Chapter 37: Why Haven't You Two Broken Up Yet?

It was long over for them.

The moment Sheng Yang chose to get engaged to Wen You, or perhaps, even from the very day they started seeing each other, this relationship had been destined to end.

Wen Jin had just come from the hospital. She wasn't feeling well, and her face was pale. She stood under a streetlamp; her eyes, which were usually clear, bright, and filled with a smile, had lost all their luster. All that remained was a heart-wrenching exhaustion.

She lifted her lashes to look at Sheng Yang, her voice strained and dry from tonsillitis. "Dithering is not like you at all."

In the years she had been with Sheng Yang, she knew clearly that he was always decisive and swift in his actions.

Sheng Yang’s gaze dropped from above, a mocking curve playing on his lips. The darkness in his eyes was made particularly stark by the glare of the streetlamp. "Is that so? It's over?"

He let out a scoff, chin tilted slightly, his gaze fixed on Wen Jin’s face in a way that was dark and unreadable. "You really never learn, do you?"

She had grown up in the Sheng household. What right did she have to speak of them being over with such an aloof, superior air?

Sheng Yang felt as if something were crashing violently inside his chest, causing his head to ache. A sense of irritation rose again, which he forcibly suppressed.

"I said, that’s enough, isn't it?" Ning Lang’s voice easily shattered the silence of the night.

He walked over, shielding Wen Jin behind him with a protective stance. He then said directly to Sheng Yang, "Your temper really is as bad as ever."

Sheng Yang’s coldness spiked as he looked at Ning Lang. He glanced down at Wen Jin, who was sheltered behind Ning Lang. She didn't offer a word of rebuttal; instead, she leaned back against Ning Lang in a gesture of cooperation.

This subtle movement felt like a needle pricking Sheng Yang’s heart. It didn't hurt, but it brought an inexplicable discomfort—and a momentary sense of unease.

Sheng Yang categorized all of these feelings simply as irritation.

After the turmoil of the day, Wen Jin was exhausted and just wanted to rest. Because she had to remain at the hospital the following day, she had to reschedule her flight again. Her aunt had also sent a message that afternoon, and she didn't know how to explain the situation.

With so many things piling up, Wen Jin didn't want to stay there anymore; she just wanted a moment of peace. Ignoring the two men, she turned and walked upstairs.

Sheng Yang watched her retreating figure, his expression taut.

Ning Lang, however, blocked his path, a faint, mocking smile on his face. "Sheng Yang, as a friend, let me give you a piece of advice: it’s best to avoid suspicion."

"You are getting married, but Wen Jin is still a young girl. If you act like this, she’ll be the subject of gossip."

Ning Lang’s words were clearly meant for Sheng Yang. Sheng Yang turned his gaze to him, his eyes cool. "Since when is it your place to worry about her affairs?"

Ning Lang didn't get angry. He paused before continuing, "And I suppose it's not yours, either."

"Sheng Yang, you two are just strangers living under the same roof. You have no relationship whatsoever."

After finishing his sentence, Ning Lang seemed to remember something and added, "Well, living under the same roof—that was in the past, too."

***

Wen Jin went upstairs, but Qiaoqiao hadn't returned yet. The apartment was dark, the lights off.

She sat down on the sofa, rubbing the bridge of her nose. The events of the day had drained her of all strength. The phone on the coffee table suddenly began to buzz—it was a call from her aunt.

Wen Jin took a moment to compose herself before answering. Guan Fanghua’s voice came through immediately: "Xiao Jin, what time is your flight tomorrow? I’ll have your cousin pick you up. I remember you like the custard buns from that shop downstairs, so I’ll have him bring some for you."

Her aunt was excitedly making arrangements. Wen Jin closed her eyes, her long lashes trembling slightly. She tried hard to keep her tone normal. "Auntie, I can't come back tomorrow. I have to wait another two days."

Guan Fanghua went silent for a moment. Wen Jin tightened her grip on the phone, trying to think of an excuse, when she heard her aunt ask, "Xiao Jin, are you sick?"

