Additional update
It seemed her premonition had come true.
Jiang Chen’s slender fingers gripped the umbrella, heavy raindrops mingled with faint thunder, beating against its broad surface. He listened to the girl’s question, his gaze falling carelessly upon the stone tiles, his back subtly taut.
If Ye Mian had the courage to look up at him again, she would have seen in his deep eyes both ambition and a trace of confusion.
The girl’s gaze was all too honest. And she was still waiting for his answer in the rain.
But as if something occurred to him, he took a deep breath, forcing himself to reclaim his composure, suppressing every impulsive thought. The depths of his eyes were like the surface of the sea, and the waves that had just begun to stir were harshly smoothed, leaving only the murky stillness of dead water.
The warmth in his eyes thinned, turning bitter as he reached out his hand.
His fingers were still cold as ever, and he gently smoothed her wind-tossed hair.
His voice was cooler, “Ye Mian, don’t think like that.”
He seemed at a loss for words, as if searching for a way to lessen the disappointment in the girl’s heart. His expression dimmed almost imperceptibly. “I don’t have someone I like, but I hope... you can come to like someone who truly likes you.”
His fingers slowly withdrew, yet seemed reluctant to part from that feeling, curling up in restraint.
This gentle refusal, carried away on the cold wind, was calm and kind—almost incapable of causing shame. Yet it was enough to scatter all the fervor in Ye Mian’s heart.
Was she only imagining things?
Ye Mian swayed, almost imperceptibly, her hands still clenched tight. A slow, sour bitterness welled up in her heart, a thousand times more intense than the dread she once felt at not daring to meet him. It was as if she had been soaked in the bitter juice of broken melon and orange peel, making her want to run away.
“Ah, I understand.” She forced a casual expression, though her heart threatened to burst from her chest. She clung to her dignity. “That’s not what I meant, I just…”
Rainwater pooled wetly around their feet.
She could hardly find words to explain herself.
Just as before, when she couldn’t find her change purse, Jiang Chen thoughtfully supplied the answer for her. “Mm, you’re just concerned about me.”
Ye Mian’s eyes reddened suddenly. She forced herself to regain composure, managing a smile. “Yes, that’s right.”
Keeping her dignity—what use was it?
She knew Jiang Chen understood, and also comprehended his rejection.
Like every secret admirer, she’d bravely cast her feelings out, only to have them returned with careful gentleness.
But at least, there was still some leeway. Even if not out of love, Jiang Chen was still good to her.
She hadn’t planned to say anything about being together with Jiang Chen today. She hadn’t wanted to ask for any response. She’d only wanted to tell him that even if the world was cold to him, she would always be willing to like him.
Now, those words couldn’t be spoken.
But… there was still something she could do.
Love isn’t an object; she couldn’t take it back. To face her own feelings with honesty was a good thing, too.
Ye Mian wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes, sniffled, and took the umbrella from his hand, not wanting to make things harder for him. Her tone was especially light and cheerful, “Jiang Chen, I hope you’re well—I hope you’ll always be well. I’ll head home now.”
Jiang Chen’s lips moved as if to speak, but he couldn’t get the words out. His gaze drifted into the distance; he opened the car door and took something out, calling after her, “Wait a moment.”
Ye Mian turned, startled. He placed a delicate box into her hands.
Before she could ask what it was, Jiang Chen’s expression was gentle yet distant. “Look at it when you get home.”
Ye Mian nodded with a smile.
When she turned away again, her crescent-moon eyes still curved in a sweet smile.
The next moment, a quiet line of tears slipped down her face.
Behind her came his cool, clear voice.
“Ye Mian, goodbye.”
(End of chapter)