Chapter 1743: Beer, Wall Slam, Marks Left on the Heart

The night was drawing to a close, the breeze coming from Hainan carried a faint chill, yet could not dispel the lingering warmth of the day.

Qi Lie was sipping Litchi Wine, chatting casually with Jiang Ruan, but he could clearly feel that tonight, his little childhood friend was not in high spirits, seemingly all because of Yan Chi’s arrival.

It’s not that he’s overly perceptive or overly observant, but he’s too familiar with Jiang Ruan. The contrast in her mood before and after is too hard for him to ignore.

Jiang Ruan also felt that she wasn’t acting well. Qi Lie had traveled all this way to see her; she couldn’t let him feel uncomfortable. She looked up and smiled at him, "I have a few more days of classes before returning to Beijing, so I can’t accompany you. What are your plans?"

"Wasn’t it you who said you’d take me around for food and fun when I got here?"

"I said I’d cover the food and drinks."

"You don’t have time to accompany me, so how about I accompany you instead." Qi Lie laughed, "I’ll go to class with you."

...

Yan Chi was caressing the soda next to him. The chilled drink’s exterior was covered with a layer of water droplets, slowly descending down the glass bottle.

Accompany to class...

He chuckled self-mockingly.

"Hey, Yan Chi, that’s not fair of you. We’re here and you’re drinking soda? Come, have some beer." The two companions couldn’t stand it anymore, snatching the soda from Yan Chi and handing him a cup filled with beer, foam almost overflowing the brim.

"Since graduation, we haven’t seen each other like this, and time flies. Do you remember the guy from the neighboring dorm who was thin and tall, always up early to study..."

"Him, I remember. He got up earlier than the chickens every day and didn’t play games."

"I heard he’s getting married this National Day."

"Wow, which girl would be interested in him?"

"I don’t know, I heard this from the chubby guy in their dorm. By the way, Yan Chi, what about you? You had lots of girls chasing after you at school and said you didn’t want to disturb your studies, what’s it like now? Do you have someone now?"

Yan Chi could overhear the conversation from Jiang Ruan’s table, and naturally, she could as well. She lowered her head, nibbling on the soda straw, wanting to hear what he’d say, but a group of youngsters arrived, five or six people, occupying the empty spot between them, chatting enthusiastically and loudly...

Jiang Ruan didn’t catch what Yan Chi said, but merely saw from the corner of her eye him holding a half-drunk glass of beer while his companions laughed teasingly.

Suddenly, she seemed to understand something.

Thinking further about it, for someone like Yan Chi, surrounded by many excellent young women, at his age it’s more than normal to have a relationship. What’s there to be surprised about?

However...

What does this have to do with me?

Thinking like this deep down, yet the soda entering her mouth kept bubbling inside her heart.

Sizzling, with a hint of sourness.

**

As they were almost done with their meal, Jiang Ruan grabbed her bag, glanced at Qi Lie who was still drinking his Litchi Wine, and said, "I’m going to the restroom."

"Alright." Qi Lie poured himself another glass, picking it up only to see Yan Chi from the other table rise next.

Just what a coincidence.

Qi Lie took a sip, thinking this Litchi Wine was not like wine at all, more like juice, lacking any alcohol flavor, instead just sweetness filling his mouth.

The sea breeze blew in...

He seemed to smell the sour and stale scent of romance.

Before Jiang Ruan went to the restroom, she stopped by the cashier to settle the bill. She had just washed her hands at the basin, pulled a napkin to dry them, and as she walked out, she crossed paths with Yan Chi in the hallway.

The hallway was narrow, unable to accommodate two people walking side by side. If someone approached, one must step aside.

The dim hallway light cast a soft glow on his white shirt, falling into her eyes, shadows flickering yet seemed to carry a layer of warm air, Jiang Ruan’s fingers tightened, clutching the napkin, she smiled at him with intent to pass by.

The hallway was unlike the outside, not well-ventilated, making people feel a bit unsettled.

Getting a little closer, she could smell the faint beer scent lingering on Yan Chi...

In the narrow hallway, Jiang Ruan made sure to keep her side against the wall, making sure not to touch him, yet he stood still, seemingly unwilling to move, tall and positioned in the middle. No matter if she tried to pass by, she’d brush against him.

Clothing rubbed, and in the next instant...

Yan Chi turned to look at her.

Almost trapping her between his body and the wall.

He didn’t move, the distance between them was close enough that their clothes touched, he wasn’t forceful in leaning his body against her, just barely touching her, yet the situation at hand was enough to leave Jiang Ruan at a loss.

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