New Love and Old Flame
At the movie theater, Jiang Qingyan’s phone rang.
Wen Ruan glanced over. The moment she saw the name 【Yao Man】, she knew they wouldn’t be watching the movie today.
She didn’t know what Yao Man said, but Jiang Qingyan’s expression shifted slightly. “Don’t cry. I’m coming right over.”
His voice was low and gentle as he soothed her, with a husky, metallic edge to its deep timbre.
After hanging up, Jiang Qingyan turned to Wen Ruan. “Something’s come up with Yao Man. I’ll take you to see the movie another time.”
He got to his feet, ready to leave. Wen Ruan grabbed his hand.
“Stay until the movie’s over.”
Rationally, she shouldn’t stop him. Who was Yao Man? The daughter of Rongli Group’s chairman—the boss’s own daughter. She was someone they couldn’t afford to offend.
But rationality aside, Wen Ruan was fed up. She’d had enough.
They had already tried to watch this movie three times.
The first time, halfway through, Yao Man had a headache. The second time, half an hour in, she had a stomachache. Both times, Jiang Qingyan had abandoned Wen Ruan and left at the sound of a single call from Yao Man.
“Chairman Yao asked me to take good care of her. I can’t very well refuse.”
That line shut Wen Ruan down every time.
Well, Yao Man had a powerful father, and they drew their paychecks from Rongli.
The first two times Jiang Qingyan left, Wen Ruan had left too.
Today, she’d chosen the same movie again. Not because it was especially good, but because she hadn’t seen the ending. She thought they ought to see it through.
And yet she couldn’t see it through. She still couldn’t.
The movie was about to start. The lights in the theater went out, and a few faint beams from the screen fell across Wen Ruan’s cool, stubborn profile.
One of them tried to pull his hand free; the other clung on and wouldn’t let go. They struggled against each other, locked in a stalemate.
The young man behind them lost patience first and kicked Jiang Qingyan’s seat.
“Hey, are you going or not? You’re blocking my girlfriend’s view!”
Jiang Qingyan bent down and looked straight at Wen Ruan. His eyes were a deep, inky black. He stopped trying to pull his hand away and let her hold on to it.
“Ruanruan, this isn’t the time to get upset. We can watch the movie whenever. Let go.”
His tone was even gentle, but Wen Ruan knew he was angry.
He was excellent at controlling his emotions. The angrier he got, the calmer he became.
Wen Ruan released his hand and gave a faint, crooked smile. “Jiang Qingyan, don’t get too caught up in playing the part. Are you really only showing her so much concern because of who she is?”
Jiang Qingyan stiffened, but said nothing. He turned and strode away.
Wen Ruan decided to watch the rest of the movie by herself.
It had been out for a while and would probably leave theaters soon. If she kept waiting for Jiang Qingyan’s “next time,” she’d never see the ending.
It was a horror movie, with an atmosphere of dread that had been built up to perfection. A blood-soaked female ghost seemed about to crawl out of the screen. The theater’s surround sound was just as effective; the sinister ghostly laughter sounded as if it were right beside her.
Wen Ruan’s attention wandered. The ghost’s face suddenly turned into Yao Man’s. Disgusted, she lost her appetite for popcorn and her desire to watch the movie.
Her phone vibrated. Her friend Zhang Tongtong had sent her a message.
Zhang Tongtong: 【Jiang Qingyan didn’t leave today, did he? You’ll finally get to finish the movie together. Took long enough.】
Wen Ruan: 【He left.】
A few seconds after Wen Ruan sent the message, Zhang Tongtong called her.
It was half past five, and the movie had forty minutes left. Wen Ruan really wasn’t in the mood to keep watching, so she picked up her bag and left.
As soon as she stepped outside and answered, Zhang Tongtong let out a shriek, her voice sharp with outrage.
“Jiang Qingyan left again? I seriously, seriously, seriously have no words!”
“It was Yao Man again, wasn’t it? What’s wrong with her this time? Has she gone lame in one leg or broken an arm? Why does she always have so many problems? I give up!”
What was wrong with her this time?
Wen Ruan honestly didn’t know. Before, Jiang Qingyan would at least explain before he left. This time, he hadn’t even had time to explain.
After New Year’s Day, a cold wave swept into Haicheng, and the temperature plunged.
It was still raining. The howling north wind drove fine raindrops through the city, and the air was bitterly cold.
Wen Ruan reached the building’s first-floor entrance and shivered.
