Can't Take My Eyes Off You

C 214-215

Jiang Yao checked her surroundings. It was a hot afternoon and no one was out. Most of the students on campus were either in their rooms or somewhere else with cool air conditioning.

"Xuehui, Li Ronghui is not the one for you. He has ulterior motives." Jiang Yao continued after a moment's thought. "I once overheard his conversation. His friend asked if he actually liked you, and do you know what he said?"

"What?" Wen Xuehui's heart dropped. She was not ready for the answer.

"He said that he wanted to do research under your father, Chancellor Wen. You know that your father is very strict about the students he takes in under his wing. Recently, he seems to not accept any post-graduate students at all. This is why Li Ronghui wanted to take advantage of him being with you to join your father's research team."

With Li Ronghui's meticulous personality, he would not have said any of these things to anyone else. Nevertheless, Jiang Yao had not wronged Li Ronghui since that was indeed his plan after all.

In her previous life, through Jiang Yao, Li Ronghui had become the first student accepted by Chancellor Wen into his research team. With that, he had received the education that he had always wanted from the chancellor. He was then asked by the chancellor to stay back and teach at the school, and yet, he had not been contented with that arrangement.

After graduating, he had then set his sights on the Zhang family.

At that point in time, the Zhang family's business ventures had begun to settle down after years of development and growth. The Zhang family were looking for a capable son-in-law as Zhang Xiqing was their only daughter. Understanding that he would be able to help manage the family business after marrying Zhang Xiqing, Li Ronghui had swiftly gotten married to her after breaking up with Wen Xuehui.

Wen Xuehui was but a steppingstone for Li Ronghui, who was extremely egotistical. After the break-up, she had come across Zhang Xiqing numerous times. Even as Zhang Xiqing ridiculed and mocked her, Li Ronghui only looked on coldly, refusing to interfere. He had even hit back at Wen Xuehui after she had been insulted and got physical with Zhang Xiqing.

Now, Jiang Yao imagined that Li Ronghui had already made his choice between Zhang Xiqing and Wen Xuehui, seeing as the Zhang family getting into trouble was all it took for Li Ronghui to start going after Wen Xuehui.

Li Ronghui was an intelligent person and he knew that he was capable of greater opportunities even after missing out on the Zhang family.

Looking at Wen Xuehui's pale face, Jiang Yao felt a pang of sympathy for her.

She knew that Wen Xuehui had had a crush on Li Ronghui for the longest of times. His confession now undoubtedly gave her the happiness she so sought after.

Her proclamation of Li Ronghui, despite being the truth, was far too cruel for someone innocent like Wen Xuehui.

This was too much for Wen Xuehui to take in, but Jiang Yao had to tell her the truth now or risk her suffering in great pain in the future.

Jiang Yao did not want to see the amiable girl who used to accompany her in the hills lose her sense of self and happiness day by day.

"Also, he had a fiancée back home. He came from a poor background and so, most of his expenses here are paid for by his fiancée and her family. While he is here in Nanjiang City studying, she stayed back and cared for his aging parents," Jiang Yao continued. "We can visit Li Ronghui's hometown this weekend if you do not believe what I've just said."

Jiang Yao's words were like daggers stabbing into Wen Xuehui's heart, hurting her deeply.

"You do not have to go to Li Ronghui's hometown with me. The next time you see him again, tell him that your father is planning to retire early and does not want to accept students anymore. Let's see what he has to say then." Jiang Yao tugged lightly on Wen Xuehui's shirt. "Li Ronghui is a heartless and egotistical guy. He does not deserve you at all. You might feel devastated now, but trust me, it will all but pass. We have not known each other for long, Xuehui, but I really want you to know that you are my best friend and I will not let you suffer!"

Tears streamed down Wen Xuehui's face. Biting her lips, her response was somewhat muted.

"What do I do, Jiang Yao? I feel so pathetic." Wen Xuehui grabbed onto her chest. "I feel like my heart is splitting apart."

She believed Jiang Yao completely. Still, she could not believe that the senior she had a huge crush on was such a dreadful guy.

In her mind, Li Ronghui was a young man with a warm smile and a caring heart. He was well-spoken and well-mannered, and despite coming from a poor background, he was hardworking and determined to work his way up.

Li Ronghui had been an angel to her during this period where she had had feelings for him.

Jiang Yao cradled Wen Xuehui gently. She could empathize with Wen Xuehui because she knew what it felt like to lose a loved one.

"You will feel better once you move on," Jiang Yao said. "There are so many more great guys out there that deserve you. Hey, do you want me to introduce you to a few of them? What do you think of the guy that came over that day to give me my cell phone? His name is Zhou Weiqi and he is one of my husband's best buddies. He is funny, a graduate from Jindo Military Academy, and is now working at the Jindo Industrial and Commercial Bureau!"

"Nah, he looks like a player!" Wen Xuehui broke into a smile.

"A player, you said?" Her statement startled Jiang Yao. It seemed as though she needed to put in more effort and find out how Zhou Weiqi treated his woman. "How about Chen Xuyao? He is an architect and an honest guy."

"Are they both older than your husband?" Wen Xuehui asked after a slight pause.

"Nope, both are younger than my husband. He is the third eldest among the five of them," Jiang Yao answered.

"And you're introducing me to the younger ones? What about the older and more mature guys?" Wen Xuehui playfully replied.

Jiang Yao retorted, "Big brother is getting married on National Day. The second elder brother is usually not here as he's always overseas. He might come back during National Day to attend the wedding. Why don't you come with me to Jindo City, then? There are so many more guys you can choose from especially from my husband's platoon!"

"I don't want to! I'm done being the third wheel here." Wen Xuehui shook her head. "I can't stand the sight of both you and your husband openly showing affection again! Do you have any respect for us single folks!?"

Jiang Yao knew Wen Xuehui was referring to what had happened on the first day of school.

Anyhow, Jiang Yao had succeeded in making Wen Xuehui laugh. Even if it was for just a short while, she would rather see Wen Xuehui forget about her sorrows.

The two of them went back to their hostel. It was empty, save for Moe snoozing on Jiang Yao's bed.

Wen Xuehui took to the bathroom right away, leaving Jiang Yao alone in the room. She walked toward her bed with her arms stretched out, wanting to carry Moe back to his cat bed. Suddenly, he woke up hissing, his back arched and his tail puffed up, looking all alert.