Chapter 28: Keeping a Low Profile

After Mi Cai decisively hung up on me, I no longer had any illusions about her. The consequences of my own misdeeds would ultimately be mine to bear.

Actually, it was completely normal for Mi Cai to refuse to come help, while my threat to her—”don’t let me see you in Suzhou”—was truly unreasonable and overbearing.

Feeling helpless, I scratched my head, genuinely wanting to leave this bar. I sincerely didn’t want to face Jian Wei and Xiang Chen. This reluctance was merely an attempt to make myself feel better, but tonight I couldn’t escape, because escaping would only prove that I couldn’t truly let go of Jian Wei.

Just ten minutes later, I saw a group of four walk into the bar. Fang Yuan and Yan Yan were in front, followed by Xiang Chen and Jian Wei. The four approached me chatting and laughing, while I wished I could find a crack in the ground to hide in.

Jian Wei wore Chanel clothes and carried a new Hermes bag. Her luxurious appearance made me dare not look directly at her, so I quickly fixed my gaze on Yan Yan and Fang Yuan, lighting another cigarette to mask my discomfort.

Yan Yan and Fang Yuan sat on the sofa to my left, while Jian Wei and Xiang Chen sat on the right. I remained alone in the middle.

After glancing around, Fang Yuan and Yan Yan simultaneously asked me, “Where’s your girlfriend?”

“She’s busy tonight. Let’s just hang out,” I replied casually.

Yan Yan frowned and said, “Don’t be such a buzzkill. Call her again and make plans. We’ve got time.”

I glared at Yan Yan and said, “You stubborn girl, why are you picking on me? I said she’s busy, so why are you being so stubborn?”

“Cut the crap, call your girlfriend now. I wanna meet my future sister-in-law!” Fang Yuan kicked me and said.

Xiang Chen joined in, “Zhaoyang, don’t be such a downer. There’s always time if you make it. Invite your girlfriend out to play with us. We’re all old friends here—it’s kind of boring just among ourselves.”

I glanced at Jian Wei. Deliberately keeping my distance from her now would only make it seem like I hadn’t moved on, so I said, “I think it’s fun. It’s been over three years since Jian Wei and I last met. Old faces feel like new ones now, right, Jian Wei, my dear sister-in-law?”

Jian Wei, who hadn’t spoken since entering, looked at me and asked, “What did you call me?”

Her question instantly shattered the casual attitude I had tried so hard to maintain. I was momentarily at a loss for words.

Fang Yuan quickly came to my rescue, saying to Jian Wei, “Zhaoyang didn’t call you wrong. Strictly speaking, you are his sister-in-law. Once you and Xiang Chen get married, it’ll be even more official.”

Jian Wei looked at Fang Yuan and said, “Why are you getting so excited? Did I say he called me wrong? I just didn’t hear clearly.”

Fang Yuan awkwardly smiled, while I remained silent. Xiang Chen then pulled Jian Wei into his arms and whispered something in her ear—something no one else could hear. But this intimate gesture sent sharp pains through my heart again.

At that moment, I finally understood how Xiang Chen must have felt when I was with Jian Wei, openly showing affection without a care in the world.

I picked up my beer and took a sip, feeling like leaving. I knew that as long as I still loved Jian Wei, gatherings like this would be pure torture for me. But to Xiang Chen—and even to Fang Yuan and Yan Yan—I had already moved on. After all, it had been over two years, and I now had a new “girlfriend.”

The waiter brought the drinks that Fang Yuan and the others had ordered later. As the group started drinking, Yan Yan leaned closer to me and whispered, “Zhaoyang, knowing you now have a girlfriend, Fang Yuan and I are genuinely happy for you. We used to worry you couldn’t get over Jian Wei, but now it seems our worries were unnecessary…”

A bitter taste filled my heart. At this moment, what difference would it make if everyone knew I hadn’t gotten over her? It was better to keep this lie and let my friends feel at ease.

Yan Yan nudged me again while I remained silent and said, “Hurry up and bring your girlfriend over. Introduce her to us. We’ll have another shopping buddy from now on!”

