However, He Ji quickly loosened his grip slightly, pulling Shen Yue behind him. His tall figure completely shielded Shen Yue.
Jiang Wei smiled, his expression full of bloodlust.
He was a grown man, tall and handsome, but when he wore such an expression, he looked like a cruel demon.
"He Ji, you'd better let go. Shen Yue is mine. It's not your place to meddle."
He Ji's lips pressed into an icy line, his eyes devoid of warmth. "Shen Yue is not yours."
Shen Yue belonged to no one.
He Ji's expression was habitually lacking, his eyes as indifferent as a stagnant pool, as if coldness permeated his very bones.
He turned to look at Shen Yue.
Shen Yue looked at him, her dark eyes clear and shimmering. Tears had dampened the roots of her long eyelashes, making it seem as though tears would fall any second.
She looked utterly wronged.
"He Ji..." Her lips were swollen, a vivid, vibrant red, like delicate rose petals.
Tears welled in her eyes, making them exquisitely beautiful.
He Ji's voice was cold as he said lightly, "Come with me."
Her eyelashes fluttered. Shen Yue lowered her head, allowing him to lead her by the wrist, remaining silent.
His expression suddenly turned colder. He lowered his voice, He Ji repeated deeply, "—Come with me."
Those clear, cool eyes were contained and profound, revealing no hint of joy or sorrow.
But up close, Shen Yue could hear his breathing was uneven, like the surface of a calm sea about to be shattered by hidden volcanic magma, erupting with scorching, surging flames.
It wasn't that Shen Yue was unwilling to go; she was afraid that by going, she would implicate He Ji.
It was strange, considering she had initially only intended to use He Ji.
She pursed her lips. The stinging sensation made her eyelashes tremble. Her soft black hair tangled at her snow-white neck, her eyes drooping, seemingly at a loss.
He Ji did not have a powerful background.
His grades were excellent, his parents were harmonious, and his family background was solid. Ordinary, happy, and complete.
Whereas Jiang Wei could easily shatter such a perfect and happy family.
Jiang Wei was a favored son of heaven, with a powerful background, a figure adored by all.
It could be said that Jiang Wei did not even regard him as a threat.
He also believed Shen Yue to be sensible and discerning, someone who knew whom to choose.
Jiang Wei lifted his eyelids, his gaze dark and unreadable.
He said to Shen Yue.
"Come here."
As if she were a mere plaything, his tone was dismissive.
Shen Yue's face was expressionless. Her hair was very dark, making her skin appear very white. Her eyes were as serene as flowers in water, her lips a soft red, as if she were looking at him, and yet not looking at him.
Instinctively, Jiang Wei's brow furrowed, an indescribable sense of restlessness creeping in.
Her toes took a small step forward.
Then, she was abruptly pulled back by He Ji gripping her wrist tightly.
He Ji had been indifferent since childhood. He rarely lost his temper, always remaining calm and rational.
But now, he could feel an overwhelming malevolence brewing within his chest. He suppressed his anger, his expression growing colder. "Don't go."
The boy's palms were very hot and covered in sweat, showing how nervous he was.
Shen Yue paused, her delicate eyelashes drooping. Her slender body stiffened, her fair fingers clenching into fists at her sides.
Jiang Wei gritted his teeth fiercely, restraining the urge to rush forward and pull them apart.
He Ji was tall, his profile sharply defined, cool and devoid of human warmth.
But now, a dense gloom clouded his features.
His eyes were cold, revealing no emotion.
The girl's eyes were clean and pure, her long eyelashes still holding tears, her eye sockets faintly red. She seemed to smile, a shallow dimple appearing.
She was quiet, like a flower withering away.
She deliberately lowered her voice so only He Ji could hear.
"Are you very disappointed in me?"
He Ji's voice was also low, still repeating his earlier words: "Come with me."
Nothing else mattered. He only wanted Shen Yue to come with him; everything else was irrelevant.
Her eyes seemed to redden further. Shen Yue's smile deepened, and then she slowly pulled her hand away.
"I'm sorry."
He Ji knew that the girl's voice was soft and sweet, her words like a playful tease. He enjoyed listening to her speak.
But now, it felt like a basin of cold water poured over his head. The warmth and softness lingered on his palm.
His fingers trembled.
Shen Yue had already walked to Jiang Wei's side. They held hands, making him seem like the superfluous one, the one who had interrupted their sweet rendezvous.
He Ji clenched his fists, his normally cold and distant demeanor betraying a hint of darkness and chill.
Then, without a word, he turned and left.
Jiang Wei placed his hand on her shoulder. As he looked up at her, he offered a affectionate smile.
"So good. What should I do? I think I'm falling for you more and more."
Shen Yue felt a slight discomfort from his grip and shifted slightly. Jiang Wei tightened his hold, his knuckles like iron clamps on her shoulder. He pressed his thin lips heavily against her face several times, as if to display their intimacy.
"Why aren't you speaking? Are you really interested in him? Is that why you're upset?"
His gentle voice was laced with unhappy suspicion.
Shen Yue turned to look at him, her dark, tranquil eyes meeting his. He held his breath subconsciously.
She tilted her head, as if smiling.
"Are you that insecure about your charm?"
Jiang Wei's expression darkened.
Shen Yue reached out and touched his face, her gesture intimate. The temperature seemed to rise, and Jiang Wei's breathing quickened, the heat in his eyes slowly intensifying.
"Have some confidence, okay? You're rich and handsome. He Ji is just a clueless block of wood. How can he compare to you?"
Her words were filled with warmth and undisguised favoritism.
Jiang Wei paused, his hidden gaze instantly turning frighteningly dark.
He tensed his back, his ear tips reddening. The fingers hanging at his sides clenched until his knuckles turned white, his voice dry and hoarse: "Do you really think that?"
Shen Yue smiled and remained silent.
That faint smile made Jiang Wei feel an unbearable itch.
His hand slid down, firmly grasping Shen Yue's waist. He leaned closer, his hot breath fanning her cheek, kissing her with an almost desperate urgency.
This time, there was a hint of tenderness.
Bai Qingzhen clearly noticed that Shen Yue and Jiang Wei were becoming very close. She was somewhat surprised.
She didn't know how these two had met, given their vastly different personalities.
Moreover, Jiang Wei's attitude towards Shen Yue was strange. Bai Qingzhen had an indescribable feeling, a sense that something was peculiar.
Students were allowed to leave campus during evening study sessions. Bai Qingzhen put on her makeup in the dorm. She was already naturally striking, and with makeup, she appeared even more mature.