Chapter 203: 203

Chapter 203: 203

"Aren't you being overly harsh with your words? It was you who didn't take the initiative to be serious. You allow yourself to be casual, but I'm not entitled to feel upset?"

"Do you believe that because I fell for you first, I must tolerate the imbalance in our emotions? That I should be magnanimous and not mind when you keep belongings of another girl, and if I do mind, it makes me unreasonable? But I am indeed a jealous person, and now you see it clearly?"

Nanyan shot back, her voice initially composed but clearly losing its composure as she spoke, a faint flush creeping around the edges of her eyes.

Seeing her eyes slightly red and hearing her say that she was petty and narrow-minded, and that she was concerned about the items other girls had given him, his originally restless mood was strangely soothed quite a bit.

He couldn't quite explain it, but despite the seemingly unreasonable demand, it didn't strike him as particularly excessive when he heard it.

Still, he inquired, "So, you're still upset about this? You want to break up with me over such a trivial matter?"

Nan Yan pressed her lips together, her complexion visibly pale, indicating her unstable emotions. Hearing him address the issue so casually, she reacted instinctively, "What if I am?"

"You know very well that our relationship is different. I don't have the time or energy to play these love game antics."

Nan Yan lifted her gaze to meet his, and the more she spoke, the more aggrieved and distressed she felt, until tears eventually welled up in her eyes.

"Rather than causing a scene when we eventually part ways, it's better to break up now while our feelings aren't too deep. That way, I won't be in continuous pain!"

When He Mian first heard her say "yes," he didn't have any particular emotion. He even thought that if she truly cared about this matter, he could assure her that he would never have any involvement with Ruan Xiaoxiao in the future.

In fact, not only in the future, but their past connections were also minimal. After all, that was just a small incident from many years ago. He Mian genuinely didn't expect her to take such strong exception to it this time.

But before he could speak, he heard her continue, and the meaning behind her words was clear: she wanted to break up with him.

He Mian's expression visibly darkened. He didn't know why, but every time she casually threatened to break up, a fire of irritation burned fiercely in his heart, making his emotions increasingly difficult to control. The frustration and discomfort within him grew deeper.

And in that very moment, the pent-up anger that had been simmering within her chest could no longer be contained.

She turned to look at the person beside her, her dark eyes fixated on him as her gaze intensely studied his face. The grip on her wrist tightened incrementally.

"So, to sum it all up, you're essentially looking for an excuse to break up with me, isn't that right?"

"But this time, I've done nothing wrong. You're condemning me based on an unfounded suspicion. Don't you think your actions are rather unjust?"

"Then, will you marry me someday?"

Nan Yan unexpectedly shot back with a question.

Her lips were slightly pale from being bitten, and her concern was evident in her eyes. As she posed this question, she fixed her gaze intently on his face, not willing to miss any hint of emotion that might flicker across his expression, as if awaiting his response.

This question, however, clearly took He Mian aback.

He couldn't explain why, upon hearing those words, he felt an inexplicable sense of guilt.

All the anger that had been building up inside him suddenly dissipated at that moment. He found himself momentarily at a loss for how to answer, for he held no expectations for marriage.

A peculiar silence hung in the air.

Nan Yan continued, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, "Can't you see where this is all coming from? I just don't have your confidence. I can't afford to waste my life loving you without any future. You make me feel utterly insecure."

"I do care about you, but I don't have a home. I wish more than anything to have a place to belong. Can't you understand that? Deep down, you've never really considered marrying me, have you?"

Hao Mian's expression turned grim at these words. All his previous accusations and defenses were now stuck in his throat. Did he inadvertently reveal his true thoughts, or did his actions give her a clue?

Yet, she latched onto this point, and only this one. Regardless of whether he had made a mistake in reality, in her eyes, he was already guilty as sin.

Marriage isn't as simple as mere words or a casual promise; it's not as effortless as one might imagine. Besides, it's still too early to predict what the future holds.

Heming pursed his lips. Suddenly, he didn't want her to know his true feelings, perhaps out of fear. If she discovered his aversion to marriage, she would surely refuse to be with him anymore.

He tried to calm the oppressive discomfort in his chest and turned away to explain, "Don't you think it's premature to talk about this? Yan, you're still so young. Haven't you forgotten all the things you still have to accomplish?"

