Close to twenty past five-thirty, Cen Jin received a phone call from Lu Shishu and realized it’s already past five. After hanging up, she walked over to Jiang Baizhou, who just finished packing desserts for the two ladies, gently tugged at his clothes, and spoke in a low voice, "It’s almost five-thirty now. Shi Shu called earlier to hurry us up. Let’s say goodbye to my mom and head back to change clothes!"
"Okay." Jiang Baizhou responded softly, then turned around to walk with her into the confectionery workshop, where they greeted Ms. Qin.
Ms. Qin smiled and nodded her head, "Alright, you guys go! Bai Zhou, you’ve really worked hard this afternoon." As she spoke, she put down her work and walked over to his side, glanced at Cen Jin, and whispered, "Bai Zhou, it might not be really appropriate for me to say this, but class reunions are usually just drinking and chatting, though you know Cen Jin’s alcohol tolerance, I’m afraid she might make a spectacle of herself again, so try to keep an eye on her."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Baizhou glanced at Cen Jin, who looked a bit clueless, and nodded in response, "Aunt Qin, don’t worry, I have a handle on this."
"That’s good, that’s good." Ms. Qin was relieved to hear his response, stepped away from Jiang Baizhou’s side, and waved at the two, "Then hurry up! Be careful when driving!"
As they walked out of the shop, Cen Jin curiously asked, "What did my mom say to you?"
Jiang Baizhou turned to look at her, pondered a bit, then replied casually, "Nothing."
Seeing he had no intention to elaborate, Cen Jin pouted and dropped the question. When they approached the villa, Cen Jin tugged at her clothes and sniffed, smelling entirely of baked dessert, "I need to take a shower first. It’s now five thirty-nine, we’ll set off around half-past six!"
Jiang Baizhou uttered a simple nasal sound in response and turned around heading toward his own villa’s entrance.
By their agreed time of six-thirty, Jiang Baizhou had already gotten ready, wearing a simple gray T-shirt, black casual pants, and white shoes. His style usually leaned toward casual, only dressing formally for certain occasions.
Facing the evening sun’s glow, Jiang Baizhou leaned lazily against the car door, quietly waiting for Cen Jin’s arrival. However, by around six-forty, there was still no sign of Cen Jin coming out from the neighboring villa, causing him to furrow his brows slightly, his sharp gaze patiently watching the entrance of the other villa.
After another five minutes, Jiang Baizhou glanced at the time on his wrist and lost patience, reached into his pocket to take out his phone, directly dialing her number. The ringtone sounded several times before being picked up, and Jiang Baizhou spoke with displeasure, "How much longer?"
"Right away, I’m already heading downstairs."
Her anxious and slightly embarrassed tone came through from the other end of the line, accompanied by the sound of her closing the door, indicating she was truly coming down, so Jiang Baizhou said nothing further and hung up the phone directly.
After waiting for about another half a minute, a figure dressed in a goose-yellow off-shoulder puff sleeve serene-style dress floated into his gaze like a warm breeze, adding a few strands of color to his previously dull eyes.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." Cen Jin walked up to him wearing beige high heels, smiled apologetically at him with some regret.
Gazing at her made-up charming face, Jiang Baizhou lightly pursed his lips, watched her for a while, then turned to open the driver’s side door and got in, "Get in the car, we’re going to be late."