Chapter 72 Engagement
Chen Keren frowned. After a long pause, she slowly raised her head. Her eyes were calm and her tone was steady. “I didn’t do it for you,” she said.

Yi Duanfang looked up. There were complex emotions in his deep eyes that could not be understood. Chen Keren avoided his gaze, turning her face slightly. “I just wanted to give that woman a warning,” she said.

Yi Duanfang suddenly felt a little disappointed…

Just now, he had thought she was clearly jealous, and that she must have felt some kind of inexplicable emotion toward him, perhaps just like he felt for her. Now, however, looking at her expression and hearing what she had said, he realized that he had been expecting impossible things. Who is Yi Duanfang anyway? He shrugged his shoulders and said with a very charming smile, “Even so, it was also to my benefit.”

…

Chen Kexin looked up to the sky at a 45-degree angle. Her future brother-in-law’s face was really thin.

There are always so many unsatisfactory encounters in life that play tricks on our hearts.

For example, the reunion of Wang Weixi and Tong Siqi, although seemingly uneventful, was bound to cause quite a stir.

For example, Chen Kexin and Lan Xiao met again. Although Chen Kexin didn’t know how to face him, she knew she didn’t want to hurt that simple and gentle man.

It so happened that Lan Xiao was standing there with a pretty girl of around 20 years old with long hair and an enchanting figure. There was a youthful and lively aura all over her body, attracting the attention of numerous people.

When Lan Xiao saw Chen Kexin with a dull expression, his footsteps stopped unconsciously. His heart was torn and aching.

The moonlight was as bright as snow, and outside the glass door was a noisy street. The laughter of people was sounding in his ears, but in his heart, there seemed to be pouring rain, drenching it and turning it soft.

Sensing someone staring at her, Chen Kexin curiously turned and her eyes fell on the gloomy Lan Xiao. Suddenly, she didn’t know what to do.

“Brother Lan Xiao, there are seats here.” The girl exclaimed. Her voice was gentle and friendly, making people feel comfortable.

Chen Keren and Yi Duanfang turned at the same time and saw Lan Xiao standing there with surprise in his eyes.

It had only been a few days since they last saw him, but his body had become thinner and his face had turned a little sallow.

The girl seemed to notice Lan Xiao’s abnormal behavior. She curiously turned and looked in Chen Kexin’s direction. She seemed to freeze, but it was only for a few seconds. She waved excitedly at them and greeted them with a smile. “Sister Kexin, sister Kexin, you are here too. What a coincidence!”

Yi Duanfang asked curiously, “Who is this beautiful woman?”

Chen Keren glared at him severely, then got up and spoke with rare gentleness. “Lan Xiao, why are you here?”

At that point, the girl ran to Lan Xiao’s side, held his arm, and looked at Chen Keren warily. Chen Keren’s eyes rested on the girl’s hands and she suddenly frowned. All this made it seem to Yi Duanfang as if she was jealous, and his heart suddenly became uncomfortable.

At this point, their order was served. Chen Kexin lowered her head and began eating as if everything happening in front of her had nothing to do with her. It made Yi Duanfang and Chen Keren extremely mad.

Lan Xiao glanced at the girl who was cozying up beside him, and then looked at Chen Kexin who was not even looking at him. His lips formed a self-deprecating smile and said, “Huiru said she wanted seafood. I remembered this restaurant was pretty good so I brought her.”

It turned out the girl beside him was Huiru.

Huiru, An Huiru, once a follower of Lan Xiao, was three months younger than Chen Keren. Her simple and lovely appearance was very similar to Chen Kexin’s, and so was her well-behaved and docile character (at least it seemed so to Lan Xiao). Until now, she was Chen Derong’s neighbor, making her Chen Kexin’s “sister next door.”

Chen Keren really hated this little girl next door because she knew very well that the real An Huiru was a very arrogant lady. The reason why she was so docile in front of Lan Xiao was that she knew Lan Xiao liked Chen Kexin. Ever since she was a child, she had loved Lan Xiao and threatened that if she did not marry Lan Xiao in this lifetime, then she would not get married.

Chen Keren had always hated hypocrites, so she always chose to ignore this person whenever she showed up in front of her, whether on purpose or not, and always put up appearances. Even if they had to interact, she would just ask a lukewarm question. Today, seeing her standing with Lan Xiao, it was glaring to her. It felt like she had taken advantage of the break and was now throwing her weight around.

Chen Keren nodded and said lightly, “How have you been lately? Have you lost weight? Have you been eating well? Has work been very tiring?” She was clearly showing such warm care, but it was so stiff as if she only cared because she was apologetic.

It didn’t seem that way to Yi Duanfang though. What he heard was that Chen Keren’s concern for Lan Xiao was completely different from her concern for others. She was very gentle to him, making him feel as if Chen Keren really wanted to pursue Lan Xiao from the beginning and wanted Lan Xiao to become her future husband.

A fiance? He paused, and his heart suddenly suffered a taste of something bitter.

Chen Kexin heard Chen Keren’s question, and finally quietly raised her head, looking apologetically at the thin Lan Xiao. She didn’t want to hide, it was just that she didn’t know how to face him after that day.

