Yu Xi declared with conviction that, while gaming was important, Ling Shen's (Jian Yiling's) mood was even more critical!
[I'm fine,] Jian Yiling replied.
[But Shen Ye said he wanted to take you out for a drive to lift your spirits. He also mentioned finding a 'punching bag' for you to vent on,] Yu Xi added, relaying Zhai Yunsheng's exact words. Yu Xi wasn't sure about this plan—he doubted Yiling would go for something as brutal as beating up a human punching bag.
The whole idea sounded way too intense for her.
[Sure, I'll go,] Jian Yiling responded quickly, surprising Yu Xi.
[What?] Yu Xi was taken aback—why was Ling Shen agreeing to this so easily? This wasn't what he expected at all!
[I want to go,] Jian Yiling reiterated, confirming her decision.
Yu Xi glanced at Zhai Yunsheng, who wasn't too far from him, baffled by how he had once again misjudged the situation. How did Shen Ye always manage to predict things so accurately?
[Alright… just wait for me. I'll come pick you up in a bit,] Yu Xi replied before turning to Zhai Yunsheng. "Shen Ye, Ling Shen agreed to go out."
Zhai Yunsheng nodded, standing up and putting on his jacket. It was time to go.
As per usual, Yu Xi had the task of picking up Jian Yiling from her family's residence, while Zhai Yunsheng prepared the car. But Yu Xi couldn't shake off the feeling that this time, sneaking her out might not go unnoticed. If Grandma Jian discovered that he had whisked Yiling away under the pretense of gaming, only to take her somewhere else, Yu Xi was pretty sure he'd be in for a world of trouble.
Arriving next door, Yu Xi smoothly explained his intentions to the Jian family matriarch and managed to pick up Jian Yiling without a hitch. Upon their return to the Yu residence, Zhai Yunsheng was already waiting in his car at the front gate.
Jian Yiling recognized the car immediately. Just a short while ago, it had been green, but now it had been transformed into a striking yellow.
"Get in," Zhai Yunsheng called from the driver's seat as he gestured for her to take the passenger seat.
After fastening her seatbelt, Zhai Yunsheng floored the gas pedal, and the car sped off.
"Whoa!" Yu Xi yelped, barely processing what had just happened as the car zoomed away. "My car hasn't even left the garage yet!"
Frustrated, Yu Xi dashed back to his car and quickly got it started. But by the time he hit the road, Zhai Yunsheng's car was long gone.
As Yu Xi drove, he muttered prayers under his breath, "Please don't let Shen Ye go overboard. Please, for the love of all things good, don't let him speed!"
With every passing moment, his anxiety grew. His heart was racing, pounding away as if it was trying to keep pace with Zhai Yunsheng's car. Yu Xi could almost feel a heart attack coming on—before Zhai Yunsheng's reckless driving could claim him, the stress might.
The road leading out of the Jian and Yu family's villa community was a narrow, winding route that resembled a mountain path, complete with several sharp, consecutive turns. Despite driving as fast as he could, Yu Xi couldn't even catch sight of Zhai Yunsheng's taillights.
The more he drove, the more panicked Yu Xi became. Zhai Yunsheng had no business doing anything too intense, and as for Jian Yiling, what if she ended up terrified by all the speeding? What if she burst into tears?
Yu Xi's mind was running wild, conjuring up images of Jian Yiling screaming in fear, her delicate face crumpling in distress.
Twenty minutes later, Yu Xi finally arrived at their destination, his nerves frayed. He parked hastily and stumbled out of his car, rushing over to where Zhai Yunsheng's car was parked.
As he approached, Yu Xi braced himself for the worst. But instead of a teary-eyed, trembling Jian Yiling, he was greeted by two utterly calm and composed faces—Zhai Yunsheng's stoic demeanor matched perfectly by Jian Yiling's serene expression.
The two sat there, completely unbothered, their faces cool as if nothing unusual had happened. They didn't look the least bit shaken.
Meanwhile, Yu Xi stood there, panting heavily, his face flushed from the exertion and stress. Compared to their tranquility, he looked like a total mess.
"I…" Yu Xi began, but words failed him. He had so much to say, so many concerns to express, but standing before these two unfazed individuals, he found himself completely at a loss for words.