PSMD – Chapter 98

Qiu Yang had never seen what Guo Ming’an looked like, but it wasn’t hard for her to guess from the appearance and words of the tall, handsome man before her that this was Guo Ming’an.

Guo Ming’an was wearing casual clothes, looking more like he was here for vacation than for business. After saying that, he tilted his head to glance at Qiu Yang, but quickly returned his gaze to Shen Ningruo’s face.

He was still more interested in Shen Ningruo.

Shen Ningruo lifted her eyelids, her face turning cold. Ignoring Guo Ming’an’s words, she put a dish on Qiu Yang’s plate: “Eat.”

Qiu Yang held her chopsticks, her brows slightly furrowed, looking troubled: “The dog standing next to us is quite unappetizing. I don’t feel like eating anymore.”

Guo Ming’an couldn’t stand hearing that. It was fine if Shen Ningruo ignored him, but he wouldn’t tolerate others insulting him.

He bent slightly, spreading his arms and resting his palms on the table. Tilting his head, he looked at Qiu Yang’s harmless face and smirked: “Miss, that’s a bit harsh.”

Qiu Yang blinked, her tone utterly innocent: “Sir, how many years does one have to be a dog to fit the description so perfectly?”

Guo Ming’an didn’t get angry; instead, he laughed. He stared intently at Qiu Yang, the curve of his lips deepening, and lowered his voice slightly: “I originally thought you didn’t have the temperament or figure that Ruoruo has, but I didn’t expect you to be so fiery. I admire you.”

Shen Ningruo heard everything he said. Just as Qiu Yang was about to retort, she saw Shen Ningruo calmly pick up the water in front of her and splash it on Guo Ming’an again.

Most of the surrounding diners turned their heads, curious to watch the spectacle.

Afraid the water might accidentally hit Qiu Yang, Shen Ningruo aimed specifically at Guo Ming’an’s side neck. The water would flow down his shoulder and also drip onto the table.

It wasn’t the first time Guo Ming’an had been splashed. While he wasn’t used to it, he was still somewhat annoyed: “Shen Ningruo.”

He glanced at his left shoulder, which was already soaked. His eyebrows furrowed: “I was just saying hello. Did you have to do that?”

In front of so many people, he wouldn’t make any overly aggressive moves. Shen Ningruo knew this about him, which was why she was so unrestrained.

Guo Ming’an was a hypocrite who cared most about what others thought of him, which was why he maintained a gentlemanly facade on the surface.

One could say his appearance was a hook, specifically for people who judged by looks.

“I just splashed you with a glass of water. Did you have to react like that?” Shen Ningruo lifted her eyes, stood up, and then looked at Qiu Yang, giving her a slight smile, “Let’s go, Xiao Yang.”

But Guo Ming’an moved sideways, blocking Shen Ningruo’s path.

His looks were indeed outstanding, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, well-defined features, and he was tall. Shen Ningruo knew he had many admirers.

One reason she chose Guo Ming’an back then was that he didn’t like her that much, which made Shen Ningruo feel very secure.

This might also be a significant reason why she wasn’t angry after finding out Guo Ming’an and Tao Sixian came out of a hotel together.

She had known this day would come; she was just a little surprised that Guo Ming’an was already engaged and had pursued her under a false pretense of being single.

If Guo Ming’an hadn’t said such nasty things back then, Shen Ningruo wouldn’t have thought of splashing him with water.

This time, she hadn’t planned on splashing Guo Ming’an, especially in front of so many people, but since Guo Ming’an had provoked Qiu Yang, she definitely had to do something.

Splashing water it was.

Guo Ming’an sighed. He patted his shoulder, stepping back while still blocking Shen Ningruo’s way: “Ruoruo, you haven’t answered my question yet.”

His smile looked very sincere: “I’m here in Xicheng on a business trip, and I ran into you. Don’t you think our fate isn’t over yet?”

