ORCBRB – Chapter 25
Chapter 25
“When I see people slandering her with rumors, I can't help but want to clear her name. When I see others confessing to her, I feel like none of them are good enough for her. When I hear her family is plotting against her, I really want to help her.”
“So, Miss Sang, your relationship is actually quite good?”
“No, our relationship is terrible. She's taken over my house and won my parents' favor. Everyone at school likes her too, and we have some personal conflicts between us.”
“But Miss Sang, what you just said…”
“That's why I came to you. Do you think there's something wrong with me mentally lately? Do I have some kind of self-destructive tendency? Is there medication for it?”
...
An hour later, Sang Shi'an slowly shuffled out of the doctor's office. Outside, Su Ningyue was nearly asleep from waiting. Seeing Sang Shi'an, she quickly went to meet her.
“How did it go? What did the doctor say? Let me see the prescription, I'll go get the medicine for you.”
Sang Shi'an opened her medical record and, like a mournful spirit, pointed a ghostly finger at the electronic prescription. “Quack.”
Su Ningyue looked up the three listed medications on Baidu one by one.
Two types of vitamin pills, one type of calming pill.
The kind that even a healthy, normal person could take.
She felt a surge of pity for Sang Shi'an. “What on earth possessed you to see a psychiatrist? Why don't we find a more professional private one to make a house call?”
Sang Shi'an was listless. “Forget it. Do you think my family wouldn't find out by the afternoon if I hired one this morning?”
Sang Shi'an hadn't slept all night, and her mental state was indeed terrible. Her face was deathly pale, and her eyes were dull from sleepiness.
Su Ningyue held her arm tightly, afraid she might fall.
“I don't think I have self-destructive tendencies. It might be a split personality,” Sang Shi'an diagnosed herself with a new condition as they sat in a breakfast shop near the hospital. “You know, the kind with multiple personalities.”
Su Ningyue now had an inkling of what Sang Shi'an was thinking. “Sangsang, people with multiple personalities are usually triggered by specific people or events. Is it like that for you?”
Hearing this, Sang Shi'an became even more certain. “Yes, yes, that's it! When I encounter a specific person and situation, another personality emerges from my body. When I think back on it later, I feel like I was out of my mind at the time.”
Su Ningyue: “...You're not talking about when you run into Senior Jian, are you?”
Sang Shi'an finally couldn't hold it in anymore and repeated to Su Ningyue what she had told the psychiatrist.
Dr. Su was silent for a very, very long time. “I think, if a professional psychiatrist says you're fine, then you're definitely fine.”
Sang Shi'an: “Then why do I get this urge to protect her?”
Su Ningyue sighed softly, looking at Sang Shi'an with pity. “Maybe it's because you're using a side account to trick her into an online romance, and it's affecting you? The night before you do these things, haven't you always been chatting with Senior Jian?”
Sang Shi'an had a sudden realization. “So I don't have a split personality?”
Su Ningyue bit into a wonton. “Once you succeed in your online romance with Senior Jian and complete your mission, you won't have these thoughts anymore.”
Sang Shi'an's mood swings came and went quickly. Once she figured it out, she planned to go home and catch up on sleep. “I'm heading back now. My parents thought it was strange that I left so early this morning. I told them I was out with you, so please don't tell anyone I went to the hospital.”
“Don't worry.” Su Ningyue made a zipping motion across her lips, then called out to Sang Shi'an again. “Are you going to Ye Wenwen's birthday party tonight? If you are, I'll pick up a gift for you when I buy mine this afternoon.”
Sang Shi'an was calling a car on her phone and replied casually, “Get one for me, please. I'll go if I can wake up in time.”
When she got home, her parents were both in the living room. Enduring her family's strange looks, she went upstairs expressionlessly, quickly took off her coat, and dove into her bed.
Then, as was her routine, she sent a message to Jian Cenyu from her Kitty account before sleeping.
[I can't run into Jiejie by chance on the weekend. I missed Jiejie so much last night I couldn't sleep.]
[Jiejie, I'm going to catch up on sleep now. I hope I can see Jiejie in my dreams.]
[I want to cuddle with Jiejie, and I want to kiss Jiejie's lips. Jiejie's lips must be very soft and sweet.]
