yready Chapter 1509 - 998: Awkwardness
Chapter 1509 - 998: Awkwardness
"Why is it so strange that you’re not talking to Zuo Jiang?" Chuxia glanced at Lin Mengran indifferently, "However, I’ve always wanted to remind you, it’s fine to act out a bit, but don’t keep pushing him to prove your status in his heart. If you keep this up, there will come a time when you’ll regret it."
"Did he say something to you?" Lin Mengran suddenly sat up straight, looking at Chuxia anxiously, "Did he say he doesn’t want to be with me anymore?"
Chuxia looked at her speechlessly: "Hasn’t he explained it clearly to you? Why are you still obsessing over it? Could it be that when you say you don’t care, you’re actually lying?"
"At the time, I really wanted to let it go, but the more I thought about it when I got back, the more upset I became..." Lin Mengran sighed, "He also said that the Zuo Family’s Elder favors Xiao Shumei, so even if I do marry him in the future, I definitely won’t be liked by the elders.
And the thing I can’t understand the most is that, if he doesn’t like Xiao Shumei and doesn’t plan to be with her, why still entertain her, talk and laugh with her?
I don’t dislike Zuo Qian, in fact, I even kind of like him, but look at my attitude towards Zuo Qian now. Why can I handle it but he can’t?
I feel that his actions now only indicate one thing: his feelings for me are not as deep as he claims."
Chuxia looked at her speechlessly, when someone gets fixated like this, she really doesn’t know what to say, especially with someone like Lin Mengran, who seems indifferent but is actually incredibly sensitive.
This also has to do with her upbringing, overshadowed by Lin Mengye since childhood, ignored by most people, leading to some insecurity in relationships now.
But to put it bluntly, Zuo Jiang also bears some responsibility. They’ve been dating for quite some time, he ought to understand her personality, and avoid doing things that lead to misunderstandings.
Moreover, that Xiao Shumei, she’s clearly someone with a calculating nature.
Although Zuo Jiang said he doesn’t like her precisely because of her scheming, Lin Mengran has a point; if he doesn’t like her, then why get involved?
If it were her, and Zhou Mikang acted this way, could she accept it? Putting herself in Lin Mengran’s shoes, Chuxia started to understand her actions more.
"Boss, I think you’re behaving in an unhealthy way..." Seeing everyone else was unsure, Li Xinli spoke up, seriously looking at Lin Mengran, "You’ve been with Zuo Jiang for as long as I’ve been with Jiang Jie, you should understand Zuo Jiang’s personality; he’s gentle with everyone, so his actions are quite expected.
I say this not as unsympathetic advice, because Jiang Jie is mild-mannered as well, at first seeing him chat and laugh with female colleagues made me uncomfortable, so I truly understand your feelings.
It wasn’t until the incident with my sister that I truly understood that being gentle doesn’t mean being overly friendly nor does it mean losing control. As long as we offer enough trust while voicing our frustrations, one day these conflicts will cease to exist."
"I’ve already told him, but he still chats and laughs with Xiao Shumei..." Lin Mengran frowned deeply, "You all saw it this morning, right?"
"That was hardly chatting and laughing..." Wu Jingbo looked at her speechlessly, "Luckily I witnessed the scene, or else you would have misled me."
"Exactly." Yang Xiaoli quickly chimed in and turned to Chuxia, "Don’t listen to her nonsense, this morning Xiao Shumei stopped Zuo Jiang to talk, Zuo Jiang acknowledged with a light smile and then diverted to greet us.
At that moment, the boss’s face dropped, and we couldn’t very well gossip in front of Zuo Jiang. Then class kept us busy, and we let it go, but didn’t realize she kept it in her mind all along."
"Boss, honestly, you’re being a bit too sensitive right now." Li Xinli said.
"Am I being sensitive?" Lin Mengran pouted, "Anyway, I just don’t like him chatting and laughing with other women. If this continues, breaking up might be the only path for us."
Chuxia rolled her eyes at her: "Stop with the nonsense, if you really do that, Lin Mengye would be overjoyed, and most of the girls in school would be cheering. You know how much envy you being with Zuo Jiang attracts, don’t you?"
"If it wasn’t because I truly liked him, I would have let go long ago..." Lin Mengran was visibly conflicted, "I understand and agree with what you all say, I know I’m being overly suspicious.
But that’s just my nature, I hope my relationship can be exceptionally pure. I’m not saying he can’t interact with women, I’m merely asking him to be mindful of the boundaries.
