Chapter 100: Did I Allow You to Stay Away from Me This Long?

Chapter 100: Did I Allow You to Leave Me for So Long?

Song Jiang was stunned, his almond-shaped eyes widening.

He never expected Fu Zhichen to answer with that sentence.

Was there really someone Fu Zhichen liked at the scene, or was he lying to shut everyone up?

Fu Zhichen's expression was like a cold, handsome mask, hiding all emotions; it was impossible to tell if his words were true or false.

Could it be... that Fu Zhichen had fallen for that gentle, refined man at first sight?

Fu Zhichen silently raised an eyebrow at Song Jiang, as if to say, "Are you satisfied with my answer?"

Song Jiang blinked quickly twice. As Tian Tian's friend, he was certainly satisfied.

As a butler, if what Fu Zhichen said was true, he would get six million.

He should be happy, but why was he...

While Song Jiang was in a daze, Wen Zhong squeezed in from the outside, rudely snatched the microphone from Song Jiang's hand, and the usually gentle man pressed his lips into a thin line, looking at him with a hint of anger.

"Alright, this friend, your behavior is very rude. Please leave."

It wasn't as if he wanted this; he was the victim here.

Please... leave?

He was Fu Zhichen's butler, and an outsider was telling him to leave?

Was this right?

Before Song Jiang could say anything, he was quickly pushed out by the people Wen Zhong had brought.

By the time Song Jiang steadied himself, he was already several meters away from Fu Zhichen.

Coincidentally, Tian Tian on the second floor was slowly descending the stairs in high heels, her face flushed with the blush of a young girl in love.

Many men were gathered around her, but Tian Tian ignored them all and walked straight toward Song Jiang.

"Song Jiang, I'm so glad you could come! I was afraid your allergy hadn't healed and you wouldn't be able to make it!"

Tian Tian's tone was filled with barely concealed excitement as she stepped forward and grabbed Song Jiang's elbow.

Song Jiang smiled and responded, "We're good friends, so of course I'd come! Happy birthday, Tian Tian, congratulations on turning a year older!"

"How do I look today?"

Tian Tian said, twirling her dress a few times.

After a moment, Song Jiang looked her up and down and gave a thumbs-up.

"Very beautiful!"

Tian Tian covered her mouth with a ladylike laugh. "Hmph, I spent a long time on my makeup and outfit today, so of course I'm beautiful!"

"When we cut the cake later, stand behind me, and I'll cut you the biggest piece!"

Song Jiang nodded repeatedly. "Okay."

Great. Being the birthday girl's friend was simply wonderful.

"But first, I need to go find Brother Zhichen. Was what he said just now true? Is there someone he likes here?"

Song Jiang's smile instantly froze. Although he didn't know if Fu Zhichen's words were true, he knew Fu Zhichen didn't like women.

He wouldn't like anyone, least of all Tian Tian.

Song Jiang quickly grabbed her. "Tian Tian, don't go over there yet. I have something to tell you."

Rather than letting Fu Zhichen reject Tian Tian face-to-face, it was better for him to say it himself.

He hoped it would lessen the hurt for Tian Tian.

Tian Tian insisted, speaking softly, "Let me first say hello to Brother Zhichen, and then I'll listen to you, okay?"

"No, Tian Tian, it's not okay. What I have to say is very important." Song Jiang tightened his grip.

"Song Jiang, it's fine. I'm fine." Tian Tian shook her head with a smile while prying his hands off.

"I understand. I know what you want to say."

Tian Tian looked at Song Jiang, her eyes gentle as water. "Don't worry. I just want to say a few words to Brother Zhichen."

"I know Brother Zhichen doesn't like me."

Song Jiang was quite surprised. "How did you..."

Tian Tian held her forehead helplessly. "What do you take me for? Brother Zhichen has rejected me so many times; if I still didn't get it, I'd be a fool."

Then, as if speaking to herself or to Song Jiang, she added with a tone of resigned grievance, "I know... a forced melon isn't sweet."

"I just want to say goodbye to my youth."

Tian Tian's eyes curved into a smile that was sadder than crying. "So, Song Jiang, don't stop me, okay?"

With that said, Song Jiang didn't say anything more.

Tian Tian straightened her clothes, tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and finally walked toward Fu Zhichen.

"Brother Zhichen, thank you for coming to my birthday party."

Fu Zhichen showed no expression, still maintaining his cold, distant demeanor. "Happy birthday, Miss Tian."

"You should understand what I meant by what I said just now."

Tian Tian's fingers gripped her wine glass, the knuckles turning white from the force, but her face still held a radiant smile.

"Brother Zhichen, I know. I've thought it through. I won't bother you anymore from now on. Thank you for not embarrassing me today."

Song Jiang walked over just in time to hear Tian Tian's last sentence.

Was it really as easy as Tian Tian made it sound?

Why did he feel like Tian Tian was forcing a smile?

Wen Zhong, standing behind Fu Zhichen, interjected with a tone of reproach.

"Miss Tian, since you knew Mr. Fu doesn't like you, why did you say such things at the scene today, and even have people force Mr. Fu to answer?"

Tian Tian glanced at Fu Zhichen, then at Wen Zhong. "Zhichen, I didn't. I didn't know anyone would do that."

"I just..."

Wen Zhong interrupted before Fu Zhichen could answer. "Miss Tian, what's done is done. Saying more won't change anything."

Tian Tian fidgeted with her fingers and ran off before Wen Zhong could say another word.

Song Jiang didn't have time to speak with Fu Zhichen and immediately followed Tian Tian. He'd never had a girlfriend, but he knew that at a time like this, a girl needed comforting.

Song Jiang followed Tian Tian all the way to the villa's small garden, where faint sounds of fighting and yelling could be heard.

He couldn't tell if Tian Tian had been crying. When he arrived, he saw Chu Yan cursing as he walked out from behind a large tree.

"You little weakling, trying to fight me? Don't you know your place?"

Chu Yan was still mid-sentence when Tian Tian wiped her eyes.

"Tian Tian, what's wrong?"

Tian Tian didn't say anything, just shook her head blankly.

There were a few blades of grass in her hair, scratches on her cheeks, a big dirt stain on her expensive suit, and even a few popped buttons on her shirt.

Seeing Chu Yan like that, Song Jiang couldn't help but ask, "Chu Yan, what happened to you?"

"Oh, it's nothing." Chu Yan shrugged, as if it were all trivial and no big deal.

"I got into a fight with some guy. He couldn't even beat me, and he still had the nerve to go after Tian Tian—what a joke!"

The garden was quiet for a few seconds. Tian Tian sniffled, then suddenly lunged at Chu Yan, sobbing loudly.

"Are you an idiot..."

Between sobs, she pounded his back with her fists. "Why did you have to fight someone? What business is it of yours who I end up with..."

Chu Yan winced, shouting in pain. "Tian Tian, go easy on me! Ouch, ouch, ouch..."

Hmm... he seemed a bit superfluous here. Song Jiang silently returned to the villa, where Fu Zhichen seemed to be deliberately waiting for him at the entrance.

"Butler Song, did I allow you to leave me for this long?"

*

Buddies, there's still a very important key plot point I haven't written! Don't worry, the CEO will soon confess to the steward!!!

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