Snapping back to reality, Xiao Youran immediately asked, "What are you doing?"
She wanted to turn her legs to the other side to avoid Xu Xiuwen's touch.
But Xu Xiuwen suddenly frowned and said, "Don't move, let me feel."
Xiao Youran nervously said, "Someone will see."
Xu Xiuwen glanced around and asked, "There are no cars around, who can see?"
Xiao Youran looked around and found that it was indeed as he said, no cars around.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
Xu Xiuwen continued, "Even if there were cars, they wouldn't see what I'm doing, unless it's a standing passenger on a bus."
Xiao Youran knew she couldn't out-argue him.
She chose silence as her protest.
Xu Xiuwen nonchalantly said, "Besides, what's wrong with me touching my sister's leg? I'm not touching directly, there's a layer of pantyhose in between."
Xiao Youran glared at him and said, "Pervert!"
Xu Xiuwen laughed, "Last time in my room, you used your hands and feet to help me—"
Before Xu Xiuwen finished speaking, Xiao Youran leaned over, covered his mouth with her hand, and urgently shouted, "Don't say it!"
Xu Xiuwen was stunned, then leaned back and burst into laughter, laughing uncontrollably.
He laughed for so long that the red light turned green.
The cars behind honked to urge them.
Xu Xiuwen finally stopped laughing, withdrew his hand, released the brake, and drove the car forward.
After passing the traffic light, Xu Xiuwen praised, "Youran, the pantyhose you're wearing today feels so smooth, it's really nice to the touch."
Xiao Youran was too embarrassed to talk about her black silk pantyhose with him.
She chose to pretend to sleep to avoid the conversation.
She suddenly leaned her body towards the window, then leaned against it and closed her eyes.
When Xu Xiuwen spoke, she pretended not to hear.
Xu Xiuwen chuckled seeing this.
He could obviously tell Xiao Youran was pretending to sleep.
Her blush was spreading to her ears.
He knew Xiao Youran was pretending to sleep because she was shy.
Such a simple and shy girl was very much to his taste.
Compared to those experienced and easygoing women, he preferred this kind of inexperienced, easily embarrassed girl.
He knew he had to give Xiao Youran time to adapt.
Xu Xiuwen did not push further, pretending he hadn't noticed, calmly driving the car.
Langya was a small city with poor development, ranking among the lowest in the province in 2006.
The number of private cars in the whole city wasn't high either.
So in Langya, it was almost impossible to encounter traffic jams.
Xu Xiuwen drove to Tongqing Building.
Tongqing Building was considered a high-end restaurant in Langya, typically hosting weddings or important banquets, and only those with good conditions would hold banquets there.
Xu Xiuwen drove the car directly to the side of the road at the entrance of Tongqing Building.
He found an empty spot and parked the car.
He turned to Xiao Youran and called, "We're here, wake up."
Xiao Youran didn't react at all to the first call.
Xu Xiuwen felt amused.
He called her twice more.
It wasn't until the third call that Xiao Youran "naturally" woke up.
"Ah, are we here?"
Seeing Xiao Youran's poor acting skills, Xu Xiuwen really wanted to laugh.
If Bai Yue'er were here, she would definitely act like she just woke up, unlike Xiao Youran who was full of flaws.
He didn't point it out, got out of the car.
The "just woke up" Xiao Youran also got out of the car with him.
The two crossed the road and came to the entrance of Tongqing Building.
Many small cars were parked along the roadside at the entrance of Tongqing Building, including a van with a Jinling license plate.
Langya and Jinling were adjacent, and more than a decade later, with the development of the internet, people often joked that Jinling was the capital of Anhui Province and Langya was its little brother.
This situation was indeed the case.
Even now, many people in Langya felt very close to Jinling.
The most direct reason was that it was so close.
Many people in Langya would go to Gulou Hospital in Jinling for treatment when they were sick.
Some people bought houses in Jinling, and some, although living in Langya, worked in Jinling.
So it wasn't uncommon to see cars with Jinling license plates in Langya.
In another ten years, it wouldn't be surprising to see an entire neighborhood full of cars with Jinling plates.
But this wasn't the point.
Before coming, Xiao Youran only knew Xu Xiuwen was going to treat her to a meal.
She thought Xu Xiuwen would just find a random small restaurant.
Unexpectedly, Xu Xiuwen brought her to Tongqing Building.
Xiao Youran couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Xu, are you really treating us here? We're just students, a regular restaurant would be fine."
Xu Xiuwen chuckled and reassured her, "I have my reasons for treating here. Your task tonight is to stay with me, I'll show you a good show."
Xiao Youran was dumbfounded by his words.
Eating is one thing, but what did he mean by watching a good show?
She wanted to ask clearly, but before she could, Xu Xiuwen took her hand and led her towards the entrance of Tongqing Building, not giving her a chance to inquire further.
Xu Xiuwen had already called ahead to reserve a private room.
They were led to the room by a waiter.
It was a large private room, enough to accommodate thirty people for a meal.
