Chapter 28

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Xu Lian wasn’t stupid. She had been vaguely aware that Xiang ChangKong was intentionally avoiding her. She had wanted to ask him about it but after a moment of consideration, Xu Lian just made an ‘OK’ gesture and continued on.

The date of Xiang ChangKong’s test was getting close and closer. No matter his reason for avoiding her, it was still good that he was using this time to study. Xu Lian didn’t really want to distract him from that right now.

Meanwhile, Xiang ChangKong looked down at the last message Xu Lian sent him, a complicated expression on his face. Xu Lian wasn’t dumb. She probably has a lot of questions for him. But for some reason, she hadn’t asked Xiang ChangKong anything yet.

He put down his phone and opened his bedside drawer to take out the lipstick he had bought recently. After looking at it for a while, he silently put it back in the drawer.

On Saturday, Xiang ChangKong bought a lot of food because Xiang Nuan would be coming home. When Xiang Nuan entered the house, she put down her bag and happily ran into the kitchen. Before Xiang ChangKong could even greet her, she said: “Ooh! Brother, your sweet and sour pork ribs are the best!” She always ended up licking her fingers after the meal.

Xiang ChangKong helplessly smiled at his sister and tried to drive her out of the kitchen. Xiang Nuan managed to snag another piece of rib and she quickly shoved it in her mouth. “Ah, so delicious~ I wonder when Sister Xu Lian can eat such a dish?”

Xiang ChangKong’s hand that held a spatula froze for a second. He then picked up the plate of pork ribs and handed it to Xiang Nuan. “You go on ahead, the kitchen is smokey.”

Xiang Nuan accepted the plate. She rolled her eyes and refused to leave. “When are bringing Sister Xu Lian home, ah?”

“Don’t worry about that.” Xiang ChangKong plated the side dishes. “Did you get your monthly test results yet?”

The smile on Xiang Nuan’s face suddenly stiffened. “…ahahahaha, I won’t disturb you anymore. Cook slowly, I’m going now.” Then she ran out of the kitchen with the plate and sat on the dinner table with a bitter expression on her face.

Xiang Nuan only recovered from the thought of monthly exams after eating a few more pieces of sweet and sour ribs. After a while, she took out her phone and opened Weibo. She found Xu Lian’s Weibo and sent her a private message.

Xiang Nuan: Big sister, do you remember me? I’m Xiang ChangKong’s little sister.

Meanwhile, Xu Lian was at a cocktail party with her mother.

Although Xu Lian’s family didn’t have a big business or anything, they were still pretty rich. Before she moved abroad, Mother Xu used to show her face from time to time in wealthy social gatherings like these. This was Xu Lian’s first time attending though. She didn’t like going to social events, let alone to a hypocritical event like this.

Wei YiChen was also at the party. When he saw Xu Lian standing alone in a corner, he walked over and stood next to her. “I didn’t think you’d come to something like this.”

Xu Lian gave him a wry smile and forked a small piece of cake. “My mom’s leaving in two days, so she guilt-tripped me into this party.”

Wei YiChen smiled and raised his hand to take a sip of some wine. “I just heard your mom tell Auntie Liao that you got a boyfriend. It looks like the news is spreading quick.”

“….” Xu Lian was silent for a moment, then said one word: “Boring.”

Wei YiChen took another sip of wine and gave Xu Lian a side-glance. “But you do look very good tonight. Your dress is nice.”

Xu Lian’s dress was chosen by her mother, who also threatened Xu Lian into wearing it. Xu Lian had never attended such parties, so she naturally didn’t have any suitable clothes for the occasion. In the end, although she didn’t like the dress her mother had chosen, she acquiesced and put it on.

She couldn’t come to the party wearing a leather dress after all.

“YiChen, come here and talk with your Uncle Nie.” Wei ZhenTing looked towards his son a few meters away from him. Xu Lian politely nodded towards him when they met eyes and Wei ZhenTing smiled and nodded back.

