Night had fallen completely.
Streetlights came on one after another. Smoke from the skewer stalls mingled with the toasted sweetness of grilled rice cakes and drifted far on the evening breeze.
The three stood by the roadside, Lin Xi still holding half a bamboo skewer.
Qin Luoyu stood quietly beside Chen De, a dab of sauce at the corner of her mouth.
Chen De glanced at her and pointed to the corner of his own mouth.
Qin Luoyu paused, then wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
She wiped the wrong side.
Chen De sighed softly and reached out to wipe it off for her.
Qin Luoyu's ears turned red at once.
She lowered her head to her phone and quickly typed two words.
Lingling: Thank you.
"Say it out loud."
Qin Luoyu's fingers stopped.
She parted her lips. Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible.
"...Thank you."
Chen De withdrew his hand and took out his phone to call a car.
Lin Xi leaned over.
"Sister Su, what are we doing when we get back?"
"Showering. Sleeping."
Chen De didn't even look up.
"Heh heh."
Lin Xi rubbed her hands together.
His fingers paused.
He knew that smile too well.
Whenever Lin Xi was about to make trouble, she first put on that especially innocent look.
"Sister Su."
"Mm."
"Hasn't it been ages since we played that?"
Chen De looked up at her.
"Played what?"
"You know, that."
Lin Xi edged closer and sneaked a look at his phone screen.
He hadn't submitted the ride request yet, and the destination field was empty.
The next second, she reached over and changed the address.
Chen De looked down. Three characters had appeared on the screen.
Emerald Bay.
He raised his head.
"You changed my