The entire room was magnificently decorated, with the chandelier on the ceiling shining brightly and the walls covered in gold wallpaper.
Xiao Youran, full of questions, couldn't help but ask after they arrived, "Xiao Xu, why are you treating us here? And what did you mean earlier by a good show?"
Xu Xiuwen chuckled, "Don't rush, you'll understand when the time comes."
Xiao Youran pouted at his words, "Alright then."
Not long after Xu Xiuwen entered the room, Liu Yang called him, asking where he was.
Xu Xiuwen told him the room number and then sat down to wait.
Soon, the door was opened by a waiter.
Liu Yang and Wan Wei walked in.
Upon entering, Liu Yang was the first to speak, smiling, "Xiuwen, you're a big star now, making money and treating us in such a place, how generous of you."
Wan Wei added, "Yeah, Xiuwen, when you said you'd treat us at Tongqing Building, I thought I misheard. Have you struck it rich from filming TV dramas?"
Xu Xiuwen didn't answer them but pointed to Xiao Youran beside him, saying irritably, "Our high school beauty is right here, can't you see?"
Xiao Youran actually didn't want to see Liu Yang and Wan Wei.
But she couldn't persuade Xu Xiuwen, and she didn't want to be separated from him either, so she came along.
At this moment, she knew she couldn't pretend not to see them, so she waved her hand and said, "Liu Yang, Wan Wei, long time no see."
Liu Yang and Wan Wei then noticed Xiao Youran was also in the room.
They were both momentarily stunned upon seeing her.
Why would Xiao Youran be here with Xu Xiuwen?
It didn't make sense.
Their astonishment quickly faded, and they smiled and greeted her, "Xiao Youran, long time no see, you're still as beautiful as ever."
After the greeting, they both said in unison, "We didn't see the school beauty, our mistake, we'll each drink three cups as a penalty later."
Soon after Liu Yang and Wan Wei arrived, He Yu also came.
As soon as He Yu entered the room, he said, "Xiuwen, you must have struck it rich to treat us at Tongqing Building."
After some chatting, the five of them took their seats.
Xu Xiuwen handed the menu to the three of them, letting them order.
The three took the menu, flipped through a few pages, and were secretly shocked by the prices.
The prices here were at least four to five times higher than those at small restaurants outside.
Even the most ordinary cucumber salad cost 80 yuan.
What kind of precious cucumbers are these?
Cucumbers for girls' personal use?
The three of them looked through a few pages and then handed the menu back.
He Yu said, "Xiuwen, you should order, we're not familiar with the dishes here and don't know what to choose."
Xu Xiuwen said politely, "Order whatever you like, don't worry about the cost."
But he took the menu in his hand.
He Yu insisted, "You order."
Xu Xiuwen didn't argue further.
He opened the menu and started ordering.
After ordering the dishes, he also ordered two bottles of white wine.
Hearing him order wine, Liu Yang laughed and said, "Xiuwen, last time the class monitor organized a dinner, Wan Wei and I made you drink a lot, are you planning to return the favor now?"
Wan Wei also said, "Yeah, Xiuwen, even if you plan to return the favor, you alone can't outdrink the three of us."
Xu Xiuwen suddenly asked, "So, you three are on the same side?"
Liu Yang immediately nodded, "Of course, the three of us are on the same side, while you have the school beauty girlfriend to accompany you, the three of us bachelors must stick together."
Xu Xiuwen chuckled, his eyes calm as water.
"I heard you had a girlfriend in college."
Liu Yang's expression stiffened, "How did you know I had a girlfriend?"
He turned and glared at Wan Wei, "Old Wan, did you tell Xiuwen?"
Wan Wei quickly denied, "Of course not."
Xu Xiuwen smiled slightly, "I know more than you think."
Liu Yang didn't catch the underlying meaning of his words and waved his hand, "Let's not talk about that, I'll accompany you to drink later, tonight I'll get you drunk."
"Hehe..."
He Yu suddenly asked, "Xiuwen, is Xiao Youran really your girlfriend?"
Earlier, Liu Yang had said Xiao Youran was Xu Xiuwen's girlfriend.
Xiao Youran didn't refute or explain.
Xu Xiuwen turned to look at He Yu, chuckled, and shook his head, "No, she's my dear sister."
Xiao Youran also smiled and said, "Yes, Xiao Xu is my dear brother."
The three people hearing this were momentarily unsure about the relationship between the two.
Brother and sister?
Who would believe that!
The food at the restaurant was served quickly.
The group began eating and drinking.
Barely having taken a few bites, Liu Yang and Wan Wei started to take turns toasting.
Xu Xiuwen naturally accepted every toast.
Xiao Youran didn't drink at all; she just kept serving Xu Xiuwen food and reminding him to eat more.
She was acting completely like a little wife.
This irritated the three quite a bit.
After all, who hadn't once had a crush on Xiao Youran?
It was only later, when they realized they had no chance, that they gradually gave up on the idea.
