With that one glance, she happened to catch a glimpse, through the gap beside Xu Yan, of the fingers that briefly touched under the table before separating as if nothing had happened.
At this sight, her entire body instantly froze.
It was as if she had been struck by a faint electric current; her brain buzzed, going completely blank.
This Xu Yan... she actually... under the table... secretly touched Jiang Cheng's hand?
And Jiang Cheng actually didn't react.
He even deliberately kept only his wrist pressed against Jiang Churan, leaving his entire palm free for Xu Yan to touch as she pleased.
Does this action mean Jiang Cheng is tacitly allowing it?
Suddenly discovering this secret, and as if heavily impacted by this bold and ambiguous scene, her eyes widened into circles, her thick long lashes trembling violently, and she almost forgot to breathe.
Shen Shuang's heart uncontrollably pounded wildly.
Forcing herself not to look anymore, she abruptly turned her head back, staring fixedly at the utensils in front of her.
Confusion, shock, and an indescribable sense of embarrassment swept over her.
Last time, while accompanying Jiang Cheng for breakfast, Xu Yan confessed to her that she liked Jiang Cheng.
At the time, she had half-jokingly, half-seriously suggested that Xu Yan and Jiang Churan become real best friends.
Who would have thought Xu Yan would actually secretly... be with Jiang Cheng?
Most importantly, Jiang Churan was right there beside them.
And now, with so many people present?
Her courage is too great... Suppressing her wildly wandering eyes, Shen Shuang picked up her chopsticks, pretending to grab the Sweet and Sour Pork in front of her. Perhaps because the nervous feeling hadn't subsided, she dropped it several times.
Seeing this, Jiang Churan extended her chopsticks and steadily picked it up for her, turning to place it in her bowl.
Noticing this, Xu Yan beside them promptly withdrew her hand.
Jiang Churan's sudden turning movement not only made Xu Yan feel nervous but also made Shen Shuang tense.
Seeming to sense Shen Shuang's momentary stiffness and abnormality.
Jiang Churan asked softly with concern, "Shuang Shuang, what's wrong? Why is your face so red?"
Shen Shuang, like a startled deer, shook her head vigorously, her voice somewhat tight: "N-nothing... it's just a bit hot."
She forced herself to calm down, picked up the water glass in front of her, and took a sip. The cold water slid down her throat but did nothing to extinguish the heat on her face and in her heart.
Seeing this, Jiang Churan didn't think much of it, only assuming Shen Shuang's expression was due to hearing about Jiang Cheng and the others targeting the Company.
"The tangled mess in her heart tightened further; the anxiety of discovering the secret mixed with selfish palpitations, making her restless and uneasy. She just wanted to find a place to catch her breath, so she hurriedly stood up: 'I'm going to the restroom.'"
As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Churan also put down her chopsticks, smiling as she followed: "I'll go with you."
Outside the restroom stall, the mirror above the sink was covered in a thin layer of mist. Shen Shuang turned on the faucet, splashing cold water on her face, but it couldn't suppress the restlessness in her heart.
She stared at herself in the mirror, her mind repeatedly torn.
To tell or not to tell?
If she told, she would be loyal to her best friend, but if Jiang Churan found out, she would likely be heartbroken, and her relationship with Jiang Cheng would become strained;
If she didn't tell, watching Jiang Churan kept in the dark made her feel guilty.
What to do?
Although she had wavered with thoughts of betraying Jiang Churan in her heart.
But she didn't have the courage to act on it.
Who would have thought Xu Yan would do it so decisively.
At this moment, her heart could be described as a mix of ice and fire.
On one hand, she felt Xu Yan's actions were unethical; on the other hand, she felt she could understand her.
After all, the other party was Jiang Cheng, not just any ordinary man.
Moreover, people have a psychology: if they dare not do something themselves, they drag others down with them, making those around them the same, so the blame isn't solely on themselves.
Xu Yan started this; if she couldn't resist getting close to Jiang Cheng in the future, it would no longer be her fault alone.
That bit of secret happiness quietly surfaced again, entwined with guilt, creating a chaotic mess.
Jiang Churan, wiping her hands, walked to her side. Seeing her staring blankly at the mirror with a slight frown, she reached out and gently patted her.
"Shuang Shuang, don't worry. Are you still concerned about your uncle's situation?"
Shen Shuang snapped back to reality, her fingers tightening on the towel, nodding dumbly, not daring to meet her eyes.
