Chapter 39: Get A Ticket

Thinking clearly and coming back when she figured it out? He said it so casually. But… did he really not know anything last night? Did he truly want to be with her? Guan Xi pushed open the slightly ajar door, came in, not even wanting to eat. Her face was flushed, and she headed straight for the room.

“Guan Xi—” Wei Xiuyang called out.

The response was the sound of the door being slammed shut. Wei Xiuyang put down his chopsticks, got up, and walked out. When he reached the outside, Jiang Suizhou hadn’t left yet. He hadn’t even pressed the elevator button, just standing there, lost in thought.

Wei Xiuyang closed the door, looking at him, “Since she has thought about breaking up, can’t you let her go?”

Wei Xiuyang rarely spoke to him. Seeing him coming out of the room, Jiang Suizhou’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Can’t you let her go?” Wei Xiuyang’s words reminded Jiang Suizhou of their student days when Wei Xiuyang had said something similar. At that time, Wei Xiuyang had asked, “Even if you don’t like Guan Xi, can’t you just let go?”

What had he said back then? He had said, even if he didn’t like her, she would inevitably be with him.

At that time, Wei Xiuyang had been infuriated and had rushed up to him, leading to a fight. It wasn’t particularly intense, but after that, the two rarely spoke. Every time they met, they would just coldly stare at each other, not bothering to exchange words. But when Wei Xiuyang asked the same question today, Jiang Suizhou knew that his answer was different.

“Let her go?” Jiang Suizhou faintly curled his lips, with a hint of disdain and indifference. “Impossible.”

Wei Xiuyang clenched his fists, suppressing the anger in his heart, “She doesn’t need you now. Your hypocritical relationship can be severed. Why do you insist on holding onto her? Since you don’t love her, why can’t you—”

“Who said I don’t love her.”

Wei Xiuyang was stunned, “What?”

Jiang Suizhou said, “Do you think I’m standing here now for what reason?”

“You just want to take advantage of her, Jiang Suizhou, how pure is your heart!”

“I am well aware of whether I am pure or not,” Jiang Suizhou said coldly. “But Wei Xiuyang, how pure are you?”

As if something vital had been suddenly pressed, Wei Xiuyang was stunned for a moment, and his face instantly turned pale.

Jiang Suizhou took a step closer, his eyes sharp with judgment. “You’ve been conveniently staying by her side for so long. What exactly do you want to say to her?”

As if the secret known only to himself had been thrown onto the road under the scorching sun, ready to be crushed by passing vehicles at any moment. Wei Xiuyang looked at Jiang Suizhou, unbelieving, and his hands involuntarily trembled.

“But you’ve done well. Until now, you’ve shown restraint. I think if you lose that restraint, Guan Xi will definitely kick you far away,” Jiang Suizhou said cruelly. “So, it’s best for your dirty thoughts never to come to the surface. What you are to her, and how she feels about you, you are clear about it. She won’t be able to accept it.”

“What are you talking about?” every word seemed to squeeze out from between his teeth.

Jiang Suizhou withdrew his gaze, looking outside the window along the corridor. For a moment, the sharpness in him was neatly concealed.

“In my senior year, there was a time when Guan Xi fainted during a physical education class, and you took her to the infirmary,” Jiang Suizhou said. “She was in the infirmary, getting an IV, and you were there, watching over her.”

As Jiang Suizhou spoke, Wei Xiuyang’s whole person froze. He could never forget everything about him and Guan Xi. In their freshman year, after he took her to the infirmary, he stayed with her. That day, he lost his senses and impulsively kissed her hand. He didn’t dare to kiss her face, just tremblingly took her hand and kissed the back of it, very gently and restrained.

This was the most excessive thing he had ever done, and he believed that no one would ever know about it.

Jiang Suizhou could tell from his expression that he remembered. “Someone told me she fainted, so naturally, I went to check. Unfortunately, I happened to be outside the door that day.”

At that time, Jiang Suizhou didn’t have any feelings for Guan Xi, and deep down, he even had some resistance to this spirited and arrogant girl. So, when he saw that scene, he just paused for a moment. Since Wei Xiuyang didn’t make any other moves, he didn’t say anything. Many years later, whenever Jiang Suizhou saw Wei Xiuyang with Guan Xi, he would recall that scene from the past. Still, he never mentioned it. Not only because Wei Xiuyang never took another step closer, but also because he knew it was absolutely impossible between them.

He believed Wei Xiuyang wouldn’t dare to approach her, as Wei Xiuyang feared Guan Xi avoiding him more than anything else.

“Don’t block my way,” Jiang Suizhou said. “If I want to, I have ways to ensure you never get close to her again.”

“Are you threatening me?” Although his face remained impassive, Wei Xiuyang had broken out in a cold sweat.

“She considers you like a little brother and is used to being close to you. If you keep your distance and don’t interfere with her or me, then naturally, there won’t be any issues.”

