After Dating the President O, I Turned Into a Puppy-Like Lover - Chapter 47

Four people sat around the modest dining table.

The surface was crowded with dishes, six plates and one soup. For Dan Sirou and her mother, who usually ate lightly, this was a feast. Even if they couldn’t finish it all, the abundance added a sense of ritual to the New Year.

What should have been a quiet evening became lively with the addition of two more girls. The room filled with warmth and chatter; even the clinking of chopsticks against bowls no longer sounded monotonous.

Fu Jiu, ever the mood-maker, ensured no one felt awkward.

After dinner, they decided to go outside. They would finish setting off the remaining fireworks, and perhaps, depending on the mood, join the nearby festivities.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh”, fireworks shot into the sky. Children gathered around, some bold enough to strike up conversations. Their endless questions and chatter found a patient listener in Jiang He, who, though quiet, answered them kindly.

After a while, Jiang He noticed something amiss. She kept glancing toward Dan Sirou.

There she was, leaning against a lamppost, the dim yellow light spilling down over her, giving her an air of serene detachment.

Jiang He frowned slightly. Just moments ago, she had been nearby. When had she slipped away?

She worried that on such a festive night, Dan Sirou might be haunted by unhappy memories. Tonight, she hadn’t really joined in.

Jiang He picked up a few sparklers and walked toward her.

Dan Sirou rested her head against the lamppost, her posture calm and composed. The laughter and joy around her reflected in her eyes, and her lips curved with the faintest smile.

This New Year’s Eve was not what she had imagined.

She had expected a lonely night, perhaps lying in bed, listening to the noise outside, waiting for sleep.

But reality had surprised her.

Watching Jiang He, usually so reserved surrounded by noisy children, patiently chatting with them, Dan Sirou’s eyes softened, her smile deepening with warmth.

At some point, she had begun to notice this girl in crowds.

Perhaps she always had. At the school sports meet, among countless events, she had focused on Jiang He’s race. The image of her leading the pack at the sound of the starter’s gun was unforgettable.

Her gaze dimmed slightly.

It was a pity she couldn’t join them tonight.

Since the pheromone riot, her heat cycle had become irregular. She had been taking care of herself, but being near Jiang He, an Alpha who had marked her multiple times made her hypersensitive to her pheromones, almost unbearably so.

She had exiled herself to the sidelines, unable to risk being too close.

“Dan Sirou.”

Lost in thought, she turned at the sound of a low, steady voice.

She met Jiang He’s innocent, wide-eyed gaze, blinking once.

As she approached, the faint scent of milk clung to Jiang He, sweet and soft. Dan Sirou had faced many Alphas before, but even as her glands stirred uncontrollably, she kept her expression calm.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Why aren’t you playing with us?” Jiang He lifted the sparklers in her hand. “Do you like these?”

Her eyes shone with sincerity. Though Dan Sirou longed for her to step back and ease the suffocating air, she couldn’t bear to reject her warmth. She nodded lightly. “Mm.”

“Give me one,” she said.

A slender sparkler was passed to her. Their fingers brushed in the exchange, Jiang He’s warmth startling against her chilled skin, making her fingertips tremble.

Her composure faltered.

Jiang He didn’t notice the subtle shift. She pulled out a lighter, leaning close to ignite it for her.

The heat in her glands surged, spreading through her body. Jiang He’s breath brushed her hand, warm and intimate, breaking down her defenses.

Dan Sirou bit her lip, brows furrowed, and turned away abruptly.

Her sudden movement startled Jiang He. The sparkler’s tip grazed her forehead—not painful, but enough to knock the lighter from her hand.

Alarmed, Dan Sirou looked at her, guilt flooding her voice. “Are you alright?”

Jiang He bent silently to pick up the lighter. Her disappointment was plain. Dan Sirou’s concern couldn’t erase the sting of her cold retreat. She looked wounded, fragile.

Thinking back, Jiang He realized Dan Sirou had been avoiding her all evening.

She tread carefully, afraid her attitude toward her had reverted to the distant coldness of the past.

Compared to her warmth toward others, the contrast cut deep.

“Dan Sirou, you don’t seem happy tonight.” Jiang He lowered her gaze, her voice hollow. “Did I do something to upset you?”

“I didn’t.” Dan Sirou began, startled she would think that.

“Is it because I came uninvited?” Jiang He murmured. “If you’re tired, go rest. I’ll finish the fireworks and leave. Otherwise, they’ll just go to waste.”

“It’s not like that.” Dan Sirou sighed, exasperated by her spiraling thoughts.

Her tendency to shoulder blame tugged painfully at Dan Sirou’s heart, leaving behind a bitter ache she couldn’t name.

After a pause, she relented. “Jiang He, I don’t know how to explain. But I don’t dislike you. You wanted to light the sparkler for me, didn’t you? Will you do it, or should I?”

She tilted her head slightly, meeting Jiang He’s eyes with gentle warmth.

Jiang He’s breath caught. Her delicate face filled her vision, magnified, stunning. Her heart skipped a beat. She stared, dazed, swallowing hard against the sudden dryness in her throat.

“I’ll do it.” Whether out of care for her or her own hidden thoughts, she said it softly.

“Mm.” Dan Sirou nodded, her smile tender.

But within seconds, her expression stiffened again.

The milk-sweet scent clinging to Jiang He was stronger now, intoxicating, mingling with the faint fragrance of her shampoo. It drifted on the breeze, overwhelming her senses.

Her body burned with heat.

She wanted desperately to escape, to ease the pressure.

