The vibrant energy of the upcoming school celebration buzzed through the campus, palpable in the bright red banner proclaiming the event at the school gate and the elaborately set stage in the lobby. The bulletin board, now adorned with the names of esteemed guests, became an instant magnet for excited students.
“Oh my God, Jiang Xuan is coming to our school!” a student exclaimed, her voice laced with disbelief and excitement. “The TV series she filmed is about to air. I wonder if I can get her autograph on School Day.”
Another chimed in, “My mom saw her on TV and said she’s such a positive role model, so dedicated to public welfare. I can’t believe she’s coming here!”
“I just found out Jiang Xuan graduated from University B too,” a fan gushed. “She’s our senior sister! I’m so happy to be in the same school as my idol!”
The buzz continued as another name caught their attention. “Look, even the president of Hengyuan Group will be there. I heard he was injured saving his wife – what a great guy! Handsome, rich, and devoted to his wife.”
“I really want to know who his wife is,” someone mused.
Then, a collective gasp. “Isn’t there a rumor that President Jiang Muhang’s wife is Jiang Xuan? They’re attending the school celebration together. Oh my god, it can’t be true, can it…?”
Jin Mingyuan poked Su Yue. “Did you hear that?”
Su Yue, though slightly surprised, remained outwardly calm amidst the excited chatter.
“You… if you don’t want to act, you can always change roles,” Jin Mingyuan suggested, a hint of concern in her voice. “There’s still time.” She knew Su Yue’s past feelings for Jiang Muhang and how much she used to dislike Jiang Xuan. With the couple attending as VIP guests, and Su Yue slated to play an “ugly old witch” onstage, Jin Mingyuan worried about her friend.
Su Yue looked at her, genuinely puzzled. “Why wouldn’t I act?”
“Aren’t Jiang Muhang and that Jiang Xuan going to be guests? You…” Jin Mingyuan hesitated.
Su Yue understood the misunderstanding. “They’ll come, it won’t affect my performance. Besides, you’ve seen my costume – my whole head is covered. The audience won’t even see my face. And it’s not shameful to perform for the school celebration; I don’t need to worry about anyone.”
Jin Mingyuan shrugged, a smile playing on her lips. “Yueyue, you’ve really changed a lot. But you’re right to think that way.”
Back at Xiaoyanglou, Su Yue found Chive trotting towards Jiang Ci’s feet. Before the dog could get too close, Jiang Ci raised his foot, ready to kick it away.
“Jiang Ci, don’t kick!” Su Yue quickly intervened, scooping up Chive and placing him by the door. “Be good, go play elsewhere.”
“Woof , woof,” Chive barked twice, shaking himself before limping away, dragging his hind legs. Su Yue often wondered why Chive was so drawn to Jiang Ci, despite being kicked away multiple times. The dog, it seemed, was fearless in its pursuit of affection from the stoic man.
“Don’t be angry, Chive just likes you,” Su Yue said, noticing Jiang Ci’s expression that clearly screamed “don’t touch me, stupid dog.”
Jiang Ci lifted his eyelids, his gaze lazily following her as she approached. Now, whether close or far, his eyes could clearly discern Su Yue. With a natural, casual movement, he pulled her into his arms.
“Jiang Ci!” Su Yue, startled, felt her face flush. Her sitting position, straddling his lap with her legs on either side, felt far too intimate. “I don’t want to sit like this.” She struggled to get down, the firm, taut muscles of his thighs making her uncomfortable.
Jiang Ci looked at her, her small face innocent and pure. The scars on her face had completely vanished. Even from this close distance, her skin was tender and smooth, so beautiful it made him want to pinch it. Following that thought, Jiang Ci reached out and gently squeezed her snow-colored cheek. “Just let me hold you for a while.”
Seeing her waist firmly clasped by his large hands, Su Yue gave up struggling. She couldn’t help but tremble slightly under his dark, intense gaze. A strange feeling stirred within her; she always felt she saw a light in Jiang Ci’s eyes.
“Jiang Ci, your eyes…”
“Huh?” Jiang Ci looked at her, his fingertips still greedily caressing her cheek. The wound on her face had healed remarkably fast, leaving no trace of a scar.
Su Yue opened her mouth, then finally said, “Your eyes are so beautiful.” They were long and narrow, with a captivating depth.
“Oh,” Jiang Ci replied, a hint of nonchalance in his voice. Then, with a flicker of interest, he asked, “One day, when my eyes heal completely, what will you think?”
“Of course I’ll be happy,” Su Yue answered without hesitation.
Jiang Ci’s eyes fixed on her face. He twitched the corners of his mouth and smiled. “I thought you didn’t want my eyes to recover.”
“Don’t slander me!” Su Yue glared at him, annoyance clouding her face. “When did I ever not want your eyes to recover? Do I look like such a vicious person?”
Jiang Ci met her dark, moist eyes and remained silent. After all, too many people had wished him to be blind forever.
“Su Yue, kiss me.” When he couldn’t see, he had only have the scent of her. He already loved kissing her. Now, with his sight restored, looking at her beautiful mouth often ignited a desire to taste her.
