Chapter 147 A Stolen Dream (Secondary Couple)
Morning light shone through the gaps in the curtains that weren't fully drawn, like a thin sheet of light lying across my eyelids.
Zhu Wan frowned slightly and pulled the blanket over her face.
The blanket slipped down to her waist, and the cool air from the air conditioner woke Zhu Wan from her sleep.
She lay on her soft, large bed in her room.
That night, she had many dreams. When she regained consciousness, she lay with her eyes open for a few minutes.
She sat up, pressing her throbbing forehead, and glanced to the side. There was a bottle of mineral water within her reach.
On the bedside table, a ring of amber residue remained in the glass of honey water.
Her memories were fragmented and disjointed, leaving Zhu Wan feeling dizzy and disoriented.
She drank a whole glass of vodka last night, got drunk, and threw up all over Fang Qibai, and then...
Zhu Wan touched her own lips.
The clear tactile sensation and the final act of being carried to the car by Fang Qibai—every scene told her that it wasn't a dream.
She slowly and silently sank back onto the bed.
No matter how Zhu Wan thought about it, she couldn't recall the reaction on Fang Qibai's face.
She instinctively reached for her phone.
The phone was fully charged and was muted.
Zhu Wan clicked into the WeChat chat interface.
white: [Are you home yet?]
The message was sent at midnight last night.
The latest message was sent at 7:06 this morning.
There is only one photo, which shows the sunflower plush charm hanging on her bag.
Zhu Wan subconsciously looked at the bag lying on the sofa in the room; only the clasp remained.
Her fingertip hovered over the keyboard, and three seconds later, she typed: Thank you for taking care of me last night.
delete.
No matter how she tried to bring it up, she felt awkward.
Did I act crazy while drunk last night...?
Asking a question you already know the answer to.
Fueled by alcohol, thinking she was dreaming, she kissed him.
She continued deleting.
Ten minutes passed.
Zhu Wan sent a crying kitten emoji.
The message was sent but received no reply for several minutes.
Zhu Wan tried to distract herself from the tension and anxiety in her mind.
She clicked into her WeChat Moments and her gaze fell on the post that her deskmate had made in the early hours of the morning.
Now, every time we look at each other, it's etched with deliberate intent. It turns out some feelings don't rely solely on "courage." Some words, once spoken, can't be taken back. Some people, once their boundaries are crossed, can never be returned to.
Zhu Wan stared at this post on WeChat Moments for a long time.
If the relationship with Fang Qibai becomes awkward and distant...
Just thinking about it made Zhu Wan feel like her heart was being squeezed so hard she could hardly breathe.
Last night's transgression can be considered a drunkard's stolen dream.
white: [Are you sober now?]
white: [Just walking the dog.]
Zhu Wan stared at his explanation for not replying to the message immediately, her heart feeling like it was soaking in lime sparkling water.
She came up with the best solution: "Did I act crazy while drunk last night?"
white: [Don't you remember?]
Zhu Wan then sent another crying kitten emoji.
Play dumb to the end.
white: Are you feeling better?
Fang Qibai did not continue the topic.
Zhu Wan couldn't help but feel disappointed.
But the result was exactly what she wanted.
He covered up his outrageous behavior by pretending to be drunk and acting crazy, making it seem like nothing had happened.
They are still close brothers and sisters.
Zhu Wan spent the entire morning using emojis to cover herself up.
[Kitten nodding.jpg]
white: [It's still early, I can sleep a little longer.]
Zhu Wan sent an "Mmm" reply.
She put down her phone and stared at the chat history for a very long time.
Suddenly, the door was pushed open.
The morning light touched Mom's profile; her white shirt was meticulously tucked into her black trousers, the cut as sharp as her features. Seven-centimeter stilettos clicked on the floor, the cold sound shattering the morning's tranquility.
Meng Yin leaned against the door, her hand on the doorknob. "A-Yuan, you've wrapped yourself up like a silkworm cocoon."
