Su Yue was annoyed by him.
"Not familiar? Then I'm leaving." She turned to leave.
Her arm was grabbed by him again, and she heard him chuckle softly.
"I haven't eaten yet, baby. Will you accompany me to get something to eat?"
Ultimately, he knew how to care for her. Hearing that he was still hungry so late, Su Yue's heart softened immediately, and she obediently got into his car.
They went to a Cantonese restaurant, and he still sat next to her.
"Have you been busy with work lately?" Su Yue asked curiously while waiting for the food.
"Mmm, there's something quite busy I'm dealing with."
"What?" she asked, puzzled.
"It's a secret."
"..."
If he wouldn't say, then so be it.
But Su Yue always felt that Chen Ziming was a bit strange tonight.
He was quieter than usual and more clingy.
Even while eating, he held her hand with one hand, the other holding his chopsticks.
After dinner, he held her hand and they went for a walk nearby.
The wind at the end of September was already slightly cool. They strolled along the moat, watching the tranquil river surface under the night sky, a stark contrast to the bustling crowds around them.
"Chen Ziming, what's really going on with you today?"
Su Yue finally couldn't help but call out his name.
The man stopped, looked down at her, his eyes gentle.
The next second, he pulled her into his arms.
He buried his face in her neck and said in a muffled voice, "It's nothing, just busy with work lately, I'm a bit tired."
It wasn't entirely unconvincing to Su Yue.
She felt a pang of sympathy. She hugged his waist and said softly, "My competition ends tomorrow. I'll come to your place tonight and give you a shoulder massage, okay?"
He smiled, and the warm breath from his nostrils tickled Su Yue a little.
"Mmm, then baby, remember what you promised me."
Another muffled reply.
After hugging for a long time, he finally got up to drive her back to school.
Downstairs from the dormitory.
Su Yue wanted to get out of the car but hesitated, looking at the man in the driver's seat.
"Mmm?" He smiled warmly and made a questioning sound from his throat.
"Mid-Autumn Festival... Is it appropriate for me to go to your place with you?"
Perhaps seeing how down he was tonight, Su Yue told him about her decision in advance.
He seemed to freeze for a moment, then his smile widened, and he replied, "Of course, it's appropriate. I'll tell my mom."
He paused, then added, "They'll definitely be very happy."
"Mmm, I'll go then~ I'll come to your place myself tomorrow after my competition if you're too busy to pick me up." She waved and prepared to get out of the car.
But Chen Ziming pulled her back. Then he unbuckled his seatbelt, leaned over, and kissed her deeply.
Perhaps they hadn't kissed for a long time, as he was reluctant to let go.
It was Su Yue who finally pushed him away, her face slightly flushed. She said softly, "We'll kiss again tomorrow night. I need to get back to the dorm quickly."
"Mmm, okay." He reached out and gently stroked her cheek, then said, "Baby, remember to miss me."
Clingy and childish.
Su Yue responded with a chuckle and left.
Chen Ziming watched her figure disappear, and the tenderness on his face vanished with it.
He drove away, but instead of going home, he went to the Municipal Bureau.
The departure time was eleven o'clock at night.
The personnel had already assembled. The team leader checked everyone's equipment. Once confirmed, a team boarded a minibus.
In the darkness of the night, they quietly departed.
The contestant from the Journalism department of the Communication University ultimately secured second place.
This was already the best result the school had achieved.
The teachers were very happy and wanted to take everyone out for a celebration.
Su Yue, however, declined.
After relaxing, she thought more and more that Chen Ziming was acting strangely. So, she called him from backstage.
The call, however, prompted: The user you have dialed is out of service area.
She suddenly had a premonition of something ominous.
Coincidentally, Li Niannian also arrived backstage. Chen Cheng was holding a bouquet of flowers, and they both congratulated her.
Seeing her holding her phone with a somewhat dejected expression, Li Niannian immediately understood.
"Officer Chen is on a business trip and cannot carry his phone, so it's normal that he can't receive your calls," she said, patting Su Yue's shoulder to comfort her.
Business trip?
Su Yue looked at her with some surprise.
No wonder he seemed so preoccupied yesterday.
"How long will you be gone?" she asked instinctively, her heart already starting to feel anxious.
Li Niannian fell silent and looked at Chen Cheng.
He understood and explained softly, "It's uncertain. He can't come back until the mission is completed."
Her heart shattered into pieces with Chen Cheng's words.