It was already very late by the time they finished treating the wounds at the hospital.
Shu Qing called a cab to take her friend home. Chen Cheng, showing a good attitude in admitting his mistake, prepared to go along to see him off.
After all, they used to be good brothers.
Jiang Liuyue also got to enjoy a solid piece of gossip.
It turned out that once, when Shu Qing was drunk, she called Chen Cheng. Chen Cheng happened to have a business engagement, so he asked his good brother to pick her up.
At that time, he and Shu Qing were in an ambiguous phase of their relationship.
As a result, the good brother actually fell in love with Shu Qing at first sight. He did not know Chen Cheng's feelings and only thought they were just good friends.
Recently, he had started pursuing Shu Qing.
Shu Qing was too embarrassed to tell Chen Cheng, Hey, your good brother is pursuing me.
After all, they were only in an ambiguous phase, so what would that even mean?
So she thought of a good idea. The good brother had asked her out for a meal several times, and she couldn't decline. Coincidentally, Jiang Liuyue had also invited her out, so Shu Qing thought that the three of them eating together wouldn't be awkward.
Who knew that Chen Cheng would find out and chase after them.
That was how the massive fallout happened.
As for how these three would get along after going back, only they would know.
"Let me take you home."
After waving goodbye to them, Lin Yizhou turned to look at Jiang Liuyue.
Jiang Liuyue hesitated for a moment and said, "...That might not be a good idea."
Lin Yizhou lowered his head, his eyes looking somewhat shattered.
A melancholy aura emanated from him.
"We are still friends, right?"
Jiang Liuyue nodded slowly. "Yes."
Lin Yizhou smiled bitterly and pursed his lips.
He said in a low voice:
"Can't a friend even take you home?"
"Alright."
The car ride was silent; Jiang Liuyue remained very quiet.
Lin Yizhou tactfully kept his mouth shut as well.
It wasn't until the car was about to reach her apartment that he suddenly spoke:
"Will you hate me because of my brother?"
"Hate you?" Jiang Liuyue was puzzled.
Lin Yizhou's gaze was sorrowful. He looked through the car window into the pitch-black night, his eyes slightly distant.
"Yes, he hates my mom, and he hates me too."
"My existence is an original sin. You should know that by now, so it wouldn't be strange if you hated me."
Jiang Liuyue thought for a moment.
She replied in a calm tone:
"Yizhou, I don't hate you."
"It's just that with my current relationship with Song Han, if the two of you have a conflict, like Chen Cheng and his friend..."
"I think, I would choose Song Han."
Lin Yizhou's hands gripped the steering wheel a little tighter.
A hint of darkness flashed in his eyes.
In a downcast tone, he said:
"Yeah, it seems like anyone would choose my brother."
"Whether it's my dad, or you..."
Just as Jiang Liuyue wanted to offer words of comfort, Lin Yizhou lifted his head again.
A hint of a smile appeared in his ink-black eyes.
He raised the corners of his lips once more.
Smiling, he said:
"Forget it, this is fine too. As long as you don't hate me, being just friends is enough."
"I'll be completely satisfied."
The car slowly came to a steady stop.
Lin Yizhou opened the driver's door and quickly walked around to the other side.
"We're here. I'll get the door for you."
His actions were very gentlemanly, even using one hand to shield the top of the door frame to prevent her from bumping her head.
"Careful."
"Thank you." Jiang Liuyue lowered her head and leaned forward to step out of the car.
Before she could say any parting words, she suddenly felt a gaze land on her back.
She turned around to look.
She met Song Hanzheng's eyes, which were as cold as frost.
Oh no!
How could they run into each other by such a coincidence?
Jiang Liuyue quickly stepped forward, but unexpectedly, Lin Yizhou followed behind her at an unhurried pace.
"Song Han."
Out of habit, she went up to link her arm with his.
But Song Hanzheng took a step back beforehand, leaving her fingertips grasping empty air. Jiang Liuyue pursed her lips and smiled faintly, saying:
"I went out for dinner with a friend tonight and happened to run into Lin Yizhou, so he brought me home."
Song Hanzheng didn't say a word.
He just stared at her coldly.
Lin Yizhou also caught up and explained, "Brother, I didn't do it on purpose."
Song Hanzheng shot him a sidelong glance.
Then, he turned and strode away. Not far off, a black Maybach was parked beneath the shade of the trees.
"Song Han."
Jiang Liuyue ran forward, wanting to chase after him.
But she heard Song Hanzheng say in an icy tone:
"Go back!"
"I was just afraid you would misunderstand, so I wanted to explain things clearly."
Jiang Liuyue tried to grab the hem of his clothes but was heavily thrown off.
A flash of resolve passed through Song Hanzheng's light brown eyes.
"The game is over."
With that, he opened the door and stepped into the Maybach.
Jiang Liuyue's phone suddenly vibrated.
She opened her unread messages.
It was from Shu Qing, saying she had arrived home.
Jiang Liuyue then opened the other unread messages.
Only then did she realize Song Hanzheng had sent several texts.
Song Hanzheng: [I prepared a gift for you.]
Song Hanzheng: [The female lead in Director Da Qing's movie.]
Song Hanzheng: [I said before, stay with me, and I will give you the best.]
Song Hanzheng: [...]
Song Hanzheng: [Why aren't you saying anything? I'm coming to find you.]
Looking at these messages, Jiang Liuyue took a deep breath.
She had been too careless.
Just now in the car, she forgot to check her phone.
And missed Song Hanzheng's messages.
From behind came Lin Yizhou's self-blaming voice.
"I'm sorry, Liuyue, it's all my fault."
"Don't worry, I will definitely explain things clearly to my brother. There is nothing going on between us; I simply gave you a ride home."
Jiang Liuyue slowly turned around.
She looked at the young man, whose face was full of remorse. He had handsome features, thick eyelashes that cast a shadow, and a lingering sense of brokenness in his eyes.
Anyone would be reluctant to blame him.
"Yizhou," she said.
"Yes," Lin Yizhou nodded.
Jiang Liuyue sighed softly, looked at him seriously, and said, "I think there is no need for us to even be friends anymore."
"Ah?" Lin Yizhou was stunned. His movements were extremely slow, like an otter, taking a long time.
Before he finally understood what her words meant.
His back stiffened in place.
For a long while, he had no reaction.
"I..." His voice trembled, somewhat at a loss. With panicked eyes, he took two steps back and said, "I'm sorry."
"Forget it. Go home early and rest."
Jiang Liuyue waved at him.
Lin Yizhou's face showed an expression of wanting to smile but being unable to hold back his tears.
He slowly nodded his head.
Finally, he said in a heavy voice:
"Okay, then goodbye."
Jiang Liuyue returned to her apartment. Just as she was about to message Song Hanzheng, she realized she had been blocked.
