Chapter 47: She had already harbored inappropriate thoughts towards him.
Yuan Lai's lips twitched slightly. "Confirmed."
Lin Zaoyi winked dramatically, "Doesn't it look good?"
“It’s beautiful…” Yuan Lai hesitated, then smiled, “but I just don’t think it’s suitable to talk about Zhaojing.”
"Really?" Lin Zaoyi asked, feigning curiosity. "Then what color suits Brother Zhaojing?"
Yuan Lai's smile became more genuine. "It's still the same few types, black and white."
Upon hearing this, Lin Zaoyi expressed some disdain, saying, "How boring."
After going around the room, Yuan Lai chose three items: black and white, plus burgundy. She suddenly wanted to see if Tan Zhaojing would accept her gift because of Lin Zaoyi.
Lin Zaoyi didn't ask any more questions. After choosing her clothes, she was about to leave when Yuan Lai stopped her again, saying, "I have dinner appointments with Editor-in-Chief Ming and Uncle Tan tonight. Let's go together."
Since my mother is here, I won't refuse.
...
The restaurant's corridors were winding, and a smiling waiter led them into one of the private rooms. Unexpectedly, Tan Zhaojing was also there.
Lin Zaoyi was stunned for a moment, then she understood.
Mingxian was slightly surprised, her gaze sweeping over the two girls. "How did you two meet?"
Yuan Lai chimed in, "At the charity gala a while ago."
Mingxian nodded, glancing at the bag in her hand, "Did you go shopping together?"
Yuan Lai smiled, "I made the appointment with Zao Yi and asked her to give me some advice."
She handed over the silk scarf box with both hands, saying, "Zaoyi chose this; I'm sure you'll like it."
Mingxian said half-jokingly, "This girl's taste isn't very good."
"Look at Dian Dian's clothes, there are no more than three colors in her entire outfit."
Lin Zaoyi remained silent.
With a slight glance to the side, she saw Yuan Lai walk straight towards Tan Zhaojing, then sit down beside him with utmost ease, shaking the logo bag in her hand, "I bought it if I saw something suitable, but you can't refuse, Zaoyi helped me pick it out for a long time."
"?"
Did she help?
Sensing a gaze coming from above, I instinctively looked over and met the person's eyes. He had long, narrow eyes and was squinting, giving off a strong sense of pressure.
Instantly, an inexplicable palpitation swept through her heart. She subtly adjusted her breathing and moved away without making a sound.
Yuan Lai didn't notice the exchange of glances between the two. She asked with a smile, "Want to guess which one Zao Yi picked out for you?"
Tan Zhaojing's eyelids twitched slightly as he twirled the teacup in his hand. "Which one?"
Lin Zaoyi tried not to care, but her gaze was uncontrollable. She saw Yuan Lai's lips slightly upturned, every smile and frown full of charm, "Wine red."
He even took it out to show it off, asking, "Editor-in-Chief Ming, Uncle Tan, what do you think?"
The two nodded with smiles, "It looks good."
However, Mingxian said, "It's not suitable for Zhaojing, but it suits Tan You's personality."
As she spoke, she looked at her daughter and asked, "Was it bought in Tan You's style?"
Lin Zaoyi: "..."
She was wronged.
At this point, saying anything is superfluous; it's better to remain silent.
"Tan You?" Yuan Lai asked with interest, "Zao Yi and Tan You...?"
Throughout the questioning, he kept a close eye on Tan Zhaojing, his expression unchanged, but his slightly lowered eyelids held a hint of coldness.
Is she being overly sensitive?
Uncle Tan's voice rang in my ears, "I don't know the specifics yet, it depends on the two of them, but your Aunt Ming and I are quite willing."
Mingxian smiled, "Yes, I'm quite satisfied with Tan You."
Lin Zaoyi must be out of her mind; she's denied it so many times, why won't people believe her?
"Mom, don't talk while eating or sleeping."
Mingxian pretended that her daughter was shy and said, "Okay, I won't say it."
The topic shifted quickly, but Yuan Lai quickly brought it back, saying, "Zaoyi, Tan You is good. Don't believe the marketing accounts; they're all made up."
As she spoke, she didn't forget to pull Tan Zhaojing along, "You should feel quite at ease knowing that Zaoyi is with Tan You, right?"
Lin Zaoyi was speechless. If you're going to pursue her, then go ahead and do it. Why did you have to drag her into this?
Tan Zhaojing smiled, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "What if I said I wasn't at ease?"
Yuan Lai's heart tightened, and she held her breath, "What...does that mean?"
He said in a flat tone, "The literal meaning."
Each word and syllable instantly filled her heart, then slowly and heavily sank her down.
So, is Lin Zaoyi an exception for him?
