Don’t Even Think About It - Chapter 8

Because visibility was obstructed by the night, driving in the evening was slower than during the day. It took about thirty-odd minutes to get back from Tiancheng Road.

Wen Ruyu was meticulous, focusing intently on the road the entire time while occasionally striking up a conversation with the two in the back to chat casually. Perhaps because she didn’t understand the relationship between Qiao Yan and Zhou Xiyun, unaware that they were already well-acquainted. Wen Ruyu even introduced Zhou Xiyun to Qiao Yan, saying, “She works at the company right up ahead, the Yifeng Group. It’s very close to your place.”

Qiao Yan knew this perfectly well in her heart, but she still put on an act and responded, “It is quite close.”

“You open a coffee shop, right?” Wen Ruyu asked, turning the steering wheel half a turn to slowly steer onto the street to the left of the fork.

Qiao Yan said, “Yes, the one inside the alley.”

Wen Ruyu said, “The drinks at your place are pretty good, the coffee is especially fragrant.”

Qiao Yan asked, “You’ve been there?”

Wen Ruyu replied, “I ordered delivery once two days ago, someone’s treat.”

Ultimately they were still unfamiliar with each other, having only met once. They couldn’t even be considered friends, so their conversation appeared overly polite, as if just going through the motions.

Qiao Yan said, “Then next time it’s my treat. Whether you come to the shop or order online, I’ll waive the bill for you.”

Wen Ruyu smiled sweetly, “Alright then, I’ll let you know when the time comes.”

“Okay.”

“Thanks.”

“No need.”

“Next time I’ll order a couple more cups.”

Qiao Yan was generous: “I can waive those too.”

Wen Ruyu was quite amused. She glanced at the rearview mirror inside the car, taking the opportunity to look at Zhou Xiyun in the back.

From beginning to end, Zhou Xiyun was completely out of place. She remained silent and did not participate. Only at this moment did she lift her eyelids, look toward the mirror in front, and then slowly lean back. Like an absolute outsider, she was completely indifferent to their conversation.

When they reached the next intersection, Wen Ruyu stopped talking as much. She confirmed the address once more, and then focused single-mindedly on driving.

Qiao Yan didn’t say anything more either, sitting quietly without moving.

The interior of the car fell silent, which for no apparent reason felt a bit dull and oppressive.

Feeling uncomfortable, Qiao Yan turned her head to look out the car window, watching the scenes on the street to pass the time.

She deliberately ignored the person next to her, pretending she couldn’t feel her presence.

The back row of a small sedan could be divided into three seats. Originally, it was more than enough room for two people, but the moment Zhou Xiyun got in, she sat boldly right in the middle, unwilling to sit by the sides, she had this awful, eccentric habit ever since she was a child. No matter what type of car it was, she always liked to squeeze into the middle and disliked sitting in a window seat.

It was the same when they were students. Every time they took the bus to school, Zhou Xiyun would often rather stand awkwardly to the side holding onto the hanging straps than sit in the seats along the edge.

Qiao Yan was used to it and still didn’t think much of it, subconsciously indulging the Goddess Zhou’s young-miss habits. However, because the space to move was limited and the car would sway slightly when turning, she couldn’t sit steadily. A few times, she couldn’t control her leaning body and almost fell toward Zhou Xiyun.

Wen Ruyu didn’t drive on the main avenue, she insisted on taking a detour through a shortcut alley.

Qiao Yan straightened her lower back and propped one hand against the soft seat.

Another turn was coming up right away, and the slope was quite steep.

The car was already driving slowly, so there was no need to decelerate when turning. Wen Ruyu drove straight through without the slightest hesitation.

The alley was quiet and secluded. There was a stretch of road with no people and no streetlights illuminating it.

The road surface was a bit steep, it seemed to be a rugged, poorly maintained road.

Wen Ruyu was familiar with the road conditions and muttered to herself, “Ah… I forgot this road has been undergoing reconstruction recently. I shouldn’t have gone this way.”

Further ahead was a speed bump. As the car drove over it, the entire vehicle jolted again.

Qiao Yan couldn’t see the general condition of the road. Following this bump, her whole body swayed again, and caught off guard, she lightly bumped into Zhou Xiyun. She froze for a moment, intending to prop her arm up to move away in the next second, who would have known there was another speed bump ahead… Her hand pressed right onto Zhou Xiyun’s body, and a soft sensation suddenly arrived.

Zhou Xiyun lowered her eyes, fixing her gaze down on her.

The light inside the car was insufficient and somewhat dim.

Qiao Yan stiffly pulled her hand away, pretending she hadn’t touched her, and silently moved toward the car door.

In the driver’s seat, Wen Ruyu was oblivious to all of this and noticed nothing.

After driving another twenty-odd meters forward, the road became a bit wider and there were more streetlights.

An orange-yellow light poured down, shining into the narrow carriage of the car, casting a thin halo of light over Zhou Xiyun that looked soft and warm. Qiao Yan didn’t dare turn her head to look at the other woman. She pulled her hands back, pretending to only pay attention to the blurred scenery flying past outside.

Zhou Xiyun ignored her, acting as if she felt nothing.

Qiao Yan kept her mouth shut, nearly pursing her two moist red lips into a straight line.

The lonely night grew dense. A bit of restlessness and heat mixed and intertwined, gradually merging into a flowing undercurrent that repeatedly surged and clashed.

Time passed minute by minute, becoming long and agonizing.

The remaining road wasn’t long. They turned direction, crossed a straight road, and finally turned inward to reach Qinghe Street.

Wen Ruyu asked softly, “It’s here, right?”

Qiao Yan looked up, managed to relax a bit, and said, “We’re almost there. Keep going straight at the intersection ahead, near Wangjiang Jiayuan.”