Get your mind in check.
1605 Words
The next day, Su Mianmian walked out of the classroom with a male classmate, discussing their research topic.
Tang Yunzheng saw them from afar and, feeling displeased, walked over and pulled Su Mianmian aside. "Come here, I have something to tell you." Su Mianmian was also about to return his bracelet, so she arranged to continue their discussion at the cafeteria later.
Watching the boy walk away, Tang Yunzheng's expression darkened further. He frowned and scoffed, "Su Mianmian, who was that guy?" Su Mianmian's tone was distant. "What's it to you?"
Tang Yunzheng's frown deepened. "I'm just reminding you not to get too close to those boys; most of them have ulterior motives."
Tang Yunzheng had said this many times before. Su Mianmian used to think it was because Tang Yunzheng cared about her that he resisted her contact with other boys. So she willingly allowed herself to be controlled by him, even finding his possessiveness endearing.
Now, hearing it, she only felt a strange irony, and her tone became even colder. "Then who should I get closer to, you?" Tang Yunzheng sensed that Su Mianmian's attitude today was really bad, and his tone became somewhat impatient.
"Su Mianmian, what do you mean? I'm trying to give you a friendly reminder, and you don't appreciate it? Also, why did you leave without a word last night? I specially invited so many brothers to celebrate your birthday." Su Mianmian, carrying a few books, silently went downstairs.
"Sorry, I suddenly remembered something and didn't have time to say goodbye." "What could be more important than your birthday?" Su Mianmian didn't stop walking. "It's just a birthday, it's not that important."
Tang Yunzheng and Su Mianmian had argued countless times since childhood, but this was the first time he had seen Su Mianmian act so sarcastically. "Can't you speak properly?" Su Mianmian stopped, stood still, and looked at Tang Yunzheng. "How am I not speaking properly?
Ask yourself honestly, was yesterday really to celebrate my birthday, or was it an opportunity to introduce your girlfriend to everyone?"
Tang Yunzheng's eyes flickered. "Can't it be both? Mianmian, you and Jiaojiao are both very important people to me. I thought you'd be happy if I introduced her to you on your birthday."
Su Mianmian, unsure if Tang Yunzheng was genuinely naive or pretending, chuckled. "I was quite happy, thank you for your trouble." With that, she walked past Tang Yunzheng and continued walking. Tang Yunzheng paused for two seconds, then strode after her, grabbing her arm.
"Su Mianmian, could it be that what they said was true? You like me? So you're jealous of Lin Jiaojiao?" His voice wasn't quiet, and several passersby heard him and looked over curiously. Su Mianmian blushed and shook off his hand.
"Who likes you? Can you stop flattering yourself!"
Tang Yunzheng seemed relieved upon hearing this, licking his back teeth with a smug grin. "I knew it! How could you possibly be interested in me? We've been friends for so many years, pure revolutionary friendship, best buddies. It has absolutely nothing to do with love."
Su Mianmian felt even more suffocated after hearing this, pulling the necklace from her pocket. "So, please don't give me things like this again." Tang Yunzheng took the necklace blankly. "Wait, what's wrong with this necklace? Why can't I give it to you?"
Su Mianmian frowned. "What do you mean? A heart? Who gives their buddy a heart-shaped necklace?" Tang Yunzheng opened the box and, sure enough, there was a heart. He slapped his forehead.
"Damn it, my bad! I only said it was for a girl, and let the sales assistant choose. Who knew she'd pick a heart-shaped one?"
Su Mianmian's heart felt like it was soaking in lemonade, bubbling with sourness. So, the birthday gift she'd been longing for all this time wasn't even chosen by him personally. In fact, after someone else picked it out, he hadn't even glanced at it.
Thinking this, what else could Su Mianmian not understand? It seemed that all these years, she'd been indulging in wishful thinking.
Tang Yunzheng kept talking, "You wait here, I'll go out tonight and find that jewelry store to get you a different one. This time I'll personally supervise, make sure she doesn't choose any weird styles." "No need," Su Mianmian pursed her lips.
"It's not like I absolutely have to buy it. Besides, I have plenty of jewelry like this at home." With that, she ignored Tang Yunzheng and walked away alone.
For the next few days, Su Mianmian deliberately avoided places Tang Yunzheng might go, trying to minimize their meetings. During this time, Tang Yunzheng sent her several messages, inviting her to the library or the cafeteria, but Su Mianmian deleted them after a glance.
