After Dating the President O, I Turned Into a Puppy-Like Lover - Chapter 14

Saturday.

Jiang He set out from home for her appointment. Zhou Yi and Yu Wei lived close to each other, so they came from the same direction. The three of them agreed to meet near the arcade—play there for a while first, then head to karaoke afterward.

When Jiang He arrived, the other two were already waiting.

The arcade was located on the top floor of the mall. The first and second floors were mostly clothing stores and dining areas. Zhou Yi and the others had reserved seats on the second floor, by a window overlooking the plaza below, where people flowed past in endless streams.

The restaurant specialized in Southern City cuisine and was considered one of the better ones of its kind. Though located in a bustling area, the prices were reasonable. The three of them ordered four dishes and a soup.

When they went out together, money was usually not an issue. All of them came from fairly well-off families. They typically took turns paying the bill, though Jiang He ended up paying more often than not.

This time, however, before the food arrived, Jiang He said, “Let’s split the bill.”

Zhou Yi wasn’t sure whether she’d misheard or was simply shocked. “Huh?”

“I said we’ll split it,” Jiang He repeated calmly.

Zhou Yi and Yu Wei exchanged a glance. Then Zhou Yi blurted out, “Boss, y-you’re not short on money, are you?”

“Mm,” Jiang He answered.

That large expense from over a month ago had been borrowed from her aunt. She was paying it back bit by bit each month.

She knew very well that if Zhou Yi and Yu Wei found out about her situation, they’d rush to pay without hesitation. But she didn’t like owing people favors. Even though she treated them more often than not, she still felt uncomfortable watching others pay for her. Call it a kind of stubborn compulsion.

“Did something come up?” Yu Wei asked with a smile.

“No.” Jiang He didn’t want to say too much, talking more only increased the risk of exposing the deal she’d made. “I lent some money out.”

“Really?” Yu Wei smiled gently. “If you ever run into trouble, you have to tell us. I’ll cover today’s expenses.”

Jiang He looked up at her, knowing there was no way she could argue her out of it.

She lowered her gaze, picked up some food, and quietly chewed along with her rice.

She didn’t say anything, but Zhou Yi and Yu Wei both knew she’d accepted it—she was just feeling a little awkward.

Thinking about how someone with such a cold, strikingly beautiful face was actually shy underneath, Zhou Yi found her boss surprisingly adorable.

They ate unhurriedly, spending nearly an hour over the meal.

Since it was still early, they decided to rest for a bit before heading upstairs to the arcade.

Zhou Yi leaned lazily against the back of her chair, rubbing her slightly rounded belly. Sunlight spilled over her, making her look like a well-fed Garfield dozing contentedly.

Yu Wei suddenly glanced at her and teased, “So, Xiao Zhou, do you have an Omega you like? Want me to introduce one to you?”

Zhou Yi instantly perked up. “No need, no need. My heart’s already full. I can’t fit anyone else in.”

“Oh?” Yu Wei raised an eyebrow.

“Huh? President?” Zhou Yi suddenly glanced out the window.

Down below was an outdoor seating area, probably for afternoon tea. Tables and chairs were arranged in the open air. She’d just been talking about her beloved president, what a coincidence to run into her here!

Rubbing her eyes excitedly, Zhou Yi stared harder. The girl downstairs was laughing softly, her gentle manner and refined features unmistakable.

If that wasn’t the Student Council president, who was?

“Xiao Zhou, why are you so excited?” Yu Wei teased. “Don’t tell me that’s the Omega you like. Not bad, your taste is excellent. But.” She rested her chin on one hand, thoughtful. “Looks like you don’t stand much of a chance. The guy sitting across from her is clearly an Alpha. An Omega and an Alpha out together—if nothing happens, it’d be wasting a naturally compatible pairing.”

“What?” Zhou Yi had been too busy being happy to notice that Dan Sirou was there on a date. Yu Wei’s words jolted her awake.

She rushed to the window and leaned forward, scrutinizing the scene below. Sure enough, seated across from the president was a man.

They were chatting comfortably. From this angle, she couldn’t see his face clearly, but he looked tall, all long limbs, slightly cramped in his seat.

“From your school?” Yu Wei asked.

Zhou Yi shook her head and turned to Jiang He. “Boss, do you know him?”

Yu Wei followed her gaze.

Jiang He was staring out the window as well, seemingly lost in thought. It took her a moment to realize they were both looking at her. She shook her head too.

“No idea.”

That answer was exactly what Zhou Yi expected. She pinched her chin and muttered, “He looks pretty handsome. Probably nothing serious, right? But if there is something, should I keep pursuing the president? I mean, stealing someone away is a skill too. Ah—forget it, forget it.”

She was still mumbling to herself when Jiang He stood up. “I’m going to the restroom.”

Yu Wei glanced up at her. “Go ahead.”

As soon as Jiang He left, Yu Wei leaned closer to Zhou Yi and lowered her voice.

“Don’t you think she’s acting a little strange?” Yu Wei nodded toward the direction Jiang He had gone.

“Huh?” Zhou Yi was completely clueless. “What’s strange? Maybe she just really needs to pee.”

Yu Wei almost flicked her forehead. “Honestly, you’re hopeless.”

“I mean, don’t you think Jiang He might also like your president?”

It was as if a new world had opened before Zhou Yi. The thought had never even crossed her mind. She shook her head so hard it was like a rattle drum.

“No way, no way, absolutely not. How could she like the president? Every time I talk about her, Jiang He doesn’t seem interested at all, sometimes she even looks annoyed. Probably because I keep asking her for help.”

“Anyway, she doesn’t act like someone in love. She even encourages me to chase her. If she liked her too, wouldn’t she be worried about having a rival?”

Yu Wei narrowed her eyes, unconvinced. “Not necessarily. That one’s good at hiding things deep inside. You really think she’d let you see it so easily?”

“Impossible.” Zhou Yi drawled. “Sister Wei, why won’t you believe me? I’ve known my boss for ages. I know exactly what kind of person she is. She doesn’t like this type at all.”

“Besides,” she added, “where does that leave Sister Duan?”

That finally left Yu Wei with nothing to say.

Restroom.

Jiang He turned on the faucet and splashed cold water onto her face.

She lifted her head and studied her reflection in the mirror.

She was no longer the dark, sun-scorched girl who had just returned from the island. Her skin was fair now, her features fully grown often described by others as cold and striking.

She had friends she got along with. In most aspects, her life was going well.

And yet, Zhou Tingchen’s appearance had dragged her memories back into the past.

When she’d first returned from the island, she hadn’t fit into Dongcheng at all, spending her days alone, keeping company only with her own shadow.

When her aunt came to visit, she noticed Jiang He always playing with her dolls. Worried, she gently encouraged her to go out more, to make friends, believing that with time, she’d adapt to her new surroundings.

Her aunt even took her to places where there were lots of children.

With her warm, approachable looks, her aunt was instantly popular with kids. After chatting casually with a little girl from the neighborhood, the child quickly warmed up to her. When the moment felt right, her aunt introduced Jiang He to the girl and encouraged them to play together.

Back then, Jiang He was painfully introverted. When the other girl smiled at her, she didn’t know what to say. Her lips parted slightly, as if she might speak, then closed again—half-smiling, half-hesitant until she finally managed a small curve of her mouth.

In her aunt’s eyes, that was enough to count as friendship.

But once her aunt left and the girl’s other friends arrived, the connection quietly faded away.

During that period of time, Jiang He often sat alone on the swings in the park, watching the liveliness that belonged to everyone else.