Wen Jin paused.

Guan Fanghua sighed and said softly, "Your voice sounds wrong; you must be unwell. I know you don't want us to worry, but you don't have to carry everything on your own when something happens."

Guan Fanghua rambled on for a while, all of it advice for Wen Jin to take care of herself. After the call ended, she saw that her aunt had transferred five thousand yuan to her via WeChat. Her family wasn't wealthy, but they had never been stingy with her.

Looking at the money, Wen Jin’s eyes grew red. She had felt so miserable all day, yet not a single person had known she was sick just by hearing her voice. Not Jiang Wan, and not Sheng Yang. They were all too busy talking about things that concerned themselves; no one truly cared about her.

For a split second, Wen Jin wanted to return to Yangcheng right then and there, to be back by her family’s side.

The next morning, Ning Lang arrived at the building on time to take Wen Jin to the hospital.

"You don't need to go to such trouble," Wen Jin said. "I can just take a taxi."

Ning Lang simply opened the car door for her. "I wouldn't be at ease."

Wen Jin didn't argue, just said "thank you" and got in. It was the morning rush hour, and getting a taxi was indeed inconvenient.

"I think I owe you another meal," Wen Jin said softly.

Ning Lang shook his head with a smile. "No need. Actually, I have a favor to ask of you this time."

"What is it?"

"My alma mater is having an anniversary celebration," Ning Lang said seriously. "A few of my close friends organized a reunion, but they’re all bringing their partners, and I’d feel awkward going alone."

Wen Jin understood his implication and frowned. "Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

Ning Lang didn't pressure her. "I remembered that you are also a graduate of A University, so I thought you might be going to the anniversary as well."

Wen Jin blinked. She vaguely recalled that Ning Lang was indeed from A University. He had been in the same major as Sheng Yang—the Business School.

However, back then, she hadn't been close to him. Even when she went to find Sheng Yang, it was usually when there weren't many people around. She had barely ever run into Ning Lang.

Still—

She lowered her head. "Only honorary alumni and the like go back for the anniversary. I haven't been graduated that long."

"But you were the representative of outstanding graduates from your year," Ning Lang said as he drove. "And you were the top student who won scholarships every year. You never know, there might be juniors who still look up to you."

Wen Jin didn't pay attention to his last remark. She was thinking about the fact that it was precisely because of those excellent grades that she was afraid to go back.

When she graduated, many engineering firms and companies had offered her positions. Her professor had even asked if she wanted to consider a direct doctoral program. But she had turned them all down.

It was all because of that ridiculous remark by Sheng Yang about wanting to decorate their wedding venue with her. She had abandoned her chosen profession and scientific research to become a wedding designer.

Wen Jin took a deep breath. She wondered if her current state was heaven punishing her for wasting her educational resources.

Ning Lang didn't care about her reluctance. After she finished her IV drip, he took her directly to a hotel near A University.

"You're a graduate of A University, after all," Ning Lang reminded her. "If you don't go back to take a look, wouldn't you be missing out on those connections?"

That one sentence made Wen Jin fall silent. The connections at A University were all top-tier talent in every industry. She had no reason to refuse.

But just as they entered the lobby, Ning Lang received a phone call and asked Wen Jin to head in first.

Wen Jin wasn't a stranger to this place; she had come here often when she was a student. But she hadn't expected to run into a group of people just past the hallway.

At the head of the group was Sheng Yang.

She turned to leave, but heard one of them say with surprise, "Sheng Yang, why did you bring your girlfriend to the class reunion?"

The man then enthusiastically invited Wen Jin to stay. Wen Jin turned back and recognized the man—he was one of Sheng Yang's college roommates, someone she had known back then.

However—

"I am not Sheng Yang’s girlfriend," she said quietly.

Sheng Yang’s gaze landed squarely on her. He gave a cold, dismissive laugh.

"Since you're here," he said with a bland, indifferent tone, "why are you leaving?"

Wen Jin frowned. "I didn't come to see you."