As soon as the holiday ended and Lu Yao returned to school, she learned the jaw-dropping news from the buzzing campus gossip and Jiang Yaoci’s undisguised triumphant expression: Ruan Chaoxi had “agreed” to be his girlfriend!
During lunch, she dragged Ruan Chaoxi to a corner for a “rigorous interrogation.”
“Chaoxi! I heard about you and Jiang Yaoci… is it true?” Lu Yao lowered her voice, her eyes wide. “How could you agree to him? He’s that kind of person—a playboy who just toys with girls! Didn’t I tell you to stay away from him?”
Ruan Chaoxi took a slow sip of her soup, looked up, and revealed a sly smile. “Yes, I agreed.”
“Why?” Lu Yao was almost frantic. “Did he trick you with all those flashy tactics? I’m telling you, he—”
“He didn’t trick me,” Ruan Chaoxi interrupted, putting down her spoon and turning serious. “Don’t you think it’s interesting to treat him as an ‘observation sample’ and see how his behavior patterns change once he’s labeled as a ‘boyfriend’?”
“…”
That arrogant, self-proclaimed love expert, Young Master Jiang, was nothing more than a specimen in an observation dish in Ruan Chaoxi’s eyes?
Lu Yao opened her mouth, only managing to squeeze out a sentence after a long pause: “…So you agreed to him… just to… observe him?!”
“You could say that,” Ruan Chaoxi nodded. “Besides, with him as a shield, I can avoid unnecessary attention.”
Seeing Ruan Chaoxi’s complete lack of the shyness or sweetness a girl in love should have—only composure and anticipation for future “experimental data”—Lu Yao rubbed her forehead.
Well, this girl was truly the epitome of clarity, an academic powerhouse, and an observer.
She could only light a metaphorical candle for Jiang Yaoci in her heart. Being treated as a “lab rat” and a “human shield” as a boyfriend… this was probably the most humiliating “relationship” of his life.
“Alright… as long as you know what you’re doing.” Lu Yao sighed and patted Ruan Chaoxi’s shoulder. “But you still have to be careful. That kind of person might get angry if he doesn’t get what he wants.”
“Mm, I know.” Ruan Chaoxi smiled and tightened her grip on Lu Yao’s arm. “So, you’ll have to keep me company often.”
After the last class in the afternoon, Jiang Yaoci was indeed waiting outside the School of International Relations building early.
He had clearly put effort into his appearance again today. As soon as he saw Ruan Chaoxi, he immediately approached her, wearing the smile of an official “boyfriend”—smug and affectionate.
“Chaoxi, class is over?” He naturally tried to put his arm around her. “What do you want for dinner? Omakase. The chef was invited from Tokyo, the ingredients are flown in fresh daily, and the setting is very private.”
He emphasized “private,” his intentions obvious.
Ruan Chaoxi sidestepped his hand and looked at him. “Dinner is fine. But Lu Yao is joining us.”
Jiang Yaoci’s smile froze.
“Lu Yao? It’s a bit inconvenient to bring her along on our date, isn’t it?” he tried to persuade her. “Just the two of us can spend more time together, chat, and get to know each other better.””I’m not used to having dinner alone with you. Lu Yao is my friend, and I want her to come along.” Ruan Chaoxi spoke directly, leaving no room for negotiation. “If that’s inconvenient for you, then we can skip it.”
Jiang Yaoci felt a knot tighten in his chest.
Who brings a third wheel on a date? But he didn’t dare oppose her too strongly, afraid that the “status” he had just secured might slip away.
He quickly weighed his options and forced a smile. “…Alright, then let’s all go together. I’ll have the driver arrange another car.”
“No need. Lu Yao and I will take the subway. Just tell us the place, and we’ll meet you there.” As she spoke, Ruan Chaoxi had already taken out her regular phone and started texting Lu Yao.
Jiang Yaoci: “…”
Take the subway? To a restaurant where the per-person cost runs into four figures? This… didn’t fit the vibe at all!
But seeing Ruan Chaoxi already looking down at her phone, texting with an air of “it’s settled,” he could only swallow his words and reluctantly gave her the restaurant address.
That sense of superiority and control he had as a “boyfriend” had been cut down by more than half before it even had a chance to take root!
After sending the message to Lu Yao, Ruan Chaoxi remembered Miya’s unusual reaction from the night before and still felt a bit uneasy. Hesitating for a moment, she took out the black encrypted phone from her bag and sent a message:
「Miya, having dinner tonight with Lu Yao and that peacock. Just dinner, don’t worry.」
After sending it, she stared at the screen, waiting for a reply.
A few seconds later, the reply came—just one word:
「Okay.」
Ruan Chaoxi looked at that “Okay,” pursed her lips, and put the phone away.
The restaurant was indeed elegant and private, a place Jiang Yaoci had carefully chosen. But this “date” had turned into an awkward and bizarre dinner for three.
Lu Yao was a bit reserved at first, but she soon relaxed under Ruan Chaoxi’s calm demeanor and Jiang Yaoci’s deliberately maintained “gentlemanly manners.” She even began observing them discreetly, thinking this was more interesting than watching a TV drama.
A waitress in a kimono served sushi and sashimi as exquisite as works of art. Jiang Yaoci tried his best to keep the conversation going, talking about the ingredients, the chef’s legendary background, and even the recent economic situation, all in an effort to showcase his “knowledge” and “taste.”
Ruan Chaoxi only occasionally responded with an “mm,” spending most of her time quietly eating or lost in thought.
As she ate, Ruan Chaoxi suddenly felt a bit bored.
