Ji Ting heard the unusual gravity in Shen Lin's voice. After a moment's thought, he said, "All right, then Ji Yanzhi and I will..."
"No." Shen Lin cut him off abruptly, lowering his voice further. "Come alone. For now, don't tell anyone you're coming to my house, including Ji Yanzhi. Just give some other reason."
...Keep this from Ji Yanzhi? Ji Ting's fingertip unconsciously rubbed along the edge of his phone.
The request alone made it clear that this was no ordinary matter. He looked up through the open front door and saw Ji Yanzhi sitting on the sofa. As though sensing his gaze, Ji Yanzhi happened to turn toward the doorway, one finely shaped brow lifting slightly in question.
Ji Ting quickly lowered his eyes and spoke quietly into the phone. "All right. I understand."
Before Ji Yanzhi could withdraw his searching gaze, Ji Ting lowered the phone from his ear and ended the call. He turned and walked into the warm living room, heading straight for the coat rack to take down his coat. "Grandpa, Ji Yanzhi, I need to go out."
Ji Yanzhi immediately frowned. "Now? Where are you going?"
"I can't say." He didn't want to make up some clumsy lie to deceive Ji Yanzhi, so this was the only answer he could give. "I'll come back as soon as I'm done."
Jiang Mingde set down his teacup and asked with concern, "Xiao Ting, will you still make it back in time to have New Year's Eve dinner with us?"
"Yes. I'll be back in time."
Seeing him put on his coat, Ji Yanzhi stood up. "Let me take you."
"No need." Ji Ting kept walking, already heading toward the entryway. "I'll go myself. I'll call you before I come back."
Ji Yanzhi looked at him,