I'll Drive My Mom's Car

Shen Jingchuan was stunned for a moment, not quite reacting:

"A concubine's daughter? People still say that these days?"

To put it bluntly, she's an illegitimate child.

Meng Ke lowered his head, his fingertips tracing the rim of the cup:

"My mom worked at my dad's jewelry store when she was young. She was beautiful, and my dad pursued her for a long time."

"Later, I unexpectedly became pregnant, and naturally, the topic of marriage came up. That's when he told me that he already had a family. My mother has a strong personality, and she left in anger. She couldn't bear to part with the child in her womb, so she gave birth to me and opened a small jade shop, raising me step by step."

"My dad felt guilty, so he secretly helped us a lot over the years. He found acquaintances to buy things from the store at high prices and sell them at low prices. He also secretly asked people to pave the way for us. Later, my mom and I found out about all of this."

She sighed softly, "My dad cares about me a lot, but I wouldn't say I'm that close to him... it's alright."

Seeing her downcast expression, Shen Jingchuan asked softly, "So your mother... still hasn't forgiven him?"

Meng Ke shook his head, a hint of melancholy in his eyes. "No. My mother hates being lied to more than anything in her life. I'm afraid she'll never get over this hurdle."

As Meng Ke spoke, she raised her eyes, her fingertips lightly resting on the edge of the table, and looked at him softly, asking, "Jingchuan, do you know what I mean by telling you all this?"

Shen Jingchuan was taken aback. Seeing the unease hidden in her eyes, he instantly realized what she meant, his heart softened, and he quickly spoke:

"Xiao Ke, I... I'll be good to you. You know me, we've been classmates for so many years, from high school to university, you know what kind of person I am, I..."

"Alright."

Meng Ke interrupted him, her eyebrows curving upwards, a soft smile playing on her lips, tinged with a hint of coquettishness:

"I know, I know everything. From high school to college, I've always seen what kind of person you are. Otherwise, why would I have agreed to date you without hesitation when you confessed to me back then?"

Her smile faded slightly, and she gently stirred the teacup in front of her with her fingertips. Her voice softened, carrying a hint of barely concealed unease:

"I've seen too much of this since I was little, and deep down I'm afraid of being deceived and let down. I don't ask for anything else, I just hope... you won't disappoint me."

Shen Jingchuan felt a mixture of warmth and pain in his heart as he looked at the genuine unease in her eyes.

The girl in front of him was outstanding in every way—family background and appearance—yet she had maintained a pure heart all her life, never having had a proper relationship. He knew all too well how rare that was in this world.

He composed himself, his tone as solemn as if he were making a promise:

"Meeting you is my good fortune; I will definitely cherish and protect you."

"Alright, alright."

Meng Ke was amused by his solemn expression, reached out and gently patted his arm, her eyes curving into crescents:

"I see."

After finishing her meal and walking out of the alley, Meng Ke pressed her car key. The headlights of a BMW not far away flashed twice. She turned her head to look at Shen Jingchuan:

"I'll take you home."

"No need for that, I can just take a taxi," Shen Jingchuan casually declined.

Meng Ke remained silent, leaning against the car door, watching him quietly with a slight smile in her eyes, until Shen Jingchuan finally gave in, smiling helplessly as he walked over and opened the car door.

"Okay, whatever you say."

The car drove onto the main road, and night fell through the windows. Meng Ke gripped the steering wheel and casually started chatting:

"Seriously, Jingchuan, you should buy a car. It's not like you're short of money, and it'll be more convenient for running errands. By the way, do you have a driver's license?"

"I got my driver's license a long time ago," Shen Jingchuan smiled, "But I haven't driven much. I have the money to buy a car, but I don't have a license plate quota!"

"Oh dear, I forgot about that."

Meng Ke slapped the steering wheel, his tone tinged with frustration:

"Well then, you can drive this car for now. It's not an expensive car, but it's understated and sufficient. If you think it's too low-end, you can sell it later and use the license plate to buy a better one."

"That won't do." Shen Jingchuan immediately shook his head. "I'm driving off, what will you drive?"

"I'll drive my mom's car."

Meng Ke smiled smugly, then his eyes darted around, and a mischievous slyness crept into his smile:

"She doesn't go out much, she stays home all day, and her car just sits in the garage collecting dust, since it's just sitting there doing nothing."

"That's not appropriate either; we can't leave Auntie without a car," Shen Jingchuan declined.

"You're telling me this?" Meng Ke glanced at him sideways, her tone matter-of-fact. "It's settled then. Take me home first, then you can just drive off in this car."

The car drove smoothly through the night. Meng Ke changed direction and, while driving, explained the car's gears, light controls, and commonly used functions, pointing to the central control screen with his fingertips to explain each one.

As she passed an empty roadside parking lot, she turned the steering wheel and drove in, parking smoothly in an empty space.

"Here, you give it a try."

She unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to look at him, a mischievous smile in her eyes:

"You'll have to drive back by yourself later; there won't be anyone there to teach you."

Shen Jingchuan was taken aback. "Me?"

"What else?" Meng Ke pushed open the car door, walked around to the passenger side, and gestured with his chin. "You have a driver's license, what are you afraid of?"

Shen Jingchuan was also itching to have a car; he had long wanted to have one for transportation, but he had been held back by not having a license plate number.

Refusing now would seem too distant, and fearing it would spoil her mood, he nodded, got out of the car, and moved to the driver's seat.

He fastened his seatbelt and went through the procedures Meng Ke had just explained. With her gentle guidance, he slowly released the brakes, and the car lurched out of the parking lot and rejoined the traffic.

As he gradually became more familiar with the area, he loosened up a bit and drove more smoothly, though not fast. Meng Ke sat beside him watching, and gradually relaxed as well. They followed the route she pointed out, and soon turned into a residential area of garden villas.

The community is lush with greenery, with wide spacing between buildings. Warm yellow streetlights are hidden in the shadows of the trees, and the surroundings are quiet, exuding an elegant and tranquil atmosphere.

The car stopped downstairs, and the two got out together. Meng Ke stood by the steps and, still worried, gave them a couple more words of advice:

"Drive slowly on the way back. Don't rush, you're new to this car. Pay close attention at intersections, and don't be nervous."

Her small mouth opened and closed, murmuring words full of worry. The streetlights cast soft shadows on her hair. As Shen Jingchuan watched her, his heart warmed. He reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer before lowering his head to kiss her.

The moment their lips touched, Meng Ke's body stiffened abruptly, her breath catching in her throat. The evening breeze, carrying the scent of grass and trees, brushed past her ear, and the warmth of his palm seeped through her clothes. Her fingertips gripped the hem of his shirt, but gradually softened, and she gently closed her eyes.

After an unknown amount of time, Shen Jingchuan released her, his hand still resting on her waist.

Meng Ke's cheeks flushed instantly, and she gently punched his arm, her voice soft and shy:

"You little pervert, you're so naughty."

Without waiting for his reply, she turned and ran quickly into the building, her back view revealing a hint of flustered shyness.

Shen Jingchuan stood there and laughed for a while before turning around and getting into the car. He didn't dare to drive fast; he rolled down the window a crack, and the evening breeze blew in, the sweet taste of the previous night still lingering on his lips.