"You’re the one driving the car," Ye Cheng rebuffed coldly.
"Driving barefoot won’t be easy," Zimei retorted, unwilling to back down. "I don’t need you to take me anywhere; just drive me to buy a new pair of shoes."
Ye Cheng stared at her alluring face under the night sky, his gaze deepening. After a moment, he finally spoke in a low voice, "Get in."
After all, the nearest shopping district was just five minutes away—barely tolerable.
"A Cheng, thank you!" Her smile lit up the world as though it were radiant. Ye Cheng felt a slight sting in his eyes and turned away, refusing to look at her.
The two of them climbed into the car. Ye Cheng gripped the steering wheel and drove straight-faced, showing no expression.
Zimei curiously surveyed the car’s interior. It was identical to how it was in the past; even the spot for placing stuffed toys hadn’t changed. It felt as though the last three years hadn’t passed—back then, she loved him, and he loved her too.
The car sped off, and in less than five minutes, they reached the shopping center, the streets lined with luxury shoe stores.
Ye Cheng kept his eyes fixed forward, his tone indifferent, leaving no room for consideration.
Zimei knew he had already bent the rules by letting her ride in his car, so she stopped insisting.
Reaching for the door, she glanced back and gave him a captivating smile. "A Cheng, get home early and rest. Good night." The rightful source is nοvelfire.net
After that, her pale feet touched the ground first, followed by her impossibly long legs. She closed the door, bent slightly to wave goodbye to the man inside the car. Her cascade of curls draped elegantly down her side, every move dripping with charm.
Ye Cheng turned the car around and, through the rearview mirror, saw the woman still standing barefoot by the roadside.
Zimei’s fair feet gleamed in the dim light, her fitted dress accentuating her long, alabaster legs. She clutched the pair of high heels in her hand, smiling as she watched his car disappear into the distance.
The lingering trace of her faint fragrance stayed behind in the car, subtly surrounding Ye Cheng’s senses, sneaking its way into his thoughts. Unwittingly, even Ye Cheng himself didn’t notice the faint signs of melting on his strikingly handsome, restrained face.
Ji Wei returned home, still feeling uneasy.
The housekeeper, Uncle Zhao, was overjoyed to see her and immediately instructed the maids to prepare fresh bedding for her. Before heading upstairs, Ji Wei glanced toward Ji Yunli’s study, but there seemed to be no signs of anyone returning.
Was her father still out handling business?
"Miss, I’ll be downstairs. If you need anything, just call me."
Ji Wei responded with a soft acknowledgment before shutting her bedroom door.
Lying on her bed, she sent Gu Moqian a message, letting him know she had arrived safely at the Ji family and asking how things were going at his company.
After their meal at the hot pot restaurant, Gu Moqian had been summoned away by a call from Chen Ke, though he hadn’t shared any specifics.
After waiting for a while without a reply, Ji Wei figured Gu Moqian must be busy. She set down her phone and lay on the bed, lost in thought.
Perhaps it was the few glasses of red wine she had drunk tonight—her head felt slightly foggy. Just as she was drifting into sleep, she suddenly heard voices coming from downstairs.
"Mr. Ji, are you alright? Let me help you to your bed." It was a coquettish female voice.
Ji Wei jolted upright from her bed; that voice belonged to Tang Yi!
Tiptoeing to the door, she pressed her ear against the wooden panel, holding her breath to listen.
"That old fox Qi Fu thought he could get me drunk and convince me to shave off five percentage points. Heh, dream on! Luckily, I held out. That old man is probably worse off—his eyes were practically glazed over after drinking so much..."
Ji Yunli was heavily intoxicated and could barely stand; if not for Tang Yi supporting him, he might have collapsed outright.