After venting, Zhang Tongtong advised her, “Ruanruan, I think you two should just quit. Rongli may be a big company, but working there is so stifling.”
Wen Ruan tugged her coat tighter around herself. “I’m planning to quit.”
“Really? What about Jiang Qingyan? Will he quit too?”
Wen Ruan thought about all the years she and Jiang Qingyan had been together, then about how his attitude toward Yao Man had changed lately. She gave Zhang Tongtong the most balanced answer she could.
“Maybe he will, maybe he won’t. It’s hard to say.”
Her voice held a trace of amusement, but her words were self-mocking. Zhang Tongtong felt awful for her.
“Ruanruan, you and Jiang Qingyan have been together for three years. Yao Man’s only been back for three months. How could three months compare with three years? You’ve got the better odds.”
Wen Ruan looked up at the dark, overcast sky.
Three years. Yes, she and Jiang Qingyan had been together for three years. For all that time, he’d been an exemplary boyfriend, giving her his whole heart and devoting himself to her. There wasn’t a single thing she could fault him for.
Yao Man had gone abroad after graduating from high school and had only returned three months ago. Jiang Qingyan had only been in contact with her for those three months.
Three years against three months. If time alone determined the outcome, Wen Ruan certainly had the better chance of winning.
But love didn’t always care who came first.
When Yao Man first started clinging to Jiang Qingyan, he’d kept his distance. His every word and gesture had made it clear he wanted no misunderstandings and wanted her to back off.
Wen Ruan didn’t know when his attitude had begun to change.
He still kept things within proper bounds, but he’d started giving Yao Man some of his patience and tenderness—and it had nothing to do with her status.
…
It was nearly seven by the time Wen Ruan got home.
Wen Ruan opened the door. The apartment was pitch-black, so she felt around for the light switch, turned it on, and kicked off her high heels.
Huatang Bay was where she and Jiang Qingyan lived now.
They had bought the 160-square-meter apartment two years ago, she and Jiang Qingyan each paying half. Both their names were on the deed.
They’d argued about it when they bought the place. Jiang Qingyan hadn’t wanted her to pay; he’d wanted to put it in her name alone and count it as a gift. She refused. After several days of giving each other the cold shoulder, he gave in.
They had both gone into this relationship intending to marry.
At least, they had back then.
Wen Ruan went to the kitchen, cooked herself a bowl of noodles, and ate. Then she went to the study to read. When she came out at eleven, Jiang Qingyan still hadn’t returned, so she stopped waiting, set her book down, and went to the bedroom to take a shower.
She soaked in the bath. By the time she came out, an hour had passed.
The heating was turned up high. Her hair was only half-dry, and she was terribly thirsty, so she went to get herself a glass of water.
She reached the living room and abruptly stopped.
Jiang Qingyan was home.
He’d been drinking and was slumped sideways on the sofa. He’d taken off his coat and was wearing only a gray sweater. His eyes were closed, and his handsome, distinguished features were pinched with discomfort. He’d clearly had quite a lot to drink.
Wen Ruan turned and went into the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of water first, then made a bowl of hangover soup.
When she came back out, Jiang Qingyan was still in the same position.
But he was awake now.
Their eyes met, and Wen Ruan’s thoughts faltered for a moment.
Jiang Qingyan had a pair of deep, captivating eyes that made every glance seem full of affection. Over the years, she’d been hopelessly lost in them.
Wen Ruan walked over and held out the white porcelain bowl.
“Drink this.”
Jiang Qingyan looked up at her. Under the light, her silk slip nightdress showed off her figure. Her shoulders were fair, her cheeks flushed from her shower, and an alluring quality seemed to come from deep within her.
He took the bowl of hangover soup and drank it. Then he handed it back to her.
Wen Ruan had just set the bowl on the coffee table when Jiang Qingyan grabbed her wrist. With a slight tug, he pulled her onto his lap, and then kissed her.
Caught off guard, Wen Ruan took a moment to react. Then she resisted, trying to push him away. At that close range, the scent of perfume clinging to him filled her nose. She hated it.
It was the rich rose perfume Yao Man often wore.
Irritated by Wen Ruan’s resistance, Jiang Qingyan clasped the back of her head, his kiss growing rougher.
Unable to break free, Wen Ruan slid a hand to his waist and slipped it beneath the hem of his sweater. She pinched the taut flesh there and slowly twisted it.
She pinched just a little skin, but she did it hard. When she’d twisted it a quarter turn, most of Jiang Qingyan’s drunkenness had worn off.
He broke the kiss and grabbed her hand, sucking in a breath at the pain.
