Chapter 367: You Had a Crush in Senior High?
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Through the reflection of the mirror, Ruan Danchen saw Qi Chenglin entering the washroom with her phone in his hand. “You have a call.”
Ruan Danchen switched off the booming hairdryer, took the phone from Qi Chenglin and looked at the caller. It was her senior high deskmate.
Her senior high deskmate was a woman, and that was why Qi Chenglin’s expression remained the same and did not seem unhappy.
Ruan Danchen decided to simply leave her hair as it was. She was about to head out with the phone but was stopped by Qi Chenglin, who moved the chair at the side toward them.
Using only one hand to move the chair, Ruan Danchen could see the force exerted by the distinctive joints of his long fingers. The firm muscles in his exposed arm were also bulging from the force. She found his strong, firm muscles to be particularly attractive and sexy.
Getting Ruan Danchen to sit on the chair, Qi Chenglin reached over the shelf to take a towel. He then started to dry her hair attentively and patiently with it.
Ruan Danchen studied his faint expression through the mirror. His soft, patient gaze drew a smile on her face.
She answered the phone with a grin, “Hi deskmate. Why did you call?”
Despite being a female, her deskmate was given a male name by her parents, Gao Xiaoyang. Just like how bipolar her name and gender were, her carefree name did not reflect her quiet and elegant character. Ruan Danchen got to know that her deskmate was currently working as a journalist for an economics newspaper.
Ruan Danchen and Gao Xiaoyang were deskmates for two years in senior high, so they were rather close to each other. It was only after graduation, on top of Ruan Danchen’s unpleasant experience, that they seldom contacted each other.
When nostalgia for the past had become popular after joining the workforce, everyone started to get back into contact with one another through reunions, QQ, and Wechat.
They did not chat very often, merely having some discussion with or leaving some comments for one another occasionally on topics such as the Spring Festival reunion.
“Just following up with you on our Spring Festival reunion plan in advance, in case you’ve already made a plan for the Spring Festival vacation,” answered Gao Xiayang. Before going further into the details, she asked, “Who’s the guy that picked up your phone? Are you married? You didn’t even inform us!”
“No, I haven’t.” Ruan Danchen’s face burned up as she looked at Qi Chenglin through the mirror. He was still drying the tips of her hair carefully. “He’s my boyfriend.”
“You have a boyfriend!” Gao Xiaoyang’s voice sounded slightly disappointed.
“What’s wrong?” Ruan Danchen asked curiously.
“Nothing. It’s just that Chen Libai will be coming back for this reunion. Didn’t you have a crush on him during senior high? The guys close to him revealed that the feeling was mutual. Since it was in time for the university entrance exam, he had set it aside, waiting to confess when he managed to get in. However, his family had arranged for him to study abroad after his graduation, so he didn’t manage to go to the same university that you applied even after signing up for the entrance exam. When he came back and went to look for you during his first-year summer vacation, you weren’t at University A. He even went around and found your address but you’ve already moved. You missed each other out just like that. We had a little group gathering with him when he was back this year. I felt that it was somewhat a pity after listening to him. Now that he’s about to graduate from the medical university overseas, though he didn’t mention it, I feel it in my gut that he decided to come back especially for you.”
Gao Xiaoyang let out a sigh. “I initially thought that this reunion will be a good chance for both of you to get back together. Who’d knew you have a boyfriend now. Considering that you’re still together at this hour, could it be that you’ve moved in together?”
Ruan Danchen could not help but laugh at her question. “I didn’t realize that you actually have the potential to be Sherlock Holmes.”
Gao Xiaoyang was simply guessing to draw out some news from her. When Ruan Danchen did not deny it, she raised her voice in shock, “You’re living together for real!”
Ruan Danchen took a glimpse at Qi Chenglin to find him lifting his brow with the ‘I’ll interrogate you later’ expression.