Tan's father interpreted it in another way: "Zhaojing, you are worrying too much. Your Aunt Ming and I are still very relieved."
Mingxian was about to agree when her clothes were tugged at by her daughter's little hand. She smiled and said, "Okay, I won't say anything more."
The topic about her was completely changed, and it wasn't brought up again until we put down our chopsticks.
But Lin Zaoyi found the meal utterly unappetizing.
As they left the restaurant, Tan's father spoke up, "Zhaojing, Yuan Lai has been drinking. See her off."
Yuan Lai naturally wouldn't miss such a good opportunity, "Then I'll have to trouble our President Tan~"
This sentence sounds mostly like a coquettish gesture.
Lin Zaoyi walked at the very back. She hadn't noticed it before, but today she suddenly realized that the night breeze blowing in her face was already carrying a chill, and autumn seemed to have really arrived.
"Come here, I'll take you back to Green County." Someone's voice drifted to your ear on the wind.
She tilted her head slightly to meet his gaze. Under the neon lights, his silhouette was outlined in a deep light, which made his pupils appear very pale, so pale that she felt a bit cold about them.
Unconsciously rubbing his arm, he said, "Brother Zhaojing, you can take Sister Yuanlai. I'll ride in Uncle Tan's car."
The man frowned slightly. "It was just something I was doing on my way."
“No need,” said Tan’s father. “Zhaojing, you take Yuan Lai with you. Zaoyi, come with me. It’s a good opportunity for the mother and daughter to have a chat.”
Tan Zhaojing turned around with the streetlight behind him, moved to the car, and opened the passenger door. Yuan Lai thought this was a gentlemanly gesture, but she saw him throw the bag in his hand onto the seat.
"..."
Subconsciously, I turned around to look in Lin Zaoyi's direction, but there was only her back as she walked straight towards another car.
Mingxian noticed this scene, and after getting into the car, she muttered unconsciously, "Yuan Lai seems to have feelings for Zhaojing."
Tan's father also noticed this, "but Zhaojing's reaction was not significant."
Mingxian nodded. "Indeed, we don't know what kind of person Zhaojing likes. Speaking of which, Zhaojing's marriage should be decided by the old man, right?"
Mr. Tan nodded, "I guess they're already looking for someone."
Lin Zaoyi listened quietly, unable to tell whether she felt disappointed or relieved.
The traffic outside the window is endless, and the neon lights seem to stretch on forever; looking at them for too long makes my eyes hurt.
I simply closed it.
She felt a push on her shoulder and opened her eyes. "Hmm?"
Mom asked, "What's wrong with you tonight?"
"...What's wrong with me?"
"Looks like you have something on your mind."
When asked if she had something on her mind, Lin Zaoyi replied...
It seems so.
It seems to be related to Tan Zhaojing.
She had already harbored inappropriate thoughts about him.
I could only lie and say, "I'm just too lazy to talk after a long day at work."
In another car a few streets away.
Yuan Lai glanced at the man in the driver's seat every now and then. The man's bone structure was so outstanding that even his profile was captivating.
"Have you been busy lately?" This is the third time since I got on the bus that I've tried to make conversation.
"It's alright," came the reply, still nonchalant.
Talking about Zhaojing's preference for quiet is not a valid excuse; that would be self-deception.
I wonder if it's the same when I'm with Lin Zaoyi.
"arrive."
Upon hearing this, she turned her head and glanced out the window at her apartment, but she wanted to spend more time with him, even if it was just awkward small talk.
"I'm going to my parents' place tonight, so would you mind keeping me company?"
Most people would have agreed, but Tan Zhaojing was the exception, saying, "I have something to do tonight."
"...So urgent?"
Tan Zhaojing hummed in agreement. He unbuckled his seatbelt, and she thought he was going to open the car door for her. But she was wrong again. She saw the man walk around to the passenger side, open the car door, and hook out the logo bag with two fingers.
She remained expressionless and said, "Let's go."
"etc."
She turned slightly to the side, and her gaze inadvertently fell upon the cufflinks he was wearing today, which were similar to the ones Zao Yi had given him that day.
Or rather, exactly the same.
Jealousy inevitably welled up in my heart.
The slight smile at the corners of her mouth remained unchanged. "What's wrong?"
Tan Zhaojing handed over the shopping bag, saying, "It's not suitable."
Fortunately, the darkness of the night concealed her embarrassment. She acted as if nothing had happened, and smiled, "Fine, I'll keep my sun-protective clothing."
I asked casually, "Aren't you considering keeping the burgundy one? After all, it was Zaoyi who picked it out for you."
The man looked over; his eyes, which should have been full of affection, were strangely indifferent.
"So what?"
After saying that, he walked back to the driver's seat, started the engine, and left a trail of exhaust fumes without stopping for even half a second.
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