“That’s harsh.”
Wen Ruan pulled her hand free, slid off his lap, and sat beside him. Disgust and displeasure showed on her face.
“You smell like her perfume. It makes me sick.”
Jiang Qingyan was silent for a moment, then explained, “She went to the airport to pick up a friend, but her car broke down on the way. I drove her there. Her friend insisted on taking us out for dinner.”
“Her friend kept pressing drinks on me, and I had too much. When I left, she helped me into the car. The scent must have rubbed off on me then.”
Wen Ruan gave a slow “Oh,” making it impossible to tell whether she believed him.
Jiang Qingyan quickly changed the subject. “Did you finish the movie? What happened at the end?”
Wen Ruan clicked her tongue and shook her head regretfully. “I don’t know. After you left, I couldn’t concentrate. I kept thinking about something.”
“What?”
Wen Ruan leaned back and swept a hand through her half-dry hair. Her waist was slim, her legs long, her eyes bright and alluring. She wore no makeup, yet her beauty was striking.
“I’m going to quit.”
Jiang Qingyan was taken aback. “Quit?”
Wen Ruan smiled. “Yes. I’ve slaved away for Rongli all these years, working myself to the bone to bring in money for the company. And what do I get? The young lady comes back from abroad and steals my man. She’s gone too far.”
She and Jiang Qingyan both worked at Rongli Capital, the most profitable subsidiary of Rongli Group.
Wen Ruan looked at Jiang Qingyan. “What about you? Are you leaving or staying?”
They were supposedly discussing whether to quit, but they both understood that this was a choice about their relationship.
If he left, he was choosing Wen Ruan. If he stayed, he was choosing Yao Man.
New love or old flame. He could only choose one.
The rain pounded outside, and every so often thunder rumbled. But inside the living room, Jiang Qingyan’s silence had left everything deathly still.
Then the phone on the coffee table rang.
Wen Ruan lowered her eyes and glanced at it. Tch. That damn ghost again.
Jiang Qingyan’s thoughts were still on the question she’d just asked. By the time he reacted, Wen Ruan had already picked up his phone.
“Qingyan, there’s thunder outside. I’m scared. I don’t dare sleep alone.”
Yao Man’s faint whimper came through, her voice syrupy and affected as she played coy.
Wen Ruan shuddered with goosebumps, then offered in a gentle voice, “You don’t dare sleep alone? Then should I come over and keep you company? Hold you while you sleep?”
“Wen Ruan?”
The moment Yao Man recognized her voice, the coy tone vanished. After hearing Wen Ruan’s words, her anger flared even more.
“Who asked you to come? Are you crazy?”
“So you want Jiang Qingyan to keep you company?”
Wen Ruan laughed. “I’m afraid that won’t work. He was an absolute animal in bed just now and completely wore himself out. He’s exhausted—he fell asleep in my arms.”
Jiang Qingyan looked up at her, his handsome, sharply defined face full of helplessness.
On the other end of the line, Yao Man was provoked. Her voice was thick with jealousy.
“Wen Ruan, what are you so pleased about? He doesn’t love you at all. He’s only with you because…”
Wen Ruan didn’t hear what came next.
Jiang Qingyan took the phone from her and hung up, then sighed softly.
“She has a bad temper. Why provoke her? You still work at Rongli, Ruanruan. Stop picking fights with her.”
His tone was mild and helpless, but there was reproach in it too.
He was reproaching her for lying and provoking Yao Man.
It was nearly one in the morning. Wen Ruan didn’t want to argue with him in the middle of the night, so she returned to her earlier question.
“I’m quitting. What about you? Are you leaving or staying?”
Jiang Qingyan took the cigarette pack from the coffee table, put a cigarette between his lips, and lit it with a lighter. Smoke curled around him. He smoked half the cigarette before finally speaking.
“If I don’t leave, are we really breaking up?”
Wen Ruan picked up his lighter and flicked it. She watched the flame flare up. “If you stay, Yao Man will keep clinging to you.”
She released the switch. The flame went out, and she pressed a finger to the center of his chest.
“Your heart is already wavering. Given enough time, I won’t be able to hold on to you.”
Jiang Qingyan stayed where he was, letting her press her finger against his chest.
Wen Ruan pressed harder.
“So while there’s still room for me in your heart, while my chances are still good, I have to get you away from her. I’m not going to force you. Think it over carefully.”
“If in the end you choose to stay, then let’s part on good terms… I wish you success in all you do, and may I find a good man.”