Chapter 20

"I really didn't mean to eavesdrop. I was just passing by accidentally..." Ruan Miao awkwardly defended himself. "I really wasn't..."

"Hmm." Jian Fanyu didn't pursue why he was there and didn't seem to be angry. "Was the commotion entertaining?"

"Uh, it was okay..." Ruan Miao replied, not daring to look at Jian Fanyu directly. "I can leave now if you want. You all continue as if I wasn't here."

Jian Fanyu's gaze fell on the stack of flyers in Ruan Miao's hand. After seeing the contents, he asked, "Are you looking for a tutoring class?"

Ruan Miao glanced at the various educational flyers he was holding and nodded instinctively. "Yes, my foundation is too weak. I can't rely on myself alone. If I can find a good tutor, I can improve faster."

Jian Fanyu recalled seeing Ruan Miao's ranking when the results were announced and shook his head. "It's indeed very poor."

"Uh..." Ruan Miao scratched his head. "That's why I'm looking for a tutoring class."

At this moment, Yan Yang got up from the ground, still unwilling to give up. He approached Jian Fanyu and also greeted Ruan Miao. Noticing the blood on Yan Yang's collar, Ruan Miao thought for a moment and said, "I have some wet wipes here if you need to clean your face."

"Oh... Thank you." Yan Yang took the half-pack of wet wipes from him, cleaned his nosebleed, and said with a wry smile, "Ah Yu, I don't think I've done anything wrong to make you angry. Why won't you give me another chance?"

"You don't like me interacting with Miao Miao. I've already taken that into consideration."

"Why did you suddenly decide to sever ties with me?"

Yan Yang was truly aggrieved. He felt he hadn't done anything wrong, and even if he had, it shouldn't have escalated to this point. A few months ago, they were close friends, and now it was like this. He couldn't understand why.

Jian Fanyu sneered, his tone cold. "Yes, why am I treating you like this... Yan Yang, you always think you have a reason for everything. You always believe everyone should be nice to you, and you always think you're never at fault."

"You've deceived me for half a lifetime with your innocent face, making me think you were just an immature child. I thought that if I waited, you'd eventually understand me, but I spent twenty years only to realize— it was all self-deception."

"It's not that you haven't grown up; it's that your overflowing emotions are beyond control. I thought getting rid of one Ruan Miao would be enough, but then I realized, we have more than just one Ruan Miao between us."

Yan Yang listened, dazed, and after a while, he said, "But I... I... You are the most important person to me. We've just started. How can there be twenty years?"

Ruan Miao, listening from the side, was also confused. Jian Fanyu's words were strange, sounding as if he knew what would happen in the future, but his age didn't match up...

A chilling thought suddenly crossed Ruan Miao's mind.

What if there were more than one person traversing into this world?

If he could cross over from another place, could Jian Fanyu also be someone other than the original Jian Fanyu?

"There will come a day," Jian Fanyu said expressionlessly. "Yan Yang, I'm very disappointed in you."

"Let's break up."

After saying this, he turned to Ruan Miao, who was still deep in thought. "Aren't you leaving yet?"

Ruan Miao snapped back to reality. He automatically followed Jian Fanyu's lead, not daring to glance at Yan Yang. His mind was still occupied with the possibility he had just considered.

"What are you thinking about?"

When they reached the street, Jian Fanyu stopped and looked at Ruan Miao with both hands in his pockets. His calm and unruffled gaze seemed to pierce through Ruan Miao. Ruan Miao's words got stuck in his throat, unable to speak.

Jian Fanyu, perhaps with experience from his previous life, might have sensed that Ruan Miao was not the original. If Jian Fanyu suspected Ruan Miao knew too much, Ruan Miao had to keep quiet. Jian Fanyu could not possibly know that Ruan Miao had "traveled" as a reader and was aware of all the plot details.

"Just... thinking about other things," Ruan Miao attempted to deflect with clumsy words.

Jian Fanyu did not expose him. As Ruan Miao suspected, his earlier words to Yan Yang were partly sincere and partly a test. Jian Fanyu felt that the soul inside Ruan Miao's body was from somewhere else, and knowing how much he knew about his own affairs was concerning. Ruan Miao's reaction confirmed that this new arrival was not merely a visitor but someone who knew a lot more than they should.

Initially, Jian Fanyu had speculated that this person might also be a reincarnation like himself. Since his own life trajectory had changed, he used the ring to test whether Ruan Miao was a reincarnation. He confirmed that Ruan Miao was not the original person, as the ring did exist but was from a later timeline. If Ruan Miao were a reincarnation, he would have subconsciously recalled that incident instead of panicking and accepting everything.

A stranger who wasn't reincarnated wasn't worth noting for Jian Fanyu, but after multiple encounters, he vaguely noticed that this person seemed to know a lot about the relationship between Jian Fanyu and Yan Yang. Despite the person's attempts to cover it up, their eyes betrayed them, especially during the last party where their defense clearly confirmed this.

