Thin, layered clouds peeked through the sunlight, gradually leveling with the window, while the distant horizon was tinged with a clean, azure blue.
The once massive buildings on land now resembled building blocks, and vast expanses of greenery slowly unfolded before Lu Shizhen's eyes like a scroll painting.
The spacious seat was perfectly flush with the window glass, cleanly reflecting the girl's profile.
Lu Shizhen gazed at the rare scenery, unsure whether she was diligently recording everything she saw or simply lost in thought due to exhaustion. Her distant gaze seemed to fall on some random focal point.
Suddenly, the cat Lu Shizhen was holding moved slightly, and then she saw a glass of orange juice being handed to her.
Xu Shiyue strolled over and asked in a friendly manner, "Juice?"
"Thank you." Lu Shizhen nodded and accepted it.
When Xu Shiyue asked her if she would be welcome to return to the capital with them for the celebration banquet, Lu Shizhen hadn't answered yet when she felt two gazes from Editor-in-Chief Chen and Xiaoning respectively.
With such a burning and intense gaze, Lu Shizhen dared not say she was not welcome.
If they said she wasn't welcome, she wouldn't even need to go back; she'd be criticized and torn to pieces on the spot by those two.
It's impressive to say that China has top-tier financial power.
On the return flight, Xu Shiyue upgraded Lu Shizhen's team to first class for free. Since it wasn't peak tourist season, the entire first class cabin was theirs, and Qiuqiu was brought on board as well.
Lu Shizhen finally understood what it meant for someone to achieve enlightenment and for their entire family to benefit.
Lu Shizhen specifically chose a two-seater seat, intending for Qiuqiu to enjoy it.
But she completely forgot about Xu Shiyue's existence.
A slender shadow fell on Lu Shizhen's shoulder, and Xu Shiyue slowly sat down in the seat next to Lu Shizhen.
The blanket was expertly spread out and laid flat on her lap. As she tidied it, she asked, "Did you bring it here as checked baggage?"
Lu Shizhen was a little dazed after a busy day and didn't understand Xu Shiyue's words for a moment. She paused for a moment and asked, "Huh?"
Xu Shiyue smoothed out a corner of the blanket and casually suggested, "Cat."
Lu Shizhen suddenly realized.
—The pet transport that Xu Shiyue was referring to was Qiuqiu's pet transport.
Actually, there is another very important but little-known reason why Lu Shizhen always chooses to act with the main force first.
Qiuqiu isn't a real cat, so there's no need for expensive pet shipping, and it doesn't like being confined to that cramped, dark space. In the past, wherever Lu Shizhen went, it would always leave its physical body and enter the system space.
Lu Shizhen also thoughtfully redeemed an extra appearance storage space for Qiuqiu in the system space, which is basically like a wardrobe.
Although there were only two sets of clothes inside at most.
“You mean Qiuqiu…” Worried that her hesitation might have given her away, Lu Shizhen immediately put on a knowing look and echoed Xu Shiyue, “Yes, it was shipped by freight. This little cat’s value has skyrocketed over the years.”
Xu Shiyue watched Lu Shizhen's reply in her line of sight, lowered her eyes slightly, and naturally turned her gaze to Qiuqiu, as if she were very interested: "Can I hug it?"
Upon hearing this, Qiuqiu, who was pretending to be asleep, immediately tensed up and kept stomping on Lu Shizhen's lap with her paws.
Lu Shizhen didn't know how to refuse, so she could only add a reminder when she agreed: "It's possible... but it's not very obedient, so you have to be careful, it hurts quite a bit if it scratches you."
“It’s alright,” Xu Shiyue said, but not so.
After saying that, she reached out and calmly took Qiuqiu from Lu Shizhen's arms.
Siamese cats may look slender, but they are actually quite heavy.
Xu Shiyue's movements weren't exactly standard, but Qiuqiu remained as quiet as a chicken. The cool touch of her fingers seeped through its fur and into its veins. With each gentle stroke, Qiuqiu felt as if its fate was in someone else's hands. Despite its rebellious nature, it didn't dare to resist.
