Chapter 17: A Blindingly Obvious Crush part 2

Xu Jianwei snapped their photo. As she was adjusting the angle, she glanced at Chi Ye sitting beside Lin Yuran and thought to ask him to move aside, but one look at his stony expression made her keep quiet.

Zhang Kun asked, “So, do we keep playing?”

Lin Yuran was done. No more drinking games. She swore to herself: Never again.

Gu Jiaze added, “Let’s call it a night. Gotta get up early for work. We’ll hang out another time.”

They’d had their fun, so time to head home.

Ye Shaowen said, “Everyone’s been drinking. Luckily, we’ve got designated drivers on call. I’ll have a few guys drive you home.”

Gu Jiaze gave him a thumbs up. “Bro, you think of everything. No wonder your bar’s always packed.”

Outside the bar, the sky was dark, no stars, no moon. A breeze blew, smelling like rain. Everyone started sorting out who’d ride with whom.

Gu Jiaze and Dong Qian weren’t going in the same direction as the others. Since Dong Qian hadn’t had much to drink, she drove them off first. Qin Lang left with Zhang Kun.

Xu Jianwei said, “Yuran and Ye Hui can ride with me.”

Chi Ye spoke up, “Lin Yuran’s coming with me. We live in the same direction.”

Qin Lang remembered something. “Right Yuran, I don’t think I know where you live?”

Xu Jianwei answered for her, “Huana Garden, on Beixing Road.”

Qin Lang laughed and clapped Chi Ye on the shoulder. “That’s pretty convenient.”

Chi Ye gave him a cold look. “Is that a problem?”

Qin Lang grinned, “No problem at all.”

Cars were assigned, and everyone waited outside as the drivers pulled up.

Zhang Kun pulled out a pack of cigarettes, offering them to the guys. “After all that booze, a smoke’s perfect.”

Lin Yuran instinctively took a step away.

Chi Ye hesitated, then declined. “I’ll pass.”

Qin Lang lit a cigarette, but before he did, he asked Xu Jianwei, “Mind if I smoke?”

Xu Jianwei smiled. “I don’t, but maybe you shouldn’t. Yuran has severe rhinitis. Just a little smoke will make her sneeze and get all stuffed up.”

Lin Yuran wasn’t far off. Hearing this, she looked over. “It’s okay, really. You guys go ahead. I’ll just stand farther away.”

Zhang Kun chuckled. “Pretty and considerate.”

But in the end, none of the guys lit up.

Ye Hui walked over to Lin Yuran. “Your rhinitis’s that bad? I have a friend who’s a top ENT specialist. He’s coming back next week. Want me to set something up?”

Lin Yuran shook her head. “Thanks, but no need. Rhinitis is hard to cure. Lin Yiqun’s been treating me with acupuncture for years, so things are much better now. As long as I avoid strong smells, I’m fine.”

A gust of wind swept through, carrying the chill of an impending storm. Xu Jianwei, dressed light as always, was wearing a form-fitting, high-slit slip dress. Sexy, yes, but she was shivering now. She hugged herself. “It’s so cold!”

It was the middle of summer, and most people were in short sleeves. Only one person had on a shirt. Even Lin Yuran, though wearing long pants, didn’t look much warmer. She had on ripped wide-leg jeans and a tiny off-shoulder crop top with a tie detail at the waist, paired with a half-up ponytail, very playful.

“You cold?” Ye Hui asked.

“I’m fine. The car’s almost here. Won’t be cold for long,” Lin Yuran replied.

Chi Ye, hands in pockets, looked away from her and said to the guys, “Let’s go to the convenience store,” before heading toward the 7-Eleven behind them.

Qin Lang followed. “I’ll come too.”

Not long after, the two walked out of the convenience store just as the designated driver pulled up in Ye Shaowen’s car. Zhang Kun was already in the car, waving for Qin Lang to hurry up.

Qin Lang shoved the things in his hands to Chi Ye. “I’m heading off first, bro.”

As they left, Zhang Kun leaned out the car window and called out to Chi Ye, “Tomorrow, we’re all coming over to your place to hang out!”

Chi Ye replied, “Sure.”

Not far away, a couple of crude voices rang out, thick with drunken lewdness. 

“Hey pretty girl, your man looks all prim and proper. Bet he doesn’t know many tricks in bed. Can he even make you feel good? Why don’t you come with me? I’ll make sure you scream for more.”

Chi Ye’s brows furrowed. He turned toward the source of the noise. Two burly, middle-aged men were swaggering down the street, clearly drunk after a night at the market. Their eyes leered shamelessly at Lin Yuran.

Ye Hui stepped in front of Lin Yuran, shielding her with his arms as he squared off against the two drunks. “Watch your mouth.”

Beside him, Xu Jianwei folded her arms and glared at the men coldly. “With the way you two look? Bet you can’t even get it up. Talking big, go home and have your mama remake you.”

Meanwhile, Lin Yuran remained still, eyes fixed on a loose brick lying on the edge of the nearby landscaping. She looked as if she were one second away from grabbing it and smashing it into their heads.

Zhang Kun moved to open the car door. “Sh*t, are they looking for trouble?”

Chi Ye slammed the door shut again. “You guys go. I’ll handle this.” He strode quickly toward Lin Yuran.

One of the drunks shifted his gaze to Xu Jianwei, licked his lips, and sneered, “Dressed like a slut. You want it bad, huh? I’ll—”

“Get lost,” Chi Ye barked, voice low and forceful.

The man’s words cut off mid-sentence. He blinked his bleary eyes, tilted his head back to look at the man in front of him and froze.

Chi Ye stared down at them, gaze sharp and cold. “You leaving or not?” His voice was heavy, eyes narrowed. Despite his youth, the chill in his eyes sent shivers down their spines. The oppressive air around him made it hard to even breathe.

The two drunks exchanged a glance, then dropped their heads and slunk away without a word. Qin Lang chuckled in the car, rolled up the window, and with a loud roar, the Range Rover sped off.

Chi Ye handed a bag to Xu Jianwei. “Qin Lang bought it.”

Xu Jianwei glanced inside: two bottles of hot drinks. She pressed her lips into a faint smile. Chi Ye passed the other bag to Lin Yuran.

Lin Yuran took it. Inside were two bottles of warm water and a cup of hot milk. She gave Chi Ye a soft smile. “Thanks.”

Seeing that Ye Hui still looked upset, Lin Yuran pulled out one of the bottles and offered it to him. Her tone apologetic: “Sorry, I caused you trouble.”

Ye Hui returned a gentle smile. “It’s alright. Just dress a bit warmer when you’re out next time.”

“She can dress however she wants,” Chi Ye’s voice cut in, cold and sharp. “There’s a grown man standing right there, and you still let this happen. And you’ve got the nerve to blame what she’s wearing?”

His tone was harsh, making Ye Hui’s face darken.

Ye Hui snapped back, “Was I blaming her?”

Chi Ye, who had been holding back all night, finally lost it. “You think I don’t see what you’re doing?”