But Ji Shuhe didn't dare get into Wen Shaoyu's car again. The interrogation in the elevator, where she had no way out, was still ringing in her ears. If she got into his car again, who knows where he'd take her, or if he'd sell her off.
So she blurted out: "I'll take a taxi back. Wen Shaoyu doesn't need to take me!"
Under the streetlight at the intersection, light poured down from above.
Ji Shuhe felt two pairs of eyes staring at her from left and right, making her nervous. She blinked rapidly.
Ji Shulang, who had already suspected that Ji Shuhe's frequent zoning out was due to another squabble between the two, now felt his suspicions confirmed.
He turned to look at Wen Shaoyu. The man always preferred simplicity, with no accessories except the watch on his wrist. But he made up for it with his long legs and height, and even a simple coat looked extremely elegant on him.
But now, under the light, he was staring intently at Ji Shuhe. The evening wind blew through his bangs, and even his follow-up question carried an indescribable loneliness.
"Ji Shuhe, after just one meal," he said softly, "you won't even ride in an old friend's car anymore?"
Ji Shuhe certainly couldn't tell the truth. She blinked even faster and barely managed to come up with a plausible excuse: "Your home is nearby, right? Taking me back and then coming back would be a waste of time. We both have work tomorrow. It's more convenient for me to just take a taxi."
Wen Shaoyu said nothing, just kept staring at her. Ji Shuhe fought off her guilt and forced herself to meet his gaze steadily.
Ji Shuhe thought she would have to say something more—either win Ji Shulang over to her side or let Wen Shaoyu make some pointed remarks.
But unexpectedly, after a moment of silence, Wen Shaoyu's eyes curved slightly, and he actually agreed.
"Since my old friend is so considerate of me," he said gently, though he stressed the words "old friend" heavily, "I appreciate the sentiment. Let's go. I'll see you to a taxi first."
Ji Shulang was completely lost now.
Old friend? What had he missed again? Were these two not planning to get back together, but instead going the pure friendship route too?
Ji Shuhe was equally surprised, but she quickly understood.
She thought that perhaps after she gave that answer, Wen Shaoyu understood.
Step back from each other, retreat behind the safety line, and they could still be friends.
Taxis were easy to get at this hour. One came quickly. Ji Shuhe got into the returning cab alone, poked her head out the window to wave goodbye to Ji Shulang and Wen Shaoyu, her gaze hurriedly sweeping over them, never daring to linger on anyone's face.
The car slowly drove away. The figures of the two in the rearview mirror grew smaller and smaller until they disappeared. Ji Shuhe pressed her head against the cold window glass. The temperature cleared her muddled mind for a moment, but her whole body felt weak.
So tired.
Her rationality told her she should sort out everything that had happened today—Shen Xing's strangeness, how she and Wen Shaoyu should interact after giving him an answer, and... her own already-determined future direction.
But at this moment, fatigue crashed over her like a tide over a dam.
She simply couldn't think.
The car sped along, and the lights outside streamed like fire, almost dazzling Ji Shuhe's eyes. Xinhai's night was bustling and noisy, so different from the London where she had lived for years, making her feel... out of place.
The phone clutched in her palm suddenly vibrated, followed by the screen lighting up.
[wen]: I've noted the license plate. Let me know when you arrive at the hotel.
It was Wen Shaoyu.
Ji Shuhe bit her lip, her eyes fixed on those words. Her fingertips unconsciously traced the screen, but her heartbeat grew clearer with each beat. She read that sentence over and over. She hadn't expected him to send her a message like that at this moment.
She thought he should understand.
The word "Okay" lingered in the chat box for a long time. After hesitating, Ji Shuhe deleted it. She turned off the screen, tilted her head back against the window, closed her eyes, and let out a light sigh.
What was she really worrying about?
She herself should know best.
"Hey, what's going on with you two again?"
Standing side by side on the roadside, Ji Shulang and Wen Shaoyu watched the taillights of the car carrying Ji Shuhe disappear. Ji Shulang immediately reached out and gave Wen Shaoyu's shoulder a light slap.
Wen Shaoyu remained still, hands in his coat pockets: "Nothing's going on."
"Don't be stubborn. Anyone with eyes can see it." Ji Shulang snorted. "I played dumb and joked around all night to cheer Xiaoshu up, but she never really smiled. Fess up. What did you do?"
Wen Shaoyu turned and walked toward his car: "I did nothing. I just asked her a question in the elevator before we entered your place."
"What question?" Ji Shulang was curious.
Wen Shaoyu thought for a moment, pulling out his phone to type as he answered: "I asked her if she plans to go back after the shoot ends."
Ji Shulang's expression also sobered: "What did she say?"
"She didn't answer." After sending the message, Wen Shaoyu put his phone back in his pocket, took out his car keys, and pressed the unlock button. "Instead, she asked me a question."
"Spit it out! You pause every half a sentence. Stop being so mysterious." Ji Shulang was genuinely anxious. "What did she ask?"
"She asked me..."
The car lights came on, illuminating the asphalt road ahead. Wen Shaoyu's voice dropped.
"She asked me what reason she has to stay in Xinhai."