ORCBRB – Chapter 53
Chapter 53
Going to Australia with Jian Cenyu to visit her mother was actually a very last-minute decision.
Before Sang Shi'an went to see Sang Shiyue, she saw Jian Cenyu packing her luggage. After a few casual questions, Sang Shi'an asked, “Have you booked the tickets yet?”
Jian Cenyu, who always planned things in advance, fell silent for two seconds before saying, “Not yet.”
So, Sang Shi'an asked Jian Cenyu to add another ticket.
Jian Cenyu didn't refuse, nor did she ask why Sang Shi'an wanted to go with her. She simply reminded her that the temperature in Australia was over thirty degrees and that she should pack summer clothes.
It wasn't until the plane was flying over the vast Pacific Ocean on Friday, with the endless, deep blue sea outside the window, that Sang Shi'an finally felt the tangible reality of having snuck away on vacation with Jian Cenyu.
Ever since that day she touched Jian Cenyu, Sang Shi'an still felt a subtle emotion when facing her. It wasn't dislike; it was just that seeing Jian Cenyu would remind her of those images.
That feeling was very difficult to describe. There was the shock of understanding Jian Cenyu on a deeper level, as well as confusion about the future.
How could Jian Cenyu be so skilled? When Sang Shi'an compared herself to Jian Cenyu, she felt like a kindergarten child.
When they got together and did those things, would Jian Cenyu secretly laugh at her behind her back?
The flight to Australia would take over ten hours, which meant sitting next to Jian Cenyu for ten hours. So, the awkward Sang Shi'an turned off her phone as soon as she boarded the plane and took out her iPad to work on linear algebra problems.
Jian Cenyu was sending her registration information to the person picking them up in Australia. When she turned her head, she saw Sang Shi'an doing matrix calculations on a split screen. She leaned over slightly to check her steps.
A quick scan revealed not a single mistake.
Jian Cenyu felt a slight sense of regret, starting to miss the little kid who used to chase after her, begging for help with her problems.
Sang Shi'an noticed her gaze and turned to ask humbly, “Did I get something wrong?”
After all, she had just taken the graduate entrance exam, and the cutoff score for Yanjing University's Finance Department was unusually high. For Jian Cenyu's year, the cutoff had even soared to 417. To get such a score, one would probably need 140+ in advanced mathematics.
Jian Cenyu rubbed her temples and said, “No, I just looked out the window for a bit too long and feel a little dizzy.”
Sang Shi'an was taken aback and stood up, intending to switch seats with Jian Cenyu. “Let me sit by the window then. It might be more comfortable.”
There were still a few empty seats in first class; no one had boarded since the beginning, perhaps because they weren't sold. But both of them seemed to have forgotten that there were other seats available.
Jian Cenyu switched seats with Sang Shi'an.
Sang Shi'an continued working on her problems. Before long, she noticed Jian Cenyu leaning over again.
Sang Shi'an immediately became alert, then forced herself to relax.
Jian Cenyu said, “It seems it's not because of the window seat, but because the plane is too turbulent.”
Sang Shi'an glanced suspiciously at the open cups of juice the flight attendant had poured for them when they boarded. Not a single drop had spilled. She had no idea where the turbulence was.
It was like with people who get carsick; those who don't always feel the car is steady. Sang Shi'an thoughtfully put down her iPad and didn't ask any more questions.
“Should I get you a pair of earplugs? I heard that helps.”
“My ears hurt,” Jian Cenyu refused, then asked, “Can I lean on your shoulder for a bit?”
Sang Shi'an nodded. “Of course. If you still feel unwell, you must tell me. I'll ask the flight attendant for help.”
A weight settled on her shoulder, and the scent of woody cold lotus drew near. Jian Cenyu said, “Okay.”
Sang Shi'an thought to herself, No wonder Jian Cenyu rarely returned to the country in the past four years. It turns out she can't handle flying.
