Jiang Chu noticed Su Ding’s strangeness, raised his head towards the direction of the sound, and his eyes suddenly contracted the moment his gaze fell.
How could it be?
Two girls in the distance were surrounding a tall man and talking.
The man had a stern face, short black hair, and wore a crisp black suit, exuding an aura that warned others to keep their distance.
Wasn't that… Jin Ye?!
Su Ding tightly gripped Jiang Chu’s arm, still not turning her head, her voice slightly strained, “Is that him?”
Jiang Chu desperately wanted to say no, but he couldn’t change the facts.
He said gravely, “It is him.”
Su Ding’s face instantly turned pale, her bitten lips losing all color, and she couldn’t speak.
“Don’t be afraid, I will protect you.”
Jiang Chu truly detested Jin Ye.
They were already over, why did he still cling to Su Ding, all for revenge for that incident?
He truly felt Su Ding was not worth it. How could she have liked such an ignorant and petty man? If he decided to give her up, he should have completely vanished from her world!
Su Ding glanced at Jiang Chu. Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, the words she wanted to say to leave halfway were stuck in her throat.
She nodded, “Let’s go, let’s avoid him.”
She tried to suppress her unease and, linking her arm with Jiang Chu’s, slowly walked towards the entrance.
By the time they reached the entrance, Jin Ye had already gone inside.
Su Ding exhaled, her tension slightly easing, replaced by confusion.
Why would Jin Ye be here?
If he was here to deal with her, he wouldn’t have come to find her first, but would have encountered her by chance in a place like this…
Did he not know she was here at all?
Su Ding lowered her head, her mind racing through a thousand thoughts, considering the cause and effect.
Logically, Jin Ye had no reason to know she was in the Southern Region. Judging by the way he spoke to those two girls, they seemed like acquaintances.
Perhaps it was just a coincidence?
Jiang Chu kept a close watch on their surroundings for Jin Ye before reassuringly taking Su Ding along, “Are you hungry? Shall we eat something?”
Su Ding nodded, “Mm.”
She remembered she was still wearing a veil, and with so many people around, as long as she deliberately avoided him, she should be fine.
Jiang Chu led her to the buffet area.
Su Ding didn’t eat anything. Instead, she picked up a pastry and found a seat.
Just as she settled down, a familiar voice rang out, “Yiyi, did you break up with Yin Bo?”
Su Ding frowned, curiously turned her head, and her heart skipped a beat.
It was Jin Miaomiao!
At that moment, she hadn’t noticed Su Ding, but was affectionately chatting with another girl.
The girl had a troubled expression and sighed, “I told him, but he still keeps pestering me. It’s so annoying!”
Su Ding’s gaze inadvertently swept across the girl’s face, and she also felt a sense of familiarity.
“It’s okay, Yiyi, just ignore him. He’ll understand eventually.”
Jin Miaomiao patted the girl’s hand and said, “Now that my cousin is back, you must seize the opportunity. If you really become my sister-in-law, then we’ll all be family!”
“Sigh, I can’t say for sure.”
Tang Yiyi clenched her hands, a little nervous, “Brother Jin Ye is very cold to me.”
Jin Miaomiao comforted her, “My cousin is cold to everyone…”
Suddenly, she thought of Su Ding, and her expression changed.
Her cousin was very gentle with that woman, but in the end, didn’t he still get cuckolded?
“Mm, I suppose so. I’ll go find Brother Jin Ye again later,” Tang Yiyi said with a blush.
“Mm! Go for it!” Jin Miaomiao cheered her on.
Su Ding, with her back to them, heard their conversation clearly.
She remembered who the girl named Yiyi was – it was the girl she’d met at a previous dinner who had dumped her boyfriend.
So, the object of Yiyi’s affection was Jin Ye.
Because Jin Ye was back, she dumped her boyfriend Yin Bo and even said she was using him as a substitute!
Shameless!
Being Jin Miaomiao’s best friend, she was indeed birds of a feather.
Worried that Jin Ye might approach her later, Su Ding stood up, “Jiang Chu, let’s go for a walk by the lake.”
Jiang Chu complied with her request, “Okay.”
The two walked side-by-side along the lake. The refreshing breeze was quite pleasant.
Su Ding sighed, relaxing her tense mood, and watched the fish swimming in the lake, which was quite romantic.
“Jiang Chu! Kid, what are you hiding here for!”
Suddenly, a man’s greeting voice came from behind them, and he quickly arrived beside them.
Jiang Chu turned around and saw his friend Zhang Min, smiling, “What are you looking for me for?”
As he spoke, he introduced them to each other.
He pointed to Su Ding beside him, “Su Ding, my friend.”
Then he pointed to the man, “Zhang Min.”
Su Ding politely nodded at Zhang Min, “Hello.”
Zhang Min was momentarily stunned by Su Ding’s stunningly beautiful face, but quickly returned the greeting, “Hello.”
Then, he winked at Jiang Chu, “Still friends? I think she’s your girlfriend.”
Jiang Chu raised his hand and punched him, “Be serious.”
Zhang Min laughed heartily and slung an arm around his shoulder, “Aren’t we going to eat something?”
“We’ve already eaten. We came out for a walk.”
Jiang Chu really wished his good brother would be more considerate and not interrupt his date with Su Ding.
However, fate was not in his favor.
Zhang Min said mysteriously, “Guess who else came today?”
Jiang Chu perfunctorily replied with little interest, “Who?”
