As she was walking to her car, Shen Ning suddenly felt a force shove her from behind.
"Be careful!" a voice yelled.
Before she could fully process what was happening, someone pulled her sharply towards him, and they both tumbled onto the grass at the side of the road. A truck roared past them at high speed, the air from its movement whipping through her hair.
Shen Ning's heart pounded wildly as she scrambled to her feet, brushing dirt from her clothes. She turned to look at the man who had just saved her, she was stunned, "Are you... Ah? Mu Chen?"
The man, tall and familiar, stood up slowly, brushing off his pants. His expression was calm, but his eyes carried a flicker of something unreadable. "It's me," he said softly.
"Are you hurt?" Shen Ning asked, her voice laced with concern.
Mu Chen shook his head. "I'm fine."
But as Shen Ning's gaze shifted, her eyes caught something from the corner—a raw, red patch of skin on his hand, scraped and bleeding slightly. "Your hand!" she exclaimed, grabbing his wrist gently to examine it.
"It's nothing," he said, pulling his hand back as if the pain didn't matter.
Shen Ning frowned. "You—"
"Are you okay?" he interrupted his tone firm but with an edge of worry.
Shen Ning blinked, caught off guard by the intensity of his gaze. "I'm fine, but that truck—"
"It came out of nowhere," Mu Chen said, glancing toward the now-distant vehicle. "Be more careful in the future."
"Okay," Shen Ning said, her voice soft but steady. She turned around and noticed a pharmacy across the street. "Let's go there. Your hand needs to be treated."
Mu Chen hesitated, his gaze flickering between her and his injured hand. "It's just a scrape, really—"
"Stop being stubborn," Shen Ning interrupted firmly, already walking toward the pharmacy. "You are hurt while saving me."
A faint smile tugged at Mu Chen's lips as he followed her, his long strides easily matching her pace. Inside the pharmacy, Shen Ning quickly gathered antiseptic, gauze, and bandages, paying for them without a second thought.
"Sit down," she said, pointing to a bench outside the store. Mu Chen obeyed, his expression unreadable as she knelt in front of him.
Shen Ning worked with swift precision, cleaning the wound despite his occasional winces. "Does it hurt?" she asked softly. "I'll be more gentler."
"It's fine. I've been through worse," he replied, his tone light, but his eyes remained fixed on her face, as though trying to memorize every detail.
Her movements faltered for a brief moment, and she glanced up, meeting his gaze. There was a storm of emotions swirling in his dark eyes—something she couldn't quite decipher. Shen Ning quickly looked away, focusing back on the task at hand.
"You're lucky it's just a scrape," she murmured. "That truck was reckless. You could have—" Her voice broke slightly, and she shook her head, not wanting to finish the thought.
"But I didn't," Mu Chen said softly, his voice carrying an undertone of reassurance. "And you're safe. That's all that matters."
Shen Ning tied the bandage securely and stood up, brushing off her hands.
Mu Chen looked at his hand and then back at her. "Thank you."
She nodded, avoiding his gaze. "You should be more careful too," she said, her tone a mix of gratitude and awkwardness.
Mu Chen stood and gestured toward the restaurant nearby. "Let's go to the restaurant?"
"I..." Shen Ning wanted to reject it.
"Don't reject," he said softly, his voice hesitant. "I... haven't had lunch yet."
Shen Ning hesitated, for a moment before she finally nodded. "Okay."
The restaurant they entered was one of the most famous in the city, owned by the prestigious Fu family. Known for its elegant ambiance and impeccable service, it was a popular spot for business meetings.
Coincidentally, Qin Yuheng was seated in a quiet corner, engrossed in a discussion with a client.
As Shen Ning and Mu Chen entered, they didn't notice him, but his eyes immediately fell on them. His sharp gaze darkened, his fingers tightening around his glass.
-----
Mu Chen gestured toward a table near the window. "Have a seat."
Shen Ning hesitated briefly but then sat down opposite him.
The waiter arrived shortly after, placing the menu in front of them. Shen Ning scanned it briefly, her finger pointing to a dish. "I'll have this one."
Mu Chen nodded at the waiter. "Two plates, for both of us, please."
The waiter departed, leaving a comfortable silence in the air.
"Do you... like the gift?" Mu Chen asked, breaking the silence.
Shen Ning blinked, momentarily startled. "Ah? I haven't opened it yet," she admitted, her tone soft. "But thank you."
Mu Chen's lips curved into a faint smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. He lowered his gaze, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of the glass before him. A long pause followed, filled only by the faint hum of conversation and clinking utensils in the background.
The waiter arrived with their dishes, placing them gently on the table before retreating.
After the waiter left, as if mustering his courage, he looked up again, his eyes locking onto hers.
"We... can't be lovers," he said softly, his voice steady but carrying a faint trace of melancholy. He paused, his gaze fixed on hers, "but can we remain friends?"
(☉｡☉)!