Three people found a place to drink, each ordered a beverage, and then began to sit in silence.
No one spoke, and for a moment, the atmosphere became somewhat somber.
Mai Qiqi was still immersed in the shock she had just experienced, feeling listless, licking her own wounds alone.
Jiang Xiaoxiao propped her cheek, lost in thought.
Wan Chu’er was beginning to regret the suggestion she had given Mai Qiqi; now it seemed that Jiang Kechu had no interest in Mai Qiqi at all, even going as far as to strictly guard against her, not giving Mai Qiqi any hope.
And Mai Qiqi , so timid, it seemed it was only an infatuation of a young girl’s hero complex. If lovers could truly be united in the end, that would be the best outcome.
Even if they weren’t meant to be, it would just be a matter of being heartbroken alone for a while. As time passed, she would gradually recover, and upon meeting the next person who makes her heart flutter, she would quickly forget about Jiang Kechu.
Otherwise, when Wei Feng was with Jiang Kechu in the past, she never once tried to compete.
If the two really got together, with Jiang Kechu being such a workaholic, disappearing for a month or two at a time, it’s not something just anyone would be able to tolerate.
Longing for love is one thing; actually being together and living life is another.
Wei Feng’s example was still vivid in her mind.
Wan Chu’er began to reflect on whether she had made a mistake; she didn’t want Jiang Kechu to go through another Wei Feng incident, at least not because of her resulting in such consequences.
She glanced at Mai Qiqi and then thought about Jiang Kechu.
She decided that from now on, she wouldn’t meddle in these two’s affairs anymore and would keep her mouth shut.
What would happen between them, let it be up to fate, whether it works out or not, anyway, it shouldn’t be influenced by her.
After a while, Mai Qiqi sighed, "Ah!"
Wan Chu’er took a sip of tea, pretending she hadn’t heard.
Jiang Xiaoxiao encouraged Mai Qiqi, "Qiqi, don’t lose heart. When Sister Wei Feng was chasing after my brother, it also took her a long time to succeed."
Mai Qiqi forced a smile: "At least back then, your brother didn’t outright reject Sister Wei Feng."
She was really not willing to accept it; what did she lack compared to Wei Feng? Wei Feng attended the first university, and so did she. Wei Feng was beautiful, and she wasn’t ugly.
"Xiaoxiao, has Brother Jiang not yet moved on from Sister Wei Feng’s shadow?" she asked.
Jiang Xiaoxiao uncertainly said, "It’s been over a month now, he should be over it, right? I no longer see the things Sister Wei Feng gave him in my brother’s room."
Mai Qiqi turned to Wan Chu’er, "Chuchu, what do you think?"
Wan Chu’er responded indifferently, "I don’t know."
After a while, Jiang Xiaoxiao suddenly asked, "Chuchu, what kind of boyfriend do you plan to find in the future? I heard many people are pursuing you."
Wan Chu’er laughed derisively and said at leisure, "Ask the world what love is; it’s simply devoting life and death to each other." She then shifted her tone to one of disdain: "I wouldn’t want to be involved with something that frivolously demands life and death vows. I’m a singlehood advocate!"
Jiang Xiaoxiao and Mai Qiqi stared at her dumbfounded; at this time, the term ’singlehood advocate’ was still a very fresh concept.
"What’s so good about being single?" Mai Qiqi asked.
"There are many advantages." Wan Chu’er said nonchalantly: "For instance, at least you won’t be like you, ready to live or die over a man. Being alone, you can do whatever you want, go wherever you want, unbound, free and easy."
Jiang Xiaoxiao listened with a face full of desire, "How carefree! I also don’t want to live or die over a man."
Mai Qiqi blinked her eyes.
Wan Chu’er finished the tea in her cup in one gulp, "Let’s not sit here sighing anymore. We are all eighteen with our best years ahead, in the prime of our youth. We should enjoy the world with joy in our hearts!"
After saying that, she stood up, grabbed one in each hand, and left the place.
The three spent an entire afternoon playing and screaming in the amusement park.
Chuchu looked at Mai Qiqi and Jiang Xiaoxiao; their faces were flushed with excitement, nowhere near the previous state of dejection.
She might not be able to do much, but accompanying them to have a blast was still within her means.
After another lavish meal outside, they parted ways and each headed home.
Dragging her exhausted body, Chuchu slowly made her way home. Standing at her door, as she was about to lock up, a large hand stopped the door from closing.
She looked up, and who could it be but Jiang Kechu, the one who had abandoned Mai Qiqi.
Instinctively, Chuchu’s hand clenched tighter on the doorknob, trying to close the door.
But her strength was nothing compared to Jiang Kechu’s. With just one hand, he effortlessly prevented her from moving the door an inch.
Chuchu glared at him, "Uncle Jiang, have you lost your way?"
Jiang Kechu looked at her and said in a deep voice, "Let’s have a proper talk."
"I don’t think there’s anything for us to talk about, I refuse!" Chuchu stood her ground.
Jiang Kechu stated, "Do you intend to hold this conversation here, ? I don’t mind, but you never know who might show up at any moment."
His nonchalant demeanor made Chuchu want to bite him.
Why must we talk just because you say so?
Alright, under sheer brute force, she was no match for Jiang Kechu. Look, she couldn’t even close a door.
If Jiang Kechu was set on having a talk, then the talk was bound to happen.
There were six households living on their floor; the one on the left had a loud-mouthed, retired woman who often gossiped about people’s private affairs, and on the right lived a sleazy man who always peeked at others.
He had eyed Chuchu more than once, sizing her up.
Chuchu didn’t want her neighbors to witness her and Jiang Kechu at a standoff at her doorstep, causing misunderstandings and turning herself into a topic of gossip. She had no choice but to compromise reluctantly.
Watching Chuchu’s retreating figure as she went inside, a hint of a smile appeared in Jiang Kechu’s eyes.
What the hell did Jiang Kechu want to talk about? Chuchu could probably guess.
So, she sat up straight on the sofa, and as soon as Jiang Kechu sat down, she took the initiative to say:
"Uncle Jiang, I was wrong. I won’t interfere with your and Mai Qiqi’s business ever again. Whether you want to get back with Mai Qiqi or be with some other woman, it has nothing to do with me.
I won’t be presumptuous anymore, meddling in affairs that aren’t my own."
After rattling off her speech, Chuchu watched Jiang Kechu.
Her big eyes looked at him, and in an instant, Jiang Kechu understood their meaning: Look, there’s no need for you to say much. I get it, I’ll change, so don’t bother saying more and please leave quickly.
Jiang Kechu’s right-hand fingers quickly came together like a fan closing, forming a fist.
Upon noticing this movement, Chuchu felt a surge of panic.
She shifted backwards slightly, tensed up, covertly preparing to defend herself, and watched Jiang Kechu even more closely.
In her past life, whenever Jiang Kechu wanted to force her to bed, he often made this gesture.
What had she said, what had she done?
While on guard against Jiang Kechu, Chuchu retraced her recent words and actions – she hadn’t done anything!