Chapter 071 I Have a Girlfriend Now

Jiang Yao’s body stiffened involuntarily as she slowly turned around.

From the Mercedes behind her, the passenger-side door opened, and a man stepped out, dressed in a crisp white shirt. His sleeves were casually rolled up, and he leaned one arm on the car door, looking at her. “Yao.”

He Wenqing...

“You—how did you…” Jiang Yao was so startled she began to stammer.

“I came back to pay my respects to my ancestors. I happened to run into Mr. Zhou, so we shared a ride. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Jiang Yao forced a smile. It seemed fate really did enjoy toying with her.

“Were you planning to keep hiding?” he asked softly.

“Why would I be hiding? I’m just out for some air!” Jiang Yao tilted her head and gestured toward her house. “Come in and sit.”

He Wenqing followed her inside, standing upright as he took in the surroundings.

Jiang Yao poured him some water. “How’s Yi Yi?”

He Wenqing accepted the glass. “She’s well—got the role she wanted as the third female lead. She’s been busy lately.”

“And… how’s Cheng Yanchi?” Jiang Yao asked again.

“Do you think he’d be anything but fine?” He Wenqing replied flatly.

He Wenqing’s mind flashed to Cheng Yanchi, utterly drunk. Ever since Jiang Yao left, Cheng Yanchi would often seek him out, dragging him out for drinks, venting his sorrows as he got drunk, cursing him between gulps, and then, once spent, clinging to him and shouting “brother.” Every few days, the same scene would play out again.

“That’s good,” Jiang Yao said, pulling out a chair and sitting down.

He Wenqing sat across from her, his gaze sharp and scrutinizing.

Jiang Yao turned her face away, uncomfortable. “What?”

“Aren’t you going to ask how I’ve been?” He Wenqing frowned.

Jiang Yao turned back, propping her chin in her hand as she looked at him. “Do I need to ask? Looking at you, you must be doing just fine.”

“I’m not fine.”

He Wenqing’s gaze on her deepened, his voice low and serious.

Jiang Yao seemed struck by that look and shrank back, quickly changing the subject. “Are you hungry? What do you want for dinner?”

“Anything’s fine.”

She thought for a moment. “Never mind, I’ll take you somewhere nice later.”

They chatted in fits and starts for a while, and before long, dusk began to settle.

Jiang Yao took He Wenqing to her favorite night market stall.

“Yao, you’re not alone today?” someone called out.

“Yao, who’s this handsome guy? Not going to introduce us?”

“Yao, come have some watermelon!”

Cradling half a large watermelon in her arms, Jiang Yao hurried forward with He Wenqing, walking straight to her favorite noodle stall. She ordered two bowls and sat down with him. The noodles were served quickly, and Jiang Yao felt like she was sitting on pins and needles under everyone’s gaze.

All she’d wanted was to let He Wenqing try her favorite noodles, but she’d forgotten just how warm and welcoming the people here were—especially with someone as eye-catching as He Wenqing by her side.

He Wenqing, perhaps used to being the center of attention, seemed utterly unfazed. He sat there with calm elegance, eating his noodles unhurriedly, nodding politely at those who greeted him.

Sister Zheng, the owner, brought over their noodles but didn’t leave. She stood with her arms folded, giving Jiang Yao a knowing look. “Yao, who is this?”

Jiang Yao took a bite of noodles and glanced at He Wenqing. “Oh, this is my cousin.”

Sister Zheng let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good. Otherwise, I’d have worried my Xiao Xiang would be out of luck. You know how stubborn he is…”

He Wenqing put down his chopsticks, looking steadily at Jiang Yao. “Am I?”

She shot back, “Aren’t you?”

“What’s this about?” Sister Zheng clapped Jiang Yao on the shoulder. “Didn’t you say your light at home was broken? I told you, Xiao Xiang could fix it when he gets back. But now your cousin’s here—does he know how to fix a light bulb?”

Jiang Yao forced a smile. “He does, he’s very good at it.”

“Well, that’s fine. He can meet Xiao Xiang too—no harm in everyone making friends.”

He Wenqing finished his bowl of noodles in silence.

“How much?” he asked, getting up to pay.

“Oh, don’t worry about it,” Sister Zheng waved him off. “We’re all friends here, no need to be so formal.”

“How much?” He Wenqing insisted.

Sister Zheng looked at Jiang Yao, puzzled.

“It’s okay, Sister Zheng, my cousin’s just like this,” Jiang Yao explained.

Only then did Sister Zheng bring out the payment code. He Wenqing paid, then took Jiang Yao by the wrist and led her away from the noodle stall, his grip firm as they wove through the bustling crowd.

“He Wenqing, slow down, I can’t keep up,” Jiang Yao half-ran to keep pace.

At the roadside, the mahjong tables were being set up again.

“Yao, we’re one short! Come over here!” Aunt Zhang called out.

Jiang Yao stopped, tugged He Wenqing’s sleeve, and pointed at the mahjong table.

“He Wenqing, the national pastime!”

He looked back at the expectant faces and then at the sparkle in Jiang Yao’s eyes. Resigned, he let her pull him to the table.

“Yao, who’s this?” someone asked.

“My cousin,” Jiang Yao replied automatically as she sat down.

“Does your cousin know how to play?”

Jiang Yao glanced at He Wenqing—he didn’t look the type, so she shook her head.

“Then have your cousin play with us. You win too much anyway,” someone said.

Jiang Yao looked helplessly at He Wenqing, seeking his opinion.

He Wenqing elegantly rolled up his sleeves, pulled Jiang Yao aside, and sat down at the table.

Jiang Yao leaned in and whispered, gesturing as she spoke, “First do this, then this…”

The others at the table watched their interaction, then someone asked, “Yao, does your cousin have a girlfriend?”

“No,” Jiang Yao replied.

Aunt Zhang’s eyes lit up. “Well, isn’t this perfect! My niece is single too—you’ve met her, she’s quite pretty. How about introducing her to your cousin?”

“Well…” Jiang Yao hesitated, pursing her lips.

“What do you say, young man?” Aunt Zhang craned her neck toward He Wenqing.

He Wenqing calmly arranged his tiles. “Sorry, I already have a girlfriend.”

At those words, everyone at the table, including Jiang Yao, was surprised.

“Yao, you’re really slipping—your cousin already has a girlfriend,” they teased her.

Jiang Yao lowered her head, rubbing her hands together.

Of course, she thought. After all, He Wenqing was so sought after.

She’d been gone so long; it was only natural she didn’t know everything anymore.

It was only natural that he had a girlfriend.

Natural…

Lost in thought, Jiang Yao couldn’t help but give He Wenqing’s chair a little kick beneath the table.