Princess Syndrome - Chapter 115

Chapter 115: Still Holding Back

The person who had just been clamoring to find Ji Zhiyi froze the instant she heard the voice. It was a voice she knew intimately, one that would coax her when she was angry and whisper sweet nothings when she was happy. Su Lingyue had never found her own name so pleasant to hear. She stood there, stunned.

Ji Zhiyi stood at the doorway, light cascading over her, creating a halo.

It made Su Lingyue feel like it wasn't real.

But then Ji Zhiyi called her name, "Lingyue."

Su Lingyue burst into tears.

She rushed towards Ji Zhiyi, wanting to hit her, then hug her, scold her, and kiss her all at once.

The conflicting and intense emotions made her dizzy for a couple of seconds. She stumbled backward, losing her balance. Zhang Xian reached out to help, but Ji Zhiyi had already pulled Su Lingyue into her embrace. Su Lingyue was buried in her arms. Zhang Xian pursed her lips, wishing she could disappear. She shuffled sideways, trying to become as flat as a card to squeeze into the room, accidentally kicking something on the floor.

Su Lingyue snapped back to reality and pushed Ji Zhiyi away, still clutching her suitcase.

Ji Zhiyi grabbed the hand holding the suitcase. "Lingyue, please listen to me, okay?"

"No, I won't!" The angrier Su Lingyue got, the sharper her tongue became. "What were you doing earlier? And here I was, calling you every day. Were you on the phone with me while being all lovey-dovey with Jiang Yunlu?"

She knew perfectly well that Ji Zhiyi wasn't that kind of person.

But Su Lingyue couldn't help but lash out.

It was as if those sharp words, piercing Ji Zhiyi, would somehow bring her satisfaction.

But—it didn't bring any satisfaction at all!

It was painful!

The moment the words left her mouth, Su Lingyue winced in pain. It felt like a piece of her heart had been scraped away, blood gushing out. The nerves in her body were connected to her heart, the pain spreading through every limb, even the wrist Ji Zhiyi was holding ached.

She struggled, but Ji Zhiyi didn't let go.

Su Lingyue yelled at her, "Let go of me!"

It hurt, it hurt so much!

Ji Zhiyi said, "Okay, but please calm down."

"Calm down about what?" Su Lingyue retorted. "Should I send you and Jiang Yunlu some flowers to congratulate you?"

Ji Zhiyi gave a wry smile. "I'm not marrying her."

"You're still..." The denial caught in her throat. She knew Ji Zhiyi wasn't that kind of person, and Meng Jiu was so malicious, she might have said it on purpose. But then Zhang Xian had also said she knew.

Su Lingyue's face stiffened. Although she wasn't crying, her face was still pale, her lips devoid of color. She looked past Ji Zhiyi. Zhang Xian stepped in to smooth things over. "Alright, alright, come on in."

She pulled Ji Zhiyi with one hand and Su Lingyue with the other.

Su Lingyue was dragged inside.

She was guided to the sofa and sat down, Ji Zhiyi beside her. She scooted away, settling on the chaise lounge. Ji Zhiyi tried to follow, but Su Lingyue glared at her. "You stay there!"

Her voice wasn't loud, but the tension in her tone made it sound distant.

Ji Zhiyi sat back down.

Zhang Xian brought over two glasses of water, handing one to each of them.

She felt like she was a mediator in a domestic dispute, the irony being that she didn't even have a partner!

She shook her head and asked Ji Zhiyi, "Sister Yunlu is getting married? What's going on?"

Ji Zhiyi had mentioned it on the way back, but she hadn't had a chance to ask before the door burst open and Su Lingyue stormed out.

She hadn't heard who Jiang Yunlu was marrying, but when Su Lingyue said it, she subconsciously assumed it was Ji Zhiyi.

She wanted to slap herself.

She took a guilty sip of her water. "I heard Sister Yunlu lost her memory?"

Ji Zhiyi said, "No, she didn't."

Jiang Yunlu hadn't lost her memory, she just hadn't wanted to wake up, didn't want to face Jiang Ya. That day, hearing that Ji Zhiyi was leaving, and hearing her conversation with Jiang Ya, she had blurted out that she wanted to get married.

Zhang Xian's mouth dropped open. "Why?"

Ji Zhiyi glanced at Zhang Xian and Su Lingyue. "About the PV incident, we were both played. She's using the same tactic."

Didn't Jiang Ya enjoy playing games with others?

She wanted Jiang Ya to know what it felt like to be played.

Zhang Xian understood. "So..." she said, "how is she now? Is she back in the country too?"

Ji Zhiyi shook her head. "No, Shen Yuan went over."

Right now—

She should be trying on wedding dresses.

Shen Yuan sat in the shop, looking at herself in the mirror, wearing a short, white wedding dress. Her makeup was perfect. After hearing that Jiang Yunlu wasn't dead, all her frantic thoughts had calmed down.

