C19 You Were Merciful to Your Exboyfriend

Ruan Shiyu couldn't help but laugh, thinking to herself how some people just know the right things to say, unlike Chu Li, who always had a sharp tongue. Despite her thoughts, she maintained her composure in front of others, offering a polite smile. "It's been so many years, and you all still have a way with words."

Having spent too much time at home, Shiyu found herself treading carefully through these casual social exchanges. Fortunately, more people arrived, drawing attention away from her, allowing her to breathe a sigh of relief. She moved to a quiet corner, waiting patiently for Xiangqian to arrive.

Just as she settled down, an annoying voice called out, "Ruan Shiyu?"

Her body tensed instantly. Without even turning around, she considered leaving, but a hand caught hers. Zhan Ann's voice was filled with surprise, "Is it really you?"

Unable to escape, Shiyu reluctantly turned to face him, her expression one of disdain. "Let go."

When Zhan Ann first saw her, he almost didn't recognize her. The Ruan Shiyu he remembered always wore jeans and a t-shirt, her hair casually tied in a messy ponytail. But now, she was dressed in an elegant dress, her hair softly framing her face.

Her exposed shoulders were smooth and fair, making her all the more captivating. Was this beautiful girl really Ruan Shiyu?

Zhan Ann felt as if he were seeing things. The moment Shiyu turned around, he was struck by her beauty and refused to release her hand. "What are you doing here? I didn't invite you!"

Shiyu laughed at his words. "Just because you didn't invite me doesn't mean I can't come. Zhan Ann, please let go. We're not that close!"

Zhan Ann frowned, not used to Shiyu's assertive tone.

Ruan Shiyu was always a bit timid. Even when people told her that her boyfriend was constantly flirting with others, she chose to be forgiving, thinking it wasn't easy for them to have been together since college. She often accommodated Zhan Ann in their relationship.

This was the first time Zhan Ann heard Shiyu speak in such a tone.

"Shiyu, I know you're upset about our breakup, but you have to understand, I didn't mean to end things with you," Zhan Ann said, frowning. "You used to be such a homebody, never going out. If you could change those habits, maybe we could get back together."

"Get back together?" Shiyu responded as if she'd heard the most ridiculous joke. She scoffed, wanting to shake Zhan Ann off, unwilling to say another word to him.

However, to Zhan Ann, her reaction seemed like she was playing hard to get, which only piqued his interest further. He held on tighter. "Shiyu, we've been together for so long. I know your personality. Why bother explaining? You look so beautiful today; you must have dressed up to see me."

Zhan Ann smiled, "I understand your intentions. I won't let you down..."

As he spoke, he tried to pull Shiyu into his arms.

Shiyu had never realized how repulsive Zhan Ann could be until now. She snapped, slapping him across the face and shouting, "Have you no shame!"

Zhan Ann couldn't dodge in time and took the slap squarely.

The sharp "smack" echoed, silencing the room. Everyone turned, shocked by the scene unfolding in the corner. Zhan Ann was stunned, disbelief etched on his face, and a hint of anger in his eyes. Not wanting to attract more attention, he lowered his voice, seething, "Shiyu, don't push your luck!"

Shiyu, unfazed by the onlookers' surprise, insisted on shaking Zhan Ann off, raising her voice, "Zhan Ann, you're the shameless one. We broke up, so stop clinging. I, Ruan Shiyu, am done with you!"

As she was about to turn and leave, an angry female voice suddenly cut through the air, "What are you doing?"

Ruan Shiyu and Zhan Ann both turned around to see Chu Li standing at the entrance of the room, clearly upset. It seemed she had just walked in.

Caught in the act of confronting his ex-girlfriend, Zhan Ann was now face-to-face with his current girlfriend. Although Ruan Shiyu wasn't happy about them being together, seeing this unfold was oddly satisfying.

Let's see how Zhan Ann explains this!

Just as Ruan Shiyu was eagerly anticipating the drama to unfold, Zhan Ann's expression shifted from anger to feigned hurt. "Chu Li, she's the one trying to seduce me, saying she wants to get back together!"

"What?" Ruan Shiyu's eyes widened in disbelief. This guy was lying through his teeth!

Chu Li's expression changed slightly as she walked over to Zhan Ann, pulling him to her side. Her voice was cold as she said, "Ruan Shiyu, you deny being shameless, yet here you are trying to steal someone else's boyfriend. Impressive."

Listening to this twisted version of events, Ruan Shiyu couldn't stay silent. "What do you mean I'm trying to seduce him?! He's the one who's greedy and wants to get back with me!"

