If it had been before, Jian Ran would never have said something like "You're mine," but tonight, for some reason, the words came out naturally. Once she realized what she'd said, though, she couldn't help feeling a bit embarrassed. She cleared her throat and, pretending to be busy, poured herself another glass of watermelon juice.
Qin Siyan was sitting far away and couldn't hear what they were whispering about, but when he saw his sister down another glass of cocktail, he couldn't help expressing concern.
"Sis, you should take it easy. This drink has a strong aftertaste."
But even as he said it, he felt a bit puzzled. His sister had a low tolerance for alcohol and usually avoided it unless necessary. What was up with her today?
Jian Ran froze, looking blankly at the glass in her hand. "Aftertaste? Isn't this juice?"
Qin Siyan clicked his tongue. Now he knew the problem. He couldn't help teasing, "Who orders juice here? This is a watermelon mojito—the base is rum."
Rum has a pretty high alcohol content, usually around 40%. The sweetness of watermelon and mint masks the sting, but the actual alcohol intake can still hit you later.
What?!
It was a cocktail, not watermelon juice.
Jian Ran stared at the highball glass, which was already two-thirds empty, and felt dazed.
"Did you drink all of that?" Qin Siyan asked, eyes wide.
Jian Ran nodded helplessly.
Qin Siyan was speechless. He walked over, leaned in, and sniffed. The smell was faint, but there was definitely alcohol. "You really couldn't tell at all?"
Jian Ran shook her head. She'd been drinking too fast to notice.
Qin Siyan couldn't help but facepalm. He didn't dare scold his sister, but he had no such restraint with others. He turned to Chu Lulin and demanded, "What's wrong with you? You know my sister can't hold her liquor—why didn't you warn her?"
Chu Lulin had thought it was juice too, especially since Jian Ran showed no reaction after her first glass. "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention." He looked at her with concern. "How are you feeling? Dizzy?"
Jian Ran shook her head. She didn't feel anything yet, but seeing Chu Lulin so worried made her feel bad. "I'm fine, don't worry. It's not your fault."
She turned to Qin Siyan, frowning. "It was my mistake. Why are you taking it out on him? Looking for trouble?"
Qin Siyan clicked his tongue again. Great, now he was the bad guy.
They waited a bit longer, and since Jian Ran seemed okay, they relaxed a little. Since she hadn't even tasted the alcohol, there probably wasn't much in it, and even if there was an aftertaste, it wouldn't hit until she was home.
But before the alcohol could kick in, her bladder gave out first.
When Jian Ran said she needed to use the restroom, both Qin Siyan and Chu Lulin offered to accompany her, but she firmly refused. She was fine, not that bad yet. Besides, she found it a bit awkward.
So she told them repeatedly not to follow and left the room feeling reassured.
Jian Ran had been to this club several times before, so she was familiar with the layout. After coming out of the stall, she walked to the sink. The cool water ran over her skin, but a strange heat rose in her chest.
Jian Ran cursed inwardly. The alcohol was probably kicking in.
She needed to get back quickly. She couldn't afford to embarrass herself in public while drunk.
But as she turned, she ran straight into a familiar face—Xie Tong.
"Long time no see, Jian Ran."
Xie Tong crossed her arms, smirking at her with obvious ill intent.
Jian Ran's expression turned cold. She gave a slight nod and tried to walk past her, but Xie Tong blocked her way.
"Oh, so cold now? After breaking up with Zhou Yu, you don't even bother pretending? Not like before, when you were always trying to cozy up to us?"
Jian Ran was forced to stop. She stared at Xie Tong without a hint of a smile.
During the years she chased Zhou Yu, she had indeed asked his classmates and friends for information, but Xie Tong was never one of them.
"If I remember correctly, we only added each other on WeChat recently."
And deleted each other within twenty-four hours.
"So what? I was the one who gave you the most useful tip." Xie Tong shrugged, a taunting look on her face. "What, aren't you going to thank me?"
Jian Ran frowned but couldn't argue. In a way, Xie Tong was right. It was she who had told Jian Ran about Su Yan returning, though her intentions were far from kind.
A flash of satisfaction crossed Xie Tong's face. "Back then, who was it that said, 'A forced melon—sweet or not, you only know when you taste it'? Well, now you know, don't you?"
"See, some people try their best, but in the end, it all comes to nothing."