"This is the first time I've seen it so calm. It probably acted up when it was with me." Lu Shizhen stretched her slightly numb legs and watched from the side. She really did have the illusion that Qiuqiu was a cat that would judge people based on their status.
"Then I'll hold her a little longer." Xu Shiyue hugged Qiuqiu, who was curled up obediently on her lap, and turned to Lu Shizhen, saying, "Why don't you take this opportunity to rest a little longer? It takes about an hour to get to the capital from here, so you can rest for a bit."
"That's true."
Hearing this, Lu Shizhen was indeed a little tired, and she yawned as she spoke.
Perhaps it was the physiological tears from yawning that blurred the distance between them, but Lu Shizhen then spoke to Xu Shiyue in a manner that was both ordinary and unusual: "I was dragged out of bed at five o'clock this morning, I'm so sleepy..."
As she spoke, another yawn appeared on Lu Shizhen's head.
This time, however, when she opened her eyes after closing them, she was enveloped in darkness. Something slightly tight suddenly gripped her eyes, and her head, which was leaning against the back of the chair, was lifted up by a soft hand.
Her vision was abruptly taken away, and in the dim light, she caught a faint fragrance.
—It was the scent that Xu Shiyue's fingers left as they brushed against the tip of her nose, intentionally or unintentionally.
Cool fingers gently brushed across the fabric in front of her face, making a soft sound.
Even though it wasn't directly touching her skin, Lu Shizhen felt something tickling her heart, an itch that wasn't just an itch, but like a hook that instantly drew her in.
Lu Shizhen's eyelashes fluttered weakly under the eye mask. Just as she was feeling lost, Xu Shiyue's voice came from beside her: "Sleep, I'm right next to you."
Xu Shiyue's voice was as calm as ever, but perhaps because her vision had been taken away, Lu Shizhen felt that the cool tone had taken on a deep, magnetic quality, deep and gentle as if it were right next to her ear.
Thump, thump.
My heart started beating erratically again.
Strangely enough, it was this erratic beating that gradually and peacefully released Lu Shizhen's fatigue.
A faint fragrance slowly enveloped her from one side, gently soothing her already drowsy and weary soul.
I don't know how many minutes passed, maybe less than ten seconds, but Lu Shizhen really fell asleep.
Qiuqiu was unwilling to be bound, while Lu Shizhen was sleeping peacefully. Taking advantage of Xu Shiyue's inattention, she tried to leave her embrace.
But as soon as the body that had been perched there rose up, or even before it had fully risen, someone grabbed the scruff of its neck, the most fatal part of a cat's life.
Xu Shiyue stood upright with a calm expression and effortlessly pressed Qiuqiu back onto her lap.
Then, gently and slowly stroking the back of its neck, she lowered her eyes slightly and looked tenderly at the seemingly obedient kitten: "You'd better behave, I don't want anyone disturbing your owner's rest."
This was the gentlest voice Qiuqiu had ever heard from Xu Shiyue, yet somehow her curled-up paws were suddenly filled with a chill.
An unprecedented pressure enveloped Qiuqiu's head, causing it to immediately nestle obediently in Xu Shiyue's arms.
Then, just like an ordinary kitten, it looked up at Xu Shiyue with its big, innocent eyes that could charm anyone, and gave her a long, sweet "meow," as if to show how well-behaved it was.
And the will to survive.
Since there was no reason to keep the guests waiting, everyone went straight to the celebration banquet location as soon as they got off the plane.
The celebration banquet became exceptionally grand because of Xu Shiyue's arrival.
There are some things I don't dare to say out loud, as it would make me seem ignorant, but the group chat for slacking off has exploded. Members who attended the celebration banquet have posted pictures from the scene, saying: "Ms. Xu is really amazing. She finally managed to get that stingy editor-in-chief Chen to pluck some feathers!"
Exquisite delicacies were arranged in a circle on the table, and even just looking at the pictures made one's appetite whetted.
Those who couldn't attend the celebration banquet, as well as Qiuqiu who was sent home early, all drooled with envy.
Even more precious than an expensive and delicious meal is a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere at the dinner table.
Xu Shiyue appears aloof and cold, but she doesn't put on any airs.