As Heming continued, his voice became choked, "Moreover, we've only been together for less than two months. Marriage... it's not as straightforward as you think. Can't we discuss the future when the time comes?"

Nan Yan, of course, wouldn't back down.

But it was too soon to part ways. If they were to break up, the blame should be on him. Right now, she was merely trying to convey that her emotional instability was a result of her anger.

She forcefully shrugged off his hand. Tears finally rolled down her cheeks due to his dismissive response, and she appeared both angry and frustrated. "I don't want to discuss our future anymore. I'm only focused on the present. Right now, I'm upset and hurt because of you. Since there's an opportunity to end things, why not do it now, rather than let me suffer in the future?"

"I refuse," He Mian genuinely couldn't understand why she was so persistent.

He abruptly stood up, his body tense as he turned to look at Nanyan with a dominant gaze. "I've said it, I refuse. I won't accept this absurd reason for ending our relationship! Besides, no one can predict the future. You can't deny everything we have now just because of that. Let me tell you, I disagree with breaking up!"

With that said, He Mian turned around and headed for the door. He didn't want to stay there any longer, afraid that their argument would escalate further. Today, he had come prepared to make her happy, with all sorts of meticulous plans. Yet, before he could even express them, this happened?

This person had nullified their relationship with a single sentence. How could he possibly accept that?

He felt like this person was driving him to the brink of madness.

He had a short temper, but ever since he started dating this person, he had really restrained his emotions and anger. He barely lost his cool with anyone. In the past, if someone dared to provoke him like this, he would have made sure they paid the price.

But now, he could feel his chest aching from pent-up anger, frustration swirling inside him. Yet, he had to bear it all, ending up with a twisted expression on his face.

Hai Mian had never been so agitated before. Kicking off his shoes at the entrance, he felt like a lit firecracker, as if something he had always been in control of had suddenly slipped away, leaving him feeling even more stifled and miserable.

Yet, there was nothing he could do to her!

He walked towards the entrance, intentionally making a loud noise when he opened the door. He assumed that Nan Yan, who was sitting on the sofa, would call out to him or at least soften her stance a little.

Even if she didn't soften, a few kind words would suffice. If that was impossible, just one word from her would do.

In his heart, he was even thinking that if she called out to him and showed a slight sign of surrender, he would forgive her instantly. He would let this incident fade away, both of them putting aside this meaningless argument, leaving future matters to be dealt with in the future.

But he never expected that although she did call out to him, what she said almost made him explode with anger!

As He Mian was about to step out with his shoes on, Nan Yan finally called out to him, albeit reluctantly,

"Close the door behind you when you leave."

Upon hearing this, He Mian felt like his nose was about to twist in anger; he was practically seething!

Did this woman have any sense of guilt at all? He was her boyfriend! She had clearly expressed how much she adored him.

Just a few days ago, she sat on his lap, initiated a kiss on his chin, held his cheeks with both hands, and coaxed him gently, declaring that he was the one she loved the most in this lifetime!

And yet, were all her words just lies? Were all those sweet nothings merely to appease him? Now that he was leaving, all she cared about was whether he had closed the door behind him?

Damn it! Hao Mian's frustration tingled in his teeth.

He was tempted to rush back and give her a piece of his mind, but he ultimately held back. He turned to look at Nanyan, motionless on the sofa, and let out a mocking laugh. With a loud slam of the door, he left without any hesitation.

If he returned tonight, he swore he wouldn't be a Hao anymore.

Only when his figure had fully disappeared, and the sound of a car engine starting drifted in from outside the window, did Nanyan slowly compose herself, hiding her disappointment and sorrow.

A breakup was inevitable, but she wouldn't be the one at fault. Any issues were his responsibility, not hers!

As for He Mian, who had stormed out, he sped off in his car to join his group of reckless friends for some high-speed racing. Initially, he thought his relationship with Wen Nanyan was merely a means to stimulate his body's recovery. Since she happened to like him, why not entertain her?

But was that truly the case? Since dating her, most of his time was spent with his girlfriend. He quit smoking and drinking, changed his habit of staying up late, and adapted to her monotonous, health-conscious lifestyle. He rarely joined his friends anymore and almost always gave in to her wishes. He didn't believe she couldn't see that he wasn't just playing around with her.

