Chapter Forty-Nine: Moonlight

Wang Xiang waved at them, and, skirting the leather sofa, Ye Mian walked over to the empty seat in the booth and sat down, almost sinking into it. The sofa enveloped half her body, truly comfortable beyond words.

There were four girls in their dormitory, but one had taken leave to go home, so tonight only three of them were present.

The bartender brought Ye Mian and Qin Feifei each a glass of coconut cocktail. The brown coconut shell brimmed with clear alcohol—a most unusual vessel. A sprig of mint floated atop, and a cherry was skewered through the straw.

Amid the haze of luxurious spirits and high-end fragrances, Ye Mian took a sip of the cocktail. The alcohol was not overpowering; instead, it was sweet and refreshing. She found herself quite fond of the flavor.

Indeed, there was a reason why business was so good.

A few ambient lights cast their glow over the booth, illuminating faces in shifting shadows.

The three girls drank and chatted, their conversation lively and unending, the mild intoxication making the atmosphere even more harmonious than usual.

By nine o’clock, the booths were nearly full, and people were still coming in from the entrance.

Qin Feifei, sitting across from the door and talking about family matters, suddenly glanced up and subtly signaled for her friends to look toward the entrance.

Ye Mian and Wang Xiang, puzzled, followed her gaze.

A group of young men entered, laughing and talking, exuding a strong presence. Judging by their appearance and dress, they were the same wealthy heirs Ye Mian had seen at the school gate earlier.

After confirming she wasn’t mistaken, Ye Mian sneaked another look—Jiang Chen was not among them.

But instead of relief, she felt as if struck by lightning, every cell in her body uneasy.

These people were here.

Who knew if Jiang Chen might show up at any moment?

This was far too much of a coincidence.

She had only just managed to pull herself out of her earlier emotions, and now she ran into them again!

No matter how she felt, Wang Xiang was clearly delighted. The boys were all quite handsome, and she was a well-known admirer of good looks.

Believing that “alcohol tastes sweeter in the presence of handsome men,” Wang Xiang’s smile never left her lips. She grabbed Ye Mian’s hand excitedly, exclaiming, “These guys will do! They’re really attractive! I hereby declare them my 685th husbands.”

Ye Mian raised her brows, unable to hold back a laugh. “You certainly have a lot of husbands.”

“She can’t wait to start a harem of handsome men,” Qin Feifei said with a smile tugging at her lips, though her eyes still held a trace of worry.

She hadn’t missed Ye Mian’s earlier state. Leaning in, she asked quietly, “Why don’t you tell Wang Xiang and leave first?”

Ye Mian admitted to herself that she wanted nothing more than to escape. She nearly did just that—she stood up, intending to tell Wang Xiang she was leaving, when someone suddenly came down the stairs opposite her.

From the way he walked alone, Ye Mian instantly recognized him.

She quickly sank back into her seat.

Footsteps drew nearer and nearer. She lowered her head, pretending to be drunk.

The footsteps approached.

Qin Feifei seemed to grasp the situation at once. She hurriedly stood and pressed Ye Mian back down, patting her on the back. “Look at you, if you can’t drink, don’t force yourself. None of us are making you.”

The air beneath the table was stifling; Ye Mian’s breathing grew uneven. She covered her mouth with her hand and glanced gratefully at her friend.

Qin Feifei responded with an “I understand” look, then continued patting her back, scolding her in a mock-serious tone, “I keep telling you, don’t be so honest when you drink. Next time out, you’d better not.”

Wang Xiang, unaware of the situation, was confused. Hadn’t Ye Mian been perfectly fine a moment ago? How was she suddenly drunk?

Nevertheless, she took a napkin from the table and handed it to Ye Mian, asking with concern, “Are you alright, Mianmian? I’ll get you a glass of warm water.”

Above their heads, cold air poured from the air conditioner vent, and the footsteps paused. Hidden by the music, the moment stretched on endlessly.

Only when the footsteps receded did Ye Mian slowly straighten up, leaning against the sofa like a frightened chick, peeking out for help at her friends.

Qin Feifei couldn’t suppress her amusement. She whispered, “He’s behind you. But I suggest you stay down—otherwise he’ll definitely see you.”

Ye Mian was nearly in tears. She checked her phone: the dormitory curfew was at eleven. Did she have to stay here all the way until then? Moreover, there was no telling when these guys would leave—they didn’t seem like the dormitory type. What a disaster.

Wang Xiang returned from the bar with a glass of warm water. Passing by Jiang Chen, she glanced back at him a couple of times, but decided her friend was more important, and resolutely returned to the booth.

Seeing her friend cowering behind the seat, Wang Xiang sensed something was off. Before she could ask, Qin Feifei pulled her close and quickly explained everything.

Though the reason behind it was unclear, they were sisters—helping out was what mattered.

Wang Xiang glanced behind them, then at Ye Mian, her suspicions taking shape.

With a sigh, she sat down beside Ye Mian and said earnestly, “Mianmian, just tell me—how much do you owe him? I’ll lend it to you. Pay him back, and we’ll start over.”

Ye Mian was exasperated and hissed, “I don’t owe him any money!”

Wang Xiang was baffled. “Then why are you hiding?”

Ye Mian closed her eyes in distress. “I’ll explain when we get back.”

Qin Feifei and Wang Xiang exchanged glances and nodded, “Alright.”

The two of them then returned to chatting as if nothing had happened, occasionally glancing at the aggrieved Ye Mian and slipping her a handful of shelled sunflower seeds.

Whenever Ye Mian moved her neck and risked being seen, Qin Feifei would gently remind her, “Careful—you’re showing your head.”

In contrast, the booth behind them was lively and relaxed.

A group of young men gathered together, but none of the arrogant airs often seen in TV dramas about wealthy heirs. Their families ran businesses; wealth was a given, but no one knew Jiang Chen’s background, and the others never spoke of it. Wealth, after all, fosters vision and poise.

Jiang Chen was capable; the others respected him, and so they were friends.

The atmosphere in the bar was just hitting its stride. Jiang Chen, wearing only a shirt, looked almost overly proper for this place.

He leaned his chin on one hand, posture relaxed, his expression indifferent—a man not easily moved by warmth or cold.

All within his gaze seemed subdued.

His deep eyes lingered on the sofa opposite, frowning slightly for a long while.

Beside him, Guan Yi handed him a cigarette and asked offhandedly, “What are you looking at?”

Jiang Chen’s gaze was already intimidating. Cigarette smoke rose in a straight line, but he said nothing.

Guan Yi didn’t mind, turning back to chat with the others about cars.

Noticing the occasional strands of hair poking out from behind the sofa, Jiang Chen couldn’t help but smile. Hiding, are you?

Smoke circled his fingertips, his lips curving with quiet amusement.

The world was awash with moonlight, yet the moon itself was right before him.