Only then did she remember that sounds were leaking from her phone. Qi Chenglin must have heard the conversation she had with Gao Xiaoyang from his perked-up ears.
His gaze had gotten her to avert her eyes in guilt as she listened to Gao Xiaoyang sighing repeatedly, “What a pity!” After that, she continued, “Regardless, we’ll be gathering at Shengyue on the fifth day of Spring Festival at half-past eleven in the morning. Wang Kai had already reserved a room for us. You just need to give the attendant Wang Kai’s name and contact number when you reached.”
Gao Xiaoyang did not mention that Chen Libai was holding onto the thought of getting together with Ruan Danchen when he returned in glory. That was why he had intentionally chosen a high-class venue for their reunion. Furthermore, Chen Libai’s family was rather well-off; they would not be able to support his medical studies abroad for so many years otherwise. After all, It was not cheap to study in the medical field overseas.
He had offered to pay for the expenses of the upcoming reunion, hoping that the others would be able to attend. As classmates, the others knew well of his feelings for Ruan Danchen and therefore accepted his offer.
Ruan Danchen glanced at Qi Chenglin carefully but could not decipher anything from his expression. She thus told Gao Xiaoyang, “I can’t make it on the fifth because I already have a plan on that day.”
Gao Xiaoyang caught on her excuse and said, “Why didn’t you tell me that you have something on earlier? Now that you know Chen Libai is joining in this reunion, you just have to have something coming up all of a sudden? Are you trying to avert your boyfriend’s suspicion? Just treat this occasion as a normal gathering; we haven’t met for a year now. Since everyone is free during the Spring Festival, let’s meet up together! As for Chen Libai, even if you can’t be together or if you feel awkward to even be his friend, there’s no harm in treating him as a classmate from senior high. Your boyfriend won’t be so petty that he can’t even agree to this, right? Plus, now that you’re going out with each other, don’t tell me that he doesn’t even place this little trust in you? Who doesn’t have a past romance? If he doesn’t allow you to attend the reunion because of this, such pettiness must’ve been unbearable.”
Gao Xiaoyang’s raised her voice further as she got more worked up.
Qi Chenglin had heard her plain as the day for her voice had been leaking out from Ruan Danchen’s phone.
He pursed his lips in a tight line. The woman over the phone was only a step away from saying, ‘Since he’s so petty, you can just break it off with him right away.’
As he scoffed in his heart, he heard Ruan Danchen saying, “It’s not like that. I do have something to attend…”
Before she could complete her sentence, her phone was taken away from her ears by Qi Chenglin. He covered the phone with his hands and said, “Just go.”
Ruan Danchen was in a complete dilemma. She could not tell if he was being honest.
What if he merely told her to go but was in fact miserable about it?
What if he truly meant it and felt that she was being guilty about something if she chose not to go?
She strongly believed that the man behind her could make it happen.
Noticing her concern, Qi Chenglin stressed, “I do mean it. Just go to the reunion. You won’t be meeting him alone anyway. Do I look like such a petty person?”
‘Yes, you do.’
Ruan Danchen murmured in her heart. She was still hesitating when she saw his raised brow as he scoffed, “Not going? Are you guilty about something?”
Silence enveloped Ruan Danchen.
She just knew that that would happen!
“What can I be guilty about? There’s nothing between us after all. If you really don’t mind, I’ll attend the reunion then.” Qi Chenglin loosened his grip on her phone, allowing her to bring it back near her ears. Thankfully Gao Xiaoyang had not hung up on her.
“I’ll be attending the reunion.”
Gao Xiaoyang once again reminded her of the time and venue of the reunion. Then, with a little worry, she told Ruan Danchen that the information would be sent to her via Wechat before ending the call.
Ruan Danchen stood up when her hair was almost dry.
Qi Chenglin left the towel at the shelf next to him and followed Ruan Danchen out of the washroom.
Ruan Danchen heard his attractive, low voice behind her sneering, “So you had a crush in your senior high?”
