Si Yuan’s hand still pressed against his chest as she asked seriously, “Today… you haven’t kissed anyone else, have you?”
Jiang Wang’s movements paused, nearly choking on his own breath.
What on earth was going through her mind all day?
Did she think kissing was some daily routine for him? That he’d die if he didn’t lock lips with someone every day?
He narrowed his eyes and asked irritably, “Do you find me that disgusting?”
“It’s not disgust.” Si Yuan turned her head away, avoiding his gaze, and explained earnestly, “With all your girlfriends, I’m just making sure of biological safety. Is that too much to ask?”
“Girlfriends?” Jiang Wang laughed in frustration. He raised his hand, lightly pinching the tip of her ear with his thumb, his voice low and husky. “None.”
Before the words fully faded, his arm tightened, pulling her directly into his embrace. He lowered his head and covered her lips.
Si Yuan didn’t resist, allowing him to kiss her for a few seconds.
None… what did that mean?
That no one had kissed him today, or that he had no girlfriends?
She didn’t ponder it deeply, instead pressing her palm against his chest and giving a gentle push, wanting to end the kiss.
But Jiang Wang seemed to have anticipated this. The hand cupping the back of her head suddenly tightened, and he kissed her deeper, more fiercely, with an undeniable intensity.
She panicked instantly, instinctively trying to turn her head away.
But Jiang Wang slowly opened his eyes, his dark gaze fixed heavily on her.
His lips hadn’t left hers.
While deepening the kiss, he clearly watched the panic and helplessness in her eyes.
He knew she had depression.
He knew what those concealed scars on her wrist meant.
He knew why she wanted to use reckless methods to numb herself.
Back then, when she left the country without a word, cutting him off cleanly, Jiang Wang had honestly hated her.
He’d even thought that if he ever saw her again, he would repay her in kind.
But when he found out what that medication was for, his first reaction was just heartache.
That timid Si Yuan, enduring alone abroad, until she finally developed depression.
Jiang Wang even regretted not chasing her to London to demand an explanation, not finding her sooner, clinging to her, pulling her out of that quagmire.
He slowly released Si Yuan.
Seizing the opportunity, Si Yuan pushed him away.
She glared up at him, her tone still tinged with lingering panic. “Didn’t you say one kiss was enough?”
“Interest.” Jiang Wang’s eyebrows lifted arrogantly. “Making me wait so long just now—this bit of interest is letting you off easy.”
Si Yuan fumed. “This is like loan sharking!”
“Then go report me?”
Si Yuan thought this person was truly unreasonable, no wonder he didn’t suffer internally—he just exhausted everyone else.
Before she could gather her thoughts, Jiang Wang suddenly raised his hand.
Si Yuan instinctively flinched.
But as his hand came down, Jiang Wang only gently ruffled her hair.
His touch was extremely soft, his voice deeper. “Si Yuan, happy birthday.”
Si Yuan’s movements slowly stilled.
She looked up at Jiang Wang, her eyes filled with astonishment.
How did he know her birthday was tomorrow?
They hadn’t spent much time together, and Si Yuan had never told him such things.
It must have been her brother who told him again.
She lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze, and slipped out from under his arm.
Sure enough, being so much shorter than him had its advantages.
Si Yuan smoothed her hair and nodded, saying politely, “Thank you. Well… I should go now.”
She practically fled.
She had come to deeply understand one truth: a man like Jiang Wang—flirtatious, fickle, and reckless—was utterly unsuitable for sober interaction.
Hai City, the Banquet Hall, glittering with lights.
The crowd far exceeded Si Yuan’s expectations.
Standing on the second floor, she leaned lightly against the railing and looked down, scanning the meticulously arranged floral displays and decorations below.
And the displayed family portrait.
Lin Shuangyu was gracefully and appropriately entertaining guests on the first floor.
She had only just learned that all this was Lin Shuangyu’s handiwork.
Song Yan had always trusted her, and with her background as a model, her aesthetic sense was indeed reflected in the excellent arrangements.
Song Yan hadn’t arrived yet.
Still unable to face Lin Shuangyu with ease, Si Yuan retreated to the private room first.
No sooner had she sat down than the door was pushed open.
It was Song’s Mother.
She entered first, followed by a server holding a champagne-colored evening gown.
The gown was placed on the nearby sofa, and the server withdrew.
Song’s Mother’s voice was gentle and considerate: “This was also prepared by Shuangyu. I think it suits you very well.”
Si Yuan smiled appropriately, picking up the dress as if she liked it very much: “Thank you, Mother.”
Song’s Mother sat down opposite her, her gaze resting on Si Yuan’s face. After a few seconds of silence, she finally spoke: “Your boyfriend isn’t coming today?”
Si Yuan’s hand, clutching the skirt, abruptly stilled, her fingertips turning pale. She shook her head hesitantly: “He… is still busy.”
“Too busy to come even on your birthday?” Song’s Mother nodded, the warmth in her tone fading slightly, replaced by a sharper edge. “He shows no respect for you, and even less for our Song Family. There’s really no need to continue this relationship.”
She paused, her eyes sweeping over the scene downstairs, her voice rising a notch: “Several of my close friends are downstairs today, and they’ve brought their sons. If you’re willing, go down later and try getting to know someone new.”
Though phrased as a question, Song’s Mother’s tone was one of command.
Everything about Si Yuan had always been decided by the Song Family.
Major matters were handled by Song’s Mother, minor ones by Song Yan.
When Si Yuan was young, she loved painting, but they insisted she learn the piano. In truth, she wasn’t suited for it and didn’t like it, but the Song Family didn’t care about her preferences. Everything she had was given by them; there was no reason not to obey.
There were many such instances later on.
If Song’s Mother didn’t like it, if Song Yan didn’t like it, Si Yuan absolutely could not do it.
So when did she develop this humble and timid, indecisive nature?
Si Yuan lowered her eyes, her long lashes veiling the emotions within.
She could tell—Song’s Mother was beginning to suspect.
That’s why she was now subtly “guarding” against her, even paving the way for her future.
Si Yuan remained silent, and Song’s Mother’s expression shifted slightly, as if her suspicions were confirmed.
She withdrew her gaze, looking at the champagne-colored dress, and said: “Shuangyu is sensible, comes from a scholarly family, and has been close with your brother since high school. They are well-matched in social status, a perfect pair made in heaven. I thought that upon seeing her, you would let go of those previous notions.”
Si Yuan looked up at Song’s Mother, her voice soft, carrying a hint of stubborn self-assertion: “I haven’t.”
“Haven’t?” Song’s Mother raised an eyebrow slightly, the chill in her tone intensifying. “If you haven’t, then why are you unwilling to properly find someone to marry?”
Si Yuan’s fingers tightened on the skirt. “That doesn’t conflict.”
Hearing this, Song’s Mother nodded slowly, yet there wasn’t a trace of agreement in her eyes. Instead, she seemed to have heard some kind of joke. “Between the Song Family and you and A-Yan, this is a conflict.”
She paused, her voice as cold as ice. “The Song Family took you in and raised you, gave you fine clothes and exquisite food, and arranged for you to marry a good man from a suitable family. This is the Song Family’s responsibility, and I have done right by your deceased parents.”
At the mention of her parents, Si Yuan’s stubbornness crumbled instantly, vanishing without a trace.
Song’s Mother continued, “You still don’t understand clearly. A-Yan cannot have any rumors around him, especially not with you.”
This was something Si Yuan had heard before she was sent abroad.
Back then, Song’s Mother had also said:
[“The Song Family raised you. You cannot repay kindness with enmity. Stay away from A-Yan.”]