Wei Xiuyang fell silent. Striking the snake at its seven inches, Jiang Suizhou had hit the mark, and Wei Xiuyang’s expression turned grim. Seeing this, Jiang Suizhou didn’t linger. He turned and walked towards the elevator, pressing the button. The elevator arrived quickly, and he stepped inside, watching as the doors slowly closed between the two of them.

As the elevator descended, its doors fitted with reflective mirrors, Jiang Suizhou looked at his reflection inside, silent for a moment, then raised his hand and pressed his temple. In fact, he had never wanted to say anything about Wei Xiuyang. He had never considered him a threat. However, this time, Wei Xiuyang had coincidentally walked into trouble.

At the moment when Guan Xi was eager to get rid of him, he suddenly harbored unprecedented hostility towards anyone who might appear around her.

**

After returning to her room, Guan Xi charged her phone. As soon as the phone powered up, she received WeChat messages from her father Guan Xinghao, her grandparents, and Yang Mingzhi. After listening to her grandparents’ voice message urging her to go home, she opened the WeChat message from Guan Xinghao.

He had sent her a long message, explaining and apologizing. Guan Xi’s heart felt bitter, but she couldn’t face it immediately. She silenced her phone, turned the screen facedown, and hid under the covers. When she emerged from her room, Wei Xiuyang was no longer there. Lang Ningyi sat on the sofa, a laptop on her legs, handling some work.

“Awake? Hungry? Want to eat out or order takeout?” Lang Ningyi asked.

Guan Xi shook her head and sat down beside her, “What are you busy with?”

Lang Ningyi replied, “I didn’t go to work today. Just working from home.”

“Yeah,” Guan Xi watched her working and thought for a moment before saying, “Ningyi, what do you think I should do?”

“Huh?” Lang Ningyi asked.

Guan Xi said, “Well… maybe I can write more travel guides. But recently, I haven’t been anywhere, and there’s nothing interesting to write about. Do you think I should apply for a job?”

“Apply for a job? Are you crazy? Who would dare boss you around? They’d be spontaneously combusted on the spot,” Lang Ningyi said.

“Can you speak more seriously? I’m serious. This time, I really didn’t bring anything with me, and I don’t know how I’d use their cards again. I have ambitions!” Guan Xi said.

“No, no, no. Let’s not go through all that trouble,” Lang Ningyi hugged her, “Just stay put. You don’t need those random cards you had before. Sister can support you.”

Ignoring her, Guan Xi pushed her hand away and said seriously, “I remember when I published those travel guides and experiences before, many companies wanted to sign cooperation agreements. Although the pay wasn’t enough to floss my teeth, they covered all my expenses during the trips. Do you think I could focus on being a travel blogger in the future?”

Lang Ningyi choked a bit, “No, being a travel blogger is exhausting too. Constantly flying around and having to write a bunch of stuff.”

“It’s okay, I really like it,” Guan Xi said.

Seeing Guan Xi’s earnest expression, Lang Ningyi had to concede, “Alright, if you like it… But there’s no rush for this, you can take a good rest first and sort out your emotions.”

“Hmm… but these days, can I borrow the computer from your study?” 

“No problem.”

Guan Xi stayed at Lang Ningyi’s house for a whole week, during which she learned a lot from Lang Ningyi.

Lang Ningyi told her about the argument between Wei Shaomin and Guan Xinghao, mentioning that Wei Shaomin had taken Guan Ying back to the Wei family. She also mentioned seeing her father lingering downstairs in the neighborhood several times but never daring to come upstairs. There were many speculations from outsiders, with the most common one being: given Guan Xi’s personality, after learning such truth, how would she create a storm?

Guan Xi didn’t respond to these things. She blocked everyone’s messages and stayed at home. However, she wasn’t idle. She dug out messages from those who had expressed interest in signing contracts with her in the past, and one by one, she investigated and chatted with them.

Lang Ningyi was an outgoing person. These days, fearing that Guan Xi might be feeling low at home, she kept her company. On the seventh day, Guan Xi was finally on the verge of a breakdown.

“No, we must go out and have some fun today. I’ve already talked to Ling Fan, and she reserved a booth for us at the bar,” Lang Ningyi said.

Guan Xi, holding her iPad, lay on the sofa with a faint expression, “You go, and if you get drunk, I’ll come to pick you up.”

Lang Ningyi pulled her up, “What are you saying? Of course, we’re going together!”

“I’m not going.”

“Hey, Miss Guan Xi! Look at your current appearance, plain-faced, and without any elegance! Is this the demeanor of the queen?” 

Guan Xi glanced at her.

Lang Ningyi pouted, acting cute and pitiful, “Please, please, just consider it as accompanying me. I’ve been staying at home with you for so many days. Isn’t it fair for you to accompany me for a night out?”

