Upon waking, both Zhan Beijue and Jiang Nan Fang's social media feeds exploded.
Zhou Jinbei and Chen Jiaojiao, in particular, reacted the most intensely.
In their group chat, they bombarded Jiang Nan Fang with messages, asking what was going on, if the two had reconciled, and if they had remarried. However, Zhan Beijue had taken Jiang Nan Fang to sleep in, and they didn't reply until very late.
Zhou Jinbei and Chen Jiaojiao then started private messaging.
Zhou Jinbei: "I knew these two could never be apart. Besides my sister-in-law, who else could handle my second brother in this lifetime?"
"My second brother is either quiet or makes a stunning impression. This is too romantic! Separating and getting back together, they're like a newlywed couple. I'm so envious..."
Chen Jiaojiao was greatly provoked by her.
"You have your husband by your side, and you're still envious of others when you're so lovey-dovey every day. How am I supposed to live?"
Speaking of which, Zhou Jinbei had something to say to her.
"You've only been single for a few days and you're already finding life difficult? Serves you right."
"You didn't even tell me you were dating someone. You don't consider me a sister at all. I'm getting angry just thinking about it."
"Who is it? You were so heartbroken after the breakup that if you really can't accept it, I'll help you deal with him. What a scumbag!"
Chen Jiaojiao certainly wouldn't reveal who it was.
"Forget it. It's all in the past. I didn't take it seriously anyway. Stop talking nonsense."
As they were chatting, Chen Jiaojiao's phone rang.
"I have to go, I'm taking a call."
It was Man Jie, Xiang Yang's agent, calling her.
Since Xiang Yang became Man Jie's client, they hadn't contacted each other much. Why was she calling her out of the blue? Could something have happened to Xiang Yang?
Chen Jiaojiao answered with a heart full of doubt, only to find Man Jie asking for her help.
"I know you know many influential people in Nancheng. Could you do me a favor?"
Come to think of it, they had parted on bad terms a while ago. How dare she ask for her help?
Man Jie was indeed embarrassed. "Actually, I'm quite embarrassed to ask, but as you know, I came to this city alone from Jincheng to make a living. I really don't have any other friends..."
"My mother has late-stage kidney failure. The hospitals in Jincheng are powerless. I want to bring her to Nancheng."
Chen Jiaojiao knew Man Jie's family situation; she was also an unfortunate person.
Although the two had some past grievances due to Xiang Yang, since it involved her mother's life, Chen Jiaojiao naturally couldn't stand by and do nothing.
Chen Jiaojiao had many influential clients, even dealing with people from the health department. Thus, after a busy afternoon, Man Jie's mother was admitted to a high-class ward in a specialized hospital.
Man Jie was full of gratitude and wanted to treat her to dinner, but Chen Jiaojiao declined.
"I still have things to do. I don't have that much time to waste with you. Don't call me unless it's important in the future."
"Are you still angry with me? I'm sorry, I was just telling the truth about you and Xiang Yang."
"Alright, it's all in the past. Don't mention it again. You don't need to thank me. You two should contact each other less in the future. That's all, I'm leaving."
As she reached for the door to leave, someone pushed it open from the outside, and they collided unexpectedly.
Chen Jiaojiao's nose hit the person's chin, causing her to gasp in pain. She opened her mouth to curse, but as she lifted her eyelids, she saw Xiang Yang.
Didn't he participate in some talent show and go into isolation training? Why would she run into him at the hospital?
Thinking about their phone conversation a couple of days ago, Chen Jiaojiao felt extremely awkward.
She turned and cast a resentful glance at Man Jie, who quickly came over.
"Didn't I tell you not to come unless it was important? Why did you take leave? You acted on your own."
Xiang Yang was holding a fruit basket and a bouquet of flowers.
He first looked down at Chen Jiaojiao expressionlessly, then at Man Jie.
"I'm not here to see you. Take these."
"I just finished recording the first performance. I have half a day off, so what's wrong with me coming out for some air?"
Man Jie was speechless and had to take the items. Chen Jiaojiao seized the opportunity to slip away.
Xiang Yang turned around and stood behind her. "Where are you going?"
Chen Jiaojiao turned back. Was he talking to her? They hadn't seen each other for a short time, but why did he seem to have become so assertive?
He acted like an older brother who was several years older than her. How dare he!
Chen Jiaojiao was a little displeased. "Going home. What's wrong? Do you have any instructions, Mr. Xiang?"
"Let's have dinner together. Man Jie said you helped Auntie, so I'd like to treat you."
What was this? What was his relationship with Man Jie? They were just colleagues working together! He wanted to treat her on her behalf. Anyone would think they were a couple!
Why did she find everything about him annoying after not seeing him for a while?
Chen Jiaojiao was full of anger. Just as she was about to refuse, Man Jie caught up. "Yes, yes, you should have dinner. You worked so hard for me all day and didn't even drink a sip of water. How could I bear it? Don't refuse, let's all three of us have dinner together. It's a good opportunity to clear the air."
Chen Jiaojiao was pushed into going to a roadside stall near the hospital by the two of them.
Man Jie ordered a case of beer. It was the season for crayfish, so she also ordered five pounds of crayfish.
While eating and drinking, Man Jie talked about how she and Chen Jiaojiao met back in the day with Xiang Yang.
Man Jie was two years older than Chen Jiaojiao. She was a bit of a troublemaker in school. At that time, someone took a dislike to Chen Jiaojiao and arranged to corner her after school for a lesson. By chance, Man Jie stumbled upon it and rescued Chen Jiaojiao, thus they got acquainted.
Later, Man Jie graduated early and stopped studying. She started making a living in Nancheng and lost contact with Chen Jiaojiao completely.
It wasn't until she went for a beauty treatment a while ago and saw photos displayed in the beauty salon's lobby that she contacted her.
These were all rather unsavory past events, but Xiang Yang listened with great interest. While talking, he drank two bottles of beer and kept glancing at Chen Jiaojiao's face.
Chen Jiaojiao wasn't stupid. Being looked at by him, and fearing that Man Jie would mention any romantic involvement between them, she couldn't sit still any longer and decided to excuse herself to the restroom.
She took her bag and walked towards the restroom, just about to turn when her wrist was grabbed.
Before she could break free, she was pulled into the men's restroom by a powerful force.
Xiang Yang closed the door of a toilet cubicle without a word and cornered Chen Jiaojiao.
She hadn't expected him to be so bold, pulling her into the men's restroom in public.
"Are you crazy? What are you doing?"
Due to the alcohol, Xiang Yang's eyes were moist, and his neck and cheeks were flushed red.
He looked at Chen Jiaojiao with a gaze that was neither fully drunk nor sober, neither entirely righteous nor evil, his arms encircling her shoulders.
"I miss you."
Chen Jiaojiao hadn't expected him to say that and didn't know how to respond for a moment.
She looked at his young, handsome face for two seconds, resisted the urge to reach out and touch it, and lowered her eyelids.
"Do you forget everything when you drink too much? We've broken up, don't you remember?"
"I remember, but I just miss you."
"I don't miss you. I'm leaving, please move aside."