Chapter 5 — When the Goddess Appears

He looked remarkably like the image I had conjured in my mind. To be completely fair, he was exceptionally handsome. Rather than the delicate prettiness of youth, the word dashing suited him far better. His dyed blonde hair was styled with precision, and his peach-blossom eyes seemed to brim with unspoken affection no matter who he looked at. He was the textbook definition of a charming, carefree playboy.

Who is Young Master Jiang? I do not believe I have the pleasure of knowing anyone by that name, I remarked with total indifference.

Jiang Yanchuan froze entirely in his seat, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard. Unconsciously, he let go of the arm he had draped over Lin Annian’s shoulders. Lin Annian bit her lower lip, her expression turning dark and heavy. A sudden wave of amusement washed over me. The look Jiang Yanchuan was giving me was one I had grown all too familiar with. Over the past few months, I had seen it mirrored on the faces of countless people—the unmistakable expression of being utterly awestruck. Yet, lingering within Jiang Yanchuan’s gaze, there seemed to be something far more complex.

Gu... Nan? he finally managed to speak, his voice rasping slightly.

I paid him no mind, choosing instead to walk straight over and pull out an empty seat. The young man sitting beside me flushed a bright crimson, hurriedly handing over a clean set of utensils. Another person rushed to pour me a glass of water. It turns out that when men learn to read the room, they can become quite diligent. After sneaking glances at me, everyone at the table collectively turned their heads to stare at Jiang Yanchuan. Some looked thoroughly confused. Others wore the eager expressions of spectators waiting for a good show. I could even hear murmurs rippling quietly through the crowd.

No way. To let go of an absolute masterpiece like this and hand her over to someone else, what on earth was he thinking?

Right? Lin Annian is pretty, sure, but she isn't even in the same league.

Jiang Yanchuan must be kicking himself to death right about now.

Jiang Yanchuan likely caught the murmurs as well. The hand resting on the table clenched so tightly that the veins stood out against his skin. The young man with the crew cut took a gulp of his drink and spoke up.

Hey, Gu Nan, why didn't you ever post pictures in the group chat before? If you had, you definitely would have been crowned the campus belle!

Beside him, Lin Annian gripped her glass so hard her knuckles turned white.

I simply don't enjoy posting pictures of myself, I replied evenly.

A girl nearby leaned forward to ask, Have you always looked like this?

Realizing almost immediately how tactless her question sounded, she backpedaled in a panic. I didn't mean it like that, I just meant...

I remained calm. Not at all. I used to be quite heavy, and I only lost weight recently because I wanted to meet my online boyfriend.

Jiang Yanchuan’s face turned instantly ashen. Suddenly, a sharp, piercing voice cut through the air.

As if anyone is born with a face like that! Who knows how many times she's gone under the knife.

I glanced over to see a girl who was close friends with Lin Annian, the two of them seated shoulder to shoulder. She shot me a hostile glare. Our Annian is a natural beauty, unlike some artificial face crafted in a clinic.

Lin Annian curved her lips into a faint, self-satisfied smirk. I chuckled lightly.

It seems you are quite the expert on plastic surgery clinics. Well, that figures—your eyelids look like they were slashed open with a kitchen cleaver. The procedure must have been a complete disaster.

Although I have never had any work done, I’d be more than happy to help you ask around for a competent cosmetic surgeon.

The girl’s face cycled rapidly between shades of red and white, flushed with a furious sense of humiliation. You don't even look like a decent, respectable woman, what on earth are you feeling so smug about?!

Before I could formulate a response, another girl at the table spoke up in my defense.

You shouldn't speak like that. I think Gu Nan is lovely. Are you perhaps just jealous because she is prettier than you?

Exactly, spot on! Even without me lifting a finger, several people chimed in to back me up.

The hostile girl bit her lip so hard it turned white, falling abruptly silent. The remainder of the meal passed with everyone harboring their own hidden thoughts. Jiang Yanchuan’s gaze barely left me for a single second, and he kept desperately searching for topics to break the ice.

Gu Nan, where are you originally from?

That online boyfriend of yours... do you actually know him well? There aren't many decent people on the internet these days, you really should be careful.

Since you've just arrived here, you probably aren't familiar with the area yet, right? Do you have any free time? I can drive you around tonight to show you the sights.

After he painstakingly peeled a shrimp and placed it into my bowl, Lin Annian finally reached her breaking point.

Jiang Yanchuan!

She tried to keep her voice down as she snapped his name. Jiang Yanchuan turned his head, acting as though he were only just remembering he had a girlfriend sitting right beside him.

What is it now?

Lin Annian pointed aggressively at the shrimp in my bowl. I want some too.

If you want to eat, peel them yourself. Why are you telling me? Jiang Yanchuan muttered with unmistakable annoyance.

You can have this one of mine, I said, turning to look at Lin Annian. As it happens, I make it a rule never to eat shrimp peeled by other men.

Lin Annian completely lost whatever fragile grip she had left on her composure. She jolted to her feet, tears welling in her reddened eyes, and bolted out the door. The entertainment value of this little drama had thoroughly expired. Feeling thoroughly unamused, I dropped the shrimp back into the trash can, stood up from my chair, and announced, I have matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving first.

With that, I pushed open the door and stepped out. To my surprise, just as I crossed the threshold, a voice called out behind me.

Gu Nan!

I turned my head. Instead of chasing after a weeping Lin Annian, Jiang Yanchuan had sprinted out after me.

How are you planning to get back? he asked, breathless. Let me drive you home.

As he spoke, he pressed his key fob. By the curb, the headlights of a sleek black Porsche 911 flashed in response. Just as I was opening my mouth to issue a cold refusal, a black Mercedes G-Class roared around the corner and came to an abrupt, aggressive halt right beside the pavement. The tinted window rolled down smoothly, revealing the striking, familiar face of Jiang Ran.

I'm here, baby, get in the car!

I turned back to look at Jiang Yanchuan. My boyfriend has arrived, so I won't be needing your ride. Thank you.

Jiang Yanchuan’s expression grew pitch black and foreboding. A boyfriend? Is that the online lover you mentioned?

The corners of my eyes crinkled as I smiled radiantly. Precisely.

Ignoring the fact that Jiang Yanchuan looked as though his face was dark enough to drip ink, I walked right past him without another glance and climbed into Jiang Ran's waiting vehicle.