The night was boundless, and the van drove on the asphalt road.
The atmosphere inside the car felt somewhat silent. Lu Chenyu thought for a moment before initiating the conversation, "Your work seems quite packed lately. You should take care to rest."
Song Xi nodded.
Lu Chenyu glanced out the window as if nonchalantly and said, "Time flies, and it's the new year already. Speaking of which, you're graduating this year, right? Are you planning to return to school?"
Song Xi sighed, "Yes, it's indeed fast. I probably won't go back to school. Work should be quite busy in the latter half of the year."
"That's true."
"By the way, do you… have someone you like right now?"
Finally getting to the main point, Lu Chenyu couldn't help but feel a trace of nervousness, his grip tightening on the steering wheel.
Song Xi paused, her mind's first image being Lou Yuming's pair of dark, profound eyes.
Seeing her silence, Lu Chenyu's heart began to pound.
In truth, he had long since had an answer in his heart regarding the outcome, but he still wanted to hear her say it herself.
After a long silence, Song Xi finally spoke, "Perhaps, yes."
His heart plummeted. Lu Chenyu forced a calm demeanor. "Is it the man who… called you last time?"
Song Xi pursed her lips, a girlish shyness appearing on her face.
Though she hadn't answered verbally, her expression said it all.
Lu Chenyu couldn't help but give a wry smile. The courage he had gathered completely crumbled at that moment.
Yet, he was somewhat unwilling to give up, so he couldn't help but pry, crossing a boundary.
"Who?"
Song Xi looked up and saw his undisguised sadness in his eyes. It was then that she suddenly understood, realizing what was happening.
This wasn't a casual chat between friends, but his test.
"Lu Chenyu, actually—"
Before she could finish, the car's speed abruptly increased.
Lu Chenyu said sternly, "There's a car following us!"
Song Xi immediately glanced at the rearview mirror. Sure enough, a gray van was trailing them at a not-too-close, not-too-far distance.
Lu Chenyu accelerated while analyzing, "It's not paparazzi who are this bold. It must be reporters."
Song Xi's brow furrowed, but the next second she calmed down, opened her phone's map, and said, "Turn right at the next intersection."
Her reaction was swift.
"Head to the city center. I'll guide you from here."
Lu Chenyu paused, "...Alright."
Meanwhile, inside the reporters' van.
"Damn, I think we've been spotted."
"What are you afraid of? Keep following! I swear, if you lose them, I'll kill you!"
The city center was packed, and with it being the weekend, the roads were extremely congested.
Song Xi looked at the map while deep in thought.
After a while, she said, "Take the right lane."
Lu Chenyu obediently turned the steering wheel, and the van followed closely behind.
The traffic light turned red, and a large crowd of people moved forward, shoulder to shoulder.
Song Xi stared at the red light and instructed softly, "Don't rush. We'll go when there are only five seconds left."
Lu Chenyu was instantly enlightened.
She, she was trying to…
The light turned green, and the vehicles ahead began to move forward slowly.
Song Xi reached out and stopped him, "Wait a moment."
Her hand was fair and delicate, and a hint of shyness flickered across Lu Chenyu's face.
Behind them, a series of impatient honks sounded, piercingly loud.
Inside the van, the reporters wondered, "What's going on? Why aren't they moving? Did they break down?"
Song Xi stared expressionlessly at her phone screen, and suddenly, she commanded, "Now!"
As soon as she spoke, Lu Chenyu cooperated perfectly, stepping on the accelerator and pushing the car to its maximum speed.
Thus, a white van shot forward with lightning speed.
Five seconds, precisely, just as the light turned green.
The reporters hadn't even reacted. By the time they came to their senses, the green light had already turned red.
The man cursed furiously, "Damn it!"