"Woof," Cheng Yuan let out, then took Jiang Xiao's hand, his eyes deep and captivating. "Xiao Xiao, I'm willing to be your dog for life."
"A dog that belongs only to you."
Jiang Xiao was no longer the same person from years ago. She wouldn't be swayed by a few words. She pressed her fingers against his chest, pushing him back, widening the distance between them again.
"Cheng Yuan, don't think that saying this will make me feel sorry for you," she said with a light laugh. "You're not worthy."
Cheng Yuan didn't expect her to change her opinion of him instantly. He only hoped she wouldn't reject him anymore—that was all.
"I know. I'm not worthy," he said, lifting her hand to his lips and pressing a devout kiss to it. "So you can do whatever you want with me."
Jiang Xiao pulled her hand back and turned her head to look out the car window. "Really? Anything?"
"Yes," Cheng Yuan said softly. "Whatever makes you happy."
"Then get out of the car now and walk home yourself. Can you do that?"
The weather in Jingbei was unpredictable. Not long ago, the sky had been clear, but now it had changed, filled with dark clouds that looked like rain was coming.
When Cheng Yuan didn't respond, Jiang Xiao said, "I knew you couldn't—"
"Fine, I'll get out." Cheng Yuan signaled the driver to stop, then stepped out into the wind.
The wind was strong and fierce, shaking the branches and leaves of the surrounding trees, making them roar.
Pedestrians were all running toward home, but Cheng Yuan walked against the wind. His trench coat billowed up, then fell back down. A series of flapping sounds came from it.
The driver glanced through the window. "Mr. Cheng, he..."
Jiang Xiao said flatly, "Don't mind him. Drive."
The car started again. The figure in the rearview mirror gradually blurred.
Jiang Xiao only looked once before turning her gaze away and looking down at her phone.
The driver occasionally glanced back. "The wind is so strong. It might rain later. I just wonder if Mr. Cheng..."
Jiang Xiao kept her head down and didn't respond. The driver continued, "If he gets caught in the rain, he'll definitely get sick."
It wasn't surprising that the driver was siding with Cheng Yuan—he had been with the Cheng family for many years.
Jiang Xiao looked up. "So, should I get out? I'm just not sure if your Mr. Cheng would be willing?"
The driver had thought Jiang Xiao was still the timid girl from years ago, but after hearing her words, he realized the missus was no longer the same. Even the boss didn't dare defy her, so he certainly couldn't.
"Madam, I misspoke. I'll take you home now." The driver didn't dare say another word.
The car sped forward, quickly swallowed by the traffic.
As for Cheng Yuan, Jiang Xiao had no intention of caring. Whatever happened to him, she didn't give a damn.
*
The next time Jiang Xiao heard about Cheng Yuan was three days later. Shen Yue called, her voice loud. "Guess who I just saw at the hospital?"
Jiang Xiao: "Who?"
"Cheng Yuan." Shen Yue gloated. "He's hospitalized with a lung infection. Pretty serious, I heard."
"Lung infection? How did he suddenly get that?" Jiang Xiao asked casually.
"Seems like he got caught in the rain a few days ago," Shen Yue reminded her. "You know, that huge storm three days ago? The one that snapped tree branches on the street? That day."
"Cheng Yuan, for some reason, was wandering around in the rain for a long time without an umbrella."
"When he got home, he had a fever of forty degrees that night."
"Don't you think he's out of his mind, walking around in that weather at night?"
In Shen Yue's eyes, only someone with a mental problem would do something so bizarre.
Jiang Xiao paused. "The night before last?"
"Yeah, the night before last." Shen Yue thought she had forgotten. "That night with the heaviest rain. My windows almost blew off. The wind must have been at least Force 8."
"Cheng Yuan is pretty amusing—going out for a stroll in a storm. Definitely a few screws loose."
"Oh, I know what happened." Jiang Xiao recounted the events of that night to Shen Yue.
Shen Yue coughed. "What do you mean? You told him to walk home?"
"Yeah."
"And he actually did it?"
"Looks like it."
"That's insane!" Shen Yue's eyes widened. "That was a Force 8 gale. If something hit him, he'd be dead for sure."
"He really is crazy," Jiang Xiao said indifferently. "He's never been normal."
Shen Yue agreed. After all, Cheng Yuan's recent behavior wasn't something a sane person would do. "He's crazy in love with you, isn't he?"
"..." Jiang Xiao didn't confirm or deny.
"Xiao Xiao, will you ever forgive him?" Shen Yue asked with concern.
"Would you forgive someone who hurt you?" Jiang Xiao countered.