In fact, she knew very well that in this matter, the one who was hurt the most was actually Lan Xiao. Knowing his character, he would surely feel deep remorse…

She got up and walked up to Lan Xiao. She politely asked, “Xiaoxiao, are you … ok? How have you been lately…”

Lan Xiao looked at her tenderly, with some pain in his eyes. He nodded and said, “I’m fine. You don’t have to worry about me. But what about Weixi? Why is it only the three of you?” he asked. Turning his eyes to Yi Duanfang, he couldn’t help but pause for a second.

An An Huiru also saw Yi Duanfang sitting there in silence. She looked at Yi Duanfang with wide-mouthed astonishment and asked, “Is this handsome man… a movie star?! What a beautiful person!”

…

Yi Duanfang turned around and glared at her severely. “Isn’t this woman being too forward? Although she gave me a compliment, it seems that I am not happy. Moreover, why is her tone exactly like Chen Kexin’s? Is she deliberately imitating her?”

Chen Keren said flatly, “A friend. Why? Are you interested?”

An Huiru paused for a moment, then smiled shyly and said, “No, it’s just that I’ve never seen such a… such a beautiful man before, so I’m a little excited.” While speaking, she looked up at Yi Duanfang again. Yi Duanfang just gave her a disdainful look and had an expression that said, “I bet this wench knows all about the goods,” and turned his face again.

He hated Lan Xiao. He couldn’t say why, but he just hated him. It was like Lan Xiao could steal everything from him.

The corners of Chen Keren’s mouth rose slightly as she said, “Is that so? I almost forgot that you said if you couldn’t marry Lan Xiao then you wouldn’t get married.”

Lan Xiao was startled for a moment and then became calm again.

Chen Kexin stood there hesitantly, not knowing whether to speak or not.

After hearing this, An Huiru giggled and said, “Of course I remember this sentence, and I will soon fulfill what I promised as a child.”

Chen Keren frowned while Chen Kexin had a look of disbelief.

Lan Xiao’s face was turning ugly, but a faint smile still lingered in his mouth.

“Lan Xiao and I have decided to get engaged next month.” An Huiru, seeing how stunned everyone was, added sheepishly.

Chen Keren and the two others gawked at them. They looked at An Huiru who had spoken, and then at the noncommittal but always smiling Lan Xiao. They could see she had not been joking.

Yi Duanfang suddenly wanted to laugh happily. “What? So soon?”

Everyone turned their eyes to Yi Duanfang.

Chen Keren frowned and thought, “Why is this boy so happy?”

Chen Kexin, however, thought with a sneaky smile, “Sister Duanfang is happy—finally no one will steal Keren from you.”

There was no trace of emotion on Lan Xiao’s face.

However, An Huiru’s eyes looked somewhat complicated, even seductive. She gently smiled, thinking, “Beautiful flower man, even if I have brother Lan Xiao, I will definitely not snub you and leave you wanting to be someone else’s lover.”

Had An Huiru known that Chen Keren was subconsciously looking at Yi Duanfang at that moment, she would probably have been so afraid of getting killed that she would not have dared covet his beauty. Because by provoking Chen Keren, she might get beheaded at any moment, tee hee.

Only then did Yi Duanfang realize that he should not be showing such a happy expression. He quickly restrained his smile and coughed two times, saying, “I just thought this beautiful woman looks very young. It is really surprising that she’s engaged now.”

“Surprising?” Chen Keren mercilessly stared at him. He was clearly acting like a villain who had achieved his goal.

Yi Duanfang stuck out his tongue at Chen Keren. This boy, ever since he was with Chen Keren (that is, not together TOGETHER, but together in the same place), although he was still not a full man, he was not so feminine anymore. Otherwise, when he pointed out the orchid, it was estimated that An Huiru would give up the idea of letting him serve in her harem directly.

Now that he was making such a cute expression, it made An Huiru’s brain go crazy instantly. She couldn’t wait to dig out her eyeballs and install them on Yi Duanfang’s body so that she could see this breathtakingly beautiful face all the time.

Chen Keren turned her head and saw An Huiru’s look一it seemed to displease her. She frowned and said, “It seems that Lan Xiao will have to be careful of his future wife’s eyes.”

Lan Xiao smiled gently, ignoring An Hui Ru beside him.

An Huiru hurriedly explained. “Brother Lan Xiao, I just took a look. I had no other thoughts.”

Lan Xiao bowed his head, smiled gently at her and said, “It’s alright.”

Suddenly, An Huiru’s cell phone rang. Seeing the caller ID on the screen, she suddenly became nervous and looked up to see if Lan Xiao had seen it. Holding the phone, she assumed a sorry expression and said, “Brother Lan Xiao, what should I do? My roommate suddenly called to say she got lost in another street and asked me to find her. She is a foreigner.”

Lan Xiao nodded and said, “Then you should go.”

A Huiru’s nervous expression suddenly relaxed. She happily nodded and said, “Brother Lan Xiao, you don’t have to pick me up tonight. I’ll take a taxi home myself.”

Lan Xiao nodded.

