Chapter Seventy-Nine: Would You Mind If I Joined You?

Although Xia Manman said so, Wen Yichen still felt that something was off. He didn’t respond much, merely uttered a faint “Oh,” and said, “You’d better hurry home.” After bidding Xia Manman goodbye, Wen Yichen turned alone and quickly walked to the bus stop.

He didn’t give the matter much thought. As for Xia Manman, Wen Yichen’s attitude toward her was no longer as rigid as before—perhaps because he’d made her cry last time, he no longer dared to be so harsh. But as soon as he softened a little, Xia Manman began to take advantage.

From that day on, Xia Manman would occasionally leave a bottle of drink on Wen Yichen’s desk, or run over to his seat to ask him about math problems.

She always gave others the impression that there was something between her and Wen Yichen. What was even more suffocating was that when others asked her about it, she would shyly deny it, claiming that there was nothing between them—and so, the rumors only grew darker and more tangled.

Lately, with a few couples appearing in the class, gossip among classmates became even more intense. Some even secretly tried to match Xia Manman and Wen Yichen together.

These matters had troubled Jiang Muwen quite a bit these days. She didn’t show it outwardly, but inside, she was absolutely fed up.

“Hey, are Xia Manman and Wen Yichen really together?” Suddenly, a classmate’s voice drifted into Jiang Muwen’s ears, making her heart tremble. She instinctively looked up, following the sound and seeing two classmates gossiping.

“I’m not sure either—but Xia Manman has been giving things to Wen Yichen these days, and I asked her yesterday. Judging from her reaction, there’s definitely something fishy going on,” said the classmate in front, wearing a knowing smile.

“And have you noticed the way Xia Manman looks at Wen Yichen…” said the classmate sitting behind, shivering involuntarily.

“But wait—they can’t really be together, right? If they were, why would Wen Yichen still go to and from school every day with Jiang Muwen?”

“Maybe she’s just clinging to him? Maybe he’s already annoyed with her.”

The two kept chatting, completely unaware of Jiang Muwen sitting behind them.

Their words unsettled Jiang Muwen even more. Thinking carefully, it seemed Xia Manman’s attempts to curry favor had indeed increased lately, and worse, Wen Yichen didn’t seem to mind at all.

Could Wen Yichen really…

The more Jiang Muwen thought, the more anxious she became. If that were true, wouldn’t he be annoyed by her always being at his side?

As she was lost in thought, a biscuit wrapped in a napkin suddenly appeared on her desk. Before she could react, Gu Nianxi’s voice came gently to her ears: “Here, have a biscuit. Don’t listen to their nonsense—”

With Gu Nianxi’s words, Jiang Muwen’s thoughts were pulled back. She looked at Gu Nianxi, her eyes still holding a trace of confusion. “But what if…”

As she spoke, her voice faded. She turned her head and looked at the empty seat behind her, feeling as if something was suddenly missing inside.

“Come on—accompany me to the restroom, let’s stretch our legs!” said Gu Nianxi, pulling Jiang Muwen from her seat.

After the two left the classroom, Gu Nianxi leaned in and whispered in Jiang Muwen’s ear: “Don’t worry—with all the years you and Wen Yichen have spent together, what’s there to be concerned about? Xia Manman is just stirring things up for attention. If Wen Yichen truly liked her, he’d already be going to and from school with her, not you.”

With Gu Nianxi’s reassurance, Jiang Muwen felt much better—her logic was sound.

“If you’re still worried, just ask him directly. Wouldn’t that solve everything?” Gu Nianxi had barely finished speaking when Wen Yichen stepped out of the teacher’s office, arms full of homework. Upon seeing Jiang Muwen, his gaze instinctively settled on her.

His eyes didn’t leave her for a moment. His clean face was perfectly calm, as if he had nothing to do with any of this.

Seeing Wen Yichen’s gaze, Jiang Muwen realized there was nothing left to avoid. Finally, gathering her courage, she reached out as he passed by, grabbing his sleeve: “Wen Yichen, I have something to ask you…”

Wen Yichen looked at Jiang Muwen, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes, but it quickly faded, replaced by a faint smile: “Ask me after school. I need to go distribute the homework first.”

Finally, when Jiang Muwen had waited until dismissal, as the two walked home together, an all-too-familiar voice called out from behind: “Wen Yichen—”

It was Xia Manman, her soft and sweet voice tinged with excitement. Both stopped instinctively and turned to see her jogging toward them. The moment Jiang Muwen saw her approach, her whole body stiffened—Xia Manman was truly relentless these days.

“Are you going home together?” Xia Manman glanced at Jiang Muwen, but settled her gaze on Wen Yichen.

Hearing this, Jiang Muwen couldn’t help but scoff inwardly—she and Wen Yichen had been walking home together for an entire semester. Did Xia Manman only just notice?

“Would you mind if I joined you?” Xia Manman asked, her eyes fixed intently on Wen Yichen, clearly expecting something.

Wen Yichen glanced at her, then looked away—he actually minded having Xia Manman join them, but recalling what happened last time, he was too embarrassed to refuse. The next moment, his gaze turned to Jiang Muwen, the corners of his lips lifting slightly, like a gentleman seeking her opinion: “Jiang Muwen, do you mind?”

He knew Jiang Muwen’s feelings and hoped she’d say “I mind,” so he could send Xia Manman away without guilt.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Muwen misunderstood his intention. She instinctively thought Wen Yichen was asking on Xia Manman's behalf, and for a moment, she felt like a third wheel—regardless, she couldn’t very well refuse, could she? She wasn’t suited to play the villain.

Even though she was a thousand times unwilling, Jiang Muwen forced a bitter smile: “I don’t mind, let’s go together…”

Hearing Jiang Muwen’s answer, Wen Yichen’s smile twitched, as if he’d been struck by lightning. He looked away, then forced a stiff smile: “Since Jiang Muwen doesn’t mind, neither do I.”