Chapter 419 - 238: Lu Fan’s Confession, Jiang Yixia’s Choice

Chapter 419: Chapter 238: Lu Fan’s Confession, Jiang Yixia’s Choice

The New Year’s Gala was getting closer and closer, so Lu Yao increased their rehearsal time from one hour a day to two.

The girls spent every evening in the gym’s dance studio, meticulously practicing their moves in front of the mirror.

Jiang Silu’s dancing improved by leaps and bounds; even Lu Yao said she had a gift for it.

After rehearsal ended that night, Lu Yao was so exhausted she collapsed right onto the floor. "I can’t go on, I can’t," she said, her voice weak. "I need a break. Lulu, can you tell your dad if we can start half an hour later tomorrow? I need more sleep."

Jiang Silu, who was packing her things, stifled a laugh. "You tell Uncle Chen yourself."

"I don’t dare. Your dad’s driver looks so fierce," Lu Yao said, quickly shaking her head.

Lin Xiaoyi chimed in with a laugh from the side. "How is Uncle Chen fierce? He even handed me a water bottle last time."

Chen Yu leaned in as well. "Exactly! You’re just a scaredy-cat."

The girls headed out, laughing and joking.

Jiang Silu, walking at the back of the group, pulled out her phone and glanced at it.

There was one unread message. It was from Jiang Sifan.

Jiang Sifan: [Silu, are you free tomorrow night? I was thinking of coming over to your university to look around and see you.]

Jiang Silu was a little surprised.

It wasn’t often that her brother took the initiative to come see her.

Jiang Silu: [I’m free. When are you coming?]

Jiang Sifan: [I’ll head over after class in the afternoon. Don’t tell Dad.]

Jiang Silu stared at the last three words, stunned for a moment.

’Don’t tell Dad.’

After a moment’s thought, she replied with an "Okay."

She put her phone away and quickened her pace to catch up with her roommates.

The next afternoon, Jiang Sifan came out of his studio to find Wen Wan packing up her things.

Jiang Sifan walked up to her and said, "I’m heading to Jinling University to see Silu. Wen Wan, do you want to come along?"

Wen Wan froze for a second, surprised. "To Jinling University?"

"We don’t have anything else going on, anyway. There’s a food street over there, and the food’s pretty good," Jiang Sifan said with an encouraging nod.

Wen Wan lowered her head, nervously twisting her fingers around her bag strap. "Well... would it be inconvenient for me to go?" she asked awkwardly.

Jiang Sifan laughed. "Why would it be inconvenient? It’s not like we’re going somewhere we have to hide."

Wen Wan’s face flushed slightly as she nodded.

The two of them left the campus and got on a bus headed for Jinling University.

The bus wasn’t crowded. Wen Wan sat by the window, watching the streetscape pass by.

Jiang Sifan sat next to her, wanting to say something but not knowing what.

’I remember what Lu Fan said at the hotel last time: "If you really want to help her, you should think about what you’re going to do when her mom eventually starts pressuring her."’

’I didn’t answer him then, but it’s been on my mind ever since.’

’I’ve thought about it for days but still haven’t come up with a definite answer.’

’I just feel like I should be with her more, spend more time with her.’

’As for why... I can’t quite explain it.’

By the time the bus arrived at their stop, the sky had already grown dark.

Jiang Sifan led Wen Wan toward the university’s back gate and saw Jiang Silu standing there from a distance. She was wearing her pale yellow down jacket, her head lowered as she looked at her phone.

"Silu!" Jiang Sifan called out.

Jiang Silu looked up, saw them, and ran over with a smile.

When she reached them, she glanced at Wen Wan, then at Jiang Sifan, a knowing smile on her face. "Brother, why did you bring Sister Wen Wan along?"

Jiang Sifan cleared his throat. "I brought her to look around. She’s never been here before."

Wen Wan’s face reddened as she said softly, "Silu, long time no see."

Jiang Silu linked arms with her, grinning. "Sister Wen Wan, you’ve lost weight! Is it because my brother keeps making you work overtime? You can tell me. I’ll chew him out for you."

"No, no, the class president is very good to me," Wen Wan said, waving her hands in denial.

Jiang Silu turned to Jiang Sifan and drew out her words teasingly, "’Class president’... that sounds so formal."

Wen Wan’s face grew even redder.

Jiang Sifan cleared his throat again, changing the subject. "Let’s go. Time to eat. What do you want?"

"There’s a new pickled fish restaurant that just opened by the back gate. I heard it’s amazing. My classmate went and said the line is super long," Jiang Silu suggested after a moment of thought.

"Then we’ll get in line," Jiang Sifan said with a nod.

The three of them started walking toward the food street.

Wen Wan walked next to Jiang Silu, and Jiang Sifan walked next to Wen Wan.

The food street was bustling with activity. The smoke from grilled skewers mixed with the sweetness of milk tea, filling the air.

Jiang Silu pointed to a restaurant. "That’s the one. The pickled fish place."

A long line snaked out from the entrance, stretching all the way to the street corner.

Jiang Silu sighed. "So many people. How long will we have to wait?"

"You two wait here. I’ll go get in line," Jiang Sifan suggested after glancing at the queue.

"I’ll go with you," Wen Wan quickly offered.

Jiang Sifan shook his head. "No need. You and Silu find a place to sit. It’s cold out."

Wen Wan wanted to say more, but Jiang Sifan had already walked to the end of the line.

Jiang Silu pulled Wen Wan over to a chair in front of the neighboring milk tea shop and sat down, watching her with a sly grin.

"Sister Wen Wan, do you like my brother?"

Wen Wan froze, her face instantly turning red. She waved her hands frantically. "No, no, we’re just classmates..."

Jiang Silu laughed. "Your face is all red, and you’re still denying it."

"The class president... he’s very good to me, but I don’t know if he likes me," Wen Wan said quietly, lowering her head.

Jiang Silu took her hand and said earnestly, "Sister Wen Wan, you know my brother. He’s not good with words, and he can’t express himself well, but you can feel for yourself whether he’s good to you or not."

Wen Wan didn’t say anything.

She could feel it.

He had gone with her back to her hometown, helped her handle her grandfather’s affairs, and held her hand without letting go.

He bought her hot drinks, handed her tissues, and stood by her side when she cried.