The sound of the shower came from the bathroom, and the intensely aggressive scent of fir nearly enveloped her entire being.
After blow-drying her hair, Shen Nanyin sat on the bed playing with her phone, trying to relax, but her body remained tense.
Liang Wan: [How are you doing now? Are you okay?]
She had previously explained recent events to her roommates in their dorm group chat, and they were aware of her family situation.
She replied: [I’m okay, just a little awkward.]
Fang Yunran: [Thank goodness you moved out. You have no idea—Gu Zhiyan actually came to our dorm building today to wait for you. Honestly, I don’t know how he has the nerve.]
Gu Zhiyan?
She had blocked him on WeChat after breaking up with him, and Shen Nanyin had almost forgotten about him.
Fang Yunran: [Did you really marry Lu Jingyan? Rumor has it he’s pretty crazy and plays around a lot.]
Recalling their few interactions, she felt Lu Jingyan wasn’t as exaggerated as the rumors made him out to be.
And besides…
Shen Nanyin suddenly remembered him mentioning her first kiss.
She shook her head—how could that be? He was probably just teasing her.
[He’s actually quite nice. He even saved me twice.]
[And most people in this circle are similar. This path is probably the best choice.]
Fang Yunran: [Okay, okay. Take care of yourself, and if there’s any trouble, remember to contact us first.]
Shen Nanyin smiled slightly: [Yeah, yeah.]
Liang Wan: [If you ask me, just treat him like a patron or a boss. It’s like you’ve found yourself a job—don’t put too much pressure on yourself.]
Hearing Liang Wan’s words, Shen Nanyin suddenly felt it really did seem that way.
She thought things through so clearly. Shen Nanyin replied with a little bear bowing in gratitude emoji.
Just then, an unfamiliar call came through.
She asked hesitantly, “Hello?”
The other person paused briefly before tentatively speaking, “Sister-in-law?”
Shen Nanyin’s eyes clouded with confusion, her cool brows furrowed in bewilderment. “…May I ask who this is?”
“Sister-in-law, it’s Fang Yang.”
Shen Nanyin searched her memory for the name, taking a moment before recalling he was Gu Zhiyan’s friend.
What urgent matter could Gu Zhiyan’s friend possibly have with her?
The sound of the bathroom door opening startled Shen Nanyin, and she immediately hung up the call.
Unfortunately, her movements were too abrupt, making her seem particularly guilty.
The man toweled his hair dry, leisurely casting a glance her way. “Who were you talking to on the phone? Hanging up so quickly.”
She quickly straightened her posture, her expression slightly unnatural.
Remembering Liang Wan’s words—since she was treating him as both a boss and a patron, honesty came first.
So she replied candidly, “Gu Zhiyan’s friend.”
Hearing that name, Lu Jingyan’s eyes darkened slightly.
He pretended to ask casually, “What did he want so late at night?”
Glancing silently at the clock on the wall pointing to 9:30, Shen Nanyin unconsciously fiddled with her phone case. “I’m not sure. I hung up as soon as I realized who it was.”
The man was clearly satisfied with her answer, the chill around him dissipating considerably. “Hmm.”
After the conversation ended, the atmosphere in the room made Shen Nanyin feel awkward and tense.
It was only 9:30—was it too early to sleep?
Or should she take the initiative to do something?
After mentally running through a series of “self-cultivation for a canary” scenarios, she gritted her teeth and glanced down at her nightgown.
No, she couldn’t muster the courage to take it off.
Do something—quick, think of something to do.
Just as the little voice inside her head was spinning in circles with anxiety, Shen Nanyin suddenly had a flash of inspiration.
So, Lu Jingyan watched as the girl abruptly jumped off the bed, her eyes sparkling as she ran up to him.
“Let me help you dry your hair.”
He looked at her for a long moment. Though it wasn’t quite appropriate to describe it this way, she really… looked very much like a puppy pouncing on its food.