"Couldn't find the way back, saw the rear garden scenery was pretty good, so I stood there for a while."
Nan Jiaojiao pointed to the coat over Shen Shichu's arm, "My phone is inside."
Shen Shichu was startled for a moment.
He had called Nan Jiaojiao more than a dozen times, it didn't matter whether she picked up or not; he had taken the coat along when they left as an afterthought.
"Then hurry up and put it on."
Shen Shichu unfolded the coat, draped it over Nan Jiaojiao, pinched her hand, and said with a face full of concern, "From now on, no matter where you go, always carry your phone with you. I get very worried if I can't find you, understand?"
Nan Jiaojiao nodded her head, not saying much.
Ye Shiqing stood at the door, looking over with a seductive gaze. Her face was flushed from after being pampered and satisfied, and she deliberately glanced at Nan Jiaojiao's expression.
"I've had a drink, and I'm here alone, it's not easy to find a designated driver, how about Brother Chu gives me a lift home?"
"Yeah, since you're on the way, just leave Shiqing to you guys," Wang Wen and others were also standing at the door. His car was crammed with people, leaning against the car door looking over.
"Brother Chu, you have to take good care of our Shiqing, eh? She has the semifinals next week, and in the future, she's going to be a master of classical dance. We'll all bask in her glory."
Chen Chen's girlfriend greeted Nan Jiaojiao first, then affectionately took Ye Shiqing's hand, paid her a couple of compliments, and smoothly pushed Ye Shiqing towards Shen Shichu's car.
Shen Shichu showed no intention of refusing.
He even took the initiative to open the car door.
The passenger side door.
Ye Shiqing bent down and sat inside.
Nan Jiaojiao watched coldly as it all unfolded.
She was the one who was muddled.
Apparently, to everyone else, this pair had already been flirting behind her back. Was she pitied in the eyes of all these people?
"Jiaojiao, come."
Shen Shichu, with his arm around Nan Jiaojiao's waist, sat together in the back seat. The one at the wheel was a temporary designated driver.
This made Ye Shiqing's face darken. She pinched the seatbelt she was holding tightly.
"I saw you had a few sips of fruit wine, are you feeling unwell?"
Nan Jiaojiao turned to look back, but Shen Shichu pushed her back towards the window, then massaged her forehead from behind, "If you're feeling unwell, just lean on me. When we get home, I'll make you some hangover soup."
"Okay."
Nan Jiaojiao leaned back, nestling against Shen Shichu's shoulder.
He leaned over, pressed a button to lower the car window a bit, to let her enjoy the cool breeze.
A few cars slowly merged onto the road, passing by, and a black sedan drove close by Shen Shichu's car.
The driver's side window was open; a man with sleeves rolled up held a cigarette between fingers adorned with a silver watch that glinted coldly, catching Nan Jiaojiao's eye.
It was Bo Yanching!
He was driving with one hand while the eyes hidden beneath the alternating light looked at her, coldly.
"What was that about just now? Went out to smoke, and you took that long?" Yaen Chi was sitting beside him, busy replying to messages on his phone, asking carelessly.
Bo Yanching retracted his gaze, rested his elbow on the window sill to smoke more comfortably.
"Got a craving for a cigarette."
"Xu Shu is the only odd one with those quirks, can't stand the smell of smoke, can't touch it either. He didn't stay long, had a couple of bites and then was called back to the hospital for emergency surgery. Let's invite him less often."
Bo Yanching gave him a look that was both amused and mocking, "Say that in front of him."
Yaen Chi snorted, "He dare wave his scalpel at me?"
Up ahead, the light turned red. Bo Yanching finished his cigarette, held it between his fingertips without throwing it away, and watched coldly as Shen Shichu's car slowly drove away.
The hand on the steering wheel tightened instantly, veins popping.
"What's the theme of Shen's anniversary celebration?"