Zhu Wan threw off the covers, jumped out of bed, and hugged her mother's waist.
The little girl's eyelids were slightly red.
Meng Yin asked her with a smile, "Did you think you had to go to school when you woke up this morning?"
Zhu Wan smelled her mother's sweet scent but didn't say anything.
Meng Yin is going to Lin City today to attend a three-day wine tasting event and intends to take the little girl out to play.
Upon hearing the word "alcohol," Zhu Wan shook her head in alarm.
Meng Yin cupped her daughter's face in her hands, "If you're not going with Mom, then we'll bring forward the summer trip that Grandma arranged for you. After the trip, you should also start learning to drive and swimming."
Zhu Wan nodded. "Has my sister already gone to school?"
"They just left a short while ago."
Meng Yin ruffled her daughter's hair. "Mom's going out now, A-Yuan. After you wash up and have breakfast, let Aunt Shu help you pack your luggage."
Zhu Wan followed her mother downstairs and saw her off at the door.
Meng Yin got into the car and waved to her daughter, "Ah Yuan, have a pleasant graduation trip."
Zhu Wan stood in the morning light, waving goodbye to her mother.
The day after the college entrance examination ended, she practically fled Kaijing City.
In 20 days, under her grandmother's arrangement, she traveled to all nine provinces and three municipalities in eastern China.
She was constantly urged to update her WeChat Moments.
It has also become a gathering place for friends to check in and chat every day.
Zhu Wan returned to Beijing the day before her college entrance examination results were released.
-
"Breakfast today is free, all of it is free!"
The breakfast shop owner's shout instantly enlivened the atmosphere in the shop.
"Old Chen, your son is really impressive. He scored more than 40 points above the first-tier university admission line last year."
Congratulations and thanks echoed in Qiu Chen and Fang Qibai's ears.
Qiu Chen pulled Fang Qibai to a clean table to sit down for breakfast and handed him the things he had brought.
A large, square gift box was inside a gift bag tied with a lace ribbon.
It felt heavy in my hand.
Chiu Chen: "Ah Yuan asked me to bring this to you. She said it was a gift she brought back for everyone from her trip. Everyone will receive one."
Fang Qibai paused slightly as he accepted the gift.
He received no news of Zhu Wan's return to Beijing.
It's not in the group chat or on my WeChat Moments.
Qiu Chen showed Fang Qibai his chat history with A Yuan, saying, "We chat every day. I picked her up from the airport yesterday." He took a bite of a fried dough ring.
Fang Qibai's gaze lingered on Qiu Chen, who said he would pick her up from the airport, but the girl said no.
Qiu Chen persisted, and the little girl asked if he was alone.
Only after confirming that Qiu Chen was going alone did they reply that it was okay.
He raised an eyebrow slightly.
It was also clear that the little girl was deliberately avoiding him.
The breakfast shop owner's son held his phone, his face still beaming with joy and excitement.
Qiu Chen tagged Zhu Wan in the group chat: 【Have you checked your score yet?】
The score sheet that Zhu Wan sent via screenshot made Qiu Chen drop the fried dough ring he was eating.
"Dog White, this is five points higher than your college entrance exam score back then."
Fang Qibai sent a series of celebratory messages in the group chat.
Yi Jia followed closely behind the formation, and the salute emojis flooded the screen for nearly three minutes.
Qiu Chen only stopped when his hands were numb.
He invited Zhu Wan to have dinner together that evening in the group chat.
Yi Jia @ A Yuan: [Don't forget you promised Jia-jie tonight.]
The group chat was lively and bustling.
Fang Qibai lowered his head, his gaze settling on the little girl's portrait.
He clicked into their chat window.
Aside from their interactions in group chats and on social media, their last conversation was the morning after Zhu Wan woke up from her drunken stupor.
Qiu Chen clicked his tongue, "Yi Jia told us in the group to line up, make an appointment to get a number and meet A Yuan. She has already booked A Yuan's time for tonight."