“…” Ruan Danchen climbed into her side on the bed and waited for Qi Chenglin to get in as well. She did not notice when the TV channel had been switched back to that parent-child variety show that she saw before going for a shower. It was pretty lively with the children bouncing about actively.
Ruan Danchen noticed Qi Chenglin’s jealous expression and thought, ‘Why did he put up such magnanimous facade when he’s actually very petty?’
She had been to the reunion every year anyway. Missing out on a year did not make much difference. Furthermore, they were still keeping in touch through Wechat.
“That was when I was still young and ignorant.” Ruan Danchen hugged Qi Chenglin’s arm tightly. He seemed happier after listening to her explanation. She rubbed herself against his embrace coquettishly and stuck close to his firm chest which made her feel safe.
“Did you confessed to him in the past?” he asked after pondering about it.
“Of course not. He had gone abroad without saying anything. What’s there to confess?” Ruan Danchen blurted out honestly.
“So you did intend to confess to him if he hadn’t gone abroad? I’m unaware that you’ve such initiative.” He lifted his brow and pursed his lips. “Why didn’t you have such initiative when you’re with me?”
Ruan Danchen was dumbfounded.
“Considering the fact that a romantic relationship during the youthful years as a student is the most unforgettable. It didn’t matter whether the relationship was successful because it was, after all, your first love.” Qi Chenglin snorted, his attractive face had turned sour in jealousy.
“…” If it continued in such a manner, Ruan Danchen could not predict what he would become.
Hence, she gave his calf a little kick as her face sank, seemingly mad. “Enough of it, Qi Chenglin. How long has this been? Who doesn’t have a past romance? When I was in school, it was inevitable for me to admire an outstanding guy in class. Moreover, we had missed the chance to be together. He must not like me as much either, or he would’ve told me before leaving the country otherwise. Since he had left without saying a thing, that confusing feeling that I had then was laid to rest. Am I not your girlfriend now? With Youxuan, I’m already a woman with her man and her son. You’re a lot more mature and better than him. I must be crazy to fall in love with him instead. If Gao Xiaoyang didn’t mention it, I would’ve forgotten all about him.”
Qi Chenglin listened to her happily, and even if she was jabbing his chest with her finger, he was still elated.
He lowered his head that was beaming and asked in a low, seductive voice, “I’m that good?”
“No, you’re not. This pettiness of yours isn’t a good trait.” Ruan Danchen answered before rolling back on the bed, pulling the duvet upwards until it covered her chin. She thought to herself, ‘You can’t spoil a man.’
As soon as she lied down on the bed, that man inched towards her shamelessly, pulling her into his embrace and letting her back stick closely to his chest. Brushing his warm, thin lips against her ear, he whispered, “It’s my fault. Don’t be mad at me. I was just jealous at the thought that you had a crush on another man.”
Ruan Danchen opened her eyes slightly and glared at him from the corner of her eyes. “Then tell me, how many girlfriends did you have before me?”
It was Qi Chenglin’s turn to be speechless.
“When you did it with me for the first time seven years ago, you were no longer a virgin right? I’ve heard that men will ejaculate prematurely on their first time but you didn’t.” She pursed her lips, imitating his sneer.
“…” Qi Chenglin hugged her closer, pressing that part against her for a moment and said, “That was because I’m gifted.”
Ruan Danchen kept mum.
She felt that hot part pressing against her and was at a loss for words, her ears reddened. His lips that were brushing her ear had caused her ears to burn up even more. She could not calm herself.
“You shameless man!” Ruan Danchen kicked him again.
He got down the root with her but when the ball was bounced back to him, it was explained as being gifted. Who would believe such lies?
“Do enlighten me, how many girls have you dated? You’re already 33, don’t tell me that you’ve never dated anyone before.”
Ruan Danchen did not truly mind his past relationships. Knowing that he was not the type to fool around, he must have been serious about his past girlfriends.