After six years of persistent pestering, she still lost completely the moment Su Yan returned.
Jian Ran glanced at her, a hint of mockery in her eyes.
Xie Tong was Zhou Yu's college classmate and had secretly admired him for years. Jian Ran hadn't known this when she first started chasing Zhou Yu; she only figured it out later from the way Xie Tong treated her. At the time, she didn't think much of it—Zhou Yu hadn't accepted her yet, and if someone else liked him, it was fair competition. But ridiculously, Xie Tong never made a move on Zhou Yu; instead, she grew increasingly hostile toward Jian Ran.
Xie Tong was clearly provoked by Jian Ran's reaction. The thing she hated most was Jian Ran's condescending, superior attitude. Even when she was chasing someone, she was so assertive, almost as if she wanted to announce it to the world, making others' feelings seem like rats hiding in the gutter—even more shameful.
"What are you laughing at?" Xie Tong's face flushed with anger.
Jian Ran looked at her calmly for a few seconds. "I'm laughing at someone who didn't even get a seat at the table, yet still gloats."
She hadn't wanted to waste time on this person, but since Xie Tong wouldn't let it go, she might as well show that she wasn't such a pushover.
"Sweet or not, at least I got a taste. That's better than someone who can't get any and just talks sour."
"You—" Xie Tong's face turned red and pale, but she couldn't find a retort.
The corridor outside the restroom wasn't wide, and people passed by from time to time. Jian Ran didn't want to be watched. After her counterattack, she walked away without looking back.
After breaking up with Zhou Yu, the last people Jian Ran wanted to run into were his A University alumni. Just like Xie Tong said, she had made such a big deal out of chasing him, only to find out she was just a clown in the end—it was embarrassing.
But sometimes, when you're out of luck, even drinking water gets stuck in your teeth.
As she passed a private room door, someone coming out called her name.
"Hey, Jian Ran!"
Jian Ran turned to look inside and saw familiar faces. She had suspected it was an A University alumni gathering when she saw Xie Tong, and sure enough—whatever she feared came true.
Her eyes swept the room. Not seeing Zhou Yu, she silently breathed a sigh of relief.
When they broke up, she had called Zhou Yu downstairs specifically to avoid being watched, and she didn't want that now either.
The people in the room noticed her at the door and all looked over. Seeing it really was Jian Ran, many came over to greet her.
Jian Ran sighed inwardly and exchanged pleasantries with them.
They probably already knew about the breakup. Although some were curious for gossip, out of politeness, no one brought it up directly.
Jian Ran was happy to let it slide. After chatting for a bit, she was about to make an excuse to leave when someone in the crowd spoke up.
"It's been a while since I saw you and Zhou Yu. What have you been up to lately?"
Jian Ran gave the speaker a cool look, unsure if it was intentional or not. She ignored the first part of his question and replied flatly, "What could I be busy with? Renting out properties."
In their eyes, Jian Ran was a local from Jing City who didn't strive for much but was lucky enough to own some real estate. She never knew where that rumor started, but she had stopped trying to correct it long ago.
"Ha! What big talk. Just a few properties, but you make it sound like you're overwhelmed."
Xie Tong had just walked over and heard her. She sneered immediately.
But her dismissive tone made the others feel a bit bitter. These elite graduates from A University, so-called high achievers in various fields, had no idea how long they'd have to work to afford just a few apartments in the pricey city of Jing City.
Even Xie Tong felt a twinge of guilt after saying it, but she kept up her brave front.
What she didn't realize was that her casual phrase "just a few properties" had bent the pride of many of the "chosen ones" present.
They had to admit, some people were just born lucky, starting at the finish line, able to live easily without effort. But why? Sometimes they couldn't help but think that way.
Normally, at times like this, someone would smooth things over. But for some reason, everyone was conspicuously silent.
Seeing this, a trace of mockery flickered across Jian Ran's face.
She had always known that these people weren't as polite to her as they seemed. But thinking back to the video Xie Tong had sent her from the alumni gathering where Su Yan and Zhou Yu appeared—the barely concealed sarcasm in everyone's words—she suddenly felt exhausted.
Maybe she should have known all along. Whether it was Zhou Yu or the circle around him, she had never truly been a part of it.
"Who said I only have a few properties? What if I have a few buildings?"