CHAPTER 45: TOGETHER

Qi Jianyi’s phone rang, breaking the morning silence. While she was busy getting ready, her hand instinctively reached out, grabbing the device lying at the edge of the table.

Her eyes flickered over the name displayed on the screen, causing her to pause for a moment before finally swiping to answer the call.

"Hello?" She greeted the person at the other end of the phone softly.

"Where are you? I’ve arrived," A deep, smooth voice came from the other end. The rich timbre made Qi Jianyi’s ears tingle, prompting her to pull the phone slightly away, rubbing her ear reflexively.

"Young master Song, you came too early. I haven’t even done my makeup yet," she responded, a note of resignation in her tone.

Shaking her head, Qi Jianyi put the call on speaker as she continued to do her makeup . They had agreed to have dinner together today, and it seemed Song Chengfeng had taken the initiative to arrive early—too early.

Her eyes drifted to the clock on the wall. It was only eleven-thirty, and they had agreed to meet at noon. Yet, here he was, already waiting outside her dormitory, a half an hour early.

"That’s fine. Take your time, I’ll wait," Song Chengfeng’s deep voice resonated through the room, his tone calm and patient.

Without waiting for her reply, the line went dead. Though his intention was not to pressure her, the weight of his early arrival left her feeling just that—pressed.

"Let him wait. Who asked him to come too early?" Qi Jianyi tried to reason with herself, yet every passing tick of the clock quickened her movements. The seconds seemed to stretch like elastic, taunting her as she raced against time.

Yesterday’s banquet at Grandpa Qi’s had dragged on for hours, filled with laughter and toasts, until the old man had finally released her family late into the night. If it hadn’t been for the promise she made to Song Chengfeng, she would have gladly accepted Grandpa’s invitation to sleepover at his mansion.

And then, She overslept.

With a swift stroke, Qi Jianyi applied her lipstick and inspected her makeup one last time in the mirror, ensuring every detail was perfect. Then, with a sense of urgency, she grabbed her bag and strode towards the door. Though she had initially planned to let him wait, a wave of guilt washed over her at the thought of making anyone wait.

As she stepped out of the elevator, Qi Jianyi caught sight of Song Chengfeng in the parking lot, leaning casually against his black sedan car door, engrossed in his phone.

He was dressed impeccably in a long-sleeved black shirt tucked neatly into tailored black pants. The three buttons at the collar hung open, revealing his sharp clavicles, and accentuating the contours of his physique. His hair was neatly slicked back, though a few rebellious strands fell across his forehead, adding a touch of effortless charm.

The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to his elbows, showcasing the defined veins that hinted at his athletic build. Today, he looked particularly striking, his slightly tanned skin and confident posture making him stand out even more.

Though many would consider Song Chengfeng’s looks unparalleled, his icy demeanor often deterred anyone from approaching him.

Qi Jianyi couldn’t help but notice the envious glances from the other female students nearby. They were bold enough to sneak furtive glances and capture photos of him, but none had the courage to strike up a conversation. Their admiration was palpable, a mix of awe and longing.

Suppressing a smile, she shook her head, amused. She had encountered countless attractive men in her life, but Song Chengfeng was unlike any of them; he remained unfazed by the attention, wearing his aloofness like a shield. Even He Zeqing, known for his charm, would shoot daggers at anyone who dared to take a picture without permission.

With a deep heated gaze from Qi Jianyi, it’s impossible for Song Chengfeng not to notice it. He sensed her presence and lifted his gaze. As his eyes locked onto hers, and for a heartbeat, the world around them faded away. Qi Jianyi stood there, dressed in black jeans and a crisp white blouse. The long black hair was neatly tied in a ponytail, showing off her slender and fair neck.

Her makeup was simple and natural, subtly enhancing her features while drawing attention to her soft pink lips. At that moment, when Qi Jianyi caught Song Chengfeng’s gaze that was as intense and unwavering as the midday sun, a smile formed on her face.

Instantly, the cold expression that had lingered on her features brightened, transforming her demeanor with that one genuine smile.

Song Chengfeng stood there, momentarily stunned by her warmth. The normally expressionless man remained frozen in place, watching every step Qi Jianyi took as she approached him. If not for the slight rise and fall of his chest, he could have been mistaken for a statue, so still and captivated by her presence.

Naturally, Qi Jianyi noticed his unusual stillness but chose not to comment on it. After all, it was a typical response from him as he often wore an expressionless face. With a lightness in her heart, she continued toward him, unaware of the impact her smile had made.