Besides, he was not Qi Chengzhi who had only have Song Yu in his heart. It could not be helped that Qi Chenglin had dated other girls before she came into his life.
Qi Chenglin could not answer.
The man behind her kept his silence for some time; he did not want to lie to her yet he was afraid that she could be angry about it if he spoke the truth. Therefore, he blatantly inched closer to her, lifting himself slightly, and kissed her on the lips.
Relentlessly, Ruan Danchen pinched his waist hardly until he let go of her in pain.
She then kicked him to the other side. “Go away. You can’t even explain your past relationships but keep fussing over mine. My first kiss and first time were all given to you. Who knows who you gave yours to. If you’re going to keep this up in the future, then you’ll need to make yourself clear first.”
Qi Chenglin failed to muster a reply.
He could not argue about it because it was true.
Ruan Danchen removed his hands from herself and got down the bed.
“Where are you going?” Qi Chenglin was getting ready to carry her back to bed if she insisted on moving to another room.
However, Ruan Danchen climbed back into the bed with an iPad.
Qi Chenglin watched her lying on her back, holding up the iPad and pressing into an online shop. He then saw her key in the words ‘s*x doll’.
“…” Qi Chenglin caught sight of her pressing the search button and various dolls had appeared on the screen instantly, even ones that looked like celebrities. “Why are you searching for this?”
Ruan Danchen glanced at him and humphed, “I’m buying this for you. Whenever you make me unhappy, help yourself with this instead.”
Qi Chenglin was dumbfounded.
He immediately seized the iPad from her in a second.
He pressed down on her, hugging her tightly in his arms. “Let’s stop messing around. There’s no need to waste money on that.”
“Mnnn…” Ruan Danchen’s lips were immediately locked in a kiss. ‘This shameless man!’
…
…
The next day, Ruan Danchen was preparing breakfast in the kitchen with her sore body.
When she brought out the breakfast, she saw Qi Chenglin already well-dressed, sitting at the dining table. He was holding onto a newspaper in his hands, reading the entertainment section.
Who knew that the composed and discreet General Manager Qi was interested in gossips?
Recalling his hardcore enthusiasm last night, she was overwhelmed with gloom. She placed the breakfast on the table and refused to speak with him outright.
Qi Chenglin put down the newspaper and glanced at her. His elegant hand stretched towards her, covering her left hand and moved towards her.
He pressed his lips against her ear and whispered, “Are you okay?”
Ruan Danchen glared at him and removed her hand from his grip. “I’m still mad at you.”
He was not only unrepentant last night but also continued shamelessly for so long.
Ruan Danchen, who was not genuinely angry, had become furious at his shameless enthusiasm.
Just then, Qi Youxuan came down with his school bag. After placing his school bag on the floor near his chair, he climbed up the chair, took a pie and bit into it, smearing his mouth with oil.
With his son present, he straightened his tie and posture, turned the newspaper to the international news section and read the news while eating his breakfast.
Ruan Danchen was tight-lipped.
He was pretty good at acting. Why was he reading the international news section?
Qi Chenglin was like a worm in her stomach; it was as if he knew what she was thinking. Lowering the newspaper, he explained, “It’s important to pay attention to the international trend when making decisions on some of Qilin’s investments.”
Ruan Danchen kept mum.
Qi Youxuan was chomping down the pie as his eyes darted back and forth between Qi Chenglin and Ruan Danchen. He gave up on figuring out what had happened between the two of them and continued to enjoy his breakfast.
…
…
After having their breakfast, the family left their house and first dropped off Qi Youxuan at Jixia Elementary School.
They saw him getting out of the car and walking into the school but unlike usual, Ruan Danchen still remained seated in the back seat.
“You’re not coming to the front?” Qi Chenglin asked, observing her closely.
Ruan Danchen turned her sight towards him and asked, “Will you still be so petty in the future?”
