With a rumble, the entire ground seemed to tremble.
It was as if an earthquake had struck.
Because of the sudden commotion next door, Feng Feng and Li Yue were forced to stop. Feng Feng frowned, looking at the wall, "What is the person next door doing?"
Li Yue pulled out a wet wipe to clean his hands, "Perhaps they accidentally bumped into something."
Feng Feng tidied her clothes, returned to her seat, and continued drinking.
The noise from next door lasted only a moment, and then it fell completely silent. Neither Feng Feng nor Li Yue paid it any mind.
After dinner, it was Li Yue's turn to drive. Feng Feng, having had some wine, opened the car window to let in the breeze. The car stopped at the apartment building, and the two entered the building arm in arm.
Li Yue smiled and said, "President Feng, I need to stay at your place at least four nights a week."
Feng Feng replied, "Why don't you just move in?"
Li Yue brushed her hair aside and whispered into her ear, "I mean, I want to try a hotel this weekend."
Feng Feng immediately understood his meaning, "Then we'll have to wait until Friday."
They walked in chatting, neither noticing the familiar car behind them.
Meanwhile, Shen Su sat in his car, witnessing them go upstairs with his own eyes, watching the lights in that familiar floor turn on.
Then, before he knew it, it was past midnight.
Li Yue had not come down. The two had already become entangled in the restaurant, and once they returned home, it was impossible for things to stop there.
Shen Su smoked a few cigarettes in the car, a self-deprecating smile on his face, before stepping on the gas and turning to leave.
In the following days, Shen Su and Feng Feng did not see each other again.
On Friday, Xing Zheng and Lin Mei invited friends over for dinner. When Shen Su arrived, he realized Feng Feng and Li Yue were not there; at least, their cars were not in the parking lot.
As Shen Su got out of his car and walked in, he spotted Lan Lan. Just as he was about to go over and greet her, he noticed she was tucked away in a corner, on the phone.
Shen Su had no intention of eavesdropping, but when he heard Lan Lan ask, "Why aren't you and Li Yue here?" he involuntarily paused.
It was clear Lan Lan was on the phone with Feng Feng.
Shen Su tightened his grip on his car keys and stood still, continuing to listen.
He didn't know what Feng Feng said, but Lan Lan's tone became noticeably excited, "You two really know how to have fun. Alright, no wonder you've been looking so good lately."
"I've been to that hotel. There are quite a few things in the room. I wish you a pleasant evening, President Feng."
From Lan Lan's words, it was enough to determine what Feng Feng was doing.
A hotel, a pleasant evening...
She hadn't come to the gathering because she had gone to the hotel with Li Yue.
Shen Su suddenly laughed, unsure how to describe his feelings at that moment.
Feng Feng had never skipped a friend's gathering for him before. In her words, Lin Mei and Lan Lan were like family to her, and everyone else had to come second.
And during the two years they maintained their relationship, Feng Feng had indeed always adhered to this principle.
But, with Li Yue, why had everything changed?
In an instant, Lan Lan finished her call with Feng Feng and turned to walk out, coincidentally meeting Shen Su.
Lan Lan's expression was a little subtle, but Shen Su showed no sign of anything amiss, merely asking her, "Didn't Feng come with you?"
Lan Lan replied, "He's already gone in. I came out to make a call."
Shen Su said, "Oh, then let's go in together."
Lan Lan and Shen Su walked towards the house together, and she casually asked, "Feng Feng mentioned you were hospitalized with pneumonia before. Are you alright?"
Shen Su replied, "I'm all better now."
Lan Lan said, "That's good. Take care of yourself, President Shen."
Shen Su replied, "Okay, thank you."
After a few casual remarks, they entered the living room.
As soon as Lan Lan entered, Lin Jingchu asked, "Godmother, where's my other Godmother?"
Lan Lan was charmed by Jingchu's cuteness and went to rub his face, saying, "She, ah, has something to do tonight and can't make it."
Lin Mei casually asked, "Is President Feng working overtime again?"
Lan Lan gave a knowing smile, "Yes, working overtime with Li Yue."
Everyone present, except for Lin Jingchu, understood the implication.
All eyes instantly turned to Shen Su. Gu Song, who was closest to Shen Su, looked at him with concern.
But Shen Su seemed more composed than they expected. Gu Song found it surprising; he used to lose control whenever Feng Feng was involved, but now he was so restrained, which seemed abnormal.
Lin Mei had intended to tease Lan Lan a bit, but out of consideration for Shen Su's presence, she didn't say much more.
During dinner that evening, Shen Su spoke very little. When everyone else was chatting animatedly, he just drank his wine quietly, almost never participating in the conversation.
Everyone present understood why he was acting this way.
When the gathering ended, Gu Song took on the task of driving Shen Su home. Shen Su remained silent for the entire journey.
Gu Song couldn't hold back any longer and asked, "Are you alright?"
Shen Su shook his head, "I'm fine."
Gu Song continued, "You don't look fine. If you really can't handle it, find a place to let it out. I can take you to spar?"
Shen Su replied, "No need. Just take me home."
Gu Song asked, "Are you going to let Feng Feng go?"
Upon hearing her name, Shen Su immediately fell silent. He turned his head to look out the window.
Gu Song glanced at him from the corner of his eye, observing him for a long time, unsure what he was thinking.
Gu Song drove Shen Su back to the villa and, feeling uneasy, looked at him with concern.
Shen Su took off his coat and changed his shoes. He turned and saw Gu Song still there, so he said, "You should go back now."
Gu Song asked, "Are you sure you're okay?" Don't end up in the hospital again like last time.
Shen Su replied, "I'm fine. It's not worth it for a woman."
Gu Song said, "...Then get some sleep. I'll be going now."
Gu Song didn't quite believe Shen Su's words, but since he was being stubborn, he decided not to expose him, as it would only make him feel worse.
Gu Song left Shen Su's villa and got into his car. His mind was filled with Shen Su's dejected appearance. He shook his head helplessly, realizing Shen Su had truly fallen for Feng Feng.
Seeing that Shen Su showed no intention of taking any action, Gu Song, as his friend, decided he had to make a move for him.
Otherwise, at the pace Feng Feng and Li Yue were going, they might very well get married quickly.
After some thought, Gu Song contacted the boss of Zhang Shuang's company and asked him to help arrange a meeting with Zhang Shuang.
That boss had a good relationship with Gu Song and immediately agreed.
Fearing he might startle the young lady, Gu Song added, "Just ask her a few questions, nothing else. Tell her not to worry."
After the call, Gu Song started his car and headed home. The other party was quite efficient. Not long after he arrived home, he was informed of the meeting time and place for the next day, and the other party also sent him Zhang Shuang's WeChat.
Gu Song added Zhang Shuang on WeChat. After she accepted his request, he browsed her Moments.
Zhang Shuang's Moments didn't have much content. Most of it was reposts of school news or information about campus recruitment. Scrolling to the bottom of her Moments, he couldn't find a single piece of information about her private life. One would expect someone her age, not yet officially graduated, to enjoy sharing their life.