-
The Zhu family received countless congratulatory phone calls throughout the day.
The number of customers has never stopped.
In the evening, Yi Jia came to the Zhu family home to pick up Zhu Wan for dinner.
Zhu Wan had already packed her things and was standing outside the villa waiting for Sister Jia with her bag on her back.
Zhu Wan finally relaxed completely once she got into the car.
Yi Jia pinched her cheek, enjoying the sensation: "A-Yuan, call your good girl, we're going to pick her up now."
After picking up Lin Zhenzhen, Yi Jia drove at a steady speed all the way to the dinner location.
The waiter opened the car door, and Yi Jia handed the car keys to the waiter to park the car.
Before you stands a detached Spanish-style building, with a square plaque carved with intricate details, a harmonious blend of Chinese and Western elements.
Lin Zhenzhen has recovered from her heartbreak.
Unlucky in love, lucky in exams.
When the results came out, she scored 20 points higher than she had estimated.
She's sure she'll get into the top-tier university she wants.
Zhu Wan looked at the Chinese restaurant in front of her, and saw that the people coming in and out were all dressed in evening gowns and suits.
She looked down at the three of them in their ordinary everyday clothes and for a moment thought she had wandered into the wrong place.
Yi Jia took one arm in each of them and led them inside. "The three of us aren't attending any important occasion. I brought you two here just to have a meal and celebrate. Do whatever makes you comfortable."
There aren't that many requirements.
One elevator arrived first, and the people waiting in front of it entered one after another.
Yi Jia decided to wait for the next trip.
She could tell that the group standing in front of them was a large family celebrating an elder's birthday, and she smiled and told the young and beautiful lady inside that they would come next time.
The lady, wearing a midi-length gown and a matching set of diamonds, smiled and said, "There's still room. If you don't mind, you can come along."
Lin Zhenzhen spotted Jiang Tingyu in the elevator at a glance, wearing headphones and a suit and playing games on his phone.
What a coincidence!
Yi Jia noticed their subtle movements. "Did you run into a classmate?"
Lin Zhenzhen quickly shook her head.
Zhu Wan remained silent, even deliberately minimizing her presence.
The beautiful lady gently patted Jiang Tingyu on the back, "Rest your eyes for a while."
Jiang Tingyu didn't look up from the game. "This round is about to end."
The elevator goes up to the fifth floor.
The elevator doors opened, and he stepped out.
After finishing the game, he put his phone in his pocket.
The moment I looked up, I could see three figures entering the adjacent Harmony Hall.
There were two figures he recognized.
It's Zhu Wan and Lin Zhenzhen.
Lin Zhenzhen sat in the private room, looking at the antique magenta color scheme and large table in the hall. "Isn't this dinner a bit too extravagant? My grandfather celebrated his birthday here last time."
Zhu Wan also felt that this was taking things too seriously.
She thought that when Sister Jia said "eat," she meant a simple meal.
The three of them booked such a large room and table, making it seem particularly empty.
Yi Jia likes this kind of grand and spacious style.
She had ordered the food in advance.
Yi Jia smiled mysteriously at the two girls, "I've arranged a program for you."
As the dishes were served one after another, Yi Jia clapped his hands outside the private room.
Six men filed in, all around 185 centimeters tall. The sharply tailored fabric of their suits rustled slightly with each step. The man in the lead had a very faint mole at the corner of his eye, which seemed alluring under the light.
The men standing in a row had quiet gazes, yet they possessed an alluring quality.
Seeing the two stunned girls, Yi Jia said, "Let the performance begin."
The men in front of me were all handsome in their own way.
The man in the lead turned on the small speaker he had brought and began to dance to the music.
The rhythm was uniform.
Lin Zhenzhen blushed like a crab, but didn't look away.
Oh my god, they're so good at dancing! And they're so handsome, everyone has an amazing physique.