"Hello, I've noticed you haven't gotten out of the car. You've gone back and forth twice now. Are you lost?"

How could someone get lost at their age?

She wanted to laugh.

Her body and mind felt utterly relaxed.

A lightness she had never known before.

She looked at the person in front of her. "What about you? I've seen you haven't gotten out either."

The person smiled. "I'm still looking for a place."

Her smile was gentle. They looked to be about the same age, but unlike her, who was all alone, this person was carrying a suitcase. Shen Yuan asked, "Looking for where?"

She laughed. "Haven't decided yet."

Just then, the bus arrived and stopped. The girl looked out the window, then suddenly stood up, pulling her suitcase. She turned around. "Are you getting off?"

Shen Yuan looked at her, the sunlight illuminating her smiling face.

She got off the bus too.

"My name is Shen Yuan, what's yours?"

"Bai Lu."

"Bai Lu? Which 'lu'? The 'lu' for dewdrop?"

"No."

The person beside her walked slowly, pulling her suitcase, her voice soft. "The 'lu' in 'a flock of white egrets soars into the blue sky'."

Shen Yuan clapped her hands. "So, you're a bird?"

She bit her lip. "I mean..."

Bai Lu said, "Yes, I'm a bird." She looked up ahead and took a deep breath. "I want to be a bird."

Birds can fly.

She couldn't.

Watching Bai Lu fall lightly from the sky, Shen Yuan suddenly felt that Bai Lu was indeed a bird, flying through her world, leaving behind the most magnificent scenery.

"Miss Shen." Someone called out to her.

Shen Yuan snapped back to reality.

A staff member handed her a veil.

Wanting to help her put it on.

Shen Yuan raised her hand to decline. Standing in front of the mirror, she put it on herself.

"You look so beautiful in this dress, like a real bride."

"You like it? Should I get one for you?"

"No, thank you."

"Why not? Do you hate wedding dresses?"

"No, I love them, but I can't wear one with the person I love. My mom would be furious, right?"

Bai Lu covered her mouth and laughed, tears spilling over.

She said, "What should I do? The thought of my mom getting angry makes me so happy. Shen Yuan, should we take a wedding photo? I want to send it to my mom, and later—" She hesitated.

Shen Yuan finished her sentence. "Later, we'll wear wedding dresses, right in front of them."

Bai Lu stifled a laugh, her eyes red-rimmed. Hearing this, she nodded fiercely, a hint of madness in her eyes.

Shen Yuan smiled at her reflection after putting on the veil.

She asked, "Is Miss Jiang ready?"

The staff member replied, "Miss Jiang just came out and is in the lounge."

Shen Yuan nodded and headed towards the lounge without a second thought. Her phone rang, the sound echoing in the hallway like a blaring loudspeaker, each ring more urgent than the last. She glanced at the caller ID.

She hung up.

Shen Yuan entered the lounge. The woman in the wheelchair had her back to her, her elegant figure as graceful as ever. Time seemed to have left no mark on her; it was as if she had just woken up, still the Bai Lu she had just met.

But the reflection in the mirror showed that she herself was completely different from before.

Would she recognize her?

Shen Yuan suddenly felt apprehensive and didn't dare to speak. Jiang Yunlu heard footsteps and turned her head. Seeing Shen Yuan standing behind her, their eyes met. The room fell silent, time seeming to stand still.

The next second, someone burst through the door.

Jiang Ya pushed the door open and stood behind them. Seeing Shen Yuan, she was enraged. She gritted her teeth. "Shen Yuan?"

Shen Yuan didn't move.

Jiang Yunlu laughed.

Her laughter was exaggerated and unrestrained, wild and uninhibited, doubling her over in the wheelchair. She laughed at Shen Yuan, laughed at Jiang Ya. Jiang Ya was about to step forward when she heard running footsteps behind her. The clicking of high heels, fast and hurried.

Before she could turn around, the door was kicked open!

Ye Qiuyun looked at Jiang Yunlu and Shen Yuan, then at Jiang Ya.

The hand holding her bag tightened, her whole body tense. She called out, "Shen Yuan!"

Her voice was full of anger.

Shen Yuan looked at her, instantly understanding Jiang Yunlu's feelings from just moments before.

Ye Qiuyun was furious.

She was thrilled!

Without thinking, Ye Qiuyun stepped forward and slapped Shen Yuan hard across the face!

Shen Yuan's head snapped to the side!

Unable to vent her anger, Ye Qiuyun turned her fierce gaze to Jiang Yunlu.

Jiang Yunlu showed no emotion.

Ye Qiuyun turned back and glared at Jiang Ya.

She took a few steps and stood in front of Jiang Ya, slapping her across the face as well!

