Half a song had passed, Chu Ziyu still hadn't noticed her, focused on scanning downstairs. Qin Chengcheng followed his gaze and looked down, only to see a sea of people.
She asked curiously, "What is Young President Chu looking at?"
Chu Ziyu couldn't find Shen Huaiyu, nor did she see Lu Lin and Yan Heqing. They weren't on the first floor, so they were probably in a private room on the second floor.
He suppressed his disappointment, turned around and smiled, "Just looking around, taking a stroll, having a drink!"
He deliberately mixed white and red wine, and after a few glasses, he felt dizzy and his lower abdomen was very bloated. He waved his hand, "I'm going to the restroom..."
Seeing that he was drunk, Qin Chengcheng patted the male assistant next to her, "Help Young President Chu to the restroom."
Chu Ziyu propped herself up on the sofa armrest. "No, you guys continue, don't worry about me."
He didn't seem drunk, so Qin Chengcheng and her male assistant shook their heads, Chu Ziyu left on his own.
Once outside, Chu Ziyu slowly walked towards the restroom at the end of the corridor. The corridor was carpeted and soundproofed, so quiet that it seemed as if Chu Ziyu was the only person in the space.
The wall lamp was a low-wattage orange bulb, and Chu Ziyu's vision was blurry. After walking for a while, he couldn't see the road clearly anymore. He shook his head and felt dizzy and unsteady. His body naturally tilted, and he subconsciously reached for the wall. But someone hugged him around the waist, and he fell into a warm embrace.
It has a faint woody scent, followed by a calm and cool sandalwood fragrance.
"Thank you," Chu Ziyu said, trying to brush the hand off her waist.
A clear, gentle voice came from above, " Mr. Chu, you're too kind."
Chu Ziyu suddenly stopped, slowly raised her head, and met those always calm and deep black eyes.
The sound of her heartbeat amplified in the quiet corridor. The name was already on the tip of her tongue, Chu Ziyu looked at Shen Huaiyu and dared not call out.
He was afraid that Shen Huaiyu really didn't recognize him anymore.
During their last meal together, Shen Huaiyu him like a stranger.
Just then, the door to a private room not far away opened, and Qin Chengcheng's voice could be faintly heard. Chu Ziyu subconsciously wanted to look over, but Shen Huaiyu pushed open the door next to him and led him into the private room next door.
Hearing the door close, Qin Chengcheng glanced over; the hallway was empty. She turned back to the phone and said, " Sister Peipei, Young President Chu went to the restroom and left his phone on the sofa. Don't worry, I'll tell him to drink less."
Peipei is Chu Ziyu's sister-in-law.
In the dark private room, Chu Ziyu was pinned behind the door by Shen Huaiyu. His vision suddenly went dark, and he couldn't see Shen Huaiyu's expression. Chu Ziyu's chest heaved violently.
His first kiss also took place in such a dimly lit environment.
In a narrow passageway, a particularly heavy night rain was falling.
--
The third day after the college entrance examination ended was Chu Ziyu's 18th birthday.
At the time, half of the entertainment industry's stars wished him a happy birthday. His parents also prepared a grand birthday party for him. All of Chu Ziyu's favorite singers and actors attended. His brother's youth film, which he had been preparing for five years to celebrate his 18th birthday, was also released nationwide on the same day.
Lu Lin and Xie Yunjie also came. Chu Ziyu happily cut the cake. In the evening, he wrapped up the cake he had specially saved and quietly slipped out of the house to find Shen Huaiyu.
He knew that Shen Huaiyu lived in a hutong in the old city.
Upon arriving at their destination, Chu Ziyu was about to knock on the door when her hand left empty-handed, and she turned and ran outside.
I almost forgot, you should bring a gift when you visit!
The place was very old and outdated. Chu Ziyu searched for a while before finding a fruit shop. Since Chu Ziyu didn't know how to choose fruit, he asked the owner to pack the most expensive fruit basket for him. The owner smiled and packed a fruit basket for him for 1,000 yuan.
Chu Ziyu thought it was too cheap, but it was too late, so he had no choice but to make do.
Carrying the fruit basket, he ran back the way he came. Just as he reached the alley entrance, raindrops suddenly started falling. He protected the cake first and rushed inside. Just then, he heard a door close ahead, and in the dim light, Shen Huaiyu opened his umbrella and came out.
He walked down the steps and turned around to see the disheveled Chu Ziyu.
Chu Ziyu was also surprised by Shen Huaiyu. His eyes lit up, and he exclaimed in delight, " Shen Huaiyu!"
Shen Huaiyu forward and moved the umbrella to shield his head.
The sudden rain pounded against the umbrella. In the dim light, Shen Huaiyu looked at Chu Ziyu, who looked up at him. Chu Ziyu's bangs were wet and clung to his forehead. He was breathing slightly heavily, but his eyes shone like stars. "Where are you going so late?"
Ru Zhu's fingers suddenly gripped the umbrella handle tightly. Shen Huaiyu looked away and said calmly, "Buy white sugar."
Chu Ziyu nodded repeatedly, "I'll go with you!" Then, remembering the fruit basket, she held it up and said, "A gift for your visit, should I leave it at your doorstep first?"
"I'll take it." Shen Huaiyu took the fruit basket, walked to Chu Ziyu's left, and tilted the umbrella towards Chu Ziyu's side.
Emerging from the alley, they found themselves on a slightly wider path. The rain was pouring down, and the windows of the houses on both sides were tightly shut, letting in either white or orange light. The two walked side-by-side to a small shop, where Shen Huaiyu bought a bag of white sugar. Only after leaving the shop did he stop and ask Chu Ziyu, "What did you want to see me about?"
Even the thick-skinned Chu Ziyu felt a little embarrassed for the first time, yet his chest swelled up like water. For the first time, he desperately wanted to share his joy with someone. He grinned and said, "I'm an adult today!"
Then, carefully taking the cake from her arms, she said, "There are two pieces of birthday cake; let's eat them together."
In front of the convenience store stood several osmanthus trees, not yet in bloom, with a rickety lamp hanging nearby, its flickering light brushing against Chu Ziyu's sneakers.
The white, globally limited edition was now splattered with dirty mud.
Chu Ziyu was still rambling on Shen Huaiyu suddenly grabbed his wrist and dragged him into a narrow, dimly lit passageway.
The cake and umbrella in Chu Ziyu's hands rolled to the ground, tangled together. His left hand was raised by Shen Huaiyu and pressed tightly against the cold, damp wall. His back was also against the wall, and his thin summer T-shirt was instantly soaked.
The night rain was cool, but their chests were burning hot. Chu Ziyu's eyelashes were almost blinded by the rain, and he blinked desperately, trying to see Shen Huaiyu clearly, but his vision remained blurry. Rain kept getting into his mouth, and he asked blankly, " Shen Huaiyu, what's wrong?"
"You pursued me because you like me?" Shen Huaiyu's voice seemed to be moistened by the rain.