Chapter 156 I'll pick you up after get off work tomorrow

After a moment of deathly silence, a cold, emotionless voice rolled into my ears, "Girlfriend?"

The back of the car was not narrow, and could even be described as spacious, but at this moment, Lin Zaoyi felt as if the air had been sucked out, and she had to exert herself to breathe.

The phone in her hand lit up, and she casually swiped to open it; it was a message from Xixi.

[I thought I'd tell you, my friend in the industry did pursue Zhaojing, but he rejected her, and she lost her endorsement deal. So, Zaoyi, don't worry, Zhaojing is still a top choice for you!]

The car was dimly lit, but the screen was brightly lit. Tan Zhaojing didn't need to make a conscious effort; a quick glance was enough to catch a glimpse of the few lines of text.

He let out a deep sigh, "It's easy to spread rumors, but you treat reporters like this. Should I praise you?"

Lin Zaoyi quickly turned off the screen and glared at her, "Why are you peeking at other people's messages!"

Tan Zhaojing met her gaze, his tone relatively calm, "Then what do I say when you spread rumors about me?"

An embarrassed expression spread across his face.

Lin Zaoyi unconsciously fiddled with her phone screen, saying, "It's not a rumor."

She tried to save face, saying, "The rumors have already spread widely, and at most I'm just making things up."

After he finished speaking, a snort escaped from his nose, "Anyway, you're always right."

That makes perfect sense.

Lin Zaoyi was flexible and said, "Then I apologize."

He mumbled "I'm sorry" between his teeth, then said, "No need."

The atmosphere warmed up and the tension eased.

Lin Zaoyi attempted a friendly conversation, asking, "How could Zhong Sheng go public so quickly?"

The man didn't answer, but asked instead, "In what capacity? A reporter or something?"

"..."

You have to consider your status when asking a question.

She was just chatting casually, but of course, she was also interested in the history of Zhong Sheng's rise to prominence.

As for his/her identity...

I don't want to speak as a reporter. As for the other aspect, they haven't officially said a word yet.

He carefully chose his words, referring to "your status as a stepmother's daughter."

Finally, he politely asked, "Is that alright?"

There was no response, but you could sense that his aura seemed to have deepened.

He lifted his eyelids slightly, and in the dim light, his eyes were unfathomable and hard to look at.

Just as he was about to move aside, Tan Zhaojing spoke up, "A long time ago."

After a half-second pause, he added, "You deserve credit for it."

Lin Zaoyi had a question mark in her mind, "Hmm?"

A voice came to explain, "The pile of background checks that you had Tan You give me before you left."

So that's the reason.

Lin Zaoyi was well aware of her share of the credit, and at most, she could provide Tan Zhaojing with a reference before making a decision.

Before leaving, she handed Tan You a stack of documents that contained her research on major companies in the financial industry over the past year, analyzing their history of success, external financial reports, and periodic stock market fluctuations.

She didn't know if he would need it, but she thought, what if it could help, even just a little?

The car stopped at Jingwan. Lin Zaoyi shifted her gaze to the window. The familiar buildings in front of her made her eyes sting with tears. Fortunately, the cool night gave her something to look forward to.

The elevator went straight there, and with a ding, the two stepped out one after the other.

Tan Zhaojing unlocked the door with his fingerprint. Lin Zaoyi stood at the door without moving, looking down at her shoes. After hesitating for a few seconds, she decided to step in barefoot.

The white socks had just made intimate contact with the ground when his voice came over, "Your slippers are in the usual place."

"Okay."

Not wearing it would seem pretentious.

Lin Zaoyi walked into the living room in her slippers. "Where are my things?"

Tan Zhaojing turned to look at her, "You seem very enthusiastic."

Lin Zaoyi: "..."

He choked for a moment, then said, "You're the one who called me here."

Tan Zhaojing's gaze remained fixed on her, carrying a hint of piercing intensity. "Isn't this exactly what you wanted?"

No.

No, there really isn't.

Lin Zaoyi stopped forcing a smile and simply showed her true feelings with her expression. "Do you have to talk like that?"

Tan Zhaojing remained silent, just staring at her. She didn't flinch, meeting his gaze head-on.

Between their gazes, emotions were surging.

A discernible question.

A stubbornness simmering within.

In the end, the one who compromised was naturally the former. He looked away and said, "The room."

His voice was a little hoarse when he spoke.

Lin Zaoyi nodded silently, stepped into the dressing room, and as the sliding door opened, her heart skipped a beat. Her clothes filled almost the entire space.

Uncontrollably, ripples welled up in her eyes, stirring up the ripples weighing on her heart.

Speaking of Zhaojing, has he not forgotten...?

She uncontrollably became engrossed in it, and even had the impulse to ask him.

But that's just a thought; courage comes and goes quickly.

Footsteps approached from behind. Lin Zaoyi quickly composed herself, pointing to a pile of clothes with uncut tags, "These..."

He added, "They're all delivered by the brand on a regular schedule."

Seemingly anticipating her next question, he added, "Your size."

She gave a soft "hmm," and said, "I won't take it, it's not appropriate."

Tan Zhaojing retorted, "Is it appropriate to release me here?"

That doesn't seem appropriate either.

Lin Zaoyi wasn't bothered; he could decide what to do with his things. He was just clearing out a clothes rack when he was stopped. "It's too late. Come back tomorrow."

"ah?"

She couldn't help but take out her phone from her pocket, just as she was about to check the time, when the man pulled her out of the dressing room first.

"I'll take you back."

Without a word, he snatched the clothes from her hands, which she hadn't even warmed yet, and threw them onto the sofa. "Come over early tomorrow."

There was a clock on the living room wall. She glanced at it and saw that it showed 8:49.

He gestured for him to look, "It's not nine o'clock yet."

Then Tan Zhaojing calmly said, "I'm afraid it would damage our reputation if word got out that we're alone together as a man and a woman."

"..."

Lin Zaoyi was speechless, holding her breath all the way to the parking lot. When she spoke again, she asked in a gentle tone, "How about tomorrow at noon?"

Tan Zhaojing pulled open the car door. "Get in."

He then added, "I have a social engagement tomorrow at noon."

Lin Zaoyi bent down and crawled inside. After he walked around the front of the car and sat in the driver's seat, she said, "Let's do it this weekend."

Tan Zhaojing pulled out his seatbelt and fastened it slowly. "There are still four days until the weekend, that's too long."

Lin Zaoyi was still fantasizing about whether he still had feelings for her, but at this moment, she was completely heartbroken.

My gaze turned to the window. Under the night sky, northern Beijing was bustling and dazzling, yet also hurried and indifferent.

The carriage remained quiet until they reached Green County Mansion, when Lin Zaoyi finally spoke, turning her head towards him as she said, "Wait for me for five minutes."

Tan Zhaojing didn't look at her, his gaze fixed on the windshield. "Hmm?"

Lin Zaoyi: "Your clothes."

It was just a normal sentence, but his brow furrowed. His tone was fine, quite normal, though: "Leave it with me for now, I have something to do."

She nodded silently.

As I got out of the car and stood still, Tan Zhaojing's voice rang out behind me, "I'll pick you up from get off work tomorrow night."

Just that one sentence made her back stiffen involuntarily.

I almost thought we were still in the honeymoon phase.

Similarly, in the same old tone, "Okay."