Jian Cenyu didn't reply right away. Sang Shi'an looked at the messages she had sent and reflected seriously, feeling that she was getting better at this with practice, just like a romance scammer.
But the moment she remembered that Jian Cenyu liked women yet insisted on a marriage alliance with her family, that little bit of guilt vanished again.
She tossed her phone onto the bedside table, rolled over, and started to catch up on sleep.
When she woke up again, it was already past five in the afternoon.
Jian Cenyu had replied while she was asleep: [You haven't come to find me at school either.]
I'm right in front of you every day, and you haven't noticed, Sang Shi'an thought to herself.
Kitty: [I was just afraid Jiejie would reject me.]
[When Jiejie likes me a little more, I'll go find Jiejie, okay?]
Jian Cenyu: [More?]
Kitty: [I misspoke. I'll be very happy if Jiejie likes me just a little, little, little bit.]
Jian Cenyu: [Why so insecure?]
Sang Shi'an huffed twice. Isn't it because you're so reserved?
Kitty: [Because Jiejie is too amazing.]
[I'll work hard to catch up to Jiejie and try to get recommended for graduate studies with Professor Xu next year, to become Jiejie's junior!]
[I'm studying hard in the library right now.]
[Really.]
Jian Cenyu: [Okay, keep it up.]
Ever since Jian Cenyu had exposed her lie about the exam, Sang Shi'an had become much more cautious. She switched to her notes app and wrote down a sentence: Third year, preparing for graduate school recommendation.
An hour later, after finishing her makeup, Sang Shi'an chose a beautiful off-the-shoulder dress. The neckline was trimmed with a circle of long fluff and fine glitter. She paid no mind to the sub-zero temperature outside; after all, the bar would be heated.
The friend whose birthday it was, Ye Wenwen, was one of Sang Shi'an's childhood friends. She had originally gone to university in another province but ended up failing ten subjects in one year and was called in for a talk by the school. Her family had no choice but to decide to send her abroad after the new year to get a diploma.
The new school wasn't as good as her original one in China, but it was easier to graduate from, and it would still count as having studied abroad.
So, Ye Wenwen took the opportunity of her birthday to book an entire bar, hire a chef, and invite everyone to a party.
When Sang Shi'an and Su Ningyue arrived, the party was already in full swing. Not only were their familiar friends there, but a host of B-list celebrities and internet influencers had also been invited. Men and women were immersed in the bizarre, colorful lights, creating a lively scene.
The moment Sang Shi'an entered and saw this, she frowned. She rejected a strange man who tried to hit on her and, with Su Ningyue, navigated several turns before finding a slightly quieter spot at the bar.
“Now I know why she could fail ten subjects in one year. Isn't her dad about to get a promotion? Isn't she afraid someone will dig up some news about her for doing this?” Sang Shi'an took a menu and started ticking things off, complaining in a low voice. “Anyone who didn't know better would think this was some kind of debauched party.”
Su Ningyue turned her head and pointed Sang Shi'an in a certain direction, where some people were already engaged in passionate, close-contact dancing. She was unfazed. “She's leaving soon, so she invited everyone in our circle. The older ones love this kind of thing. We can just leave early later.”
The Sang family had been gaining momentum in recent years, so not long after Sang Shi'an sat down, many people came over to strike up a conversation and make friends. Sang Shi'an just focused on her food, pretending not to hear them, at most giving a perfunctory response or two.
When she was about half full, Su Ningyue went to the bar and ordered a Twilight City, a cocktail the bartender was currently performing with. A beautiful golden hue bloomed between the white top and orange bottom of the cocktail, looking stunning under the bar's lights.
Sang Shi'an ordered one too. It tasted quite sweet, and she took several big gulps. It wasn't until she reached the golden orb in the middle that it turned a bit sour. She smacked her lips. “This doesn't taste much like alcohol. It's sweet and sour, quite thirst-quenching.”
Su Ningyue immediately warned her, “That's the lemon masking the taste. You should drink it slowly.”
She had ordered it once before and knew it was made with high-proof liquor, but Sang Shi'an was drinking it like a soft drink, too fast for her to stop.
Fortunately, the alcohol was slow to take effect, and Sang Shi'an didn't seem to be reacting much. She probably wouldn't get drunk just from this.
