"We're all family." Jiang Cheng cut her off, reached out and pressed Fang Yuan's hand, then continued, "No need for such words.
Feeling the scorching heat on the back of her hand, Fang Yuan's body instantly stiffened.
Fortunately, Jiang Cheng let go after only a moment.
The timing was so perfect that Fang Yuan couldn't help wondering if she was overthinking things.
She glanced at the wine glass beside her and took another big gulp.
Soon the alcohol emboldened her thoughts.
"Jiang Cheng, I've always wanted to ask... why are you so good to Ying'er?"
The atmosphere in the private room suddenly turned delicate.
Jiang Cheng looked at her lips moistened by the wine, his Adam's apple bobbing. "That's a strange question. When you like someone, you naturally treat her well."
Emboldened by the alcohol, Fang Yuan stared into Jiang Cheng's eyes. "Then what about me? Is it because of Ying'er?"
The question dropped like a stone into a calm lake.
Looking at Fang Yuan now, Jiang Cheng couldn't stop his eyelid from twitching.
Especially since Fang Yuan was wearing the same outfit as Zhou Ying.
Jiang Cheng didn't answer right away; instead he picked up his glass and took a sip, letting the astringent red wine spread across his tongue.
"Not entirely." He finally spoke, voice low. "You look a lot like Zhou Ying; sometimes I can't help the illusion..."
That's how a so-called good man operates.
First he admits you're special to him, then shifts the issue onto you.
It says the problem isn't him—he simply can't control his feelings.
That way most women fall under the impression: it's not his fault; their own charm is just too great.
Fang Yuan's heart skipped a beat.
She suddenly realized they were so close she could smell his scent.
"I... I'm going to the restroom." Flustered, Fang Yuan stood, accidentally knocking over her glass.
The deep-red liquid soaked into the white tablecloth at once, much like certain unspeakable thoughts.
Jiang Cheng steadied the wobbling wine bottle in time, his fingertips stained with wine.
He watched her hurry away, his gaze darkening.
In front of the hotel restroom mirror, Fang Yuan splashed cold water on her burning cheeks.
Staring into the mirror, she felt the earlier conversation had been a dream.
How could she have asked such a question?
If Jiang Cheng had really said something he shouldn't, how would she have reacted?
Fang Yuan heard her own heartbeat growing louder.
Whether from the alcohol or from the answer about to burst out, she couldn't tell.
A few minutes later she returned to find the table already set with fresh napkins.
Jiang Cheng seemed to be in a group chat.
When he saw Fang Yuan come back, he said nothing.
Soon the ring of a voice call sounded.
Jiang Cheng meant to decline but accidentally hit accept.
The instant the video connected, the camera shook wildly, background booming with deafening electronic music.
Wang Zheng was half-sprawled over a girl in a sequined dress.
His tie hung askew, and he clutched half a bottle of ace of spades.
"Bro Cheng! You finally picked up!" Wang Zheng's face nearly filled the screen.
Before Jiang Cheng could speak, Wang Zheng aimed the camera at Qin Fen.
"Look, Old Qin's wasted."
There Qin Fen was burying his face in an Internet Celebrity's plunging neckline.
Seeing Jiang Cheng answer, Wang Congcong at once leaned toward Wang Zheng's phone.
He squeezed into frame, baseball cap backward, an bunny girl on each arm.
He flauntingly pinched one companion's waist.
"Jiang Cheng, check these two..."
Jiang Cheng hadn't expected the sudden call to show such a sordid scene.
Had Fang Yuan not been present, he would have savored every detail.
At least checked their privacy values or whatever.
Seeing the mood he'd built just now ruined by these three, Jiang Cheng casually tilted the camera so they could spot Fang Yuan.
"You lechers, I can't bear to watch."
As soon as he said it, the trio's eyes locked onto Fang Yuan beside Jiang Cheng.
Though they partied at bars all the time,
bragging to buddies was just for fun,
acting like this on video in front of a girl did look pretty sleazy.
Their expressions turned awkward at once.
Wang Zheng's bottle clanked onto the coffee table.
Qin Fen shoved the Internet Celebrity away like he'd been shocked.
Wang Zheng jerked upright, fumbling to fix his tie.
"Holy crap! Bro Cheng, you've got company... Who's that—your missus?"
Hearing that, Fang Yuan's body went rigid.
She had been pretending to eat calmly but couldn't help glancing at Jiang Cheng's phone.
In that instant she recognized Wang Congcong in the baseball cap.
Judging by their cheap grins, they had to be Jiang Cheng's friends.
Clearly Wang Zheng couldn't tell Fang Yuan from Zhou Ying.
He blurted, "Hello, sister-in-law!"
Qin Fen leaned closer to the camera.
He looked at Fang Yuan and, to his credit, showed respect.
"Hello, Mrs. Zhou."
Facing their greetings, Fang Yuan opened her mouth, but the explanation stuck in her throat.
Mainly because she found it hard to explain.
If Zhou Ying were here it would be easy,
but the hitch was Zhou Ying wasn't around, and she herself sat so close to Jiang Cheng.
Had Fang Yuan been open and aboveboard it would be fine,
but the trouble was she had a guilty conscience.
The words "I'm Zhou Ying's mother" just wouldn't come out.