CHAPTER 347: CHAPTER 346: YOU BETTER EAT

Shi Yang watched the furrow in Qu Chaozong’s brow as he smoked and couldn’t help but ask, "What do you think of Peng Rui?"

"Damn! Where did your mind go? There’s nothing between me and her," Qu Chaozong explained, "I just feel bad because I can’t stand seeing her bullied. After all, I liked her before."

"I’m just afraid you’re not clear about your feelings. After what Peng Rui did to you before, if she suddenly wants to come back now, you wouldn’t soften, right?" Shi Yang said, watching Qu Chaozong’s expression.

Qu Chaozong shook his head firmly, "No, the person in my heart now isn’t her. I’ve long moved on from that phase with her."

Only then did Shi Yang nod in relief. Just as he was about to speak, his phone rang; it was Zhao Meimei calling.

Shi Yang paused before pressing the answer key, "Hello."

Zhao Meimei’s cheerful voice quickly sounded, "Bro! Have you arrived?"

On the other end, Zhao Meimei was crunching on some spicy grilled cabbage loudly, unconcerned about Shi Yang hearing.

Shi Yang said, "Yeah, just wanted to inform you. Are you eating out?"

Chewing, Zhao Meimei said, "I took some friends out for barbecue. When are you coming home?"

Shi Yang: "I’ll swing by the company first to handle some things, back tonight." He added, "What made you think of going for barbecue? Who’s there with you?"

Zhao Meimei slurped a drink, "I owed someone a favor, came to repay today."

Instantly, laughter erupted from Zhao Meimei’s side, Shi Yang recognized the voice of a female classmate mixed with a male voice he’d heard before.

Shi Yang frowned, asking, "What debt?"

Zhao Meimei paused before answering, "Nothing... Where are you, bro?"

Shi Yang squinted slightly, sensing Zhao Meimei deliberately avoided the topic, but chose not to expose her, "I’m with your Brother Chao; when are you heading home?"

Zhao Meimei replied easily, "I’ll be home after dinner."

Shi Yang said, "Alright, noted. Be safe on your way back."

After hanging up, Shi Yang pondered Zhao Meimei’s attitude from the call, feeling instantly displeased, as if she was intentionally keeping things from him, not mentioning Dong Wenjie at all.

Shi Yang brooded over whether Zhao Meimei had a situation, hence the sensitivity, or feared he’d misunderstand so chose to avoid the topic.

People in love often tend to worry and overthink, Shi Yang was no exception. He had never strayed, and Zhao Meimei, with her vibrant allure, always pierced his heart, serving as his utmost comfort and reliance emotionally. His thoughts invariably revolved around Zhao Meimei, but did Zhao Meimei feel the same?

If an excellent peer pursued her relentlessly and treated her well, would she hide her feelings and fall for someone else?

Shi Yang inevitably recalled Peng Rui’s words from before; as long as one is single, hasn’t married, they have the right to pursue their own happiness.

Those words, like a steel needle, landed precisely on the sole fragile crack in Shi Yang’s heart, making him feel choked whenever he thought about it.

Seeing Shi Yang’s expression was off, Qu Chaozong asked with concern, "Everything okay?"

Shi Yang shook his head, sitting impassively, eyes lowered. After a while, he suddenly pulled down the visor and carefully checked himself in the mirror.

The reflection, apart from the obvious dark circles under his eyes, still had quite handsome features. He pulled a smile, eyes crinkling into subtle wrinkles; they didn’t make him look old, but rather highlighted a distinctive mature allure.

Shi Yang turned and abruptly asked, "Chaozi, I haven’t become ugly, right?"

Qu Chaozong paused for a moment, "No, what’s wrong?"

Shi Yang pursued, "Hey, do you think I’ve gotten old?"

Qu Chaozong laughed helplessly, "You’re not even thirty yet! Old my ass! We’re at the peak age of a man’s charm!"

Shi Yang pointed at his face and asked earnestly, "Still handsome?"

"Damn!" Qu Chaozong rolled his eyes, "If you’re not handsome, I’d have to go out with my face covered, so I don’t scare people?"

Shi Yang reassessed himself in the mirror and asked once more, "Really?"

Qu Chaozong was speechless, "Damn it! ... Handsome! You’re very handsome!"

Only then did Shi Yang contentedly flip the visor back up, leaning against the seat, half-closing his eyes as a somber storm brewed within his obsidian pupils.

When Shi Yang came home at night, Zhao Meimei was sprawled on the sofa watching TV.

It was still quite warm outside; she wore a camisole nightdress, legs stretched wide, with one leg dangling and swaying.

As Shi Yang opened the door and entered, his gaze immediately fell upon that long swaying leg, and he couldn’t help but stare a couple of times.

Upon hearing the commotion, Zhao Meimei raised her head, her face immediately brightened with a smile, cheerfully climbed off the sofa, rushing over to hug him in welcome, "Bro! You’re back!"

Shi Yang’s eyes were dark as he looked at Zhao Meimei’s face, pulling her into a firm embrace before releasing her, "When did you get home?"

Zhao Meimei: "Came back right after dinner."

Zhao Meimei reached out for the leather bag, and as Shi Yang changed shoes, she began following him around.

As Shi Yang walked towards the bedroom, his fingers deftly undid the buttons on his shirt one by one, peeling it off his shoulders to reveal his tight arms and chest.

Zhao Meimei’s eyes fixed on his waist, feeling a couple of fiery sparks ignite within them, sensing the room infused with Shi Yang’s unique scent.

Shi Yang swiftly stripped off his trousers as well, leaving his long, slender legs towering in front of Zhao Meimei, her palms warming with viewing heat. She stepped forth and hugged him, sweetly and coyly saying, "Bro, I missed you."

Shi Yang turned around, gently touching her face, "Missed me but didn’t stay home waiting, went for barbecue with classmates?"

Zhao Meimei hastily replied, "It was arranged beforehand, and since I’m treating, it wouldn’t be proper not to go."

Shi Yang hovered his finger over Zhao Meimei’s lips, bending down to nibble on her earlobe, murmuring, "But didn’t we arrange something beforehand too? What did you promise me over the phone? ... Let me check, is your little butt squeaky clean?"

Zhao Meimei instinctively swallowed, sensing this chat was going nowhere, quickly reached out to cup Shi Yang’s face, tiptoeing to kiss him, Shi Yang suddenly chuckled, looking quite handsome, his eyes shining with justified satisfaction.

He reversed his grip to pinch Zhao Meimei’s chin, deliberately asking, "Am I tastier, or is the barbecue tastier?"

Zhao Meimei tilted her head up, looking dumbfounded, "You’re the tastiest!"