"So that's what you were thinking back then?" Ning Dong asked, torn between laughter and tears as he looked at Xu Xiao.
"Our situation is different. Alright, let's go. I'm still not full."
"What do you want to eat then?"
"Durian."
******
Xia Yan had exhausted herself carrying Lu Zhengting out. She placed him in the passenger seat, frowning with worry. Lu Zhengting had been drinking, so there was no way she'd let him drive. But despite holding a driver's license for years, she'd never dared to get behind the wheel. She remembered what her instructor had said when she first got her license, and her heart sank.
"What are you waiting for?" Lu Zhengting rolled down the window, his hazy eyes fixed on Xia Yan, his voice low.
"I can't drive," Xia Yan said quietly.
Hearing this, Lu Zhengting furrowed his brow. Her file showed she had a license, and now she was telling him she couldn't drive? He pressed his lips together. "Can't drive, or don't dare to?"
"I... I don't dare to drive. For safety's sake, you should call your driver."
"Get in. Drive."
Xia Yan stood firmly outside the car, staring at Lu Zhengting. "No, I'm not driving."
"If you won't, then I will."
Lu Zhengting started to shift toward the driver's seat. Seeing this, Xia Yan panicked, quickly opened the door, and grabbed him. "Are you crazy? Driving in your state? Are you trying to take me to meet the King of Hell?"
Lu Zhengting raised an eyebrow, casting a cold glance at Xia Yan, and hummed lightly.
"Pfft, I misspoke. I mean, you're in no condition to drive, and I don't dare to. So to be safe, we should get a designated driver. Don't you think?" Xia Yan tried to soften her tone, persuading him not to drive or force her to.
Lu Zhengting frowned. "You. Drive."
"No matter what I say, you won't listen? Fine, I'll drive. But if I wreck your million-dollar car, don't come crying to me." Xia Yan glared angrily at the stubborn Lu Zhengting, then reluctantly got into the driver's seat. At least she hadn't been drinking—compared to him, she was the safer bet.
"Release the handbrake."
"Oh."
"Look ahead."
"Oh."
"Put on your seatbelt."
"Oh."
"Don't be so nervous."
"Huh? I can't help it. The road's so narrow. Oh my god, Lu Zhengting, should I turn left?"
Lu Zhengting rubbed his forehead in pain and said faintly, "Right."
"Bang..."
The front of the car slammed into a tree. Xia Yan jolted forward, hitting the steering wheel, stars dancing in her eyes. Her head throbbed. She lowered her head, cautiously peeking at Lu Zhengting beside her. His face was ashen as he stared at her. She quickly raised her hand, apologizing sheepishly, "You said right."
Hearing this, Lu Zhengting nearly lost it. "You can't tell left from right?"
"Can't I?" Xia Yan pondered for a moment, then asked softly.
Lu Zhengting's face darkened. "Keep going!"
"Again?"
"Keep going!"
"Fine."
Xia Yan restarted the engine, but nothing had changed from before. Still, under Lu Zhengting's guidance, she managed to drive out of the tree-lined path and onto the inner ring highway. Feeling the cars whizzing past, Xia Yan was so scared she could barely grip the wheel. The car's air conditioning was blasting, but she was still sweating from head to toe with anxiety.
"Watch the road."
"Lu Zhengting, I'm scared."
"Don't be afraid. I'm here."
Xia Yan blinked, thinking, *You being here doesn't really help—I'm the one driving.* Years later, when she recalled this moment, she would finally understand the warmth of having him there whenever she was scared.
But Xia Yan had no idea how much attention this limited-edition Maybach, battered and bruised, drew as it crawled through the streets of Jiang City.
She turned to look at Lu Zhengting. "I don't know how to get to your place."
"Then go to yours."
"Are you kidding? My place is a mess—dust everywhere, stuff everywhere..." Xia Yan gripped the wheel tightly, speaking quickly, her eyes fixed on the road ahead.
"I don't mind."
"I do."
"Your place."
"Can we not?"
"What do you think?" Lu Zhengting said lazily, eyes closed, arms crossed like some big shot.
*Fine, fine, just boss me around!* Xia Yan grumbled internally. She thought about the route home and realized she needed to make a U-turn up ahead. Seeing the green light about to end, she suddenly floored the gas—but accidentally hit the brake instead.
The sudden jolt threw Lu Zhengting forward, only for the seatbelt to yank him back. Xia Yan stared in horror at his pitch-black face, stammering, "S-sorry, I swear, I didn't mean to."
"Drive!" Lu Zhengting glared at her darkly, commanding.
"Okay, okay, I'll be careful, I promise."