Wei YiChen drank another mouthful of wine then said to Xu Lian: “I need to go over there.”

“Un.”

Wei YiChen walked over, putting his empty wine glass on a nearby table. Wei ZhenTing waited for Wei YiChen to come over, then whispered: “Didn’t you hear from your Auntie Xu that Xu Lian has a boyfriend already? You’re not giving up yet?”

Wei YiChen laughed and said: “You too; Nie Ye already said that we aren’t suitable for each other. When are you going to give up?”

“How is that the same. Since she doesn’t have anyone definite yet, you still have a chance. Suitable or not, that can change.”

Wei YiChen bit his lip and made no other comment.

In her corner, Xu Lian had finished her plate of cake. She walked towards the buffet table to find herself another dessert. While she had promised her mother to attend the party, she actually agreed to come for another important reason- the desserts at the Grand Europe Hotel were famous for being notoriously delicious.

Mother Xu saw Xu Lian standing alone, avoiding other people’s attention and keeping to herself. When other people tried to catch her gaze, Xu Lian pretended not to see. She instead took out her phone and bowed her head, directly blocking everyone else around her.

The corner of Mother Xu’s mouth lifted. She then turned back to talk and laugh with the people around her. Xu Lian opened her WeChat and saw that Xiang ChangKong hadn’t sent her any messages. She stared at Xiang ChangKong’s avatar for a while, then closed the app. She opened Weibo next.

Xu Lian saw that she had received a private message. Xu Lian opened the message, her finger hovering next to a cute cartoon avatar of a young girl.

Xiang Nuan?

Of course, she remembers. She opened the keyboard and replied.

Xu Lian: Yes, I remember. What can I do for you?

At this moment, Xiang Nuan had just finished eating. When she checked her phone and saw that Xu Lian had replied, she was a little surprised.

Xiang Nuan: I heard from my brother that you’re dating him now. Congratulations (ﾉﾟ▽ﾟ)ﾉ But I think there’s something wrong with my brother today. Did you guys quarrel (,,꒪꒫꒪,,)?

Xu Lian: Is your brother home?

Xiang Nuan: Yes, he just went into his room. It’s his day off today.

Xu Lian: Ok, I know.

Ok? Xiang Nuan was a little confused. What does Xu Lian know? How come she didn’t know?

Were they quarreling after all? How worrisome.

But despite all this, Xiang Nuan still took the opportunity to leave her WeChat ID to Xu Lian so they could talk easier in the future.

Xu Lian added Xiang Nuan to her WeChat, then tapped on Xiang ChangKong’s avatar and sent him a message.

Xu Lian: Studying?

Xiang ChangKong: Yeah.

Xiang ChangKong was indeed reading his textbook. But for some reason, when Xu Lian asked him, he still felt a little guilty.

After a while, he took a photo of his open book and sent it to Xu Lian.

The moment the photo was successfully sent, Xiang ChangKong immediately regretted it. It felt like he was admitting to his guilt, ah. Should he delete it? But Xu Lian must’ve seen the picture already.

As he continued to wonder whether he should delete the photo message or not, Xu Lian sent another message.

Xu Lian: I don’t really want to disturb you when you’re studying, but I was wondering if you could pick me up right now?

Xiang ChangKong: What’s wrong?

Xiang ChangKong was immediately worried. Did something happen to Xu Lian?

Xu Lian: I was dragged to a party by my mom. It’s really boring and painful, she isn’t letting me leave.

Xu Lian: But if you come and get me, she’ll definitely let me go.

Xiang ChangKong didn’t respond for a while. Xu Lian saw this and decided to lay it on a little thicker.

Xu Lian: I’m begging you ( •́︿•̀ )

Xiang ChangKong: “…”

Xiang ChangKong: Alright, I’ll come get you now. Give me the address.

Xu Lian: The banquet hall on the second floor of Grand Europe Hotel.

Xu Lian: I’ll be waiting!