Chapter Thirty-One: The Cold Approach

Jiang Hu made an offering of incense, and on a whim, drew a fortune stick. The first was ill-omened, so he traded it for another, then another, until at last he received a good one. Holding the slip inscribed with “Holding hands, growing old together,” he returned to Mo Nian Nian’s side in high spirits.

“Sister, I’m done. Shall we go home?” he said, tugging at her sleeve as was his habit.

Mo Nian Nian’s expression was somber, and she subtly avoided his touch. Her voice was cold. “Let’s go.”

“Alright, let’s go home.” Jiang Hu, giddy with happiness, followed closely behind her, clutching the fortune stick he had exchanged so many times.

He failed to notice that the highest branch of the tree behind him no longer bore the red silk ribbon for him and Mo Nian Nian.

All the way back, Jiang Hu chatted cheerfully with Mo Nian Nian, who only occasionally replied with a single “mm.” Jiang Hu sensed something was amiss. Looking at her, he asked, a little pitifully, “Sister, what’s wrong? You haven’t seemed happy since we came down the mountain.”

Mo Nian Nian suppressed her irritation. “Nothing. Let’s head home first.”

She needed to think carefully. Where had things gone wrong? How could Jiang Hu have fallen for her?

Had he lost his mind?

Back at home, Jiang Hu was about to ask after Mo Nian Nian, to show his concern, but she gave him no chance. “I’m tired,” she said, and promptly shut her bedroom door.

Jiang Hu stood outside, feeling dejected. Where had he gone wrong? Had he upset her?

He couldn’t understand it. How could she change so suddenly? What had happened while he was away?

What puzzled him even more was what came next: Mo Nian Nian suddenly suggested they go out for dinner.

As Jiang Hu was brainstorming ways to cheer her up, he immediately agreed.

He was attentive, bustling about, and tried probing her with questions. “Sister, why the sudden idea to eat out?”

“I have something to do.”

“So, what should we eat?”

“We’ll see when we get there.”

Her voice was icy, brimming with distance. Every time Jiang Hu tried to start a real conversation, she cut him off, and for once, silence grew between them—a wordless awkwardness spreading.

“Sister, we’re here.” Jiang Hu got out of the taxi and opened the door for her, reaching out to help her across the icy pavement. Mo Nian Nian avoided him without hesitation.

Jiang Hu’s face darkened, his eyes growing chillingly cold. Mo Nian Nian paid him no mind, heading straight for the restaurant.

Jiang Hu curled his fingers, steadied himself for a few seconds, then followed her inside. He was determined to get answers.

“Miss Mo, you’re here! Please, have a seat.”

To Jiang Hu’s surprise, there were already two people waiting inside, clearly acquainted with Mo Nian Nian. She greeted them and sat opposite.

“This must be your younger brother? What a handsome, refined young gentleman.”

“Your daughter is beautiful as well,” Mo Nian Nian replied calmly.

“Ha ha, please, sit down,” the woman said, beckoning Jiang Hu over, her gaze lingering approvingly.

Jiang Hu’s heart clenched. He looked at Mo Nian Nian, lost.

Mo Nian Nian’s face was cold. “This is Miss Wang Yue. She’s seen your profile and likes you. Why not give it a try?”

Mo Nian Nian was convinced Jiang Hu was lonely, that he clung to her only because she was the sole companion he had. Soon enough, he’d realize this wasn’t love.

The light in Jiang Hu’s eyes began to fade, darkness creeping over him. “Sister?”

“Sit down and have a chat.”

“Sister! Is this what today was about?” His voice rose sharply, dark and wild emotion flooding his eyes.

The mother and daughter, here for the match, looked confused. “What’s going on?”

Mo Nian Nian apologized, “Sorry, he’s still young and doesn’t understand.”

She shot Jiang Hu a stern look. “No matter what, sit down and finish this meal.”

“You just want to push me to someone else?” Jiang Hu’s gaze was wild and shadowed, his heart aching as if it might burst.

“Sit down,” Mo Nian Nian said lightly, as if he were merely throwing a childish tantrum.

Yet his heart was about to explode from pain.

“Jiang Hu, why not take this seat?” Wang Yue, genuinely fond of Jiang Hu, seeing things going awry, tried to smooth things over.

But Jiang Hu seemed not to hear, staring fixedly at Mo Nian Nian.

Mo Nian Nian said, “Someone’s calling you, didn’t you notice?”

Jiang Hu’s anger finally erupted. He grabbed Mo Nian Nian’s hand, pulled her up, and strode out of the restaurant.

The mother and daughter called after them several times.

“Jiang Hu!” Mo Nian Nian’s brows knit as she struggled.

At that moment, nothing else mattered to Jiang Hu. Anger consumed him, his eyes reddening. He shoved Mo Nian Nian into a taxi, and they sped home.

He slammed the door shut and pinned Mo Nian Nian against it, his eyes rimmed red. “Sister, you know, don’t you? You know, right?”

Because she understood his feelings, she wanted to distance herself, abandon him?

How could she? How could she!

Mo Nian Nian lowered her gaze, her expression calm. “Jiang Hu, I don’t want to argue about this. It’s not right.”

“What’s wrong about it? I like you, I miss you so much I’m almost mad, I love you, Sister!”

“You’re just too lonely.”

Just as she herself, once lonely, had adopted a big cat.

“I know what I feel, Sister, please don’t push me away.” Jiang Hu’s hands trembled as he held hers, pleading humbly.

This time, Mo Nian Nian showed no pity. She remained cool. “When you meet more people, you’ll understand.”

“I don’t want that! I just want you, only you, Sister.” Jiang Hu clung to her tightly, tears welling in his reddened eyes.

He buried his head at her neck, sobbing softly like a helpless child. “Don’t leave me, I beg you.”

Mo Nian Nian gently pried his hands from hers. “Jiang Hu, you’re still young. Someday you’ll find someone more suited to you.”

With ruthless finality, she pushed him away and closed the door in his terrified gaze.

That night, Jiang Hu stayed outside her door, staring at it with relentless determination.

Sister couldn’t be so heartless, she wouldn’t bear to leave him.

Surely, she would open the door and take him back, just as she always had.

But he waited all night, and the door never opened.

After discovering the darkness and humility of his feelings, Mo Nian Nian withdrew all her tenderness.

Jiang Hu pounded on the door like a madman, humble as an abandoned pet, softly calling for his sister.

He pleaded for things to return to how they were, saying he would be satisfied with just the way things used to be.