Shen Dang’s voice was cool and detached, perhaps because the silence around him was so profound that when his voice carried over, it felt particularly strong.
It was so appealing that it struck right at Qiao Xi’s heart.
Around her surged a tumultuous crowd, bustling past her on both sides, emphasizing her solitary figure even more.
The voice that reached her ears inexplicably quickened Qiao Xi’s heartbeat, yet she was still taken aback by his question.
"I’m here in the parking lot, walk this way."
Qiao Xi paused, "How did you know I was back?"
She didn’t recall mentioning to Shen Dang that she would be returning.
The corners of Shen Dang’s lips unknowingly curled slightly, his voice relaxed, "Is it that difficult to find out?"
Was he being arrogant?
Just one phone call, and he could track down Qiao Xi’s whereabouts.
But it wasn’t him who had found out about Qiao Xi’s return; it had been Ran Jing who had let him know.
As the New Year approached, every main artery in Hai City was clogged with traffic.
Qiao Xi had just checked the ride-hailing app and found that you couldn’t even book a ride at this time.
Well, that was to be expected during the festive season.
Qiao Xi sighed, "I’m coming to find you now."
Walking toward the parking lot where Shen Dang had driven his car out and parked in a conspicuous spot.
Seeing the familiar figure, Shen Dang honked the horn.
Qiao Xi looked towards the source of the sound.
Shen Dang rolled down one window, revealing a strikingly handsome and clear-cut face with a casually relaxed smile.
Qiao Xi was momentarily stunned.
Shen Dang, with one arm resting on the window sill, said, "Get in."
She saw that the trunk of his car was already open, so she placed her suitcase inside.
Once Qiao Xi was seated, Shen Dang started the car.
The car hit a traffic jam as soon as it reached the overpass.
Looking at the stagnant traffic ahead, Qiao Xi couldn’t help but take a deep breath, "Wasn’t it jammed when you were coming here?"
Traffic jams were all too common in Hai City,
Especially during holidays.
Shen Dang replied with nonchalance, "It wasn’t too bad on the way here."
"It might have been quicker to take the subway," Qiao Xi remarked, surveying the situation.
Shen Dang glanced at her, then suddenly clicked his tongue lightly; it had a somewhat profound implication.
"?" Qiao Xi frowned, puzzled, "What do you mean by that?"
Shen Dang smirked, "A star taking the subway doesn’t fit your persona, and with your delicate constitution, you probably wouldn’t even make it onto the subway."
Was she being looked down upon?
But it was true that Qiao Xi had experienced the frustration of not being able to squeeze onto the subway before.
Let him have his way with words.
Seeing that she had no retort, Shen Dang chuckled, the sound temptingly seductive, "Are you hungry? There’s food in the back seat."
Qiao Xi had eaten something on the plane but was still famished, perhaps because the cold made her hungry faster.
Sitting in the car with the heat on, Qiao Xi still felt her hands and feet were cold.
She looked back and indeed spotted a bag, which bore the logo of a well-known cake shop.
Turning to Shen Dang she remarked, "Boss Shen is really thoughtful."
Shen Dang was looking ahead and didn’t look at her, "Family bought it, my mom put it there."
Qiao Xi raised an eyebrow in surprise, "You’re at the Shen Family?"
Shen Dang then turned to look at her, "Hmm, had some things to take care of and went back for a bit."
"Then thank you, Auntie."
Qiao Xi said it and opened the cake box, scooping up and eating with a small spoon.
Shen Dang curved his thin lips.
Watching her eat gracefully, Shen Dang asked nonchalantly, "How many days are you off?"
"Mm, I have to return to the crew the day after tomorrow."
"It’s quite tough being in your profession."
The traffic was just too congested.
Qiao Xi had a piece of cake and drank a bottle of milk, then adjusted the seat back, "I’m going to sleep for a bit."
She had barely slept the night before and had gotten up early to catch the flight; now she was unbearably sleepy.
Most importantly, sleeping would alleviate much of the awkwardness, and with the traffic being so heavy, it would take at least two hours to get back.
Shen Dang sounded a faint "Hmm."
Silence fell inside the car, and Shen Dang drove with his hands on the steering wheel, lips pursed in concentration.
Suddenly, the phone rang. Shen Dang, not wanting to disturb Qiao Xi, quickly swiped to answer.
He glanced at Qiao Xi out of the corner of his eye, and seeing she was undisturbed, brought the phone to his ear.
He hadn’t even noticed who was calling.
"Tonight at Xiaotang Mountain."
Sheng Chao: "... What are you busy with?"
He couldn’t stand Shen Dang’s offhand tone.
Shen Dang replied lazily, "Still on the overpass now, might not be free tonight."
Sheng Chao was speechless, "What are you doing driving around if you’re not busy? Are you bored? Come over after dinner, see you tonight."
"Picking up the ex-wife."
This remark caused Sheng Chao to pause momentarily, "Xixi’s back?"
"Yeah." Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on ɴovel(ꜰ)ɪre.nᴇt
"Then you should come, I’ll bring my wife, and you bring your..." Sheng Chao cheekily said, "ex-wife."
Shen Dang hung up directly.
Why did that word "ex-wife" sound so disgusting when others said it?
Shen Dang drove the car to Yingyue Bay.
By the time they stopped, Qiao Xi hadn’t noticed.
She had struggled to fall asleep initially, but without realizing it, she had drifted off and slept peacefully all the way.
Perhaps because the heat was on in the car, her face was red from the warmth, her cheeks plump, her eyelashes thick, long, and curled, quite adorable.
Shen Dang hadn’t expected to ever find cuteness in this Goddess of Divine Beauty, her allure overshadowed any other traits she might have.
Leaning closer, he suddenly wanted to pluck her eyelashes.
But ultimately he refrained.
Instead, his hand took a different angle, landing gently on Qiao Xi’s shoulder, lightly patting, "Wake up, piggy."
Qiao Xi opened her eyes groggily, "Where are we?"
Her lashes fluttered gently, her eyes a bright hazel, vivid against the whiteness of her eyes.
Shen Dang leaned back into his seat, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel.
Up close, Shen Dang had seen his reflection clear in her eyes.
For a moment, it was as if her eyes held only him.
It gave him an uncontrollable impulse to pull her into his embrace.
But reason in his heart held him back.
Qiao Xi, unaware of Shen Dang’s turmoil, brushed back her hair and looked outside—
It wasn’t the high-rise buildings of her apartment complex, but Yingyue Bay.
Realizing they still had to put on an act in front of the old man, Qiao Xi said nothing, opened the car door, and stepped out.
Shen Dang also got out of the car.
Qiao Xi, wheeling her suitcase, followed Shen Dang as he walked ahead, punched in the code, and pushed the door open.
Unchanged during her absence, Yingyue Bay was still as she remembered.
Qiao Xi slipped into slippers and poured herself a glass of water to drink.
Leaning against a wall, the light reflected in her fluid, phoenix-like eyes.
"I’m going to order some takeout, what about you?"
After all, Boss Shen had personally come to get her; she couldn’t ignore his efforts.
"I’m going out in a bit, and tonight..."
He paused mid-sentence.
Qiao Xi looked up at him, questioning.