“…” Qi Chenglin did not reply, merely driving off after shifting the gear.
Those things were innate; he did not dare to vouch that it would not happen again.
Ruan Danchen chose to keep silent.
She was silent along the journey until Qi Chenglin stopped the Mercedes-Benz in Qilin’s indoor carpark. Ruan Danchen did not even say goodbye when she got out of the car and went on her way.
Would it ever come to an end if his pettiness sparked continuously on such little matters?
Ruan Danchen thought angrily to herself before proceeding to the office. Qi Chenglin then helplessly got off the car and returned to his office on his own.
Not long after starting on her work, Ruan Danchen noticed Manager Zou leaving the design department in a hurry, not knowing what he had gone to do.
A few moments later, she could hear Manager Zou’s loud voice coming from the corridor. “General Manager Qi, this way please.”
Ruan Danchen raised her brow and caught sight of Manager Zou leading Qi Chenglin and Jiang Yuan into the design department shortly after.
Her colleagues in the design department were shocked to find General Manager Qi visiting their department all of a sudden. There had only been a number of times for him to visit the design department in a year.
Qi Chenglin’s gaze swept across the room, looking at everyone present. Nonetheless, his gaze stopped about two seconds longer on Ruan Danchen.
“…” Dumbfounded, Ruan Danchen wondered if he intentionally visited the design department because she ignored him that whole morning.
She then noticed his faint smile as he raised a brow at her.
It was not obvious but Ruan Danchen could clearly see the slight movement of his thick brow.
“Hehe… General Manager Qi had purposely visited our department after finding out that we have a new colleague,” Manager Zou explained with a grin.
All the other staff fell silent.
Manager Zou felt a little awkward when he saw their disbelief.
Clearing her voice, he said, “What’s with your reactions? Our general manager is concerned about us all this time.”
The silence remained.
“…” Manager Zou looked toward a direction and a clap was started.
The others followed suit and were soon clapping one after another.
Ruan Danchen, “…”
Qi Chenglin’s lips curled up faintly and he glimpsed deliberately at Ruan Danchen. Standing there proudly, he gave off a distinguished air of excellence and stability.
There was one person whose bright eyes were staring shyly at Qi Chenglin as her face reddened. Ruan Danchen was unsure if Yao Jingfei had mistaken the situation. Nonetheless, it seemed that Qi Chenglin did not even cast a look at her.
Yao Jingfei wore the ‘General Manager Qi is here to see me’ prideful expression on her face. Although she was completely disregarded by Qi Chenglin yesterday, she believed that her status was what brought him personally to the design department.
She had overlooked Ruan Danchen, who was known to be Song Yu’s close friend.
In Yao Jingfei’s opinion, Qi Chenglin was trying to stay impartial at work. Perhaps Song Yu had also requested him to look after Ruan Danchen, so it was best for him to set apart the public from his private interest despite wanting to practically care for Yao Jingfei.
“I’m just here to have a look. Please keep up your good work. Qilin’s new development in the housing area at the northern district will be a tough challenge. The company has decided to hand the project over to the design department this time. That being said, please be fully prepared to tackle this project. I’ll be bringing along a few representatives from the design department to inspect the site next Friday,” said Qi Chenglin. Though calm and mellow, everyone in the room could still hear his voice.
With this, everyone knew that those who were chosen for the trip next Friday would be in charge of the design in that project.
After all, it was not enough to employ only one designer for such a large project.
Qilin’s previous project, the seven-star leisure hotel, had been handed over to an external party, causing unsettlement among those in the design department. Nevertheless, they began to slowly accept the decision upon finding out that the external party was Mrs. Qi and exclaimed at the risk taken by Director Qi in pursuing his wife.
Although the new project was not as good as the previous project, the opportunity to work on such a large plot of land was definitely worth it.
Thus, everyone in the department took the chance to present their eagerness in being a part of the new project to Qi Chenglin.
