five

Qiao Yuanchuan slowly opened his eyes, and with this subtle movement, the ash from the cigarette seemed to make a sound as it softly fell, merging into the thick Turkish carpet

He took his coat and then reached out to pat Tang Sicheng on the shoulder

Tang Sicen suddenly raised her eyes, and her gaze collided with a young man, scattering the memories that had been swirling around.

Xu Boyuan said nothing, still pursing his lips, calmly gazing at her, as if scrutinizing her, yet seemingly guessing.

Si Chen lowered her gaze, unconsciously wrapping her arms around herself.

Qiao Yuanchuan merely smiled, the corner of his eye catching a glimpse of Tang Sicheng, who was slightly bowing her head, as if waiting for her to speak.

"Do you believe me? I am not someone who meddles in others' affairs," Xu Bo Yuan said淡淡的, seemingly with a hint of confusion, puzzled as to why he would engage in such actions

Since then, I have told myself that at any time, I should not give up my original thoughts because of others

Sugar sugar

Tang Sicen could only barely turn around, standing before her was Xu Boyuan. His face, his smile, but for a moment she could see none of it. Amidst the chaotic light and shadows, she could only discern the voice filled with unexpected astonishment—"Tang Tang? What are you doing here?"

Those memories were like rain, drenching Tang Sicheng with alternating chills and warmth, and she indeed was not prepared for such an unexpected encounter with Qiao Yuanchuan

Tang Sicen slowly walked up to him and asked, "Your birthday party, yet the host is not present, isn't that rather unfortunate?"

Leaning against the wall, with a cigarette pinched between his fingers, he appeared to be relaxed as he leaned back, taking a deep drag. After a dazzling spark, a long ash hung from the cigarette.

Tang Sicen remained silent, her long eyelashes fluttering gently

Wu Yuanyuan only thought it was "him," and smiled as she said: "He is walking with that girl. By the way, who is that girl? Is she my uncle's girlfriend?"

Can we be friends?

Although she knew that Xu Boyuan had no malicious intent, she did not wish to become overly involved with matters and people related to Qiao Yuanchuan

Distant River

He had never applied the brakes so thoroughly; amidst the intense sound of braking, the car still slid forward for a distance before coming to a stop

In a hurried moment, Si Chen turned around and forced a smile, saying, "What a coincidence?"

Qiao Yuanchuan did not respond, standing upright and turning his head to gaze out the window. The tranquil garden had already donned a layer of darkness, while the silver Volvo, with its taillights flashing, was slowly driving away

The excuse was so clumsy that she couldn't even deceive herself, but she could no longer care about that; she simply looked at Xu Boyuan, hoping he would say one word: "Good"

"No need for that." When she spoke again, Tang Sicheng had already restrained all her fluctuating emotions. She exerted a slight force, clenching her palm, and turned to Xu Boyuan, saying, "I suddenly remembered that my mentor has something to discuss with me tonight. Happy birthday to you, and see you next time."

Xu Boyuan shrugged his shoulders, adopting a helpless expression: "He is two years younger than me. You know, the youngest is always the most special. For instance, he is the most favored by the whole family"

Amidst the unique aroma of oil and smoke that belongs solely to the night market, he possessed a strange yet calming sensation.

After a long while, he finally shifted his gaze gently, noticing Qiao Yuanchuan's darkened eyes and the slightly sarcastic tone: "Ah Yuan, is your birthday party really that short of people?"

Then Xu Boyuan finally spoke: "Miss Tang, I will escort you back to school"

In the evening, a breeze flowed in through the window on the second floor, and Sichen's ankle-length dress hung down, fluttering slightly, revealing a pair of canvas shoes underneath. Her black hair fell casually behind her, with the bangs at her forehead forming a naturally graceful arc.

Tang Sicen followed him in a daze, brushing past Qiao Yuanchuan. It was not until they reached the stairway that a tall girl standing downstairs looked up and asked, "Uncle, is Yuanchuan up there?"

