Shen Yu had run out of patience. Glancing at his wristwatch, he saw it was already 11 PM.
Seeing the enthusiastic trio beside him eager for another round, Shen Yu pinched the bridge of his nose and spoke wearily:
“I’m done for tonight. I have an important meeting tomorrow. Enjoy yourselves—I’ll cover the bill today.”
Wang Zihui, who had been losing consistently, initially wanted to object. But when he looked up and met Shen Yu’s gaze, he immediately backed down.
“Brother Yu is so generous!” Have a good rest, Brother Yu!” Li Jiacheng tactfully didn’t try to stop him.
Hearing Shen Yu was leaving, Zhao Yan also checked his wristwatch. It was indeed getting late.
He glanced back at his girlfriend sitting on the couch—she was chatting and eating fruit with the friend she’d brought along.
Noticing Zhao Yan’s gaze, Chen Ke asked, “What’s wrong?”
Zhao Yan: “It’s already eleven. Are you tired? Should we head home?”
Seeing Shen Yu preparing to leave, Zhang Jiaojiao tugged discreetly at Chen Ke’s sleeve from behind. Chen Ke nodded in understanding.
“I am feeling a bit sleepy, and we have work tomorrow. A Yan, let’s head out too.”
Chen Ke stood up and went straight to where Zhao Yan was sitting. Taking one of his hands in both of hers, she swayed playfully: “A Yan, you’re such a thoughtful boyfriend!”
Zhao Yan basked in his girlfriend’s praise, rising as she pulled him up. With his free hand, he gently tapped her nose: “And you’re such a considerate girlfriend!”
Their eyes met with palpable tenderness, their sweet affection materializing in that moment.
Wang Zihui felt goosebumps rising on his exposed arms, but being socially aware, he wouldn’t openly mock his friends.
He’d never quite understood why Zhao Yan fell for Chen Ke, but seeing how the previously stoic Zhao Yan had transformed since dating—smiling more often—he had to admit the Power of love was remarkable, Wang Zihui mused inwardly.
Still, he couldn’t resist commenting. After a moment’s thought, he remarked: “The AC is set too low—I’ve got goosebumps all over my arms!”
Li Jiacheng: “Me too…”
Zhang Jiaojiao watched her best friend’s interaction with her boyfriend with envy, feeling a surge of determination. She wanted to strive for her own happiness!
To Zhang Jiaojiao, her friend’s story read like fate-matching fiction: an ordinary new employee meets the company president through an elevator incident. Despite their vast social gap, they grew close—from acquaintances to lovers, from him breaking off an engagement to going public in their social circle. Though the path wasn’t smooth, the outcome was perfect.
Every story has its matching counterpart, and Zhang Jiaojiao desperately anticipated her own. From the first time she saw Shen Yu, she felt she’d finally found him!
Shen Yu had intended to leave directly, but hearing his friends were also departing, he felt it inappropriate to go alone. He lingered in the private room a while longer.
Being married and content in his own relationship, Shen Yu watched the affectionate couple with amusement. He detected nothing unusual in the scene, only regretting that the person he missed wasn’t by his side.
*
The four of them left the room together: Shen Yu in the lead, followed by Zhang Jiaojiao, with Zhao Yan and Chen Ke walking hand-in-hand at the rear.
Zhang Jiaojiao had originally hoped to walk side by side with Shen Yu, while Chen Ke deliberately engaged Zhao Yan in conversation to create an opportunity for her best friend. However, Shen Yu remained completely oblivious to their subtle intentions, his mind solely focused on returning as soon as possible.
As they exited the club entrance, a car was already waiting by the roadside.
Shen Yu walked over to the Rolls-Royce, then turned and nodded to Zhao Yan, saying, “I’ll take my leave first.”
Zhao Yan smiled and replied, “Alright, drive safely.”
Just as Shen Yu grasped the rear door handle and was about to open it, Chen Ke glanced at Zhang Jiaojiao and hurriedly called out, “Mr. Shen, wait!”
Hearing the call, Shen Yu paused and turned back with a puzzled expression, unsure why she had stopped him.
Initially, Shen Yu hadn’t agreed with Zhao Yan’s flamboyant approach to breaking off the engagement. He had offered one piece of advice, but when it proved ineffective, he simply stopped involving himself.
“Is something the matter?” Seeing her hesitant demeanor and prolonged silence, and considering she was his friend’s girlfriend, Shen Yu patiently inquired.
Zhao Yan also looked curiously at his girlfriend beside him.
Chen Ke smiled apologetically, “There’s something I’d like to trouble you with, Mr. Shen.”
“A-Yan drove here today, but he’s been drinking. My driving skills aren’t great, and Jiaojiao lives in the opposite direction from us. I don’t dare drive that far. Since Jiaojiao happens to be going the same way as you, Mr. Shen, could we trouble you to give her a ride?”
Before Shen Yu could respond, Zhang Jiaojiao promptly declined, “Ah… no need, no need to trouble Mr. Shen. KeKe, I can just take a taxi back.”
Chen Ke insisted with concern, “No, I can’t let you, a young woman, take a taxi alone so late at night. I wouldn’t feel at ease!”
After speaking, she looked pleadingly at Shen Yu.
Zhao Yan chimed in from the side, “KeKe’s right. Women should be cautious when traveling at night. Just ride with Brother Yu since he’s going that way anyway.”
Zhao Yan was solely focused on accommodating his girlfriend’s wishes, completely missing the icy glare his friend was shooting his way.
The summer night had shed the day’s oppressive heat. A gentle breeze carried a slight chill that seeped into one’s heart.
Shen Yu’s voice was even colder than that chill, “Get in.”
With that, he directly opened the rear door and slid into the seat.
Zhang Jiaojiao looked helplessly at Chen Ke, who then took on a matronly air, pulling the hesitant Zhang Jiaojiao over to the other side of the rear seat. At that moment, all the car windows were open.
Chen Ke bent down and thanked Shen Yu through the window, “Thank you, Mr. Shen. We’ll have A-Yan treat you to a meal another day.”
She then tried to open the rear door but found it locked. Puzzled, she looked at Shen Yu and was startled by his sudden direct gaze.
Shen Yu’s eyes were sharp, as if seeing right through her. Chen Ke felt an inexplicable panic.
“Take the front seat.” Shen Yu said nothing more but inwardly clicked his tongue in mild annoyance.
Chen Ke was utterly embarrassed, feeling as if she’d been doused with a bucket of cold water, chilled to the bone. Her pride and dignity had been completely stripped away.
Zhao Yan, standing nearby and seeing his girlfriend on the verge of tears, couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. He quickly tried to smooth things over, “Right, take the front seat. Brother Yu is tired and needs to rest properly.”
Despite the minor hiccup, Zhang Jiaojiao’s heart was racing with excitement. The outcome was favorable—at the very least, Shen Yu would remember her, Zhang Jiaojiao!
Every beginning is difficult, but now that she and he were in the same car and their paths had begun to cross, she believed their future encounters would extend far beyond just tonight!
As the car started moving, the driver focused on the road while Zhang Jiaojiao gazed shyly into the rearview mirror. Just as she was about to express her gratitude, Shen Yu’s voice cut through the silence.
“Take this lady home first.”
Without waiting for a response from the two in front, Shen Yu swiftly pressed a button. The partition between the seats gradually rose until it completely separated them.
Zhang Jiaojiao, who had been about to speak: “…”