Fei Chuan took a moment to understand what she was referring to. When he realized what it was, his face turned crimson. "I told you I was just kidding."
"I am not joking, though. This night, I am only yours. Actually, the rest of my--"
Fei Chuan put some food in her mouth to stop her from speaking. His ears were burning hot.
"Don’t speak such words casually. If people hear you, they might misunderstand."
Bei Sangyun chewed her food and pouted. Fei Chuan should have taken a bite before putting it in her mouth. The mud-like texture she was chewing had spoiled her appetite. After gulping down some water, she asked the question that had piqued her curiosity.
"This is the first time I’ve heard you talk for so long to someone other than me. Do you know him?"
"...We met before when we were kids." Fei Chuan’s memory was good, so he immediately recognized Jang Shin. However, they didn’t interact much during their childhood. In fact, after greeting each other once, they never spoke again.
The reason for Fei Chuan’s apprehension about him was unclear, even to himself. He simply didn’t like him for some reason. Seeing him annoyed Fei Chuan, and he wanted Jang Shin to keep his distance.
"Are you two involved in some sort of competition? You look like you want to crush him." Bei Sangyun honestly shared her opinion.
It was rare for Fei Chuan to interrupt her conversation with someone else. It was as if he wanted to showcase his manly side and challenge Jang Shin’s ego.
Fei Chuan lowered his gaze. Competition, huh?
He and Jang Shin had never engaged in any kind of competition. Fei Chuan believed he excelled in every aspect compared to Jang Shin.
Perhaps the source of his irritation stemmed from Jang Shin serving as a reminder of his once glorified childhood?
"Is that the impression you got? Then between me and him, who do you think is better?" Fei Chuan suddenly asked out of the blue. His expression was serious, indicating a genuine desire to hear Bei Sangyun’s answer.
Despite the majority of people claiming that Jang Shin was a hundred times better, Fei Chuan remained indifferent to their opinions. However, Bei Sangyun’s perspective held more weight.
Bei Sangyun stared at him dumbfounded, then burst into laughter. "Are you serious? You’re better than Jang Shin in every way. Why do you think I rejected him and chose you?"
Fei Chuan blinked. "...Really?"
"Do you want me to provide a detailed comparison? Actually, there’s no need to compare. Compared to you, he’s like a speck of dust lying somewhere."
Fei Chuan fell silent. He turned his head to the side, attempting to suppress the smile forming at the corners of his lips. Taking a glass of water, he drank to conceal his emotions.
His stomach fluttered, and his heart beat wildly with joy.
*****
[In the previous timeline]
The chandelier above bathed the couple at the center in light, highlighting their graceful and harmonious movements. Onlookers commented on what a good-looking pair they made, describing them as a perfect match.
’A match made in heaven,’ they said.
Fei Chuan stood in the darkest corner, observing the couple’s elegant dance. She was as beautiful and stunning as ever, and the man beside her was equally captivating—handsome, charismatic, and bright. A sharp contrast to him.
Fei Chuan clenched his fist as he sneered. He felt like a fool for coming here. Why did he even attend? He had no partner, and this event held no significance for him. People around him mocked him with their glances. So, what was he doing here?
Fei Chuan’s gaze lingered on the person he knew was the reason for his turmoil.
Her movements were graceful and flawless, yet her expression remained unchanged. A fake smile and a detached gaze.
Staring at her unchanging expression, he found the answer to the question that had kept him awake for several nights.
There was no way she was going out with him. If she and Jang Shin were in a relationship, as rumored, wouldn’t her eyes show even a slight change for the person she likes?
Those were just rumors.
To confirm whether they were just rumors, he found himself in this suffocating place.
So what if those two were going out? It’s not like he cared.
Fei Chuan felt like a fool, condemning himself throughout the entire dance. When the star sections classes finished their performance, Fei Chuan turned around to leave.
However, on his way out, several people blocked him.
"Oi, the loser is here. I thought you wouldn’t attend because you suddenly disappeared." The big bully, Da Li, openly mocked him with a sneer. He glanced at Fei Chuan’s leg. "So you are still standing, huh? It’s too bad we didn’t manage to completely break it."
Fei Chuan was not in a good mood to begin with, and being blocked by these people only intensified his irritation. His restraint snapped, "Don’t block my way if you don’t want to regret it."
"Ooooh! Still acting tough, huh! Hey, hold him down!"
As the students surrounded him, ready to touch him, a group suddenly appeared not far from them.
The group of people glanced at the scene and frowned in disgust. "These people are doing bad things in a public place."
"Hey, isn’t that the target? What is he doing hanging out with the bullies?"
"Geez. Why did he attend when he doesn’t have a partner? He just sullied this place."
Fei Chuan was accustomed to this kind of ridicule, but today’s insults were more impactful than the previous times. Every word seemed to slash at his skin, stabbing at his pride. He looked up and stared at the person who was at the center of the group.
She was standing there with the usual detached look on her face. But for a moment, a complicated gaze passed through those hollowed eyes.
"There are cameras and reporters everywhere. Do you want to bring down the school with you?" Bei Sangyun said coldly to the bullies. She then turned to her ’friends’, "This is the event for the seniors; it’s mandatory to participate."
Fei Chuan clenched his fist as he laughed mockingly inside. He didn’t want to hear her defending him. This little bit of sympathy was like a crude joke. He disgusted her the most.
He turned around and limped away.
The people around her immediately forgotten his existence and began praising her and Jang Shin.
"You will undoubtedly become the Queen of the Night. You and Jang Shin looked good together. Tell me, Boss, are you two going out?"
"What are you saying? Jang Shin hasn’t confessed to Boss yet. But it’s only a matter of time."
"Right, boss, Jang Shin wants to meet you in the garden. I bet he will confess to you."
Fei Chuan paused in his steps.
Ah. It was a rumor because it hadn’t started yet.
A garden. Under the beautiful moonlight, what else was going to happen there?
Fei Chuan lowered his gaze. So what? It’s not like he cared.
However, he didn’t understand why his steps led him to the garden.
Looking at the colorful lights displayed in the garden, Fei Chuan cursed inwardly.
Why did he come here?