Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Suddenly, I felt like I should leave this place.

I couldn’t even stand watching Jiang Zhao massage Chen You. What if they rekindled their old flame one day? What if they hugged? What if they kissed?

What if–

The mere thought sent a surge of pain through my chest. It felt like a line of ants was crawling up my back, making me so restless that I scrambled toward the door in a desperate attempt to escape.

But the moment I touched the door, a sharp, tearing pain struck me. It was even more agonizing than the car crash, more painful than the moment I was shattered into pieces after falling off the cliff.

Before I could even scream, my body was yanked back.

After several more attempts, my face turned deathly pale, and I was drenched in a cold sweat. Finally, I realized the truth–I couldn’t leave this room.

Or rather, I couldn’t leave Jiang Zhao.

In an instant, all my strength drained away.

I watched the two of them numbly.

Jiang Zhao had finished the massage and was about to leave when a pair of arms hooked around his neck.

Chen You opened her eyes.

Their gazes met.

“Ah zhao, do you still love me?” Chen You asked directly.

Jiang Zhao stared into her eyes. “I hate you.”

Chen You’s face paled.

His palm cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing over her skin inch by inch. He let out a sigh that sounded like a whisper.

“But I’ve never forgotten you, either.”

I curled my lips in a mocking smile.

A smile blossomed on Chen You’s face, but then something seemed to occur to her. Her eyes flickered.

“What about Su An? She’s been with you five years. What do you feel for her?”

Jiang Zhao froze. His lips parted, but no words came out.

The atmosphere suddenly turned silent.

Chen You’s expression shifted slightly as she studied him with a searching, inquisitive gaze.

A second later, she tilted her head back slightly and kissed the corner of his mouth.

Jiang Zhao’s body visibly stiffened, but only for a moment. He took control, his large hand sweeping around her waist to pull her onto his lap while his other hand cupped the back of her head, deepening the kiss.

A wave of nausea instantly rushed to my head. I covered my mouth, fearing my churning stomach would heave right up into my chest.

“Ah zhao, he’s already abandoned me. Don’t you abandon me too. I don’t want to be alone,” Chen You whispered against his lips, her breath shallow as she pleaded.

“I know all you feel for her is gratitude and guilt. The person you truly love is me…”

Chen You’s kisses trailed down to his collarbone. She paused for a moment, reaching out to undo the buttons of his shirt–

Jiang Zhao abruptly caught her hand.

“No.”

His voice was cold and heavy, his eyes devoid of warmth.

A chilling aura emanated from him, spreading until even I–a soul with no sense of temperature–shuddered from the cold.

Chen You stared at him blankly, as if she hadn’t expected to be rejected. “Is it because of Su An that you–”

I stared at him blankly too, my heart thumping in a chaotic, uncontrollable rhythm.

Jiang Zhao remained silent for a while before lowering his eyes, masking his emotions. “Youyou, I have a girlfriend right now.”

“Doing this wouldn’t be good for you.”

Chen You understood. The corners of her mouth tilted up slightly. “I’ll wait for you.”

I understood too, and I let out a cynical laugh.

Jiang Zhao meant that as long as we hadn’t officially broken up, he wouldn’t cross the line into a physical affair with Chen You.

This had nothing to do with his character, nor was it out of respect for me as his legitimate girlfriend. He simply didn’t want Chen You to carry any stigma or moral condemnation.

He cherished and protected her that much.

As I laughed, large tears began to fall.