Shen Yue was studying diligently in her neat and tidy school uniform.
He Ji looked up and saw that under the light, the girl’s hair was dark and soft, her eyelashes long and slender, like butterfly wings.
She was quiet, like a pure white magnolia.
—
School was out for two days. Recently, there had been many extra classes, and the school decided to give the students two days to relax.
Shen Yue had lied to Bai Yanzhe. She did have a home, but it wasn’t much of a home.
Academics had been heavy lately, and Shen Yue wanted to rest for two days.
Shen Yue was awakened by a loud banging on the door.
The word "banging" was not an exaggeration. Perhaps it was kicked, or something nearby was used to smash it. In any case, it wasn't knocking.
Shen Yue had just woken up, her mind still foggy. She remembered that she hadn't told anyone her home address, and she had no friends.
She checked her phone and saw it was already 9:30 AM. Judging by the ferocity of the banging, it sounded like someone was coming to collect a debt.
But she couldn't recall owing anyone any money.
She changed her clothes, her dark hair falling over her shoulders. Instead of opening the door immediately, she stood by it, raising her voice amidst the loud noise, "Who is it?"
Fortunately, the soundproofing in this dilapidated house wasn't very good. The person outside heard her voice and stopped banging.
A cold, magnetic voice came from outside the door, "Open the door."
The man's voice penetrated the door clearly.
Shen Yue recognized who it was from his voice.
She wasn't particularly eager to open the door, so she stood still.
"If you don't open the door, I'll just smash this broken door down."
The man's voice was devoid of any emotion, chillingly flat. Smashing the door was indeed something Jiang Wei would do.
Shen Yue felt she didn't have enough money to repair the door, and this flimsy door couldn't withstand a kick from Jiang Wei.
As soon as she opened the door, just a crack, the person outside seemed impatient and pushed it open, stepping directly inside.
Shen Yue was forced to step back.
Jiang Wei was wearing a black short-sleeved shirt and black work pants, and a pair of Doc Martens made his long legs appear even more graceful.
His angular face was a stark contrast to the dilapidated rental room.
"Why didn't you answer when I called you?" Jiang Wei's gaze was heavy as he looked Shen Yue up and down, let out a sneer, and asked, "Are you avoiding me?"
Shen Yue closed the door first, then turned to look at him, offering a faint smile. Her dark, clear eyes held a hint of gentleness, and her brows and eyes were like the golden light of a winter sun scattered on a lake's surface, pure and innocent.
She walked up to Jiang Wei, looking up at him with her small face, and explained softly, "I wasn't avoiding you."
"Then why did you block me?" He chuckled and said, "Or were you busy flirting with someone else?"
Shen Yue didn't lie. She knew she couldn't hide her closeness to He Ji from He Ji, but she and He Ji weren't that kind of relationship. She actually disliked it when people twisted this pure relationship.
But it seemed like everything associated with her was distorted.
"No, we're just friends."
Jiang Wei, with his somewhat roguish charm, teased, "Friends who can kiss?"
Shen Yue wanted to say that those with dirty hearts saw everything as dirty, but she didn't, because Jiang Wei would get angry, and his anger was severe, life-threatening.
She didn't want to be a burden to He Ji.
Shen Yue wanted to learn well. She didn't want to live like before, didn't want to engage in such transactions.
The girl's dark, moist eyes stared at him. His exceptionally beautiful face was unrealistically pretty, and the red mole on his nose was alluring and enchanting.
Her voice was soft, drawn out as if she were coaxing him, "Don't come looking for me anymore."
As for ending their relationship, she had promised He Ji not to get entangled with Jiang Wei again.
Jiang Wei took some time to process this statement.
Shen Yue wanted to break ties with him?
Was it because she found someone better?
Could He Ji offer her more?
This transaction was initiated by him, so its end should depend on his mood, not something Shen Yue could dismiss with a few words, as if she were tired of him and had found someone newer.
Jiang Wei had always been the one playing others; no one had ever played him.
Especially not some slut who had been played by who knows how many people.
Jiang Wei's gaze gradually deepened, finally settling into a dark and terrifying state.
"Shen Yue, you don't seem to understand the situation." Jiang Wei slowly approached Shen Yue. The sound of his boots against the floor wasn't loud, but in the silence of the room, it was particularly grating.
Step by step, he advanced like a hungry wolf.
Shen Yue retreated until she hit the cold wall, with nowhere left to go.
He looked down at Shen Yue, his expression terrifying, as if he were about to explode. A chilling indifference shone in his eyes. "What do you think you are?"
"Shen Yue, don't think too highly of yourself," Jiang Wei said almost cruelly.
An arm wrapped heavily around the girl. She grunted, and her chin was roughly grasped.
"Have I been too good to you?" Jiang Wei said coldly. "That's why you're being so disobedient."
He Ji's hand was large, and her chin, along with her cheek, was tightly controlled. Shen Yue found it difficult to speak. "...Jiang Wei, I don't want to."
Shen Yue's face was being squeezed painfully. She looked at Jiang Wei, her expression as quiet and docile as before, but as she lowered her eyes and pursed her lips, tears rolled down silently.
She looked so wronged, so innocent.
For some reason, seeing those tears, the turbulent emotions in Jiang Wei's chest subsided slightly.
She was just a plaything; she wasn't worth any of his emotions. He had no reason to be angry, let alone act as if he cared about Shen Yue.
He Ji frowned irritably, his voice cold. "What are you pretending for? Is this what you do for a living? Stay by my side, and I won't treat you badly."
Indeed, in Jiang Wei's eyes, Shen Yue was someone he could have for money.
His slender, fair fingers gently wiped away her tears. He curled his lips, his eyes cold and venomous.
"Don't do things that make you unhappy, okay?"
Shen Yue looked at him quietly, not moving. Her thin eyelids were red, and her dark, moist eyes were as clear as lake water. "Do you like me?"
Jiang Wei let out a laugh as if he had heard something incredibly funny, then looked at her coldly, his gaze mocking and tinged with condescending pity.
"Yes, of course, I like you. You're so beautiful, how could I not like you?" However, there was no warmth in Jiang Wei's eyes. He leaned closer to Shen Yue, placing his palm on her face.