Chapter Thirty-One: Dilemma and Revelation

She didn’t respond. Cheng Jiu said, “Your name is quite unique.”

So unique that the first time he heard it mentioned at home, he remembered it immediately. And there was that graduation photo of hers, clad in cap and gown, smiling sweetly and prettily—just standing there, she was impossible to ignore.

Xin Gan, as in willingly, wholeheartedly.

He realized he’d drifted off and suddenly chuckled.

Xin Gan’s heart was pounding so fiercely it felt like it would leap from her throat. She said, “You promised—you agreed to call off the engagement.”

He grew more interested, his tone deliberately flippant, “And if I really changed my mind, what would you do?”

“You promised,” she insisted, her brows knitting tightly together.

Cheng Jiu let out a short laugh, the sound dissipating into the wind. “I haven’t quite made up my mind yet.”

“You’re toying with me.”

“I’m not. I’m serious.”

Xin Gan looked into his eyes. “Cheng Jiu, don’t play games with me.”

The truth was, Cheng Jiu was simply teasing her. Her intentions were clear enough—she didn’t want to be with him. Even if their families had arranged it, she refused to comply, coming all the way to Beiyu just to make things plain.

She didn’t like him, and he wouldn’t force it.

As the two remained at an impasse, the others—one tall, one small—returned from the restroom. Seeing Xin Gan standing by the car door, facing off with Cheng Jiu, Xiao Shi didn’t hesitate; scooping up A Songli, he spun around and headed back the way they’d come, covering A Songli’s mouth as he went. “Let’s go use the restroom again.”

Cheng Jiu noticed Xiao Shi’s departure, then lowered his head to look at Xin Gan. “You asked me what my relationship with Jiang Tang was. I told you, but you didn’t believe me. So why is it that when I say I’ll call off the engagement, you do?”

She realized his words carried a trace of irony—he was right.

Xin Gan was momentarily at a loss for words. Just then, her stomach twisted in pain again.

The cigarette between Cheng Jiu’s fingers had burned down to the end. He flicked the ash away. “Xin Gan, whatever you think, there’s nothing between me and Jiang Tang—never has been, never will be.”

His pupils were clear, dark, and bright, gazing at her unblinkingly.

Xin Gan couldn’t withstand his stare. Her hand slipped from the car handle as she tried to avert her gaze, but before she could turn away, Cheng Jiu’s rough fingers gripped her chin, thumb and forefinger pressing firmly, forcing her to look at him.

“Nothing more to say?”

Xin Gan winced from the pain, the smell of nicotine sharp in the air—his touch was hardly gentle, making her frown deeply.

“I don’t care about you and Jiang Tang…”

“Then why ask?”

“I…”

“Xin Gan, don’t say one thing and mean another in front of me.”

Xin Gan said, “Let go of me.”

Cheng Jiu chuckled softly. “So, are you still bringing it up?”

His attitude was impossible to read. Xin Gan’s expression darkened; she might as well be honest. “I don’t like you. Since I don’t, there’s no need to make things hard for myself.”

Cheng Jiu asked, “So, is there someone else you like?”

Xin Gan shook her head. “No.”

“Then why?”

Xin Gan replied, “I just don’t like you. That’s all.”

Cheng Jiu raised an eyebrow, releasing her chin. “Sometimes, two people don’t get married out of love—there are other reasons. Xin Gan, if you’re with me, I won’t interfere with you. Marriage is just to appease both families. You can think it over.”

Xin Gan asked, “What do you mean?”

“Just what I said: agree to get married, play along for our families’ sake. Once I’ve settled things on my end, we’ll come clean.”