Chapter 21.1
Xiang Qingwei took the medicine, feeling much relieved after. She finally could observe Zhou Yuehe.
He didn't look at her, instead choosing to gaze out the window, which made it easier for her to study him. His face was half shadowed by the dim light outside, and Xiang Qingwei could only see his profile through the window. The light from the streetlamps cast a glow on his profile, obscuring his expression.
Strangely, despite having such an exceptionally handsome face, her memories of him were limited to a clean, refined demeanor. Even now, seeing Zhou Yuehe felt entirely foreign, as if the man at the dinner three years ago wasn't him.
His attitude only deepened Xiang Qingwei's suspicion.
In the elevator earlier, Xiang Qingwei had thought Zhou Yuehe was intentionally ignoring her in order to avoid bringing up painful memories, so she had avoided engaging with him. That was why she had greeted everyone at the dinner table except for Zhou Yuehe.
Yet unexpectedly, Zhou Yuehe had once again come to her rescue during the dinner party. Now he was driving her home and even buying her medicine. Was this man suffering from dissociative identity disorder?
Or was it because, despite knowing their reunion would be unpleasant, he still harbored some sense of duty? That was why he chose to help her at the dinner party, then drive her home and buy her medicine?
Xiang Qingwei remained deep in thought, not realizing she had been staring straight at Zhou Yuehe this whole time.
Under Xiang Qingwei's blatant stare, Zhou Yuehe, who had been pretending to look out the window, slowly became more rigid, his ears heating up.
"Are you done looking?" a voice spoke, icy cold with a hint of flustered anger.
Xiang Qingwei was taken aback. Once she finally came back to her senses, she met Zhou Yuehe's deep and icy gaze, which now seemed to hold a hint of disgust.
Xiang Qingwei realized at once that she had been pondering Zhou Yuehe's thoughts for several minutes straight, staring at him without blinking.
Not noticing the redness of Zhou Yuehe's ears, she felt only the disgust in his gaze sting her, and she smiled apologetically. "Sorry about that." Then she retracted her gaze and looked out the window, adopting the same courteous tone as before, though now clearly distant.
Zhou Yuehe's expression grew slightly stiff, and the atmosphere inside the car chilled.
Even Xiao Zhao, sitting in the driver's seat, couldn't help but shiver.
For the rest of the trip, Xiang Qingwei didn't speak another word, maintaining the icy atmosphere until they arrived at their destination.
"Hello, may I add you on WeChat?" Xiang Qingwei asked Xiao Zhao, who was still seated in the driver's side, without getting out of the car.
Xiao Zhao turned his head, stunned. He never expected Xiang Qingwei to ask for his WeChat information, and he instinctively glanced at Zhou Yuehe, who was looking back at him coldly.
"Ah... um..." Xiao Zhao stuttered, unable to find a reason to reject her request, and nervously took out his phone to add her.
"Thank you. That's all." Xiang Qingwei smiled at him before turning back to Zhou Yuehe, her expression courteous but distant. "Thank you for driving me back, Teacher Zhou Yuehe. I'll take the medication, and I'll transfer the money to your assistant. Goodbye." She pushed the car door open and walked away without looking back.
For Xiang Qingwei, if she wanted to make someone feel comfortable, it was an easy task; however, making someone uncomfortable while maintaining an impeccable demeanor was even easier.
Xiao Zhao cautiously glanced behind him with a thumping heart, only to be shocked by what he saw.
Zhou Yuehe's face had never looked so unsightly.
Xiang Qingwei walked into the residential area, carrying a bag of medicine in one hand and her purse in the other, clicking her high heels against the pavement.
Regret surfaced in her heart once again.
Ning Yang was still on Xiang Qingwei's program; if the man had a narrow mind, he could very well retaliate against Ning Yang through his role as a producer...
Rubbing her temples tiredly, Xiang Qingwei felt her head throb painfully. Perhaps it was the alcohol, but she felt less rational than usual.
She made a silent vow to avoid Zhou Yuehe at all costs in the future. If she couldn't fight against him, she could at least run away.
She sighed, berating herself for helping him three years ago.
Yet just as this sigh escaped her lips, her wrist was grabbed tightly, then forcefully pulled. She turned around and found herself facing Zhou Yuehe, who held her by the shoulders.
Xiang Qingwei jumped in surprise, looking up in shock at the furious expression on Zhou Yuehe's face.
This isn't necessary, Xiang Qingwei thought, dismayed. Isn't this a bit too over-the-top?
