Jiang Ning had thought that in this situation where both were sober, if Xi Yue encountered her, he would specifically come to mock her.
But he simply stared at her without blinking, not mentioning any past events, and spoke calmly.
“About that night, shall we talk?”
Jiang Ning tried to play dumb: “About what?”
Xi Yue sneered: “Do I have to say it in front of your blind date?”
With Xi Yue putting it that way, Jiang Ning had no choice but to agree.
Jiang Ning had already rejected Zhou Ran, yet she was dragging him into this again, which made her feel terribly sorry for him.
Jiang Ning said goodbye to Zhou Ran, thanking him for treating her to dinner today.
Due to Zhou Ran’s inexplicable cooperation, Jiang Ning’s attitude toward him remained quite good.
Xi Yue listened from the side.
He heard Jiang Ning whisper to him: “One good turn deserves another. I’ll definitely treat you back when I have time.”
That tone was soft and slow, carrying a hint of marshmallow-like tenderness—a flavor Xi Yue still recognized even after six years.
He looked at Zhou Ran’s profile, his eyes darkening, not even noticing the cigarette butt burning his fingers.
As soon as Zhou Ran left, Jiang Ning asked him.
“What do you want to talk about?”
Xi Yue said calmly: “I’m not wearing a mask. If you don’t want to end up on the hot search with me tomorrow, let’s go to your hotel.”
Jiang Ning paused: “How do you know I’m staying at a hotel?”
Xi Yue mocked: “Do you really think I’m still that poor boy who knows nothing?”
Jiang Ning fell silent again.
…
Come to think of it, Jiang Ning had only been with Xi Yue for a year back then.
The years they had been apart were already much longer than that one year.
She had never told Xi Yue about her depression.
To him, she was probably just an ordinary person who liked quiet and occasionally spaced out for no reason.
Now, they should be considered enemies, after all, Jiang Ning had dumped him back then without leaving any room for sentiment, making it a very ugly breakup.
But she still instinctively tried not to reveal any signs or abnormalities related to her depression in front of Xi Yue.
Jiang Ning brought Xi Yue back to her room.
After swiping the card and entering, Jiang Ning noticed Xi Yue’s gaze fixed on the takeout box on the table.
Without changing her expression, Jiang Ning threw the takeout into the trash and said to Xi Yue: “Have a seat.”
She had a feeling that, given Xi Yue’s usual sarcastic nature, his next line would be something mocking like, “Has the Jiang family’s little princess fallen so low that she’s eating takeout now?”
But Xi Yue only asked: “Why did you leave without saying goodbye?”
Meeting sober for the first time, Jiang Ning had guessed twice and failed both times to predict Xi Yue’s thoughts.
Each time reminded Jiang Ning that he was no longer the rebellious young man from six years ago, whose every thought was written on his face.
Jiang Ning lowered her eyes, her voice very soft: “I was drunk and thought I was dreaming.”
Jiang Ning didn’t look at him but instead stared at the reflective tiles, which mirrored the bright ceiling lights, making her eyes feel dry and sore, yet she didn’t look away.
She thought Xi Yue would mock her again: “Did you used to have dreams like this too?”
But Xi Yue still said nothing.
It was then that she realized, despite her best efforts to control herself, her condition was still somewhat off.
Reality and the illusions in her mind kept overlapping, as if pairs of black hands were about to emerge from the bright tiles at any moment, dragging her into an abyss.
Jiang Ning reached under the table to pull out her medication, struggling to steady her trembling hands as she shoved a handful of pills into her mouth.
She always liked to guess how the young Xi Yue would react.
But the man standing before her was unlike him not only in personality, but even in appearance.
She heard herself say, “Since nothing substantial happened between us, let’s just pretend it never did.”
She somewhat admired herself for being able to speak so clearly and calmly in such a state.
Xi Yue watched her take the medicine but asked nothing, only remarking lightly, “You’re quite carefree.”
Jiang Ning’s voice was soft, “After all, it’s all in the past.”
Xi Yue seemed to smile faintly, “I thought you’d remember an ex-boyfriend who almost knelt and begged you back then more vividly.”