Qiu Yang couldn’t listen anymore. Seeing Guo Ming’an reminded her of Tao Sixian, and of the fact that she and Shen Ningruo had both been deceived. She was about to mock him, but Shen Ningruo spoke first—

“Whether our fate is over or not, I’m not sure. I only know that if you don’t move out of the way, I’ll break your leg. Want to try it? See if I can do it.”

Guo Ming’an: “…”

He took a step back, grudgingly yielding the path.

Most of the onlookers withdrew their gazes, with only a few remaining to watch the deflated Guo Ming’an. He noticed these stares but didn’t care, merely looking at his wet shoulder with a hint of displeasure.

Shen Ningruo didn’t care about his mood. She and Qiu Yang left side by side. Once they were away from the onlookers, she let out a sigh of relief.

Qiu Yang glanced back twice. She hadn’t expected Guo Ming’an to be so cowardly in reality, so she asked, “Is he always like that?”

Shen Ningruo raised an eyebrow: “Like what?”

“Just… lacking courage,” Qiu Yang put it nicely.

“He cares about appearances and has a lot of reservations. He says he’s on a business trip, but it’s very likely he’s here to pick up girls.”

The sun outside was even more intense, the heat rising from the ground in a continuous stream, almost clinging to their calves.

Qiu Yang pursed her lips, hiding under the umbrella Shen Ningruo was holding: “He seems a little afraid of you.”

Shen Ningruo slanted a look at her and suddenly smiled: “Know why?”

“No,” Qiu Yang was a little confused.

Shen Ningruo pondered for a few seconds: “Probably because he can’t beat me. We met at a Sanda gym. Besides work, I also exercise. At that time, I wanted to completely release my mind and body, so I signed up for Sanda classes.”

“He never won against me, I crushed him many times.”

Qiu Yang: “…”

Qiu Yang: “You know Sanda?”

“I learned it.” Shen Ningruo held the umbrella, shifting her attention, “Let’s go. We’ll go shopping today and skip the scenic spots.”

“Okay.”

Both were wearing T-shirts, and physical contact was unavoidable as they walked, but the sun was a bit too harsh. Even with the umbrella, their skin felt like it was covered in a hot layer.

However, since they were on vacation, they should be relaxed and leisurely.

They stood in a long queue just to buy two delicious milk teas.

They sat on an empty bench just to watch the bustling crowds come and go.

They bought things on impulse, putting anything they were interested in into their bags.

By the time they finished exploring the city center of Xicheng, both of them were carrying bags full of clothes, cosmetics, and various other bits and bobs.

Shen Ningruo saw another sheep plushie and wanted to grab it, but Qiu Yang stopped her immediately.

Qiu Yang said righteously: “We already have one at home.”

“Just because we have one doesn’t mean we can’t buy another?”

“No, it’s because our suitcases are full,” Qiu Yang put the sheep plushie back in its place. “I’ll buy you one later, okay?”

She knew Shen Ningruo had a fixation on sheep plushies, or perhaps it was a case of loving the house and its crow?

But Qiu Yang’s gaze shifted, and she saw a lemon pillow. Without hesitation, she picked up the small pillow, ignoring Shen Ningruo’s look of “unfairness,” and walked past Shen Ningruo: “Checking out.”

Shen Ningruo watched Qiu Yang’s retreating figure, the corners of her lips curving into a helpless smile.

This person was such a double standard, not letting her buy something but buying something for herself.

However, considering Qiu Yang didn’t have a plushie related to her yet, she would be magnanimous and not fuss about it.

After leaving the accessories store, they were truly exhausted and couldn’t walk anymore. There were no cars available nearby, and it was rush hour, so they stood by the roadside for a while before finally hailing a taxi.

The driver immediately recognized they were from out of town and spoke in Mandarin: “Where to, ladies?”

Qiu Yang gave the hotel name, then managed to sit up straight. She rolled down the window quite a bit and looked at the sunset outside.

