The King of Verbal Mastery

Ye Mian’s smile suddenly blossomed as she said, “I really like it.”

Jiang Chen lifted his gaze.

The daylight was bright then, illuminating her radiant smile.

A slight smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Though he tried to suppress it, amusement still glinted from his eyes.

He recalled the year they were seniors in high school, when the young girl had her birthday and invited him over.

As an inexperienced boy, his understanding of birthdays was painfully simple: a gift, best wishes, and perhaps a cake — that was all.

Unaware that cakes needed to be pre-ordered, he brought double gifts and, under the fading light, went up the mountain to pick flowers.

Back then, the girl’s smile was just as bright.

The memory grew distant, the backdrop faded.

That was the first time he felt he could truly make her happy.

Once that thought took root, it became terrifying.

Terrifying enough that now… he actually had the courage to keep her by his side.

In mid-August of their twentieth year, the weather in Jiang City was mostly clear, as if the gentle sunshine diligently bathed the earth every day before school resumed.

At night, the evening breeze turned cool. He didn’t know what trees the hotel had planted nearby, but the air was tinged with a bittersweet scent.

On the balcony of Ye Mian’s room stood a sofa; she would often lay a cushion on it and settle there — a perfect vantage point.

She liked to sit there, feeling the wind tousle her hair, watching birds perch on branches.

Everything was just the way she liked it.

But this was her last day at the hotel.

Tomorrow, Ye Mian would return home.

She found herself reluctant to leave.

There had been no sign of that wretched man these past few days, which was a relief for her.

Life seemed to have slipped into the comfortable circle Jiang Chen had built around her.

It made one want to simply lie back and relax.

As long as she didn’t torment herself, everything else remained unchanged.

Only one thing was different.

Ye Mian noticed that Ye Qingqing had left their trio’s chat group.

Curious, she checked Ye Qingqing’s social media — only a single dash remained.

She hadn’t deleted Ye Mian but merely blocked her.

She had thought about messaging her to ask why.

But so many words were stuck inside, and eventually, she felt too weary to speak.

Broken friendships could be mended, but never restored to their former closeness.

The first lesson the world taught her was to endure solitude.

So, she didn’t feel too disheartened.

...

In the neighboring suite, Tong Guan noticed Jiang Chen checking his phone for the third time. Perplexed, he said, “Boss, if it’s really not working, why don’t you just go see her? After all, she’s the one you like. You’ve got nothing to lose.”

Jiang Chen glanced at him calmly, his pale eyes tinged with a cool detachment. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

Tong Guan replied, “This isn’t nonsense. You do like her, and you’ve done so much for her… Besides, your relationship isn’t exactly impossible. Miss Ye Mian is quite beautiful, isn’t she?”

He gave a knowing look.

Jiang Chen held a cigarette between his fingers. When he returned from work, he always wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses.

Smoke curled around him.

He tilted his head, gazing out at the darkness beyond the floor-to-ceiling window.

Softly, he said, “She is very beautiful, but rules must be followed.”

Tong Guan raised his teacup, then set it down again. “Dating with rules? Thinking about consequences — that must be tough.”

Jiang Chen smiled faintly and said, “That land we’re developing? I’ve poured all my money into it. If one day I can’t keep it up and go bankrupt, what will happen to her? Do you expect a young girl to support me?”

Tong Guan immediately understood.

When wealthy, a man can have many women; but if he falls from grace, or worse, is targeted by rivals and can’t even feed himself — which man has the face to let the woman who truly cares for him suffer alongside him?

To put it simply: if they were in a traditional industry, the risk would be lower, and they could offer guarantees. But with investments, it’s a gamble of all or nothing — bankruptcy is always a possibility.

Jiang Chen refused to sacrifice fleeting pleasure if it meant ruining her chance to choose another path.

After all, she was the little moon that had hung in his heart since youth. As long as he could protect her and see her flourish, that was enough to soothe him.

Moreover, since the day before yesterday, this moon belonged to him alone.

He was the one who had gained the advantage.

The conversation left a strange ache in his chest. He stood and walked to the balcony.

That was when he noticed someone else on the neighboring terrace.

The mountain air was light and the dew heavy; the breeze was chillier now.

The young girl sat cross-legged on the sofa, her phone on speaker as she talked.

A youthful male voice came from the call.

At first listen, it sounded somewhat familiar.

One of the wealthy young heirs in the country.

“Ye Mian, is your family in Jiang City? The holiday’s almost over. I’m bored; why don’t I come visit you? Plus, when we return to school, I can take you along.”

Jiang Chen took a drag of his cigarette.

Though his expression was calm, the slight furrow of his brow and the restless gleam in his eyes betrayed him.

Tsk.

What an infuriating conversation.

Yet, recalling what he had just told Tong Guan, he thought he should respect every choice the girl made.

As long as it wasn’t some despicable scoundrel, he would have to get used to it. Keeping her near was to protect, not to confine.

Still, his feet lingered, as if reluctant to leave the balcony’s cool air.

Ye Mian admitted she was two-faced. When not with Jiang Chen, she was rather dull.

She understood the caller’s intentions.

Frowning, she replied politely but coldly, “Ah, sorry, I have a boyfriend. He’s the one who gives me gifts.”

The voice on the phone — Zhou Yu — seemed to laugh. “Don’t lie to me. Besides me, who in this school has the means? Who dares to chase you?”

Ye Mian paused, milk tea in hand. Mentioning Jiang Chen, her eyes curved instantly, her smile soft and genuine. “He’s very good, really good. I’m the one who’s been chasing him.”

Zhou Yu heard this and blurted out the whole story. Could it be true?

He was a little angry!

So the girl’s earlier claim of not being interested was just a lie?

The whole school knew he liked Ye Mian. He had spent a fortune setting up romantic scenes on the playground, under the girls’ dormitory, and at the school gate. Who had the audacity to steal her away?

A reckless and spoiled young heir, lacking subtlety, his courtship was clumsy — all he knew was to chase or snatch.

So he couldn’t help but ask, “Who is he? I’m heading to Jiang City tomorrow. Tell him to come out and face me. I’ll make sure he regrets it. I’ll break his tailbone, you watch. Damn it.”

Ye Mian: “???”

Who is this brat threatening?

He’s picking a fight with my big shot — he’s done for!!

Ye Mian had intended to politely refuse and then issue a ‘good guy’ card, letting the matter drop.

But Jiang Chen was her soft spot. She sighed, looking up at the sky, ready to unleash a verbal battle worthy of a master, honing the insults she had learned online over the past two years.

Then her gaze fell — and she saw… Jiang Chen?

(End of chapter)