The staff members who followed behind were completely stunned. The large lounge was eerily silent. Then, Jiang Ya screamed and lunged at Ye Qiuyun!

The staff members quickly pulled them apart. The once quiet lounge instantly became chaotic.

Shen Yuan exchanged a glance with Jiang Yunlu amidst the chaos.

This grand spectacle.

Had only just begun.

And Ji Zhiyi's part in the drama had already ended.

The seed of their conflict, sown with Jiang Yunlu, had now borne fruit, also because of Jiang Yunlu.

Jiang Ya's furious shouts of Ji Zhiyi's name echoed.

But Ji Zhiyi couldn't hear them.

Zhang Xian clicked her tongue. "You just came back like that?"

She was surely doomed!

Ji Zhiyi said, "Yeah."

Zhang Xian said, "She'll definitely not let you off easily."

Ji Zhiyi was silent for a moment, then smiled, looking at Su Lingyue.

Su Lingyue still looked indifferent, seemingly not hearing a word she said. Zhang Xian glanced at Su Lingyue, then nudged Ji Zhiyi with her chin, raising her hand. "Oh, my back hurts. You guys talk, I'm going to rest in the room for a bit."

She slipped into the bedroom.

Some color had returned to Su Lingyue's face, but she remained silent. Ji Zhiyi tried to get closer to her, but as soon as she started to get up, Su Lingyue shot her a look, stood up, and dragged her suitcase towards the door. Ji Zhiyi grabbed her wrist and stood beside her.

The skin where she touched her felt hot.

Su Lingyue hadn't calmed down from the explanation, the bitterness in her chest growing stronger. She was angry that Ji Zhiyi hadn't told her anything, angry that Meng Jiu's words had made her feel like a fool. She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. "Let go," she said.

Ji Zhiyi released her hand.

Su Lingyue was about to leave when Ji Zhiyi hugged her from behind, her arms wrapping around Su Lingyue's waist, her chin resting on Su Lingyue's shoulder, her breath soft, bringing with it Ji Zhiyi's familiar scent.

Su Lingyue wanted to move, but her feet were rooted to the spot.

Ji Zhiyi apologized. "I'm sorry, I didn't think Meng Jiu would say anything."

"Didn't think?" Su Lingyue turned around to face Ji Zhiyi. "Are you saying if Meng Jiu hadn't said anything, you wouldn't have told me either?"

Ji Zhiyi said, "I wanted to tell you when I got back."

Jiang Ya wanted to block all news and handle everything discreetly, so no one at Yilin knew about it, not even her parents. Although Jiang Ya wasn't happy that she hadn't let her parents come, Ji Zhisai was there, so she didn't press the issue too much.

Su Lingyue laughed. "Tell me when you got back? Why didn't you just tell me after you got married?"

Ji Zhiyi said, "Lingyue, I didn't..."

"I know, you didn't get married. You were putting on a show with Jiang Yunlu, should I applaud for you?" She clapped her hands. "Wow, President Ji's acting is so good, so impressive!" She sarcastically praised Ji Zhiyi, her heart aching, not wanting Ji Zhiyi to feel good either. Seeing Ji Zhiyi's face pale at her words, Su Lingyue felt like a piece of her heart had been ripped out. It hurt so much, but the more it hurt, the more hurtful her words became. "You're so great, so amazing, everything is in your plan. What about me?"

Su Lingyue asked Ji Zhiyi, "In your plan, what am I?"

Ji Zhiyi looked at Su Lingyue.

Su Lingyue laughed. "An obedient girlfriend? Did President Ji misjudge me? I'm not obedient at all."

She picked up her suitcase and tried to leave, but Ji Zhiyi took two steps forward and stood in front of her.

Su Lingyue moved to the left, Ji Zhiyi moved to the left. Su Lingyue moved to the right, Ji Zhiyi moved to the right.

Su Lingyue's eyes were red with anger. As Ji Zhiyi reached for the suitcase, she grabbed Ji Zhiyi's hand and bit down hard!

Tooth marks instantly appeared on the pale skin. Ji Zhiyi only frowned slightly, making no sound. Su Lingyue looked into her eyes.

Still holding back!

She bit down with all her might, tasting blood on her tongue before she finally let go. Ji Zhiyi's wrist was broken and bleeding, the red so stark against her white skin. She didn't seem to feel the pain, completely unfazed, still staring intently at Su Lingyue.

As if terrified she would leave.

Ji Zhiyi's gaze made Su Lingyue's anger surge. She turned and walked away, leaving the suitcase behind. Ji Zhiyi stood beside her, this time not stopping her, but lowered her head and called out, "Lingyue."

Su Lingyue stopped.

Ji Zhiyi reached out her hand, the teeth marks on her wrist a glaring testament, still streaked with red.

She didn't look at it, just stared at Su Lingyue's profile and whispered, "It hurts."

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