'Xia Yuqing: Let's not talk about these unhappy things!'
'Xia Yuqing: Let's meet at Starlight Plaza at six this afternoon.'
'Xia Yuqing: I'm heading off first. I have to hurry to the airport.'
'An Wuyang: Okay.'
After replying to the message, An Wuyang sat silently in the waiting hall of the Vehicle Management Center. He neither watched short videos nor played on his phone, simply sitting there in a daze.
So, does she pity me? An Wuyang thought as he looked at the message Xia Yuqing had sent him.
Xia Yuqing clearly knew about the predicament facing Wugengtian Pharmaceutical Group, and she also knew what kind of person Su Yueling was. Was that why she sympathized with him?
For An Wuyang, being pitied was truly a rare experience.
After all, he had been the object of envy ever since he was little. How had he suddenly become someone people pitied?
Maybe it's because she's kind? An Wuyang recalled everything related to Xia Yuqing.
In fact, he and Xia Yuqing had not interacted much. After he had helped her out of trouble back then, they had added each other on WeChat, but their relationship had stopped at liking each other's Moments posts and exchanging a few casual messages.
As for private chats, there had been very few.
Especially after the College Entrance Examination, when An Wuyang and Su Yueling officially announced their relationship on Moments, Xia Yuqing had not even left a like, nor had she contacted An Wuyang again.
Today was the first time Xia Yuqing had contacted An Wuyang since he and Su Yueling had made their relationship public.
But from the information Xia Yuqing had revealed, An Wuyang realized that she had been keeping an eye on him.
Otherwise, how would she have noticed the gossip surrounding Wugengtian Pharmaceutical Group?
It was even less likely that she would have looked into Su Yueling's character.
So was it saving the beauty in distress back then that made her develop feelings for me? An Wuyang arrived at the only possible answer.
If not, why would Xia Yuqing pay attention to him?
It was nearly half past four in the afternoon.
An Wuyang successfully obtained his C2 Driver's License. From then on, he could finally drive legally on the road.
On the way home, An Wuyang once again messaged his parents to ask whether they would be coming home for dinner. Their replies were the same as yesterday: both of them said they were busy.
'An Wuyang: Are the group's affairs very troublesome?'
An Wuyang sent another message to ask his father.
'An Huchun: Yes. The situation has become complicated. We'll talk about the details tonight. I don't have time right now.'
'An Wuyang: Okay.'
An Wuyang did not think further about Wugengtian Pharmaceutical Group's affairs. After all, he had never participated in the group's business before and did not understand its situation.
More than half an hour later, An Wuyang returned home. He first glanced at the time. It was already past five. Logically speaking, Xia Yuqing should have reached home by now, right?
So An Wuyang took the initiative to message Xia Yuqing.
'An Wuyang: Have you reached home?'
Although An Wuyang had already deduced that Xia Yuqing might like him, he did not try to take advantage of that situation. He was not that kind of person.
There were always people who, spoiled by affection, believed that sending a message first meant lowering themselves. An Wuyang could only say that people like that did not deserve to be loved!
'Xia Yuqing: I got home a while ago!'
'Xia Yuqing: Wait a little longer. I'm still getting ready.'
'An Wuyang: It's not time yet. I just messaged to ask in advance.'
'Xia Yuqing: Got it. I'll get ready first. See you later.'
'An Wuyang: See you later.'
An Wuyang set down his phone with a smile. He suddenly found himself enjoying chatting with Xia Yuqing because she made him feel wonderful—a sense of security, as though she always responded to everything.
Actually, when it came to chatting, responding to everything should have been the most normal thing. Unfortunately, the overall environment was not very good, right?
5:55 p.m., Starlight Plaza.
An Wuyang arrived early. However, less than two minutes after he arrived, Xia Yuqing also showed up ahead of time. The two exchanged smiles, clearly understanding what the other meant.
"You look beautiful today!" An Wuyang complimented her first.
Today, Xia Yuqing wore a suspender skirt, with her long hair braided into two plaits that fell over her chest. She had a pair of little white shoes on her feet and delicate, light makeup on her face. Her full under-eye contours made her bright eyes stand out, and they sparkled with delight as she looked at An Wuyang.
"Because I'm seeing you today, I dressed up carefully!" Xia Yuqing's straightforward remark left An Wuyang stunned.
Xia Yuqing's answer had been far too direct!
Actually, after complimenting Xia Yuqing, An Wuyang had felt a little regretful because his praise had been slightly inappropriate.
What did "you look beautiful today" mean?
What if Xia Yuqing asked, "Was I not beautiful before?" How was he supposed to answer?
Yet Xia Yuqing's direct response left An Wuyang dazed, and a thought suddenly occurred to him: Someone who truly liked you would never make things difficult for you while chatting.
Xia Yuqing smiled at the dazed An Wuyang. She did not continue that topic, instead taking the initiative to change the subject. "Let's go to Xiao Fang Fresh Meat Barbecue first. Their business is too good. I'm worried there won't be any seats if we wait."
"Okay." An Wuyang came back to himself, and his impression of Xia Yuqing improved even further.
Who could dislike such a considerate girl?
At least An Wuyang certainly could not!
The two walked side by side toward Xiao Fang Fresh Meat Barbecue, maintaining an ambiguous distance that was neither too far nor too close.
"Where are you planning to study?" Xia Yuqing asked seemingly casually.
An Wuyang asked in return, "You're planning to attend the Magic City Academy of Drama, right?"
"Yeah!" Xia Yuqing answered firmly. "The Magic City Academy of Drama is my best choice, and my mother also hopes I'll go there."
An Wuyang answered honestly, "My total College Entrance Examination score was only 437 points. I plan to major in Marketing. If nothing unexpected happens, I'll choose a college in Tianfu."
"Tianfu is great too. It's close to Shengqing, the dialects on both sides are similar, and the eating habits are practically the same. You'll be very happy there in the future!" Xia Yuqing said, pretending to be envious.
"I'm the unfortunate one!" Xia Yuqing added with a troubled look.
"When I went to the Magic City Academy of Drama for the arts examination, I tried the food there. They don't eat spicy food, and I don't really like it." Xia Yuqing elaborated.
The two chatted as they walked and soon arrived at Xiao Fang Fresh Meat Barbecue. Since Shengqing's temperature had already exceeded thirty degrees by the end of June, they naturally chose seats indoors.
"Take a look and see what you want to eat." Xia Yuqing pushed the menu toward An Wuyang.
An Wuyang did not refuse her kindness. He casually marked a few items. "One serving of tender pork loin, one serving of pork belly, and one serving of crispy cartilage."
An Wuyang first chose what he liked, then handed the menu to Xia Yuqing. "See what you like."
Xia Yuqing did not pretend to be reserved. She took the menu and looked through it, marking items as she went.
An Wuyang watched Xia Yuqing with a smile. He liked how natural she was. If it had been Su Yueling, she would only have said that she would eat whatever An Wuyang ordered.
Honestly, that so-called "I'll eat whatever you eat" attitude of Su Yueling's was actually uncomfortable, okay?
Before you continue