Chapter 20: The Promise of the North Star

Xu Sui’an looked into Shi Yubai’s eyes and smiled mysteriously.

“My sixth sense.”

…Sigh.

The plot is always trying every possible way to create opportunities for Ruan Qingqing to get close to you.

Good thing I awakened.

Otherwise, I’d have had to watch helplessly as someone stole you away.

Xu Sui’an reached out and pinched Shi Yubai’s cheek.

Her eyes were slightly fierce, while her voice carried equal parts jealousy and coquettishness.

“Xiao Bai, from now on, you’re not allowed to be alone with Ruan Qingqing.”

“The way she looks at you really annoys me.”

“I’ll stay as far away from her as possible.”

“I won’t give her any chance to get close to me.”

Shi Yubai adored this jealous little expression of hers.

She was like a lazy, pampered cat protecting her favorite food with tiny paws.

“Good.”

“At least you know what’s good for you.”

Satisfied, Xu Sui’an curled her lips into a smile and looked up at the stars overhead.

Shi Yubai wrapped his arms around her from behind, enclosing her completely in his embrace.

He wanted to treasure this adorable jealous side of Suisui forever.

Quietly, he started a voice recording.

When the night grew quiet, he’d secretly listen to it again.

He had even given the recordings a beautiful name—

“Anbao’s Love Diary.”

Shi Yubai raised a hand and pointed toward the brightest star in the sky.

“Suisui.”

“Do you see the North Star?”

“I do.”

Xu Sui’an’s gaze landed unerringly on Polaris.

“You’re my North Star.”

“No matter where I am…”

“…all I have to do is look up to find you.”

“I’ll never lose my way.”

“And we’ll never lose each other.”

Xu Sui’an smiled softly.

“The language of the North Star is…”

“…uniqueness.”

“…belonging to only one person.”

“…irreplaceable.”

“…eternal protection.”

“Shi Yubai.”

“You’re my North Star too.”

“You’re my light…”

“…my direction…”

“…and my destination.”

She took his hand and gently pointed it toward the North Star.

“The North Star is our promise.”

“We belong only to each other.”

Shi Yubai lowered his head and placed a feather-light kiss on her earlobe.

Ruan Qingqing was distracted throughout the game.

Her eyes kept drifting toward the couple cuddled together not far away.

Bitterness and jealousy filled her heart, leaving her feeling utterly powerless.

She didn’t dare look for too long.

She was afraid she’d burst into tears.

Even more afraid…

…that jealousy would overwhelm her reason and make her recklessly separate the two of them.

The beer bottle spun again.

This time, it landed on Shen Meng.

Her heart skipped a beat, and even her gaze became unfocused.

Since Ruan Qingqing disliked Xu Sui’an…

She had also begun treating Shen Meng unfavorably.

“Truth or dare?”

“Truth.”

Shen Meng answered nervously, her bright eyes uncertain where to look.

“I’ll ask the question.”

As expected, Zhao Yuejiao volunteered again.

Having plenty of experience with romance, she’d figured out at a glance that Shen Meng liked He Nanzhou.

Leng Ningxue shot Zhao Yuejiao a warning look.

She had seen the malice hidden in her eyes.

“Why do you get to ask?”

Zhao Yuejiao looked back provocatively, refusing to back down.

“If you object…”

“…let’s settle it with rock-paper-scissors.”

“Fine!”

“Who’s afraid of you?”

Leng Ningxue threw scissors first.

She lost the opening round.

“Best two out of three!”

Zhao Yuejiao waved her clenched fist with a meaningful smile.

“I win.”

Leng Ningxue frowned worriedly at Shen Meng.

Shen Meng gently shook her head, signaling that she was okay.

Zhao Yuejiao lazily swirled the beer can in her hand, narrowing her eyes.

“Shen Meng…”

“Who’s the person in the hidden album on your phone?”

The moment she heard the question, Shen Meng lost her grip.

Her phone slipped from her hand and landed beside He Nanzhou.

“Are you alright?”

He bent down, picked it up, and handed it back to her.

This little rabbit…

Does she already like someone?

The thought appeared without warning.

For some reason…

It made him uncomfortable.

The smile on his face disappeared.

His gaze swept over everyone present.

Who is the person this little rabbit treasures so much?

Why do I suddenly feel… sour?

Has someone already claimed such an interesting little rabbit?

