Chapter 191 She ran away again

Chapter 191 She ran away again

Jiang Siyuan's eyes were fixed on the little turtle in the claw machine, her fingertips lightly resting on the joystick, adjusting the direction little by little.

The voice was soft and gentle: "Alright, press it down, Jiang Wang."

Jiang Wang was taken aback.

It had been a long time since I had heard her call my name.

So much so that he didn't react immediately, but instead put those two words, the two words that came out of her mouth, into his chest and lingered for a while.

Realizing that this wasn't a dream, not the recording that had woken him up countless times as an alarm clock, he smiled slowly.

Then, quickly press the grab button, and the mechanical claw firmly grasps a small turtle, moving it smoothly towards the exit.

With a soft "plop," the little turtle fell out.

Zheng Yiyi immediately cheered and rushed over, hugging the doll and laughing through her tears.

But neither of the two people in front of the claw machine made a move.

Jiang Wang's hand was still on the control stick. Sensing the presence of the person beside him, he hesitated for a moment before speaking.

He still couldn't understand how she could remain so calm, as still as a still well, standing next to him.

It was as if he really was just an unrelated stranger.

Why is he the only one who's almost gone mad?

Those questions and resentments churning in my heart, but when they reached my lips, only one sentence inexplicably popped out: "Has anyone told you that you've lost weight?"

Si Yuan's hand suddenly froze, and the fingertips resting on the joystick curled slightly.

She turned her head and her eyes met Jiang Wang's trembling pupils.

There surged a familiar sharpness and stubbornness within it, like an ember that had not yet been extinguished.

The aquarium was filled with a constant cacophony of noise and chaotic sounds.

But in her world, only silence remained between the two of them.

Ten years of entanglement, those impulses and tenderness, redemption and hurt, flashed through my mind like lightning.

What a coincidence, the two of them both thought the other had lost weight.

But Si Yuan quickly realized something, and only slightly curled the corners of her lips, avoiding her gaze, and said softly, "It's alright."

Looking at her nonchalant demeanor, Jiang Wang suddenly found it laughable.

He chuckled softly, but kept his eyes fixed on her: "Why are you hiding?"

He took a half-step forward, bringing the two closer together, and the oppressive feeling around him intensified.

"We've done everything before, kissed and hugged without restraint, and been intimate all night long... What's the point of hiding so far away now?"

Si Yuan abruptly took a step back, trying to avoid his burning gaze.

His fingertips turned white, but he remained silent.

She didn't want to think about the past.

Especially in front of the two children.

But Jiang Wang had no intention of letting her go.

He spoke, his voice icy: "I haven't slept well a single night in the past five years. What about you, Si Yuan? Have you ever slept well?"

Jiang Wang's voice was tinged with restraint, like a helpless child venting five years of pent-up grievances, his eyes uncontrollably reddening.

The red spurt made Si Yuan's heart clench sharply, and a sharp pain spread along her blood vessels, dense and numerous.

He actually... has even found it difficult to sleep?

Anxiety and depression took hold for him; this was once the most proud and flamboyant Jiang Wang.

She seemed never to have expected that one day he would show such a vulnerable side to her.

I never imagined that these past five years would bring him such indescribable suffering...

Just then, a sudden cell phone ring broke the tense atmosphere between the two.

Jiang Wang frowned, subconsciously took out his phone, and his eyes flickered when he saw the name on the screen.

He seemed a little impatient, but after hesitating for a moment, he swiped to answer the call.

He deliberately took two steps to the side, widening the distance between himself and Si Yuan, and spoke in a very low voice, but some words still drifted over.

It was a woman's voice, gentle and melodious, reaching Si Yuan's ears through the noisy environment.

It was like a bucket of cold water being poured over me.

She suddenly came to her senses.

Yes, he already has a child. That little girl with eyes and brows like his, and that gentle female voice on the phone—perhaps that's his current wife…

They are from two different worlds now.

Five years ago, he was already distracted and aloof. Could it be that a reunion would lead to a tragic end to their deep affection?

It's just repeating the same mistakes.

From the moment she left five years ago, she and Jiang Wang went their separate ways and are both doing well.

What is she doing now?

What right do we have to respond to his pain?

Inappropriate.

That's really inappropriate.

Si Yuan lowered her eyes, concealing the turbulent emotions within them, and turned back to take Si Xingzhou's small hand.

Jiang Wang hung up the phone. It was Zheng Yiyi's English teacher reminding him that it was time for his afternoon English tutoring session.

He replied impatiently, "I'll take the afternoon off," and hung up the phone hastily, his mind preoccupied with the topic that had just been interrupted.

Finally, he had another chance to ask clearly, and he was almost going crazy, desperately wanting to know the answer.

But when he looked up, Si Yuan was nowhere to be seen in front of the claw machine.

The crowds remained bustling, with children's laughter and tourists' conversations filling the air.

But that familiar figure disappeared once again, as if it had never existed.

Jiang Wang's heart suddenly felt empty; the grievances and resentment that had been surging within him were instantly replaced by immense disappointment.

They ran away again.

She ran away again.

Jiang Wang smiled almost decadently, something hot welling up in his eyes, which he wiped away with his palm.

Zheng Yiyi suddenly tugged at his hand, her voice soft: "Uncle, shall we go get the little turtle?"

Jiang Wang was stunned for a few seconds before nodding absentmindedly.

“But…” Zheng Yiyi pursed her lips and glanced at him cautiously, “Why did you just tell that aunt that you are my father?”

Although she was young, she knew not to embarrass her uncle in front of others, which is why she didn't ask earlier.

Jiang Wang lowered his eyes, his voice so low it was almost swallowed up by the surrounding noise: "I was so childish, trying to make her unhappy... but she wasn't unhappy at all."

It was as if he was explaining to Zheng Yiyi, but also as if he was talking to himself.

——

Si Yuan held Si Xingzhou's hand and walked out of the aquarium with the little turtle in her hand.

Song Yan's car was parked on the side of the road. When he saw them come out, he got out of the car and helped them put the little turtle into the back seat.

"How was the visit to the museum?" Song Yan asked casually as he got into the car, unaware of her unusual behavior.

Si Yuan gave a light "hmm": "I understand the general idea. I'll need to discuss the specific ideas with the project team when I get back."

Song Yan nodded, placed his hands on the steering wheel, and prepared to start the car.

Just then, his gaze inadvertently swept across the aquarium exit.

Jiang Wang also came out from the exit.

Song Yan was startled and subconsciously turned to look at Si Yuan.

Her profile was calm, but her eyes were unfocused, lingering in a corner.

Song Yan asked in a low voice, "You saw him?"

Si Yuan was taken aback and looked at him.

The carriage fell silent instantly, even the low rumble of the engine starting seemed particularly abrupt.