He Yu joined in the toasting.
The more they drank, the more they drank.
Although they had all improved their drinking capacity a bit after the first half of their freshman year, they were still just freshmen who had just started university.
But the four of them drank too fiercely, so Liu Yang and Wan Wei soon showed signs of being drunk, while He Yu, who drank less, remained relatively sober.
He Yu broke the drinking rhythm by saying, "I'm going out to the restroom."
He soon returned to the private room.
As soon as he came in, he exclaimed, "I just ran into some teachers in the restroom. Did you know that our teachers seem to be having a gathering in the next room?"
Liu Yang asked dizzily, "Which school's teachers?"
He Yu replied speechlessly, "Of course, it's our high school. I wouldn't recognize teachers from other schools."
Wan Wei was surprised, "What a coincidence?"
He Yu, remembering that Xu Xiuwen's mother was a teacher at their school, asked, "Xiuwen, did you know about this?"
Xu Xiuwen responded with a 'hmm'.
Liu Yang waved his hand, "We've graduated already. The teachers' gathering has nothing to do with us. Let's continue drinking."
They resumed drinking.
Xu Xiuwen gradually took the lead in toasting.
Under his persuasion, He Yu soon got tipsy as well.
Looking at the three, Xu Xiuwen suddenly smiled and said, "Actually, I don't just know that the teachers are gathering next door, I also know why."
"Why?" He Yu asked.
"You guys don't know, right? Cao Ye plans to build a three-story laboratory building for the school and is treating all the teachers to dinner. So, almost all the teachers from our school are at tonight's gathering."
Liu Yang was slumped over the table, unconscious.
Wan Wei, still somewhat conscious, curiously asked, "Who is Cao Ye?"
Xu Xiuwen didn't reply.
He Yu suddenly remembered, "I think Cao Yu's father is called Cao Ye. His dad is the boss of a construction company."
Wan Wei asked in confusion, "So, Cao Yu's dad plans to build a laboratory building for the school?"
Xu Xiuwen suddenly said, "Do you guys think Cao Yu came today?"
He Yu was taken aback, "Cao Yu came today?"
After a pause, he said, "He probably wouldn't come."
Xu Xiuwen shook his head, "I can tell you that Cao Yu is here, and he's in the next room right now."
He Yu and Wan Wei fell silent upon hearing this.
Xiao Youran suddenly said, "Xiao Xu, Liu Yang is drunk. Let's leave; I don't want to see Cao Yu."
Xu Xiuwen turned to look at Xiao Youran.
She turned her head away, avoiding eye contact with him.
Clearly, there was something she was hiding from him.
This surprised Xu Xiuwen a bit.
His phone suddenly buzzed in his pocket, snapping him out of it.
He glanced at his phone, then quietly put it away and nodded, "Alright, we've had enough to drink. Let's go."
Xu Xiuwen put on a mask and helped Liu Yang, while He Yu supported Wan Wei, and Xiao Youran followed behind Xu Xiuwen. The five of them left the private room.
They went to the front desk to settle the bill, which totaled nearly 2,000 yuan.
The expensive part wasn't the food but the alcohol.
Two bottles of liquor alone cost nearly 800 yuan.
After settling the bill, they left the restaurant.
He Yu said, "Xiuwen, I'll get a cab to send Liu Yang and Wan Wei home. You and Xiao Youran can go ahead."
Xu Xiuwen shook his head, "No need for a cab. I'll drive you all."
He Yu was taken aback, "You bought a car?"
Xu Xiuwen nodded, "Yes, I bought it over a month ago."
Hearing this, He Yu's eyes flashed with a hint of envy, "What kind of car did you buy?"
Xu Xiuwen chuckled, "You'll see in a moment."
Xu Xiuwen helped Liu Yang across the street and then led them to the car.
He Yu saw Xu Xiuwen stop in front of a BMW and couldn't help but ask, "You bought a BMW?"
Xu Xiuwen nodded.
The envy in He Yu's eyes grew even stronger.
"How much did it cost?"
"Not much, just 650,000."
Xu Xiuwen's nonchalant tone made He Yu gasp.
650,000, and he says it's not much?
He Yu thought: Even if I sold everything my family owns, I couldn't come up with 650,000. Xu Xiuwen spent that much on a car. He's really wealthy.
Then he remembered that Xu Xiuwen had become a big star, so it made sense that he could afford such an expensive car.
He was almost drooling with envy.
Wan Wei, who wasn't completely drunk and still somewhat clear-headed, couldn't help but say, "Xiuwen, you must be really rich!"
"Not really. Alright, let's get in the car."
Xu Xiuwen glanced at the entrance of the Tongqing Building and urged them.
Xu Xiuwen helped Liu Yang into the back seat, then turned and got into the driver's seat.
He Yu helped Wan Wei into the back seat as well, and Xiao Youran got into the front passenger seat.
Once everyone was in the car, Xu Xiuwen started the engine but didn't drive off. Instead, he just sat there...