After finishing my meal, I was about to get up and go back to my room when my phone in my pocket vibrated. Not knowing who was calling, I pulled it out to check.
The caller ID displayed: Jiang Yu Chen.
I paused for a moment. Seeing the familiar name, I felt a sudden surge of nervousness, a mixture of worry and curiosity. Without hesitation, I answered, thinking to myself, "What's wrong? Why is Yu Chen calling?"
After the call connected, I immediately asked,
"…Ah… hello? Yu Chen…? You called… what's up?"
The other end was silent, only the sound of wind could be heard. I frowned, confused, and before I could ask further, Yu Chen's voice rang out, warm and gentle:
"Ah… nothing. I just wanted to ask… if you're free this afternoon."
I was a little stunned, thinking to myself, "Free...?" After a moment of bewilderment, I recovered and replied,
"This afternoon... I'm free. Why are you asking?"
Wu Shen, still warm and affectionate, said, "Ah, I wanted to invite you..."
Before Wu Shen could finish his sentence, someone snatched my phone away.
I jumped. Standing before me was Jing Yuan, tall and imposing, his deep, dark eyes startling me.
I stood there, momentarily stunned, before regaining my composure. My eyes widened, and I reached out, desperately trying to retrieve my phone, saying,
"Jing... Jing Yuan... give me back my phone!"
He didn't answer, just stood there, his eyes fixed on me, cold and oppressive. I tried to reach for the phone, but the height difference meant I couldn't get it no matter how hard I tried.
From the other end of the line, Wu Shen's voice rang out:
"Yun Xiang? What's wrong? Are you... are you alright—"
Beep.
Jing Yuan hung up.
I was stunned, then a little angry, I said:
"You... how dare you... hang up? Give it back to me!"
Jing Yuan frowned. His voice lowered, cold:
"Young master... are you worried about an outsider again? Have you forgotten who helped you?"
I froze, my mind suddenly blank. I mumbled:
"But... Wu Shen... he... isn't an outsider either..."
Jing Yuan took a step forward. His eyes were sharp, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy as he spoke:
"So, in the young master's eyes... what am I? Am I... just a servant?"
I froze. A servant...? No… it can't be…
"Ah… no! That's not it!"
He was silent for a moment, tilting his head slightly, his voice a little sarcastic but profound:
"So… does the young master really only see me as a servant?"
I panicked, waving my hands:
"No… no… you've misunderstood."
Kình Uyên took another step forward, leaning close, his breath brushing against the back of my neck:
"Then… what am I to the young master?"
I was stunned. The thought of "lover…?" flashed through my mind but was immediately suppressed, my voice trembling:
"Uh… well… we… are friends…!"
"Friends?" His voice was deep and cold.
"No… not! You are… you are… mine…?" I corrected myself immediately, swallowing my pride and embarrassment, glancing at him: "Are you… satisfied now…?"
Kình Uyên heard this and subtly smirked, his eyes still deep and profound, saying nothing more.
Before I could even collect myself, his hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me along:
"So, today I'll take the young master out."
I was startled and struggled slightly:
"No… no way! I… I'm busy…"
Kình Uyên stopped, tilted his head, and his voice, slightly mocking, no longer had the wronged look from before:
"You were free with that guy earlier… but you're busy with me?"
I was speechless, feeling guilty and not knowing what to say.
I thought to myself, "Isn't it because he kept teasing me and saying those things…"
Kình Uyên pulled me to the car.
Inside, Kình Uyên sat driving, serious and silent. I sat huddled, my hands clasped on my lap, my eyes fixed on my feet.
After a long while, I whispered:
"…Can you… give me back my phone…?"
Kình Uyên didn't answer immediately. He remained silent, his hands gripping the steering wheel expressionless and emotionless, and of course, he didn't bother to answer me.
Seeing that Kình Uyên didn't respond, I frowned slightly, thinking to myself, "Did I say something that angered him?"
A moment later, he only replied, "No... not allowed."