Zhao Sui didn’t seem to be in the best mood today.
At first, it was fine, but later, the car started going faster and faster. Wen Xuxue was forced to put down her phone and said, “Slow down.”
Zhao Sui paused, seemingly surprised.
Then he turned to her, his eyes clearly disdainful, and said, “Do you know what other women say when I speed?”
He didn’t expect her to answer and continued, “They say, ‘Older Brother, you’re so cool.’ And you? You tell me to slow down. You really don’t know how to appreciate the moment.”
Wen Xuxue scoffed, unfazed by his sarcasm.
It wasn’t that she didn’t know how to cheer—she just didn’t cheer for him.
Back when she had just turned 18 and was secretly dating Zhou Shijing, he wasn’t like this, with drivers picking her up and dropping her off.
He liked driving himself. At that time, he hadn’t yet turned 30 and still retained some of his youthful spirit. When she was in the passenger seat, he also enjoyed driving all kinds of sports cars, speeding down empty roads.
At first, Wen Xuxue would nervously grip the seatbelt, but when she turned and saw his incredibly handsome profile, she couldn’t help but say, “Older Brother, you’re so cool.”
Then he would step on the brake, unbuckle his seatbelt, lean over, and kiss her lips.
Recalling the past, Wen Xuxue remained calm and said, “Them? Two girls or three? You really get around. Aren’t you afraid of catching something?”
Zhao Sui didn’t say another word.
The car fell into complete silence.
By the time the two younger ones arrived at the private room in the restaurant, the elders were already there.
So, as soon as they arrived, they began apologizing one by one.
While pouring tea for her father, Wen Xuxue’s hands were even trembling.
Her fear of Wen Yu was etched into her bones.
Although she often said she was afraid of Zhou Shijing, compared to this, she thought her fear of Zhou Shijing was fake, but her fear of her father was real.
Since it was all family, the atmosphere wasn’t serious, filled with laughter and chatter.
Wen Xuxue spoke very little, mostly answering when the elders asked questions. The rest of the time, she quietly ate her meal.
During the meal, Zhao Sui and his father went out to choose wine, and Su Lishu went to the restroom with her mother. The entire private room was left with only Wen Xuxue and Wen Yu.
Wen Yu’s face instantly darkened, and the first thing he said was a reprimand: “What are you wearing tonight?”
“Did Zhao Sui buy it for you?”
When he lectured someone, his aura was fully unleashed, and a heavy sense of oppression enveloped her. Wen Xuxue nervously took a sip of tea, her throat tight, and said, “No.”
“Then why are you dressed like this tonight? It’s too flashy.” Wen Yu had had a bit to drink, and his tone was already becoming careless. “Didn’t your mother teach you how to dress? You’re only in your early twenties. Why are you wearing such inappropriate clothes?”
“At your age, you should dress appropriately…”
Wen Xuxue didn’t hear the rest. Her head hung low, and she desperately wanted to cry.
She was just weak—terrified of her father. A single word from him, and she would cry.
She said she was afraid of Zhou Shijing, but whenever Zhou Shijing scolded her, she never felt like crying. Instead, she dared to cling to him and act spoiled.
Later, when Su Lishu and Zhao Sui’s mother returned one after another, Wen Yu stopped his lecture.
His expression changed faster than flipping a book, completely different from before, and he began chatting and laughing again.
Wen Xuxue couldn’t quite control her emotions. She said, “I’m going to the restroom,” and ran out with her head lowered.
As soon as she opened the door, she bumped into Zhao Sui, who was about to walk in.
Zhao Sui accurately caught the tears in her eyes, his expression softening for a moment as he wanted to call out to her, but Wen Xuxue had already run far away.
She ran into the restroom and immediately called Jiang Jing.
The phone rang for a long time, but only a busy tone echoed from the other end.
Jiang Jing was busy and didn’t have time to answer her call.
Wen Xuxue thought dejectedly.
She had no other friends, but she was so upset. Staring at Zhou Shijing’s number, she hesitated for a moment before sending him a message.
Just two short words: 【Older Brother.】
A full minute passed before Zhou Shijing replied: 【Has Xiao Xue been bullied?】
Tears welled up in Wen Xuxue’s eyes again.
She asked him: 【How did you know?】
Zhou Shijing: 【You only call me Older Brother when something’s wrong. Calling me Older Brother without saying anything means you’ve been wronged.】
The moment the message came through, he called her.
Wen Xuxue sniffled, composed herself, and then answered.
Zhou Shijing asked, “Who bullied you?”
Wen Xuxue’s voice still carried a heavy nasal tone as she replied, “No one.”
“Did your dad scold you?” Zhou Shijing said.
Wen Xuxue remained silent.
Zhou Shijing lowered his gaze, his emotions unclear, and asked, “Do you want Older Brother to come pick you up?”
“No,” Wen Xuxue refused.
This time, it was Zhou Shijing’s turn to fall silent.
Wen Xuxue explained, “My boyfriend’s parents are here too. It wouldn’t be appropriate for you to come.”
Zhou Shijing’s expression turned cold. After a pause, he spoke, his voice deep and smooth as jade: “Older Brother has a way to take you away. I’ll just ask you one thing: are you willing to leave with Older Brother?”
Wen Xuxue still refused.
She was afraid that her past with Zhou Shijing would be exposed to everyone.
If that happened, it would just be another romantic affair for him, but for her, the severity would be no less than a catastrophic disaster.
A faint sigh seemed to come from the other end.
But it was so soft, so light, that Wen Xuxue wasn’t sure if she had heard it or not.
Zhou Shijing’s voice carried a hint of helplessness as he asked, “What did your dad scold you for?”
Wen Xuxue pouted and said, “He said the way I dress is indecent.”
Zhou Shijing recalled the scene from earlier that afternoon when he saw her.
She was wearing a blue off-the-shoulder fishtail dress, her hair long and curly, lively yet pure.
“Was it really that indecent?” Wen Xuxue asked him pitifully.
She knew he must have seen it.
Zhou Shijing said, “It was very beautiful.”
Wen Xuxue’s heart softened.
Zhou Shijing murmured softly, “That dress was bought with Older Brother’s money, and it was meant to be worn for Older Brother to see, right?”
Wen Xuxue neither confirmed nor denied it.
In situations like this, silence usually meant agreement.
Zhou Shijing understood her too well.
So his stern features softened as he continued, “Xiao Xue, that dress really is very beautiful.”
Suddenly, Wen Xuxue stopped crying. A wave of joy washed over her, sweeping away all her grievances and sadness. She asked, “Then, does Older Brother like this dress on me?”
Zhou Shijing’s eyes curved slightly, his sharp features looking particularly captivating in the dim light. As she wished, he said, “I like it.”
Wen Xuxue couldn’t help but start laughing.
“Wen Xuxue.”
Suddenly, someone called her from outside.
Wen Xuxue’s hand trembled as she said, “I… I have to go back now. Goodbye, Older Brother.”
Without waiting for his response, she hung up the phone, washed her hands, and walked out.
Zhao Sui was waiting for her outside.
He glanced imperceptibly at her tear-dried eyes, but ultimately said nothing, only remarking, “You’re too slow. They sent me to find you.”