Xia Yan finally pulled into the parking garage of her new apartment. The ride had been so harrowing, like a scene from a Hollywood blockbuster, that her heart still hadn't stopped racing. Lu Zhengting, who had sat silently the whole time, was too drained to speak. Even his strong constitution couldn't handle her drifting skills without feeling queasy.
Xia Yan walked around the car, muttering, "Lu Zhengting, this car..."
It was a wreck—scratches everywhere, one headlight smashed...
Seeing this, Lu Zhengting rubbed his aching temples. "Let's go inside first."
Other people drove with safety in mind; Xia Yan drove like she was drifting, risking lives.
Hearing this, Xia Yan stepped up to him, leaning forward so he could rest his hand on her shoulder.
Once out of the elevator, she quickly pulled out her keys and opened the door. Inside, she helped him to the living room and dumped him onto the couch—yes, dumped. Then she went to the water cooler, poured a glass, and chugged it down.
"Lu Zhengting, lie down on the couch for a bit. I'll tidy up the room."
Her place was a one-bedroom—just the living room and one bedroom. Tonight, Lu Zhengting would take the bedroom, leaving her the couch. What a hassle!
Lu Zhengting lounged comfortably on the couch, half-closing his eyes as he watched Xia Yan bustle about, his deep, hazy gaze following her petite figure.
"Done." Xia Yan was quick and efficient, having mostly cleaned up. The room still looked a bit bare; she'd need to buy some decorations to make it feel like home.
Lu Zhengting glanced at her and said lazily, "I'm hungry."
"But there's nothing to eat in the kitchen. Can you hold out until morning?"
Hearing this, Lu Zhengting felt a sudden urge to strangle her. Tonight, she had filled him with nothing but frustration.
"How about this? I'll order takeout. I know a place with great food." Xia Yan acted on it, half-lying on the other end of the couch, pulling out her phone to browse the app and quickly placing an order.
"There, it'll be here in half an hour."
Lu Zhengting, his face pale, stared at her and nodded silently.
Seeing this, Xia Yan frowned suspiciously. "Lu Zhengting, you look awful. Are you feeling okay?"
"Shut up."
"No, seriously, you look really bad. Don't scare me—if something happens to you here, I'm in trouble." Xia Yan spoke quickly.
Lu Zhengting's face went from pale to green in an instant. The words coming out of this girl's mouth were enough to drive him crazy.
"Should I take you to the hospital?" Xia Yan ventured.
"I said I'm fine!"
"Lu Zhengting, why are you so stubborn?" She grew more alarmed by his worsening complexion, rushing over to touch his forehead. "Is it your stomach acting up?"
Lu Zhengting frowned in silence. Seeing this, Xia Yan paced anxiously, raising her voice. "No, I'm taking you to the hospital."
"No!"
"Why not?"
"Just go to the pharmacy and get my usual medicine."
Lu Zhengting refused to go to the hospital, and Xia Yan had no choice. She memorized the medicine name, grabbed her wallet, and ran out, silently praying, *Lu Zhengting, please don't let anything happen. I was just joking earlier...*
She bought the medicine and rushed back, checked the instructions, and handed it to him. After he took it, she asked every few minutes if he felt better. Only when his color improved did she breathe a sigh of relief.
The takeout arrived. Knowing he'd been drinking, she'd ordered light food, including a bowl of plain congee to settle his stomach.
Lu Zhengting looked at the food before him, unimpressed.
"Don't be picky. This is good for your stomach." Xia Yan glanced at him, then happily dug into her own flavorful meal.
Heaven knows, she wasn't doing it on purpose.
Night crept in quietly. Lu Zhengting lay in the bedroom, thinking of Xia Yan asleep on the couch. Despite the chaotic, exhausting evening, it had brought him a unique experience—one that felt surprisingly good. A faint smile curved his lips.
Outside, Xia Yan, truly tired, had already drifted off to sleep. Whatever she dreamed of made her lips curl upward in a sweet smile.
The next morning, Xia Yan was jolted awake by the doorbell. She opened the door, her hair a mess, and before she could react, felt something latch onto her leg.
"Sister Yan, it's been so long! Did you miss me?"
Rubbing her eyes, Xia Yan looked down. "Xiao Han? What are you doing here?"
"Miss Xia."
"..." Hearing the familiar voice, Xia Yan snapped fully awake. She stiffly looked up, staring at Chen Ma, who had suddenly appeared.
"Chen Ma, you're here too?"
"I'm here to bring the young master his clothes."
Xia Yan glanced at the bag in Chen Ma's hand and caught the knowing smile in her eyes. What could she possibly say to explain this situation?