SSB – Chapter 56.1

Qian Fei fell silent on the other end. After a long while, he finally spoke, sounding incredulous yet restraining his anger. The schadenfreude in his tone receded, “Are you even human?”

　　Duan Jiaxu retorted with a warm tone, “You’re a great hero. I can’t ignore your contribution.”

　   Duan Jiaxu spoke unhurriedly, seeming extremely sincere, “Wouldn’t that be a bit ungrateful?”

　　”Damn you!” His ability to twist things made Qian Fei both angry and amused. “If you had told me earlier it was Sang Zhi, I wouldn’t have helped you.”

　　”Exactly.” Duan Jiaxu chuckled. “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have succeeded.” 

　　”I’ll make sure to thank you plenty in front of my brother-in-law from now on.”

　　On the other end, Qian Fei ended the call and immediately saw a message from Sang Yan.

　　Sang Yan: Is Duan Jiaxu okay? Did he ask you for help with pursuing someone? 

Sang Yan: That’s impressive.

　　Qian Fei: “…”

　　Qian Fei: Get lost.

　　Sang Yan: Why isn’t he asking me for help?

　　Sang Yan: Oh.

　　Sang Yan: I wouldn’t know how to pursue someone either.

　　Sang Yan: Sorry, I was the one who was crazily pursued.

　　Qian Fei: Get some help, you’re sick.

　　Sang Yan: Tell me, how did you help him?

　　Qian Fei struggled, emotionally typing out a long string of words: I didn’t help, I don’t know anything. Don’t listen to his nonsense. How could I help? I chased after my wife for almost half a year. What help could I possibly give him?

　　Sang Yan: Why are you getting worked up?

　　Qian Fei: I really know nothing.

　　Sang Yan: Mr. Qian, you’re acting strange. You could brag about this for three years, yet you’re denying it?

　　Qian Fei felt like crying: I really don’t know anything, I swear.

　　Sang Yan sent a voice message directly, with a cold laugh: “You guys are quite something, excluding me, huh? Fine.”

　　Qian Fei: “…”

　　He really wanted to rush to Yihe and kill Duan Jiaxu.

　　Passing by the supermarket, Duan Jiaxu got out of the car and bought the shredded squid and orange juice Sang Zhi had just opened. Back at home, he restored everything to its original place, then sat in front of the computer, tidying up the remnants on the coffee table.

　　The house returned to its original state.

　　Yet, somehow, Sang Zhi’s presence lingered, faint but perceptible.

　　Duan Jiaxu stayed in the living room for a while. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the lighter Sang Zhi had given him on his birthday. Afterwards, he took a cigarette stick from the pack, put it in his mouth.

　　Paused for a couple of seconds, didn’t light it, then quickly put it down, chuckling softly.

　　He lazily leaned back on the chair, ran his fingers across his lips, his smile exuding a hint of playfulness and charm. After a while, he got up and returned to his room.

　　On the bedside table, there was still a photo of the two of them from a few years ago. Next to it was a moon-shaped 3D night light, also a gift from Sang Zhi.

　　He turned off the room’s light, then turned on the night light.

　　The room was quiet, bathed in dim light.

　　The warm, yellowish glow lacked the desolation.

　　There were still messages from Sang Yan on his phone.

　　Given Qian Fei’s strong reaction upon hearing the news, Duan Jiaxu could probably guess Sang Yan’s response as well. After a moment’s thought, he replied: “I’ll make a trip to Nanwu in a while.”

　　Duan Jiaxu: I’ll talk to you in person then.

　　Then, he sent a message to Sang Zhi: Are you asleep?

　　Maybe she was asleep, or maybe she hadn’t seen it, as Sang Zhi didn’t reply immediately. At this time, Duan Jiaxu couldn’t sleep either. He got up, turned on his computer, intending to finish the remaining work.

　　At that moment, his phone rang.

　　Duan Jiaxu’s gaze was indifferent as he lightly swept over the unfamiliar number. Just as he was about to hang up, he suddenly remembered Sang Zhi’s words today. The smile that had been lingering on his lips slowly faded.

　　Jiang Ying had actually done something similar before.

　　For a period of time, Jiang Siyun often introduced potential partners to Duan Jiaxu. He didn’t really pay much attention to this aspect, especially when he had just graduated and wanted to focus all his energy on work.

　　Nonetheless, he didn’t want to brush off Jiang Siyun’s kindness either. He felt that he didn’t seem to have a reason to refuse.

　　A few blind dates had seemed promising, and they arranged to meet again. Duan Jiaxu politely accepted the invitations but afterwards, would inexplicably lose contact.

　　He once vaguely heard from one of the blind date prospects on WeChat.

　　A woman had contacted her and said some things.

　　Duan Jiaxu quickly guessed it was Jiang Ying, and afterwards, he didn’t find it meaningful.

　　Even if Jiang Siyun continued to introduce someone to him, he just used lack of time as an excuse and politely declined.

　　In fact, it was quite a practical matter.

　　After all, marriage was not a trivial matter, and it wasn’t just about two people.

　　Duan Jiaxu understood this very well.

　　Jiang Ying didn’t make any drastic moves, nor did she significantly affect the other party; she simply revealed the true situation of his family. Because of this, Duan Jiaxu didn’t really pay much attention to this matter.

　　As time passed, he had long forgotten about Jiang Ying’s actions. He never expected her to take the initiative to contact Sang Zhi.

　　Duan Jiaxu’s gaze remained calm, devoid of any discernible emotion, with just a hint of impatience.

　　He then answered the phone.

　　Sure enough, it was Jiang Ying on the other end.

　　He didn’t know how she got his new number.

　　Seeming incredulous that he would answer, Jiang Ying hesitated for a moment before speaking: “Duan Jiaxu?”

　　Duan Jiaxu asked directly, “Did you go to Yihe University today?”

　　”Why?” Jiang Ying caught on and taunted, “Did your little girlfriend complain to you? You’ve been running over there all the time lately, quite the devoted man, aren’t you?”

　　Duan Jiaxu took out a lighter from his pocket and played with it in his hand, remaining silent

　　Jiang Ying continued, “I should’ve known college students are so easily fooled. You should have gone after them from the start, huh? You must be feeling pretty good now, huh? That college student is like she’s been brainwashed, have you already had your way with her?”

　　Still, Duan Jiaxu said nothing.

　　Jiang Ying’s voice raised: “Are you mute?”

Duan Jiaxu: “Are you done?”

　　”Telling me these things, to be honest, I really don’t care. Compared to that, your voice is more unbearable to me.” Duan Jiaxu’s tone was very flat, his smile lacking warmth.

　　Jiang Ying fell silent for a few seconds, then her voice became sharper: “Fine, then I’ll disgust you to death.”