His words might have been harsh, but when had he not been the first to compromise? He wasn't foolish; why would he accommodate someone so blindly unless he cared?

Yet, that woman was his complete opposite.

Her words were sweet and alluring, so much so that he found himself bewildered by her affectionate words. He couldn't even recall when he had started taking their relationship seriously, turning him into a fool who clung to his girlfriend every other day! Back then, he would never have imagined himself in this situation.

But now, she was breaking up with him over some inexplicable reason. Marriage wasn't something they should be contemplating at this stage!

Did she give him time to think it through? Did she know his views on marriage? Her concerns and stubbornness were utterly absurd. They had been together for less than two months, yet she was already pushing him with these issues, using a nonexistent "ex" as an excuse to end things. Could he be any more ruthless than her?

He Min was genuinely angered this time. He called up a group of friends and arranged a reckless driving spree in the outskirts. It had been a long time since he last indulged in such freedom.

He wouldn't be going home tonight. After the drive, he planned to drink and smoke. He was determined to revert to his previous lifestyle. Who the hell wanted to be that compliant, perfect boyfriend catering to her every whim? Wasn't it enough that he didn't want to play that role anymore?

On the other side, Nan Yan watched as the black supercar sped off into the distance. She didn't need to guess that he was off to drink with his rowdy friends, undoubtedly fueled by his anger.

Nan Yan's heart remained unruffled; she even felt a hint of amusement.

Yet, despite her amusement, she knew such a person wasn't worthy of sympathy. Her mind was focused on how to make their breakup scene even more humiliating.

As Nan Yan stepped into the living room, she noticed something amiss by the balcony. Approaching it, she lifted the sheer curtains that were softly illuminated, revealing an abundance of apricot-colored champagne roses scattered across the balcony.

The air conditioning had been adjusted to maintain humidity, and the floor of the balcony was meticulously arranged with artistic designs. On one wall, petals had been artfully glued to form the shape of Peppa Pig, surrounded by warm yellow lights. Under this illumination, the scene exuded a peculiar blend of warmth, humor, and romance.

Is this the apology he spent the entire day devising? One must admit, it's rather cliché and overpowering.

The spacious balcony had been arranged like a proposal scene, creating an odd sensation of having no place to step.

Nan Yan noticed a table in the center, adorned with a peculiarly shaped cake. It was lopsided, with cream-colored stick figures drawn on it — one sitting, the other kneeling. Alongside them were written words:

"I'm sorry, I was wrong!" The characters "Yan Yan" were halfway scribbled out, likely due to their complexity being too difficult for him to replicate. Instead, he opted for the simpler "girlfriend."

Nan Yan couldn't help but find it amusing; he was quite adept at taking shortcuts.

She took another step sideways and noticed a card with an arrow pointing to a nearby fridge. She reached out and opened it, her gaze sweeping over the contents to find it filled to the brim with apricot-colored champagne roses.

The moment she opened it, a subtle fragrance wafted into the air, and the petals glistened with dewdrops, radiating a mesmerizing beauty under the light.

Reaching in, she inadvertently dislodged a small blue velvet box nestled among the petals.

Upon opening it, Nan Yan discovered a pair of the latest luxury brand's matching couple rings. The design was exquisite, and the price was substantial. Whoever had prepared this had been thoughtful and sincere, but unfortunately, it was too late.

However, considering the effort put in, Nan Yan decided she should at least go through the motions. She casually gathered a bouquet from the fridge, tucked the ring box under her arm, and set off to find the person who had left it all behind.

Across town, after a two-hour high-speed chase with his friends, He Mian pulled over and retrieved his phone from the seat. Scrolling through the screen, he noticed no messages or missed calls. His already grim expression turned even colder.

His companions, sensing something amiss, picked up on his mood. Their plan for a night of revelry was dampened by He Mian's gloomy demeanor. They decided to retreat to their usual club for a night of drinking.

The car arrived promptly at their destination. Someone had pre-booked a venue. As the door to the private room swung open, a chilly, cloying nightclub scent assaulted He Mian's nostrils, causing him to frown.

He hadn't found this fragrance bothersome before, but spending time with Nanyan had reshaped his preferences. She always carried a subtle soap aroma, detectable only when close, with a light fruity freshness that was soothing to the senses.

