“Nuan Nuan,” Jiang Hao looked at her desperately, “does it really have to be like this? Are you really this heartless?”
Zhou Nuan didn’t answer.
Since this was a relationship destined for no future, why keep forcing it?
“I don’t agree! I absolutely refuse to break up with you!” Jiang Hao’s entitled temper flared.
He had grown up never being the one dumped—he was always the one ending things with others.
“Jiang Hao, is this really necessary? We loved each other once, and I don’t want it to end on such a bad note,” Zhou Nuan said coldly as his temper escalated.
“Nuan Nuan, I’m begging you, please don’t break up with me!”
“Give me some time. I’ll convince my parents to accept you.” Jiang Hao’s pleading caught her off guard. He held her hand, begging pitifully.
Seeing him so humbled, Zhou Nuan felt uneasy as well.
He had grown up never begging anyone like this, had he?
“Jiang Hao, why bother? We won’t have a future together anyway.” She sighed softly, her tone softening.
“No, Nuan Nuan! You have to believe me! I… I’ll find a way to make it work.”
“Three months—give me three months. If after three months my parents still can’t accept you, then we’ll break up, okay?” Jiang Hao begged.
“Three months is too long! One month, okay? Jiang Hao, I’ll give you one month. If by then your parents still refuse, then we break up for good!” Zhou Nuan finally compromised.
Being a first love and having invested her emotions, letting go was hard.
“Nuan Nuan…” Jiang Hao wanted to say more, but Zhou Nuan gently withdrew her hand.
She sat up straight, staring ahead. “Jiang Hao, this is my final boundary.”
Seeing the girl beside him, gentle yet impossibly firm, Jiang Hao was momentarily stunned.
He had never seen Zhou Nuan like this—soft yet untouchable.
Realizing he couldn’t change her mind, Jiang Hao let out a heavy sigh. “Alright, Nuan Nuan, one month it is. One month!”
A true man doesn’t take the loss immediately—he could always ask for an extension later.
“Good,” Zhou Nuan nodded lightly. “There’s one more thing, and you must promise me.”
“What is it? Tell me.”
“For this one month, you cannot see any other woman—not even a blind date.” Zhou Nuan’s tone was firm.
Jiang Hao froze, not expecting such a request.
“I… I promise.” Hesitating for a moment, he finally nodded.
“Then you also have to promise me—you cannot interact with other men during this time either.”
“Don’t worry about that. I, Zhou Nuan, have never been one to be two-timing or indecisive.” She turned to look at Jiang Hao meaningfully.
Jiang Hao’s face heated up.
Zhou Nuan was subtly hinting at him!
But as long as she didn’t break up with him, a little teasing was nothing.
He took her hand again.
“Nuan Nuan, it’s the weekend. Forget studying today. Take a break. How about we go to that restaurant in the northern district? We already planned it last time.”
“Okay.” This time Zhou Nuan didn’t refuse.
Her exam prep had only been an excuse to avoid Jiang Hao; she still had more than three months before the test.
The flashy sports car roared down the road, and half an hour later, they arrived at the restaurant Jiang Hao had mentioned.
It was a Japanese restaurant, elegantly decorated with understated luxury. The cost per person wasn’t cheap.
Zhou Nuan had never eaten at such a place before. Seeing the servers in kimono with high, ornate hairstyles carrying delicate tableware, her eyes widened with curiosity.
The private rooms were designed with tatami mats, requiring guests to remove their shoes and sit cross-legged at the tables.
Zhou Nuan wasn’t used to Japanese cuisine, especially raw fish, which she found psychologically difficult. And the taste of wasabi was hard to handle.
She preferred traditional cuisine.
Still, the décor and atmosphere impressed her.
After ordering, the server asked Jiang Hao, “Sir, would you like some sake? It’s one of our specialties.”
Jiang Hao glanced at Zhou Nuan. She waved her hand repeatedly, “No alcohol. You’ll be driving later!”
“I can hire a driver,” Jiang Hao said dismissively.
“Then bring a pot of sake.” He instructed the server.
“Of course, please wait a moment.” The server bowed and left.
When Jiang Hao received a notification of the card payment, Li Huanying was in a meeting with someone else.
Her brows knitted instinctively.
This guy… went to spend money at this kind of place again?
Immediately, she dialed the restaurant’s phone number from the message.
As expected, it was a two-person bill.
Then… who was with him?
Previously, Li Huanying never cared about Jiang Hao’s private life. He was grown up; a little personal space was normal.
Besides, he was her only son—wasn’t she earning money for him to spend?
But now, because of Zhou Nuan, she had to constantly monitor Jiang Hao.
She had already given him the final warning last time; she wasn’t sure he had taken it seriously.
If the person with him tonight was Zhou Nuan, she would have to take action.
Her eyes narrowed dangerously at the thought.
Shi Anlan had just returned home when he received a call.
“Secretary Shi, I’ve traced the license plate you asked for. The owner is Jiang Hao, working at the Construction Bureau,” the caller reported. After a pause, he added, “He’s the son of Deputy S Director Jiang Zhiming, and his mother is the chairwoman of **Group.”
“Good. Noted, thank you,” Shi Anlan replied politely.
“Secretary Shi, you’re too courteous. Please feel free to instruct me on anything.”
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up.” When Shi Anlan remained silent, the caller hung up, sensing the conversation was over.
Deputy S Director Jiang Zhiming’s son? Interesting! Shi Anlan’s lips curved into a faint, enigmatic smile.