Chapter 114: Reject Her

Chapter 114: Chapter 114: Reject Her

"I said, I hope there’s nothing between us," Su Jue said, his lips pressed into a thin line as he repeated himself, his face cold.

Xu Yan was sure she hadn’t misheard. Her eyes reddened slightly, and she quickly lowered her head. "Why?"

She sniffled. "Why won’t you give me even a single chance?"

"I’m sorry. I’m not looking for a relationship right now. I don’t have the time, and I’m certainly not in the mood." Su Jue stared at the top of her head. ’Was he trying to convince her or himself?’ "You’re such a great catch. You could easily find someone much better than me."

"You don’t know me. You only think you like me because I happened to show up and help you once. It’s just a kind of gratitude from a victim who’s been saved, not real affection."

"It’s like how everyone loves a hero. People admire heroes, and that admiration can turn into a desire for possession when you get too close. But that’s not love."

Xu Yan kept her head down, pursing her lips. "How do you know you’re right?"

"It’s a fact. You can go home and think it over." Su Jue looked down at her. "You should go back now. And don’t come looking for me anymore. It’s for your own good."

Xu Yan suddenly reached out and grabbed his sleeve. "Can’t you just give it a try with me?"

"Just try dating me. If we don’t get along, we can break up."

Su Jue pried her hand off his sleeve and took two steps back, creating distance between them. He shook his head with a measured sense of propriety. "No. That would be irresponsible to both of us. You can’t force matters of the heart."

"I’ve made myself perfectly clear. I’m leaving."

Su Jue turned and walked away.

Before long, he heard footsteps behind him. Su Jue frowned and turned his head. As expected, Xu Yan had followed him.

"So I can’t even go see Wanwan?" Having been rejected so bluntly, Xu Yan’s tone soured, and she rolled her eyes at Su Jue.

Without waiting for his reply, Xu Yan strode forward.

Su Jue hesitated for a moment but then quickened his pace to follow her.

One after the other, they arrived at the courtyard gate.

Xu Yan knocked. It was Aunt Zhao who opened the gate.

"Young lady, who are you looking for?" Aunt Zhao didn’t recognize her.

"Auntie, I’m looking for Wanwan. My name is Xu Yan, I’m her friend." Xu Yan took out her identification and a letter of introduction.

Aunt Zhao couldn’t read, but she didn’t let it show. Instead, she pretended to examine the documents seriously while glancing outside, hoping for Su Jue to return.

Fortunately, Su Jue arrived just a moment later.

"Ajue, you’re back! This young woman is here to see Wanwan." Aunt Zhao lowered her voice. "Wanwan is resting, so I didn’t call for her."

Su Jue knew that Su Wan had gone to bed early because she was tired from her check-up at the hospital today.

"She is indeed Wanwan’s friend. I know her," Su Jue told Aunt Zhao. "I’ll take care of Xu Yan."

"In that case, I’ll go back to the kitchen and continue roasting chestnuts."

Aunt Zhao was still busy with her work.

The roasted chestnuts were set aside, waiting to be delivered to the neighbors the next morning.

After Aunt Zhao left, Su Jue led Xu Yan into the courtyard.

"Is Wanwan resting?" Xu Yan asked, carrying her handbag. She couldn’t help but soften her movements as she followed him into the courtyard, her eyes instinctively scanning the surroundings. She noticed a large number of chestnuts in the yard.

She was a little curious. "What are all these chestnuts for?"

"Yes. Wanwan had a check-up at the hospital today. She was a bit tired, so she went to bed early."

"These chestnuts are for selling," Su Jue said, deliberately revealing his family’s shortcomings. "My family is poor. We’re from the countryside and don’t have many ways to make money, so I started a small business on my own, just self-employed."

He was trying to make Xu Yan give up on him.

"You sell chestnuts? That’s amazing!" Xu Yan couldn’t help but praise him.

As soon as she praised him, she heard Su Jue’s cold reply as he shook his head. "It’s nothing special. Anyone can do it."

Xu Yan was fuming. ’Why is Su Jue always so infuriating? And what’s wrong with me? Why can’t I stop myself from complimenting him? What’s so great about this guy? Nothing at all! If I ever praise Su Jue again, I’ll kick myself.’

Xu Yan silently made a promise to herself.

"Hmph. You’re right. Wanwan is way more capable than you. She knows how to fire porcelain, and all you can do is sell chestnuts," Xu Yan said with a pout.

His face cold, Su Jue replied, "Mm, you’re right."

’Is he angry?’

Xu Yan couldn’t help but wonder, ’Were my words too harsh?’

Xu Yan hesitated, opening her mouth to say something, but Su Jue had already stepped into the main hall.

He poured a cup of sugar water for Xu Yan.

"Miss Xu Yan, perhaps you should come back tomorrow? Wanwan is resting, and she needs her rest now that she’s pregnant. I can take you to the nearest guesthouse to stay for the night." Su Jue was still being responsible. After all, she was a guest, and escorting her personally would prevent any problems.

"Alright. I really did come at a bad time. This is a gift I brought for Wanwan—some fruits and nuts that are good for pregnant women."

Xu Yan placed the tote bag she was holding onto the stone table in the courtyard.

Afraid that Su Jue would refuse, she glanced at him and said quickly, "This is for Wanwan. It’s no use for you to refuse."

"..." Su Jue glanced at the items on the table—nuts and a pomelo. They were indeed suitable for Wanwan. "Mm. What’s for Wanwan is for her to decide."

Xu Yan breathed a sigh of relief.

She had always been generous with her friends and believed in returning favors. She knew Wanwan wasn’t struggling financially, which was why she didn’t hold back with her gift.

After all, if someone’s circumstances were too difficult, she wouldn’t give such an expensive gift, as they would feel pressured by the inability to return the favor.

"Okay, then. I’ll have to trouble you to take me to the guesthouse."

"Okay. I’ll take you on my bicycle."

Before leaving, Su Jue went into the kitchen to let Aunt Zhao know.

When he came out, Xu Yan was already standing by the bicycle.

Seeing her staring at the bicycle, Su Jue pressed his lips together and said, "This is Wanwan’s bicycle. I can’t afford one."

"Oh, it’s okay if you can’t afford one. It’s fine as long as someone in the family has one. It’s not like you ride it that often anyway," Xu Yan comforted him understandingly.

Su Jue grunted in response, it was unclear if he had really heard her. Once Xu Yan was seated securely, he started pedaling, leaving the alley and heading toward the nearest guesthouse.

There was a guesthouse near the school, and it wasn’t far. After winding through a few alleys, they reached a wide main street.

Su Jue stopped the bicycle in front of the guesthouse.

Xu Yan couldn’t help but stare at his back.

"I’ll go in and check first." Su Jue went inside, and Xu Yan followed close behind.

By the time she walked in, Su Jue was already asking the receptionist about rooms.

"Are there any rooms available?"

"Yes, but not many left," the receptionist said.

"How many of you are staying? If you’re a couple, you need a marriage certificate to stay together," the receptionist added, her gaze sweeping over the two of them.

Su Jue paused, pressing his lips together. Xu Yan’s cheeks flushed red as she conveniently chose to forget his earlier rejection.

"I’m her older brother," Su Jue said, quickly coming up with an excuse. As the receptionist stared at them, looking puzzled by their lack of resemblance, he spoke again to divert her attention. "My sister will be staying alone. Where is the room, and how much is it?"