Unlike before, Jiang Shijing didn’t have his usual roguish smile on his face.
He first gave Lin Xiangwan a cold glance, then walked expressionlessly toward Shen Fan.
Lin Xiangwan froze in place, staring blankly.
For some reason, from that brief eye contact earlier, she felt that Jiang Shijing was angry.
And it seemed like he was angry at her.
Suddenly, a hand pulled her back.
Wen Qian leaned close to Lin Xiangwan’s ear, whispering anxiously, “Sorry, Wanwan. I didn’t know Jiang Luo would be here tonight! Shen Fan didn’t tell me either. You know I really don’t like Jiang Luo…”
“Mm, I understand.”
Lin Xiangwan quickly patted her arm, reassuring her, “I’m not mad. It’s just a coincidence we’ll be fine.”
Wen Qian breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. That silly Shen Fan is the same as in high school always acting first, reporting later!”
The two of them looked over.
Jiang Shijing and Shen Fan were exchanging pleasantries, while A-Shui and the two girls beside him were staring at him with hearts practically popping out of their eyes.
The class president and Monkey were a bit stiff, knowing this was a wealthy social circle; they could only listen quietly on the sidelines.
The once ordinary drinking gathering had turned like this. Lin Xiangwan lost interest and was ready to find an excuse to slip away.
Just then, Shen Fan’s laughter suddenly rose as he poured wine for Jiang Shijing.
“It’s only proper. My father has connections with Madam Jiang. Since it’s her birthday, I must attend!”
Jiang Shijing curled his lips in a faint smile. “Good. The Jiang family will take care of everything.”
Shen Fan clinked glasses with him and then realized he’d overlooked everyone else, quickly standing to introduce them.
When it came to Lin Xiangwan, she hadn’t even spoken yet before Shen Fan picked her up.
“This is Miss Lin, now the big boss of Star Group! I don’t know if you’ve heard of her, J… well…”
“I’ve heard of her,” Jiang Shijing interrupted, “No need to introduce her or Wen Qian.”
Wen Qian pursed her lips, mockingly whispering, “In this circle, you see each other everywhere it’s so annoying.”
Shen Fan’s face froze; he finally realized something was off.
Seeing the atmosphere turning awkward, Lin Xiangwan couldn’t bear to make Shen Fan uncomfortable and smoothed things over. “We’re here to drink, right? Then let’s drink.”
She raised her glass first, inviting everyone to join.
Shen Fan knew she wanted to lighten the mood, so he smiled at her and said, “Drinking alone is boring! Today’s a reunion of old classmates, and we have Jiang Shijing here. Why don’t we play ‘King’s Game’?”
King’s Game a game they often played in high school.
You deal the cards around, and whoever draws the King can choose any two numbers to do whatever they want.
Lin Xiangwan used to enjoy it, but facing the cold-faced Jiang Shijing now, she had no desire to play.
After Shen Fan spoke, everyone else agreed to play, especially A-Shui and Xiao Lan, who began coaxing Jiang Shijing to join.
The thoughts of these young girls were obvious.
The class president and the others quietly laughed.
Wen Qian sighed and whispered, “A-Shui just likes handsome guys. If she messes around…”
“Not my problem. If he can handle it, he can play. If not, he can step aside,” Lin Xiangwan said without noticing her tone.
She was holding back a fire of her own.
She still hadn’t forgiven what Jiang Shijing did to her at Jiang Corp.
And now he’s putting on that smug expression?
Across from her, Jiang Shijing heard everything clearly. He pinched his wine glass and stared straight at Lin Xiangwan, then suddenly smiled.
“Fine. Let’s play.”
The waiter brought the cards.
Jiang Shijing glanced at him.
The waiter lowered his head, placed the cards in front of him, and left.
Naturally, Jiang Shijing was the one to play.
The cards were dealt just one King and numbers two through seven.
Jiang Shijing revealed the King first.
Lin Xiangwan glanced at her hand, holding the three of spades, and calmly sipped her wine.
Coincidentally, Jiang Shijing immediately designated the number three.
“Whoever drew three… must do truth or dare with me.”
Lin Xiangwan: “?”
It took her ten seconds to realize what that meant.
Shen Fan froze, then laughed heartily. “I’ve seen people prank others, but this is the first time a King pranks itself Jing really knows how to play! So…”
He looked around, smiling, “Who drew three?”
Wen Qian nudged Lin Xiangwan with her elbow, hinting whether she wanted to switch cards.
With so many eyes on her, Lin Xiangwan couldn’t switch, so she revealed her card.
“Miss Lin.”
Jiang Shijing said her name, his voice void of warmth. “Truth or dare?”
The tone, the attitude it irritated Lin Xiangwan even more. She wanted to make him drink that tens-of-thousands-yuan bottle like at Jiang Corp.
But remembering his legendary tolerance for alcohol, she responded unamused: “Truth.”
Jiang Shijing toyed with a metallic silver lighter, lounging casually on the sofa. His nonchalant posture made the two girls stare.
He raised an eyelid, curtly: “Ask.”
Lin Xiangwan hadn’t spoken yet when A-Shui eagerly winked at her: “Wan, ask if Mr. Jiang is single!”
Seeing her eager little expression, if he were single, she’d rush to get his contact info.
Lin Xiangwan shook her head, giving her a regretful look.
“I’ve seen Mr. Jiang’s girlfriend.”
A-Shui was instantly disappointed, deflating.
Shen Fan, chin in hand, excitedly suggested: “I heard Jing has dated over a hundred girls. Why not ask him which one he can’t forget?”
Lin Xiangwan pursed her lips, fingers tightening.
The ice in her glass made her fingertips cold.
She looked across at Jiang Shijing.
He still half-smiled, head down, playing with the lighter as if the question wasn’t special at all.
Clearly, he didn’t mind answering.
Lin Xiangwan opened her mouth, aware of all the gossiping eyes around, and felt the pressure.
When she left, it wasn’t just heartbreak it was also revenge.
After getting engaged to her, Jiang Shijing began pursuing women frequently.
Though all were fleeting affairs, in his history, he always dumped them; never once was he dumped.
She had left to be the first to abandon him to make him remember what it feels like to be discarded and what the consequences are of betraying someone’s heart.
Now, Lin Xiangwan also wanted to know if her plan had worked.
Her breathing quickened, and only when she noticed the puzzled gazes of others did she calm herself.
“Mr. Jiang, among your past girlfriends, who is the one you remember most?”
No sooner had she spoken than Jiang Shijing looked up, staring directly at her.
His almond-shaped eyes still carried a hint of a smile. Leaning back, casually playing with his lighter, he said, “Past girlfriends? There is indeed one that I remember most.”
“Who?” Shen Fan asked, gossiping.
The others didn’t know Jiang Shijing but leaned in to listen.
A wealthy, charming young master like him who he remembered most must be very special.
Lin Xiangwan’s heartbeat quickened.
Whether it was the alcohol or her unwillingness to admit it, she also wanted to know who the woman was.
A subtle tension filled the room.
Jiang Shijing thought for a moment, then leaned forward toward everyone.
“Come to think of it, you should know her.”