Hints at GL - Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Since Zhong Ning arrived in the UK, this was already the third time she felt her heart stifle because of the woman standing before her.

Even Zhong Ning herself was surprised—how did Ruan Mu possess such a great ability to irritate her?

Before she started dating Su Yuan, she felt uneasy just thinking about the fact that Su Yuan was still in contact with Ruan Mu, but she had to digest that on her own. Now that they had officially established a relationship, she discovered that Jacky was actually Ruan Mu’s father.

So, who had she been seeking help from all this time?

Zhong Ning looked at Ruan Qi and found herself unable to speak. She knew she shouldn’t blame him, but an involuntary feeling surged in her heart, as if she had been publicly humiliated by Ruan Mu.

“Do you still want me to drive you back?” Ruan Qi asked in a heavy voice, not prying into her current expression.

“Don’t bother driving her back,” Ruan Mu interjected directly, her thin lips curving upward. “It’s rare for her to travel such a long way. Let her stay for a BBQ with us, I’ll drive her back tonight.”

Ruan Mu’s invitation seemed friendly yet eerie. Zhong Ning didn’t know why she was doing this, but she truly didn’t want to be driven home alone by Ruan Qi, so she remained silent for a moment.

Only when Ruan Qi glanced at them and walked toward the garage did Zhong Ning speak up. “I’ll go back by myself. I’m not staying here.” Regardless of Ruan Mu’s reasons for inviting her, Zhong Ning felt she would be crazy to actually stay. “Not just now, I’ll have to reconsider whether I ever come back here again.”

Zhong Ning’s rare display of coldness actually amused Ruan Mu. “I didn’t expect you to be such a petty person.”

How could she say that so easily?

Looking at Ruan Mu’s composed manner, Zhong Ning felt an inexplicable surge of anger. “Yes, I am very petty,” she said, laughing instead of getting angry. “You’re the generous one, even after breaking up, you still want to control who your ex-girlfriend dates.”

Zhong Ning had wanted to say these words a long time ago, but she previously lacked the standing to do so. Now that she finally had the chance, she felt she would stifle to death if she didn’t vent.

“Knowing perfectly well that Su Yuan hasn’t let go of you yet, what were you trying to do by calling her the other day to ask her out? I truly don’t know if you’ve developed some sense of pride from cheating.”

Zhong Ning looked directly at her, her voice trembling slightly. “Ruan Mu, what do you take Su Yuan for?” The thought that Su Yuan still lingered on someone like this made her heart ache with bitterness.

Ruan Mu looked at her, gradually withdrawing her smile, and answered solemnly, “A friend.”

“I kissed Anna before, and that made you very unhappy, didn’t it?” Ruan Mu’s lips moved as she leaned lightly against the doorframe. “I admit I was overstepping then because I felt she was purposely trying to provoke me by pulling you in front of me.”

“Yes, at the time, I felt you weren’t good enough for her,” Ruan Mu said bluntly.

Whether I’m good enough is none of your business! Zhong Ning looked at her with reddened eyes, her breathing unsteady.

“But I’ve thought it through lately. As long as Su Yuan likes it, it’s up to you two.” Ruan Mu looked straight at her, her tone gradually softening. “Zhong Ning, remember this: Su Yuan hasn’t contacted me for a year. But since she met you, she has sought my help repeatedly. These are things you don’t know.”

What was Ruan Mu saying? Su Yuan… sought her help repeatedly for Zhong Ning’s sake?

“Do you know what she’s been doing lately?” Ruan Mu tilted her head. Before Zhong Ning could react, she smiled to herself. “Su Yuan has been asking around about T2 visas. She wants you to stay by her side. I can see she really likes you.”

Zhong Ning froze.

Ruan Mu looked at her and suddenly smirked. “So why are you suddenly throwing such a big tantrum? I can understand you hating me, but my father has been helping you for so long, yet you’re taking your anger out on him because of me. I really don’t know what to say.”

Zhong Ning finally couldn’t hold back. “I’m not taking it out on Jacky. I’m very grateful to him, it’s just…”

“It’s just that you’re mad Su Yuan hid it from you, right?” Ruan Mu found it somewhat laughable at this point. “You two are truly stubborn. Su Yuan too, since she plans to date you seriously, she can’t even bear to hear that I invited Jing Han out.”

“…What do you mean?”

Seeing that Zhong Ning still didn’t understand, Ruan Mu explained patiently, “I called Su Yuan to invite both of you over for dinner. But as soon as she heard I had invited Jing Han, she immediately became upset.”

She paused and added while looking at Zhong Ning, “I only said that much. As for her lines, I assume you already know them.”

With the matter laid out like this, Zhong Ning suddenly didn’t know what to say. She didn’t know whether to blame Su Yuan, Ruan Mu, or her own willingness to go along with it. If she pretended not to know, would everything turn out fine?

Just then, a set of footsteps sounded at the door.

A cold voice came from behind them. Jing Han was gently wiping her hands as she walked slowly to the door. “Ruan Mu, find a plate for me.”

