Chapter 66
Xu Ke saw Lin Mengyao’s sudden change in expression and knew something was wrong, but didn’t know what he had done to upset her. As Xu Ke was feeling anxious, Lin Mengyao revealed the answer to him.
“This woman has nothing to do with you, but what about the woman you hugged in broad daylight? What is your relationship with her?” Lin Mengyao didn’t realize how much her tone resembled that of a girlfriend feeling jealous after seeing her boyfriend getting close to another girl. She only knew that this was a thorn in her heart, and if she didn’t remove it, she would feel uncomfortable seeing Xu Ke, and it would hurt a little each time she saw him. This feeling was truly unbearable.
“The one in the daylight?” Xu Ke asked with some confusion. When his gaze met Lin Mengyao’s bright eyes, he suddenly remembered something, and Lin Mengyao saw that Xu Ke, who was bewildered just a moment ago, suddenly laughed. His smile was like the arrival of spring, fresh and carrying an undeniable warmth.
“That was also a misunderstanding. Did you see the bag I left at your door? Aren’t you attending the Yun family’s banquet in a few days? I thought you didn’t have many dresses, so I went to buy one for you. The woman you saw was someone I met after buying the dress. She lost her footing and fell onto me, and I just helped her. If you don’t believe me, you can ask the store’s staff.” Xu Ke said sincerely, with a smile.
Looking into Xu Ke’s honest eyes, Lin Mengyao’s face felt a little hot, while her heart was filled with an indescribable joy, and even her lips couldn’t help but curl up slightly.
Just as the atmosphere between Xu Ke and Lin Mengyao was gradually becoming warm, a sound of vomiting shattered the rare warmth. Xu Ke’s brows furrowed slightly again, regretting once more why he took this path and met this woman. It was truly disgusting.
“Can you find out where her home is? If not, just take her to the police station; let her go home by herself when she’s sobered up. When you get back, take a nice hot shower. You reek of alcohol, it’s really stinky.” Although Lin Mengyao’s words were full of disdain for Xu Ke, she still moved from in front of Xu Ke to his side and took the drunk woman from his hands.
“Can you manage?” Xu Ke saw Lin Mengyao stagger a bit supporting the woman and quickly moved to take the woman from Lin Mengyao’s arms, only to have his hand slapped hard by Lin Mengyao. With a crisp “slap,” Xu Ke’s hand turned visibly red.
After hitting Xu Ke, Lin Mengyao felt a bit regretful, pursed her lips slightly but still spoke firmly, “Who do you look down on? Call a cab.”
Since the moment Lin Mengyao appeared, Xu Ke had been paying attention to her every move. Seeing her expression now, Xu Ke felt that everything he had held onto had finally paid off. His heart was filled to the brim, and it felt like fireworks were going off in his mind. Aside from feeling happy, how could he care about the pain?
Xu Ke’s ears heard Lin Mengyao’s words, but his brain hadn’t processed the information yet; his body reacted instinctively.
By the time the two of them had taken the still troublesome drunk woman to the police station and came out again, it was already late at night.
“Don’t catch a cold. Even if it doesn’t smell nice, your health is more important.” Xu Ke’s voice was particularly gentle under the moonlight.
Lin Mengyao lowered her head and tightened the coat around her, feeling warm all over. The warmth extended to her ears, making them a bit hot. Lin Mengyao didn’t understand how Xu Ke, who spoke so little in front of others, could be so talkative and say such alluring things that made her ears itch.
“Mengyao, I was really happy today.”
“What are you happy about? It’s late at night, there are mosquitoes everywhere, it’s cold, and we’re being bitten. Aren’t you going to call a cab to go home?” Lin Mengyao glared at Xu Ke without any real threat, tightened her coat, and said.
Lin Mengyao somewhat defensively blocked Xu Ke’s subsequent topic. Xu Ke looked at Lin Mengyao’s ostrich-like behavior, chuckled indulgently and helplessly, stopped the conversation that made Mengyao a bit flustered, and called a cab to the Lin Family’s address.
It’s fine, there’s still a long time ahead, he can wait, Xu Ke told himself.
When the two of them got back home, it was already very late. The house was completely dark, and they sneaked into the bedroom, using their phone lights as if they were thieves, not knowing why they acted that way.
“It’s late, freshen up and get some rest,” Lin Mengyao said, taking off the jacket she’d been wearing and handing it back to Xu Ke.
“No rush. Did you see the dress I bought you? The moment I saw it in the store, I thought it really suited you. You must look beautiful in it. Can I be the first one to see you in it tonight?” Xu Ke asked, looking deeply at Lin Mengyao, with a hint of temptation in his voice.
“It’s really late already; whatever it is, let’s wait until tomorrow. I’m tired.” Lin Mengyao avoided Xu Ke’s gaze, walked toward the bed while yawning, looking every bit exhausted.
Xu Ke’s enthusiasm tonight was a bit overwhelming for Lin Mengyao. Having never been in a relationship before, she chose to avoid the situation once again.
Xu Ke was already prepared for Lin Mengyao’s avoidance. He was just a little disappointed for not seeing Lin Mengyao in the dress he prepared for her right away, but it was indeed very late, and he decided to let her go.
Lin Mengyao’s performance tonight made Xu Ke a bit excited; he couldn’t wait to get closer to Lin Mengyao, which led him to be a bit too eager, driving Lin Mengyao back into her shell like a snail.
The box containing the gown sat quietly on the table, with Xu Ke’s eyes burning into it, silently reminding himself to remain calm.
Fortunately, the night passed quickly, and Xu Ke didn’t wait long before dawn arrived. But the little flame that had been waiting all night to see Lin Mengyao in that dress extinguished with a puff when he saw the empty bed. The person who always loved to sleep in had disappeared without a trace, this time surprisingly early.
Xu Ke shook his head helplessly, got up, tidied himself, and went downstairs.