Chapter Fifty: Ye Mian, Why Are You Avoiding Me

Someone once said that distance or avoidance doesn’t necessarily mean dislike—perhaps it’s because of liking too much.

When someone can’t be found, you search the world for them, but when they’re right in front of you, you lack the courage to step forward.

Ye Mian leaned sideways on the sofa, the ache in her neck making her feel sick to her stomach. She wanted to get up and run, and if she were caught, so be it.

Let them catch her, then.

It was Jiang Chen who had been ignoring people all along! It wasn’t as if she was heartless!

But though these thoughts circled in her mind, her body remained motionless, betraying her.

At that moment, Qin Feifei happened to put down her phone, glancing up at Ye Mian as usual—then her expression froze.

In the dim light, Jiang Chen stood behind the girls’ sofa, unhurriedly adjusting the cuff of his sleeve.

The air seemed to go still. The wealthy young men behind them all cast curious glances, their attention lingering over the girls’ booth.

He didn’t even lift his eyes, but his voice, cool and emotionless, carried clearly to all three of them.

“Sorry to bother you.”

Qin Feifei and Wang Xiang were stunned, staring at this scene in disbelief.

In the end, it was probably only Ye Mian who managed to react.

Her upper body had gone completely rigid; even as she sat up, she didn’t dare turn her head. Still, she could feel Jiang Chen’s presence slowly enveloping her.

His voice, cold and tinged with resignation, sounded again. “Ye Mian, come talk with me.”

Ye Mian: …There’s no need to be so formal.

Her attempt at avoidance had clearly failed; there was no point in further pretense.

“All right, give me a moment,” she gritted out, enunciating each word. “Let me have a drink of water and I’ll come.”

Jiang Chen replied with a low “Mm.”

He picked up his jacket from the booth and headed toward the door.

Qin Feifei, of course, tried to stop her.

Ye Mian offered a simple explanation—she and Jiang Chen were classmates. Under the teasing gaze of her two friends, she followed after him.

Outside the door, the night wind drifted along the street. She saw Jiang Chen seated at a table out front, eyes closed, looking as weary as he had three months ago.

But everything was different now.

At the very least, he was doing all right these days, and Ye Mian was happy for him.

The night breeze played along the street, swirling until it reached them.

Jiang Chen seemed to sense her presence, opening his eyes abruptly, his gaze settling on Ye Mian. He gestured to the seat across from him. “Will you sit?”

“All right.” Ye Mian felt her breathing grow unsteady, a warmth rising within her. Under the young man’s gaze, she pulled out the chair and sat down, forcing a smile. “What a coincidence.”

Jiang Chen said nothing, his eyes never straying.

Ye Mian took a deep breath, her smile faltering but still there. “You look really good tonight.”

“Thank you,” he replied, expression unchanged.

Ye Mian thought that if she had even a shred of dignity left, she should have turned and marched straight back to her friends.

He said he wanted to talk, yet sat in silence—what was this supposed to be?

But when she looked up and saw Jiang Chen’s face, her resolve wavered.

Another victim was added to the world of those who fall for a beautiful face.

Yet she still felt aggrieved.

All summer long, she’d sent him messages he never replied to, called him but he never answered, showered him with praise only to receive a lukewarm, “Thank you.”

She’d come all the way to Wencheng to find him—had she not tried hard enough???

This was pointless! Even those with secret crushes have their pride!

At that thought, a heaviness settled in her heart. But then again, it was she who was nursing a secret love, not Jiang Chen. It was perfectly normal for him not to reply—boo hoo.

Ye Mian’s face shifted like a color palette: one moment gentle, the next deeply dejected.

So vivid, so alive.

Jiang Chen couldn’t help but smile, his gaze softening.

Looking out at the moonlight through the window, he asked gently, “What brings you to Wencheng?”

A question so simply put.

Ye Mian straightened up, confidence returning to her eyes. “I’m here for university.”

Jiang Chen raised his brows. “Wen University?”

She nodded.

He pressed his lips together, then, after a moment, looked at her with smiling eyes. “How come I’ve never seen you?”

She didn’t know why he suddenly seemed so happy, but his words made her bristle. What did he mean, never seen her?

She was about to ask where he’d been this past month—she’d practically turned the entire campus upside down for him. University was huge! Her legs were worn down from searching!

She felt her resentment could sustain a vengeful spirit.

For the first time in front of Jiang Chen, she bit back her frustration. “I haven’t seen you, either.”

This scene fell into Jiang Chen’s gaze, and his lips curved into another smile. “I’m not often on campus.”

The drifting fog was just like his gaze—murky and unreadable.

Their eyes met, as if catching up after a long absence. Ye Mian, pretending nonchalance, asked, “You don’t usually stay in the dorm, do you?”

Jiang Chen nodded.

Ye Mian thought to herself—of course, by the looks of things, he could afford that now.

Jiang Chen’s gaze fell on her tightly clenched hands, noting her stiffness. He glanced at the time on his phone. “Heading back to Wen University? I’ll give you a ride.”

Ye Mian shook her head politely. “No need, I’ll go back with my roommates.”

No sooner had she spoken than a voice interjected.

Qin Feifei had somehow appeared on another outdoor chair, arm looped through Wang Xiang’s, and announced, “We’re not going back—we’ve got more plans tonight.”

Ye Mian: …? When did they come out?

Qin Feifei winked at her, as if to say: I get you.

…

So Ye Mian could clearly see that a smile had appeared on Jiang Chen’s face.

It was a nice smile.

All right, then.

Ye Mian looked straight ahead, forcing herself to ignore her racing heart. She blinked calmly and said, “Well, then, I’ll trouble you.”

“It’s no trouble.” Jiang Chen draped his jacket over the back of the chair. “Wait here, I’ll just go in and say something.”

Ye Mian knew his friends were inside, so she nodded. “Go ahead.”

The bartender opened the door, and Jiang Chen walked in.

No one stopped him; he didn’t even glance at the booth as he passed. At the bar, he said to the staff, “Table ten—put it on my tab tonight.”

The bartender looked at the two girls at the table and nodded.

Jiang Chen’s eyes fell on a bottle of apple juice on the shelf. He took it, said a few words to his group of friends, then walked back out.

The minute hand pointed straight at ten o’clock.

Ye Mian sat under the light, catching a glimpse of thick, black clouds overhead—rain was coming.

Just as the downpour was about to begin, a car finally pulled up in front of her.

It was a black Mercedes—quiet in color, sleek in design.

Ye Mian couldn’t help but recall, in her previous life, the cars Jiang Chen drove were far more luxurious than this.

She knew that in just a few short years, he would continually shatter everyone’s expectations.

This was only the beginning!

She had seen the world before, after all.

Yes—on the financial news.

Ye Mian walked to the front passenger seat, opened the door, and got in.

The car started. Outside, the city lights shimmered. In the peaceful silence, Jiang Chen handed her the apple juice. “Drink this—sober up a little.”

Ye Mian took it, puzzled. “I’m quite sober.”

Jiang Chen’s eyes curved gently as he rested his hand on the steering wheel, his gaze unreadable. “Are you? Because when I came down, you looked like you were throwing up pretty hard.”

…

“Ye Mian, why have you been avoiding me?”