Jiang Yuan didn't think for long before directly agreeing.
Song Xiangyi sent a location, which was a milk tea shop near the school.
[Light Makeup or Heavy Makeup, Always Appropriate: I'm waiting for you here now.]
So urgent?
Jiang Yuan shifted her gaze from the message to the time in the top - left corner. It was a little past ten.
Jiang Yuan quickly washed up, changed into a set of clothes, shoveled the cat poop for Jiao Jiao, washed her hands, and then went downstairs to the milk tea shop.
The cold air drilled into her neck. Jiang Yuan regretted not bringing a scarf when she went out. She gritted her teeth and walked into the milk tea shop.
"Jiang Yuan, over here!" Song Xiangyi occupied the best - sighted seat in the milk tea shop. As soon as Jiang Yuan came in, she saw her and waved her over.
The milk tea shop had the warm air - conditioner on. Her frozen face gradually warmed up. Jiang Yuan exhaled a puff of hot air and sat down next to Song Xiangyi.
Song Xiangyi had ordered milk tea and also brought a chocolate - flavored bagel that Jiang Yuan liked.
Jiang Yuan quietly glanced at the label on the milk tea. It was half - sweet, warm, and the toppings were all her favorites.
"Brother Chi Xu said he could take care of himself and told me to leave. So he kicked me out," Song Xiangyi said with an innocent smile. Dimples appeared on both sides of her cheeks as she explained why she was here.
"Does he even know he has a fever, a really bad one? And he still kicked me out. I'm going to tell Auntie. He doesn't appreciate my kindness. Humph."
Jiang Yuan sat quietly across from her without saying a word.
Was she showing off her relationship with Chi Xu and his family? Jiang Yuan thought and kept silent.
"Forget it. Let's not talk about him," Song Xiangyi finally got back to the point. She pushed the chocolate bagel and the milk tea over. "I called you over this morning. You probably haven't had breakfast yet. I brought some. Don't be polite～"
Jiang Yuan had been called over right after getting up, so she wasn't polite. She took small bites of the bagel and sipped the warm milk tea to fill her stomach.
She casually asked, "How do you know my taste?"
It couldn't be that Chi Xu told her, right? She and Song Xiangyi weren't familiar. There was no need for Chi Xu to mention such a detailed thing.
"Brother Chi Xu told me," Song Xiangyi said generously without any hesitation.
The chocolate - flavored bagel suddenly seemed to lose its taste, and the milk tea became unpalatable. Everything turned into a bitter taste that was hard to swallow.
Were Chi Xu and Song Xiangyi that familiar with each other?
Jiang Yuan chewed the dry bagel mechanically. Her gentle eyebrows were as cold as the howling wind outside.
With difficulty, she swallowed the bagel and quickly took a few sips of milk tea to moisten her dry throat.
"Jiang Yuan, you've known Brother Chi Xu since the first grade of primary school. Can you tell me more about his childhood?" Song Xiangyi propped her chin on her hands. Her long eyelashes fluttered slightly, and her smile was bright.
Was this the purpose of Song Xiangyi asking her out?
Jiang Yuan finally looked at Song Xiangyi directly with a cold look in her eyes. "If you want to know about Chi Xu's past, I suggest you ask him directly."
"Come on, I'm just too shy," Song Xiangyi still smiled sweetly. There was a hint of longing in her eyes. "I met Brother Chi Xu in the first year of senior high school, also because of our parents."
"So?" Jiang Yuan stared at her coldly with a flat tone.
Song Xiangyi seemed to remember something. Two blushes quickly appeared on her cheeks, showing a cute look of a young girl.
"Actually, our parents plan to arrange an engagement for us after we graduate from college. But I want to know more about Brother Chi Xu. Jiang Yuan, you've known Brother Chi Xu for so many years. You must know each other well. Just tell me, okay?"
"I promise I won't tell Brother Chi Xu."
It was like a thunderbolt striking Jiang Yuan.
Jiang Yuan only felt a buzzing in her head. She was completely stunned, and her rationality was shattered by that thunderbolt.
Chi Xu had never told her about these things. Even when they were kids, he rarely talked about his parents.
Jiang Yuan subconsciously clenched the corner of her clothes. Her knuckles turned white.
Seeing that Jiang Yuan didn't respond for a long time, Song Xiangyi looked at her curiously and showed a sweet smile.
"Jiang Yuan, just tell me, okay? Quickly tell me. What embarrassing things did Brother Chi Xu do when he was a kid? I'm really curious. I promise I won't tell Brother Chi Xu."
The girl raised her right hand above her head and swore.
"You and Chi Xu... are going to get engaged right after college graduation?"
The bitter words squeezed out of her pale lips one by one. The smile on Jiang Yuan's face was uglier than crying.
Song Xiangyi was surprised by this question. She tilted her head. "What? Didn't Brother Chi Xu tell you? Well, our parents haven't officially finalized it yet. Brother Chi Xu is a cautious person. He won't talk casually and affect my reputation."
Song Xiangyi continued talking on her own without noticing Jiang Yuan's uneasiness. Or maybe she just didn't care. She only wanted the answer she wanted.
Was Chi Xu really going to get engaged to Song Xiangyi after college graduation?
Jiang Yuan's mind went blank. She felt as if she had been thrown into the boundless and icy ocean. Her blood was about to freeze.
Why didn't Chi Xu tell her?
Was it because it wasn't finalized yet?
Or was it because Chi Xu was against this marriage and resisting his parents' arrangement?
"Actually, our family was a life - saver to Brother Chi Xu's family. Their family went bankrupt back then and was chased by many creditors. Fortunately, they met my father. Uncle and Auntie's lives gradually got back on track."
Chi Xu's family went bankrupt?
This was another thing she didn't know.
A wisp of her black hair fell, covering the flickering emotions in her eyes.
Since it was a life - saving grace, it was reasonable for Chi Xu's parents to want him to marry Song Xiangyi and treat her well.
Even if he strongly opposed and forced himself not to be with her, a relationship and marriage without the blessing of parents wouldn't last long.
"Jiang Yuan, you knew Chi Xu when you were kids. Please, just tell me something," Song Xiangyi pleaded. "I really, really like Brother Chi Xu."
But did you notice that I also like Chi Xu, even longer and more intensely than you?
Jiang Yuan sighed silently. Her cold gaze softened a little when it met Song Xiangyi's watery eyes.
She gritted her teeth, stood up, and stared down at Song Xiangyi. "Sorry, I have nothing to say. If you want to know, I suggest you ask him directly."
After saying that, Jiang Yuan walked away without looking back.
Song Xiangyi widened her eyes and stared in shock at Jiang Yuan's departing back. "Just leave like this?"
She slowly withdrew her shocked gaze, stroked the milk tea cup, and showed a smile. She still looked cute.
She took a sip of the milk tea and whispered, "She doesn't seem to like Brother Chi Xu that much. Did I get it wrong?"