sjar Chapter 1740 An Zihao Appears
Chapter 1740 An Zihao Appears
Nan Weiwei left, and Xiao Mei looked away, glancing down at the phone in her palm.
The screen's glow reflected on his face, making that thin layer of expectation shine.
In the chat box, An Zihao's avatar was flashing unusually frequently.
"sorry."
"I was a jerk before, I didn't consider your feelings."
"But I have no choice. You've seen my sister; she's used to being domineering. I don't want to have a falling out with her, so I can only ask you to put up with this."
Every word and phrase absolves them of all responsibility, while conveniently portraying themselves as a pristine white lotus in a prosperous era.
A few days ago, Xiao Mei wouldn't have believed a word of this nonsense, not even the punctuation.
But now...
Xiao Mei's thumb hovered above the screen, hesitant to drop it.
It felt like there were two little people in my mind, fighting each other like crazy.
One person pointed to old chat logs of being stood up and yelled, "Are you out of your mind? He used to lie to you about a car accident, about working overtime, and even about a gas leak at home! Now he thinks he can just let it go with a few nice words?"
The other, however, retorted while holding a pink heart: "Times have changed! With his perverted sister holding him back, he had no choice. Look at him now, even in this state, he's still giving you compensation and coming to find you. What does that mean? It means you still have a place in his heart!"
Xiao Mei bit her lower lip, her fingertips repeatedly stroking the three characters "An Zihao".
In the past, when I sent him messages, it was basically a recurring cycle.
Sending a "Good morning" in the morning and getting a "hmm" in the evening is a blessing.
And now? Instant reply.
The vanity brought about by this contrast exploded in my chest like carbonated bubbles, leaving a tingling, numb feeling.
An Zihao sent another message: "I've booked a table at 'Genting' tonight. Could you do me the honor of apologizing in person?"
Genting Highlands.
The city's most difficult-to-book rooftop restaurant, with prices starting at four figures per person.
Xiao Mei mentioned once that she wanted to go there to take photos and check in. What did An Zihao say at the time?
"What's the point of going to a place like that? It's all a waste of money."
Now, he's willingly paying this "stupidity tax."
Xiao Mei stared at the location, her heart pounding uncontrollably in her chest.
This is more than just a meal.
This is a signal.
A prodigal son returns home, finally seeing the signs from those around him.
Maybe he was really hurt by his sister's manipulation and wanted to find someone who truly understood him?
My fingers flew across the keyboard, afraid that if I hesitated even a second, the other person would change their mind.
"Okay, I'm a bit busy right now. I'll contact you later and we can talk then."
The moment Xiaomei pressed the send button, she let out a long breath. The air filled her lungs, carrying the coolness unique to the night, but it couldn't extinguish the fire in her heart.
He turned around, hailed a taxi, and went to the place where he rented a house.
"Driver, please drive faster, I'm in a hurry."
The taxi weaved left and right through the evening rush hour traffic.
Xiao Mei sat in the back seat, adjusting her bangs while looking at her phone screen which was black.
When I got home, my shoes were kicked off in the entryway.
He casually tossed his bag onto the sofa and swept into the bedroom like a whirlwind.
The wardrobe door was suddenly pulled open with a loud "bang".
Colorful fabrics instantly covered the large bed.
This black slip dress?
No, that's too blatant. It makes me look like I'm going fishing at a nightclub; it's not demure enough.
That pink floral dress?
Too unsophisticated. An artist like An Zihao, who's accustomed to the world of fame and fortune, would probably find it unattractive at first glance.
That white shirt dress?
Too plain, too conservative, like going for a job interview.
Xiao Mei stood in front of the dressing mirror, holding up each piece of clothing and trying them on.
His brows furrowed deeper and deeper.
I usually think I have a lot of clothes, but when it really comes down to it, every single one of them looks like it was picked out of a garbage dump.
Finally, my gaze fell on the French-style square-neck red dress in the corner of the closet, the tags still on.
Bright red, made of velvet, with a cinched waist and a slit in the skirt that reaches mid-thigh.
She possesses both the aura of an empress and the allure of a lover.
It is it.
I rushed into the bathroom, the sound of running water filling the air.
I used the most expensive shampoo and applied conditioner three times to make sure my hair was so smooth that even a fly couldn't land on it.
When I sat down at the dressing table, there was only one hour left until the appointed time.
An Zihao has sent me several messages.
The foundation was squeezed onto the back of my hand, and the beauty sponge slapped against my cheek with a loud slapping sound, like some kind of sacred ritual.
Concealer covers up the dark circles from staying up all night watching TV, while highlighter is applied to the bridge of the nose and cheekbones to create a three-dimensional effect that wasn't there before.