Guan Xi put down her iPad, “But I—”

“No ‘buts.’ If you keep staying at home like this, you’ll wear yourself out. We need to lift our spirits, understand?” Lang Ningyi pulled her up, “How about I call a few handsome guys for you today? Last time, didn’t I mention Jiang Suizhou, the type that comes in abundance? I’ll prove it to you!”

Guan Xi said, “Nonsense, I’m fully focused on work now, not interested in men!”

“Okay, okay, got it.” Lang Ningyi humored her for a while and then continued to coax her, “This doesn’t matter; what matters is that you need to go out, and I need your company… Stop looking at work, you’ve been at it for days; let’s continue tomorrow. Guan Xi~ Xi Xi~ Baby…”

Lang Ningyi kept bombarding her with sweet words, and Guan Xi, unable to resist, finally laughed and said, “Alright, alright, I get it! Go, I’ll go with you.”

“Wuwuwu, I knew you’re the best~”

Afterward, Lang Ningyi dragged Guan Xi into the dressing room. When the two came out after finishing their makeup, the doorbell rang. It was a delivery from a high-end restaurant, with some exquisite desserts.

After bringing the desserts in, Lang Ningyi placed them in the dining room and said, “Mr. Jiang is really punctual. He’s been sending various delicacies in creative ways all week.”

Lang Ningyi glanced at Guan Xi and teased, “But, our Miss Guan doesn’t eat these; she’s very strict, right?”

Guan Xi’s mouth twitched slightly, remembering that she had secretly eaten a piece of pastry last night because she was very hungry, “Well, of course.”

“Alright, then let’s not eat today. Let’s go; we’re off.”

…

Ever since its opening, Zhong Lingfan’s bar had always had good business. Many young elites and young ladies and gentlemen from the capital often frequented the place. When Guan Xi and Lang Ningyi arrived, it was ten in the evening, which was considered early, and the atmosphere hadn’t reached its peak yet.

As Guan Xi walked down the stairs towards the reserved area, she noticed many familiar faces. Seeing her, the people there shared an unexpected mutual understanding. They were initially surprised, then warmly greeted her. After Guan Xi passed by, they quickly took out their phones to share gossip with their friends:

“She’s here, she’s here! Guan Xi is at the bar!”

“Guess who I saw? Guan Xi, she finally showed up.”

“Li Xinran and Wei Zihan are here tonight too. Hope they don’t see Guan Xi and run away, hahaha.”

“Sis, do you want to come to the bar now? Remember, we were talking about hosting a themed party last time! There’s no one better to invite than Guan Xi. Come tell her!”

…

After sitting in the reserved area, Guan Xi was promptly served drinks by Zhong Lingfan. Since they hadn’t seen each other in a while, they enjoyed a light chat. After a while, Lang Ningyi, who had disappeared into the bar as soon as they arrived, came back, accompanied by three guys.

What on earth? Were these the “Jiang Suizhous” she had talked about?

Guan Xi took a good look at them. In terms of looks, they were indeed handsome, but comparing them to Jiang Suizhou… they fell short by quite a bit. It wasn’t about appearance, but the presence. These guys lacked the kind of charisma that Jiang Suizhou had.

“Come, come, let’s get acquainted. We’ll play games together later,” Lang Ningyi called out.

“Sure.” Zhong Lingfan said, “Xi Xi, eat and drink as much as you want tonight; it’s all on me.”

Guan Xi replied, “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome, you’re welcome.”

Meanwhile, on a distant balcony upstairs, Song Li was having drinks with a group of friends.

“Is it true that Jiang Suizhou and Guan Xi broke up?” a friend asked, looking towards the woman in the downstairs booth from afar.

After having some drinks, Song Li, who couldn’t keep secrets when intoxicated, said, “Yeah, they broke up. Why would I lie to you?”

“Then, can I pursue her?”

Song Li glanced at him, “Do you want to pursue her? If so, you need to get a number from me. Many people are already inquiring about her.”

“Damn, leaving that aside, I’ll cover the drinks tonight!”

“Smart young man. Alright, since you’re so sincere, I’ll give you her WeChat first. Whether she adds you or not is the next step.”

“Okay, okay, okay.”

Song Li happily shared her WeChat with him. This was a golden opportunity. As he was about to order another round of good drinks, his phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, Song Li’s hand trembled a bit, almost dropping the phone.

“Hello, hello?” He quickly answered the call.

On the other end of the phone, Jiang Suizhou’s voice came through, “Where are you?”

With the booming background noise, Jiang Suizhou guessed directly, “I asked you to come over for something, and you went to the bar?”

Song Li said, “Ah, yeah, isn’t this an early arranged gathering? Can’t postpone it. How about you come over too?”

Jiang Suizhou straightforwardly refused, “No need, let’s talk next time.”

Song Li, thinking about the person who got the number from him, shook his head and sighed, “You really won’t come?”

Jiang Suizhou asked, “?”

Song Li said, “Guan Xi is here.”

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