A beautiful summer night

Xia Wanzhi didn't know how the news of the annulment of the engagement got out, but at this moment, what she couldn't understand even more was how Xie Tan managed to get Xie Qiyan, this big shot, to be her driver.

Does Xie Tan have this kind of ability?

impossible.

Did Xie Qiyan show great mercy?

Nor is it possible.

"Are you here to laugh at me?" Xia Wanzhi was pulled into the car by Xie Tan. As soon as she sat down, she looked up and met Xie Qiyan's meaningful gaze in the rearview mirror. She was clearly unsure of herself, but she refused to admit defeat.

"If you're trying to take advantage of my vulnerability to talk to me about moving the studio, forget it." She was exhausted today, her whole body visibly weary, her last bit of energy completely depleted, leaving her only with resentment.

Capitalists hate uncooperative "holdouts" like her, and given the grudges from her childhood, she's probably already on Xie Qiyan's blacklist.

"Sister Wanzi..." Perhaps noticing that Xia Wanzhi's breathing was a little heavy, Xie Tan squeezed her hand, his tone filled with subtle concern.

Xia Wanzhi's eyelids felt heavy, and as she closed her eyes, she gripped Xie Tan's hand in return.

Xie Qiyan stubbed out the cigar and started the car, without saying a word the entire time.

He drove very steadily, the car traveling at a constant speed on the overpass. The early morning night was far from the hustle and bustle, and the wind rustled through his hair, making his tense heartstrings relax inexplicably.

Xia Wanzhi simply closed her eyes for a short rest, her breathing unconsciously becoming lighter. To her, the current atmosphere was actually somewhat eerie.

I felt inexplicably nervous.

She never imagined that one day she would ride in Xie Qiyan's car and have him be her driver.

Her disheveled state was just as pathetic as when she stumbled upon Xie Qiyan being punished to kneel in the Xie family courtyard on a summer solstice afternoon when she was a child.

This time, however, the roles have been reversed.

He was the one who showed kindness.

She became the one who was pitied but didn't appreciate it.

If Mr. Xia and Ms. Ross had been in the North City, and if Mr. Xia hadn't had that accident, none of these things would have happened.

Xie Qiyan, perhaps out of consideration for the Xia family, might relent and allow her to stay at Xingyao.

The Zhou family, and indeed the entire elite social circle, will treat her with the respect due to them.

Zhou Yu wouldn't be like this today.

But if she hadn't fallen into this predicament, she might never have known that the person who once greeted her with a smile would one day speak ill of her.

The drive was only about twenty minutes. Xia Wanzhi didn't know when she fell asleep. When she woke up again, a heavy head was leaning against her shoulder.

Xie Tan also fell asleep.

The car had been parked in front of the Xie family's house for an unknown amount of time. Sparse light and shadows streamed in through the window, and Xia Wanzhi raised her eyes to notice that the person in the driver's seat had not left either.

"Get out of the car when you're awake." Xie Qiyan glanced at the rearview mirror, his voice slightly deep. "Wake Xie Tan up."

Xia Wanzhi: "..."

Since they were now on someone else's territory, Xia Wanzhi had no choice but to obey. She didn't say anything, but gently shook Xie Tan's shoulder: "Xie Tan, we're home."

The child slept soundly, and it took some effort to wake him up. Xia Wanzhi had never woken a child before, and after several unsuccessful attempts, she subconsciously glanced at Xie Qiyan.

Why does it feel a little awkward?

Xie Qiyan turned on the car's interior light. Xia Wanzhi raised her hand to shield her eyes before adjusting to the light. When she lowered her hand, she saw Xie Qiyan had already gotten out of the car and was walking towards the back seat.

Instead of going around to Xie Tan's side, he stopped directly next to Xia Wanzhi, deftly opened the car door, and looked down at Xia Wanzhi.

Xia Wanzhi looked up at him, her breath suddenly feeling slightly choked.

