This big episode affected Jianâs mood. In the second half of the dance, he began to pay attention to the gazes of the people around him, but Bai Shuyun didnât take a second look. Jian Chi, in the end, couldnât figure out whether that look was just him venting or an omen.
The dance between him and Ji Huaisi brought some chain effects. Shao Hang had to drag him to dance no matter what. On the mixed dance floor, the combination of the two men was very eye-catching. While waiting for the end of the dance music, Jian Chi looked around the entire venue, but could not see Bai Shuyun, and he didnât even know where Bai Xiyu went.
âWho are you looking at?â Shao Hangâs voice sounded from above. Jian Chi read the annoyed answer of âJi Huaisiâ from his eyes, and had to say, âIâm looking at the food on the table over there. I didnât have dinner before I came.â
This answer relieved Shao Hangâs dissatisfaction to a certain extent, and Jian Chi could finally continue the dinner interrupted by Ji Huaisi just now, but this time the taste was a little dull. When he put down the dinner plate, the phone in his trouser pocket vibrated, and Jian Chi opened it.
Wen Chuan: I am in the garden behind the hotel.
A waiter walked by holding a tray, and Jian Chi stopped him and asked for the direction of the back door of the hotel. After being instructed, he quietly left the ball along the corner. The fresh air replaced the pungent smell of rouge powder and perfume. The lights of the ball illuminated the night like day. Jian Chi walked out of the back door and looked up to see Wen Chuan.
âWhen did you come out?â
Wen Chuan said, âWhen you were dancing with Shao Hang.â
Although it was true, Jian Chi felt a slight embarrassment when he heard it frankly, and loosened his tight bow tie. âThe air inside is too stuffy, so itâs more comfortable here.â
Wen Chuan didnât refuse the reason Jian Chi gave him. His profile was shadowed by the lights leaking from the ball, making his eyebrows darker. Jian Chi thought, probably no one could be indifferent under such a gaze, and the gap between his breaths shortened. Then his arm was pulled up, and a hard metal object was placed in his cool palm.
âJian Chi, happy graduation.â
The pearls and fine diamonds on the black brooch shone with a low-key light in the dark night, and when he raised his head, Wen Chuanâs voice sounded again, with a touch of softness wrapped in coldness.
âLeaving Saintston, it no longer has any meaning. As a gift, I hope you will accept it.â
The cold brooch gradually warmed in the palm of his hand, and Jian Chi asked, âIt doesnât have any meaning?â
âNow, itâs just a brooch. An ordinary brooch.â
Wen Chuanâs voice flowed into his ears, smoothing out the wrinkles on Jian Chiâs chest just right. For the first time, he looked at this brooch with completely different eyes, delicate and clean. After ripping off the mean layer of labels, it was just a brooch.
Jian Chi smiled and folded his palms, âI like this graduation gift, thank you.â
The last words fell, and Jian Chi saw Wen Chuanâs lips lifted slightly.
A call not far away made Jian Chi turn his head, and the brooch fell into his suit pocket. Ji Huaisiâs figure stood at the junction of the light and darkness, making him unable to see his expression clearly. Wen Chuan lowered his head and spoke very close to Jian Chi: âHe was looking for you.â
Jian Chi looked at Wen Chuan apologetically, âCan I go over?â He almost forgot that Ji Huaisi asked him to wait for him after the dance.
Wen Chuan touched Jian Chiâs head, âOkay.â
After speaking, he kissed Jian Chiâs lips.
It happened naturally and quickly. When Jian Chi was stunned, Wen Chuan had already put down his hand, and a smile flashed in his dark eyes, âItâs okay to go.â
ââŠâ Wen Chuan also had learned the bad stuff.
The source of the bad learning was naturally attributed to Shao Hang by Jian Chi, and while secretly condemning him, he walked slowly towards Ji Huaisi. Seeing Ji Huaisiâs expression and thinking about how to speak, Ji Huaisi raised his chin and pressed his thumb on his lips.
It wasnât until the stinging pain came from being rubbed that Jian Chi broke free from Ji Huaisiâs hand, looked over again, then did Ji Huaisiâs expression return to normal, and smiled at him, âLetâs go, the car is already waiting outside. â
Obviously he and Ji Huaisi didnât have anything, or just had something, but Jian Chi still felt an inexplicable guilty conscience, and tacitly did not mention the actions just now, âIs the dance over?â
âNot yet, âJi Huaisi said, âbut I donât think you want to go back.â
Jian Chi didnât refute. After a while, he wondered if Ji Huaisi found this place, asked the waiter or followed him all the way? After a while, he remembered what Ji Huaisi was going to say to him, and the complicated thoughts filled his mind, so after three calls, Jian Chi realized that someone was calling his name.
âJian Chi, wait a minute.â
Bai Xiyuâs figure in a trot gradually became clear, and stopped in front of Jian Chi, panting. He glanced at Ji Huaisi nervously, and then said softly to Jian Chi, âI have something to tell you, can you come to the side?â
Before Jian Chi could answer, Ji Huaisiâs figure was already in front of him, âIâm sorry, he doesnât have time.â
The âsorryâ was not apologetic and was mixed with a touch of alienation and coldness. Jian Chi knew that Ji Huaisi was worried about Bai Xiyuâs past frame-up, and he did not let down his guard completely against Bai Xiyu. However, Jian Chi didnât think that Bai Xiyu was going to do something to him now, but his expression had betrayed him, and Bai Xiyu was nervous.
