Chapter 2

Never Going to Pursue Someone in This Lifetime

“Second Young Master, it should be an old song, but I can’t remember the name at the moment. Should we ask someone to go in and inquire?” the manager asked politely, glancing at him as if seeking permission to have someone step out and ask.

The man clicked his tongue in disinterest. “No need, I’m not interested. Don’t bother me with that.”

With that, he continued walking forward, casually humming a melody that matched the song playing in the background.

“Chen-ge!”

“Chen-ge!”

“Second Young Master!”

The manager opened the door, and everyone inside the room stood up and looked over. Shen Sichen heard the shout and moved forward to give Jiang Younian a light punch. “Still calling me that? Who was it last time that caused trouble?”

The punch wasn’t hard, but Jiang Younian rubbed his stomach with a playful grin. “The people below didn’t understand, but this time, we’re all friends.”

Shen Sichen took the drink he passed to him and asked, “Did you just arrive?”

“I finished up with Chengyu and came straight over. Plus, how could I dare to be late for Second Young Master’s gathering?” Jiang Younian teased, refilling his glass.

After graduating, Shen Sichen had stayed overseas, playing around for two years, saying he was going to start his own business, but nearly caused the foreign stock market to crash.

A while ago, his grandfather had ordered him to return to China and take over the family business.

With the succession of power in both the Shen and Shi families, new generations of young people were stepping up, and gatherings like this were becoming frequent.

“Hey, I heard Zhao Qingzhi is still chasing after you?” Jiang Younian asked with obvious curiosity on his face.

Shen Sichen became a little irritated and coldly replied, “That’s harassment.”

Jiang Younian burst out laughing. “They say that when a girl chases a guy, it’s like a veil, but you’ve got her surrounded by a diamond net.”

“With that kind of humor, why not go tell jokes?” Shen Sichen sneered. “Maybe I’ll have someone set up a stage for you at the zoo.”

“Don’t!” Jiang Younian quickly became serious. When Shen Sichen got angry, he could actually pull off something like that.

“Besides, you’re no fun. How are you going to pursue a girlfriend like that?”

Jiang Younian immediately regretted the question, realizing Shen Sichen didn’t need to chase anyone. He didn’t even need to raise a finger; there was a long line of people already pursuing him just because of his looks.

Romance? What was that?

Shen Sichen sneered dismissively. “Pursue someone? That’s never going to happen in my life.”

Jiang Younian thought for a moment, then, still curious, wondered if he was just as cruel when it came to rejecting someone.

Shen Sichen slouched on the couch. From time to time, people came over to offer him drinks. He casually returned the gesture, sipping as he felt like it.

After a while, the song in the background seemed to linger in his ears.

Shen Sichen absentmindedly swirled his glass, suddenly feeling a little hot. He set the glass down on the table. “I’m going to rest upstairs. Handle things here.”

“Got it, what about the drink?”

Shen Sichen glanced down at the drink. “Throw it away.”

He never drank from the same bottle as others and didn’t like it when people drank what he’d already touched.

Jiang Younian assumed Shen Sichen had enjoyed the drinks, but now it seemed that he was only in a good mood tonight.

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The last beat of the song ended, and the room fell silent for a moment. Qiao Jin led the applause. “That was beautiful.”

“You should participate in more of the school’s activities in the future.” He smiled, handing over a bottle of mineral water.

Zhou Xingyang was startled for a moment. All the classmates around her were watching, and she hurriedly took the bottle and said, “Thank you.”

Not wanting to engage too much with him, she turned and went back to her previous spot.

She didn’t see Xia Shu. Looking around, her phone suddenly pinged with a message.

It was from Xia Shu, saying her boyfriend had come to pick her up, so she was leaving early. She told Zhou Xingyang to head back to the dorm as well.

Zhou Xingyang pursed her lips, wondering when would be the best time to leave. She took a sip of water and quietly watched the others singing.

She didn’t notice that Qiao Jin, seeing her drink the water, had a subtle, meaningful smile on his lips.

After a few minutes, Zhou Xingyang looked around, noticing that Qiao Jin was gone. She yawned and stood up, ready to leave.

Just as she reached the door, someone suddenly called her from behind. “Xingyang?”

“Are you leaving?”

Zhou Xingyang stopped and turned to look. “I’m a bit tired, so I’m heading back.”

Song Weilan nodded. “I see. Qiao Jin left his phone here. Could you please help take it upstairs to him? We’re still playing cards and can’t leave.”

Zhou Xingyang was about to decline when Song Weilan handed her the phone without giving her a chance to refuse. “It’s on the top floor, room 1009. Just drop it off.”

She didn’t say anything more, but the phone in her hand felt like a hot potato.

“I’ll take it up and then head back to school.”

“Okay.”

The heavy door shut, blocking the noise inside. Zhou Xingyang found the elevator and stepped in, the door chiming closed. She suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of panic.

The staff inside, dressed in uniform, smiled politely. “Miss, which floor?”

“10th.”

The staff member glanced at her, “Which room?”

“Room 1009, delivering something,” Zhou Xingyang replied.

The staff member smiled and pressed the button for the 10th floor.

There was something strange in his gaze, but Zhou Xingyang nodded, offering a silent thank you, and stood in silence beside him.

“Wait!”

Just as the elevator was about to close, Xu Mucheng suddenly rushed in. “We’re going together.”

Zhou Xingyang opened her mouth to say something, but then decided not to.

“Zhou Xingyang, do you want to go deliver it?” After they walked out of the elevator, Xu Mucheng suddenly asked.

Zhou Xingyang stopped in her tracks. Of course, she didn’t want to.

“Since you don’t want to go, give me the phone. I’ll take it.”

Xu Mucheng smiled, extending her hand.

Zhou Xingyang had a faint feeling that something wasn’t right, but she didn’t want to get involved in their issues. She bit her lip. “Alright, thank you.”

She handed the phone to Xu Mucheng and walked back, but it felt like she had entered a maze.

Every door, every corner, looked the same. As she walked, she suddenly stumbled, her legs becoming weak and her head foggy. She leaned against the wall to rest, her breath coming in short gasps.

Her body felt wrong…

In an instant, the strange occurrences of the night clicked together.

She had been deceived.

Zhou Xingyang shook her head, trying to regain her focus. The most important thing now was to leave quickly.