Chapter 36 Something terrible is about to happen.
Is this dessert shop good?
Luo Xincheng glanced at the nearly empty dessert on the table and replied without hesitation: [It's awful, awful, sickeningly sweet.]
They were practically about to type "Don't come" in the chat.
Fu Zhiheng: [Okay.]
Fu Zhiheng: [Then I won't go.]
Luo Xincheng breathed a sigh of relief. It was best if he didn't come, otherwise he would definitely cause her a lot of trouble.
She put down her phone, held a small piece of mousse cake and ate it slowly, her gaze unconsciously lingering on the phone screen as she ate.
He didn't reply to the message.
She then lifted the curtains and looked back at where he had been standing.
There was no one at that window anymore.
They probably went home after finishing their meal.
She finished the mousse cake, then ate the cinnamon roll and Mont Blanc. Her stomach felt full, yet it seemed like it could never be filled.
Just as she couldn't resist peeking through the curtains again, Wang Jiayan hesitated before saying, "Although Furonglou usually requires a week's reservation, I can borrow my sister's SVIP account so we can go eat there tonight."
Luo Xincheng: "You...didn't you borrow money from your sister?"
“I lent it to her,” Wang Jiayan said shamelessly. “But she usually doesn’t rush me to pay it back. Besides, I only borrowed a membership; she wouldn’t be so stingy.”
Jiang Xu laughed heartily, seemingly mocking Wang Jiayan's lack of romantic understanding, "He didn't actually want to go out for dinner. He clearly had ulterior motives. He must have seen some acquaintance across the street."
Luo Xincheng looked around and, seeing that there was nothing left to throw at him, glared at him angrily, "Can you shut your damn mouth? You're the most talkative one."
Xu Peiyi chimed in, "Although we all know each other well and know what kind of person you are, for our sake, could you please act a little more aloof? It's such a waste of your good looks."
Jiang Xu touched his face with a smug look on his face and said shamelessly, "Thank you for praising my looks, but I think it's better to be genuine when interacting with friends, otherwise it's too tiring."
Jiang Wei glanced at him and said, "You're the one who's suffering, but it benefits all of us. Isn't that a good thing?"
Jiang Xu: "Hey!"
Luo Xincheng looked at his face, which became even more vivid and handsome due to his embarrassment and anger, and asked in confusion, "Strange, why do I always forget that Jiang Xu is actually a handsome guy? Is your personal charm really that bad?"
Jiang Xu: "Hey!"
He clutched his aching chest, his words dripping with drama, "Just because I exposed your affair with Fu Zhiheng, you're deliberately saying these things to slander me, right? How despicable."
Luo Xincheng remained unmoved and said, "Where did I deliberately slander you? I'm just stating the facts."
Jiang Xu: "..."
He turned to look at Jiang Wei, whom he considered his most rational friend, without exception. "Is my personal charm really that bad?"
Jiang Wei glanced at him, puzzled, and said, "You'd better not humiliate yourself."
Jiang Xu wearily withdrew his gaze. "I've really had enough of you cold-hearted people."
Luo Xincheng took out her lipstick from her bag and touched it up. "Stop being so emo, let's go pay the bill, Youle kid."
Jiang Xu: "???"
After finishing their afternoon tea, the group left the dessert shop and parted ways at the crossroads, each with their own plans.
Luo Xincheng hasn't been feeling very energetic lately, probably because her period is starting. She felt completely drained after having afternoon tea and decided to go straight home.
In this season, the cherry blossom trees at both ends of the road burst forth with clusters of pink and white blossoms, and the new green leaves sprout new buds, creating a colorful and romantic scene from afar.
A breeze carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees blew by, and delicate cherry blossoms fell softly, covering Luo Xincheng's shoulders.
She casually patted her shoulder, and after sending a message to the driver, she inexplicably glanced back, her gaze landing on the ancient wooden signboard of Furonglou.
She didn't know how long she had been watching when someone whispered in her ear, "Want to go to Furonglou for dinner?"
Turning around, she saw Fu Zhiheng standing behind her, holding two drinks and calmly looking at her.
She suddenly stopped.
Today he was wearing a khaki notched lapel coat over a beige fitted cashmere sweater, with a folded turtleneck that wrapped around his slender neck; the overall color scheme was very warm.
The frameless oval glasses subtly softened the sharpness in his eyes, making him appear less serious and aloof than before. He exuded a gentle and approachable aura, warm and intellectual.
Luo Xincheng suddenly snapped out of her daze. "You haven't gone home yet?"
He raised the drink in his hand, "They have a new product, buy one get one free, I'm going to queue up to buy it."
Upon hearing this, she glanced at the cup in his hand and recognized it as a brand she often drank during high school.
Back then, it wasn't very popular, but now when it releases a new product, people are queuing up?
He handed me a cup. "Pumpkin and chestnut milk tea, would you like some?"
With both pumpkin and chestnut, this drink seems more suitable for autumn, right?
My sugar intake today is way too high.
Luo Xincheng looked at the milk tea he handed her and thought inappropriately.
In the brief silence, he clearly misunderstood something and explained, "Your cup was bought by me, with an extra serving of red beans. Mine is the basic one that was given as a free gift."
Her lips twitched slightly. "I'm not dwelling on that..."
She hesitated before reaching out her hand, her fingertips touching a warm, comforting sensation.
It's a hot drink, which makes it feel even more like autumn and winter.
She inserted the straw and took a big sip. The soft, chewy chestnut puree mixed with sweet red bean puree instantly filled her mouth, accompanied by a rich pumpkin aroma. It had a very thick and satisfying taste, and she could hardly taste the milk and tea anymore.