Su Ningyue looked at the incoming call on her phone and instructed, “Take it easy with that drink. My sister is calling me. I'm going to step outside to take it. I'll be right back.”
After Su Ningyue left, a friend of Sang Shiyue's came over from the dance floor, patting her on the shoulder in surprise. “It really is you, little sister. Why are you sitting here all alone instead of dancing?”
Seeing Sang Shi'an look behind him, the man smiled knowingly. “Don't worry, your brother isn't here. He doesn't like to hang out with you kids, so he won't lecture you.”
Sang Shi'an immediately relaxed. She couldn't remember the man's name, so she just called him the all-purpose ‘brother.’ “I didn't sleep well last night. I wouldn't have come if it wasn't my friend's birthday.”
The man tutted twice and gestured over his shoulder to his dance partner. “Then what's the fun in you being here? Look at the person I found. Pretty, right? How does my taste compare to your brother's?”
Sang Shi'an lazily glanced over and saw the internet celebrity who was clearly a product of cosmetic surgery from head to toe. She paused for a second and said, “She's pretty.”
The man was pleased. “Good looks and a great figure. Her waist is so thin and she's so soft.”
Sang Shi'an gave an awkward smile. “Well, I wish you a pleasant evening, brother.”
The man's competitive spirit was satisfied. He waved at Sang Shi'an with a smile. “Alright, brother's gotta go. If you get wild and drink too much later, come find me. I guarantee I'll get you home safely.”
Sang Shi'an watched the man return to the dance floor and start flirting again as if no one was watching. She couldn't bear to look and quickly turned back to her drink, trying to block out the amorous sounds.
She could never understand people who were willing to die for love, and when it came to matters of lust, she understood even less.
The murky air was filled with suggestive laughter and the rich aroma of alcohol. Sang Shi'an was actually feeling a bit dizzy by now. She stopped responding to people who came to talk to her and just scrolled through her phone, waiting for Su Ningyue to return.
But she didn't think she was drunk. She just assumed it was because she had pulled an all-nighter. Feeling thirsty, she finished the rest of her cocktail.
The bartender noticed her empty glass and thoughtfully brought over another Twilight City.
By the time Jian Cenyu arrived after receiving Su Ningyue's message, it was nearly an hour later.
She found Sang Shi'an in a remote corner of the bar. Her posture was still relatively upright, but her head was drooping.
When Jian Cenyu put a hand on Sang Shi'an's shoulder and turned her around, it took a long moment for Sang Shi'an's eyes to focus. She enunciated each syllable, “Jian… Cen… yu?”
Jian Cenyu brushed the long hair from Sang Shi'an's forehead and praised her like a child. “You can recognize people. Much better than last time.”
Sang Shi'an hadn't actually recognized her. The lights in front of her were swaying, and the figure was moving. Her whole world felt like it was spinning.
But she could recognize the unique, elegant fragrance on Jian Cenyu.
“Where's Su Ningyue?”
Jian Cenyu half-supported, half-carried Sang Shi'an to her feet, explaining, “She was taken away by her sister. Su Ningshang called me half an hour ago and asked me to take you home.”
Sang Shi'an barely understood. The moment she was steady on her feet, the name ‘Su Ningshang’ prompted her to suddenly wrap her arms around Jian Cenyu's neck, lean close to her ear, and say proudly, “I'll tell you a secret that no one else knows.”
“I saw her kissing her sister!” Sang Shi'an, it was unclear if she was sober or even more confused, kept talking nonstop as she was led outside. “Every time her sister flies to Yancheng, she disappears. I think she likes her sister too.”
Once they were out of the noisy main hall, Jian Cenyu had Sang Shi'an lean against a wall for a moment while she rummaged in her bag for her car keys. “You seem to know a lot?”
“Of course I…” Sang Shi'an made a gesture, lost her footing, and clung to Jian Cenyu like a pillar again, whispering and laughing by her ear. “Of course I know. I can tell who likes whom at a single glance.”
“Is that so?” Jian Cenyu's tone was very cool. She patted Sang Shi'an's shoulder, trying to get her to settle down.
In her tipsy state, Sang Shi'an only heard what she wanted to hear. She bit down viciously on Jian Cenyu's neck. “For example, you don't like my brother. I can tell.”
