Chapter 65

Chapter 65: Chutang, Long Time No See (New) Chutang helplessly ruffled Jiang Shixu's hair, coaxing him like a child, her tone indulgent: "Alright, whether it's planning or shopping, it's only fun when we do it together. Besides, it's Saturday today—aren't you giving your assistant the day off?" Jiang Shixu mumbled an ambiguous "mm" and continued kissing her. If this went on any longer, things would get out of hand. Chutang quickly pushed Jiang Shixu away. "Stop, stop. I've already finished most of the planning. Let's go out and do the shopping." Jiang Shixu looked up and met Chutang's eyes, wearing a pitiful, aggrieved expression. Chutang was stunned for a moment. Had she just imagined things? How could she have seen a flash of grievance in Jiang Shixu's eyes? She had only pushed him away a few times—why was he acting so wronged? She must have seen wrong. Someone like Jiang Shixu wouldn't look pitiful and aggrieved. That afternoon. Chutang and Jiang Shixu went to a specialty outdoor supplies store to buy hiking gear, then stopped by the supermarket for some fruit and snacks. Chutang was in high spirits, wanting to buy a little bit of everything she loved to eat. Jiang Shixu didn't stop her. At worst, the backpack would be a bit heavier, and he'd be a bit more tired tomorrow. As long as Chutang was happy, that was all that mattered. Chutang took a photo and sent it to the small group chat she shared with Zhou Xueluo and Chen Yuanyuan. [My darlings, there's a meteor shower tomorrow night! Let's go to Beiyu Shan to watch it together. I've already bought all the supplies.] Chen Yuanyuan: [Wow! A meteor shower! Count me in!] Zhou Xueluo: [Sounds great.] Chen Yuanyuan: [I'll have Qin Yan come with me to buy hiking gear in a bit! I want to get a black one—you guys have to help me take that viral hiking pose photo! I also want to film a outfit-change video. I'll film the first half in my pajamas, then strike that pose for the second half, and edit it into a super cool video later!] Chutang: [No problem! I'm a top-tier photographer.] Zhou Xueluo: [I'll ask my brother if he wants to come.] Chutang: [Meet downstairs at my Mingjiayuan apartment tomorrow at 1 PM.] Zhou Xueluo: [Okay.] Chen Yuanyuan: [Got it.] ... The next day at 1 PM, Jiang Shixu knocked on Chutang's apartment door right on time. The door opened, revealing a face bare of makeup yet pure and strikingly beautiful. Chutang's eyes curved into a smile. "Shixu-gege, you're here." Chutang had already changed into a light blue lightweight hiking outfit, with a matching light blue backpack on her back. Jiang Shixu was wearing a black stand-collar softshell jacket today. Black suited his temperament perfectly, making him appear even more aloof and indifferent, his features sharper and more coldly defined. The man naturally took Chutang's backpack off her shoulders and carried it in his hand. "Let's go. They're downstairs." "Is everyone here?" Jiang Shixu: "Zhengan, Qin Yan, Xueluo, and Yuanyuan are all here. Jingxuan said she went ahead with some friends and will wait for us at the campsite." Chutang followed Jiang Shixu into the elevator and gave an "oh" in response. Downstairs, three cars were parked. Zhou Xueluo and Zhou Zheng'an sat in the back seat of the Maybach. Zhou Xueluo gave Chutang a sweet smile. "Tangtang." Chen Yuanyuan thrust her fist out the passenger window of a black Bentley and shouted excitedly: "Everyone's here—let's go! Off to watch the meteor shower!" Jiang Shixu had driven his black Cullinan today. The car headed north the whole way, arriving at the campsite just over an hour later. The campsite was located on Beiyu Shan, at the mountainside. By the time Chutang and the others arrived, Xu Jingxuan and her group had only just gotten there as well. Jiang Shixu had booked the entire place in advance—today, there was no one else here besides them. The car had barely come to a stop