He suddenly froze, instinctively withdrawing his hand from Shi Muxi’s grasp.

  Shi Muxi was caught off guard and frowned slightly. Following his gaze, she saw Su Yumian standing not far ahead.

  Jiang Yihuai frowned and asked Shen Shiyan, “Did you invite Su Yumian?”

  “Yeah, we’re all friends, aren’t we?” Shen Shiyan smiled innocently.

  “Why didn’t you mention it beforehand?”

  Shen Shiyan shrugged. “I got busy and forgot. Does it matter?”

  Over there, Su Yumian had also noticed Jiang Yihuai, but after a brief gnce, she looked away. She had only come to offer her well wishes and then leave. She had been occupied with studying and researching and didn’t have time to waste at gatherings like this.

  With that thought, she walked straight to Shen Shiyan and said, “Happy birthday. May this day come every year, and may you have many more like it. This is my gift. It’s nothing expensive, so I hope you don’t mind.”

  She handed over a gift box.

  Shen Shiyan took it and chuckled softly. “Thanks for your kind words.”

  As the birthday star, he was the center of attention, surrounded by many well-wishers. After mingling with numerous guests, he had already picked up the scent of alcohol.

  “It’s a happy occasion. How about a drink together?” A waiter carrying a tray of wine passed by. Shen Shiyan grabbed a gss of red wine. “I’ll go first.”

  He downed the drink in one gulp. Su Yumian had no choice but to follow suit. After finishing the gss, she checked the time and said she had to leave.

  Shen Shiyan raised an eyebrow. “It’s still early. The party just started, and you’re already leaving?”

  Seeing her hesitation, he changed tactics. “How about this? Stay a little longer and leave after we cut the cake.”

  “Alright,” Su Yumian agreed.

  The single gss of wine hit her harder than expected, and the room’s warmth was a bit overwhelming. After standing for a while, she felt short of breath.

  Shen Shiyan was busy entertaining guests, so she asked a waiter for directions and made her way toward the garden through an arched doorway.

  Jiang Yihuai’s expression darkened as he watched Su Yumian’s retreating figure. She hadn’t even looked him in the eye earlier, and now she walked away without a second gnce.

  He wanted to follow her, but Shi Muxi suddenly clung to his arm. “Baby, I don’t feel well. Can you take me somewhere to rest?”

  Her voice was soft and delicate as she leaned on his arm like a fragile gardenia.

  In just a moment, Su Yumian had disappeared.

  Jiang Yihuai had no choice but to withdraw his gaze and step back, though his voice carried a hint of irritation. “Let’s go.”

  The path from the living room to the garden wasn’t far. Along the way, lush greenery surrounded them, and the greenhouse housed various flowers.

  Some rare tree species, ones she had only seen in magazines, were pnted throughout the garden. These trees were notoriously difficult to maintain and cost a fortune, but here, they lined the entire space.

  The woody fragrance drifted in the chilly air, easing the tension in her chest.

  She pnned to walk around a bit. Suddenly, a warm breath brushed against the back of her neck. A man’s alcohol-ced breath fanned across her skin. Thinking it was Jiang Yihuai, she was about to pull away when she heard a low chuckle.

  Su Yumian froze on the spot, her pupils shaking—

  It was Shen Shiyan!

  His hand rested on her waist, the unfamiliar heat making her skin prickle with goosebumps. Without thinking, she immediately pulled away and took two steps back.

  “You’re drunk! I’m not your date.”

  Shen Shiyan looked at her wary expression—her wide, startled eyes made her seem like a frightened little bird.

  He chuckled softly. “I didn’t mistake you for someone else.”

  Su Yumian blinked in confusion, not quite understanding.

  Then, the man spoke again—

  “You’re the one I want to kiss.”

  Su Yumian was stunned speechless. Her mind went bnk. For a second, she wasn’t even sure if this was real or just a wild dream. Because—this was insane!

  Shen Shiyan smirked, his handsome face carrying a mix of arrogance and mischief. His slightly tipsy state added a reckless charm. “What? Surprised?”

  Surprised? Her brain was practically overheating.

  “You… you…” She opened her mouth but couldn’t form a coherent sentence.

  “Yes, I like you.”

  “What are you talking about?! You and I could never—”

  “How would you know if you don’t give it a try?”

  “But you and Jiang Yihuai…” weren’t you best friends?

  “You two already broke up. I like you, and I’m going to pursue you. What’s the problem?”

  Su Yumian finally snapped out of it and seriously looked at the man before her. She had to admit, Shen Shiyan was tall, handsome, and exuded a gentlemanly grace.

  If Jiang Yihuai was like the unpredictable sky, where you never knew when it would rain or shine—then Shen Shiyan was like the wind slipping through your fingers, seemingly within reach but impossible to grasp.

  “I’m sorry,” Su Yumian said. “I don’t like you.”

  To her surprise, Shen Shiyan wasn’t angry. Instead, he chuckled, as if he had expected her response. “Yeah, I know.”

  Su Yumian was about to breathe a sigh of relief when he spoke again—

  “That’s why I’m pursuing you, not just confessing and expecting you to be with me right away.”

  Su Yumian: “……”

  “Why not give me a chance? Some people can’t tell the difference between a worthless rock and a precious pearl, but I do.”

  He stepped forward, closing the distance. “I know your kindness, your attentiveness, your talent. I understand your pride and respect your determination—”

  “Stay back!” Su Yumian watched as his towering frame inched closer and instinctively took two steps back.

  “No matter what you say, I don’t like you. Your so-called pursuit is just a waste of time. There’s no point.”

  She had never even considered being with anyone from Jiang Yihuai’s circle, let alone his closest friend.

  “To me, you’re just Jiang Yihuai’s friend. I’ll pretend this conversation never happened. From now on, please don’t bring it up again.”

  Shen Shiyan frowned, clearly not expecting such a blunt rejection. She wasn’t giving him even the slightest chance. He reached out to grab her waist, but in the next second, a strong force yanked him away, followed by a punch straight to his face.

  Jiang Yihuai’s eyes were bloodshot. His fist nded squarely on Shen Shiyan’s nose, and before the shock could settle, he threw another punch.

  He had followed Su Yumian outside, intending to talk to her. But what did he see?

  His best friend—his so-called brother—holding his ex-girlfriend in his arms.

  Su Yumian had her back to him, so he couldn’t see her expression. But Shen Shiyan’s gaze was filled with longing, his eyes dark with desire.

  There was something going on between them.

  Jiang Yihuai’s mind went bnk for a full five seconds. By the time he snapped out of it, his fists had already flown.

  “Well, well! Shen Shiyan, you’re really such a great friend!” Jiang Yihuai’s voice dripped with fury. “Don’t you know Su Yumian is my woman?! What the hell were you two just doing?!”