CH 7.2

Hate Her 07 – Is there such a good thing in this world?

In fact, at that time, Shang Lu was a bit worried that she would be harassed by those delinquent boys, which would be troublesome.

But for some reason, later on, whenever those delinquent boys who claimed to like her saw her at school, they would intentionally avoid her.

But Shang Lu didn’t really care for long, after all, at that time, her heart and eyes were only on Jiang Yi.

Later on, Chi Yan somehow became friends with Jiang Yi as well, and he was the only person in Jiang Yi’s circle who treated Shang Lu kindly.

He would speak up to stop Jiang Yi when Jiang Yi said hurtful things to Shang Lu in public, and he would rush over when he saw Shang Lu waiting for Jiang Yi at the school gate in the rain, even though Jiang Yi never showed up. He would scold her for having a problem with her brain while forcefully putting her in the car and sending her home.

So even though Chi Yan was notorious for being a troublemaker since childhood, described as unruly and lawless, Shang Lu knew that he was barely considered a good person.

That’s why this time, after much consideration, she turned to Chi Yan for help, at least to keep Jiang Yi away for now.

Sure enough, Chi Yan still had the same attitude of enjoying the show without caring about the consequences, and he easily agreed to help her.

At this moment, Chi Yan sent another voice message.

“The photos you posted are from last year, won’t Jiang Yi see through your deception?”

Shang Lu lowered her gaze, then replied with a text.

[He won’t remember.]

Looking down from the window, she could tell at a glance that the cake thrown in the trash can was the signature strawberry mousse from a certain shop that was popular online. However, over the years, Jiang Yi had not remembered, or perhaps didn’t even know, that strawberries were her least favorite fruit.

Not to mention where she had been, what clothes she had worn, and what photos she had taken, all these trivial matters. If he had cared about her even a little, those photos would have been full of loopholes.

For example, she was on her period now and suffering from menstrual cramps, so she wouldn’t have gone to the beach to drink cold beverages.

Or, her shoulder had been injured and left an ugly scar during filming at the beginning of the year, but the girl in the photos had flawless, fair skin.

Thinking about these things, Shang Lu suddenly felt a sense of self-pity, or perhaps she was disgusted with her current self.

She had always claimed not to care, reassuring herself that it was just the influence of the plot in the books. But how could she not have any feelings for someone she had followed for so many years?

Even though she now found Jiang Yi repulsive, she would still occasionally think about the past with Jiang Yi.

When she was seven years old, she accidentally broke her mother’s keepsake and was locked in a room full of piled-up miscellaneous items by her father for a whole week.

Except for the maids who would regularly deliver water and food to the door, young Shang Lu had to stay alone in that empty room for the rest of the long and boring time.

According to Father Shang’s words, it was meant for her to reflect on herself.

Shang Lu’s mother lost her life after giving birth to her, so she was born indebted, and she should understand how to respect her mother and everything her mother left behind.

During that one week, a little boy appeared who would bring her milk and cookies from outside the window every day, chat with her through notes, and even left a doll to accompany her.

He was her first friend in life, and the first person to be kind to her, caring for her and worrying about her every day.

Later, Father Shang finally let her out.

Shang Lu quietly asked the nanny at home, and found out that during that one week, only Young Master Jiang from the Jiang family stayed at the Shang family, studying calligraphy with Father Shang.

But on the day Shang Lu went out, she only caught a glimpse of Jiang Yi’s departing figure, and she hugged the doll tightly in her hands.

At that age, how could she possibly understand what it meant to like someone, but since then Shang Lu knew that she wanted to be closer to Jiang Yi.

However, the children of the Shang family were taught at home by private tutors during primary school, so Shang Lu hardly ever saw Jiang Yi.

So when Father Shang asked her years later if she would be willing to marry Jiang Yi when she grew up, she felt like she was dreaming, and happily agreed.

But later on, nothing was going well.

At this moment, Chi Yan’s call came through, interrupting the memories that should have been turned over long ago.

Chi Yan’s voice sounded lazy. “Miss, I’ve helped you out, so why don’t you tell me what happened? Did Jiang Yi bully you again? Do you want me to teach him a lesson?”

“It’s nothing.” Shang Lu’s voice remained calm. “I’m just planning to cancel the engagement with Jiang Yi.”

