Chapter 5

It was still a bit chilly in March, especially after stepping out of such a stiflingly hot environment.

The moment the cold air hit me, I couldn’t help but shiver.

Julian skillfully opened my shoulder bag, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it. Smoke wafted around his face, creating a haze that obscured his expression.

He had just woken up, and his voice was still a bit husky.

He asked me, “Did you have fun?”

He was asking if I had a good time during my three-month vacation.

I really did.

I thought back, a smile unconsciously forming on my lips, and nodded. “Yeah, I had a great time.”

He looked at me, his smoking hand pausing.

Julian saw my smile and let out a small, mirthless laugh. “Where did you go? Just thinking about it makes you this happy.”

I spoke as if in contemplation. “I just went back to my hometown and met an old friend.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, keenly catching the phrase “old friend,” and he asked,

“A man?”

I hadn’t thought much about it, my smile still lingering, and nodded gently.

Maybe it was some kind of male sixth sense.

Seeing my expression, Julian’s heart felt like it was twisted, a surge of bitterness rising.

“Who is it?”

His tone tightened, carrying a hint of danger.

I didn’t notice his sudden shift in mood and waved a dismissive hand. “You wouldn’t know him.”

“Even I wouldn’t know him?” Julian narrowed his eyes slightly.

Honestly, I’d known him for so long that he probably assumed he knew all my friends.

“A friend from before I moved to Haicheng—I mean, out here. You wouldn’t know him…”

Suddenly, I spotted the white figure behind Julian.

Isabella had followed him outside.

I nodded and smiled at her.

Putting everything else aside, simply because she was Julian’s future wife, I felt compelled to greet her respectfully.

That familiar bitterness had been welling up like a spring since earlier tonight, and I bit my lip, forcing the emotion back down.

Then I said to Julian, “…I won’t bother you and Ms. Isabella anymore.”

Julian frowned, glanced at Isabella with an annoyed expression, then shifted his gaze back to me, about to speak.

Just then, my phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, I felt a little helpless, but a softness entered my eyes.

I didn’t see Julian’s expression as I turned and answered the call.

“Leo.”

Even through the phone, I could hear his voice, so gentle it felt like it could melt into a puddle.

I quickly walked a couple of steps away, sighing helplessly. “What’s up? Are you still awake this late?”

A soft laugh came from the other end. “What can I say? You left, and suddenly I can’t sleep.”

His blatant honesty made my earlobes warm, but I couldn’t bring myself to sound stern. I just said, with no real authority, “Talk properly.”

“How am I not talking properly?” His voice naturally carried a hint of tenderness that made my heart feel soft.

He pressed his advantage. “Harper, darling~ Harper, darling~ I miss you so much I can’t sleep…”

It’s true, when a man acts cute, most women find it hard to resist.

I felt a little embarrassed, but some rationality remained. I couldn’t help but glance back at Julian and quickly said, “Stop, stop! I’m still busy with some work here. I’ll hang up first.”

He sounded pitiful. “Oh… well, call me back when you’re done.”

I didn’t want to deal with him.

He then gave a completely unthreatening warning. “If you don’t call me, I’m coming over to your place later.”

I had no choice but to nod helplessly. “Okay, okay, I’ll call you back in a bit.”