"I see you’re getting more and more capable," Fu Jinliang chuckled and scolded his son, "Now you even know how to order your uncle around."
Fu Si complained: "I’m just trying to improve efficiency. You adults are annoying; one tells me not to ride a motorbike, another says I’m not respectful enough to the elderly and loving to the young. Why don’t you and my uncle take one car, and let your driver take me and Tang Li back to school?"
Tang Li stood aside, not intervening.
"If you guys don’t mind, then let’s settle on that."
As Fu Si spoke, he moved from Fu Jinliang back to Tang Li’s side: "I also have some academic issues to discuss with Tang Li. You and my uncle are of the same age, you probably have a lot to talk about too."
Fu Jinliang chuckled and shook his head, pointing at his son who didn’t show much respect for elders. Looking at his watch, it was almost 12:30 midnight, he turned his gaze to Song Baiyan: "It’s too late, I can only trouble Bai Yan to drop this fellow and his classmate. I won’t be going towards Yunjing Road."
Fu Si, upon hearing this, nudged Tang Li lightly with his elbow, his slanted gaze smug as if to say: "See, it ended up being arranged exactly as I said."
Song Baiyan did not object, so the plan to drive them was set.
"Send me a message when you get to school."
After giving instructions, Fu Si left first with Fu Jinliang.
The father and son had walked a distance, Tang Li could still hear Fu Si’s provocative voice: "Dad, let’s discuss this, I’ll ride the motorbike back, and your Mercedes leads the way in front, nothing will go wrong."
After they left, Tang Li also walked out of the hotel lobby with Song Baiyan and Ji Ming.
During the walk, she didn’t speak a word.
Outside the hotel, the cold wind was biting, stinging their cheeks. Tang Li buried her lower face into her down jacket’s collar and walked towards the familiar Lexus. Watching Ji Ming open the rear door, she paused, Song Baiyan turned around, under the warm yellow light of the lanterns, his deep and gentle gaze already looking her way: "Aren’t you getting in?"
Tang Li’s lips curved slightly under her collar, gave a soft "Oh", and hurried forward, cooperatively getting into the car first.
After sitting down, she shifted to make space on one side.
Once Song Baiyan got into the car, Ji Ming closed the door, leaving just Song Baiyan and Tang Li inside the sealed car.
"You must have received a lot of blessings for the New Year’s."
Song Baiyan broke the silence in the car.
His voice was gentle, as were his eyes from before. Knowing he meant the blessing text messages, Tang Li replied, "I still don’t know many people; it might take a few more years before I receive more."
Her hands still in her jacket pockets, she turned to glance at him: "No matter how many blessings I receive, it surely won’t compare to yours."
As Ji Ming also closed the driver’s seat door.
Song Baiyan slightly smiled, faint lines appearing under his eyes, and he seemed in a good mood. Tang Li noticed this and spontaneously said, "So many messages, it must take you a long time to reply."
"They send me messages as a mere formality," Song Baiyan leaned back on his seat, his tone casual, "Since it’s all formalities, it’s alright not to reply."
Tang Li thought of the text message she sent out last night.
Whether because of Tang Yin or not, his attitude towards her was certainly different.
On the way, Tang Li suddenly felt bloated and couldn’t help pressing her hand against the area below her ribs.