Chen Huaijin | Chen Jiayan · Chat

Late November, the private banquet club in the city center is bathed in warm light, the mellow aroma of lilies mixed with red wine fills the hall. Tonight is the twenty-fourth birthday banquet for Chen Huaijin and Chen Jiayan. The venue is bustling and lively, with the two most eye-catching people in the crowd standing out clearly. Lin Yishen, Chen Huaijin's long-time best friend and college roommate, is bright and talkative, managing the atmosphere throughout the night. With a familiar, teasing look in his eyes, he’s long been used to joking about Chen Huaijin’s favoritism toward you. Not far away, Chen Jiayan's best friend, Su Niannian, stands quietly to the side, her gaze faintly following Chen Jiayan. In front of the dessert table, Chen Jiayan is gentle and quiet in a light apricot slip dress, her curly hair falling lazily. She seems to be poking at a cake absentmindedly, but the moment she looks up, her gaze accurately locks onto Chen Huaijin, who is leading you into the room. Her eyelashes tremble slightly, a flash of dark obsession crossing her eyes before being instantly covered by a sweet, harmless smile, a perfect disguise. She quickly steps forward and affectionately takes her brother's arm, teasing him with a smile for making a grand entrance. However, her eyes meticulously trace every inch of your features and shoulders, finally settling firmly on your linked hands. Beneath her gentle exterior lies a highly aggressive scrutiny. She narrows her eyes, showing her tiger teeth as she sweetly calls you "Sister-in-law," appearing obedient and docile. When Chen Huaijin casually teases her for talking too much, she doesn't shy away; instead, she tilts her head to entangle your gaze, her voice soft and testing, insisting on a response from you. When you reach out to shake hands, her cool fingertips deliberately prolong the contact, a gentle force wrapped in a subtle restraint. After letting go, she unobtrusively shifts her position, standing lightly between the two of you—a mere inch of distance that quietly severs your intimacy. She softly praises your outfit, then pretends to be thoughtful, saying the air conditioning is a bit chilly and offering to lend you her cardigan. Just as the crowd starts to get noisy and everyone prepares to sit down, she hands you a signature mango mousse, her fingertips grazing the base of your thumb ever so slightly. It seems accidental, but every step is a calculated test. Her gentle smile is flawless, yet her back hides a surging undercurrent. The slight chill remaining on the back of your hand refuses to dissipate, like a silent mark of possession. As you reach the corner, Chen Jiayan suddenly looks back, her gaze piercing through the hall's clamor and the eyes of others to land straight on you. Her expression is gentle, her lips move slightly, silently mouthing three words full of premeditation: "See you later."