Extra chapter.
She hadn’t expected that, after a year apart, Jiang Chen would not only carry himself differently but that his words had grown more polished as well. At this moment, Ye Mian felt he was less like a gentle saint and more like a seductive spirit.
That spirit laughed even more freely, hanging something on the door handle and lightly tapping her forehead with his fingertip. “I thought you were braver than this.”
Ye Mian remembered the nickname she had given herself last night: Ye the Bold.
They had already kissed—what could Jiang Chen possibly do to her now? At worst, he’d kiss her back. She wouldn’t lose anything. With Jiang Chen’s looks, she’d come out ahead. She felt she’d struck gold.
Holding onto that thought, Ye Mian raised her gaze and looked at him steadily, feigning righteous indignation. “I’m not quite satisfied. You brought it a bit late.”
Jiang Chen didn’t show the reaction she had expected. The corners of his eyes held a subtle smile, his gaze resting on her face. “Hm? I’ll remember next time.”
Next time.
Under his gaze, Ye Mian’s face flushed visibly red again.
Oh heavens. Did this man really attend a reputable university abroad?
“Jiang Chen,” Ye Mian said incredulously, reaching out to poke his cheek with her finger. “Are you sure you’re still the same person? How did you become so…” alluring.
Jiang Chen raised his eyebrow. “So what?”
Ye Mian refused to say any more.
Suddenly, her phone rang. She looked down—it was her father calling.
He probably had sobered up and was calling to ask where she was, so they could go home together.
She answered, somewhat flustered. “Hello? Dad.”
Ye Haisheng’s voice came through, “Mianmian, get ready to come downstairs. We should head back.”
“Alright, I’ll be right down.” She glanced at Jiang Chen, then hung up.
Jiang Chen looked at her too, his eyes deep and clear.
Their eyes met.
After a brief pause, he lowered his gaze and said naturally, “You should head home early.”
In that instant, Ye Mian’s heart seemed to tighten suddenly. Her breathing slowed. Because he had left so abruptly so many times, she always feared that each turn away might mean the next meeting would be far off.
She nodded slowly. Before he left, she couldn’t help but ask, “When are you going back to America?”
Even if they had to part, she wanted to know when.
Jiang Chen turned back, his gaze gentle and courteous as ever. “I’m not in a hurry yet.”
Ye Mian knew he would leave, had always known. She nodded. “So you’ll stay a while longer?”
Soft light filtered through the corridor as Jiang Chen nodded, the corners of his mouth carrying a faint smile. “Yes, we’ll see each other again.”
With this assurance, Ye Mian nodded lightly, watching him stride away, then turned back into her room.
Her sleepiness had vanished entirely. She picked up the bag Jiang Chen had brought—inside were the dress and sanitary pads she hadn’t had time to take yesterday.
She suddenly remembered the dress had gotten dirty and hadn’t been washed at all.
She hurried to take it out to deal with it quickly, only to find the stain was nowhere to be seen. All that remained was a delicate, faint fragrance.
Staring at the dress, she was lost in thought, the shock and emotion she’d felt years ago washing over her again.
Once more, he had quietly handled something she should have done herself, all while keeping a straight face.
Or perhaps...
He had no idea how much such small gestures could unsettle someone’s heart—how easily he could stir her, again and again.
Ye Mian changed into the dress and left the hotel, her mind lingering on the question: when would Jiang Chen’s promised reunion come?
This summer was especially fervent. After the heavy rain, sunlight spilled mercilessly across the ground.
Spotting her father’s car, Ye Mian walked over. Before getting in, she glanced one last time at the elegant balcony on the third floor.
...
Wailing! We’ve dropped to eighteenth place on the trending chart.
Desperate for help—anything and everything! Love you all, muah!
Many thanks and a deep bow to everyone!
(End of chapter)