Have those lively, expressive eyes already found someone before I even had the chance to get close?

“I-I’m… fine.”

Shen Meng tightly clutched her phone as she answered in a tiny voice.

Inside, she was struggling.

What should I do?

Seeing her hesitation, Zhao Yuejiao maliciously pressed on.

“Is the question really that difficult?”

“Or…”

“…is that person sitting right here among us?”

Shen Meng remained silent.

“I…”

“I’ll drink.”

Leng Ningxue immediately looked anxious.

“Mengmeng, you can’t!”

“Did you forget?”

“You’re a lightweight. One glass and you’re done.”

Oh, please…

When you get drunk, you definitely don’t just go to sleep quietly.

Have you forgotten how all of us found out you secretly like your dream guy?

Shen Meng immediately remembered.

The last time she’d only taken a single sip of beer, she’d started talking nonsense with unbelievable courage.

If Xu Sui’an and Leng Ningxue hadn’t dragged her away…

She would have run straight over to block He Nanzhou’s path.

Her fingers tightened around the beer can before slowly relaxing.

What if I get drunk again…

What if I accidentally say everything?

He Nanzhou was sitting so close.

She was terrified she might actually throw herself at him and do something she’d regret forever.

“Have you decided yet?”

“You can’t lie.”

“I’m going to check.”

Zhao Yuejiao thoroughly enjoyed watching Shen Meng struggle.

Seeing Leng Ningxue fuming beside her only improved her mood.

Shen Meng slowly closed her eyes.

Taking a deep breath, her long eyelashes concealed every trace of emotion.

Finally…

She quietly spoke three words.

“He Nanzhou.”

“I’m here.”

Lost in his thoughts, He Nanzhou instinctively answered the moment he heard his name.

“Hahaha…”

Ruan Qingyang and Zhao Yuejiao burst into laughter at his reflexive response.

“Senior He.”

“She wasn’t calling you.”

“She was answering my question.”

He Nanzhou ignored Zhao Yuejiao completely.

He had already realized what had happened.

Not only was he not angry…

His heart inexplicably leaped with joy.

Was what the little rabbit said… really true?

Shen Meng lowered her head so far she almost buried her face in her lap.

She didn’t dare look him in the eye.

She was afraid she’d see disgust…

Or annoyance…

Her heart became more and more uneasy until her eyes turned red.

He definitely hates me now.

He’ll never talk to me again.

It felt as though her heart had sunk into an icy lake.

The darkness swallowed every trace of hope.

She wanted to cry.

Zhao Yuejiao extended her hand toward Shen Meng.

“Rules are rules.”

“I need to check.”

Leng Ningxue shot Zhao Yuejiao a glare before standing up and taking Shen Meng’s phone herself.

“I’ll check.”

“Mengmeng’s a germaphobe.”

“My hands are clean.”

Zhao Yuejiao smiled smugly.

Making Leng Ningxue unhappy always put her in a good mood.

“Zhao Yuejiao.”

“Shut up.”

Leng Ningxue looked at the crestfallen Shen Meng with concern before glaring coldly at Zhao Yuejiao.

She’d done it on purpose.

She had noticed Shen Meng’s feelings for He Nanzhou…

…and deliberately embarrassed her.

Taking Shen Meng’s hand, Leng Ningxue led her away from the group.

Zhuang Yan turned to Ruan Qingyang, his voice edged with irritation.

“Qingyang.”

“Control the people you brought with you.”

After saying that, he turned and strode away.

“And remember…”

“Not everyone is someone you can toy with.”

He Nanzhou cast Zhao Yuejiao a single glance.

It was an icy look.

Zhao Yuejiao’s face instantly turned pale.

A chill crept up from the bottom of her heart.

“Qingyang…”

“Was He Nanzhou threatening me?”

Ruan Qingyang rubbed his forehead, already developing a headache.

With genuine concern, he reminded her,

“Yuejiao.”

“No matter the reason…”

“He Nanzhou isn’t someone you can afford to provoke.”

“You’ve made everyone uncomfortable tonight.”

“That puts me in a difficult position.”

Ruan Qingqing softly comforted Zhao Yuejiao.

“I’m sure Sister Jiaojiao didn’t mean any harm.”

“It was only a game.”

“Who would’ve thought someone couldn’t even handle that?”

As she spoke, she quietly glanced at Ruan Qingyang, signaling him not to say anything more.