To facilitate conversation, Zhan Bei Jue didn't even bring the child.
Only Ah Zhong, Jiang Nan Fang, and him, the three of them ate together.
During the meal, she recounted everything that had happened in the past half-year in detail, and also listened to Ah Zhong's report on his work progress.
They chatted until ten in the evening before deciding to disperse.
Ah Zhong had something on his mind and was dispirited, having drunk quite a bit.
Before they left, Jiang Nan Fang quietly sent Zhou Jin Bei the address, asking her to come and be the driver.
"Come over for a bit. Your second brother drank too much. Drive the car over."
Zhou Jin Bei's heart pounded.
Although she was picking up her second brother, she would definitely see Ah Zhong too.
She had to be in good condition!
Upon receiving the message, she hurriedly jumped out of bed and put on light makeup as quickly as possible.
She rushed to the restaurant.
By the time she arrived at the restaurant entrance, the three of them had been waiting for a while.
Zhou Jin Bei pushed open the door, looking radiant.
Seeing her, a complex emotion immediately spread through Ah Zhong's heart.
The two exchanged a look, didn't greet each other, and averted their gazes with unspoken understanding.
Zhou Jin Bei feigned concern for Zhan Bei Jue.
"How much have you had to drink? Let's go, second brother, I'll take you home."
Zhan Bei Jue took in her small actions but didn't expose her.
He put his arm around Jiang Nan Fang and waved the car keys in his hand at her.
"I'm drunk, but your sister-in-law isn't. I have someone to take me."
"I asked you to come and help take Ah Zhong home, he didn't drive. Be careful on the way."
He gave them ample face.
Jiang Nan Fang and Zhan Bei Jue sped away.
Zhou Jin Bei and Ah Zhong, one standing on the steps, the other on the ground below.
They looked at each other again, a thousand words stuck in their throats, neither willing to speak first.
After a two-second pause, Zhou Jin Bei unlocked the car and spoke first.
"Are you staying at a hotel or going home?"
He used to always drive this car to pick her up, and now their roles were reversed.
Ah Zhong got into the passenger seat, his peripheral vision studying her hands on the steering wheel, his heart surging, various emotions churning within him.
"Home. Do you still remember where I live?"
He made a light joke.
This question was difficult to answer.
If she said she remembered, it would seem like she cared about him a lot.
If she said she didn't remember, it would be pretending.
Zhou Jin Bei didn't answer, pretended to be focused on driving, and changed the topic.
"When did you get back?"
"Just now."
"I heard my second brother was back, did you come back specifically to see him?"
Ah Zhong nodded, leaning back against the seat. "Mmm."
"Are you leaving soon?"
This angle made it easier for him to sneak glances at her.
"Yes, I have a few small matters to handle. Once they're done, I'll leave."
Zhou Jin Bei almost blurted out, asking him if it was about selling the house? Did he not plan to come back again?
But she dared not ask.
"My second brother said he was going to introduce you to someone tonight, why isn't she here? Did the blind date go well?"
Introduce someone?
President Zhan must have been joking.
But Zhou Jin Bei asking this question seemed less than innocent.
Ah Zhong thought for a moment. "It was okay. Went quite smoothly."
Zhou Jin Bei's hands trembled with anger.
Shen Min'er was young and beautiful; indeed, any man would be attracted to her.
"Then you're not very gentlemanly. Not even seeing them home after the date? Aren't you afraid of giving them a bad impression?"
"With President Zhan and Sister Nan beside you, what misunderstanding can't be cleared up?"
True.
With them personally playing matchmaker, what couldn't be accomplished?
Zhou Jin Bei felt like she was throwing caution to the wind.
She shot him an indignant glance and said no more.
After that, silence prevailed.
Zhou Jin Bei drove very fast, and they soon arrived downstairs.
After the car stopped, Ah Zhong didn't get out immediately. He rolled down the car window and looked up at the building.
After a few seconds, he said, as if with a sigh.
"I won't be coming here anymore. I plan to sell the house."
Zhou Jin Bei almost blurted out again, asking him.
Did he plan to settle abroad forever and never return, or was he preparing for a future wife and planning to upgrade?
But her pride prevented her from asking.
"Is your work abroad going well?"
Ah Zhong replied indifferently, "It's fine. It's an unfamiliar place, so there are no concerns. You can go all out and work hard, which is more freeing than being here."
"In the early stages of entrepreneurship, you must have been short of money too."
"I've never been particularly wealthy."
"Then I'll return the car to you."
Zhou Jin Bei turned off the engine and handed him the keys.
"I've used it for free for so long, I feel quite bad. I hope you don't mind returning it like this?"
Ah Zhong shifted his gaze to her face.
Looking at the faint smile on her lips, her delicate features.
He felt a chill from head to toe.
"Did you buy a new car?"
"No. But I don't need it anymore. My second brother has plenty of cars, he said he'll give me one later."
"After all, it's your property. It's not feasible to continue like this indefinitely."
This was a clear drawing of boundaries.
He no longer needed her.
How disheartening.
Ah Zhong extended two fingers, avoiding contact with her skin, and took the car keys.
"Indeed. President Zhan has many luxury cars, and it wouldn't be right to drive my old car given your status."
"Thank you for driving me back. Be careful on your way."
"Thank you for lending me the car for so long. I also wish you all the best in the future. Don't forget to invite me to your wedding."
They each got out of their respective doors.
Zhou Jin Bei slammed the car door and walked away without looking back, striding out.
Ah Zhong stood behind the car door, watching her slender figure, her hair flying in the wind.
He wished he could crush the keys in his palm.
Jin Bei intended to save and spend less from now on, not being extravagant.
Feeling an emptiness in her heart, she couldn't sleep alone, so she decided to take the subway home.
Standing at the subway station, Zhan Bei Jue called to check if she had returned.
Completely heartbroken, Zhou Jin Bei felt as if her internal organs had been taken by someone else.
She felt hollow.
As if gusts of wind were passing through.
Her voice was mournful and desolate.
"I'm back."
The sounds of passing pedestrians were sparse and noisy.
How could Zhan Bei Jue not detect the anomaly?
"Still so lively even when you're back?"
"I'm on my way back."
"Don't tell me you're walking back."
Her nose stung, and she retorted.
"Why can't I walk? I returned his car."
Oh?
So they've completely parted ways?
Zhan Bei Jue tried to pry.
"Why do you suddenly not want to take advantage of him anymore?"
Zhou Jin Bei didn't give him an answer.
"His car is too old, I can't stand it. Now I want to take advantage of you."
"Second brother, can you bear to see me take the subway to work every day? Can't you get me a car?"
This girl, Zhou Jin Bei, is not worth pity.
You try to pity her with good intentions, and she maliciously tries to scheme against you.
Zhan Bei Jue instantly felt no sympathy for her.
"What's there to bear? Zhan Corporation has tens of thousands of employees, how many of them drive to work every day?"
"Others can, so can you."
"You want me to get you a car? Work hard. Strive to reach the manager level, and I'll give you one without you asking."