Acting

Standing in front of the door of the coffee shop that was located at a corner of the main street near the university, Xu Jiao raised her eyebrows scornfully.

[Aren't you quite generous?] After all, having coffee at this place can cause a person to lose quite a bit of money, especially if you're a university student. However, Xu Jiao's suspicion was fully alleviated when she peered inside the shop only to witness the two people who were chatting happily at a table in a corner.

[So, that's why? Scared me! I was worried something weird happened.] After all, what if that guy, Yang Jian also experienced rebirth or something like that? If so, it'd be better for her if she went off and jumped from the nearest bridge!

Standing at the entrance of the shop which only had one or two customers -not a surprise considering the time-, Xu Jiao coolly observed the two people who were still oblivious of her presence; especially the female among the pair.

It was a girl who looked to be about twenty years old, who, even at first glance, can be labeled as a beauty; long dark hair cascading over her back nearly reaching her waist, slender build, and what you would call a 'perfect height', large and beautiful dark eyes and pale unblemished skin, not to mention that melon seed face which only intensified her appeal. In other words, a true beauty according to their country's standards.

Even in the H university that's home to all sorts of beautiful sisters, this girl, Yu Min, could be considered quite noticeable, if not topping the list; after all, she was voted as the flower of their 'Language and literature' department since their freshman year.

Currently, this beauty was talking while gesturing animatedly, each move of her pale, slender hands carrying a certain charm, which had obviously enraptured the good-looking young man sitting at the table with her.

[A pleasing sight indeed! The handsome gentlemen and the elegant beauty...] Xu Jiao sneered inwardly, a murderous look flashing past her eyes. No wonder people used to look at her as if she was some unwanted third wheel when she was with these two when there wasn't even anything 'like that' in there to be talked about in the first place.

[I also want to see how long the two of you can act out this play…]

The waiter wiping the table nearest to the door shot her a nervous glance, wondering if he should warn the shop owner of this girl. [She looks kinda weird…]

This person (customer?), who's most probably a university student had been standing at the shop entrance for quite some time now, staring at the beautiful couple seated at the corner table.

[Is she some sort of secret love rival? Or a previous lover who's now discarded? Or is this a case of the fiancée catching the lovers in the act? This girl had a rather nasty look earlier! Aai..]

While the young waiter was entertaining such juicy gossip in his mind and conjuring up all sorts of flagrant scenarios, the young girl who started to walk her way through the shop door suddenly shot him a look, directly shocking him out of his rather fanciful daydream.

And, in the next second, the young woman's whole being seemed to transform, her eyes turning downcast while her head bowed covering her rather stunning eyes with her bangs, and her whole self seemed to be immersed in a cloud of gloomy depression, making the waiter stare at her in silent stupefaction while cold sweat trickled down his back.

[She won't suddenly stab them or something, right? Sh-should I tell the owner? But that look…]

The two people finally noticed Xu Jiao when she stood at the table, and Yu Min greeted her enthusiastically, her voice sounding cheerful and lively while Yang Jian's sounded gentle and cordial, but if one listened closely it was easy to pick out a hint of fawning in his tone.

Xu Jiao inwardly grinned, while greeting them in her usual gloomy and dispirited manner. She honestly wasn't that surprised that Yu Min found her way into this coffee shop meeting that Yang Jian apparently arranged only for the two of them; this had always been how she was, eager to establish her sovereignty and control over each and everything within her grasp, whether she had any interest in them or not. And, this had always been how Yang Jian was, willing to cater to her like some blind, brainless idiot.

As for what the two of them were truly thinking inside, [Who Cares!] She thought nonchalantly, observing how Yu Min managed to bring the conversation to life, despite the lack of participation on her part; but then Xu Jiao had always been like that after all, being withdrawn and depressed, and she won't bother to change this image she presented in their hearts, not too much and not too soon.

Her mind blessedly blank, she quietly listened to the two people while slowly enjoying the rich, creamy texture of her coffee with extra sugar; it suited her tastes perfectly.

[Maybe I should come here another time? Alone? Or should I bring Wu Man?] Her pleasant contemplations were suddenly interrupted by a sweet and soft voice, prompting her to look up, albeit rather unwillingly.

"Jiao'er… You seem to like this coffee?" It was Yu Min, who had a gentle smile gracing her soft, pouty lips.

Xu Jiao hummed in response, not bothering to go into an in-detail answer as she would have done with this person in the past. Anyway, it was too much trouble and these two would probably chalk this behavior of hers up to her moodiness. After all, it's already good enough that she could sit at the same table with this pair of people, without wanting to throw something at their faces.. say, like this coffee cup?

[Tch… That'll be a waste of good coffee.]

"Jiao'er?" Seeing Yu Min staring at her, Xu Jiao also looked back at her blankly.

"Sorry… I was thinking about something."

"It's fine… But, are you ok?"

Seeing the other girl looking at her with a concerned expression on her face, she suddenly heaved a sigh. She can't very well blame her past self for hanging on to each and every word of this person, with this kind of realistic acting.

"Something came up in my family… I was busy."

"Oh, no wonder you didn't answer my messages… I was worried that you were mad at me or something! But Xu Jiao, about Caihong…" Yang Jian trailed off, probably seeing how Yu Min was signaling him with her eyes.

[He really doesn't give up easily, does he?] Xu Jiao pretended not to see the two's interactions, but turned to Yu Min, a hint of grievance creeping into her voice.

"Ah'Jian at least messaged me... But little Min, You didn't even send a single message or made a call these past three weeks. Because of trouble at home, I couldn't contact you properly…" She paused to take a breath and continued in a choked-up voice, acting as if she couldn't see the gradually dawning horror on Yu Min's face and the slightly mystified look on Yang Jian's. "... I was waiting for you to give me a call at least once... But you didn't, not even a single message!"

"I-I-"

"Little Min, I have been thinking these past few days. It seems like I'm always the one who contacts you first…"

"Xu Jia-"

"I want to ask you... do you even consider me as your friend?"

The ensuing silence was deafening. Xu Jiao bowed her head, while a drop of tear that ran down her cheek fell with a neat plop on top of her hands that were neatly folded and placed on the table, reflecting the sunlight pouring in through the glass windows. This single tear drop that made for an unusually beautiful sight seemed to contain thousands of meanings imbued in it, enough to evoke the pity of any observer.

[Yu Min ah, Yu Min… Do you think only you can act?]

[You always like to put in such a caring act… Then allow me to rip it all off!] Watching gleefully as how Yang Jian's expression turned into one that is hard to describe within a few moments, all the while equally observant of how Yu Min was also becoming aware of his all too obvious change, she smirked ever so slyly, her pale brown eyes squinting in delight for a moment before they recovered that previous downcast expression.

[Yu Min ah... Let this big sis see how you're going to turn things around this time! Anyway, I think I might quite like the idea of seeing you twist and turn trying to smooth things over. After all, aren't you quite good at manipulating any situation to your advantage?]

Settling into a rather comfortable position on the chair, Xu Jiao thus readied herself to enjoy the interesting play that was going to be performed on stage soon.

[You two, don't forget to let me watch a good show… After all, I have paid with interest for whatever acts you'll be putting up in advance!]

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A/N:

Don't forget to add my novel to your collection ⁰𝛚⁰