YJDNY - 31

While Xiang Ge was lost in thought, the two figures had already entered through the greenery. She hadn’t managed to get a good look at the woman’s face before they sat down in a corner seat.

The woman sat with her back to Xiang Ge, only visible as she rested her chin on one hand, tapping her crystal nails rhythmically against her cheek.

Even from this angle, there was something vaguely familiar about her.

Xiang Ge’s first instinct was to run.

But then she realized something felt off. Why should she run? She wasn’t guilty of anything, was she?

With an indifferent expression, Xiang Ge stared blankly at the couple in the corner for three whole minutes before grabbing her bag and walking out.

She hadn’t even finished her pancake or ice cream—only taken a few bites.

Her fashion show had ended in the afternoon, and she hadn’t eaten since. Now, her stomach was growling loudly, demanding attention.

Frustrated, Xiang Ge stomped her foot. Her heels were too high, and she accidentally stepped awkwardly on the spot where she had twisted her ankle over a month ago. The pain flared slightly again.

Fortunately, it wasn’t too bad. Xiang Ge limped over to a nearby stone bench and sat down, crossing her legs and gently massaging her ankle. The initial sharp pain slowly faded.

It started to ache instead.

She stood up cautiously, took a few careful steps, and when she was sure nothing was seriously wrong, she ran her fingers through her hair, pulling it back. Without hesitation, she walked back into the café she had just left.

Bold and confident, her inner battle horn blaring in anticipation.

She pushed open the door and went inside. The waitress remembered her and assumed she had returned to look for something.

Xiang Ge glanced toward the corner where Zhou Hangyan had been sitting earlier. The woman was still there, but he was gone.

At most, only fifteen minutes had passed since she left.

Annoyed, Xiang Ge bit her tongue lightly and hesitated for a moment. Just then, the woman turned her head.

Their eyes met directly.

Xiang Ge froze mid-turn.

Now she understood why the side profile had seemed so familiar.

It was none other than Wu, the campus queen from high school—one of Zhou Hangyan’s admirers and the station manager of the school radio station.

What was her full name again? Wu… something?

Xiang Ge couldn’t remember.

This campus queen clearly recognized her too, showing no surprise. Instead, she gave Xiang Ge a radiant smile and beckoned her over with a wave of her finger.

Xiang Ge raised an eyebrow, licked her lips, and approached.

Wu gestured to the seat across from her. “Little junior, sit.”

What was this supposed to mean? What did she want?

Before Xiang Ge could even speak, this woman had already initiated contact.

Slightly narrowing her eyes, Xiang Ge sat down. She lazily fluttered her lashes while keeping her gaze sharp.

Wu didn’t seem to mind and began chatting casually. “It’s been so many years. You’ve become even more beautiful, little junior.”

Xiang Ge responded dryly, “Likewise.”

Wu paused briefly before smiling again. “You’re still as witty as ever, little junior.”

Who’s being witty with you?

Xiang Ge said nothing, her hand hidden under the table impatiently tapping her kneecap twice. “Did you call me over for something, senior?”

“Yes, I did have something.” Wu’s gaze shifted slightly, glancing past Xiang Ge’s ear. “But we don’t have much time today.”

She picked up her phone, pulled up the dialing interface, and slid it over. “Leave me your number, little junior?”

Xiang Ge tilted her head, studying Wu for a few seconds before calmly taking the phone and entering a string of numbers.

After exchanging pleasantries and obtaining her phone number, Wu left. Xiang Ge remained seated, staring blankly at the phone screen for a while before standing up and walking out.

Just as she stepped out of the café, her phone began vibrating in her pocket.

She pulled it out and saw the caller ID. Answering without speaking, she waited.

Zhou Hangyan also remained silent.

For ten seconds, the line was completely still until Zhou Hangyan finally spoke.

“Are you hungry?”

Xiang Ge: “….”

Do you think all I care about is eating?

Honest to a fault, she replied, “Yes.”

A soft laugh came from his end. “So, do you think standing outside the café will fill your stomach?”

Startled, Xiang Ge instinctively turned her head and scanned the area.

Zhou Hangyan stood not far behind her, holding his phone to his ear with one hand and carrying a small box in the other.

Xiang Ge didn’t move, staying rooted in place. Her voice was calm. “I had a dream while I was napping earlier today.”

“Oh?”

“A big hat suddenly fell from the sky and plopped right onto my head.”

“It was green.”

Zhou Hangyan: “….”

Zhou Hangyan didn’t ask why Xiang Ge had suddenly shown up or why she was standing outside the café lost in thought. Similarly, Xiang Ge didn’t ask why he had left work early. They got into the car and drove to the supermarket, parking in the second basement level. As Xiang Ge stepped out, she had only taken a couple of steps when the man behind her suddenly stopped.

Confused, Xiang Ge turned around.

Zhou Hangyan frowned slightly. “What’s wrong with your foot?”

Xiang Ge let out a soft “Ah.”

Though the pain from her earlier misstep was minor and didn’t really affect her, she had unconsciously been trying to ease the pressure on it.

Honest as always, she admitted, “I slipped a little earlier.”

Zhou Hangyan fished the car keys out of his pocket, unlocked the car, and jerked his chin upward. “Get back in.”

Xiang Ge took a couple of steps forward. “It’s fine—it didn’t hurt much.”

“Yeah, get back in,” he repeated.

Helpless, Xiang Ge turned around, opened the passenger door, and climbed in.

Zhou Hangyan followed, stopping in front of the passenger door. Suddenly, he bent down.

Xiang Ge assumed he simply wanted her to wait in the car and didn’t react immediately.

But before she realized what was happening, he reached out, grabbed her ankle, and removed her high heel, placing it aside.

Sitting in the passenger seat, one foot still on the car floor, the other held firmly in his hand, slightly elevated. Her knee bent at a relaxed angle, her calf stretched straight.

She blinked, her naturally relaxed toes curling slightly inward as if trying to grasp something.

Zhou Hangyan glanced up at her, adjusting her heel in his hand.

His coat swung forward with the motion, brushing lightly against the sole of her foot like a feather, sending shivers up her spine.

Unable to hold back a giggle, Xiang Ge squirmed her leg, pulling it inward.

Her pale toes wriggled restlessly, irritating him.

Zhou Hangyan hissed, “Stay still.”

Xiang Ge shrank back, her voice soft and teasing, each word curling around the air like wisps of smoke. “It tickles.”

Zhou Hangyan stilled.

After a long moment, he slowly lowered her foot and straightened up.

“Xiang Ge.”

She sat in the car, and he stood before her, eyes lowered, watching her.

His voice was calm yet carried a hint of suppressed frustration, as if deflated.

“Stop tempting me.”