“You’ll pay.”
Luan Nian dropped these two words and walked out, his expression serious enough to show he meant it. Shang Zhitao followed behind him, thinking that she couldn’t pretend to be rich when she wasn’t. Old Shang once said that in interpersonal relationships, gather when compatible, separate when not. Even if he was her boss, he couldn’t fleece her badly.
The two of them set off, with Shang Zhitao watching as Luan Nian’s car headed toward an area she wasn’t familiar with. To be precise, she was unfamiliar with Beijing except for the areas near her company and home.
“Any dietary restrictions?” Seeing that Shang Zhitao wasn’t speaking, Luan Nian thought this fool was scared. When would she learn to hide her thoughts and emotions instead of wearing that trepidation and defiance on her face?
“No.”
“Then let’s go fish.”
“Hmm?”
Luan Nian didn’t elaborate further, focusing on driving up the mountain. He had a fish restaurant he frequented on the mountain, where they caught rainbow trout fresh and stewed it in an iron pot, making it very flavorful.
The mountain road was dark with few lights. Luan Nian drove slowly and gradually pulled over to the side of the road. Seeing Shang Zhitao’s wide eyes, he asked softly, “Afraid I’ll kill you and dump your body?”
…
Shang Zhitao froze, recalling Luan Nian’s usually cold demeanor, which did make him seem like a serial killer who might murder and dispose of bodies. So she feigned calmness and said, “I told my roommate before I left that I was working overtime with my boss. I also gave her your contact information.”
“Really!” Shang Zhitao added, showing Luan Nian her phone. She wasn’t lying; she had sent Luan Nian’s phone number to a contact.
A girl venturing out on her own needs basic self-protection awareness as a foundation for survival. Shang Zhitao wasn’t as foolish as she appeared.
“Then you’ve escaped a calamity today.” Luan Nian raised an eyebrow and stopped teasing her.
“Shall we continue on our way?”
“Wait a moment.” Luan Nian’s eyes were uncomfortable, so he took out eye drops and applied them, then closed his eyes to rest briefly.
“Are your eyes uncomfortable?”
“Dry eye syndrome.”
“Oh…” Shang Zhitao had always thought Luan Nian was invincible, but even someone like him had ordinary troubles, like dry eye syndrome.
“My dad also has dry eye syndrome.”
“And then?”
“Then he stopped working on computers and changed jobs.”
“So what job do you think would be suitable for me?”
…
Luan Nian wasn’t an easy person to chat with. As Da Zhai would say, some people just have loose lips. Luan Nian rested for a few minutes before continuing to drive. By the time they reached the mountaintop, it was already dark. The fish restaurant had hung up bright red lanterns, creating a lively atmosphere.
The owner recognized Luan Nian and came to greet him from a distance. “Manager Luan, you’re here?”
“Here to eat fish.” Luan Nian said to the owner, “The usual?”
“Sure thing.” Then he smiled at Shang Zhitao, “Hello.”
“Hello, boss.”
Shang Zhitao felt a bit awkward as the owner seemed to think she was someone special to Luan Nian from the way he looked at them. After the owner walked away, Shang Zhitao hesitantly said, “Should we explain to the owner?”
“Explain what?”
“Explain that I’m not your girlfriend…”
“You look like my girlfriend?” Luan Nian was amused by Shang Zhitao’s comment. What was she thinking—that all men and women were up to no good, that having a meal together made them a couple? Was she overestimating herself, or did she not understand him well enough?
“Don’t I?” Shang Zhitao retorted, unwilling to back down.
“Do you think you do?”
…
What kind of person is this?
There was a long corridor behind the fish restaurant. While waiting for the fish, they sat in the corridor, one on each side.
Shang Zhitao received a message from Sun Yu: “Why aren’t you back yet?”
“Just having dinner, then I’ll be back.”
“He’s not giving you a hard time, is he?”
“No.”
“That’s good then.”
Shang Zhitao put away her phone and turned to look at Luan Nian, recalling the strange sensation at her fingertips from last night, which made her blush slightly. She couldn’t tell if what she felt was lust or just ordinary feelings. Whatever it was, Luan Nian’s handsome appearance was right beside her, making her a little flustered.