A sharp pain shot through her neck. Jian Cenyu's hand tangled in Sang Shi'an's hair, and she let out a short laugh. “Perhaps.”
Hearing this, Sang Shi'an hesitated for a moment before Jian Cenyu gripped the back of her neck, pulled her away, and bundled her into the car. The headlights of the car in front flashed for a few seconds, hurting Sang Shi'an's eyes and making her head spin even more.
By the time Jian Cenyu got back into the driver's seat, Sang Shi'an had recovered a little. Her unbuckled body swayed back and forth until Jian Cenyu steadied her again.
Sang Shi'an looked up, her flushed face a mix with her exquisite makeup. She said, “Jian Cenyu… how come you always appear whenever I get drunk? Do you have some kind of superpower?”
Jian Cenyu held down her restless hands and reached for the seatbelt.
Sang Shi'an grabbed her hand, bit it, and then dazedly observed Jian Cenyu's reaction.
In the dim car, a deep meaning seemed to color those light, cool eyes. Sang Shi'an leaned in exceptionally close, then suddenly broke into a joyful smile. “It doesn't hurt. It's fake again…”
Jian Cenyu's gaze flickered. “Again?”
Sang Shi'an obviously wasn't going to answer that question. The next moment, she reached out with both hands, wrapped them around Jian Cenyu's waist, and hugged her tightly.
“Your waist is obviously softer and thinner. How can those women with full-body plastic surgery compare to you?” Sang Shi'an hummed as she touched her. “My brother won't lose to him…”
Sang Shi'an's eyelids grew heavier and heavier. The feeling of the alcohol hitting her wasn't pleasant. Probably because she was so dizzy, she uncomfortably pressed her head against Jian Cenyu's shoulder, inching closer and closer until there was no gap between them.
And so, Jian Cenyu sat in the driver's seat while Sang Shi'an draped herself over, buried in her embrace.
A pair of hands held on tightly.
One second, one minute.
Ten minutes.
Jian Cenyu let Sang Shi'an hold her. The spot on her hand that had been bitten no longer had a mark, only a faint, fading trace of moisture.
Sang Shi'an had probably fallen fast asleep, not even feeling the discomfort of the center console pressing against her waist. Her breathing became steady.
Jian Cenyu raised a hand and stroked the top of Sang Shi'an's head. A moment later, she hugged her even tighter.
The car's air conditioning maintained a constant temperature, and a thin layer of frost soon formed on the windows, obscuring the view from outside.
After an unknown amount of time, Sang Shi'an in her arms finally woke up due to the uncomfortable sleeping position, mumbling for her phone.
Her phone had already slipped under the seat. Jian Cenyu couldn't reach it while holding her, so she could only hand over her own phone. “What do you need your phone for?”
Sang Shi'an squinted, taking a while to remember what she wanted to do.
“...Want to check the time.”
“Nine-twelve.”
“The library is about to close.” Sang Shi'an took Jian Cenyu's phone, clutching it in her hand as her voice trailed off. “I have to send a message to Jiejie.”
Jian Cenyu's lowered lashes concealed the expression in her eyes. After a long, long time, she let out a choked laugh. “Little liar.”
The next morning, Sang Shi'an was woken up by Jian Cenyu, and unsurprisingly, she had a headache. Thinking about her two Monday morning classes, Tax Law and Economic Law, Sang Shi'an gritted her teeth and got up to wash.
Her memory of last night stopped at Jian Cenyu leading her out of the bar. After that, she seemed to have completely passed out, with no recollection of how or when she got home.
She planned to send a message to Su Ningyue, asking her to bring her some breakfast.
But unexpectedly, Su Ningyue had already found a substitute for her class late last night and had sent her the substitute's WeChat contact, asking her to look after them during class.
Sang Shi'an: ...
Sang Shi'an rubbed her temples, a wave of speechlessness washing over her.
While doing her skincare, she switched her WeChat to her Kitty account.
There was a message from Jian Cenyu from last night. Sang Shi'an hadn't thought much of it, assuming it was just a concerned message sent around the library's closing time.
But she never expected that when she opened her phone, the two latest messages would be:
Kitty: [But I really love Jiejie, I really want to be in a relationship with Jiejie, will you be with me? I'll be good and listen to Jiejie and treat Jiejie well.]
Jian Cenyu: [Okay.]
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