It is a long scroll of the Qingming Festival, meticulously unfurled. Under each lamp, bright and dim, a tale of joys and sorrows unfolds; on every road, countless changes in human affairs race by. At times, one may feel insignificant, like mere dust; yet, sadly, even this insignificant dust possesses its own joys, anger, sorrow, and happiness

Ordered half a dozen beers, nearly all the dishes on the menu, grilled fish, beef tripe, lamb skewers... The surroundings gradually filled with people. Shichen sometimes ate in silence, and at other times, he would look up and casually chat with him about the weather, until he became slightly tipsy

How should she greet him

I just seemed to have seen your car

"Let's go eat something," Xu Boyuan casually tossed his coat to her, "Don't catch a cold."

"My birthday party, the first guest just left, it was a failure." He laughed, turned his gaze, and said while staring at her, "It's alright, at my age, if I still have to consider the thoughts of others when celebrating a birthday party, that would be too unfree."

It is him

"Hey, this is not appropriate for a birthday celebrant," he said seriously as he opened the car door for her

Wu Yuanyuan ascended the stairs, and indeed, Qiao Yuanchuan was there.

Like a clear spring flowing down, the silky smoothness touched her skin. Si Chen crouched down, scooping water with her hands, washing them clean, and casually plucked another piece.

Si Chen remained silent, merely pressing her lips together

Every second feels so long, Tang Sicheng's right hand is hidden in her pocket, beginning to tremble slightly. She wants to scream, and she also wants to leave without a care, but reason and social norms still dominate her consciousness. She stands there, fully awake, her gaze... gradually turning into a plea

The man sitting opposite unfastened a button at his collar, his eyes shining brightly like stars

Si Chen fell silent for a moment, and the entire carriage seemed to be suffocating

Tang Sicen lowered her head, and in silence, her entire face was wet, as tears streamed down her cheeks.

I will not go. " Sichen said calmly, holding his high-quality coat, " Please take me back to school."

He admitted that the first time was due to the name—Yuan Chuan's ex-girlfriend, which piqued his curiosity. But what about the second time? He originally only needed to observe from a distance, yet he walked over, standing right behind her. The lighting in the exhibition hall that day was not good, but when he lowered his head, he could clearly see the back of the girl's neck, long and fair, with her hair gently swaying, a sensation that reached deep into his heart

He then got out of the car, took a bottle from the trunk, and kindly called out to her: "You come down, I will pour you some water"

When I was in college, I had a birthday once. I was in a very bad mood that day and just wanted to be alone, writing programs or doing experiments. But a group of friends said to me, "Hey, Xu Boyuan, let's go celebrate." They were very enthusiastic, and I couldn't bear to dampen their spirits, so I agreed. That night was... Xu Boyuan pondered his words before saying, "An unprecedented indulgence. But after sobering up, I regretted it. It felt like a person who was already ill had drowned their sorrows in alcohol once again. It was very unpleasant." That night was... Xu Boyuan pondered his words before saying, "An unprecedented indulgence. But after sobering up, I regretted it. It felt like a person who was already ill had drowned their sorrows in alcohol once again. It was very unpleasant."

Indeed, Xu Bo said with some regret, "Although he never had the awareness of being a junior."

He... is your nephew

As she got into the car, Tang Sicheng wondered what this high-tech nouveau riche, who owned a Picasso masterpiece, would use to satisfy his hunger

She leaned against the car body, squinting her eyes as she gazed at the distant lights in the valley below

She still had tears streaming down her face, yet she forced a smile and said: "Mr. Xu, my... a contact lens just fell out. I think it must be in this vehicle."

Do you have bottled water in your car

Si Chen couldn't help but chuckle: "Why do you look so unhappy?"

Tall in stature, with a carefree smile that seems almost mischievous, habitually tilting the chin slightly upwards, the narrow and bright eyes are always filled with pride

Xu Boyuan's expression clearly froze for a moment, then he slowly let her go, first unable to hold back his laughter, and then he laughed out loud, looking extremely pleased

Ultimately, it cannot be refused

"Why are you smoking again? The ash fell here, aren't you deliberately making things difficult for Auntie?" The girl's voice was crisp yet tinged with reproach, "By the way, why did Uncle Xiao leave? The guests are arriving soon—"

Only on this side of the head, he almost thought he had seen it wrong

He saw Si Chen smile, and then changed the subject, saying: "I am hungry"

In fact, he is not much older than Sicheng, but for some reason, when he says this, Sicheng does not feel that there is anything inappropriate about it

However, she did not need to think much; the road the car was heading towards was very familiar to her. After driving a few more minutes, they would arrive at the most famous barbecue night market in Wendaoshi, which is located in the small alley behind Haida University.

