Chapter 2 Go in and cover yourself with a blanket

During the four years he was abroad, Mingzhao never received a call from Zhou Tingyun.

Only on the day of the graduation ceremony did the chat box at the bottom finally send a message asking about the landing time of the plane.

She didn't reply and went on vacation around the world.

After coming back to my senses, everything that just happened seemed to be just an illusion, and the ringing returned to its normal frequency.

Ming Zhao picked up his phone and sat on the sofa. He hugged the pillow to his chest and adjusted himself into a safe position before swiping right to answer the call that had never been hung up.

"Hello, what's up?"

She lowered her eyes and spoke in a very natural tone, but her fingers subconsciously kept tapping the edge of the pillow.

The burgundy cat-eye manicure is radiant and beautiful, a hundred times better than the one Zhou Tingyun gave her before.

There was silence on the other side for a moment.

Then, a calm and slightly cold voice sounded along with a slight electric current.

"Where?"

Ming Zhao's fingertips paused, but she reacted quickly and said calmly, "It must be the hotel. What for?"

At least seven days ago.

The last stop of this global travel plan to delay her return home is a small island in the South Pacific. According to the time difference, she should also be in the hotel.

Thinking of this, Ming Zhao pretended to yawn.

"I'm so sleepy. If nothing else, I'll hang up. Bye."

At the island counter, Lin Zhiwei admired her superb acting skills which were useless to Zhou Tingyun, while opening a bottle of wine, ready to celebrate her return to a normal and beautiful life.

The wine slowly flows into the glass, and the ice cubes reflect bright colors, with a mellow and rich aroma.

Not knowing what was said on the other end, the girl hung up the phone angrily.

The next second, the eyes that glared at her were filled with condemnation of her betrayal.

"Blind date?"

"This is what you call a blind date?!"

Ming Zhao simply wanted to strangle Lin Zhiwei to death. Even if she was a fool, she knew that she had been deceived.

"It's none of my business," Lin Zhiwei raised his eyebrows and toasted her with an innocent look on his face, "I really didn't reveal anything."

She was simply forced by her family to go for a meal. The whole time, she just watched her father flattering her, while the other party responded politely and culturedly.

I finally waited until the end and was about to leave with a sigh of relief, but was stopped dead in his tracks by a single sentence.

"I'm sorry, Miss Lin. Mingzhao has troubled you these past few days. I'll come and take her home tonight."

His tone was gentlemanly and gentle, yet it hinted at an unquestionable tone.

She suddenly understood the other party's intention of attending such a dinner party for the first time, and it was useless to try to make excuses for someone.

The memories ended here, and Lin Zhiwei leaned lazily against the door of the room with a wine glass in his hand.

Seeing the messy suitcase in front of him, the corners of his lips twitched.

The Hermès was thrown into the box by her, and a large string of Australian white pearls was piled up in a mess.

Only the antiques at the auction received some preferential treatment.

"How did you survive abroad with your ability to take care of yourself?"

Ming Zhao was busy packing his luggage. He looked at her in confusion and said, "Auntie is here."

Lin Zhiwei: ...as if she didn’t say anything

Time passed minute by minute, and Mingzhao was still twiddling her clothes in the same place. Lin Zhiwei finally realized that something was wrong from her procrastination.

She suddenly asked, "Did you have a fight with your brother?"

Ming Zhao's expression froze for a moment.

Lin Zhiwei understood.

No wonder, he is usually so picky about someone, but he can tolerate her little territory for seven days and is unwilling to leave.

She clicked her tongue and shook her head: "You guys still quarrel?"

Ming Zhao silently quickened the pace of packing his luggage, but said stubbornly, "No."

Lin Zhiwei: "Oh, we left the country because of a quarrel."

Ming Zhao: "..."

That's why she hates Lin Zhiwei.

