Celia had changed out of her school uniform. Now she wore a white lambskin coat with a hood and horn buttons, the look youthful and fresh.Her long, silky black hair framed her delicate, palm-sized face, and her slender figure stood out immediately as she walked through the crowd.
Nathaniel Fu followed her.
Celia hadn't wanted to come tonight, but after Fan Jun's endless calls and harassment, she finally gave in.
Just then, a tall figure suddenly stepped out in front of her. She couldn't stop in time and collided hard against his chest.
"Hiss…"
It hurt—his chest was as solid as a wall.
Rubbing her forehead, she looked up, only to see the man she least wanted to encounter. Nathaniel Fu.
So this was fate—Beijing was vast, yet somehow, she kept running into him.
Without a word, she moved to walk around him. But he shifted, blocking her path once more.
"What? Pretending you don't know me now?"
Celia lifted her eyes calmly. "Professor Fu."
Nathaniel's gaze darkened when he noticed the red mark on her forehead. Her skin was so pale and delicate that even bumping into him had left her flushed.
"Where are you rushing off to? To see Fan Jun? Are you really going to accept his proposal?" His voice was low, laced with disapproval.
Celia's lips pressed together. "Professor Fu, this is my personal matter. I don't have anything to say to you."
A mocking smile tugged at Nathaniel's thin lips. "Then let's talk about us. Did you really tell people you're still a virgin?"
Her eyes widened slightly. She had just arrived—what was going on?
Was this Yuting's doing again? Why would she say something like that?
The man's tall frame loomed before her, his gaze sharp, carrying both sarcasm and amusement.
"So what if I did?" she said quietly but firmly.
Nathaniel let out a low, humorless laugh. His cold eyes glinted. "You little liar… raising your own value with a pretty story."
Heat rushed to Celia's face. Shame and anger mingled, and her delicate cheeks flushed pink. She glared at him, her watery eyes blazing.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice until it cut like a blade. "Am I wrong? Everyone else would just be playing with what I've already had."
Slap!
Her palm landed sharply against his handsome face.
For a moment, the world seemed to stop.
Nathaniel's expression iced over, his refined features as cold as frost. "Celia, what do you think you're doing?"
"Slapping you!" she shot back, her voice trembling with rage. "Say one more word, and I'll do it again!"
Her clear eyes burned like those of a cornered, fearless little animal.
Nathaniel's tall frame stiffened. She dared to hit him—even after their breakup. A dark, cold sneer tugged at his lips. "You're bold, little liar. I'll wait for the day you're exposed. Then we'll see how you end up."
Celia's red lips curved into a mocking smile. "Don't wait on my account, Professor Fu. You'll never see that day. Even if I had to, I'd make sure no one could tell the difference."
Nathaniel froze, stunned by her words.
"And besides," she continued coldly, "if I'm your so-called 'secondhand,' then you're mine as well. Don't act so high and mighty with me."
With that, she turned on her heel and walked away.
Nathaniel's fists clenched at his sides, fury boiling in his veins. He wanted to drag her back, to teach her a lesson. It had been far too long since he'd disciplined her, and now—she was the one daring to get the upper hand.
…
Celia stepped into the grand hall just as rose petals showered from above. Fan Jun appeared, walking toward her with a diamond ring in hand, his face full of confidence.