Just as she had this thought, the left side of her neck suddenly went numb.
Her thoughts froze for two seconds. When Sang Shi'an came to her senses, she stiffly realized, Is Jian Cenyu... nuzzling me?
Ever since she was caught watching that video, Sang Shi'an found that she had changed too. Specifically, when she looked at Jian Cenyu, it was as if she were naked. Everything Jian Cenyu did in front of her seemed like a form of seduction.
Sang Shi'an sat up straight and asked dryly, “Jian Cenyu, what are you doing?”
Jian Cenyu's breath brazenly caressed Sang Shi'an's neck as she spoke, “Didn't you let me lean on you?”
But you don't have to be this close.
We're almost at zero distance.
Sang Shi'an couldn't help but wonder, if she were an omega, would Jian Cenyu be about to bite her and achieve negative distance?
Another five minutes passed. The base of Sang Shi'an's neck was hot and red. Unable to hold back any longer, she asked again, “Are you sure we don't need to call a flight attendant? I feel like your body temperature is a bit high.”
Jian Cenyu chuckled softly, her hot breath continuing to fall on the base of Sang Shi'an's neck. “It's fine. It's because we're at a lower latitude now, so the temperature is rising. Being able to lean on you like this, I'm already feeling much better.”
To Sang Shi'an's ears, that tone was incredibly heart-wrenching.
Besides, she was the one who had actively tagged along on Jian Cenyu's trip for fun. If she just stood by and did nothing... Sang Shi'an felt her conscience wouldn't be at ease.
Just then, the much-recovered Jian Cenyu wrapped her arm around Sang Shi'an's waist. The ticklish spot on her side was already sensitive, and when it was suddenly brushed against, a tingling numbness spread from her waist. Sang Shi'an couldn't hold back a pleasant moan, “Mmm...”
Jian Cenyu's still low voice explained by her ear, “Leaning like this will crush my arm. Is it okay if I hold you like this?”
Sang Shi'an pressed down firmly on Jian Cenyu's hand. “Then you're not allowed to touch my waist. I'm ticklish.”
This made it even more convenient for Jian Cenyu to openly pull her entire body into her embrace. “Okay.”
Sang Shi'an could no longer work on her problems. Her body tensed as she gazed at the large cloud formations outside the window.
Just as her legs were about to go numb from holding the same position, Jian Cenyu finally let her go and leaned back in her own seat, returning to her usual calm and composed demeanor. She called a flight attendant and asked for a cup of hot milk, drinking from the ordinary paper cup with the elegance of someone holding a wine glass at a banquet.
She seemed to have recovered.
Sang Shi'an wanted to say something, but after hesitating for a long time, she feared Jian Cenyu would push her luck, so she held her tongue.
Jian Cenyu noticed her movement and said in a low voice, “I brought you out to have fun, yet I made you take care of me. I'm truly sorry.”
“It's okay.” Sang Shi'an sat up straight and brought up that night's incident for the first time. “Just don't do strange things without my permission like you did on Tuesday night.”
Jian Cenyu chuckled, admitting her mistake very proactively. “Okay, it was my fault.”
When it came to matters involving Jian Cenyu, Sang Shi'an was very easy to coax. The moment she heard the apology, she magnanimously forgave her.
She tilted her head and observed Jian Cenyu for a long time, dying of curiosity. “Why do I feel like you're not really pursuing me? Don't you ask every day if I'm willing to be with you? How come you're not sincere at all?”
Jian Cenyu: ...
Jian Cenyu originally didn't want to put too much pressure on Sang Shi'an. If Sang Shi'an was hesitant, it was no big deal for her to coax her for a while longer.
But she never expected to be seen as insincere by a certain heartless person.
Jian Cenyu put down her milk cup and said lightly, “Yes, I'm indeed not sincere. I just have too much money to burn and plan to play with your feelings.”
Sang Shi'an: ...
