Chapter 334: Long Time No See

The villa complex was nestled in a valley, making it a cool, breezy oasis amidst the summer heat. The serene setting was usually peaceful, but today it was filled with the lively chatter of people, making the once-quiet pool area bustling with activity.

Fang Zhou, who was in the middle of the pool, suddenly felt the water temperature rise, though he wasn’t sure if it was the sun or his own heightened emotions. His gaze was locked onto a tall, leggy girl in the crowd. Her striking beauty was hard to ignore, and when she smiled, it felt like the world opened up for her.

Back when he first met Song Qinghuan, he thought she was captivating, the kind of girl no one could refuse. Her charm had only grown, making him feel a mix of admiration and bitterness.

Scanning the crowd, he didn’t see the wealthy, sleazy guy she had been with, who had talked about marrying her. Fang Zhou raised an eyebrow, wondering if she had already moved on to another target.

“Should we take a dip?” someone from the newly arrived group suggested, looking at the pool with excitement.

One of the girls in the group hesitated. “There are people already swimming. Will we be intruding?”

“Nah, it’s a shared pool. We’re not bothering anyone. Right, Qinghuan?” a tall girl asked, seeking Song Qinghuan’s opinion.

“Yeah, since we’re here, let’s go for a swim,” Song Qinghuan agreed with a smile, setting her phone and keys aside.

However, as her eyes landed on the two swimmers, she froze. They looked familiar—too familiar.

Could it really be them?

Seeing their attention shift to the pool, Fang Zhou muttered something under his breath and signaled to Li Siming. “Let’s not race. I’m done.”

Li Siming looked puzzled. “What? You’re quitting? Are you admitting defeat?”

Fang Wenjing and Zhang Zhiyin noticed Fang Zhou’s sudden change in demeanor. “Are you tired? Did you cramp up?” they asked with concern.

Fang Zhou shook his head. “No, I just don’t want to be here anymore.”

He pulled himself out of the pool, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around himself as he headed back indoors.

Li Siming followed, still confused. “What’s going on?”

Zhang Zhiyin and Fang Wenjing, equally puzzled, decided to follow them back to the villa. As they walked away, someone from the crowd called out Fang Zhou’s name.

“Fang Zhou! Is that you?”

It was Song Qinghuan. But Fang Zhou didn’t stop or even acknowledge her.

The other three stopped and turned, curious about the voice. Although the girls didn’t recognize her, Li Siming did. His eyes widened in shock. “Fang Zhou! Holy crap, it’s Song Qinghuan!”

Fang Zhou couldn’t ignore her now. He kept walking, not wanting to deal with her or the past she represented.

Song Qinghuan was the only ex who had dumped him and immediately moved on to someone else. His feelings for her had turned from love to a mix of disdain and anger.

Why was she calling his name in front of everyone? Was she trying to make a scene?

Li Siming’s reaction had confirmed her identity, making it impossible for Fang Zhou to escape unnoticed. He silently cursed Li Siming for not reading the situation.

Song Qinghuan quickly caught up to him, standing in his path with a sweet, disarming smile. “Why didn’t you answer me? It’s been so long!”

She spoke as if they had never broken up, as if she hadn’t moved on to someone else. Fang Zhou stopped, his lips curling into a mocking smile.

“Excuse me, miss, do I know you?” he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

His cold demeanor made it clear he had no intention of reconnecting. A good ex should be like a ghost—unseen and unheard. If she approached him, he would treat her like one.

Song Qinghuan’s smile faltered for a moment but she quickly regained her composure. “Fang Zhou, don’t be like that. We used to be so close.”

Fang Zhou’s eyes hardened. “That was a long time ago. We’re not close anymore.”

He turned to walk away again, trying to put as much distance between them as possible. But Song Qinghuan wasn’t giving up so easily.

“Wait,” she said, reaching out to touch his arm. “Can we at least talk?”

Fang Zhou glanced at her hand on his arm, then back at her face. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

He shrugged her hand off and continued walking, leaving Song Qinghuan standing there, looking both hurt and confused. The others watched in silence, unsure of what to do.

Zhang Zhiyin and Fang Wenjing exchanged glances, sensing the tension but not fully understanding it. Li Siming, knowing more than he cared to share, simply followed Fang Zhou, leaving the past where it belonged.

As they walked back to the villa, Fang Zhou’s mind raced. He had moved on from Song Qinghuan, and he had no intention of reopening old wounds. He needed to focus on the future, not the ghosts of his past.

tln : well, thats gonna spice things up surely.