Jian Chi remembered the last call he heard before leaving the banquet.
The vague two words became clearer and clearer, tapping on his eardrum, gradually matching Ji Huaisiās voice perfectly.
But at that time, he was eager to find Wen Chuan and didnāt care at all. Jian Chi didnāt know when Ji Huaisi appeared and why he didnāt make a sound. He stood not far away, witnessed all the conversations between him and Wen Chuan, and hid himself in the darkness.
Jian Chi felt that the wind was blowing his palms cold, and Wen Chuanās gaze towards Ji Huaisi was not in the slightest panic. Silence was the best answer.
This stalemate made Jian Chi feel a sense of suffocation, trying to restore the atmosphere that had sunk to a low point: āJiā¦ā Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Ji Huaisi: āCome to me.ā
His voice did not fluctuate. There was no way to tell whether he was angry or not. Except that he was a little less gentle, it sounded like normal. But the closer Jian Chi got, the more he could feel the low pressure from Ji Huaisiās body. Before he could even stand firm, Ji Huaisi held his wrist, turned and took him away from the rooftop.
āJi Huaisi, Ji Huaisiā¦ā
Ji Huaisiās pace became faster and faster, he didnāt even realize how tightly he was clenching Jian Chiās wrists. Jian Chi trying to stop him became more and more urgent, and finally he forcibly grabbed Ji Huaisiās arm and froze in place.
The hotel where the banquet was held behind them was still brightly lit, and there was a faint sound of piano music. The streets at night were empty except for the cars parked on both sides, and Jian Chi suddenly felt a sense of confusion. On the night of the cruise, he and Ji Huaisi also fled from the dance. The same empty deck, Ji Huaisi looked at his eyes with drowning tenderness, and even the kiss had them carefully listening to each otherās heartbeats.
Looking back in a trance, Ji Huaisiās face was no longer able to reveal a smile. It was colder than the moonlight tonight, and invisibly squeezed the little remaining warmth.
āItās not the first time, is it?ā
Even if it was questioning, Ji Huaisi still maintained the most basic self-restraint. This face was gentle when he smiled. Even if there was no expression at the moment, it did not contain the disgust or disappointment that Jian Chi thought. But just like that, Jian Chi couldnāt stop his heart trembling even more.
āDoes an apology represent confirmation?ā
Jian Chi didnāt nod or shake his head. He looked into Ji Huaisiās eyes, as if something bound his throat, that every word he said was cruel.
In silence, Ji Huaisi seemed to understand everything, he lowered his voice, and at the same time released the shackles on his hands that were extremely hard. The coldness just now seemed to be an illusion under the night, āJian Chi, you can explain it to me. ā
āAs long as it is what you say, I will believe it.ā
If it was the previous Jian Chi, he would definitely believe everything Ji Huaisi said without hesitation.
But now, he asked subconsciously, āWould you believe what I say, or would you believe what you see more?ā
Ji Huaisiās eyes were deep, āYour words.ā
For the first time, Jian Chi saw that Ji Huaisi had lied.
The earlier panic gradually smoothed out in the cold wind, and Jian Chi remembered his original idea of wanting to have a good chat with Ji Huaisi about this relationship.
At this moment, neither the time nor the place seemed to be the best choice for the conversation, but Jian Chi didnāt know if he missed this one opportunity, it would end as sloppily as before, and how long he would have to wait for the next time.
āIf I didnāt say it, would you ask someone to check it?ā Jian Chi looked at Ji Huaisiās eyes, and every word came out of his throat with difficulty, āJi Huaisi, did youā¦did you know everything I did from the beginning? Know my whereabouts every day? Including now, did you already know me and Wen Chuanā¦ā
That name was too harsh for Ji Huaisi, he interrupted and gave Jian Chi a warm smile, āI just want to hear you explain why you and Wen Chuan appeared there.ā
Ji Huaisi didnāt answer his words, and turned it back to him. It might just be ignored by others, and not be a big deal, but when it happened for Ji Huaisi, Jian Chi couldnāt think of any other answer except him escaping.
The escape itself represented the problem.
āIt was Wen Chuan who I went out to look for. He took me up. The Fu family was looking for him, and the rooftop was relatively quiet and safer.ā
The explanation made Ji Huaisiās coldness gradually disintegrate, as if his senses had returned to itās cage. āI know, sorry, did I scare you just now? I was a little angry when I saw you going out to Wen Chuan. You clearly heard me calling you from behind, but you still insisted on seeing him. Next time I wonāt be so indiscriminately angry again, I promise.ā
After that, Ji Huaisi raised his hand to touch Jian Chiās face, which seemed to be a sign of reconciliation, but was dodged by Jian Chi. The arm stagnated in the air.
