The man was somewhat embarrassed and displeased, saying, "Yao Yao, you really don't have to talk to me like this."
Situ Jingyao gave him a disdainful glance and said, "Xue Can, don't you think you're being ridiculous? Every time I have any interaction with a man, you put on this accusatory face. Do you have a problem? A few days ago, the second son of the Zhou family just asked me to have a couple of drinks with him, and you ended up beating him up and sending him to the hospital. Do you think you're doing me a favor? Or do you think I'd be touched? Tell me, who are you to me?"
The man named Xue Can pressed his lips together and said in a deep voice, "If I didn't like you, I wouldn't debase myself like this."
Situ Jingyao seemed somewhat resigned and said, "You're not young anymore. Can you stop being so infatuated? Are you not afraid that you won't be able to get out of the Red Mansion if you confess your feelings there?"
Xue Can's expression darkened, seemingly with some hesitation, and he fell silent.
Situ Jingyao sighed lightly and said, "I advise you not to waste any more time on me. We're not on the same path. And don't go looking for trouble in the future. You know who I'm with now. If you're really capable, go find trouble with him, and stop taking out your frustrations on those insignificant people."
She thought that mentioning someone else would make Xue Can leave disgruntled, but it had the opposite effect, making Xue Can even angrier. Ignoring his previous hesitation, he said, "You're after power and money and want to be someone important. I don't mind because what he can give you, I can't afford at the moment… but one day, I will be able to! As for those insignificant people, hmph, if they dare to have any improper thoughts about you, shouldn't they be taught a lesson?"
"Stop being childish," Situ Jingyao said. "Even if it's not about those material things, I still wouldn't be interested in you."
"After all these years, can't you sense my sincerity?!"
"Sincerity? How much is that worth? Haha... You're still acting childish. I'm not an eighteen-year-old girl anymore. Don't talk to me about sincerity! Just because you like me doesn't mean I have to like you. Is it a law of energy conservation or something? Ridiculous! I tell you, Situ Jingyao only likes what I like—money, power, men, everything."
Xue Can took a deep breath. "Over the years, you've used every man around you as a stepping stone, including the current one... I'm really curious, what kind of man would actually make you genuinely fall for him?"
Situ Jingyao said coldly, "It's none of your business. In any case, it won't be someone like you."
"Someone like Chu Yuxuan?" Xue Can clenched his fists. "You look at him with a different expression! Yao Yao, you're not someone who would fall in love at first sight. You've known that Chu guy for a long time, haven't you?"
Situ Jingyao crossed her arms, pressed her lips tightly, and gave him a somewhat warning look.
Xue Can's expression grew colder. "The Tan family member told the Cao family that Chu Zhijing is coming today and even asked them to write two recommendation letters for his son to get a membership card... I know you like to paint when you have something on your mind, so is it because Chu Yuxuan is coming that you're troubled? And you've even prepared a red card for him!"
Situ Jingyao remained silent, coldly staring at Xue Can.
"What exactly happened between you in the past? I'm puzzled; he doesn't seem to know you at all..."
"Xue Can, you're really boring!" Situ Jingyao said, somewhat irritated.
"Boring, huh? I said, I won't interfere with your pursuit of money and power, but I'm genuinely curious why you're interested in a man. What could make you see him differently? Haha... I'll ask him myself!" Xue Can's expression was even a bit sinister.
"You dare!"
"Why wouldn't I dare? Does my Xue family fear him?!" With that, Xue Can turned and walked away. Situ Jingyao angrily shouted, "If you dare to touch him, I'll ruin you!"
Xue Can did not look back, only pausing briefly. "You'd better have the capability to back that up! Situ Jingyao, don't think that just because I like you, you can look down on me so recklessly!"
Situ Jingyao snorted coldly. "To be honest, I've never looked down on you. Xue Can, don't you think that your almost obsessive control issues are really off-putting?"
Xue Can glanced back with a side-eye and then walked away with large strides.
Situ Jingyao looked helpless, pursed her lips in thought for a moment, and then said to the woman beside her, "Send someone to keep an eye on Xue Can. If he really dares to make a move, let me know in advance."
The woman nodded and then made a phone call.
After hanging up, the woman looked at Situ Jingyao and jokingly said, "Sister, what's going on with you and that Chu family young master? The way you look at him is really off... I've been with you for so long, and I've never seen you look at a man like that."
Situ Jingyao raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"
The woman tapped her lips thoughtfully and said, "It's like the way a young girl looks at her crush. Clear and slightly hazy affection." Situ Jingyao gave her a playful tap on the waist and said, "Go away... I'm 28, not a teenage girl anymore."
The woman sweetly said, "Sister, you're forever eighteen!"
Situ Jingyao's smile spread, and after a few more jokes, she walked to the balcony and leaned on the railing, gazing at the character "Jing" in the painting.
Her eyes were filled with memories.