Chapter 164 Modern Era Part 4 If you're willing, you can come at me right now...
The raindrops fell softly, appearing like strings of silver threads under the car headlights.
Bai also gazed at the hazy profile inside the car window, watching the rain trickle down from the roof and the slender cigarette between her fingers.
Recalling what Liu Yue had said last night, I knew in my heart that she had given me a way out and that I should go with it. But my feet seemed to be rooted to the spot, unable to move.
The car door was pushed open, and Zhong Jiuli, holding an umbrella, stepped into the puddle, her high heels shattering the neon reflections on the ground.
She strode forward, each step pushing Bai deeper into the mire.
The umbrella tilted, shielding her from the fine rain, and the scent of perfume mixed with moisture enveloped her.
"Even if you don't want to ride in my car, don't stand here in the rain like an idiot." Her fingers on the umbrella handle were clearly knuckled, and there was a hint of helplessness in her voice as she handed the umbrella forward.
Bai didn't take the umbrella; her gaze fell on Zhong Jiuli's shoulder.
Raindrops fell, soaking her shoulders. It was clearly a custom-made charcoal gray suit skirt, the knee-length hem revealing slender ankles, and the silk V-neck blouse was slightly loose, revealing her straight collarbone.
This overly formal outfit doesn't look like something you'd wear to a bar.
It seemed he had come specifically to see her, and with that thought in mind, she asked, "Did you come specifically to see me?"
Zhong Jiuli looked up and met her gaze: "How do you want me to answer?"
I hope you'll say yes.
"Yes," she answered without hesitation, her voice exceptionally gentle. "I came specifically to see you, yesterday and today."
This straightforward answer made Bai's heart pound. She stepped forward, took the umbrella, and tilted most of the umbrella towards the other person.
Why did you come to see me yesterday?
Zhong Jiuli chuckled, "I guess I'm bewitched."
This answer made Bai Ye's eyes crinkle into a smile. "What a coincidence, I also feel like I've been bewitched."
The two stood under the umbrella, looking at each other and grinning foolishly, the sound of raindrops pattering on the umbrella surface.
Zhong Jiuli raised her hand and placed it on Bai Ye's wrist. "Now, Bai Ye, are you willing to let me take you back to school?"
The warmth inside the carriage dispelled the chill of the rainy night.
Bai sat in the leather seat, his gaze occasionally drifting to the person beside him, only to quickly look away when the other person looked at him.
"Why are you always peeking at me?" Zhong Jiuli asked with a smile.
"It just feels unreal," Bai said softly. "After getting out of your car yesterday, I thought I would never see you again in this lifetime."
"Are you really willing to give up like this?"
"Of course not!"
Bai shook his head, looking at her with a determined gaze, "So I checked the recruitment information of Sanqing Group today, and I plan to apply for an internship during the winter vacation."
Have you found a suitable position?
"No!" Bai's eyelashes drooped.
"So you have other plans?"
"There's nothing for now. I can only focus on my studies and try to start working at one of your group's subsidiaries after graduation. Eventually, I'll be able to get into the Sanqing Group."
Zhong Jiuli chuckled softly, her slightly husky voice particularly alluring in the enclosed car: "Have you ever considered how long it would take to get to me if things went according to your plan?"
"I've thought about it!" Bai replied seriously. "It might take a long time, maybe five, ten, or even twenty years."
"If only it were then..."
Zhong Jiuli moved closer to her, a strand of her hair brushing against her cheek. "I already have someone else by my side. What's the point of you coming to me?"
"Then I wish you happiness."
His warm breath drew closer, and Zhong Jiuli's slightly cool fingertips touched her cheek. "But you clearly have a faster way to go."
Their noses almost touched, and they had only each other in their eyes.
“If you’re willing, you can come to me right now.” Zhong Jiuli’s voice was seductive as it reached Bai Ye’s ears.
She almost wanted to kiss him recklessly, but just as their lips were about to touch, reason stopped her. Bai tilted her head back and avoided the kiss.
“Yesterday was my first kiss, and I think it was wonderful and worth remembering,” Bai said. “It was so wonderful that I greedily want more, a healthier and more formal relationship.”
"I admit you are very charming and you do make my heart flutter, but I don't want to be one of your countless people."
Zhong Jiuli paused slightly, leaned back in her chair, and a complicated expression appeared in her eyes. "How can you be so sure that I have many?"
"Isn't that right?" Bai asked in surprise.
A brief silence fell over the carriage.
Zhong Jiuli chuckled and shook her head. "So, in your eyes, my initiative to approach you is just being casual? Does it make you assume that I'm surrounded by countless young women?"
Bai didn't say anything, but her expression already confirmed it.
"Little friend, judging people by their appearance is not a good habit. Does that mean that I'm a sin because I'm pretty?"
"No, I don't think so," Bai hurriedly denied. "I just don't want to have sex with you so soon."
"Stop bringing up having sex all the time. I'm here today just to take you back to school."
"Oh," Bai responded softly, then realized he had misunderstood and his face flushed slightly.
Their conversation came to an end, and only then did she realize that the car had already stopped; they had been so engrossed in their conversation that they hadn't noticed.
The rain outside the car window had subsided, leaving only a few scattered raindrops shimmering faintly under the streetlights.
Looking out the car window at the school gate, Bai felt a pang of reluctance, not wanting to part ways with Zhong Jiuli so soon.
She hesitated as she tried to unbuckle her seatbelt, her fingers seeming to be borrowed, unable to open the buckle for a long time.
"Can't untie it?" Zhong Jiuli turned her head to look.
"Hmm..." Bai replied vaguely, her face flushed.
"Let me take a look."