The exquisite food, the forced atmosphere, the “specimen” performing across from her… If she were having dinner with Miya, the mood would never be like this!
He didn’t talk much, but he would naturally move the dishes she liked closer to her, listen quietly when she spoke, his gaze focused, never making her feel any pressure to perform or any boredom.
That unease and slight sting she felt because of his mood resurfaced.
She missed him, terribly!
She wondered what he was doing right now, whether he was still upset about last night, whether he was thinking of her too.
She didn’t want to wait until nine o’clock.
Ruan Chaoxi put down her chopsticks, ignoring Jiang Yaoci’s ongoing monologue about the “artisan spirit” behind a certain dish, and took out the black phone from her bag. Without a second thought for her “boyfriend’s” feelings, she directly initiated a video call with Samia.
Jiang Yaoci’s voice abruptly stopped, his smile completely frozen on his face. That damn phone again! That damn man again!Samia was preparing to return to the command center. In the car, an encrypted tablet displayed Ruan Chaoxi’s real-time location in the capital.
He stared at the glowing dot, imagining her at that very moment sitting in some dimly lit place with that peacock, sharing a meal under the guise of being “boyfriend and girlfriend,” while he could do nothing but wait here helplessly.
Jealousy and restless anger gnawed viciously at his nerves, and a deep-seated sense of powerlessness threatened to push him to the brink of losing control.
He had thought he would have to endure until perhaps nine in the evening to hear even a few words from her about this “date.” Unexpectedly, her video call came through.
“Miya brother,” Ruan Chaoxi spoke softly in Burmese as the call connected, her tone natural and affectionate, “I’m having dinner. With that peacock and Lu Yao.”
As she spoke, she adjusted the angle of her phone, allowing Samia to see the private room’s setting, Jiang Yaoci’s displeased expression across from her, and Lu Yao’s awkward smile beside her.
“See, there really are three of us. I’m perfectly safe, so don’t worry.”
Seeing her sitting there unharmed, along with the faintly visible figure of another man across from her, Samia’s heart still tightened. But the presence of Lu Yao eased the tension in his nerves ever so slightly.
Moreover… she had taken the initiative to call and report in, not at the agreed-upon time but simply to “reassure” him. The burning jealousy and helplessness were soothed just a little.
She cared about his feelings, even if she might not fully realize it yet.
“Mm, I see,” Samia replied in a low voice in Burmese, his gaze greedily taking her in. “Is the food alright?”
“It’s boring, and the food isn’t very good either,” Ruan Chaoxi frowned, complaining almost like she was pouting. “I still miss you… well, I miss having Htattaya with you.”
She corrected herself in time, but the words “miss you” had already been clearly conveyed.
Samia’s throat tightened. A thousand words surged to the tip of his tongue, only to be condensed into a simple, restrained sentence: “Mm. If it’s boring, come back early.”
The two chatted briefly in Burmese for a few more moments. Ruan Chaoxi’s tone remained soft and affectionate, completely ignoring Jiang Yaoci’s increasingly dark expression across from her and Lu Yao’s efforts to make herself as inconspicuous as possible.
Jiang Yaoci couldn’t understand what they were saying. He could only see the look of dependence on Ruan Chaoxi’s face, hear her coquettish tone, and catch the faint, pleasant male voice from the video…
Compared to the polite, distant tone and scrutinizing attitude she showed him, it was like night and day!
Sourness, irritation, and the humiliation of being utterly ignored made it almost impossible for him to maintain his composure.
He was her official “boyfriend,” for goodness’ sake!
Yet here she was, his “girlfriend,” video-calling another man right in front of him as if no one else were there!
Jiang Yaoci deliberately set down the sake pot with a heavy thud, creating a noticeable noise to draw her attention.
Ruan Chaoxi glanced up from the video, shooting him a cold, distant look, even tinged with annoyance at the interruption.
She quickly said to the screen, “That peacock is making noise again, so annoying. I’ll eat first and talk to you later.”
Samia faintly heard the commotion from the other side of the screen, his eyes turning cold for an instant. But seeing Ruan Chaoxi’s indifferent expression, he simply nodded. “Mm, go ahead.”Ruan Chaoxi ended the video call and put her phone back in her bag. The slight warmth on her face instantly faded, replaced by her usual aloofness—even colder than before.
Jiang Yaoci forced a smile, trying to salvage his dignity as her “boyfriend.” “Chaoxi, who were you video calling? You seemed so happy chatting.” The sourness in his tone was barely concealed.
Ruan Chaoxi didn’t even glance at him, her attitude distant. “Someone very important. You’re asking too much.” Then she picked up her chopsticks and continued eating, clearly unwilling to elaborate.
Jiang Yaoci choked back his words, everything stuck in his throat.
The tasteless dinner finally came to an end.
Jiang Yaoci paid the bill and tried hard to extend the “date.”
“It’s still early, Chaoxi. There’s a newly opened lounge bar nearby with a great atmosphere. The band was even invited from abroad. Want to go sit for a while? Oh… Lu Yao, you can come too.”
He remembered to include Lu Yao, though he was extremely reluctant.
“No, I’m tired. I need to go back to campus,” Ruan Chaoxi refused bluntly. “Thank you for dinner today. Lu Yao, let’s go.” Polite, yet distant, as if thanking an ordinary host.
She didn’t even give Jiang Yaoci a chance to drive them back to campus. Instead, she took Lu Yao’s hand and left the restaurant, heading to the roadside to hail a taxi.
Jiang Yaoci watched them get into the car and drive away, feeling as though everything tonight had slipped out of his control. Frustration and defeat completely overwhelmed him.
Did he seem like a “boyfriend”? He felt like a complete joke!