THE four was walking on the parking lot of the restaurant when Luo Yan saw his older brother glancing at his direction. It’s like his eyes were silently telling him something. Remembering what he told him earlier, he almost rolled his eyes at him. But as a good brother, he was willing to give him some moment with Yu Jiao.
"Ah! I think I just forgot my phone at the private box," he suddenly said. "Ah Jin, can you go with me?"
Before Luo Jin could answer, he was already dragged by Luo Yan.
"Jiao Jiao, we’ll be back real quick!" Luo Yan shouted while pulling Luo Jin.
When they’re out of the visual scope of Luo Ren and Yu Jiao, he dragged Luo Jin behind a nearby car. He crouched down and also pulled his brother to crouch beside him. And then stealthily glanced at the two’s direction.
"I thought we’re going to get your phone," Luo Jin commented. "So, what exactly are we doing here?"
"We’re being good brothers," Luo Yan said.
He remembered the exact request their eldest brother said earlier to him;
[Yan Yan, can you help me be alone with Jiao Jiao later? It will only take a few minutes. Please?]
The restaurant’s underground parking lot was not exactly the most ideal place for that. But, there’s not exactly any good place to do that other than this place. If it was in the private box, he couldn’t think of any good reason to leave with Luo Jin without appearing pretty stupid and unbelievable.
Because what could he say? ’Hey, Ah Jin and I are just going to leave you alone here with our brother, okay?’ Then if he followed that with a reason like, they were going to leave to buy something outside or maybe because he was afraid to go to the restroom alone, no one would truly believe it. Even if it was Yu Jiao, she would definitely think that something was wrong. So, really, the best choice was this parking lot.
Luo Jin also glanced at the direction of their brother and Yu Jiao. He already had an idea on why Luo Yan dragged him and here and gave the two a time alone.
"You’re not worried our brother might do something untoward to your friend?" he asked.
Luo Yan glanced at Luo Jin as if he just said the most nonsensical thing he had ever said. "Really, Ah Jin? That’s our brother. Do you really think he would do that?"
Luo Jin just shrugged. "I’m just asking. It doesn’t mean that’s what I think. I just thought you would be more protective of Yu Jiao. That’s all."
"I am. I agreed to Brother’s request because I know he would never go over the line."
If not, Luo Yan would definitely not agree to their brother’s request. Besides, Luo Ren only made that request because he just wanted to give the souvenir he bought for Yu Jiao at Chengdu. He just needed a few minutes to do that. It’s not like he’s planning to get handsy on her or anything. So, really, why would Luo Yan refuse?
Speaking of, he still hadn’t given Yu Jiao the souvenir he bought for her. Oh well, he’d just give it later.
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On Luo Ren and Yu Jiao’s side...
Yu Jiao actually wanted to go with Luo Yan but before she could speak, the other had already dragged Luo Jin away. It’s not that she’s uncomfortable around Luo Ren. She couldn’t really explain this feeling. The best way to describe it was probably ’shy’. Yes, she was feeling shy. As embarrassing as that might sounded.
She didn’t know if it was because the other was older or because he was the brother of her closest friend which didn’t really make any sense at all. She should just probably admit that it was because the other was a guy and she simply felt like an awkward potato around someone like him. You know, someone who’s handsome, rich, successful, and even had a good personality.
One might ask that Luo Yan and Luo Jin were also males and yet why was she not feeling shy around them? The only reason she could think of was because she had already gotten used to their presence. Unlike Luo Ren who he could count their interaction using her fingers.
Although she could see the change that was happening in her, it didn’t mean that the insecurity she felt all her life would suddenly vanish. It would probably take years before that could happen. But she was slowly making her way there. And that was what’s important.
Because no matter how slow her steps were, she was moving. And someday, she would get to the destination she wanted to be.
She took a deep breath and calmed herself. Feeling shy would just make her stutter. And for some reason, she didn’t want Luo Ren to think that she’s just a stammering mess of a girl.
"Jiao Jiao," Luo Ren called the other’s attention.
He noticed her fidgeting at first but that slowly stopped. Which he was glad. Because if not, then he’d probably just call his brothers and tell them to come back quickly. Although he wanted to give her his gift but not on the premise of her being uncomfortable while being alone with him.
It would probably sting a bit. But he’d rather have that than have Yu Jiao continued to be uncomfortable.
Yu Jiao turned to Luo Ren when the other called him. "Yes?"
"You know that we had gone to Chengdu this past National holiday, right? I thought of buying you a souvenir since you’ve been such a good friend to Yan Yan." Luo Ren took out a square box from his suit’s inner pocket and handed it to Yu Jiao. "Don’t worry, it doesn’t cost that much," he quickly added when he saw the hesitation on her face. "Just think of it as a little sign of gratitude from me. Nothing more, nothing less."
When he worded it like that, Yu Jiao couldn’t really think of any reason to refuse.
"T-thank you, Brother Ren," she said, taking the box.
It was very light, as if it didn’t have anything inside. It made her curious and made her want to open it now. But would that be okay when Luo Ren was still here?
"Go ahead, you can open it," Luo Ren said, as if being able to read her thoughts.