The next day....
The mall was bustling with people, voices blending into a constant hum of chatter. Lu Sheng walked beside his mother, holding shopping bags in one hand and listening to her talk about the latest fashion trends.
"Lu Sheng, do you think this color would suit me?" his mother asked, holding up a delicate silk scarf.
"It would look great on you, Mom," Lu Sheng replied with a smile, his attention divided between her words and the vibrant displays around them.
As they strolled through the mall, something caught Lu Sheng's eye. His gaze drifted toward a high-end clothing store, and his body went rigid.
Inside the shop, Jiayi stood beside a tall, good-looking man. They were laughing, the man's hand casually resting on her shoulder. Jiayi's smile was bright and genuine, a side of her Lu Sheng rarely saw.
His eyes narrowed. Without wasting a second, Lu Sheng pulled out his phone and snapped a few pictures of the cozy pair, his mind already racing with thoughts. He knew he shouldn't care about what Jiayi did, but her actions directly affected his best friend—his love.
"I'll be right back, Mom," he said quickly, stepping away before his mother could respond.
He found a quiet corner and sent the photos to Chen Xiao with a single message:
"Thought you should see this."
The reply was immediate.
Chen Xiao: "Where?"
Lu Sheng: "Paradise Mall. Third floor, Luxe Fashion."
The typing bubble appeared and disappeared several times before Chen Xiao's reply finally came.
Chen Xiao: "Got it."
---
About half an hour later, Chen Xiao was pacing back and forth in his apartment, his fingers gripping his phone tightly. The images Lu Sheng had sent kept flashing in his mind, each one stoking the anger simmering beneath his skin.
Jiayi had told him she was busy today. With her family. Yet, there she was, laughing and being all chummy with some random guy.
Taking a deep breath, he dialed Jiayi's number.
"Hey, babe!" Jiayi's cheerful voice greeted him from the other end.
"Where are you?" Chen Xiao's tone was sharp, colder than usual.
There was a slight pause. "Uh, I'm out... running some errands. Why? Do you need something?"
"Yeah. Come over. Right now." His words were clipped, leaving no room for argument.
"Right now? Can't it wait?" Jiayi sounded slightly annoyed.
"No, it can't." Chen Xiao's voice dropped lower, his patience slipping away. "I'll be waiting."
Before Jiayi could respond, he hung up. His fingers trembled slightly as he threw his phone onto the couch, trying to suppress the rage burning within him.
---
An hour later, Jiayi arrived at Chen Xiao's apartment, her face a perfect mask of sweetness and concern. "Chen Xiao, what's wrong? You sounded so tense over the phone."
Chen Xiao's eyes narrowed as he looked at her. "Who was the guy you were with today at the mall?"
Jiayi blinked, her expression faltering for a split second before she forced a smile. "Oh, him? That's my cousin brother, Chen. I told you about him before, remember?"
Chen Xiao's gaze remained fixed on her, searching for any signs of dishonesty. "Your cousin, huh?"
"Yes!" Jiayi said, her tone overly cheerful. "He came to town for a few days, so I was just showing him around. Nothing else."
Chen Xiao didn't reply immediately. He wanted to believe her, but something about the way she spoke seemed off. Yet, without proof, confronting her further would only make him seem paranoid.
"Fine," he said slowly, his eyes never leaving her face. "Just... tell me next time. I don't like surprises."
Jiayi's smile widened, relief washing over her features. "Of course, babe. I promise."