Chapter 22: She had only ever liked him.
@Unlimited good writing, all at Jinjiang Literature City
“Jiang Nanshu,” Song Ye suddenly interrupted her, looking down at her.
“Do you still have someone you like now?”
Jiang Nanshu was stunned for a moment.
Was he asking if she still liked him?
But she had said before that she no longer liked him.
The entrance light was off, and the lighting was a bit dim.
She looked up at his eyes.
It had been easy to say she didn’t like him before, but now, suddenly, it was difficult to say.
Thinking of the vow she had made and Cheng Jiajia’s advice, she stubbornly looked at him and stiffly said, “No.”
“Except for me,” Song Ye’s eyes were deep as he looked at her.
His emotions were suppressed and restrained, like a surging black tide.
His voice was low and indifferent.
“Not anyone else either?”
“?”
What?
No one else?
Did he think that she had liked someone else or been in a relationship over the years?
“No,” Jiang Nanshu said stiffly, holding her neck straight.
From the beginning to the end, she had only ever liked one person.
Song Ye looked at the girl in front of him.
The phone in his hand suddenly rang.
He restrained his emotions and glanced at the screen.
It was Li Yi calling.
This call came at the right time.
Jiang Nanshu had used up all her courage tonight and didn’t want to continue this conversation.
She took a step back and made a move to close the door.
“You should hurry to the company.
They should be done eating by now.”
Song Ye didn’t answer the phone.
He looked up at her and gave a low “Mm.”
“Then I’m leaving.”
The man turned to leave.
Jiang Nanshu said, “Bye-bye,” and quickly shut the door.
She stood at the door, taking a deep breath.
After a while, she heard the sound of the elevator doors opening.
Song Ye had gone downstairs.
She picked up her phone, wanting to reply to Cheng He’s message, but a message popped up at the top of the screen first.
S: [Team dinner tomorrow night.]
Jiang Nanshu: “…”
Was this on purpose?
Did he just not want her to go to the movies with Cheng He?
Song Ye never said whether he was pursuing her, but he also didn’t want her to go on a blind date.
Maybe… he hadn’t figured it out yet?
After all, he had rejected her before.
Jiang Nanshu ignored him and continued replying to Cheng He.
Jiang Nanshu: [Team dinner tomorrow night.]
Cheng He replied quickly: [Then we can set another time when you’re free.]
Set another time?
Didn’t he get her subtle refusal?
Was he being persistent because of Lu Mingkun and Jiang Yu?
Jiang Nanshu thought for a moment and replied:
[Did Uncle Lu or my mom ask about my progress? You don’t have to be too considerate of them.
Just say I’m busy and don’t have time.
After a while, they’ll stop asking.]
After a brief silence, a reply came.
Cheng He: [I actually want to meet you myself.
You don’t have to rush to reject me.
Just let me know when you’re free.]
Jiang Nanshu: “…”
She was speechless and didn’t know how to respond.
Jiang Nanshu went to clean up the kitchen.
After everything was tidy, she went to the living room to play with Xiaobei.
She sat on the carpet, took Xiaobei out of the cage, and placed it on her lap.
She noticed that Xiaobei seemed to be in a great mood today.
Unlike usual, when it would run around wildly as soon as it was out of the cage.
Unlike usual, when it would get excited at the sight of her.
Today, it was just quietly curled up on her lap, even acting a bit aloof.
Maybe it thought someone had already kept it company tonight.
“Xiaobei, no conscience, huh? I’m your owner, and you’re already ignoring me after just half a night?”
“Meow.”
“You like next door? Because there’s another cat there? Or because you like that person?”
“Meow.”
“…”
Xiaobei wouldn’t suddenly stop liking this place just because it stayed next door for a night, right?
In the underground parking lot, Song Ye got into the driver’s seat.
Li Yi called again.
Impatient, he picked up.
“What are you rushing for? Can’t you handle it yourself?”
Li Yi, confused by the scolding, weakly said, “Bro, I just wanted to tell you to pay the bill.
These guys ate hotpot and spent four to five thousand yuan! I only have two thousand left in my account.”
Song Ye: “…”
Li Yi had left the company before, so they hadn’t paid him any salary.
He had also invested all his savings into a project.
Song Ye hadn’t expected this fool to have no money even for meals.
With a blank expression, he hung up and transferred him some money.
Li Yi: [Thanks, bro!]
Song Ye closed the chat and glanced at his phone screen.
Jiang Nanshu hadn’t replied.
Leaning back in his seat, he tilted his head slightly, his Adam’s apple moving as he swallowed.
The emotions stuffed in his chest felt stifling.
She said she didn’t like anyone now.
Was that good news?
He had the urge to smoke again.
But pressing his tongue against the inside of his cheek, he held back.
A few minutes later, the frustration in his chest eased a bit, and he finally drove off.
Good
She didn’t like him now.
That, he could accept.
As long as she didn’t like anyone else, that was fine.
The next morning, Jiang Nanshu was still putting on makeup when her phone rang on the dressing table.
She glanced down at it.
S: [Bring Xiaobei with you when you leave.]
She paused, put down her mascara, and picked up her phone to reply.
Shu: [Okay.]
It was Christmas today.
Jiang Nanshu specially chose a red plaid scarf to match her camel coat and short boots.
After making sure she looked good, she picked up Xiaobei’s carrier and headed out.
Just as she was about to ring the doorbell next door, the door opened.
Song Ye looked at her for a few seconds, then took the carrier from her hands.
“Wait a minute.”
Jiang Nanshu stood outside waiting for a minute.
Song Ye walked over while putting on his coat, his movements effortlessly stylish.
She couldn’t help but glance at him twice before looking away and walking toward the elevator.
She pressed the button and slowly put her hands in her pockets.
Song Ye closed the door and walked up beside her.
“What time did you come back last night?” she asked, thinking he must have pulled another all-nighter.
“Two o’clock.”
“Oh… so you didn’t sleep much.”
The elevator arrived.
Jiang Nanshu stepped inside first, watching as Song Ye pressed the button for the basement.
He didn’t press the first floor for her.
She paused, then had to press it herself.
Song Ye glanced at her.
“How’s your team’s progress? Can you finalize the build today?” she asked.
“Yes.” Song Ye kept his hands in his pockets.
Jiang Nanshu continued, “Are you really having a team dinner tonight? A lot of people probably want to leave early for dates.
Scheduling it now doesn’t seem fair.”
Song Ye’s gaze swept over her delicate makeup and calmly asked, “Are you waiting to leave early for a date?”
Jiang Nanshu: “…”