Ji Huaisiâs words obviously hit Bai Xiyu, he bit his lower lip and restrained the grievances in his eyes, âIâll leave after I say it.â
Jian Chi said, âYou can say it here, Ji Huaisi is not an outsider.â
âI⊠âŠâ After the silence, Bai Xiyu whispered, âJian Chi, you have to be careful with Bai Shuyun.â
Jian Chiâs first feeling was an accident. Bai Xiyu rarely mentioned âBai Shuyunâ in his sentences, and often used âbrotherâ. This inconspicuous episode was not so weird that it needed to be asked, Jian Chi looked into Bai Xiyuâs eyes, âWhy?â
Bai Xiyu didnât answer.
This sentence seemed to be all there was. Ji Huaisi pulled Jian Chi and took him out of there. When Jian Chi looked back, he could still see Bai Xiyu standing there. For some reason, something strange flashed in his heart.
âYou donât need to pay attention to him.â
Ji Huaisi said when he got into the car.
Jian Chi didnât refute, but just replied: âHe should have something to tell me just now.â
The driver closed the door from outside, and Ji Huaisiâs voice sounded again in the car: âI think he explained to you the reason for framing you later, right?â
This was obviously not unexpected by Ji Huaisi. The car started driving, and the light and shadow from the window swept across Ji Huaisiâs face. âBai Xiyu is a selfish person.â
âThere will also be times of selfishness for myself and everyone is like that.â Jian Chi said.
Ji Huaisi shook his head, âThis is a different kind of selfishness. He makes me feel uncomfortable.â
Jian Chi could understand what Ji Huaisi meant and didnât take it as a serious matter, âbut the most important thing is you didnât think that way at first, did you? Itâs good that the past is in the past, and I wonât have contact with him again.â
âHow do you know that I didnât think so at first?â
Jian Chi was slightly startled, and said subconsciously, âI remember that you treated him no differently than others, and you would help him.â
This smile contained many meanings beyond words, and Jian Chi understood that it was just another layer to Ji Huaisiâs mask, no, it should be the other side. He was no different to Bai Xiyu and everyone, because he fundamentally didnât care about anyone, let alone Bai Xiyu. Ji Huaisi just dutifully played a friendly and gentle vice president and deceived everyone, including him.
âThen what do you think about how I am to you?â
Jian Chi felt that Ji Huaisi seemed to be a little closer, but also not. âI donât know⊠I donât remember.â
This was a bit of a lousy excuse, Ji Huaisi didnât reveal it. He stroked Jian Chiâs cheek and whispered, âI remember it very clearly. When we met for the third time, I finally decided that I had a different feeling for you.â
âDidnât you say it was the first time, last timeâŠâ In Ji Huaisiâs narrow eyes, Jian Chi closed his mouth, recalling the third meeting Ji Huaisi said, it seems that he was accidentally splashed by Shao Hangâs people. He went to the bathroom to clean up the embarrassment, when he turned his head, Ji Huaisi appeared at the door with a towel.
Was there anything special that time?
Ji Huaisi said in a low voice, âYou were all wet.â
A faint ambiguity emerged from the slow wording, lingering in the car. Jian Chi realized something, his mind was blank for a moment, and Ji Huaisiâs image was like a blank sheet of paper in his heart, no, it was not a blank sheet for a long time, it had added heavy strokes. He gritted his teeth and replied, âIt turns out to be this reason.â
Ji Huaisi chuckled, âBoth answers are right. When we first met, the last sentence you said made me feel very interested, and it was not until later that the strangeness was determined to be liking.â
Although he had already long prepared, hearing Ji Huaisi say the word âlikingâ so frankly and sincerely, Jian Chi still felt a familiar throbbing. He felt that Ji Huaisiâs face was getting closer.
âJian Chi, Iâm sorry,â Ji Huaisiâs breath lightly brushed his cheeks, âI wonât excuse what Iâve done before, Iâve thought a lot during this time apart, maybe itâs time to stop thinking of my useless self-esteem. Iâm not a perfect person. When I see you being close to others, I canât hold back my jealousy and sadness. Whenever this happens, I will do things that I hate, so I donât want you to see me doing those things I hide. Itâs ugly. You like me when I am gentle and generous, and I want to try to maximize this quality, thinking that I can keep you forever.â
âNo,â Jian Chi heard his voice. He gave a negative answer, âI like you like this, but I also want to see your shortcomings when dating. No one is perfect. I never minded you who is not perfect. What I care about is that you want to lie to maintain this perfect relationship.â
âI know,â Ji Huaisi murmured, âI know now, Jian Chi, Iâm sorry, this apology is a little late, but I hope itâs not too late. I donât want you and Shao Hang to get so close, and I donât want Shen Shuting to touch you again. I donât want Wen Chuan to kiss you like just now, can we do it all over again?â
Jian Chi heard his heartbeat beside his ear. Wrapped around Ji Huaisiâs slightly heavy breathing, it plucked his heartstrings, âIâŠâ
Bang! The loud noise came from the rear of the car, and his body leaned forward sharply unexpectedly. Jian Chi and Ji Huaisi, who were sitting in the back row, were interrupted by a sudden accident. The unsuspecting Jian Chi almost hit the roof and was caught by Ji Huaisi who hugged him tightly.
âSit firmly.â Ji Huaisiâs calm voice sounded above his head.
A more violent impact came from the rear for the second time, and the tires rubbed the asphalt to make a harsh sound. This time, the good luck did not repeat, and Jian Chi felt a dazzling blank flash in front of his eyes, and the pain passed over his body very briefly.
In an instant, the plot that had been covered in dust for a long time appeared in front of him.
A second before his consciousness escaped, Jian Chi held Ji Huaisiâs hand tightly in his arms.