Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
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Two days before Old Master Guâs birthday, Xu Wennuan returned to Beijing after having traveled and lived carefree for the past three months.
Since having become pregnant, Qin Zhiâai had rarely driven, as Gu Yusheng had specifically assigned a chauffeur for her. Unfortunately, the day of Xu Wennuanâs return coincided with a day that Qin Zhiâaiâs assigned license plate number was restricted to no driving.
As she had not seen Xu Wennuan in a long time, Qin Zhiâai was also reluctant to have someone tag along with her, thus she asked the butler to call for a cab. She arrived at the airport early to await Xu Wennuanâs arrival.
Xu Wennuanâs plane landed at the airport at 2:00 p.m., and 15 minutes later she and Qin Zhiâai reunited. In their recent text conversations, Qin Zhiâai had already shared with Xu Wennuan about her marriage to Gu Yusheng; however, after Xu Wennuan saw her, she still clung onto her and fired a stream of questions at her.
âXiaoâai, how did you so secretly end up with Gu Yusheng?â
âYour baby bump is already showing. You must be at four months now?â
âYou were already pregnant before I left Beijing? You are too good at hiding things.â
âWhat was that? Brother Sheng is already texting you and youâve only been out of the house today for how long?â
Qin Zhiâai smiled as she listened to all of Xu Wennuanâs exuberance and teasing. After she had replied to Gu Yushengâs text, she cocked her head and took one glance at Xu Wennuan before asking her what she had wanted to ask since the moment theyâd met that afternoon.
âSo, spill it. Do you already have an idea of what youâre going to do now that youâve returned?â
âWhat is there to say?â Xu Wennuan knew that Qin Zhiâai was asking about Wu Hao, but she rolled her eyes and avoided answering the question. Still clinging onto Qin Zhiâaiâs elbow, she continued to laugh and chatter.
Qin Zhiâai could tell that Xu Wennuan was avoiding the topic, so she didnât pursue it further and merely listened to her.
Just as they walked out of the airport and were about to head toward the taxi stand, the blare of a car horn could be heard coming from their left. Looking in the direction of the horn, they saw Lu Bancheng seated behind the wheel of the car they presumed had honked. He had sounded the horn as soon as he had spotted the two of them and, when he realized they had noticed him, he immediately stopped and got out of the car.
âBrother Bancheng, what a coincidence!â Qin Zhiâai smiled and greeted him.
âXiaoâai,â Lu Bancheng said first, before asking, âHeading back to the city?â Although his question was directed to both of them, his gaze was fixed on Xu Wennuanâs eyes.
Qin Zhiâai and Xu Wennuan both nodded, and Lu Bancheng pulled open the car door and said, âGet in. Coincidentally, Iâm also returning to town and I can give you a ride.â
As he spoke, Lu Bancheng took over the luggage from Xu Wennuan and placed it in the trunk. After getting into the car, Xu Wennuan asked, âWhy are you at the airport?â
Well, you wouldnât have guessed that I knew that you were returning home today, but I made this trip especially to run in to you.
As Lu Bancheng gave an honest reply in his heart, he lied without batting an eyelid as he replied out loud, âI was dropping off a friend and then thought I saw you from some distance, so I followed you for a minute and it turns out it was you!â Xu Wennuan smiled.
The three continued to chat casually as they drove toward the city. When they were just about to cross into the city limits, Xu Wennuanâs phone began to ring. After fishing it out, she glanced at the screen and her expression froze for a moment before she answered the call. âWu Hao.â
Lu Bancheng was jesting with Qin Zhiâai but, upon hearing his old friendâs name, his fingers dug harder into the steering wheel. Staring straight at the road ahead, he went silent. From time to time, he would sneak a glance at Xu Wennuan through the rearview mirror while she spoke on the phone.