Jealous.

But since it was already in the pot, she couldn’t let it go to waste. She picked up her chopsticks, divided it in half, and silently placed one portion into Jiang Chen’s bowl. “I’ll share half with you.”

Jiang Chen didn’t stop her. He picked up his chopsticks and ate slowly, unhurriedly.

Hotpot is a magical thing—the bubbling broth, steam rising, the gentle gurgling sound filling the space, so that there’s never any awkward silence.

Jiang Chen ate just as quietly as always, exhibiting impeccable manners.

Ye Mian, on the other hand, was much more relaxed. She spent most of her time focused on her food, occasionally picking up her phone to check messages, and when she found something funny, she would share it with Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen didn’t mind her chatter, always responding after listening.

The meat was not finished yet.

Jiang Chen cooked a portion of greens for her.

Ye Mian looked at the plate—always full, it seemed as if she would never finish eating.

She suppressed her feelings. It’s just vegetables, after all. A balanced meal is good.

But then Jiang Chen cooked a portion of tender beef and tried to place it in her empty bowl.

She couldn’t take it anymore. She quickly hugged her own bowl, eyes wide, “I can’t eat any more! Stop giving me food. Even pigs aren’t fed like this.”

Jiang Chen looked at her and suddenly smiled. He stopped putting food in her plate, instead placing the beef in a clean dish. Then, using the communal chopsticks, he placed a piece in her bowl. “Eat.”

Ye Mian was truly happy during this meal. She barely had to lift a finger—Jiang Chen cooked, poured water, even handed her tissues.

She never imagined she could be cared for like this.

Even the auntie who brought their dishes couldn’t help but glance at her, smiling, “You’ve found yourself a good boyfriend, haven’t you?”

Ye Mian hadn’t yet explained, but the auntie was called away by another table.

Ye Mian could only pretend not to hear, burying herself in her food.

A bold idea sprouted in her heart.

Indeed, Jiang Chen as a boyfriend would be flawless.

Isn’t it permissible to date in college?

Just as she finished a bite of tender beef, she opened her phone; Qin Feifei had called her, and there were several voice messages she’d missed while busy eating.

Ye Mian switched her phone from speaker to earpiece and listened.

“Mianmian, are you in the dorm? I forgot my ID card—could you bring it to my house for me? I’ll cover the travel cost.”

“It’s in the side pocket of my bag, on my cabinet.”

Ye Mian thought for a moment and replied:

[Good Sleep: Tonight?]

Qin Feifei replied almost instantly.

[Qin Qin: Yes, tonight.]

[Good Sleep: I’m out right now, I’ll be back in about half an hour. Once I’m back, I’ll bring it over.]

[Qin Qin: Okay, thank you, Mianmian.]

Ye Mian exited the chat and scrolled down.

There was another unread message.

In just ten minutes, all the messages had piled up.

The sender was a boy named Chen Xiao, a classmate from her department. He often messaged Ye Mian, though not frequently.

Ye Mian tapped his profile picture.

He had sent her several stickers, followed by a six-second voice message. She pressed play, holding it to her ear.

Before it started playing, Jiang Chen spoke.

“Do you want some shrimp paste?”

“Huh?” Ye Mian instinctively moved her phone away, and it switched to speaker mode.

A clear male voice rang out beside them.

“Ye Mian, can I invite you out for a late-night snack?”

Ye Mian was startled.

She glanced at Jiang Chen. He was wiping his hands with a tissue, meeting her gaze with slightly raised brows, then poured himself a glass of water.

Ye Mian quickly lowered her head, feeling inexplicably guilty.

But the next moment, she felt uneasy.

He had no reaction at all?

Was he completely indifferent?

She put down her chopsticks, looking at the nearly finished dishes on the table, regretting that she didn’t see the jealous side of Jiang Chen.

Perhaps the classic jealous boyfriend trope from Korean dramas didn’t suit Jiang Chen.

“Jiang Chen, I might have to head back soon,” she said, pointing at her bubble tea. “I haven’t finished this. Let’s take it to go.”

Jiang Chen nodded gently, picking up her untouched bubble tea.

After leaving the mall, the two got into the car.

All the way, Ye Mian couldn’t shake her discomfort.

After that memory surfaced, she had vainly believed that Jiang Chen at least liked her a little.

But reality seemed to fall short.

Could it be that Jiang Chen was just an over-attentive “central air conditioner”?

Lost in messy thoughts, Ye Mian grew anxious.

When they reached the gate of Wen University, Ye Mian fumbled in the dark for the seatbelt release.

Whether it was too far in or blocked by something, she couldn’t find it.

Suddenly, the person beside her moved.

Jiang Chen’s presence, mingled with the air-conditioned breeze, pressed in.

Ye Mian was startled as her hand was gently moved aside.

Then, Jiang Chen’s other hand found the seatbelt button with precision—a crisp click, and the belt slid away from her chest.

Ye Mian’s hand was still in his, feeling his closeness. In the closed car, his breath brushed by her ear, and his scent lingered at her nose.

He didn’t let go, and Ye Mian didn’t move.

Her heart beat like a drum, echoing in her ears.

Until Jiang Chen’s voice sounded low above her head.

“So, are you full tonight? Want to go out for a late-night snack?”

He emphasized the words “late-night snack.”

Ye Mian: “……”

Ah, he’s jealous.

The car was soundproof; outside, people passed by, but Ye Mian heard nothing. The air seemed to thicken, making her hands burn.

Well then, it was time to act.

She remembered Qin Feifei saying that jealousy was just the first step when she’d mentioned pursuing Jiang Chen.

Ye Mian tilted her head slightly, avoiding Jiang Chen’s gaze.

“We’ll see if I’m hungry later, but I definitely need to go out for a bit.”

She swore, that was the most ambiguous thing she’d ever said, but she genuinely needed to deliver Qin Feifei’s ID.

Jiang Chen watched her calmly, his gaze lingering on her evasive eyes.

After a long moment, Ye Mian heard nothing from him, only felt her hand released.

And her cheek was gently pinched.

…

Jiang Chen let go of her hand, smiling faintly at her. “Alright, go on then. Don’t wander around late at night.”

Ye Mian was completely thrown off by his actions, stunned for several seconds before grabbing her bag and getting out. After she closed the door, Jiang Chen drove away, leaving her standing alone in the wind, bewildered.

Wait.

What did this man mean?

Why couldn’t she understand?

Meanwhile, Jiang Chen sat in the car, a barely perceptible smile touching his long brows, his gaze darker than the night.

He lifted his hand, removed the cigarette from his lips. Yes, it seemed the girl truly didn’t realize how loud her phone speaker was.

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(End of this chapter)