Shen Yue hadn't expected him to ask that. Her eyelashes fluttered, and the mole on her nose stood out starkly against her fair skin.
"Scared."
It made sense. Shen Yue was so timid, she'd cried from being scared, so why wouldn't she be afraid?
The wind lifted the hem of her clothes. Under the moonlight, Jiang Wei's voice suddenly lowered, "I won't bring you to places like this again next time."
That didn't sound like something Jiang Wei would say at all.
Shen Yue looked at him with a touch of surprise.
In the dim light, Jiang Wei's eyes were a deep, dark hue. His tall frame already held the contours of an adult man; he was devastatingly handsome.
He reached out and pressed the back of the young girl's delicate neck. He leaned in, his face devoid of expression. "Not anymore. Never again."
His low tone was like a vow etched into his bones, stubborn and possessive.
Shen Yue was actually a little surprised.
This matter could be described as killing two birds with one stone. She had learned from others that Xiao Tui had hit He Ji's head with a stool. This time, she was merely seeking justice for He Ji.
Moreover, Jiang Wei was a possessive person, almost to a pathological degree. He wouldn't allow anyone to touch his possessions. Shen Yue wondered if, by creating a scene where she appeared impure in his eyes, Jiang Wei might discard her out of disgust or aversion, or perhaps cool his feelings for her.
But he hadn't. Jiang Wei hadn't.
In fact, he seemed to care even more.
She also hadn't expected Jiang Wei to beat Xiao Tui half to death for her.
Jiang Wei stared at her, his gaze sharp. Suddenly, he said, "Yueyue, how about I transfer you to my class? That way, we..."
"No."
Before he could finish speaking, Shen Yue refused without the slightest hesitation.
Jiang Wei's jaw tightened, his fingers pressing fiercely into the nape of her neck. His dark eyes harbored a violent aura that seemed capable of destroying the heavens and earth.
Shen Yue's overly decisive refusal displeased him greatly.
However, he did not outwardly express his anger, fearing he might frighten Shen Yue.
He tried his best to remain calm, but his slightly raised voice betrayed his anger. "Why? Don't you want to be with me?"
Jiang Wei believed he treated Shen Yue well enough.
Shen Yue met his cold gaze without much emotional fluctuation. Her eyes curved, as if filled with sweet honey, and she smiled, gazing at him quietly.
Then, she averted her gaze. Her tone was soft and sweet, like candy coated in poison.
"Jiang Wei, you've been quite good to me. I don't feel like I owe you anything."
Jiang Wei's heart skipped a beat, his pupils trembling. "What do you mean?"
Shen Yue knew he understood, but he was unwilling to believe it.
Her dark, lustrous eyes looked at him, clear as emerald lake water, yet reflecting no image.
"You know," Shen Yue spoke unhurriedly. Though timid, she dared to meet his eyes at this moment.
"I don't have that much time to play games with you, nor the energy. I don't want your money, I don't want anything."
This was the third time Shen Yue had said something like this, and she was more resolute than ever. She was determined to leave Jiang Wei.
She was different from Jiang Wei. Even without trying, Jiang Wei would have a bright and promising future.
But she was different...
She couldn't ruin herself for Jiang Wei.
Jiang Wei forcefully lifted her chin with one hand. The shadows on his face were stern, his thin lips forced into a strained smile. "Is it because you were scared today? Don't worry, I said I won't bring you to places like this again. I..."
"No."
Shen Yue was a very polite person, but today she interrupted Jiang Wei for the second time. She simply looked at him quietly, her gaze earnest. "It's not because of anyone else. It's because I don't want to."
Jiang Wei's eyelids lowered, his long, dark lashes casting a shadow. His pupils reflected a tangible coldness.
He was very calm. "Yueyue, don't be ungrateful."
Jiang Wei was never known for his good temper. It was already quite a feat for him to say a few soft words. Yet, Shen Yue seemed to be stubbornly sticking to her decision, completely lacking her usual quick wit and charm.
If soft tactics didn't work, he didn't mind resorting to harder methods.
Shen Yue's expression was also unreadable at this moment. "I think I have the right to call it quits."
Their relationship was inherently unequal and twisted, with no future.
If she hadn't met He Ji, Shen Yue might have genuinely stayed with Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei was rich, handsome, and generous. Shen Yue had no reason not to follow him.
But now, Shen Yue didn't want to.
She didn't want Jiang Wei's benefits either.
Jiang Wei didn't take her words to heart, his gaze softening whenever he looked at Shen Yue. He took her hand, encompassing her entire palm, his thumb affectionately caressing her hand.
His low voice suddenly softened again.
"Don't be like this. We had a lot of fun before, didn't we? What I can give you is often more than this. I know what you want, and I can satisfy it."
Shen Yue was a vain and realistic person. Before this, most wealthy people at school had shown interest in Shen Yue, and she hadn't rejected them.
Didn't she just want to marry a rich second-generation heir? Find a sugar daddy.
Jiang Wei was willing; he was happy to be that sugar daddy.
But it came at a price.
Jiang Wei's fingers insinuated themselves between hers, slowly interlacing, as if they were ordinary lovers holding hands.
His voice became much gentler, as if coaxing a sulking lover. "I know you were scared today, that's why you're saying this. Today was indeed my fault, so I don't blame you."
Having said that, Jiang Wei gently tugged her. Shen Yue tilted forward due to the momentum and was pulled into his embrace.
The boy's heartbeat was fast and steady, his chest firm and warm, radiating a strong sense of security.
The distance between them instantly closed. Jiang Wei lowered his head, his chiseled face enlarging in her eyes. Their noses almost touched, his thin lips curved into a very shallow arc. He appeared gentle, but his brows were shadowed, and his eyes held no trace of amusement, only coldness and a surging, violent intent.
Shen Yue tilted her head to look at him up close. Her dark eyes were devoid of emotion, yet her face broke into a smile. "You've fallen for me, haven't you?"
He remained silent, but the subtle curve of his lips disappeared completely, his thin lips pursing into a cold, hard line.
No one knew how intensely his heart was pounding beneath his extreme calm, his mind a tangled mess.
Shen Yue's eyes were sharp. She could clearly sense Jiang Wei's naive and fervent young man's heart.