Shen Xiunian’s expression was indifferent. Although those two guys were average-looking, came from humble backgrounds, and weren’t particularly bright, he still didn’t like them adding Jiang Tang.
Jiang Tang had been struggling to find a reason to refuse. She had added Pei Yunkai because he seemed close to Shen Xiunian—after all, she was also quite familiar with Shen Xiunian’s sister.
As for the group behind Pei Yunkai, she wasn’t sure how they were connected to Shen Xiunian.
Moreover, with so many people adding her, if they really all invited her out, she wouldn’t know how to turn them down.
Fortunately, Shen Xiunian had helped her refuse.
Shen Xiunian grew somewhat impatient. He wrapped his arm around Jiang Tang’s waist and took two steps back. “Feel free to do as you please. We’re going to continue our date.”
Pei Yunkai and the others chuckled good-naturedly. Shen Xiunian really was different now that he was in a relationship.
Jiang Tang waved at them. “Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Tangtang!”
Everyone waved back enthusiastically.
Shen Xiunian led Jiang Tang outside, still holding her phone. Once they stepped out the door, he stopped.
He looked at Jiang Tang and asked casually, “Tangtang, if I take your phone and don’t let them add you as a friend, will you be angry?”
Would she be upset by him controlling her social interactions like this?
Jiang Tang beamed. “No, Shen Xiunian, I think you’re so considerate!”
She hadn’t wanted to add so many people in the first place.
Shen Xiunian raised an eyebrow in surprise, studying Jiang Tang’s eyes intently. Her eyes were filled with genuine delight—she really did seem happy.
He tilted his head slightly, puzzled. “You like it when I do this?”
“I love it!” Jiang Tang replied with complete sincerity.
Sometimes, she didn’t know how to refuse others.
Shen Xiunian helping her refuse was something she couldn’t be happier about.
A faint sense of satisfaction stirred in Shen Xiunian’s heart.
She actually liked being controlled by him.
His carefully hidden desire for control had just inadvertently surfaced.
He had thought she would be angry.
Instead, she liked it.
Nothing could be more pleasantly surprising.
A smile flickered in Shen Xiunian’s eyes as he sighed softly. “That’s… really wonderful.”
Jiang Tang thought so too.
Shen Xiunian recalled how she had rushed to shield him earlier. Despite her gentle and soft-spoken nature, how had she mustered such courage to step forward?
He asked quietly, “Tangtang, when you rushed out so urgently just now and stood in front of me, were you trying to protect me?”
Jiang Tang grew shy at the mention. “I’ve read a lot of novels about wealthy family feuds. I was afraid they might bully you, so I rushed out.”
Shen Xiunian’s heart melted into tenderness.
His gaze deepened as he looked at Jiang Tang, waves of emotion swirling toward her like the tide. His voice was low and affectionate. “Tangtang.”
Meeting his gaze, Jiang Tang felt her legs go weak.
Her heart raced wildly.
She blinked, flustered, and took a small step back, whispering, “Let’s go.”
She didn’t dare look into Shen Xiunian’s eyes again, turning her gaze instead to the rain outside. It was only drizzling now.
Shen Xiunian chuckled softly. Jiang Tang was shy and reserved—he couldn’t rush things. He restrained the surging emotions within him.
He retrieved a black umbrella with a red frame from the car, along with a few other things, his tone returning to its usual nonchalance. “Walking in the rain is romantic, but an umbrella is still necessary.”
He was just saying something casual to break Jiang Tang’s flustered train of thought.
Jiang Tang nodded blankly. “Yeah.”
Shen Xiunian couldn’t help but laugh. She was really too adorable.
He opened the umbrella and reached out to wrap his arm around Jiang Tang’s waist, holding her tightly.
The two walked side by side into the curtain of rain.
Jiang Tang was held so tightly by him that almost half of her body leaned into Shen Xiunian’s embrace.
Shen Xiunian’s hand was too warm, its presence overwhelmingly strong.
She wriggled her waist and whispered softly, “Shen Xiunian, you’re holding me too tight.”
Shen Xiunian replied calmly, “This way we won’t get wet.”
Jiang Tang thought for a moment, found it reasonable, and allowed Shen Xiunian to keep holding her.
The two strolled through the rain, casually chatting about trivial matters. The rain blurred the world, and Jiang Tang truly felt the illusion that only the two of them remained in this world.
Gazing at the hazy, indistinct road ahead, she whispered, “Shen Xiunian, I feel like if we keep walking along this road, we might reach the end of the world. It’s really so romantic.”
Shen Xiunian tightened his arm around her slightly. “Very romantic.”
For him, this was a rare experience.
Truly romantic.
The two continued their leisurely stroll, while the restaurant staff drove Shen Xiunian’s car, slowly following behind them.
Jiang Tang looked up at Shen Xiunian’s profile. Her beautiful, glistening eyes sparkled with a lively cunning, like a little fox about to get into mischief.
Sensing her gaze, Shen Xiunian turned his head to look at her. His narrow eyes, hidden behind frameless lenses, appeared exceptionally seductive.
A highly intelligent, refined scoundrel.
Jiang Tang asked softly, “Shen Xiunian, have you ever done anything outrageous in your life?”
A flicker of amusement appeared in Shen Xiunian’s eyes. What was Jiang Tang planning? He was looking forward to it.
“Outrageous things?” He deliberately drew out his words, playing along. “No.”
“Then you never went through a chuunibyou phase either?”
“No.”
By the age when most people experience chuunibyou, Shen Xiunian was already in university.
Jiang Tang cleared her throat lightly and patted Shen Xiunian’s hand, which was still wrapped around her waist.
Shen Xiunian remained unmoved.
Jiang Tang let out a soft hum, wriggling her waist until she finally twisted free from his grasp.
Shen Xiunian’s fingers curled slightly, the tips still lingering with the soft sensation of her waist.
He didn’t want to let go.
He watched Jiang Tang, curious about what she intended to do.
Jiang Tang stood in front of Shen Xiunian and extended her hand. “Shen Xiunian, do you want to escape this world with me?”
Shen Xiunian raised an eyebrow, his highly intelligent and restrained face breaking into a soft laugh.
He tilted his head, placed his hand in Jiang Tang’s, and nodded seriously. “Yes.”
Jiang Tang grasped his hand and began running forward.
Utterly chuunibyou.
Shen Xiunian actually followed her and ran.
He was wearing a silk shirt and frameless glasses, the epitome of a highly intelligent, refined scoundrel, yet here he was, sprinting through the rainy night with her.
Jiang Tang couldn’t stop laughing. She really felt like the bad woman who had run off with the Male Lead.
Shen Xiunian shook her hand gently. “So happy?”
“Yes!” Jiang Tang laughed joyfully. “Shen Xiunian, I want to give you a special experience. Isn’t that worth being happy about?”
Shen Xiunian’s gaze deepened, his voice low and clear. “It is.”