Upon lifting his head, He Mian saw his friends waving from the opposite sofa, surrounded by several young and attractive girls. Pausing in his stride, he chose instead to sit on a solitary sofa beside them.

The friends were still the same group, though they had been gathering less frequently lately. He had had a major fallout with Zhong Ling.

After all, his girlfriend had been humiliated right before his eyes; he couldn't possibly maintain any relationship with the one responsible. Hence, his drinking sessions with this circle of friends had also dwindled.

But today was exceptionally frustrating, so he deliberately called out a few familiar faces to join him.

Heaven knew why, but as he saw the group of girls in revealing clothes, his mind inexplicably drifted back to his first encounter with Nan Yan. She had been among them, sitting quietly on the sofa. Back then, he hadn't paid her much attention and never imagined he would become entangled with her. Yet, reality had turned out absurdly; not only were they involved, but she was now insisting on a breakup.

Recalling her words about feeling insecure, He Mian suddenly realized that he had barely delved into his girlfriend's personal life. He didn't understand the source of her insecurity, nor did he know why she was so eager to get married.

But this wasn't something she would casually use as grounds for a breakup.

Contemplating these matters, He Mian found himself unusually vexed, a frustration he had never before experienced. Those two gracefully arched eyebrows faintly knitted together, creasing deeply between them, betraying an unmistakable sense of gloom and irritability that he couldn't conceal.

Suddenly, he had an urge to smoke, a craving that had been dormant for nearly a month. His slender fingers fumbled in his pocket, searching for a lighter, but came up empty. He cursed inwardly and, in the end, simply let the cigarette rest between his lips, too indifferent to light it.

Sitting beside him, Wei Chuan, observing his unusual behavior, sensed something amiss. He handed him a glass of wine and casually inquired, "He Mi, what's going on with you today? You seem off. Did you have an argument with your girlfriend?"

Heming frowned and gave the man a fleeting glance, unsure why he could guess so accurately. However, he was in a foul mood that day and had come here only to drink and vent his frustrations; he wasn't in the mood to engage in conversation.

Initially, he had intended to keep quiet, but after much deliberation, he found himself too troubled to hold back. He spat out the cigarette in his mouth and reached for the glass of wine offered to him, then asked,

"Is it that obvious?"

Wei Chuan leaned back on the sofa, swaying the glass of wine in his hand. "How could it not be? You were driving like your life depended on it. Most people would steer clear of you. You claim to have no worries about food or clothing, with your comfortable lifestyle. Apart from heartache, what else could make such a carefree young master like you look so frustrated and stifled?"

"How come we didn't see your little girlfriend?" Wei Chuan couldn't resist teasing. "You were guarding her like a treasure just a few days ago and wouldn't let anyone see her. Has something really gone wrong between you two?"

Someone nearby chimed in, "It wouldn't be surprising if they had a fallout. That girl seems pretty cunning. She was once involved with Zhong Ling, and then she ended up with you. Honestly, I'd be surprised if the two of you actually made it work."

The man's voice wasn't loud, but everyone around heard him clearly. It was true; everyone had witnessed what Zhong Ling did in the corridor that day. However, friends were friends, and thus, they tended to defend Zhong Ling more.

After all, relationships were matters between two people. Zhong Ling was at fault for almost forcing her, but such incidents wouldn't have escalated without his involvement. Besides, they weren't acquainted with that girl, so it was normal for them to engage in some casual gossip.

Hearing this, He Mian's face turned cold, clearly upset.

Wei Chuan, standing beside him, noticed his expression and knew he was about to lose his temper. Swiftly, he nudged the speaker with his elbow and hurriedly changed the subject. "Oh, arguing is quite common in relationships. I used to have similar experiences when I was dating. Girls are like that; they just want you to care more about them. Why would a man fuss over such things?"

Upon hearing this, He Mian's expression improved slightly.

However, upon turning to see Wei Chuan as the speaker, recalling his history with Xu Sisi, he felt a strange discomfort in his heart.

He tilted his head back, drained the glass of wine in one gulp, then leaned back heavily against the leather sofa cushions, impatiently remarking, "Who the hell knows what's going on? All of a sudden, she tells me she wants a breakup! In all my life, this is the first time someone has rejected me like this."

