That summer, amidst torrential rain, she became the target of public criticism and universal condemnation.
Song Yan stood not far away, watching her coldly, his eyes filled with nothing but detached revulsion before he bypassed her as if avoiding a weed.
Si Yuan fled into the sports equipment room and curled up in a corner to hide.
Her school uniform shirt was soaked through with rainwater, clinging unpleasantly to her skin.
Outside the door, several girls were violently kicking the iron door.
“Who do you think you are, acting all high and mighty? How dare you have designs on Song Yan?”
“Come out! Let’s see what right a little stray raised by the Song family has to steal Twin Peaks’ boyfriend!”
Si Yuan bit down hard on her lower lip, the taste of rust spreading in her mouth.
“Bang—”
Another loud impact, and the door lock began to loosen.
Suddenly, a rustling sound of fabric came from the corner.
Only then did Si Yuan realize there was actually someone lying in the shadows.
Light slanted in from the high window, illuminating the boy’s disheveled black hair and the dancing dust particles.
He lazily propped himself up and looked over.
“So damn noisy, get lost!”
His voice wasn’t quiet, clearly audible even outside the door.
Then instant silence fell.
Si Yuan recognized him—Jiang Wang.
The school’s most prominent figure, rumored to come from an unfathomably powerful family. In this school, his name alone commanded fear and respect.
Jiang Wang narrowed his eyes, properly examining her.
The girl was crying, her wet hair plastered against her neck like a drenched kitten, her face smeared messily with ink.
But her collarbones were pale.
Si Yuan’s voice trembled, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…”
“Quiet—”
Jiang Wang cut her off, hearing the panicked footsteps outside, and let out a contemptuous laugh: “They ran away.”
Indeed, the girls who had been so aggressive moments ago had already fled without a trace.
Jiang Wang withdrew his hand, pulled a cigarette case from his pocket, and placed one between his lips: “You’re… that adopted daughter of the Song family?”
Si Yuan froze completely.
“Quite pretty. Be with me.” He lit the cigarette, the ember glowing and fading in the dim room. “I’ll protect you.”
This wasn’t a question, but a declaration.
Si Yuan’s eyes widened, before she could react, Jiang Wang had already stood up and pulled aside the iron shelf hiding her.
Sunlight poured in, his tall figure standing silhouetted against the light as he slowly reached out his hand.
His gaze behind the smoke was obscure and unreadable, “From now on, you’re mine. No one will bully you again.”
Si Yuan stared blankly for a moment, then raised her hand, allowing him to encircle her wrist and apply medicine to her.
…
The memories receded like tidewater, and Si Yuan abruptly snapped back to the present.
The twenty-four-year-old Jiang Wang before her was even more imposing than his nineteen-year-old self, his tailored suit unable to conceal the wildness in his bones.
He loomed over her, his tie dangling, gently brushing against her lips.
Hmm… so soft, they look so kissable.
He chuckled lowly, his breath scorching.
“Remember now?”
Si Yuan turned her face away: “I told you, that was just… youthful ignorance.”
“Ignorance?” Jiang Wang’s eyes darkened as he grabbed her wrist and pinned it against the wall. “Then what about all those times later at my apartment, on the balcony, and on the sofa… was that ignorance too?”
The tips of Si Yuan’s ears instantly burned red.
“So, choose me?”
“President Jiang, it’s really not necessary.” She took a deep breath, her expression somber and confused. “Between you and me, we both know the truth. Neither owes the other anything. Let’s just pretend nothing ever happened…”
Jiang Wang stared at her intently for several seconds, then suddenly took her hand.
Jiang Wang’s palm was broad and warm, with a thin layer of calluses on his fingertips, completely enveloping her slender fingers.
His other hand gripped her waist firmly.
He narrowed his eyes, his gaze burning intensely: “Don’t give me that bullshit. What the hell are you mumbling about?”
“I want to kiss you.”
Si Yuan’s eyes widened in shock.
What outrageous thing was he saying now?
Did he think it was still like before?
Before Si Yuan could curse him out, he leaned in closer.
He was over twenty centimeters taller than her, standing before her like an immovable wall, almost completely overwhelming her.
Si Yuan instantly felt afraid.
Everyone seemed to want to bully her, even Jiang Wang. Not only did he bully her, but in this non-consensual situation, it was… coercion.
Before her tears could fall, Jiang Wang stopped.
At that moment, his lips were very close to hers.
Si Yuan looked at him, blinking in confusion.
“Aren’t you going to take the initiative?”
Si Yuan shook her head.
He pulled back, letting out a soft, mocking sound from above her.
“Your self-control has improved.”
Si Yuan swallowed hard.
Jiang Wang raised an eyebrow, creating a slight distance between them: “Fine, I’m in no hurry. I know all about your little self-control. With this face of mine, let’s see how long you can keep pretending.”
Si Yuan knew he was handsome, but she still found his words ridiculous.
Yet… the way he was acting, it didn’t seem like he actually intended to bully her.
Footsteps suddenly echoed from the stairwell.
Startled, Si Yuan pushed Jiang Wang away.
In that instant, she clearly felt the scorching body heat beneath his thin shirt.
It was still… familiar.
Si Yuan couldn’t help but silently acknowledge that his physique seemed even better than before.
Then she quickly withdrew her hand, immediately putting distance between them, and walked down the stairs without looking back.
“Walk” wasn’t quite the right word—it was more like fleeing.
The sound of a lighter clicked behind her, the scent of cigarette smoke mingling with his distinct black licorice aroma.
Jiang Wang watched her retreating figure, exhaling a cloud of smoke, his gaze fixed intently on her back.
“Trying to ditch me again this time?”
“Not a chance.”
After work, Si Yuan arrived punctually at Lanwan Coffee.
She chose a seat by the window, her fingers unconsciously tracing the rim of her cup.
“Si Yuan?”
A gentle male voice came from above.
Si Yuan looked up and saw a man in a light gray casual suit standing by the table.
He had refined features and wore gold-rimmed glasses, exuding an air of elegance.
“You’re Ding Cheng?”
Si Yuan stood up and politely extended her hand.
Ding Cheng shook her hand, his grip dry and warm.
He smiled, faint laugh lines appearing at the corners of his eyes: “Zhou Xiaoxiao said you were beautiful, but I still underestimated just how beautiful.”
Si Yuan smiled faintly and subtly withdrew her hand.
Once they were seated, she got straight to the point: “About the banquet at the end of the month…”
“I’ve heard everything from Zhou Xiaoxiao,” Ding Cheng adjusted his glasses. “Pretending to be your boyfriend from London, right?”
Si Yuan nodded, pulling a folder from her bag: “This is the information I prepared, including my study abroad experience and some details that might come in handy.”
Ding Cheng took the folder and began flipping through it.
After their conversation ended, Si Yuan signaled for the waiter to bring the bill.
Ding Cheng pressed his hand over it: “Wait, this one’s on me.”
Si Yuan smiled distantly: “No need. I’m the one asking for your help, so I should pay.”
Ding Cheng looked at her profile, pursed his lips, and nodded: “Alright.”
This girl is truly too aloof.