Song Qinian and Gao Kunlun hadn't expected Shen Chi Yan to emerge so soon.
The two stood obediently. Gao Kunlun offered Shen Chi Yan a fawning smile, "Fifth Master..."
Song Qinian's mood was complex. She merely glanced at Shen Chi Yan before silently lowering her head.
To Shen Chi Yan, however, this gesture was interpreted as jealousy.
"Gao Kunlun, take Qiu Qiu back first."
"Ah..."
Gao Kunlun blinked in surprise, then beamed, "Alright."
Gao Kunlun trotted over to Lin Qiu Tong, "Miss Lin, my car is parked over there. Please wait for me a moment while I get it."
Lin Qiu Tong's teeth were almost grinding to dust. The more arrogant and smug she had been moments ago, the more furious and unwilling she felt now.
Shen Chi Yan had initially disliked Song Qinian, but upon hearing about the couple's bracelet, he had immediately rushed out to reconcile with Song Qinian and removed the bracelet.
Wasn't that action obvious enough?
If she wasn't mistaken, Shen Chi Yan's series of actions bullying Song Qinian just now were meant to make Song Qinian jealous.
Her phone suddenly rang. Seeing it was Shen Qi Wen calling, she hung up directly.
He immediately sent a WeChat message: "Either you come find me, or I'll come find you right now."
Lin Qiu Tong's already unpleasant mood worsened considerably.
Realizing Shen Qi Wen was nearby, Lin Qiu Tong didn't want Shen Chi Yan to see her closeness to Shen Qi Wen. She smiled at Gao Kunlun, "No need, I have some matters to attend to nearby. I can walk myself."
Saying this, Lin Qiu Tong walked over to Shen Chi Yan, "A Yan, I need to leave now. Don't forget what I told you this morning."
"Mm, be careful on your way."
Lin Qiu Tong smiled, seemingly not at all saddened by Shen Chi Yan not escorting her. "Got it."
However, the moment she turned away, the smile vanished from her face.
She absolutely would not concede defeat like this!
As soon as Lin Qiu Tong left, the considerate Gao Kunlun, adhering to the principle of not being a third wheel, quickly excused himself with a stomachache and the need to use the restroom.
The street was bustling with people. Shen Chi Yan and Song Qinian stood some distance apart, with three to four meters between them.
Seeing Song Qinian standing like a wooden post with no reaction, Shen Chi Yan took a few steps towards her. "What? Are you planning to stand there until the end of time?"
Song Qinian didn't respond. Instead, she packed up the lunchbox from the chair.
The next second, Shen Chi Yan took the lunchbox from her hand.
Shen Chi Yan touched the cold lunchbox, his brow furrowed tightly. Was this what she ate?
"Are you full?"
Song Qinian didn't know what Shen Chi Yan was up to. He had been bullying her moments ago, why was he suddenly showing concern now?
"I'm asking you."
Song Qinian nodded.
Song Qinian's eyes turned slightly cold. Having eaten so little and already feeling full, it seemed she was still angry with him.
Hmph, so petty!
Spotting a coffee shop across the street, Shen Chi Yan cast a cold glance at Song Qinian. "Follow me."
Song Qinian, not understanding why, followed Shen Chi Yan into the coffee shop.
Drinking coffee right after lunch?
Seeing Song Qinian standing by, Shen Chi Yan frowned. "Sit down!"
Song Qinian obediently sat opposite Shen Chi Yan.
"What would you two like to drink?"
"A cup of Saint Helena coffee and a matcha cake..."
He then looked at Song Qinian, "What about you?"
Song Qinian was somewhat bewildered by Shen Chi Yan's change in attitude, but decided to go with the flow. She wrote two words on a piece of paper and handed it to the waiter.
"I'll have a glass of milk, thank you."
Seeing Song Qinian ordering milk, Shen Chi Yan let out a soft snort. "Coming to a place like this to drink milk? You're probably the first."
Facing Shen Chi Yan's mockery, Song Qinian slowly gestured, "I don't like coffee."
Song Qinian's mind was still occupied with Gao Kunlun's words. If things were truly as Gao Kunlun had said, then she had misunderstood Shen Chi Yan.
Should she apologize to him?
At that moment, the waiter brought over the coffee and matcha cake.
Shen Chi Yan pushed the cake towards her. "Eat."
Song Qinian blinked. Was this cake ordered for her?
How... did he know she liked matcha cake?
She looked at Shen Chi Yan in disbelief, only to see him tidying his sleeves.
The red bracelets were gone from both his wrists.
What was going on?
He had been wearing those red bracelets during lunch, hadn't he?
How did he take them off?
Or did he... accidentally lose them?
Seeing Song Qinian staring at his wrists, Shen Chi Yan's dark eyes flickered slightly. "Something wrong?"
Song Qinian shook her head.
Shen Chi Yan had clearly seen his wrists. If the bracelets were lost, he would have noticed, so... he must have removed them himself.
Song Qinian felt a little relieved and picked up a fork to eat the cake.
As expected, matcha cake was delicious. Sweet first, then a hint of bitterness, its smooth texture and exquisite taste satisfied her heart.
Song Qinian was a person easily contented. She would feel deeply saddened when Shen Chi Yan treated her poorly.
But the moment Shen Chi Yan showed even a little kindness, her heart would immediately lean towards him.
Thinking of something, she hesitated for a long while before slowly gesturing, "Thank you for the gift yesterday. I didn't expect you to personally go to Xiangrui Mountain to get it. I'm sorry..."
Shen Chi Yan's gaze turned slightly cold. He knew without a doubt that Gao Kunlun, that gossiper, had said something.
He certainly didn't hide anything from Song Qinian.
"Heh... didn't you already refuse it? Does an apology help?"
Song Qinian quickly shook her head. "No, I kept the bracelet. It's in the drawer in my room."
Shen Chi Yan remained silent for a long time. Song Qinian didn't know what he was thinking.
After a while, he extended his hand towards her. "Come here."
Song Qinian got up and cautiously walked over to him, only to be pulled into his embrace.
Song Qinian was startled.
This was a coffee shop, and it was lunchtime. Many people were coming and going.
She instinctively tried to get up, but Shen Chi Yan suddenly bit her earlobe. Song Qinian flinched in pain, her face flushing red.
Fortunately, they were seated in a corner. Everyone else was engrossed in their phones or books, and no one noticed them.
"If you dare refuse my gifts again, see how I deal with you."
Song Qinian quickly shook her head. Then, she remembered that he had said that night he would never give her gifts again, or else he would be a dog.
How could there be a "next time"?
"You don't need to flatter yourself. I didn't go to Xiangrui Mountain specifically. I was just passing by and went in. Besides, I wasn't getting it just for you. Grandma, Qin Qin, they all received one."
As soon as Shen Chi Yan finished speaking, he cursed under his breath.
It felt like he was protesting too much.
His phone suddenly rang. While Shen Chi Yan was on the phone, Song Qinian quickly escaped from him and obediently sat back in her seat, drinking her milk.
Shen Chi Yan cast her a cold glance, displeased. Wasn't she very fond of cuddling with him before? Why was she acting so shy now?
The call was from the principal of Jinghua University. Jinghua University was celebrating its centenary, and the principal wanted to invite Shen Chi Yan to attend the anniversary.