"Breakup?"

Wei Chuan, sitting aside, was initially taken aback but soon couldn't resist slapping the sofa and mercilessly mocking, "Isn't this a good thing? Didn't you say you'd never get married anyway? Now that she's the one ending it, isn't that just what you wanted?

Seeing the aggrieved look on the man opposite him, Wei Chuan couldn't help adding, "Or is it that you can't accept being dumped by a girl, so you're this upset? Come on, it's just a woman. If it's over, it's over. Are you really lacking in female companionship?"

"If you're unhappy, I can introduce you to my cousin another day. She's just back from studying abroad, and she's much more innocent than your current girlfriend."

These people were like that anyway, always treating relationships with casual recklessness. Only Zhong Ling had gone too far, sullying his reputation for someone else's girlfriend. It was said that even his business had recently suffered significant setbacks because of it.

Why bother? It was just a woman, not a goddess descending from heaven. And even if she was beautiful, there were plenty of pretty girls in the world. One could simply move on to the next. Was it necessary to put oneself through such misery?

Wasn't Wei Chuan the same?

After breaking up with Xu Sisi, hadn't he quickly found a new partner? It was a simple matter, so why all the fuss?

Yet, after he finished speaking, there was no immediate response from the other side. Turning his head, he saw He Mian with a frown, seemingly deep in thought. He had an inkling that something was amiss.

This person's character is indeed somewhat peculiar, perhaps linked to the car accident he experienced in his early years. He often flies into fits of temper for no apparent reason, only to suddenly become amiable again without a cause.

He asked again, "What's bothering you now?"

He Mian was quite annoyed and took another sip of alcohol, "Nothing, just feeling a bit troubled. Things are not as simple as you say."

"How difficult can it be? Isn't this how it usually goes when someone dumps you? It's only natural to feel bothered. Didn't I go through the same when I found out Xu Sisi had cheated on me? What's there to dwell on?"

Hao Juan became even less inclined to engage with him.

After Wei Chuan finished speaking, he shot a suspicious glance at Hao Juan across from him, an odd expression flickering in his eyes. "No way, Hao Juan, you're being serious about this? Didn't you say it was just a casual fling? What's going on now? You actually fell for her?"

As soon as these words left his mouth, the person opposite him visibly froze.

Wei Chuan didn't notice; he looked up and saw a waiter at the door push it open, revealing a girl standing beside him. The large bouquet of roses in her hands almost hid half of her body.

Upon closer inspection, Wei Chuan realized that this wasn't precisely the girlfriend Hao Juan had mentioned wanting to break up with?

He was about to raise his hand to greet her when the girl on the other side waved at him, pleading with her gesture.

Wei Chuan felt an inexplicable sense of guilt deep down. He wondered if the girl had overheard his conversation and, as a result, he subconsciously held back the reminder that was on the tip of his tongue.

Well, in situations like these, couples usually reconciled with bouquets of flowers. They seemed like a loving pair; he should probably stay out of their business to avoid any awkwardness.

But then again, why couldn't he find a considerate and understanding girlfriend like her? It was only when comparing that one realized the value – having such a gentle and likable girlfriend, even he would find it hard to resist falling for her.

He turned his head back to look at He Mu on the opposite side, intending to give him a subtle warning with his eyes. However, the man still wore that lifeless expression, completely oblivious to the commotion behind him.

Somewhere, he managed to find a lighter, and finally, the cigarette that had been left unlit was ignited.

His hand rested gently on the sofa, slender fingers tapping lightly twice, dispersing the scent of tobacco. A veil of smoke curled around his coldly handsome face.

Upon hearing Wei Chuan's words, He Mian's mind wandered back to the events that had transpired earlier at home. Recalling the resolute expression on that person's face when they had suggested breaking up, he suddenly felt a headache coming on.

This headache caused his complexion to darken. Heaving a heavy sigh, his gaze turned icy in an instant. It was unclear if it was out of stubbornness or spite, but he abruptly said with a cold tone:

"How could it be? I just can't swallow this indignation."

His face was pale and cold, with a detached and indifferent expression that he was trying hard to maintain. Yet, as he spoke, his brows involuntarily drooped.

