Jiang Wan did not look toward Jiang Lan at the doorway, yet she could still feel Jiang Lan’s provocative gaze directed at her.
In the foyer.
“Wait, let me fix this for you. Your tie is crooked.”
Jiang Lan raised her hands, slightly rising on her tiptoes to adjust the tie of the tall man standing before her.
“There, all good now. Let’s go!”
Sheng Lianjue’s cool voice responded, “Mm.”
Jiang Lan’s gaze shifted toward the person nearby.
Jiang Wan, however, acted as if she hadn’t seen anything, turning a blind eye as she walked into the kitchen and poured the freshly cooked noodles into the slop bucket.
Jiang Wan didn’t want to look at them—that well-matched pair.
Jiang Lan and Sheng Lianjue shared a compatible aura. Even if an outsider were present, they would only mistake Jiang Wan for the outsider, while Jiang Lan would be seen as the lady of Junlin Mansion.
The events of last night, along with Jiang Lan’s appearance, were tacitly left unmentioned by everyone, as if they had never happened.
Jiang Wan stood with her back turned, still washing the dishes, listening as the car outside started up and drove away.
Jiang Wan stared blankly at the bowl in her hands, lost in thought. She washed the bowl over and over again until her fingertips were swollen and pale from the water.
Jiang Lan drove Sheng Lianjue’s car, stopping at a traffic light. “Last night… I’m sorry, I drank too much. Did Jiang Wan bother you?”
“If she’s still causing trouble, I can explain to her tonight. We…”
Before Jiang Lan could finish, Sheng Lianjue, who had been resting with his eyes closed, interrupted her. “Don’t come over again in the future.”
The green light had already turned on. Jiang Lan’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, and only when the cars behind her honked did she step on the accelerator.
“I’m not divorced yet. Mind your boundaries.”
Jiang Lan pressed her lips together tightly, saying nothing, but she did not agree to Sheng Lianjue’s words either.
Sheng Lianjue wouldn’t be returning that night. Jiang Wan went back to her room and took out the clothes she had bought for her child earlier, stroking them over and over again.
There were little bear outfits for boys and pink princess dresses…
Her baby had also appeared in her dreams, wearing the little dresses she had bought.
Tears welled up in Jiang Wan’s eyes. “…In your next life, find parents who will cherish you and live a happy, fulfilling life.”
Jiang Wan hugged the dresses…
Soft, suppressed sobs echoed in the room.
She cried until she was exhausted, then held the dresses and dozed off for a short while.
When she woke up, it was already one in the afternoon.
Jiang Wan changed into a gentle, blue-style long dress, picked up a handbag, and walked a short distance to a nearby supermarket.
During her absence, the refrigerator had been emptied, and she needed to stock up on groceries.
As she reached the vegetable section, Jiang Wan reached out to pick up a tomato. The next moment, a slender, well-defined arm with rolled-up sleeves also reached for a tomato.
She looked at the man beside her.
He was wearing a light blue sweater and black trousers. Looking at him, Jiang Wan felt a sense of familiarity.
But she couldn’t recall where she had seen him before.
She kindly reminded him, “…The one you picked is already spoiled. There’s a crack. You should pick another one.”
Xu Shu seemed as if he had just woken up, his expression giving off a lazy vibe. He reached up to rub his neck, let out an “ah,” and nodded. “It’s been a while since I’ve gone grocery shopping. Thanks for the reminder.”
“You’re welcome.” Jiang Wan tilted her head, studying him for a moment. “We… have we met somewhere before?”
Xu Shu only then noticed it was her, a slight smile curling at the corner of his mouth. “Perhaps!”
“Are you out shopping alone too? Where’s your husband?”Jiang Wan lowered her gaze slightly. Xu Shu sensed the negative emotions emanating from her and guessed that he had asked the wrong question.
Jiang Wan replied in a calm tone, “He went to work.”
Xu Shu nodded.
After exchanging only a few words, Jiang Wan pushed her cart and headed toward the seasoning aisle.
Xu Shu watched the slender figure walk away, lost in thought. Only when she turned the corner did he finally look away.
They… had indeed met before, and more than once.
Jiang Wan!
He remembered her name.
Feeling his phone vibrate with an incoming call, Xu Shu saw the caller ID and answered, “Ms. Ye, what is it?”
“What do you mean, Ms. Ye? I’m your mother! You brat, it’s been so long and you haven’t even called me. I’m coming back today, and I’m taking you to the Sheng family for dinner. I’ll also introduce you to a girl. Come to think of it, you already know her—she’s the sister of that kid you used to fight with when you were little… what’s his name… the one with the icy face. Anyway, you’re not getting any younger, so it’s time to start dating. This is a good opportunity for you to meet someone.”
Xu Shu rubbed his temples with a sigh. “I’m busy at the hospital and don’t have time to invest in a relationship.”
“That’s it, I’m hanging up!”