After watching An Huiru depart, he turned and his eyes had a complex expression as he looked at the three people in front of him, not knowing whether to stay or leave.

At this moment, Chen Keren broke the silence and said, “Yi Duanfang, you can accompany outside for a stroll.”

Yi Duan turned his face as if he had heard something incredible. He stared at Chen Keren with a pair of beautiful eyes. Chen Keren did not turn back but instead went straight outside. Yi Duanfang was depressed but had to get up and follow her.

Walking toward Lan Xiao, he snorted coldly and said, “I hope you have a little self-respect tonight.” Then, without looking at Lan Xiao’s gloomy expression, he turned to Chen Kexin, smiled sweetly, and said, “Kexin, I’ll go out with Keren and come back soon.”

Chen Kexin nodded. There must be a solution. She knew it, so she did not want to run away like a little pussy anymore.

Seeing Chen Keren and Yi Duanfang leaving the store, Chen Kexin became a bit breathless.

She looked up anxiously at Lan Xiao, who had gotten thinner. She bit her lips and said, “Xiaoxiao… sit down.”

Lan Xiao nodded. The two of them slowly walked to the table and sat down in silence.

Time flowed quietly, just like the Milky Way in the sky.

Chen Kexin glanced at the table full of seafood but she had no appetite at all.

Across the table, Lan Xiao quietly looked at her.

Chen Kexin bit her lip. After a long time, she lowered her head and said cautiously, “I’m sorry…” Her lovely appearance and worried tone made it difficult to blame her. What’s more, Lan Xiao couldn’t find any reason to blame her.

Loving someone is a person’s own business.

Whether crazy or forbearing, how one loves is chosen by oneself and has nothing to do with others. What’s more, if you hurt someone because of your love, what qualification do you have to say that you love that person?

Lan Xiao shook his head and frowned. “Why are you apologizing?”

Chen Kexin mumbled something and could not speak.

Lan Xiao looked at her, with her head down like an ostrich, and helplessly smiled. After a while, he said, “What happened last time was my fault. I’m the one who should apologize.”

Chen Kexin gritted her teeth but did not know how to respond.

“When did you… know I was…” Lan Xiao spoke hesitantly.

Chen Kexin awkwardly kept her head low and kept silent. A moment later, she told him she had heard them from outside the room that day he and Chen Keren talked.

Lan Xiao listened quietly, but his heart was tumultuous. He hadn’t thought that Chen Kexin, who looked carefree and even heartless in front of him, had hidden such an embarrassment that she forced herself to smile at her secret admirer every day. In actuality, her heart must have felt embarrassed all the time and felt miserable, right?

Moreover, even though she was so contradictory, she still said kind words such as that she would cook his favorite food. The heartfelt concern had moved him一it was as if she was also concerned and cared about him. However, she did not know that as someone with unrequited love, he could not even express his love.

The hug that day, the release of his inner feelings, these had accidentally hurt her, making her like a frightened bird. When she left frantically behind Wang Weixi that day, he knew that he and she could never go back to the way they were before. Even being friends was impossible.

He had been thinking about how good it would have been if he came back earlier. Before she fell in love with someone else or she met someone else, he could have become the best man. He would have returned to her side, held her hand and bravely told her, “I left for you and I came back for you.”

However, life was like a movie, but they were not the actors, only the audiences watching their lives play out step by step. Even if we can look back, these are only memories.

Life can only be recalled and regretted, but it is impossible to start all over again.

Therefore, you and I can only be me and you forever.

After trying to understand everything, Lan Xiao showed a heartfelt smile.

“If my departure can free you from any worries, I will go. If I have to give you and him a reassurance, I am willing to marry a woman I do not love.”

Chen Kexin raised her clear eyes and looked straight at Lan Xiao. “Xiaoxiao, I’m sorry. After all these years, knowing your thoughts, clearly knowing that you will suffer more when I am by your side, I still selfishly wanted to learn from you. I’m sorry…” She knew it was cruel, but she also knew that if she really walked away, perhaps Lan Xiao would be sadder. At that time, she did not know what to do.

Time passed by like a quiet stream of water. From time to time, people left the seafood shop, and from time to time, people came in. Whenever they passed by the two, they looked at them. Perhaps in their eyes, the couple in front of them was a pair of young lovers who had just quarreled. They were both beautiful and looked like a perfect match.

“It’s all in the past now, we don’t have to mention it. And… as you heard, I am going to get married. I don’t want to make you feel stressed. I was just too touched that day… if necessary, I can go to Wang Weixi and explain it to him.” Lan Xiao’s voice was faint and had some unreal gentleness. It was clearly the same gentleness as before, but today it stung her heart.

Chen Kexin hurriedly shook her head and said, “No… I know, I know… Weixi was just being impulsive, you don’t have to take it too seriously…” Her voice became smaller and smaller, as if she were lying. She knew that Wang Weixi never wanted to see Lan Xiao again.

Lan Xiao smiled helplessly and said, “Well, then I’ll go ahead.”

To stay is only to remain sad.

Chen Kexin wanted to say more, but when she saw Lan Xiao’s pained expression, she finally lightly said, “Goodbye.”

Lan Xiao nodded and then left without looking back.