"Don't worry. Before coming today, I mentioned it to Jiang Cheng in the room, asking if he could help out. Although he didn't explicitly agree, think about it: if he weren't willing, why would he bring you here? Jiang Cheng definitely remembers your situation; if there's a chance, he'll surely help you."
As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Shuang couldn't help but hug Jiang Churan tightly, pouting as she spoke emotionally: "Ranran, you're too good to me..."
Jiang Churan was caught off guard by the full embrace and tickled by her rubbing against her neck, couldn't help but laugh and shrink back.
Reaching out to push her: "Hey, alright, alright, stop being so mushy, it's so ticklish... let go quickly, you're getting my clothes wet."
But Shen Shuang hugged her even tighter, not only not letting go but deliberately rubbing against her, especially her face often brushing against that enviable softness.
"Mm!" Jiang Churan let out a soft cry, her body trembling slightly, then laughed helplessly as she forcefully pulled her away, "Shen Shuangshuang! You perverted woman. You even bite!"
Pushed away by her, Shen Shuang watched as Jiang Churan, both embarrassed and annoyed, covered her chest and glared at her.
Somehow, the heavy mood from earlier had mostly dissipated.
She blinked, deliberately smacking her lips, revealing a sly smile of Unforgettable.
"Can't help it, who made our Ranran so 'ambitious'? Rubbing against it feels too comfortable! I suddenly understand why men always stare at big-chested girls—this sensation... tsk tsk, I really like it too!"
"You! You female rogue!" Jiang Churan's cheeks turned even redder at her explicit words, pretending to pinch her mouth, "I think you're itching for a spanking! Don't you dare run!"
Shen Shuang giggled and dodged, the two of them causing a commotion in front of the sink.
Amid the laughter and play, Shen Shuang looked into Jiang Churan's clear, bright eyes, which held no shadow, only complete trust and concern for her.
Her nose tingled again, and guilt instantly surged in her heart, overwhelming that bit of selfish palpitation and the playful mood from earlier.
Jiang Cheng remembered her difficulties; moreover, regarding the Xu Family's matter, Xu Zhi confronting Jiang Cheng was partly due to trouble she had caused. Jiang Cheng had done her a favor, and Jiang Churan treated her with genuine sincerity.
She really didn't know what to do.
A thousand words blockage in her throat, ultimately only turning into an even tighter hug.
And a teasing remark with a sigh: "Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. I admit I was wrong, okay?"
"You little pervert, stop messing with me. Tonight, I'll go back to the dorm to torment Yan Yan~~"
"Don't worry, I definitely won't go back to Renji Villa to disturb you tonight. I still want to ask: when you were dawdling in the room for so long at noon, were you..."
Jiang Churan's face flushed red. Straightening her disheveled clothes and hair, she pulled her along as they walked out: "Let's go, stop talking..."
Meanwhile, the culprit Xu Yan acted as if nothing had happened.
Seeing Jiang Churan and Shen Shuang gone, she immediately seized the opportunity, diligently and smilingly using a spoon to scoop up a dessert.
Leaning close to Jiang Cheng, she said: "This is really delicious. Want a bite?"
Seeing this, Jiang Cheng leaned over and took the spoon into his mouth.
"Mmm, not bad, very sweet..."
The few people present tacitly acknowledged Xu Yan as also being Jiang Cheng's girlfriend.
Seeing this, they could only click their tongues and tease a few words.
Seeing the eager expressions on their faces, Jiang Cheng picked up his red wine glass, took a sip, then couldn't help but offer some advice.
"The Company is such a large enterprise; its success and failure both lie in real estate. It rose by riding the industry trend but ultimately fell in the Foam of this track..."
Hearing Jiang Cheng suddenly say this, everyone's eyes focused on him.
Mainly because this statement contained quite a bit of information.
Especially Wang Congcong and Shen An, whose families made their fortunes through real estate. Their expressions noticeably darkened upon hearing this.
Seeing Wang Congcong remain silent, Shen An couldn't help but glance at him.
Although Jiang Cheng didn't intend to reveal everything to them.
But after all, they had been hanging out together for so long.
If these families all declined, it wouldn't be good for Jiang Cheng.
After all, there might be situations in the future where he needed them to take the fall upfront.
As the saying goes, eating alone is enjoyable, but it can easily lead to a stomachache."