"Your attitude just now was too cold. When someone came to say hello to you, you could have invited them to sit and eat together. That way, it might have improved your relationship. I actually think you just look unapproachable, and everyone is intimidated by your outward appearance. I know you're a really good person."
Shen Yue's choice of words was very appropriate, describing the situation from an observer's perspective. She wanted Sang Fan to avoid detours, as pursuing a girl was inherently a task requiring patience, much like cultivating flowers – they needed careful nurturing to grow strong.
The maiden's tone was exceptionally gentle and pleasant to listen to, her dark, moist eyes filled with soft encouragement.
The man gazed at the maiden, his gaze somber, and said softly, "Should I grovel to her? Is that what liking someone means?"
Shen Yue was taken aback, unsure why Sang Fan had interpreted her words that way. Her intention was for him to adopt a gentler demeanor; it had nothing to do with groveling.
She hastily explained, afraid Sang Fan would misunderstand, and carefully considered her next words.
"That's not what I meant. I just thought if your attitude improved a bit, it would be easier to win her over."
Sang Fan's expression turned grim. He stared fixedly at her, then suddenly chuckled softly, "Does it have anything to do with you?"
This question caused Shen Yue to freeze completely.
The atmosphere solidified, becoming suffocatingly oppressive.
The dishes were still steaming, but no one had started eating.
After a moment, the man's cold, low voice echoed, "Don't meddle."
With that, Sang Fan abruptly stood up, looked down at her, his eyes completely devoid of warmth.
He turned and left.
Shen Yue blinked, pondering for a long time what she had said wrong to upset Sang Fan so much, and to the point of making him appear so angry. She had merely offered a small piece of advice. Why was he so furious?
She recalled Sang Fan calling her meddlesome.
Alright, perhaps it was a little bit of that.
But she was only trying to help Sang Fan find a better way to pursue someone.
Perhaps she was indeed too wordy.
Shen Yue thought about it and decided she wouldn't speak up anymore.
Since Sang Fan disliked it, she wouldn't mention it again.
The meal ended on an unpleasant note. There were many leftovers, and Shen Yue couldn't finish them alone. She packed the remaining dishes. When she went to pay the bill, the waiter informed her it had already been settled.
Aside from Sang Fan, she couldn't think of anyone else who would have done it.
This meal was supposed to be her treat.
Thus, a cold war inexplicably began between them.
More accurately, it was a one-sided cold war initiated by Sang Fan.
Shen Yue tried to speak to him a few times, but Sang Fan's attitude was consistently poor. Over time, Shen Yue stopped trying to talk to him.
Sang Fan went out early and returned late, often only appearing at the crack of dawn. He didn't sleep in Shen Yue's room, seemingly to assert his stubbornness.
Shen Yue was an early sleeper; her routine was quite regular, and she never stayed up late.
However, one night, the sound of things being smashed erupted in the living room, so loud that Shen Yue, who had been fast asleep, was jolted awake.
She picked up her phone from the bedside table and glanced at it. It was past two in the morning.
With a loud crash from outside, Shen Yue suspected he might tear the house down if he continued like this.
That day, Sang Fan was drunk.
Shen Yue had never seen Sang Fan drunk before.
And when Sang Fan lost control due to alcohol, it was disastrous. The alcohol amplified the darkness and violence within him, a desire to vent without direction or restraint.
Shen Yue had no choice. Although she remained indifferent, ignoring the events outside, she had to get out of bed.
Sang Fan stood in the living room, reeking of alcohol. In the darkness, his tall, sturdy figure resembled a wildly flailing beast.
For some reason, this unfamiliar Sang Fan made her a little scared. She turned on the living room light, and the harsh white light stung both their eyes. They stopped about a meter apart. She tentatively called out softly, "Sang Fan?"
Sang Fan's entire body felt hot, his mind hazy, his eyes already slightly red. He stared fixedly at the maiden before him, instinctively stepping closer. A faint, delicate fragrance reached his nostrils, incredibly pleasant, making him even more agitated.
Unable to control himself, he raised his voice.
"Don't call my name. Stay away from me!"
His words were utterly nonsensical. While he told Shen Yue to get lost, he moved closer to her, his mouth completely at odds with his actions.
Shen Yue, of course, wouldn't argue with a drunkard. Sighing, she stepped forward to support Sang Fan.
Sang Fan shouted, "Don't touch me!"
But his body leaned towards her involuntarily. He continued to ramble, yet he obediently followed Shen Yue back to the room.
Sang Fan was tall and heavy, and it took all of Shen Yue's strength to help him into her room.
Once Sang Fan sat on the bed, he didn't move. Shen Yue turned on the desk lamp. Half of his body was cast in shadow, and his expression darkened accordingly.
At this point, he suddenly became quiet, no longer causing trouble. He simply watched Shen Yue, his gaze cold and chilling, sending shivers down her spine.
The light was too dim, so Shen Yue didn't notice. She was still coaxing Sang Fan to lie down and sleep.
Sang Fan remained still, not making a sound.
After Shen Yue had been coaxing him softly for a long time, he finally spoke in a hoarse voice, "Water..."
Upon hearing him ask for water, Shen Yue went to the kitchen and poured a glass of hot water.
Sang Fan merely touched it with his hand, feeling the slight warmth from the glass, and quickly pulled his hand back. "I want cold water."
Shen Yue had no choice but to go and get some cold water.
He wouldn't drink the water unless Shen Yue fed it to him, becoming particularly troublesome.
Eventually, after much effort, she managed to coax him to lie down. Shen Yue lowered the air conditioning temperature a bit and pulled the covers over him. Just as she was about to leave, Sang Fan, who had his eyes closed, suddenly opened them. His burning hot hand clamped onto Shen Yue's wrist like a branding iron, his powerful grip causing her bones to ache.
She had no choice but to turn back.
Sang Fan's voice was chilling, "Where are you going?"
Sang Fan's demeanor was abnormal. His expression was sensitive and suspicious, his gaze sinister and extreme, piercing like an ice sculpture, like a vengeful spirit crawling out from the abyss of hell, come to claim a life.
Shen Yue was startled by his rapid shift in mood. Unafraid, she met his terrifyingly chilling gaze and sat back down on the bed, gently comforting him.
"Nowhere..." she said, as if soothing a child who had woken from a nightmare. "I'll stay here with you."
Sang Fan seemed to slowly calm down, his almost sinister gaze receding. The alcohol made his temples throb. He tightly gripped the slender part of her wrist, his grip possessively intense.