Gu Ningyuan… how long has it been since I’ve thought of that name? Shen Xi Fan felt an old, buried memory stirring painfully. She had worked so hard to suppress it, but three years later, it resurfaced as raw as ever, like a scab torn too soon, bleeding anew.
Yan Heng had been passionate yet infuriating. She couldn’t truly blame him; had she been smarter, perhaps she wouldn’t have willingly jumped into his trap. Yet, no matter how clever she was, love rendered her powerless, a fool at its mercy.
He could make you feel like the only woman in the world, pampered like a princess. But Yan Heng had an expiration date for his affections. Once the novelty wore off, you were no longer fresh. Like an expired can of pineapple, you were packed away and discarded.
Shen Xi Fan’s chest tightened as she tried to focus on the present, but the ghosts of the past continued to haunt her, whispering of wounds she thought she had long buried.
He was too good—like a drug that invaded the mind, corroded the heart, seeped into the skin, and conquered inch by inch. Slowly, irresistibly, he consumed every drop of blood, each cell screaming of his charm. He was an addiction, an incurable toxin.
And yet, Shen Xi Fan silently questioned herself: Gu Ningyuan, have you come back to Yan Heng this time for poison or for a cure?
There was no need for her to go looking for Gu Ningyuan herself, and she had deliberately avoided Villa F. But somehow, maybe out of defiance, lingering feelings, or reasons she couldn’t pinpoint, she found herself there. She wasn’t the naive girl who once cried in hiding after seeing Yan Heng with another woman. Yet now, she didn’t even know what she wanted.
Three years had passed since their unforgettable first love ended, and now they stood face to face. What expression should she wear? What words should she say? She had no answers. Sometimes, there simply were no explanations—none that could be given, none that could be understood.
Yan Heng was wearing very little. Across from him stood Gu Ningyuan. Once the chemistry department’s belle, her radiance had dimmed. Her refined makeup couldn’t conceal her haggard face. Perhaps her marriage wasn’t happy, Shen Xi Fan speculated.
She didn’t interrupt, only stood at a distance. She couldn’t hear their conversation, but she saw Gu Ningyuan clutch Yan Heng’s arm, only for him to shake her off forcefully. Staggering, she ran out, her eyes brimming with tears.
Taking a deep breath, Shen Xi Fan called out, “Wait, Miss Gu!”
Both Gu Ningyuan and Yan Heng turned. One looked surprised, the other irritated. Shen Xi Fan spoke evenly, “Miss Gu, your daughter is in the lobby security office. Please take her home. And…” she paused, “the child followed you out unintentionally. Please don’t punish her.”
Gu Ningyuan forced a strained smile. Spotting Shen Xi Fan’s name badge, she hesitated. “I didn’t expect you to work at this hotel. A pleasure to see you. I’ll arrange a time to chat with you privately soon.”
Shen Xi Fan wailed internally, Even if you invited me to a Maldives vacation, I wouldn’t go! I’m terrified of you. But she added kindly, “Please, don’t scold your daughter.”
Gu Ningyuan laughed lightly and walked away. “If I hit her, my hands would hurt.”
That left only her and Yan Heng standing a short distance apart, the atmosphere unbearably awkward. She broke the silence, “Mr. Yan, the city’s experiencing a widespread power outage. I hope it didn’t inconvenience you?”
Yan Heng shook his head, his tone soft. “Xi Fan, must we be so distant?”
She was struck speechless. Suddenly, she regretted coming here, meddling unnecessarily. Turning to leave, she heard his voice behind her. She froze, unable to take another step.
“Xiao Fan…”
“Shen Xi Fan, your name sounds like xi fan—porridge. It’s fragrant, just like you. It takes time to appreciate your taste, but when you do, it’s unforgettable.”
“Shen Xi Fan, you’re my girlfriend now. Calling you by your full name feels too formal. I’ll call you Xiao Fan instead.”
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