"Do you even need me to say it? Even though you're a little younger, you're surprisingly thoughtful... I can tell even if you don't say a word." Jiang Yao avoided Chen Yuan's gaze, pretending to focus on driving.
She had definitely figured him out. Chen Yuan was the classic "tough on the outside, soft on the inside" type. He looked cold and indifferent, but he was actually incredibly gentle.
The first time they met, he'd taken off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders without a second thought.
When they were arguing by the Drum Tower Pond at school, he was careful to keep his voice down, afraid someone would overhear.
He had been furious after the breakup, but the moment she tried to make up with him, his anger vanished. Aside from a few stern words, he didn't give her a hard time.
And now he'd even rented an apartment to give them a private space for their relationship... 'Aww, that's so sweet!'
Jiang Yao knew this was Chen Yuan's first relationship. For a guy experiencing his first love to go to such lengths, he had to be serious about it. 'I knew I didn't misjudge him.'
At that moment, she was more certain than ever that getting back together with him was the right decision.
She would probably regret it for the rest of her life if she let a guy like him get away.
"Think whatever you want," Chen Yuan said, lowering his gaze.
A moment passed in silence. A slightly charged atmosphere settled in the car as they both stole occasional glances at each other.
Both were pretending to be composed.
You could say "I like you" a hundred times as a joke and not feel the least bit shy.
But saying it for real? That was bound to bring on a racing heart and a blush, making you incredibly awkward.
The awkward silence lasted for another moment before Jiang Yao couldn't hold back any longer. "Chen Yuan..." she called out softly.
"Yeah?"
"You do like me, right?"
She asked timidly, a complete departure from her usual forwardness. On her mature, beautiful face was the expectant look of a sixteen-year-old girl.
She stared at Chen Yuan without blinking, waiting for his answer.
"As long as you know." After saying this, Chen Yuan turned to look out the window.
Even though she had been expecting it, actually hearing him say it made Jiang Yao's face flush red. She bit down on her lip.
The exchange was just too sweet.
'If I were at home, I'd be rolling and wriggling around on the bed like a happy little worm for ages.'
Right now, she was so happy her eyes crinkled into smiling crescents.
"But, you know, *some* people just love to run hot and cold. I wonder why that is?" Chen Yuan said, his tone deliberately passive-aggressive.
"When did I give you the cold shoulder?"
"Hmph. Don't you think you're playing games? The last time we saw each other in the classroom, you gave me the cold shoulder and lectured me. The time before that, in the restaurant, you told me to kiss you, but then you got furious right after I did. You deliberately keep your distance at school, even when no one's around. If that's not running hot and cold, what is?"
'Kiss!?'
Hearing that word,
Jiang Yao went completely rigid. She turned to stare at Chen Yuan in disbelief.
Her mind raced, and she instantly recalled that time at the restaurant when her sister had told her to go wait in the car.
'It couldn't be...'
In an instant, Jiang Yao's feelings became a tangled mess.
'Without a doubt, Chen Yuan must have kissed my sister... That was her first kiss! In that case, her deliberately giving him the cold shoulder and picking on him at school suddenly made sense.'
'Oh my god! What kind of colossal misunderstanding is this?'
Jiang Yao's expression soured. She was silent for a moment before she finally spoke up. "Chen Yuan, the truth is..."
"Hm?"
At that moment, she wanted to tell him the whole truth. Lying like this weighed on her conscience, but she had no idea how to even begin to explain.
'If I explain, will Chen Yuan forgive me? Would he forgive me and my sister for hiding the truth and catfishing him together?'
'Anyone would be furious if they were deceived like this.'
"Actually... I had my reasons for giving you the cold shoulder at school. I hope you won't hold it against me. I'll make it up to you in private."
They were at a red light, about to turn left from Seventh Street onto Xixi Road. Jiang Yao stopped the car and looked at Chen Yuan, her face full of remorse as she apologized.
She still couldn't summon the courage. Things between them had finally, painstakingly, started to improve.
'Confessing now would be just asking for disaster, wouldn't it?'
'I have to explain everything clearly when I get a chance later.'
...
「Half an hour later.」
The two of them found a random place and got a bite to eat.
During their meal, Chen Yuan tried on the jacket again. It was a little too small. Since they had the evening free, they decided to head to a clothing store.
It was Chen Yuan's first time in a boutique like this one, tucked away in a remote corner on one of the upper floors of Maoye Mansion in downtown Lanjing City.
The store was nearly empty of customers, but there were several female employees, all dressed in clean, sharp uniforms.
But from the moment they entered the mall to when they took the elevator up to the boutique, Chen Yuan felt like people were giving them strange looks. Some were even pointing and whispering.
It was the same inside the store; the sales associates' eyes were glued to him and Jiang Yao.
"Sir, Ma'am, is there a problem with the garment?"
"Oh, this one is a size too small. We'd like to exchange it for the next size up. And could you also bring a few other styles for him to try?"
Jiang Yao pointed a finger at Chen Yuan. She was clearly a regular here, navigating the store with ease and finding a place to sit. A perceptive employee immediately brought over some refreshments.
Chen Yuan sat down next to her and whispered, "Why do I get the feeling they're all staring at me?"
"That's normal. It's the first time I've brought a guy here."
"But what about in the mall? People were staring at us there, too."
"They probably think we're an odd match."
Jiang Yao blinked, hitting the nail on the head.
It was true. An eight-year age gap was pretty significant. On top of that, anyone with a discerning eye could tell from her outfit today that she wasn't a college student.
And while Chen Yuan was technically an adult, he couldn't hide the youthful, boyish air of a student.
It was mainly his clear, innocent eyes and his student-like, casual clothes.
"Are we really that much of a mismatch?" Chen Yuan didn't see the issue.
"You don't believe me? I'll ask someone." With that, Jiang Yao gestured to a sales associate, who came over and politely asked what she needed.
Jiang Yao crossed her legs and offered a brilliant smile. "What do you think the relationship is between the two of us?"
"Ma'am, we're trained not to make assumptions about our customers or pry into their personal lives. We're not supposed to talk about anything unrelated to the clothes."
The sales associate hurriedly waved her hands, refusing to guess.
"Go on, just say it. It's fine."
"Well, if you're sure..."
"Just say it."
"Are you his... stepmother?"
Chen Yuan almost spat out a mouthful of blood when he heard that. His expression instantly darkened.
But Jiang Yao, sitting next to him, couldn't hide her grin. She nodded enthusiastically. "You guessed it! I am indeed his stepmother. This is my precious boy—Ow!"
Her words were cut short as Chen Yuan grabbed the nape of her neck and pulled her toward him threateningly.
"I dare you to say that again."
Jiang Yao could only beg for mercy, whining coquettishly, "I was wrong, I won't say it again! It's just my outfit today. I'll try to dress younger from now on..."
Watching their intimate interaction, the sales associate seemed to guess their true relationship.
Her eyes filled with admiration. If they really were a couple, they were a picture-perfect one.
To any onlooker, their playful bickering was incredibly sweet, enough to make one smile unconsciously.
In truth, if it weren't for the whole breakup incident, this is how Chen Yuan and "Yaoyao" should have been acting ever since they met in person. This was what a normal relationship looked like.
"Alright, I'm going to go change."
Chen Yuan released his hand from her neck.
He walked into the fitting room.
Five minutes later, he came out.
Jiang Yao was sipping her coffee. When she turned her head and saw the transformed Chen Yuan, she froze, her hand hovering in mid-air.
She was speechless, her beautiful eyes wide with stunned admiration.
The sales associates in the store also gathered around, their eyes gradually widening in surprise.