"Not coming down?" Xie Qiyan's expression remained unchanged. Before Xia Wanzhi could react, he blurted out, "Do you want me to treat you?"

Xia Wanzhi paused for a moment: "I can't afford it."

As soon as she got out of the car, Xie Tan, who was leaning against her, fell asleep in a slumped position.

Xie Qiyan's gaze was cold. After Xia Wanzhi got out of the car, he bent down slightly and leaned half his body inside.

Just as Xia Wanzhi thought that her older brother was about to carry Xie Tan out, Xie Qiyan's broad hand landed, grabbed Xie Tan and shook him roughly, as if he wanted to shake his brains out.

Xia Wanzhi: "..."

Rude.

vulgar.

Such a cruel heart.

This swaying motion is practically stealing sleep from the Duke of Zhou (a figure in Chinese mythology associated with dreams).

Xie Tan was jolted awake: "An earthquake?"

She was about to get angry, but when she opened her eyes and saw Xie Qiyan, she immediately held back and jumped down from inside, looking aggrieved.

He wasn't fully awake yet, and as soon as he opened his arms to hug Xia Wanzhi, he casually complained, "Sister Wanzi, can you control him? Is he even human...?"

Xia Wanzhi's lips twitched slightly.

She's nobody to him, so how could he control her?

"It's not a person, it's a dog. Just think of it as being scratched by a dog's paw, and we won't hold it against him." The two walked hand in hand ahead, Xia Wanzhi speaking very softly, but in the dead of night, at this distance, it would be difficult for Xie Qiyan not to hear.

The little girl took small steps and walked slowly. He followed behind her, not in a hurry. Sometimes, when he followed closely, he could faintly smell a gardenia fragrance.

Later that night, Xie Tan changed into her pajamas and, unable to resist the urge to fall asleep, went to bed. Xia Wanzhi adjusted the air conditioner and hesitated for a moment before coming over to cover her with a blanket, but then decided to ask, "Xie Tan, don't sleep yet. Get up and tell me how you found out about my annulment of the engagement with your cousin."

Xie Tan turned over, moved his lips but did not answer.

Xia Wanzhi pinched her cheek, already having the answer in her heart, and said helplessly, "Little brat, you're quite something, now you can even take your older sister home."

Upon hearing this, Xie Tan forced her eyes open and replied, "It wasn't me, it was my brother."

Xia Wanzhi was stunned, and it took her a while to react: "What did you say?"

"Sleepy..." Xie Tan closed his eyes heavily, "It was my brother's decision..."

The person was completely asleep, and Xia Wanzhi's subsequent questions received no answer.

The world seemed to fall silent. Xia Wanzhi sat on the edge of the bed and thought of a thousand and one reasons, but couldn't find a single reasonable one.

What exactly does Xie Qiyan want to do?

Pity her?

Like when she first met him as a child, she felt sorry for him?

Completely baffled, Xia Wanzhi walked to the door, intending to ask for clarification herself. However, just as she reached the door, a knock sounded from outside.

The door was turned open.

Their eyes met, Xia Wanzhi blinked, and then slowly looked away: "What are you doing?"

"Go sleep in the guest room next door. Xie Tan's bed is small, so you won't be pressing on her." As the two boxes fell, Xie Qiyan finished speaking and left. By the time Xia Wanzhi came to her senses, he had already walked around the corner.

Xia Wanzhi weighed the two boxes she had stacked in her hands. When she opened them and saw that they contained clothes, she became even more puzzled by Xie Qiyan.

The guest room next door had its own bathroom and was fully equipped with all the necessities. Perhaps the maid had specially tidied it up, which made things much more convenient. When Xia Wanzhi finished washing up and sat on the edge of the bed, she had a strange feeling.

I got into Xie Qiyan's car.

Now he's in Xie Qiyan's bed again?

bah bah bah!

Xia Wanzhi shook her head, startled by her own neurotic internal monologue, and sat up in bed.

What do you mean by Xie Qiyan's bed? It's clearly the Xie family's bed.

The difference is huge.