It took a lot of effort to calm her mind, and she turned her head calmly: "Mr. Sheng, is there anything else?"
Sheng Jianan instinctively blurted out "Don’t want the phone anymore?" but quickly realized that he had just denied coming to deliver the phone to her, and saying this now would be self-defeating.
With a light cough, Sheng Jianan still maintained that cold and mocking tone: "Are you tutoring outside for others? Tang Yanqi, what’s with the act of being pitiful? Are you really short of money?"
Although Sheng Jianan asked three consecutive questions, he had already given himself the answer.
Tang Yanqi felt an inexplicable pain in her heart. What could she say? After all, in his eyes, everything she did was an act, everything was wrong. If it were someone else, Tang Yanqi would certainly fight back without hesitation. She might feel aggrieved, but she’s never been someone who lets herself be preyed upon.
It’s just that with Sheng Jianan... it’s not that she doesn’t want to fight back, but that she can’t. Rationally, provoking Sheng Jianan would bring her no benefits at all. Emotionally, even though she’s given up on him, there’s still that faint trace of feelings that keeps surfacing, making her want to preserve her image at least a little, so he doesn’t completely detest her.
Tang Yanqi knows well that this feeling of hers is quite exasperating, but if you’ve ever loved someone deeply, you understand that all the "letting go," all the "giving up," is just self-deception after knowing that it’s impossible between you both.
As long as that person appears, the instinct to love them would make you unconsciously want to maintain the last shred of your dignity, unconsciously want to show your best side.
Why tutor? Why be a server?
Early on, after their encounter at the Western restaurant, Tang Yanqi already thought of how she would respond. She was confident she could handle it, but Sheng Jianan never asked. Now that he finally did, it was with such a mocking tone.
In an instant, Tang Yanqi felt there was no need to lie; Sheng Jianan wouldn’t care at all.
Curving her lips into a smile, Tang Yanqi said, "Yes, I’m tutoring, and I really do need money. So if it’s convenient for Mr. Sheng, could you ask Mr. Mu whether my phone was left in his car? If it was, please have him give it to Mu’s mother, and I’ll pick it up next class."
After speaking, Tang Yanqi withdrew her arm from Sheng Jianan’s grip, smiled politely, and quickly left.
Her psychological defenses were at their breaking point. Although it was just facing Sheng Jianan, for Tang Yanqi, it felt like confronting a vast army; if she didn’t escape, she’d be completely overwhelmed.
Sheng Jianan stood there, watching the diminishing figure of Tang Yanqi, frowning, internally wanting to curse. Damn, why does each of his confrontations feel like hitting soft cotton?
Also, what did she mean just now?
She really needs money?
How is that possible?
Even if the Tang Family were in dire straits, Tang Yanqi is still a rich second generation; she could spend money frivolously if she wanted. How could she be short of money?
Rationally, Sheng Jianan had already denied Tang Yanqi’s words, yet inexplicably, there’s a part of him that acknowledged it. Maybe, possibly, what she said is true?
Of course, this thought only flashed in Sheng Jianan’s mind briefly, as his phone rang in his pocket, it was Yun Fan calling. Sheng Jianan answered as he walked out, and after hanging up the call, Sheng Jianan fully snapped back, sneering - he must be insane!