Half-Immortal

Looking at that bizarre chat log, Ye Mian couldn’t hold back any longer; laughter spilled from her curved eyes.

Jiang Chen glanced at her in the right mirror, catching the moment, and smiled lightly, “What are you looking at?”

For the sake of her girlfriends’ reputation, and her own dignity, Ye Mian quickly pressed her phone down. “Nothing, just chatting with my roommate.”

Jiang Chen smiled silently, his gaze shifting forward, then suddenly asked, “Ye Mian, why did you choose Wen University?”

What did he mean by that?

Why was he asking her this out of the blue?

Ye Mian’s hand trembled as she held her phone, but she feigned calmness and replied, “Wen University is great, and the cut-off score matched my estimate.”

“Is that so?” Jiang Chen spoke casually, whether he meant anything by it was unclear; his eyes held little seriousness.

The restaurant was close to campus, and in just a moment, the car arrived.

They parked beneath the shopping center and found the Thai restaurant called “Tai An.”

It wasn’t large, but the polished wooden floors were exquisite. In the sunlit atrium stood a rose bush, still blooming in this season, and moss covered the pebbles around it, adding a unique charm.

They chose a window seat. The waiter brought a menu and two cups of warm water.

Jiang Chen slid the menu toward her and asked gently, “What would you like?”

Determined to treat him, Ye Mian didn’t hold back, pointing to several signature dishes on the menu and telling the waiter, “We’ll have the fresh prawn Tom Yum soup, green papaya salad, water spinach with shrimp paste, and mango sticky rice.”

After the waiter finished noting the order, she asked Jiang Chen, “Is that enough?”

Jiang Chen withdrew his gaze from the window and nodded kindly, “That’s fine.”

“Thank you, then that’s it.” Ye Mian handed the menu back.

While waiting for the food, Ye Mian excused herself to the restroom.

In the bright bathroom, Ye Mian took a damp wipe from her bag and gently dabbed her face. The cool touch soothed some of the warmth, clearing her mind.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she wasn’t sure how she felt.

When Jiang Chen had asked her in the car why she chose Wen University, she’d nearly lost her composure. Her body reacted faster than her mind, and she blurted out the prepared excuse.

She… was afraid.

Afraid of what, exactly?

Afraid her feelings would be discovered.

Jiang Chen had always treated her well.

She had dared to guess, perhaps it was affection.

But Jiang Chen was naturally reserved; his kindness was measured, never crossing any lines.

And so, she found herself lost again.

Ye Mian sighed softly, clutching her phone.

To her, Jiang Chen was a remarkable person—intelligent, handsome, resourceful, with a promising future.

If he absolutely had to know—

Ye Mian thought.

At the very least, not now.

At least, wait until she had more confidence.

Ye Mian pressed her lips together, carefully washed her hands, composed herself, and stepped out.

Courage had always been the rarest trait for those who secretly loved.

At the table, Ye Mian showed no sign of anything amiss. She had expected Jiang Chen to ask more questions and had even prepared her answers, but Jiang Chen quietly ate his meal.

He ate with refined manners, his chopsticks barely making a sound, and after finishing, he wiped his hands with a napkin.

Then he simply sat, waiting for Ye Mian to finish.

The October weather brought occasional thunder; clear skies could turn cloudy in an instant.

In less than half an hour, the sun was hidden behind thick clouds.

Ye Mian took her last bite of mango sticky rice and set down her chopsticks.

She glanced at the sudden change in the sky. It was only one in the afternoon, yet it looked as dim as five or six o’clock, as if the sun had already set.

She couldn’t help but remark, “It’s going to rain.”

As soon as she spoke, the heavens seemed to respond—a bolt of lightning split the sky, followed by a deafening roll of thunder that made her ears ache.

Rain began to fall, soaking the still-warm ground.

Really?

Such coincidence?

Ye Mian widened her eyes, hearing the boy across from her chuckle softly.

Turning back, she saw Jiang Chen’s clear, gentle smile, laughter in his brows and eyes, his gray eyes like a spring day in March, though his voice was lowered.

“You’re impressive, calling wind and rain like that.”

…

Help.

Ye Mian felt the heavens were really playing along, shaking her head in amusement. “All thanks to the heavens feeding me. I’ve decided to become a fortune teller after graduation.”

“Sounds good. You’ve got the talent for it.”

With just a few lighthearted words, Ye Mian felt her whole body relax.

After finishing their meal, Ye Mian used the excuse of the restroom to pick up her bag and head to the front desk to pay.

She had just told the cashier their table number when the cashier smiled, “The gentleman at your table has already settled the bill.”

Ye Mian turned around. Jiang Chen looked at her, raising his brows.

Ye Mian: “….” Here we go again.

She honestly wanted to cry—was it really this hard to treat someone to a meal?

Outside, the rain poured down, splashing onto the steps and spreading across the open space at the entrance.

The staff stood ready with mops, prepared to clean up the encroaching water.

Ye Mian and Jiang Chen walked to the door, ready to head back.

Dampness crept around their feet.

Jiang Chen’s car was parked not far from the entrance. Ye Mian was not the delicate sort and was about to hold her bag over her head and make a dash for it.

She had just taken a step.

A gust of wind swept by, and someone caught her wrist from behind.

Ye Mian’s heart skipped a beat.

Then, the boy drew closer, his subtle sandalwood scent enveloping her, his voice near her ear, “Wait, don’t get drenched.”

…

The sky was blanketed with heavy gray clouds, packed together in chaos, pressing down on the city with a thick, impenetrable gloom, as if the world were covered in a gray filter.

Standing atop the steps, she watched Jiang Chen stride into the rain, retrieve a black umbrella from his car, and walk toward her.

Long lashes framed eyes as dim as the stormy sky.

Ye Mian recalled the first day after her rebirth—it had been a rainy day, and his eyes held the same moist light as today.

Only now, the one walking toward her with an umbrella was Jiang Chen.

“Come on, let’s go.”

When he reached her, he thoughtfully extended the umbrella.

Ye Mian snapped back, stepped onto the rain-soaked steps, and slipped beneath his umbrella.

The ground was slippery, and her shoes were the least suited for such weather, making her tread carefully with each step.

Noticing her slow pace, Jiang Chen paused and said calmly, “Give me your hand.”

“What is it?” Ye Mian was puzzled, but held out her hand.

The next moment.

Jiang Chen’s pale fingertips grasped her wrist, turning her palm downward.

Then.

She saw Jiang Chen place the back of his hand into her palm.

…!

The cool touch stunned Ye Mian, and before she could react, Jiang Chen gently reassured her, “Don’t worry, you won’t slip.”

“Thank you.”

Jiang Chen’s eyes shimmered as he looked down at her, “You’re welcome.”

“….” Ye Mian took a deep breath, holding his hand as she walked to the car and climbed inside.

On the surface, she was calm; inside, she was frantic.

Who could possibly resist this?

She certainly couldn’t anymore.

She was completely at his mercy.

(The chapter ends)