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds, and Chi Yan asked, “Did you cry somewhere again?”

Shang Lu was speechless. “You’re overthinking things. Don’t bring up old grudges.”

“So what did he do this time?”

It wasn’t a question, but a tone of certainty.

From Che Yan’s perspective, over the years, Jiang Yi had likely done many things to Shang Lu that went too far, but she still liked him so much.

So, what did Jiang Yi do this time that made Shang Lu give up on him completely?

“I just suddenly sobered up, that’s all.” Shang Lu didn’t want to explain too much. If she told Chi Yan that she had discovered she was the malicious supporting female character in a novel, he would probably suggest she see a psychologist.

Then Shang Lu asked, “Why aren’t you happy yet? Didn’t you used to criticize me for having a problem with my brain because I liked Jiang Yi?”

“I still feel the same way now. Anyway, just remember what you’re saying now.” Chi Yan’s voice had a strange sense of restraint that couldn’t be suppressed. He didn’t say much more, and only left a sentence of “If things don’t go well, you can use me as a shield” before hastily hanging up the phone.

Shang Lu thought that Chi Yan might be a jinx.

Because this matter was really not going well.

Shang Lu had prepared herself for the difficulty of canceling the engagement, but she never expected that her father would return from abroad and specifically ask her to come home for a face-to-face discussion about this matter.

Jiang Yi and his parents had also come, indicating that they had already privately discussed and reached a decision. This was a difficult situation.

Shang Lu washed her face, tied her hair into a ponytail, and put on simple sportswear before returning to the Shang’s house.

As Shang Lu entered the house, the butler followed her and whispered, “Master’s mood is not good. Miss, please try to endure later, or you’ll end up at a disadvantage.”

“I know.” Shang Lu said, but it was clear that she was just perfunctory.

It has been a whole year since she last saw her father.

However, this time, her father specifically returned to the country for the matter of the engagement, which proves that, as Jiang Yi said, it would be extremely difficult for her to cancel the engagement.

In the living room, everyone was sitting on the sofa, seemingly engaged in conversation.

In his suit, her father, as usual, had a cold expression on his face. He took a sip of tea when he saw Shang Lu walk in. On his left hand side were Jiang’s parents and Jiang Yi.

Shang Lu lowered her gaze and greeted, “Father.”

After greeting Jiang’s parents, she sat on her father’s right hand side, directly facing Jiang Yi.

Shang Lu was tired of meaningless polite words, so before Jiang’s parents could exchange pleasantries, she played dumb and asked directly, “Since everyone is here, does that mean we can cancel the engagement today?”

Her father’s face still showed little emotion, but he glanced at Jiang Yi.

Jiang Yi stood up, obviously trying hard to suppress his emotions but still looking displeased, and said, “I’m sorry, Lulu. I know there have been some misunderstandings between us, but for such a big matter as the engagement, I hope you won’t make a hasty decision. At least give me a chance to apologize and make amends.”

“Oh?” Shang Lu curled her lips, looking innocent as she asked, “So you don’t want to cancel the engagement, which means you like me and want to marry me and have children with me, right?”

Jiang Yi was stunned, not expecting that Shang Lu would ask him such a question.

The answer was negative. He had never thought that the person he would spend his life with would be Shang Lu.

But it was precisely because of Jiang Yi’s hesitation that the atmosphere at the scene became even more delicate.

“Of course,” Jiang Yi’s mother, a seemingly gentle woman, quickly stepped in to mediate, saying, “Your engagement has been for so many years, it’s indeed time to settle down.”

“Is that so? Thank you, Aunt. I am truly happy,” Shang Lu smiled as she looked at Jiang Yi’s mother, then continued, “But I am curious, if I am Jiang Yi’s fiancee, why does the outside world say that I am a third party in his relationship with someone else?”

“Shang Lu!” Jiang Yi stood up directly, his voice warning, “This has nothing to do with her.”

Shang Lu also stood up and looked at Jiang Yi, questioning, “But what does your love life have to do with me? You hate me, but you need me and the Shang family, so you shamelessly continue to use me for your own benefit.

“Jiang Yi, you can’t take advantage of everything, can you? There are no such good things in this world.”