The eyeliner was drawn in an upward curve at the outer corner of the eye, and a beauty mark was placed under the eyelid.
The ceiling of pure desire.
I chose a burnt tomato red lipstick, which makes my skin look brighter and gives me a healthy glow, without making my lips look too big or swollen.
Finally, spray a "man-slaying" perfume on your wrists, behind your ears, and collarbone.
The person in the mirror has exquisite makeup, a red dress that hugs her shapely figure, and deep collarbones that look like they could hold fish.
Xiao Mei turned her face left and right, practicing smiling in front of the mirror.
Three parts shyness, three parts aloofness, and four parts anticipation.
"You are the best."
I made a cheering gesture in front of the mirror.
My phone vibrated.
An Zihao: "I've arrived, I'm downstairs."
My heart clenched suddenly.
So fast?
In the past, he was always at least half an hour late for dates, always citing traffic as the reason, followed by various excuses, and in the end, nothing came of it, and we never saw each other.
I arrived early today.
It seems he really cares.
Xiaomei grabbed her chain bag, looked in the mirror one last time to make sure there was no lipstick on her teeth, and then put on the red-soled high heels that she usually couldn't bear to wear.
Da da da.
The sound of high heels clicking on the floor echoed in the stairwell, each step feeling like it was on the beat of a heartbeat.
The fluctuating elevator numbers were making me anxious.
We've reached the first floor.
The elevator doors slowly opened.
The cool evening breeze swept in, ruffling his carefully styled hair.
Xiao Mei quickly reached out and pressed her bangs down before hurrying out of the building.
The streetlights cast a dim yellow glow, and moths fluttered around the lampshades.
A black sedan was parked at the entrance of the building. Its streamlined body gleamed coldly in the night, like a lurking wild beast.
The neighbors passing by all turned their heads to look, and a few middle-aged women walking their dogs whispered among themselves.
This feeling of being watched greatly satisfied Xiaomei's vanity.
The car window was rolled down halfway.
One hand rested on the edge of the car window, an unlit cigarette between his fingers.
An Zihao wore a dark gray shirt with two buttons undone at the collar, revealing his delicate collarbone and a silver necklace.
He turned his head when he heard the sound of high heels.
The gaze was projected through the dim light.
His gaze swept over Xiaomei from head to toe, as if he were assessing a commodity waiting to be sold.
There was a two-second pause.
For those two seconds, Xiaomei felt as if the air had frozen.
What is he looking at?
Is your makeup smudged? Or is your skirt too short? Or are your legs not straight enough?
Countless thoughts of self-doubt exploded in my mind.
Just as she was about to bend down to check the hem of her skirt, An Zihao pushed open the car door and stepped out.
Instead of sitting in the car and honking to urge them on as before, he walked around the front of the car and to the passenger door.
He gentlemanly opened the car door, placing his hand on the edge of the roof frame.
"boarding."
His voice was slightly magnetic, with a faint scent of cologne, unlike the cheap tobacco smell of the past.
I never dared to dream of such treatment before.
Xiao Mei gripped the handbag strap tightly, trying to control her upturned lips and make herself look as reserved as possible as she sat down in the leather seat.
The car door closed, shutting out the outside world.
The small space was filled with his scent.
An Zihao sat back in the driver's seat but did not start the car immediately.
He turned to the side, his captivating peach blossom eyes staring intently at Xiaomei. The dim ambient lighting in the car illuminated his profile, obscuring the emotions in his eyes.
"You look beautiful today."
His tone was flat, without much emotion, but to Xiao Mei's ears, it was heavenly music.
My cheeks instantly burned, and the heat climbed up my neck.
"No, I just wore it casually."
She said that, but her hands unconsciously smoothed out the hem of her skirt, revealing her most perfect leg lines.
An Zihao suddenly leaned closer.
They were so close you could hear each other's breath.
Xiao Mei's back stiffened instantly, she held her breath, and gripped the seatbelt buckle tightly with both hands.
What is he doing?
kiss?
Isn't it too fast?
Although I don't mind, but...
My mind is already practically filled with the wedding scene.
"Click".
The crisp, clear sound of the seatbelt buckle breaking the ambiguity in the car.
Xiao Mei...
An Zihao stepped back, patted the steering wheel with his palm, his profile appeared somewhat sharp in the shadows, and a faint mockery seemed to flash across his lips, so quick that it was impossible to catch.
"What are you thinking about? Your face is so red."
With a roar, the engine emitted a beastly howl as the car launched itself into the night.
The immense force of the push-back motion pressed Xiaomei firmly against the seat.
She turned her head to look at the street scene rushing past the window. Her flushed face was reflected in the glass, as well as An Zihao's cold profile next to her.
An Zihao spoke up...