Cheng Yuan had expected her refusal. He tentatively asked, "Then... can we add each other on WeChat?"
Cheng Yuan had been on her blacklist for a long time.
Jiang Xiao said, "Not convenient."
"If WeChat isn't convenient, can you give me a contact?" Cheng Yuan was no longer the lofty figure he once was; there was a trace of nervousness in his expression. "We're acquaintances after all. Occasionally meeting up should be okay, right?"
Acquaintances? He had the nerve to say that.
Jiang Xiao stepped forward and stood in front of him. "Sorry, I don't make friends with people I'm not familiar with."
Seeing that he was about to say something, Jiang Xiao cut him off first. "My mother needs to rest. Please leave now, President Cheng."
Chasing him away again...
The same as before.
Cheng Yuan's heart ached. He adjusted the glasses on his nose. "Fine, I'll go."
"Wait." Jiang's father stopped him. "Take your things."
"Those are for Auntie."
"We don't need them." If it weren't for the family watching, Jiang's father would have fought Cheng Yuan long ago. He was the one who had hurt his precious daughter. Enduring this long was already the limit. "Remember, don't come again."
"You're not welcome in our family."
The fruit basket was thrown out. Since Cheng Yuan wouldn't take it, Jiang's father didn't indulge him. He opened the door and tossed it out directly.
The corridor fell silent instantly, everyone watching in confusion.
Jiang Yu, who was waiting outside, bent down to pick it up, but Cheng Yuan stopped him. "Don't move. I'll do it."
He crouched down, picked up the fruits one by one, rearranged them, and carried the basket back inside.
Jiang's father was about to flare up again when Jiang Xiao spoke. "Dad, take care of Mom. I'll make a phone call."
She pulled Cheng Yuan outside.
In a secluded spot, Jiang Xiao let go of Cheng Yuan, crossed her arms, and looked at him coldly. "President Cheng, I suggest you see a psychiatrist."
Cheng Yuan's eyes and heart were full of Jiang Xiao. He didn't care about her harsh words at all. Emotionally, he said, "Xiao Xiao, have you been well all these years?"
"Well, of course I'm well," Jiang Xiao said. "Extremely well."
"But I'm not well." Cheng Yuan showed weakness, his eyes reddening. "Without you, I haven't been well for a single minute or second."
Jiang Xiao snorted. "President Cheng, have you decided to quit business and become an actor? But your acting skills aren't very good."
"I'm telling the truth." Cheng Yuan explained. "I've been thinking about you all along."
For Jiang Xiao, this marriage had ended five years ago. So had the feelings. The moment she got the divorce certificate, she had decided she would never love again. But for Cheng Yuan, it had always existed, never severed. Even after five years apart, it was still the same.
"Thinking about me?" Jiang Xiao laughed as if she had heard a joke. "Cheng Yuan, do you even believe yourself when you say that?"
Back when they were together, Cheng Yuan had never said a single sweet word, let alone affectionate ones. He was stingy to the point of never giving her a good look. That was how he was in public, and even worse in private. Jiang Xiao's married life had only been pain.
"It's true." Cheng Yuan grasped Jiang Xiao's shoulders. "I swear."
Jiang Xiao pushed him away. "Save it. I'm not the same person I was five years ago."
Her phone rang. She answered, "Okay, I understand. I'll be right there."
There was some issue at the studio that needed her attention.
Seeing that she was about to leave, Cheng Yuan blocked her again. "Can we have lunch together?"
"No," Jiang Xiao said. "I'm busy."
The call was still connected. A man's gentle voice came from the other end. "Xiao Xiao, who's talking?"
Jiang Xiao replied softly, "A stranger."
"Should I come pick you up?"
"No need. I can drive there myself."
"Then drive carefully."
"Okay, got it."
"Oh, and it's windy outside. Don't dress too lightly."
"Mm, okay."
Jiang Xiao's lips curled up, clearly in a good mood.
More precisely, her mood had improved only after receiving that call.
The better her mood became, the worse Cheng Yuan felt—terrible, in fact. He instinctively reached into his pocket, then remembered that before coming upstairs, he had thrown his cigarettes and lighter into the trash. He dug his nails into his palm to alleviate the bitterness in his heart. But it wasn't enough; this pain couldn't suppress it.
Jiang Xiao was still talking to the other person. "You too. With your bad stomach, don't eat cold things."
"The weather's bad. Dress warmly."
"Did you see the porridge? I had Xiao Zhou send it. It's your favorite."
"Be good, or I won't talk to you anymore."
The man's clear laughter came through, stabbing into Cheng Yuan's chest like an awl, twisting and turning.
Cheng Yuan heard the man say, "Xiao Xiao, you're wonderful."
Jiang Xiao replied, "It's you who's wonderful."
Cheng Yuan's rationality collapsed under these words. The longing in his heart surged out.
Jiang Xiao was his. She should only smile at him. No one else was qualified.
Without hesitation, he snatched the phone from her hand, pulled her waist with his other arm, and pressed her against the wall. Before she could push him away, he kissed her lips.
Even if she beat him to death, she could only be his.