Shen Qian’s phone rang twice before he lazily picked up, his voice carrying the drowsy languor of someone just awakening, deep and hoarse as it came through the phone, probably still in a fog, he mumbled, "Who is it?"
Shi Che’s voice sank, to the point, "Me."
"You... who are you!" Shen Qian’s voice became even more muddled, and as he spoke, he seemed on the verge of falling asleep again. Shi Che’s eyes darkened, and his voice grew heavier, "Shi Che."
"Shi... Shi...!" When Shen Qian was muttering the first syllable, he was still groggy, but somehow, there seemed to be a scream from the other side of the phone. Shi Che’s brows twisted, a trace of confusion flickered in his eyes, just as he was about to speak, Shen Qian on the other end seemed to have sobered up, "Dude, it’s so early, what’s up?"
"What happened to you just now?"
"Nothing, just woke up and wasn’t paying attention, fell out of bed."
Shi Che didn’t say anything else and went straight to the point. His thin lips slightly parted, his voice was indifferent but vaguely tinged with a hint of gravity, "Were you with Ji Xinxin last night?"
Shen Qian seemed puzzled by Shi Che’s question and did not answer right away, instead asking back, "Why do you ask this question?"
Shi Che faintly glanced out the car window, the car slowly moving on, the scenery outside changing one by one, his gaze casually landing somewhere, his voice still indifferent, "Just asking, you just need to answer, yes or no."
After his words, there seemed to be a few seconds of pause on Shen Qian’s side. During those few seconds, Shi Che felt strangely.
Because of the last incident, he could no longer trust Ling Chuxia completely, for he knew all too well that Ling Chuxia, in order to accomplish her mission, would stop at nothing.
Yet at this moment, he actually still hoped that Shen Qian would answer that he wasn’t with Ji Xinxin. That way, Ling Chuxia wouldn’t have lied to him.
He really didn’t know if he could bear her second lie.
Those few short seconds seemed to stretch out, and during those elongated moments, Shi Che’s heart was apprehensive, anxious, yet also harboring strands of hope.
Finally, Shen Qian’s response came through the phone, he said, "No. I dropped Xinxin off at her place last night and then left."
Such a simple word, yet like a sedative pill that steadied his restless heart.
Shi Che’s hand began to tremble slightly, almost unable to hold the phone.
Chuxia hadn’t lied to him again; she really did go out to be with Ji Xinxin last night.
The reason he didn’t call Ji Xinxin was that Ji Xinxin and Ling Chuxia were good friends, besties, and Ji Xinxin would certainly cover for her. But Shen Qian was his buddy, and comparatively speaking, Shen Qian’s words were more credible.
However, Shi Che had forgotten that heroes always struggle at the beauty’s gate; if he couldn’t get past the gate named Ling Chuxia, Shen Qian naturally couldn’t get past another woman’s gate either.
After Shen Qian hung up the call, he tossed the phone aside carelessly, looked up to see Ji Xinxin beside him, wrapped only in a thin quilt, then his glance fell on her hand. At that moment, her hand was around his neck; had he not cooperated with her just now, she would have surely strangled him.
He had experienced this woman’s skill last night. He gave her a sidelong glance, unsure whether to be angry or resigned, "Are you satisfied now?"