“Mhm?” The moment Jing Han saw Zhong Ning, she was slightly startled. Her indifferent expression seemed to ripple for an instant. “Zhong Ning, why are you here?” Noticing Zhong Ning’s reddened eyes, she looked at Ruan Mu. “What are you two doing?”

“…” Zhong Ning hadn’t expected Jing Han to be here. No wonder Ruan Mu said earlier to stay for a BBQ with “us.” So today… was the day Ruan Mu mentioned she was dating Jing Han?

Ruan Mu smiled when she saw Jing Han, as if she had already forgotten the conversation with Zhong Ning. “What else? I’m inviting her to have a BBQ with us.”

Jing Han didn’t seem to suspect anything and nodded. “Zhong Ning, join us.”

Zhong Ning was even less prepared for Jing Han to invite her. Although seeing her made her mood improve slightly, Zhong Ning instinctively recoiled. “No, it’s fine… It’s not appropriate for me to stay here.”

“There’s nothing inappropriate about it,” Jing Han looked at her and said thoughtfully. “Are you busy?”

“No…” Zhong Ning hesitated. Looking into those cold eyes, she unintentionally told the truth. “Classes for next term haven’t started yet. I’m not very busy these few days.”

“Mhm, that’s good then,” Jing Han said softly. “We originally intended to invite you and Su Yuan, but Ruan Mu didn’t tell you separately. Since you’re here, stay. I’ll drive you back tonight.”

Zhong Ning was still somewhat resistant, but since Jing Han had spoken, she felt embarrassed to refuse again.

“You two chat first, I’m going to make a call,” Ruan Mu led them to the kitchen and quickly went upstairs.

“Ruan Mu called Su Yuan earlier to invite both of you,” Jing Han walked to the sink and chatted casually. “So why are you alone? Where is Su Yuan?”

“She has something to do…” Zhong Ning lied instinctively. “I came to find Professor Ruan Qi, but he just left.”

“Is that so.” Jing Han nodded and didn’t pry further.

Standing next to her, Zhong Ning suddenly had a very strange feeling. There were things she wanted to ask just now but didn’t because Ruan Mu was present. What exactly was going on between Jing Han and Ruan Mu? It had only been one Christmas break, and they were already…

“Su Yuan did indeed receive a call from Ruan Mu,” Zhong Ning was too embarrassed to ask directly, so she rephrased it. “But it seems… Ruan Mu said she was going on a date with you, so Su Yuan refused.”

Jing Han turned to look at her, her thin lips moving. “I’m not dating her. I just came for a meal.”

But having a meal… at Ruan Mu’s parents’ house? Zhong Ning didn’t point this out. Suddenly, she remembered what Su Yuan said on New Year’s Eve: “I saw them kissing in the company pantry.”

So, was this actually… an old flame being rekindled?

She couldn’t guess, so she pursed her lips and added, “Um… it seems Jing Yang is very worried about you. She’s always wanted to know why you went back to China three years ago.”

Upon hearing this, Jing Han suddenly stopped her movements. “Is that so? Jing Yang even told you about that.”

Zhong Ning was at a loss and wanted to explain. “…No, I—” But Jing Han was silent for a while before saying, “That was a wrong choice. One mistake led to a series of mistakes.”

She spoke very cryptically; Zhong Ning didn’t understand at all.

“Do you want to go back home?” Jing Han asked suddenly.

“I don’t know…” Zhong Ning was slightly startled. When the question was turned on her, it was equally difficult to answer. “If I wasn’t dating Su Yuan, I probably would have gone back after submitting my thesis, because my original reason for choosing to study in the UK was to go back sooner.”

“But now…” Zhong Ning leaned against the counter, suddenly not knowing how to put it. Naturally, she was reluctant to leave, but she also felt Su Yuan didn’t give her much of a sense of security, plus the recent events were too terrifying.

“The UK is not easy to stay in, but it’s not absolutely impossible,” Jing Han looked at her, her expression serious. “Make a decision early, otherwise you might regret it too late once you’ve returned home.”

Zhong Ning was somewhat speechless. She would have to discuss this with Su Yuan eventually. Ruan Mu had just said that Su Yuan intended for her to stay. But seeing Su Yuan like this, she felt she couldn’t bring it up.

Her mood was heavy, so she changed the subject, casually chatting with Jing Han about T2 visas and ideal employment. It seemed to make them both feel better.

After a while, the sound of a sports car stopping came from outside.

Both were slightly startled and turned to look out the window.

Then came a familiar set of footsteps, followed by the soft ring of the doorbell. Ruan Mu went downstairs and opened the door. Seeing the person, she smiled. “You’re quite fast. Did you hear Zhong Ning was here and couldn’t wait?”

Su Yuan stood at the door. Her gentle gaze bypassed the two of them and fell directly on Zhong Ning. After a long silence, her thin lips moved slightly. “What exactly is going on?”

That usually warm voice now sounded somewhat distant. “Weren’t you supposed to be hosting a classmate today?”