Chapter 1488: You Can Refuse Me

As she stood behind Jiang Chenghao, she reached out and patted his shoulder.

Xu Xiaoxiao hoped to see a look of amazement in Jiang Chenghao's eyes.

But...

Jiang Chenghao turned around, said nothing, just smiled slightly, and then helped Xu Xiaoxiao pull out her chair.

This reaction made Xu Xiaoxiao feel a little disappointed.

Fortunately, she was good at self-regulation; after chatting for a while, she completely forgot the previous unpleasantness.

During a break in the meal, Xu Xiaoxiao took the initiative to chat with Jiang Chenghao: "Baobao invited me to attend a banquet this weekend."

"A charity banquet?"

"Yes, huh, how did you know?"

"Because... I will be going too."

Upon hearing this news, Xu Xiaoxiao was so happy!

She leaned forward unconsciously and smiled: "That's great! I was worried about going alone; without anyone I know there, I would feel so awkward!"

"You won't be awkward... Baobao also invited Xin'ai."

The moment she heard this, Xu Xiaoxiao froze.

Immediately, she understood everything.

She understood why Jiang Chenghao had been so absent-minded today.

Xu Xiaoxiao felt a bit humiliated.

She looked down at herself, dressed up specifically for the occasion, and felt that she... looked like a clown!

But Jiang Chenghao's mood relaxed a little.

He even said: "I'm actually quite glad you can go. I feel that with you by my side, my mood becomes calm, and when facing Xin'ai, I will also be as calm as still water."

"Can you really be as calm as still water?"

Xu Xiaoxiao's counter-question made Jiang Chenghao pause.

Afterwards, he said nothing more, just lowered his eyes gently.

Xu Xiaoxiao, however, regretted saying that just now.

At this moment, Jiang Chenghao was in need of encouragement; how could she jump in to question him?

That was truly inappropriate!

Xu Xiaoxiao felt annoyed with herself, and after taking a deep breath, she changed her tone: "What we're saying now is all hypothetical; we still need to test the results on the spot."

"Right, it should be tested."

Jiang Chenghao murmured, and then he asked tentatively: "When you meet Xin'ai, does she... mention me?"

Xu Xiaoxiao could see expectation and anxiety in Jiang Chenghao's eyes.

That look made Xu Xiaoxiao truly unable to bear saying anything negative.

But...

"She doesn't."

Xu Xiaoxiao told the truth in the end.

This result made Jiang Chenghao smile self-deprecatingly: "Tell me, what exactly am I expecting?"

After saying this, he shook his head, then picked up his glass and took a sip of water.

"Jiang Chenghao..."

"Alright, let's eat; don't let my topic dampen your spirits."

Jiang Chenghao smiled at Xu Xiaoxiao and moved on from the topic.

And even though he was clearly smiling, it... was a heartbreaking smile.

Looking at him like this, Xu Xiaoxiao really wanted to know what else she could do to melt away the sense of loneliness on him.

At this moment, she no longer cared about the fact that her efforts to dress up had been ignored.

Instead, she was thinking about what else she could do for this man...

While Xu Xiaoxiao was silent, Jiang Chenghao asked a question: "On the day of the banquet, let's arrive together, shall we?"

"Mm."

Xu Xiaoxiao agreed without hesitation.

But Jiang Chenghao said: "You can refuse me."

"Why would I refuse you?"

"Because once we appear together, it will be quite... ambiguous; after all, you are my date!"

Xu Xiaoxiao shrugged indifferently and then asked back: "So what if I'm your date? Can't I just hitch a ride?"

Her open and honest demeanor made Jiang Chenghao pause slightly.

In fact, Jiang Chenghao had a selfish motive for making this request.

He wanted Xu Xiaoxiao to stay with him the whole time to give him peace of mind.

If any unexpected situation arose, he could also seek her help in time.

But this request was a trouble for Xu Xiaoxiao.

It would be normal for Xu Xiaoxiao to refuse.

But she... had no intention of refusing at all.

This made Jiang Chenghao feel ashamed, and he murmured: "I really should learn from you, learn to be more carefree and not trouble myself with groundless fears."

Here, Jiang Chenghao was trying hard to reconcile with himself.

But Xu Xiaoxiao across from him... felt bitter inside.

She is a psychology expert, so how could she not know Jiang Chenghao's little scheme?

But she would rather know nothing at all.

She also did not want to let Jiang Chenghao know her inner thoughts.

As for all of that... let her bear it alone.

Xu Xiaoxiao lowered her head, eating her food without tasting it.

Jiang Chenghao, meanwhile, stared at the dress she was wearing and said, "Your dress today..."

Hearing this, Xu Xiaoxiao immediately tensed up.

She sat motionless, waiting for what Jiang Chenghao would say next.

"It looks quite nice."

These few simple words made Xu Xiaoxiao's mood brighten up instantly.

However, on the surface, she feigned calmness and said, "Why did it take you so long to think of complimenting me?"

"Sorry, my reaction was too slow."

A slow reaction... is still better than no reaction at all.

Regardless, she had been complimented, and Xu Xiaoxiao was satisfied.

And once her mood improved, Xu Xiaoxiao's appetite opened up, and she ate with great relish.

Jiang Chenghao could feel that Xu Xiaoxiao had become happy.

But Jiang Chenghao did not think much of it, only feeling that Xu Xiaoxiao's way of eating was infectious, making Jiang Chenghao also eat a bit more than usual without realizing it.

At this moment, the atmosphere between the two of them was quiet and harmonious.

A relaxed air flowed silently between them.

When Friday arrived, Xu Xiaoxiao finished all her work at the school and prepared to leave work early to go home.

But Wang Sinian called out to Xu Xiaoxiao at the school gate and said, "The director is hosting a dinner this weekend; this is the address of the hotel."

As he spoke, Wang Sinian handed a card to Xu Xiaoxiao.

But Xu Xiaoxiao did not take it, only saying, "No, I have plans this weekend, I can't go."

"What kind of plans?"

"Why are you asking so much? That is my private time, I don't need to answer you."

When Xu Xiaoxiao said this, her face still carried a sense of ease and smugness.

Based on Wang Sinian's understanding of Xu Xiaoxiao, the person who could make her this relaxed...

"You wouldn't happen to be going out with Jiang Chenghao, would you?"

Xu Xiaoxiao hated this person's lack of boundaries in his questioning; she immediately frowned and asked defensively, "What business is it of yours!?"

Discovering that Xu Xiaoxiao's expression had changed, Wang Sinian knew he had guessed correctly.

Wang Sinian tilted his head slightly and said, "Don't be like a hedgehog; I was just asking."

"You aren't even allowed to ask!"

"You're quite overbearing, but there is one thing I don't understand: you are quite excellent yourself, so why waste so much time on someone who doesn't like you?"

The other party's questions were becoming increasingly excessive, and Xu Xiaoxiao's good mood vanished completely!

She glared coldly at Wang Sinian and warned, "Shut your mouth!"

"Oh, are you angry?"

Isn't that a stupid question? Xu Xiaoxiao felt like punching him!!