She swallowed and commented, "So sweet."
He said embarrassedly, "Should I not have added red beans?"
She shook her head and stirred the toppings that had settled at the bottom of the cup with a straw. "Red beans are delicious."
He gave a soft "hmm," a slight smile playing on his lips, and said, "That's good."
"...If I don't drink this milk tea, won't you have to drink two cups by yourself?"
"Yes, I can drink it."
"..."
The sunlight, at just the right temperature, filtered through the dense foliage of the cherry blossoms, casting fluffy particles of light onto his increasingly gentle features.
This version of Fu Zhiheng made Luo Xincheng feel slightly unfamiliar.
She was more familiar with his previous state, which exuded a kind of half-dead corporate slave vibe that she found quite endearing, as if all his energy had been drained by work.
But at this moment, he... is very different.
The weariness from his work vanished instantly, replaced by a gentle smile in his eyes. He was serene and tranquil, exuding a comforting, homely aura that made people let down their guard.
It feels like I'm about to go to the supermarket to buy groceries and cook a four-dish meal with soup at home.
"Waiting for the family driver?"
"Um."
"After he brought you here, didn't he wait nearby?"
"No, my friend picked me up today; the driver didn't come with me."
"Your friend...won't give you a ride home on his way?"
“She has other things to do, and we’re on different paths.”
He gave a slow "oh," glanced at his watch, and his dark eyelashes drooped. "It's going to be very congested on weekends, and your driver might not be here for a while... My car is nearby, if you don't mind..."
Luo Xincheng almost choked on her milk tea; the map of the Yan Kingdom was so short.
"...I only sit in the back seat when I take a car."
"It's okay." Having not been directly rejected, Fu Zhiheng knew he had a chance. "I don't care about these things."
He lifted his eyelids, his gaze slowly spreading over me. "I don't mind being your driver."
The shards of light, like icing sugar, sprinkled into his clear black and white pupils, melting silently.
Luo Xincheng avoided his gaze, her coldness surprising even herself. "No need, I'm not in a hurry, I can wait for the driver."
He sighed almost inaudibly, but there was no disappointment in his eyes. He said kindly, "Then I'll wait with you."
Luo Xincheng pouted, "I'm not a primary school student who needs someone to accompany me for everything."
He eagerly replied, "I'm a primary school student, and I want to stay with you."
Luo Xincheng: "..."
In that instant, she actually felt a slight resonance with her older cousin; what shameful man would say such a thing without hesitation...
She said nonchalantly, "Whatever."
After waiting with him for three minutes, I started to feel awkward. I felt like it was really strange for the two of us to be standing there like idiots on the side of the road.
She started messaging the driver again, and after receiving a reply about the traffic jam, a feeling of frustration at being played by fate welled up inside her.
Just then, Fu Zhiheng added fuel to the fire, saying, "I wonder how much longer it will take. Why don't we sit and wait in a nearby shop?"
She met his eager eyes, hesitated, and said, "...Why do you seem so happy?"
"Because I can spend more time with you," he said bluntly.
She covered her face in anguish, "Don't say things like that all of a sudden."
Similar conversations seemed to have played out between the two of them many times, but Luo Xincheng was never used to him saying such sweet and cheesy things with that aloof and cool face.
It just feels... very OOC (Out of Character).
Sensing her rejection, Fu Zhiheng said dejectedly, "I didn't mean to."
It's completely out of control.
Before my brain could even process it, the words had already escaped.
Luo Xincheng understood his implied meaning and lowered her gaze uncomfortably. "Then... you should just talk less."
"I already talk very little." He bit his lower lip awkwardly, his pale lips glistening with moisture. "I'm already quite dull and boring. If I don't talk to you more, my presence in your life will completely disappear."
Luo Xincheng listened to his aggrieved accusations in silence, sipping her milk tea.
I don't know what to say.
In this situation, it seems inappropriate to say anything.
Mingming initially wanted to completely sever ties with him and become strangers from then on.
But the more she thought that way, the more entangled the two became, and before they knew it, they had turned into this ambiguous relationship.
How can this be? They broke up four years ago. Anyone else would have found someone new by now. Unlike her, she's still entangled with her ex... It makes her seem pathetic and desperate.
Thinking of this, she glared at him resentfully.
Fu Zhiheng blinked, sensing her overwhelming resentment. "What's wrong?"
He bent down to meet her gaze, the stray hairs on his forehead fluttering with the movement, casting shadows over his handsome features and making his eyes appear exceptionally bright.
Luo Xincheng tried her best to suppress the urge to curl her lips into a smile.
Okay, my ex-boyfriend was indeed quite handsome.
"How are your driving skills?" As soon as she said it, she realized it was a mistake and quickly added, "Is your driving steady? If it's too bumpy, I might get carsick."
He paused slightly, then his tone softened, "Don't worry, it won't make you carsick."
However, Luo Xincheng became hesitant again, "Never mind, I'll just..."
His bright eyes dimmed instantly, like sparks that had been suddenly extinguished.
This almost made Luo Xincheng bite her tongue, and she couldn't finish the rest of her sentence.
It was intentional, absolutely intentional.
They're just playing the victim.
Although she was fully aware of this fact, under his tearful gaze, she still reluctantly said, "Thank you for your hard work."
As soon as she said that, she watched his eyes slowly crinkle into crescents, and a short, light chuckle escaped his throat.
"Won't."
He answered succinctly, but his voice was like boiling maltose—scalding hot, sticky, and not at all pleasant.
She unconsciously touched her ear.
This is a very bad situation.
The author says: I strained my back when I picked up the cat from the ground, ugh.
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