Although Mark’s words were spoken to both of them, his gaze merely skimmed over Spicy Girl’s face and landed squarely on Shi Nian’s face.
Spicy Girl hummed and walked straight past Mark toward the group of people.
Shi Nian originally wanted to follow, but Mark was standing in front of her, his gaze firmly fixed, so she had to pause for the moment. Thɪs chapter is updated by novel[f]ire.net
At this time, the background light in the bar had dimmed and, since she was standing in the aisle, a crystal rotating ball lamp shone above her head. The light, like fine, broken diamonds, showered down with the rotation of the lamp ball, casting tiny sparks on her face and hair, and twinkling exquisitely in her eyes.
Mark couldn’t look away, his pupils involuntarily dilating.
——This represents a man’s [desire] for a woman.
Shi Nian felt a bit awkward and pointed that way: "How about, we go over as well?"
But Mark reached out and gently held Shi Nian’s arm: "Hey... you said earlier you wouldn’t come tonight, and I felt a deep regret. I didn’t expect you to make it after all."
Shi Nian blushed, withdrew her arm, and smiled awkwardly at Mark: "Uh, well, tonight is everyone’s first group activity, so I came."
Mark gazed deeply into Shi Nian’s eyes, lips pressed thin, his voice melodious: "Actually, I’ve been wanting to ask... do you have a boyfriend?"
"Uh?" Shi Nian was stunned by the question, momentarily unsure how to respond.
She can’t just say "No boyfriend, but a separated husband instead," right?
"You don’t, do you?" Mark smiled, assuming that Shi Nian’s silence was the best answer.
Shi Nian could only helplessly shake her head: "...In strict terms, I guess I don’t have a boyfriend."
For some reason, while saying this, her gaze couldn’t help but drift past Mark, glancing over to the sofa area.
And there those groups of people were having lively conversations. Spicy Girl seemed to be standing up to toast Tang Yanqing. However, he sat freely, his gaze like a thin blade slicing through the crowd, smoothly emerging, meeting her gaze directly.
At the moment their eyes met, a small spark seemed to ignite in the dimness.
Shi Nian’s breath immediately stumbled, hastily turning her head away.
Mark noticed and sensitively turned to look towards the large sofa area as well. Yet, he was half a second too late—Spicy Girl was just diligently toasting Tang Yanqing, her body shifting left about half a step, exactly sealing the gap that Tang Yanqing’s gaze had cast over... from Mark’s angle, he saw nothing.
Mark joyfully laughed: "If you don’t, then... Nian, I hope I can be."
"Ah?" Shi Nian was somewhat startled, lifting her head to look steadily into his eyes.
"Hey," He moved forward, gently hugging Shi Nian’s shoulder, "You wouldn’t think, would you, that no matter which girl stands at the school gate, I would come forward and start a conversation?"
Shi Nian awkwardly stepped back: "Uh, this..."
Mark’s hand still firmly held Shi Nian’s arm, his dark blue eyes lowered, seriously gazing at her.
"That day, you stood at the school gate, luggage in hand, looking toward the campus, a face full of confusion. Your hair fell loose, softly tousled by the wind, with the ends lazily curling, obscuring your eyes... hey, a thought popped into my mind: Look at this lost little princess."
His laughter was gentle, with a hint of incredible allure, "I thought, I can’t just stand by and watch this little princess continue to be lost. I should lead her out, out of that Magic Forest."
Mark’s narrative was undeniably moving, borrowing fairy tale tones that delighted girls. Shi Nian couldn’t help but lower her head, smiling: "Mark, no matter what, thank you."
Mark was even more encouraged, extending his hand down Shi Nian’s arm, attempting to grasp her soft palm: "...so, should we give it a try, okay?"
Just then, someone suddenly tapped Mark’s shoulder.
Mark slightly shook, quickly turning to look, only to see lights falling like a galaxy of shattered diamonds, and Tang Yanqing grinning mischievously with shoulders slightly raised.
Mark promptly greeted: "Hi, Prof.T. Need anything?"
Today’s gathering was primarily organized by Mark, so anyone needing something would inform him.
Tang Yanqing slipped his hands back into his pockets, shoulders slightly raised, and his wine-tinged eyes slanted to land on Shi Nian’s face. Then he raised his arm, extending a finger, pointing at her in midair.