On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, Su Mianmian had just walked out of school when she immediately saw Tang Yunzheng leaning against his car, with Lin Jiaojiao, wearing a fitted knit dress, nestled beside him.
Both were good-looking, and the flashy supercar beside Tang Yunzheng attracted the attention of many passing students. Su Mianmian glanced at him from afar and was about to walk around when she heard Tang Yunzheng call her name, then he walked over in a few steps.
“What are you hiding from? I’ve been waiting for you for ages. Come on, let’s go have dinner together.” Su Mianmian resisted inwardly, “No, I have other things to do.” “Come on, what could you possibly have to do?” Tang Yunzheng said, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the car.
“Last time you left so suddenly, Jiaojiao didn’t even have a chance to say a few words to you. Today she came specifically to see you, so the three of us can have another get-together.” Su Mianmian thought to herself, “If they’re dating, fine, but why drag me along as a third wheel?” She instinctively tried to pull her hand away.
“I really can’t go. Uncle Cheng is coming to pick me up soon.” “I already told Uncle Cheng to go home. We’ll go home together after dinner.” Su Mianmian was speechless. She was only a few steps away from Lin Jiaojiao, and refusing now would seem like she was just trying to cover it up.
“Fine, I’ll go, okay? Just let go of my hand first. What will people think?” Tang Yunzheng reluctantly let go of her hand, a smile playing on his lips as he heard Su Mianmian agree to have dinner with them.
"So what if I saw it? It's not the first time I've held your hand." "Not the first time, but the last time." Tang Yunzheng didn't hear clearly. "What did you say?"
Su Mianmian rubbed her hand, which he had pinched so hard. "I said you have a girlfriend now, you need to avoid suspicion. Don't hold my hand anymore."
The words "avoid suspicion" felt strange to Tang Yunzheng, as if something had slipped away from his heart, too fast for him to grasp.
But this feeling only lasted a second or two. After Lin Jiaojiao came over and hugged his arm, he forgot all about it. The three of them went to a popular restaurant.
During the meal, Lin Jiaojiao and Tang Yunzheng were inseparable, even feeding each other. Su Mianmian really didn't understand the point of them calling her over—was it to force-feed her dog food?
She kept her eyes down, wanting only to finish eating and leave quickly. After the meal, Tang Yunzheng went to the counter to pay the bill, while Su Mianmian and Lin Jiaojiao waited for him at the restaurant entrance. "Su Mianmian, you like Tang Yunzheng, don't you?"
Su Mianmian was suddenly interrupted by Lin Jiaojiao's question, her charming smile from the restaurant replaced by a sharp, sarcastic expression. Su Mianmian looked at Lin Jiaojiao in surprise, momentarily speechless.
Lin Jiaojiao's alluring eyes narrowed slightly. "I could tell from your birthday party. What, you went there thinking Tang Yunzheng was going to confess to you?"
Su Mianmian's face turned deathly pale, as if a veil had been ripped away in front of everyone, leaving her feeling utterly humiliated.
"I advise you to put those thoughts behind you. Look at me, then look at yourself—bland as water. No wonder Yunzheng has only ever treated you like a brother all these years."
Su Mianmian never imagined that such a beautiful face could utter such hurtful words. Her good upbringing told her she shouldn't argue with someone like that in the street.
"Telling me all this only makes me think you lack confidence in your relationship with Tang Yunzheng. If that's the case, you shouldn't be trying to get through to me; you should focus your attention on Tang Yunzheng."
Su Mianmian finished speaking and prepared to leave. Unexpectedly, Lin Jiaojiao, having been exposed, recalled the way Tang Yunzheng had casually held Su Mianmian's hand at the school gate earlier, and her jealousy exploded.
She grabbed Su Mianmian's hand. "Stop making a scene! Do you know what 'a toad that doesn't bite but is still annoying' means? Childhood sweetheart? Humph, just a nicer way of saying 'backup plan'!" "You!"
Su Mianmian's face flushed red with anger. Reflexively, she tried to shake off Lin Jiaojiao's grip, but with just a little force, Lin Jiaojiao suddenly fell to the ground.
Just then, Tang Yunzheng finished paying and came out. Seeing Lin Jiaojiao fall to the ground, he rushed over to help her up. "Jiaojiao, are you alright?"
- Writer