They had walked and rested along the way today, and time had unknowingly reached six in the afternoon. It was the most beautiful time for the sunset.

Shen Ningruo raised her phone and took a picture of Qiu Yang’s profile. She didn’t turn on the phone’s sound, and eventually just started recording a video.

The phone’s camera was aimed at Qiu Yang’s profile, with the brilliant scenery in the distance beside her. She pursed her lips, called out “Xiao Yang,” and the phone captured the moment Qiu Yang turned her head.

Qiu Yang saw Shen Ningruo’s phone pointed at her, her expression freezing for a moment before she smiled: “Are you recording a video?”

“Yes.” Shen Ningruo cleared her throat. She looked at Qiu Yang on the phone screen, her eyes filled with endless amusement, “Excuse me, Miss Xiao Yang, are you tired from shopping today?”

“Yes.”

“What does it feel like to shop with me then?”

“It’s good as long as I’m with you.”

One asked, one answered. The video recorded for a full two minutes before stopping. Shen Ningruo sighed: “My arm is sore from holding it up.”

Qiu Yang hummed twice: “Anyway, you won’t be needing it much lately.”

The driver was focused on driving, with cars coming and going around them. He drove steadily, but like most drivers, he liked to chat on WeChat calls while driving, laughing and talking, not paying attention to what the two passengers in the back were saying.

Shen Ningruo heard Qiu Yang’s words and narrowed her eyes: “What won’t I be needing?”

“Yes.”

“You still have to carry things later, Director Shen.”

Shen Ningruo felt that when Qiu Yang occasionally called her “Director Shen,” it sounded different from when others said it, with a different flavor. She licked her lips, took Qiu Yang’s hand and held it. Just as she opened her mouth, before she could say anything, she heard Qiu Yang say: “I’ve decided not to call you Ruoruo for now. It’s not special; many people call you that.”

“What will you call me then?”

“Ningning, of course.”

Shen Ningruo rubbed her chin: “…Why does that sound a bit strange?”

“What’s strange about it?” Qiu Yang’s eyes reflected the scenery outside. “It’s not like it’s 00.”

Shen Ningruo chuckled: “Okay, call me whatever you like.”

There was some traffic, and the two continued to chat idly, as if their fatigue had vanished. But it had to be said, this was the first time they felt shopping was so much fun.

In the past, when Shen Ningruo wanted to buy something, she would go straight to the counter, buy it, and leave, without looking around in other stores. She didn’t have the time or the interest.

Qiu Yang was similar. When she was studying, she usually worked part-time on weekends and didn’t have time to shop. Tao Sixian actually loved shopping, and Qiu Yang had gone with her many times, but the experience wasn’t great.

Since the hotel was in the city center area, it didn’t take long to get there by car, only about ten minutes, even with traffic.

When the taxi stopped, Qiu Yang paid the fare, and she and Shen Ningruo got out of the car with their many bags.

The hotel entrance was lively, with cars arriving one after another. A new wave of tourists had just arrived in the lobby.

Shen Ningruo immediately saw Guo Ming’an from last night. He was sitting on a sofa in the lobby, having changed out of his casual clothes into a suit, looking even more sanctimonious.

He also saw Shen Ningruo. As if unaware of how unwelcome he was, he stood up and walked over to the two of them, looking somewhat fawning: “Need help with the bags?”

“Get lost.” Shen Ningruo had absolutely no patience for him. Their breakup had been very awkward, and she hadn’t expected him to be so thick-skinned.

Guo Ming’an shrugged helplessly: “Just so you know, I wasn’t following you. Running into you here is a real coincidence.”

“This is probably what they call fate.”

Qiu Yang: “…”

Qiu Yang couldn’t help but ask: “Where’s Tao Sixian?”

“Her, huh…” Guo Ming’an looked into Qiu Yang’s eyes and smiled, his tone flippant, “How would I know what she’s doing?”

“I’m not familiar with her.”

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