“Have you been waiting long?” Fang Yan walked up to Jiang Wanrou’s side, wiping sweat from his forehead as he asked.
“No, I just arrived.” Jiang Wanrou shook her head gently.
“Want to go sit inside first?” Fang Yan felt the heat was still intense and suggested taking shelter in the pavilion.
“Okay.”
Jiang Wanrou followed him a few steps into the pavilion. Quite a few pedestrians deliberately slowed down as they passed, letting out faint sighs of regret. Jiang Wanrou was simply too beautiful, far more stunning than the so-called actresses on television. Without trying, she drew countless eyes toward her.
Inside the pavilion, away from the noisy crowd, the atmosphere suddenly became quiet. Neither of them spoke. Occasionally, birds hopped down to escape the sun, and cicadas on the trees let out brief cries.
After a while, Fang Yan broke the silence. “Um, where’s your driver?”
“He didn’t come with me. I came out alone,” Jiang Wanrou said softly.
“Huh?” Fang Yan was a little surprised. Ever since he had known her, she always seemed to have a private driver. No matter where she went, someone picked her up and dropped her off. This time, she had come alone?
But what did that have to do with him?
“If we’re going to Wanxiang Mall later, we might have to take the bus or call a ride. Is that okay with you?” Fang Yan asked cautiously.
Jiang Wanrou was rich like a princess who had grown up in a castle. Whether she would be willing to take public transportation like an ordinary person was something he could not guess.
Seeing how careful he was, Jiang Wanrou sighed inwardly. Perhaps this was exactly why she had never been able to fully blend into their group. They always imagined her as too noble, too distant.
“It’s fine. I… I’ve taken the bus with my mom before,” she said softly.
Fang Yan nodded. If she could take the bus, that would save the cost of calling a ride. It was not that he could not afford it, but the bus was simply more cost-effective.
“Let’s go then?”
“Okay.”
Fang Yan led the way toward the bus stop, and Jiang Wanrou followed quietly behind him.
The midday sun was still fierce. She held up an umbrella. To avoid drawing attention, Fang Yan did not walk beside her and instead endured the blazing sunlight on his own.
Suddenly, Jiang Wanrou spoke softly, “Walk slower.”
Fang Yan did not respond, but he slowed his pace. He assumed she just could not keep up, but then he realized the burning heat on his head had vanished. He looked up and saw that Jiang Wanrou’s umbrella was shielding him from the sun. Read this novel at novelping . com for the best experience.
That meant she was now walking shoulder to shoulder with him.
Fang Yan glanced at her in surprise but said nothing.
After a few more steps, Jiang Wanrou spoke quietly, “My mom might find out that I came home late last night because I was taking you home.”
“She might not have a good temper. She could take it out on Uncle. I…”
“But I’ll tell my dad. I won’t let my mom cause any trouble for your father.”
She lowered her head guiltily, her voice growing softer. Just imagining that her mother might cause trouble for Fang Yan’s father because of her made her feel suffocated.
“Huh?” Fang Yan fell silent for a moment before understanding. His father worked at Jiang Wanrou’s father’s company. It was her family’s business. Her mother could easily dismiss his father with just a word.
So that was it. That must have been why Jiang Wanrou agreed to come out today. She was worried that her mother would target his father and wanted to make things clear.
Honestly, Fang Yan did not know what to do. The other side was simply too wealthy. A single sentence from people like them could determine the course of his family’s future.
He stared quietly at the road ahead. The wide street was filled with traffic, people hurrying along, all struggling for their livelihoods.
“I’m… I’m sorry,” Jiang Wanrou said softly.
“What do you think?” Fang Yan asked.
“Me?” She paused. “I’ll try my best to persuade my parents. Don’t worry.”
In truth, she did not know what to do either. All her life, whenever her mother wanted something done, it always happened.
Her mood grew heavy again, as if she had returned to her high school years, constantly under her mother’s control.
“Is your mom upset because of me?” Fang Yan asked after a moment of silence.
“Yes.”
“If we draw a clear line between us, would she stop targeting my dad?” Fang Yan suggested. It was the only solution he could think of. Perhaps that was also what Jiang Wanrou meant by coming out to talk.
“No.” Jiang Wanrou lifted her gaze and looked at him seriously. “I will handle this. I will never let my mom act recklessly.”
The moment she heard the words “draw a clear line,” she wanted to solve the issue immediately. From middle school through high school, six years in total, she had grown used to Fang Yan appearing within her line of sight. He would occasionally speak with her. They were not close, but they were friends.
She had finally found a hint of freedom through him. She did not want to lose it.
Fang Yan met her eyes. Jiang Wanrou did not look away. Her eyes were clear as water, calm yet nervous. Her eyelashes fluttered quickly, and her breathing grew uneven.
Fang Yan smiled faintly, stepped out from under her umbrella, stretched lazily, and continued walking ahead.
“Fang Yan?” Jiang Wanrou called softly.
“Hurry up, old classmate,” he replied. “If we’re any later, the bus will arrive.”
“Okay.”
…
At the bus stop, Jiang Wanrou folded her umbrella and followed quietly behind Fang Yan as he studied the route map. She did not quite understand it, since she had never taken a bus alone before.
Thinking about his earlier response, her mood eased slightly. At least he did not seem intent on distancing himself from her.
Her presence once again drew many eyes from those waiting at the station. Jiang Wanrou’s skin was pale, glowing under the bright sunlight like a crystal-clear drop of water.
After confirming the route, Fang Yan noticed an empty seat on the bench and sat down. Jiang Wanrou remained standing beside him. She disliked the dirt accumulated on the seat and would rather stand.
It was only then that the people waiting at the station realized that this breathtakingly beautiful girl was actually with a boy.
A silent wave of heartbreak spread through the crowd.
Seriously, bro? Are you living this well?
Seeing that she would not sit, Fang Yan asked her for a few tissues. After wiping the seat clean with the ones she handed him, he patted the spot and said, “Sit down. You’ve been standing for a while.”
“Okay.” This time, Jiang Wanrou did not refuse. She was worried that if she did, Fang Yan might suddenly pull her down to sit.
“By the way, do you have your transit card ready? The bus is about to arrive.”
“I don’t.” She shook her head.
Fang Yan was not surprised. Someone as wealthy as her would hardly ride a bus. He almost laughed at himself for even asking.
He helped her set up a transit card on Green Bubble.
The bus arrived.
It was very crowded.