Before Ruan Shiyu could finish, Zhan Ann interjected, "Look at yourself. Why would I ever get back with you? I'm happy with Li!"

"Ugh!" Ruan Shiyu spat in frustration, "Everyone heard what you said earlier. Do you really think you can just twist the truth?"

She glanced at the classmates nearby, hoping someone would back her up. To her surprise, everyone avoided her gaze.

Chu Li sneered, "Everyone saw you trying to seduce my boyfriend. What else do you have to say?"

Ruan Shiyu was stunned. Everyone had witnessed what happened, so why wasn't anyone speaking up for her? Was it just because she wasn't doing as well as Chu Li now?

Ruan Shiyu was a cartoonist, living a comfortable life on her own. However, being alone meant she had no one to lean on. Over the past couple of years, Chu Li had done well at her company, and many people sought her favor. Even those who didn’t need her help didn’t want to cross her, given her difficult personality. As a result, no one stepped up to support Ruan Shiyu.

"Ruan Shiyu, if I were you, I’d walk out of here right now. Getting caught flirting with someone else’s boyfriend and still having the nerve to stand here," Chu Li sneered, crossing her arms.

"That's not true! I didn’t flirt with him!" Ruan Shiyu protested, unable to find anyone to back her up. "You’re the one who should leave! Right after Zhan Ann and I broke up, you swooped in. Who knows who really stole whose boyfriend?"

"Ha, me?" Chu Li scoffed. "Everyone knows you’re just mooching off your parents at home. Are they tired of supporting you, so now you’re trying to freeload elsewhere? Forget it, Zhan Ann would never choose you over me. What do you have that I don’t?"

Back in college, Chu Li was always overshadowed by Ruan Shiyu. Now that she finally had the upper hand, she relished the chance to put Ruan Shiyu down.

Ruan Shiyu worked from home as a full-time cartoonist, contrary to Chu Li’s claims. But without a traditional job, no one believed her. People assumed she was just making excuses, questioning how anyone could earn money from home.

Due to her career choice, Ruan Shiyu often faced judgment. Over time, she grew tired of explaining herself, even to Zhan Ann, who thought she spent her days at home doing nothing.

Standing at the class reunion, Ruan Shiyu felt utterly helpless. She hadn’t done anything wrong, yet she was the target of ridicule. Just as she was about to reach her breaking point, a calm male voice came from the doorway: "Excuse me, what are you doing to my girlfriend?"

The voice was cool and dignified, yet carried a unique power that effortlessly drew everyone's attention. Seeing the people at the door, Shiyu suddenly felt like she had found her anchor. She pushed past the display and Chu Li, running to stand behind Xiangqian, shooting Zhan Ann a fierce glare.

Zhan Ann exclaimed incredulously, "Your boyfriend? No way!"

He spoke with absolute certainty, without a moment's hesitation.

Shiyu felt a surge of indignation. What was wrong with her? Why couldn't she find a new boyfriend? If Zhan Ann could break up with her and be with her rival, why couldn't she find someone even better?

"Why not?" Shiyu stepped closer to Xiangqian and declared, "He is my boyfriend!"

"Shiyu, you must be joking. Someone like you, how could anyone like you?" Zhan Ann frowned. "You must be lying to us. Is it fake? Did you plan this?"

Zhan Ann's words pierced through Shiyu's lie, and she suddenly didn't know what to say. Having been with Shiyu for so many years, Zhan Ann could tell from her expression that she was lying. A hint of smugness flashed in his eyes as he prepared to expose her.

But before he could speak, Xiangqian stepped forward and pulled Shiyu into his arms, saying, "Sorry, my girlfriend is a bit shy."

His affectionate demeanor didn't seem fake at all. Seeing Xiangqian like this, Zhan Ann hesitated. Could they really be a couple?

Shiyu, feeling guilty, didn't dare to speak, but Xiangqian held her close and asked softly, "Want to sit down for a bit?"

Shiyu, feeling lost, immediately nodded at his suggestion. "Yes, let's sit."

Xiangqian held her securely as they walked together to a nearby sofa.

Their movements were so natural and fluid, as if they were meant to be that close. Watching from the side, Chu Li frowned, thinking she recognized the person. Wasn't he the surgeon from that private hospital?

"Isn't that Mr. Hsu?" Before Chu Li could figure it out, someone nearby exclaimed, "Hello, hello, I didn't expect to run into you here."

Xiangqian raised an eyebrow, glanced at the person, but said nothing.

The person quickly pulled a business card from their jacket pocket and said, "Here's my card. I work at an advertising company now. Next week, our company is collaborating with your hospital, so we hope Dr. Hsu can look out for us then!"