Chapter 4 The Tie Clip
I whipped around. There was the face I couldn't stop thinking about.
Chi Wen, who had been so far away, was somehow right here now.
It had happened before. I only ever dared watch him silently, but he always noticed me and came over politely to say hi.
He really was a good person.
This time was no different.
"No one." I played dumb like always. "You're here too."
Chi Wen smiled. "Yeah."
I tested carefully. "You came alone?"
"Yes." He nodded, then asked back, "Who else would be with me?"
The words "Didn't your fiancée come?" stuck in my throat. I couldn't say them.
I changed the subject. I took a small box from my bag and handed it to him. "This is for you."
Chi Wen took it. "What is it?"
"A tie clip." I felt shy. "See if you like it."
I'd bought it a while ago. If I didn't give it now, I might never get another chance.
Chi Wen opened the box and took out the clip. He examined it seriously.
It was a new piece from a luxury brand—simple and elegant. When I customized it, I had them engrave his initials on the back.
Chi Wen thanked me. "Thank you. I like it a lot."
I let out a breath, tension easing. "Want to try it on?"
"Sure." Chi Wen nodded and handed the clip back to me.
I was confused. "?"
Chi Wen said, "Won't you put it on for me?"
He looked completely natural, like nothing was strange about it. Meanwhile, my hesitation suddenly felt suspicious.
After struggling internally, I took the clip, stepped closer, and gently pinned it to his tie.
"Done." I looked up—and met his eyes looking down at me.
Chi Wen didn't look away. He kept staring. "How is it? Does it look good?"
My heart pounded like drums. My voice came out weak. "It looks good."
I meant him.
Chi Wen smiled.
I was dazed by that smile again—until someone called my name.
I tapped my head in annoyance. Why did I keep doing this?
No wonder Su Qi always said we were like newbies fresh out of the tutorial village running into a top-tier succubus.
"He called you twice and you didn't hear." Zhu Heng appeared beside me. "Ready to go, Dongdong?"
So it was Zhu Heng who called.
Before I could answer, Chi Wen spoke first. "Dongdong?"
He was smiling at me, but his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Dongdong is my nickname." I hurried to explain. "My brother's nickname is Xixi, so I'm Dongdong."
"I see." Chi Wen's tone stayed gentle. "You two must be really close then. He even knows your nickname."
He was smiling, but for some reason the phrase "smile hiding a knife" flashed in my mind.
I kept explaining. "He's my brother's friend, so he knows."
Zhu Heng reached out to Chi Wen. "Hi, I'm Zhu Heng."
Chi Wen shook his hand. "Hi, Chi Wen."
I felt like I was suffocating. I just wanted to escape. "Zhu Heng, let's go back."
Zhu Heng nodded. "Okay."
Chi Wen looked at me again and repeated, "Zhu Heng?"
Something felt off. Chi Wen was suddenly acting like a broken record.
I pretended not to notice and changed the subject. "I'm heading back now."
Chi Wen didn't reply. He just looked down at me.
"By the way." I took a deep breath, gathered courage, and said softly, "Congratulations on your engagement."
I really didn't want to say it, but I still hoped he could be happy.
Maybe my voice was too quiet. He looked a little confused. "What did you say?"
I didn't have the courage to repeat it. I grabbed Zhu Heng and hurried away without looking back.
When I got home, I sat in the living room in a daze.
Until Su Qi came back.
He saw me still in my little dress and understood immediately. "Went to 'accidentally' run into Chi Wen again? Or just secretly staring at him from the corner?"
He nailed it. I stayed silent.
Su Qi shook his head. "How do you never learn? Still so quiet. No wonder Chi Wen is getting engaged to someone else."
I didn't argue. Instead I sniffed the alcohol on him. "You went to the bar again?"
Su Qi shrugged. "Yeah, so?"
"How do you never learn?" I fired back. "Still so flirty. No wonder Gu Shang is getting engaged to someone else."
Su Qi: "..."