She didn't care at all that the expensive suit skirt trailed on the ground.

Lu You took out a cigarette case from his bag, shook out a thin cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag.

She squatted there without any regard for her image in the corner outside the upscale restaurant, the hem of her coat lying on the dusty ground, the cigarette between her fingers flickering, like a homeless vagrant.

Just as she was about to finish her cigarette and her mood hit rock bottom, a voice filled with urgency and worry suddenly rang out above her.

"Lu You".

Lu You froze, raising her head in disbelief.

Backlit, Cheng Zhou stood panting in front of her, his face filled with anxiety and shock, clearly having run all the way here.

He looked at her disheveled and vulnerable state with astonishment in his eyes.

What are you doing here? And smoking?

Cheng Zhou's voice trembled slightly.

The Lu You he knew was always refined, powerful, and capable.

He had never seen Lu You so broken.

Lu You snapped back to reality, instantly feeling embarrassed. She instinctively tried to stub out her cigarette to cover up her embarrassment.

How did you find us?

Cheng Zhou squatted down to meet her gaze, his eyes fixed on her, his tone stubborn yet tinged with a hint of grievance.

"I went to your house. Awu said you were back, so I used a little trick to locate the restaurants near you using your phone number. I went to each one one by one..."

Lu You opened her mouth, but for a moment she didn't know what to say.

"Lu You, have you forgotten that kiss? Can you give me a straight answer? Can I still get closer to you?"

Cheng Zhou blurted out all the questions and desires in his heart, his eyes sincere and burning, like a puppy afraid of being abandoned.

Lu You looked at him, at his eyes, which were slightly red from running, and at the undisguised concern and affection in his eyes.

Comparing the man's face in the private room with her father's reprimand, a tremendous mix of sorrow and emotion almost overwhelmed her.

It was he who found her when she was at her most vulnerable and helpless.

She opened her mouth, her throat tightened, and she couldn't speak for a moment.

However, at that moment, Zhao Lu tidied himself up and chased after Lu You angrily, clearly still wanting to argue with her.

He spotted Lu You crouching in the corner and Cheng Zhou beside her, and immediately flew into a rage. Pointing at Cheng Zhou, he demanded, "Who is he?! No wonder you dare to be so arrogant, so you're keeping a gigolo on the side?!"

That's extremely offensive.

Cheng Zhou suddenly stood up and shielded Lu You behind him.

Although he was still confused about the situation, the man's insults to Lu You instantly enraged him.

His usual sunny and gentle demeanor vanished, replaced by a chilling gaze as he stared at the man.

"Sir, please show some respect! Whatever happened between you and Sister You is no excuse for your hurtful words! Now, please leave immediately!"

He was taller and bigger than Zhao Lu, and his cold expression gave him a rather imposing air.

Zhao Lu was intimidated by Cheng Zhou's imposing manner, and seeing that people around him were looking over, he felt ashamed.

He grumbled and said, "You just wait!" before slinking away.

Having gotten rid of the annoying person, Cheng Zhou breathed a sigh of relief and turned around to check on Lu You's situation, but his heart was heavy because of that blind date.

He looked at Lu You with a complicated expression: "Sister You, you, you really came here today..."

He didn't finish his question, but the meaning was clear.

He saw the man's clothes and demeanor, and heard those unpleasant words; he already had a pretty good idea of ​​what was going on.

It turns out that what she said this morning about marrying someone of equal social standing was true; she really did come for a blind date.

Cheng Zhou was somewhat disappointed. He forced a smile that looked worse than a grimace and lowered his voice.

"It seems I've bothered you. I'm sorry, I'll be going now."

After saying that, he turned to leave.

Watching him about to leave like this, Lu You felt as if something had clenched her heart, and an unprecedented sense of panic washed over her.

She blurted out almost instinctively, "Cheng Zhou!"

Cheng Zhou paused, turned around abruptly, and a glimmer of hope instantly ignited in his eyes.

He thought she called him back to explain or to persuade him to stay.

Perhaps... perhaps she does care about him a little bit?

Lu You looked into his eyes, which lit up instantly; the pure expectation in them almost burned her.

She stood in the cold reality, her heart filled with torment.

In the end, Lu You hardened her heart, turned her head away, and dared not look into his eyes again.

She used all her strength to make her voice sound calm, even indifferent:

"Cheng Zhou, we are not on the same path."

"That person was disgusting, but he was right about one thing: I have never been in control of my own life or my marriage."

"I must marry someone of equal social standing; that's the only way for me. Since you don't have that ability, there's no need for us to get entangled."

"Don't waste any more time on me. Forget about that kiss."

Her words extinguished the nascent hope in Cheng Zhou's eyes.

Cheng Zhou stood still, motionless, as if petrified.

After a long while, he nodded very slowly, his voice as soft as a breeze.

"Okay, I understand."

After saying that, he didn't linger and disappeared around the corner of the street.

Lu You remained standing in the same spot, staring at the empty street corner, as if she could still feel his last, dejected gaze.

A cold evening breeze blew by, and she took one last drag of her pungent menthol cigarette, threw it in the trash can, and drove away.