The recent conversation further convinced Jian Fanyu that Ruan Miao indeed knew something. 

But it shouldn't be the case. Could Ruan Miao be someone Jian Fanyu knew in his previous life but hadn't paid attention to?

Jian Fanyu couldn't be sure, but his curiosity about Ruan Miao and his background was piqued. As a high school student, he was far from his former self's status and often found playing the high school role boring. Finding an interesting person to study could help pass the time.

Ruan Miao, unaware of Jian Fanyu's thoughts, knew his little cover might not hold, but he still wanted to try to keep it up, even though he might be facing Jian Fanyu from decades later. "I need to find a tutoring class. How about we split up for now?"

Jian Fanyu took the stack of flyers from Ruan Miao and, without responding to him, carefully examined each flyer. His seriousness was comparable to that of a strict school principal, and Ruan Miao had no choice but to wait quietly.

"These options won't work," Jian Fanyu concluded after a quick look. "Many of these so-called famous teachers are fake. If you pay, you might end up learning nothing."

Ruan Miao was somewhat disappointed. "But I can't afford the really good ones."

"Does the He family treat you badly?" Jian Fanyu frowned. "I remember He Shangye isn't harsh on his younger siblings. If you explain your situation to him, I think he'd be willing to hire a private tutor for you."

Ruan Miao hesitated. "But I don't want to make my older brother spend more money. My second brother and sister didn't hire tutors either. I should rely on myself."

"He Shanglu's grades don't improve with a tutor, and He Shangzhi doesn't need extra tutoring," Jian Fanyu said calmly.

The futures of these two were not very bright. He Shangzhi went abroad and never returned, and He Shanglu never walked again after a car accident in which Ruan Miao also died.

As for who orchestrated this outcome, it's not hard to guess. Although Ruan Miao was indeed reckless, He Shangye was a ruthless person who wouldn't tolerate any threats around him.

"Hmm."

"I'll check out a few more places. Maybe I'll find a good one that's affordable?" Ruan Miao remained optimistic. "It's a matter of comparing options. Maybe someone will do it out of charity?"

Jian Fanyu disagreed.

Not only due to personal reasons, he wasn't in a hurry to leave but instead followed Ruan Miao, perhaps because he was too lonely and found it nice to have someone to talk to.

"I'm a bit hungry. How about we have a meal together?"

After walking around all morning, Ruan Miao felt like eating something. He thought that someone of Jian Fanyu's status would probably not want to eat with him and might go back alone, which would avoid any awkwardness, especially since Ruan Miao had just suspected this person might be a reincarnate, making him even more nervous.

He also thought about how he had lectured someone on seeing through a scoundrel, wondering where he got the courage to do so.

"Sure," Jian Fanyu glanced at the time and said calmly. "You decide."

Ruan Miao: "…"

How did he suddenly become so unapproachable?

Ruan Miao was in a dilemma. He usually didn't eat expensive food and saved money for materials and future tutoring by eating at street stalls, which were cheap and delicious. But if he had to entertain Jian Fanyu...

That thought was daunting.

Considering Jian Fanyu's noble background, Ruan Miao tentatively suggested, "How about I treat you to Japanese cuisine?"

Jian Fanyu agreed with little hesitation.

Passing by a milk tea shop, Ruan Miao stopped to buy two cups of milk tea. He thought someone of Jian Fanyu's status wouldn't drink such unhealthy things, so he kept the drinks for himself, enjoying one with taro flavor and the other with red bean.

They entered a high-end Japanese restaurant. A beautiful lady in a gorgeous kimono warmly greeted them at the door. Ruan Miao chose a quiet private room and, trying to appear generous, handed the menu to Jian Fanyu. "You order."

Jian Fanyu glanced at him silently before making a large order.

Ruan Miao sipped his milk tea on the side, feeling his heart bleed.

He vowed never to dine with these wealthy elites again. Each of them had such picky tastes, ordering the most expensive items, making him feel like he was living in luxury.

After ordering, Jian Fanyu watched Ruan Miao drink his milk tea, finding his puffed cheeks somewhat cute. He pointed to the other cup and asked, "Is this for me?"

"Yes," Ruan Miao, feigning generosity, pushed it forward. "I thought you might not like it, but I bought it anyway. If you don't drink it, then…"

Jian Fanyu took the milk tea, inserted the straw, and took a sip, asking casually, "What did you say?"

Ruan Miao: "…"

"Nothing."

"Drink more."

Why does the plot never match up? Can't he stick to his character? Wasn't he supposed to be a refined noble who avoids mundane things? How can he even drink a twelve-yuan milk tea?

Jian Fanyu lowered his eyes, hiding his faint smile.

He didn't actually like sweet food, but having some occasionally wasn't bad.