Not to mention anything else, the money spent on renting out the amusement park for her birthday was more expensive than the Lamborghini Sang Shiyue had given her.
And she would also lose the benefits of the ready-made marriage alliance with her family.
Sang Shi'an's heart panicked. She averted her gaze and said, “Nonsense.”
“Don't provoke me.” Jian Cenyu was helpless, but she couldn't do anything about Sang Shi'an. In the end, she pinched Sang Shi'an's cheek and gave it a gentle tug. “No one will see us here. Do you want me to kiss you right here to express my affection for you?”
Sang Shi'an was flustered and immediately sat up straight again, breathing out. “No, no.”
But Jian Cenyu didn't let her off. “So, can you accept my confession today?”
Sang Shi'an bit her lip and said softly, “No.”
Jian Cenyu: “Then may I ask for the reason?”
Sang Shi'an was stunned, looking troubled as if to say, 'Why do you have to ask that?' “Because you haven't been pursuing me for long enough. I've heard from others that relationships that start after a short pursuit don't last long.”
“Is that so?” Jian Cenyu paused for a few seconds as if counting the days. “It has indeed only been five days. A bit short.”
Receiving affirmation, Sang Shi'an's troubled expression finally relaxed into a smile. “So we have to wait until next week at least. Once the new year comes, we can say you've pursued me for two years.”
Pursuing for two years should be long enough, right? It could last a lifetime, right?
When the plane landed, it was already ten o'clock at night local time.
Jian Cenyu's mother lived in a secluded, wealthy neighborhood. The estate had its own dedicated medical team to serve her, and the private garden was filled with blooming roses and tulips. Before they could even go see the elder, Jian Cenyu, who got out of the car first, pulled Sang Shi'an into the garden, cut a large bouquet of flowers, and placed them in her arms.
The stems were all thorny. Sang Shi'an was in the middle of a video call with her parents to let them know she'd arrived safely. Having so many flowers thrust into her arms in front of the camera, she was too scared to move, especially when Jian Cenyu's words, “Flowers for you,” were clearly heard in the video.
On the other side of the video, Ren Li didn't react abnormally. Instead, she praised, “Are those the roses your Auntie Luo planted? The variety seems different from the ones back home. They're blooming much better than the last time I visited.”
The screen flipped, and Sang Shi'an's face was finally freed. She shot a fierce glare at Jian Cenyu.
Jian Cenyu, however, looked perfectly composed. Dressed in a clean white shirt, her long black hair blew in the wind, looking deceptively proper.
This directly appealed to Ren Li's aesthetic sense. Sure enough, the moment Ren Li saw Jian Cenyu on camera, she immediately offered a few words of praise.
Furious, Sang Shi'an started baring her teeth off-camera and moved the camera to show the garden.
After admiring the garden at eleven at night to her heart's content, Ren Li asked, “When are you coming back?”
Her next exam was on January third, which meant Sang Shi'an could stay here for four days. “I should be back on the second.”
Ren Li calculated the time and said a few words to Jian Cenyu along the lines of 'please take care of Sang Shi'an.' Jian Cenyu looked at Sang Shi'an and replied politely, “Don't worry, Auntie.”
Sang Shi'an couldn't stand their tone of treating her like a child, so she changed the subject to show concern for Sang Shiyue. “Brother said he's going to buy fireworks for New Year's Eve. Mom, you have to keep an eye on him, don't let him get arrested by the police.”
A chilly voice came from the phone, “Sang Shi'an, so this is how you, you little traitor, tattle on me when I'm not home?”
Sang Shi'an was so scared she almost dropped her phone. “I-I-I'm going to see Auntie Luo now. She's not well and can't stay up late. Bye Dad, Mom, Brother, good night!”
Sang Shi'an tossed the roses back at Jian Cenyu. Before she could bicker with her, she heard a gentle voice from behind, “An'an, Cenyu?”