"It's just a little princess who shamelessly threw herself at me. Young and pretty, I merely entertained her for a while. When have you ever seen me take anything seriously?"

He raised his hand afterward, instinctively taking a drag on his cigarette. Perhaps it had been too long since he last smoked, as the deep inhale slightly irritated his throat, leaving him with an uncomfortable sensation.

Heming couldn't help but cough twice, then extinguished the burning cigarette in his hand. Turning to grab a bottle of wine from the table, the corner of his eye caught sight of a slender, familiar figure standing beside him.

In that instant, the air seemed to freeze.

His fingers stiffened, and his gaze slowly lifted to reveal her ghostly pale face. For an instant, He Mian's expression twisted in distress.

Especially when he noticed the large bouquet of flowers she was holding and the ring box clenched tightly in her palm, he could almost visualize her fingers turning white from the pressure, her hand strained and the veins on the back of her hand visible.

But soon, she seemed to release her grip. The blue ring box fell from her hand with a soft "pat," rolling a few times before finally coming to rest at his feet.

Suddenly, He Mian felt a sharp twinge in his chest, an endless wave of panic surging within him. Yet, paradoxically, his entire body felt as if it were nailed to the spot, frozen and unable to move.

He wanted to explain, to say that his words had been born out of anger.

In that moment, he felt his throat constrict and his lips part, but he was unable to utter a word for a long while. All he could manage was to call out her name with great effort:

"Yanyan..."

Nan Yan took two steps forward. A veil of mist had formed in her eyes, yet she forcefully held back her tears. Instead, she smiled at him, "So you didn't want to break up with me just because you couldn't swallow your pride?"

"No..."

It wasn't like that!

Everything he had just said was out of anger.

Hemian's voice was slightly hoarse and trembling. He found himself at a loss, unable to utter a single word amidst this intensity of emotion.

But saying "no" at this point wouldn't alter the situation in the slightest.

Nanyan asked him again, her voice also hoarse, with a hint of constriction in her throat, "Have you always looked down on me, thinking I'm an impure princess? That's why you were so casual in our relationship, isn't it? You think that because I like you, I'm easy to obtain, so I'm worthless, don't you?"

As Nanyan spoke these words, her tears finally spilled over. They rolled down her fair cheeks, one by one. She repeated her question, "Do you truly believe I'm worthless deep down?"

Hao Mian's fingers twitched, and his face turned pale. These words stabbed into his heart like sharp blades, fueling the growing panic and unease within him.

Especially when he saw her weeping, it felt as if an invisible thread was tugging at his heart, causing a piercing pain that he couldn't ignore.

He instinctively took a step forward, "No, that's not what I meant... I never looked down on you. Can you let me explain? I was really just... momentarily angry."

But the person in front of him had no interest in listening to his explanation.

Nan Yan let the bouquet of flowers drop from her hands. She lifted her head to look at her boyfriend once more before wiping away her tears. "Forget it, there's no need for explanations. At most, you were just playing with me. Anyway, I don't mind. I'm just a club princess, of low status. To someone like you, a wealthy young master, anyone can kick me around. I won't bother you anymore in the future."

"Let's part ways here, shall we?"

She turned to leave, but the person in front of her instinctively caught her wrist. A wave of anxiety surged through He Mian; he held onto her delicate wrist tightly, afraid that she would depart right then and there. "I don't want that, Yan Yan. Please listen to my explanation first—"

Before he could finish his sentence, a sharp slap echoed.

Nanyan raised her hand and slapped him hard, a resolute and merciless blow.

Hao Mian's head was swatted to the side, and a vivid handprint swiftly appeared on his cold, fair, and handsome face.

The onlookers were startled by the sudden turn of events, expecting He Mian to retaliate without any regard for consequences in the next second.

But He Mian stood still, showing no sign of resistance. Instead, he gazed at her with his enigmatic eyes, pleading almost, while his palm clung tightly to her wrist, unwilling to let go.

In front of him, Nanyan gently but firmly unbent his fingers one by one before turning around and leaving without any hesitation.

He Mian's face instantly turned ashen.

It was as if a bucket of icy water had been poured over his head, leaving him with a suffocating sensation in his chest that felt like countless needles piercing through. Any slight movement brought unbearable pain, an agony that was almost too much to bear.

"Yanyan, don't go..."