when Xu Jingxuan ran over with a smile, trying to take Jiang Shixu's arm. Jiang Shixu sidestepped her without a trace of obvious movement. Xu Jingxuan paused, then pretended nothing had happened and said with a bright smile: "Gege, you're here." Jiang Shixu gave a very cold "mm" in response. When Xu Jingxuan turned to look at Ruan Chutang, the smile on her face receded, and she greeted her politely: "Sister Ruan." Chutang gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. Behind Xu Jingxuan stood two unfamiliar girls, one on each side. Xu Jingxuan introduced them: "These two are my friends, Wang Siyao and Yan Man." "Oh, right—Manman brought a new friend along. Let me introduce you all." With that, Xu Jingxuan turned her head and called out behind her: "Zechuan, everyone's here." Zechuan? Chutang's heart tightened. It couldn't be... Just as the words faded, a face so familiar it couldn't be more familiar appeared before everyone's eyes. Gu Zechuan, dressed in a smoke-gray softshell jacket and holding a trekking pole in his hand, walked over in a few steps. Jiang Shixu's brows knitted together, his eyes fixed on Xu Jingxuan with a look full of scrutiny and reproach. The man's voice carried unmistakable displeasure: "When did you get to know Gu Zechuan?" Xu Jingxuan blinked her big, bright eyes, a hint of confusion flickering in them, looking every bit the pure, innocent, white-lotus type. "Zechuan is Manman's friend. Manman asked if she could bring a friend along, and I said yes. I only met him today when Manman brought him here. Gege, is there a problem?" Ruan Chutang kept her lips pressed together, saying nothing, pretending not to know Gu Zechuan. Gu Zechuan, however, gave an ambiguous smile and took the initiative to greet her. "Chutang, long time no see." Xu Jingxuan looked at Ruan Chutang in surprise. "Sister Ruan, you two know each other?" Ruan Chutang: "I don't know him." Gu Zechuan: "We know each other." The two spoke at the same time. Xu Jingxuan shot a glance at Yan Man beside her. Yan Man, quick on the uptake, immediately asked in a coquettish voice, "Zechuan, what's your relationship with this Miss Ruan? I've never heard you mention knowing her before." Gu Zechuan smiled, casting an unreadable look at Chutang before calmly uttering two words: "Ex-girlfriend." "Ah!" Xu Jingxuan exclaimed in shock, looking at Ruan Chutang with great surprise. "Sister Ruan, you're actually Zechuan's ex-girlfriend? I'm so sorry, I had no idea you two had that kind of history. If I'd known, I wouldn't have invited him." Chutang understood clearly. Just as she suspected. If the equestrian club incident could be chalked up to coincidence, what about this time? Yan Man was displeased, pouting at Gu Zechuan with a jealous snort. "Hmph, Brother Zechuan, I bet you used this hiking trip as an excuse to meet up with your ex-girlfriend on purpose, didn't you?" Gu Zechuan just smiled without answering, which to everyone else seemed like tacit confirmation. The atmosphere suddenly became delicate. Chen Yuanyuan quietly sidled up to Chutang, gently tugging at her sleeve and whispering, "Is he really your ex-boyfriend?" Chutang gave a barely audible "Mm." Chen Yuanyuan crossed her arms and muttered under her breath, "Tsk, Xu Jingxuan probably did this on purpose." Ruan Chutang watched coldly as these people performed their little act before her. If they expected her to believe it was a coincidence, they were mistaken. Last time, when her cousin Su Yu hosted a banquet for her at the Su Family Estate, Gu Zechuan had caused such a scene. Although Xu Jingxuan hadn't attended the banquet, she was after all the adopted daughter of the Jiang Family—there was no way she was unaware of the gossip circulating in high society. Xu Jingxuan calling Gu Zechuan over was very likely intentional. What was she trying to achieve? Just as she was pondering this, her hand was taken by someone.