Throughout the journey, the two of them hardly spoke. Song Qiao was constantly looking outside the car while Lu Jingchen was busy with work-related matters, making the car so quiet that all one could hear was their breathing. Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚫𝙣𝙚𝙩
Half an hour later, the car stopped at the entrance of the residential complex where Song Qiao and Ning Wan lived. Song Qiao got out of the car first and was about to turn back to say something to Lu Jingchen—essentially to tell him he could leave first and she would get ready and then catch up with Ning Wan for a meal before heading over.
However, as soon as she turned around, she froze, her mouth agape as she watched the strikingly handsome man close his laptop, place it aside, then open the car door and step out with a long stride.
A bit taken aback as he came up to her side, ready to wrap his arm around her waist, Song Qiao pursed her lips and spoke, "Actually, you don’t need to come up with me. I’m just packing some luggage and it won’t be much. I can take a taxi by myself later!"
Lu Jingchen, holding her waist, remained expressionless with a faint smile at the corners of his mouth, casually said, "I just wanted to see the place you’ve lived over the years, to decide if I should treat you even better. Besides, didn’t you mention you have a close girlfriend? I’d like to meet her and see what kind of girl is so close to you!"
Song Qiao’s step faltered as she began to walk, but she quickly regained her composure and continued walking shoulder to shoulder with the man, calmly saying, "The environment is quite good, but it might be a bit subpar for you. It’s better if you don’t go up!"
A man like Lu Jingchen probably hasn’t ever been to this kind of residential area, right?
He obviously saw the implication in Song Qiao’s eyes, slightly curved his lips and spoke soothingly with a gentle smile, "It’s alright, you don’t need to be so considerate towards me. I’ve been to many places, including poverty-stricken mountain areas!"
In his youth, he had experienced all sorts of things, including visits to impoverished mountain regions. Others might see Lu Jingchen as someone born with a silver spoon, but in a family like the Lu Family, considered too deep and complicated for anyone in the world to fully understand, overly simple and naive people simply cannot survive.
Song Qiao and Ning Wan had been living in this complex for seven to eight years, so many residents knew them well. Given that both were young girls, the residents looked after them quite well. Both girls had agreeable personalities, and relationships among neighbors were pretty good. Along the way, they encountered a few elders over fifty who greeted Song Qiao and even asked if Lu Jingchen was her boyfriend.
However, the question Song Qiao heard the most on their way was, "Little Qiao, your boyfriend is really handsome. Young man, when are you and Qiao getting married?"
In just a few minutes’ walk, they had already answered this question quite a few times. Of course, Song Qiao didn’t tell those people that they were already married, and Lu Jingchen cooperated with her. Although his expression still wore its usual indifference and detachment, he also nodded politely to the elders who greeted and teased them.
It was not until they entered the apartment unit she shared with Ning Wan that Song Qiao finally let out a sigh of relief, and feeling a bit embarrassed, she explained to Lu Jingchen, "Wanwan and I have lived here for eight years, so we’re quite familiar with the people in the complex, and they are very kind to both of us, which is why they couldn’t help but be curious about you. Please don’t mind them; they mean well!"
Just moments ago, although she wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, she definitely saw a displeased expression on Lu Jingchen’s face, prompting her to explain.
Lu Jingchen’s eyebrows remained neutrally flat, his face still carrying his usual distant indifferences but softened somewhat.
After giving Song Qiao a brief look, he pressed the elevator button and spoke nonchalantly, "It’s fine, we also have elders at home, I’m used to dealing with this kind of situation!"
Song Qiao nodded, turning her head towards the elevator, yet from the corner of her eye, she still caught Lu Jingchen looking somewhat displeased, and she couldn’t help but purse her lips secretly.
Clearly unhappy, yet pretending to be in a fairly good mood, this man was really quite stubborn!