But fearing Jiang He would misunderstand, she forced a smile.

The sparkler burned down in her hand, its dazzling sparks lighting her face.

And for a moment, she truly felt joy, lost in the beauty of the firelight.

Seeing her so happy, Jiang He’s worries eased. She smiled sincerely.

“Want another?” she asked, offering her one more.

Dan Sirou brushed a strand of hair from her lips, her smile faint but strained.

She had thought one sparkler would be enough, a gesture to reassure Jiang He before letting her enjoy the fireworks freely.

But she hadn’t expected.

The girl’s eager hand extended toward her again, eyes shining with anticipation.

She couldn’t bear to disappoint, so she accepted the sparkler and continued playing.

Jiang He flicked open the lighter. The flame leapt up, but the wind was strong, tossing it wildly. She shielded it carefully with her other hand, patiently lighting the sparkler.

The sparks spread downward, cascading in a beautiful display.

A boy stood nearby, gift bags dangling from his hands, staring blankly at the scene.

“Dan Sirou, should I take a picture for you?” Jiang He asked.

“Do you even know how to take one?” Dan Sirou teased lightly.

“Not really, maybe I’ll let Fu Jiu do it.”

“It’s fine. I trust you.”

The moment cut into the boy’s heart like a knife, each glance scraping deeper. He had stood in the cold for so long before finally blurting out, “Rourou.”

The cheerful atmosphere shattered at the sound. Both girls turned toward the voice.

Jiang He froze, then glanced sideways at Dan Sirou.

Dan Sirou looked at the boy, her expression unreadable.

Zhou Tingchen strode forward, ignoring Jiang He completely, plastering a smile onto his face as he addressed Dan Sirou’s calm demeanor. “Rourou, have you eaten? I came to spend New Year’s Eve with you.”

“I’ve eaten,” Dan Sirou replied evenly.

“I was worried you and Aunt Shu would be bored. But I see you have friends here—that’s good, that’s good.” His words were clumsy, his tone ingratiating. Though he mentioned Jiang He, his eyes never once landed on her.

“Mm.” Dan Sirou didn’t want to make things awkward, so she asked politely, “Why didn’t you go back to the capital? Your uncle and the others must miss you.”

“It’s senior year. Too little holiday time, traveling back and forth is troublesome.” Zhou Tingchen smiled. Then, studying her face and finding her mood steady, he added, “I hurt my leg playing basketball a few days ago. It’s an old injury, so I had to stay in the hospital until yesterday. I wanted to come earlier, but plans don’t always work out.”

At the mention of his injury, Dan Sirou frowned, lowering her gaze to his leg. Whether real or imagined, she thought he looked unsteady, genuinely hurt.

“Does it still bother you?” Her tone softened unconsciously.

“It’s fine now. Don’t worry.” Zhou Tingchen reassured her with a smile.

Dan Sirou nodded thoughtfully, though her expression remained concerned.

Jiang He had watched everything unfold. From their earlier indifference to this sudden “warmth,” her heart sank. She turned away, retreating to the fireworks.

Dan Sirou noticed and wanted to follow, but Zhou Tingchen called out, “Rourou.”

She turned back, puzzled.

“It’s nothing,” he said awkwardly, forcing a smile. “How’s Aunt Shu’s health lately?”

“She had a check-up a few days ago. The doctor said she’s fine,” Dan Sirou replied.

As they chatted, Dan Sirou kept glancing toward Jiang He, intending to go to her. Just then, she saw Fu Jiu and Jiang He walking back together.

Fu Jiu led the way, Jiang He trailing beside her, biting her lip, her aura gone, looking as though she’d been wronged.

“Brother Chen!” Fu Jiu greeted warmly.

Zhou Tingchen looked at her in surprise. “Xiao Jiu? You’ve grown so tall in just a few years.”

“You came especially to see Sister Rourou?” Fu Jiu teased, eyeing the bags in his hands. “And you brought so many gifts, tsk, tsk.”

As she spoke, she nudged Jiang He’s arm discreetly. Jiang He glanced at her, and Fu Jiu shot her a look before continuing to chat naturally with Zhou Tingchen.

Under her silent urging, Jiang He stepped forward, aligning herself beside Dan Sirou.

Sensing her restless presence, Dan Sirou turned to look at her. She accepted her closeness calmly, without the slightest rejection.

Fu Jiu kept talking, Zhou Tingchen responding politely, his manners impeccable. Yet his gaze often strayed toward the two girls.

Suddenly, he said, “Rourou, I want to speak with you privately.”

Dan Sirou looked at him, her voice cool. “Is there something you can’t say here?”

“It’s not convenient,” Zhou Tingchen said seriously, repeating, “Please?”

They had been childhood companions. On such a day, she couldn’t be too harsh. And with his injured leg, guilt tugged at her. Reluctantly, she softened, ready to agree.

But before she could, Jiang He spoke quickly: “Dan Sirou, didn’t we agree to go to the New Year’s gala together? You.” She glanced at Zhou Tingchen, then asked carefully, “You’re not going?”

“I’ll talk with him first,” Dan Sirou said.

“If we’re late, it might be over,” Jiang He murmured. The fireworks festival was scheduled to end at ten, according to the public notice, a flimsy excuse even she knew.

“It won’t end that soon. I’ll be back quickly,” Dan Sirou reassured gently.

Jiang He parted her lips, wanting to say more.

But in the end, she only looked at the girl standing beside the boy, and fell silent.

Zhou Tingchen’s exit would have to wait, until Dan Dan herself realized and sent him away.