Ruan Yiyi sat at the hotel bar, her shoes resting on the footrest of the high chair; she held a glass of wine between her fair, slender fingers, smiling charmingly. She seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the conversation with the guy across from her.

This was the scene that greeted the person glancing in from the entrance.

A thin figure stood there, the back gradually straightening, becoming rigid.

For a moment, it was as if Ruan Yiyi sensed something, glancing instinctively toward the door before retracting her gaze and continuing to drink.

However, the glass she raised next froze mid-air.

The smile at the corner of her lips slowly faded away.

Just now, did she see... someone?

Was she mistaken?

Ruan Yiyi’s eyes flickered briefly, then she lowered her gaze, continuing to bring the halted glass to her lips.

The guy opposite her noticed a change in her expression and coughed awkwardly, blushing as he said, "Be-beautiful lady, don’t misunderstand, I didn’t mean that, I just simply wanted to, to see you off..."

"Okay."

She interrupted before he could finish.

The guy let out a surprised "Ah," seemingly not expecting her to agree.

"But I have a condition: first drink with me, then take me home." As she spoke, she picked up another bottle, tapped its rim on the bar’s edge, and with a pop, the cap came off.

She didn’t even blink from start to finish.

The guy was dumbfounded by her moves, clearly marking her as experienced.

Initially, seeing her quiet, gentle demeanor, he hadn’t thought she could even drink, but who knew—

He suddenly felt as if something was stuck in his throat, unable to utter a word, only blankly accepting the wine she handed him and pouring it into his glass.

The two of them clinked their glasses and drank.

A figure not far away witnessed everything, seeing it all clearly.

In the hazy light, the person’s fists clenched tighter by their side.

The night had fallen so dark, he worried about her safety, intending to walk her home and then leave himself.

But as it happened...

Heh...!

His lips curled slightly, though the smile carried an icy chill.

The cold swept through the hotel from all directions, inexplicably making those around shiver, as if someone had brought in the outside chill.

Many were keeping an eye on Ruan Yiyi.

But seeing her drink with a handsome guy, many privately felt envious and jealous.

Even if there were objections, approaching wasn’t an option; they were just there to drink, and this bar, located near school, didn’t dare to get too rowdy.

Ruan Yiyi naturally noticed those looks, but she couldn’t be bothered to care; these people were just kids in her eyes.

Including the handsome guy before her.

In fact, there was a reason she intentionally drank with him like that.

Someone had shown up.

There was no way it was a mere coincidence for him to appear here at the same time as her, likely he’d followed.

What did it matter if he saw everything between her and Wen Yu? She didn’t want to get involved with him anyway.

But why was her heart filled with such agitation?

Ruan Yiyi closed her eyes.

She knew the reason was Jack.

She couldn’t articulate what exactly she wanted; did she want Jack to, once more... appear?