Chapter 4:

While Zuo Zuo was deeply engrossed in building the extravagant Lego set Jiang Ran had just brought him, Jiang Ran walked over to me holding a beautifully wrapped, expensive-looking gift box.

“For you, Li Yao.”

I was caught off guard and shook my head, waving my hands. “Thank you, but I can’t accept this.”

Jiang Ran forcefully shoved the box into my hands anyway, a playful glint in his eyes. “Just think of it as payment. Come to a party with me this weekend. You know how it is—showing up to these formal events without a date is embarrassing.”

I let out a soft laugh, my heart warming. After bouncing around in the real world for years, I’d met all kinds of people in high-society circles and was well-accustomed to these kinds of requests. After a moment’s thought, I nodded.

Little did I know, accepting this favor would plunge me straight into an agonizingly awkward situation.

That evening, Jiang Ran met me at the entrance to escort me in. The second I stepped into the private room and looked up, my eyes locked onto Chi You, sitting right at the center of the room. By his side sat a girl in glamorous makeup—Song Li.

She was a face I knew all too well.

I clearly remembered that not long after Chi You and I had started dating, Song Li had confronted us on campus. She had stood in the middle of the courtyard, eyes bloodshot, stubbornly asking him, “Is it really impossible for you to even try to like me? I’ve been in love with you for five years. What’s so great about her anyway? Why did you pick her?”

Back then, Chi You had answered with utter calm: “She might not be the best person in the world. But she’s the one standing there, so she’s the one I love.”

And now?

Standing beside Jiang Ran, I saw Chi You’s eyes flicker with a momentary pause as he took me in. Beside him, Song Li’s brows knit into an open scowl.

“Are you… Li Yao?”

I took a deep, steadying breath and offered a soft, perfectly confident smile. Slipping my hand casually through Jiang Ran’s arm, I kept my voice smooth and unfazed. “That’s right, I’m Li Yao. Long time no see, Song Li.”

The moment the words left my mouth, Song Li leaned close to Chi You’s ear and whispered something. Chi You remained silent, gently patting the back of her hand in a reassuring gesture.

I stood rooted to the spot, watching them with a tranquil expression, though my heart throbbed with sharp, quiet aches. It turned out I wasn’t the only one who had moved on and changed over the years.

Song Li finally sat up straight with an annoyed huff. I followed Jiang Ran to our seats, taking a chair right next to Chi You.

As soon as we sat down, Jiang Ran seemed to remember something. “Who’s watching Zuo Zuo tonight?”

“I dropped him off at Tian Tian’s place.”

Song Li couldn’t hide her shock. “You have a kid?”

I replied casually, “Is that so surprising? Getting married and having kids is pretty normal, isn’t it?”

Before I could say anything else, Jiang Ran cut in sharply. “Miss Song seems awfully curious about my Yao Yao’s personal life.”

I instinctively glanced over at Chi You.

A cold, mocking sneer curled his lips. “My girlfriend just has a curious nature. Exercise a little patience, won’t you?”

I tugged at Jiang Ran’s sleeve, giving him a gentle shake of my head. Seeing my gesture, he merely let out a cold grunt. A moment later, I excused myself and headed to the restroom to splash cold water on my face, desperately trying to steady my nerves.

I’d been gone for five years. It was only natural that he and Song Li had ended up together.

What was the point of me standing here, drowning in my own tragic nostalgia?

When I stepped out of the restroom, a hand suddenly clamped onto my wrist, yanking me back. I looked up—it was Chi You.

His lips twisted into a venomous smirk. “Li Yao, you sure switch boyfriends fast. Tell me, can you even distinguish whose kid you’re raising?”

I stood my ground, taking a slow, deep breath. “Does it make a difference? The child is mine—that’s all that matters.”

Leaving Chi You standing there frozen, I brushed past him and walked straight back to the room.

Jiang Ran’s anxious gaze immediately landed on me. Seeing that I looked composed, he let out a visible sigh of relief.