“How can the iron triangle forget Old Xu?” Zhang Min punched him hard, “Let’s go, let me show you your gi… well, friend.”
Hearing his old friend’s name, Jiang Chu also felt a bit excited.
But he knew very well that Su Ding didn’t want to join the crowd. However, abandoning Su Ding now would also be unacceptable. As he was struggling with indecision, Su Ding spoke.
“You go ahead, I’ll wait for you here.”
Zhang Min, not understanding the situation, enthusiastically invited, “Let’s all go together.”
Su Ding smiled and shook her head.
Jiang Chu quickly interrupted Zhang Min, “Alright, I’ll go with you, won’t I?”
He then instructed Su Ding, “I’ll come back to find you later.”
“Mm, go ahead,” Su Ding smiled faintly.
After Jiang Chu and Zhang Min left, Su Ding stood by the lake, gazing at the distant mountains.
The Southern Region was indeed beautiful.
Bordering mountains and the sea, with picturesque scenery, a pleasant climate, and exceptionally fresh air.
When Xiao Rui arrived, she wanted to take the little one to see the seaside.
Just as she was enjoying the peace and quiet alone, a girl’s voice came from behind her…
“Wasn’t that person saying that cousin was heading this way?”
“Yes, why isn’t he here?”
Su Ding’s face darkened instantly. How could she encounter them everywhere?
Just as she was about to leave, she was called by the two girls behind her, “Hello, excuse me, have you seen a man about 1.9 meters tall wearing a suit pass by?”
Su Ding pretended not to hear and quickened her pace.
Jin Miaomiao was impatient. Seeing that the woman in front was deliberately ignoring her, she became angry.
She rushed forward, grabbed Su Ding’s arm forcefully, “I’m talking to you!”
Su Ding felt indignant. She had a very bad impression of Jin Miaomiao.
This girl used to spread rumors about her online every day for fame. She would call her “sister-in-law” to her face, but speak ill of her behind her back. She was truly detestable.
She directly flung Jin Miaomiao’s hand away and said coldly, “I didn’t see anyone!”
“If you didn’t see anyone, just say so. Why are you walking away? Have you no manners!”
Jin Miaomiao, indignant, tried to get in front of Su Ding, but Su Ding skillfully dodged her, refusing to make eye contact.
Su Ding had no intention of replying. She planned to leave this place of trouble.
However, Jin Miaomiao became enraged. Being treated this way in front of her best friend, and being someone who valued her reputation, her anger flared up. “What’s your name? Who allowed you to attend the party?”
“Forget it, Miaomiao, don’t make it difficult for her.”
Tang Yiyi put an arm around her best friend and gently advised.
Jin Miaomiao became even more annoyed. She grabbed Su Ding’s wrist again with great force, “I’m talking to you!”
Su Ding was wearing high heels and was walking carefully.
Suddenly being pulled so hard, she lost her balance and stumbled, almost falling.
This time, Jin Miaomiao saw her face directly!
Upon seeing Su Ding’s eyes, she was startled and stared wide-eyed at the woman opposite her.
After steadying herself, Su Ding was about to leave when she was suddenly called out!
“Su Ding!”
Hearing this name, Tang Yiyi’s expression changed slightly.
This was a name she had hated countless times in her heart, and she had also searched for her photos online…
Su Ding, being recognized, was also somewhat flustered.
“You’ve mistaken me for someone else.”
After saying this, she hurried to leave. This Jin Miaomiao was truly a lunatic!
Unexpectedly, as soon as she turned around, the girl named Tang Yiyi blocked her path, frowning and scrutinizing her with an unfriendly gaze.
“Take off your veil,” Tang Yiyi said, her voice somewhat cold.
“This is my privacy,” Su Ding quickly replied, trying to move in another direction, but was blocked by Tang Yiyi again.
“I said, take off your veil.”
Tang Yiyi stared coldly at Su Ding, her heart trembling and filled with excitement.
This was a woman she had never met but was maddeningly jealous of. She didn’t expect to see her today, and she had to see what she looked like clearly!
“No.”
Su Ding still refused. What she hated most was being forced.
And Tang Yiyi pressed on. Unwilling to resort to physical confrontation, Su Ding could only retreat cautiously, “Miss Tang, please have some self-respect.”
Jin Miaomiao also came closer and forcibly reached out towards Su Ding’s face.
Su Ding quickly reacted, slapping her hand. She let out a scream and tears welled up, “Su Ding, how dare you hit me!”
Enraged, Jin Miaomiao exerted all her strength and violently shoved Su Ding into the lake!
*Splash*
Water splashed everywhere!
Su Ding was caught off guard. When Tang Yiyi pressed in on her, she hadn’t even noticed the edge of the lake.
She plunged to the bottom of the lake, water filling her nose and mouth.
Jin Miaomiao was stunned when she saw Su Ding fall into the water. She hadn’t expected this.
“Yiyi, what… what should we do?”
Tang Yiyi looked quietly at the lake. Seeing Su Ding gradually surfacing, her eyes narrowed.
Before Jin Miaomiao could say anything else, there was a splash!
Tang Yiyi also jumped into the lake and swam towards Su Ding, shouting loudly, “Don’t be afraid, I’m coming to save you.”
“Yiyi! Why are you saving Su Ding!”
Jin Miaomiao stood on the bank, shouting angrily, “Hurry up and come out, forget about Su Ding!”
Just then, a black shadow flashed by her side with the speed of the wind, followed by a splash—
Another splash of water!
When she saw the man who jumped into the lake, she was completely stunned.
“Cousin!”