“No kissing,” Su Yue turned her face away, still annoyed by his previous insinuation. While she admitted she wasn’t always virtuous, she had never wished him ill.
Watching her playful defiance, Jiang Ci’s lips curved into a smile. He leaned in, his thin lips brushing against the side of her ear, covering the soft, cute earlobe.
Su Yue’s eyes widened, her mind became blank, stunned.
The moist warmth on her ear sent shivers down her spine. Lost, Su Yue tugged at Jiang Ci’s clothes, whispering his name, “Jiang Ci.”
He didn’t respond, instead watching her white ear gradually flush. His eyes darkened. His tongue traced her ear, then his teeth playfully nibbled at the small, vulnerable earlobe as if in punishment.
Su Yue wanted to scream.
Jiang Ci released her, a soft laugh escaping him as he looked at her red ears. His warm breath ghosted over her ear and neck. “Su Yue, your ears are red.”
Su Yue spun around, her black eyes wet and shining with shame and annoyance. She glared at him. “Jiang Ci, you’re disgusting!” She covered her ears with her hands, which felt wet. Quickly, she dropped her hands, grabbed his clothes, and wiped his saliva on them.
After a few vigorous rubs, Su Yue stopped.
“Finding my saliva disgusting?” Jiang Ci’s eyes were fixed on her face, completely flushed and impossibly beautiful. His clear voice had a hint of hoarseness. “But you’ve had a lot of it, it’s too late now.”
Su Yue froze, the shyness in her dark eyes no longer concealable. She reached out and covered his mouth. “Shut up!”
On the day of the school celebration, the afternoon sun beat down fiercely, yet the school gate bustled with activity. The etiquette team, composed of students, stood ready to welcome the arriving guests.
A sleek, commanding car pulled up to the entrance. From it emerged a man in a sapphire blue suit, his tall, imposing figure and straight suit jacket immediately drawing all eyes. With sword-like brows and a strikingly handsome face, Jiang Muhang instantly commanded attention.
“He’s so handsome! This is the president of Hengyuan Group,” a student gasped. “I saw his interview, but he’s even more handsome in person!” Many students had gathered, hoping for Jiang Xuan’s autograph, and were momentarily stunned by Jiang Muhang’s appearance.
Before anyone could fully process his presence, they watched in amazement as Jiang Muhang extended a hand towards the car. A fair hand appeared, followed by a slender leg.
“Oh my god!”
As the woman emerged from the car and lifted her head, the surrounding students erupted. Mobile phones flashed as they frantically captured photos of the pair.
“Ahhhh, it’s Jiang Xuan!”
“Why is Jiang Xuan with the president of Hengyuan Group? Is the online rumor that she’s Jiang Muhang’s wife true?”
“They look so compatible! He’s handsome, she’s beautiful. A perfect match! Woo woo woo, I’m going to ship them from now on!”
“Jiang Xuan is so gorgeous. Her skin is flawless! Have you seen her legs? So thin, I’m so envious!”
“Jiang Xuan truly is my idol. She even captured the best man in City B. I’m so jealous, how can she be so amazing?”
“When Jiang Xuan was in danger during filming and Jiang Muhang saved her, I thought it was too much of a coincidence. I never expected them to be husband and wife! This is great, one is my male god, the other is my goddess!”
The crowd buzzed with excitement, snapping photos. When Jiang Muhang took Jiang Xuan’s hand, some even let out delighted coos. Jiang Xuan smiled, taking his hand, then kindly advised the excited students to be careful and stay safe.
Backstage, all the students performing had gathered to apply makeup and change into their costumes. Jin Mingyuan overheard someone lamenting their inability to rush out and get Jiang Xuan’s autograph. She pouted, letting the makeup artist work on her. Her role was a dwarf, requiring her to be as ugly as possible. Jin Mingyuan avoided looking at herself in the mirror, instead turning to Su Yue, who was engrossed in her phone.
Su Yue sat there, head bent, one side of her hair tucked behind her ear, revealing a slender, pale neck. The lines were exquisite, delicately graceful. Tsk, Jin Mingyuan thought, even her neck is beautiful enough to captivate. Her gaze then fell on the mask resting on Su Yue’s face, and Jin Mingyuan felt a pang of regret that Su Yue’s face hadn’t fully healed yet.
Just then, the school flower emerged from the changing room in a stunning dance costume, instantly becoming the center of attention. Her costume, a white gauze skirt embedded with glittering sequins, flowed elegantly as she walked. Combined with her beautiful face, everyone had to admit she was indeed the school flower.
The Xihua also made a grand entrance, equally captivating. Dressed in a light pink gown, she looked sweet and graceful, her outstanding temperament drawing many admiring glances.
Jin Mingyuan glanced at them, then dismissed them. No matter how beautiful they were, they couldn’t compare to her friend. “Yueyue, do you need makeup?”
Su Yue picked up a long, fake nose from the table and showed it to Jin Mingyuan. “When I change later, I’ll just put this on.” The old witch, after all, needed a long nose.