She is a beautiful girl, her appearance is so exquisite that it can only be described as crystal clear, with long, flowing curls cascading down her back, full and lustrous

He opened his mouth very slowly, as if every word drained him of energy: "Has she left?"

It was a very special kind of affection. Even approaching under the name of Yuan Chuan did not make him feel that there was anything inappropriate about it

She was truly an extremely slender girl. As Xu Boyuan's palm brushed over her shoulder blades, a sense of pity and a hint of remorse unexpectedly settled in his heart. In the end, he still grasped her hand firmly and said softly, "Let's go"

"Do not use the word 'deliberate'; it reminds me of exploitation or premeditation," Xu Boyuan said with a gentle smile. "The first time I took you to the hospital was indeed because of Yuan Chuan. As for later, I was just wondering if some things could have a second chance. When we are too young, we actually do not understand this principle"

The girl stuck out her tongue and curiously scrutinized Tang Sicheng

"Oh, it's me. I had to step out for a bit." Xu Boyuan was not very talkative; after saying a few simple words, he hung up the phone and then turned to Tang Sicheng with great ease, "Are you feeling any better now?"

Xu Boyuan seemed to have always kept himself aloof from matters, until this moment, when he slightly nodded and said: "Sicheng is my guest. Yuanchuan, since you know each other, please entertain him on my behalf"

However, Xu Boyuan did not provide any further introduction. He hurriedly descended the stairs, took the keys from the driver, and left with Tang Sicheng

The nightfall of this city has already enveloped everything, making Shichen, who has been striving to sit upright in the spacious car seat, feel secure. She knows that she is tightly holding her expression, and she is also aware that the person beside her is not stealing glances at her demeanor, yet deep down, there remains an almost naked sense of anxiety.

Casually parking the car by the roadside, Si Chen couldn't help but say as he got out of the car, "Do you know that these things... are very likely made with gutter oil"

Xu Boyuan smiled faintly and said, "Yuan Yuan, Yuan Chuan should learn from you what it means to have propriety"

Qiao Yuanchuan

Oh, I know this. It was recommended by one of my employees. I heard it is very delicious. They found an outdoor stall to sit down, and later kept thinking about it, but did not have the time to come over

Xu Boyuan extended his hand somewhat uncontrollably, making the least gentlemanly gesture he had ever shown since he met her—he grasped her chin, turning her towards himself, and asked in a low voice: "Is it so difficult for you to meet Yan Chuan?"

Xu Boyuan had already tightened the bottle cap, leaning half against the car body, and pointed to the distant city nightscape, saying: "Come and take a look."

I mean, our friendship has nothing to do with Yuan Chuan. Xu Boyuan reached out to refill her glass with beer, the delicate white foam gradually rising, resembling the clouds that appear and disappear in the sky. Also, please forget the foolish thing I did today

Si Chen was taken aback: "Is it not now?"

Xu Boyuan was clearly taken aback: "Gutter oil?"

As if nothing happened. With a blank expression. Without showing any emotion.

Uh?

Those are all good, but she cannot achieve them

Uh... I feel somewhat at a loss for how to explain, "It's just unhealthy"

Winding down the mountain road, there were very few people on this path, and the vehicles moved smoothly. As he brushed past a few cars, Xu Bo answered the phone. Due to the quietness, Si Chen could hear the voice on the other end of the line clearly.

Qiao Yuanchuan's gaze, which was momentarily blazing, gradually cooled. He leaned against the door, his eyes passing over her and directly looking at another person in the room: "So it turns out my junior is your guest"

Tang Sicen recognized her, and her face turned a shade pale in an instant. ... She felt an uncontrollable urge to see Qiao Yuanchuan's reaction; would he ... treat her the same way he used to treat her before?

"Are you doing this on purpose?" Si Chen heard herself asking, "Do you know me because of Qiao Yuanchuan?"