The last time she had seen Luo Wei was a few months ago when she came to the Sang family to discuss the marriage alliance. Sang Shi'an trotted over and gave Luo Wei a hug, inadvertently revealing the watch Luo Wei had given her last time. “It's windy outside, Auntie Luo, hurry back inside.”
Even Jian Cenyu had only just noticed that Sang Shi'an had deliberately worn the watch her mother had given her today. Seeing a gift she gave being cherished put Luo Wei in an excellent mood. She looked at the two with a hint of playful reproach. “You two know it's windy, too? And you still stood outside for so long.”
“It was my mom. She was envious of Auntie's garden and specifically asked me to take more pictures.”
“But they'd look better if you took them during the day.”
The luggage was brought into the house by a Chinese housemaid. Luo Wei smiled and led the two inside, asking, “An'an, what made you think of coming to Australia?”
Sang Shi'an: “Because Cenyu Jiejie said she'd cover my plane ticket, food, and accommodation. I couldn't resist the temptation, so I secretly tagged along.”
Her words made Luo Wei laugh again.
While they chatted, Jian Cenyu was trimming the flower stems and arranging them in a vase. Seeing that it was almost eleven-thirty, Jian Cenyu urged Luo Wei to go upstairs and rest.
Only then did Luo Wei give them a few more instructions before going upstairs to rest.
Jian Cenyu led Sang Shi'an to a room that had been prepared in advance. She pushed the door open, and after a few dozen seconds of silence, the sound of the door closing was heard.
Sang Shi'an, who was looking around the room, stopped and turned her head.
Jian Cenyu walked over, wiped a piece of furniture with her hand to confirm the room was clean, and then asked, “Are you angry?”
“Because I gave you flowers during your video call with your family?”
That actually wasn't the reason. Sang Shi'an stammered, “By coming here with you, did I cause you trouble?”
Just now, her mother had asked Jian Cenyu to be patient with her, and Luo Wei had also asked Jian Cenyu to take care of her. Thinking about it, she felt she had been a bit thoughtless.
Jian Cenyu walked up to Sang Shi'an and lifted her chin. “You've been worrying about this the whole time?”
Sang Shi'an twisted her head but couldn't shake free. She asked discontentedly, “What are you doing? Let go first.”
Jian Cenyu raised her hand and flicked Sang Shi'an's forehead, neither too lightly nor too heavily. She smiled. “You don't really think I deliberately chose such a busy period to come see my mother, do you?”
Luo Wei's chronic illness was serious in a way, but also mild in another. As long as her environment and mood were good, she didn't even need daily medication. But if she returned to the country and had to deal with the Jian family's troubles, that wouldn't be the case.
Sang Shi'an rubbed her forehead, then, as if suddenly realizing something, stared blankly at Jian Cenyu.
Jian Cenyu said slowly, “A few days ago, I accidentally offended someone. I was afraid I'd lose all my impression points, so I had to find a less obvious reason to trick that person into coming on vacation with me.”
The expression on Sang Shi'an's face was still frozen. Unsure how to react, she simply lowered her head and started organizing her suitcase.
Opening the suitcase revealed neatly folded summer clothes. When Sang Shi'an took out the first dress, Jian Cenyu handed her a hanger in a very natural motion.
Jian Cenyu had expected that, given Sang Shi'an's personality, she would ask things like 'Is this pretty?' or 'Is this suitable for taking pictures at the beach?' after hanging up the first item. Instead, Sang Shi'an just walked past her to the closet and said softly, “You know you're wrong, but you won't change anyway.”
Jian Cenyu heard her and ruffled Sang Shi'an's hair. “Who says bad things about people to their face?”
Sang Shi'an pressed her lips together, smiling secretly, her bright eyes filled with a sweet smile. After hanging the clothes in the closet, she turned, tugged on the corner of Jian Cenyu's shirt, and wheedled shamelessly, “But Cenyu Jiejie is a mature adult. You definitely won't hold it against me, right?”
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