Jiang Baizhou turned around, walked down two steps, and looked back at Cen Jin in the semi-darkness. He noticed she was wearing white high heels, and with a light press of his lips, he slowly extended his hand to her. A rare hint of unease flickered across his handsome face hidden in the shadow.
Looking at the unexpectedly extended long hand, Cen Jin was momentarily stunned, her heart trembling slightly. A hint of surprise flashed in her clear eyes when she heard him say, "Not coming down?"
Cen Jin snapped back to reality, gazed at his hand that had been extended all along, hesitated for a few seconds, and gently placed her hand in his palm. A flow of warmth seeped into her cold palm, gradually spreading through her heart.
"Why is your hand so cold?" As her hand touched his, Jiang Baizhou was also startled, his brows knitting together immediately.
"Is it cold?" Upon hearing this, Cen Jin instinctively wanted to withdraw her hand, but Jiang Baizhou firmly held it.
"Cold." Jiang Baizhou averted his gaze, held her hand as they descended the stairs, and responded with a single word casually.
Cen Jin’s pupils slightly dilated. She looked at the large hand holding hers, her eyes filled with a trace of mirth.
After they went downstairs, Jiang Baizhou did not let go of her hand. He picked up his clothes that were left on the counter, pulled her out of the store, bent down to pick up an umbrella, hesitated for a moment, glanced back at her, then released her and opened the umbrella over her. "Have you eaten dinner?"
"What do you want to eat?"
"Aren’t you going back for dinner?"
"Miss Yu isn’t home."
"Then let’s have barbecue!"
Jiang Baizhou chose a nearby barbecue restaurant. Since it was close, he didn’t drive. They crossed the zebra crossing with an umbrella and walked for two minutes before arriving. After sitting down in the restaurant, Jiang Baizhou left the task of ordering to her.
Just as she handed the menu to the waiter, Cen Jin’s phone suddenly rang in her bag. She took it out and answered, "Hello!"
"Cen Jin, where are you?" The voice on the other end was seductive, with a hint of coolness.
"Having dinner!" Cen Jin replied with a smile, "Have you returned from out of town?"
"Yeah, just left the airport."
"Want me to pick you up?"
"No need, I’m a bit tired, want to take a bath and have a sleep. Let’s meet tomorrow!"
"Okay, then get a good rest tonight, see you tomorrow."
After hanging up, Cen Jin raised her eyes to find Jiang Baizhou staring at her. She placed her phone aside, blinked inexplicably, and joked, "Why are you looking at me? There’s nothing to eat on my face, nor flowers."
"You mean who just called me?" Cen Jin understood immediately what he was asking; he’d trained her with his habit of speaking so sparingly.
Jiang Baizhou pressed his lips in silence, his cold, sharp eyes fixed on her, waiting quietly for her answer.
"Shi Shu called. She had an exhibition in Yu City last month. It seemed to just finish yesterday since she just got off the plane! We planned to have dinner after she got back, but both of us have been quite busy and had no time to meet. We just chatted on WeChat occasionally." After pausing for two seconds, aware that his relaxed expression was waiting for her to speak, she added, "Do you want to join us tomorrow?"
"No." Jiang Baizhou’s gaze dimly shifted, answering indifferently.
Cen Jin had predicted his reply early on. She asked just out of politeness, asking casually.
Soon, the barbecue and side dishes they ordered were all served. Cen Jin eagerly started grilling. When she put the meat on the grill, it sizzled and splattered oil, some of which landed on the back of her hand, causing her to instinctively withdraw her hand and gently rub it with the other hand.