”Even if I couldn’t see you, I’d call your phone or come directly to your house.”
”That’s exactly what I’m afraid of—” Uh, Xiao Yao suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
After glancing up at his slightly raised eyebrows, she immediately lowered her head again, hastily wiping her face and trying to change the subject: “Are you planning to treat me today? I’m really good at eating.”
Ye Qing gave her a deep look, then smiled mysteriously. “I was just wondering why you called last night to change our meeting place to the alley. Now I think I understand.”
“What do you understand?”
“Because you’re not being honest again, right?”
“I, I—” Her cheeks puffed up for a long time, unable to utter a word.
His smile remained unchanged, then he started the engine and sped out of the alley.
“Do you always drive this fast?” she asked, wide-eyed.
“No. Only when I want to escape.”
“Escape? I wouldn’t have thought you’d want to escape sometimes.”
“Sometimes it’s unavoidable.” He glanced at her sideways and shook his head with a smile. “What about you? Want to escape?”
Heh, could she loudly say YES!? Biting her lip, Xiao Yao borrowed his words, but with a tone of more helplessness: “Everyone has moments they can’t avoid!”
He just pursed his lips and nodded.
After a brief silence, Ye Qing suddenly asked: “Why do your parents oppose us meeting?”
“Ah?” This question caught Xiao Yao off guard. “Why would you ask that?”
“Because you didn’t dare let them know about meeting me today.” He focused his gaze ahead.
“Well, that’s because—” She took a breath, “I didn’t think it was necessary to tell them.”
“Not necessary?”
“You don’t understand. This can avoid a lot of trouble.”
“Tell me, and I’ll understand.”
“Well… like if they knew we went out together, they’d start imagining things, thinking we’re on a date, thinking we—” No, she couldn’t continue!
Worse, he completed the sentence: “They think we’re in a relationship?”
“Ah.” How strange? This luxurious car clearly had air conditioning issues? Otherwise, why did she feel like she was about to overheat?
“So what?” Ye Qing quickly glanced at her, the corner of his mouth involuntarily lifting in a smile.
The translation continues in this style, maintaining the original narrative tone and character interactions.
You can’t say it like that,” she instantly corrected her expression, very seriously. “Even if a friend is treating, you should still consider the other person’s feelings. You can’t make them uncomfortable.”
“Do you think I’m making things difficult? Silly girl.” He couldn’t help but ruffle her hair, his tone filled with undisguised doting.
Such an intimate gesture made her heart flutter again.
He continued, “First, this is within my capabilities; second… if it’s something that makes me happy, what’s spending a bit of money? Do you understand?”
“Uh, are you saying that treating someone to a meal will make you happy?” She tried to understand.
He shook his head, his laughing expression somewhat helpless. “That depends on who you’re eating with.” After saying this, he straightened up and started the car, returning to the focused state of driving, his gaze fixed forward.
Xiao Yao was equally focused, but her gaze couldn’t leave him.
He said it! He said it, didn’t he? The food was especially delicious because his mood was particularly good; and his mood was particularly good because of the person accompanying him – her!
It turned out she wasn’t the only one whose mood was affected!
“Are you looking at me like that because you want to say something?”
Did she have something to say? What could she say? Especially at such a sensitive moment.
Xiao Yao glanced out the window. As the car moved forward, the night scenery was retreating… At this moment, she suddenly really wanted to say something.
But the one who spoke was Ju Qing. “Are you in a hurry to go home?”
“No, no, no, not at all!” Her response was almost startling.
After a momentary daze, Ju Qing quickly grabbed the steering wheel, but the corners of his mouth were already uncontrollably raised.
Ji Rou, “Kiss, Affectionate CEO”
Chapter Five
The car continued driving until Xiao Yao noticed something.
“Are you going to my hometown? It’s been rebuilt and is completely different now.”
“I know.”
“You know?”
“Because I came here a few days ago.” He glanced at her, “I came back hoping to see you, but couldn’t find you.”
“I… we moved away years ago.” His words made Xiao Yao feel sweet, and she couldn’t help but smile.
Turning through several streets and entering a long alley, he slowly parked the car by the roadside. “Get out. Technically, you’re the local, so you’ll be guiding the way.”
“Okay.” She blinked, responding with a sweet smile.
The alley was getting darker. Mercury lamp light filtered through the tree shadows, countless dim lights flickering, at first glance resembling fallen stars in the night sky, secretly blinking and observing.
The saying “environment shapes perception” is indeed true!
Xiao Yao took a breath and couldn’t help but say, “It’s strange. I used to not be able to accept how this place was rebuilt, always feeling it had lost its human touch, but now… I think this looks beautiful too.”
Beside her, he responded, “This is evolution. Some changes are due to trends and might be necessary for survival. If you can’t control something, then you can only adjust your acceptance. Because only after accepting the facts can you understand what you need to face, and finally have the ability to adjust the environment.”
Yes, that’s right, but… she secretly glanced at his tense face, immediately lowering her head to hide her urge to laugh.
Did he have to kill the mood like this? The ground was full of romantic shadows, yet he seemed determined to remind her – don’t think too much?
“Oh! Isn’t this the Xiao family’s girl?” Suddenly, a motorcycle stopped in front of them.
“Uh? Who are you…” Xiao Yao was stunned.
The woman on the motorcycle removed her helmet, smiling, “Don’t recognize me? I’m Aunt Wang, the one you bought beef noodles from the other day.”
Xiao Yao finally showed a look of recognition, but an even more exaggerated “recognition” was on Aunt Wang’s face.
“On a date? Walking with your boyfriend? Looks like I’ll be drinking wedding wine soon!”
Oh, Aunt Wang, you’re thinking too much. Xiao Yao swallowed, with a word stuck in her throat, while Aunt Wang had already started talking non-stop.
“I must congratulate your mother! She won’t have to worry about her daughter not getting married anymore. I told her long ago, ugly ducklings turn into swans, sparrows on a branch become phoenixes. Now it’s proven I was right! Who dares say girls must be smart and clever to be marriageable?”
Who dares say? Would Ju Qing’s suppressed laughter and Xiao Yao’s restrained gasp count as another form of “speaking”?
Finally, Aunt Wang left, but some “aftereffects” were about to dissipate.
Xiao Yao’s brain was filled with ducks, swans, sparrows, and phoenixes. If possible, she wanted to add another option – mole.
She just wanted to dig a tunnel and escape!
Ju Qing took in all the rosy light on her face. “What’s wrong? Still angry about Aunt Wang’s words?”
“Not exactly angry, just… this misunderstanding is embarrassing.” She secretly looked at him.
“Really?”
Really? She slightly widened her eyes, trying to probe the meaning from his still calm smile.
“Aren’t you afraid of being mistaken for my boyfriend?”
“I’m not.”
His answer made Xiao Yao want to cheer on the spot! Oh yeah! Hurray! She could barely contain her excitement.
He suddenly held her hand. “Let’s walk around some more.”
Okay, walk, walk… Was she walking? This kind of “walking” was too mysterious? Her feet were clearly on the ground, yet she felt like she was floating?