"Young Master Song, why didn’t you wait in the car?" Qi Jianyi asked, standing opposite him, curiosity etched on her features.

Though her question hung in the air, the man in front of her remained unmoved, his expression as inscrutable as ever. Qi Jianyi became confused and tilted her head slightly.

"Young Master Song, are you okay?" she asked, a hint of concern creeping into her voice.

Song Chengfeng was jolted from his thoughts as his gaze met Qi Jianyi’s questioning eyes. Shaking his head to dispel the lingering haze of distraction, he opened the car door for her.

"I’m fine. Let’s go," he replied stiffly, the words feeling clipped and formal.

"Why were you waiting outside anyway?" Qi Jianyi inquired again, her curiosity piqued as she thanked him and slid into the car.

"It’s too hot in the car," he answered tersely, closing the door behind her before sliding into the driver’s seat.

Hearing his response, Qi Jianyi’s brow furrowed further in puzzlement. Hot? She glanced at the sky, where the sun blazed down mercilessly. Shouldn’t he have said it was too hot outside, so he waited in the car instead of waiting outside because it’s too hot in the car?

If Qi Jianyi struggled to decipher his strange logic, Song Chengfeng was well aware of his own oddities. However, he was thick-skinned enough to brush off the awkwardness as if it were nothing. Accepting his answers without question, Qi Jianyi decided to let it go. Maybe everyone perceives temperature differently.

"Where do you want to have lunch?" Song Chengfeng asked, his voice cutting through her thoughts. He hoped to distract her from overthinking his earlier remarks.

Immediately, Qi Jianyi’s mind shifted back to lunch plans. She shrugged, shaking her head as uncertainty clouded her thoughts.

"I don’t have any ideas in mind. What do you want to eat? I’ll follow your lead," she replied, her gaze fixed on him.

As Song Chengfeng started the car and glanced at her, he suggested, "Let’s eat roasted duck then?" The vehicle then began to pull away from the parking lot.

Roasted duck? Qi Jianyi’s imagination conjured the fragrant roasted duck she had once savoured back in her real world, causing her to gulp involuntarily. The memory of its delicious taste lingered on her tongue. Nodding eagerly, she expressed her agreement.

"Roasted duck sounds great! It’s fragrant and delicious so let’s eat that," her excitement was noticeable, a bright smile illuminating her face.

"You like roasted duck?" Song Chengfeng asked, the corners of his lips twitching upwards before he quickly suppressed it as the car slowed to a stop at a red light.

"Well, I enjoy it once in a while," she replied casually, recalling her cravings. It was only when Song Chengfeng mentioned the dish that she remembered the lingering taste on her palate, igniting her appetite.

"What do you like to eat then?" he continued, curiosity guiding his questions as the light turned green.

Qi Jianyi paused, considering his question with earnest thought. It was a surprisingly difficult inquiry.

"Meat buns. I really like meat buns," she declared confidently, nodding her head in satisfaction with her answer.

Yes, meat buns were delicious! Qi Jianyi had cherished them since childhood.

"Meat buns?" Song Chengfeng couldn’t help but be amused at her enthusiasm. It took her nearly five minutes to arrive at such a simple answer!

"Yes! Meat buns are delicious, easy to carry, and I can eat them anywhere. Why don’t we go eat meat buns right now?" Just like that, her mind shifted again, the allure of meat buns overpowering even her earlier cravings for roasted duck.

Song Chengfeng stifled a laugh, unable to contain the smile that crept onto his face. Qi Jianyi’s decisiveness amused him. She had been practically salivating over the idea of roasted duck just moments ago, yet now she was completely enchanted by the thought of meat buns.

"Let’s eat meat buns, hmm?" Qi Jianyi urged, shaking his left arm slightly when he didn’t immediately respond, hoping to sway him to her newfound craving.

"The place we’re going has both roasted duck and meat buns. We can eat both," he said, his voice softening as he reassured her. He glanced at her hand still resting on his arm for a brief moment.

A place that offered both meat buns and roasted duck? It felt as though the universe was aligning to satisfy her cravings. Qi Jianyi nodded, a smile blossoming on her face. The prospect of indulging in both dishes filled her with joy.

"Fair enough, let’s enjoy both together!" she replied absentmindedly, her thoughts already drifting to the image of the fluffy white meat buns she would soon savour. The anticipation was overwhelming.

Conversely, Song Chengfeng sat rigid in his seat, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction wash over him at her words. The notion of eating "together" stirred something within him, igniting a warmth he hadn’t expected. Holding back a smile, he nodded in agreement.