If he can’t do that, no matter how much I like him, I can only painfully let go. It’s not that I don’t love him, but I seriously don’t want to hurt myself or him any further, you understand what I mean, right?"
"I understand..." Yang Xiaoli hugged her shoulders with resignation, "But, why are you doing this to yourself? Unless..." She glanced at Chuxia, then continued, "Unless you find a boyfriend like Division Commander Zhou."
"You’re being ridiculous..." Lin Mengran pushed her away, "That kind of personality requires absolute strength, do you think I have what it takes to find a man like that?"
Hesitating for a moment, Yang Xiaoli comforted, "Take your time searching, maybe you’ll find it."
"With my face, do you think I’m the type that attracts those kinds of men?" Lin Mengran said while rolling her eyes, "I’m aware of my own shortcomings, don’t tease me, okay?"
Chuxia looked at the group speechlessly, "Are you guys planning not to be friends with me anymore?"
"No, no..." Yang Xiaoli placated, grabbing her hand, "We’re actually complimenting you..."
"Oh, please..." Chuxia rolled her eyes at her, "Let’s skip this kind of praise; we’re here to help the boss solve a problem, can we be serious for a moment?" She then turned to Lin Mengran, "I understand how you feel; if I were in your position, I might care too. But they are right, Zuo Jiang’s personality is just like that. If you mind it, you’ll only grow further apart.
My suggestion is to give the person time to gradually change, and at the same time, communicate your true thoughts, let him know what bothers you.
Like the time at my house when you chatted with Zuo Jiang, you simply said you didn’t like him being too close to his childhood friend, and he agreed to keep his distance.
But if Xiao Shumei seeks him out, given his disposition, he wouldn’t achieve the coldness to ignore her; thus, the conflict remains. Too much discord will surely affect your relationship.
Boss, right now whatever we say is useless; the key is for you to figure it out yourself. Letting go is easy, but making sure you won’t regret it later on is not."
"I understand..." Lin Mengran nodded, "Let me think about it; honestly, I was just venting earlier. If I really had to separate from him, I’d still be reluctant.
I know given my circumstances, being liked by him is absolutely reaching above my level, maybe because of this I feel exceptionally insecure, I’ll... try to adjust."
As they walked into the classroom, Zuo Jiang watched Lin Mengran with some concern.
Since the morning till then, she hadn’t paid him any attention. He tried several times to approach her for a chat but failed, which made him realize she must have misunderstood his morning talk with Xiao Shumei.
But...
He tugged at his hair in frustration, his mind in turmoil.
As for Xiao Shumei, he truly felt nothing at all; even if he weren’t with Lin Mengran, he wouldn’t choose Xiao Shumei. But no matter how he assured Lin Mengran, she remained skeptical.
This left him feeling somewhat angered and frustrated. Having chosen the person, there should be enough trust, like him, knowing Lin Mengran once liked Zuo Qian, yet never asking her to avoid Zuo Qian.
If following Lin Mengran’s standards, he should be jealous too.
Why should the rules be one-sided?
The more he pondered, the more Zuo Jiang felt he was right. Originally intending to seek her out after school to apologize, his resolve faded. Not only that, after school, he ignored her completely and returned to his dorm alone.
Actually, after an afternoon of reflection, Lin Mengran decided not to get caught up in her own imaginings anymore, and resolved that if Zuo Jiang sought her out again, she’d give him a way to step down; in the future, she’d try to avoid such conflicts.
What she didn’t expect was that after waiting all afternoon, the result was a complete surprise! Given she wasn’t the gentle, patient type, his approach stirred her stubbornness entirely.
Affection is a mutual matter; if, in his eyes, this relationship means nothing, why should she keep holding on? Why bother fretting over it?
Having made up her mind, she didn’t voice it, seeing everyone looking at her with concern, she instead smiled lightly, "Why is everyone looking at me like this?"
"Boss..." Yang Xiaoli called out, but didn’t know what to say.
Contrarily, Chuxia, who had known Lin Mengran for some time, understood her temperament. With just one look at her expression, she grasped Lin Mengran’s thoughts.
But she also knew that at such times, any persuasion is futile; matters of the heart need to be resolved between the two involved. So, she acted as if she hadn’t noticed anything, cheerfully bidding farewell to her friends.
Not long after dinner, Lin Mengran appeared; her eyes were unusually red, clearly having just cried. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to recommend and vote; your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)