Chapter 17: An Inexplicable Person (1)

"Hello, I'm Liu Yang." Liu Yang reached out to shake Lin Yan's hand, then asked in a low voice, "Don't you remember me?"

"Huh?" Lin Yan was baffled. She stared at him for a long time, unable to fathom what he meant. She was certain she didn't know him. Just as she was about to ask, the hand on her waist tightened, the pads of his fingers even rubbing against her skin. She turned to look at Leng Mohan, but he was still talking to Li Nan beside him, not looking her way at all.

When she turned back, Liu Yang had already turned away as well. He didn't say much, simply holding his glass and sipping his drink in silence.

Feeling awkward about pressing him further and bored out of her mind, Lin Yan picked up her juice and downed it in one go.

"Are you that thirsty?" Leng Mohan asked, turning to look at her, though she hadn't noticed when he had shifted his attention.

Lin Yan looked at her empty glass and gave a silent nod.

"Would you like me to order you some hot water?" Leng Mohan asked again. "All the drinks here are iced."

Lin Yan was stunned, then inwardly scoffed at him. He really was a master of pretense. She had never seen him be this attentive at home. For two people who didn't love each other, why did they have to put on such a display of affection in public?

"No need. It's not like I can't drink iced beverages," Lin Yan replied coolly.

"Are you sure?" Leng Mohan asked once more.

Lin Yan began to feel irritated. If he wanted to show off, he should at least know when to stop.

"I am sure, certain, and absolutely capable of drinking it."

Leng Mohan shook his head and said no more, simply signaling a waiter to bring her another glass of iced juice. Not sure who she was trying to prove a point to, she gulped that one down as well, forcing Leng Mohan to order yet another.

Time always flies when there is a crowd, and soon it was time for lunch. Everyone shifted seats, moving to the yellow pear wood table near the entrance.

Just as she sat down, Lin Yan felt a sharp bloating in her abdomen and a heavy, sinking sensation. She turned to Li Ran and asked, "Hey, Li Ran, where is the restroom?"

"Turn right outside the door," Li Ran replied casually. As Lin Yan stood up, Leng Mohan whispered, "Where are you going?"

"The restroom," Lin Yan mouthed, not making a sound. Leng Mohan didn't press her, only saying, "Take your phone. Call me if you need anything."

Lin Yan found it strange—what could she possibly need in the restroom? Still, she obediently took her phone and walked out. As soon as she stepped out, she noticed everyone passing by looking at her, their lips curled into cryptic smiles.

Just as she was about to turn back, she felt a weight on her shoulders. Suddenly, a gray suit jacket was draped over her. Looking up, she saw a man smiling at her. His hair had a slightly yellowish tint, and his face was strikingly handsome, yet there was something about him that defied description—a vague, hazy quality.

Lin Yan was startled and hurriedly tried to take the jacket off, but the man pressed his hands firmly on her shoulders and said quite bluntly, "You're on your period."

Lin Yan's eyes widened. It took her a moment to process his words, and her face flushed a faint red. "Thank you," she whispered.

She wrapped the jacket tightly around herself and hurried toward the restroom.

Meanwhile, inside the Haoyuexuan restaurant, Leng Mohan was talking to someone while holding his glass, his eyes darting toward his phone every so often. It hadn't rung for a long time. Perhaps he had been overthinking things.