In her memory, her brother always kept a low profile, completely unlike those princelings who loved to flaunt their wealth.
They loved driving luxury cars worth tens of millions, while he at most drove a Bentley Continental, and even then not often. The car he used most was the business van Mercedes Vito—she heard it had recently been upgraded to a V260. The two cars were basically the same in structure and appearance, apart from performance.
He was quite sentimental; once he got used to something, he basically never changed it. Even his toothbrush and towel—the color and style might vary, but he stuck to the same brand.
The car wasn't flashy, but it definitely wasn't ordinary. For very formal occasions, he would drive the Hongqi L5 in the garage, but usually, Uncle Lu used it.
Why switch to a new car all of a sudden?
And such a coincidence—it happened to be the same model as Professor Shen's. Cheng Buxi grumbled inwardly.
Anyway, today was already a lost cause. She was the one whose reputation couldn't get any worse. As for Ning Ci, she could only make up for it slowly, bit by bit, to salvage her image. There didn't seem to be any other way—who told her not to learn her lesson?
She had stood him up twice, and he still hadn't replied to the last message she sent. That showed how angry he was.
...
She didn't want to make a scene in public, and her brother had a special status. The streets were crowded with people and prying eyes; it wouldn't be good if something got photographed. Reluctantly, she got into the car obediently.
The familiar interior—even the seat distance and backrest angle were almost identical to when she had sat in Professor Shen's car last time. So similar, in fact, as if he had inspected it personally... Emm, that was probably overthinking it.
No way, right?
Cheng Buxi actually really liked spacious cars, especially mid-to-large SUVs—they were both roomy and practical.
Every surface she could touch in this car was either leather or wood, polished just right to give an oily sheen, with a wonderful texture. Expensive without being flashy, not extravagant—the proportions were very comfortable, very old money.
Liking large cars was like liking sharks and dinosaurs. She knew what she was like. As a child, she worshipped Tyrannosaurus Rex; as she grew up, she worshipped Lu Tingzhou. But those were in the past.
She had especially noted the license plate—this was completely a brand-new car. He hadn't swapped with Professor Shen, and of course, a big brother wouldn't stoop to such boring things—
Today, the driver wasn't Xin Ji. Brother Xin had gone out of town on a project. The driver's seat held a completely unfamiliar face, but someone who could catch her brother's eye was definitely no simple person.
Cheng Buxi couldn't help but think of that enchantress named Wan Yi—wondering if she had been close to her brother lately. She hadn't seen her in a long time.
...
After sitting down, the car was quiet, not a breath of wind coming through.
Ning Ci's chat window remained empty; the little red dot was stubbornly absent. Her heart was troubled. Bored, she opened the 999-plus dorm group chat, which was in full rant mode.
Guan 11.23: [image/][image/]
Guan 11.23: [Copycat! (angry)]
Guan 11.23: [She has to have whatever others have. Damn bitch!]
Yi (grad school version): [Damn, does she have no taste of her own? (cry-laugh)]
Guan 11.23: [I'm done. Copying is one thing, but this dumb ass has to compete with you!! Pisses me off!!]
Ya Bin 8.17: [You only found out today?]
[When I entered school, I wore a bracelet. Next thing, I saw the exact same one on her. And hairbands, body wash, everything (facepalm) (tears of laughter). Even my draft notebook she has to copy (strong) (strong) (grin)... Especially borrowing stuff and never returning it. So damn annoying!]
[Can copycats just die already!!]
[Spiritual cripple, jealous and insecure little clown.]
...
The incident started because Feng Yuan saw Guan Qianru bought a pretty sweater—fluffy with a big heart on the chest—and went and bought the same one. Not only that, but she bragged about getting it cheaper, which pissed Guan off. The group chat erupted.
Cheng Buxi happened to catch the phrase "jealous and insecure" and didn't know if she was agreeing or something else, but it made her frown.
Lu Tingzhou noticed and asked, "What are you looking at?"
She flinched like a startled bird, immediately closed the group chat, and avoided his gaze: "Nothing."
Even as she said it, her mind was full of 'copycat, copycat...'
Combine that with this new car... Her thoughts were in a mess.
-
Twilight was approaching; the sun silently sank westward. The outlines of buildings and forests began to blur, edges softly diffused as if a beautiful soft-focus filter had been applied.
Streetlights seemed to be switched on by an invisible hand, one by one, tentatively lighting up.
As they were about to set off, she asked where he was taking her, as if she had to confirm he was sending her back to school to feel at ease.
Lu Tingzhou gave a non-answer, only rebuking: "I hear from the folks that you haven't been home for dinner in a long time."
Cheng Buxi: "..."
Like a small snake caught by its vital spot, her head drooped slowly.
"Have you been very busy with studies lately? Not even coming home."
Wasn't that because you came back?
In the past, she would have gone home at least once on weekends anyway.
His complaint was obvious between the lines. Cheng Buxi's long lashes trembled; she felt even more dejected but forced herself to say, "It's exam week recently."
Her brother didn't seem to need a specific answer; he was just asking casually.
Cheng Buxi breathed a sigh of relief.