wen Nuan’s face was covered in tears, her voice hoarse as she begged, “Xiao Jing, what will it take for you to believe me once?”
Yi Jing held back her tears and choked out, “Wen Nuan, whether it was three years ago or three years later, have you really ever liked me once?”
“I have,” Wen Nuan answered urgently.
Yi Jing turned around, staring into Wen Nuan’s eyes, and questioned, “What you have—is it a like for me that cannot be shifted, or a dependence you refuse to give up?”
Wen Nuan’s pupils trembled.
Tears blurred both of their eyes; sad and painful emotions instantly drowned everything.
Reason was rotting, despair was screaming.
Yi Jing wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and roared in self-abandonment, “Wen Nuan, do you like me as a person, or can you just not let go of my liking for you?”
“I am a woman, I cannot conceive a child with you. I am a person who is envious and loves eating vinegar22. My control desire is strong, my possessive desire is high. I am obsessed with you like a crazy person; I’ve even thought about imprisoning you just to have you.”
“I am sinister, paranoid, inferior, shameless, extreme in thought, stubborn and impervious to change[ef… I live so morbidly, dragging out my ignoble existence23 to this day holding onto that one photo of us.”
“I have even thought that as long as I can have you, I would pay with my life.”
“What about you?”
“Are you the same towards me?”
“Or is it that from beginning to end, your feelings for me were just that you couldn’t bear to lose how good I was to you?”
In that instant, Wen Nuan streamed tears, burned by the rose on her chest.
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