Chapter 230 - 88: Shen Yanzhi’s Confession, The Truth of the Past (Part 3)

’If you liked me, then why did you have to leave? Isn’t that a contradiction?’

Shen Yanzhi let out a heavy sigh and reached out to pinch Jiang Li’s cheek. "You were already with that Zhao guy. If I didn’t go abroad, what, did you want me to stick around and watch you two be all lovey-dovey?"

He could accept Jiang Li not liking him, but he couldn’t stand watching her and Zhao Sinian be all lovey-dovey right in front of him.

Rather than endure that, it was better to just get away from it all. Out of sight, out of mind.

Shen Yanzhi’s question left Jiang Li speechless. Unsure what to say in rebuttal, she simply fell silent.

Seeing her reaction, Shen Yanzhi remarked casually, "But there is one thing I’m curious about."

Jiang Li eyed Shen Yanzhi suspiciously, waiting for what he would say next.

"What on earth did you see in Zhao Sinian back then?"

’When it came to looks, Zhao Sinian couldn’t compare to him.’

’In terms of grades, Zhao Sinian was even further behind.’

’So why did Jiang Li choose Zhao Sinian over him back then?’

Jiang Li covered her mouth and gave a little cough, explaining sheepishly, "It wasn’t that I fell for him, really. The main reason was that he saved me. I originally planned to give him some money, but he asked me to be his girlfriend instead."

On top of that, there were rumors spreading around school that you and Song Ning were dating, so I just agreed to Zhao Sinian’s request.

’If I had only known that Shen Yanzhi liked me back then, Zhao Sinian never would have had a chance.’

Shen Yanzhi’s brows furrowed when he heard that. "Wait a second. He saved you?"

Jiang Li nodded. "Yeah. During the second half of freshman year, I was getting hassled by a group of punks, and he was passing by and saved me."

"Fuck!"

Shen Yanzhi nearly choked on his own breath.

’In other words, if he hadn’t left back then, Zhao Sinian would never have gotten involved.’

Seeing Shen Yanzhi’s instinctive reaction, Jiang Li’s heart lurched. She immediately grabbed his arm, her voice laced with disbelief. "Don’t tell me the person who saved me back then was you?"

Shen Yanzhi exhaled slowly. He didn’t answer her directly, only sighing, "I never thought I’d let Zhao Sinian slip in and take the credit."

The tears Jiang Li had just managed to suppress broke free once more. She started hitting Shen Yanzhi’s chest, her words choked with sobs. "Then why didn’t you say anything?"

His heart ached as he wiped away her tears. "I saw you were with Zhao Sinian," he said softly. "I didn’t think there was any point in making things difficult for you."

The more Jiang Li thought about it, the more furious she became, and she leaned in and bit Shen Yanzhi on the neck. "If you had just told me, we wouldn’t have wasted all these years!"

Shen Yanzhi had a knack for seizing on the main point. "So," he asked in amazement, "you like me, too?"

Jiang Li turned away, avoiding his gaze. "Why else would I have called you back then?"

Shen Yanzhi was overcome with the urge to sweep Jiang Li into his arms and spin her around. His hands had just settled on her waist when he remembered she was pregnant, and he forced himself to hold back.

Instead, he pulled Jiang Li into a tight hug and chuckled. "I always thought you liked Zhao Sinian. I was afraid that if I suddenly confessed, it would leave you at a loss, so I just kept it to myself."

He added with a hint of regret, "If I’d known you liked me too, I would’ve told you how I felt much sooner."

Jiang Li sniffled, her voice stuffy from crying. "It’s not too late now."

Shen Yanzhi shook his head. "No way. The more I think about it, the angrier I get. The next time I see Zhao Sinian, I’m going to beat the crap out of him."

"I know where he is."

At her words, Shen Yanzhi released her and gave her a jealous look. "When did you see him?"

Jiang Li quickly explained, "It was on the day I went to play cards. Jiang Lv told me where he was, so I went over just to gloat."

"What was there to gloat about?"

"The fact that his entire family has been reduced to begging, of course."

A dark glint flashed in Shen Yanzhi’s eyes. "In that case, I have to go see this for myself."

Jiang Li raised a surprised eyebrow. "Weren’t you the type who ’hears nothing of the world, focused only on his books’? Since when are you interested in rubbernecking?"

Shen Yanzhi stated matter-of-factly, "That was then, this is now."

With that, he leaned down, bringing his face close to Jiang Li’s with a roguish grin. "Besides, don’t you prefer the man I am now?"

Jiang Li reacted like a spooked cat, stomping on Shen Yanzhi’s foot. "Who said I like you? You’re shameless!"

Shen Yanzhi just grinned. "I’d rather have a wife than my pride. What’s the point of having pride? You can’t eat it."

The corner of Jiang Li’s mouth twitched. "You’ve changed. You were never like this before!"

’Still, what Shen Yanzhi just said was right. She much preferred the man he was now to the man he used to be.’

’Compared to the dense, bookish boy he used to be, the Shen Yanzhi of today was far more charming.’