*

The temperature in the north city, which is about to enter deep autumn, is very low. The sky is like water-soaked cloth, gradually freezing into a dry and cold blue-gray, with only a crescent moon hanging alone on the branches.

Ming Zhao looked down at the fallen leaves that crunched under his feet, and the air that reached his nose was cool.

It was like going back to my childhood, panting and climbing into the refrigerator in the supermarket, burying most of my body inside and taking a deep breath.

But at that time, she almost fell in, and it was Zhou Tingyun who held her waist and pulled her back.

As a result, he was given a lecture, neither too light nor too severe.

As for how she was educated, let’s not talk about it. In short, this not-so-pleasant “green memory” made her feel even worse.

He angrily kicked the small stone in front of him as if it was Zhou Tingyun, and when he looked up, he saw a familiar figure not far away.

After not seeing each other for four years, the man's temperament seemed more reserved and profound, and his black coat almost blended into the evening night.

He didn't know how long he had been standing by the car waiting. The cold air seemed to have tinged his calm face with chill, like translucent light green jade.

Ming Zhao felt inexplicably guilty. He tightened his grip on the luggage handle, quickened his pace, and his high heels made a crisp sound as they stepped on the ground.

She decided to strike first.

"you--"

Before he could finish his words, his hand felt lighter and the suitcase was taken away from him.

Ming Zhao was stuck and stood there looking at the person in front of him, a little dazed.

Walking so fast, it's amazing that you have long legs.

"What's wrong?"

Zhou Tingyun lowered his head slightly and looked inquiringly.

The dark pupils appear to be particularly serious and focused when looking at people, and the faint eyes and eyebrows are like deep shadows in the thin moon.

My heart felt a little weightless, and my empty palms curled up. The accidental touch of my fingertips just now was like a snowflake falling on my skin and slowly melting.

His hands are so cold.

Ming Zhao frowned and rubbed his fingertips hard, as if there were some water stains on them.

She couldn't help but complain: "Who told you to wait outside?"

“Serves you right.”

This was a very rude remark, but it did not provoke any reaction from Zhou Tingyun. He was used to the occasional rebellion of his sister who had been spoiled since childhood.

"Let's go."

The suitcase, which was bulky to her, looked particularly small and delicate in the man's hands. Ming Zhao punched the cotton and followed him with a tense face.

Zhou Tingyun opened the car door for her and his eyes swept across her bare calves under her coat.

He spoke calmly.

"Go in and cover yourself with the blanket."

You haven't cared about me for four years, why are you pretending to be a good person now?

Ming Zhao ignored him and slammed the car door.

In the front seat of the car, Uncle Wang withdrew his gaze from the man's hand protecting her head, and greeted him with a pleased smile, "Miss."

"Uncle Wang!"

Ming Zhao's eyes lit up when he realized that the driver was a family member, and he immediately became happy again.

"How are you feeling lately? Is your waist still hurting?"

Uncle Wang said cheerfully, "It doesn't hurt, it's much better. Thank you, Miss, for your concern."

"Alas," Ming Zhao propped up his chin and deliberately sighed, "My brother is really something. He troubles you to drive him so late at night."

Her sweet voice was full of sarcasm: "Then, is there no one left in such a big Zhou family?"

Uncle Wang smiled and shook his head helplessly, "The young master was worried that you would feel uncomfortable meeting the Zhou family, so he asked me to come."

Ming Zhao remained silent.

After a while, she snorted softly, "You only know how to speak for him."

While I was complaining, the left door of the car had opened at some point, and a few wisps of cool breeze came in, carrying with them the familiar scent of wood.

Middle note: cedar, base note: agarwood.

It was a scented shower gel from C brand, which she had given to Zhou Tingyun as a gift for his 22nd birthday.

At the beginning, she pulled his sleeve and strongly recommended it to him, saying that this way the fragrance would be more natural and pleasant, and she made him absolutely sure that he must use it.

Since then, no other fragrance has appeared on him.