When Editor-in-Chief Chen toasted her, she responded politely. As everyone chatted and laughed, the conversation occasionally turned to her, and she would chime in with a few words, like a lion cat sitting on a high platform, proud and aloof but without strong aggression.
Seeing that Xu Shiyue was so easy to get along with, as the food on the table decreased, everyone gradually reverted to their true colors.
Loud laughter echoed throughout the private room, truly a celebratory dinner to mark the success of the book signing event.
Lu Shizhen watched from the side, occasionally taking out her phone to record a moment that would be enough to make them die of shock when they woke up.
She really liked the atmosphere.
In particular, you don't have to be distracted by thinking about what "she" might do.
The square frame brought the scene at the banquet to a standstill. Suddenly, Lu Shizhen remembered that she had also been laughing and chatting with everyone at such celebration parties, having a wonderful time.
That was five years ago, when the school symphony orchestra had already secured the gold medal.
Xu Shiyue is also there, and she's also a main character.
"Bang!"
Suddenly, the sound of wine glasses clinking together rang in Lu Shizhen's ears, pulling her back from her memories.
Xiaoning walked over with a wine glass in her hand, forcibly took the glass from her hand, and filled it halfway with wine.
This person has a low alcohol tolerance but loves to drink. At every gathering, he would drag everyone at the table into drinking three or four rounds.
Lu Shizhen was somewhat helpless. Just as she was about to raise her hand to drink the wine that Xiaoning had poured for her, a pair of hands reached out from her side.
"I'll take her place."
Xu Shiyue sat down next to Lu Shizhen and took the wine glass from her hand as she spoke.
Lu Shizhen was completely unprepared for this action; the raised arm wrapped around her perfectly in Xu Shiyue's arms.
The previously friendly distance suddenly closed by more than one degree, and the shadows cast on the wall seemed to be pressed together.
The distance was too close, and the floating air was trapped in the cramped gap. The fragrance of this person was irrationally swept up by the smell of alcohol, and in an instant, it completely enveloped Lu Shizhen.
The pure wine was kissed onto Xu Shiyue's lips through the glass, and soon it all went down her throat.
Lu Shizhen watched from the side, and at such close range, she could clearly see the water droplets on Xu Shiyue's lips reflected in her eyes. But in less than half a second, they were enveloped by the tip of her tongue.
It was done casually, yet it left those watching momentarily stunned.
"Yay!" Xiaoning, who was watching from the side, clapped her hands excitedly and wobbled as she aimed the wine bottle she was holding at Xu Shiyue's glass.
"Sister Xu, one more! One more with me!"
"Buzz buzz buzz..."
Just as Xiaoning was recklessly setting her sights on Xu Shiyue as her next target for harassing her with alcohol, her phone vibrated in a sudden interruption.
Lu Shizhen snapped out of her daze and looked in the direction of the sound, only to see the words "Shen Yanxing" flashing on the screen of Xu Shiyue's phone, which was placed on her side.
Upon seeing this, Xu Shiyue immediately put down her wine glass, stood up, and answered the phone.
That clear, cold voice, without any pretense or emotion, brushed past Lu Shizhen's ears: "Yanxing, I've arrived. Sorry, I forgot to tell you."
It is a formation of geese.
It's not Shen Yanxing.
There is no surname, only a given name.
Xu Shiyue's voice was as calm as ever, but Lu Shizhen found it more jarring than ever before.
It was as if something had suddenly fallen from the sky, blocking her heart, making it hard for her to breathe.
Xiaoning, the second person to hear this, saw Xu Shiyue leave the private room and, reeking of alcohol, took the lead in gossiping: "Was this a check-up or just to let everyone know she was safe? Who is Yanxing...?"
The party was already in its second half, and almost everyone present had been plied with drinks by Xiaoning twice. They started chatting and joking around without a care in the world. A young girl who was very close to Xiaoning seemed to have remembered something juicy and excitedly patted Xiaoning's arm: "Yanxing, Shen Yanxing, that one, that one, that one... that young lady from the Shen Group!"
Xiaoning asked, puzzled, "Who?"