A cool, refreshing fragrance approached. As Zhong Jiuli leaned down, the collar of her shirt drooped slightly, vaguely revealing the outline of black lace trim.
With a "click," the seatbelt was unbuckled.
Zhong Jiuli stepped back, smiling as she looked Bai Ye up and down, her eyes filled with knowing amusement. "It's just unbuckling your seatbelt, why are you blushing like this?"
Bai Ye blushed even more after being teased like that, and stammered, "I...I'm leaving."
Even so, the hand resting on the car door remained motionless, as if waiting for something.
Zhong Jiuli didn't urge him, but quietly observed the child's conflicted expression.
Bai couldn't keep up the act any longer under her gaze, so she had no choice but to push open the car door and get out. She moved slowly, looking back every few steps.
Zhong Jiuli gently reminded him, "Be careful on the road. If you get caught in the rain, take a hot shower as soon as you get back and get some rest."
Bai nodded dejectedly, and after slowly walking a dozen steps, she suddenly stopped and turned to look back.
In the drizzle, the black sedan remained quietly parked in place, the back door open, and the woman inside staring at her.
Through the light drizzle, their eyes met in the air.
Bai didn't hesitate any longer. He jogged back to the car, slightly out of breath, and extended an invitation: "Would you... like to see the night view of Jiang University?"
The moment the words left her mouth, she knew how terrible her excuse was. As an alumna, how could Zhong Jiuli not have seen the night view of Jiang University?
However, upon hearing the invitation, Zhong Jiuli smiled.
She stepped out of the car and stood side by side with Bai: "Perfect timing. After so many years since graduation, it's nice to revisit this place."
The campus was quiet and deserted late at night, with only the streetlights casting halos of light on the wet ground.
Bai Ye held up the umbrella, her gaze occasionally drifting to Zhong Jiuli's hand hanging by her side. She quietly took her hand out of her pocket and pretended to casually brush against the other's fingertips.
Zhong Jiuli's gaze remained fixed ahead, and when Bai Ye tentatively approached again, she naturally took her hand.
"Satisfied?" She raised her intertwined hands and gently waved them under the streetlight, the warm yellow light flowing through the gaps between their clasped fingers.
"Satisfied." Bai also smiled, her eyes crinkling like a cat that had stolen a can of food.
"Don't you think it's too casual for your sister to hold your hand now?" Zhong Jiuli teased her.
"I don't think you're casual."
Bai also emphasized, "This is a tactic, a move called feigning indifference to lure you in. Even if you have 108 other good sisters outside, I will be the most special one for you, so that you will never forget me."
"Silly." Zhong Jiuli shook her head helplessly, her eyes filled with laughter.
Even though they both deliberately slowed down, they arrived at the dormitory building very quickly.
Bai Ye stopped and looked at the dormitory building, which had already been turned off. He said, "It's so late. Isn't it a bit dangerous for you to go out alone? How about I take you back to your car?"
"What?" Zhong Jiuli raised an eyebrow at her. "You don't expect your sister to wear high heels and walk with you in the rain until dawn, do you?"
"Alright then." Bai handed her the umbrella handle. "Can you send me a message when you get home?"
"Is this the typical way young people ask for contact information these days? So roundabout?"
Bai blushed slightly after his thoughts were exposed, and awkwardly touched his burning ears. "Then... can I add you?"
What do you think?
"I think it's a good idea." Bai grinned, his eyes sparkling.
Zhong Jiuli took out her phone, unlocked it, and handed it to her: "If you say it's okay, then it's fine. Add it yourself."
Bai was surprised that she actually handed over her phone. She took the phone, opened the chat app, and casually glanced at the chat interface. Great, there was only one person pinned to the top.
It seems that even if there are still competitors outside, there is only one, which greatly increases her chances of winning.
Bai didn't dare to look any longer, quickly added the phone as a friend, and obediently handed it back.
"Shouldn't you get a thorough check-up?" Zhong Jiuli asked with a light laugh.
Upon hearing this, Bai immediately reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, urgently retorting, "I didn't peek..."
"Okay, I just took a peek."
Zhong Jiuli opened the chat interface to show her: "The person pinned to the top is my childhood friend. She recently went abroad. When she comes back, I'll take you to meet her."
"Okay," Bai replied, still feeling dizzy.
"Then I'm leaving." Zhong Jiuli said, turning to leave.
"etc......"
Bai called out to her, his gaze lingering on her red lips. "I think today counts as our first date, right? Shouldn't we have a goodnight kiss after the date?"
After she finished speaking, she looked at Zhong Jiuli expectantly. Seeing that she did not object, she closed her eyes and slowly approached. Just as she was about to touch that rosy blush, her lips were pressed against her cool fingertips.
"kid."
Zhong Jiuli's fingertips gently caressed her lips, a glint of light in his eyes. "Sister isn't someone you can just kiss whenever you want."
After she finished speaking, she turned and left, holding her umbrella.
Bai stood there, watching the receding figure. She gently touched her lips, which Zhong Jiuli had just touched, where a faint fragrance still lingered.
"Stop daydreaming, they've all disappeared."
The sound of gritting teeth came from behind, startling Bai.
She turned around and saw Liu Yue emerge from the bushes by the roadside, her hair wet and with a few leaves clinging to it.
"What are you doing squatting in the grass?" Bai asked, his eyes wide with surprise.
Liu Yue angrily swatted the leaves off her head, her eyes practically spitting fire. "So, the older, beautiful woman you mentioned last night who made your heart flutter and made you want to sleep with her, is Zhong Jiuli?"
She approached Bai Ye step by step, her voice trembling, "And you actually refused?"
"Good! Good! Good!"
"Bai Ye, I really underestimated you!!!"
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