I forced a smile and said, “Next time. She’s really busy today!”

Disappointment showed on Yan Yan’s face…

Just then, nearly everyone in the bar suddenly focused their attention on a figure who was walking in gracefully. Her figure was so perfect, her gait so elegant and soft. The flickering lights made it hard for me to see her face clearly, but that didn’t prevent me from recognizing her as a woman of extraordinary charm.

She walked toward my direction. Finally, the moving lights illuminated her face, and I nearly slid off the sofa in shock. Who else could it be but Mi Cai? Only she could command such attention.

Mi Cai spotted me, walked over confidently, and I hurriedly stood up, pulling her aside before she reached the group. I lowered my voice and asked, “Why are you here?”

“You said not to let you see me in Suzhou, so I came to see what would happen if you did,” Mi Cai said with a half-smile.

“So you came to cause trouble, not to help?” I frowned.

“You were the one threatening me. How can you say I’m causing trouble?” Mi Cai said, “Now that I’m here, go ahead.”

I felt like a snake caught by the throat by Mi Cai, fearing she would embarrass me in front of everyone. I had to soften my tone and say, “That was just in anger. Please don’t hold it against me, okay?”

Mi Cai said disdainfully, “Where did that arrogance go just now?”

“Sister, I was wrong. I’ll definitely behave myself from now on!”

“Are you begging me?”

“Something like that.”

“Say it again.”

A sense of helplessness rose in me, but I couldn’t resist. I gritted my teeth and said, “I was wrong. I’ll definitely behave myself from now on!”

Over there, Fang Yuan shouted at me, “Zhaoyang, what secret are you whispering about? Hurry up and introduce your girlfriend to us.”

“Coming,” I replied, then asked Mi Cai, “Are you calm now?”

Mi Cai didn’t respond, as if deliberately making me anxious. Only then did I realize how formidable this woman was—impervious to both softness and pressure.

I lowered my voice again, “At least say something!”

“Remember to buy good insecticide tomorrow. The cockroaches in the bathroom are as annoying as you!” Mi Cai said and walked toward the group before me.

I was momentarily stunned, puzzled. Was she letting me off the hook and rescuing me from this awkward situation?

Mi Cai sat in the spot I had just vacated and greeted the group. I sat down beside her.

Yan Yan smiled at me and said, “Zhaoyang, you have great taste. Your girlfriend is amazing—so beautiful!”

“Of course! We’re a perfect match. Let me formally introduce everyone—this is my girlfriend, Mi Cai.”

“Hello everyone,” Mi Cai smiled politely as she greeted them.

Fang Yuan, Yan Yan, and Xiang Chen introduced themselves to Mi Cai in turn, followed by Jian Wei.

Mi Cai and Jian Wei locked eyes. Both wore calm expressions, yet their hidden thoughts remained completely unreadable to me.

Jian Wei spoke first, “We met that day.”

Mi Cai simply nodded. Strictly speaking, she wasn’t the kind of person who easily warmed up to strangers, often appearing cold in front of new people.

“My name is Jian Wei. I’m Zhaoyang’s ex-girlfriend.”

We were all quite open-minded and unsurprised by Jian Wei’s introduction. Besides, there was nothing to hide. Clarifying the relationship would make future interactions more straightforward.

Mi Cai responded with a polite smile and said, “Hello,” without adding anything else. The atmosphere, however, turned awkwardly cold due to her indifference.

Yan Yan tried to liven things up by asking Mi Cai, “How did you and Zhaoyang meet? He kept it so secret—we only found out yesterday!”

I looked nervously at Mi Cai. If she didn’t expose me now, this uncomfortable gathering could pass without incident.

“We’ve known each other for a while,” Mi Cai answered vaguely, yet it was a response without flaws.

Yan Yan smiled and said, “From now on, we’ll leave Zhaoyang to you. He’s a bit wild—you need to keep a close eye on him.”

Mi Cai nodded and said, “Yes, I will. His character is a little questionable!”

Yan Yan was momentarily taken aback, looking from Mi Cai to me, puzzled by her remark.