She really was startled; taking a moment to compose herself, she tilted her head back to look directly at Zhou Yuehe and said sincerely, "I apologize, Teacher Zhou Yuehe. I've had a bit too much to drink tonight, which has put me in an altered state of mind. If my words or actions offended you in any way on the bus, please accept my apologies."
Xiang Qingwei's sincere apology did not quell Zhou Yuehe's anger, but rather seemed to worsen his expression.
He loosened his grip on her shoulder, but still held her hand, his face darkening further.
"Is this supposed to be funny?" Zhou Yuehe's voice was like ice water.
By now, it was nearly 11 p.m. and the streets were deserted. Under the streetlight, only Xiang Qingwei and Zhou Yuehe faced each other in a standoff.
Xiang Qingwei composed herself once more, a trace of wariness in her gaze. "Mr. Zhou, I don't know what you're talking about. If I offended you somehow, I've already apologized."
The wariness in Xiang Qingwei's eyes and her guarded posture stung Zhou Yuehe, causing a sharp pain to shoot through his heart. Yet the more it hurt, the colder his gaze became.
"Why are you pretending you don't know me?"
Xiang Qingwei was stunned, tongue-tied as she stared at him. "You..."
Zhou Yuehe returned her steady gaze.
Xiang Qingwei swallowed, then ventured, "I thought you weren't interested in recalling those events from three years ago." She paused, staring into Zhou Yuehe's eyes, then turned the tables on him. "Didn't you also pretend you didn't recognize me? Besides, I helped you back then, so it's fine if you don't thank me, but you make a face at me whenever you see me..."
Zhou Yuehe's gaze became increasingly suspicious, his eyes growing colder and colder. "I'm not talking about three years ago."
Xiang Qingwei blinked, taken aback. "Not three years ago?" She earnestly tried to remember, and was certain that the dinner party had been three years ago, so she turned back to Zhou Yuehe with a questioning gaze. "Have we met somewhere else?"
Zhou Yuehe's pupils contracted, his eyes narrowing as he stared at Xiang Qingwei, searching for any sign of deception. Yet Xiang Qingwei's eyes only gazed back in confusion and surprise.
Zhou Yuehe's heart chilled, the pain spreading throughout his entire chest. The corners of his lips pressed into a thin, frozen line, and he gave her a deep stare. After what felt like an eternity, his expression grew cold once more, and he let go of Xiang Qingwei without a word. Turning around, he walked away.
Xiang Qingwei stood rooted in place, watching as Zhou Yuehe left without even looking back, as though she had suddenly been plunged into a massive riddle, her mind a tangled mess.
From afar, Xiao Zhao watched Zhou Yuehe return, and quickly retracted his long neck, sitting upright with his hands folded neatly in his lap, feigning ignorance.
When Zhou Yuehe suddenly opened the car door, Xiao Zhao had nearly jumped out of his seat. From afar, he watched Zhou Yuehe catch up to Xiang Qingwei and grab her by the arm.
Xiao Zhao's eyes were about to roll out of their sockets.
What was happening?!
Zhou Yuehe pulled himself back into the car, and the door slammed shut with a thud.
Xiao Zhao almost jumped out of his seat from fright, then turned around carefully, but before he could make out Zhou Yuehe's expression, the man coldly commanded, "Drive."
Xiao Zhao jerked his head forward, swiftly starting the car and driving away.
Minutes passed as the temperature inside the car dropped steadily.
Xiao Zhao turned slightly to look over his shoulder. "Are you okay, Yuehe-bro?"
"Focus on driving. I'm fine."
Zhou Yuehe's voice came from the back seat, calm as if nothing had happened.
Xiao Zhao fell silent for a moment, then asked, "Yuehe-bro, did you know Manager Xiang from before?"
Another moment of silence from the back seat.
"No, I don't know her."
His voice was flat, devoid of any emotion.
Xiao Zhao didn't dare pry further and focused on driving.
The car stopped at the foot of Zhou Yuehe's residential building. Xiao Zhao stepped out of the car, then rushed around to open the door for Zhou Yuehe.
Zhou Yuehe stepped out of his car.
Xiao Zhao looked up, suddenly feeling alarmed.
Zhou Yuehe's face was deathly pale.
"Brother Yuehe, are you okay?"
Zhou Yuehe shook his head, exhausted. "I'm fine."
"Brother Yuehe, I'll help you upstairs." Xiao Zhao had never seen Zhou Yuehe look so ill before, and worry crept into his voice.
"No need, just go back and rest." Zhou Yuehe walked straight into the building without another word.
Xiao Zhao stood in place, watching Zhou Yuehe's lonely silhouette walk into the apartment building, feeling an inexplicable sting in his nose.
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