The night breeze on the balcony carried a slight chill. Jiang Shu was lost in her thoughts until a coat draped over her shoulders made her aware of the cold. The smoke-gray outerwear carried a faint scent of sandalwood.
“Why aren’t you downstairs?” Xiang Jiamu asked with a stiff expression, his tone flat.
How did he get up here?
“Thank you, but I don’t need it.” Jiang Shu removed the coat and handed it back to him. “It was stuffy downstairs, so I came out for some fresh air. Are you here for the same reason?”
Xiang Jiamu paused, accepted the coat and draped it over his arm, responding with an unnatural “Mm.”
“…Xiyu is waiting for you… You should go back soon.” After saying this, he turned and walked off the balcony as if he had only come to deliver a message in passing.
Xiang Jiamu was typically quiet and reserved. She hadn’t interacted with him much—to be precise, she didn’t want to interact with any of Cheng Xiyu’s friends. Their teasing or sympathetic glances always made her somewhat uncomfortable.
She assumed Cheng Xiyu had sent him upstairs to call her back.
Turning around, she was about to head downstairs when she saw Gu Ting approaching from around the corner.
“I think you have the right to know something—” Shedding her gentle and gracious exterior, Gu Ting looked at Jiang Shu with a condescending tone.
She wanted Jiang Shu to understand that an impostor would always be an impostor. No matter how much Xiyu might favor her, she would ultimately remain nothing but a counterfeit.
Jiang Shu gazed back coldly, showing no intention of responding and appearing completely uninterested.
Not receiving the expected curious inquiry, Gu Ting gritted her teeth and continued arrogantly, “I still have to remind you not to get in too deep. Do you know, Xiyu has someone he likes—”
“You like him.” Before Gu Ting could finish, Jiang Shu stated this not as a question but as a certainty.
Gu Ting: “You—”
“There’s no need to see me as your enemy,” Jiang Shu said expressionlessly.
Gu Ting: “What nonsense are you talking?!” A flicker of panic crossed her face.
Jiang Shu: “Actually, you know better than anyone whether I’m talking nonsense, don’t you?”
Gu Ting: “……”
Without waiting to hear more, Jiang Shu turned and walked downstairs. Gu Ting’s voice followed her from behind:
“Jiang Shu, your pride won’t last long.” I’ll be waiting to see!”
She found it rather amusing that Gu Ting viewed her as a rival. She had no intention of competing for anything, nor could she ever win.
After all, Cheng Xiyu’s beloved wasn’t her, Jiang Shu. This was merely a transaction—who would take it seriously? Gu Ting was simply letting concern cloud her judgment. Love had a way of making people lose their rationality.
“Why did it take you so long to come down? Did something happen?” Cheng Xiyu’s eyelids lowered slightly, his expression displeased as he lifted his gaze to inquire.
“…I’m a bit tired,” Jiang Shu murmured softly, her face showing signs of weariness.
The banquet was more than halfway over, with only close family members remaining. Some guests had already left. Shortly after Jiamu came downstairs earlier, he had departed not long after.
Cheng Xiyu bid farewell to Gu’s father and Gu’s mother. He didn’t see Gu Zhao around and didn’t bother looking for him.
Watching the woman before him bow her head meekly, the red mole at her neck flickering like a dancing flame.
Cheng Xiyu’s eyes darkened, his gaze intensifying as their intertwined hands tightened their grasp.
After getting in the car and leaning against the comfortable backseat, Jiang Shu couldn’t help but feel somewhat fatigued. Just as she was about to close her eyes, a strong arm with distinct knuckles tightened around her waist, pulling her close.
Cheng Xiyu lowered his head to look at her. Their gazes met, and Jiang Shu froze for a moment, as if crackling sparks were igniting in the air.
His throat involuntarily moved. In the faint, misty starlight, his smooth, pale face revealed a cold, sharply defined handsomeness. His dark, profound eyes grew increasingly brilliant…
Somehow, ripples stirred in her eyes… She suddenly felt a tingling numbness in her heart.
Thump—thump—thump—
“Xiao Shu.” Cheng Xiyu’s eyes darkened as he called her name. His hand gripped the back of her neck, forcing her to lift her head. His voice grew increasingly hoarse, his low breaths brushing against the side of her neck: “…Do you want to kiss me?”
She must be sick—otherwise, why would she chase after him and press her lips to his? Her hands weakly clutched his sleeve, her eyes misty and dazed, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks.
Cheng Xiyu kissed her fiercely, trapping her in his embrace and tormenting her to his heart’s content. She wanted to break free but had nowhere to escape, so she could only press closer—as if unable to bear it, yet also as if begging her lover for more…
The temperature in the car rose higher and higher until an impatient honk sounded from behind, forcing them to part.
The corners of Jiang Shu’s eyes and the edges of her cheeks were flushed a vivid, glistening red as she panted softly.
Seeing her like this, Cheng Xiyu’s dark eyes grew increasingly intense and shadowed, wishing they could get home immediately.
This Little Fox, Jiang Shu—how could she be so captivating everywhere, so perfectly suited to his heart’s desires…