Chapter 3

Chapter 3

She quickly walked up to Shi Yan and said with a smile, “Perfect, I don’t have classes this afternoon either.”

I was completely stunned.

What was going on here?

Shi Yan was so certain that I had a new boyfriend-was it because he had hooked up with someone else so soon after our breakup and was just projecting?

I took two steps forward, just in time to hear Shi Yan’s indifferent voice:

“I’m sorry, Teacher Shao, but I have to go to the furniture mall this afternoon. The house for the wedding is currently being renovated, and I can’t step away.”

The woman smiled, her demeanor poised and natural. “Renovations aren’t that urgent, and besides, you’ve already broken up…”

I couldn’t listen to another word. I strode over to the two of them and stared at Shi Yan with an unfriendly expression. “Got a minute?”

His gaze paused. He looked down at me and said nothing.

“Shi Yan, do you know who I am?”

“I do.” He nodded, then changed the subject. “My ex-girlfriend.”

I was so angry my head was practically steaming. Beside us, Teacher Shao covered her mouth and chuckled, gracefully extending her hand toward me.

“Hello, I’m Shao Tang, a teacher in the same department as Shi Yan.”

I stared at that slender, white hand for two seconds before silently reaching out to shake it.

Our palms touched and immediately separated. I withdrew my hand and continued to look at Shi Yan. “I have something to talk to you about.”

The implication in my words was obvious. Shao Tang was tactful and bid us farewell with a smile.

“In that case, I’ll head out first. Teacher Shi, I’ll ask you out again when you’re free.”

A provocation. This was an absolute provocation.

I gritted my teeth and glared at Shi Yan, who was standing on the steps in front of me. “Come down.”

He was already half a head taller than me. Standing like that, I had to look up at him even more, which made me feel like I lacked any authority when I spoke.

Without so much as a change in expression, Shi Yan walked down and stood before me.

I began my interrogation. “Who is Shao Tang?”

“A colleague.”

“Just a colleague?”

Shi Yan, who had been expressionless, suddenly curled his lips. A hint of mockery flashed in his eyes.

“Miss Meng, in what capacity are you asking me these questions?”

Then he ignored me, stepping past me to walk away.

My momentum weakened, and I instinctively grabbed his sleeve, whispering, “I didn’t find someone new.”

His pace came to an abrupt halt. After a moment, he turned his head. “Meng Jingxin, you…”

As we spoke, several students walked out of the main gate behind us. They greeted Shi Yan and couldn’t help but peer over curiously.

He pursed his lips, his jawline tensing. Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed my wrist. “Let’s go. Whatever you have to say, say it in the car.”

I hadn’t sat in it for over a month, but Shi Yan’s silver-blue BMW 4 Series remained exactly as it had been.

A StellaLou charm I had given him hung from the ceiling of the car, and the interior was filled with a faint scent of mint.

I suffer from severe motion sickness and can’t stand the smell inside cars. Back then, Shi Yan had bought several types of car fragrances for me to try before finally settling on this one.

Even if he didn’t love me, he was at least considerate enough toward me.

Shi Yan tapped his index finger lightly on the steering wheel. “Speak. What exactly did you come here for?”

My heart felt both bitter and sweet. I sniffled and found an excuse for myself.

“I was in a hurry when I moved out that night and left something at your place. I need to go back and get it.”

Shi Yan fell silent for a moment.

“Just for that?” he said coldly. “What is it? I’ll pack it up and mail it to you. My home doesn’t welcome strangers.”

The word “strangers” pierced my eardrums. My head throbbed, and a wave of intense embarrassment washed over me. Without thinking, I pushed open the car door to get out.

A warm force suddenly clamped onto my wrist, followed by a tug backward, and I fell back into the passenger seat.

“Buckle your seatbelt. I’ll take you back to get it.”

As he spoke, he started the car.

I bit my lip, watching the scenery flash past the window. For some reason, I suddenly thought of the first time I had gone to Shi Yan’s home.