Chapter 54
Chapter 54: A Cultivated Male God
“Tingting, what’s wrong with you?”
After paying the bill at the Le Meridien front desk, Cheng Yue immediately chased after her, finally catching up to Gu Wanting at the elevator and grabbing her arm with concern.
“Are you feeling unwell somewhere? Do you need me to take you to the hospital?”
“No need.”
Gu Wanting shook her head, her face full of exhaustion.
“You should head back. I’ll take the subway home myself.”
Huh?
Gu Wanting’s words really threw Cheng Yue for a loop, making him anxious inside.
He had booked a room at the nearby Shangri-La Hotel!
Cheng Yue had originally planned to move in for the kill after spending big money on this dinner to touch Gu Wanting’s heart!
But who knew she’d suddenly get emotional and want to go home!
Cheng Yue scratched his head frantically, wanting to find a reason to make Gu Wanting stay, but couldn’t say it directly, so he could only worry helplessly.
“How about we go stroll around the Bund and clear our heads?”
“I want to go home and rest.”
Gu Wanting emphasized softly, breaking free from Cheng Yue’s grip and leaving the Central Tower without looking back, her dejected figure like a walking corpse.
She entered the subway station and boarded the train, but couldn’t find a suitable seat, so she could only stand holding onto the hanging strap.
Not far away, a couple was intimately embracing.
“Baby, sorry for making you take the subway home from work again. Should we buy a car?”
“Oh, what’s the point of buying a car! The cars stuck in traffic during rush hour are even more crowded than the people on the subway, so no.”
“…”
The familiar conversation reached her ears, making Gu Wanting’s consciousness drift.
She and Lin Shen used to be like this too.
When she couldn’t find a seat on the subway, Gu Wanting would hug Lin Shen’s waist and be gently held in his arms.
Only the roles in the conversation were different.
Back then, she was the one clamoring to buy a car, while Lin Shen would always lovingly ruffle her hair and promise to definitely buy one once he saved enough money.
Unfortunately, that wish was never fulfilled even after three years.
Gu Wanting used to think this behavior of painting rosy pictures for girls was very shameful.
But now thinking about it, she actually missed it terribly.
She missed those carefree times when Lin Shen held her in the palm of his hand and took care of her with meticulous attention.
Bits and pieces of memories were unveiled by Gu Wanting from their dusty corner, turning into waves that washed over the shores of her heart, surging up to her mind.
Tears gathered in her reddened eyes, finally flowing uncontrollably down her cheeks.
It was so beautiful at the beginning!
Why did it become so terrible in the end?
Was it my fault?
Gu Wanting’s thoughts were in chaos when suddenly a tissue appeared before her tear-blurred eyes.
“Don’t cry.”
The male half of that couple from earlier actively handed her a tissue, while the female half comforted her gently.
“I don’t know what happened around you, but you’re so pretty, there’s no need to cry. You’re better than many people, so please keep your chin up!”
“Thank you.”
Gu Wanting sobbed as she wiped away her tears with the tissue, breaking into a smile through her tears.
“You two are really happy. I’m very envious.”
“How was it?”
Downstairs at Central Tower.
Lin Shen stretched and asked Jiang Wan for her evaluation of the dinner, then received her approving nod.
“Very good. The various French dishes were indeed very flavorful and exquisite. Thank you for the treat, little Lin Shen.”
“As long as you enjoyed it, Senior.”
Seeing Lin Shen’s casual and carefree manner, Jiang Wan actually wanted to say something, but hesitated and ultimately just smiled.
“Well then, see you another day. When you buy that camera, I’m willing to be your free model.”
“Alright.”
After the two waved goodbye at the subway station, they boarded trains going in opposite directions.
Jiang Wan let out a light sigh. Once she relaxed, the exhaustion that drained her whole body swallowed her like a tide, almost making her nod off.
After all, the model was the one who expended the most energy during shooting, she just didn’t want to show it outside.
But now, she could finally rest.
Just as Jiang Wan’s mind was gradually becoming drowsy, the sound of the subway arriving at the station woke her up.
She blinked her slightly hazy beautiful eyes and stood up, about to leave the subway station.
At this moment, a young man suddenly approached from not far away and called out to her.
“Excuse me, miss! I’ve been watching you for a while. You look very beautiful in hanfu, and I also really like traditional Chinese culture. Could we add each other on WeChat and chat?”
“Sorry, I have a boyfriend.”
Jiang Wan decisively declined.
She was already used to being approached by guys, so she always used the same excuse to refuse.
Only this time, when she said she had a boyfriend, her tone became confident and justified.
She even thought of Lin Shen first.
“Looks like this little guy has quite the charm.”
Jiang Wan rubbed her aching temples and dragged her weary body home.
Wenjing Garden, Building 3, Room 201.
Click—!
“Wanwan, you’re back.”
As soon as Jiang Wan opened the door, a muffled call came from the living room, mixed with the “crunch” sound of eating potato chips.
A cute girl wearing Pikachu pajamas was leisurely watching dramas on the sofa, with the coffee table covered in various snacks and treats, plus carbonated drinks.
Her name was Xu Lu, Jiang Wan’s best roommate from college.
After graduation, the two rented a two-bedroom apartment together. The space wasn’t large, but it was warm enough.
“Coming back so late, you weren’t on a date with that photographer Ah Hao, were you?”
Xu Lu teased, then received a eye-roll from Jiang Wan.
“You’re overthinking. This time there were three of us shooting together, including one of my juniors.”
“A junior?”
Xu Lu’s eyes suddenly lit up.
“Do I know him?”
“You do.”
Jiang Wan went to her bedroom to change into house clothes, then came out and collapsed on the sofa, massaging her shoulders to relieve fatigue.
“Do you remember Lin Shen? That junior who was one year below us, he used to be in the volunteer club. I’ve mentioned him to you before.”
“I have some impression.”
Xu Lu tapped her chin with her finger, lost in thought.
“He seemed pretty ordinary-looking, and his personality seemed a bit shy…”
“Ordinary?”
Jiang Wan smiled mysteriously, then fiddled with her phone for a while and held it up in front of Xu Lu.
“Look, does he still seem ordinary to you now?”
“Huh? This person is Lin Shen?”
Xu Lu looked completely shocked.
On Jiang Wan’s phone screen was a photo she had secretly taken while sitting in the car on the way back.
In it, Lin Shen was leaning against her chest, fast asleep, his tousled bangs covering his handsome profile, giving off quite the atmosphere of an online male god.
Seeing this, Xu Lu was completely stunned.
“When did he become so handsome?”
“I don’t know either. Maybe money makes people more attractive.”
Jiang Wan put away her phone and sighed.
“He seems to have made quite a bit of money after graduation. Tonight he even treated me to a Western dinner that cost over two thousand per person.”
“Holy crap!”
Xu Lu couldn’t help but curse, grabbing Jiang Wan’s shoulders and shaking them, her expression full of envy.
“This is what you call a cultivated male god! You didn’t make a move on him, did you?”
“It’s not at that point yet.”
Jiang Wan’s lips suddenly curved into a mysterious smile.
“But I think your suggestion isn’t bad.”