"It's that Shen Group, which has close ties and a very strong working relationship with many of Miss Xu's businesses." The man explained vaguely, "Well, that landmark building in S City was a joint project between the two of them!"
"Oh! Is this the legendary powerful alliance?" another person chimed in.
"It's not necessarily just a powerful alliance~" The person shook their head vigorously, whether unsteadily or deliberately. "I heard that Miss Xu and Miss Shen actually..."
"No! Miss Xu is totally my type, waaaaah, sister, you can't!"
"Get lost, what are you daydreaming about in the middle of the night? Sister Xu is mine."
...
The gossip conversation eventually drifted to personal relationships. Xiaoning, who had been bombarded with Xu Shiyue's beauty that morning, hugged the wine bottle as if she were hugging Xu Shiyue, and started scrambling with everyone to grab it.
And in the midst of the increasingly tangential conversation, there was only one person who didn't participate.
That's Lu Shizhen.
She doesn't usually like gossip, but this time her aversion to it was even stronger.
His tone even became much harsher than usual.
Xiaoning, clutching the bottle, was about to utter some more vulgar and risqué words when Lu Shizhen interrupted her: "Xiaoning, it's almost time. Shouldn't we finish? You all have to get up early tomorrow for a report. Will you even wake up if you drink any more?"
"But my Sister Xu hasn't..." Xiaoning said reluctantly, her face full of grievance.
However, Lu Shizhen did not give her a chance and interrupted her again, her tone even harsher than before: "She has so many people around her, you don't need to worry about her."
"Oh... well, then it really is time to go back..." Xiaoning nodded unsteadily, completely forgetting how disrespectful it was to leave before the guests had returned.
Lu Shizhen glanced at the others, who were no better off than Xiaoning, and sighed with a headache.
She never imagined that the person who would faint from even a little alcohol back then would now be the one with the highest alcohol tolerance in the group.
Bright light slowly streamed from the private room into the corridor. Li Zheng, following Xu Shiyue's instructions, stood guard outside the room when he heard an unfamiliar voice say to him, "Hey Li, I'm sorry, everyone's drunk. Could you help me get them to their car?"
Li looked at the woman standing in front of him, a hint of doubt flashing across his eyes.
It wasn't just that she knew her name, but also the tone of her voice when she gave her orders.
This feeling of déjà vu made him hesitant to think further, so he silently nodded, agreeing to help the person.
With Li's help, Lu Shizhen had an easier time sending everyone back this time than usual.
As she listened to Editor-in-Chief Chen recount his story of being cheated out of 250 yuan when he first arrived in the capital, which he told Xiaoning for the third time in the taxi, she slammed the door shut without hesitation.
A sudden gust of night wind blew up, ruffling the hair on Lu Shizhen's face.
The slightly stiff ends of her freshly styled hair brushed against her neck, leaving a faint, stinging sensation.
The corduroy skirt billowed in the wind, swaying aimlessly.
Lu Shizhen casually glanced back at the bustling pedestrian street, but her gaze couldn't find a focal point in the throng of people.
She didn't even know what she was looking at when she turned around. She casually brought her gaze back from its boundless distance and said to Li, who was standing to the side, "Thank you for your help. Could you please tell Xu Shiyue for me that we are all a bit drunk and have to leave now? She can make her call at her own pace, there's no rush."
Lu Shizhen spoke calmly, but her tone became increasingly stiff.
Li Wenyan hesitated, wanting to say something to Lu Shizhen, but Lu Shizhen had already walked to the roadside and waved to a taxi that was driving by not far away.
The night breeze carried a chill not commonly seen in spring, and the taxi with its green light smoothly pulled up in front of its customer.
Lu Shizhen let out a soft breath, and without lingering, reached out to open the door.
Unexpectedly, someone came up from behind her and grabbed her hand as she was about to open the car door.
The feeling of being enveloped from behind, which she had just experienced, enveloped Lu Shizhen once again, the aroma of alcohol mingling with the fragrance of wine.
Xu Shiyue leaned towards Lu Shizhen from behind, her gentle chin resting on her shoulder, and said to her in a drunken daze, "Teacher Sixteen, how can you kidnap someone and then not take responsibility?"
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