Yi Jia commented: "A feast for the eyes."
I'd give it an 8 out of 10 for my satisfaction.
After all, she has quite a few authoritative figures around her.
Tonight was all planned out of the blue. Ah Wan definitely wouldn't agree to go to a bar.
Let's arrange a nice meal for the younger sisters.
She was referring to the dishes.
See something different.
This time it's a person.
Zhu Wan kept her head down, shoveling rice into her mouth, her eyes not daring to wander.
Suddenly, the door to the private room was pushed open.
Jiang Tingyu froze on the spot upon seeing this scene in the private room.
Yi Jia was recording a video when she saw the handsome younger brother suddenly barge in. She raised an eyebrow.
"Are you here to join?"
Jiang Tingyu stared at Zhu Wan, who was engrossed in eating, and suddenly laughed, "That's right, I'm here to join."
Lin Zhenzhen almost choked on her saliva.
Did Jiang Tingyu become a male model for love?
In her excitement, she dropped her chopsticks on the ground.
Zhu Wan choked on a grain of rice.
The next second, Jiang Tingyu walked up to Zhu Wan with a flamboyant gait.
Zhu Wan immediately stood up from her chair and stepped back.
She covered her lips, her eyes filled with tears, and she couldn't stop coughing.
Jiang Tingyu stood in front of Zhu Wan, cornering her against the wall.
He quickly took off his suit jacket and began unbuttoning his shirt.
Zhu Wan jumped up from her chair.
Yi Jia said, "No, no, we'll have a vegetarian feast tonight," but her eyes honestly fell on the boy.
Lin Zhenzhen didn't know which way to look for a moment.
She wants to see them all.
Good women gain fame, bad women gain everything.
Jiang Tingyu pointed at the group of men and asked Zhu Wan, "Which type of man do you like?"
He can learn.
Jiang Tingyu had unbuttoned his white shirt, revealing his muscular waist and abs.
Zhu Wan coughed even more violently.
Yi Jia went over, wanting to pull A Yuan out.
She smiled and said to the little boy, "Just kidding, okay? Don't get carried away."
Jiang Tingyu shouted amidst the music, "I never joke around."
The beautiful lady and Fang Qibai came in and saw this scene: Jiang Tingyu, holding up his pants that were about to fall down, stood in front of the young girl with a look on his face that said, "Please hurry up and force yourself on me."
The beautiful woman panicked: "Jiang Tingyu... what are you doing?"
Jiang Tingyu took a moment to look up and said, "Stepmother, I'm working as a male model for love."
Lin Zhenzhen spat out her drink a long way.
Yi Jia laughed so hard his composure crumbled.
Zhu Wan is going crazy.
She was rooted to the spot when Fang Qibai glanced at her indifferently.
Why is Fang Qibai here?
Yi Jia looked at Fang Qibai, somewhat surprised: "Why did you come here?"
Fang Qibai walked straight past Yi Jia and pulled the little girl who was being blocked out.
Jiang Tingyu naturally refused: "Don't interrupt my service."
Fang Qibai's lips curled into a smile, but his eyes held no mirth: "She agreed to your services?"
Zhu Wan turned her head away and coughed, her throat choking and hurting.
Fang Qibai's fingertips, pressed against Zhu Wan's wrist, felt the burning heat travel all the way to her heart.
Jiang Tingyu opened his mouth slightly.
Fang Qibai picked up the clothes from the ground and threw them at the boy. "Pull up your pants and get out."
Zhu Wan avoided his gaze, coughing incessantly, and dared not look up.
A cup of tea was handed to her, and she drank most of it.
Fang Qibai looked down at the blushing girl, his coldness fading slightly. "Stay here and continue eating, or come out with me?"
If Zhu Wan could handle such a scene, she wouldn't have coughed so much.
She put down her teacup and managed to suppress her cough.
Her voice was soft and slightly hoarse, "I'll go out with you."
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