Jian Chi didnāt expect Ji Huaisi to answer like this, but this seemed to be Ji Huaisiās usual manner of things. He took a deep breath and said in a tactile manner, āBut didnāt you see it all just now? Wen Chuan wanted toā¦ā
āThatās his own problem,ā Ji Huaisi interrupted, āI believe you wouldnāt do such a thing, Jian Chi.ā
āDo you really think so?ā Jian Chi couldnāt stop the suppressed words in his heart and they all gushed out, āUs dating until now, you already know me well enough, but I donāt seem to know you at all. Whether it was when we first met or now, I can only see the side you want me to see, not the real you. Ji Huaisi, Iām willing to tell you the truth, are you willing to tell me the truth too? Letās stop hiding and solve the problem properly, okay?ā
Jian Chi still had a hint of weak hope, but Ji Huaisiās answer after being silent completely extinguished the fireworks: āI have never deceived you, and I have never thought of hiding myself from you.ā
The breath in Jian Chiās chest dissipated little by little, he didnāt know if it was relief or helplessness.
At this time, Jian Chi was unexpectedly calm.
āDuring the period of our relationship, I tried to have a serious relationship, cooperate with all your thoughts, stay with you every day, and reject everyone else, including Zhang Yang. I know that when I walk with him, you are unhappy. I thought that liking can be cultivated slowly, not to mention that you are such a good person, the person who is not worthy of you should be me. But now I canāt be firm anymore, I need to speculate what your real thoughts are when I am with you, I need to guess if there are other deep meanings in your words. Ji Huaisi, you are very good, I have done you wrong. I cannāt always choose you unswervingly, and I will be shaken by other peopleās words. I donāt think this kind of relationship can continue, I canāt take your goodness for granted, Iām sorry, but we shouldā¦ā
Jian Chiās last words were swallowed in Ji Huaisiās sinking terrifying eyes, and finally the two words ābreak upā were swallowed. The words were replaced, and another, softer sentence was added.
āLetās stay apart for a while.ā
However, the power did not decrease in the slightest.
āDo you want to break up?ā
Ji Huaisiās question was as light as a breath, and Jian Chi nodded, waiting for Ji Huaisiās next good or bad answer. Even if itās not good, Jian Chi still thought of how to respond, such as how an inappropriate relationship will only make the two of them more and more tired.
But Ji Huaisiās answer didnāt follow any of Jian Chiās thoughts, his gentle mask shattered and fell off piece by piece. Staring at Jian Chiās eyes, he revealed a gloom and paranoia that had never been exposed to anyoneās eyes.
āWho asked you to say these words?ā
Jian Chiās doubts did not stop Ji Huaisi from continuing to ask and answer.
āShen Shuting? He probably said a lot of bad things about me in front of you, but he probably prefers the excitement of doing things underground rather than blatant robbing. Or Shao Hang? He has always disliked me but proper behaviour is based on reciprocity and Iāve always looked down on him. As for Wen Chuan, I was very at ease with him at first, but now he and Shao Hang have become jackals of the same tribe. Compared to me, he is more moving to you now, isnāt he?ā
Jian Chi listened to Ji Huaisi in a daze. Ji Huaisiās terribly calm statement made him fail to react for a while. Ji Huaisiās hand that had been avoided just now stroked Jian Chiās cheek again, his cool palm was against his skin, and he couldnāt help but tremble.
āJian Chi.ā He lowered his eyebrows softly again, the change was so fast that Jian Chi could no longer capture any madness.
āI met the eldest son of the Bai family just now. He mentioned you to me and said something interesting. I wanted to ask you, but it wonāt be too late to talk about it another day,ā Ji Huaisi looked deeply into Jian Chiās eyes, his lips moved slightly, āLetās not go back to the banquet. Itās late. Iāll take you back to school. After sleeping tonight, everything will be fine when you wake up the next day.ā
Jian Chi looked at Ji Huaisi, his heart spreading an unreasonable coldness. He took a step back, pulled away from Ji Huaisiās palm, and didnāt continue his previous tactful excuse,
āJi Huaisi, Iām serious. Letās break up.ā